Check valve assembly for a hydraulic power unit

Abstract

Check valve assembly (1) for a hydraulic unit of a motor vehicle brake system, comprising a valve sleeve (5) by means of which the check valve assembly (1) can be inserted into the receiving opening (2) of a receiving body (3) of the hydraulic unit, wherein the valve sleeve (5) comprises a valve seat (6) on which a closing element (4) bears in a sealing position due to a restoring force applied by a spring element (7), characterized in that the spring element (7) comprises a central ring base (17) on which a number of fastening means (11) are arranged, by means of which the spring element (7) is attached to the valve sleeve (5), and that a number of spring-elastic means (10) are arranged on the central ring base (17), which are designed to be elastically bent when the closing element (4) is pressurized.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a check valve assembly for a hydraulic unit of a motor vehicle brake system according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0002] Hydraulic units for motor vehicle brake systems are known in a wide variety of designs. Essentially, the hydraulic unit comprises a central housing, which serves as a valve block and simultaneously contains a delivery device, which is designed as a reciprocating piston pump or a linear piston compressor. The hydraulic pressure medium for the motor vehicle brake system is stored in a pressure medium reservoir, which is located on the valve block. To supply the delivery device with the hydraulic fluid from the pressure medium reservoir, a check valve (also called a filling valve) is usually hydraulically connected upstream of the delivery device.

[0003] The check valve is normally designed as a valve assembly that is inserted into a receiving bore of the receiving body and is controlled by differential pressure. The differential pressure-controlled check valve is closed in its rest position, i.e., in a closed position, and assumes its open position when a negative pressure is applied, allowing the hydraulic fluid to flow into the pressure chamber of the conveying device. Such a valve assembly typically has a valve housing in which a closing body loaded by a closing spring interacts with a valve seat. A disadvantage of conventional valve assemblies, however, is that they have a large number of components and joining or assembly steps, which leads to complex manufacturing and overall high production costs as well as a high susceptibility to failure. One such valve assembly can be found in DE 102 34 541 A1, for example.

[0004] It is an object of the invention to provide a check valve assembly for a hydraulic unit of a motor vehicle brake system, which has a simplified design, has a small number of individual parts and requires few assembly steps in production, but at the same time has a high degree of robustness and reliability in operation.

[0005] This object is achieved with a check valve assembly according to the features of patent claim 1. Preferred embodiments emerge from the subclaims and the following description of an embodiment with reference to the figures.

[0006] They show: Fig. 1 an exemplary check valve assembly within a receiving opening, Fig. 2 the check valve assembly in assembled state, Fig. 3 the check valve assembly in exploded view, Fig. 4 a spring element of the check valve assembly in a first representation, and Fig. 5 the spring element of the Fig. 4 in a different representation.

[0007] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a check valve assembly 1, which is inserted into a receiving opening 2 of a receiving body 3 of a hydraulic unit for a motor vehicle brake system. The check valve assembly 1 is hydraulically arranged between a pressure fluid reservoir (not shown) and a pressure fluid delivery device (not shown) of the hydraulic unit.

[0008] As a pressure-difference-controlled valve, check valve assembly 1 serves to allow the flow of hydraulic fluid from the pressure fluid reservoir to the pressure fluid delivery system. During the suction phase of the pressure fluid delivery system, check valve assembly 1 opens due to a negative pressure, allowing the hydraulic fluid to flow from the higher-lying pressure fluid reservoir to the pressure fluid delivery system. When the negative pressure is removed, check valve assembly 1 returns to its closed position.

[0009] With the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 check valve assembly 1 is explained in more detail. Fig. 2 shows check valve assembly 1 with its only three necessary individual parts, namely a valve sleeve 5, a closing body 4 and a spring element 7.

[0010] Valve sleeve 5 is essentially hollow-cylindrical in shape. Valve sleeve 5 is caulked or clinched into the receiving opening of the receiving body during the clinching process. Valve sleeve 5 comprises an inwardly directed flange 13. Flange 13 represents a central inlet opening 14 for the hydraulic fluid from the pressure medium reservoir. An inclined or conical valve seat 6 for closing body 4 is formed on the inner edge of flange 13. On the side opposite flange 13, valve sleeve 5 forms, by means of its wall, an outlet opening 15 through which the hydraulic fluid flows to the pressure medium delivery device when check valve assembly 1 is open.

[0011] Closing body 4 is essentially mushroom-shaped and comprises a head 8 with a spherical contour, which is designed to be sealingly applied to valve seat 6, and a central shaft 9 extending from head 8. Due to the spherical shape of head 8, it always lies sealingly against the conically shaped valve seat 6 in the closed position.

[0012] Closing body 4 assumes the normal or closed position due to the preload by spring element 7. Spring element 7 is fastened on the one hand to a side of valve sleeve 5 opposite flange 13 and, on the other hand, presses from below against head 8 of closing body 4 so that it rests against valve seat 6.

[0013] For securing spring element 7, valve sleeve 5 has mounting receptacles 16 arranged on its lower edge. A leg 11 of spring element 7 is secured into each mounting receptacle 16 by caulking. Mounting receptacles 16 are preferably arranged symmetrically in the circumferential direction. Preferably, three mounting receptacles 16 are provided.

[0014] The Fig. 3 shows the check valve assembly 1 in an exploded view so that the spring element 7 and the attachment to the valve sleeve 5 can be discussed in more detail.

[0015] Spring element 7 comprises a central annular base 17, from which a number of legs 11 extend radially outward. Legs 11 are preferably arranged symmetrically. Preferably, three legs 11 are formed. Legs 11 extend flat and end in the respective mounting receptacles 16 of valve sleeve 5.

[0016] A number of spring-elastic arms 10 also extend from the central ring base 17 in the direction of the head 8 of the closing body 4. Arms 10 are preferably arranged symmetrically. Preferably, three arms 10 are formed. Arms 10 initially extend radially outwards from the ring base 17 and are then bent axially upwards at a distance from the valve sleeve 5 such that arms 10 are directed obliquely inwards. Arms 10 then form hands 18 which are bent inwards and axially downwards and are designed to be placed on the shaft 9 of the closing body 4. By means of the bent hands 18, the spring element partially rests on the underside of the head 8 and by means of the part of the hands 18 which rests on the shaft 9, the closing body is well guided centrally.

[0017] With the Fig. 4 and Fig. Finally, the spring function of spring element 7 will be explained in more detail in section 5.

[0018] The Fig. Figure 4 shows the spring element 7, designed as a stamped and bent part, in a side view. Legs 11 extend outward, and arms 10 extend upward. When the locking body is loaded, the arms 10 move downward with their folded hands, as indicated by the arrows.

[0019] With the Fig.In Figure 5, spring element 7 is shown obliquely from below, so that it can be seen that the arms 10, which initially extend radially from the central ring base 17, bend downward in a resilient manner when a force is applied to the closing body that is directed in the same direction. The shaft of the closing body is guided axially through the opening 12 of the central ring base 17. As a result, the closing body is well guided within spring element 7 and cannot tilt. If the load on the closing body decreases, the arms 10 press the closing body back against the valve seat due to the elastic bending in the radial section.

[0020] Due to the specially designed spring element 7, a check valve assembly for a hydraulic unit of a motor vehicle brake system is created, which requires few parts and can be manufactured in a simple manner. List of reference symbols 1 check valve assembly 2 receiving opening 3 receiving bodies 4 locking bodies 5 valve sleeve 6 Valve seat 7 Spring element 8 heads 9 shaft 10 arms 11 Leg 12 Opening 13 Flange 14 Inlet opening 15 Outlet opening 16 Mounting bracket 17 Ring base 18 hands QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 102 34 541 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Check valve assembly (1) for a hydraulic unit of a motor vehicle brake system, comprising a valve sleeve (5) by means of which the check valve assembly (1) can be inserted into the receiving opening (2) of a receiving body (3) of the hydraulic unit, wherein the valve sleeve (5) comprises a valve seat (6) against which a closing body (4) bears sealingly due to a restoring force applied by a spring element (7), characterized by that the spring element (7) comprises a central ring base (17) on which a number of fastening means (11) are arranged, by means of which the spring element (7) is fastened to the valve sleeve (5), and that a number of spring-elastic means (10) are arranged on the central ring base (17), which are designed to be elastically bent when pressure is applied to the closing body (4). [2] Check valve assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the fastening means are radially outwardly flat and rigid legs (11) which are caulked in respective fastening receptacles (16) of the valve sleeve (5). [3] Check valve assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the spring-elastic means are arms (10) which comprise a spring-elastic section which extends radially outwards from the central ring base (17). [4] Check valve assembly (1) according to claim 3, characterized by that the arms (10) comprise, after the spring-elastic section, a section which is bent axially upwards and is oriented obliquely inwards. [5] Check valve assembly (1) according to claim 4, characterized by that the arms (10) comprise, after the axially upwardly bent section, a hand (18) which is bent inwards and axially downwards. [6] Check valve assembly (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized byin that the closing body (4) is mushroom-shaped and comprises a head (8) which is designed to be placed against the valve seat (6) and a shaft (9) which extends away from the head (8). [7] Check valve assembly (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the head (8) is spherical and the valve seat (6) is conical. [8] Check valve assembly (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the central ring base (17) comprises an opening (12) within which the shaft (9) of the closing body (4) is guided axially. [9] Check valve assembly (1) according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the hands (18) of the arms (10) bear against the head (8) and the shaft (9).

Images