Electric braking apparatus

Abstract

One of brake pads 5 is pressed against the disc rotor D by a piston of a caliper 3 which is floatably supported on the carrier 2, and in reaction thereto, the other brake pad 5 is pressed against the disc rotor D by a claw portion 14 on the caliper 3, thereby producing a braking force. During brake release, the spring force of a return spring 22 separates the brake pad 5 from the disc rotor D. A positioning convex portion 27 is provided on the carrier 2 in a standing position adjacent to the return spring 22, and serves to restrict the sideward movement of the distal end portion of the return spring 22. Thus displacement and deformation of the return spring can be prevented, and its functions can be maintained.

1 - 16 . (canceled)  
   
   
       17 . An electric braking apparatus comprising: 
 an electric motor that is controlled in such a manner that it is activated to effectuate a parking brake and deactivated when the parking brake becomes in effect;    a mechanism that converts rotation of the motor into linear braking action of friction members to effectuate and release the parking brake and transfers brake reaction force back from the friction members while the parking brake is in effect;    a first engagement element that is operably connected to the motor to move in a brake applying direction and a brake releasing direction, wherein the first engagement element is urged, while the parking brake is in effect, in the brake releasing direction by the brake reaction force transferred back from the friction members;    a second engagement element that is brought, when the parking brake becomes in effect, into engagement with the first engagement element to hold the parking brake in effect, wherein the second engagement element is held in engagement with the first engagement element by the brake reaction force urging the first engagement element in the brake releasing direction, thereby holding the parking brake in effect while the motor is deactivated; and    an actuator that is activated momentarily to bring the second engagement element into engagement with the first engagement element.    
   
   
       18 . An electric braking apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein when releasing the parking brake, the motor is activated to briefly move the first engagement element in the brake applying direction to release engagement between the first and second engagement elements and then move the first engagement element in the brake releasing direction.  
   
   
       19 . An electric braking apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the second engagement element is continuously urged away from engagement with the first engagement element.  
   
   
       20 . An electric braking apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein the second engagement element comprises a spring to continuously urge itself away from engagement with the first engagement element.  
   
   
       21 . An electric braking apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein a force which results from the brake reaction force to hold engagement between the first and second engagement elements is larger than a force that urges the second engagement element away from engagement with the first engagement element.  
   
   
       22 . An electric braking apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein when releasing the parking brake, the motor is activated to briefly move the first engagement element in the brake applying direction to release engagement between the first and second engagement elements and then move the first engagement element in the brake releasing direction.  
   
   
       23 . An electric braking apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the first engagement element comprises teeth arranged thereon, and the second engagement element comprises a claw which engages with a tooth of the first engagement element.  
   
   
       24 . An electric braking apparatus according to  claim 23 , wherein each tooth has an engaging face adapted to capture the claw of the second engagement element and an escape face adapted for the claw to climb over.  
   
   
       25 . An electric braking apparatus according to  claim 23 , wherein the second engagement element comprises a lever having the claw at one end, having the other end acted upon by the actuator and having a fulcrum between the ends.  
   
   
       26 . An electric braking apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the actuator comprises a solenoid and a plunger that, when the solenoid is energized, brings the second engagement element into engagement with the first engagement element.