Brake Pad Pressing Spring Variable Stiffness Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The pinching fixing type brake pad pressing springs in disc brakes experience unstable deformation modes, leading to variations in spring performance, which result in increased striking noise and squeal noise during braking operations due to insufficient rigidity and unstable pinching states.
Innovation Solution
A brake pad pressing spring with a pinching portion that pinches the pad back plate, where the elastic arm is continuously formed from the base end side of the pinching portion, increasing the spring constant when a load exceeding a predetermined value is applied, and improving the rigidity of the elastic arm to stabilize its deformation mode and prevent movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a pinching fixing type pad pressing spring is used, then the mounting process is simplified and caulking is not required, but the spring deformation mode becomes unstable and spring performance varies
Solution Approach 1:
The pad pressing spring is divided into distinct functional segments: a pinching portion for mounting and an elastic arm for pressing. The elastic arm is further segmented into a first elastic arm and a second elastic arm connected by a turning portion, allowing independent deformation modes that stabilize overall performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring constant is made variable through the design. When the pad presses against the disc, the turning portion rotates, changing the deformation mode from bending both elastic arms to bending only the second elastic arm. This parameter change stabilizes spring performance across different operating conditions.
2Ease of operation
If the elastic arm has low rigidity to allow follow-up movement, then the contact point can follow pad displacement, but the deformation amount varies and spring performance becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic arm design incorporates dynamic adaptability. The turning portion can rotate to adjust the deformation mode based on operating conditions, allowing the system to transition between different stiffness states. This dynamic behavior enables both follow-up movement and stable spring performance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the pinching portion allows movement on the pad back plate, then the elastic arm can deform freely, but the pinched state becomes unstable and adds unwanted elastic deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting structure is segmented into a pinching portion with pinching pieces that independently clamp the pad back plate. This segmentation provides stable anchoring while allowing the elastic arm to deform freely in its intended manner without unwanted coupling between mounting and deformation functions.
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 stabilizes the pinched state of the pad back plate, reduces variations in spring performance, and effectively suppresses striking noise and squeal noise during braking operations by enhancing the elastic arm's rigidity and follow-up movement with the torque receiving surface.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic arm which presses the brake pad in a disc rotor normal-rotating direction continuously is formed on a base end side of the pinching portion
Implementation Method 2
a pair of facing pinching pieces, which pinch the pad back plate in a thickness direction, are formed in such a manner that one end side of a strip-shaped spring material is bent in a U shape
Data Source
AI summary
A pad pressing spring which is mounted on a pad of a disc brake by causing a pinching portion to pinch a pad back plate is configured as follows. An elastic arm which presses the pad in a disc rotor normal-rotating direction continuously extends from a base end side of the pinching portion, and the elastic arm has a configuration in which, when a load exceeding a predetermined value is applied in a direction opposite to a direction in which a pad is pressed, a tip end side of the elastic arm comes into contact with a lateral surface of the pad back plate or the pinching portion, and thus a spring constant of the pad pressing spring increases compared to a spring constant in a state where a load exceeding the predetermined value is not applied.