Disc brake for vehicles having insertable actuator

• US RE38,874 E1
• Filed: 02/01/1996
• Issued: 11/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme Fur Nutzfahrzeuge GMBH (Estate of Heinz Hermann Thiele)
• Original Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme Fur Nutzfahrzeuge GMBH (Estate of Heinz Hermann Thiele)
• Inventors: Bieker, Dieter, Baumgartner, Hans
• Primary Examiner(s): Schwartz, Christopher P.
• Application Number:
  US09/915,569
• Time in Patent Office: 3,575 Days
• Field of Search: 188/71.1, 188/71.9, 188/72.7, 188/72.8, 188/72.9, 188/73.31, 188/73.47
• US Class Current: 188/72.9
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2055/0016 Brake calipers
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2055/007 Pins holding the braking members
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2121/14 Mechanical
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2125/26 Cranks
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2125/32 acting on one cam follower
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 55/224 with a common actuating member for the braking members
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 55/226 in which the common actuating member is moved axially , e.g. floating caliper disc brakes
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 65/18 adapted for drawing members together , e.g. for disc brakes
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 65/183 with force-transmitting members arranged side by side acting on a spot type force-applying member
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 65/568 for synchronous adjustment of actuators arranged in parallel

Abstract

A brake disk for road vehicles has a brake caliper engaging about a brake disk of a vehicle wheel to be braked. A clamping unit upon which an actuation cylinder can act is provided on one side of the brake disk and which itself acts against at least one pressure member. In order to withstand the braking forces in a manner free from sealing problems, the caliper is constructed in one part such that the clamping unit is mounted in a section of the caliper which is substantially closed on all sides. When the caliper is moved away from the brake disk, the clamping unit can be introduced, in the form of a preassembled unit into the caliper through the opening therein facing the brake disk. When the clamping unit has been introduced, the opening in the brake caliper facing the brake disk is closed by a closure plate penetrated by the pressure member of the clamping unit.

Claims

1. Disk brake for road vehicles having a caliper which comprises a brake disk and on one side of which a brake application unit is arranged which has a rotary lever swivellable by an operating cylinder, the rotary lever being capable of acting by means of an eccentric onto a bridge which can be displaced against a spring force in the direction of the brake disk and has at least one adjusting spindle provided with a pressure piece, characterized in that

a) the caliper is constructed in one piece such that the section of the caliper receiving the application unit is largely closed in a rearward area facing away from the brake disk, with the exception of an opening for the access of the operating cylinder, and

b) the application unit is insertable as a preassembled unit into the caliper through the opening facing the brake disk when the caliper is removed from the brake disk.

2. Disk brake according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening of the caliper facing the brake disk, when the application unit is inserted, is closed off by a closing plate which is penetrated by at least one pressure piece.

3. Disk brake according to claim 2, wherein the bridge which can be operated by the eccentric of the rotary lever carrying two adjusting spindles which are screwed to it and have pressure pieces, and wherein the pressure pieces are in each case sealed off by means of bellows with respect to the closing plate penetrated by them.

4. Disk brake according to claim 1, characterized in that the application unit is joined together as a preassembled unit by means of a bow element.

5. Disk brake according to claim 4, wherein the bridge which can be operated by the eccentric of the rotary lever carrying two adjusting spindles which are screwed to it and have pressure pieces, and wherein the pressure pieces are in each case sealed off by means of bellows with respect to the closing plate penetrated by them.

6. Disk brake according to claim 4, characterized in that the bow element consists of a bow spring which, by means of one end, extends through the bridge of the application unit and, by means of the opposite end, in the form of a U-shaped bow, reaches around the rotary lever and its support bearing.

7. Disk brake according to claim 6, wherein the bridge which can be operated by the eccentric of the rotary lever carrying two adjusting spindles which are screwed to it and have pressure pieces, and wherein the pressure pieces are in each case sealed off by means of bellows with respect to the closing plate penetrated by them.

8. Disk brake according to claim 1, characterized in that the closing plate can be screwed to the caliper 1 by means of studs.

9. Disk brake assembly for vehicles, comprising

a brake disk,

a caliper,

and a brake application unit with a rotary lever actuable by an eccentric onto a displaceable bridge with at least one adjustable spindle provided with at least one pressure piece which in use acts to press brake shoes against the brake disk,

wherein the caliper is formed in one piece with a section receiving the brake application unit being substantially closed in an end area facing away from the brake disk, with an exception of an opening for access of an operation member engagable with the rotary lever, and

wherein the brake application unit is insertable as a preassembled unit into the caliper through a caliper opening facing the brake disk when in an installed in use position.

10. Disk brake assembly according to claim 9, wherein said caliper opening is closed off by a closing plate when in an installed in use position, said closing plate being penetrated by the at least one pressure piece.

11. A method of making a disk brake assembly for vehicles of the type including a brake disk, a caliper, and a brake application unit with a rotary lever actuable by an eccentric to selectively push at least one brake shoe against the brake disk, said method comprising:

forming a one piece caliper with a section for accommodating the brake application unit which is substantially closed in an end area which in use faces away from the brake disk, said end area including an opening for an actuating member to engage the rotary lever,

forming the brake application unit as a preassembled unit,

inserting the preassembled brake application unit in the caliper through an insertion opening which in use faces the brake disk, and closing off the insertion opening with a cover plate which is penetrated by a pressure piece actuable against the at least one brake shoe.

12. A caliper for use in a pneumatic air disk brake for road vehicles having a rotary lever actuated application device operable by an operating cylinder, the caliper comprising:

a housing section having an interior space sized to accommodate the rotary lever actuated application device, the housing section including at least one opening on a rearward end through which the operating cylinder is engageable with the rotary lever; and

a brake disk section extending from the housing section and engageable about a brake disk, said brake disk section and housing section being formed in one-piece.

13. The caliper according to claim 12, wherein the housing section of the caliper includes an opening facing the brake disk when in use through which the rotary lever actuated application device is capable of being received.

14. The caliper according to claim 12, wherein the rearward end of the caliper includes at least one additional opening through which the caliper is machined.

15. The caliper according to claim 14, wherein the additional opening is in a lateral wall of the rearward end of the housing section.

16. The caliper according to claim 13, wherein the rearward end of the caliper includes at least one additional opening through which the caliper is machined.

17. The caliper according to claim 16, wherein the additional opening is in a lateral wall of the rearward end of the housing section.

18. The caliper according to claim 12, wherein a rearward wall of the rearward end of the housing section receives brake responses forces introduced in a rearward manner when in use, whereby no-force transmission takes place within the caliper by way of screwed connectors placed in tension.

19. The caliper according to claim 13, wherein a rearward wall of the rearward end of the housing section receives brake responses forces introduced in a rearward manner when in use, whereby no-force transmission takes place within the caliper by way of screwed connectors placed in tension.

20. The caliper according to claim 14, wherein a rearward wall of the rearward end of the housing section receives brake responses forces introduced in a rearward manner when in use, whereby no-force transmission takes place within the caliper by way of screwed connectors placed in tension.

21. The caliper according to claim 12, wherein the rearward end of the housing section is largely closed.

22. The caliper according to claim 13, wherein the rearward end of the housing section is largely closed.

23. The caliper according to claim 14, wherein the rearward end of the housing section is largely closed.

24. The caliper according to claim 18, wherein the rearward end of the housing section is largely closed.

25. The caliper according to claim 13, further comprising a plate covering the opening in the housing section facing the brake disk, the plate having at least one opening penetratable by the rotary lever actuated application device.

26. The caliper according to claim 16, further comprising a plate covering the opening in the housing section facing the brake disk, the plate having at least one opening penetratable by the rotary lever actuated application device.

27. The caliper according to claim 19, further comprising a plate covering the opening in the housing section facing the brake disk, the plate having at least one opening penetratable by the rotary lever actuated application device.

28. The caliper according to claim 22, further comprising a plate covering the opening in the housing section facing the brake disk, the plate having at least one opening penetratable by the rotary lever actuated application device.

29. A pneumatic brake for road vehicles operable with a brake disk and actuated by an operating cylinder, the brake comprising:

a rotary lever adapted to be swivellable by the operating cylinder;

a bridge displaceable by swivelling action of the rotary lever;

at least one spindle arranged in the bridge and being displaceable with the bridge, the rotary lever, the bridge and the spindle being components of a brake application device for the pneumatic brake;

a caliper having a housing section sized to accommodate said components of the brake application device and a brake disk section extending from the housing section and configured to engage about the brake disk when installed;

wherein the housing section includes an opening on a rearward end through which the operating cylinder is engageable with the rotary lever, and an opening facing the brake disk when installed that is sized to receive said components of the brake application device.

30. The brake according to claim 29, further comprising:

a bow element joining together the rotary lever, bridge and spindle into a preassembled unit, the preassembled unit being insertable through the opening in the housing section of the caliper facing the brake disk.

31. The brake according to claim 29, wherein the housing section and the brake disk section of the caliper are constructed in one piece.

32. The brake according to claim 30, wherein the housing section and the brake disk section of the caliper are constructed in one piece.

33. The brake according to claim 29, wherein the rearward end of the housing section is largely closed.

34. The brake according to claim 30, wherein the rearward end of the housing section is largely closed.

35. The brake according to claim 31, wherein the rearward end of the housing section is largely closed.

36. The brake according to claim 32, wherein the rearward end of the housing section is largely closed.

37. The brake according to claim 29, wherein the opening through which the operating cylinder is engageable with the rotary lever is in a wall section of the rearward end, the wall section facing away from the brake disk.

38. The brake according to claim 30, wherein the opening through which the operating cylinder is engageable with the rotary lever is in a wall section of the rearward end, the wall section facing away from the brake disk.

39. The brake according to claim 31, wherein the opening through which the operating cylinder is engageable with the rotary lever is in a wall section of the rearward end, the wall section facing away from the brake disk.

40. The brake according to claim 33, wherein the opening through which the operating cylinder is engageable with the rotary lever is in a wall section of the rearward end, the wall section facing away from the brake disk.

41. The brake according to claim 29, further comprising at least one additional opening on the rearward end through which the caliper is machinable or the brake is seviceable.

42. The brake according to claim 30, further comprising at least one additional opening on the rearward end through which the caliper is machinable or the brake is seviceable.

43. The brake according to claim 31, further comprising at least one additional opening on the rearward end through which the caliper is machinable or the brake is seviceable.

44. The brake according to claim 37, further comprising at least one additional opening on the rearward end through which the caliper is machinable or the brake is seviceable.

45. The brake according to claim 41, wherein the additional opening is in a lateral wall section of the rearward end of the housing section.

46. The brake according to claim 42, wherein the additional opening is in a lateral wall section of the rearward end of the housing section.

47. The brake according to claim 43, wherein the additional opening is in a lateral wall section of the rearward end of the housing section.

48. The brake according to claim 44, wherein the additional opening is in a lateral wall section of the rearward end of the housing section.

49. The brake according to claim 41, wherein the additional opening is in a wall section of the rearward end facing away from the brake disk.

50. The brake according to claim 42, wherein the additional opening is in a wall section of the rearward end facing away from the brake disk.

51. The brake according to claim 43, wherein the additional opening is in a wall section of the rearward end facing away from the brake disk.

52. The brake according to claim 44, wherein the additional opening is in a wall section of the rearward end facing away from the brake disk.

53. The brake according to claim 41, wherein at least two additional openings are provided, a first being in a wall section of the rearward end facing away from the brake disk, and a second being in a lateral wall section of the rearward end of the housing section.

54. The brake according to claim 29, wherein an interior side of a rearward wall section of the rearward end receives brake response forces introduced in a rearward manner, whereby no-force transmission takes place within the caliper by way of screwed connectors placed in tension.

55. The brake according to claim 30, wherein an interior side of a rearward wall section of the rearward end receives brake response forces introduced in a rearward manner, whereby no-force transmission takes place within the caliper by way of screwed connectors placed in tension.

56. The brake according to claim 31, wherein an interior side of a rearward wall section of the rearward end receives brake response forces introduced in a rearward manner, whereby no-force transmission takes place within the caliper by way of screwed connectors placed in tension.

57. The brake according to claim 33, wherein an interior side of a rearward wall section of the rearward end receives brake response forces introduced in a rearward manner, whereby no-force transmission takes place within the caliper by way of screwed connectors placed in tension.

58. The brake according to claim 29, further comprising:

a pressure piece coupled with the spindle, the pressure piece being pressable against the brake disk when in use.

59. The brake according to claim 58, further comprising a bow element joining together the rotary lever, bridge, pressure piece and spindle into a preassembled unit, the preassembled unit being insertable through the opening in the housing section of the caliper facing the brake disk.

60. The brake according to claim 29, further comprising a plate covering the opening facing the brake disk when installed, the plate having at least one opening penetratable by the spindle.

61. The brake according to claim 60, further comprising:

a pressure piece coupled with the spindle, the pressure piece being pressable against the brake disk when in use.

62. The brake according to claim 61, further comprising a bellows arranged to seal off the pressure piece with respect to the penetratable opening in the closing plate.

63. The brake according to claim 29, wherein an interior side of a rearward wall section of the rearward end receives brake response forces introduced in a rearward manner, and

wherein the housing section is formed such that no force transmission of the brake response forces takes place through screwed connections that are subject to leakage problems into an interior of the caliper.

64. The brake according to claim 63, wherein the housing section and the brake disk section of the caliper are constructed in one piece.

65. The brake according to claim 30, wherein an interior side of a rearward wall section of the rearward end receives brake response forces introduced in a rearward manner, and

wherein the housing section is formed such that no force transmission of the brake response forces takes place through screwed connections that are subject to leakage problems into an interior of the caliper.

66. The brake according to claim 65, wherein the housing section and the brake disk section of the caliper are constructed in one piece.

67. A pneumatic disk brake, comprising:

a brake application device comprised of at least a rotary lever and one spindle;

a caliper having a first section that accommodates the brake application device, said first section having a first opening which, in use, faces a brake disk; and

wherein the rotary lever and the one spindle are received in the first section through the first opening.

68. The brake according to claim 67, wherein the brake application device further comprises a bridge carrying the one spindle.

69. The brake according to claim 68, further comprising a bow element used to join the rotary lever, the bridge and the one spindle into a preassembled brake application unit.

70. The brake according to claim 69, wherein the preassembled brake application unit is inserted into the first section through the first opening.

71. The brake according to claim 67, wherein the caliper further comprises a brake disk section extending from the first section that accommodates the brake application device, the brake disk section engaging over the brake disk when in use.

72. The brake according to claim 71, wherein the first section that accommodates the brake application device and the brake disk section are formed in one-piece.

73. The brake according to claim 67, wherein the first section that accommodates the brake application device is formed such that no force transmission of braking forces takes place through screwed connections that are subject to leakage problems.

74. The brake according to claim 67, further comprising a plate arranged to sealingly close the first opening, the plate being penetratable by a pressure piece arranged on an end of the one spindle.

75. The brake according to claim 70, further comprising a plate arranged to sealingly close the first opening, the plate being penetrable by a pressure piece arranged on an end of the one spindle.

76. The brake according to claim 67, wherein the first section of the caliper that accommodates the brake application device includes a second opening on a rearward end, the rotary lever being arranged inside the first section projecting in a direction of the second opening.

77. The brake according to claim 70, wherein the first section of the caliper that accommodates the brake application device includes a second opening on a rearward end, the rotary lever being arranged inside the first section projecting in a direction of the second opening.

78. A method of making a pneumatic disk brake, the method comprising the acts of:

forming a caliper section adapted to receive a rotary lever, a bridge and at least one spindle of a brake application device, said caliper section being formed with a first opening which, in use, faces a brake disk; and

inserting the rotary lever, the bridge and the at least one spindle into the caliper section through the first opening.

79. The method according to claim 78, further comprising the acts of:

preassembling at least the rotary lever, the bridge and the at least one spindle of the brake application device into a preassembled brake application unit; and

inserting the preassembled brake application unit into the caliper section through the first opening.

80. The method according to claim 79, further comprising the act of arranging the rotary lever inside the caliper section such that one end projects in a direction of a second opening situated on a rearward end of the caliper section.

81. The method according to claim 78, further comprising the act of arranging the rotary lever inside the caliper section such that one end projects in a direction of a second opening situated on a rearward end of the caliper section.

82. The method according to claim 78, further comprising the act of:

sealingly closing the first opening with a plate, which is penetrable by a pressure piece arranged on an end of the at least one spindle.

83. The method according to claim 79, further comprising the act of:

sealingly closing the first opening with a plate, which is penetrable by a pressure piece arranged on an end of the at least one spindle.

84. A method of making a pneumatic disk brake having a brake application device with a rotary lever, the method comprising the acts of:

forming an opening in a front side of a caliper section that accommodates the brake application device, which front side, in use, faces a brake disk; and

inserting the rotary lever of the brake application device through the opening into the caliper section.

85. The method according to claim 84, further comprising the act of:

arranging one end of the rotary lever near an opening formed in a rear side of the caliper section, the one end being adapted to be operated upon by an operating cylinder.

86. The method according to claim 85, wherein the act of inserting further comprises the acts of:

preassembling the rotary lever with other components of the brake application device to form a preassembled brake application unit; and

inserting the preassembled brake application unit through the opening.

87. The method according to claim 84, wherein the act of inserting further comprises the acts of:

preassembling the rotary lever with other components of the brake application device to form a preassembled brake application unit; and

inserting the preassembled brake application unit through the opening.

88. The method according to claim 84, further comprising the act of:

closing the opening in the front side with a plate, the plate being penetrable by a pressure piece coupled to the brake application device.

89. The method according to claim 87, further comprising the act of:

closing the opening in the front side with a plate, the plate being penetrable by a pressure piece coupled to the brake application device.

90. A method of making a pneumatic disk brake, the method comprising the acts of:

inserting components of a brake application device, including a rotary lever, into a section of a caliper that houses the brake application device through an opening in a front side of the section which, in use, faces and is exposed to a brake disk; and

positioning one end of the rotary lever, engageable by an operating cylinder, near an opening on a rearward end of the section.

91. The method according to claim 90, wherein the components of the brake application device comprise the rotary lever and at least one spindle.

92. The method according to claim 91, wherein the components of the brake application device further comprise a bridge which carries the at least one spindle, said bridge being displaceable by rotation of the rotary lever.

93. The method according to claim 92, wherein the bridge carries two spindles.

94. The method according to claim 90, wherein the act of inserting the components comprises the acts of:

preassembling the rotary lever with the components of the brake application device into a preassembled rotary lever actuated brake application unit; and

inserting the preassembled rotary lever actuated brake application unit into the section of the caliper through the opening.

95. The method according to claim 92, wherein the act of inserting the components comprises the acts of:

preassembling the rotary lever with the components of the brake application device into a preassembled rotary lever actuated brake application unit; and

inserting the preassembled rotary lever actuated brake application unit into the section of the caliper through the opening.

96. The method according to claim 94, further comprising the act of:

closing the opening in a sealing manner with a plate, the plate being penetrable by a pressure piece that is acted upon by the brake application device.

97. The method according to claim 95, further comprising the act of:

closing the opening in a sealing manner with a plate, the plate being penetrable by a pressure piece that is acted upon by the brake application device.

98. A method of making a disk brake assembly for vehicles of the type including a brake disk, a caliper, and a brake application device with a rotary lever that acts via an eccentric to selectively push at least one brake shoe against the brake disk, said method comprising the acts of:

forming a caliper section for accommodating the brake application unit having an end area which, in use, faces away from the brake disk, said end area including an opening for an actuating member to engage the rotary lever;

forming the brake application device as a preassembled unit; and

inserting the preassembled brake application unit in the caliper section through an insertion opening which, in use, faces the brake disk, and closing off the insertion opening with a cover plate which is penetrable by a pressure piece capable of acting against the at least one brake shoe.