Brake force detecting apparatus

Abstract

A brake force detecting apparatus for detecting strain in a caliper bracket. The caliper bracket has two fixed portions fixed to a wheel support and a connecting portion for connecting the fixed portions. The connecting portion of the caliper bracket is formed with a recess at a position radially outside of a line connecting the fixed portions in the radial direction of a brake disc. A sensor plate is press-fitted in the recess of the connecting portion in engaged relationship with the connecting portion so as to undergo deformation generated in the connecting portion in its tensile direction. A strain gauge is attached to the sensor plate.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a disk brake including a brake force detecting apparatus according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a left side view of the disc brake shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the disc brake;

FIG. 4 is a side view showing an essential part of the brake force detecting apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a side view showing an essential part of a brake force detecting apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side view showing an essential part of a brake force detecting apparatus according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross section taken along the line 7-7 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a side view showing an essential part of a brake force detecting apparatus according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a graph showing the relation between brake torque and strain gauge output in the brake force detecting apparatus according to the present invention.

Claims

1. A brake force detecting apparatus for a braking apparatus including a wheel support for rotatably supporting a wheel, said wheel support being supported to a vehicle body by a suspension, a brake disc rotating with said wheel, a pair of friction pads provided on both sides of said brake disc, a brake caliper containing a pressure member for pressing said friction pads against said brake disc, said pressure member being moved toward and away from said brake disc in a direction parallel to the axis of said brake disc, and a caliper bracket for supporting said friction pads at a disc inlet position and a disc outlet position thereof in the rotational direction of said brake disc and also supporting said brake caliper, said caliper bracket being fixed to said wheel support; said caliper bracket having at least two fixed portions fixed to said wheel support and a connecting portion for connecting said fixed portions;said brake force detecting apparatus comprising:a sensor plate for undergoing deformation generated in said connecting portion in a tensile direction thereof, said sensor plate being mounted on said connecting portion at a position radially outside of a line connecting said at least two fixed portions in the radial direction of said brake disc; andstrain detecting means mounted on said sensor plate.

2. A brake force detecting apparatus for a braking apparatus including a wheel support for rotatably supporting a wheel, said wheel support being supported to a vehicle body by a suspension, a brake disc rotating with said wheel, a pair of friction pads provided on both sides of said brake disc, a brake caliper containing a pressure member for pressing said friction pads against said brake disc, said pressure member being moved toward and away from said brake disc in a direction parallel to the axis of said brake disc, and a caliper bracket for supporting said friction pads at a disc inlet position and a disc outlet position thereof in the rotational direction of said brake disc and also supporting said brake caliper, said caliper bracket being fixed to said wheel support; said caliper bracket having at least two fixed portions fixed to said wheel support and a connecting portion for connecting said fixed portions;said brake force detecting apparatus comprising:a sensor plate for undergoing deformation generated in said connecting portion in a compressive direction thereof, said sensor plate being mounted on said connecting portion at a position radially inside of a line connecting said at least two fixed portions in the radial direction of said brake disc; andstrain detecting means mounted on said sensor plate.

3. The brake force detecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said connecting portion of said caliper bracket is formed with a recess extending over the thickness of said connecting portion in the axial direction of said brake disc at a position radially outside of the line connecting said at least two fixed portions in the radial direction of said brake disc; and said sensor plate is inserted in said recess in the axial direction of said brake disc.

4. The brake force detecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sensor plate is fixed to the radially outside surface of said connecting portion in the radial direction of said brake disc at at least two positions spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of said connecting portion.

5. The brake force detecting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said connecting portion of said caliper bracket is formed with a recess extending over the thickness of said connecting portion in the axial direction of said brake disc at a position radially inside of the line connecting said at least two fixed portions in the radial direction of said brake disc; and said sensor plate is inserted in said recess in the axial direction of said brake disc.

6. The brake force detecting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said sensor plate is fixed to the radially inside surface of said connecting portion in the radial direction of said brake disc at at least two positions spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of said connecting portion.

7. The brake force detecting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said sensor plate is engaged with said recess so as to be prevented from being removed in the radial direction of said brake disc.

8. The brake force detecting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said sensor plate is engaged with said recess so as to be prevented from being removed in the radial direction of said brake disc.

9. The brake force detecting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said sensor plate is fixed at said at least two positions by means of bolts each having an axis perpendicular to the line connecting said at least two fixed portions and parallel to the disc surface of said brake disc.

10. The brake force detecting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said sensor plate is fixed at said at least two positions by means of bolts each having an axis perpendicular to the line connecting said at least two fixed portions and parallel to the disc surface of said brake disc.