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US 8,783,423 B2Granted
Multi-part multi-stage brakes
AssigneeHonda Motor Co., Ltd.
InventorMark Schrewe
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A disc brake having a rotor and a caliper is provided and includes a first and second brake pad situated on the same side of the rotor whereby in a non-braking state the first brake pad is in contact with the rotor and the second brake pad is offset from the rotor. In a light braking state the first pad acts against the rotor with additional force to thereby slow or stop the vehicle. In a heavier braking state both the first and second brake pads act against the rotor to thereby slow or stop the vehicle.
Claims16
A brake system for a disc brake having a rotor and a caliper for an automotive vehicle comprising:
- a plurality of brake pads located in the caliper and situated on one side of the rotor;
- a plurality of hydraulically actuated pistons to actuate the plurality of brake pads;
- a sealing mechanism situated in a hydraulic sealing chamber in direct fluid communication with a main brake line of the brake system, the sealing mechanism operating to regulate hydraulic pressure supplied by the brake system to the caliper;
- wherein the plurality of brake pads are configured to be in a first braking state, a second braking state and a third braking state via the supply of hydraulic pressure to the caliper, the plurality of brake pads selectively in one of the first state, the second state or the third state based on an amount of hydraulic pressure supplied to the caliper and applied by a user,
- wherein in the first state hydraulic pressure is supplied to the caliper and no hydraulic pressure is applied by the user, at least one brake pad from the plurality of brake pads is in contact with the rotor, the hydraulic pressure supplied to the caliper maintains contact of the at least one brake pad with the rotor, the forces that maintain contact of the at least one brake pad with the rotor are generated solely via the supply of hydraulic pressure, and at least one different brake pad from the plurality of brake pads is offset from the rotor, the at least one brake pad always remaining in at least the first state while the vehicle is in motion, and, wherein in the second state where hydraulic pressure is supplied to the caliper and a first amount of hydraulic pressure is applied by the user to the plurality of brake pads, the at least one brake pad is in contact with the rotor and applying a first braking force to the rotor, the hydraulic pressure supplied to the caliper maintains contact of the at least one brake pad with the rotor, and the at least one different brake pad is offset from the rotor, and wherein in the third state where hydraulic pressure is supplied to the caliper and a second amount of hydraulic pressure is applied by the user to the plurality of brake pads, the at least one brake pad and the at least one different brake pad are both in contact with the rotor and applying a second braking force to the rotor, and the hydraulic pressure supplied to the caliper maintains contact of the at least one brake pad and the at least one different brake pad with the rotor.
2 more elements
A disc brake for an automotive vehicle comprising:
- a rotor;
- a single caliper;
- a first brake pad located in the single caliper and situated on one side of the rotor;
- and
- a second brake pad located in the single caliper and situated on the same side of the rotor, the first and second brake pads actuated via a supply of hydraulic pressure from a main brake line of the brake system to the caliper that is regulated by a sealing mechanism, a sealing mechanism being housed in a sealing chamber in direct fluid communication with the main brake line;
- the first and second brake pads selectively in one of a first braking state, a second braking state and a third braking state and movable to the others of the first state, the second state and the third state via the supply of hydraulic pressure to the caliper, wherein in the first state where hydraulic pressure is supplied to the caliper and no hydraulic pressure is applied by the user, the first brake pad is in contact with the rotor and applies a first braking force to the rotor, the hydraulic pressure supplied to the caliper maintains contact of the first brake pad with the rotor, the forces that maintain contact of the first brake pad with the rotor are generated solely via the supply of hydraulic pressure, and the second brake pad is spaced from the rotor, and wherein in the second state where hydraulic pressure is supplied to the caliper and a first amount of hydraulic pressure is applied by the user, the first brake pad is in contact with the rotor and applies a second braking force to the rotor that is higher than the first braking force, the hydraulic pressure supplied to the caliper maintains contact of the first brake pad with the rotor, and the second brake pad is spaced from the rotor, and wherein in the third state where hydraulic pressure is supplied to the caliper and a second amount of hydraulic pressure is applied by the user, the first and second brake pads are in contact with the rotor, the hydraulic pressure supplied to the caliper maintains contact of the first and second brake pads with the rotor, and wherein the first brake pad always remains in contact with the rotor via the supply of hydraulic pressure to the caliper while the vehicle is in motion.
3 more elements
A method of operating a braking system for an automotive vehicle comprising the steps of:
- providing a disc brake having a rotor, a single caliper, a first hydraulically actuated brake pad and a second hydraulically actuated brake pad both located in the single caliper and situated on one side of the rotor, the first and second brake pads actuated via a supply of hydraulic pressure to the caliper that is regulated by a sealing mechanism housed in a sealing chamber in direct fluid communication with a main brake line of the braking system;
- supplying hydraulic fluid to the caliper to apply and maintain the first and second brake pads against the rotor, applying and maintaining the first brake pad against the rotor at a first braking force and maintaining the second brake pad spaced from the rotor when hydraulic pressure is supplied to the caliper and a braking force request from a user is absent, the forces that maintain contact of the first brake pad with the rotor being generated solely via the supply of hydraulic pressure, the first brake pad always applies at least the first braking force during movement of the vehicle;
- applying and maintaining the first brake pad against the rotor at a second braking force and maintaining the second brake pad spaced from the rotor when hydraulic pressure is supplied to the caliper and the braking force request is below a predetermined threshold, the second braking force higher than the first braking force and corresponding to the amount of the braking force request from the user;
- and
- applying and maintaining the first and second brake pads against the rotor when hydraulic pressure is supplied to the caliper and the braking force request equals or exceeds the predetermined threshold.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.