Hydraulic mechanical brake power equipment

Abstract

A hydromechanical brake power plant includes a reservoir containing hydraulic fluid. A power transmission unit selectively provides at least one of a negative pressure and a positive pressure to the hydraulic fluid to produce a pressurized hydraulic fluid. A caliper piston includes a piston cavity configured to selectively contain hydraulic fluid and at least a portion of the power transmission unit. The piston chamber is in selective communication with the reservoir via a reservoir passage. A power housing accommodates at least a portion of each of the reservoir, the power transmission unit, and the caliper piston therein to maintain a closed loop system for hydraulic fluid. The power housing defines a piston bore. The caliper piston selectively reciprocates longitudinally relative to the piston bore under the influence of pressurized hydraulic fluid from the power transmission unit. The reservoir, the power transmission unit, and the caliper piston are co-located proximate corresponding brake pads.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to apparatus and methods for providing a hydro-mechanical brake power device to a vehicle, and more particularly, to methods and apparatus for providing a hydro-mechanical brake power device proximate to corresponding brake pads of a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Conventional service brake systems for vehicles are typically hydraulic fluid based systems that are actuated by the driver depressing a brake pedal that typically actuates a master cylinder. In turn, the master cylinder pressurizes hydraulic fluid in a series of hydraulic fluid lines that are routed to corresponding actuators at brakes located adjacent to each wheel of the vehicle. Such hydraulic braking may be supplemented by a hydraulic regulator assembly that facilitates anti-lock braking, traction control, and vehicle stability enhancement features. The wheel brakes may be primarily operated by the master cylinder, with supplemental actuation pressure gradients provided by the hydraulic regulator assembly during anti-lock, traction control, and stability enhancement modes of operation.

[0003] Newer brake designs may include brake assemblies that feature an electromechanical parking brake as part of the actuator. With such a feature, the driver can electrically actuate the brake to the parking brake mode by simply pressing a button. In addition, recent brake system designs may not have any hydraulic devices. Such systems are generally referred to as brake-by-wire (BBW) systems, which electrically actuate the brakes during driving and parking brake operating modes. However, in these BBW systems, the actuating electric motors are generally heavier and more expensive than the electric motors required to produce similar braking forces in an electrically pressurized hydraulic brake system (in order to produce the desired braking force). In addition, the weight of the BBW electric motor increases the unsprung mass of the vehicle, which is undesirable in many use applications. Summary of the invention

[0004] In one aspect, a hydraulic brake power device is disclosed. A reservoir contains a hydraulic fluid. A power transfer unit selectively provides at least one of a negative pressure and a positive pressure to the hydraulic fluid to produce a pressurized hydraulic fluid. A caliper piston includes a piston chamber configured to selectively contain the hydraulic fluid and at least a portion of the power transfer unit. The piston chamber is selectively connected to the reservoir via a reservoir channel. A power housing contains at least a portion of each of the reservoir, the power transfer unit, and the caliper piston to maintain a closed-loop system for the hydraulic fluid. The power housing defines a piston bore. The caliper piston selectively reciprocates longitudinally relative to the piston bore under the influence of the pressurized hydraulic fluid from the power transfer unit. The reservoir, power transfer unit, and caliper piston are co-located proximate to corresponding brake pads. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] For a better understanding, please refer to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0006] Figure 1 is a schematic hydraulic diagram of a hydromechanical brake power device in a first example arrangement according to an aspect of the present invention;

[0007] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of a hydraulic mechanical brake power device;

[0008] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A schematic hydraulic diagram of a hydromechanical brake power device in a second example arrangement;

[0009] Figure 4 The third example arrangement includes Figure 1 A schematic hydraulic diagram of a hydraulic mechanical brake device of a hydraulic mechanical brake power device;

[0010] Figure 5 The fourth example arrangement includes Figure 1 A schematic hydraulic diagram of a hydraulic mechanical brake device of a hydraulic mechanical brake power device;

[0011] Figure 6 is a schematic hydraulic diagram of a first example brake system including at least one hydro-mechanical brake device including Figure 1 Hydro-mechanical brake power equipment; and

[0012] Figure 7 Yes Figure 1 Schematic hydraulic diagram of a second example brake system of at least one hydromechanical brake device of a hydromechanical brake power apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0014] The present invention includes, consists of, or consists essentially of any combination of the following features.

[0015] Figure 1A hydraulic mechanical brake power device 100 according to an aspect of the present invention is depicted in a first configuration. The hydraulic brake power device 100 includes a reservoir 102 containing hydraulic fluid. The reservoir 102 may at least partially surround a volume compensator 104 of any desired type having a contracted state and an expanded state (schematically represented in the figures as being implemented via an accordion-type folding structure). When present, the volume compensator 104 may move between the contracted state and the expanded state in response to the amount of hydraulic fluid in the reservoir 102 so as to "fill" the space in the reservoir 102 vacated by hydraulic fluid routed from the reservoir 102 to other parts of the hydraulic mechanical brake power device 100. Via a filter 106, air from the surrounding space may be drawn into the volume compensator 104 and pushed out of the volume compensator 104 as needed. For example, during operation of the hydraulic mechanical brake power device 100, the volume compensator 104 may produce very small increments of movement between the contracted state and the expanded state under the influence of transient negative or positive pressure gradients formed within the reservoir. As another example, the volume compensator 104 may expand in a more permanent manner to facilitate movement and displacement of other portions of the hydromechanical brake power device 100 (eg, caliper pistons) due to effects such as brake pad wear.

[0016] A power transfer unit ("PTU") 108 selectively provides at least one of negative pressure and positive pressure to the hydraulic fluid to produce pressurized hydraulic fluid. The caliper piston 110 includes a piston cavity 112 configured to selectively receive hydraulic fluid and at least a portion of the PTU 108, as described in more detail below. The piston cavity 112 is selectively in fluid communication with the reservoir 102 via a reservoir passage 114. The power housing ( Figure 1 At least a portion of each of the reservoir 102, the PTU 108, and the caliper piston 110 is contained in a hydraulic fluid reservoir (schematically shown at 116) to maintain a closed loop system of hydraulic fluid.

[0017] The power housing 116 defines a piston bore 118. For example, in some use environments, the piston bore 118 may be machined into the power housing 116 from a rotor-facing surface of the power housing 116. The caliper piston 110 selectively reciprocates longitudinally relative to the piston bore 118 under the influence of pressurized hydraulic fluid from the PTU 108 to perform brake application and release processes as the brake pads are moved by the action of the caliper piston 110. As used herein, the "longitudinal" direction is substantially parallel to the piston bore 118 and is determined by Figure 1 The arrow “Lo” in FIG.

[0018] The reservoir 102, PTU 108 and caliper piston 110 are close to the corresponding brake pads ( Figure 1The hydraulic mechanical brake power device 100 is co-located with a wheel (schematically shown as 120) and selectively contacts directly or indirectly therewith to achieve the desired braking action. That is, the hydraulic mechanical brake power device 100 combines the advantages of the robust and energy-efficient operation of a hydraulic brake system with the convenience and size advantages of an electric brake motor. Compared to certain prior art alternatives, a user can adjust the unsprung mass of a vehicle by using the hydraulic mechanical brake power device 100, and the hydraulic mechanical brake power device 100 can also include smaller / lighter and / or cheaper components than those known in the prior art, such as but not limited to sensors and force transmission components. The hydraulic mechanical brake power device 100 can be provided to vehicle manufacturers as a closed, ready-to-install unit so that no hydraulic fluid needs to be supplied or filled during vehicle assembly; instead, the assembled hydraulic mechanical brake power device 100 can be simply and neatly installed adjacent to the wheel as part of a brake caliper and electrically connected to the vehicle. The overall nature of the hydraulic mechanical brake power device 100 will be described below with reference to at least Figures 5 to 7 Further discussion.

[0019] Now refer to Figure 1 to Figure 2 , the PTU 108 of the hydraulic mechanical brake power device 100 includes a plunger 122 that is configured to reciprocate longitudinally relative to the piston chamber 112 to selectively reciprocate the caliper piston 110 via pressurization of the hydraulic fluid located in the piston chamber 112. Figure 1 Schematically shown as a single piece, it is envisioned that a multi-part plunger 122 may be provided, such as Figure 2 The plunger 122 is shown in FIG.

[0020] As shown here, the plunger 122 may include a plunger passage 124 that is configured to selectively fluidly communicate with the reservoir passage 114 to facilitate the desired opening and closing of the fluid path between the piston cavity 112 and the reservoir 102. To this end, a plurality of annular plunger seals 126 may be provided to surround the plunger 122, such as by being maintained in corresponding plunger seal grooves on the outer surface of the plunger 122 and / or the inner surface of the piston bore 118. In this way, an annular space is provided around the circumference of the plunger 122 such that the piston cavity 112 is in fluid communication with the reservoir passage 114 when the plunger passage 124 is longitudinally located between the plunger seals 126 during the reciprocating longitudinal travel of the plunger 122. Fluid communication between the piston chamber 112 and the reservoir passage 114 may be desirable, for example, to enable the hydromechanical brake power device 100 system to automatically draw hydraulic fluid from the reservoir 102 to maintain a desired clearance between the brake rotor 156 and the brake pad 120, even after some wear of the brake pad 120 occurs during the useful life of the electromechanical brake power device 100. (When the brake pad 120 is replaced with a new, thicker brake pad [not shown], the hydromechanical brake power device 100 may be controlled to “reset” and return a portion of the hydraulic fluid from the piston chamber 112 through the reservoir passage 114 to the reservoir 102.)

[0021] The PTU 108 also includes a spindle 128 at least partially disposed within the piston bore 118, the spindle 128 being rotated to selectively reciprocate the plunger 122, thereby pressurizing the hydraulic fluid within the piston chamber 112 and responsively urging the caliper piston 110 (and the connected brake pad 120) toward (under increased pressurization) or away from (under decreased pressurization) the brake rotor 156 and, accordingly, applying or releasing braking force. The spindle 128 extends substantially longitudinally within at least a portion of the piston bore 118 and is oriented about a longitudinally oriented spindle axis ( Figure 1 As shown in the drawings, at least a portion of the spindle 128 can be completely surrounded laterally by the piston bore 118.

[0022] The spindle 128 may be mounted within the power housing 116 via a bearing 130, or maintained in a rotatable state in any desired manner. Figure 2As shown, at least one anti-rotation track 132 may extend parallel to the spindle 128 to prevent rotational movement of the plunger 122 about the spindle 128 during reciprocating movement of the plunger 122 (e.g., by preventing rotational movement of a ball nut connected to the plunger 122). At least one Belleville washer or disc spring 134 may be provided to a portion of the plunger 122 spaced from the spindle 128. When the piston bore 118 includes a "shoulder" proximate the piston cavity 112, the disc spring 134 may selectively contact or abut the shoulder to cushion the "bottoming out" movement of the plunger 122 relative to the piston cavity 112, the bearing 130, or any other structure of the hydraulic mechanical brake power device 100.

[0023] The PTU 108 may also include a motor 136 for selectively driving the spindle 128 to perform rotational motion to cause the plunger 122 to perform the described longitudinal reciprocating motion relative to the piston chamber 112. The motor 136 can be any desired type of electric motor 136. The sensor "S" indicates the state, position (including rotational position), drive direction, drive amount or other characteristics of the electric motor 136 to a wider system including the hydraulic mechanical brake power device 100. Information from the sensor "S" can be used to control the motor 136 and / or calculate the position of the plunger 122.

[0024] Although it is contemplated that the motor 136 may directly drive the rotation of the spindle 128, the figures depict the motor 136 as applying rotation about a longitudinal motor axis ("MA") spaced laterally from the longitudinal spindle axis SA of the spindle. Figure 1 The term "lateral" is used herein to refer to a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and is defined by Figure 1 136 to the spindle 128. The PTU 108 is shown by the arrow labeled "La" in FIG. 13. This "side drive" physical arrangement of the PTU 108 may be provided, for example, for reasons of space conservation, user accessibility, cost, device footprint, or any other desired reason. To transfer rotational motion from the motor 136 to the spindle 128, the PTU 108 includes a PTU power transmission (schematically shown at 138) that drivingly couples the motor 136 to the spindle 128.

[0025] The PTU power transmission 138 may be of any desired type and may be provided by a person skilled in the art for a specific use environment of the hydraulic mechanical brake power device 100. For example, the PTU power transmission 138 may be at least one selected from a gear train (e.g., a gear drive device with an idler gear) and a belt drive mechanism.

[0026] Especially Figure 2As shown, the power housing 116 may be a two-piece power housing, wherein a first power housing piece 116A at least partially surrounds the PTU 108. Figure 2 In the arrangement of the first power housing member 116A at least partially surrounds the plunger 122 and / or the spindle 128. The second power housing member 116B can then define a majority of the piston bore 118, wherein the caliper piston 110 is spaced apart from the first power housing member 116A, such as at least partially longitudinally spaced apart. In some configurations of the hydromechanical brake power device 100, the motor 136 can be secured to an outer surface of the two-piece power housing 116 including 116A and 116B. This is Figure 2 Arrangement shown.

[0027] Again Figure 2 As shown, the hydraulic mechanical brake power device 100 may include a drain port 140 in fluid communication with the piston chamber 112. When present, the drain port 140 is selectively operable to allow fluid communication between the piston chamber 112 and the surrounding space outside the hydraulic mechanical brake power device 100. In some use environments, the drain port 140 will only be used during the manufacture of the hydraulic mechanical brake power device 100, during the initial evacuation and filling operations, and then sealed in any desired manner, and will not be opened again during the service life of the hydraulic mechanical brake power device 100. Therefore, when present, the drain port 140 helps to maintain the hydraulic mechanical brake power device 100 as a closed system, provided with all the hydraulic fluid required for the life of the device 100 at the time of manufacture.

[0028] The pressure sensor 142 can be configured to be fluidly connected to the piston bore 118 for sensing the pressure of the hydraulic fluid therein and responsively generating a pressure signal which can be used for any desired purpose during operation of the hydraulic mechanical brake power device, such as, but not limited to, determining the drive direction and amount required by the motor 136 to rotate the spindle 128.

[0029] The caliper piston 110 may include (eg Figure 2 The piston face 144 (not shown) is disposed opposite the piston edge 146, wherein the piston edge 146 is laterally adjacent to the piston cavity 112. This type of caliper piston 110 is referred to as a "cup" piston, wherein the piston cavity 112 is defined within the "interior" of the "cup". Figure 2 In the configuration of , pressurized hydraulic fluid selectively applies force to the piston edge 146 to selectively reciprocate the caliper piston 110. Figure 2However, according to the needs and configuration of ordinary technicians in this field, the pressurized hydraulic fluid can also or alternatively apply force to a portion of the piston cavity 112 located "deeper" in the "cup" and spaced from the piston edge 146 for a specific use environment.

[0030] As schematically shown in the drawings, the piston cavity 112 may be at least partially located within the piston bore 118. Here, during most stages of operation of the hydromechanical brake power device 100, the piston cavity 112 is largely located transversely within the piston bore 118. Under the influence of the pressurized fluid generated by the PTU 108 (e.g., through the movement of the plunger 122 driven by the spindle 128), the caliper piston 110 reciprocates longitudinally within the piston bore 118 of the power housing 116 during use of the hydromechanical brake power device 100. The piston bore 118 is open to the surrounding space (e.g., longitudinally adjacent to the brake pad 120, such as Figure 1 14 (shown in the drawings) such that at least a portion of the caliper piston 110 (e.g., the piston face 144) protrudes longitudinally from the power housing 116 at a location spaced apart from the PTU 108. As a result, the hydromechanical brake power device 100 can be mounted adjacent to the brake pads 124 to selectively apply longitudinal force thereto in order to apply and release wheel brakes, as described below.

[0031] To facilitate contact (directly or indirectly) between the brake pad 120 and the piston face 144 of the caliper piston 110 while substantially preventing the pressurized hydraulic fluid from escaping from the closed hydromechanical brake power device 100 system, at least one of the inner wall of the piston bore 118 and the outer surface of the caliper piston 110 may include an annular groove 148 that is in fluid communication with the interior space of the piston bore 118 and circumferentially surrounds the caliper piston 110. A caliper piston seal 150 of any desired type may be at least partially retained within the annular groove 148 for contacting the inner wall of the piston bore 118 and the outer surface of the caliper piston 110 simultaneously to prevent hydraulic fluid from flowing out of the piston chamber 112 or any other portion of the hydromechanical brake power device 100, through the caliper piston 110, and out of the piston bore 118 during reciprocating motion of the caliper piston 110 relative to the piston bore 118.

[0032] Now turn to Figure 3, it can be seen that the second caliper piston 110' is provided to the hydromechanical brake power device 100, wherein at least a portion of the second piston bore 118' is defined by the power housing 116, however, there is no plunger 122 in the second piston bore 118'. Instead, the second piston bore 118' is at least partially pressurized via the movement of pressurized hydraulic fluid from the piston chamber 112 through the transfer passage 152. A normally open solenoid valve 154 is hydraulically interposed between the second piston bore 118' and the reservoir 102 to help manage Figure 3 The configuration of the hydraulic mechanical brake power device 100 shown in FIG. 1 shows the routing of the pressurized hydraulic fluid between the two caliper pistons 110 , 110 ′. In fact, Figure 3 The portion of the reservoir passage 114 in the embodiment leading from the reservoir 102 to the piston bore 118 (including at least a portion of the PTU 108) is optional (eg, Figure 3 ), can be obtained from Figure 3 This is completely omitted in the illustrated configuration of the hydromechanical brake power device 100 , in which hydraulic fluid is routed directly from the reservoir 102 to the (first) piston bore 118 through the normally open solenoid valve 154 and the second piston bore 118 ′.

[0033] exist Figure 3 In the illustrated configuration of the hydromechanical brake power device 100, two caliper pistons 110, 110' reciprocate longitudinally relative to a single brake pad 120 in a coordinated or "parallel" manner. As a result, Figure 3 The configuration provides a balanced braking force cooperatively applied by both caliper pistons 110 , 110 ′ to the brake pad 120 , which may be desirable for certain usage environments of the hydromechanical brake power device 100 .

[0034] Summarize Figure 3 The hydraulic mechanical brake power device 100 is arranged, the caliper piston 110 is a first caliper piston 110 and the piston bore 118 is a first piston bore 118. The hydraulic mechanical brake power device 100 includes a second piston bore 118' at least partially defined by a power housing 116. The second piston bore 118' is laterally spaced apart from the first piston bore 118. The second caliper piston 110' is configured to selectively reciprocate longitudinally relative to the second piston bore 118' under the influence of pressurized hydraulic fluid from the PTU 108. The first pad side of the brake pad 120 is selectively in contact with both the first caliper piston 110 and the second caliper piston 110'. The reciprocating longitudinal movement of the first caliper piston 110 and the second caliper piston 110' selectively places the second side of the brake pad 120 in contact with the brake rotor 156 to provide braking action thereto.

[0035] It should be noted that at least Figures 5 to 7The hydromechanical brake power device 100 shown in FIG. 1 schematically depicts the caliper piston 110 and the brake pad 120 as a single "C" shaped structure that is prepared to be selectively clamped onto the edge of the brake rotor 156. Those skilled in the art will understand that this representation is provided for ease of description and does not represent the actual spacing of the caliper piston 110 and the piston bore 118. Instead, these arrangements described in this manner will instead appear more similar to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The structure in the embodiment can be easily provided by a person skilled in the art for application for a specific purpose according to the teaching and disclosure of this article.

[0036] In fact, Figures 3 to 5 The hydraulic mechanical brake power devices 100 are all shown to include at least one normally open solenoid valve 154 fluidly interposed between the reservoir 102 and the piston chamber 112. When present, the solenoid valve 154 is operable to selectively prevent the flow of hydraulic fluid between the reservoir 102 and the piston chamber 112. For example, the solenoid valve 154 can remain energized (i.e., closed) during a braking function to "block" the reservoir 102 from the pressurized hydraulic fluid formed by the plunger 122 in the piston bore 118. Therefore, the presence of the normally open solenoid valve 154 can facilitate the use of a shorter plunger 122 and spindle 128 in the hydraulic mechanical brake power device 100 than would otherwise be used, which can result in savings in cost, weight, and volume of the entire hydraulic mechanical brake power device 100. If there is a power loss fault, the normally open solenoid valve 154 (when present) can also allow pressure equalization between the piston bore 118 and the reservoir 102, and thus the hydromechanical brake power device 100 will not be undesirably backdriven and / or tilted in such a power loss fault condition, thereby introducing unnecessary friction loads to the system. In addition, when present, the solenoid valve 154 can provide a "zero drag" function similar to that provided by the plunger passage 124, which is provided from Figures 3 to 5 The plunger 122 is omitted. A person skilled in the art can easily provide any desired number, type and configuration of valves, including but not limited to at least one normally open solenoid valve 154, for a specific use environment of the hydraulic mechanical brake power device 100.

[0037] Figure 4 The hydraulic mechanical brake power device 100 is similar to the previously described Figures 1 to 3Those described differ in at least that the reservoir 102 does not include the volume compensator 104 and is shipped "dry" to the vehicle assembler for evacuation and filling of bleed air during assembly onto the vehicle. Instead, one of ordinary skill in the art may use the level sensor 158 and the inlet port 160 of the reservoir 102 to monitor and / or manually change the amount of hydraulic fluid held within the reservoir 102 at various stages of operation during the life of the hydromechanical brake power device 100. The optional pressure sensor 142 and the second reservoir passage 114' entering the piston bore 118 at a location spaced apart from where the reservoir passage 114 meets the piston bore 118 may also help the user achieve the desired hydraulic fluid routing for a particular use application.

[0038] Then, Figure 5 A version of a hydromechanical brake power device 100 is schematically shown that includes both a closed reservoir 102 with a volume compensator 104, and a normally open solenoid valve 154 and a pressure sensor 142 for routing hydraulic fluid between the piston bore 118 and the reservoir 102 in a desired manner. (For example, the features of the solenoid valve 154 mentioned above will continue to apply as a Figure 5 A solenoid valve is shown as a portion of a hydraulic mechanical brake power device 100. ) Figure 5 The hydromechanical brake power device 100 is schematically depicted as enclosed within a dashed line “HMB” to emphasize its unitary nature, provided as a single component for assembly into a wider vehicle.

[0039] Now refer to Figure 6 , the relevant braking portion of the vehicle is schematically shown at 162. Figure 6 In the illustrated vehicle 162, the front brakes "RF" and "LF" each include a hydromechanical brake power device 100 proximate to the corresponding brake pad 120. In other words, the hydromechanical brake power device 100 is mounted directly adjacent to the corresponding right front or left front brake, such as Figure 6 Marked in. Figure 6 to Figure 7 The hydraulic mechanical brake power device 100 schematically shown in FIG. Figure 1 to Figure 2 However, it is contemplated that any suitable hydraulic mechanical brake power device 100 according to the present invention may be employed in any desired use environment under the principles and concepts disclosed herein, whether or not explicitly included in the drawings and text of the present application.

[0040] Once again as through Figure 6 to Figure 7As indicated by the dashed line HMB in FIG. 1 , the hydraulic mechanical brake device 164 includes any desired hydraulic mechanical brake power device 100, a brake rotor 156, and a brake pad 120 having a first pad side adjacent to and selectively contacted by the caliper piston 110. The reciprocating longitudinal movement of the caliper piston 110 selectively places a second side of the brake pad 120 longitudinally opposite the first side of the brake pad 120 in contact with the brake rotor 156 to provide braking action thereto. The caliper housing (at Figure 6 to Figure 7 The hydraulic mechanical brake power device 100 is schematically shown at 166 in the figure and at least partially surrounds the caliper piston 110, the brake pad 120 and the brake rotor 156 to maintain the brake pad 120 and the brake rotor 156 in a desired position relative to the corresponding wheel to be braked. As previously described, the hydraulic mechanical brake power device 100 is positioned adjacent to the wheel (at Figure 6 to Figure 7 168), therefore, the benefits of hydraulic braking can be achieved simultaneously using only wires extending from the control / central vehicle area to the wheel area - the user / designer does not need to accommodate and maintain hydraulic lines extending from the central vehicle area to the individual wheel brakes.

[0041] exist Figure 6 In the vehicle 162, the left and right rear brakes each include a brake pad 120 and a brake rotor 156, but these rear brakes are purely electrically actuated via independent motors 170 (omitting all hydraulic fluid). Figure 6 The rear brakes shown may be service brakes and / or parking brakes; a particular vehicle may have legal requirements and / or design conventions that restrict the use of hydraulically actuated parking brakes on certain wheels, making independent motors 170 useful on those wheels.

[0042] Similarly, in Figure 7 The vehicle 162 is depicted with both the left and right rear wheels 168 having a hydraulic mechanical brake arrangement 164 similar to Figure 7 The left and right front wheels 168 in the vehicle 162 of FIG. However, the left and right rear wheels each also include an independent motor 170 (which can be a low-power motor) for supplementing or replacing the hydraulic-mechanical brake power device 100 of these wheels in at least one of the normal fail-safe braking mode and the backup braking mode. A person of ordinary skill in the art can easily provide the appropriate number and type of electric and / or hydraulic-mechanically driven brakes for a specific use environment.

[0043] like Figure 6 to Figure 7As depicted, the vehicle 162 may include at least one wheel 168 and at least one hydro-mechanical brake device 164, each hydro-mechanical brake device 164 being operatively associated with and co-located proximate to the corresponding wheel 168. An electronic control unit 172 may be provided to the vehicle 162 and configured to control operation of at least one of the PTU 108 of the at least one hydro-mechanical brake device 164 and any electric independent motors 170 located on the same or different wheel as the at least one hydro-mechanical brake device 164. Although in Figure 6 to Figure 7 One electronic control unit 172 is schematically shown as controlling the operation of all four wheel brakes in these figures, but it is contemplated that a second electronic control unit, not shown, may be provided for redundancy, ease of control, or any other reason. For example, when a second electronic control unit is provided, each electronic control unit may control the PTU 108 of one hydromechanical brake power unit 100 and one diagonally arranged independent motor 170 of any rear independent motors 170 provided. At least one electronic control unit 172 is operable to receive a signal from the sensor S, pressure sensor 142, level sensor 158, or any other indicator component and control the application of at least one wheel brake accordingly.

[0044] Also like Figure 6 to Figure 7 As shown, each vehicle 162 may include a deceleration signal transmitter 174 configured to generate a braking command signal in response to at least one of actuation by a vehicle operator and actuation by an autonomous vehicle controller (not shown). Figure 6 to Figure 7 As shown, the deceleration signal transmitter 174 may include a brake pedal that can be manipulated by the vehicle operator to indicate a desired braking command. The deceleration signal transmitter 174 then converts the desired braking command from the vehicle operator into a brake command signal that is sent to other components of the vehicle 162 in a wired or wireless manner for operating the brakes in a normal, non-fault braking mode. Alternatively, particularly when the vehicle 162 is at least partially autonomous, the autonomous vehicle controller may actuate the deceleration signal transmitter 174 or otherwise generate a suitable brake command signal in response to the desired application or release of one or more brakes in the autonomous braking mode. When present, the electronic control unit 172 controls at least one of the PTU 108, other components of the hydraulic mechanical brake device 164 (e.g., valves), any independent motor 170, or any other component of the vehicle 162 as needed in response to receiving the brake command signal, regardless of the source of the brake command signal.

[0045] It is contemplated that the brake system 100 may include any desired combination of hydraulic wheel brakes, electric wheel brakes, power transfer unit types, control schemes, and any other configuration desired by one of ordinary skill in the art for use with the hydromechanical brake power device 100. Although left, right, front, and rear brake nomenclature is used herein for ease of description, one of ordinary skill in the art may readily provide any desired type, number, or combination of brake types for any one or more wheels of a particular vehicle.

[0046] As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a", "an", "the" may also include plural forms. It should also be understood that the terms "include" and / or "comprise" when used herein may specify the presence of specified features, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components and / or groups thereof.

[0047] As used herein, the term "and / or" may include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0048] It should be understood that when an element is referred to as being "on another element", "attached" to another element, "connected" to another element, "coupled to another element", "contacting" another element, "adjacent to another element", etc., the element may be directly on another element, attached to another element, connected to another element, coupled to another element, contacting another element, or adjacent to another element, or there may be intermediate elements. In contrast, when an element is, for example, referred to as being "directly on another element", "directly attached" to another element, "directly connected" to another element, "directly coupled to another element", "directly contacting" another element, or "directly adjacent to" another element, there are no intermediate elements. One of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate that a structure or feature referred to as being "directly adjacent" to another feature may have a portion that overlaps or is located below the adjacent feature, while a structure or feature that is "adjacent" to another feature may not have a portion that overlaps or is located below the adjacent feature.

[0049] For ease of description, spatially relative terms such as "below", "beneath", "lower", "above", "upper", "proximal", "distal", etc. may be used herein to describe the relationship of one element or feature illustrated in the figures to another element or feature. It should be understood that in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures, spatially relative terms can cover different orientations of the device in use or operation. For example, if the device in the figure is turned over, the elements described as being "below" or "beneath" other elements or features will be oriented as being "above" the other elements or features.

[0050] As used herein, the phrase "at least one of X and Y" may be interpreted to include X, Y, or a combination of X and Y. For example, if an element is described as having at least one of X and Y, the element may include X, Y, or a combination of X and Y at a particular time, the selection of which may change over time. Conversely, the phrase "at least one of X" may be interpreted to include one or more Xs.

[0051] It should be understood that although the terms "first", "second", etc. can be used to describe various elements in this article, these elements should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. Therefore, without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure, the "first" element discussed below may also be referred to as the "second" element. Unless otherwise specifically noted, the operation (or step) sequence is not limited to the order presented in the claims or drawings.

[0052] Although various aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the above exemplary aspects, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional aspects may be envisioned. For example, the specific methods of using the apparatus described above are merely illustrative; those skilled in the art can easily determine any number of tools, sequence of steps, or other means / options for placing the apparatus or its components in a substantially similar position to the position shown and described herein. In order to maintain clarity in the drawings, some of the repeated components shown are not specifically numbered, but those skilled in the art will recognize the component numbers that should be associated with the unnumbered components based on the numbered components; the mere presence or absence of element numbers in the drawings does not mean or imply a distinction between similar components. Any of the structures and components described can be integrally formed as a single monolithic or integral piece, or composed of separate subcomponents, and any of these formations involve any suitable stock or custom components and / or any suitable material or combination of materials. Any of the structures and components described can be disposable or reusable, depending on the needs of the specific use environment. Any component may be provided with a user-perceptible mark to indicate the material, configuration, at least one dimension, etc. associated with the component, and the user-perceptible mark potentially helps the user select a component from a batch of similar components for a specific use environment. The "predetermined" state can be determined at any time before the structure being manipulated actually reaches the state, and the "predetermined" is performed at the latest before the structure reaches the predetermined state. The term "substantially" is used in this article to indicate that it is a specified quality to a large extent (but not necessarily all)-the "basic" quality admits that it is possible to contain some relatively few non-quality items. Although some components described herein are shown as having specific geometric shapes, all structures of the present disclosure can have any suitable shape, size, configuration, relative relationship, cross-sectional area, or any other physical characteristics desired for a specific application. Any structure or feature described with reference to one aspect or configuration can be provided to any other aspect or configuration alone or in combination with other structures or features, because it will be unrealistic to describe each aspect and configuration in the aspects and configurations discussed herein as having all the options discussed with reference to all other aspects and configurations. A device or method incorporating any of these features should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based on the appended claims and any equivalents thereof.

[0053] Other aspects, objects, and advantages can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

Claims

1. A hydraulic mechanical brake power device, the hydraulic mechanical brake power device comprising: a reservoir containing a hydraulic fluid; a power transfer unit for selectively providing at least one of negative pressure and positive pressure to the hydraulic fluid to produce a pressurized hydraulic fluid; a caliper piston including a piston chamber configured to selectively receive hydraulic fluid and at least a portion of the power transfer unit, the piston chamber selectively communicating with the reservoir via a reservoir passage; as well as a power housing in which at least a portion of each of the reservoir, the power transfer unit, and the caliper piston is housed to maintain a closed loop system for hydraulic fluid, the power housing defining a piston bore and the caliper piston selectively reciprocates longitudinally relative to the piston bore under the influence of pressurized hydraulic fluid from the power transfer unit; Wherein, the reservoir, the power transfer unit and the caliper piston are co-located close to the corresponding brake pad.

2. The hydraulic mechanical brake power device according to claim 1, wherein: The power transmission unit comprises: a plunger configured to reciprocate longitudinally relative to the piston chamber to selectively reciprocate the caliper piston via pressurization of a hydraulic fluid within the piston chamber; a spindle disposed at least partially within the piston bore, the spindle causing the plunger to selectively reciprocate; and A motor is used to selectively drive the spindle to perform rotational motion to cause the plunger to perform longitudinal reciprocating motion relative to the piston chamber.

3. The hydraulic mechanical brake power device according to claim 2, wherein: The motor is an electric motor.

4. The hydraulic mechanical brake power device according to claim 2, wherein: The motor imparts rotational motion about a longitudinal motor axis that is transversely spaced from a longitudinal spindle axis of the spindle, and wherein the power transfer unit includes a PTU power transfer drivingly coupling the motor to the spindle.

5. The hydraulic mechanical brake power device according to claim 2, wherein: At least a portion of the spindle is completely laterally surrounded by the piston bore.

6. The hydraulic mechanical brake power device according to claim 4, wherein: The PTU power transmission is one selected from a gear train and a belt drive mechanism.

7. The hydraulic mechanical brake power device of claim 1, comprising a drain port in fluid communication with the piston chamber, the drain port being selectively operable to allow fluid communication between the piston chamber and a surrounding space.

8. The hydraulic mechanical brake power device according to claim 1, wherein: The reservoir at least partially encloses a volume compensator having a contracted state and an expanded state, the volume compensator moving between the contracted state and the expanded state in response to an amount of hydraulic fluid in the reservoir.

9. The hydraulic mechanical brake power device of claim 1, comprising a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the piston bore for sensing the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the piston bore and generating a pressure signal in response.

10. The hydraulic mechanical brake power device according to claim 1, wherein: The caliper piston includes a piston face disposed opposite a piston edge, the piston edge being laterally adjacent the piston cavity, and the pressurized hydraulic fluid selectively applies a force to the piston edge to selectively reciprocate the caliper piston.

11. The hydraulic mechanical brake power device of claim 2, comprising at least one anti-rotation track extending parallel to the spindle to prevent rotational movement of the plunger about the spindle during reciprocating movement of the plunger.

12. The hydraulic mechanical brake power device according to claim 1 comprises a solenoid valve fluidly interposed between the reservoir and the piston chamber, the solenoid valve being operable to selectively prevent the flow of hydraulic fluid between the reservoir and the piston chamber, the solenoid valve being a normally open type.

13. The hydraulic mechanical brake power device according to claim 1, wherein: The power housing is a two-piece power housing, a first power housing piece at least partially surrounding the power transfer unit and a second power housing piece defining a majority of the piston bore, the caliper piston being spaced apart from the first power housing piece.

14. The hydraulic mechanical brake power device according to claim 2, wherein: The power housing is a two-piece power housing, a first power housing piece at least partially enclosing the power transfer unit and a second power housing piece defining a majority of the piston bore, the caliper piston being spaced apart from the first power housing piece, and the motor being secured to an outer surface of the two-piece power housing.

15. The hydraulic mechanical brake power device according to claim 1, wherein: The caliper piston reciprocates longitudinally within the piston bore of the power housing, the piston bore opening to a surrounding space such that at least a portion of the caliper piston protrudes longitudinally from the power housing at a position spaced apart from the power transfer unit.

16. The hydraulic mechanical brake power device according to claim 1, wherein: At least one of the inner wall of the piston hole and the outer surface of the caliper piston includes an annular groove, which is fluidically connected to the internal space of the piston hole and circumferentially surrounds the caliper piston, and a caliper piston seal is at least partially retained in the annular groove for simultaneously contacting the inner wall of the piston hole and the outer surface of the caliper piston to prevent hydraulic fluid from flowing out of the piston cavity through the caliper piston and leaving the piston hole.

17. The hydraulic mechanical brake power device according to claim 1, wherein: The piston chamber is at least partially located within the piston bore.

18. A hydraulic mechanical brake device, comprising: The hydraulic mechanical brake power device according to claim 1; brake rotors; a brake pad having a first pad side adjacent the caliper piston, wherein reciprocating longitudinal movement of the caliper piston selectively places a second side of the brake pad longitudinally opposite the first side of the brake pad in contact with the brake rotor to provide braking action to the brake rotor; as well as A caliper housing at least partially surrounds the brake pad and brake rotor.

19. The hydraulic mechanical brake device according to claim 18, wherein: The caliper piston is a first caliper piston, and the piston bore is a first piston bore; wherein the hydromechanical brake power device includes a second caliper piston and a second piston bore at least partially defined by the power housing, the second piston bore being laterally spaced from the first piston bore, the second caliper piston being configured to selectively reciprocate longitudinally relative to the second piston bore under the influence of pressurized hydraulic fluid from the power transfer unit; and wherein the first pad side of the brake pad is attached to both the first caliper piston and the second caliper piston, and reciprocating longitudinal movement of the first caliper piston and the second caliper piston selectively places the second side of the brake pad in contact with the brake rotor to provide braking action to the brake rotor.

20. A vehicle, comprising: at least one wheel; at least one hydro-mechanical brake device, the hydro-mechanical brake device being a hydro-mechanical brake device according to claim 18, each hydro-mechanical brake device being operatively associated with and co-located proximate to a corresponding wheel; as well as An electronic control unit is configured to control the operation of a power transfer unit of the at least one hydromechanical brake device.

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