Disc Brake Pad Spring Locking Structure for Faster Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

The assembly of the pad spring in existing vehicle disc brakes is time-consuming and labor-intensive due to the hanger pin being sandwiched between curved and cover pieces, complicating the assembly process.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle disc brake design featuring a caliper body with a locking groove and a pad spring with curved pieces and inclined abutting pieces that allow easy assembly by locking the pad spring to the caliper body, preventing rattling of friction pads through inward biasing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the hanger pin is sandwiched between a curved piece and a cover piece to assemble the pad spring, then the pad spring can be securely assembled, but the assembly process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure assembly of pad springVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The locking piece is extracted as a separate component from the main pad spring body. This locking piece is designed to be inserted into a locking groove on the hanger pin, separating the securing function from the main assembly process and enabling quicker attachment without complex sandwiching operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The pad spring assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the curved piece for biasing, the locking piece for securing, and the hanger pin for suspension. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and assembled in a simplified sequence, reducing overall assembly time while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the pad spring is designed with multiple pieces (curved piece, cover piece, locking mechanism) to prevent rattling, then rattling prevention is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverattling preventionVSAvoidpad spring structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking piece is merged with the curved piece to form an integrated pad spring assembly. This merging reduces the number of separate components while maintaining the rattling prevention function, as the locking piece integrates the securing mechanism directly into the biasing structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking piece serves multiple functions: it secures the pad spring to the hanger pin, prevents rattling through its engagement with the locking groove, and provides a simple assembly interface. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components, simplifying the overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Facilitates easy assembly of the pad spring, prevents rattling of friction pads, reduces abutting noise, and enhances durability by shifting stress points and allowing for adjustable spring-back force settings.

Implementation Method 1

a pad spring configured to bias the friction pads inward in a disc radial direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4105512B1Vehicle disc brake
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 ASTEMO LTD
  • EP4105512B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4105512B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4105512B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a vehicle disc brake with increased ease of assembly of a pad spring. A caliper body has a locking groove 3p formed on the inside in the disc radial direction of a forward-travel disc run-in side surface of a ceiling opening 3f, the locking groove 3p locking a pad spring 5. The pad spring 5 comprises: a curved piece 5a abutting against the inside in the disc radial direction of a hanger pin 13 for hanging a friction pad 4; a run-in side pad spring-back part 5b extending from the curved piece 5a to the forward-travel disc run-in side and pressing the friction pad 4 inward in the disc radial direction; a run-out side pad spring-back part 5c extending from the curved piece 5a to the forward-travel disc run-out side and pressing the friction pad 4 inward in the disc radial direction; and a locking piece 5d provided at the tip of the run-in side pad spring-back part 5b, and locked in the locking groove 3p.