Disc brake arrangement having brake lining at in outer circumferential face of a brake disc

Abstract

The invention concerns a disc brake arrangement for a vehicle, the disc brake arrangement comprising: a brake disc that is rotatable about a rotational axis; and at least one brake pad, wherein the brake disc comprises a disc member and a brake lining at an outer circumferential face of the disc member and wherein the brake pad is displaceable relative to the brake lining, so as to contact the brake lining during braking for generating a brake force.

Claims

1. A disc brake arrangement for a vehicle, comprising: a brake disc that is rotatable about a rotational axis; and at least one brake pad, wherein the brake disc comprises a disc member and a brake lining at an outer circumferential face of the disc member and wherein the brake pad is displaceable relative to the brake lining, so as to contact the brake lining during braking for generating a brake force.

2. The disc brake arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the brake lining comprises a friction material.

3. The disc brake arrangement according to claim 1, wherein at least a contact surface of the brake pad that is configured to contact the brake lining during braking is made from a material that is different from the material of the brake lining.

4. The disc brake arrangement according to claim 3, wherein at least the contact surface of the brake pad comprises a material that is harder than a material of the brake lining.

5. The disc brake arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the brake pad comprises a metallic material and in particular cast iron.

6. The disc brake arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the disc member comprises a material that is different from a material of the brake lining.

7. The disc brake arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the brake lining forms a preferably continuous ring extending along the outer circumferential face of the disc member.

8. The disc brake arrangement according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of brake pads that are arranged at angular distances from one another about the rotational axis.

9. The disc brake arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the brake pad is arranged at a radial distance to the brake disc when not braking.

10. The disc brake arrangement according to claim 1, wherein a diameter of the disc member is not larger than eight times an axial width of the brake lining and in particular not larger than four times an axial width of the brake lining.

11. The disc brake arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the brake pad or a brake pad carrier carrying the brake pad comprises a recess in which the brake lining is at least partially received or receivable.

12. The disc brake arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the brake pad or a brake pad carrier carrying the brake pad comprises at least one radially protruding portion that is arranged or arrangeable adjacent a side face of the brake disc, in particular wherein the brake pad of the brake pad carrier comprises a first radially protruding portion and a second radially protruding portion which are arranged or arrangeable adjacent different side faces of the brake disc.

13. A disc brake arrangement for a vehicle, comprising: a brake pad carrier for a carrying a brake pad, the brake pad carrier comprising at least one of: a recess in which an outer circumferential face of a brake disc that it is to be braked by the brake pad is at least partially receivable; and at least one radially protruding portion that is arrangeable adjacent to a side face of the brake disc.

14. A disc brake arrangement for a vehicle, comprising: a brake pad for braking a brake disc, the brake pad comprising at least one of: a recess in which an outer circumferential face of the brake disc is at least partially receivable; and at least one radially protruding portion that is arrangeable adjacent to side face of the brake disc.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0061] Embodiments of the invention are described in further detail below with respect to the attached schematic figures. Same features may be marked with the same reference signs throughout the figures.

[0062] FIG. 1 shows a disc brake arrangement according to a first embodiment.

[0063] FIG. 2 shows a disc brake arrangement according to a second embodiment.

[0064] FIG. 3 is a detail view of a brake pad of a disc brake arrangement according to a third embodiment.

[0065] FIGS. 4 to 7 illustrate possibilities for arranging one or a plurality of brake pads within disc brake arrangements according to further embodiments.

[0066] FIGS. 8-12 show modified versions of the embodiments of FIGS. 1-7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0067] FIG. 1 shows a disc brake arrangement 10 according to a first embodiment. The disc brake arrangement 10 comprises a brake disc 12 and a brake pad 14, or in other words a brake shoe, arranged at a brake pad carrier 15, or in other words at a brake caliper.

[0068] The brake disc 12 comprises a single- or multi-part disc member 16 made from a metallic material. The disc member 16 is configured to rotate about a rotational axis R. In the example of FIG. 1, it comprises a central hub 18 that is configured as a wheel hub for mounting a schematically indicated vehicle wheel 11 of a vehicle wheel arrangement 13 thereto. The hub 18 forms a central axially protruding portion, which protrudes in only one axial direction (in FIG. 1 to the left).

[0069] An outer face of the brake disc 12 is formed by a brake lining 22. Said brake lining 22 is attached outer circumferential face 20 of the disc member 16. Only by way of example, an axial width W of said brake lining 22 covers the complete axial width of said circumferential face 20. The brake lining 22 is configured as a ring-shaped material layer running along the complete circumference of the brake disc 12.

[0070] The brake pad 14 is positioned radially outside of and, at least in the shown example, above the brake lining 22. Further, it axially overlaps with the brake lining 22. The brake pad 14 and more specifically a contact surface 17 thereof thus faces said brake lining 22 and can be brought into contact therewith for generating braking forces by a straight radial movement. The brake pad carrier to which the brake pad 14 is mounted comprises a non-depicted actuator, such as an electric motor or hydraulic piston, for generating said movement. The brake pad 14 is made from a metallic material and more specifically is a one-piece metal cast part.

[0071] FIG. 1 also indicates a diameter D of the brake disc 12. To provide a compact and lightweight brake disc arrangement 10, said diameter D may not amount to more than ten times and preferably not more than eight times or four times the axial width W.

[0072] FIG. 2 shows a disc brake arrangement 10 according to a second embodiment. This disc brake arrangement 10 differs from the embodiment of FIG. 1 only with respect to the brake disc 12. Specifically, said brake disc 12 does not comprise an axially protruding wheel hub. Instead, the brake disc 12 forms a substantially planar member and comprises a hub 18 that is essentially arranged within a major plane of extension of the brake disc 12. The hub 18 is connectable to a non-depicted axle component of the vehicle. A non-depicted vehicle wheel that is to be braked by the disc brake arrangement 10 may equally be coupled to the same axle component and thus indirectly to the brake disc 12.

[0073] As further optional features that may be provided within any of the embodiments disclosed herein, hollow portions 30, 32 are depicted within the otherwise massive disc member 16 of the brake disc 12. The first portion 30 is configured as a hollow volume of arbitrary shape, e.g. cylindrical, rectangular or circular. A second hollow portion 32 is formed as a channel extending axially across and through the disc member 16. For example, said second hollow portion 32 may be a through-hole produced by drilling. The number of hollow portions 30, 32 can be larger than depicted and only one kind of first and second hollow portion 30, 32 may be provided. The hollow portions 30, 32 help to reduce weight.

[0074] FIG. 3 shows a detail view of a disc brake arrangement 10 according to a third embodiment and specifically of a brake pad 14 and brake pad carrier 15 receiving a radially outer rim portion of an only partially depicted disc member 16 of said disc brake arrangement 10. The as such a stationary brake pad carrier 15 comprises radially inwards protruding portions 34 extending along and radially overlapping with both outer side faces 36 of the disc member 16. The protruding portions 34 thus represent edge portions of a recess 38 of the brake pad carrier 15 in which the outer rim portion of the disc member 16 and in a particular the brake lining 22. The recess 38 is generally shaped as a circumferential slot that is curved according to the curvature of the outer circumferential face of the brake disc 12. The contact surface 17 of the brake pad 14 is similarly curved. As an optional feature, the inner faces 35 of the protruding portions 34 may comprise an adhesive to collect brake dust emitted during braking.

[0075] In FIG. 3, the brake pad 14 contacts the brake lining 22 for generating braking forces. Note that FIG. 3 is only a schematic illustration that does not specifically indicate the radial displacement of the brake pad 14 relative to the stationary brake pad carrier 15 when the brake pad 14 contacts the brake lining 22.

[0076] In an alternative embodiment that is not specifically depicted, the radial protruding portions 34 are similarly arranged to the example of FIG. 3 but are provided at the movable brake pad 14. The rim portion of the brake disc 12 and in particular the brake lining 22 can again be received in between said protruding portions 34, e.g. within a recess or space confined by said protruding portions 34. The brake pad carrier 15 may in this case be free of respective protruding portions 34.

[0077] FIGS. 4 to 7 show various examples of distributing one or more brake pads 14 and respectively associated brake pad carriers 15 along the circumference of the brake disc 12. The examples of FIGS. 4-7 are non-limiting, i.e. different numbers and positions of brake pads 14 and brake pad carriers 15 may be provided.

[0078] In case of FIG. 4, only one brake pad 14 is provided. In case of FIG. 5, two brake pads 14 are provided that are spaced apart an angle A of 180°. FIG. 6 indicates that a different spacing of two brake pads 14 is also possible. In FIG. 7, three brake pads 14 are provided which are spaced apart the equal angular distances A of 120°.

[0079] FIGS. 8-12 show modified versions of the embodiments of FIGS. 1-7. The modifications include providing slots 40 in the brake lining 22, said slots 40 being e.g. configured as grooves or recesses within the brake lining 22.

[0080] In FIGS. 8 and 9, which correspond to the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2, the slots 40 extend circumferentially and ring-like. They may form continuous rings or comprise a succession of circumferentially separated ring segments. In FIG. 9, two slots 40 are provided and are spaced apart along the rotational axis R. The number of slots 40 can be higher than depicted.

[0081] FIG. 10 corresponds to the embodiment of FIG. 3 and likewise shows an exemplary number of circumferential slots 40 that are axially spaced apart.

[0082] In FIGS. 11 and 12, the slots 40 extend axially instead of circumferentially. The number of slots 40 may be different from what is depicted in FIGS. 11 and 12.

[0083] It has been found that the slots 40 help to limit vibrations and emissions of noise when braking. Further, they may help to guide away water from the actual contact surfaces of the brake lining 22 to the brake pads 14. This may help to improve braking performance in wet conditions. Further, the slots 40 may improve the mechanical pressure distribution within the brake lining 22.