Disc Brake Pad Spring Structure for Dual-Direction Biasing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional disc brake pad springs require separate arrangements for radially and rotationally biasing portions, increasing material costs and complicating productivity.
Innovation Solution
The design integrates a radially biasing portion with a guide plate and contact portion in the pad spring, allowing the contact portion to function as both a radially and rotationally biasing element, reducing material costs and improving productivity by eliminating the need for separate components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate radially biasing portion and rotational direction biasing portion are arranged in different positions, then the braking function is reliable, but the material cost increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the radially biasing portion and rotational direction biasing portion into a single integrated pad spring structure. The pad spring includes a radially biasing portion that extends radially outward and a rotational direction biasing portion that extends in the rotational direction, both formed as continuous elastic deformation portions from a single plate member. This integration eliminates the need for separate components while maintaining reliable braking function.
Solution Approach 2:
The pad spring is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides radial biasing, rotational direction biasing, and guide plate functions. The guide plate portion extends in the axial direction to guide the ear portion, while the radially biasing and rotational direction biasing portions work together to position the friction pad. This universal design reduces the total number of components needed in the disc brake system.
2Reliability
If separate radially biasing portion and rotational direction biasing portion are arranged in different positions, then the braking function is reliable, but the material cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple biasing functions into a single pad spring component made from one plate member. The radially biasing portion and rotational direction biasing portion are formed as continuous elastic deformation portions from the same material, eliminating the need for multiple separate parts and reducing material cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The pad spring serves multiple functions simultaneously: guiding the ear portion through the guide plate portion, providing radial biasing through the radially biasing portion, and providing rotational direction biasing through the rotational direction biasing portion. This multi-functionality reduces the total quantity of materials needed compared to separate components.
3Reliability
If separate radially biasing portion and rotational direction biasing portion are arranged in different positions, then the braking function is reliable, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the radially biasing portion and rotational direction biasing portion into a single pad spring structure formed from one plate member. The elastic deformation portions are continuously formed without separate joints or connections, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining reliable braking function.
Solution Approach 2:
The pad spring is designed as a universal component that combines guide plate, radially biasing, and rotational direction biasing functions in a single integrated structure. This reduces structural complexity by eliminating the need for multiple separate components and their associated mounting hardware.
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 configuration effectively biases the friction pads in both radial and rotational directions, reducing material costs and enhancing productivity while maintaining consistent sliding resistance and preventing backlash during vehicle travel.
Implementation Method 1
a radially biasing portion comprising a proximal end portion including a proximal end side extending from the second plate portion of the guide plate portion outwardly in the disc axial direction, a folded portion formed by being folded from the proximal end portion inwardly in the disc axial direction into a shape of a letter U, and a distal end portion extending from the folded portion in the disc axial direction between the second plate portion and the ear portion of the friction pad, the radially biasing portion being configured to elastically bias the friction pad through the distal end portion outwardly in the disc radial direction
Implementation Method 2
a contact portion extending from the distal end portion of the radially biasing portion toward a middle of the friction pad in the disc rotational direction of the friction pad and configured to contact a lateral surface of the friction pad in the disc rotational direction
Data Source
AI summary
A radially biasing portion (19) of a pad spring (14) includes a first extending portion (19A) extending from a lower surface plate (18B) of a guide plate portion (18) outwardly in a disc axial direction, a curled portion (19B) folded on a distal end side of the first extending portion, and a second extending portion (19C) extending from the curled portion in a direction approaching a disc (1), the second extending portion with which an ear portion (11A) of a friction pad (10) comes into contact. A contact portion (20) extends from the second extending portion of the radially biasing portion (19) toward a middle of the friction pad in a disc rotational direction of the friction pad. The contact portion comes into surface contact with a contacted surface (11B) as a lateral surface of the friction pad (backing plate 11) in the disc rotational direction.