Actuating device of vehicle braking system

Abstract

The present invention relates to an actuating device for a vehicle braking system, comprising a force input element that can be connected to a brake pedal and a brake master cylinder. The brake master cylinder has at least one force transmission element. The force transmission element is connected to the force input element in an articulated manner. The force transmission element is arranged to transmit a force applied to the force input element to the brake master cylinder. The actuating device comprises at least one elastically deformable positioning element. The at least one positioning element provides a retaining force, by means of which the at least one positioning element retains the at least one force input element in an installed position relative to the brake master cylinder.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to the technical field of actuating devices for vehicle brake systems. Such actuating devices can be used to actuate both electrohydraulic and purely hydraulic vehicle brake systems. The present disclosure also relates to a brake booster system and a vehicle brake system equipped with such actuating device. Background Art

[0002] This type of actuating device for a vehicle brake system comprises a force input member that can be coupled to a brake pedal, and a piston or another force-transmitting member. The actuating force applied by the brake pedal to the force input member is transmitted via the force-transmitting member to the brake master cylinder. Due to the way the brake pedal is mounted in the vehicle, it undergoes a pivoting movement during actuation. To enable this pivoting movement, the force input member is connected to the force-transmitting member in an articulated manner. Such actuating devices are known from the prior art.

[0003] Document DE 10 2004 038 371 A1 discloses a brake pressure generator. The brake pressure generator has a force input member that can be connected to a brake pedal. The force input member has a spherical end, with which it is accommodated in a transmission element. The force input member can move together with the transmission element. The force input member is connected to a guide piston in an articulated manner by means of a link. In the area close to the pedal, the guide piston has a spherical curvature with an opening. In this area, a coupling disc that is curved convexly or concavely is provided. This arrangement results in a pivotal guidance of the force input member relative to the guide piston about a pivot point, so that, depending on the angular position of the brake pedal, the force input member can be pivoted into a position corresponding to the angular position of the brake pedal.

[0004] A pivotable force input member may complicate installation of the actuating device in a vehicle and, in particular, may complicate the task of coupling the force input member to the brake pedal once the actuating device has been installed in the vehicle. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to disclose an actuating device for a vehicle brake system which is easy to install.

[0006] The actuating device of the vehicle braking system disclosed herein includes a force input member that can be connected to a brake pedal and a brake master cylinder. The brake master cylinder has at least one force transmission member. The force transmission member is connected to the force input member in an articulated manner. The force transmission member is positioned to transmit a force that has been applied to the force input member to the brake master cylinder. The actuating device includes at least one elastically deformable positioning element. The at least one positioning element generates a retaining force, by which the at least one positioning element retains the at least one force input member in an installed position relative to the brake master cylinder.

[0007] The installed position of the force input member can correspond to a position of the force input member relative to the brake master cylinder in which the longitudinal axis of the force input member assumes a predetermined orientation relative to the longitudinal axis of the brake master cylinder. The longitudinal axis of the force input member can extend obliquely or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the brake master cylinder. According to one embodiment, in the installed position of the force input member, the longitudinal axis of the force input member can substantially coincide with the longitudinal axis of the brake master cylinder.

[0008] The at least one positioning element may allow the force input member to deflect after the holding force has been exceeded. The deflection of the force input member from the mounted position may occur by elastic deformation of the positioning element. The deflection may be in a plurality of different directions relative to the brake master cylinder from the mounted position. The amount of deflection capacity may be, for example, approximately 2° to 5° or 8°, in particular approximately 3°. The holding force may have a value of approximately 2N to 10N, preferably a value of 3N to 7N, and in particular a value of 5N. The holding force generated by the at least one positioning element may depend on the weight of the force input member, i.e. the weight of the force input member that may be exerted on the positioning element in the position in which the positioning element rests against the actuator.

[0009] The at least one positioning element may extend between the force input member and the force transmission member. The at least one positioning element may extend in radial and / or axial direction relative to the force input member. The at least one positioning element may be supported against the force input member and the force transmission member in axial direction and / or relative to pivotal movement. The force input member may have a bead, a protrusion, a step, or a recess against which the at least one positioning element may be supported. The force transmission member may have a step or a protrusion against which the at least one positioning element may be supported. The step may be implemented in the recess of the force transmission member. The step may divide the recess into a section with a smaller diameter and a section with a larger diameter. The at least one positioning element may extend at least partially in the section with the larger diameter.

[0010] The at least one positioning element is movable together with the force input member and / or the force transfer member. The at least one positioning element, the force transfer member, and the force input member are movable along the longitudinal axis of the brake master cylinder. The at least one positioning element, the force transfer member, and the force input member are movable together as a unit. The longitudinal axis of the brake master cylinder may define an actuation direction of the actuating device.

[0011] The positioning element may be made of a solid material, an open-cell material, or a closed-cell material, each having elastic properties. Possible materials for the positioning element include foam or elastomer.

[0012] The force input member may extend through at least one positioning element. The at least one positioning element may be embodied as a bushing. The positioning element may be made of an at least substantially fluid-impermeable material or an open-porous material. The at least one positioning element may be accommodated in the region of the force transmission member. In this case, the positioning element cannot be used to draw in air (for example, in a vacuum brake booster) and is particularly unsuitable for such a purpose.

[0013] At least one positioning element may include at least one spring. The at least one spring may extend around a portion of the force input member. One end of the spring may be supported against the force transmission member, and the other end may be supported against the force input member. The spring may be conical in shape. The spring may thus have a decreasing or increasing diameter. The spring may be a leaf spring or a coil spring.

[0014] The actuator may include at least one intermediate element. The at least one intermediate element may be connected to the at least one force transmission element (e.g., rigidly). The at least one positioning element may be supported against the intermediate element and the force input member. The intermediate element may be connected to the force transmission member by means of a threaded connection.

[0015] The force transmission member may have at least one recess in which the at least one positioning element is at least partially accommodated. The recess of the force transmission member may have a bottom against which the force input member may be supported indirectly or directly in the axial direction. The force transmission member may be a solid body through which the recess does not extend. The recess of the force transmission member may have an internal thread. The intermediate element may have a tubular section with an external thread that can be screwed to the internal thread in the recess of the force transmission member.

[0016] The at least one positioning element can be at least partially accommodated in the intermediate element. The intermediate element can have a step against which the positioning element can be supported. The step can be implemented in the opening of the intermediate element. The step can divide the opening of the intermediate element into a section with a smaller diameter and a section with a larger diameter. The at least one positioning element can extend at least partially in the section of the opening with the larger diameter or be accommodated in this section. The two sections of the opening can be implemented as cylindrical. The opening can have a conical section. The conical section can form an end section of the opening where the diameter of the opening further widens. This conical end section can be arranged in the section of the opening with the larger diameter.

[0017] The force transmission member and the force input member may be coupled via a hinge. The hinge may define a pivot point about which the force input member can be deflected. The force input member may be deflected about the pivot point by elastic deformation of the positioning element. The deflection capacity from the installed position may be approximately 2° to 5°, particularly approximately 3°.

[0018] The force input member may have a spherical end section. The force transmission member may also have a coupling device for coupling the force input member to the brake pedal. The coupling device may be arranged at the end of the force input member opposite the spherical end section. The at least one positioning element may be positioned closer to the spherical end section than to the coupling device in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the force input member. The force transmission member may have a recess in which the spherical end section of the force input member may be accommodated. The recess of the force transmission member and the spherical end section of the force input member may form a hinge defining a pivot point. The recess of the force transmission member may have a receiving bushing in which the spherical end section of the force input member may be accommodated. The receiving bushing may extend along the bottom of the receptacle. The outer surface of the spherical section rests at least partially against the receiving bushing to form a hinge. One end of the receiving bushing may rest against an end of the intermediate element.

[0019] The actuating device can have at least one housing. In the housing, a force transmission component can be guided movably along the longitudinal axis of the brake master cylinder. In one variant, the force transmission component can be movable relative to the housing together with the force input component and at least one positioning element. The force transmission component can be a piston or an element rigidly connected to the piston. The piston can be part of the brake master cylinder and can exert pressure on a pressure chamber of the brake master cylinder. The pressure chamber can exert pressure on a pedal force simulator. This is the case, for example, in brake-by-wire vehicle braking systems. Via the vehicle hydraulic braking system, one or more hydraulic circuits can be connected to the pressure chamber so that hydraulic pressure is exerted on the wheel brakes connected to the hydraulic circuits via the pressure chambers. The actuating device can have a covering element, which is connected to the housing or another housing. The covering element can partially surround the force input component and the force transmission component.

[0020] Another object of the present invention is to disclose a system having an actuating device of the type described above and an electromechanical or hydraulic brake booster. According to one embodiment, the system does not include a vacuum brake booster, and according to another embodiment, the system is not arranged in the inlet path of the vacuum brake booster, i.e., it is not necessary to draw in or extract any air, for example, via a positioning element of the vacuum brake booster. In particular, the positioning element in this variant is not embodied as a filter element for the extracted air.

[0021] The electromechanical brake booster may include an actuating unit that may be coupled to the brake master cylinder. The actuating unit may have at least one actuating element that may be coupled to the electric motor via a transmission.

[0022] The electromechanical brake booster may further include at least one housing that may at least partially house the actuating unit and the actuating device. The at least one actuating unit may include a force transmission element that may be coupled to the at least one actuating element in a force-transmitting manner. The at least one force transmission element may accommodate at least one force transmission member. The force transmission element may be movable in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the brake booster. The at least one force transmission element may include a receptacle for a rubber-elastic reaction disk. The rubber-elastic reaction disk may rest against a contact surface of the force transmission element.

[0023] The force transmission member may be implemented as a piston and may be accommodated in the force transmission member in a manner movable relative to the force transmission member. The force transmission member may be supported against the force transmission member by a spring. At least one force transmission member may have at least one contact protrusion. At least one actuating element may come into contact with the at least one contact protrusion. In other words, the at least one actuating element may rest against the contact protrusion of the force transmission member so that the assist force generated by the electric motor and the transmission can be transmitted to the force transmission member through this contact.

[0024] The at least one actuating element may include at least one toothed rack segment, which may be coupled to the electric motor via a transmission. The transmission may include a spur gear pair driven by the electric motor and coupled to the at least one toothed rack segment. The toothed rack segment can be used to convert the rotational motion output of the electric motor into translational motion of the at least one actuating element. The at least one actuating element may include two or more toothed rack segments, each of which may engage with a gear or spur gear of the transmission.

[0025] Another object of the invention is to disclose a vehicle brake system having an actuating device of the type described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Further advantages, details, and features of the solution described herein are derived from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0027] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an actuating device according to a first exemplary embodiment;

[0028] Figure 2 shows a side view of a force input member and a force transfer member coupled thereto;

[0029] Figure 3 shows a view depicted in cross-section of a force transmitting member having a force input member coupled thereto;

[0030] Figure 4 Shown according to Figure 3 Magnified details of the view;

[0031] Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of an actuating device according to a second exemplary embodiment;

[0032] Figure 6 shows a side view of a force transmitting member and a force input member coupled thereto;

[0033] Figure 7shows a view depicted in cross-section of a force transmitting member and a force input member coupled thereto;

[0034] Figure 8 Shown according to Figure 7 Magnified details of the view;

[0035] Figure 9 shows a sectional view of a system consisting of an electromechanical brake booster and an actuating device according to a third exemplary embodiment;

[0036] Figure 10 Shown according to Figure 9 A magnified detail of the view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of an actuating device of a vehicle brake system is shown. The actuating device is generally designated by the reference numeral 10 .

[0038] The actuating device 10 includes a force input member 12 and a brake master cylinder 14. The brake master cylinder 14 has a force transmission member 16. The force transmission member 16 is a piston of the brake master cylinder 14. The force applied by the brake pedal (not shown) on the force input member 12 can be transmitted to the brake master cylinder 14 by means of the force transmission member 16. The force transmission member 16 is housed in a hole or generally in a recess 18 in the housing. The force transmission member 16 is capable of being moved along the longitudinal axis L of the brake master cylinder 14. HZ The longitudinal axis L of the brake master cylinder 14 is HZ The force transmission member 16 and the wall of the recess 18 together define a hydraulic pressure chamber 22 in the housing 20. In addition to the pressure chamber 22, the brake master cylinder 14 may also have other pressure chambers. The pressure outlet of the pressure chamber 22 ( Figure 1 The force transmission member 16 is connected to a pedal force simulation unit (not shown). This is the case when the actuating device 10 is used in a brake-by-wire vehicle braking system. The pressure outlet of the pressure chamber 22 can also be connected to one or more hydraulic circuits in order to apply hydraulic pressure to the connected wheel brakes. There is no vacuum brake booster connected to the actuating device. The pressure chamber 22 has a spring 24 extending therein, which is supported against the force transmission member 16 and can, for example, connect the force transmission member 16 to an additional piston (not shown).

[0039] The force input member 12 is connected to the force transmission member 16 in an articulated manner. The force input member 12 has an end section 26 that is embodied as a spherical shape and is accommodated in a receiving bushing 28. The receiving bushing 28 is accommodated in a recess (or generally a receptacle) 30 of the force transmission member 16. The recess 30 is embodied in a stepped manner and has two sections with different diameters. The spherical end section of the force input member 12 is accommodated in the section with the smaller diameter of the recess 30. The receiving bushing 28 extends from the section with the smaller diameter to the section with the larger diameter. The receiving bushing 28 also extends along the bottom of the recess 30. The spherical end section 26 of the force input member 12 rests with its outer surface against the receiving bushing 28. The spherical end section 26 of the force input member 12, together with the receiving bushing 28, is accommodated in the force transmission member 16, forming an articulation 32. The force input member 12 can be pivoted relative to the force transmitting member 16 by means of the hinge 32. The hinge 32 defines a pivot point SP about which the force input member 12 can be pivoted and thus deflected.

[0040] An intermediate element 34 is arranged on the force transmission member 16. The intermediate element 34 rests with one of its ends against the receiving bushing 28. The intermediate element 34 is connected to the force transmission member 16 by means of a threaded connection 36. An internal thread is provided in the recess 30 of the force transmission member 16, which cooperates with an external thread on the intermediate element 34 to produce the threaded connection 36. The intermediate element 34 has a tubular section that is provided with an external thread and is received in the recess 30 in the force transmission member 16. The force input member 12 extends through an opening 38 in the intermediate element 34. The opening 38 of the intermediate element 34 has a step 40 that divides the opening 38 into a section with a smaller diameter and a section with a larger diameter.

[0041] An elastically deformable positioning element 42 is positioned on the intermediate element 34. The positioning element 42 extends in the opening 38. The positioning element 42 is supported against a step 40 of the opening 38 in the axial direction. The positioning element 42 is accommodated in a section of the opening 38 having a larger diameter. The positioning element 42 is implemented in the form of a tubular bushing and has an opening 44 through which the force input member 12 extends. The inner circumferential surface of the opening 44 rests against a section of the outer circumferential surface 46 of the force transmission member 12. The positioning element 42 can be arranged together with the force input member 12, the force transmission member 16, and the intermediate element 34 along the longitudinal axis L of the brake master cylinder 14. HZ The actuator 20 is movable relative to the housing 20. The housing 20 may be mounted on a vehicle (not shown).

[0042] Figure 1The installed position of the force input member 12 is shown. The positioning element 42 is designed to be elastically deformable and generates a retaining force in the form of a spring force, which holds the force input member 12 in its installed position. When the retaining force is exceeded, the positioning element 42 elastically deforms against this spring force. The spring force can have any desired characteristic curve (e.g., linear).

[0043] In the installed position of the force input member 12 , the longitudinal axis L of the force input member 12 KE The longitudinal axis L of the brake master cylinder 14 HZ Coincident, that is, the longitudinal axis L of the force input member 12 and the brake master cylinder 14 HZ , L KE Overlap. The longitudinal axis L of the brake master cylinder 14 HZ An actuation direction is defined in which the force input member 12 and the force transmitting member 16 can move in order to actuate the brake master cylinder 14. After exceeding the holding force, the force input member 12 can pivot about the pivot point SP defined by the hinge 32.

[0044] The force input member 12 has a coupling device 48, by which the force input member 12 can be coupled to a brake pedal (not shown). The coupling device 48 is embodied in the shape of a fork. The coupling device 48 is arranged at the end of the force input member 12 opposite the spherical end section 26. The positioning element 42 is positioned so as to be aligned with the longitudinal axis L of the brake master cylinder 14. HZ in the direction of the longitudinal axis L of the force input member 12 KE In the direction of the spherical end section 26 rather than the coupling device 48.

[0045] The spring 50 extends between the housing 20 and the intermediate element 34. The spring 50 prestresses the force input member 12 and the force transmission member 16 as well as the intermediate element 34 to the unactuated position of the actuating device 10. The spring 50 presses the intermediate element 34 against the contact element 52. The contact element 52 extends along the opening 54 of the cover element 56. The cover element 56 surrounds the force transmission member 16 and the intermediate element 34 so that the intermediate element 34 can be supported against the cover element 56 by means of the contact element 52. The positioning element 42 is located at the longitudinal axis L of the brake master cylinder 14. HZ The cover element 56 is fastened to the housing 20 by means of a fastening ring 58.

[0046] Figure 2 A side view of the force input member 12, the intermediate element 34, and the contact element 52 is shown. Figure 2 In the figure, the force input member 12, 12' is depicted in the installed position and the deflected position. In the installed position of the force input member 12, the longitudinal axis L of the brake master cylinder 14 isHZ and the longitudinal axis L of the force input member 12 KE In contrast, in the deflected position of the force input member 12 ′, the longitudinal axis L of the force input member 12 ′ is KE’ The longitudinal axis L of the brake master cylinder 14 HZ In the deflected position, the longitudinal axis L of the force input member 12 KE’ With respect to the longitudinal axis L of the brake master cylinder 14 HZ Extends obliquely.

[0047] exist Figure 3 In the view shown, the force transmission member 16 is depicted in cross-section together with the intermediate element 34, the contact element 52, and the positioning element 42. The force transmission members 12, 12' are shown as solid bodies. Figure 3 In FIG. 1 , the force transmitting members 12 , 12 ′ are depicted in an installed position and a deflected position. The force transmitting member 12 depicted in solid lines shows the installed position in which the longitudinal axis L of the brake master cylinder 14 is aligned with the longitudinal axis L of the brake master cylinder 14 . HZ and the longitudinal axis L of the force input member 12 KE The force input member 12' is depicted in a deflected position in dashed lines. In this position, the longitudinal axis L of the force input member 12' KE’ The longitudinal axis L of the brake master cylinder 14 HZ Crossing at the pivot point SP. The force input member 12 can be held in the installed position by the retaining force generated by the positioning element 42. In order to be able to deflect the force input member 12 into the position depicted in dashed lines, the retaining force generated by the positioning element 42 must be overcome. The deflection of the force input member 12 occurs by elastic deformation of the positioning element 42. The force input member 12 can be deflected about the pivot point SP through an angle α into a deflected position (force input member 12'). The angle α can be, for example, 3°. Figure 3 The longitudinal axis L of the brake master cylinder 14 is shown in the deflected position. HZ and the longitudinal axis L of the force input member 12' KE’ The angle α between them.

[0048] The positioning element 42 is supported against the shoulder 40 of the opening 38 of the intermediate element 34 and against the conical section 60 of the force input member 12. The intermediate element 34 has a disk-shaped section 62 which, in the starting position (see Figure 1 ), the intermediate element 34 rests by means of this disk-shaped section against the contact element 52. The contact element 52 has a slot 64, in which the edge region of the opening 54 of the cover element 56 can be accommodated.

[0049] Figure 4 Shown according to Figure 3 A magnified detail of the view. Figure 4 In FIG, the force input member 12 is depicted in a solid line in the installed position, and the force transmission member 12′ is depicted in a dashed line in the deflected position. When the holding force generated by the positioning element 42 has been exceeded, the force input member 12 can be deflected from the installed position by an angle α due to the elastic deformation of the positioning element 42.

[0050] Figure 5 A second exemplary embodiment of an actuating device 110 for a vehicle brake system is shown. The positioning element 42 is implemented as a spring that partially surrounds the force input member 12. The force input member 12 has a step, for example, in the form of a shoulder 66, against which the spring 42 is supported at one end. The spring 42 is supported at its other end against a step 40 of the intermediate element 34. The spring 42 has a conical shape. The diameter of the spring 42 decreases from the section where it rests against the step 40 toward the shoulder 66 on the force input member 12. An axial end section 68 of the opening 38 of the intermediate element 34 widens conically outward; that is, the diameter of the opening 38 continuously increases in section 68. The conical section 68 allows the force input member 12 to be deflected by the elastic deformation of the spring 42. If the spring 42 comes into contact with the conical section 68, deflection of the force input member 12 is limited.

[0051] Figure 6 A side view of the force input member 12, the intermediate element 34, and the contact element 52 is shown, wherein the force input members 12, 12' are depicted in an installed position and a deflected position. Figure 7 In the view shown, the force transmission component 16 is depicted in cross-section together with the intermediate element 34, the contact element 52, and the positioning element 42, and the force transmission components 12, 12' are depicted as solid bodies. The force transmission component 12 depicted in solid lines corresponds to the installed position in which the longitudinal axis L of the brake master cylinder 14 is aligned with the longitudinal axis L of the brake master cylinder 14. HZ and the longitudinal axis L of the force input member 12 KE The force input member 12 ′ is depicted in a deflected position using a dashed line, in which the longitudinal axis L of the force input member 12 is KE’ The longitudinal axis L of the brake master cylinder 14 HZ The force input member 12 ′, depicted in dashed lines, has been deflected from the mounted position about the pivot point SP through an angle α into a deflected position.

[0052] The opening 38 of the intermediate element 34 has a conical end section 68. The conical end section 68 is implemented in the section of the opening 38 with a larger diameter. In this section, the opening 38 initially extends cylindrically starting from the step 40, after which it transitions into the conical section 38. In the conical section 68, the diameter of the opening widens continuously up to the axial end of the intermediate element 34.

[0053] Figure 8 Shown according to Figure 7 A magnified detail of the view.

[0054] The retaining force generated by the spring 42 can hold the force input member 12 in the installed position depicted in solid lines. To deflect the force input member 12 to the position depicted in dashed lines, the spring 42 elastically deforms after the retaining force has been exceeded. The force input member 12 can be deflected about the pivot point SP by an angle α through the elastic deformation of the spring 12 into the deflected position (force input member 12′).

[0055] The spring 42 extends from the step 40 of the intermediate element 34 in the direction of the shoulder 68 on the force input member 12. The step 40 and the shoulder 68 are offset from one another in the axial direction by the axial dimension of the spring 42. The spring 42 is therefore supported against the step 40 and the shoulder 68 in order to hold the force input member 12 in the installed position.

[0056] Figure 9 Shown is a system 1000 consisting of an electromechanical brake booster 300 and an actuating device 210 according to a third exemplary embodiment. Figure 10 Shown according to Figure 9 A magnified detail of the view.

[0057] Brake booster 300 includes an electric motor (not shown), a transmission 302, and an actuating unit 304. Transmission 302 includes spur gears 306 and 308, as well as other transmission components not shown. Spur gears 306 and 308 are coupled to actuating unit 304 of brake booster 300. Spur gears 306 and 308 engage toothed rack sections 310 and 312 of an actuating element 314 of actuating unit 304.

[0058] The actuating element 314 partially accommodates a force transmission element 316. The force transmission member 16 of the brake master cylinder 14 of the actuating device 210 is accommodated in the force transmission element 316 so that it can move in the direction of the longitudinal axis L. The force transmission member 16 is supported against the force transmission element 316 by means of a spring 70. The force transmission element 316 has a contact protrusion 318. The actuating element 314 rests with its axial end section 320 against the contact protrusion 318 of the force transmission element 316. The actuating element 314 can rest with its axial end section 320 against the contact protrusion 318 of the force transmission element 316 so that the assist force generated by the electric motor and transmission 302 can be transmitted to the force transmission element 316 by means of this contact.

[0059] The force transmitting member 16 is hingedly coupled to the force input member 12 by means of a hinge portion 32. When the brake booster 100 is installed in a vehicle (not shown), the force input member 12 may protrude into the passenger compartment.

[0060] The positioning element 42 of the actuating device 210 is implemented in the form of a spring, which partially surrounds the force input member 12. The force input member 12 has a projection 70, on which the spring 42 is axially supported at one of its ends. The spring 42 is supported at its other end against a recess 72 of the force transmission member 16. The recess 72 is implemented on a surface 74 of the force transmission member 16, which is aligned with the longitudinal axis L of the brake master cylinder 14. HZ Extends essentially vertically (see also Figure 10 ). The recess 72 extends around the receptacle 30 in the force transmission member 16. The receptacle 30 of the force transmission member 16 accommodates the spherical end section 26 of the force input member 12 so as to form the hinge 32. The spring 42 is conical in shape. Starting from the section in which it rests against the force transmission member 16, the diameter of the spring 42 decreases in the direction of the projection 70 on the force input member 12. The projection 70 surrounds the force input member 12. However, it is also conceivable to provide several projections that are offset from one another, against which the spring 42 can be supported.

[0061] Figure 9 and Figure 10 The installation position of the force input member 12 is shown. The spring 42 is designed to be elastically deformable and generates a retaining force in the form of a spring force, by which the force input member 12 is retained in its installed position. When the retaining force is exceeded, the spring 42 deforms elastically against this spring force.

[0062] In the installed position of the force input member 12 , the longitudinal axis L of the force input member 12 KE The longitudinal axis L of the brake master cylinder 14 HZ Coincident, that is, the longitudinal axis L of the force input member 12 and the brake master cylinder 14HZ , L KE Overlap. The longitudinal axis L of the brake master cylinder 14 HZ An actuation direction is defined in which the force input member 12, the force transmitting member 16, the force transmitting element 316, and the actuating element 314 of the brake booster 300 can move in order to actuate the brake master cylinder 14. After exceeding the holding force, the force input member 12 can pivot about the pivot point SP defined by the hinge 32.

[0063] The brake booster 300 has a housing 322 in which at least the actuating unit 304 is housed. The housing 322 can be coupled to a housing (not shown) of the brake master cylinder 14. The actuating device 210 can be at least partially housed in the housing 322. A buffer element 324 (see FIG. 324 ) is located between the actuating element 314 and the housing 322. Figure 10 During the return movement of the actuating unit 304, the buffer element 324 buffers the impact of the actuating element 314 on the housing 322. The buffer element 324 can be locked to the housing 322 in the form of a stop. The buffer element 324 and the housing 322 can have corresponding stop forms for this purpose. A radially outwardly protruding stop protrusion 326 can be provided on the buffer element 324. A radially inwardly protruding protrusion 328 can be implemented on the housing 322 and can be locked with the stop protrusion 326 in the form of a stop. The buffering action of the buffer element 324 makes it possible to dampen undesirable vibrations and, in particular, noise emissions (e.g., impact noises).

[0064] The brake master cylinder 14 also has a rubber-elastic reaction disk 76 which is connected to a force introduction element 78 (see Figure 9 ). The reaction disc 76 is partially accommodated in the force transmission element 316. An end element 80 is provided on the force transmission member 16, which is embodied to act on the reaction disc 76 when the actuator 210 is actuated. The force introduction element 78 has a pin-shaped section 82. This pin-shaped section 82 is embodied to be partially accommodated by a piston (not shown) of the brake master cylinder 14. The brake master cylinder 14 can also have several pistons, which define a pressure chamber (not shown) filled with hydraulic fluid in the housing (not shown) of the brake master cylinder 14. This housing (not shown) of the brake master cylinder 14 can be connected to the housing 322 of the brake booster 300. In addition, a return spring 84 is provided, which prestresses the actuator 210 to its starting position.

[0065] The positioning element 42 holds the force input member 12 in the installed position. As a result, the installation of the actuator 10, 110, 210 can be simplified. In the installed position, the actuator 10, 110, 210 with the force input member 12 can be mounted on the engine compartment wall of the vehicle. In the installed position, the force input member 12 can be quickly and easily inserted into the vehicle interior through an opening in the engine compartment wall. Due to the installed position, the force input member 12 can be quickly and easily connected to the brake pedal inside the vehicle without the need for the installer to laboriously align the force input member 12. After exceeding a predetermined holding force, the positioning element 42 allows the force transmission member 12 to deflect so that in the installed state, the force transmission member 12 can, for example, follow the pivoting movement of the brake pedal during service braking.

Claims

1. An actuating device for a vehicle braking system, the actuating device comprising: a force input member (12) coupleable to a brake pedal; A brake master cylinder (14), wherein the brake master cylinder (14) has at least one force transmission member (16) that is hingedly coupled to the force input member (12), and the force transmission member (16) is positioned to transmit a force applied to the force input member (12) to the brake master cylinder (14); as well as At least one elastically deformable positioning element (42), wherein the at least one positioning element (42) generates a retaining force, by means of which the at least one positioning element (42) retains the at least one force input member (12) relative to the brake master cylinder (14) in an installed position in which the at least one positioning element (42) is elastically deformable.

2. The actuator according to claim 1, in, In the installed position of the force input member (12), the longitudinal axis (L KE ) and the longitudinal axis (L HZ )coincide.

3. The actuator according to claim 1 or 2, in, The at least one positioning element (42) allows the force input member (12) to deflect after exceeding the retaining force.

4. The actuator according to claim 1 or 2, in, The at least one positioning element (42) extends between the force input member (12) and the force transmission member (16).

5. The actuator according to claim 1 or 2, in, The at least one positioning element (42) is supported against the force input member (12) and the force transmission member (16) in the axial direction and / or with respect to a pivoting movement.

6. The actuating device according to claim 1 or 2, in, The at least one positioning element (42) is movable together with the force input member (12) and / or the force transmission member (16).

7. The actuating device according to claim 1 or 2 in, The at least one positioning element (42) is embodied in the form of a bushing.

8. The actuating device according to claim 1 or 2, in, The at least one positioning element (42) has at least one spring.

9. The actuating device according to claim 1 or 2, in, The actuating device has an intermediate element (34) which is connected to the at least one force transmission member (16), and the at least one positioning element (42) is supported against the intermediate element (34) and the force input member (12).

10. The actuating device according to claim 9, in, The at least one positioning element (42) is at least partially accommodated in the intermediate element (34).

11. The actuating device according to claim 1 or 2, in, The force transmission member (16) and the force input member (12) are coupled by means of an articulation (32), which defines a pivot point (SP) about which the force input member (12) is pivotable.

12. The actuating device according to claim 11, in, The force input member (12) has a spherical end section (26) and a coupling device (48) for coupling the force input member (12) to a brake pedal, wherein the coupling device (48) is arranged at the end of the force input member (12) opposite the spherical end section (26).

13. The actuating device according to claim 12, in, The at least one positioning element (42) is positioned about the longitudinal axis (L) of the force input member (12). KE ) in the direction closer to the spherical end section (26) than to the coupling device (48).

14. The actuating device according to claim 12, in, The force transmission member (16) has a recess (30) in which the spherical end section (26) of the force input member (12) is accommodated, and wherein the recess (30) of the force transmission member (16) and the spherical end section (26) of the force input member (12) form the hinge (32) defining the pivot point (SP).

15. The actuating device according to claim 1 or 2, in, The actuating device has at least one housing (20), in which the force transmission member (16) is arranged along the longitudinal axis (L) of the brake master cylinder (14). HZ ) is movably guided.

16. The actuating device according to claim 15, in, The actuating device has a covering element (56) which is connected to the housing (20) and at least partially surrounds the force input member (12) and the force transmission member (16).

17. The actuating device according to claim 1 or 2, in, The force transmission member (16) is a piston of the brake master cylinder (14) or an element rigidly connected to the piston.

18. A brake booster system, comprising the actuating device according to any one of claims 1 to 17 and an electromechanical brake booster (300) or a hydraulic brake booster.

19. The brake booster system (1000) according to claim 18, in, The electromechanical brake booster (300) has an actuating unit (304) which can be coupled to the brake master cylinder (14) and has at least one actuating element (314) which can be coupled to an electric motor by means of a transmission (302).

20. The brake booster system (1000) according to claim 19, in, The electromechanical brake booster (300) has a housing (322), which at least partially accommodates the actuating device and / or the actuating unit (304).

21. The brake booster system (1000) according to claim 19 or 20, in, The at least one actuating unit (304) has at least one force transmission element (316), the force transmission element (316) of the at least one actuating unit (304) can be coupled to the at least one actuating element (314) in a force-transmitting manner, and the at least one force transmission element (316) of the at least one actuating unit (304) at least partially accommodates at least one force transmission component (16) of the actuating device.

22. The brake booster system (1000) according to claim 19 or 20, in, The at least one actuating element (314) has at least one toothed rack section (310, 312), which can be coupled to the electric motor by means of the transmission (302). 23 . A vehicle brake system comprising a brake booster system according to claim 18 or an actuating device according to claim 17 .

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