Ball and Socket Joint for Brake Pressure Unit Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure supply units for electro-hydraulic brake-by-wire systems in vehicles face challenges such as wear and complexity in accommodating pivoting movements and detecting rotor angles, which affect the reliability and efficiency of brake pressure application.
Innovation Solution
The pressure supply unit incorporates a ball and socket joint to reduce wear by allowing pivoting movement between the spindle and piston, and includes a motor with an annular stator and rotor, along with a gear and sensor system for detecting rotor angles, providing a compact and reliable method for axial movement and angle detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional rigid connection is used between spindle and piston, then structural simplicity is maintained, but wear increases due to inability to accommodate pivoting movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies spheroidality by using a ball and socket joint configuration where the ball portion at the spindle end fits into the socket portion of the piston. This spherical geometry enables the spindle to pivot relative to the piston while maintaining smooth contact surfaces that reduce wear, directly resolving the contradiction between wear resistance and structural simplicity.
2Measurement precision
If a complex sensor system is used for rotor angle detection, then detection precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electronic sensor systems with a simpler optical detection method. A marker attached to the rotor is detected by an optical sensor, providing sufficient rotor angle detection precision without the complexity of traditional encoders or multiple sensors, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a visual marker on the rotor that creates a simplified optical copy or representation of the rotor position. This marker serves as a straightforward signal for the optical sensor to detect rotor angle, achieving adequate precision without complex sensing mechanisms.
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple separate components are used for motor assembly, then ease of manufacture is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the motor assembly into a compact integrated unit where the motor, spindle, and support structures are combined. This integration reduces the number of separate components that need to be assembled, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while reducing overall device complexity compared to having separate motor and actuator assemblies.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design reduces wear, enhances reliability, and simplifies the assembly process, resulting in a more efficient and cost-effective brake pressure application system with improved durability and reduced complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The ball and socket joint includes a ball at a front end of the spindle and a socket in the bore of the piston which receives the ball
Implementation Method 2
The motor includes an annular stator and an annular rotor rotatable within the stator in response to a current passing into the stator
Implementation Method 3
At least one gear is rotatable in response to rotation of the rotor and is configured to rotate a magnet
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure supply unit for a brake system including a booster body that defines an axially extending cylinder. A piston is slideable within the cylinder. The piston defines a bore that receives a spindle. The spindle is rotationally fixed and axially moveable for providing the axial movement of the piston. A motor is positioned about the spindle and is configured to axially translate the spindle and piston. A ball and socket joint connects the piston and spindle while accommodating pivoting movement of the spindle. The ball and socket joint includes a ball at a front end of the spindle and a socket in the bore of the piston which receives the ball.