Hydraulic block for an electronic braking device for a vehicle

Abstract

Hydraulic block (10) of an electronic braking device (1) for a vehicle, comprising: a block body (110) having a control mounting part (111) to which an electronic control unit (ECU) (20) is coupled, and a motor mounting part (112) to which a motor (40) is coupled; an inlet port part (120) which is arranged closer to the control mounting part (111) between the control mounting part (111) and the engine mounting part (112); an outlet port part (130) arranged closer to the motor mounting part (112) between the control mounting part (111) and the motor mounting part (112); and a hydraulic travel part (140) formed in the block body (110) such that it extends from the inlet port part (120) to the outlet port part (130) and which accommodates a valve (30) mounted in the ECU (20), characterized in that that the inlet port part (120) has: a main brake port (121) connected to an outlet line (3) of a main brake device (2).

Description

Background of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a hydraulic block of an electronic braking device for a vehicle, and more particularly to a hydraulic block of an electronic braking device for braking a vehicle using hydraulic pressure.

[0002] In general, an electronic braking system is a system for effectively preventing skidding that may occur during braking, sudden unintended acceleration, or rapid acceleration of a vehicle. Typically, the electronic braking system includes a hydraulic unit for adjusting the hydraulic braking pressure and an electronic control unit (ECU) for controlling the hydraulic unit, in addition to a brake booster, a master cylinder, and a wheel cylinder of a vehicle's braking system.

[0003] The hydraulic unit includes a plurality of solenoid valves for controlling the hydraulic brake pressure transmitted to wheel brake cylinders mounted on respective wheels, a low-pressure accumulator for temporarily storing oil flowing from the wheel brake cylinder, a motor-driven pump, a two-way valve, and a drive force control valve mounted on an intake and outlet portion of the pump, respectively. These components are mounted in an aluminum hydraulic block.

[0004] The prior art of the present invention is disclosed in Korean Patent Publication KR 10 2016 0 112 258 A, published on September 28, 2016, entitled "Electronic brake system using integrated sensor and operating method thereof." DE 10 2006 033 493 A1 discloses a hydraulic block of an electronic brake device for a vehicle having the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0005] Recently, considerable research has been conducted to develop fully autonomous vehicles. Therefore, numerous attempts are being made to improve the operational reliability of electronic braking systems. However, since conventional electronic braking systems do not have a device that can replace an electronic braking component in the event of a failure of the electronic braking component, the conventional electronic braking system is limited in ensuring the reliability of autonomous driving.

[0006] There is therefore a need for a device capable of solving this problem. Overview of the invention

[0007] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a hydraulic block of an electronic braking device which can be used as an auxiliary braking device which is capable of performing a braking function in place of the main braking device in the event of a failure of a main braking device and which is spatially efficiently installed together with the main braking device.

[0008] According to one embodiment, a hydraulic block of an electronic braking device for a vehicle may include: a block body having a controller mounting portion to which an electronic control unit (ECU) is coupled, and a motor mounting portion to which a motor is coupled; an inlet port portion disposed closer to the controller mounting portion between the controller mounting portion and the motor mounting portion; an outlet port portion disposed closer to the motor mounting portion between the controller mounting portion and the motor mounting portion; and a hydraulic line portion formed in the block body to extend from the inlet port portion to the outlet port portion and to receive a valve mounted in the ECU, the inlet port portion including: a main braking port connected to an outlet line of a main braking device.

[0009] The inlet port part may be arranged closer to the outlet line of the main brake device than the outlet port part, and the outlet port part may be connected to a hydraulic brake line for individually adjusting a wheel.

[0010] The engine mounting part and the control mounting part may be arranged at a front and a rear side of the block body, and the intake port part may be arranged at an upper side of the block body having a smaller area than the front and rear sides of the block body.

[0011] The inlet port part may have a plurality of inlet ports which may be arranged on the upper side of the block body to form a first row, and the outlet port part may have a plurality of outlet ports which may be arranged on the upper side of the block body to form a second row parallel to the inlet port part.

[0012] The inlet port part may further include: a master cylinder port connected to an outlet line of a master cylinder and disposed between the master brake ports.

[0013] The hydraulic circuit part may include: a first chamber connected to the inlet port part and accommodating a first valve inserted through the control attachment part; a chamber connecting flow path extending downward from the first chamber; a second chamber connected to the chamber connecting flow path and accommodating a second valve inserted through the control attachment part; and an extension flow path extending upward from the second chamber to the outlet port part.

[0014] The first chamber may include: a first inlet chamber connected to the lower end of the inlet port portion so as to communicate with the inlet port portion so that fluid is introduced into the first valve; and a first outlet chamber connected to the first inlet chamber for redirecting a flow direction of the fluid to a lateral direction.

[0015] The second chamber may include: a second inlet chamber connected to the lower end of the chamber connecting flow path such that it extends in a lateral direction so that fluid is introduced into the second valve; and a second outlet chamber connected to the second inlet chamber for redirecting a flow direction of the fluid to a downward direction.

[0016] An electronic braking device for a vehicle may include: a main braking device configured to brake a vehicle using hydraulic pressure; and an auxiliary braking device installed redundantly for braking the vehicle, and including a hydraulic block having one side connected to an outlet line of the main braking device and the other side connected to a hydraulic brake line for individually adjusting a wheel.

[0017] The hydraulic block may include: a block body having a controller mounting portion to which an ECU is coupled, and an engine mounting portion to which an engine is coupled; an inlet port portion disposed closer to the controller mounting portion between the controller mounting portion and the engine mounting portion and connected to the outlet line of the main brake device; an outlet port portion disposed closer to the engine mounting portion between the controller mounting portion and the engine mounting portion and connected to the hydraulic brake line; and a hydraulic line portion formed in the block body to extend from the inlet port portion to the outlet port portion.

[0018] The inlet port portion may be located closer to the outlet line of the main brake device than the outlet port portion.

[0019] The engine mounting part and the control mounting part may be arranged at a front and a rear side of the block body, and the intake port part may be arranged at an upper side of the block body having a smaller area than the front and rear sides of the block body.

[0020] The inlet port part may have a plurality of inlet ports which may be arranged on the upper side of the block body to form a first row, and the outlet port part may have a plurality of outlet ports which may be arranged on the upper side of the block body to form a second row parallel to the inlet port part.

[0021] The inlet port part may include: a main brake port connected to an outlet line of a main brake device; and a master cylinder port connected to an outlet line of a master cylinder and arranged between the main brake ports.

[0022] The hydraulic circuit part may include: a first chamber connected to the inlet port part and accommodating a first valve inserted through the control attachment part; a chamber connecting flow path extending downward from the first chamber; a second chamber connected to the chamber connecting flow path and accommodating a second valve inserted through the control attachment part; and an extension flow path extending upward from the second chamber to the outlet port part.

[0023] In the hydraulic block of the electronic brake device for a vehicle and the electronic brake device for a vehicle including the same according to the embodiment of the present invention, the intake port portion may be formed in the controller mounting portion, and the exhaust port portion may be formed in the motor mounting portion. When the hydraulic block is used as an auxiliary brake device capable of performing a braking function in place of the main brake device in the event of a failure of the main brake device, the auxiliary brake device and the main brake device can be efficiently installed in terms of space. Brief description of the drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a hydraulic block of an electronic brake device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention and an electronic brake device including the same. Fig. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the hydraulic block of the electronic brake device for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing the hydraulic block of the electronic brake device for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention in one of Fig. 2 different directions. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of main parts of the hydraulic block of the electronic brake device for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention. Description of specific embodiments

[0024] A hydraulic block of an electronic brake device and an electronic brake device incorporating the same will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that in the drawings, the thickness of lines and the sizes of components may be exaggerated for ease of description and clarity. Furthermore, the terms used herein are defined in terms of functions in the present invention and may be changed according to the practices or purposes of users or operators. Therefore, the terms should be defined according to the descriptions of all embodiments.

[0025] Fig. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a hydraulic block of an electronic brake device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention and an electronic brake device including the same.

[0026] Referring to Fig. 1, the electronic braking device 1 may comprise a main braking device 2 and an auxiliary braking device 6.

[0027] The main brake device 2 may serve to primarily implement the function of braking a vehicle in a normal state. The main brake device 2 may receive fluid from a master cylinder 4, regulate the received fluid to a preset hydraulic pressure, and supply the regulated fluid to a conventional braking system (CBS) 7 to individually adjust a wheel 9. That is, the main brake device 2 may correspond to an electronic braking device, such as an anti-lock braking system (ABS), an electronic brake-force distribution system (EBD), or an electronic stability control (ESC).

[0028] The auxiliary braking device 6 may be installed for redundancy with respect to vehicle braking and may have a structure capable of performing the braking function otherwise performed by the main braking device 2 in place of the main braking device 2 in the event of failure of the main braking device 2. The auxiliary braking device 6 may be arranged downstream of the main braking device 2. In other words, the auxiliary braking device 6 may be arranged in a path through which fluid is supplied from the main braking device 2 to the CBS 7. In the event of failure of the main braking device 2, the auxiliary braking device 6 may receive the fluid supplied to the main braking device 2, regulate the received fluid to the target pressure, and supply the regulated fluid to the CBS 7.

[0029] In the present example, a fluid supply line through which fluid that has passed through the main brake device 2 is supplied to the auxiliary brake device 6 may be referred to as an outlet line 3 of the main brake device 2, which in Fig. 1 by a line of alternating long and short dashes, and a fluid supply line through which fluid that has passed through the auxiliary brake device 6 is supplied to the CBS 7 for individually adjusting the wheel 9 may be referred to as a hydraulic brake line 8, which in Fig. 1 is represented by a line consisting of one long and two short dashes alternating with each other. This means that the auxiliary brake device 6 can be arranged between the outlet line 3 of the main brake device 2 and the hydraulic brake line 8.

[0030] The auxiliary braking device 6 may include a hydraulic block 10, an electronic control unit (ECU) 20, a valve 30 and a motor 40.

[0031] The hydraulic block 10 can serve as a pump housing and has an inlet port part 120 connected to the outlet line 3 of the main brake device 2, an outlet port part 130 connected to the hydraulic brake line 8 for individually adjusting the wheel 9, and a hydraulic circuit part 140 for regulating the hydraulic pressure of fluid therein.

[0032] The ECU 20 for electronically controlling fluid flowing through the hydraulic block 10 may be connected to the rear side 116 of the hydraulic block 10. The ECU 20 may include a plurality of valves 30 for adjusting the hydraulic pressure and flow rate of fluid flowing through the hydraulic block 10. The ECU 20 may control the operation of the valves 30.

[0033] The motor 40, which serves to forcibly move the fluid of the hydraulic block 10 in a predetermined direction, may be connected to the front side 115 of the hydraulic block 10. Since the ECU 20 and the motor 40 have structures disclosed in an existing electronic brake device or the main brake device 2, a detailed description of the ECU 20 and the motor 40 is omitted here.

[0034] Fig. Fig. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the hydraulic block of the electronic brake device for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing the hydraulic block of the electronic brake device for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention in one of Fig. 2 different directions, and Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of main parts of the hydraulic block of the electronic brake device for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] With reference to the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the hydraulic block 10 of the electronic brake device according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a block body 110, an inlet port part 120, an outlet port part 130, and a hydraulic circuit part 140.

[0036] The block body 110 may have a rectangular, cuboid block shape, with the front side 115 and the back side 116 thereof having a larger area than other sides, and the top side 113 and the bottom side 117 having a smaller area than the front side 115 and the back side 116 and the side surfaces 118. The ECU 20 may be coupled to the back side 116 of the block body 110. In the present embodiment, the area to which the ECU 20 is coupled may be referred to as the controller mounting part 111. The motor 40 may be connected to the front side 115 of the block body 110. In the present embodiment, the area to which the motor 40 is coupled may be referred to as the motor mounting part 112.

[0037] The inlet port part 120 may be arranged closer to the control mounting part 111, between the control mounting part 111 and the motor mounting part 112, and may be connected to the outlet line 3 of the main brake device 2. The outlet port part 130 may be arranged closer to the motor mounting part 112, between the control mounting part 111 and the motor mounting part 112, and may be connected to the hydraulic brake line 8 for individually adjusting the wheel 9.

[0038] A block-type hydraulic unit of the existing electronic brake device has a structure in which an inlet port for introducing fluid is arranged near a motor element, and an outlet port for discharging fluid is arranged near an electronic control element. Referring to Fig. 1, which schematically illustrates the main brake device 2 with the structure of the existing electronic brake device, the electronic control element is arranged on the back of the hydraulic unit, the motor element is arranged on the front of the hydraulic unit, and the outlet port is arranged closer to the electronic control element than the motor element.

[0039] The hydraulic block 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention may have a structure in which, unlike the main brake device 2, the inlet port part 120 is arranged near the controller mounting part 111 and the outlet port part 130 is arranged near the motor mounting part 112.

[0040] The main brake device 2 and the auxiliary brake device 6 can be arranged together in a limited space. The main brake device 2 and the auxiliary brake device 6 can be arranged in various ways depending on the specifications of the vehicle parts, the shape of the arrangement space, and the conditions of use. For example, the main brake device 2 and the auxiliary brake device 6 can be arranged parallel to each other in the same direction, as shown in Fig. 1, facing each other or, with respect to the positions in which they are arranged parallel to each other in the same direction, at a preset angle in the direction in which they face each other.

[0041] When the intake port portion 120 is arranged on the control mounting portion 111 as in the present embodiment, the intake port portion 120 can be arranged closer to the outlet pipe 3 of the main brake device 2 than the outlet port portion 130 in the aforementioned arrangements. Therefore, the extension length of the outlet pipe 3 of the main brake device 2 can be minimized, making it possible to minimize the space required for the installation and extension of the plurality of outlet pipes 3.

[0042] The intake port portion 120 may include a plurality of ports arranged on the top surface 113 of the block body 110 in the form of a first row L1, wherein the top surface 113 has a smaller area than the front surface 115 and the rear surface 116 of the block body 110. The intake port portion 120 according to the embodiment of the present invention may include four main brake ports 121 and two master cylinder ports 122.

[0043] Each of the main brake ports 121 can be connected to the outlet line 3 (n Fig. 1 by a line of alternating long and short dashes) of the main braking device 2. The main braking device 2 may have four outlet lines 3 connected to the respective CBS 7 for individually adjusting the four wheels 9, and the four main braking ports 121, each corresponding to the four output lines 3, may be arranged separately from each other to form a row.

[0044] Each of the master cylinder ports 122 can be connected to the outlet line 5 (in Fig. 1 by a dashed line) of the master cylinder. Generally, the master cylinder has two outlet lines 5, and two master cylinder port parts 122 are installed corresponding to the outlet lines 5. The master cylinder ports 122 may be arranged between the respective master cylinder port parts 121 to form a line.

[0045] When the master cylinder ports 122 are formed, fluid can be supplied directly from the master cylinder 4 through the master cylinder outlet lines 5 without passing through the main brake device 2, even though the fluid cannot flow freely through the main brake device 2 due to a failure of the main brake device 2. Thus, the same braking performance as with the main brake device 2 can be achieved.

[0046] The outlet port portion 130 may include a plurality of outlet portions arranged on the upper surface 113 of the block body 110, forming a second row L2 parallel to the inlet port portion 120. The outlet port portion 130 may include four outlet ports corresponding to the hydraulic brake lines 8 connected to the respective CBS 7 for individually adjusting the four wheels 9.

[0047] As described above, the inlet port portion 120 and the outlet port portion 130 can be arranged to form the plurality of rows on the upper surface 113 of the block body 110. The plurality of outlet lines 3 of the main brake device 2 and the outlet lines 5 of the master cylinder, as well as the hydraulic brake lines 8 corresponding to the six inlet ports and the four outlet ports, can be efficiently arranged in a limited space corresponding to the upper surface of the hydraulic block 10, and the interference of the outlet line 3 of the main brake device 2 and the outlet lines 5 of the master cylinder with the hydraulic brake lines 8 can be minimized.

[0048] The hydraulic circuit part 140 may be formed in the block body 110 such that it extends from the inlet port part 120 to the outlet port part 130, and the valve 30 installed in the ECU 20 may be included in the hydraulic circuit part. The valve 30 may include a first valve 31 and a second valve 32. Referring to Fig. 4, the hydraulic circuit part 140 according to the embodiment of the present invention may include a first chamber 141, a chamber connecting flow path 144, a second chamber 145, and an extension flow path 148.

[0049] The first chamber 141, which is a space for accommodating the first valve 31 inserted through the control attachment part 111, may be formed to communicate with the lower end of the intake port part 120. The first chamber 141 according to the embodiment of the present invention may include a first intake chamber 142 and a first exhaust chamber 143, and the first valve 31 may be installed through the first intake chamber 142 and the first exhaust chamber 143.

[0050] The first inlet chamber 142 may be connected to the lower end of the inlet port part 120. Thus, fluid introduced downward through the inlet port part 120 can be continuously guided into the first valve 31. The first outlet chamber 143 may be formed on one side of the first inlet chamber 142 such that it is connected to the first inlet chamber 142 and extends laterally from the control mounting part 111.

[0051] The chamber connecting flowpath 144, which serves as a flowpath for connecting the first and second chambers 141 and 145, may extend in a U-shape and have upper and lower ends connected to the first and second chambers 141 and 145, respectively. The fluid may be primarily set to a preset flow rate and hydraulic pressure while passing through the first valve 31. The flow direction of the fluid may be diverted laterally away from the control mounting part 111 while passing through the first outlet chamber 143, diverted downward through the chamber connecting flowpath 144 toward the second outlet chamber 145, and then diverted laterally toward the control mounting part 111.

[0052] The second chamber 145, which serves as a space for accommodating the second valve 32 inserted through the control attachment part 111, may be configured to communicate with the lower end of the chamber communication flow path 144. The second chamber 145 according to the embodiment of the present invention may include a second inlet chamber 146 and a second outlet chamber 147, and the second valve 32 may be installed through the second inlet chamber 146 and the second outlet chamber 147.

[0053] The second inlet chamber 146 may be connected to the lower end of the chamber connecting flow path 144 in such a way that it extends in the lateral direction. The fluid flowing in the lateral direction after reaching the lower end of the chamber connecting flow path 144 may then be introduced into the second valve 32. The second outlet chamber 147 may be formed on one side of the second inlet chamber 146 in such a way that it is connected to the second inlet chamber 146.

[0054] The extension flow path 148, which serves as a flow path connecting the second chamber 145 to the outlet port portion 130, may extend from the bottom of the second outlet chamber 147 upward toward the outlet port portion 130. The flow direction of the fluid, which has been secondarily regulated to a preset flow rate and hydraulic pressure while passing through the second valve 32, may be redirected downward as the fluid flows through the second outlet chamber 147. Thereafter, the fluid may flow upward along the extension flow path 148 toward the outlet port portion 130.

[0055] The first valve 31 can perform a function of controlling whether fluid should be introduced from the main brake device 2 or the master brake cylinder 4, and a function of primarily regulating the hydraulic pressure to transfer fluid at a preset pressure to the wheel 9 in a redundant situation. The second valve 32 can perform a function of secondary regulating the hydraulic pressure to transfer fluid at a preset pressure to the wheel 9 in a redundant situation.

[0056] The hydraulic circuit part 140 according to the embodiment of the present invention may have four hydraulic circuits corresponding to the four outlet ports, and four first valves 31 and four second valves 32 may be installed. The four first chambers 141 may be openly formed in the control mounting part 111 and arranged above a pump housing bore 114 to form a third row L3 in the horizontal direction, and the four second chambers 145 may be arranged below the first chambers 141, or more precisely, between the first chambers 141 and the pump housing bore 114 to form a fourth row L4 in the horizontal direction.

[0057] Since the first chamber 141, in which the first valve 31 is installed, is connected to the intake port part 120, the introduction of fluid from the main brake device 2 can be controlled more quickly and reliably by the first valves 31. Furthermore, since the hydraulic circuit part 140 is multiply diverted in the lateral direction, the plurality of valves and hydraulic circuits can be efficiently arranged in the hydraulic block 10 while avoiding interference with other hollow portions formed in the hydraulic block 10, such as the pump housing bore 114, thereby making it possible to reduce the size and weight of the hydraulic block 10.

[0058] In the hydraulic block 10 of the electronic braking device for a vehicle and the electronic braking device 1 for a vehicle including the same according to the embodiment of the present invention, the intake port portion 120 may be formed on the controller mounting portion 111, and the exhaust port portion 130 may be formed on the motor mounting portion 112. Thus, when the hydraulic block 10 is used as the auxiliary braking device 6 capable of performing the braking function in place of the main braking device 2 in the event of failure of the main braking device 2, the auxiliary braking device 6 and the main braking device 2 can be efficiently installed in terms of space.

Claims

[1] Hydraulic block (10) of an electronic braking device (1) for a vehicle, comprising: a block body (110) having a control mounting part (111) to which an electronic control unit (ECU) (20) is coupled, and a motor mounting part (112) to which a motor (40) is coupled; an inlet port part (120) which is arranged closer to the control mounting part (111) between the control mounting part (111) and the engine mounting part (112); an outlet port part (130) arranged closer to the motor mounting part (112) between the control mounting part (111) and the motor mounting part (112); and a hydraulic travel part (140) formed in the block body (110) such that it extends from the inlet port part (120) to the outlet port part (130) and which accommodates a valve (30) mounted in the ECU (20) characterized by , that the inlet port part (120) has: a main brake port (121) connected to an outlet line (3) of a main brake device (2). [2] Hydraulic block according to claim 1, wherein the inlet port part (120) is arranged closer to the outlet line (3) of the main brake device (2) than the outlet port part (130), and the outlet port part (130) is connected to a hydraulic brake line (8) for individually adjusting a wheel (9). [3] A hydraulic block according to claim 1, wherein the motor mounting part (112) and the control mounting part (111) are arranged on a front side (115) and a rear side (116) of the block body (110), and the inlet port part (120) is arranged on an upper side (113) of the block body (110) which has a smaller area than the front and rear sides (115, 116) of the block body (110). [4] Hydraulic block according to claim 3, wherein the inlet port part (120) has a plurality of inlet ports arranged to form a first row (L1) on the upper side (113) of the block body (110), and the outlet port part (130) has a plurality of outlet ports arranged to form a second row (L2) parallel to the inlet port part (120) on the upper side (113) of the block body (110). [5] Hydraulic block according to claim 1, wherein the inlet port part (120) further comprises: several main brake ports (121); and a master cylinder port (122) connected to an outlet line (5) of a master cylinder and arranged between the main brake ports (121). [6] Hydraulic block according to claim 1, wherein the hydraulic circuit part (140) comprises: a first chamber (141) connected to the inlet port part (120) and receiving a first valve (31) inserted through the control mounting part (111); a chamber connecting flow path (144) extending downwardly from the first chamber (141); a second chamber (145) connected to the chamber connection flow path (144) and receiving a second valve (32) inserted through the control mounting part (111); and an extension flow path (148) extending upwardly from the second chamber (145) to the outlet port portion (130). [7] Hydraulic block according to claim 6, wherein the first chamber (141) comprises: a first inlet chamber (142) connected to the lower end of the inlet port part (120) such that it communicates with the inlet port part (120) so that fluid is introduced into the first valve (31); and a first outlet chamber (143) connected to the first inlet chamber (142) for redirecting a flow direction of the fluid in a lateral direction. [8] Hydraulic block according to claim 6, wherein the second chamber (145) comprises: a second inlet chamber (146) connected to the lower end of the chamber connecting flow path (144) such that it extends in a laterally direction so that fluid is introduced into the second valve (32); and a second outlet chamber (147) connected to the second inlet chamber (146) for redirecting a flow direction of the fluid in a downward direction.

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