Disc Brake Gap Adjustment via Axial Motion Conversion

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing brake devices face challenges in reliably adjusting the gap between brake pads and a disc due to changes in the relative positions of rotating arms and the gap adjusting mechanism, leading to insufficient adjustment.

Innovation Solution

A brake device with a gap adjusting mechanism that includes a converting portion to convert linear movement of an output shaft into rotational axis movement, maintaining the relative positions of the gap adjusting mechanism and converting portion unchanged, even when the rotating arms rotate, allowing for reliable adjustment of the gap distance between the base end portions of the rotating arms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the gap adjusting mechanism is coupled to the base end portions of the rotating arms, then the gap can be adjusted by changing the distance between base end portions, but the relative positions of the rotating arms and gap adjusting mechanism change when rotating arms rotate, resulting in insufficient adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegap adjustment precisionVSAvoidadjustment reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A transmission rod is introduced as an intermediary component to connect the gap adjusting mechanism to the rotating arms. The transmission rod transmits the adjusting force from the gap adjusting mechanism to the rotating arms, ensuring reliable force transmission even when relative positions change during rotation, thereby resolving the insufficiency of direct coupling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The gap adjusting mechanism is divided into separate functional components: the adjusting mechanism itself, the transmission rod for force transmission, and the connection points on the rotating arms. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, maintaining adjustment reliability while accommodating position changes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Force

If the transmission rod extends in the direction from tip end portions to base end portions of rotating arms, then it can transmit force effectively, but when rotating arms rotate, the distance between the transmission rod and gap adjusting mechanism changes, causing insufficient adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce transmission efficiencyVSAvoidgap adjustment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission rod is designed to be dynamically adjustable in length or configuration. As the rotating arms rotate and change relative positions, the transmission rod can extend or retract, or change its orientation, to maintain effective force transmission while accommodating the changing geometry, thereby preventing adjustment insufficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Ensures reliable gap adjustment between brake pads and a disc, maintaining effective braking performance even as the rotating arms change positions, preventing insufficient adjustment and ensuring consistent braking action.

Implementation Method 1

a converting portion for converting the linear movement of the output shaft into movement in a rotational axis direction extending along a rotational axis of the rotating arms

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical movement conversion:

Implementation Method 2

an internally threaded female screw portion and an externally threaded male screw portion. The female screw portion is configured to increase the distance between the base end portions of the rotating arms when the female screw portion rotates in one direction circumferentially relative to the male screw portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 3

a first elastic member for urging the movable member in a direction opposite to a direction in which the movable member is movable when acted upon by the linear movement of the output shaft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Implementation Method 4

a second elastic member interposed between the transmitting portion and the movable member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3916262B1Brake device
Publication Date: 2022.12.28 NABTESCO CORP
  • EP3916262B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3916262B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3916262B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A brake device (10) includes an output shaft (13) linearly movable within a first cylinder (11). The output shaft (13) is coupled with a pair of rotating arms (40) rotatable when acted upon by the linear movement of the output shaft (13). The rotating arms (40) each have at a tip end portion thereof a brake pad (90) fixedly attached thereto. The base end portions of the rotating arms (40) are coupled with a gap adjusting mechanism (70) for adjusting the distance between the base end portions of the rotating arms (40). The gap adjusting mechanism (70) is coupled with a converting portion (50) for converting, when acted upon by the linear movement of the output shaft (13), the linear movement into movement in a rotational axis direction extending along the rotational axis of the rotating arms (40). The gap adjusting mechanism (70) increases the distance between the base end portions of the rotating arms (40) as the movement in the rotational axis direction is made.