Vehicle braking system and vehicle

Abstract

This invention relates to a vehicle braking system and a vehicle. In this vehicle braking system, the friction disc of the rotating assembly that rotates with the vehicle's wheels and the brake bushing assembly of the corresponding braking assembly both extend continuously in the circumferential direction, resulting in better thermal performance and improved braking capability of the entire vehicle braking system. Furthermore, the radially outer portion of the braking assembly is axially opposite to the rotating assembly, while the radially inner portion is opposite to the actuating assembly, and the actuating assembly is located radially inner to the braking assembly, ensuring a more compact structure for the entire braking system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vehicle braking, and more particularly to a braking system for vehicles and a vehicle including the braking system. Background Technology

[0002] In existing technologies, such as Figure 1 As shown, according to existing technology, the braking system 20 of the drive wheel (the wheel that directly receives torque from the power source) 40 of a vehicle is generally assembled in the drive wheel 40. The drive wheel 40 is driven by an electric motor 10, which serves as the power source, via a planetary gear mechanism 30, and the braking torque of the braking system 20 is also transmitted to the drive wheel 40 via the planetary gear mechanism 30. Due to the limited space in the drive wheel 40, the structure of the braking system 20 is designed to be as compact as possible.

[0003] Typically, existing braking systems include drum braking systems and disc braking systems. However, drum braking systems have poor heat dissipation capabilities. After continuous braking with the brake drum closed, the heat generated by friction cannot dissipate quickly, causing the brake bushing temperature to rise and braking efficiency to deteriorate. Disc braking systems require larger brake calipers and brake bushings to meet braking efficiency requirements, resulting in a less compact structure. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention was made in response to the aforementioned deficiencies of the prior art. One objective of the present invention is to provide a novel vehicle braking system that, while exhibiting higher thermal performance than existing drum braking systems, also has a more compact structure than existing disc braking systems. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a vehicle incorporating the aforementioned vehicle braking system.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention may employ the following technical solutions.

[0006] This invention provides a braking system for a vehicle, the braking system comprising:

[0007] A rotating assembly is connected to a wheel drive so that the rotating assembly can rotate with the wheel. The rotating assembly includes a friction disc that extends continuously along the circumference of the wheel, and the axial side of the friction disc forms a first friction surface.

[0008] A braking assembly, which is relatively stationary in the circumferential direction, includes a transmission member and a brake bushing extending continuously along the circumferential direction. The brake bushing is located axially outside the friction disc and has a second friction surface opposite to a first friction surface. The radially outer end of the transmission member abuts against the brake bushing.

[0009] An actuation assembly is located radially inside the brake bushing and corresponds to the radially inside end of the transmission member. Under the actuating force of the actuation assembly, the transmission member can press against the brake bushing, so that the first friction surface and the second friction surface press against each other to generate a braking torque.

[0010] Preferably, the rotating assembly further includes a disc bracket, the friction disc is connected to the wheel via the disc bracket, and the friction disc and the disc bracket are fixed relative to each other at least in the circumferential direction.

[0011] More preferably, the disc support includes an axial portion extending along the axial direction of the wheel and a radial portion connected to one axial end of the axial portion and extending radially inward along the radial direction of the wheel. The axial portion is formed with an internal spline, and the radially outer surface of the friction disc is formed with an external spline that mates with the internal spline. The friction disc and the disc support are fixed relative to each other in the circumferential direction by the engagement of the internal spline and the external spline.

[0012] More preferably, in the axial direction of the wheel, one axial end of the friction disc is limited by the portion of the axial portion that does not form the internal spline, and the rotating assembly further includes a first stop ring that engages with the axial portion. In the axial direction of the wheel, the other axial end of the friction disc is limited by the first stop ring, thereby fixing the friction disc relative to the disc support in the axial direction.

[0013] More preferably, the braking assembly further includes a brake bushing bracket for fixedly supporting the brake bushing and a brake bracket for supporting the brake bushing bracket and the transmission member, wherein the brake bushing bracket and the brake bracket are fixed relative to each other in the circumferential direction, and the brake bushing and the brake bushing bracket are movable relative to the brake bracket to move closer to / away from the friction disc.

[0014] More preferably, the brake bushing is fixed to the radially outer portion of the brake bushing bracket by bonding, and the radially inner portion of the brake bushing bracket is fixed to the brake bracket in the circumferential direction by a spline structure.

[0015] More preferably, the radially outer portion of the transmission member extends continuously along the circumferential direction, and the radially inner portion of the transmission member forms a rod-shaped portion that passes through the brake bracket radially inward, the radially inner end of the rod-shaped portion being opposite to the actuation assembly located radially inward on the brake bracket.

[0016] More preferably, the vehicle braking system includes two brake bushings and two transmission members located on both axial sides of the friction disc, and also includes a second stop ring. The second stop ring is engaged with the brake bracket, and the second stop ring and the support portion of the housing of the vehicle braking system restrict the position of the two transmission members in the axial direction of the wheel. Under the actuating force of the actuating assembly, the two transmission members can perform lever movements with the second stop ring and the support portion as fulcrums, respectively.

[0017] More preferably, the vehicle braking system further includes a housing fixed relative to the wheel suspension of the vehicle, wherein the rotating component, the braking component and the actuating component are all disposed within the housing at a predetermined distance from the housing.

[0018] The present invention provides a vehicle comprising a vehicle braking system as described in any of the above technical solutions, wherein the power source of the vehicle is connected to the wheels via a planetary gear carrier of a planetary gear mechanism, and the rotating component of the vehicle braking system is fixedly mounted on the sun gear of the planetary gear mechanism.

[0019] By adopting the above-described technical solution, the present invention provides a novel vehicle braking system and a vehicle including the braking system. In this vehicle braking system, the friction disc of the rotating assembly that rotates with the vehicle's wheels and the brake bushing assembly of the corresponding braking assembly both extend continuously in the circumferential direction, resulting in better thermal performance and improved braking capability of the entire vehicle braking system. Furthermore, the radially outer portion of the braking assembly is axially opposite to the rotating assembly, while the radially inner portion is opposite to the actuating assembly, and the actuating assembly is located radially inner to the braking assembly, ensuring a more compact structure for the entire braking system. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing a partial structure of a wheel including a braking system for a vehicle according to the prior art.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a perspective structural schematic diagram showing a vehicle braking system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3 It shows Figure 2 This is an enlarged schematic diagram of a partial structure of a vehicle braking system, in which parts such as the housing have been omitted for clarity.

[0023] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0024] 10 Electric motor 20 Braking system 30 Planetary gear mechanism 40 Drive wheel

[0025] 1. Housing 11. Housing body 12. Housing cover 12p. Supporting part 2. Rotating assembly 21. Friction disc 21s. First friction surface 22. Disc bracket 22a. Axial part 22r. Radial part 23. First stop ring 3. Braking assembly 31. Brake bushing 31s. Second friction surface 32. Brake bushing bracket 33. Transmission component 34. Brake bracket 35. Second stop ring 4. Actuation assembly 41. Actuating piston 42. Connecting pipe

[0026] SU sun gear B bearing

[0027] A is axial and R is radial. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The vehicle braking system according to the present invention is installed inside the wheel in such a manner that its central axis coincides with the central axis of the wheel.

[0029] In this invention, unless otherwise specified, axial, radial, and circumferential refer to the axial, radial, and circumferential directions of the wheel, respectively; "outer axial direction" refers to the axial centerline of the friction disc of the rotating assembly away from the braking system; "one side of the axial direction" refers to... Figure 2 The left side of the axis, "the other side of the axis" refers to Figure 2 On the right side of the image. Additionally, "transmission connection" refers to two components being directly connected or indirectly connected via a transmission mechanism in a manner capable of bidirectional torque transmission.

[0030] The following describes the structure and operation of a vehicle braking system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, a vehicle braking system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing 1 and a rotating assembly 2, a braking assembly 3 and an actuating assembly 4 disposed within the housing 1.

[0032] In this embodiment, the housing 1 is fixed relative to the vehicle's wheel suspension, so that the housing 1 moves with the vehicle body but does not rotate with the wheels. The housing 1 has a cylindrical shape and includes a housing body 11 and a housing cover 12 assembled together. The housing cover 12 closes the opening of the housing body 11 from the other axial side, thereby forming an installation space inside the housing 1. The rotating assembly 2, the braking assembly 3, and the actuating assembly 4 are all disposed within the installation space of the housing 1 with a predetermined distance from the housing 1. This predetermined distance can be set according to the heat dissipation requirements of the braking system to achieve better heat dissipation. Here, "predetermined distance" means that the rotating assembly 2, the braking assembly 3, and the actuating assembly 4 are spaced apart from at least a part of the housing 1, but does not exclude the possibility that the rotating assembly 2, the braking assembly 3, and the actuating assembly 4 are in contact with a part of the housing 1. In addition, the housing 1 has a support portion 12p protruding toward the interior of the housing 1 for supporting the braking assembly 3.

[0033] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the rotating assembly 2 is connected to the wheel drive so that the rotating assembly 2 can rotate with the wheel. The rotating assembly 2 includes a friction disc 21, a disc support 22, and a first stop ring 23 assembled together.

[0034] Specifically, the friction disc 21 has a plate-like annular shape and extends continuously along the circumference. A first friction surface 21s is formed on both axial sides of the friction disc 21. This first friction surface 21s is opposite to the second friction surface 31s of the brake bushing 31 of the brake assembly 3 in the axial direction A. Once the first friction surface 21s and the second friction surface 31s press against each other during wheel rotation, a braking torque is generated between the two friction surfaces 21s and 31s.

[0035] The disc bracket 22 and the friction disc 21 are fixed relative to each other in the circumferential and axial directions A, such that the friction disc 21 is connected to the wheel drive via the disc bracket 22. The disc bracket 22 includes an axial portion 22a extending along the axial direction A and a radial portion 22r connected to one axial end of the axial portion 22a and extending radially inward along the radial direction R of the wheel. On one hand, the axial portion 22a has an internal spline protruding radially inward, and the radially outer surface of the friction disc 21 has an external spline that mates with the internal spline. The internal spline and the external spline mate to fix the friction disc 21 and the disc bracket 22 relative to each other in the circumferential direction (torsional connection). On the other hand, in the axial direction A, one axial end of the friction disc 21 is limited by the portion of the axial portion 22a without the internal spline, and a first stop ring 23 is engaged and fixed to the axial portion 22a. The other axial end of the friction disc 21 is also limited by the first stop ring 23, thereby fixing the friction disc 21 relative to the disc bracket 22 in the axial direction A. Additionally, the radial portion 22r extends radially inward toward the sun gear SU of the planetary gear mechanism inside the wheel, and the radially inward portion of the radial portion 22r is fixed together with the sun gear SU.

[0036] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the braking assembly 3 is relatively stationary in the circumferential direction, and thus does not rotate with the wheel. The braking assembly 3 includes a brake bushing 31, a brake bushing bracket 32, a transmission member 33, a brake bracket 34, and a second stop ring 35 assembled together.

[0037] Specifically, both brake bushings 31 are located axially outside the friction disc 21 and on opposite axial sides of the friction disc 21. Each brake bushing 31 extends continuously circumferentially and has a second friction surface 31s opposite to the first friction surface 21s. The area of ​​the second friction surface 31s can be designed to be the same as the area of ​​the first friction surface 21s, thereby generating the largest possible braking torque while ensuring thermal performance between the two. Here, the "continuous extension" of the brake bushing 31 does not preclude the brake bushing 31 from having necessary heat dissipation holes and / or mounting holes.

[0038] Two brake bushing brackets 32 correspond to two brake bushings 31 respectively. Each brake bushing bracket 32 ​​provides fixed support for the corresponding brake bushing 31. The brake bushing 31 is fixed to the radially outer portion of the corresponding brake bushing bracket 32 ​​by bonding, and the radially inner portion of the brake bushing bracket 32 ​​is torsionalally connected to the brake bracket 34 through a spline structure, so that the brake bushing bracket 32 ​​and the brake bracket 34 are relatively fixed in the circumferential direction.

[0039] Two transmission members 33 correspond to two brake bushing supports 32, respectively. The radially outer portion of each transmission member 33 extends continuously in the circumferential direction, and the radially outer end of each transmission member 33 abuts against the corresponding brake bushing support 32, thereby indirectly abutting against the corresponding brake bushing 31. The radially inner portion of each transmission member 33 is formed as a plurality of rod-shaped portions passing through the brake support 34, and the radially inner end of each rod-shaped portion is opposite to the actuation assembly 4 located radially inner to the brake support 34. Thus, when the actuating force of the actuation assembly 4 acts on the radially inner end of the transmission member 33, the radially outer end of the transmission member 33 can press against the brake bushing support 32 and even against the brake bushing 31.

[0040] A cylindrical brake bracket 34 supports the brake bushing bracket 32 ​​and the transmission component 33. The brake bracket 34 forms an external spline, and the brake bushing bracket 32 ​​forms an internal spline that matches the external spline, so that the brake bracket 34 and the brake bushing bracket 32 ​​are torsionally connected by the spline structure and are relatively fixed in the circumferential direction. However, the brake bushing 31 and the brake bushing bracket 32 ​​can move relative to the brake bracket 34 along the axial direction A, thereby approaching / moving away from the friction disc 21.

[0041] Furthermore, the second stop ring 35 is snapped and fixed to the brake bracket 34, and the second stop ring 35 and the support portion 12p of the housing 1 restrict the position of the two transmission members 33 in the axial direction A. Under the actuating force of the actuating assembly 4, the two transmission members 33 can perform lever movements with the second stop ring 35 and the support portion 12p as fulcrums respectively, thereby transmitting the actuating force to the brake bushing bracket 32 ​​and the brake bushing 31, so that the second friction surface 31s can press against the first friction surface 21s.

[0042] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the actuation assembly 4 is located radially inner to the brake bushing bracket 32 ​​and corresponds to the radially inner end of the transmission member 33. The actuation assembly 4 includes two actuating pistons 41 and a connecting pipe 42 for housing and mounting the brake pistons. When braking torque is required, the two actuating pistons 41 generate actuating force in opposite directions axially.

[0043] The following describes the operation of the vehicle braking system described above. Using the above structure, when the vehicle braking system according to an embodiment of the present invention needs to generate braking torque, the actuating piston 41 of the actuating assembly 4 applies actuating force to the radially inner ends of the two transmission members 33 on both axially opposite sides. Utilizing the lever principle, the two transmission members 33 move with the second stop ring 35 and the support portion 12p of the housing 1 as fulcrums, respectively, thereby applying a force towards the axially inner side to the radially outer ends of the transmission members 33. Under the action of this force, the second friction surface 31s of the brake bushing 31 presses against the first friction surface 21s of the friction disc 21, thereby generating braking torque between the two friction surfaces 21s and 31s. When the braking torque of the vehicle braking system according to an embodiment of the present invention is not required to generate braking torque, the actuation piston 41 of the actuation assembly 4 cancels the actuation force, and the two transmission members 33 can be reset by their own elasticity or by an additional reset assembly, so that the second friction surface 31s of the brake bushing 31 disengages from the first friction surface 21s of the friction disc 21, thereby canceling the braking torque.

[0044] Additionally, the present invention provides a vehicle including a vehicle braking system having the above-described structure. In one example of this vehicle, the torque of the vehicle's power source (e.g., an electric motor) is transmitted to the wheels via the planetary gear carrier of a planetary gear mechanism, and the rotating component 2 of the vehicle braking system according to an embodiment of the present invention is fixedly mounted to the sun gear SU of the planetary gear mechanism.

[0045] The specific technical solutions of the present invention have been described in detail above, and the following is a supplementary explanation.

[0046] (i) Although it has been stated above that the braking system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises two brake bushings 31, two brake bushing supports 32, two transmission members 33, and two actuating pistons 41, the present invention is not limited thereto. The same braking effect can also be achieved by having only one brake bushing 31, one brake bushing support 32, one transmission member 33, and one actuating piston 41.

[0047] (ii) Although not explicitly stated in the above specific embodiments, it should be understood that, for the operation of the braking system, such as Figure 2 As shown, a bearing B can be provided between the sun gear SU and the housing 1 of the vehicle braking system according to the present invention.

[0048] (iii) Although the support portion 12p has been described as being part of the housing 1 in the above specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto. The support portion 12p may also be part of the brake bracket 34.

[0049] (iv) The braking system according to the invention provides good thermal performance with a compact structure. Specifically, good thermal performance and braking capability are achieved because the brake bushing 31 extends continuously in the circumferential direction and its area can be designed to be sufficiently large (the same as the area of ​​the axial side surface of the friction disc 21). The actuating piston 41 is mounted radially inside the brake bracket 34, which saves space, and the force application area of ​​the actuating piston 41 can be changed or more actuating pistons 41 can be added as needed. In addition, the drag torque of the friction disc 21 and the disc bracket 22 on the vehicle's power source is very small, and the friction surfaces 21s and 31s of the friction disc 21 and the brake bushing 31 can be designed to be far from the housing 1, thereby minimizing the thermal impact on other parts of the wheel (especially the power source).

Claims

1. A braking system for a vehicle, the braking system comprising: Rotating assembly (2), which is connected to the wheel drive so that the rotating assembly (2) can rotate with the wheel, the rotating assembly (2) includes a friction disc (21), which extends continuously along the circumference of the wheel, and the axial side of the friction disc (21) forms a first friction surface (21s). A braking assembly (3) is relatively stationary in the circumferential direction. The braking assembly (3) includes a transmission member (33) and a brake bushing (31) extending continuously along the circumferential direction. The brake bushing (31) is located axially outside the friction disc (21) and has a second friction surface (31s) opposite to the first friction surface (21s). The radially outer end of the transmission member (33) abuts against the brake bushing (31). The actuation component (4) is located on the radial inner side of the brake bushing (31) and corresponds to the radial inner end of the transmission component (33). Utilizing the lever principle, the transmission component (33) can press against the brake bushing (31) under the actuating force of the actuation component (4), so that the first friction surface (21s) and the second friction surface (31s) press against each other to generate braking torque.

2. The brake system for vehicle according to claim 1, characterized by The rotating assembly (2) also includes a disc bracket (22), the friction disc (21) is connected to the wheel via the disc bracket (22), and the friction disc (21) and the disc bracket (22) are fixed relative to each other at least in the circumferential direction.

3. The brake system for vehicle according to claim 2, characterized by The disc support (22) includes an axial portion (22a) extending along the axial direction (A) of the wheel and a radial portion (22r) connected to one axial end of the axial portion (22a) and extending radially inward along the radial direction of the wheel. The axial portion (22a) is formed with an internal spline, and the radially outer surface of the friction disc (21) is formed with an external spline that mates with the internal spline. The friction disc (21) and the disc support (22) are fixed relative to each other in the circumferential direction by the mating of the internal spline and the external spline.

4. The vehicle braking system according to claim 3, characterized in that, Along the axial direction (A) of the wheel, one axial end of the friction disc (21) is limited by the portion of the axial portion (22a) where the internal spline is not formed, and the rotating assembly (2) further includes a first stop ring (23) which engages with the axial portion (22a). Along the axial direction (A) of the wheel, the other axial end of the friction disc (21) is limited by the first stop ring (23), thereby fixing the friction disc (21) relative to the disc support (22) along the axial direction (A).

5. The vehicle braking system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The braking assembly (3) further includes a brake bushing bracket (32) for fixing the brake bushing (31) and a brake bracket (34) for supporting the brake bushing bracket (32) and the transmission member (33). The brake bushing bracket (32) and the brake bracket (34) are fixed relative to each other in the circumferential direction. The brake bushing (31) and the brake bushing bracket (32) are movable relative to the brake bracket (34) to move closer to / away from the friction disc (21).

6. The vehicle braking system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The brake bushing (31) is fixed to the radially outer portion of the brake bushing bracket (32) by bonding, and the radially inner portion of the brake bushing bracket (32) and the brake bracket (34) are fixed relative to each other in the circumferential direction by a spline structure.

7. The vehicle braking system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The outer radial portion of the transmission member (33) extends continuously along the circumferential direction, and the inner radial portion of the transmission member (33) forms a rod-shaped portion that passes through the brake bracket (34) radially inward, with the inner radial end of the rod-shaped portion opposite to the actuation assembly (4) located radially inward on the brake bracket (34).

8. The vehicle braking system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The vehicle braking system includes two brake bushings (31) and two transmission members (33) located on both sides of the friction disc (21) in the axial direction, and also includes a second stop ring (35). The second stop ring (35) is engaged with the brake bracket (34), and the second stop ring (35) and the support portion (12p) of the housing (1) of the vehicle braking system restrict the position of the two transmission members (33) in the axial direction (A) of the wheel. Under the actuation force of the actuation assembly (4), the two transmission members (33) can perform lever movements with the second stop ring (35) and the support portion (12p) as fulcrums, respectively.

9. The vehicle braking system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The vehicle braking system also includes a housing (1) fixed relative to the wheel suspension of the vehicle, wherein the rotating component (2), the braking component (3) and the actuating component (4) are all disposed within the housing (1) at a predetermined interval from the housing (1).

10. A vehicle comprising a vehicle braking system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a power source of the vehicle is connected to the wheels via a planetary gear carrier of a planetary gear mechanism, and a rotating component (2) of the vehicle braking system is fixedly mounted on the sun gear (SU) of the planetary gear mechanism.

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