Disc brake for a utility vehicle, and brake pad set

Abstract

A disc brake for a utility vehicle has a brake caliper which fits around a brake disc, is in the form of a sliding caliper, is fastened to a stationary brake carrier and has a central opening over the brake disc. The disc brake has two brake pads which are arranged in the brake caliper, can be moved in opposite directions and each have a pad carrier plate and a friction lining fastened thereto, and of which an action-side brake pad can be pressed against the brake disc by a tensioning device via at least one brake piston. The disc brake also has at least one spreading device with which the brake caliper can be returned after a displacement caused by braking and after a release of the brake. The spreading device has resilient spring units which act on the mutually opposing brake pads. The spreading device is arranged in the central opening, and the spring units act directly or indirectly outside the friction linings in at least two attachment interfaces, spaced from each other and from the center, of the brake pads. The spring units are connected to a stationary attachment element in at least one connection interface by at least one connection element.

Claims

1. A disk brake for a utility vehicle, comprising: a brake caliper which engages over a brake disk and is in the form of a sliding caliper fastened to a positionally static brake carrier, and which has a central opening over the brake disk; two brake pads which are arranged in the brake caliper and are movable in opposite directions and which have in each case one pad carrier plate and one friction pad fastened thereto, of which an action-side or application-side brake pad is pressable against the brake disk by way of an application device via at least one brake piston; and at least one spreading device by which the brake caliper is resettable after a braking-induced displacement and release of the brake, wherein the spreading device has resilient spring units which act on the mutually opposite brake pads, the spreading device is arranged in the central opening, the spring units act directly or indirectly outside of the friction pads in at least two attachment interfaces of the brake pads that are arranged spaced apart from one another with respect to the center, and the spring units are connected to a positionally static attachment element in at least one connection interface by at least one connection element.

2. The disk brake as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one connection element forms a connection which is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of a central section of the attachment element.

3. The disk brake as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one connection element forms a connection which is displaceable in the direction of a longitudinal axis of a central section of the attachment element.

4. The disk brake as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one connection element has wing sections which are inclined downwardly in a bow shape and into which at least one spring unit is clipped.

5. The disk brake as claimed in claim 4, wherein the at least one connection element has at least one spacer section as a lug which is inclined downwardly in the longitudinal direction of a base section of the at least one connection element, wherein lateral sections of the at least one spacer section are in contact with a spring unit.

6. The disk brake as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one connection element is a metal stamped and bent part.

7. The disk brake as claimed in claim 1, wherein each spring unit comprises a pair of spring arms which are connected by their inner ends which are directed toward the center of the opening.

8. The disk brake as claimed in claim 7, wherein the pair of spring arms is formed in one piece.

9. The disk brake as claimed in claim 7, wherein the other ends of the spring arms of each pair of spring arms have attachment sections which interact in the attachment interfaces of the brake pads.

10. The disk brake as claimed in claim 9, wherein the attachment interfaces are arranged on the pad rear plates of the brake pads.

11. The disk brake as claimed in claim 10, wherein the attachment interfaces have receiving openings in a form of through-holes and/or blind holes.

12. The disk brake as claimed in claim 11, wherein the receiving openings take the form of bores and/or elongated holes.

13. The disk brake as claimed in claim 10, wherein the attachment interfaces have pins.

14. The disk brake as claimed in claim 10, wherein the attachment interfaces have guide elements.

15. The disk brake as claimed in claim 10, wherein the attachment interfaces have shoulders with or without mounted guide elements.

16. The disk brake as claimed in claim 10, wherein the attachment interfaces are arranged indirectly on the pad rear plates of the brake pads on pad retaining springs.

17. The disk brake as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spring units and the positionally static attachment element are formed from a stainless steel with a circular cross section.

18. The disk brake as claimed in claim 1, wherein the brake pads each have at least one pad retaining spring which is provided on each of its ends with a bevel.

19. The disk brake as claimed in claim 1, wherein receiving openings of brake carrier horns of the brake carrier which are configured to receive corresponding ends of the spreading device are each closed by a plug if the spreading device is not present or is removed.

20. The disk brake as claimed in claim 19, wherein the plug has a body which is conical with a handle section and an end section.

21. The disk brake as claimed in claim 20, wherein the body has peripheral beads between which peripheral recesses are arranged.

22. The disk brake as claimed in claim 21, wherein the handle section of the body is connected to a handle.

23. A brake pad set of a disk brake as claimed in claim 1, wherein the disk brake comprises an application-side brake pad, a rear-side brake pad and a spreading device.

24. A disk brake for a utility vehicle, comprising: a brake caliper which engages over a brake disk and is in the form of a sliding caliper fastened to a positionally static brake carrier, and which has a central opening over the brake disk; two brake pads which are arranged in the brake caliper and are movable in opposite directions and which have in each case one pad carrier plate and one friction pad fastened thereto, of which an action-side or application-side brake pad is pressable against the brake disk by way of an application device via at least one brake piston; and at least one spreading device by which the brake caliper is resettable after a braking-induced displacement and release of the brake, wherein the spreading device has resilient spring units which act on the mutually opposite brake pads, the spreading device is arranged in the central opening, the spring units act directly or indirectly outside of the friction pads in at least two attachment interfaces of the brake pads that are arranged spaced apart from one another with respect to the center, the spring units are connected to a positionally static attachment element in at least one connection interface by at least one connection element, the at least one connection element comprises windings in the manner of a coil, and the attachment element extends through the windings.

25. The disk brake as claimed in claim 24, wherein the windings of the at least one connection element are windings of sections of spring arms of the spring unit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a detail of a disk brake according to the invention with a first exemplary embodiment of a spreading device according to the invention in a schematic perspective plan view;

(2) FIG. 2 shows an enlarged schematic perspective view of the spreading device according to FIG. 1;

(3) FIG. 3 shows an enlarged schematic perspective view of a connection interface of the spreading device according to FIG. 1;

(4) FIGS. 4-6 show further schematic perspective illustrations of the spreading device according to FIG. 1 with a first variant of the connection interface;

(5) FIG. 7 shows an enlarged schematic perspective view of the variant of the connection interface of the spreading device according to FIGS. 4-6;

(6) FIGS. 8-9 show enlarged schematic perspective partial illustrations of the spreading device according to FIG. 1 with a second variant of the connection interface;

(7) FIG. 10 shows an enlarged schematic perspective view of the second variant of the connection interface of the spreading device according to FIGS. 8-9;

(8) FIG. 11 shows an enlarged schematic perspective partial illustration of the spreading device according to FIG. 1 with a third variant of the connection interface;

(9) FIG. 12 shows an enlarged schematic perspective view of the third variant of the connection interface of the spreading device according to FIG. 11;

(10) FIGS. 13-14 show enlarged schematic perspective partial illustrations of the spreading device according to FIG. 1 with a fourth variant of the connection interface;

(11) FIGS. 15-16 show enlarged schematic perspective views of a first variant of the spreading device according to FIG. 1 with a fifth variant of the connection interface;

(12) FIG. 17 shows an enlarged schematic perspective view of a spring arm unit of the first variant of the spreading device according to FIGS. 15-16;

(13) FIG. 18 shows an enlarged schematic partial perspective view of a second variant of the spreading device according to FIG. 1 with a sixth variant of the connection interface;

(14) FIG. 19 shows an enlarged schematic partial perspective view of a third variant of the spreading device according to FIG. 1 with a seventh variant of the connection interface;

(15) FIG. 20 shows an enlarged perspective view of the seventh variant of the connection interface of the third variant of the spreading device according to FIG. 19;

(16) FIGS. 21-22 show details of the disk brake according to the invention with the spreading device according to the invention according to FIG. 1 with an eighth variant of the connection interface;

(17) FIGS. 23-24 show the disk brake according to the invention according to FIGS. 21-22 with a first variant of attachment interfaces;

(18) FIG. 25 shows the disk brake according to the invention according to FIGS. 21-22 with a second variant of attachment interfaces;

(19) FIGS. 26-27 show the disk brake according to the invention according to FIGS. 21-22 with a third variant of attachment interfaces;

(20) FIG. 28 shows the disk brake according to the invention according to FIGS. 21-22 with a third variant of attachment interfaces;

(21) FIG. 29 shows the disk brake according to the invention according to FIGS. 21-22 with a fourth variant of attachment interfaces;

(22) FIG. 30 shows the disk brake according to the invention according to FIGS. 21-22 with a fifth variant of attachment interfaces;

(23) FIG. 31 shows the disk brake according to the invention according to FIGS. 21-22 with a sixth variant of attachment interfaces;

(24) FIG. 32 shows the disk brake according to the invention according to FIGS. 21-22 with a seventh variant of attachment interfaces;

(25) FIG. 33 shows the disk brake according to the invention according to FIG. 23 with a ninth variant of the connection interface;

(26) FIG. 34 shows an enlarged schematic perspective illustration of the ninth variant of the connection interface according to FIG. 33;

(27) FIGS. 35-36 shows schematic partial views of the disk brake according to the invention according to FIGS. 26-27 with a fourth variant of the spreading device and the eighth variant of the connection interface according to FIG. 28;

(28) FIGS. 37-38 show enlarged schematic perspective partial illustrations of the spreading device according to FIG. 1 with a tenth variant of the connection interface;

(29) FIG. 39 shows an enlarged schematic perspective view of the tenth variant of the connection interface of the spreading device according to FIGS. 37-38;

(30) FIG. 40 shows a schematic perspective view of a brake carrier horn with a receiving opening and a plug;

(31) FIG. 41 shows a schematic sectional view of the brake carrier horn with inserted plug according to FIG. 40; and

(32) FIG. 42 shows an enlarged schematic perspective view of the plug according to FIGS. 40 and 41.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(33) The expressions top, bottom, left, right relate to the respective arrangements in the figures.

(34) A top side and a bottom side of a brake pad 3, 3 or of a pad carrier plate 4, 4 always relate to the installation situation of the brake pad 3, 3.

(35) In order to distinguish between components and functional groups on both sides of a brake disk 2 of a disk brake 10, the reference signs of the components and functional groups on the side of the brake disk 2 which faces toward a caliper rear section 12 of the brake caliper 1 of the disk brake 10 are each provided with an apostrophe.

(36) FIG. 1 shows a detail of a disk brake 10 according to the invention with a first exemplary embodiment of a spreading device 8 according to the invention in a schematic perspective plan view. An enlarged schematic perspective view of the spreading device 8 according to FIG. 1 is illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 illustrates an enlarged schematic perspective view of a connection interface 20 of the spreading device 8 according to FIG. 1.

(37) A brake caliper 1 engages over a brake disk 2 with a brake disk axis of rotation 2a. The brake caliper 1 is attached, displaceably relative to the brake disk 2 axially in the direction of the brake disk axis of rotation 2a, to a brake carrier 6, for which purpose the brake caliper 1 is mounted on guide beams (not illustrated) which are connected to the brake carrier 6 which is held in positionally static fashion on the vehicle.

(38) The brake caliper 1 comprises an application section 11, a caliper rear section 12 and two tension struts 13. The application section 11 runs with one side parallel to the plane of the brake disk 2 on one side of the brake disk 2. The caliper rear section 12 is arranged on the other side of the brake disk 2, likewise so as to run parallel to the brake disk 2. The caliper rear section 12 is connected to the application section 11 at in each case one end by way of in each case one tension strut 13. Here, the tension struts 13 run substantially at right angles to the application section 11 and to the caliper rear section 12.

(39) The application section 11 has an interior space in which an application device (not shown) of the disk brake 10 is arranged.

(40) In this arrangement, the application section 11, the caliper rear section 12 and the tension struts 13 define, between them, a central opening 9 which extends over the brake disk 2. The opening 9 has an imaginary longitudinal central line which lies in the plane of the brake disk 2 and which connects the imaginary centers of the tension struts 13. Furthermore, the opening 9 has a further imaginary transverse central line which connects an imaginary center of the application section 11 to an imaginary center of the caliper rear section 12. The longitudinal central line and the transverse central line intersect at an imaginary center point, which in this case is referred to as the virtual center of the opening 9.

(41) Brake pads 3, 3 are arranged in the brake carrier 6 in the so-called pad slots between the respective two brake carrier horns 17, 17. The brake pads 3, 3 can, during a braking operation, be pressed against the brake disk 2 at both sides. Here, each brake pad 3, 3 has a pad carrier plate 4, 4 and, on the side facing toward the brake disk 2, a friction pad 5, 5 fastened to said pad carrier plate on a pad side 4a, which friction pad is, during the functional operation thereof, that is to say during a braking operation, pressed against the brake disk 2. The other side of the pad carrier plate 4, 4 will hereinafter be referred to as thrust side 4b.

(42) The brake pads 3, 3 are accessible, for an exchange and for maintenance, through the central opening 9. Said brake pads can, through said central opening 9, be inserted into their associated pad slots and removed from said pad slots again.

(43) A run-in side ES and, opposite, a run-out side AS of the disk brake 10 are defined in relation to a main direction of rotation of the brake disk 2.

(44) A pad retaining clip 16 is arranged over the brake pads 3, 3 in a transverse direction of the opening 9 and, in the direction of the brake disk axis of rotation 2a, between the application section 11 and the caliper rear section 12. Here, the pad retaining clip 16 presses, by way of sections of its bottom side, against pad retaining springs 7, 7 of the brake pads 3, 3, whereby the latter are held in their pad slots. The pad retaining springs 7 are in each case held on the top sides of the pad carrier plates 4, 4 on projections.

(45) Braking is performed by way of the application device arranged in a receiving space in the application section 11 of the brake caliper 1, which application device has, for example, a brake lever which is positioned in a dome of the brake caliper 1. The associated brake pad 3, referred to as action-side or application-side brake pad, is the first to make contact with the brake disk 2 during a braking operation. During the further course of the braking operation, reaction forces that occur cause the brake caliper 1 to be displaced in the opposite direction, driving the reaction-side brake pad 3 along until the latter likewise comes into frictional contact with the brake disk 2. The reaction-side brake pad 3 is also referred to as rear-side brake pad, and will hereinafter be distinguished from the application-side brake pad 3 by the reference sign 3.

(46) After a release of the brake, the two mutually opposite brake pads 3, 3 are, by way of the resetting device, released from the brake disk 2 to such an extent that said brake disk runs freely relative to the brake pads 3, 3.

(47) In unfavorable cases, the brake pads 3, 3 can, even after removal of the braking force, contact the brake disk 2 and thereby cause a residual rubbing torque.

(48) In order to prevent a residual rubbing torque, use is made of a spring assembly which has, on the one hand, an attachment to a positionally static component (for example brake carrier 6) and, on the other hand, presses the brake pads 3, 3 away from the brake disk 2 via spring action.

(49) Such a spring assembly is provided as a so-called spreading device 8.

(50) Here, the spreading device 8 engages in the upper region of the pad carrier plates 4, 4 of the mutually opposite brake pads 3, 3 with equal action counter to the application direction. In this way, resetting forces are applied by the spreading device 8 to the brake pads 3, 3 in their upper regions.

(51) The spreading device 8 comprises an attachment element 18, four spring arm units 19, 19 and two connection interfaces 20 each having a connection element 21.

(52) The attachment element 18 is C-shaped, fastened in a positionally static manner to the brake carrier 6, specifically to brake carrier horns 17, and forms a holder for the spring arm units 19, 19.

(53) The spring arm units 19 are here formed as two identical pairs of spring arms 19a, 19a which, by way of their one ends, are together connected via a connection interface 20 to the attachment element 18 by means of a connection element 21. The other ends of in each case one spring arm unit 19 interact, as attachment sections 19b, 19b in attachment interfaces A1, A1, A2, A2, with brake pads 3, 3. Here, spreading of the brake pads 3, 3 after a release of the brake is possible by way of the preload that is generated during the application movement.

(54) The attachment element 18 and the spring arm units 19 here consist of a wire material having, for example, a circular cross section.

(55) The attachment element 18 comprises a here rectilinearly extending central section 18a in a central region of the opening 9, approximately in a central plane of the brake disk 2. Adjoining the central section 18a on each side is a connection section 18b which is inclined downwardly with respect to the brake disk 2. Thus, the attachment element 18 extends from the center of the opening 9 on both sides in each case as far as a brake carrier horn 17 of the pad slot of the application-side brake pad 3.

(56) Attached to each end of the connection sections 18b is a bow-shaped connection section 18c which is bent around through approximately 90 so as to be directed toward the respective brake carrier horn 17 and in each case merges into a further rectilinear connection section 18d which runs toward the respective brake carrier horn 17. These connection sections 18d then run parallel to one another and parallel to the brake disk axis 2a and are then bent over downwardly through approximately 90 into a respective fastening section 18e. Each fastening section 18e is fastened in a bore 17a of each brake carrier horn 17 and thus realizes the positionally static retention of the attachment element 18 with the spreading device 8 on the brake carrier 6.

(57) Here, the attachment element 18 forms a centering device for the brake caliper 1 insofar as the brake carrier 6, to which the attachment element 18 is fastened, forms a positionally static part relative to which the brake caliper 1 is displaceably mounted, such that, after a release of the brake and a spreading movement of the spreading device 8, that is to say after the brake pads 3 have been pushed apart, the brake caliper 1 is guided into a centered position.

(58) The two spring arms 19a, 19a of each pair of the spring units 19, 19 are formed in mirror-image fashion with respect to the central section 18a of the attachment element 18, as can be clearly seen in FIG. 2.

(59) The pairs of spring arms 19a, 19a are arranged opposite one another in a transverse direction of the opening 9 such that they are fastened by way of inner ends, which point toward the center of the opening 9, to the attachment element 18 in each case via a connection interface 20 by means of a respective connection element 21, wherein their outer free ends interact with the pad carrier plates 4, 4 of the brake pads 3, 3. Here, one pair of spring arms 19a, 19a is arranged to the right of the central point of the opening 9, wherein the other pair of spring arms 19a, 19a is arranged to the left of the central point of the opening 9.

(60) The description of one spring unit 19, 19 applies to the other spring unit 19, 19 in mirror-image fashion, as clearly emerges from FIGS. 1 and 2.

(61) Each spring arm 19a, 19a has a rectilinear body with an inner end and an outer end. The inner ends are close to one another and point toward the center of the opening 9, wherein the outer ends are far away from one another and are each arranged over an end region of a pad carrier plate 4, 4.

(62) The inner ends of both spring arms 19a, 19a are each provided with a rectilinear connection section 19c, 19c. The connection sections 19c, 19c run parallel to one another and parallel to a central plane of the brake disk 2, wherein they are connected via an upper connection bow 19d.

(63) In this embodiment, the two spring arms 19a, 19a are formed in one piece with the connection bow 19d, for example as a wire bent part. However, it is also possible that the spring arms 19a, 19a are manufactured individually and then subsequently connected via an additional part which forms the connection bow 19d, for example by welding. Here, it can also be possible that in this case the connection sections 19c, 19c and the connection bow 19d form the additional part.

(64) The outer free end of each spring arm 19a, 19a has a downwardly pointing attachment section 19b, 19b for respectively interacting with the pad carrier plate 4, 4 in a respective attachment interface A1, A1, A2, A2.

(65) In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the attachment sections 19b, 19b are bent over downwardly and configured rectilinearly. Here, they are received in a form-fitting manner in receiving openings 4c, 4c in top sides 4d, 4d in corner regions of the respective pad rear plate 4, 4 of the brake pads 3, 3. The receiving openings 4c, 4c communicate with the shape of the attachment sections 19b, 19b and are here configured as bores. The walls or the wall of a respective receiving opening 4c, 4c form/forms a bearing surface for the respective attachment section 19b, 19b. The receiving openings 4c, 4c can take the form of blind holes and/or of through-holes, for example. The receiving openings 4c, 4c can have different cross sections, thus being, for example, round, circular, oval or angular, wherein the cross sections of the attachment sections 19b, 19b, which are received in them, of the spring arms 19a, 19a communicate with the respective cross section of the receiving openings 4c, 4c. However, it is also possible that round attachment sections 19b, 19b can be inserted into angular or oval receiving openings 4c, 4c.

(66) If the receiving openings 4c, 4c take the form of blind holes, the ends of the attachment sections 19b, 19b can lie on the respective bottom of a blind hole, which can form a bearing surface.

(67) The inner ends of the connection sections 19c, 19c and the connection bow 19d connecting them are connected to a respective connection element 21. The connection elements 21 each form a connection interface 20 between the respective spring units 19, 19 and the positionally static attachment element 18. This is shown on an enlarged scale in FIG. 3.

(68) The connection element 21 comprises a longitudinally extending base section 21a, two mutually opposite wing sections 21b, 21b and two mutually opposite pairs of sleeve sections 21c, 21c; 21d, 21d.

(69) In the installed state of the spreading device 8, as shown in FIG. 1, the base section 21a extends in the longitudinal direction of the opening 9. The wing sections 21b, 21b are attached to an outer end of the base section 21a that points away from the center of the opening 9. Each wing section 21b, 21b forms, on each longitudinal side of the base section 21a, a lug which projects from the base section 21a at a right angle to the longitudinal direction thereof.

(70) At the other end, the inner end, of the base section 21a, the sleeve sections 21c, 21c; 21d, 21d are integrally formed on both sides, extend upwardly and are bent around the central section 18a of the attachment element 18.

(71) The base section 21a is adapted to the round outer shape of the central section 18a of the attachment element 18, wherein, in the installed state, the central section 18a is arranged so as to extend on the base section 21a in its longitudinal direction. Here, the central section 18a lies between the wing sections 21b, 21b on a bearing section 21f of the base section 21a and within the sleeve sections 21c, 21c; 21d, 21d on the base section 21a.

(72) The associated spring unit 19, 19 is connected to the connection element 21 in such a way that the two connection sections 21c, 21c extend parallel to the base section 21a of the connection element 21, below in each case a wing section 21b, 21b, wherein the inner ends of the two connection sections 19c, 19c are each upwardly bent in a 90 arc and then merge into the connection bow 19d. Here, the connection bow 19d extends between the sleeve sections 21c, 21c; 21d, 21d and is arranged within axial interspaces 21e, 21e. In this way, the connection element 21 is connected to the spring unit 19, 19, wherein at the same time a connection is formed with the central section 18a of the attachment element 18, which extends, on the one hand, parallel to the connection sections 19c, 19c of the spring unit 19, 19 on the base section 21a and, on the other hand, further through the sleeve sections 21c, 21c; 21d, 21d and below the connection bow 19d of the spring unit 19, 19.

(73) In this way, in each connection interface 20, a spring unit 19, 19 is, by way of the respective two spring arms 19a, 19a, mounted on the central section 18a of the attachment element 18 so as to be not only axially displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the central section 18a of the attachment element 18 but also to be rotatable.

(74) In other words, the spring units 19, 19 can move independently of one another in the axial direction of the longitudinal axis of the central section 18a of the attachment section 18 and at the same time rotate independently of one another about the longitudinal axis of the central section 18a. The spreading device is thus particularly flexible and adaptable. However, for simpler assemblability, a fixing of the rotatability can also be envisioned.

(75) As a result of the increasing wear of the friction material, that is to say of the friction pads 5, 5 of the brake pads 3, 3 and also of the brake disk 2, the attachment of the spring arms 19a, 19a must have a degree of freedom. This degree of freedom serves to prevent multiaxial distortion/tilting of the system. For this purpose, the attachment of the spring elements in the form of the spring arms 19a, 19a by means of the connection interfaces 20 to the positionally static attachment element 18 is configured to be displaceable. The compensation for the friction material wear can thus be realized by an axial sliding movement of the spring arm attachment in the connection interfaces 20 with respect to the positionally static attachment element 18.

(76) The assembly of the complete spreading device 8 (centering unit) is designed such that a certain play is provided at the connection interfaces 20 between the resilient spring units 19, 19 and the attachment element 8 (positionally static component). With progressive tightening of the spring units 19, 19, the connection interfaces 20 are displaced in the direction of the center of the opening 9 of the disk brake 10 (toward the pad retaining clip 16) as a result of this play.

(77) The attachment of the spring units 19, 19 is effected via the respective connection element 21. By way of example, the connection element 21 can be a compressed sheet metal element. However, it can vary in its construction. A displacement in the axial direction of the wire clip is possible.

(78) The vibrations which occur during the travel of a vehicle which has the disk brake 10 facilitate a displacement of the connection interfaces 20, with the result that correct functioning can also be assumed in the case of contamination.

(79) FIGS. 4-6 show further schematic perspective illustrations of the spreading device 8 according to FIG. 1 with a first variant of the connection interface 20. FIG. 7 illustrates an enlarged schematic perspective view of the variant of the connection interface 20 of the spreading device 8 according to FIGS. 4-6.

(80) The first variant of the connection interface 20 consists in a downwardly bent-over spacer section 22 being attached to the outer end of the connection element 21. The connection sections 19c, 19c of the spring units 19, 19 bear against lateral sections 22a of the spacer section 22.

(81) The associated connection element 21 is shown in FIG. 7.

(82) FIGS. 8-9 illustrate enlarged schematic perspective partial illustrations of the spreading device 8 according to FIG. 1 with a second variant of the connection interface 20 with a slightly modified connection element 21. Here, the spacer section 22 is provided with a central recess 22a, as can clearly be seen in FIG. 10 in an enlarged schematic perspective view of the second variant of the connection interface 20 of the spreading device 21 according to FIGS. 8-9.

(83) FIG. 11 shows an enlarged schematic perspective partial illustration of the spreading device according to FIG. 1 with a third variant of the connection interface 20. The associated connection element 23, which is here reduced in its form, is shown in FIG. 12 in an enlarged schematic perspective view of the third variant of the connection interface 20 of the spreading device 8 according to FIG. 11.

(84) FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate enlarged schematic perspective partial illustrations of the spreading device 8 according to FIG. 1 with a fourth variant of the connection interface 20 with a connection element 24. Here, four wing sections 24b, 24b; 24d, 24d are provided, wherein a guide section is provided as a fork guide 24f, 24f with a pin 25 for securing.

(85) FIGS. 15-16 show enlarged schematic perspective views of a first variant of the spreading device 8 according to FIG. 1 with a fifth variant of the connection interface 8. FIG. 17 shows an enlarged schematic perspective view of a spring arm unit 19 of the first variant of the spreading device 8 according to FIGS. 15-16.

(86) In this variant, guide elements 26 with pins 26a are received in bow sections 19e, 19e of the spring units. Here, the connection sections 19c, 19c are each provided as supporting sections 27 with bow sections 27a, 27a in a horizontal plane. The central section 18a of the attachment element 18 is arranged here on the supporting sections 27 and is held by the pins 26a of the guide elements 26 on the supporting sections 27.

(87) FIG. 18 shows an enlarged schematic partial perspective view of a second variant of the spreading device 8 according to FIG. 1 with a sixth variant of the connection interface 20 with a connection element 26. The connection element 26 is structurally similar to that of the fifth variant, but, unlike the latter, is arranged below the central section 18a of the attachment element 18. Here, the central section 18a runs on the pin 26a of the guide element 26 and extends through the connection bow 19d of the spring unit 19, 19.

(88) FIG. 19 shows an enlarged schematic partial perspective view of a third variant of the spreading device 8 according to FIG. 1 with a seventh variant of the connection interface 20. FIG. 20 shows an enlarged perspective view of the seventh variant of the connection interface 20 of the third variant of the spreading device according to FIG. 19. Here, a connection element 28 is formed as a guide section by windings 28a of the connection sections 19c, 19c around the central section 18a of the attachment element 18. The connection element 28 is here formed in the manner of a coil.

(89) In this way, in this seventh variant, the spring arms 19a, 19a are formed in one piece together with the connection element 28. In other words, the connection element 28 of the connection interface 20 is formed in one piece with the spring arms 19a, 19a. Here, too, it is conceivable for the spring arms 19a, 19a to be produced separately, wherein the connection element 28 is subsequently connected as an additional part to the spring arms 19a, 19a, for example by welding.

(90) FIGS. 21-22 illustrate details of the disk brake 10 according to the invention with the spreading device 8 according to the invention according to FIG. 1 with an eighth variant of the connection interface 20.

(91) The connection interfaces 20 here have two connection elements 29 which are connected by a common base section 29a. The connection element 29 is best shown in FIG. 28 and has the already above-described wing sections 29b, 29b and sleeve sections 29c, 29c; 29d, 29d with interspaces 29e, 29e. In addition, still further wing sections 29f, 29f are attached to the base section 29a between the sleeve sections 29c, 29c; 29d, 29d and a connection region of the base section 29a. Unlike the connection interface 20 according to FIG. 1, the connection bow is arranged not in the sleeve sections 29c, 29c; 29d, 29d but over the ends of guide sections 29g, 29g. The connection region of the base section 29a is provided with the longitudinally extending, upwardly bent-over guide sections 29g, 29g. The central section 18a of the attachment element 18 lies on the connection region of the base section 29a between the two lateral sections 29g, 29g.

(92) The attachment interfaces A1, A1, A2, A2 are configured with receiving openings 4c, 4c as in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1, but, by contrast thereto, are offset further toward the center on the top side 4d, 4d of the respective pad rear plate 4, 4.

(93) FIGS. 23-24 show the disk brake 10 according to the invention according to FIGS. 21-22 with a first variant of attachment interfaces A1, A1, A2, A2.

(94) Here, the receiving openings 4c, 4c are formed as milled or cast elongated holes. These elongated holes can take the form of blind holes and/or of through-holes.

(95) FIG. 25 illustrates the disk brake 10 according to the invention according to FIGS. 21-22 with a second variant of attachment interfaces A1, A1, A2, A2, wherein the attachment sections 19b, 19b of the spring arms 19a, 19a are attached to connection sections 19g, 19g configured as extensions and in bores which are incorporated, for example, in a sprue 30, 30 in the center of the friction radius on the thrust sides 4b, 4b of the pad rear plates 4, 4. Tilting of the brake pads 3, 3 is thereby counteracted.

(96) The connection sections 19g, 19g are in turn connected by their upper ends to the associated spring arm 19a, 19a via in each case a further connection section 19f, 19f. Here, the connection sections 19g, 19g extend parallel to the respective thrust side 4b, 4b of the pad carrier plate 4, 4, wherein the connection sections 19f, 19f are attached at approximately a right angle to the upper ends of the connection sections 19g, 19g and extend parallel to the brake disk axis of rotation 2a over a section of the top side 4d, 4d of the respective pad carrier plate 4, 4 and can lie on this section of the top side 4d, 4d.

(97) FIGS. 26-27 show the disk brake 10 according to the invention according to FIGS. 21-22 with a third variant of attachment interfaces A1, A1, A2, A2. The spring arms 19a, 19a bear laterally by way of their attachment sections 19b, 19b against a cylinder pin 31 in the pad rear plate 4, 4. The cylinder pins 31 are inserted into fitting bores and optionally have a shoulder 32. The shoulder 32 serves to prevent a relative movement between the stainless steel of the attachment sections 19b, 19b and the cast material of the pad rear plate 4, 4.

(98) FIG. 28 shows the disk brake 10 according to the invention according to FIGS. 21-22 with a third variant of attachment interfaces A1, A1, A2, A2. In this third variant, the attachment interfaces A1, A1, A2, A2 each comprise a guide element 33 with guide sections 33a. The guide sections 33a extend parallel to one another in the longitudinal direction of the pad rear plate 4, 4 and define a guide receptacle 33b between them. The attachment sections 19b, 19b of the spring arms 19a, 19a are in engagement with the respective guide receptacle 33b. The guide element 33 is pressed into the pad rear plate 4, 4 for example, can, for example, be produced from stainless steel and prevents a relative movement between the hard spring material of the attachment sections 19b, 19b and the soft cast material of the pad rear plate 4, 4.

(99) FIG. 29 illustrates the disk brake 10 according to the invention according to FIGS. 21-22 with a fourth variant of attachment interfaces.

(100) The attachment sections 19b, 19b of the spring arms 19a, 19a are pressed flat at the end to form flat end sections 34 in order that an elongated hole 34a can then be punched out. Said elongated hole 34 can be placed over a cylinder pin 31, for example.

(101) FIG. 30 shows the disk brake 10 according to the invention according to FIGS. 21-22 with a fifth variant of attachment interfaces A1, A1, A2, A2. The attachment sections 19b, 19b of the spring arms 19a, 19a are guided on a corner section 35 of the pad rear plate 4, 4 on a milled shoulder 35a. The shoulder 35a has a thrust surface 35b and a bearing surface 35c. The thrust surface 35b is here parallel to the pad side 4b, 4b of the pad rear plate 4, 4. The attachment sections 19b, 19b are in contact with the thrust surface 35b and the bearing surface 35c.

(102) FIG. 31 illustrates the disk brake 10 according to the invention according to FIGS. 21-22 with a sixth variant of attachment interfaces A1, A1, A2, A2.

(103) A guide element consisting, for example, of stainless steel is fitted over the milled shoulder 35 in the pad rear plate 4, 4 and, where appropriate, welded or adhesively bonded. The attachment sections 19b, 19b of the spring arms 19a, 19a can be guided over this additional component.

(104) FIG. 32 shows the disk brake 10 according to the invention according to FIGS. 21-22 with a seventh variant of attachment interfaces A1, A1, A2, A2. In this variant, the attachment sections 19b, 19b of the spring arms 19a, 19a are in engagement with in each case a spring end 7a, 7a of the pad retaining springs 7, 7 in elongated holes 7b.

(105) FIG. 33 illustrates the disk brake 10 according to the invention according to FIG. 23 with a ninth variant of the connection interface 20 with a connection element 37. FIG. 34 shows an enlarged schematic perspective illustration of the ninth variant of the connection interface 20 with the connection element 37 according to FIG. 33.

(106) In the ninth variant, the connection element 37 has sleeve sections 37a, 37a; 37b, 37b with an interspace 37c and a leadthrough opening 37d. The ends of the connection sections 19c, 19c of the spring unit 19, 19 and their connection bow 19d is press-fitted with the sleeve sections 37a, 37a; 37b, 37b on both sides. The central section 18a of the attachment element 18 extends through the leadthrough opening 37d of the sleeve sections 37a, 37a; 37b, 37b.

(107) FIGS. 35-36 show schematic partial views of the disk brake 10 according to the invention according to FIGS. 26-27 with a fourth variant of the spreading device 8 and the eighth variant of the connection interface 20 according to FIG. 28.

(108) The connection interface 20 here has a connection element 38 which is structurally similar to the connection element 29 (see for example FIG. 28).

(109) The spring arm pairs of the spring units 19, 19 do not engage over the brake disk 2 here but are each arranged on one side of the brake disk.

(110) Illustrated here is an attachment possibility for two spring arms 19a, 19a which in one case are present continuously on the application side and in one case are present continuously on the caliper rear side. The spring arms 19a, 19a are connected via extended connection sections 19c, 19c. The extended connection sections 19c, 19c extend parallel to and next to guide sections 38g, 38g of the connection element 38.

(111) FIGS. 37 and 38 illustrate enlarged schematic perspective partial illustrations of the spreading device 8 according to FIG. 1 with a tenth variant of the connection interface 20. FIG. 39 shows an enlarged schematic perspective view of the tenth variant of the connection interface of the spreading device 8 according to FIGS. 37-38 with a connection element 39.

(112) The tenth variant of the connection interface 20 differs from the first variant of the connection interface 20 according to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 in a varied connection element 39, wherein only some sections are formed differently, as will be explained below.

(113) The connection element 39 comprises, like the connection element 21, a longitudinally extending base section 39a with a bearing section 39f, two mutually opposite wing sections 39b, 39b and two mutually opposite pairs of sleeve sections 39c, 39c; 39d, 39d.

(114) By contrast with the connection element 21, the two wing sections 39b, 39b are formed convexly with in each case a downwardly pointing edge section 39g, 39g, wherein rounded contact sections 39h, 39h formed from the convex wing sections 39b, 39b are arranged on the bottom sides of the convex wing sections 39b, 39b. The wing sections 39b, 39b with their contact sections 39h, 39h correspond in their rounded shape to the outer shape of the connection sections 19c, 19c of the spring arms 19a, 19a.

(115) The base section 39a is adapted to the round outer shape of the central section 18a of the attachment element 18, wherein, in the installed state, the central section 18a is arranged so as to extend on the base section 39a in its longitudinal direction. Here, the central section 18a lies between the wing sections 39b, 39b on the bearing section 39f of the base section 39a and within the sleeve sections 39c, 39c; 39d, 39d on the base section 39a, as in the case of the connection element 21.

(116) The associated spring unit 19, 19 is here, too, connected to the connection element 39 in such a way that the two connection sections 39c, 39c extend parallel to the base section 39a of the connection element 39, below in each case a wing section 39b, 39b, wherein the inner ends of the two connection sections 19c, 19c are each upwardly bent in a 90 arc and then merge into the connection bow 19d. Here, the connection bow 19d extends between the sleeve sections 39c, 39c; 39d, 39d and is arranged within axial interspaces 39e, 39e, which can also be referred to as gaps.

(117) The spring arm unit 19, 19 extends through said gap and is thus supported in the gap, with the result that sliding out is avoided during a displacement in the longitudinal direction of the central section 18a of the attachment element 18.

(118) In this way, the connection element 39 is connected to the spring unit 19, 19, wherein at the same time a connection is formed with the central section 18a of the attachment element 18, which extends, on the one hand, parallel to the connection sections 19c, 19c of the spring unit 19, 19 on the base section 39a and, on the other hand, further through the sleeve sections 39c, 39c; 39d, 39d and below the connection bow 19d of the spring unit 19, 19.

(119) The connection element 39 also has the spacer section 22 as a lug which is inclined downwardly in the longitudinal direction of the base section 39a and of which the lateral sections 22a are in contact with in each case a spring arm 19a, 19a. In this variant, too, the connection sections 19c, 19c of the spring units 19, 19 bear against the lateral sections 22a of the spacer section 22. In operation, the spacer section 22 ensures a lateral support for the two spring arms in the inward direction, that is to say pointing in each case toward the spacer section 22, and thus defines a bearing point for the spring arms 19a, 19a.

(120) By contrast with the connection element 21 of the first variant of the connection interface 20 according to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the two wing sections 39b, 39b, which can also be referred to as wing lugs, are inclined downwardly in a bow shape and safeguard, on the one hand, against a downwardly directed tilting of the spring arms 19a, 19a and, on the other hand, against the spring arms 19a, 19a sliding out upwardly.

(121) During mounting, the spring arm unit 19, 19 is threaded in under the sleeve sections 39c, 39c; 39d, 39d and clipped into the two laterally downwardly projecting wing sections 39b, 39b, which are formed in the manner of lugs.

(122) The pad retaining springs 7, 7 are provided at each of their ends with a bevel. These bevels each point toward the brake disk 2 and serve to facilitate mounting and demounting of the spreading device 8, wherein the spring arms 19a, 19a can be prevented from hooking on the ends of the pad retaining springs 7, 7 that point toward the brake disk 2. These bevels are not designated, but are clearly evident in FIGS. 1, 21-31, 33, 35-36.

(123) FIG. 40 shows a schematic perspective view of a brake carrier horn 17, 17 with a receiving opening 17a and a plug 40. FIG. 41 shows a schematic sectional view of the brake carrier horn 17, 17 with inserted plug 40 according to FIG. 40. FIG. 42 illustrates an enlarged schematic perspective view of the plug 40 according to FIGS. 40 and 41.

(124) The plug 40 serves for closing the receiving openings 17a if the disk brake 1 is intended for subsequent retrofitting with a spreading device 8. In such a case, the brake carrier 6 with the brake carrier horns 17, 17 each having a receiving opening 17a can be already installed, wherein the unused receiving openings 17a are closed by a respective plug 40 and thus protected against contamination. The plug 40 can also be used for temporary protection of the receiving openings 17a in the case of maintenance and replacement of the spreading device 8.

(125) The plug 40 has a body 41 and a handle 42. The body 41 is designed to be conical with an upper handle section 41a and a lower end section 41b, wherein the body 41 tapers in its longitudinal direction from the handle section 41a to the end section 41b. The body 41 additionally has peripheral beads 41c between which peripheral recesses 41d are arranged. The beads 41c and the recesses 41d are successively arranged, coaxially to a longitudinal axis of the body 41, on said body in its longitudinal direction.

(126) The handle 42 is mounted on the handle section 41a of the body 41. The handle 42 has a parallelepipedal shape and is provided at its upper free end with bead-form edges for easier handling. A length of the handle 42 corresponds approximately to a length of the body 41 in the longitudinal direction.

(127) An average diameter of the body 41 corresponds to the inside diameter of the receiving openings 17a.

(128) One material of the plug 40 is a heat-resistant plastic. The plug 40 can also have a metal core which is overmolded with a plastic which forms the beads 41c. The beads 41c are substantially elastic.

(129) As shown in FIG. 41, the plug 40 is inserted, with its lower end 41b leading, into the receiving opening 17a into the brake carrier horn 17, 17. Here, the body 41 has approximately three quarters of its length received in the receiving opening 17a. The elastic beads 17 are here compressed, are in contact with an inner wall 43 of the receiving opening 17a and thus seal the receiving opening 17a with respect to the surroundings.

(130) The receiving openings 17a here take the form of blind holes and have bevels 44 on their top side for easier threading in of the fastening sections 18e of the attachment element 18, as for the plug 40. The receiving openings 17a can also be through-holes, in which case a further plug 40 is provided in each case.

(131) The receiving openings 4c, 4c of the attachment interfaces A1, A1; A2, A2 take the form of through-holes and/or blind holes, as already described above. In both cases, the receiving openings 4c, 4c allow a stable seat for the attachment sections 19b, 19b.

(132) The receiving openings 4c, 4c of the attachment interfaces A1, A1; A2, A2 can extend, for example, over one quarter, one third, two quarters, two thirds, three thirds or more, or over the entire lateral length (as through-hole) of a brake pad 3, 3. Here, the lengths of the attachment sections 19b, 19b can correspond to the lengths of the receiving openings 4c, 4c. In this way, an introduction of force of the spreading device 8 to the brake pads 3, 3 for resetting is exerted which can thus extend beyond the whole side of the brake pads 3, 3.

(133) In the case that the receiving openings 4c, 4c of the attachment interfaces A1, A1; A2, A2 take the form of blind holes, the attachment sections 19b, 19b can bear with their ends in contact with the respective blind hole bottom, wherein the attachment sections 19b, 19b can then have their peripheral surfaces in contact with the respective inner wall of the associated receiving opening 4c, 4c.

(134) It is furthermore conceivable that the attachment sections 19b, 19b are provided with sleeves, wherein these sleeves are each pushed onto an attachment section 19b, 19b. This is not illustrated, but can be easily envisioned. Such sleeves can of course also be pushed onto the fastening sections 18e of the attachment element 18.

(135) The invention is not restricted by the exemplary embodiments described above. It may be modified within the scope of the appended claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(136) 1 Brake caliper 2 Brake disk 2a Brake disk axis of rotation 3, 3 Brake pad 4, 4 Pad carrier plate 4a Pad side 4b, 4b Thrust side 4c, 4c Receiving opening 4d, 4d Top side 5, 5 Friction pad 6 Brake carrier 7, 7 Pad retaining spring 7a Spring end 7b Elongated hole 8 Spreading device 9 Opening 10 Disk brake 11 Application section 12 Caliper rear section 13 Tension strut 14, 15 Retaining section 16 Pad retaining clip 17, 17 Brake carrier horn 17a Receiving opening 18 Attachment element 18a Central section 18b, 18c, 18d Connection section 18e Fastening section 19, 19 Spring arm unit 19a, 19a Spring arm 19b, 19b Attachment section 19c, 19c Connection section 19d Connection bow 19e, 19e Bow section 19f, 19f; 19g, 19g Connection section 20 Connection interface 21 Connection element 21a Base section 21b, 21b Wing section 21c, 21c; 21d, 21d Sleeve section 21e, 21e Interspace 21f Bearing section 22 Spacer section 22a, 22a Lateral section 22b Recess 23 Connection element 23a Base section 23b, 23b Wing section 23c Bearing section 24 Connection element 24a Base section 24b, 24b; 24d, 24d Wing section 24c, 24c; 24e, 24e Guide section 24f, 24f Fork guide 25 Pin 26 Guide element 26a Pin 26b, 26b Disk section 27 Supporting section 27a, 27a Bow section 28 Connection element 28a Winding 29 Connection element 29a Base section 29b, 29b Wing section 29c, 29c; 29d, 29d Sleeve section 29e, 29e Interspace 29f, 29f Wing section 29g, 29g Guide section 30, 30 Retaining projection 31, 31 Cylinder pin 32, 32 Shoulder 33 Guide element 33a Guide section 33b Guide receptacle 34 End section 34a Elongated hole 35 Corner section 35a Shoulder 35b Thrust surface 35c Bearing surface 36 Guide element 36a Base section 36b, 36c Wall section 36d Bearing section 37 Connection element 37a, 37a; 37b, 37b Sleeve section 37c Interspace 37d Leadthrough opening 38 Connection element 38a Base section 38b, 38b Wing section 38c, 38c; 38d, 38d Sleeve section 38e, 38e Interspace 38f, 38f Wing section 38g, 38g Guide section 39 Connection element 39a Base section 39b, 39b Wing section 39c, 39c; 39d, 39d Sleeve section 39e, 39e Interspace 39f Bearing section 39g, 39g Edge section 39h, 39h Contact surface 40 Plug 41 Body 41a Handle section 41b End section 41c Bead 41d Recess 42 Handle 43 Inner wall 44 Bevel A1, A1, A2, A2 Attachment interface AS Run-out side ES Run-in side

(137) The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.