MOTOR VEHICLE BRAKE ASSEMBLY

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle braking sub-assembly (10), said sub-assembly comprising: - a firewall (12) of the motor vehicle, - a servobrake (16) of said vehicle, having a first face (22) adapted to be fixed to a first face (23) of said firewall (12), said firewall (12) having at least one hole (28) adapted to receive at least one stud (24) projecting from the servobrake (16), for fixing the servobrake (16) to the firewall (12) by means of at least one nut (32) received on said at least one stud (24) and tightened towards a second opposite face (34) of the firewall (12), characterized in that it includes a prior retaining means (40) interposed between the servobrake (16) and the firewall (12), adapted to retain the servobrake (16) on the firewall (12) before tightening said at least one nut (32). Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 2.

Description

Title of the invention: MOTOR VEHICLE BRAKING ASSEMBLY Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle braking assembly, comprising an apron and a brake servo-brake fixed to this apron. Technical background

[0002] Attaching a brake booster to the bulkhead of a motor vehicle is a common operation performed during vehicle assembly. The brake booster is applied to one side of the bulkhead and then attached to the bulkhead.

[0003] In particular, there are known assemblies in which the servobrake is fixed to the face of the apron against which it is applied. These assemblies are uncommon, because they require servobrakes equipped with transverse mounting brackets, accessible around the periphery of these servobrakes, which necessarily makes them more bulky.

[0004] In most cases, the brake booster is applied to one side of the apron and then fixed to the opposite side of the apron. For this purpose, the brake booster has studs that are inserted into holes in the apron, and it is then fixed to the other side of the apron by nuts that are received onto the studs and tightened on the back of the second side.

[0005] Since a brake booster is generally a fairly heavy component, simply inserting the studs into the holes in the apron is not enough to secure it until it is fastened with nuts. Therefore, installing such a brake booster requires two operators: one operator holds the brake booster against the first wall, while the other handles inserting the nuts onto the studs and tightening them against the back of the second wall.

[0006] This configuration is not optimal for mass production.

[0007] There is therefore a real need for a braking sub-assembly comprising a fastening system that can be handled by a single operator. Summary of the invention

[0008] The invention satisfies this need by proposing a fastening system comprising a pre-holding means interposed between the servobrake and the apron, capable of holding the servobrake on the apron, prior to its fastening.

[0009] To this end, the invention proposes a motor vehicle braking sub-assembly, said sub-assembly comprising:

[0010] - an apron of the motor vehicle,

[0011] - a servo-brake of said vehicle, comprising a first face adapted to be fixed to a first side of said apron,

[0012] said apron having at least one hole suitable for receiving at least one stud protruding from the servobrake, for fixing the servobrake to the apron by means of at least one nut received on said at least one stud and tightened towards a second opposite face of the apron,

[0013] characterized in that it includes a prior retaining means interposed between the servobrake and the apron, suitable for retaining the servobrake on the apron before tightening said at least one nut.

[0014] The invention thus allows a single operator to apply the servobrake to one side of the apron and hold it against the gravitational forces acting on said servobrake while the same operator places the nuts on the servobrake studs and tightens them on the back of the opposite side of the apron. Therefore, only one operator is required to mount the servobrake on the apron.

[0015] According to various additional features of the invention, which may be taken together or separately and which constitute so many embodiments of the invention:

[0016] - the means of prior retention is carried by the apron and it comprises at least one component capable of cooperating with the brake booster,

[0017] - said retaining means is formed into a clip comprising: • a mounting plate fixed to the apron, • a tab extending outward from the first face of said plate, and carrying the component adapted to cooperate with the servobrake, the component extending opposite an upper part of a fixing zone of the first face of the apron receiving the first face of the servobrake,

[0018] - the leg extends substantially perpendicularly to the plate, is elastic, and is mobile between a free position in which its organ extends opposite the fixing zone and does not cooperate with the servobrake and an elastically deformed position in which its organ is elastically pulled back by the tab against a second upper face of the servobrake,

[0019] - the leg includes a ramp means adapted to come into contact with the servo brake to move the arm from its free position to its elastically deformed position during the advance of the brake booster towards its mounting area,

[0020] - the end of the leg has a hook forming the organ capable of cooperating with the second upper face of the brake booster.

[0021] - the leg comprises: • a first, roughly straight sector, one end of which is joined to the plate, • a second sector, arranged at a second end of the first sector, facing the fixing area at a specific angle with the first sector, which forms the ramp and hook,

[0022] - the clip is formed from a single piece by cutting and folding a metallic material elastic, the leg being shaped into a flat ribbon, the second sector of which is folded relative to the first sector,

[0023] - the plate is riveted to the apron,

[0024] -a hook reception form is arranged on the second upper face of the servobrake,

[0025] -the subassembly further comprises a component, in particular a pedal assembly, of which a plate is fixed to the second face of the apron, said plate being crossed by at least one stud of the servobrake and at least one nut being tightened against said plate.

[0026] The invention also relates to a method for assembling a sub-assembly of the type described above, characterized in that it comprises the steps of:

[0027] i) bring the servobrake closer to the apron,

[0028] ii) drive at least one stud into at least one hole,

[0029] iii) push the first face of the servobrake into contact with the first face of the apron

[0030] iv) maintain the servobrake in contact with the apron using the prior holding means,

[0031] v) insert said at least one nut onto said at least one stud on the side of the second face of the apron,

[0032] vi) tighten said at least one nut against the second face of the apron,

[0033] - the process includes, between steps iv) and v), a step iv-v) during which one thread the plate of said at least one component onto at least one stud. Brief description of the figures

[0034] The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages thereof will become more apparent in the course of the detailed explanatory description that follows, of at least one embodiment of the invention given by way of purely illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, among which:

[0035] - Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first face of a sub- deck assembly according to the invention, equipped with its prior holding means;

[0036] - [Fig.2] is a first perspective view of the subassembly according to the invention in the process of being assembled, on the side of the first face of the apron;

[0037] - [Fig. 3] is a second perspective view of the subassembly according to the invention in the process of being assembled, on the side of the first face of the apron;

[0038] - [Fig.4] is a detailed perspective view of the prior holding means;

[0039] - [Fig.5] is a view of a second side of the apron, equipped with a pedal assembly;

[0040] - [Fig. 6] is a third perspective view of the subassembly according to the invention currently being assembled, on the side of the second side of the apron;

[0041] - [Fig. 7] is a fourth perspective view of the subassembly according to the invention currently being assembled, on the side of the second side of the apron;

[0042] - [Fig. 8] is a fifth perspective view of the subassembly according to the invention currently being assembled, on the side of the second side of the apron;

[0043] - [Fig. 9] is a block diagram illustrating the steps of an assembly process of the subassembly according to invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0044] In the description that follows, identical reference numerals designate identical parts or parts having similar functions.

[0045] Figures 1 to 3 show a subset 10 of the braking system of a motor vehicle.

[0046] As is known, subassembly 10 comprises a bulkhead 12. This bulkhead 12 is a substantially vertical bulkhead of a motor vehicle 14, which has been partially shown in [Fig. 5]. The bulkhead 12 is intended, in particular, to serve as a partition between an engine compartment of the vehicle and its passenger compartment.

[0047] The subassembly 10 also includes a servobrake 16, visible more particularly in Figures 2 and 3. Essentially, the servobrake 16 includes a hydraulic block 18 surmounted by a reservoir 20 and having a first substantially vertical face 22 from which protrudes at least one stud 24, here in particular four studs 24, and an actuating tail 26, which has been represented more particularly in Figures 1 and 6.

[0048] As illustrated in particular by Figures 2 and 3, the first face 22 of the servobrake 16 is adapted to be fixed to a first face 23 of the apron 12. For this purpose, the apron 12 has at least one hole 28 adapted to receive each protruding stud 24 of the servobrake 16. In the present case, the servobrake 16 having four studs 24, the apron 12 has four holes 28 arranged relative to each other in the same way as the studs 24 of the servobrake 16, so that they can be arranged in correspondence with said studs 24. As illustrated by Figures 1, 2 and 6, the apron 12 also has, between these holes 28, a hole 30 intended to allow the passage of the actuating rod 26 of the servobrake 16.

[0049] The servobrake 16 can thus be fixed to the apron 12 by means of at least one nut 32, visible [Fig.5], and here of four nuts 32 received on each of said studs 24, then tightened towards a second opposite face 34 of the apron 12.

[0050] Thus, a method for assembling the sub-assembly 10 comprises firstly a step i), shown in Figures 1 and 9, during which the servobrake 16 is brought close to the apron 12. Then, during a step ii), as illustrated in Figures 2 and 10, the tail 26 is driven into the hole 30 and the studs 24 into the holes 28. Next, during a step iii), as illustrated in Figures 3 and 9, the first face 22 of the servobrake is pushed into contact with the first face 23 of the apron 12.

[0051] Then, during a step v) a nut 32 is inserted on each stud 24 on the side of the second face 34 of the apron 12, to tighten it towards this second face 34.

[0052] A problem arises, given the high weight of the servobrake 16 and the vertical position of the apron 12. Indeed, conventionally, to carry out this latter operation, it is necessary for an operator to hold the servobrake 16 in support on the first face 23 of the apron 12 while another operator inserts the nuts 32 onto the studs 24. Indeed, the weight of the servobrake 12 does not allow it to be held with its studs 24 through the holes 28, and it risks falling.

[0053] This problem is all the more significant if another component, such as a pedal assembly 36, is intended to be interposed between the nuts 32 and the second face 34 of the apron 12. For example, Figures 5 and 8 show an assembly of a subassembly 10 further comprising a pedal assembly 36, a brake pedal 37 of which is intended to be connected to the actuating rod 26 to actuate the brake booster 16. A plate 38 of the pedal assembly 26 is fixed to the second face 34 of the apron 12. This plate 38 is traversed by the studs 24 of the brake booster 12. It is also fixed to the apron 12 by means of the nuts 32, which are tightened against this plate 38.

[0054] It is therefore desirable to reduce the number of operators used in this assembly process.

[0055] The invention remedies this drawback in that the subassembly includes a pre-holding means 40 which is interposed between the servobrake 16 and the apron 12, and which is capable of holding the servobrake 16 in position on the apron 12 against the force of gravity before the nuts 32 are tightened.

[0056] This design advantageously allows a single operator to position the servobrake 16 relative to the apron 12 on the side of the first face 23 of the apron 12, and then, moving to the other side of the apron 12, to secure the servobrake 16 using the nuts 34. This design also allows, prior to tightening the nuts 34, the mounting plate 38 of the pedal assembly 36 onto the studs 24 before securing it with the nuts 32. Consequently, this results in improved operator utilization on the assembly line since only one operator is needed to assemble the sub-assembly 10.

[0057] In this configuration, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 9, during a step iv), which is prior to step v) of inserting the nuts 32, the servobrake 16 in contact with the apron 12 by means of the prior holding means 40. It therefore only remains, after step v) of insertion of the nuts 32, to tighten the nuts 32 towards the second face 34 of the apron 12 during a step vi).

[0058] Without limiting the invention, the pre-holding means 40 can be implemented in various ways and arranged in different locations. In particular, the pre-holding means 40 could be carried by the servobrake 16. However, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the pre-holding means 40 is carried by the apron and comprises at least one element 42 capable of cooperating with the servobrake 16.

[0059] Preferably, the component 42 is adapted to cooperate mechanically with the servobrake 16. It would nevertheless be conceivable that the component 42 could take another form adapted to hold the first face 22 of the servobrake 16 against the first face 23 of the apron 12. It could, for example, be an adhesive strong enough to temporarily hold the first face 22 of the servobrake 16 against the first face 23 of the apron 12.

[0060] Preferably, the component 42 cooperates mechanically with the servobrake 16 to allow easy dismantling of the servobrake 16 in case of its replacement.

[0061] In the example shown here, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, the retaining means 40 is shaped as a clip. As can be seen more particularly in [Fig. 4], this clip 40 comprises, firstly, a plate 44 which is fixed to the apron 12.

[0062] The plate 44 rests here in planar support on the apron 12 and is fixed there by a rivet 46 as can be seen in figures 1 and 2.

[0063] It will be understood that this configuration is not limiting of the invention and that the plate 44 could be snapped into a complementary form of the apron 12, or be welded to the apron 12.

[0064] The clip 40 also has a tab 48 which extends outward from the first face 23 of the apron 12 from the plate 44. This tab 48 carries the member 42 which is able to cooperate with the servobrake 16.

[0065] The positioning of the clip 40 on the apron 12 is chosen so that the member 42 extends at a distance opposite an upper part 43 of a fixing zone Z of the first face 23 of the apron 12 intended to receive the first face 22 of the servobrake 16. The fixing zone Z has been shown in dashed lines on the [Fig.1].

[0066] As can be seen in [Fig.4], the leg 48 extends substantially perpendicularly to the plate 44, is elastic, and is mobile between a free position, shown in figures 1, 2, 4 in which its member 42 extends in relation to the fixing zone Z and does not cooperate with the servobrake 16 and an elastically deformed position, shown in [Fig.3] in which its member 42 is elastically pulled back by the leg 48 against a second upper face 50 of the servobrake 16. The elastic tab 48 allows a restoring force to be exerted on the member 48, thereby reinforcing the cooperation of the member 42 with the second upper face 50 of the servobrake 16. Preferably, the end of the tab 48 has a hook forming the member 42, which is able to cooperate with the second upper face 50 of the servobrake 16.

[0067] In this position, a lower part of the servobrake 16 is supported against the first face 23 of the apron, and the member 42 prevents the servobrake 16 from tilting downwards around this support point.

[0068] Advantageously, so that the operator does not need to apply force to the tab 48 before it rests on the second upper face 50 of the servo brake 16, the tab 48 includes a ramp means 52 adapted to come into contact with the servo brake 16 to move the tab 48 from its free position to its elastically deformed position during an advance of the servo brake 16 towards its mounting zone Z. It is therefore the advance of the servo brake 16, which occurs when the operator pushes the servo brake 16 towards the apron 12, that applies force to the tab 48 by elastically deforming it as it rises, allowing the hook forming the element 42 to mount onto the second upper face 50 of the servo brake 16 and cooperate with it.

[0069] Preferably, the lug 48, the ramp means 52, and the hook member 42 are formed in one and the same piece. To this end, as illustrated in [Fig. 4], the lug 48 comprises a first substantially straight sector 54, a first end 56 of which is joined to the plate 44. The lug 48 also comprises a second sector 56, arranged at a second end 60 of the first sector 54, which is oriented towards the fixing zone Z at a predetermined angle α with the first sector 54 and which simultaneously forms the ramp means 52 and the hook 42. Without limiting the invention, the angle α, for example, may have a value between 30 and 70 degrees.

[0070] For the sake of simplification in the manufacture of the clip 40, it is formed from a single piece by cutting and folding an elastic metallic material and incorporates the plate 44 and the tab 48. The tab 48 is formed into a flat strip, the second sector 56 of which is folded relative to the first sector 54 according to the angle a.

[0071] Alternatively, the clip 40 could be made of a plastic material.

[0072] The hook 42 cooperates by wedging with the second upper face 50 of the servobrake 16.

[0073] However, it would be perfectly conceivable that the cooperation of the hook 42 and the second upper face 50 of the servobrake 16 could be improved by a receiving shape for the hook 42 arranged on the second upper face 50 of the servobrake 16 and behind which the hook 42 would be elastically snapped into place. This shape could be a notch or a rib.

[0074] Alternatively, the hook 42 could comprise an elastomeric material suitable for improving contact and increasing the friction force between the second upper face 50 of the servobrake 16 and said hook 42.

[0075] In this configuration, the servobrake 16 being held in contact with the apron 12 by means of the prior holding means 40 during step iv), the studs 24 of the servobrake 16 pass through the apron 12 and protrude on the side of the second face 34, as shown in [Fig. 6]. It is therefore possible for the operator, during a step iv-v) shown in Figures 7 and 9, to insert the plate 38 of the pedal assembly 36 onto these studs 24, then to insert the nuts 32 during step v) and then, as shown in [Fig. 8], to tighten the nuts 32 during step vi) against this plate 38 to simultaneously fix the servobrake and the pedal assembly 36 to the apron 12.

[0076] The invention makes it possible to increase the employability of personnel assigned to the assembly of the servobrake 16 and the pedal assembly 36 in the context of mass production.

Claims

Demands

1. Motor vehicle braking sub-assembly (10), said sub-assembly comprising: - a firewall (12) of the motor vehicle, - a brake booster (16) of said vehicle, having a first face (22) suitable for being fixed to a first face (23) of said firewall (12), said firewall (12) having at least one hole (28) suitable for receiving at least one stud (24) projecting from the brake booster (16), for fixing the brake booster (16) to the firewall (12) by means of at least one nut (32) received on said at least one stud (24) and tightened towards a second opposite face (34) of the firewall (12), characterized in that it includes a prior retaining means (40) interposed between the brake booster (16) and the firewall (12), suitable for retaining the brake booster (16) on the firewall (12) before tightening said at least one nut (32).

2. Braking sub-assembly (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said prior retaining means (40) is carried by the apron (12) and comprises at least one element (42) capable of cooperating with the servobrake (16).

3. Braking sub-assembly (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said retaining means (40) is formed as a clip comprising: - a plate (44) fixed to the apron (12), - a tab (48) extending in projection relative to the first face (23) from said plate (44), and carrying the member (42) adapted to cooperate with the servobrake (12), the member (42) extending opposite an upper part (43) of a fixing zone (Z) of the first face (23) of the apron (12) receiving the first face (22) of the servobrake (16).

4. Subassembly (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the leg (48) extends substantially perpendicularly to the plate (44), is elastic, and is mobile between a free position in which its member (42) extends in relation to the fixing area (Z) and does not cooperate with the servobrake (16) and an elastically deformed position in which its member (42) is elastically pulled back by the leg (48) against a second upper face (50) of the servobrake.

5. Subassembly (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the leg (48) comprises a ramp means (52) capable of making contact with the servobrake (16) to move the leg (48) from its free position to its elastically deformed position during an advance of the servobrake (16) towards its fixing zone (Z).

6. Subassembly (10) according to any one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the end of the leg (48) has a hook forming the member (42) capable of cooperating with the second upper face (50) of the servobrake (16).

7. Subassembly (10) according to claims 5 and 6 taken in combination, characterized in that the leg comprises: - a first substantially straight sector (54), a first end (56) of which is joined to the plate (44), - a second sector (58), arranged at a second end (60) of the first sector (54), turned towards the fixing zone (Z) by forming a determined angle (a) with the first sector (54), which forms the ramp means (52) and the hook (42).

8. Subassembly (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the clip (40) is formed in one piece by cutting and folding an elastic metallic material, the tab (48) being shaped into a flat strip, the second sector (58) of which is folded relative to the first sector (54).

9. Subassembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a component, in particular a pedal assembly (36), of which a plate (38) is fixed to the second face (34) of the apron, said plate (38) being traversed by at least one stud (24) of the servobrake and at least one nut (32) being tightened against said plate (38).

10. Method of assembling a sub-assembly (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: i) bringing the servobrake (16) close to the apron (12), ii) driving at least one stud (24) into at least one hole (28), iii) pushing the first face (22) of the servobrake (16) into contact with the first face (23) of the apron (12), iv) holding the servobrake (16) in contact with the apron (12) using the prior holding means (40), (v) insert said at least one nut (32) onto said at least one stud (24) on the side of the second face (34) of the apron (12), (vi) tighten said at least one nut (24) towards the second face (34) of the apron (12).

11. Method of assembling a sub-assembly (10) according to the preceding claim taken in combination with claim 9, characterized in that it comprises between steps iv) and v) a step iv-v) during which the plate (38) of said at least one component (36) is threaded onto at least one stud (24).

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