Vehicle braking system · Pressure buffer device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle brake system pressure damper (10) comprising a first space (20) to which hydraulic pressure is applied, a second space (24) surrounded by a damper housing (14) and containing a compressible medium, and a partition element (22) for separating the first space (20) from the second space (24). [Solution] In this case, a ring-shaped support element (44) is provided with respect to the longitudinal axis (48), and the ring-shaped support element presses the partition element (22) against the buffer housing (14) obliquely radially outward with respect to the longitudinal axis (48) and axially toward the second space (24).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle brake system - pressure buffer device including a first space to which hydraulic pressure is applied, a second space surrounded by a buffer housing and having a compressible medium therein, and a partition element for partitioning the first space from the second space.

Background Art

[0002] Brake systems, particularly hydraulic brake systems, are used to slow down the vehicle speed of vehicles such as passenger cars and trucks. During the operation of such a brake system, various dynamic effects occur, especially pressure fluctuations in the pipes and spaces therein, and the pressure fluctuations induce vibrations or pulsations, thereby inducing undesirable noise and vibrations. To minimize such vibrations or to obtain a buffering effect during such vibrations, a vehicle brake system - pressure buffer device (hereinafter also referred to as a buffer) is used at one or more mounting sites within the brake system. This buffer includes a first space to which hydraulic pressure is applied. This space is a kind of container, and therein is a working fluid, particularly a pressurized brake fluid. At that time, the pressure is generated by the force acting on one surface.

[0003] A buffer with a partition element is known, and the partition element partitions the space into a first space having a liquid or fluid therein and a second space having a compressible medium therein, usually in the form of a gas. It is known that the volume of one space of a deformable container having gas therein decreases when a high external pressure acts on this container. Similarly, when hydraulic pressure is applied to the first space by the partition element, the volume of the second space also decreases.

[0004] When this pressure drops again, correspondingly the volume of the gas, and thus the volume of the second space, also increases. That is, the second space acts like an air spring (also called a gas spring). How soft or hard this gas spring cushions depends on the gas volume in the second space. The larger the gas volume, the softer the cushioning. Summary of the Invention Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The problem of the present invention is to provide a device for vibration buffering in a brake system that can be manufactured particularly favorably in terms of cost. Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to the present invention, a vehicle brake system pressure buffer device is created, which includes a first space to which hydraulic pressure is applied, a second space surrounded by a buffer housing and having a compressible medium therein, and a partition element for partitioning the first space from the second space. At this time, according to the present invention, a ring-shaped support element is provided with respect to the longitudinal axis, and the partition element is pressed against the buffer housing by the ring-shaped support element in an obliquely radially outward direction with respect to the longitudinal axis and in the direction of the second space in the axial direction.

[0007] By the solution means according to the present invention, a sealing portion is created between the buffer housing and the partition element, which is completely based on pressing the partition element axially against the buffer housing. At this time, this pressing is directed both axially and obliquely radially outward, thereby creating a particularly liquid-tight seal. This seal is further strengthened by the radially acting pressure of the working fluid entering the second space that occurs at this time.

[0008] In an advantageous further configuration of the solution according to the invention, the vehicle brake system pressure buffer device is provided with a device housing into which a shock absorber housing is inserted, in which case the ring-shaped support element is integrally formed with the device housing. Thereby, the number of parts can be advantageously reduced.

[0009] The partition element is preferably configured as a pot-shaped diaphragm with an annular sealing strip region on the end face side. The sealing strip region preferably has an axial oversize with respect to the remaining hollow cylindrical diaphragm wall, and the oversize serves to pressurize this sealing strip or the sealing strip region during pressing by the support element.

[0010] In this case, the annular sealing strip region is preferably configured to have a first pressing surface directed towards the shock absorber housing and sufficiently radially directed, and a second pressing surface directed towards the support element and also sufficiently radially directed. That is, two pressing surfaces, or two regions where the materials of the members adjacent to each other during assembly cover each other, are formed, and as a result, the pressurization of these members occurs purposefully in the assembled state.

[0011] In this case, the ring-shaped support element is preferably configured to have a support surface inclined in the radial and axial directions and directed towards the partition element. This inclined support surface is preferably configured as a conical surface. That is, a uniformly strong pressing force is generated over the entire circumference of the ring-shaped support element. Due to the support surface, the material of the partition element is particularly pushed radially outwards.

[0012] Furthermore, the ring-shaped support element is preferably configured to have at least one passage extending from the radially inner side to the radially outer side. The at least one passage ensures pressure equilibrium between the inner surface on the radially inner side and the outer surface on the radially outer side of the support element. Thereby, pressure equilibrium is also achieved on the radially outer side of the support element within the first space, and it is achieved that, just like on the radially inner side of the support element, the partition element is pressed against the housing surrounding it there. That is, the pressure acting from below in the gap between the support element and the housing surrounding it does not penetrate into the sealed location formed by the sealing strip area. Also, the material of the sealing strip area does not enter this gap. At the same time, the said gap and the associated pressure equilibrium prevent traction pressure, which means that there can be no area with a locally higher pressure that remains sealed for a short time and then only slowly reduces the pressure over time. The at least one passage is preferably configured as a radially through hole or an axially through groove.

[0013] According to the invention, the buffer housing is preferably configured to have an annular surface on the end face side that is inclined in the radial and axial directions, and the partition element is pressed obliquely outwards by the annular surface. Thus, the annular surface on the end face side forms a counter bearing for pressing the partition element obliquely in the axial and radial directions towards the buffer housing according to the invention.

[0014] In this case, the buffer housing is configured in a pot shape and thus completely surrounds the partition element on the outside. At the same time in this case, a large movable diaphragm surface can be formed, especially with a small installation space, and also for the partition element in the shape of a pot at this time.

[0015] Instead of a solution means integrated with the device housing, the support element is particularly preferably configured as a thin plate deep drawing member in terms of cost.

[0016] Furthermore, in an advantageous further configuration of the solution according to the invention, a buffer housing is inserted into the device housing and is fixedly positioned and attached there, in particular using a caulking part. That is, by fixedly positioning and attaching the buffer housing in the device housing and concomitantly performing a seal in accordance with the invention, it is possible to press the partition element against the buffer housing in accordance with the invention in just one working step.

[0017] Correspondingly, the solution according to the invention is also directed to a method for manufacturing a vehicle brake system - pressure buffer device. In this method, a partition element is inserted into the buffer housing, and then these assembled parts are installed in the device housing, where they are fixedly positioned and attached by a caulking part. At the same time, the partition element is pressed obliquely radially outwards with respect to the longitudinal axis and in the axial direction towards the buffer housing using a ring-shaped, in particular conical or frustoconical, support element located in the device housing.

[0018] Next, some embodiments of the solution according to the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Figure 1 shows a vehicle brake system - pressure buffer device 10 having a device housing 12 and a buffer housing 14. A supply pipe 16 is arranged within the device housing 12, and hydraulic pressure is applied to the supply pipe in the direction of arrow 18 using a hydraulic fluid (brake fluid in this example, not shown). The supply pipe 16 opens into a first space 20, and the first space is defined to face each other by a partition element 22 in the shape of a pot-shaped diaphragm. There is a second space 24 behind the partition element 22 as seen from the first space 20. In this case, the second space is defined on the outside by the buffer housing 14. Thus, the first space 20 is surrounded by the inner surface 26 of the device housing of the device housing 12 and the inner surface 28 of the partition element of the partition element 22. The second space 24 is surrounded by the inner surface 30 of the buffer housing of the buffer housing 14 and the outer surface 32 of the partition element of the partition element 22. The partition element 22 is configured in the form of a pot-shaped diaphragm and has an open end face side end region 34 facing towards the supply pipe 16. In this end region 34, the partition element 22 is sealed against the buffer housing 14 by a packing 36. This packing 36 is configured using a stepped metal ring 38, and the partition element 22 is vulcanized and attached to the metal ring. The metal ring itself is formed on the buffer housing 14 with a very precise geometric shape by a metal sealing joint.

[0021] The partition element 22 is configured to have a semi-circular groove 40 extending circumferentially on its outer surface 32 in cross-section.

[0022] Figures 2 and 3 illustrate a vehicle brake system - pressure buffer device 10 having a substantially cubic device housing 12, a pot-shaped buffer housing 14, a supply pipe 16, a first space 20, a pot-shaped partition element 22, and a second space 24 in the same manner. These components are configured in the same manner as the vehicle brake system - pressure buffer device 10 according to FIG. 1. However, in the case of the vehicle brake system - pressure buffer device 10 according to FIGS. 2 and 3, the sealing portion between the buffer housing 14 and the partition element 22 is configured differently. In addition, a ring-shaped sealing strip region 42 that is thick in the axial and radial directions is formed in the end face side region of the partition element 22, and a ring-shaped support element 44 in the shape of a thin plate deep drawing member is arranged on the end face side of the sealing strip region. By the support element 44, the partition element 22 is pressed against the buffer housing 14 at its open end face 46 obliquely radially outward with respect to its longitudinal axis 48 and in the axial direction in the direction of the second space 24 (see arrow 50 and arrow 52). The pressing force required at that time is generated by the support element 44 being inserted into the stepped hole 54 of the device housing 12, the supply pipe 16 being inserted into the central portion thereof, and then the buffer housing 14 having the partition element 22 installed therein being fixedly attached by the outer caulking portion 56.

[0023] At that time, the support element 44 has a conical or truncated conical support surface 58 directed toward the partition element 22, and the support surface is inclined at an angle between 30° and 60° with respect to the longitudinal axis 48, particularly an angle between 40° and 50°. Further, the support element 44 has a radially outer peripheral surface 60, and a plurality of round passages 62 are formed evenly distributed around it. The passages 62 are used for pressure balance between the inner surface and the outer surface of the support element 44.

[0024] The ring-shaped sealing strip region 42 of the partition element 22 is configured to include a first pressing surface 64 that faces the shock absorber housing 14 and is sufficiently radially directed, and a second pressing surface 66 that faces the support element 44 and is inclined in the radial and axial directions. Further, the shock absorber housing 14 is configured to include an annular surface 68 on the end face side, and the partition element 22 is axially pressed against the annular surface with its pressing surface 64.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, in the partition element 22 thus pressed against the shock absorber housing 14, on the one hand, two regions 70 with zero fluid pressure and two regions 72 with maximum fluid pressure are generated. Therefore, this type of partition element 22 seals the shock absorber housing 14 particularly advantageously in the axial direction and the device housing 12 particularly advantageously in the radial direction in a liquid-tight manner.

[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the vehicle brake system - pressure buffer device 10 in which the ring-shaped support element 44 is integrally formed with the device housing 12. In addition, the stepped hole 54 is formed such that a support surface 58 that faces the partition element 22 and is inclined in the radial and axial directions is generated at the hole step portion thereof.

[0027] Furthermore, in the embodiment of FIG. 4, in the shock absorber housing 14 therein, the annular surface 69 on the end face side is configured to be inclined in the radial and axial directions, whereby the partition element 22 is pressed obliquely radially outward there.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0028] 10 Vehicle brake system - pressure buffer device 12 Device housing 14 Shock absorber housing 20 First space 22 Partition element 24 Second space 42 Sealing strip region 44 Support element 48 Longitudinal axis 56 crimping part 58 support surface 62 passageway 64 first pressing surface of the sealing strip area 66 second pressing surface of the sealing strip area 68 annular surface of the buffer housing

Claims

1. In a vehicle brake system pressure buffer device (10) comprising a first space (20) to which hydraulic pressure is applied, a second space (24) surrounded by a shock absorber housing (14) and having a compressible medium therein, and a partition element (22) for partitioning the first space (20) from the second space (24), a ring-shaped support element (44) is provided to be symmetric with respect to a longitudinal axis (48), the ring-shaped support element (44) having a radially outer peripheral surface (60) and a conical support surface (58) that extends from an end of the peripheral surface (60) in the axial direction and is inclined in both the radial and axial directions, and the partition element (22) being pressed against the shock absorber housing (14) by the support surface (58) of the ring-shaped support element (44) obliquely radially outward with respect to the longitudinal axis (48) and in the direction of the second space (24) in the axial direction. A vehicle brake system pressure buffer device characterized by this.

2. The vehicle brake system pressure buffer device according to claim 1, characterized in that the partition element (22) is configured as a pot-shaped diaphragm having a ring-shaped sealing strip region (42) on the end face side.

3. The vehicle brake system pressure buffer device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the ring-shaped sealing strip region (42) is configured to include a first pressing surface (64) directed toward the shock absorber housing (14) and radially oriented, and a second pressing surface (66) directed toward the support element (44) and radially oriented.

4. The vehicle brake system pressure buffer device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the ring-shaped support element (44) is configured to have at least one passage (62) extending from the radially inner side to the radially outer side.

5. The vehicle brake system pressure buffer device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the shock absorber housing (14) is configured to have an annular surface (68) on the end face side that is inclined in both the radial and axial directions, and the partition element (22) is pressed obliquely radially outward by the annular surface.

6. The vehicle brake system pressure buffer device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the buffer housing (14) is configured in a pot shape.

7. The vehicle brake system pressure buffer device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the support element (44) is configured as a thin plate deep drawing member.

8. In a method of manufacturing a vehicle brake system pressure buffer device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, a partition element is inserted into a buffer housing (14), and then these assembled parts are installed in a device housing (12), where they are fixed in position and attached by caulking portions (56). At the same time, the partition element (22) is pressed obliquely radially outward with respect to the longitudinal axis (48) and in the axial direction toward the buffer housing (14) using a ring-shaped support element (44) in the device housing (12).

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