DISC BRAKE CALIPER BODY

Abstract

A caliper body has a first elongated element facing a first braking surface. The first elongated element has first and second ends. The caliper body has a second elongated element facing a second braking surface. The first elongated element has first and second ends of second elongated element. The first ends of first and second elongated elements face each other. The second ends of first and second elongated elements face each other. The first ends of first and second elongated elements are connected by a first end bridge. The second ends of first and second elongated elements are connected by a second end bridge. The first and second elongated elements are connected by a central bridge. The first or second elongated element has two connecting housings for connection to a support for the caliper body in a vehicle.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A caliper body of a disc brake caliper, wherein said caliper body is adapted to be arranged straddling a brake disc having first and second opposite braking surfaces adapted to rotate about a rotation axis (X-X) defining an axial direction (A-A), radial directions (R-R) orthogonal to said axial direction (A-A) and passing through said rotation axis (X-X), a circumferential direction (C-C) orthogonal to each of said radial directions (R-R), and in a specific point a tangential direction (T-T) orthogonal to the axial (A-A) and radial (R-R) directions passing through said specific point, wherein said caliper body comprises a first elongated element adapted to face the first braking surface of said brake disc, said first elongated element accommodates at least one first thrust device housing adapted to receive at least one first thrust device adapted to bias brake pads to abut against the first and second opposite braking surfaces; said first elongated element mainly extends along the circumferential direction (C-C) and comprises first and second opposite ends of first elongated element; said caliper body comprises a second elongated element adapted to face the second braking surface of said brake disc; said first elongated element mainly extends along the circumferential direction (C-C) and comprises first and second opposite ends of second elongated element; said first ends of first and second elongated elements face each other; said second ends of first and second elongated elements face each other; said first ends of first and second elongated elements are connected to each other by a first end bridge; said second ends of first and second elongated elements are connected to each other by a second end bridge; said first and second elongated elements are further connected to each other by at least one central bridge arranged between said first and second end bridges following said caliper body in circumferential direction (C-C); either said first or said second elongated element comprises two connecting housings adapted to connect said caliper body to a support for the caliper body provided in a vehicle; wherein said first elongated element comprises two connecting housings of first elongated element adapted to connect said caliper body to a support for the caliper body provided in the vehicle; said second elongated element comprises two connecting housings of second elongated element adapted to connect said caliper body to a support for the caliper body provided in the vehicle.

17. The caliper body of claim 16, wherein: said connecting housings of first and second elongated elements are arranged symmetrically with respect to a first symmetry plane (SP1) comprising an axial direction and a radial direction; and/or wherein said first symmetry plane (SP1) passes through half a distance between said first and second connecting housings of first elongated element; and/or wherein said first symmetry plane (SP1) passes through half the distance between said first and second connecting housings of second elongated element.

18. The caliper body of claim 16, wherein: said connecting housings of first and second elongated elements are arranged symmetrically with respect to a second symmetry plane (SP2) comprising a circumferential direction and a radial direction; and/or wherein said second symmetry plane (SP2) passes through half the distance between said first connecting housings of first and second elongated elements; and/or wherein said second symmetry plane (SP2) passes through half the distance between said second connecting housings of first and second elongated elements.

19. The caliper body of claim 16, wherein said second symmetry plane (SP2) passes through a middle line of an associable brake disc.

20. The caliper body of claim 16, wherein said first and second elongated elements are connected to each other by three central bridges.

21. The caliper body of claim 20, wherein said three central bridges are arranged symmetrically with respect to the first symmetry plane (SP1) comprising an axial direction and a radial direction.

22. The caliper body of claim 20, wherein said three central bridges are arranged symmetrically with respect to the second symmetry plane (SP2) comprising a circumferential direction and a radial direction.

23. The caliper body of claim 20, wherein two of said three central bridges are connected to said first and second elongated elements near bottom walls or bottoms of thrust device housings of first and second elongated elements.

24. The caliper body of claim 20, wherein the third of the three central bridges connects to said first and second elongated element near an outer elongated element edge.

25. The caliper body of claim 16, wherein said first and second end bridges are arranged symmetrically with respect to the first symmetry plane (SP1) comprising an axial direction and a radial direction.

26. The caliper body of claim 16, wherein: said first and second end bridges are arranged symmetrically with respect to the second symmetry plane (SP2) comprising a circumferential direction and a radial direction; and/or wherein said three central bridges extend as an arch on an axial radial plane so as to be arranged straddling the associable brake disc and reduce radial dimensions or thickness of the elongated elements; and/or wherein a reinforcement bridge protrudes from each of said connecting housings of first and second elongated elements.

27. The caliper body of claim 16, wherein: a first reinforcement bridge protrudes from said first connecting housing of first elongated element and reaches said second connecting housing of second elongated element; and/or wherein said first reinforcement bridge connects to said central bridges.

28. The caliper body of claim 16, wherein first and second reinforcement bridges are jointly arranged symmetrically with respect to the first symmetry plane (SP1) comprising an axial direction and a radial direction.

29. The caliper body of claim 16, wherein: said first and second reinforcement bridges are jointly arranged symmetrically with respect to the second symmetry plane (SP2) comprising a circumferential direction and a radial direction. and/or wherein each of said first and second elongated elements comprises a thrust device housing; and/or wherein each of said first and second elongated elements comprises two thrust device housings; and/or wherein each of said thrust device housings faces a thrust device housing of a facing elongated element; and/or wherein each of said connecting housings accommodates a housing insert made of a material contrasting connection of the caliper body to a support provided in the vehicle; and/or wherein each of said thrust device housings comprises a cylinder adapted to accommodate a piston comprising a piston body to which a thrust element is connected having a radiator portion to dissipate heat produced by a braking action and to allow passage of cooling air; and/or wherein said piston body is made of a first material, that is aluminum, and said thrust element is made of a second material, that is steel; and/or wherein said caliper body is made of forged metal.

30. A brake caliper comprising a caliper body according to claim 16.

Description

FIGURES

[0050] Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description provided below of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0051] FIG. 1 is an axonometric view of a caliper body according to the invention;

[0052] FIG. 2 shows a view of the caliper body of FIG. 1 from an opposite point of view;

[0053] FIG. 3 is a side view of the caliper body in FIG. 1;

[0054] FIG. 4 is a side view of the opposite part with respect to FIG. 3 of the caliper body in FIG. 1;

[0055] FIG. 5 is a front view of the caliper body in FIG. 1;

[0056] FIG. 6 is a front view of the opposite part with respect to FIG. 5 of the caliper body in FIG. 1;

[0057] FIG. 7 shows a view from above or in radial direction looking towards the rotation axis of the disc that can be associated with the caliper in FIG. 1;

[0058] FIG. 8 shows a view from below or in radial direction opposite with respect to FIG. 7, of the caliper of FIG. 1;

[0059] FIG. 9 is an axonometric view of a caliper according to the invention;

[0060] FIG. 10 shows an axonometric view from coupling side to a brake disc of the caliper in FIG. 9;

[0061] FIG. 11 is a view in radial direction of a caliper body, in which the brake fluid feeding pipes to the cylinder chambers or thrust device housings can be seen in transparency;

[0062] FIG. 12 shows a local section of a connecting housing of the caliper body to a vehicle support;

[0063] FIG. 13 shows an axonometric section view of a detail of a housing containing a thrust device facing a brake pad, which in turn faces a disc brake disc.

DESCRIPTION OF SOME PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0064] According to a general embodiment, a caliper body 1 of disc brake caliper 2 is provided. Said caliper body 1 is adapted to be arranged straddling a brake disc 3 having a first and a second braking surface 4, 5 opposite each other. Said disc 3 is adapted to rotate about a rotation axis X-X which defines an axial direction A-A, as well as radial directions R-R orthogonal to said axial direction A-A and passing through said rotation axis X-X, as well as a circumferential direction C-C orthogonal to each of said radial directions R-R and to axial direction A-A, as well as in a specific point a tangential direction T-T orthogonal to the axial A-A and radial R-R directions passing through said point.

[0065] Said caliper body 1 comprises a second elongated element 6 adapted to face the first braking surface 4 of said brake disc 3. Said first elongated element 6 accommodates at least one first housing 7 adapted to receive at least one first thrust device 8 adapted to bias a first brake pad 9 to abut against said first braking surface 4.

[0066] Said first elongated element 6 mainly extends along the circumferential direction C-C and comprises a first and second opposite ends 10, 11 of first elongated element.

[0067] Said caliper body 1 comprises a second elongated element 12 adapted to face the second braking surface 5 of said brake disc 3.

[0068] Said first elongated element 6 mainly extends along the circumferential direction C-C and comprises first and second opposite ends 13, 14 of second elongated element.

[0069] Said first ends 10, 13 of first and second elongated elements face each other.

[0070] Said second ends 11, 14 of first and second elongated elements face each other.

[0071] Said first ends 10, 13 of first and second elongated elements are connected to each other by a first end bridge 15.

[0072] Said second ends 11, 14 of first and second elongated elements are connected to each other by means of a second end bridge 16.

[0073] Said first and second elongated elements 6, 12 are further connected to each other by at least one central bridge 17; 18; 19 arranged between said end bridges 15, 16 following said caliper body in circumferential direction C-C.

[0074] Either said first or said second elongated element 6, 12 comprises two connecting housings 20, 21; 22, 23 for connecting said caliper body to a support for the caliper body provided on a vehicle.

[0075] Advantageously, said first elongated element 6 comprises two connecting housings 20, 21 of first elongated element adapted to connect said caliper body to a support for the caliper body provided in a vehicle.

[0076] Advantageously, said second elongated element 12 comprises two connecting housings 22, 23 of second elongated element adapted to connect said caliper body to a support for the caliper body provided in a vehicle.

[0077] According to an embodiment, said four connecting housings 20, 21, 22, 23 of first and second elongated elements are arranged symmetrically with respect to a first symmetry plane SP1 comprising an axial direction and a radial direction.

[0078] According to an embodiment, said first symmetry plane SP1 passes through half the distance between said first and second connecting housings 20, 21 of first elongated element.

[0079] According to an embodiment, said first symmetry plane SP1 passes through half the distance between said first and second connecting housings 22, 23 of second elongated element.

[0080] According to an embodiment, said four connecting housings 20, 21, 22, 23 of first and second elongated elements are arranged symmetrically with respect to a second symmetry plane SP2 comprising a circumferential direction and a radial direction.

[0081] According to an embodiment, said second symmetry plane SP2 passes through half the distance between said first connecting housings 20, 22 of first and second elongated elements.

[0082] According to an embodiment, said second symmetry plane SP2 passes through half the distance between said first and second connecting housings 21, 23 of second elongated element.

[0083] According to an embodiment, said second symmetry plane SP2 passes through the middle line of the associable brake disc 3.

[0084] According to an embodiment, said first and second elongated elements 6, 12 are connected to each other by three central bridges 17, 18, 19.

[0085] According to an embodiment, said three central bridges 17, 18, 19 are arranged symmetrically with respect to a first symmetry plane SP1 comprising an axial direction and a radial direction.

[0086] According to an embodiment, said three central bridges 17, 18, 19 are arranged symmetrically with respect to a second symmetry plane SP2 comprising a circumferential direction and a radial direction.

[0087] According to an embodiment, two of said three central bridges 18, 19 are connected to said first and second elongated elements 6, 12 near the bottom walls or bottoms of the thrust device housings 7, 24, 25, 26, 27 of first and second elongated elements.

[0088] According to an embodiment, the third of these three central bridges 17 connects to said first and second elongated element 6, 12 near the outer elongated element edge 27, 28.

[0089] According to an embodiment, said two end bridges 15, 16 are arranged symmetrically with respect to a first symmetry plane SP1 comprising an axial direction and a radial direction.

[0090] According to an embodiment, said two end bridges 15, 16 are arranged symmetrically with respect to a second symmetry plane SP2 comprising a circumferential direction and a radial direction.

[0091] According to an embodiment, said three central bridges 17, 18, 19 extend as an arch on the axial radial plane so as to be arranged straddling the associable disc 3 of brake disc and reduce the radial dimensions or thickness of the elongated elements 6, 12.

[0092] According to an embodiment, a reinforcement bridge 29, 30 protrudes from each of said connecting housings 20, 21, 21, 22 of first and second elongated elements.

[0093] According to an embodiment, a first reinforcement bridge protrudes from said first connecting housing 20 of first elongated element and reaches said second connecting housing 23 of second elongated element.

[0094] According to an embodiment, said first reinforcement bridge 29 connects to said central bridges 17, 18, 19.

[0095] According to an embodiment, said first and second reinforcement bridges 29, 30 are arranged symmetrically with respect to a first symmetry plane SP1 comprising an axial direction and a radial direction.

[0096] According to an embodiment, said first and second reinforcement bridges 29, 30 are arranged symmetrically with respect to a second symmetry plane SP2 comprising a circumferential direction and a radial direction.

[0097] According to an embodiment, each of said first and second elongated elements 6, 12 comprises a thrust device housing 7, 24.

[0098] According to an embodiment, each of said first and second elongated elements 6, 12 comprises two thrust device housings 7, 24, 25, 26.

[0099] According to an embodiment, each of said thrust element housings 7, 24, 25, 26 faces a thrust device housing 24, 7, 26, 25 of the facing elongated element 12, 6.

[0100] According to an embodiment, each of said connecting housings 20, 21, 22, 23 accommodates a housing insert 31 made of a material with contrasts the connection of the caliper body 1 to a support for a vehicle.

[0101] According to an embodiment, each of said thrust device housings 7, 20, 21, 22, 23 comprises a cylinder adapted to accommodate a piston comprising a piston body 32 to which a thrust element 33 is connected having a radiator portion 34 to dissipate the heat produced by the braking action and to allow the passage of cooling air.

[0102] According to an embodiment, said piston body 32 is made of a first material, e.g. aluminum, and said thrust element 33 is made of a second material, e.g. steel.

[0103] According to an alternative embodiment, said caliper body 1 is made of forged metal.

[0104] According to an embodiment, said caliper body is made of aluminum or aluminum alloy.

[0105] According to an embodiment, said caliper body is of steel.

[0106] According to an alternative embodiment, said caliper body is made of titanium.

[0107] According to an embodiment, said caliper body is made from solid material, e.g. by mechanical machining.

[0108] The present invention further relates to a brake caliper 2 comprising a caliper body as described in any one of the embodiments described above.

[0109] The present invention also relates to a disc brake comprising said caliper.

[0110] Those skilled in the art may make many changes and adaptations to the embodiments described above or may replace elements with others which are functionally equivalent in order to meet contingent needs without however departing from the scope of the appended claims.

LIST OF REFERENCES

[0111] 1 caliper body [0112] 2 disc brake caliper [0113] 3 brake disc [0114] 4 opposite first braking surface [0115] 5 opposite second braking surface [0116] 6 first elongated element [0117] first elongated first element thrust device housing [0118] 8 first thrust device [0119] 9 first brake pad [0120] 10 first elongated element first opposite end [0121] 11 first elongated element second opposite end [0122] 12 second elongated element [0123] 13 second elongated element first opposite end [0124] 14 second elongated element second opposite end [0125] 15 first end bridge [0126] 16 second end bridge [0127] 17 first central bridge [0128] 18 second central bridge [0129] 19 third central bridge [0130] 20 first elongated element first connecting housing [0131] 21 first elongated element second connecting housing [0132] 22 second elongated element first connecting housing [0133] 23 second elongated element second connecting housing [0134] 24 second elongated element first thrust device housing [0135] 25 first elongated element second thrust device housing [0136] 26 second elongated element second thrust device housing [0137] 27 elongated element outer edge [0138] 28 elongated element outer edge [0139] 29 first reinforcement bridge [0140] 30 second reinforcement bridge [0141] 31 housing insert [0142] 32 piston body [0143] 33 thrust element [0144] 34 radiator portion [0145] 35 second brake pad [0146] 36 brake fluid feeding pipe [0147] 37 brake fluid feeding pipe [0148] 38 brake fluid feeding pipe [0149] 39 brake fluid feeding pipe [0150] X-X rotation axis [0151] A-A axial direction parallel to X-X [0152] R-R radial direction orthogonal to A-A [0153] C-C tangential direction punctually orthogonal to A-A and R-R [0154] C-C circumferential direction orthogonal to axial direction A-A and radial direction R-R [0155] SP1 first radial axial symmetry plane [0156] SP2 second radial circumferential symmetry plane