IP Library › Granted Patent US 12669157
Granted Patent B2
US 12669157 · App. 18/213,515 · Granted Jun 30, 2026

Air disc brake tappet and brake pad backing plate with interface features

Inventors: Erik W. Oberdorfer (Akron, OH); Alan Backstrom (Madison, TN)
Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
F16D65/18F16D65/092F16D2121/04F16D2125/06
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12669157
App. No.
18/213,515
Granted
Jun 30, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

The following embodiments relate to air disc brake tappet and brake pad backing plate with interface features. In one embodiment, an air disc brake tappet is provided comprising: a top surface; and a support member coupled with the top surface; wherein the top surface comprises an interface feature that is configured to engage with a corresponding interface feature of a brake pad backing plate. In another embodiment, an air disc brake pad assembly is provided comprising: a friction material; and a backing plate coupled with the friction material; wherein the backing plate comprises an interface feature that is configured to engage with a corresponding interface feature of a top surface of an air disc brake tappet. Other embodiments are provided.

Claims (39)

1 . An air disc brake tappet comprising:

a top surface; and

a portion configured to couple the air disc brake tappet with a support member;

wherein the top surface comprises an interface feature that is configured to engage with a corresponding interface feature of a brake pad backing plate; and

wherein the interface feature of the top surface is positioned such that 180-degree rotation of the top surface allows the air disc brake tappet to be used with a left-hand brake or a right-hand brake of a vehicle.

2 . The air disc brake tappet of claim 1 , wherein the top surface is tapered at an angle.

3 . The air disc brake tappet of claim 2 , wherein the angle is about one degree.

4 . The air disc brake tappet of claim 1 , wherein the interface feature on the top surface of the tappet comprises a raised surface and the corresponding interface feature of the brake pad backing plate comprises a mating recess.

5 . The air disc brake tappet of claim 1 , wherein the interface feature on the top surface of the tappet comprises a recess and the corresponding interface feature of the brake pad backing plate comprises a mating raised surface.

6 . The air disc brake tappet of claim 5 , wherein a first portion of the top surface on one side of the recess has an aligning interface separate from a second portion of the top surface on another side of the recess.

7 . The air disc brake tappet of claim 5 , wherein a first portion of the top surface on one side of the recess has aligning interfaces of different heights than a second portion of the top surface on another side of the recess.

8 . The air disc brake tappet of claim 1 , wherein the interface feature of the top surface is located at a center of the top surface of the air disc brake tappet.

9 . The air disc brake tappet of claim 1 , wherein the interface feature is located away from a center of the top surface of the air disc brake tappet.

10 . The air disc brake tappet of claim 1 , wherein the interface feature of the top surface and the corresponding interface feature of the brake pad backing plate are configured to guide the brake pad backing plate into a braking assembly comprising the air disc brake tappet.

11 . The air disc brake tappet of claim 1 , wherein the interface feature of the top surface is vertically oriented.

12 . The air disc brake tappet of claim 1 , wherein the interface feature of the top surface is horizontally oriented.

13 . An air disc brake pad assembly comprising:

a friction material; and

a backing plate coupled with the friction material;

wherein the backing plate comprises an interface feature that is configured to engage with a corresponding interface feature of a top surface of an air disc brake tappet; and

wherein a height or a depth of a first portion of the backing plate on one side of the interface feature is different from a height or a depth of a second portion of the backing plate on another side of the interface feature.

14 . The air disc brake pad assembly of claim 13 , wherein the interface feature on the backing plate comprises a raised surface and the corresponding interface of the top surface of the air disc brake tappet comprises a recess.

15 . The air disc brake pad assembly of claim 13 , wherein the interface feature on the backing plate comprises a recess and the corresponding interface of the top surface of the air disc brake tappet comprises a raised surface.

16 . The air disc brake pad assembly of claim 13 , wherein the interface feature on the backing plate comprises both a raised surface and a recess.

17 . The air disc brake pad assembly of claim 13 , wherein a height or a depth of a first portion of the backing plate on one side of the interface feature is the same as a height or a depth of a second portion of the backing plate on another side of the interface feature.

18 . The air disc brake pad assembly of claim 13 , wherein the interface feature of the top surface is vertically oriented.

19 . The air disc brake pad assembly of claim 13 , wherein the interface feature of the top surface is horizontally oriented.

20 . An air disc brake system comprising:

an air disc brake pad comprising:

a friction material; and

a backing plate coupled with the friction material, wherein the backing plate comprises an interface feature; and

an air disc brake tappet comprising a top surface comprising a corresponding interface feature configured to mate with the interface feature of the backing plate;

wherein the interface feature on the top surface of the tappet comprises a recess and the corresponding interface feature of the brake pad backing plate comprises a mating raised surface; and

wherein a first portion of the top surface on one side of the recess has aligning interfaces of different heights than a second portion of the top surface on another side of the recess.

21 . The air disc brake system of claim 20 , wherein the top surface of the air disc brake tappet is flat.

22 . The air disc brake system of claim 20 , wherein the top surface of the air disc brake tappet is tapered.

23 . The air disc brake system of claim 20 , wherein the backing plate comprises at least one additional interface feature and the air disc brake system further comprises at least one additional air disc brake tappet configured to mate with the at least one additional interface feature.

24 . The air disc brake system of claim 20 , wherein the interface feature of the top surface is vertically oriented.

25 . The air disc brake system of claim 20 , wherein the interface feature of the top surface is horizontally oriented.