Disc brake, disc brake system, and parking brake system

Abstract

The invention relates to a disc brake, comprising a brake carrier, a brake caliper, brake shoes, and an actuating piston. The brake carrier has at least one mounting point for mounting on a vehicle. The actuating piston is displaceably accommodated on the brake caliper and is actuatable for carrying out a service brake function of the disc brake. At least one further actuating piston is provided, which in the direction of its longitudinal axis is displaceably accommodated on the brake caliper. For carrying out the service brake function, the at least two actuating pistons are actuatable, and for carrying out a parking brake function, one of the actuating pistons is actuatable. The invention further relates to a disc brake system and a parking brake system.

Claims

1. A disc brake, comprising: a brake carrier, a brake caliper, a plurality of brake shoes, and an actuating piston, wherein the brake carrier has at least one mounting point for mounting on a vehicle, and the brake caliper is guided on the brake carrier and has a receiving space for a brake disc, and the receiving space has two brake sides with regard to the brake disc, wherein the brake shoes are associated with the brake sides and are supported on the brake carrier against braking forces, wherein guide elements are situated between the brake shoes of the respective brake side for displaceably guiding the brake caliper on the brake carrier; wherein the actuating piston in a direction of its longitudinal axis is displaceably accommodated on the brake caliper and is actuatable for carrying out a service brake function of the disc brake, and wherein the actuating piston is actuatable by means of an electric motor for carrying out a parking brake function of the disc brake, such that at least one further actuating piston is provided, which in a direction of its longitudinal axis is displaceably accommodated on the brake caliper, wherein for carrying out he service brake function the at least two actuating pistons are actuatable, and for carrying out the parking brake function, one of the actuating pistons is actuatable, wherein each of the actuating piston and the further actuating piston is an unopposed piston, and wherein at least two of the brake shoes are spaced apart from one another on both brake sides, and one of the actuating pistons is in each case associated with the brake shoes of one of the brake sides.

2. The disc brake according to claim 1 wherein the electric motor is operatively connectable to the actuating piston via a screw gear in order to carry out the parking brake function.

3. The disc brake according to claim 2 wherein the screw gear has a spindle/nut arrangement, and has a threaded spindle and a nut element that meshes therewith.

4. The disc brake according to wherein the threaded spindle is displaceably fixed with respect to the brake caliper in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the spindle/nut arrangement and is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the spindle/nut arrangement, and the nut element is rotationally fixed with respect to the actuating piston and is displaceable in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the actuating piston, so that the nut element is translationally moved either into contact with the actuating piston or away from the actuating piston due to a rotational motion of the threaded spindle, depending on its rotational direction.

5. The disc brake according to wherein the nut element is displaceably fixed with respect to the brake caliper in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the spindle/nut arrangement and is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the spindle/nut arrangement, and the threaded spindle is rotatably fixed with respect to the actuating piston and is displaceable in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the actuating piston, so that the threaded spindle is translationally moved either into contact with the actuating piston or away from the actuating piston due to a rotational motion of the nut element, depending on its rotational direction.

6. The disc brake according to claim 3 wherein the thread of the spindle/nut arrangement is self-locking.

7. The disc brake according to claim 2 wherein the actuating piston is designed as a hollow piston that is open on one side, and that with a closed side faces the associated brake side, and the screw gear is at least partially situated in an interior space of the actuating piston.

8. The disc brake according to claim 7 wherein the service brake function of the disc brake is carried out by hydraulic actuation of the actuating pistons, and the interior space of the actuating piston forms a hydraulic chamber.

9. The disc brake according to claim 2 wherein the electric motor and the screw gear are in drive connection with one another via a reduction gear.

10. The disc brake according to claim 1, wherein, on at least one of the brake sides, at least two of the brake shoes are spaced apart from one another.

11. The disc brake according to claim 1 wherein the actuating pistons are situated on the brake caliper symmetrically with respect to an axial center plane of the brake carrier, and the guide elements are situated in the axial center plane and spaced apart from one another in the radial direction with respect to a center axis of the disc brake.

12. The disc brake according to claim 1 wherein the electric motor is situated between the actuating pistons, and at least one of a longitudinal axis of the electric motor and an output shaft of the electric motor is axially offset from the longitudinal axis of the actuating piston that is actuatable by the electric motor.

13. The disc brake according to claim 1 wherein the electric motor is positioned in an open space between the actuating pistons.

14. The disc brake according to claim 1 wherein the longitudinal axis of the electric motor and/or the output shaft of the electric motor coincide with the center axis of the disc brake.

15. A disc brake, comprising: a brake carrier for mounting on a vehicle, a brake caliper connected to the brake carrier and having a space configured to receive a brake disc; first and second pairs of spaced-apart brake shoes supported on the brake carrier and the brake caliper such that the brake disc extends between the first pair of brake shoes and between the second pair of brake shoes, a first unopposed actuating piston aligned with the first pair of brake shoes and axially movable within the brake carrier, a motor actuatable to move the first unopposed actuating piston towards the first pair of brake shoes; a second unopposed actuating piston aligned with the second pair of brake shoes and axially movable within the brake carrier, wherein both the first and second unopposed actuating pistons are actuatable to move the first and second pairs of brake shoes into engagement with the brake disc to apply the service brake, and wherein only one of the first and second unopposed actuating pistons is actuatable to move the respective first or second pair of brake shoes into engagement with the brake disc to apply the parking brake; and guide elements situated between the brake shoes of the respective brake side for displaceably guiding the brake caliper on the brake carrier, wherein at least two of the brake shoes are spaced apart from one another on both brake sides, and one of the actuating pistons is in each case associated with the brake shoes of one of the brake sides.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) Further particulars and features of the invention result from the following description of one exemplary embodiment with reference to the drawings, which show the following:

(2) FIG. 1 shows one possible embodiment of a disc brake in a top view,

(3) FIG. 2 shows a portion of the disc brake according to FIG. 1 as a view in the direction of the arrow X in FIG. 1,

(4) FIG. 3 shows the disc brake according to FIG. 1 in a section perpendicular to the plane of the drawing along the center axis A of the disc brake, and

(5) FIG. 4 shows a portion of the disc brake according to FIG. 1 as a view in the direction of the arrow Y in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(6) FIGS. 1 through 4 show schematic illustrations of a disc brake 1. The disc brake 1 is a vehicle brake, for example, and may be used in a motor vehicle, for example a passenger vehicle or a truck. FIG. 1 shows the disc brake 1 in a top view, illustrating individual components of the disc brake 1 in a partial sectional view. FIGS. 2 and 4 each show a different view of a portion of the disc brake 1. FIG. 3 shows the disc brake 1 in a sectional illustration. In addition to the disc brake 1, a brake disc 100 schematically indicated by way of example is illustrated in FIG. 3. The brake disc 100 and the disc brake 1 form, for example, a disc brake system 200 or at least integral parts of the disc brake system 200.

(7) As is apparent in particular from FIG. 1, the disc brake 1 includes a brake carrier 10, a brake caliper 20, multiple brake shoes 30, 30′,31, 31′, and an actuating piston 40. A region of the actuating piston 40 is shown in a partial sectional view in FIG. 1. The brake carrier 10 is stationarily mountable with respect to a vehicle (not illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4). For this purpose, the brake carrier 10 has at least one, for example two mounting points 11, 11′ for mounting on the vehicle. The mounting points 11, 11′ may be formed by a through hole or a through borehole, or a blind hole, or a blind borehole, in particular a threaded hole (FIG. 2).

(8) The brake caliper 20 is movably guided on the brake carrier 10 in the direction of the center axis A of the disc brake 1. The brake caliper 20 forms a receiving space 21 for the brake disc 100, the receiving space 21 having two brake sides 22, 23 with regard to the brake disc 100, as is apparent in particular from FIGS. 1 and 3. At least one circular section or circular segment of the brake disc 100 is preferably accommodated by the receiving space 21. For example, for this purpose the brake caliper 20 may overlap the brake disc 100. The brake caliper 20 may have a multi-part, for example a two-part, design. For example, the brake caliper 20 has at least two brake caliper sections 20.1, 20.2 that are mounted opposite one another by means of at least one mounting element 20.3, in particular a screw bolt. The brake carrier 10 may also have a multi-part, for example a two-part, design. For example, the brake carrier 10 has a bridge section 10.1 that is fastened to the brake carrier 10 by means of at least one connecting element 10.2 and overlaps the brake disc 100. A portion of the brake caliper 20 may be connected thereto.

(9) With regard to one possible installation state of the disc brake 1 on the vehicle, in the following discussion, the brake side 22 is also referred to as a vehicle inner side, and the brake side 23 is also referred to as a vehicle outer side. In this regard, the brake disc 100 is used, for example, as a partition component for differentiating between the vehicle inner side and the vehicle outer side. Components of the disc brake 1 that are situated in the direction according to arrow P1, starting from the brake side 22, are thus to be associated with the vehicle inner portion, and components that are situated in the direction according to arrow P2, starting from the brake side 23, are to be associated with the vehicle outer portion of the disc brake 1 (FIGS. 1 and 3).

(10) The disc brake 1 may be utilized as a high-performance brake. For this purpose, the brake caliper 20 is preferably designed as a floating frame. In addition, on both the brake sides 22, 23 at least two of the brake shoes 30, 30′,31, 31′ are respectively spaced apart from one another (FIG. 4). In particular, the brake shoes 30 and 30′ are associated with the brake side 22, and the brake shoes 31 and 31′ are associated with the brake side 23, as is apparent in particular from FIG. 1. Due to a separate arrangement between the brake shoes 30, 30′ of the brake side 22 and between the brake shoes 31, 31′ of the brake side 23, in each case a space 36 or intermediate area is preferably formed that is free of a friction lining 32, 32′,33, 33′ and therefore exerts no braking action during a braking operation.

(11) Under the aspect of the high-performance brake, the disc brake 1 preferably has at least one further actuating piston 40′ that is provided in addition to the actuating piston 40. The actuating piston 40′ is not explicitly visible in FIGS. 1 through 4. In FIG. 1, at least one housing section of the brake caliper 20 is indicated in which the actuating piston 40′ is accommodated. Reference numeral 40′ is therefore assigned to this housing section, although it is intended to denote the actuating piston.

(12) The actuating pistons 40, 40′ are accommodated in the brake caliper 20 so as to be displaceable in the direction of their longitudinal axis 41 or 41′, respectively, and thus displaceable, for example, in the direction of the center axis A. The actuating pistons 40, 40′ are preferably situated on a vehicle inner portion 20.2 or section of the brake caliper 20. Two of the brake shoes 30, 30′,31, 31′, in particular the brake shoes 30, 30′ associated with the brake side 22, are preferably respectively associated with one of the actuating pistons 40, 40′, for example in such a way that upon actuation, the associated brake shoes 30, 30′ are directly pressed against the brake disc 100 by the actuating pistons 40, 40′. The brake shoes 30, 30′ are preferably guided on the brake carrier 10 via guides, so that the brake shoes 30, 30′ may carry out a pressing motion against the brake disc 100. By means of the guides, the brake shoes 30, 30′ are preferably supported on the brake carrier 10 against braking forces.

(13) The other of the brake shoes 30, 30′,31, 31′, in particular the brake shoes 31, 31″ associated with the brake side 23, are preferably situated on a vehicle outer portion or section 20.1 of the brake caliper 20. These brake shoes 31, 31′ are preferably to be actuated by displacing the brake caliper 20, i.e., indirectly. For example, the brake shoes 31, 31′ are held on a transverse yoke 37 of the brake caliper 20. The transverse yoke 37 may have multiple pin elements 38 that are used for supporting and/or guiding the associated brake shoes 31, 31′. The brake shoes 31, 31′ are supported on the brake carrier 10 against braking forces via the connection of the brake caliper 20 to the brake carrier 10.

(14) The brake shoes 30, 30′,31, 31′ preferably have the friction lining 32, 32′,33, 33′, respectively, that is mounted on a lining carrier 34, 34′,35, 35′, respectively, or a back plate. For example, for the brake shoes 30, 30′ the respective lining carrier 34, 34′ is movably guided on the brake carrier 10 by means of the guides. For example, for the brake shoes 31, 31′ the respective lining carrier 35, 35′ is held on the brake caliper 20, in particular the transverse yoke 37.

(15) As is apparent in particular from FIGS. 2 and 3, the brake caliper 20 is displaceably guided on the brake carrier 10 by at least one, preferably two, guide elements 12, 13, in particular guide bolts. For this purpose, the guide elements 12, 13 are preferably situated between the brake shoes 30, 30′ of the brake side 22 and between the brake shoes 31, 31′ of the other brake side 23. For example, the actuating pistons 40, 40′ are situated on the brake caliper 20 symmetrically with respect to an axial center plane D of the brake carrier 10. The guide elements 12, 13 are preferably situated in the axial center plane D, and in the radial direction are spaced apart from one another with respect to the center axis A of the disc brake 1 and extend, for example, parallel to the center axis A (FIGS. 1 and 3). For example, the guide elements 12, 13 are associated with the vehicle inner portion or section 20.2 of the brake caliper 20. For guiding and/or supporting the brake caliper 20 with respect to the brake carrier 10, a further guide element 14, for example a bolt element, may be provided that is associated with the vehicle outer portion or section 20.1 of the brake caliper 20.

(16) The disc brake 1 has a service brake function. The actuating pistons 40, 40′ are hydraulically actuated for this purpose. The actuating pistons 40, 40′ are preferably designed as hollow pistons, and in each case have an interior space or cavity 42. In a pressure space 26 via an inlet 25, by means of a hydraulic fluid, a brake pressure is generated which moves the two actuating pistons 40, 40′ in the direction according to the arrow Y. The brake shoes 30, 30′ hereby come into contact with the brake disc 100 on its one outer side. Due to the “action=reaction” principle, the movement of the actuating pistons 40, 40′ correspondingly moves the entire brake caliper 20 in the opposite direction, i.e., in the direction according to the arrow X (FIG. 1). The brake caliper 20, which overlaps the brake disc 100, thus brings the brake shoes 31 and 31′ into contact with the brake disc 100 on its other outer side.

(17) The interior space 42 of each actuating piston 40 or 40′, utilized as a hydraulic chamber, is preferably sealed off with respect to the brake caliper 20 by means of a sealing element 43. The sealing element 43 may be a sealing ring that is mounted on the outer circumference of the associated actuating piston 40 or 40′ and is supported against the wall of the inner circumference of the associated piston receptacle of the brake caliper 20.

(18) The disc brake 1, in addition to the service brake function, also has a parking brake function or hand brake function that can also be used as an emergency brake function. For carrying out the parking brake function, one of the actuating pistons 40, 40′, in particular the actuating piston 40, is actuatable by means of an electric motor 50. The electric motor 50 may in principle also be used so that the one actuating piston 40 is actuated by the fact that both types of actuation overlap; i.e., a hydraulic actuating force and a mechanical actuating force are simultaneously exerted on the actuating piston 40. The electric motor 50 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 1 by way of example.

(19) The electric motor 50 is preferably situated between the actuating pistons 40 and 40′, and a longitudinal axis 52 of the electric motor 50 and an output shaft 51 of the electric motor 50, and the longitudinal axis 41 of the actuating piston 40 are axially offset, for example situated axially parallel to one another. For example, the electric motor 50 engages with an open space 24 of the brake caliper 20 that is present, for example, between the actuating pistons 40 and 40′. The longitudinal axis 52 of the electric motor 50 and/or the output shaft 51 of the electric motor 50 preferably coincide(s) with the center axis A of the disc brake 1.

(20) The electric motor 50 may be operatively connectable to the actuating piston 40 via a screw gear 53 in order to carry out the parking brake function. The screw gear 53 is preferably situated in the interior space 42 of the one actuating piston 40. For this purpose, the one actuating piston 40 is preferably open on one side, and with a closed side faces the associated brake side 22. The other actuating piston 40′ may have a similar design and arrangement. In addition, the other actuating piston 40′ with an open side may face the associated brake side 22.

(21) The screw gear 53 may be designed as a spindle/nut arrangement. The spindle/nut arrangement has a threaded spindle 54 and a nut element 55 that meshes therewith. The threaded spindle 54 is displaceably fixed on the brake caliper 20, for example by means of a bearing 59, in the direction of a longitudinal axis 58 of the spindle/nut arrangement, and is supported so as to be rotatable about the longitudinal axis 58 of the spindle/nut arrangement. The nut element 55 is held so that by means of at least one securing element 57 and is rotatably fixed with respect to the actuating piston 40, and displaceable in the direction of the longitudinal axis 41 of the actuating piston 40. A rotational motion of the threaded spindle 54 as a function of its rotational direction is thus possible, via which the nut element 55 is translationally moved either into contact with the actuating piston 40 or away from the actuating piston 40. The threaded spindle 54 is preferably sealed off with respect to the brake caliper 20 by a sealing element 59.1, in particular a shaft seal, in order to ensure seal-tightness of the pressure space 26.

(22) The nut element 55 with its outer circumferential surface is preferably at least partially guided on the inner circumference of the actuating piston 40. For example, an end area 56 of the nut element 55, in particular the end area 56 facing the associated brake shoe 30, is radially expanded and used as a guide surface with respect to the inner face of the actuating piston 40. The securing element 57 is preferably a bolt element or a pin element 38 which at one end is fastened to a wall section of the actuating piston 40, preferably provided within the interior space 42 of the actuating piston 40 and, for example, with its longitudinal axis 41 situated axially parallel to the longitudinal axis 58 of the actuating piston 40.

(23) The electric motor 50 and the screw gear 53 are preferably in drive connection with one another via a reduction gear 60. For example, the reduction gear 53 [sic; 60] has a multi-stage, in particular a two-stage, design. The reduction gear 53 [sic; 60] may be a spur gear and/or belt gear. For example, the reduction gear 60 allows an overall reduction of the output shaft 51 of the electric motor 50 to the screw gear 53, in particular the threaded spindle 54, of approximately 200:1. The reduction gear 60 is preferably situated in the area of the vehicle-side end of the disc brake 1. For example, the reduction gear 60 connects the preferably axially parallel shafts, namely, the output shaft 51 of the electric motor 50 and the input shaft of the screw gear 53, in particular the threaded spindle 54, to one another.

(24) In the present description, reference to a certain aspect or a certain embodiment or a certain configuration means that a certain feature or a certain property, described in conjunction with the particular aspect or the particular embodiment or the particular configuration, is at least contained therein, but does not necessarily have to be contained in all aspects or embodiments or configurations of the invention. It is expressly noted that any combination of the various features and/or structures and/or properties that are described with regard to the invention is encompassed by the invention, provided that the context does not explicitly or unambiguously indicate otherwise.

(25) The use of single, or all, examples, or wording in the text by way of example is intended solely to elucidate the invention, and does not represent a limitation with regard to the scope of the invention, unless stated otherwise. In addition, no expression or wording of the description is to be construed in such a way that it involves an element that is not claimed, but is essential for the practice of the invention.