Method and apparatus for mounting a brake disc with resilient biasing means

• US 6,843,350 B2
• Filed: 04/17/2001
• Issued: 01/18/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: BWI Company Limited SA (Shougang Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Thorpe, William Anthony, Larkin, James Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): Graham, Matthew C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SY, MARIANO ONG
• Application Number:
  US10/019,919
• Publication Number:
  US 20030006108A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,372 Days
• Field of Search: 188/218.XL, 188/73.2, 188/73.38, 188/73.31, 188/73.36, 188/73.37, 188/73.1, 188/71.1, 192/207, 192/210.1, 192/70.19, 192/200
• US Class Current: 188/218.0XL
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2065/1316 radially segmented
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2065/1348 resilient
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2065/1368 with relative movement both radially and axially
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2065/1392 Connection elements
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2065/1396 Ancillary resilient elements, e.g. anti-rattle or retraction springs
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 65/12 Discs; Drums for disc brakes

Abstract

A disc brake system of the kind comprising an axially fixed hub and at least one slideable brake disc comprises a resilient device acting between the disc and the hub to control certain aspects of the movement of the brake disc during use. Despite the thermal differential arising in use between the brake disc and the central hub due to the localized heat generation of the brake system and the mass and thermal capacity differences between the hub and the brake disc, whereby the hub would be expected to provide a more satisfactory mounting, the resilient device acting between the disc and the hub to control the disc dynamics is mounted on the disc.

Claims

1. A disc brake system comprising:

an axially movable brake disc supported on a rotatable mounting hub;

a plurality of resilient devices adapted to act between said brake disc and said rotatable mounting hub at circumferentially equi-spaced positions around said brake disc, said resilient device being symmetrically mounted on said brake disc for axial movement with said brake disc independent of said mounting hub and to apply a centering and anti-tilt resilient bias force directed from said brake disc to said rotatable mounting hub.

2. The brake disc system of claim 1 wherein said brake disc includes drive keys engaging associated drive keyways of said rotatable mounting hub, said resilient device straddling said drive keys of said brake disc.

3. The disc brake system of claim 1 wherein said resilient device comprises at least one leaf spring having resilient flanges engaging said brake disc.

4. The disc brake system of claim 1 wherein said spring device comprises at least one spring disposed under stress between said brake disc and said rotatable mounting hub to exert said resilient bias force therebetween.

5. A disc brake system as set forth in claim 4 wherein said resilient device comprises a strip defining a plurality of apertures with each aperture straddling a drive key.

6. A disc brake system as set forth in claim 5 wherein each strip extending chordally relative to said brake disc.

7. A disc brake system comprising:

a rotatable mounting hub;

at least one brake disc slideable on said hub and having opposite sides and braking surfaces on said opposite sides;

at least one pair of friction elements operative when actuated to frictionally engage said braking surfaces of said at least one brake disc to effect braking action of said at least one brake disc and said rotatable mounting hub; and

a plurality of resilient devices attached at circumferentially spaced locations to said at least one brake disc and movable axially with said at least one brake disc relative to and independent of said rotatable mounting hub, said resilient devices acting between said at least one brake disc and said rotatable mounting hub to apply a resilient bias force directed from said at least one brake disc to said rotatable mounting hub for centering said brake disc;

wherein each resilient device comprises a spring wire.

8. A disc brake system as set forth in claim 7 wherein said spring wire defines an endless loop having two inwardly-directed portions defining a waist acting upon the brake disc and around the associated drive key of the brake disc and lateral side portions acting upon the rotatable mounting hub.

9. A disc brake system as set forth in claim 8 wherein said side portions define upturned ends presenting curved portion abutting said mounting hub.

10. A disc brake system as set forth in claim 7 wherein each wire spring includes an end portion engaging one side of said brake disc and a hairpin portion engaging the mounting hub on the other side of said brake disc.

11. A disc brake system as set forth in claim 10 including a central portion between said end and hairpin portions engaging said brake disc with said hairpin portion disposed to react between said mounting hub and said disc.

12. A disc brake system as set forth in claim 7 wherein said wire spring defines a loop having ends engaging said brake disc and bowed between said ends to engage said mounting hub.

13. A disc brake system as set forth in claim 7 wherein said wire spring defines four double loops defining an X-shape as viewed in side elevation with an opening therebetween surrounding a drive key.

14. A disc brake system as set forth in claim 13 wherein said X-shape includes upper arms abutting said brake disc and lower arms abutting said mounting hub.