CN112984011A

CN112984011A - Disc brake caliper

Info

Publication number: CN112984011A
Application number: CN202011485463.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 田端孝裕; 山崎敦史; 青山高峰
Original assignee: Shimano Inc
Current assignee: Shimano Inc
Priority date: 2019-12-17
Filing date: 2020-12-16
Publication date: 2021-06-18
Anticipated expiration: 2040-12-16
Also published as: DE102019219811A1; CN112984011B; TW202129168A; CN117307633A

Abstract

A disc brake caliper includes a caliper body, a piston, and a plug. The caliper body includes a fluid chamber, a plug bore fluidly connected to the fluid chamber through a fluid passage, a relief bore fluidly connected to the plug bore, and a pair of mounting portions having mounting surfaces. The piston is movably provided to the caliper body. The plug is movable in the plug bore between a first position fluidly disconnecting the relief bore from the fluid passage and a second position fluidly connecting the relief bore to the fluid passage via the plug bore. In the mounted state, in which the disc brake caliper is mounted directly or indirectly on the vehicle frame, no part of the caliper body between the mounting surfaces extends beyond the mounting surfaces in a direction towards the vehicle frame.

Description

Disc brake caliper

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to a disc brake caliper for a human powered vehicle (e.g., a bicycle). More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a disc brake caliper as follows: having a bleed structure for bleeding fluid from the disc brake caliper.

Background

Generally, there are currently several types of braking devices available on the market for human powered vehicles, such as bicycles. Examples of some types of common bicycle brake devices include rim brakes and disc brakes. Disc brakes have become increasingly popular for human powered vehicles (e.g., bicycles). In particular, disc brakes provide a considerable amount of braking power relative to the amount of braking force applied to the brake lever or pedal, as compared to rim brakes. In addition, disc brake systems typically provide a high level of brake uniformity under all types of weather and riding conditions. The disc brake may be cable operated or hydraulically operated.

Disclosure of Invention

In general, the present disclosure relates to various features of a disc brake caliper. In one feature, the disc brake caliper is provided with a bleed structure for bleeding fluid from the disc brake caliper.

In view of the state of the known technology and according to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a disc brake caliper is provided, which basically comprises a caliper body, a piston and a plug. The caliper body includes a fluid chamber, a plug bore fluidly connected to the fluid chamber through a fluid passage, a relief bore fluidly connected to the plug bore, a first mounting portion having a first mounting surface, and a second mounting portion having a second mounting surface. The piston is movably provided to the caliper body so as to move along a piston movement axis. The plug is movably disposed in the plug bore between a first position fluidly disconnecting the bleed bore from the fluid passage and a second position fluidly connecting the bleed bore to the fluid passage via the plug bore. In a mounted state in which the disc brake caliper is mounted on a vehicle frame directly or indirectly via a mounting adapter, no part of the caliper body located between the first and second mounting surfaces extends beyond the first and second mounting surfaces in a direction towards the vehicle frame.

With the disc brake caliper according to the first aspect, when the disc brake caliper is mounted on the vehicle frame directly or indirectly via the mounting adapter, the disc brake caliper can be easily released.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a disc brake caliper, substantially comprising a caliper body, a piston and a plug. The caliper body includes a fluid chamber, a plug bore fluidly connected to the fluid chamber through a fluid passage, a relief bore fluidly connected to the plug bore, a first mounting portion having a first mounting surface with a first fastening opening defining a first mounting axis, and a second mounting portion having a second mounting surface with a second fastening opening defining a second mounting axis. The piston is movably provided to the caliper body so as to move along a piston movement axis. The plug is movably disposed in the plug bore between a first position fluidly disconnecting the bleed bore from the fluid passage and a second position fluidly connecting the bleed bore to the fluid passage via the plug bore. The plug overlaps the piston when viewed in a direction parallel to the first and second mounting axes.

With the disc brake caliper according to the second aspect, when the disc brake caliper is mounted on the vehicle frame directly or indirectly via the mounting adapter, a tool can be easily applied to the plug for moving the plug to perform a bleeding operation.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, the disc brake caliper according to the first or second aspect is configured such that the plug bore has an annular groove, wherein a seal ring is located in the annular groove. The plug contacts the sealing ring in both the first and second positions of the plug.

With the disc brake caliper according to the third aspect, it is possible to seal the plug bore when the plug is in the first and second positions without reducing the strength of the plug.

According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the disc brake caliper according to the third aspect is configured such that the plug bore has an opening and a threaded section. The threaded section is located between the opening and the annular groove.

With the disc brake caliper according to the fourth aspect, the plug can be easily moved between the first position and the second position.

According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the disc brake caliper according to any one of the first to fourth aspects is configured such that the plug bore has a plug bore axis. The relief bore has a relief bore axis perpendicular to the plug bore axis.

With the disc brake caliper according to the fifth aspect, when the disc brake caliper is mounted on the vehicle frame directly or indirectly via the mounting adapter, it is easy to access the drain bore and attach a drain hose for carrying out a draining operation

According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, the disc brake caliper according to any one of the first to fifth aspects is configured such that the caliper body further comprises a rotor receiving groove configured to receive a disc brake rotor and an attachment bore fluidly connected to the fluid chamber. The attachment bore is configured to attach to a hydraulic fluid supply hose. The plug bore and the bleed bore are located on a first side relative to the rotor receiving slot. The attachment bore is located on a second side relative to the rotor receiving slot. The first and second sides are on opposite sides along the piston movement axis relative to the rotor receiving slot.

With the disc brake caliper according to the sixth aspect, the hydraulic fluid supply hose may be routed along the inner portion of the frame to clean the appearance of the human powered vehicle, while the plug bore and the bleed bore are located on the outer portion of the frame to easily enter the plug bore and the bleed bore during a bleeding operation.

According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, the disc brake caliper according to the sixth aspect is configured such that the first and second mounting portions are located on the first side with respect to the rotor receiving groove.

With the disc brake caliper according to the seventh aspect, the rotor receiving groove can be appropriately positioned with respect to the vehicle frame so as to receive the rotor.

According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, the disc brake caliper according to the sixth or seventh aspect further comprises another piston movably provided to the caliper body so as to move along the piston movement axis such that the pistons are located on opposite sides of the rotor receiving groove.

With the disc brake caliper according to the eighth aspect, a braking force can be applied to each side of the rotor so that the rotor does not flex in the axial direction with respect to the rotational axis of the rotor.

According to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, the disc brake caliper according to any one of the first to eighth aspects further comprises a plug cap configured to at least partially close the plug bore.

With the disc brake caliper according to the ninth aspect, the plug cap protects the plug and the plug bore from dust and other debris.

According to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, a disc brake caliper according to the ninth aspect is configured such that the plug includes a tool engagement bore and an external thread that threadedly engages the plug bore, and the plug cap is configured to be attached to the tool engagement bore of the plug.

With the disc brake caliper according to the tenth aspect, it is possible to easily move the plug between the first position and the second position using conventional tools, and to easily and securely maintain the plug cap on the caliper body.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a disc brake caliper, substantially comprising a caliper body and a piston. The caliper body includes a fluid chamber, a relief bore selectively and fluidly connected to the fluid chamber, a first mounting portion having a first mounting surface, and a second mounting portion having a second mounting surface. The piston is movably provided to the caliper body so as to move along a piston movement axis. The relief bore has a central relief bore axis parallel to the piston movement axis. In a mounted state in which the disc brake caliper is mounted on a vehicle frame directly or indirectly via a mounting adapter, no part of the caliper body located between the first and second mounting surfaces extends beyond the first and second mounting surfaces in a direction towards the vehicle frame.

With the disc brake caliper according to the eleventh aspect, when the disc brake caliper is mounted on the vehicle frame directly or indirectly via the mounting adapter, the drain hose can be easily attached to the drain bore for carrying out the draining operation.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, the disc brake caliper according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects is configured such that the caliper body includes a cylinder bore defining the fluid chamber and an end wall at one end of the cylinder bore. The piston has a first end facing the end wall and a second end facing away from the end wall, and one of the end wall of the caliper body and the first end of the piston includes a convex portion projecting into the fluid chamber and an annular concave portion surrounding the convex portion.

With the disc brake caliper according to the twelfth aspect, the fluid flow path is formed in the fluid chamber, which minimizes air trapped in the fluid chamber during the bleeding operation.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, the disc brake caliper according to the twelfth aspect is configured such that the first end portion of the piston has the projecting portion and the annular recessed portion.

With the disc brake caliper according to the thirteenth aspect, the fluid flow path can be easily formed around the piston.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure, a disc brake caliper according to the thirteenth aspect is configured such that the other of the end wall of the caliper body and the first end of the piston includes an annular projecting portion projecting into the fluid chamber so as to face the annular recessed portion and a recessed portion surrounded by the annular projecting portion so as to face the projecting portion.

With the disc brake caliper according to the fourteenth aspect, air can be more effectively removed from the fluid chamber during the bleeding operation.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure, the disc brake caliper according to any one of the twelfth to fourteenth aspects is configured such that the projecting portion has a first outer diameter, and the annular recessed portion has a second outer diameter equal to or smaller than two process percentages of the first outer diameter.

With the disc brake caliper according to the fifteenth aspect, it is possible to have an effective annular recessed portion for removing air from the fluid chamber during a bleeding operation.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present disclosure, the disc brake caliper according to any one of the twelfth to fifteenth aspects is configured such that the projecting portion has a flat end surface.

With the disc brake caliper according to the sixteenth aspect, the projecting portion can be easily manufactured.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present disclosure, the disc brake caliper according to any one of the first to sixteenth aspects is configured such that each of the first and second mounting portions includes a threaded hole extending along a mounting axis, and a fixing bolt is threaded into the threaded hole for mounting the disc brake caliper on the vehicle frame or the mounting adapter.

With the disc brake caliper according to the seventeenth aspect, the disc brake caliper can be easily mounted on the vehicle frame or the mounting adapter by means of a pair of fixing bolts.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present disclosure, the disc brake caliper according to any one of the first to seventeenth aspects further comprises a bleed cap configured to at least partially enclose the bleed bore.

With the disc brake caliper according to the eighteenth aspect, the bleed cap protects the bleed bore from dust and other debris.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present disclosure, the disc brake caliper according to any one of the first to eighteenth aspects further includes a drain hose adapter coupled to the drain bore such that a drain hose is coupled to the drain hose adapter. The vent cap is configured to attach to at least one of the vent hose adapter and the vent bore.

With the disc brake caliper according to the nineteenth aspect, the drain hose can be easily attached to the drain bore.

Further, other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the disclosed disc brake caliper will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses preferred embodiments of the disc brake caliper.

Drawings

Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of this original disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a bicycle equipped with a pair of disc brake calipers in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of a front portion of the bicycle showing the disc brake caliper mounted to the front portion of the bicycle;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view of the rear portion of the bicycle showing the disc brake caliper mounted to the rear portion of the bicycle;

FIG. 4 is an outer perspective view of the disc brake caliper shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an outer front elevational view of the disc brake caliper shown in FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 6 is an interior elevational view of the disc brake caliper illustrated in FIGS. 3-5;

FIG. 7 is a bottom side elevational view of the disc brake caliper illustrated in FIGS. 3-6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the disc brake caliper illustrated in FIGS. 3-7 as seen along section line 8-8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is an outer perspective view of the disc brake caliper illustrated in FIGS. 3-8, with the disc brake caliper mounted to a frame of a bicycle;

FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the disc brake caliper illustrated in FIGS. 3-9 as seen along section line 10-10 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 11 is an external perspective view, similar to FIG. 9, of the disc brake caliper mounted to the frame of the bicycle, but with the plug cap and the bleed cap exploded out of the caliper body and with the tool and bleed hose positioned for use with the disc brake caliper;

FIG. 12 is an external perspective view similar to FIG. 11 of a disc brake caliper mounted to a frame of a bicycle, but with a tool engaged with the plug and a drain hose attached to the drain hose adapter;

FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of the disc brake caliper shown similar to FIG. 10, but with the plug cap and the bleed cap removed, and a tool engaged with the plug and a bleed hose attached to the bleed hose adapter;

FIG. 14 is an external perspective view, similar to FIG. 12, of the disc brake caliper mounted to the frame of the bicycle, but with the plug moved to fluidly connect the bleed bore to the fluid chamber of the caliper body; and is

FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view of the disc brake caliper shown similar to FIG. 13, but with the plug moved to fluidly connect the bleed bore to the fluid chamber of the caliper body.

Detailed Description

Selected embodiments will now be explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the bicycle art from this disclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments are provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a human-powered vehicle A is shown having a vehicle body B equipped with a pair of

disc brake calipers

10A and 10B in accordance with one illustrated embodiment. Human powered vehicles refer to vehicles that use at least partially human power as the motive power for travel, and include vehicles that assist human power with electric power. Human powered vehicles do not include vehicles that use only motive power other than human power. In particular, human-powered vehicles do not include vehicles that use only an internal combustion engine or only an electric motor as a motive power. Human-powered vehicles are compact, light-duty vehicles that do not require a license to drive on public roads. Here, the human powered vehicle a is shown as a bicycle, and in particular a road bicycle. However, the human powered vehicle A is not limited to a road bike. For example, the human powered vehicle a may be a bicycle with flat handlebars (mountain or city bike) or a three-wheeled human powered vehicle.

Basically, as seen in fig. 1, the vehicle body B has a frame BF (bicycle frame) and a front fork FF. The front fork FF is pivotally supported by the frame BF to pivot about a tilting vertical axle in a forward portion of the frame BF. The body B further includes a drop down handlebar H coupled to the front fork FF, and a saddle or seat S coupled to the frame BF. The front fork FF rotatably supports a front wheel FW at a lower end of the front fork FF. The front wheel FW has a front disc brake rotor BR1, and a front disc brake rotor BR1 is attached to a hub of the front wheel FW such that the front disc brake rotor BR1 rotates integrally with the front wheel FW. The frame BF rotatably supports the rear wheel RW rotatably supported on a rear portion of the frame BF. The rear wheel RW has a rear disc brake rotor BR2, which is BR2 attached to a hub of the rear wheel RW such that the rear disc brake rotor BR2 rotates integrally with the rear wheel RW.

As seen in fig. 1-3, disc brake caliper 10A is mounted to front fork FF, while disc brake caliper 10B is mounted to frame BF (i.e., chain stay). Disc brake caliper 10A is configured to engage front disc brake rotor BR1 in a conventional manner. The disc brake caliper 10B is configured to engage a rear disc brake rotor BR2 in a conventional manner. Here, the

disc brake calipers

10A and 10B are hydraulically operated, as explained below. The disc brake caliper 10A is fluidly connected to a brake operating device BD through a first hydraulic hose H1, while the disc brake caliper 10B is fluidly connected to a brake operating device (not shown) through a second hydraulic hose H2. Here, the

disc brake calipers

10A and 10B are identical. Therefore, the same reference numerals will be used for each of the component parts of the

disc brake calipers

10A and 10B.

As seen in fig. 2 and 3, each of the

disc brake calipers

10A and 10B includes a caliper body 12, a first mounting portion 14 having a first mounting surface 14a, and a second mounting portion 16 having a second mounting surface 16 a. The first mounting surface 14a has a first fastening opening 14b defining a first mounting axis a1, and the second mounting surface 16a has a second fastening opening 16b defining a second mounting axis a 2. Here, the first and second mounting surfaces 14a and 16a define a single mounting plane PL 1. However, the first and second mounting

surfaces

14a, 16a may be offset so as to define a pair of mounting planes.

Here, in the illustrated embodiment, the first mounting surface 14a and the second mounting surface 16a are two separate surfaces. However, the first and second mounting

surfaces

14a, 16a can be a single continuous surface, as needed and/or desired. As seen in fig. 2 and 3, in the mounted state in which the caliper body 12 is mounted on the vehicle body B, the first mounting surface 14a and the second mounting surface 16a are configured to face the pipe portions of the vehicle body B. In the case of the disc brake caliper 10A, the first mounting surface 14a and the second mounting surface 16a face the front fork FF (tube portion) of the vehicle body B. In the case of the disc brake caliper 10B, the first mounting surface 14a and the second mounting surface 16a face a stay tube (tube portion) of the frame BF of the vehicle body B.

The caliper body 12 is configured to be mounted to a human powered vehicle a (e.g., a bicycle). The caliper body 12 may be mounted to the vehicle body B indirectly or directly. As seen in fig. 2, the caliper body 12 of the disc brake caliper 10A is indirectly mounted to the front fork FF of the vehicle body B via a base member or mounting adapter 18. As seen in fig. 3, the caliper body 12 of the disc brake caliper 10B is directly mounted to the frame BF of the vehicle body B. In the case of the disc brake caliper 10A, the first and second mounting

portions

14 and 16 are mounted to the mounting adapter 18 by a pair of fixing bolts 20, and then the mounting adapter 18 is mounted to the frame BF by a pair of fixing bolts 22. On the other hand, in the case of the disc brake caliper 10B, the first and second mounting

portions

14 and 16 are directly mounted to the frame BF by a pair of fixing bolts 24.

Thus, for each of the

disc brake calipers

10A and 10B, the first mounting portion 14 includes a threaded bore 14c extending along the first mounting axis a1, and the fixing

bolt

20 or 24 is threaded into the threaded bore 14c for mounting the

disc brake caliper

10A or 10B on the frame BF or the mounting adapter 18. Similarly, the second mounting portion 16 includes a threaded bore 16c extending along the second mounting axis a2, and the fixing

bolt

20 or 24 is threaded into the threaded bore 16c to mount the

disc brake caliper

10A or 10B to the frame BF or the mounting adapter 18. However, it will be apparent from this disclosure that the caliper body 12 can be configured to be mounted to one of the vehicle body B and the mounting adapter 18 using only one of the fixing

bolts

20 and 24.

The caliper body 12 and the first and second mounting

portions

14 and 16 are configured to provide a flat-mount disc brake caliper. Therefore, in the mounted state in which the disc brake caliper 10B is mounted on the frame BF directly or indirectly via the mounting adapter 18, no portion of the caliper body 12 located between the first mounting surface 14a and the second mounting surface 16a extends beyond the first mounting surface 14a and the second mounting surface 16a in a direction toward the frame BF. In the case of the illustrated embodiment, in the mounted state in which the disc brake caliper 10B is mounted directly or indirectly via the mounting adapter 18 on the caliper mounting portion of the vehicle frame BF, no portion of the caliper body 12 located between the first mounting surface 14a and the second mounting surface 16a extends beyond the mounting plane PL1 defined by the first and second mounting surfaces 14a and 16a in a direction toward the caliper mounting portion of the vehicle frame BF.

As seen in fig. 7 and 8, the caliper body 12 further includes a rotor receiving slot 28 configured to receive a disc brake rotor (e.g., disc brake rotor BR1 or BR 2). The rotor receiving slot 28 divides the caliper body 12 into a first side S1 and a second side S2. The first and second mounting

portions

14 and 16 are located on the first side S1 with respect to the rotor receiving slot 28. In this way, the rotor receiving groove 28 is disposed on the inward side of the vehicle body B. Also, the caliper body 12 further includes an attachment bore 30. The attachment bore 30 is configured to attach to a hydraulic fluid supply hose. In other words, the attachment bore 30 may be attached to the first or second hydraulic hoses H1, H2 for receiving pressurized hydraulic fluid in response to operation of one of the brake operating devices BD. The attachment bore 30 is located on the second side S2 relative to the rotor receiving slot 28.

As seen in fig. 8, the central plane CP bisects the rotor receiving slot 28, and the rotor receiving slot 28 divides the caliper body 12 into a first body portion 31 and a second body portion 32. Here, the first body portion 31 and the second body portion 32 of the caliper body 12 are integrally formed as a one-piece member. In the illustrated embodiment, the caliper body 12 includes an end cap 33, and the end cap 33 is a separate component from the second body portion 32.

Each of the first and

second body portions

31 and 32 of the caliper body 12 includes a fluid chamber 34. In particular, each of the first and

second body portions

31 and 32 of the caliper body 12 includes a cylinder bore 36 that partially defines the fluid chamber 34. Further, the first body portion 31 of the caliper body 12 and the end cap 33 include an end wall 38 at one end of the cylinder bore 36 that partially defines the fluid chamber 34. However, it will be apparent from this disclosure that the caliper body 12 can be provided with only one of the fluid chambers 34, as needed and/or desired. The attachment bore 30 is fluidly connected to a fluid chamber 34.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first and

second body portions

31 and 32 and the end cap 33 are made of a metallic material (e.g., an aluminum alloy, a magnesium alloy, etc.). However, the material of the caliper body 12 and the end caps 33 is not limited to a metal material. Here, the first and

second body portions

31 and 32 are preferably first cast as a one-piece member and then subsequently machined to their final shape, as seen in fig. 2-8. The end cap 33 is then attached to the second body portion 32. However, it will be apparent from this disclosure that the first and

second body portions

31 and 32 of the caliper body 12 can be made of separate parts that are fastened together as needed and desired. In this case, the second body portion 32 and the end cap 33 may be integrally formed as a single piece member and attached to the first body portion 31.

As seen in fig. 8, each of

disc brake calipers

10A and 10B further includes a piston 40. The piston 36 is movably provided to the caliper body 12 for movement along a piston movement axis a 3. Preferably, the

disc brake calipers

10A and 10B further include another piston 40, the other piston 40 being movably provided to the caliper body 12 for movement along a piston movement axis a3 such that the pistons 40 are located on opposite sides S1 and S2 of the rotor receiving slot 28. In particular, the piston 40 is movably disposed in the cylinder bore 36 along a piston movement axis A3. Thus, here, the piston 40 defines the fluid chamber 34 together with the end cap 33 and the cylinder bore 36. While the

disc brake calipers

10A and 10B have a two-piston arrangement, the

disc brake calipers

10A and 10B may be configured to have only a single piston arrangement. In other words, the

disc brake calipers

10A and 10B may be configured with only one of the fluid chambers 34 as needed and/or desired.

As seen in fig. 8, each of the pistons 40 has a first end 42 facing the end wall 38 and a second end 44 facing away from the end wall 38. One of the end wall 38 of the caliper body 12 and the first end 42 of the piston 40 includes a convex portion that projects into the fluid chamber 34 and an annular concave portion that surrounds the convex portion. Preferably, the other of the end wall 38 of the caliper body 12 and the first end 42 of the piston 40 includes an annular convex portion that protrudes into the fluid chamber 34 so as to face the annular concave portion and a concave portion surrounded by the annular convex portion so as to face the convex portion. In the illustrated embodiment, the first end 42 of the piston 40 has a convex portion 42a and an annular concave portion 42 b. The annular recessed portion 42b surrounds the protruding portion 42 a. Preferably, the projecting portion 42a has a flat end surface. Also, in the illustrated embodiment, the end wall 38 of the caliper body 12 includes an annular projecting portion 38a projecting into the fluid chamber 34 so as to face the annular recessed portion 42b, and a recessed portion 38b surrounded by the annular projecting portion 38a so as to face the projecting portion 42 a. In the illustrated embodiment, the male portion 42a has a first outer diameter D1, and the annular female portion 42b has a second outer diameter D2 that is equal to or less than two process percentages of the first outer diameter D1. The first outer diameter D1 is greater than the second outer diameter D2. Also, preferably, the convex portion 42a has approximately the same diameter (+ -1.0 mm) as the concave portion 38 b. Also, preferably, the recessed portion 42b has a diameter that is approximately (+ -1.0 mm) the same as the annular raised portion 38 a. In particular, in the illustrated embodiment, the first outer diameter D1 of male portion 42a is approximately 15.7 millimeters, the outer diameter of female portion 38b is approximately 16.0 millimeters, the second outer diameter D2 of annular female portion 42b is approximately 21.0 millimeters, and the outer diameter of annular male portion 38a is approximately 21.0 millimeters.

Preferably, an annular sealing ring 46 is disposed between the cylinder bore 36 and the piston 40 to seal the interface therebetween. The annular sealing ring 46 is preferably an O-ring made of an elastomeric material, such as a rubber material compatible with the hydraulic fluid used in the

disc brake calipers

10A and 10B.

Each of

disc brake calipers

10A and 10B further includes a pair of brake pads 48. Brake pad 48 is movably coupled to caliper body 12 in brake rotor receiving slot 30. Brake pad 48 is movably attached to caliper body 12 by a support pin 50 having a clip 52. Brake rotors BR1 or BR2 are disposed between brake pads 48. When

disc brake calipers

10A and 10B are in the non-actuated position, brake pads 48 are maintained spaced apart by biasing elements 54. The piston 40 moves against the brake pad 48 due to the increase in fluid pressure in the fluid chamber 34 to squeeze the brake rotor BR1 or BR2 from the opposite side of the rotor receiving slot 28.

Preferably, the caliper body 12 is provided with a fluid bleed arrangement for bleeding the brake system to remove air and/or fluid from the brake system. Here, to remove air and/or fluid from the braking system, the caliper body 12 further includes a caliper body 12 including a bleed bore 60 (fig. 10). The relief bore 60 is selectively and fluidly connected to the fluid chamber 34. In particular, the caliper body 12 includes a plug bore 62 fluidly connected to the fluid chamber 34 by a fluid passage 64. The disc brake caliper 10B further includes a plug 66. The relief bore 60 is fluidly connected to a plug bore 62. The plug 66 is movably disposed in the plug bore 62 between a first position (fig. 13) fluidly disconnecting the bleed bore 60 from the fluid passage 64 and a second position (fig. 15) fluidly connecting the bleed bore 60 to the fluid passage 64 via the plug bore 62. The plug bore 62 and the bleed bore 60 are located on the first side S1 relative to the rotor receiving slot 28. The first and second sides S1 and S2 are located on opposite sides along the piston movement axis A3 relative to the rotor receiving slot 28.

To assist in the bleeding operation, the disc brake caliper 10B further includes a bleed hose adapter 68, the bleed hose adapter 68 being coupled to the bleed bore 60 such that the bleed hose 70 is coupled to the bleed hose adapter 68. Here, the relief bore 60 is a stepped bore having a first section 60a and a second portion 60b having a smaller diameter than the first section 60 a. The first section 60a includes internal threads 60c for threadably receiving external threads of the drain hose adapter 68. In this manner, the vent hose adapter 68 is removably coupled in the vent bore 60 by a threaded connection. Alternatively, the vent hose adapter 68 may be incorporated into the vent bore 60 as needed and/or desired. Preferably, the bleed bore 60 has a central bore axis B1 that is parallel to the piston movement axis a 3. In this way, the drain hose 70 can be easily connected and disconnected to the drain hose adapter 68 without interference from the vehicle body B. The plug bore 62 has a plug bore axis B2. The vent bore axis B1 is perpendicular to the plug bore axis B2. In this manner, the plug 66 may be positioned such that the tool T may be easily used to move the plug 66 between the first and second positions. Preferably, as seen in fig. 5, the plug 66 overlaps the piston 40 when viewed in a direction parallel to the first and second mounting axes a1 and a 2.

As seen in fig. 10, 13 and 15, the plug bore 62 has an annular groove 72 with a sealing ring 74 located in the annular groove 68. The plug 66 contacts the seal ring 74 in both the first and second positions of the plug 66. The plug bore 62 has an opening 62a and a threaded section 62 b. The threaded section 62b is located between the opening 62a and the annular groove 72.

As seen in fig. 9 and 10, disc brake caliper 10B further includes a bleed cap 76 configured to at least partially close bleed bore 60. The vent cap 76 is configured to attach to at least one of the vent hose adapter 68 and the vent bore 60. Moreover, the disc brake caliper 10B further includes a plug cap 78 configured to at least partially enclose the plug bore 62. The plug 66 includes a tool engagement bore 66a and external threads 66b that threadably engage the plug bore 62, and a plug cap 78 is configured to be attached to the tool engagement bore 66a of the plug 66.

In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term "comprising" and its derivatives, are intended to be open ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features, elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not exclude the presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups, integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words having similar meanings such as the terms, "including", "having" and their derivatives. Also, unless otherwise specified, the terms "part," "section," "portion," "member" or "element" when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a single part or a plurality of parts.

As used herein, the following directional terms "frame-facing side", "non-frame-facing side", "forward", "rearward", "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "above …", "below …", "up", "down", "top", "bottom", "side", "vertical", "horizontal", "vertical" and "transverse" as well as any other similar directional terms refer to those directions of a human-powered vehicle (e.g., a bicycle) in an upright riding position and equipped with a disc brake caliper. Accordingly, these directional terms, as utilized to describe the disc brake caliper should be interpreted relative to a human-powered vehicle (e.g., a bicycle) in an upright riding position on a horizontal surface and equipped with the disc brake caliper. The terms "left" and "right" are used to indicate "right" when referenced from the right side when viewed from the rear of a human powered vehicle (e.g., a bicycle), and "left" when referenced from the left side when viewed from the rear of a bicycle.

The phrase "at least one of" as used in this disclosure means one or more of the desired selections ". As one example, if the number of its selections is 2, the phrase "at least one of" as used in this disclosure means "only a single selection" or "both selections". As another example, if the number of its selections is equal to or greater than 3, then the phrase "at least one of" as used in this disclosure means "only a single selection" or "any combination of two selections or greater.

Also, it will be understood that, although the terms "first" and "second" may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. Thus, for example, a first element discussed above could be termed a second element, and vice-versa, without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

The terms "attached" or "attaching" as used herein include configurations in which an element is directly secured to another element by adhering the element directly to the other element; a configuration in which the element is indirectly secured to the other element by adhering the element to an intermediate member which in turn is adhered to the other element; and configurations in which one element is integral with another element (i.e., one element is substantially a portion of the other element). This definition also applies to words having similar meanings such as "engaged," "connected," "coupled," "mounted," "coupled," "secured," and derivatives thereof. Finally, terms of degree (e.g., "substantially," "about," and "approximately") as used herein mean an amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed.

While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, unless specifically stated otherwise, the size, shape, location or orientation of the various components may be changed as needed and/or desired, so long as such changes do not materially affect their intended function. Unless specifically stated otherwise, intermediate structures may be disposed between components that are shown directly connected or contacting each other, so long as the changes do not materially affect their intended function. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the functions of one element may be performed by two, and vice versa. The structure and function of one embodiment may be used in another embodiment. It is not necessary for all advantages to be present in a particular embodiment at the same time. Each feature which is unique from the prior art, alone or in combination with other features, also should be considered a separate description of other inventions by the applicant, including the structural and/or functional concepts embodied by such features. Accordingly, the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the present invention are provided for illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A disc brake caliper, comprising:

a caliper body including a fluid chamber, a plug bore fluidly connected to the fluid chamber through a fluid passage, a relief bore fluidly connected to the plug bore, a first mounting portion having a first mounting surface, and a second mounting portion having a second mounting surface;

a piston movably provided to the caliper body so as to move along a piston movement axis; and

a plug movably disposed in the plug bore between a first position fluidly disconnecting the relief bore from the fluid passage and a second position fluidly connecting the relief bore to the fluid passage via the plug bore, wherein

In a mounted state in which the disc brake caliper is mounted on a vehicle frame directly or indirectly via a mounting adapter, no part of the caliper body located between the first and second mounting surfaces extends beyond the first and second mounting surfaces in a direction towards the vehicle frame.

2. A disc brake caliper, comprising:

a caliper body including a fluid chamber, a plug bore fluidly connected to the fluid chamber through a fluid passage, a relief bore fluidly connected to the plug bore, a first mounting portion having a first mounting surface with a first fastening opening defining a first mounting axis, and a second mounting portion having a second mounting surface with a second fastening opening defining a second mounting axis;

a plug movably disposed in the plug bore between a first position fluidly disconnecting the bleed bore from the fluid passage and a second position fluidly connecting the bleed bore to the fluid passage via the plug bore, the plug overlapping the piston when viewed in a direction parallel to the first and second mounting axes.

3. A disc brake caliper according to claim 1 or 2, wherein

The plug bore has an annular groove with a sealing ring located therein, the plug contacting the sealing ring in both the first and second positions of the plug.

4. A disc brake caliper according to claim 3, wherein

The plug bore has an opening and a threaded section between the opening and the annular groove.

5. A disc brake caliper according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein

The plug bore has a plug bore axis and the relief bore has a relief bore axis perpendicular to the plug bore axis.

6. A disc brake caliper according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein

The caliper body further includes a rotor receiving slot configured to receive a disc brake rotor and an attachment bore fluidly connected to the fluid chamber, the attachment bore configured to attach to a hydraulic fluid supply hose, an

The plug bore and the bleed bore are located on a first side relative to the rotor receiving slot, and the attachment bore is located on a second side relative to the rotor receiving slot, the first and second sides being on opposite sides relative to the rotor receiving slot along the piston movement axis.

7. A disc brake caliper according to claim 6, wherein

The first and second mounts are located on the first side relative to the rotor receiving slot.

8. A disc brake caliper according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising

Another piston movably provided to the caliper body so as to move along the piston movement axis such that the pistons are located on opposite sides of the rotor receiving groove.

9. A disc brake caliper according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising

A plug cap configured to at least partially enclose the plug bore.

10. A disc brake caliper according to claim 9, wherein

The plug includes a tool engagement bore and external threads that threadably engage the plug bore, an

The plug cap is configured to attach to the tool-engaging bore of the plug.

11. A disc brake caliper, comprising:

a caliper body comprising a fluid chamber, a relief bore selectively and fluidly connected to the fluid chamber, a first mounting portion having a first mounting surface, and a second mounting portion having a second mounting surface; and

a piston movably provided to the caliper body so as to move along a piston movement axis; wherein

The relief bore has a central relief bore axis parallel to the piston movement axis, an

12. A disc brake caliper according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein

The caliper body includes a cylinder bore defining the fluid chamber and an end wall at one end of the cylinder bore,

the piston has a first end facing the end wall and a second end facing away from the end wall,

one of the end wall of the caliper body and the first end of the piston includes a convex portion that protrudes into the fluid chamber and an annular concave portion that surrounds the convex portion.

13. A disc brake caliper according to claim 12, wherein

The first end of the piston has the convex portion and the annular concave portion.

14. A disc brake caliper according to claim 13, wherein

The other of the end wall of the caliper body and the first end of the piston includes an annular convex portion that protrudes into the fluid chamber so as to face the annular concave portion, and a concave portion that is surrounded by the annular convex portion so as to face the convex portion.

15. A disc brake caliper according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein

The protruding portion has a first outer diameter and the annular recessed portion has a second outer diameter equal to or less than two process percentages of the first outer diameter.

16. A disc brake caliper according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein

The projecting portion has a flat end surface.

17. A disc brake caliper according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein

Each of the first and second mounting portions includes a threaded bore extending along a mounting axis, and a fixing bolt is threaded into the threaded bore for mounting the disc brake caliper on the vehicle frame or the mounting adapter.

18. A disc brake caliper according to any one of claims 1 to 17, further comprising

A vent cap configured to at least partially enclose the vent bore.

19. A disc brake caliper according to any one of claims 1 to 18, further comprising

A bleeder hose adapter coupled to the bleeder bore such that a bleeder hose is coupled to the bleeder hose adapter, wherein

The vent cap is configured to attach to at least one of the vent hose adapter and the vent bore.