US 5,622,241 AGranted

Trailer brake system with multiple point caliper unit mounting

OwnerRobert L. Nullinventor

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Abstract

A trailer brake system provides an improved disc brake assembly with a caliper unit that includes a housing for mounting the pads for relative movement toward and away from the rotor and a cradle with spaced guide pins/tracks for securely supporting the housing at multiple, spaced points. The cradle includes a yoke having spaced arms and a cross piece for embracing the housing, and is independently mounted on a single pivot pin. First and second stops are provided on the bracket for engagement with the cross piece to limit the pivot movement of the caliper unit during vehicle backing and forward movement, respectively. Guide apertures are provided adjacent the distal end of the respective arms of the yoke and include an elastomeric bushing around the guide pins for cushioned in and out movement. The spaced guide tracks on the housing assist in providing axial stability. An elastomeric spring formed integrally with the bushing bodily centers the housing in the axial direction during the non-braking modes and provides added cushion effect. An elastomeric bumper at the first stop urges the caliper unit towards the second stop to prevent pressure release during vehicle forward movement, including in the braking mode. An improved relief valve feeds/exhausts a common transfer line to the cylinder in the housing of the caliper unit.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A brake unit including a disc brake assembly having brake pads for mounting on the axle of a trailer or other towed vehicle for stopping during forward movement and to provide release of the brake pads from firm braking engagement with a rotor upon backing comprising:

a stationary mounting bracket for attachment to the vehicle for supporting the disc brake assembly;
a hydraulic means for moving the pads into and out of engagement with the rotor in response to the presence and release of hydraulic pressure for forward braking and backing non-braking modes of vehicle operation, respectively;
a caliper unit including a housing for mounting said pads for relative movement toward and away from said rotor and into and out of engagement therewith;
said hydraulic means including a piston within a brake cylinder in said housing in operative engagement with at least one of said pads to provide relative movement;
said caliper unit further including a cradle with guide means for securely supporting said housing for axial movement in response to the relative movement of said pads during the braking mode;
pivot means for independently mounting said cradle on said bracket for pivoting movement of said caliper unit in response to the rotor movement upon backing,
whereby multiple point mounting of said housing on said cradle distributes the braking load and isolates axial movement of said housing from the pivotal movement of said caliper unit to provide efficient braking during forward movement and during release upon backing.

4 more elements

A brake unit including a disc brake assembly for a trailer or other towed vehicle to provide release of the brake pads from firm braking engagement with the rotor upon backing comprising:

a stationary bracket for attachment to the vehicle for supporting the disc brake assembly;
power means for moving the pads into and out of engagement with the rotor in response to forward braking and non-engagement with the rotor in response to forward braking and non-braking modes of vehicle operation, respectively;
a caliper unit including a housing for mounting said pads for relative movement toward and away from said rotor and into and out of engagement therewith;
said power means including moving means in said housing in operative engagement with at least one of said pads to provide said relative movement;
said caliper unit further including a cradle with guide means for securely supporting said housing for axial movement in response to the relative movement of said pads during the braking mode;
pivot means for independently mounting said cradle on said bracket for pivoting movement of said caliper unit in response to rotor movement upon backing;
and
means to release the firm braking engagement of the brake pads with the rotor in response to said pivoting movement for non-braking during backing,
whereby said braking system is effective to provide efficient braking during forward movement and automatic release upon backing.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/527,244Filed 12 Sep 1995
Granted: 22 Apr 1997
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification10 codes

F16D 55/224
By clamping an axially-located rotating disc between movable braking members, e.g. movable brake discs or brake pads: with a common actuating…
B60T 7/203
Specially for trailers, e.g. in case of uncoupling of or overrunning by trailer: with automatic brake release or reduction in case of reverse…
B60T 11/107
Transmitting by fluid means, e.g. hydraulic: overrun brakes with fluid means
F16D 55/2255
The braking members being brake pads: in which the common actuating member is pivoted