Electromechanical brake with support structure

Abstract

The invention relates to an electromechanical brake (10) for a motor vehicle. The electromechanical brake (10) comprises an electric motor (18), via which a brake actuator can be adjusted for braking, and a control unit (26) with which the electric motor (18) can be controlled. The electric motor (18) and the control unit (26) are attached to a brake caliper housing (14). A support structure (42) is arranged on a housing (38) of the control unit (26), which, in an assembled state, rests against a cylindrical part of the brake caliper housing (14) and supports the control unit (26) thereon.

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 brake the vehicle. The parking brake, on the other hand, is designed as an electromechanical brake. With the increasing electrification of motor vehicle components, the service brake is also to be designed as an electromechanical brake, thus 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 0 944 781 B1 discloses an electromechanically actuated brake which presses a brake pad against a brake disc for braking. The brake comprises a spindle drive unit having a spindle and spindle nut, the spindle being connected to the brake pad. The spindle nut is fixedly connected to a sleeve which surrounds the spindle nut on the outside. The sleeve is rotatably mounted in the brake caliper via bearings. Permanent magnets are arranged in the sleeve, forming a rotor of an electric motor. The sleeve is surrounded by a stator, via which the rotor is driven. By appropriate rotation of the spindle nut, the brake pad can be moved axially to apply a braking force.

[0004] The object underlying the invention is to provide an electromechanical brake for a motor vehicle in which a control unit of the electromechanical brake can be attached simply and economically.

[0005] The object is achieved by an electromechanical brake for a motor vehicle 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 an electric motor, via which a brake actuator can be adjusted for braking, and a control unit with which the electric motor can be controlled. The electric motor and the control unit are mounted on a brake caliper housing. A support structure is arranged on a housing of the control unit. In an assembled state, this support structure rests against a cylindrical part of the brake caliper housing and supports the control unit thereon.

[0007] To attach the control unit to the brake caliper housing, a large mounting surface is usually required on the brake caliper housing due to the flat shape of the control unit's control board. However, such a mounting surface requires a lot of space and increases the weight of the electromechanical brake. Furthermore, such a mounting surface is associated with high manufacturing costs due to the stronger material of the brake caliper housing, such as steel.

[0008] By using a support structure that rests directly on a cylindrical part of the brake caliper housing, such a mounting surface is eliminated. This simplifies the attachment of the control unit to the brake caliper housing. Such an electromechanical brake also allows for reduced installation space and weight, making the brake caliper housing more cost-effective to manufacture.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the control unit housing and the support structure are formed as a single piece. A single-piece design of the support structure with the control unit housing has the advantage of reducing the number of components. Furthermore, the support structure does not need to be first attached to the brake caliper housing or the control unit housing. A single-piece design also reduces manufacturing costs, as the control unit housing and the support structure are manufactured in a single step. No additional assembly steps are required during assembly.

[0010] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the housing of the control unit and the support structure are made of a plastic material. By constructing the housing of the control unit and the support structure from a plastic material, the weight of such a component can be reduced. Accordingly, the unsprung mass on the vehicle wheel is also reduced, thereby increasing ride comfort. Furthermore, these components can be easily manufactured using an injection molding process, thus reducing manufacturing costs. Furthermore, the material costs for plastic are significantly lower than for other materials, making the electromechanical brake more economical to manufacture.

[0011] Preferably, the housing of the control unit and the support structure are made of a die-cast aluminum material. This aluminum material has the advantage of achieving greater strength than a plastic material. Furthermore, the aluminum die-cast material improves heat dissipation.

[0012] In an advantageous further development, the support structure is formed by a ribbed structure. A ribbed structure has the advantage of achieving high strength with minimal material usage. Accordingly, such a structure can reduce weight and save material costs.

[0013] Advantageously, the support structure is formed from transverse ribs arranged parallel to one another, which are connected to one another via offset longitudinal ribs. Adjacent longitudinal ribs are therefore not aligned with one another. In other words, the longitudinal ribs form a T-shaped structure with the transverse ribs. This prevents mass accumulation at the interfaces between the longitudinal ribs and the transverse ribs. Such a design is particularly advantageous in an injection molding process, since the support structure solidifies more quickly at such interfaces due to improved heat dissipation. Accordingly, the support structure can be demolded from the injection mold earlier, thus reducing production time. By avoiding such mass accumulation, delayed solidification does not lead to subsequent distortion of the component. Manufacturing accuracy is thus improved.

[0014] The invention also provides a motor vehicle having such an electromechanical brake. Such a motor vehicle has the advantages and properties described above.

[0015] 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, and Fig. 2 Perspective view of the support structure according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0016] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an electromechanical brake 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The electromechanical brake 10 comprises a brake caliper housing 14, to which an electric motor 18 is mounted, via which a brake actuator (not shown) is axially movable for braking the motor vehicle. The brake caliper housing 14 is essentially cylindrical. A brake caliper 22 is provided downstream of the brake caliper housing 14.

[0017] Additionally, a control unit 26 is arranged on the brake caliper housing 14, via which the electric motor 18 can be controlled. To attach the control unit 26 to the brake caliper housing 14, the brake caliper housing 14 forms a mounting surface 30, to which the control unit 26 is fastened via retaining clips 34. A housing 38 of the control unit 26 forms a support structure 42, which, in an assembled state, rests against the brake caliper housing 14. The control unit 26 is supported on the brake caliper housing 14 via this support structure 42. The support structure 42 thus allows the mounting surface 30 to be made smaller, since vibrations between the control unit 26 and the brake caliper housing 14 are absorbed by the support structure 42. Mechanical stress on the mounting surface 30 can thereby be reduced.

[0018] Fig.Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the support structure 42 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. This figure shows that the support structure 42 is formed integrally with the housing 38 of the control unit 26. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the support structure 42 has a rib structure. The rib structure is formed by a plurality of transverse ribs 46 arranged parallel to one another, which are connected to one another via longitudinal ribs 50. The longitudinal ribs 50 between the transverse ribs 46 are arranged offset from one another. This prevents mass accumulation between the transverse ribs 46 and the longitudinal ribs 50, thereby improving production.

[0019] In the illustrated embodiment, the transverse ribs 46 have a radius 54 corresponding to the radius of the cylindrical brake caliper housing 14. The control unit 26 can thus be optimally supported on the cylindrical brake caliper housing 14 via the support structure 42. 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 0 944 781 B1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Electromechanical brake (10) for a motor vehicle, comprising an electric motor (18), via which a brake actuator can be adjusted for braking, and a control unit (26) with which the electric motor (18) can be controlled, wherein the electric motor (18) and the control unit (26) are attached to a brake calliper housing (14), characterized by that a support structure (42) is arranged on a housing (38) of the control unit (26), which in an assembled state rests against a cylindrical part of the brake calliper housing (14) and supports the control unit (26) thereon. [2] Electromechanical brake (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that the housing (38) of the control unit (26) and the support structure (42) are formed in one piece. [3] Electromechanical brake (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the housing (38) of the control unit (26) and the support structure (42) are formed from a plastic material. [4] Electromechanical brake (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the housing (38) of the control unit (26) and the support structure (42) are made of a die-cast aluminum material. [5] Electromechanical brake (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the support structure (42) is formed by a rib structure. [6] Electromechanical brake (10) according to claim 5, characterized by that the support structure (42) is formed from transverse ribs (46) arranged parallel to one another, which are connected to one another via longitudinal ribs (50) arranged offset from one another. [7] Motor vehicle comprising an electromechanical brake (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

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