Electromechanical brake for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an electromechanical brake (10) for a motor vehicle. The electromechanical brake (10) comprises an electric motor (22), via which a brake actuator can be adjusted for braking. Furthermore, the electromechanical brake (10) comprises a control unit (26) with which the electric motor (22) can be controlled. The electric motor (22) and the control unit (26) are attached to a brake caliper housing (14). Between the control unit (26) and the brake caliper housing (14), a plurality of retaining clips (34) are provided, via which the control unit (26) is fastened to the brake caliper housing (14).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an electromechanical brake for a motor vehicle and 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 which is easier to install.

[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. Between the control unit and the brake caliper housing, several retaining clips are provided, via which the control unit is attached to the brake caliper housing.

[0007] The retaining clips, which are advantageously designed as spring clips, can be used to apply a holding force between the control unit and the brake caliper housing. By connecting the brake caliper housing to the control unit via retaining clips, no additional fastening devices are required. Unlike screws, for example, no fastening tools are required to install retaining clips.

[0008] Such fastening tools are sometimes impossible to insert due to limited space. To accommodate such screws, the position of these screws would sometimes have to be adjusted to suit the space available, which requires additional effort. By using retaining clips, the control unit can be attached to the brake caliper housing using fastening tools. Despite limited space, the control unit can be easily connected to the brake caliper housing, which is advantageously made of metal, using the retaining clips. This simplifies the connection of the control unit, which is preferably made of plastic, to the brake caliper housing.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the retaining clips encompass the brake caliper housing, and both ends of the retaining clips are fastened to the control unit. This eliminates the need for any additional retaining geometry on the brake caliper housing. Despite this, means can be provided to prevent axial slippage of the retaining clips on the brake caliper housing. It is also possible to weld the retaining clips to the brake caliper housing. This also prevents axial slippage. By using a retaining clip that encompasses the brake caliper housing, the control unit can be connected to the brake caliper housing on both sides. This means that only a single retaining clip encompassing the brake caliper housing is required instead of two separate retaining clips. The number of parts can thus be further reduced.

[0010] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the retaining clips are connected to the control unit and / or brake caliper housing via a weld, caulking, or screw connection. Such a weld, caulking, or screw connection is preferably formed before the control unit is mounted to the brake caliper housing. This allows a connection between the brake caliper housing and the control unit to continue even in confined spaces. Despite this, such welds, caulking, or screw connections can also be formed after the control unit has been mounted to the brake caliper housing. This can, for example, prevent the retaining clips from slipping.

[0011] Preferably, means are provided in a fastening area of the retaining clips to protect the retaining clips from lateral displacement. These means are formed, for example, by the structure of the brake caliper housing or the control unit. The means are arranged laterally next to the retaining clip. These means protect the retaining clips from lateral slippage. This prevents the retaining clips from slipping laterally, even in the event of housing vibration. This makes it possible to permanently create a secure and simple connection between the control unit and the brake caliper housing.

[0012] In an advantageous further development, the retaining clips engage around a cover of the control unit, holding the cover in a closed position. The cover of the control unit is thus closed by the retaining clips and held in a closed position. This eliminates the need for additional means to close the cover. The retaining clips thus fulfill two different functions. By eliminating the additional fastening elements for the cover, the number of parts and the weight of the electromechanical brake can be reduced.

[0013] The retaining clips advantageously engage in a groove on the lid. A groove is a groove-like depression formed on the upper side of the lid. The groove preferably runs parallel to the edge of the lid. The retaining clips engage in the groove and are secured against slipping on the lid. The groove allows the retaining clips to be easily and securely held in the attached position.

[0014] In a further advantageous embodiment, the retaining clips have at least one bent end. The bent end points away from the component against which the retaining clips rest. In other words, the sharp-edged end does not rest against the part to be held. This prevents the sharp-edged end from abrading part of the component to be held due to vibrations, thus reducing the holding force. Accordingly, the same holding force can be ensured over the long term.

[0015] According to a practical embodiment, retaining geometries are formed on the brake caliper housing and / or the control unit for the retaining clips, which interact with the ends of the retaining clips in such a way that the retaining clips are held in an installed position. The retaining geometries are designed in such a way that they prevent the retaining clips from moving toward an edge of the component. This protects the retaining clip from slipping off the component. The retaining clip advantageously engages behind the retaining geometry.

[0016] According to a further expedient embodiment, the retaining geometries form an insertion bevel, via which the retaining clips can be brought into an assembled position. The insertion bevels are a part of the retaining geometry, via which the distance between the ends of the retaining clip is continuously increased. In other words, the retaining clip is tensioned over the insertion bevel. The insertion bevel is designed such that the retaining clip can be applied to the insertion bevel without tension. This simplifies the attachment of the retaining clips to the retaining geometry.

[0017] The retaining clips are advantageously made of metal. This has the advantage over plastic, for example, that they won't become brittle and break over time. This ensures a high level of long-term security for the connection between the control unit and the brake caliper housing.

[0018] The invention also provides a motor vehicle having such an electromechanical brake. Such a motor vehicle has the advantages and properties described above.

[0019] 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 Rear view of the electromechanical brake after Fig. 1, Fig. 3 Detailed view of a retaining clip between the control unit and the brake calliper housing, Fig. 4 View of an embodiment of a holding geometry for the holding clamps, Fig. 5 View of an embodiment of a lateral guide of the retaining clips, and Fig. 6 View of another embodiment of the attachment of the control unit to the brake caliper housing.

[0020] 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 housing 14, which is arranged on a brake caliper 18. For braking, a brake actuator (not shown) is arranged in the brake caliper housing 14, via which a brake pad can be applied to a brake disc. An electric motor 22, via which the brake actuator is driven, is also arranged on the brake caliper housing 14.

[0021] The electromechanical brake 10 additionally comprises a control unit 26, via which the electric motor 22 can be controlled. Sensor values can also be read via this control unit 26. The control unit 26 is attached to a mounting surface 30 formed by the brake caliper housing 14. To attach the control unit 26 to the mounting surface 30 of the brake caliper housing 14, several metal retaining clips 34 are arranged between the control unit 26 and the mounting surface 30. To connect the control unit 26 to an on-board electronics system, a plug socket 38 is additionally formed on the control unit 26.

[0022] Fig. 2 shows a rear view of the electromechanical brake 10 according to Fig. 1. This figure shows that the retaining clips 34 engage around a cover 42 of the control unit 26. Not only is the control unit 26 secured to the brake caliper housing 14, but the cover 42 of the control unit 26 is also held in a closed position by the retaining clips 34. The cover 42 of the control unit 26 forms a peripheral bead 46. Ends 50 of the retaining clips 34 engage in this bead 46, so that the retaining clips 34 are securely held in this position.

[0023] In Fig. 3 shows a detailed view of a retaining clip 34 between the control unit 26 and the brake caliper housing 14. A retaining geometry 54 is arranged on the edge of the rear side of the mounting surface 30 of the brake caliper housing 14. The retaining geometry 54 has an undercut 58 on a side facing away from the edge 56. The end 50 of the retaining clip 34 is held on the retaining geometry 54 by means of this undercut 58. The retaining geometry 54 additionally has an insertion bevel 62 extending from the edge 56, which rises in height up to the undercut 58. This insertion bevel 62 facilitates the attachment of the retaining clips 34. The retaining clips 34 have a bent end 50. A sharp-edged part of the end 50 therefore does not rest against the retaining geometry 54. This prevents a sharp-edged end 50 from cutting into the holding geometry 54 in the event of housing vibrations.

[0024] Fig. 4 shows a view of an embodiment of a holding geometry 54 for the holding clips 34. This holding geometry 54 also has both an insertion bevel 62 and an undercut 58. In contrast to the holding geometry 54 of Fig. 3, the holding geometry 54 forms, laterally adjacent to the undercut 58, holding jaws 66 for the holding clips 34. The holding jaws 66 prevent the holding clip 34 from shifting laterally relative to the holding geometry. Furthermore, starting from the edge 56, a holding rib 70 is arranged behind the holding geometry 54, which cooperates with the bent end 50 of the holding clips 34. This holding rib 70 also blocks movement of the holding clips 34 in a direction away from the undercut 58. Movement of the holding clips 34 is thus blocked via the holding geometry 54, the holding jaws 66, and the holding rib 70.

[0025] Fig. 5 shows a view of an embodiment of a lateral guide for the retaining clips 34. In this embodiment, structural ribs 74 are formed to stiffen the control unit 26. The structural ribs 74 are designed such that structural ribs 74 arranged laterally next to the retaining clip 34 extend beyond the retaining clip 34. The retaining clip 34 is thus guided laterally by the structural ribs 74. This prevents the retaining clip 34 from slipping laterally on the retaining geometry 54.

[0026] In Fig.Figure 6 shows a view of another embodiment of the attachment of the control unit 26 to the brake caliper housing 14. In this embodiment, the retaining clip 34 completely encompasses a cylindrical portion of the brake caliper housing 14. Both ends 50 of the retaining clips 34 are attached to the control unit 26. The retaining clip 34 is U-shaped. This eliminates the need for a retaining geometry 54 on the brake caliper housing 14. 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 (22), via which a brake actuator for braking can be adjusted, and a control unit (26) with which the electric motor (22) can be controlled, wherein the electric motor (22) and the control unit (26) are attached to a brake calliper housing (14), characterized by that a plurality of retaining clips (34) are provided between the control unit (26) and the brake calliper housing (14), via which the control unit (26) is fastened to the brake calliper housing (14). [2] Electromechanical brake (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that the retaining clips (34) engage around the brake calliper housing (14) and both ends (50) of the retaining clips (34) are fastened to the control unit (26). [3] Electromechanical brake (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the retaining clip (34) is connected to the control unit (26) and / or brake calliper housing (14) by welding, caulking or screwing. [4] Electromechanical brake (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that in a fastening area of the retaining clips (34), means (66) are provided by which the retaining clips (34) are protected against lateral displacement. [5] Electromechanical brake (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the retaining clips (34) engage around a cover (42) of the control unit (26) so that the cover (26) is held in a closed position. [6] Electromechanical brake (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the retaining clips (34) engage in a groove (46) on the cover (42). [7] Electromechanical brake (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the retaining clips (34) have at least one bent end (50). [8] Electromechanical brake (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that holding geometries (54) are formed on the brake calliper housing (14) and / or the control unit (26) for the holding clamps (34), which cooperate with ends (50) of the holding clamps (34) in such a way that the holding clamps (34) are held in an assembled position. [9] Electromechanical brake (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the holding geometries (54) form an insertion bevel (62) via which the holding clips (34) can be brought into an assembled position. [10] Electromechanical brake (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the retaining clips (34) are made of metal. [11] Motor vehicle comprising an electromechanical brake (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

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