Utility Vehicle Disc Brake Pad Retention With Single Hold-Down Clamp
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disc brake systems for commercial vehicles, particularly sliding caliper brakes, face challenges in securely holding brake pads in place during braking while allowing for easy pad replacement, leading to potential misalignment and reduced braking performance.
Innovation Solution
A disc brake design featuring a hold-down bracket that radially secures only one of the two brake pads, allowing for easy assembly and replacement, with the bracket being either detachable or permanently attached to the brake caliper, and optionally integrated with the brake pad as a structural unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hold-down bracket is provided to secure both brake pads radially, then braking reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the hold-down bracket function from the traditional symmetric brake pad securing system. Instead of providing hold-down brackets for both brake pads, the invention removes the unnecessary bracket and relies on the caliper structure itself to secure the reaction-side brake pad, thereby simplifying the device while maintaining braking reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake caliper is given a dual function: it not only applies braking force but also serves as the securing mechanism for the reaction-side brake pad. The caliper body structure is designed to radially secure the reaction-side brake pad in the pad shaft, eliminating the need for a separate hold-down bracket and reducing overall device complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If hold-down brackets are provided for both brake pads, then pad positioning accuracy is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the unnecessary hold-down bracket for the reaction-side brake pad, reducing the number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled. This extraction simplifies the manufacturing process while the caliper structure itself provides the necessary positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of the hold-down bracket and the caliper into a single integrated structure. The caliper body is designed to inherently secure the reaction-side brake pad radially, combining the securing function with the existing caliper structure and eliminating separate manufacturing steps for additional brackets.
3Ease of operation
If a central caliper opening is provided for easy pad insertion, then ease of operation is improved, but pad securing reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetric securing methods for the two brake pads. The application-side brake pad uses traditional securing through the pad spring and caliper structure, while the reaction-side brake pad is secured radially by the caliper body in the pad shaft. This asymmetric approach maintains easy pad replacement through the central opening while ensuring reliable securing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the brake pad securing function into two different mechanisms: one for the application-side pad and another for the reaction-side pad. This segmentation allows each pad to be secured in the most appropriate manner while both can be accessed through the central caliper opening for easy replacement.
4Ease of repair
If hold-down brackets are made detachable for easy maintenance, then ease of repair is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detachable hold-down bracket component entirely and replaces it with the caliper body itself serving as the securing mechanism. This eliminates the need for detachable connections and complex attachment mechanisms, while the caliper can still be removed as a unit for maintenance purposes.
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2
AI summary
A disc brake (100) for a utility vehicle, with a brake caliper (1) which overlaps a brake disc (2), is preferably designed as a sliding caliper, is fastened to a positionally fixed brake carrier (6) and has a central caliper opening (1d) above the brake disc (2), with an application device for applying the brake, and with two brake parts (100, 200) which are insertable through the caliper opening and each have a pad carrier (110, 210) and a friction pad (120, 220) fastened thereto, of which brake pads the one brake pad (100), as an application-side brake pad, can be pressed against the brake disc (2) on the one side of the brake disc (2) by means of the application device, and the other, as a reaction-side brake pad (200), is arranged on the opposite side of the brake disc (2), is distinguished in that a holding-down clamp (250) is provided which is designed in such a manner that it radially secures only one of the two brake pads (100, 200) in the pad slot (11, 12).