Pneumatic brake booster

Abstract

In order to realize shortened response and release times in a pneumatic brake booster for a hydraulic motor vehicle brake system, having an operating chamber which is delimited between an operating wall and a rear wall of the booster housing, the rear wall of the booster housing has at least one formation for reducing the minimum volume of the operating chamber.

Claims

1. A pneumatic brake booster a hydraulic motor vehicle brake system, having a booster housing and at least one operating wall having an undulating shape which can be displaced to a limited extent in the booster housing along a center axis, the operating wall extending substantially radially with respect to the center axis and comprising a roller diaphragm for sealing against the booster housing and an operating chamber being delimited between the operating wall and a rear wall of the booster housing, there being a vacuum in the operating chamber in a brake-ready, unbraked starting state of the brake booster, and the operating chamber having a minimum volume here, and it being possible for the operating chamber to be connected to a surrounding atmosphere during a braking operation in order to boost the braking force, wherein the rear wall has at least one formation for reducing the minimum volume of the operating chamber by at least 25% relative to a minimum volume of a modified version of the operating chamber, the modified version of the operating chamber comprising one or more modifications to solely make the rear wall a smooth rear wall lacking the at least one formation, the at least one formation formed as an indented portion in the rear wall.

2. The brake booster as claimed in claim 1, wherein the indented portion is directed toward the operating wall.

3. The brake booster as claimed in claim 2, wherein the indented portion extends along at least one region of a circular path concentrically with respect to the center axis.

4. The brake booster as claimed in claim 3, wherein at least two indented portions are arranged on at least two concentric circular paths which are spaced apart radially from one another.

5. The brake booster as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least one formation is designed as a single contiguous indented portion extending in a circle concentrically with respect to the center axis.

6. The brake booster as claimed in claim 3 wherein at least two indented portions which are isolated from one another are arranged on at least one circular path at an angular offset about the center axis from one another.

7. The brake booster as claimed in claim 6, wherein in each case four indented portions which are isolated from one another are arranged on each of the at least one circular path.

8. A pneumatic brake booster a hydraulic motor vehicle brake system, having a booster housing and at least one operating wall having an undulating shape which can be displaced to a limited extent in the booster housing along a center axis, the operating wall extending substantially radially with respect to the center axis and comprising a roller diaphragm for sealing against the booster housing and an operating chamber being delimited between the operating wall and a rear wall of the booster housing, there being a vacuum in the operating chamber in a brake-ready, unbraked starting state of the brake booster, and the operating chamber having a minimum volume here, and it being possible for the operating chamber to be connected to a surrounding atmosphere during a braking operation in order to boost the braking force, wherein the rear wall has at least one separate component which, arranged in the operating chamber, is fastened to the rear wall, the at least one separate component configured to reduce the minimum volume of the operating chamber by at least 25% relative to a minimum volume of a modified version of the operating chamber, the modified version of the operating chamber comprising one or more modifications to solely omit the at least one separate component.

9. The brake booster as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of the at least two indented portions includes at least two indented portions which are isolated from one another and are arranged on each of the at least two concentric circular paths at an angular offset about the center axis from one another.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the drawing, in detail:

(2) FIG. 1 shows the partial view of the rear side of a known pneumatic brake booster having a rear wall of smooth conical configuration of the booster housing in a perspective illustration (a), and an associated partial view in cross section X-X (b),

(3) FIG. 2 shows an embodiment according to an aspect of the invention of an improved brake booster in views (a, b) which are equivalent to those of FIG. 1,

(4) FIGS. 3 to 6 show, by way of example, the rear views of further embodiments according to an aspect of the invention of the brake booster in greatly simplified illustrations, and

(5) FIG. 7 shows another embodiment according to an aspect of the invention having separate components which are arranged within the operating chamber and are fastened to the rear wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(6) View a) in FIG. 1 shows a rear region of a known embodiment of a pneumatic brake booster 1 of the generic type.

(7) The approximately cylindrical structure 14 in the center comprises substantially an arrangement (not shown here) for actuating and controlling the brake booster 1. In a planar wall section 15 which is configured on the booster housing 2 radially on the inside and orthogonally with respect to the center axis A, four fastening means are arranged offset with respect to one another radially about the center axis A at an angular offset of in each case 90°. The fastening means serve to fasten the brake booster 1 to the vehicle and, in the embodiment which is shown, are represented by in each case two screws 16 and in each case two tie rod bolts 17 which penetrate the booster housing 2 on both sides. A different number or type of fastening means is likewise permissible within the scope of the invention, however.

(8) The booster housing 2 of the known brake booster 1 has a rear wall 5 of slightly conical configuration with a smooth, planar surface.

(9) View b) shows a partial section X-X through the booster housing 2 from view a) in the region of the rear wall 5 in the case of a non-actuated starting state of the operationally ready brake booster 1.

(10) An operating wall 4 is arranged in the interior of the booster housing 2 such that it can be displaced to a limited extent axially along the center axis A. The operating wall 4 is of substantially annular or cup-shaped configuration with a central aperture, and is coupled radially on the inside to a control housing 19 in an airtight manner. A roller diaphragm 4 bears against the operating wall 3 on its side which faces the rear wall 5, and seals against the booster housing 2 radially on the outside at a point which is not shown here.

(11) As a result, an operating chamber 6 is delimited in the booster housing 2 in the region between the operating wall 3 and the rear wall 5, and a vacuum chamber 18 is delimited on the opposite side of the operating wall 3. The two chambers 6, 18 are connected via a duct system (not shown here) within the control housing 19, said connection being opened and closed by means of at least one valve arrangement (likewise not shown here).

(12) For the purpose of a damage-free absorption and a loss-free transmission of a pressure differential force which can be set during operation between the vacuum chamber 18 and the operating chamber 6, the cross section of the operating wall 3 is of undulating design, in order to increase the flexural stiffness of said operating wall 3.

(13) In the non-actuated starting state which is shown here, the operating wall 3 is displaced up to the stop in the direction of the rear wall 5. In said operating state, the operating chamber 6 has its smallest possible minimum volume V.

(14) In the case of a braking operation, the operating wall 3 is displaced away from the rear wall 5 in a manner which is driven by a pressure differential force which is generated between the chambers 6 and 18, with the result that the volume of the operating chamber 6 changes and becomes greater than the minimum volume V. In the case of an operation of this type, atmospheric air is let into the operating chamber 6, which atmospheric air has to be evacuated again after the braking operation has ended. In order that the operating wall begins to be displaced in the direction of the vacuum chamber 18 with a force-boosting action, a minimum threshold value has to be exceeded in the case of the pressure difference between the chambers 6 and 18. It is the case here that the greater the minimum volume V, the more atmospheric air has to be let into the operating chamber, in order to achieve the abovementioned minimum threshold value, and the longer it takes and the slower the response behavior of the brake booster 1 is. It is the case analogously that the more air has to be evacuated from the brake booster 1 again after the release of the brake, the longer it takes until the break-ready starting state is reached.

(15) A brake booster 1 according to the invention which is shown in FIG. 2 in the respectively identical views as in FIG. 1 has, in a deviation from the above-described known embodiment, a formation 7 on its rear wall 5, which formation 7 serves to reduce the minimum volume V of the operating chamber 6.

(16) The rear wall 5 is no longer of smooth design, but rather has a plurality of indented portions 8, 8′ . . . and/or 9, 9′ . . . which are configured so as to be directed in the direction of the operating wall 3. In the first embodiment according to the invention which is shown, in each case four indented portions 8, 8′, 8″, 8′″ and/or 9, 9′, 9″, 9′″ are arranged in the rear wall 5 along in each case two coaxial circular paths which are spaced apart radially from one another. Different arrangements and a different number of indented portions are permissible within the scope of the invention; in this regard, reference is to be made, in particular, to FIGS. 3-6, where different arrangement principles are illustrated. The flexural stiffness of the rear wall 5 is increased by the indented portions 8, . . . 9, . . . . Because the indented portions (for example, 8, 8′, 8″, 8′″) are isolated from one another and are arranged at an angular offset with respect to one another, in each case a type of web 12 is formed between two respective adjacent indented portions (for example, 8′″ and 8″). As a result, the flexural stiffness of the rear wall 5 is increased further.

(17) The distribution of forces in the rear wall can be influenced in a targeted manner by way of a suitable pattern of indented portions and webs in the rear wall 5, in order, for example, to reduce stresses at the force action points.

(18) The operating principle of the indented portions 8, . . . 9, . . . is illustrated in the sectional image Y-Y in view b). Here, for comparison purposes, the dashed line 20 shows an imaginary contour of a brake booster 1 which has not been improved and is identical apart from the formation 7 or the indented portions 8, . . . , 9 . . . .

(19) By way of the indented portions 8, 9, the cross section of the rear wall 5 is adapted in regions approximately to the cross section of the operating wall 3. As a result, the minimum volume V is reduced considerably in comparison with a known embodiment. It has to be ensured here, however, that the atmospheric air can flow in between the rear wall 5 and the operating wall 5 in as unimpeded a manner as possible and can be distributed, in order that the entire surface area of the operating wall 3 is loaded as rapidly and uniformly as possible with the pressure differential force.

(20) A sufficient spacing between the operating wall 3 and the booster housing 2 likewise has to be ensured generally, in order that no additional noise emissions occur during operation as a result of contact with the operating wall 3 on account of operationally induced vibrations and deformations. Against this background, the reduction in the minimum volume V (in comparison with a comparative embodiment having a linear cross-sectional profile of the rear wall 5 in accordance with the line 20) is to be preferably at least 25% and particularly preferably between 33% and 50%.

(21) FIGS. 3 to 6 show a simplified illustration of different arrangements of the indented portions 8, . . . , 9, . . . on the rear wall 5. Here, the brake booster 1 is shown in each case in a rear view. Here, a suitable design of the formation 7 according to the invention is contingent substantially on the cross-sectional contour of the operating wall 3 in the respective specific brake booster application.

(22) In the embodiment according to an aspect of the invention in accordance with FIG. 3, the formation 7 is configured as an individual, radially circumferential, contiguous indented portion 8 in the rear wall 5. The indented portion 8 runs on a circular path 10 concentrically with respect to the center axis A.

(23) The embodiment according to an aspect of the invention in accordance with FIG. 4 has two radially circumferential indented portions 8, 9 instead of only one, in contrast to the embodiment in accordance with FIG. 3. The indented portions 8, 9 run on two concentric circular paths 10 and 11 which are spaced apart radially from one another. More than two concentric circular paths with indented portions which run thereon can likewise be provided within the scope of the invention.

(24) In the embodiment according to an aspect of the invention in accordance with FIG. 5, two indented portions 8, 8′ which are separated from one another by way of webs 12, 12′ and/or are arranged at an angular offset with respect to one another are provided on a single circular path 10. In the embodiment which is shown, the indented portions 8 and 8′ are of mirror-symmetrical design, in order to realize a uniform force flow through the rear wall 5.

(25) In the embodiment according to an aspect of the invention in accordance with FIG. 6, in each case five indented portions 8, 8′ . . . , 9, 9′ . . . which are interrupted from one another by way of webs 12, 13 and/or are arranged at an angular offset with respect to one another are configured on two concentric circular paths 10, 11 which are spaced apart radially.

(26) In other words, the embodiment which is shown represents a development of the embodiment in accordance with FIG. 4, in which the circumferential indented portions 8, 9 are interrupted by way of webs 12, 13 to form a plurality of isolated indented portions 8, 8′ . . . , 9, 9′ . . . .

(27) Here, the number of five indented portions on a single circular path is merely by way of example; a different number of indented portions can be provided on each circular path within the scope of the invention.

(28) FIG. 7 shows a cross section (equivalent to the view of FIG. 2b) of another embodiment according to an aspect of the invention of the brake booster 1. Here, the formation 7 is not embodied as indented portions which are configured in the rear wall 5, but rather by way of individual, separate, largely annular components 21 and 22. The components 21 and 22 are arranged spaced apart radially from one another in the operating chamber 6 and are fixed merely on the rear wall 5. The cross sections of the components 21, 22 are adapted in accordance with the respective complementary cross-sectional section of the operating wall 3 and/or the rear wall 5. Depending on the specific requirements, only one component or else more than two components 21, 22 can also be used within the scope of the invention.

LIST OF DESIGNATIONS

(29) 1 Brake booster 2 Booster housing 3 Operating wall 4 Roller diaphragm 5 Rear wall 6 Operating chamber 7 Formation 8 Indented portion 9 Indented portion 10 Circular path 11 Circular path 12 Web 13 Web 14 Structure 15 Wall section 16 Screw 17 Tie rod bolt 18 Vacuum chamber 19 Control housing 20 Line A Center axis V Minimum volume