Abstract: A slidable disc brake assembly for vehicles includes a rotatable hub, at least one friction disc rotatable but slidable along the hub, at least two friction pads on axially opposite sides of the disc with at least one being slidable on a brake caliper. The caliper is provided with an electric primary actuator which is operative to slide the brake disc and the friction pad or pads into frictional engagement with one another.

Abstract: An electric caliper having a housing mounted adjacent a rotatable disc. First and second force applying elements support a friction element between the housing and the rotatable disc. An electric actuator is mounted in the housing and is operatively connected to the first and second force applying elements. The electric actuator is operable to move the first and second force applying elements and the friction element toward, and away from, the disc and cause the friction element to frictionally contact the disc. A method is also provided for applying first and second forces against a friction element in response to an operation of an electric motor. The first and second forces are applied with respective magnitudes so as to maintain a substantially constant wear between the edges of the first friction element.

Abstract: A multi-disc brake assembly has a hub that is rotatable about an axis with at least a pair of discs supported on the hub for relative axial movement along the hub. The discs present braking surfaces for a plurality of friction elements to move into and out of frictional braking engagement therewith. A non-rotatable support structure releasably supports at least one hanger member to slidably support the friction elements. Releasing at least one hanger member from the non-rotatable support structure provides for removal of at least one of the friction elements from the disc brake assembly while the inner caliper portion remains attached to the outer caliper portion. Additionally, at least two bores may be formed in the non-rotatable support structure in generally axially opposed relation to one another. Piston members are disposed in the piston bores for movement toward and away from one another causing frictional braking engagement with the braking surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for monitoring the wear of brake linings in a disc brake assembly having a caliper mounted in a floating manner on a mounting bracket, by determining a relative distance between the caliper and bracket. Determining the relative distance may be accomplished by attaching a first housing to the mounting bracket, and attaching a second housing to the caliper, with the first and second housings each including a bore facing one another, and aligning the bores with respect to one another along a common translational axis. A plunger inserted in the bores moves along the translational axis within the bores in proportion to lining wear, and the remaining lining thickness is monitored by determining a position of the plunger along the translational axis within the bores. The position of the plunger in the bores may be used for initiating a change in electrical state of an electrical circuit indicative of the relative axial distance of the caliper from the bracket.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for monitoring the wear of brake linings in a disc brake assembly having a caliper mounted in a floating manner on a mounting bracket, by determining a relative distance between the caliper and bracket. Determining the relative distance may be accomplished by attaching a first housing to the mounting bracket, and attaching a second housing to the caliper, with the first and second housings each including a bore facing one another, and aligning the bores with respect to one another along a common translational axis. A plunger inserted in the bores moves along the translational axis within the bores in proportion to lining wear, and the remaining lining thickness is monitored by determining a position of the plunger along the translational axis within the bores. The position of the plunger in the bores may be used for initiating a change in electrical state of an electrical circuit indicative of the relative axial distance of the caliper from the bracket.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring brake pad wear are provided. The system provides a vehicle disc brake caliper assembly including a boot assembly and least one friction pad. The system further provides at least one caliper bolt including a caliper bolt switch point, the caliper bolt movably positioned within the boot assembly. A conductive element is positioned a predetermined distance from the caliper bolt switch point. An electrical circuit is switched when the conductive element contacts the switch point. The contact is established when the friction pad wears to a predetermined level corresponding to the predetermined distance. The method provides a caliper bolt including a caliper bolt switch point. A conductive element is positioned a predetermined distance from the caliper bolt switch point. The predetermined distance is progressively decreased as the brake pad wears. An electrical circuit is switched when the conductive element contacts the caliper bolt switch point.

Abstract: An efficient, cost effective eccentric bearing assembly is provided for use in a multiple piston hydraulic pump. The eccentric bearing assembly includes a roller bearing having an annular race. The race includes a groove around its outside perimeter. The groove engagably receives parti-spherical faces of a pair of opposed pistons. The parti-spherical face evenly loads the race and rollers as the race reciprocates with the eccentric. The invention avoids the use of rotating thrust bearings and instead axially supports the piston clip with stationary surfaces. Placement of the parti-spherical face or an optional conical face, at the interface between the pistons and the grooved race maintains the sliding contact point for piston intake strokes near the center of the face.