Abstract:
A pad clip for a disc brake including at least one friction pad and a support member. The pad clip comprises a first U-shaped portion, a second U-shaped portion, and a third side portion. The first U-shaped portion includes a first base portion and first side portions, and is disposed between side edge portions of the friction pad and anchor portions of the support member. The second U-shaped portion includes a second base portion, second side portions and a second opening portion, and is connected to one of the first side portions of the first U-shaped portion. The third side portion is connected to the second U-shaped portion, and is disposed substantially rectangularly to one of second side portions of the second U-shaped portion and parallel to the first base portion of the first U-shaped portion. The third side portion is positioned closer to the friction pad than the first base portion of the first U-shaped portion.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a pad clip for a disc brake of a vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a pad clip improved such that no rattling is present between the pad clip and a friction pad, thereby suppressing generation of vibrations and noisy sounds and providing an increased durability of the disc brake. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In a conventional disc brake, a pair of friction pads are slidably mounted on a support member so as to forcibly press a rotor. When the friction pads forcibly press the rotor with the aid of a caliper and a hydraulic cylinder, the friction pads rotate with rotation of the rotor, and the support member receives side edges of the friction pads to effect braking. Since the friction pads are moved so as to be brought into contact with the rotor surfaces, pad clips are installed in anchor portions between the friction pads and the support member in order to reduce a sliding resistance. 
     The pad clip is put on the anchor face of the support member, which faces each side edge of the friction pad, and it is shaped conforming to a shape of the anchor portions of the support member. The pad clip is extended up to the inner periphery side of each friction pad. At the end of the extended part of the pad clip, there is provided a spring portion which engages with the corner of the inner peripheral side of the friction pad in the run-in side of the rotor. An example of this is disclosed in JP-A-9-229112. As shown in FIG. 7, a pad clip  116  is inserted between a convex portion  112   a  which transmits a brake torque when the vehicle moves back, and a concave portion  113   a.  The pad clip  116  includes a first spring portion  116   a  retained on a support member  113  to urge the convex portion  112   a  in the rotational and radial directions of the rotor. The first spring portion  116   a  includes a tongue  116   b  elastically contacting with the wall  113   a   1  of the concave portion  113   a,  which is directed in the radial direction of the rotor. An end  116   c  of the pad clip which is opposite to the first spring portion  116   a  includes a second spring portion  116   d  shaped like a tongue. In a state that the pad clip  116  is installed to the support member  113 , the second spring portion  116   d  is put into a groove  113   c,  thereby resiliently restricting the rotation of the pad clip  116 , which is caused by the first spring portion  116   a.  The groove  113   c  is formed in a wall  113   a   2  of the concave portion  113   a  of the support member  113 . The structure thus constructed prevents the leading edge of the end  116   c  from contacting the convex portion  112   a,  and the end  116   c  does not act as a spring between the support member  113  and the convex portion  112   a.  As a result, noisy sounds caused by vibrations of the wheels during the running of the vehicle and noisy sounds during the braking operation can be reduced by inexpensive means. 
     Another example is disclosed in JP-A-57-149337U. As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, a pad clip  153  is installed between each end of a friction pad  151  and a support member  152  such that the pad clip ranges from the outer peripheral surface of the friction pad  151  to the inner periphery surface by way of the side end face, to thereby cover the end portion of the friction pad  151 . The end of the extending portion of the pad clip  153  extended to the inner periphery portion of the friction pad  151  includes a plate extending from the body of the pad clip  153  in a T-shape in the thickness direction of the friction pad  151 . This plate is bent to form a spring portion  154 . The spring portion  154  is extended to the underside of the friction pad  151 , and urges the inner peripheral surface of the friction pad  151  in the radial direction of the rotor. Therefore, the friction pad  151  is separated from the inner peripheral surface of the support member  152 . When the friction pad  151  forcibly presses the rotor and rotates together with the rotor, a rotational moment is generated in the friction pad  151  and a couple of forces to turn the friction pad  151  about the pressed portion are generated. At this time, the spring portion  154  generates an urging force as a counter force to the couple of forces. The body of the pad clip  153  extending to the inner peripheral surface of the friction pad  151  is cut shaped like U to form a raised piece  155  so as to lift the body of the pad clip  153  above from the surface of the support member  152 . The raised piece  155  is in direct contact with the surface of the support member  152 . With provision of the raised piece  155 , a gap between the inner peripheral surface of the friction pad  151  and the surface of the support member  152  opposite to the former is reduced, whereby the spring constant of the spring portion  154  is reduced. 
     In the conventional U-shaped pad clip  116  described in the publication of JP-A-9-229112, the first spring portion  116   a  is assembled to the convex portion  112   a,  and it is used while being bent. With this, the gap is reduced. When a force acts on the first spring portion  116   a,  a reaction force is generated therein and utilized to reduce rattle sound. At this time, the pad clip  116  and the convex portion  112   a  of the friction pad are coupled together. Therefore, the former forcibly hits the support member  113 . This reduces an endurance of the pad clip  116 . Further, the groove  113   c  is formed in the wall  113   a   2  of the concave portion  113   a  of the support member  113 , and the second spring portion  116   d  is brought into engagement with the groove  113   c.  This makes the structure complicated and difficult to assemble, and this also increase the step of manufacturing steps. 
     In the pad clip  153  described in the publication of JP-A-57-149337U, the spring portion  154  is indispensably used which is formed by bending the T-shaped plate which is extended to the inner peripheral surface of the friction pad  151  beyond the anchor face by the friction pad  151  and the support member  152 , and to under the inner peripheral surface of the friction pad  151 . Use of the spring portion  154  gives rise to difficulty in a plate forming process of the spring portion. A satisfactory length ranging from the convex-concave fitting structure to the inner peripheral portion of the friction pad  151  must be secured. This results in consumption of much material, and leads to increase of cost to manufacture. The raised piece  155  is formed in the body of the pad clip  153  in order to reduce the spring constant of the spring portion  154 . Forces applied to the spring portion  154  act on the raised piece  155 . In this case, the raised piece  155  receives all the forces, and as a result, problem exists in its strength. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a pad clip for a disc brake in which no rattling is present between the pad clip and the friction pad, thereby suppressing generation of vibrations and noisy sounds and improving the durability of the disc brake. 
     To achieve the above object, there is provided a pad clip for a disc brake including at least one friction pad and a support member. The pad clip comprises a first U-shaped portion, a second U-shaped portion, and a third side portion. The first U-shaped portion includes a first base portion and first side portions, and is disposed between side edge portions of the friction pad and anchor portions of the support member. The second U-shaped portion includes a second base portion, second side portions and a second opening portion, and is connected to one of the first side portions of the first U-shaped portion. The third side portion is connected to the second U-shaped portion, and is disposed substantially rectangularly to one of second side portions of the second U-shaped portion and parallel to the first base portion of the first U-shaped portion. The third side portion is positioned closer to the friction pad than the first base portion of the first U-shaped portion. 
     It is preferable that the first U-shaped portion further includes first holder portions disposed on the first side portions of the first U-shaped portion. More preferably, the first holder portions are V-shaped. 
     It is also preferable that the first U-shaped portion further includes second holder portions on the first base portion of the first U-shaped portion. 
     Furthermore, it is preferable that the width of the second opening portion of the second U-shaped portion is narrower than the width of the second base portion of the second U-shaped portion. 
     In the pad clip according to the present invention which is installed between each protruded side edge, shaped like U in cross section, of the friction pad and a concave anchor portion of the support member, which is formed in association with the protruded side edge, thereby supporting the friction pad, a position at which the pad clip holds the support member is closer to the friction pad than a position of the bottom side of the U shape. With this unique structure, the position at which the pad clip holds the support member moves toward the friction pad with deflection of the pad clip. If the pad clip is turned toward the friction pad, the holding length is elongated to open the pad clip. Therefore, the pad clip remains contact with the support member. A reliable holding of the support member with the pad clip is secured, and there is no chance that play is created between the pad clip and the support member. 
     A width of the opening of the pad clip where it holds the support member is shorter than a length of the back side of the second U-shaped portion (closer to the friction pad). Therefore, even if the position at which the pad clip holds the support member moves toward the friction pad with deflection of the pad clip, a reliable holding of the support member with the pad clip is secured, and there is no chance that play is created between the pad clip and the support member. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1A is a front view of a pad clip according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 1B is a side view of a pad clip shown in FIG. 1B; 
     FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a disc brake into which pad clips constructed according to the present invention are assembled; 
     FIG. 3 is a front view of the disc brake shown in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a rear view of the disc brake shown in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 5 is a diagram to explain an operation of the pad clip according to the present invention; 
     FIGS. 6A,  6 B and  6 C show a pad clip of a second embodiment according to the present invention which are front, side and bottom views of the pad clip; 
     FIG. 7 is a diagram useful explaining a conventional pad clip for a disc brake; and 
     FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams explaining another conventional pad clip for a disc brake. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Pad clips for a disc brake which are the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. A disc brake with pad clips attached thereto will be described with reference to FIGS. 2,  3  and  4 , which are plan, front and rear views of the disc brakes, respectively (the rear view of FIG. 4 is the result of turning the view of the disc brake when viewed in the direction C of an arrow in FIG.  2 ). In the disc brake shown in those figures, a caliper  12  straddles a rotor  10 , and is movable in the axial direction of the rotor  10  while being guided by a pair of guide pins  16  and  18 . Those guide pins are supported by a support member  14  mounted on a vehicle body, while being arranged parallel to each other. A hydraulic cylinder  20  is provided on the inner side of the caliper  12 . An inner pad (friction pad)  22  may be pressed against the inner side surface of the rotor  10  by this hydraulic cylinder. With a movement of the caliper  12  that is caused by a counter force from the inner pad  22 , caliper claws  24  press an outer pad (friction pad)  26  against the outer side surface. 
     The support member  14  is disposed astride the rotor  10 . A first side surface  14   a  of the support member  14  is confronted with the inner surface of the rotor  10 . The support member  14  is fastened to the vehicle body by means of bolts inserted into mounting holes  28 . A second side surface  14   b  of the support member  14  is confronted with the outer surface of the rotor  10 . Mounting positions for the guide pins  16  and  18  are located outwardly of peripheral edge of the rotor  10 . An inner pad  22  is mounted on the support member  14  in a state that the inner pad  22  is movable in the axial direction of the rotor  10  and bears a rotational torque generated when the disc brake operates for braking. Projections  25 A are formed on both side edges of the inner pad  22 . Grooved portions  27 A are formed in the first side surface  14   a  of the support member  14  at locations corresponding to the projections  25 A of the inner pad. Those concave-convex fitting structures are used as anchor portions. When the hydraulic cylinder  20  of the caliper  12  is operated, the inner pad  22  is guided by the fitting structures and pressed against the rotor  10 . When the inner pad  22  will turn with rotation of the rotor  10 , the fitting structures function as anchors and bear the braking torque. 
     A counter force of the inner pad  22  when it is pressed causes the caliper  12  to move to the inner side in the axial direction of the rotor  10  while being guided by the guide pins  16  and  18 , and the caliper claws  24  press the outer pad  26  against the rotor  10 . A couple of projections  25 B, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, are provided on the reverse side of a back plate of the outer pad  26 . The projections  25 B are respectively fit into groove portions  27 B, which are formed in the caliper claws  24  arranged in a bifurcating fashion. A braking torque acting on the outer pad  26  when the disc brake is operated is transmitted to the caliper  12 , and is beared by the support member through the guide pin  16  (or  18 ). 
     A pad clip  30  for a disc brake, which is a first embodiment of the present invention, will be described with reference to FIGS. 1,  3  and  4 . FIG. 1 is an enlarge view showing each of the pad clips  30  assembled into the disc brake shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 1A is a front view of the pad clip  30  for a disc brake (referred to simply as a pad clip  30 ), and FIG. 1B is a side view showing the pad clip  30 . In FIGS. 1,  3  and  4 , the pad clips  30  are inserted into the anchor portions at the run-in and run-out locations of the rotor  10 , and each of them is located between the inner pad (friction pad)  22  and the support member  14 . Presence of the pad clips  30  reduces sliding resistance. 
     As shown in FIG. 3, concave-convex fitting structures are formed between the inner pad  22  and the support member  14  for holding the pads and serving as anchors in order to guide the inner pad  22  in the axial direction (vertical to the drawing of FIG. 3) of the rotor  10 . In this embodiment, the projections  25 A are formed on both side end faces of the inner pad  22 . The grooved portions  27 A are formed in the anchor portions of the support member  14 , which are confronted with both side end faces of the inner pad  22 . The projections  25 A are fit into the grooved portions  27 A, respectively. The pad clip  30  is placed in a gap between the projection  25 A and the grooved portion  27 A in each concave-convex fitting structure. 
     The pad clip  30  includes a first U-shaped portion  31  which is shaped like U in cross section, and a second U-shaped portion  33 , shaped also like U in cross section. Both the first and second U-shaped portion are provided on the inner side of the rotor  10 . A side  31   a  is common to both the first and second U-shaped portions  31  and  33 , and those U-shaped portions are continuous to each other. The first and second U-shaped portions  31  and  33  are oppositely directed. The first U-shaped portion  31  is fit into the corresponding grooved portion  27 A. The U-shaped portion  33  is fit to a projection  14 A (indicated by a two-dot chain line) of the support member  14 , which is associated with the second U-shaped portion  33 . More specifically, the first U-shaped portion  31  is defined by an anchor piece (bottom side)  31   b  along an anchor face  27 A as the back side of the concave-convex fitting structure, upper and lower sides  31   a  and  31   c,  which are substantially horizontally bent at the upper and lower ends of the anchor piece  31   b  while being oppositely arranged. The second U-shaped portion  33  is defined by a lower side  31   a  (that is upper side  31   a  of the first U-shaped portion  31 ), an upper side  33   a,  and a vertical side  33   b.  The lower side  3   a  and the upper side  33   a  are substantially horizontally bent at the upper and lower ends of the vertical side  33   b,  while being oppositely arranged. The lower side  31   a  and the upper side  33   a  are fit to the projection  14 A, and at this time the vertical side  33   b  remains a little spaced from the end face of the projection  14 A. The end portion of the upper side  33   a  is bent upward to form an upstanding piece  35 , which extends toward the outer periphery of the rotor  10  and is parallel to the anchor piece  31   b.  Specifically, the upstanding piece  35  is located closer to the inner pad  22  than the anchor piece  31   b  by a distance La, that is, closer to the center of the rotor  10 . A width Ma of the opening of the second U-shaped portion  33 , that is, a length between the upper side  33   a  and the lower side  31   a,  is shorter than the length of the vertical side  33   b  (the back side of the second U-shaped portion  33 , closer to the friction pad). Accordingly, the entrance of the second U-shaped portion  33  is narrow. The lower side  31   a  of the first U-shaped portion  31  is bent at both ends of (as viewed horizontally in FIG. 1A) toward the upper side  33   a  to form holder portions  37 , each shaped like V in cross section, for holding the projection  14 A of the support member  14 . 
     To attach the pad clip  30  thus constructed to the support member  14 , the first U-shaped portion  31  is brought into contact with the grooved portion  27 A of the anchor portion of the support member  14 , and the second U-shaped portion  33  is applied to the projection  14 A such that the lower side  31   a  and the upper side  33   a  are fit to the projection  14 A, and at this time the vertical side  33   b  remains a little spaced from the end face of the projection  14 A. The holder portions  37  of the pad clips  30  firmly hold the projections  14 A of the support member  14  so as to prevent the clips from separating from the projections  14 A. The projections  25 A, which are formed on both side end faces of the inner pad  22 , are inserted into the first U-shaped portions  31  of the pad clips  30 , respectively, whereby the inner pad  22  is guided in the axial direction (vertical to the drawing of FIG. 3) of the rotor  10 . When the disc brake is operated, the inner pad  22  receives a braking torque. Then, the lower side  31   c  of each pad clip  30  is resiliently deformed, and the inner pad  22  lowers. Therefore, each pad clip  30  is turned toward the center of the rotor  10 . At this time, a contact point Na on the upper inner wall of the opening of the second U-shaped portion  33 , which holds the projection  14 A of the support member  14 , will move to a contact point Nb located on the left side as viewed in the drawing. A distance Qa between a point Nc on the lower inner wall of the opening of the second U-shaped portion  33 , which holds the projection  14 A of the support member  14 , and the contact point Na on the upper wall of the opening is shorter than a distance between the contact points Nc and Nb after it is moved. As a result, when the point Na moves, a force acts so as to open the opening of the second U-shaped portion  33  and, the contact point Na remains contact with the projection  14 A of the support member  14 . Therefore, there is no chance that a gap (play) is formed between the support member  14  and the pad clip  30 . 
     Let us consider a pad clip  30  in which an upstanding piece  39  is located closer to the side opposite to the friction pad than the anchor piece  31   b,  that is, apart from the center of the rotor  10  by a distance Lb as shown in FIG.  5 . As in the previous case, a width Ma of the opening of the second U-shaped portion  33 , that is, a length between the upper side  33   a  and the lower side  31   a,  is shorter than the length of the vertical side  33   b  (the back side of the second U-shaped portion  33 , closer to the friction pad). Accordingly, the entrance of the second U-shaped portion  33  is narrow. 
     As in the previous case, the inner pad  22  receives a braking torque, and the lower side  31   c  of each pad clip  30  is resiliently deformed. Then the inner pad  22  lowers, and each pad clip  30  is turned toward the center of the rotor  10 . At this time, a contact point Nd on the upper inner wall of the opening of the second U-shaped portion  33  which holds the projection  14 A of the support member  14 , will angularly move to a point Ne located on the left side as viewed in the drawing with a point Nc as a fulcrum. A distance Qb between the points Nd and Nc on the upper and lower walls of the opening which holds the projection  14 A of the support member  14  is longer than a distance between the points Nc and Ne after it is moved. The contact Nd of the opening of the second U-shaped portion  33  separates from the projection  14 A of the support member  14 . As a result, a gap (play) is formed between the support member  14  and the pad clip  30 . With the presence of the gap, there is the possibility that vibrations and noisy sounds are generated between the support member  14  and the pad clip  30 . 
     Another pad clip  30  for a disc brake , which is a second embodiment of the present invention, will be described with reference to FIGS. 6A to  6 C. FIG. 6A is a front view showing a pad clip  30 A for a disc brake (referred to as a pad clip  30 A), FIG. 6B is a side views showing the pad clip  30 A, and FIG. 6C is a bottom view showing the same. In these figures, equivalent portions are designated by reference numerals same as in the drawings to explain the first embodiment of the invention. 
     In the pad clip  30 A, both ends (as viewed horizontally in FIGS. 6A and 6C) of the anchor piece  31   b  are bent toward the support member  14  to form holder portions  41  for holding the support member  14 . 
     In the second embodiment, the pad clip  30   a  more firmly holds the support member  14  since the support member  14  is held with the holder portions  41  in a holding manner. Therefore, there is a less chance that a gap (play) is formed between the pad clip  30   a  and the support member  14 , and vibrations and noisy sounds are generated as the result of the gap. 
     As seen from the foregoing description, in the pad clip according to the present invention, a position at which the pad clip holds the support member is closer to the friction pad than a position of the bottom side of the U-shaped portion supporting the friction pad. With this unique structure, if the pad clip is turned toward the friction pad by deflection of the pad clip, the pad clip remains contact with the support member. A reliable holding of the support member with the pad clip is secured, and there is no chance that play is generated between the pad clip and the support member. Therefore, vibrations and noisy sounds are not generated. 
     A width of the opening of the pad clip where it holds the support member is shorter than a length of the back side of the second U-shaped portion. Therefore, even if the position at which the pad clip holds the support member moves toward the friction pad with deflection of the pad clip, a reliable holding of the support member with the pad clip is secured, and there is no chance that play is generated between the pad clip and the support member. 
     While only certain embodiments of the present invention have been specifically described herein, it will be apparent that numerous modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     The present invention is based on Japanese Patent Application No. Hei. 10-336258 which is incorporated herein by reference.