Pad retraction spring for a brake shoe assembly and a disc brake assembly
View Patent ↗This invention relates to a pad spring for use in a disc brake assembly. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the disc brake assembly comprises an anchor bracket adapted to be secured to a vehicle component; a brake caliper adapted to be secured to the anchor bracket; an inboard friction pad and an outboard friction pad carried by the disc brake assembly and adapted to be disposed on opposite axial sides of an associated brake rotor; actuation means for selectively moving the inboard and outboard friction pads into frictional engagement with the rotor; and a pad spring carried by at least one end of one of the friction pads for moving the friction pads from engagement with the rotor when the actuation means is released; wherein the pad spring includes a first portion for applying a first retraction force and a second portion for applying a second retraction force which is different from the first retraction force.
1. A disc brake assembly comprising:
an anchor bracket adapted to be secured to a vehicle component;
a brake caliper adapted to be secured to said anchor bracket;
an inboard friction pad and an outboard friction pad carried by said disc brake assembly and adapted to be disposed on opposite axial sides of an associated brake rotor;
actuation means for selectively moving said inboard and outboard friction pads into frictional engagement with the rotor; and
a pad spring carried by at least one end of one of said friction pads for moving said friction pads from engagement with the rotor when said actuation means is released;
wherein said pad spring includes a generally U shaped portion having a first tab and a second tab, said first tab having a first remote end defining a first remote end width for applying a first retraction force and said second tab having a second remote end defining a second remote end width which is different from said first remote end width for applying a second retraction force which is different from said first retraction force thereby providing an asymmetrical friction pad retraction feature.
2. The disc brake assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said pad spring is formed from a flat strip of metal material.
3. The disc brake assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said pad spring permanently yields as the lining of the friction pad wears.
4. The disc brake assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said pad spring permanently yields and applies a corresponding decreasing rate of retraction force as the lining of the friction pad wears.
5. The disc brake assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said pad spring is carried by said friction pad in a symmetrical manner.
6. The disc brake assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said pad spring is carried by said friction pad with a portion of said spring spaced apart at an angle from contact an adjacent surface of said friction pad in a normal position when the brake is not actuated.
7. A brake shoe assembly adapted for use in a disc brake assembly comprising:
a backing plate having a pair of opposed ends;
a friction pad secured to said backing plate; and
a pad spring carried by at least one end of said backing plate for moving said friction pad from engagement with a brake rotor of the disc brake assembly when the brake is released;
wherein said pad spring includes a generally U shaped portion having a first tab and a second tab, said first tab having a first remote end defining a first remote end width for applying a first retraction force and said second tab having a second remote end defining a second remote end width which is different from said first remote end width for applying a second retraction force which is different from said first retraction force thereby providing an asymmetrical friction pad retraction feature.
8. The brake shoe assembly according to claim 7 , wherein said pad spring is formed from a flat strip of metal material.
9. The brake shoe assembly according to claim 7 , wherein said pad spring permanently yields as the lining of the friction pad wears.
10. The brake shoe assembly according to claim 7 , wherein said pad spring permanently yields and applies a corresponding decreasing rate of retraction force as the lining of the friction pad wears.
11. The brake shoe assembly according to claim 7 , wherein said pad spring is carried by said friction pad in a symmetrical manner.
12. The brake shoe assembly according to claim 7 , wherein said pad spring is carried by said friction pad with a portion of said spring spaced apart at an angle from contact an adjacent surface of said friction pad in a normal position when the brake is not actuated.