Brake Pad Retaining Spring Hood for Commercial Disc Brakes
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing brake pad designs for commercial vehicle disc brakes suffer from deformation of the pad retaining spring when used as a handle, leading to a change in spring characteristics that can affect functionality, and require mechanical machining for production, limiting reuse and causing potential noise issues due to uneven force distribution.
Innovation Solution
A hood is rigidly connected to the pad carrier plate in the middle region, providing a positive-locking mechanism that prevents bending of the pad retaining spring, allowing for adequate radial deflection and progressive spring characteristics, and is produced using a locking tongue and teeth for secure attachment, preventing twisting and noise-causing lifting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pad retaining spring is used as a handle for installation or removal, then ease of operation is improved, but the spring deforms and its characteristic changes, worsening reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the pad retaining spring into two separate components: the spring itself and a handle element. The handle is detachably connected to the spring, allowing the spring to be dedicated solely to its retaining function while the handle provides the gripping function. This segmentation eliminates the conflict between handling requirements and spring characteristic stability.
2Manufacturing precision
If mechanical machining is used to produce undercut lugs and slot-shaped recesses, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity and production time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the manufacturing approach from mechanical machining to injection molding for producing the undercut lugs and slot-shaped recesses. By changing the production parameter from subtractive machining to additive molding, the patent achieves the same geometric precision while reducing device complexity and production time.
3Ease of operation
If the pad retaining spring is clamped at both ends, then ease of handling is improved, but bending occurs in the middle region, worsening spring characteristic stability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the gripping function from the spring function by introducing a dedicated handle element that attaches to the spring. This allows the spring to maintain its structural integrity without being bent during handling, while the handle provides the necessary gripping points for easy installation and removal.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the hood is rigidly connected to the pad retaining spring in the middle region, then bending is prevented and spring characteristic stability is improved, but the connection must be permanent, worsening ease of repair
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a detachable connection between the hood and the pad retaining spring through the locking tongue mechanism. This allows the spring to be permanently supported against bending while enabling easy separation for repair and replacement, resolving the contradiction between stability and repairability.
5Reliability
If positive-locking parts are provided for radial deflection, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking tongue automatically engages with the locking surface on the hood when the pad retaining spring is installed, providing self-service positive locking. The elastic deformation of the tongue creates the locking action without requiring additional actuators or complex mechanisms, thus improving reliability while minimizing device complexity.
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
The solution ensures stable force distribution, prevents bending and noise-related issues by maintaining the spring's integrity, allowing only complete sub-assembly replacement, enhancing operational safety and minimizing rattling noises through symmetrical support.
Implementation Method 1
fixing of the hood and, as a result, of the pad retaining spring on the pad carrier plate, is carried out by a locking tongue which, after seating of the hood on the pad carrier plate, is deformed and in an unloaded end position of the pad retaining spring abuts against a stop of the pad carrier plate
Implementation Method 2
the pad retaining spring being clamped in a load-transmitting manner, especially in the load region, as a result of which bending of the pad retaining spring is avoided
Data Source
AI summary
A brake pad for a disc brake, in particular for a commercial vehicle, has a pad retaining spring which is configured as an arcuate leaf spring and is held in a manner which is secured captively and can be deflected radially on a lining carrier plate of a brake pad which carries a friction lining. The pad retaining spring is connected in a form-fitting manner to the pad carrier plate by a hood which is fastened to the pad retaining spring.