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SubscribeNew fixed brake caliper saves 1.5 kilos per wheel
By Jack Martin
01:17 August 16, 2011
New fixed brake caliper saves 1.5 kilos per wheel
Continental is best known for its tires, but its latest product could help to significantly improve the handling of the family sedan when it is shown for the first time at Frankfurt Motor Show next month. It's a new fixed-type brake caliper for passenger cars, and in comparison to the fist-caliper brakes widely used at present, the new design saves around 1.5 kg per wheel - a large lump of unsprung weight that makes the suspension's job much harder than it need be.
Yes, fixed calipers have a bad reputation for brake squeal, but Continental claims it has overcome the problem using a new aluminum monobloc brake caliper that's "fundamentally much more robust in terms of brake squeal."
The new 4MF fixed-type caliper brake has (four pistons in a monobloc fixed-caliper housing) and reduced pad-disc clearance compared to fist-calipers, resulting in extreme responsiveness and a precise pedal feel according to Continental.
The company the caliper could be further developed for the high-performance segment.
Want to reduce it even further? License the patent for the Buell ZTL braking system.
josiahc
- August 16, 2011 @ 03:32 pm PDT
How do they machine the piston bores in a one piece casting? Fixed mount calipers with pistons on both sides of the disc are made in two halves which bolt together, the main reason for that is so the piston bores can be machined.
It would either take some complex machinery to cut the bores, or the calipers would need very precise holes cast in for pressing in pre-machined liners.
Sliding, single piston calipers are nearly all one piece castings. They have an opening on the side without a piston to provide access to machine the piston bore. The biggest problem with them is when the sliding system gets gunked up to where it won't slide back to relieve the pressure on the side without the piston.
Gregg Eshelman
- August 16, 2011 @ 04:18 pm PDT
RE ''why are electric vehicles so expensive, when they have so little in parts ... hhhmmm???''.
comment Harpal Sahota - August 16, 2011 @ 03:14 pm PDT
Batteries. Energy intensive to make, short lived batteries.
Slowburn
- August 16, 2011 @ 07:56 pm PDT
"Want to reduce it even further? License the patent for the Buell ZTL braking system."
josiahc - August 16, 2011 @ 03:32 pm PDT
EXACTLY. Thanks to ZTL, the front of my Lightning is ~30% lighter than an equivalent sportbikes front end. Oh duh, THAT'S why it's so easy to pull wheelies...
Kirby Mad-Hatter Christopher
- August 17, 2011 @ 02:44 pm PDT
If you want to get even lighter, then they should implement them with titanium. Titanium can be a wonder metal for high performance braking as well, and can keep brake fluid from boiling, they are already widely used...
http://www.cquence.net/blog/reducing_thermal_conductivity_of_heat_on_brakes/
Kassandra Marie Kline
- February 17, 2012 @ 03:14 pm PST
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Weight their!?! - 6KG less in weight with better handling ... gosh, this is great!, plus, is equivalent to an airport rucksack less in weight, which in essence will mean more fuel efficientcy. Seems like a no brainer, and a tip to getting more for your trip ... be it gas or electric vehicles!
Time we reverse engineered and reduced the weight of other mechanical apparatus, and bodyshell parts. I remember reading years ago, that a gas combustion engine has 90% more moving parts than a electric built vehicle, so one can see the room for improvement!. This also has highlighted to me ... ''why are electric vehicles so expensive, when they have so little in parts ... hhhmmm???''.