Floating-Caliper Brake Pad Lift Mechanism for Reliable Release

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Floating caliper brakes face challenges in reliably lifting both brake pads off the brake disc after braking, leading to increased wear and energy losses due to incomplete pad separation, especially in harsh environmental conditions.

Innovation Solution

A lifting part is articulated on the brake caliper and supported on a contact point of the support structure, with a lifting drive rotating it about a pivot point to move the caliper relative to the support structure, ensuring both brake pads are lifted off the disc upon release.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a pressing device is used to lift brake pads off the brake disc after braking, then one brake pad can be actively lifted, but the other brake pad cannot be actively lifted leading to incomplete separation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrake pad separation reliabilityVSAvoidbrake pad lifting mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A lifting part articulated at a pivot point on the brake caliper acts as an intermediary mechanism. This lifting part can be supported on the support structure at a contact point and rotated by a lifting drive to actively lift both brake pads off the brake disc, solving the problem of incomplete pad separation that occurs with conventional pressing devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The lifting mechanism is segmented into distinct components: a lifting part articulated at a pivot point on the brake caliper, a support structure with contact point, and an optional lifting drive. This segmentation allows the lifting function to be independently controlled and applied to both brake pads simultaneously, ensuring complete separation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If O-ring elasticity is used to retract the hydraulic piston, then piston retraction is achieved, but the mechanism becomes unreliable under harsh environmental conditions and over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepiston retraction reliabilityVSAvoidservice life of elastic element
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting part articulated at the pivot point serves as a reliable intermediary mechanism that is not dependent on degrading elastic elements like O-rings. It can be supported on the support structure and rotated to actively lift brake pads, providing consistent performance throughout the service life of the brake system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The lifting mechanism can be designed to work passively through the floating caliper design itself, where the caliper moves on the support structure to enable pad separation, or can be actively driven by a lifting drive. This eliminates dependency on elastic elements that degrade over time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If springs or elastic elements are used for bilateral recovery, then both brake pads can be lifted, but the lifting reliability is not always guaranteed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebilateral pad lifting reliabilityVSAvoidreset mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting part articulated at the pivot point on the brake caliper acts as a reliable intermediary that can be supported on the support structure at a contact point. When rotated by a lifting drive, it provides controlled and reliable lifting of both brake pads, overcoming the inconsistency of spring-based systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The lifting mechanism allows for controlled parameter changes in the lifting action through the rotation of the lifting part about the pivot point. This enables precise control over the lifting motion and force applied to both brake pads, ensuring reliable separation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution ensures safe and uniform lifting of both brake pads, reducing wear and energy losses by maintaining contact with the support structure, which is easily integrated and protected from environmental influences.

Implementation Method 1

a lifting part (20) which is articulated at a pivot point (21) on the brake caliper (2)... a lifting drive (22) which can rotate the lifting part (20) about the pivot point (21)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLever: Lever

Implementation Method 2

The resulting support at the contact point (23) of the lifting part (20) on the support structure (7) ensures that when the floating caliper brake (1) is released, the brake caliper (2) is moved relative to the support structure (7)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentEP3784920B1Floating-caliper brake
Publication Date: 2023.01.18 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3784920B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3784920B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3784920B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The aim of the invention is to ensure a reliable lift of both brake pads of a floating-caliper brake (1) after releasing the brake. This is achieved in that a lifting part (20) is hinged to the brake caliper (2) at a hinge point (21), and the lifting part (20) is supported on the support structure (7) at a contact point (23) at least partly upon releasing the floating-caliper brake (1), wherein a lift drive (22) is provided which rotates the lifting part (20) about the hinge point (21) such that a support for the lifting part (20) is produced on the contact point (23), whereby the hinge point (21) and the brake caliper (2) are moved.