Brake pad assmbly and method for collecting brake particles

Abstract

A disk brake pad comprising a supporting base with which a layer of friction material is associated, characterized in that a wall of said supporting base having associated therewith the layer of friction material is passed through by at least one channel communicating with a chamber, defined in correspondence of the supporting base, for collecting the powders produced due to the wear of the friction material.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A brake dust collecting device for connection with a brake pad assembly, the brake dust collecting device comprising:
 an arc shaped body configured to connect with the brake pad assembly, the arc shaped body comprising:
 a member defining a chamber, the member having at least one opening for communication with the brake pad assembly, the chamber defined for collecting powders produced due to the wear of friction material of the brake pad assembly. 
   
     
     
         2 . The brake dust collecting device of  claim 1 , wherein the arc shaped body is configured to removably connect with the brake pad assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The brake dust collecting device of  claim 1 , the arc shaped body further comprising:
 a liner internal to the member chamber and configured to collect the powders.   
     
     
         4 . The brake dust collecting device of  claim 3 , wherein the liner is removable for collection of the powders. 
     
     
         5 . The brake dust collecting device of  claim 1 , the arc shaped body further comprising:
 a magnet adjacent the chamber and configured to attract the powders.   
     
     
         6 . The brake dust collecting device of  claim 5 , wherein the magnet is exterior of the member. 
     
     
         7 . The brake dust collecting device of  claim 5 , wherein the magnet is a part of the member. 
     
     
         8 . The brake dust collecting device of  claim 5 , wherein the magnet is at least one of a permanent magnet or an electro-magnet. 
     
     
         9 . The brake dust collecting device of  claim 3 , wherein the liner is at least partially made of a disposable material. 
     
     
         10 . The brake dust collecting device of  claim 9 , wherein the liner is at least partially made of at least one of a cellulose based material, a recyclable material, a biodegradable material, or a cleanable material. 
     
     
         11 . The brake dust collecting device of  claim 1 , wherein the arc shaped body further comprises:
 a first body and a second body, each of the first and second bodies configured to be positioned on opposite sides of a disk brake of the brake pad assembly; and   a connecting member connecting the first body and the second body.   
     
     
         12 . The brake dust collecting device of  claim 11 , wherein the connecting member extends from one side of the disk brake to the other side to connect the first body and the second body. 
     
     
         13 . A method of collecting powders generated by a brake pad of a vehicle brake system, comprising the step of providing at least one chamber associated with a brake pad assembly, wherein a magnetic field is generated in or for the at least one chamber, attracting powder resulting from friction on the brake pad and collecting said powder inside said at least one chamber. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein a liner is provided in or for said at least one chamber, preferably made of a material capable of retaining the powders inside said at least one chamber. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the at least one chamber is emptied before the friction material of said brake pad is worn out and the pad is replaced by another brake pad, wherein preferably a liner or member is removed from the at least one chamber, together with the powder and is replaced by another liner and/or member. 
     
     
         16 . A brake assembly comprising a caliper and a brake disc, wherein at least one brake pad is mounted in the caliper for engaging a side of the brake disc, which disk brake pad comprises a supporting base with which a layer of friction material is associated, wherein at least one chamber is provided for collecting powders produced due to the wear of the friction material, wherein the chamber is provided in a body extending from the at least one brake pad, seen in a direction of rotation of the brake disc. 
     
     
         17 . The brake assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the chamber is provided in a member positioned in or provided on said body. 
     
     
         18 . The brake assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the body is provided extending over at least a peripheral edge of the brake disc and extending at opposite sides of said brake disc. 
     
     
         19 . The brake assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the body is provided extending over at least a peripheral edge of the brake disc and extending at opposite sides of said brake disc, wherein the chamber is provided extending also over at least a peripheral edge of the brake disc and extending at opposite sides of said brake disc. 
     
     
         20 . The brake assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein at least at least one liner is provided in the chamber and/or in a collecting reservoir associated therewith, which liner covers means for generating a magnetic field in said chamber and/or said collecting reservoir. 
     
     
         21 . The brake assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein means for generating a magnetic field are provided in or for said chamber. 
     
     
         22 . The brake assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein a liner is provided in the at least one chamber and/or reservoir, which liner is replaceable for another liner. 
     
     
         23 . The brake dust collecting device of  claim 1 , wherein the arc shaped body is integrally connected with the brake pad assembly.