Backing plate and method of making

1. A backing plate for a disc brake pad, comprising:

a single and only a single molded unitary structure, the single molded unitary structure having:

a generally planar front side defining an upper surface of the backing plate, the front side being configured to engage a friction material;

a rear side opposite the front side, the rear side being configured to engage a caliper assembly;

an outer exterior perimeter defining a periphery of the single molded unitary structure, the outer exterior perimeter having an integral surface extending from the front side to the rear side;

a first peripheral edge defining a portion of the outer exterior perimeter;

a second peripheral edge defining another portion of the outer exterior perimeter, the second peripheral edge generally opposing the first peripheral edge; and a plurality of channels disposed between the front side and the rear side and extending from the first peripheral edge toward the second peripheral edge, wherein the channels are completely surrounded by the front side and the rear side of the single molded unitary structure such that the channels extend through the single molded unitary structure to have openings at only the integral surface of the exterior perimeter at at least two discrete locations, and wherein the channels are sized and configured to impart to the backing plate a resonant frequency that attenuates vibration.

2. The backing plate according to claim 1 , wherein the channels of the plurality of channels have a cross-sectional shape selected from the group consisting of rectangular, ovular, rounded rectangular, circular, square, polygonal, and oblong.

3. The backing plate according to claim 1 , wherein the rear side includes mounting notches configured to mount the backing plate in a caliper assembly.

4. The backing plate according to claim 1 , wherein a support surface is recessed relative to the front side and includes a bonding structure for retaining friction material.

5. The backing plate according to claim 4 , wherein the bonding structure is selected from the group consisting of adhesives, rivets, holes, and bosses.

6. The backing plate according to claim 1 , wherein the single molded unitary structure is formed from a metal selected from the group consisting of titanium, aluminum, aluminum alloy, stainless steel, steel, ductile iron, and cast iron.

7. The backing plate according to claim 1 , wherein the single molded unitary structure is formed by a metal injection molding process.

8. A method of manufacturing a backing plate for a disc brake pad, comprising:

forming a single and only a single molded unitary structure with a metal injection molding process, the single molded unitary structure having a planar front side configured to engage a friction material, a rear side configured to engage a caliper assembly, an outer exterior perimeter defining a periphery of the single molded unitary structure, the outer exterior perimeter having an integral surface extending from the front side to the rear side, a first peripheral edge defining a portion of the outer exterior perimeter, and a second peripheral edge defining another portion of the outer exterior perimeter, the second peripheral edge opposing the first peripheral edge, wherein a plurality of channels are integrally formed in the single molded unitary structure and the plurality of channels are completely surrounded by the planar front side and the rear side of the backing plate such that the plurality of channels each extend through the backing plate from the integral surface of the outer exterior perimeter from the first peripheral edge to the second peripheral edge, wherein the plurality of channels are open only at the integral surface of the outer exterior perimeter,

the method further comprising sizing and configuring the channels so as to impart to the backing plate a resonant frequency that attenuates vibration.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the metallic material used to form the single molded unitary structure is selected from the group consisting of stainless steels, alloy steels, and soft magnetic materials, controlled expansion materials, and custom alloys.

10. The method as in claim 8 , wherein the plurality of channels are vent channels.

11. The method as in claim 8 , wherein at least one of the first and second peripheral edges is curved.

12. The method as in claim 11 , wherein the plurality of channels are vent channels.

13. The backing plate as in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of channels are vent channels.

14. The backing plate as in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second peripheral edges is curved.

15. The backing plate as in claim 14 , wherein the plurality of channels are vent channels.