IP Library Granted Patent US 9,441,686
Granted Patent B2
US 9,441,686 · App. 13/901,646 · Granted Sep 13, 2016

Brake assembly

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,441,686
App. No.
13/901,646
Granted
Sep 13, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A brake assembly includes a brake pad, a bracket supporting the brake pad and having a first portion, a second portion spaced apart from the first portion, and a linkage interconnecting the first and second portions. The linkage is configured to transfer tensile loads between the first and second portion, but is characterized by the absence of any bending modes. The absence of bending modes prevents excitation of the linkage, thereby reducing sound generated during application of the brake assembly.

Claims (31)

1. A brake assembly comprising:

a brake pad;

a bracket supporting the brake pad and having a first portion, a second portion spaced apart from the first portion, and a linkage interconnecting the first and second portions;

wherein the linkage is configured to transfer tensile loads between the first and second portion; and

wherein at least part of the linkage is unable to support a bending moment.

2. The brake assembly of claim 1 , wherein the linkage includes a first rigid link, a second rigid link, and a joint that interconnects the first rigid link and the second rigid link.

3. The brake assembly of claim 2 , wherein the joint is a hinge about which the first rigid link is selectively rotatable about the second rigid link.

4. The brake assembly of claim 1 , wherein the linkage includes a flexible member.

5. The brake assembly of claim 4 , wherein the flexible member is a cable.

6. The brake assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a brake rotor; wherein the brake pad is selectively movable between a disengaged position in which the brake pad does not contact the rotor, and an engaged position in which the brake pad contacts the rotor.

7. A brake assembly comprising:

first and second brake pads;

a bracket supporting the first and second brake pads and having a first portion, a second portion spaced apart from the first portion, and first and second linkages interconnecting the first and second portions;

wherein the first linkage is configured to transfer tensile loads between the first and second portion; and

wherein at least part of the first linkage is unable to support a bending moment.

8. The brake assembly of claim 7 , wherein the first linkage includes a first rigid link, a second rigid link, and a joint that interconnects the first rigid link and the second rigid link.

9. The brake assembly of claim 8 , wherein the joint is a hinge about which the first rigid link is selectively rotatable about the second rigid link.

10. The brake assembly of claim 7 , wherein the first linkage includes a flexible member.

11. The brake assembly of claim 10 , wherein the flexible member is a cable.

12. The brake assembly of claim 7 , further comprising a brake rotor at least partially disposed between the first and second brake pads.

13. The brake assembly of claim 7 , wherein the second linkage is configured to transfer tensile loads between the first and second portion; and

wherein the second linkage is configured such that at least part of the second linkage is unable to support a bending moment.

14. A brake assembly comprising:

a brake pad;

a bracket supporting the brake pad and having a first portion, a second portion spaced apart from the first portion, and first and second linkages interconnecting the first and second portions in a spaced relationship such that the linkages and the portions cooperate to present an opening therebetween;

wherein the first linkage is configured to transfer tensile loads between the first and second portion; and

wherein at least part of the first linkage is unable to support a bending mode.

15. The brake assembly of claim 14 , wherein the first and second linkages are each directly connected to the first and second portions such that the linkages are disposed between the first and second portions.

16. The brake assembly of claim 14 , further comprising a brake rotor at least partially disposed in the opening between the linkages and the portions.

17. The brake assembly of claim 1 , wherein the linkage is directly connected to the first and second portions, with the linkage and the portions cooperating to define a generally u-shaped configuration.

18. The brake assembly of claim 1 , wherein the linkage is disposed between the first and second portions.

Assignments (2)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2014
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 034287/0601 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 12, 2014
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 033135/0336 →