Operating device for the braking system

Abstract

An operating device (1) for a brake system (2) having an operable master brake cylinder (10), the operating device (1) having a transmission (12) with a slidably supported transmission member (13), an electric motor (8) for driving the transmission (12), and a slidably supported pressure transmission body (20) coupled to an input rod (24) such that the pressure transmission body (20) is slidable by the input rod (24), the master brake cylinder (10) being operable by sliding of the transmission member (13) and also by sliding of the pressure transmission body (20), and having a sensor (30) having a first sensor portion (32) slidable with the pressure transmission body (20) and a second sensor portion (33) slidable with the transmission member (13). **Solution**: It is intended that the first and second sensor portions (32, 33) are slidably supported on a common support member (31) of the sensor (30).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an operating device for a brake system having an operable master brake cylinder, comprising a transmission having a slidably supported transmission member, an electric motor for driving the transmission, and a slidably supported pressing force transmission body coupled to an input rod such that the pressing force transmission body is slidable by the input rod, wherein the master brake cylinder is operable by both the sliding of the transmission member and the sliding of the pressing force transmission body, and a sensor having a first sensor portion slidable together with the pressing force transmission body and a second sensor portion slidable together with the transmission member.

Background Art

[0002] A hydraulic brake system in an automobile typically has a master brake cylinder of the brake system and multiple friction brake devices hydraulically connected to it. When the master brake cylinder is operated, the hydraulic fluid moves to the slave cylinders of the friction brake devices, thereby causing the friction brake devices to generate friction brake torque. In this case, there is typically an operating device for operating the master brake cylinder. As automobiles become more electrified, the operating devices of brake systems are also becoming more electrified. The type of operating device described at the beginning is known, for example, from Patent Document 1. This operating device has a transmission device having a slidably supported transmission member. The transmission device is driveable by an electric motor of the operating device. Furthermore, this operating device has a slidable pressure transmission body. The pressure transmission body is coupled to an input rod such that the pressure transmission body is slidable by the input rod. When this operating device is incorporated into a brake system according to its application, the master brake cylinder can be operated by the sliding of the transmission member or by the sliding of the pressure transmission body. Furthermore, the operating device has a sensor having a first sensor part that is slidable with the pressure transmission body and a second sensor part that is slidable with the transmission member. This sensor makes it possible to detect the sliding position of the pressing force transmission body relative to the sliding position of the transmission member. In the operating device known from Patent Document 1, the first sensor part is a sensor measurement value detector. The second sensor part is a sensor receiver. In this case, the first sensor part and the second sensor part are attached to the pressing force transmission body or transmission member. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] German Patent Application Publication No. 102019203511 Specification [Overview of the Initiative]

[0004] The operating device according to the present invention is characterized in that, having the constituent elements of claim 1, the first sensor portion and the second sensor portion are slidably supported on a common support member for the sensor. Since both the first sensor portion and the second sensor portion are supported on a common support member, each element of the sensor can be easily and jointly handled as a module. As a result, the assembly of the sensor to the operating device and the removal of the assembled sensor are significantly simplified compared to known solutions. The support member is preferably made of plastic.

[0005] In one preferred embodiment, the support member is configured in a frame shape, and the first and second sensor portions are intended to be slidably supported in the frame openings of the support member. By being supported in the frame openings, the first and second sensor portions are protected from damage by the support member. The frame-shaped support member preferably has two first sides facing the sliding direction of the sensor unit and two second sides facing perpendicular to the sliding direction, thereby configuring the frame as a rectangle. It is particularly preferred that the sensor portions are slidably supported by the first sides of the frame-shaped support member, that is, the first sides contribute to supporting the sensor portions.

[0006] In one preferred embodiment, at least one particularly metallic guide rod is attached to the support member, and the first and second sensor portions are intended to be slidably supported by the guide rod. The guide rod provides a particularly robust mechanical support for the first and second sensor portions. The first and second sensor portions are preferably fitted or fitted onto the guide rod. It is particularly preferred that a plurality of guide rods arranged parallel to each other are attached to the support member, in which case the first and second sensor portions are slidably supported by the plurality of guide rods.

[0007] The first and second sensor portions are preferably supported by a support member, moving forward and backward in the sliding direction. This type of arrangement of sensor portions allows for the realization of a narrow sensor. In an alternative embodiment, the sensor portions are arranged side by side in the sliding direction, for example.

[0008] In one preferred embodiment, the operating device has a housing in which a transmission member and a pressing force transmission member are at least partially disposed, and the sensor is intended to be mounted in the housing. Such an embodiment of the operating device is particularly mechanically robust. In particular, the sensor is mounted in the housing by a support member. It is preferable that the sensor is detachably mounted in the housing, thereby simplifying the replacement of the assembled sensor. It is particularly preferable that the sensor is mounted in the housing by a detachable screw coupling.

[0009] In one preferred embodiment, the sensor is intended to be inserted into a rupture in the outer wall of the housing. Insertion into the rupture allows for the technically simple implementation of not only the mechanical connection between the pressing force transmitter or transmission member and the first and second sensor portions, but also the electrical connection to a control device located outside the housing. Preferably, the sensor is inserted into the rupture such that the first and second sensor portions face inward towards the housing.

[0010] In one preferred embodiment, a first connecting member is attached to a pressure transmission body, and the first connecting member is intended to be coupled to a first sensor portion by a shape joint. The shape joint ensures that the first sensor portion slides reliably with the pressure transmission body, and for this purpose the shape joint is configured to transmit at least the force acting in the sliding direction of the pressure transmission body to the first sensor portion. In this case, the first connecting member may be attached to the pressure transmission body directly or indirectly. Alternatively or additionally, the operating device preferably has a second connecting member attached to a transmission member, and the second connecting member is coupled to a second sensor portion by a shape joint.

[0011] The first connecting member preferably cooperates with the fork-shaped retaining structure of the first sensor portion to form a shape joint. This type of shape joint ensures that the first sensor portion slides together with the pressure transmitting body. Furthermore, the shape joint can be easily formed, that is, by inserting the first connecting member into the fork-shaped retaining structure. Alternatively or additionally, the second connecting member cooperates with the fork-shaped retaining structure of the second sensor portion to form a shape joint.

[0012] In one preferred embodiment, the first connecting member is intended to be attached to the first sensor portion by a locking or clamping coupling. This ensures a particularly mechanically robust coupling between the first connecting member and the first sensor portion, thereby allowing the coupling to withstand vibrations, for example, of the operating device. Furthermore, the locking or clamping coupling can be easily established when the sensor is attached to the operating device, for example, by fitting the first connecting member and the first sensor portion together. The locking or clamping coupling is preferably removable. This has the advantage of allowing for easy replacement of the sensor. The second connecting member is preferably attached to the second sensor portion by a particularly removable locking coupling or particularly removable clamping coupling.

[0013] In one preferred embodiment, the sensor is intended to have a wiring board on a support member, on which at least one receiving coil is configured. That is, the receiving coil is composed of strip conductors on the wiring board. This type of receiving coil configuration can be implemented technically easily and at low cost. By attaching the wiring board to the support member, electrical connection of the wiring board or receiving coil to a control device is simplified, for example. If the wiring board or receiving coil were slidably supported on the support member, electrical connection to the control device would be at least difficult. The receiving coil enables non-contact detection of the sliding positions of the first and second sensor portions. The sensor is preferably configured as an inductive sensor. The wiring board is particularly preferably configured to have one transmitting coil and two receiving coils. As mentioned above, the support member is preferably configured in a frame shape. In that case, the wiring board is preferably positioned to cover or close the frame opening of the support member.

[0014] In one alternative embodiment, the first or second sensor portion is configured as a receiver. In this case, the second or first sensor portion is configured as a measurement value detector.

[0015] In one preferred embodiment, the wiring board is intended to have at least one conductive contact plate for electrical contact with the control device. Such a type of contact plate can be easily made accessible, for example, by a conductive contact spring on the control device side. As mentioned above, the sensor preferably has one transmitting coil and two receiving coils. In that case, the wiring board preferably has six conductive contact plates, with two contact plates assigned to each coil. It is particularly preferred that the contact plates be arranged in a row, one in front of the other.

[0016] In one preferred embodiment, the first sensor portion is intended to have a conductive material and be arranged such that the voltage of the receiving coil can be affected by the sliding position of the first sensor portion, and / or the second sensor portion is intended to have a conductive material and be arranged such that the voltage of the receiving coil can be affected by the sliding position of the second sensor portion. This embodies a particularly preferred inductive sensor. The first and / or second sensor portions are particularly preferably each having a body made of plastic, the conductive material being arranged on the side of the body facing the receiving coil.

[0017] The operating device preferably has a control unit positioned in the housing of the operating device such that the control unit covers the sensor. This type of control unit arrangement protects the sensor from external influences. Furthermore, since the control unit is in close proximity to the sensor, the connection of the sensor to the control unit is simplified. The control unit is preferably electrically connected to a wiring board. This electrical connection is particularly preferably embodied by a contact spring on the control unit side that makes contact with a contact plate on the wiring board side as described above. The control unit is preferably configured to drive and control an electric motor depending on the sensor signal from the sensor.

[0018] In one preferred embodiment, the control device has a control device housing, and the sensor is intended to be positioned in a break in the outer wall of the control device housing. This further improves the protection of the sensor against external influences and simplifies the connection of the sensor to the control device. The sensor is preferably recessed into the control device such that the sensor's wiring board is positioned inside the housing of the control device housing.

[0019] Next, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The drawings are as follows. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0020] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the operating device for the brake system. [Figure 2] It is a cross-sectional view showing an operating device. [Figure 3] It shows the sensor of the operating device. [Figure 4] It is another drawing showing the sensor. [Figure 5] It shows the sensor linked to each member of the operating device. [Figure 6] It shows the housing of the operating device. [Figure 7] It shows another drawing of the operating device.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an operating device 1 for a brake system 2 of an automobile, not shown in detail. The operating device 1 has a housing 3. The housing 3 is tubular and, in that sense, has a circumferential outer wall 4 surrounding the housing interior 5 of the housing 3. Further, the operating device 1 has a drive unit 6 arranged in the housing 3. The drive unit 6 has an electric motor 8 arranged in a motor housing 7 and thus not visible in FIG. 1. Further, the operating device 1 has a control device 9. The control device 9 is arranged in the housing 3 on the side of the housing 3 facing away from the drive unit 6. The control device 9 is configured to drive and control the electric motor 8. A master brake cylinder 10 is arranged at the end face of the housing 3, in which, in this example, two hydraulic pistons 11 are slidably supported. When the operating device 1 is assembled to the brake system 2 according to its intended use, the master brake cylinder 10 is fluid-technically connected to the slave cylinder of the friction brake device of the brake system 2.

[0022] Figure 2 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the operating device 1. The operating device 1 has a transmission device 12. The transmission device 12 is operatively connected to an electric motor 8 so that the transmission device 12 can be driven by the electric motor 8. The transmission device 12 has a transmission member 13 supported slidably, and the transmission member 13 is arranged at least partially in the housing 3. The transmission member 13 is slidable in a first direction 14 and in a second direction 15 opposite to the first direction 14. In this example, the transmission member 13 is a threaded spindle 13 which is part of a spindle drive 16. The spindle drive 16 has, in addition to the threaded spindle 13, a rotatably supported spindle nut 17. The internal teeth of the spindle nut 17 engage with the external teeth of the threaded spindle 13. In order to ensure that when the spindle nut 17 rotates, the threaded spindle 13 slides rather than rotates with the spindle nut 17, the threaded spindle 13 has an anti-rotation device 18 attached thereto. For this purpose, there is an anti-rotation member 19 attached to an end of the threaded spindle 13, which in this example faces the master brake cylinder 10, attached to the threaded spindle 13. The anti-rotation member 19 cooperates with the housing 3 to constitute the anti-rotation device 18. In this example, a cup-shaped thrust body 26 is attached to the anti-rotation member 19.

[0023] Furthermore, the operating device 1 has a pressure transmission body 20 that is slidably supported relative to the transmission member 13, and the pressure transmission body 20 is also at least partially located within the housing 3. The pressure transmission body 20 is slidable in a first direction 14 and a second direction 15. In this example, the pressure transmission body 20 is supported on the fracture portion 21 of the transmission member 13. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the pressure transmission body 20 is composed of multiple parts. For this reason, the pressure transmission body 20 has a rod-shaped section 22 located within the fracture portion 21. In addition, the pressure transmission body has a pressure cap 23 located on the end of the pressure transmission body 20 facing the master brake cylinder 10. In this example, the pressure cap 23 is attached to the rod-shaped section 22 by a flange joint. The end of the pressure transmission body 20 facing away from the master brake cylinder 10 is coupled to an input rod 24, thereby allowing the pressure transmission body 20 to slide on the input rod 24. In this example, the pressure transmission element 20 is connected to the input rod 24 by a ball joint 25. The end of the input rod 24 that faces away from the pressure transmission element 20 is attached to a brake pedal (not shown).

[0024] The master brake cylinder 10 can be operated by the sliding of the transmission member 13 or by the sliding of the pressure transmission body 20. Operation of the master brake cylinder 10 is understood to be the sliding of the hydraulic piston 11 in a first direction 14. When the operating device 1 is assembled to the brake system 2 according to its application, it causes the hydraulic fluid to move from the master brake cylinder 10 to the slave cylinder of the friction brake device, thereby causing the friction brake device to generate friction brake torque. In this example, the transmission member 13 and the pressure transmission body 20 are operationally connected to the hydraulic piston 11 by a connecting member 27. The connecting member 27 has an elastically deformable connecting disc 28 and a rigid pressure rod 29. When the master brake cylinder 10 is operated by the electric motor 8, the electric motor 8 acts on the hydraulic piston 11 by the transmission member 13, the anti-rotation member 19, the thrust body 26, and the connecting member 27. When the master brake cylinder 10 is operated by the brake pedal, the brake pedal acts on the hydraulic piston 11 via the input rod 24, the pressure transmission body 20, and the connecting member 27.

[0025] Furthermore, the operating device 1 has a sensor 30. The sensor 30 is configured to monitor the sliding position of the pressing force transmission body 20 and the sliding position of the transmission member 13. The structure of the sensor 30 will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 3, 4, and 5. For this purpose, Figures 3 and 4 show perspective views of the sensor 30, respectively. Figure 5 shows the sensor 30 together with other components of the operating device 1.

[0026] The sensor 30 has a support member 31. The support member 31 is made of plastic. The first sensor portion 32 and the second sensor portion 33 are slidably supported on the support member 31. As is clear from each drawing, the sensor portions 32 and 33 are arranged in the sliding direction, one in front of the other.

[0027] In the embodiments shown in each drawing, the support member 31 is configured in a frame shape, thereby having a frame opening 34. The support member 31 has two first sides 35 oriented parallel to each other and two second sides 36 oriented parallel to each other, with the second sides 36 oriented perpendicular to the first sides 35. The first sides 35 are longer than the second sides 36, so that the support member 31 as a whole is elongated. The sides 35 and 36 jointly form or define the frame opening 34. The sensor portions 32 and 33 are slidably supported within the frame opening 34, thereby protecting the sensor portions 32 and 33 from the support member 31. Two metal guide rods 37 are attached to the support member 31. The guide rods 37 extend through the frame opening 34 and are oriented parallel to the first sides 35. As is clear from each drawing, the sensor portions 32 and 33 are supported by the guide rods 37. For this purpose, the sensor portions 32 and 33 each have two broken sections, which are fitted or fitted onto the guide rod 37.

[0028] The sensor 30 is configured as an inductive sensor, and in this example has a vertically elongated wiring board 38 on which a coil structure 40 is configured, which is only suggested in the drawings, and which has at least one receiving coil 41. In this example, the coil structure 40 has one transmitting coil and two receiving coils 41. Each coil of the coil structure 40 is configured as a strung conductor on the wiring board 38. In this example, the wiring board 38 is attached to the support member 31 by two mounting means 39. Here, the wiring board 38 is positioned to cover or close the frame opening 34. Furthermore, the wiring board 38 has a contact device having a plurality of conductive wiring plates 42. The wiring plates 42 are positioned on the side of the wiring board 38 that faces away from the sensor portions 32 and 33. In this example, there are six wiring plates 42, which are arranged sequentially in the sliding direction of the sensor portions 32 and 33. Each coil is electrically connected to two different wiring plates 42.

[0029] The sensor portions 32 and 33 each have a body 43 or 44 made of plastic. The bodies 43 and 44 each have one conductive material on the side facing the wiring board 38. The sensor portions 32 and 33 are positioned such that the sliding position of the sensor portions 32 and 33 can, or is influenced by, the voltage of the receiving coil 41.

[0030] To monitor the sliding position of the pressure transmission body 20 and the transmission member 13, the sensor portions 32 and 33 are operationally connected to the pressure transmission body 20 or the transmission member 13. This will be explained in detail below with reference to Figure 5. The first guide member 45 attached to the pressure transmission body 20 is operationally connected to the first sensor portion 32 by a first shape joint 46, so that the first sensor portion 32 can slide together with the pressure transmission body 20. In this example, the first guide member 45 is integrally formed with the pressure cap 23. The first shape joint 46 is formed when the first guide member 45 is inserted into the fork-shaped holding structure 47 of the first sensor portion 32. The first guide member 45 and the holding structure 47 are molded so that the holding structure 47 exerts a clamping force on the first guide member 45. This clamping force holds the first guide member 45 in the holding structure 47. However, with sufficient force, the first connecting member 45 can be pulled out from the holding structure 47, thereby disengaging the shape joint 46. That is, the first shape joint 46 is manufactured as a removable clamp joint 46. The second connecting member 48, attached to the transmission member 13, is operationally connected to the second sensor portion 33 by the second shape joint 49, so that the second sensor portion 33 can slide together with the transmission member 13. In this example, the second connecting member 48 is integrally configured with the anti-rotation member 19, thereby indirectly attaching the second connecting member 48 to the transmission member 13. The transmission member 13 itself is not shown in Figure 5 for the sake of clarity. The second shape joint 49 is formed when the second connecting member 48 is inserted into the fork-shaped holding structure 50 of the second sensor portion 33. The second connecting member 48 and the holding structure 50 are molded such that the holding structure 50 exerts a clamping force on the second connecting member 48. This clamping force holds the second connecting member 48 in the holding structure 50. However, with a sufficiently large force, the second connecting member 48 can be pulled out from the holding structure 50, disengaging the shape joint 49. That is, the second shape joint 49 is manufactured as a removable clamp joint 49. In yet another embodiment, it is preferable that the first and / or second shape joints 46, 49 are manufactured as removable locking joints.

[0031] The arrangement of the sensor 30 in the housing 3 will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 6 and 7. For this purpose, Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the housing 3. Figure 7 shows another perspective view of the operating device 1, in which the control device 9 is shown semi-transparently.

[0032] As is clear from Figure 6, the outer wall 4 has a fractured section 51. The fractured section 51 is shaped to conform to the sensor 30 or the support member 31 so that the support member 31 can be inserted into the fractured section 51 with at least substantially no clearance. When the sensor 30 is inserted into the fractured section 51 as shown in Figure 7, and is thus assembled to the operating device 1 according to its intended use, the sensors 32 and 33 face the interior 5 of the housing 3. In particular, the retaining structures 47 and 50 protrude into the interior 5 of the housing. The sensor 30 is attached to the housing 3 by two mounting means 52, which in this example are configured as screws 52. As is clear from Figure 7, the control device 9 is positioned to cover the sensor 30 when the operating device 1 is assembled according to its intended use. The outer wall 53 of the control device housing 54 of the control device 9 has a fractured section not visible in Figure 7, in which the sensor 30 is positioned. That is, the wiring board 38 faces directly towards the interior of the control device housing 54. The control device 9 is electrically connected to the wiring board 38 by contact plates 42. For this purpose, the control device 9 has a number of conductive contact springs corresponding to the number of contact plates 42, and the contact springs are not visible in the drawing. Each contact spring makes contact with another contact plate 42. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0033] 1 Operating device 3 Housing 4 Mantle Wall 9 Control device 10 Master brake cylinder 12 Transmission device 13 Transmission members 20 Pressure transmission body 24 input rods 30 sensors 31 Support member 32 First sensor section 33 Second sensor section 34 Frame opening 37 Guide Rod 38 Wiring board 41 Receiving coil 42 Contact plate 45 First connecting member 46 Shape joining 47 Retention structure 48 Second connecting member 49 Shape joining 50 Retention structure 51 Fracture 54 Control device housing

Claims

1. An operating device for a brake system having an operable master brake cylinder (10), comprising: a transmission device (12) having a slidably supported transmission member (13); an electric motor (8) for driving the transmission device (12); and a slidably supported pressure transmission member (20) coupled to an input rod (24) such that the pressure transmission member (20) is slidable by the input rod (24), wherein the master brake cylinder (10) is operable by the sliding of the transmission member (13) and the sliding of the pressure transmission member (20), and a sensor (30) having a first sensor portion (32) slidable with the pressure transmission member (20) and a second sensor portion (33) slidable with the transmission member (13), wherein the first and second sensor portions (32, 33) are slidably supported on a common support member (31) of the sensor (30), The operating device (1) has a housing (3) in which the transmission member (13) and the pressing force transmission body (20) are at least partially arranged, and the sensor (30) is particularly detachably attached to the housing (3). The sensor (30) is inserted into the fractured portion (51) of the outer wall (4) of the housing (3). The fractured portion (51) is characterized in that it is located in the radial direction of the input rod (24). Operating device.

2. The operating device according to claim 1, characterized in that the support member (31) is configured in a frame shape, and the first and second sensor portions (32, 33) are slidably supported in the frame opening (34) of the support member (31).

3. The operating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one guide rod (37) is attached to the support member (31), and the first and second sensor portions (32, 33) are slidably supported by the guide rod (37).

4. The operating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first and second sensor portions (32, 33) are supported by the support member (31) in the sliding direction, in succession.

5. The operating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a first connecting member (45) is attached to the pressing force transmitting body (20), the first connecting member (45) is coupled to the first sensor portion (32) by a shape joint (46), and / or a second connecting member (48) is attached to the transmission member (13), the second connecting member (48) is coupled to the second sensor portion (33) by a shape joint (49).

6. The operating device according to claim 5, characterized in that the first connecting member (45) cooperates with the fork-shaped holding structure (47) of the first sensor portion (32) to form the shape joint (46), and / or the second connecting member (48) cooperates with the fork-shaped holding structure (50) of the second sensor portion (33) to form the shape joint (49).

7. The operating device according to claim 5, characterized in that the first accompanying member (45) is attached to the first sensor portion (32) by a particularly removable locking coupling or a particularly removable clamp coupling (46), and / or the second accompanying member (48) is attached to the second sensor portion (33) by a particularly removable locking coupling or a particularly removable clamp coupling (49).

8. The operating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sensor (30) has a wiring board (38) attached to the support member (31), and at least one receiving coil (41) is configured thereon.

9. The operating device according to claim 8, characterized in that the wiring board (38) has at least one conductive contact plate (42) for electrical contact with the control device (9).

10. The operating device according to claim 8, characterized in that the first sensor portion (32) is made of a conductive material and is arranged such that the voltage of the receiving coil (41) can be affected by the sliding position of the first sensor portion (32), and / or the second sensor portion (33) is made of a conductive material and is arranged such that the voltage of the receiving coil (41) can be affected by the sliding position of the second sensor portion (33).

11. The operating device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control device (9) is positioned in the housing (3) of the operating device (1) such that the control device (9) covers the sensor (30).

12. The operating device according to claim 11, characterized in that the control device (9) has a control device housing (54), and the sensor (30) is arranged in a broken portion of the outer wall of the control device housing (54).

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