Braking equipment for vehicles

Abstract

The present disclosure provides, in at least one embodiment, a braking device for a vehicle, comprising: a reservoir configured to store brake oil; a pump housing configured to support the reservoir; a hydraulic circuit disposed in the pump housing and connected to the wheel brakes of the vehicle; a main brake unit comprising a main brake motor disposed on a first side of the pump housing and configured to supply a first hydraulic pressure to the wheel brakes via the hydraulic circuit; and an auxiliary brake unit comprising an auxiliary brake motor disposed on a first side of the pump housing and configured to supply a second hydraulic pressure to the wheel brakes via the hydraulic circuit.

Description

[0001] Citations of Related Applications

[0002] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0081459, filed on June 23, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a brake device for a vehicle. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a brake device for a vehicle having an auxiliary brake unit. Background Art

[0004] The description in this section merely provides background information for the present disclosure and does not constitute prior art.

[0005] A high level of autonomous driving reduces driver intervention, making it necessary to ensure safety during emergencies. Therefore, in future vehicles that will introduce autonomous driving functions, including electric vehicles, it is necessary to ensure braking function in emergencies.

[0006] Figure 1 It is a cross-sectional view of a conventional braking system for a vehicle.

[0007] refer to Figure 1 In a conventional vehicle, a single brake system 100 is responsible for the vehicle's braking function. Since no brake system replaces the single brake system 100 when the single brake system 100 fails, the conventional vehicle may lose its braking function and thus cause an accident.

[0008] In order to prevent accidents, in addition to the main brake system, the vehicle can be equipped with an auxiliary brake system in addition. When a problem occurs in one of the main brake system and the auxiliary brake system, the vehicle can be braked by the remaining brake systems.

[0009] At the same time, providing an auxiliary braking system complicates the configuration and increases vehicle weight. For example, eight additional pipes throughout the braking system complicate the configuration and increase weight. Furthermore, along the length of the pipes connecting the primary system to the secondary system, the transfer of working fluid slows. Consequently, there is a problem of deteriorating braking response. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The present disclosure provides, in at least one embodiment, a braking device for a vehicle, comprising: a reservoir configured to store brake oil; a pump housing configured to support the reservoir; a hydraulic circuit disposed in the pump housing and connected to the wheel brakes of the vehicle; a main brake unit comprising a main brake motor disposed on a first side of the pump housing and configured to supply a first hydraulic pressure to the wheel brakes via the hydraulic circuit; and an auxiliary brake unit comprising an auxiliary brake motor disposed on a first side of the pump housing and configured to supply a second hydraulic pressure to the wheel brakes via the hydraulic circuit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional brake device for a vehicle.

[0012] Figure 2 is a side view showing one side surface of a brake apparatus for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 3 is a front view of a brake apparatus for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 4 is a side view showing another side surface of the brake apparatus for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a brake apparatus for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 6 is a block diagram illustrating a hydraulic circuit of a brake device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Therefore, the present disclosure is proposed to improve the above-mentioned problems, and the present disclosure provides a braking device for a vehicle, which can simplify the configuration of a braking system in which redundant braking functions are implemented by installing a main braking unit and an auxiliary braking unit in one pump housing, and can reduce the weight of the braking system.

[0018] Furthermore, the present disclosure provides a brake apparatus for a vehicle in which a redundant brake function is implemented and the brake apparatus for a vehicle has excellent brake response performance by providing a main brake unit and an auxiliary brake unit in one pump housing.

[0019] Problems to be solved by the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and those skilled in the art will find other unmentioned problems from the following description.

[0020] Some embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings. It should be noted that when reference numerals are added to components in each drawing, identical components are assigned identical numerals whenever possible, even if they are shown in different drawings. In the description of the present disclosure, detailed descriptions of related known configurations or functions are omitted when it is determined that the key points of the present disclosure can be raised.

[0021] In describing the components according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, reference numerals such as first, second, i), ii), a), and b) may be used. Such symbols are only used to distinguish the components from other components, and the nature or order of the components is not limited by the symbols. When a part of the specification is referred to as "comprising" or "including" a component, it means that the component may further include other components, rather than excluding other components, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a braking device for a vehicle includes all or part of the following: a reservoir 210, a pump housing 220, a hydraulic circuit 610, a main brake unit 230, an auxiliary brake unit 240, a master cylinder 510, a first controller 310, a second controller 320, a first power supply (not shown) and a second power supply.

[0023] refer to Figures 2 to 6 , the reservoir 210 is configured to store hydraulic fluid. The reservoir 210 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is arranged on the outer surface of the pump housing 220. This is to reduce the installation space of the braking device. The reservoir can supply hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic circuit 610, the wheel brake 520, etc. included in the braking equipment for the vehicle. The reservoir 210 receives the hydraulic fluid sent from the oil cylinder of the wheel brake 520 and reduces the hydraulic pressure acting on the oil cylinder. The reservoir 210 has a narrow width in order to ensure the installation space of other components, and can be installed on the outer surface of the pump housing 220 so that the peripheral direction of the pump housing 220 and the longitudinal direction of the reservoir 210 coincide with each other. That is, the reservoir 210 can be installed parallel to one surface of the pump housing 220.

[0024] refer to Figures 2 to 6 The pump housing 220 supports the reservoir 210. A hydraulic circuit 610 is formed within the pump housing 220 and is connected to at least one wheel brake 520. Furthermore, a hollow portion for accommodating the pump is formed within the pump housing 220. The main brake motor 231 and the auxiliary brake motor 241, described below, are disposed on one side of the pump housing 220. The first controller 310 and the second controller 320 are disposed on opposite sides. The pump housing herein refers to a functional unit that supports the reservoir and forms the hydraulic circuit for braking the vehicle. For example, the pump housing is constructed by assembling two blocks to perform the aforementioned functions.

[0025] The hydraulic circuit 610 is disposed within the pump housing 220 and is connected to at least one wheel brake 520. Specifically, one end of the hydraulic circuit 610 may be in communication with the cylinder of at least one wheel brake 510. The hydraulic circuit 610 may be connected to the wheel brake 520, as well as an accumulator for temporarily storing hydraulic fluid discharged from the wheel brake 520 cylinder, a pump, the master cylinder 510, the reservoir 210, and the like. The hydraulic circuit 610 is provided with one or more valves 330 to control the hydraulic pressure and fluid flow applied to the hydraulic circuit 610 and each component connected thereto.

[0026] refer to Figure 2 、 Figure 3 and Figure 6 The main brake unit 230 includes a main brake motor 231 mounted on one side of the pump housing 220. It is also configured to supply hydraulic pressure to at least one wheel brake 520 via a hydraulic circuit 610. The main brake unit 230 includes an actuator that uses the power of the main brake motor 231 to pressurize the hydraulic fluid to supply hydraulic pressure to the wheel brake 520. According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the actuator of the main brake unit 230 is connected to an inlet flow path and an outlet flow path, but various embodiments are possible, such as having two outlet flow paths. The main brake unit 230 can be controlled by a first controller 310. Here, controlling a brake unit (such as a main brake unit) includes controlling the driving state of a valve 330 included in the brake unit or installed in a hydraulic circuit 610 connected to the brake unit. For example, the solenoid valve 330, which closes or opens when the controller applies current, can be used to control the flow direction of the hydraulic fluid included in the brake unit or the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic line.

[0027] The auxiliary brake unit 240 includes an auxiliary brake motor 241 mounted on one surface of the pump housing 220. The auxiliary brake motor 241 of the present disclosure can be mounted on one surface of the pump housing 220 together with the main brake motor 231. Conventional vehicles include a housing in which the auxiliary brake motor 241 is mounted, in addition to the housing in which the main brake motor 231 is mounted, with the housings on both sides connected by multiple hydraulic lines. In contrast, the auxiliary brake motor 241 of the present disclosure is mounted on one side of the pump housing 220 together with the main brake motor 231, thereby reducing the size of the redundant brake. Furthermore, by mounting the auxiliary brake unit 240 and the main brake unit 230 adjacent to each other, there is the advantage of rapid transfer of hydraulic fluid between the auxiliary brake unit 240 and the main brake unit. The auxiliary brake unit 240 is configured to supply hydraulic pressure to at least one wheel brake 520 via the hydraulic circuit 610, enabling braking of the vehicle in the event of a failure of the main brake unit 230. However, in the present disclosure, the main brake unit 230 and the auxiliary brake unit 240 are expressions that distinguish the respective brake units that can independently perform vehicle braking, and the present invention is not limited to an embodiment in which the auxiliary brake unit 240 performs only an auxiliary role of the main brake unit 230. The auxiliary brake unit 240 of the present disclosure may be configured to perform the same or corresponding functions as the main brake unit 230. The auxiliary brake unit 240 may be controlled by a first controller 310 and a second controller 320 described below.

[0028] refer to Figure 5 , a brake apparatus for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a master cylinder 510 having a chamber 511 in which hydraulic pressure is formed or generated.

[0029] The master cylinder 510 may include a pressurizer 260 configured to build up hydraulic pressure in the chamber 511. For example, it may include a pedal rod 261 configured to pressurize the chamber 511 by the driver's pedal stroke. Here, in addition to a configuration in which the pedal rod 261 connected to the pedal pressurizes the piston inside the chamber 511 by the driver's pedal stroke, the pedal stroke also includes a configuration in which the driver's pedal stroke generates an electrical signal to move the pressurizer 260. The pressurizer 260 may be a spindle configured to move the piston installed inside the master cylinder 510.

[0030] refer to Figures 2 to 5According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the auxiliary brake unit 240 is at least partially disposed in the axially forward portion of the master cylinder 510. Here, the axially forward portion refers to the direction in which the piston of the master cylinder 510 pressurizes the fluid in the chamber 511. Specifically, the auxiliary brake motor 241 can be mounted on a surface of the pump housing 220 in the axially forward portion of the master cylinder 510. Doing so has the advantage of reducing the volume of the vehicle's braking device in which redundant functions are implemented. Furthermore, since the auxiliary brake unit 240 is disposed close to the master cylinder 510, the transfer time of the hydraulic fluid from the master cylinder 510 to the auxiliary brake unit 240 is reduced. When the master cylinder 510 is disposed adjacent to the reservoir 210, the auxiliary brake unit 240 disposed in front of the master cylinder 510 also contacts the reservoir 210, thereby reducing the transfer time of the hydraulic fluid from the reservoir 210.

[0031] refer to Figure 5 , the master cylinder 510 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is a single-chamber master cylinder 510. That is, in a master cylinder having two chambers, one chamber is replaced with the auxiliary brake unit 240. By using a single-chamber master cylinder 510 instead of a long master cylinder having multiple chambers, the weight of the entire braking device can be reduced, and the installation position of the auxiliary brake unit 240 at the axial front of the master cylinder 510 can be ensured. In addition, by reducing the length of the suction path for sucking hydraulic fluid from the master cylinder 510, the braking response performance of the auxiliary brake unit 240 can be improved. Reducing the internal chamber volume of the master cylinder 510 may reduce the working fluid flow rate, but the motor of the auxiliary brake unit 240 can operate to offset it, thereby maintaining the decompression and decompression performance of the braking device.

[0032] refer to Figures 2 to 5 According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the main brake unit 230 is at least partially disposed in a position perpendicular to the axial direction of the master cylinder 510. For example, the main brake motor 231 may be mounted on one surface of the pump housing 220 in a position perpendicular to the axial direction of the master cylinder 510. Therefore, the main brake unit 230 can be disposed in a position that does not overlap with the mounting position of the auxiliary brake unit 240, thereby achieving a redundant braking function.

[0033] The master cylinder 510 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a pressurizer 260 configured to form hydraulic pressure in a chamber 511 .

[0034] refer to Figures 2 to 4, the longitudinal direction of the pressurizer 260 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is parallel to the length of the reservoir 210. In addition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the rotation axis of the auxiliary brake motor 241 and / or the main brake motor 231 is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the reservoir 210. By using a layout in which the corresponding components are arranged in parallel or perpendicularly, it becomes easier to reduce the volume of the entire brake device and ensure the installation position of the brake device.

[0035] refer to Figure 6 According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first controller 310 controls the main brake unit 230. Here, the control of the main brake unit 230 includes controlling the driving state of the valve 330, which is included in the brake unit or installed in the hydraulic circuit 610 connected to the brake unit. The present disclosure is not limited to the first controller 310 controlling only the main brake unit 230. The first controller 310 can be configured to control both the main brake unit 230 and the auxiliary brake unit 240.

[0036] The second controller 320 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure controls the auxiliary brake unit 240 independently of the first controller 310. Alternatively, the second controller 320 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may control the main brake unit 230 and the auxiliary brake unit 240 independently of the first controller 310. By controlling the main brake unit 230 and the auxiliary brake unit 240 using separate controllers, the braking device can be controlled so that even if one controller fails, the remaining controllers properly perform the braking function of the vehicle.

[0037] For example, a description will be given of a case where the first controller 310 controls the main brake unit 230 and the second controller 320 controls the auxiliary brake unit 240 independently of the first controller 310. When the first controller 310 fails, the second controller 320 can operate to control the auxiliary brake unit 240 so that it brakes the vehicle. Conversely, if the second controller 320 fails, the main brake unit 230 controlled by the first controller 310 can operate to brake the vehicle.

[0038] If the first controller 310 or the second controller 320 fails, the failed controller may send a signal to the healthy controller indicating that a problem has occurred. The healthy controller may receive a signal from the controller indicating that a problem has occurred.

[0039] The controller may be formed as a printed circuit board on which electronic components are printed for controlling the rotation of the motor and the opening / closing of the solenoid valve 330 .

[0040] In a vehicle brake system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a main brake motor 231 and an auxiliary brake motor 241 are disposed on one side of a pump housing 220, and a first controller 310 and a second controller 320 are disposed on the other side of the pump housing 220. This allows each controller to control, for example, a solenoid valve 330 disposed on the other side of the pump housing 220, while reducing the overall size of the brake system. For example, the first controller 310 and the second controller 320 may be formed from a printed circuit board disposed on the other side of the pump housing 220 of the present disclosure, which may be mounted parallel to the other surface of the pump housing 220, and the controller housing 340 may be configured to accommodate the circuit board and a portion of the valve 330.

[0041] A first power source (not shown) supplies current to the first controller 310. The current supplied by the first power source causes the first controller 310 to open and close the solenoid valve 330.

[0042] A second power supply (not shown) supplies another current to the second controller 320 independently of the first power supply. Using the current supplied by the second power supply, the second controller 320 opens and closes the solenoid valve 330. Furthermore, the second power supply supplies current to the second controller 320 independently of the first power supply, so that even if a fault occurs in the first power supply, current is supplied to the first controller 320 from the second power supply, and the auxiliary brake unit 240 or the main brake unit 230 is controlled by the second controller 320. Alternatively, even if a fault occurs in the second power supply, current may be supplied to the first controller 310 from the first power supply, and the main brake unit 230 alone, or both the main brake unit 230 and the auxiliary brake unit 240, may be controlled by the second controller 310.

[0043] refer to Figure 6A braking system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a main brake actuator 660 that generates hydraulic pressure in the main brake unit 230 and a first hydraulic circuit 611 that connects the main brake actuator 660 to the wheel brakes 520. The auxiliary brake unit 240 includes an auxiliary brake actuator 670 that generates hydraulic pressure in the auxiliary brake unit 240 and a second hydraulic circuit 612 that connects the auxiliary brake actuator 670 to the first hydraulic circuit 611. The hydraulic pressure generated by the actuator of the auxiliary brake unit 240 is applied to the cylinders of the wheel brakes 520 via the second hydraulic circuit 612. The braking system for a vehicle also includes a third hydraulic circuit 613 that connects the main brake actuator 660 to the reservoir 210, and a fourth hydraulic circuit 614 that connects the auxiliary brake actuator 670 to the reservoir 210. The braking system for a vehicle also includes a fifth hydraulic circuit 615 that connects the chamber 511 of the master cylinder 510 to the first hydraulic circuit 611. In an emergency situation in which both the auxiliary brake unit 240 and the main brake unit 230 are not operated, the vehicle may be braked by hydraulic pressure formed in the chamber 511 of the master cylinder 510 by pushing the pedal rod 261 or the like through the fifth hydraulic circuit 615 .

[0044] The vehicle brake system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has the following advantages: by installing the main brake unit 230 and the auxiliary brake unit 240 in a single pump housing 220, the configuration of the brake system in which the redundant braking function is implemented is simplified and the weight of the brake system is reduced. In addition, there is an advantage that the braking response performance does not deteriorate when the redundant braking function is implemented.

[0045] The above description is merely illustrative of the teachings of this embodiment, and those skilled in the art may make various modifications and changes without departing from the basic characteristics of the embodiment. Therefore, this embodiment is not intended to limit the technical ideas of this embodiment, but is intended to describe, and the scope of the technical ideas of this embodiment is not limited by such embodiments. The scope of protection of this embodiment should be interpreted by the appended claims, and all technical ideas that fall within the scope of equivalents should be interpreted as included within the scope of this embodiment.

Claims

1. A braking device for a vehicle, comprising: a reservoir configured to store brake oil; a pump housing configured to support the reservoir; a hydraulic circuit disposed within the pump housing and connected to wheel brakes of the vehicle; a main brake unit including a main brake motor disposed on a first side of the pump housing and configured to supply a first hydraulic pressure to the wheel brakes via the hydraulic circuit; an auxiliary brake unit including an auxiliary brake motor provided on the first side of the pump housing and configured to supply a second hydraulic pressure to the wheel brake via the hydraulic circuit, and A master cylinder, wherein the auxiliary brake unit is at least partially arranged in an axial front portion of the master cylinder, wherein, in the master cylinder having two chambers, one chamber is replaced by the auxiliary brake unit.

2. The brake device according to claim 1, wherein The master cylinder has a chamber where a third hydraulic pressure is generated.

3. The brake device according to claim 1, wherein The master cylinder has a chamber at which a third hydraulic pressure is generated, wherein the main brake unit is at least partially provided at a position perpendicular to an axial direction of the master cylinder.

4. The brake device according to claim 1, wherein The rotation axis of the auxiliary brake motor is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the reservoir.

5. The brake device according to claim 1, wherein The rotation axis of the main brake motor is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the reservoir.

6. The brake device according to claim 1, further comprising a master cylinder having a chamber, the third hydraulic pressure being generated at the chamber, wherein: The master cylinder includes a pressurizer configured to generate the third hydraulic pressure in the chamber, and The longitudinal direction of the pressurizer is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the reservoir.

7. The brake device according to claim 2, wherein: The master cylinder includes a single-chamber master cylinder.

8. The brake device according to claim 1, further comprising: a first controller configured to control the main brake unit; as well as A second controller is configured to control the auxiliary brake unit independently of the first controller.

9. The brake device according to claim 1, further comprising: a first controller configured to control the main brake unit and the auxiliary brake unit; as well as A second controller is configured to control the main brake unit and the auxiliary brake unit independently of the first controller.

10. The brake device according to claim 1, further comprising: a first controller configured to control the main brake unit and the auxiliary brake unit; as well as a second controller configured to control the auxiliary brake unit, The main brake motor and the auxiliary brake motor are arranged on a first side of the pump housing, and the first controller and the second controller are arranged on an opposite side of the first side.

11. The brake device according to claim 8, further comprising: a first power supply configured to provide a first current to the first controller; as well as A second power supply is configured to provide a second current to the second controller independently of the first power supply.

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