Electromechanical brake

The electromechanical brake achieves a lighter and stronger design by using an anti-rotation insert with a matching thermal expansion coefficient, allowing for optimized material selection and improved driving comfort.

DE102023210924A1Pending Publication Date: 2025-05-08ROBERT BOSCH GMBH

Patent Information

Application Number
DE102023210924
Authority / Receiving Office
DE · DE
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-11-03
Publication Date
2025-05-08

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing electromechanical brakes for motor vehicles are either too heavy or lack sufficient strength, making them inefficient in terms of weight and performance.

Method used

The design incorporates a brake caliper with a spindle drive unit driven by an electric motor, featuring a brake piston secured against rotation by an anti-rotation insert with a matching coefficient of thermal expansion, allowing for lighter materials to be used while maintaining strength.

Benefits of technology

This configuration results in a lighter electromechanical brake with increased strength, reducing unsprung mass and enhancing driving comfort by minimizing weight and optimizing material selection.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure 00000000_0000_ABST
    Figure 00000000_0000_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The invention relates to an electromechanical brake (10) for a motor vehicle. The electromechanical brake (10) comprises a brake caliper (14) which at least partially surrounds a brake disc (18) and a brake caliper housing (22) in which a spindle drive unit (62) driven by an electric motor (26) is arranged. The spindle drive unit (62) comprises a spindle (58) and a spindle nut (70), wherein the spindle nut (70) is secured against rotation relative to the brake caliper housing (22). The spindle nut (70) is held in a rotationally fixed position in a brake piston (74) of the brake, and an anti-rotation insert (86) is arranged between the brake piston (74) and the brake caliper housing (22), in which the brake piston (74) is guided.The anti-rotation insert (86) is secured against rotation to the brake caliper housing (22) by means of anti-rotation means (106), and the brake piston (74) interacts with the anti-rotation insert (86) in such a way that the brake piston (74) is secured against rotation. The brake piston (74) and the anti-rotation insert (86) have the same coefficient of thermal expansion, while the coefficient of thermal expansion of the brake caliper housing (22) differs.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an electromechanical brake for a motor vehicle. Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor vehicle having such an electromechanical brake. State of the art

[0002] Typically, the service brake is a brake in which a brake piston, together with a brake pad, is pressed onto a brake disc via brake fluid to slow the vehicle. With the increasing electrification of motor vehicle components, the service brake is also being designed as an electromechanical brake, eliminating the need for brake fluid and the associated complex valve and line assembly. Such an electromechanical brake could also significantly reduce maintenance requirements.

[0003] EP 1 030 979 B1 discloses an electromechanical braking device for braking a motor vehicle wheel. The braking device comprises a brake caliper in which an electric motor is arranged. The electric motor drives a spindle drive unit, via which brake pads arranged on a brake caliper of the brake caliper can be applied to a brake disc for braking.

[0004] The object underlying the invention is to provide an electromechanical brake which is lighter and yet has a high level of strength.

[0005] The object is achieved by an electromechanical brake having the subject matter of patent claim 1. Preferred embodiments can be found in the dependent claims. Disclosure of the invention

[0006] The invention specifies an electromechanical brake for a motor vehicle. The electromechanical brake comprises a brake caliper which at least partially surrounds a brake disc, and a brake caliper housing in which a spindle drive unit driven by an electric motor is arranged. The spindle drive unit comprises a spindle and a spindle nut, wherein the spindle nut is secured against rotation relative to the brake caliper housing. The spindle nut is held in a brake piston of the brake in a rotationally fixed manner, and an anti-rotation insert in which the brake piston is guided is arranged between the brake piston and the brake caliper housing. The anti-rotation insert is secured against rotation relative to the brake caliper housing via anti-rotation means, and the brake piston interacts with the anti-rotation insert in such a way that the brake piston is secured against rotation.The brake piston and the anti-rotation insert have the same coefficient of thermal expansion, and the thermal expansion coefficient of the brake caliper housing is different.

[0007] The anti-rotation insert is an insert that prevents the brake piston from rotating relative to the brake caliper housing. Rotation of the anti-rotation insert relative to the brake caliper housing is prevented solely by the anti-rotation device. The thermal expansion coefficient of the anti-rotation insert and the brake piston is the same. This ensures that the brake piston is guided consistently by the anti-rotation insert during the axial movement of the brake piston across the entire temperature range. In other words, the distance between the anti-rotation insert and the brake piston remains constant. Advantageously, the anti-rotation insert is made of the same material as the brake piston.

[0008] The brake caliper housing has a different coefficient of thermal expansion than the anti-rotation insert and the brake piston. The material of the brake caliper housing can therefore be selected independently of the brake piston and the anti-rotation insert, allowing the materials to be optimally selected according to the loads. Although the distance between a cylinder bore of the brake caliper housing and the anti-rotation insert varies over the temperature range, the anti-rotation means ensure that the anti-rotation insert does not rotate relative to the brake caliper housing. Contrary to the prior art, the brake piston is not guided through the brake caliper housing. Accordingly, the brake caliper housing can be made of a lighter material, while a stronger material can be selected for the brake piston and the anti-rotation insert.This allows such an electromechanical brake to be made lighter, thus reducing the unsprung mass on the wheel and increasing driving comfort for the driver.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a guide ring is arranged on the anti-rotation insert between the brake piston and the anti-rotation insert, over which the brake piston is guided. The guide ring is arranged on the anti-rotation insert and surrounds the brake piston on the outside. Furthermore, the guide ring has an axial extension, so that the brake piston is guided over the area of ​​the axial extension. The guide ring thus achieves improved guidance of an axial movement of the brake piston. Advantageously, the guide ring is made of a different material than the anti-rotation insert.

[0010] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the guide ring is made of a plastic material. The plastic material chosen is advantageously one that allows for low friction with the brake piston. This minimizes friction loss between the brake piston and the guide ring. Polyoxymethylene (POM) or thermoset materials are preferably used as the plastic materials. A plastic material is lighter and can be used cost-effectively.

[0011] The guide ring is preferably made of a sintered metal. The sintered metal is preferably impregnated with oil. The sintered metal thus provides a low coefficient of friction with the brake piston. This also minimizes friction loss between the brake piston and the guide ring.

[0012] In an advantageous development, locating pins are arranged between the brake caliper housing and the anti-rotation insert, by means of which the anti-rotation insert is secured against rotation. Preferably, at least three axially aligned locating pins are arranged between the brake caliper housing and the anti-rotation insert, which are provided at an equal angular distance from one another. However, four locating pins are particularly preferably provided. In contrast to other anti-rotation devices, locating pins have the advantage that they can be used to center the anti-rotation insert within a cylinder bore of the brake caliper housing. This ensures a centric alignment of the anti-rotation insert and thus of the brake piston across the entire temperature range, despite different thermal expansion of the brake caliper housing and the anti-rotation insert.

[0013] Advantageously, the brake piston and the anti-rotation insert are made of a steel material. Steel is highly durable, allowing the brake piston to absorb the forces. This ensures that the brake piston will not fail over its service life.

[0014] In a further advantageous embodiment, the brake caliper housing is made of aluminum. Aluminum has the advantage of being significantly lighter than, for example, steel. This makes it possible to design a lighter electromechanical brake. Furthermore, the aluminum material allows for better dissipation of the high temperatures that occur during braking. Overheating of the electromechanical brake can thus be prevented.

[0015] According to a practical design, the spindle drive unit is designed as a ball screw. A ball screw has the advantage of being designed to withstand the high loads encountered during braking. Furthermore, a ball screw has low friction, so friction losses during rotation of the spindle drive unit can be kept to a minimum. This also makes it possible to use a smaller and therefore lighter electric motor.

[0016] The invention additionally provides a motor vehicle having such an electromechanical brake. Such a motor vehicle has the advantages and properties described above.

[0017] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawing and explained in more detail in the following description. It shows: Fig. 1 Perspective view of an electromechanical brake according to an embodiment of the invention, Fig. 2 Longitudinal sectional view of the brake caliper housing according to an embodiment of the invention in an exploded view, Fig. 3 Further longitudinal section view of the spindle drive unit and the anti-rotation insert according to Fig. 2, Fig. 4 Cross-sectional view of the spindle drive unit and the anti-rotation insert according to Fig. 3, and Fig. 5 Perspective view of the anti-rotation insert according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0018] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an electromechanical brake 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The electromechanical brake 10 comprises a brake caliper 14 that engages a brake disc 18. Brake pads (not shown) are arranged in the brake caliper 14 and can be applied to the brake disc 18 to brake the motor vehicle. Additionally, the electromechanical brake 10 comprises a brake caliper housing 22.

[0019] An electric motor 26 of the electromechanical brake 10 is attached to the brake caliper housing 22. The electromechanical brake 10 is connected to a brake caliper holder 34 in the area of ​​the brake caliper 14 via guide pins 30. A cover 38 is arranged on the brake caliper housing 22, by means of which the housing can be closed. The cover 38 is held by three holding elements 42. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the holding elements 42 are designed as screws which are screwed into the brake caliper housing 22 and simultaneously have a holding piece 42a resting against the cover 38. The cover 38 has a feedthrough 46 at one point, through which cables (not shown) for the electric motor 26 can be introduced into the brake caliper housing 22.

[0020] Fig. 2 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the brake caliper housing 22 according to an embodiment of the invention in an exploded view. The figure shows a worm shaft 50 driven by the electric motor 26, which drives a worm gear 54. The worm gear 54 is fixedly connected to a spindle 58 of a spindle drive unit 62, so that the spindle 58 can be rotated via the worm gear 54. In addition, a bearing 66 is provided, via which the spindle 58 is rotatably mounted with the worm gear 54. A spindle nut 70 of the spindle drive unit 62, designed here as a ball screw drive, is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner in a brake piston 74 of the electromechanical brake 10. At the axial end of the brake piston 74, a brake pad holder 78 with a brake pad 82 is attached, which can be applied to the brake disc 18 via the brake piston 74 for braking.

[0021] In the radial direction, an anti-rotation insert 86 is arranged between the brake caliper housing 22 and the brake piston 74, by means of which the brake piston 74 and thus also the spindle nut 70 are secured against rotation. To prevent rotation, the brake piston 74 has radial projections 90 that engage in axial recesses 94 of the anti-rotation insert 86. The brake piston 74 is movable in the axial direction in the axial recesses 94. Plastic sliding shoes 98 are arranged on the radial projections 90 of the brake piston 74, by means of which friction with the anti-rotation insert 86 is reduced.

[0022] In the region of one axial end of the anti-rotation insert 86, a guide ring 102 is arranged, over which the brake piston 74 is guided in the anti-rotation insert 86. To reduce friction between the guide ring 102 and the brake piston 74, the guide ring 102 is advantageously made of plastic.

[0023] In Fig. 3 shows a further longitudinal sectional view of the spindle drive unit 62 and the anti-rotation insert 86. In this longitudinal sectional view, anti-rotation means designed as dowel pins 106 are arranged between the brake caliper housing 22 and the anti-rotation insert 86. These are as shown in Fig. 4 shown in corresponding housing recesses 110 and recess 114 of the anti-rotation insert. In the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, four round locating pins 106 are arranged. The locating pins 106 allow the anti-rotation insert 86 and thus also the brake piston 74 to be centered in the brake caliper housing 22.

[0024] The brake piston 74 and the anti-rotation insert 86 are advantageously made of the same material and therefore have the same coefficient of thermal expansion. In contrast, the brake caliper housing 22 is made of a different material and thus has a different coefficient of thermal expansion. Despite the different coefficients of thermal expansion of the brake caliper housing 22 and the anti-rotation insert 86, good centering is still possible via the locating pins 106.

[0025] Fig. Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the anti-rotation insert 86 according to one embodiment of the invention. This figure again shows the two axial recesses 94 and the recess 114 for the locating pins 106. The guide ring 102 is also shown in the area of ​​a lower inner end of the anti-rotation insert 86. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 1 030 979 B1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Electromechanical brake (10) for a motor vehicle, comprising a brake calliper (14) which at least partially surrounds a brake disc (18) and a brake calliper housing (22) in which a spindle drive unit (62) driven by an electric motor (26) is arranged, wherein the spindle drive unit (62) comprises a spindle (58) and a spindle nut (70), wherein the spindle nut (70) is secured against rotation relative to the brake calliper housing (22), characterized byin that the spindle nut (70) is held in a rotationally fixed manner in a brake piston (74) of the brake and an anti-rotation insert (86) is arranged between the brake piston (74) and the brake calliper housing (22), in which anti-rotation insert the brake piston (74) is guided, wherein the anti-rotation insert (86) is secured against rotation to the brake calliper housing (22) via anti-rotation means (106) and the brake piston (74) interacts with the anti-rotation insert (86) in such a way that the brake piston (74) is secured against rotation, wherein the brake piston (74) and the anti-rotation insert (86) have the same coefficient of thermal expansion and the thermal expansion coefficient of the brake calliper housing (22) is different. [2] Electromechanical brake (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that between the brake piston (74) and the anti-rotation insert (86) a guide ring (102) is arranged on the anti-rotation insert (86), over which the brake piston (74) is guided. [3] Electromechanical brake (10) according to claim 2, characterized by that the guide ring (102) is made of a plastic material. [4] Electromechanical brake (10) according to claim 2, characterized by that the guide ring (102) is made of a sintered metal. [5] Electromechanical brake (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that dowel pins (106) are arranged between the brake calliper housing (22) and the anti-rotation insert (86), by means of which the anti-rotation insert (86) is secured against rotation. [6] Electromechanical brake (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the brake piston (74) and the anti-rotation insert (86) are made of a steel material. [7] Electromechanical brake (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the brake caliper housing (22) is made of an aluminum material. [8] Electromechanical brake (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the spindle drive unit (62) is designed as a ball screw drive. [9] Motor vehicle comprising an electromechanical brake (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Hydraulic vehicle brake has parking brake device acting on brake piston and lockable in tensioned state by motor-driven threaded nut spindle assembly with sensor directly detecting tension force

    DE102004043309A1

  • Actuator assembly for a vehicle brake and electromechanical vehicle brake

    DE102021129969A1

  • Vehicle brake actuator and electromechanical brake

    DE102022119397A1

  • Wheel electro-mechanical brake system

    EP1030979B1

Cited By

  • Brake caliper housing for use with an electromechanically actuated brake actuator

    DE102025117056A1