Offset Guide Pin with Elastomeric Retainer for Disc Brake Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disc brake assemblies face challenges in achieving precise alignment and secure retention of guide pins within the anchor bracket, leading to potential misalignment and reduced braking performance.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a guide pin structure with an offset axis and a slot configuration that incorporates an elastomeric and metal member, where the metal member is secured to the elastomeric one and deforms to retain the guide pin in place, ensuring precise alignment and secure retention within the anchor bracket bore.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a guide pin is disposed in a bore of an anchor bracket, then the guide pin provides sliding support for the caliper, but misalignment between the guide pin axis and bore axis occurs leading to reduced braking performance
Solution Approach 1:
The guide pin is pre-configured with an offset axis relative to its bore before installation. This preliminary geometric configuration ensures that when the guide pin is inserted into the anchor bracket bore, the offset alignment compensates for potential misalignment issues, maintaining reliable braking performance without requiring perfect manufacturing precision during assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameter of the guide pin by offsetting its axis from the bore center. This parameter modification (creating an eccentric guide pin structure) transforms the alignment relationship between the guide pin and bore, ensuring consistent contact and reliable braking performance even when manufacturing tolerances vary
2Reliability
If a guide pin is retained in the bore, then secure retention is achieved, but the guide pin may become loose or misaligned over time due to wear and vibration
Solution Approach 1:
A retention member is pre-installed within the guide pin bore before the guide pin is inserted. This preliminary placement ensures that when the guide pin is installed, the retention member is already positioned to engage with the guide pin, providing immediate secure retention and alignment stability that prevents loosening and misalignment during subsequent vibration and wear
Solution Approach 2:
The retention member acts as an intermediary element between the guide pin and the bore. This intermediate component provides the retention function by engaging both the guide pin and the bore structure, securing the guide pin in place while maintaining alignment stability, and preventing direct wear and vibration from causing loosening
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 enhances the alignment and retention of the guide pin, improving braking performance by maintaining a defined point of contact and reducing wear, thereby ensuring consistent and effective braking action.
Implementation Method 1
a first member formed from an elastomeric material... operative to bias the guide pin in the at least one bore thereby offsetting the second axis of the guide pin relative to the first axis of the at least one bore
Implementation Method 2
a second member formed from a metal material... configured to retain the member in the slot
Data Source
AI summary
A disc brake assembly having a guide pin disposed in a bore of an anchor bracket such that a guide pin axis is offset relative to a bore axis whereby there is provided at least one defined point of contact between only a portion of the guide pin and a portion of an inner surface of the bore. The guide pin includes at least one slot having a member, which is formed separate from the guide pin, and disposed therein to bias the guide pin in the bore thereby offsetting the guide pin axis relative to the bore axis. The member includes a first member formed from an elastomeric material and a second member formed from a metal material, wherein the second member is configured to retain the member in the slot.