Actuator assembly of electromechanical vehicle brake and electromechanical vehicle brake

Abstract

The invention relates to an actuator assembly of an electromechanical vehicle brake and an electromechanical vehicle brake. The invention relates to an actuator assembly (14) for an electromechanical vehicle brake (10), comprising a housing (30) comprising a carrier housing part (32) on which an electric motor support (52) for mounting an electric motor (54), a transmission receptacle (50) in which a transmission assembly (58) is arranged at least partially, and a cover part (70) in which a fastening structure (34) for fastening the transmission assembly (58) to the carrier housing part (32) is formed, the fastening structure (34) is for connection to the brake housing (12). The carrier housing part (32) is made of metal. The electromechanical vehicle brake (10) can be used as a service brake and / or a parking brake.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to an actuator assembly of an electromechanical vehicle brake and to an electromechanical vehicle brake. BACKGROUND

[0002] The actuator assembly generally comprises a drive unit and electronics of the electromechanical vehicle brake and is connected to a brake housing which comprises the actual functional components of the electromechanical vehicle brake, including a brake carrier, a brake caliper and brake pads. The drive force is transmitted by the drive unit arranged in the actuator assembly via suitable mechanical connections and brake pistons to the brake caliper and the brake pads.

[0003] In particular when the electromechanical vehicle brake is not used as service brake but as parking brake or also as parking brake, high torques are transmitted back to the actuator assembly over a longer period of time via the permanent mechanical connection between the brake pistons and the drive unit and have to be transmitted through the housing of the actuator assembly into the brake housing. SUMMARY

[0004] It is an object of the invention to design an actuator assembly such that a lightweight and cost-effective housing can be used which nevertheless has sufficient dimensional stability under the action of high torques over a long period of time.

[0005] This object is achieved by an actuator assembly of an electromechanical vehicle brake, comprising a housing, a carrier housing part and a cover part, wherein a motor mount for mounting an electric motor, a transmission receptacle in which a transmission assembly is at least partially arranged and a fastening structure for connecting to a brake housing are formed on the carrier housing part, and the cover part consists of plastic and / or the carrier housing part consists of metal.

[0006] The carrier housing part connects the actuator assembly to the brake housing and receives the forces and torques generated during braking operation. The forces and torques are transmitted from the brake pistons of the vehicle brake onto the transmission assembly and the electric motor and finally onto the brake housing.

[0007] Since the carrier housing part consists of metal, it is easy to manufacture a dimensionally stable carrier housing part so that the acting forces and torques can be introduced without problems into the dimensionally stable metal brake housing. Due to the metal material, the material of the carrier housing part does not creep. For this reason, even if the electromechanical vehicle brake is not only used as service brake but also as parking brake over a longer period of time, the housing of the actuator assembly does not significantly deform even over a longer operating period.

[0008] All components in the power flow between the vehicle brake and the electric motor should be attached only to the load-bearing housing part, so that there are no plastic housing parts in the power flow that can deform due to creep in the case of high forces.

[0009] Preferably, the fastening structure of the load-bearing housing part forms the only connection of the actuator assembly to the brake housing.

[0010] Preferably, the load-bearing housing part consists entirely of metal, for example aluminum, and is formed in particular as a unit.

[0011] Furthermore, due to the high thermal conductivity of the metal material, the load-bearing housing part ensures that the heat generated by the electric motor and the transmission assembly is quickly dissipated into the environment. The fact that the outside of the load-bearing housing part is directly exposed to the environment and is not covered, for example, by other housing parts can have a supporting effect, so that the heat generated can be directly emitted into the environment.

[0012] Due to the metal material of the load-bearing housing part, the load-bearing housing part also offers a higher resistance to external mechanical influences, such as stone impacts, than a plastic housing.

[0013] The exposed outside of the load-bearing housing part should be protected from the environment, for example by passivation, oxidation or painting.

[0014] In a preferred variant, an electronics receiving compartment is formed in the cover part, in which electronics are arranged, whereby the cover part consists in particular of plastic.

[0015] The cover part does not need to absorb or transmit any forces from the vehicle brake, but only receives the electronics of the actuator assembly and / or seals the housing from the environment if necessary. Since the cover part is not in the force flow between the electric motor and the vehicle brake, in particular its brake piston, the cover part only bears its own weight and can accordingly be made lightweight and is preferably made entirely of plastic.

[0016] For space reasons, the electronic components can also be accommodated on another component that is remote from the actuator assembly.

[0017] The transmission assembly comprises a planetary gear, for example, which converts the rotational movement of the shaft of the electric motor into the desired rotational speed and transmits this to the drive part of the vehicle brake, which moves the brake piston. The drive part can be designed in a known manner as a main shaft of a circulating ball transmission. The transmission assembly is preferably designed such that the shaft of the electric motor and the main shaft are arranged parallel to one another.

[0018] In a preferred variant, the fastening structure on the load-bearing housing part comprises a plurality of fastening eyelets formed integrally with the load-bearing housing part.

[0019] The fastening eyelet is particularly arranged radially outside the housing and protrudes radially opposite the edge of the opening through which the drive component, in particular the spindle of a ball screw drive, can protrude from the brake housing into the transmission assembly. The opening is preferably arranged in the region of the transmission accommodation such that the drive component can be directly coupled to the transmission assembly.

[0020] The opening can form a short connection which protrudes from the bottom of the carrier housing part in the direction of the brake housing, whereby the fastening structure is located at the free end of the connection. Thus, the distance of the fastening structure from the remaining carrier housing part can easily be adapted to the conditions of the assembly space.

[0021] The fastening eyelet is preferably arranged on a flange which protrudes radially from the edge of the opening and is formed integrally with the carrier housing part.

[0022] The brake housing has correspondingly arranged eyelets such that the brake housing and the housing of the actuator assembly can be easily mechanically connected, for example by means of fastening bolts or screws.

[0023] For example, two to four, in particular two or three, fixing eyelets can be distributed along the circumference of the opening.

[0024] The fastening structure provides a direct connection of the carrier housing part to the brake housing without further components between the carrier housing part and the brake housing.

[0025] It has been found that no further anti-rotation means are required between the housing of the actuator assembly and the brake housing, which simplifies the construction of the housing components.

[0026] The electronics receiving compartment in the cover part preferably receives a printed circuit board with the electronic elements of the actuator assembly and is sealed with respect to the electric motor and the transmission assembly.

[0027] To this end, the cover part preferably has a partition wall which seals the electronics receiving compartment with respect to the electric motor support and the transmission accommodation. The partition wall can be formed integrally with the cover part such that the entire cover part can be manufactured in one work step, for example using an injection molding process.

[0028] The partition wall is preferably barrel-shaped in order to simplify the sealing of the electronics receiving compartment.

[0029] For example, the carrier housing part has a first circumferential wall and the cover part has a second circumferential wall, from which the partition wall extends.

[0030] The seal can be arranged radially between the first and second circumferential wall. In order to simplify handling during assembly of the actuator assembly, the seal can be molded onto the partition wall, in particular in a two-component injection molding process.

[0031] The housing of the actuator assembly can have additional cover elements, for example protecting the individual components from the environment. These additional cover elements are also not located in the force flow between the motor and the brake housing and do not have to take up or transmit any loads and can therefore be made of plastic in order to save on manufacturing costs and weight.

[0032] For example, the motor can protrude from the carrier housing part and be protected by its own motor cover.

[0033] The cover part usually also comprises a cap that closes the electronics receiving compartment on the side opposite the partition wall. The cap is preferably made of a suitable plastic. For example, after insertion of the printed circuit board, the cap can be permanently and sealingly connected to the partition wall by laser welding. Alternatively, or in order to additionally improve the sealing, a seal can be arranged on the cap, in particular integrally formed, which seals the cap with respect to the electronics receiving compartment.

[0034] Advantageously, the cover part and the carrier housing part have an interaction connection in order to fix the cover part to the carrier housing part.

[0035] In principle, the connection only fastens the cover part to the carrier housing part, as described above, the cover part does not take up any forces from the motor and / or transmission assembly and is also not in the force flow from the motor and / or transmission assembly to the brake housing.

[0036] The connection can be, for example, a socket for a bolt or screw integrally formed on the carrier housing part and the cover part.

[0037] After insertion of the bolt or screw, the socket can be filled with a sealing compound for better sealing.

[0038] In one variant, the connection is arranged completely inside the housing, in particular radially inside the first circumferential wall of the carrier housing part and the second circumferential wall of the partition wall of the electronics receiving compartment.

[0039] The carrier housing part and the cover part are, for example, separate components that are manufactured separately. The individual housing parts are therefore connected to each other during assembly of the actuator assembly. In this way, production costs can be reduced, since a combination of metal and plastic is not required in the manufacturing process.

[0040] The above object is also achieved by an electromechanical vehicle brake having the above-mentioned actuator assembly, wherein the electromechanical vehicle brake can be used as a service brake and / or a parking brake.

[0041] The forces and torques acting on the housing are completely absorbed by the load- bearing housing part made of metal and transferred into the brake housing. Thus, no creep of the housing parts consisting of plastic occurs, and the housing does not permanently deform even during long-lasting brake forces that can occur when parking the vehicle using the parking brake. The actuator assembly is thus suitable for electromechanical service brakes and electromechanical parking brakes and electromechanical vehicle brakes that can be used both as service brakes and as parking brakes.

[0042] The electric motor is preferably fastened to the load-bearing housing part on the electric motor support and the main shaft protrudes as a drive component into the transmission assembly and is driven by the transmission assembly.

[0043] In particular, the electric motor protrudes into the load-bearing housing part with a protruding drive pinion, and the electric motor protrudes relative to the load-bearing housing part on the side of the load-bearing housing part facing the brake housing. The housing of the actuator assembly can thus be designed to be compact, since it does not have to enclose the entire cylindrical elongated electric motor. The shaft of the electric motor can however be arranged parallel to the main shaft, which transmits the torque into the brake housing.

[0044] As mentioned above, the protruding part of the electric motor can be protected by an additional electric motor cover. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0045] The application is described in more detail by means of several embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0046] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an actuator assembly according to the application and of an electromechanical vehicle brake according to the application with regard to a first variant;

[0047] Figure 2 and Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the actuator assembly of Figure 1 ;

[0048] Figure 4 is a schematic sectional view of the actuator assembly of Figure 1 ;

[0049] Figure 5 is a schematic exploded view of the actuator assembly of Figure 1 ;

[0050] Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of the load-bearing housing part of the actuator assembly of Figure 1 ;

[0051] Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of the load-bearing housing part of the actuator assembly of Figure 1schematic perspective view of a cap of a cover part of the actuator assembly of

[0052] Figure 8 is Figure 1 schematic perspective view of a cap of a cover part of the actuator assembly of

[0053] Figure 9 is Figure 1 schematic perspective view of a housing of the actuator assembly of

[0054] Figure 10 is Figure 9 schematic sectional view of the housing of

[0055] Figure 11 and Figure 12 mounting of the actuator assembly according to another variant on the brake housing

[0056] Figure 13 is a schematic exploded view of the actuator assembly and the brake housing according to another variant; and

[0057] Figure 14 is Figure 13 schematic perspective view of the assembly of DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] For the sake of clarity, identical parts do not always have reference numerals. Identical reference numerals in different variants designate identical or essentially identical or identically acting parts and components.

[0059] Figure 1 An electromechanical vehicle brake 10 is shown, which comprises a brake housing 12 and an actuator assembly 14.

[0060] The electromechanical vehicle brake 10 is designed in a known manner as a disc brake with the brake housing 12 and comprises a carrier 16 fixed on the vehicle and a displaceable brake caliper 18 fastened to the carrier 16.

[0061] In the drive section 22 of the brake housing 12, an axially displaceable brake piston is arranged, only one drive component 20 of which is shown, which acts on two brake pads 24 arranged on both sides of a gap 26 accommodating a brake rotor (not shown).

[0062] The drive component 20 is a spindle of a ball screw assembly (not shown in detail), which moves the brake piston and causes a pressing movement of the brake pads 24 against the brake rotor in a known manner.

[0063] On the drive section 22 of the brake housing 12, a plurality of fastening eyelets 28 are positioned in the circumferential direction around the drive component 20 and are formed integrally with the brake housing 12.

[0064] The drive section 22 of the brake housing 12 is composed entirely of a suitable metal and is inherently rigid and dimensionally stable with respect to the forces acting during braking operation.

[0065] The actuator assembly 14 has a housing 30 which comprises a plurality of individual parts. A carrier housing part 32 is composed of metal and has fastening structures 34 which are adapted to the fastening eyelets 28 of the brake housing 12 and are likewise designed as fastening eyelets 35. The fastening eyelets 35 are formed in a flange 36 which protrudes from the carrier housing part 32.

[0066] In this example, the housing 30 is attached to the brake housing 12 by means of the fastening structures 34 in such a way that the fastening eyelets 35 of the fastening structures 34 are aligned with the fastening eyelets 28 on the drive section 22 of the brake housing 12. Fastening bolts 38 protrude through the fastening eyelets 35 and the fastening eyelets 28 and are secured by suitable means. In this way, the housing 30 and the actuator assembly 14 are directly and firmly connected to the brake housing 12.

[0067] All forces and torques which occur during operation of the electromechanical vehicle brake 10 and act on the mechanical components of the actuator assembly 14 via the drive component 20 are introduced directly into the brake housing 12 via the fastening structures 34 of the carrier housing part 32.

[0068] The entire carrier housing part 32 is designed to be integral and, in this example, is composed of a suitable aluminum material and is so rigid and dimensionally stable that it absorbs the acting forces and torques and transmits them to the brake housing 12 without any significant permanent deformation. In particular, acting long torques do not lead to a creep of the material of the carrier housing part 32.

[0069] Figures 1 to 5 The carrier housing part 32 variant shown in Fig. 3 is trough-shaped with a circumferential wall 40 which ends on the side facing away from the brake housing 12 in an annular surface 42. The carrier housing part 32 has a bottom 44 which has two openings 46, 48 on the side facing away from the brake housing 12 and the opening 46 is associated with a transmission receptacle 50 in the interior of the carrier housing part 32 and the opening 48 is associated with a motor mount 52. The surfaces of the openings 46, 48 are in parallel planes.

[0070] The electric motor 54 is inserted into the motor support 52, the cylindrical body of which protrudes from the housing 30 in the direction of the brake housing 12 through the opening 48, and the motor support 52, together with the drive pinion 55, protrudes into the carrier housing part 32.

[0071] The edge of the opening 48 is sealed against the interior of the housing 30 by a seal 56.

[0072] In the transmission housing 50, a transmission assembly 58 is arranged, which comprises all the moving parts between the electric motor 54 and a driven part 60, which is coupled to the drive part 20 of the vehicle brake 10 through the opening 46. The drive part 20 protrudes into the transmission housing 50.

[0073] The driven part 60 is part of a planetary gear device 62, which cooperates with the shaft 64 of the electric motor 54 and transmits the rotation of the shaft 64 to the drive part 20.

[0074] In this example, the opening 46 forms a short connecting piece 66, which has a fastening structure 34 in the form of a radially protruding flange 36 with a fastening eye 35 at its free axial end.

[0075] The housing 30 also comprises a cover part 70, which is placed on the annular surface 42 on the carrier housing part 32 and consists entirely of a suitable plastic.

[0076] In this example, the cover part 70 is in the shape of a trough, the circumferential wall of which (hereinafter also referred to as second circumferential wall 72) corresponds approximately to the profile of the circumferential wall 40 (hereinafter also referred to as first circumferential wall 40) of the carrier housing part 32.

[0077] Radially inside the circumferential wall 72 is a partition wall 74, which is connected to the circumferential wall 72 in a circumferential and gas-tight manner. Between the partition wall 74 and the circumferential wall 72, on the side facing away from the carrier housing part 32, an electronics receiving compartment 76 is formed, in which all the electronic elements 78 of the actuator assembly 14, in particular mounted on a printed circuit board 80, are received.

[0078] The electronics receiving compartment 76 is closed by a cap 82, which consists of a suitable plastic. Figures 1 to 5 not shown in the figures, see Figures 8 to 10 ).

[0079] The cover part 70 is placed on the annular surface 42. In this example, a seal 90 is located between the carrier housing part 32 and the cover part 70 on the annular surface 42. Optionally, the seal 90 is molded onto the cover part 70, for example, in a two-part molding process.

[0080] At several points, the cover part 70 is connected to the carrier housing part 32 via connecting structures 84, 86. Connecting structure 84 is formed as a blind hole in the carrier housing part 32, while connecting structure 86 is a through hole arranged in the partition wall 74. Suitable screws or bolts 88 are inserted into the connecting structures 84, 86 and are, for example, tightened or glued. Optionally, a sealant is applied to seal the connecting structures 84, 86.

[0081] Between the second circumferential wall 72, the partition wall 74, and the cap 82, the electronic device receiving compartment 76 is hermetically sealed to protect the electronic components 78.

[0082] The partition wall 74 and circumferential wall 72 of the cover part 70 cover the transmission assembly 58 on the side facing the carrier housing part 32 and enclose the volume of the cover part 70 within the first circumferential wall 40.

[0083] The cover part 70 is attached only to the carrier housing part 32 and does not contain any mechanical moving parts. The power flow between the electric motor 54 and the driven part 60 travels only within the carrier housing part 32. Apart from its own weight (and the weight of the electronic components 78), the cover part 70 does not absorb forces. Therefore, during operation of the electromechanical vehicle brake 10, there is no risk that the drive component 20 or the electromechanical vehicle brake 10 will deform due to forces applied by the mechanical parts of the actuator assembly 14.

[0084] The outwardly exposed portions of the outer wall of the housing component 32 (which includes a bottom 44 and a first circumferential wall 40) are passivated in a suitable manner to protect it from corrosion. Excess heat is dissipated into the environment through the outer wall. Furthermore, the outer wall protects the housing 30 from mechanical damage, such as from stone cutting.

[0085] Figures 6 to 10 A variation of the housing 30 of the actuator assembly 14 is shown.

[0086] In contrast to the first variant described above, the first circumferential wall 40 of the supporting housing part 32 is higher, such as... Figure 10 As shown, the cover part 70 is inserted into the supporting housing part 32 such that its first circumferential wall 40 is located radially outside the second circumferential wall 72 of the cover part 70. Therefore, the metal circumferential wall 40 of the supporting housing part 32 provides additional mechanical protection for the cover part 70.

[0087] In this variant, the seal 90 is radially arranged on the outer side of the second circumferential wall 72 and is optionally integrally formed, and is radially located between the first circumferential wall 40 and the second circumferential wall 72.

[0088] Figures 8 to 10The cap 82 is shown in more detail. In this example, the cap 82 rests both on a free end 92 of the circumferential wall 40 of the carrier housing part 32, which is oriented on its annular surface 42 away from the brake housing 12, and on an axially and radially adjacent end 94 of the circumferential wall 72 of the cover part 70. Between the inner side 96 of the cap 82 and the ends 92, 94 of the circumferential walls 40, 72, a further seal 98 is arranged, which seals between the cap 82 and the electronics receiving compartment 76.

[0089] The cap 82 is connected to the end 94 of the circumferential wall 72 of the cover part 70 by laser welding.

[0090] In comparison to the variant just described, Figure 11 and Figure 12 A further variant is shown, in which the fastening structure 34 between the carrier housing part 32 and the brake housing 12 consists only of two flanges 36 with fastening eyelets 35 and corresponding fastening eyelets 28 of the brake housing 12.

[0091] Figure 13 and Figure 14 A further variant is shown, in which the carrier housing part 32 does not have a circumferential wall, but a flat surface 100, which encloses the transmission receptacle 50 and the motor mount 52, on which the cover part 70 rests sealingly. The connection structure 84, 86 is formed by openings on the edge of the surface 100 and by the fastening eyelets, which protrude radially from the circumferential wall 72 of the cover part 70.

[0092] In this variant, the cap 82 is connected to the cover part 70 by a screw 102.

[0093] In addition, a motor cover 104 is shown, which slides over the exposed part of the motor 54 and is fastened to the carrier housing part 32. The motor cover 104 consists of a suitable plastic and is not located in the force flow between the motor 54 and the drive part 20.

[0094] In all variants, the carrier housing part 32 is the only section of the housing 30 that consists of metal and only the carrier housing part 32 is directly connected to the brake housing. Furthermore, the power flow of the drive part 20 from the motor 54 to the brake piston of the electromechanical vehicle brake 10 only takes place through the carrier housing part 32 and no forces resulting during operation of the electromechanical vehicle brake 10 are introduced into the cover part 70. All mechanical forces resulting during operation of the electromechanical vehicle brake 10 are directed into the housing 30 of the actuator assembly 14 only through the fastening structure 34 of the carrier housing part 32 and from there to the vehicle.

[0095] The electromechanical vehicle brake 10 can be a service brake of the vehicle, a parking brake of the vehicle or a vehicle brake which serves both as service brake and as parking brake.

[0096] All features of the individual variants can be freely exchanged or combined with one another within the judgment of the person skilled in the art. In particular, Figures 8 to 10 The shape of the cap 82 shown in the middle as well as the circumferential wall 40 carrying the housing part 32 and the cover part 70 shown there can also be used in all other variants. For all variants, an electric motor cover 104 is optionally provided.

Claims

1. An actuator assembly of an electromechanical vehicle brake, the actuator assembly comprising a housing, a carrier housing part and a cover part, wherein a motor mount for mounting an electric motor is formed on the carrier housing part, a transmission housing portion in which a transmission assembly is arranged at least partially, and wherein a fastening structure for connecting to a brake housing is formed on the carrier housing part, and wherein the cover part consists of plastic and / or the carrier housing part consists of metal.

2. The actuator assembly of claim 1, wherein, An electronics receiving compartment is formed in the cover part, in which an electronic component is arranged.

3. The actuator assembly of claim 2, wherein, The fastening structure comprises a plurality of fastening eyelets formed integrally with the carrier housing part.

4. The actuator assembly of claim 1, wherein, The fastening structure comprises a plurality of fastening eyelets formed integrally with the carrier housing part, and wherein the fastening eyelets are disposed radially opposite the edge of the opening of the housing outside the opening and protrude, wherein drive components, in particular a spindle of a ball screw drive, can protrude from the brake housing into the transmission assembly through the opening.

5. The actuator assembly of claim 2, wherein, The cover part comprises a partition wall which seals off the electronics receiving compartment from the motor mount and the transmission housing portion.

6. The actuator assembly of claim 5, wherein, The carrier housing part comprises a first circumferential wall and the cover part comprises a second circumferential wall, from which the partition wall extends.

7. The actuator assembly of claim 6, wherein, A seal is disposed radially between the first circumferential wall and the second circumferential wall.

8. The actuator assembly of claim 6, wherein, The cover part comprises a cap which closes off the electronics receiving compartment on a side opposite the partition wall.

9. The actuator assembly of claim 1, wherein, The cover part and the carrier housing part have a mating connection structure by which the cover part is fixed to the carrier housing part.

10. The actuator assembly of claim 7, wherein, The cover part and the carrier housing part have a mating connection structure by which the cover part is fixed to the carrier housing part.

11. The actuator assembly of claim 7, wherein, The carrier housing part and the cover part are separate manufactured parts.

12. An electromechanical vehicle brake comprising the actuator assembly of claim 6, wherein, The electromechanical vehicle brake can be used as a service brake and / or a parking brake.

13. The electromechanical vehicle brake of claim 12, wherein, An electric motor is attached to the carrier housing part via the motor mount, and a spindle protrudes into the transmission assembly and is driven by the electric motor.

14. The electromechanical vehicle brake of claim 13, wherein, The electric motor protrudes into the carrier housing part with a protruding drive pinion, and the electric motor protrudes relative to the carrier housing part on a side of the carrier housing part facing the brake housing. The electric motor protrudes into the carrier housing part with a protruding drive pinion, and the electric motor protrudes relative to the carrier housing part on a side of the carrier housing part facing the brake housing.

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