Bicycle Brake Pad Assembly With Fixed Spreader Spring Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bicycle disc brake pad assemblies face challenges in efficient assembly and installation, often requiring complex processes and multiple steps, which can lead to increased handling difficulties and potential misalignment during installation.
Innovation Solution
A brake pad assembly comprising a pair of brake pads and a spreader spring, where the brake pads and spreader spring are permanently fixed together as a one-piece unit, allowing for ease of handling and a single-step assembly process, with the spreader spring biased to spread the pads apart and compress them upon braking, utilizing forked leaves and tines for secure fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If brake pads and spreader spring are assembled separately in multiple steps, then assembly flexibility is maintained, but assembly complexity increases and alignment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the brake pads and spreader spring into a single pre-assembled unit where the spreader spring is permanently fixed to the brake pad backing plate. This integration eliminates the need for separate assembly steps in the brake caliper, ensuring proper alignment between components while reducing the overall assembly complexity during installation.
2Ease of operation
If brake pads and spreader spring are permanently fixed together, then handling ease improves and assembly time reduces, but adjustability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The brake pad assembly is designed as a integrated unit with the spreader spring permanently attached to the backing plate, creating a single handleable component. This segmentation allows the entire assembly to be installed as one piece, improving handling ease and reducing assembly time while maintaining the functional integrity of the brake system.
3Productivity
If multiple separate components are used, then component replaceability is improved, but installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By permanently fixing the spreader spring to the brake pad backing plate, the invention creates a pre-assembled unit that can be quickly installed as a single component. This merging of components significantly reduces installation time and simplifies the replacement process, while the modular nature of the brake pad assembly still allows for efficient maintenance and replacement.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution simplifies the assembly and installation of brake pad assemblies, ensuring proper alignment and efficient braking performance by integrating the spreader spring with the brake pads, reducing manual handling complexities and enhancing braking efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The spreader spring has a first leaf and a second leaf. At least a portion of the first leaf is fixed between the first rotor facing surface and the first friction pad, and at least a portion of the second leaf is fixed between the second rotor facing surface and the second friction pad. The spreader spring is biased towards a spread position in which the first brake pad and second brake pad are spaced apart from each other, and is moveable to a compressed position in which the first brake pad and the second brake pad are moved towards each other relative to the spread position.
Implementation Method 2
The spreader spring is biased towards a spread position... and is moveable to a compressed position
Implementation Method 3
The portion of the first leaf can be fixed in the groove by friction
Implementation Method 4
The portion of the first leaf can be fixed in the groove by an adhesive
Data Source
AI summary
A brake pad assembly for a bicycle includes a first brake pad, a second brake pad, and a spreader spring. The first brake pad has a first backing plate with a first rotor facing surface, and a first friction pad secured to the rotor facing surface. The second brake pad has a second backing plate with a second rotor facing surface, and a second friction pad secured to the second rotor facing surface and facing the first friction pad. The spreader spring has a first leaf that is fixed to the first brake pad and a second leaf that is fixed to the second brake pad. At least a portion of the first leaf is positioned between the first rotor facing surface and the first friction pad, and at least a portion of the second leaf is positioned between the second rotor facing surface and the second friction pad.