Abstract: A body for a disc brake caliper has a mounting side limb and a non-mounting side limb, each limb housing at least one hydraulic brake cylinder. The body has a peripheral stiffening band that extends about an outer lateral surface of at least one of the limbs. In a preferred embodiment, a peripheral stiffening band extends about an outer lateral surface of each of the limbs. The stiffening band or bands provide stiffness in the body under dynamic braking conditions with a minimum of material. A method of designing and manufacturing a body for a disc brake caliper involves analysing the stiffness of the body under dynamic rather than static braking conditions and producing a caliper body with a desired level of stiffness under dynamic conditions while reducing the amount of material used to a minimum.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention can include a disc brake having a first and second piston capable of pushing a pad towards a disc rotor, and a caliper having a first and second cylinder for housing the first and second pistons. Further, each first and second cylinder includes a bottom and a groove positioned proximate the bottom, the groove on the first cylinder is smaller than the groove on the second cylinder in the axial direction, also the first piston associated with the first cylinder has a smaller allowable inclination angle for the caliper than the second piston.

Abstract: A service disc brake is provided for a heavy vehicle. The brake includes a brake disc, a first brake pad and a second brake pad arranged on opposite sides of the brake disc, a first displaceable piston and a second displaceable piston which are arranged to act on the first brake pad and the second brake pad, respectively, and an actuator for braking the brake disc. The disc brake includes a third displaceable piston, the second piston and the third piston being connected to each other via a closed space containing a hydraulic fluid. The braking actuator is arranged to act on the first piston and the third piston for displacement of the first piston towards the brake disc and for displacement of the third piston so as to displace the second piston towards the brake disc by the hydraulic fluid in the closed space.

Abstract: An opposed piston disc brake caliper has a caliper housing arranged for mounting brake shoes on each of opposite sides of a rotor. The rotor in use is disposed between the brake shoes with each brake shoe having a backing plate and a friction lining applied to the backing plate. The caliper housing has side walls extending generally in a plane parallel to a plane of the rotor and on opposite sides of the plane of the rotor which accommodate a piston. The caliper housing has mounting members for engagement with each of the side edges of each backing plate between the radially inner edge and the radially outer edge of the friction lining. The engagement is such as to substantially limit movement of each brake shoe other than in a direction toward or away from the rotor with at least one of the mounting members being removable from the caliper housing to facilitate removal of the brake shoe from the caliper housing.

Abstract: An opposed piston disc brake caliper has a caliper housing arranged for mounting brake shoes on each of opposite sides of a rotor. The rotor in use is disposed between the brake shoes with each brake shoe having a backing plate and a friction lining applied to the backing plate. The caliper housing has side walls extending generally in a plane parallel to a plane of the rotor and on opposite sides of the plane of the rotor which accommodate a piston. The caliper housing has mounting members for engagement with each of the side edges of each backing plate between the radially inner edge and the radially outer edge of the friction lining. The engagement is such as to substantially limit movement of each brake shoe other than in a direction toward or away from the rotor with at least one of the mounting members being removable from the caliper housing to facilitate removal of the brake shoe from the caliper housing.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention can include a disc brake having a first and second piston capable of pushing a pad towards a disc rotor, and a caliper having a first and second cylinder for housing the first and second pistons. Further, each first and second cylinder includes a bottom and a groove positioned proximate the bottom, the groove on the first cylinder is smaller than the groove on the second cylinder in the axial direction, also the first piston associated with the first cylinder has a smaller allowable inclination angle for the caliper than the second piston.

Abstract: A brake actuator includes an annular housing (10b) having first and second opposite radial faces (A and B). Cavities are formed in the housing (10b), some opening onto face (A) and some onto radial face (B). Two pistons (16) are disposed in each of the cavities and are movable under the influence of fluid pressure exerted from within the respective cavities to a braking position where the pistons (16) extend axially away from the cavity. The piston (16) bear against a backing plate of respective brake pads (68) forcing the brake pads (68) against brake discs (54 and 56). By providing cavities on both faces (A and B) of the housing (10b), an actuator can simultaneously apply brake pads to two spaced apart rotating discs (54 and 56). A plurality of actuators can be coupled together to act on a plurality of axially spaced apart brake discs to form a multi-pad multi-brake system.

Abstract: A caliper body for a fixed-caliper disk brake which can be associated with a disk in a manner such that its distance from the disk is kept unchanged and which is unusually strong and capable of a silent braking action comprises a first half-body which can house first means for generating the braking force and which can be arranged facing a first braking surface of one side of the disk, and a second half-body which can house second means for generating the braking force and which can be arranged facing a second braking surface of an opposite side of the disk, the first and second half-bodies being connected, by fixing means, to bridge elements which can be arranged astride the disk; the bridge elements are portions of a single element for connecting and supporting the half-bodies.

Abstract: A braking unit has (1) at least two brake shoes, each with a friction lining; (2) at least one brake disk rotor each of the outer surfaces of the brake disc rotor at least partially forming a friction surface of a ceramic-metal composite material for each friction lining respectively; and (3) at least one brake application device that acts on the brake shoes during braking operation. The friction linings of the brake shoes cover at least 15% of the friction surface of the brake shift rotor. The at least one brake application device is arranged so that the pressure which acts on the brake shoes during the braking operation acts essentially evenly on the friction surface.

Abstract: An actuator comprises a housing (8) which contains a screw mechanism (9) and a motor (10) which is drivably connected to the screw mechanism (9), said screw mechanism providing a linear movement in response to a rotational movement of the motor, and comprising a screw (12) and a nut (13) one of which is supported rotatably with respect to the housing (8). The linearly displaceable member of the screw mechanism is drivingly connected to a pump mechanism for providing a flow of medium.

Abstract: A brake actuator includes an annular housing (10b) having first and second opposite radial faces (A and B). Cavities are formed in the housing (10b), some opening onto face (A) and some onto radial face (B). Two pistons (16) are disposed in each of the cavities and are movable under the influence of fluid pressure exerted from within the respective cavities to a braking position where the pistons (16) extend axially away from the cavity. The piston (16) bear against a backing plate of respective brake pads (68) forcing the brake pads (68) against brake discs (54 and 56). By providing cavities on both faces (A and B) of the housing (10b), an actuator can simultaneously apply brake pads to two spaced apart rotating discs (54 and 56). A plurality of actuators can be coupled together to act on a plurality of axially spaced apart brake discs to form a multi-pad multi-brake system.

Abstract: A braking device includes a caliper housing having two parallel flanges assembled at each end by a transverse guard so as to define a median opening for positioning pads. The pads have, at each of their upper end, fittings to be supported and guided by shafts acting as slides. The shafts are, over their entire length, engaged in the thickness of the flanges and partly in the thickness of the guards corresponding to a zone where there is no significant deformation. Hysteresis resulting from friction between the pads and the housing is thereby reduced.

Abstract: A disc-brake caliper comprises a caliper body suitable for being associated with a disc and has at least one seat suitable for housing a pad which cooperates with thrust means in order to generate a braking force on the disc. The caliper also comprises a brake-fluid distribution circuit for supplying the brake fluid to the thrust means, and at least one reinforcing element disposed between a first portion and a second portion of the caliper body in the region of the seat for the pad.

Abstract: A braking apparatus and method are provided for applying a braking force to the inboard and outboard sides of a brake rotor, through the use of a pair of pistons disposed in a back-to-back relationship in a cylinder bore of a housing, and defining a space between them in the cylinder bore for receipt of a pressurized fluid. The rotor is rotatable about a rotor axis, and the cylinder bore defines a bore axis extending parallel to the rotor axis. A first piston of the pair of pistons is slidably disposed in the cylinder bore for movement in a first direction along the bore axis toward the inboard side of the rotor for applying a braking force to the inboard side of the rotor, and the second piston of the pair of pistons is slidably disposed in the cylinder bore for movement in a second direction opposite the first direction along the bore axis for applying a braking force to the outboard side of the rotor.

Abstract: A disc brake is proposed which is of low cost, improved reliability and less weight and size. Cylinders are formed in a caliper therethrough so as to be machined from the bottom of the cylinder, and a cylinder cover is mounted to close the cylinder. A cylinder cover is inserted into a large-diameter hole at the rear of the cylinder. The cylinder cover, which is supported by an end face of the large-diameter hole, is fixed by caulking the portion at the rear of the cylinder to sandwich it between an engaging piece produced by plastic deformation and the end face of the large-diameter hole.

Abstract: A brake control apparatus comprises a brake disk, a main brake mechanism, a subsidiary brake mechanism, a wheel speed sensor, and a control device. The brake disk rotates with a wheel. The main brake mechanism and the subsidiary brake mechanism press a main pad and a subsidiary pad to the brake disk on the basis of an operation of a brake pedal, respectively, to apply a brake to a wheel. The control device detects whether or not the wheel becomes an instant condition preceding a locking or an initial condition of the locking, in accordance with a detected result of the wheel speed sensor. When the wheel becomes the instant condition preceding the locking or the initial condition of the locking, the control device controls the main brake mechanism to make the main brake mechanism temporarily reduce the press force of the subsidiary pad.

Abstract: A brake assembly capable of providing a park/emergency brake facility and a service brake facility acting on the same friction pad or friction pad pair. The assembly includes a rotatable disc rotor, and at least one friction pad adapted for movement towards a braking surface of the disc rotor to provide a braking effect. The assembly further includes a first brake activating means to provide the park/emergency brake facility operable selectively to urge said one friction pad towards the braking surface of the disc rotor, a second brake activating means to provide a service brake facility selectively operable independently of the first brake activating means to urge the one friction pad towards the braking surface of the disc rotor. A third means normally acts to prevent the first brake activating means from urging the one friction pad towards the braking surface of the disc rotor.

Abstract: For a partial-lining disk brake in the form of a fixed-caliper brake, there is provided an attachment that is positive in the circumferential direction and relieves braking forces on the threaded join between the brake housing and the brake carrier.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a braking device having a service brake and a parking brake. The braking device includes a housing and a shaft that extends at least partially through the housing. The shaft is rotatable relative to the housing about a longitudinal axis. A stack of plates is spaced axially along the shaft. At least one of the plates is adapted to rotate in concert with the shaft. The stack of plates includes a first axial end positioned opposite from a second axial end. A spring structure is provided for compressing the stack of plates together to provide the parking brake. The spring structure is mounted at the first axial end of the stack of plates. The braking device also includes a first piston for releasing the parking brake, and a second piston for actuating the service brake. The second piston actuates the service brake. The second piston is mounted at the second axial end of the stack of plates.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid controlled disk braking device having a brake disk, brake caliper, and a caliper carrier. The brake disk is postionable on the roller of a main hoist and forms a brake pair together with the brake calipers. A combination of service and emergency calipers, each caliper being responsive to fluid pressure, is used to effect operational and stationary braking. Service calipers are used to apply operational braking forces against the brake disk when the disk is rotating, applying braking forces when subjected to fluid pressure. Emergency calipers are used to apply braking forces when the brake disk is stationary or when liquid pressure to the caliper has been removed or lost.

Abstract: The disc brake cooling system for a vehicle with hydraulic brakes has a sealed circular cooling system employing a piston pump which produces a very rapid flow of brake fluid through the brake lines and calipers constantly during non-braking of the vehicle. After braking, the constant rapid flow of the fluid cools the temperature of the fluid, and hence of the brakes, over the course of the rapid circular motion through the system so as to prevent boiling of the fluid.

Abstract: A brake assembly (30) has a plurality of brake fluid actuated pistons. The brake assembly includes a brake inlet port (46) for receiving brake fluid from a fluid reservoir. The brake assembly includes a plurality of cylinders (32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, and 44) for actuating a corresponding plurality of pistons. The plurality of cylinders includes at least a first cylinder (32), a second cylinder (44), and a third cylinder (38) for actuating corresponding pistons. The first, second, and third pistons actuate at first, second, and third time intervals. A fluid distribution manifold (48) is connected in fluid communication with the brake inlet port.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved structure for a wheel cylinder for use in a drum brake assembly having a pair of brake shoes which are adapted to be urged into frictional engagement with a brake drum. The wheel cylinder includes a pair of opposed piston assemblies each having a piston body formed from a plastic material and a piston insert formed from metal. In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, the piston insert is molded in situ with the piston body and the piston insert includes a radially outwardly extending first flange and a radially outwardly extending second flange. The first flange defines a first flange outer diameter, and the second flange defines a second flange outer diameter which is less than the first flange outer diameter.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved piston construction for use in a braking system. The piston construction employs an insulator at its inner end and a conical aperture at it outer end. Both of these promote increased heat isolation during braking operations. The piston of the present invention also employs an o-ring which is secured within a cylindrical recess. The o-ring ensures a fluid tight seal between the piston and the piston housing. Through the use of the o-ring, air is prevented from entering the brake lines.

Abstract: An opposed piston type disc brake comprising an outer body, an inner body, cylinders, pistons, and pads. A rotor rotates together with a wheel being interposed between the outer and inner bodies. The cylinders are opposed to each other and arranged in both outer and inner bodies. The pistons are fluid-tightly arranged in the cylinders and capable of being freely displaced in the axial direction of the rotor. The pads are supported by the inner and outer bodies and capable of being freely displaced in the axial direction of the rotor. The outer and inner bodies are made separately from each other. The outer body includes a main body, a connecting portion, and an attaching portion. The main body is provided with the cylinders. The connecting portion extends from both end portions of the main body in the axial direction of the rotor and straddles the rotor.

Abstract: A disc brake assembly is disclosed which incorporates a disc 50 which includes radially inner and outer portions (54 55) which are separated by a gap 56. Two pad assemblies (11, 12) are located on respective sides of the disc and are interconnected by a draw bar 29 which extends through the gap and is connected to a piston cylinder assembly. Actuation of the piston cylinder assembly imparts a force to the pad assemblies through the draw bar which causes them to move either towards or away from the disc to thereby effect actuation and release of the brake assembly. The draw bar is rotatable about its axis 71 and is releaseably coupled to the outboard pad assembly 12 so as to be operative to move between an engaged configuration with the pad assembly to a released configuration on rotation about the draw bar axis.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a vehicle braking system having a plurality of two-state actuators disposed at each vehicle wheel and method braking same. The vehicle braking system further includes a brake rotor or brake drum secured to each vehicle wheel for rotation therewith. The brake rotors or drums each include a plurality of friction surfaces. A plurality of brake pads are disposed adjacent the friction surfaces such that a different brake pad corresponds to each friction surface. A different two-state actuator corresponding to each brake pad is disposed adjacent the corresponding brake pad. Each two-state actuator is either unactuated or actuated to provide a maximum translational force against the corresponding brake pad to achieve the desired braking force requirements at each vehicle wheel.