Patent Publication Number: US-2021180658-A1

Title: Brake pad arrangement for a disc brake of a vehicle braking system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a national stage of International Application No. PCT/EP2019/056692, filed Mar. 18, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and which claimed priority to German Patent Application No. 102018002886.1, filed Apr. 10, 2018, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a brake pad arrangement for a disc brake of a vehicle braking system. The present disclosure furthermore relates to a disc brake having a brake pad arrangement of this kind. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Brake pad arrangements are known from the prior art, e.g. from German Laid-Open Application WO 2016/141135 A1. Brake pad arrangements generally comprise a brake pad carrier plate and a friction pad attached thereto. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a brake pad arrangement by means of which it is possible to better suppress unwanted noise during the operation of a vehicle. 
     According to the disclosure, this object is achieved by means of a brake pad arrangement having the features of patent claim  1 . Further advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims. 
     The brake pad arrangement according to the disclosure for a disc brake of a vehicle braking system comprises at least one brake pad carrier plate and a friction pad, which is attached to the brake pad carrier plate. The brake pad carrier plate has at least one fastening section, which is designed for fastening a brake pad return device. The fastening section has at least one bearing surface for the brake pad return device. The at least one bearing surface extends obliquely with respect to a longitudinal axis of the brake pad carrier plate. The longitudinal axis extends in the plane of the brake carrier plate in a direction which extends at a right angle to an axis of rotation of the brake disc in a projection onto the plane of the axis of rotation of the brake disc. 
     By means of the at least one fastening section and its at least one bearing surface extending obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the brake pad carrier plate, the brake pad arrangement can be positioned in a predetermined position or a predetermined orientation in the brake caliper. In this predetermined position and/or predetermined orientation, it is possible to prevent the brake pad arrangement from striking against the brake caliper in certain operating situations of the vehicle. Moreover, it is also possible by means of a brake pad arrangement of this kind to prevent the rattling noises which occur on an uneven roadway or in the case of potholes. 
     The at least one bearing surface can extend at least substantially at a right angle to the face of the brake pad carrier plate to which the friction pad is attached. The at least one bearing surface can extend between the face for the friction pad and the rear face or rear side of the brake pad carrier plate. The at least one bearing surface can also extend at a right angle to the rear face of the brake pad carrier plate. The at least one bearing surface can form a contoured edge of the brake pad carrier plate. The at least one bearing surface can adjoin a contoured edge of the brake pad carrier plate or, alternatively, can form just one section of a contoured edge of the brake pad carrier plate. 
     The at least one bearing surface can extend at a predetermined angle obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the brake pad carrier plate. The predetermined angle can be an acute angle. The predetermined angle can be between 10° and 80°. The predetermined angle can preferably be between 15° and 45°. In particular, the predetermined angle can be 30°. The specified angle values can refer to the smallest angle which the at least one bearing surface encloses with the longitudinal axis of the brake pad carrier plate. 
     The brake pad carrier plate can have a first fastening section and a second fastening section. The first fastening section and the second fastening section can each have a bearing surface which extends obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the brake pad carrier plate. The two fastening sections can be formed on the brake pad carrier plate in a manner offset with respect to one another along the longitudinal axis of the brake pad carrier plate. Each of the bearing surfaces can extend at a predetermined angle obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the brake pad carrier plate. The absolute value of the two angles can be the same or different. 
     The bearing surface of the first fastening section and the bearing surface of the second fastening section can extend substantially parallel to one another. The bearing surfaces of the two fastening sections can thus extend parallel to one another and in each case obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the brake pad carrier plate. 
     The bearing surface of the first fastening section and the bearing surface of the second fastening section can slope in opposite directions. In other words, the openings of the two angles may face one another. The absolute value of the angle which the bearing surface of the first fastening section encloses with the longitudinal axis of the brake pad carrier plate, and the absolute value of the angle which the bearing surface of the second fastening section encloses with the longitudinal axis of the brake pad carrier plate can be the same. 
     The brake pad carrier plate can have at least one oblong opening, which is designed to receive a holding element for the brake pad arrangement. The at least one holding element can be a holding bolt or a holding pin, for example. The at least one holding element can extend through the at least one oblong opening. The oblong opening can be of substantially rectangular design. The rectangular shape of the oblong opening can have rounded corners. The at least one oblong opening can be associated with the at least one fastening section. The at least one oblong opening can extend between the bearing surface of the fastening section associated with the oblong opening and the at least one friction pad in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis. The at least one oblong opening can have at least one edge, the length of which defines the maximum extent of the oblong opening. The at least one oblong opening preferably has at least two edges which extend substantially parallel to one another and the length of which defines the maximum extent of the oblong opening. The two edges extending at least substantially parallel to one another are preferably of equal size. 
     The at least one oblong opening can extend at least substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the brake pad carrier plate. In this case, at least the at least one edge, the length of which defines the maximum extent of the oblong opening, can extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the brake pad carrier plate. 
     Alternatively, the at least one oblong opening can extend obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the brake pad carrier plate. At least the at least one edge that defines the maximum extent of the oblong opening can extend at a predetermined angle to the longitudinal axis of the brake pad carrier plate. The oblong opening preferably has two edges, the length of which defines the maximum extent of the oblong opening and which extend at the same predetermined angle to the longitudinal axis of the brake pad carrier plate. The at least one oblong opening can extend at an angle of 30° to the longitudinal axis of the brake pad carrier plate, for example. Particularly the edges, the length of which defines the maximum extent of the oblong opening, can extend at an angle of 30° to the longitudinal axis of the brake pad carrier plate. 
     The at least one oblong opening can extend parallel to the at least one bearing surface of the at least one fastening section. In this case, the oblong opening can extend obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the brake pad carrier plate. The two at least substantially parallel edges of the oblong opening can extend parallel to the bearing surface of the at least one fastening section and obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the brake pad carrier plate. 
     The at least one fastening section can be in the form of a projection on a contoured edge of the brake pad carrier plate. The contoured edge can extend at least substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the brake pad carrier plate. The at least one fastening section can project from a contoured edge of the brake pad carrier plate in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the brake pad carrier plate. It can overlap at least partially with the extent of the friction pad along the longitudinal axis of the brake pad carrier plate. Thus, in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the brake pad carrier plate, the at least one fastening section can be formed above the friction pad. 
     The present disclosure furthermore relates to a disc brake having a first brake pad arrangement and a second brake pad arrangement of the type described above and having a brake caliper. The disc brake furthermore comprises at least one holding element, on which the first brake pad arrangement and the second brake pad arrangement are suspended, and at least one brake pad return device, wherein the at least one brake pad return device is attached to the at least one holding element and in each case to a fastening section of the first brake pad arrangement and of the second brake pad arrangement and preloads the brake pad arrangements into their initial position. 
     By virtue of the oblique alignment of the bearing surface on the at least one fastening section for the brake pad return device, the brake pad arrangement can be preloaded into a predetermined position and/or a predetermined orientation by means of the preloading force provided by the brake pad return device. The oblique alignment of the bearing surface leads to a division of the preloading force provided by the brake pad return device into a force component acting substantially in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the brake pad carrier plate and a force component acting transversely to the longitudinal axis of the brake pad carrier plate. In the state of the brake pad arrangement in which it is installed in the vehicle, the force component acting in the longitudinal direction of the brake pad carrier plate acts in a tangential direction with respect to the wheel axle. In the state of the brake pad arrangement in which it is installed in the vehicle, the force component acting transversely to the longitudinal axis of the brake pad carrier plate acts in a radial direction with respect to the wheel axle. By means of the force components resulting from the oblique alignment of the bearing surface of the at least one fastening section, the brake pad arrangement can be preloaded into a predetermined position and/or a predetermined orientation in the brake caliper. Depending on the slope or obliquity of the bearing surfaces, it is possible, in particular, to produce tangential force components that act in the same direction or in opposite directions. Depending on the slope or obliquity of the bearing surfaces, the brake pad arrangements can adopt different positions or orientations on the brake caliper. 
     The brake pad arrangement can be preloaded into a position in which the brake pad arrangement is supported by means of a section of the brake pad carrier plate on the brake caliper. Alternatively, the brake pad arrangement can be preloaded into a position in which it is centered in a receiving opening of the brake caliper. In this case, a predetermined spacing may be established between the brake pad arrangements and the sections of the brake caliper which surround the receiving opening. Both by means of the contact of the brake pad arrangements with the brake caliper and by means of the centered position of the brake pad arrangement in the receiving opening of the brake caliper, unwanted noise phenomena, e.g. rattling while traveling, can be avoided. With both solutions, it is also possible to prevent the impact noises which may occur as a result of the impact of the brake pad arrangement against the brake caliper during a change in the direction of travel, i.e. when changing from forward travel to reverse travel or vice versa. These impact noises can be suppressed or attenuated especially by means of the force component acting in the tangential direction. 
     The brake pad return device can comprise a first return unit for the first brake pad arrangement, which is designed to receive the fastening section of the brake pad carrier plate of the first brake pad arrangement and to exert a return force on the first brake pad arrangement, and a second return unit for a second brake pad arrangement, which is designed to receive the fastening section of the brake pad carrier plate of the second brake pad arrangement and to exert a return force on the second brake pad arrangement. The brake pad return device can furthermore have a fastening device for attaching the brake pad return device to a holding element of the disc brake. The fastening device can be connected to the first return unit via a first arm and to the second return unit via a second arm. 
     By means of the brake pad return device, the brake pad arrangements of a disc brake can be preloaded into an initial position, which they occupy when the brake is not being actuated. For this purpose, the first return unit and the second return unit can act on the fastening sections of the brake pad carrier plates of the first brake pad arrangement and of the second brake pad arrangement and exert a return force on the brake pad arrangements. 
     The first arm and the second arm can extend in such a way between the fastening device and the first and second return units that the first and the second return units can be preloaded into an initial position by means of the fastening device. The brake pad return device can be preloaded by means of a movement of the fastening device, wherein the movement of the fastening device is transmitted to the first and the second return unit via the first arm and the second arm. By way of example, the fastening device of the brake pad return device can be moved during installation in order to be able to fasten the brake pad return device to the brake disc and preload the return units. The arms transmit this movement of the fastening device to the return units in order to move and preload the latter into their initial position. As a result, the brake pad arrangements coupled to the return units are also preloaded into their initial position. 
     The first arm and the second arm can extend at a predetermined angle relative to one another. The first arm and the second arm can extend at the predetermined angle relative to one another particularly in the relaxed and uninstalled state of the brake pad return device. The predetermined angle is preferably not equal to zero. 
     By means of the movement of the fastening device, the brake pad return device can be transferred from the relaxed state to the preloaded state. The movement of the fastening device leads to a change in the angle between the first arm and the second arm. Since the movement of the fastening device is transferred to the return units via the arms, the return units are moved into their initial position and simultaneously preloaded. It is possible, for example, for the direction in which the fastening device is moved to be at a right angle to the direction of movement of the return units, which results from the movement of the fastening device. 
     The fastening device can form a middle or central section of the brake pad return device. The first return unit can be arranged at one end of the first arm. The second return unit can be arranged at one end of the second arm. The other end of each of the arms can be connected to the fastening device. 
     The fastening device can have at least one fastening projection, which is provided with at least one latching nose. The fastening device preferably has two fastening projections, which each have at least one latching nose. The latching noses are present at the ends of the fastening projections and are bent in the direction of the respective other fastening projection. The two fastening projections enclose between them a receiving space in which one section or one element of the disc brake can be received in order to hold the brake pad return device on the disc brake. 
     The first and the second return unit can each have a spring section and a receiving section for receiving a section of a brake pad carrier plate of the first or second brake pad arrangement. The spring sections of the first return unit and of the second return unit can each be connected to the first arm or the second arm. The spring sections can extend in a loop between the arm associated therewith and the receiving section of the return unit. In this case, the spring sections can extend in a loop in such a way that the receiving sections are arranged between the spring section and the fastening device. In other words, the receiving sections of the first return unit and of the second return unit can be arranged between the two spring sections and/or below the two arms. 
     The receiving sections of the first and the second return unit can be of substantially U-shaped design. In other words, the receiving sections of the first and of the second return device can have at least two substantially parallel sections, which are connected to one another via a section extending transversely to said sections. The at least one holding element can be formed on one of the parallel sections and it can extend obliquely away from one of the parallel sections. The holding element preferably extends obliquely in the direction of the transversely extending section from the parallel section. Starting from the transversely extending section, the guide section can extend away from the receiving section. In the relaxed state of the brake pad return device, the guide section can extend obliquely to the transversely extending section and parallel to one of the two arms. 
     The spring section can have at least one opening, wherein the at least one opening is used to set the stiffness of the spring section. It is also possible for the spring section to have two or more openings. By means of the at least one opening, it is possible to set a deformation limit at which the elastic deformation of the spring section changes to plastic deformation. By means of the plastic deformation of the spring section, the initial position of the brake pad arrangements which has been set by the return units can be readjusted to compensate for the wear of the brake pad. The greater the wear of the brake pad, the more the spring section is deformed when a brake pad of the brake pad arrangement comes into contact with the brake disc to perform a braking operation. By means of the readjustment of the initial position, brought about by means of the plastic deformation of the spring section, to which the brake pad arrangements are returned after a braking operation, the return force to be produced by the spring section can be held substantially constant. 
     The first arm and/or the second arm can each have at least one bead. The at least one bead serves to increase the stiffness of the two arms. The high stiffness of the arms makes it possible to ensure the functioning of the brake pad return device. This applies especially to the transfer of the brake pad return device from the relaxed state to the preloaded state. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A number of embodiments of a brake pad arrangement according to the disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the appended schematic figures. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  shows a first view of a disc brake having brake pad arrangements according to a first embodiment of the [[invention]] disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  shows a second view of a disc brake having brake pad arrangements according to a first embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  shows a view of two brake pad arrangements according to the first embodiment in the state in which they are attached to a holding element and are preloaded by means of a brake pad return device; 
         FIG. 4  shows a front view of the brake pad arrangement according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  shows a first view of a disc brake having brake pad arrangements according to a second embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  shows a second view of a disc brake having brake pad arrangements according to a second embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  shows a view of two brake pad arrangements according to the second embodiment in the state in which they are attached to a holding element and are preloaded by means of a brake pad return device; 
         FIG. 8  shows a front view of the brake pad arrangement according to the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  shows a first view of a disc brake having brake pad arrangements according to a third embodiment of the [[invention]] disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  shows a second view of a disc brake having brake pad arrangements according to a third embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 11  shows a view of two brake pad arrangements according to the third embodiment in the state in which they are attached to a holding element and are preloaded by means of a brake pad return device; 
         FIG. 12  shows a front view of the brake pad arrangement according to the third embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a plan view of a disc brake denoted overall by  1000 . The disc brake  1000  has a brake caliper  100 , brake pad arrangements  200 ,  202  and brake pad return devices  300 ,  302 . The brake pad arrangements  200 ,  202  are attached to the brake caliper  100  by means of brake pad holding pins  102  and  104 . The brake pad arrangements  200 ,  202  are accommodated at least partially in a receiving opening  106  of the brake caliper  100 . The brake pad arrangements  200 ,  202  are preloaded by means of the brake pad return devices  300 ,  302  into their initial position, in which the brake pad arrangements  200 ,  202  are located in  FIG. 1 . 
     Brake pad arrangement  200  comprises a brake pad carrier plate  204  and a friction pad  206  attached thereto. In the same way, brake pad arrangement  202  consists of a brake pad carrier plate  208  and a friction pad  210  attached thereto. Two fastening sections  212 ,  214  and  216 ,  218  are formed in each of the brake pad carrier plates  204 ,  208 . The brake pad return devices  300 ,  302  are attached to these fastening sections  212 ,  214 ,  216 ,  218 . The brake pad return devices  300 ,  302  are fastened not only to the fastening sections  212 ,  214 ,  216  and  218  but also to the brake pad holding pins  102  and  104 . The brake pad return devices  300 ,  302  thus extend between two opposite fastening sections  212 ,  214 ,  216  and  218  of the brake pad carrier plates  204  and  208  and thus span the receiving opening  106  in the brake caliper  100 . 
     Each of the fastening sections  212 ,  214 ,  216  and  218  has a bearing surface  220 ,  222 ,  224  and  226 , on which the respective brake pad return device  300 ,  302  can be supported. The bearing surfaces  220 ,  222 ,  224  and  226 , to which the brake pad return devices  300 ,  302  are attached, extend obliquely or in a sloping manner, as is clearly apparent from the slope of the brake pad return devices  300 ,  302  in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a side view of the disc brake  1000  having the brake caliper  100 . The brake pad arrangement  202  is accommodated in the brake caliper  100 . The brake pad arrangement  202  comprises the fastening sections  216 ,  218 . Each of the fastening sections  216 ,  218  has an obliquely extending bearing surface  224 ,  226 . A respective brake pad return device  300 ,  302  is attached to each of the obliquely extending bearing surfaces  224 ,  226 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a view in which the brake pad arrangements  200 ,  202 , a brake pad holding pin  102 , a brake pad return device  300  and actuating pistons  108  and  110  are shown. A thickened portion  112 , which serves as a stop during the insertion of the brake pad holding pin  102  into the brake caliper (see  FIG. 1 ), can be seen on the brake pad holding pin  102 . The actuating pistons  108  and  110  can move the brake pad arrangements  200 ,  202  toward one another in order to bring the friction pads  206 ,  210  into engagement with a brake disc (not shown), present in the region A, to produce a braking effect. 
     The brake pad return device  300  is attached to the fastening sections  212 ,  216  of the brake pad carrier plates  204 ,  208  and to the brake pad holding pin  102 . The brake pad return device  300  has a first return unit  304 , a second return unit  306  and a fastening device  308 . The fastening device  308  has a fastening projection  310 , by means of which the brake pad return device  300  is fastened to the brake pad holding pin  102 . The fastening projection  310  can have a latching nose (not shown), which can engage behind the brake pad holding pin  102  to fasten the brake pad return device  300 . The return units  304  and  306  are connected to the fastening device  308  by means of arms  312  and  314 . Return unit  304  has a spring section  316  and the receiving section  318 , which is connected to arm  312  by means of spring section  316 . Return unit  306  likewise has a spring section  320  and a receiving section  322 . The receiving sections  318  and  322  are of U-shaped design. By means of its receiving sections  318  and  322 , the brake pad return device  300  is fastened to the fastening sections  212  and  216  of the brake pad carrier plates  200 ,  202 . 
     The receiving sections  318  and  320  of the brake pad return device  300  are supported on the bearing surfaces  220  and  224  of the fastening sections  212 ,  216 . The bearing surfaces  220 ,  224  are of oblique or sloping design, as can be seen inter alia from the sloping extent of the brake pad return device  300 . Bearing surface  220  extends between face  204   a , to which friction pad  208  is attached, and the rear face  204   b  of brake pad carrier plate  204 . Bearing surface  224  extends between face  208   b , to which friction pad  210  is attached, and the rear face  208   a  of brake pad carrier plate  208 . The bearing surfaces  220  and  224  thus extend over the entire thickness of the brake pad carrier plates  204  and  208  and substantially perpendicularly to the faces  204   a  and  208   a  of the brake pad carrier plates  204  and  208  to which the friction pads  206  and  210  are attached. The bearing surfaces  220  and  224  also extend substantially perpendicularly to the rear faces  204   b  and  208   b  of the brake pad carrier plates  204  and  208  and form a contoured edge of the brake pad carrier plates  204  and  208 . The above embodiments apply analogously also to the bearing surfaces  222  and  226  of the fastening sections  214  and  218 , but these are not shown in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a front view of the brake pad arrangement  200 . Brake pad arrangement  202  is of identical design to brake pad arrangement  200 , and therefore the following statements apply analogously also to brake pad arrangement  202 . 
     Brake pad arrangement  200  comprises brake pad carrier plate  204  and the friction pad  206  attached thereto and has essentially four main contoured edges  228 ,  230 ,  232  and  234 , which determine the shape of brake pad carrier plate  204 . Contoured edges  228  and  230  extend substantially parallel to one another and parallel to the longitudinal axis L of brake pad carrier plate  204 . Contoured edges  232  and  234  extend transversely to the longitudinal axis L. Formed on the contoured edge  228  extending parallel to the longitudinal axis L are the fastening sections  212  and  214 , to which the brake pad return devices  300 ,  302  are fastened. The fastening sections  212  and  214  project from the contoured edge  228  in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis L of the brake pad carrier plate  204 . In  FIG. 4 , the fastening sections  212  and  214  are arranged in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis L above the friction pad  206 . 
     Each of the fastening sections  212  and  214  has a bearing surface  220  and  222 , on which the respective brake pad return devices  300 ,  302  can be supported. The bearing surfaces  220  and  222  extend at a predetermined angle α 1  and α 2  obliquely to the longitudinal axis L, as illustrated schematically in  FIG. 4 . For illustration, the angles α 1  and α 2  in  FIG. 4  are each formed between an imaginary extension of the bearing surfaces  220  and  222  and of the longitudinal axis L or an imaginary line extending parallel to the longitudinal axis L. The angles α 1  and α 2  can each be 30°, for example. The bearing surfaces  220  and  222  extend parallel to one another and obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis L of brake pad carrier plate  204 . 
     Brake pad carrier plate  204  has two oblong openings  236  and  238 , through which the brake pad holding pins  102 ,  104  extend. The oblong opening  236  has two edges  240  and  242 , which extend at least substantially parallel to one another and are connected to one another by edges  244  and  246 . Edges  244  and  246  likewise extend at least substantially parallel to one another. Edges  240  and  242  extend parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the brake pad carrier plate  204  and the length of said edges defines the maximum extent of the oblong opening  236 . Edges  244  and  246  are shorter than edges  240  and  242 . Oblong opening  238  is of identical design to oblong opening  236  and likewise has four edges  248 ,  250 ,  252 ,  254 , wherein edges  248  and  250  extend at least substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis L. Opening  236  is associated with fastening section  212 , and fastening opening  238  is associated with fastening section  214 . The fastening sections  306  of the brake pad return devices  300 ,  302  with their fastening projections  310  (see  FIG. 3 ), which hold the brake pad return devices  300 ,  302  on the brake pad holding pins  102  and  104 , can be seen within the openings  236  and  238 . 
     By means of the bearing surfaces  220  and  222  extending obliquely to the longitudinal axis L, the preloading force produced by the brake pad return devices  300 ,  302  can be divided into essentially two force components. One of the two force components acts in the direction of the longitudinal axis L and is designated by FT below. The other of the two force components acts in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis L and is designated by FR. In the state of the disc brake  1000  in which it is attached to the vehicle, the force component FT acts tangentially in relation to the associated wheel axle or the brake disc attached to the wheel axle (not shown). In contrast, the force component FR acts in the radial direction in relation to the associated wheel axle (not shown). The two force components FR and FT preload the brake pad arrangement  200  into a predetermined position and/or orientation on the brake caliper (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). Force component FT preloads the brake pad arrangement  200  into a position in which the brake pad carrier plate  204  is in contact with the brake caliper (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). For example, the brake pad carrier plate  204  can be supported by its contoured edge  234 , on the left in  FIG. 4 , on the brake caliper (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     By virtue of the division of the preloading force provided by the brake pad return devices  300 ,  302 , which results from the obliquely extending bearing surfaces  220  and  222 , unwanted noise phenomena can be prevented. By means of the force component FR acting in the radial direction, it is possible, in particular, to attenuate or suppress rattling noises in the case of an uneven roadway during the operation of the vehicle. The tangential force component FT prevents, in particular, impact noises when changing the direction of travel, i.e. when changing between forward travel and reverse travel, since this force component counteracts a movement of the brake pad arrangement  200  away from contact with the brake caliper (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) and can thereby prevent or attenuate a noise-generating impact on some other section of the brake caliper. 
       FIGS. 5 to 8  show a disc brake  1100  on which a brake pad arrangement  200  according to a second embodiment is used. The essential differences between the first embodiment described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 4  and the second embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5 to 8  lie in the fastening sections  212 ,  214 ,  216 ,  218  and the bearing surfaces  220 ,  222 ,  224  and  226  thereof. 
     In the second embodiment, the bearing surfaces  220 ,  222 ,  224  and  226  likewise extend obliquely to the longitudinal axis L of the brake pad carrier plates  204  and  208 . As can be seen especially in  FIGS. 6 and 8 , the bearing surfaces  220  and  222  of fastening sections  212  and  214  slope in opposite directions, however. The same applies to the bearing surfaces  224  and  226  of fastening sections  216  and  218  of brake pad carrier plate  208 . The brake pad arrangement  200  illustrated in  FIG. 8  is described in greater detail below, wherein the statements also apply analogously to brake pad arrangement  202 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the bearing surfaces  220  and  222  of the fastening sections  212  and  214  slope in opposite directions, i.e. the bearing surfaces are not parallel to one another. The bearing surfaces  220  and  222  extend at a predetermined angle α 1  and α 2  to the longitudinal axis L. To illustrate the angles α 1  and α 2 , these angles have been depicted between an extension of the bearing surfaces  220  and  222  and an imaginary line parallel to the longitudinal axis L. Owing to the opposite slope of the bearing surfaces  220  and  222 , the angles α 1  and α 2  open in opposite directions. The brake pad return devices  300  and  302  are fastened to the fastening sections  220  and  222 . The brake pad return devices  300  and  302  are supported on the bearing surfaces  220  and  222 . The bearing surfaces  220  and  222  form a contoured edge of the brake pad carrier plate  204 . The bearing surfaces  220  and  222  extend over the entire thickness of the brake pad carrier plate  204 . 
     By virtue of the bearing surfaces  220  and  222  extending obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis L, the brake pad return devices  300  and  302  are likewise attached obliquely to the brake pad carrier plate. By means of the obliquely extending bearing surfaces  220  and  222 , the preloading force provided by the brake pad return devices  300  and  302  can be divided into a tangential force component FT and a radial force component FR. The tangential force components FT provided by the brake pad return devices  300  and  302  act in opposite directions along the longitudinal axis L. By means of the tangential force components FT acting in opposite directions or directed toward one another and by means of the radial force components FR of the brake pad return devices  300  and  302 , the brake pad arrangements  200  and  202  are centered in the receiving opening of the brake caliper (see  FIG. 5 ). As a result, a predetermined spacing can be established between the brake pad arrangements  200  and  202  and the surrounding sections of the brake caliper (see  FIG. 5 ). This predetermined spacing can be established, in particular, between the contoured edges  232  and  234  on the left and right in  FIG. 8  and those sections of the receiving opening of the brake caliper which lie opposite said contoured edges (see  FIG. 5 ). By means of the oppositely sloping bearing surfaces  220  and  222 , it is possible to suppress rattling noises, which occur especially on an uneven roadway. However, the impact noises that arise when the direction of travel changes are also attenuated. 
       FIGS. 9 to 12  show a disc brake  1200  having brake pad arrangements  200  and  202  according to a third embodiment. The third embodiment is based on the second embodiment described above with reference to  FIGS. 5 to 7 . The essential differences between the second embodiment and the third embodiment described below lie in the extent of the oblong openings  236  and  238  through which the brake pad holding pins  102  and  106  extend. 
     The oblong openings  236  and  238  extend obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis L of the brake pad carrier plate  204  (see  FIG. 12 ) but parallel to the bearing surfaces  220  and  222 , which in turn extend obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis L. In particular, the openings  236  and  238  have two mutually parallel edges  240 ,  242  and  248 ,  250 , which determine the maximum extent of the oblong openings  236  and  238 . The edges  240 ,  242  and  248 ,  250  extend obliquely at a predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal axis L. This predetermined angle can be 30°, for example. The edges  240 ,  242  and  248 ,  250  extend parallel to the bearing surfaces  220  and  222 . The brake pad return devices  300  and  302  attached to the bearing surfaces  220  and  222  each produce a tangential force component FT and a radial force component FR. The tangential force components FT of the two brake pad return devices  300  and  302  are directed toward one another. The brake pad arrangements  200 ,  202  can be preloaded into a centered position in the receiving opening of the brake caliper, i.e. the brake pad arrangements  200  and  202  have a predetermined spacing with respect to the surrounding sections of the brake caliper (see  FIG. 9 ). 
     By virtue of the obliquely extending stop surfaces  220  and  222  and the likewise obliquely extending oblong openings  236  and  238 , the brake pad arrangements can move in the receiving opening of the brake caliper counter to the preloading force of the brake pad return devices  300  and  302  or counter to the force components FT and FR produced by the brake pad return devices  300  and  302 . The brake pad arrangements  200  and  202  can thus perform a “rocking motion” in the receiving opening of the brake caliper in the case of a tangential load acting thereon and/or in the case of loads occurring in the vertical direction. As a result, the brake pad arrangement  200 ,  202  can no longer strike the brake caliper over an extended area but, instead, can “roll” by means of one of the contoured edges  230 ,  232  and  234  on the brake caliper sections lying opposite said contoured edges, for example. As a result, the rattling noises which arise in the case of an uneven roadway and also the impact noises which arise when the direction of travel changes, i.e. the impact noises which arise when changing from forward travel to reverse travel or vice versa, are attenuated or suppressed.