SPINDLE DRIVE, ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY, AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A SPINDLE DRIVE

Abstract

A spindle drive for an actuator assembly of a vehicle brake is provided, with a spindle and a spindle nut mounted on the spindle, which forms an actuating carriage which can be displaced between a retracted and an extended position in order to apply a brake lining against a brake rotor. The spindle nut has a pressure-distributing element at an end of the spindle nut which is close to the brake lining, and a contact surface of the pressure-distributing element which faces away from the spindle is continuously or discontinuously annular. Furthermore, an actuator assembly with a spindle drive is provided. In addition, a method for producing a spindle drive is provided.

Claims

1. A spindle drive for an actuator assembly of a vehicle brake, the spindle drive including a spindle and a spindle nut mounted on the spindle that forms an actuating carriage that can be displaced between a retracted and an extended position in order to apply a brake lining against a brake rotor, wherein the spindle nut has a pressure-distributing element at an end of the spindle nut that is close to the brake lining, and wherein a contact surface of the pressure-distributing element that faces away from the spindle is continuously or discontinuously annular.

2. The spindle drive according to claim 1, wherein the annular contact surface is at least one of continuously or discontinuously circular, oval, or elliptical when viewed from the front.

3. The spindle drive according to claim 1, wherein the pressure-distributing element has a frustoconical projecting collar that ends at the contact surface and widens out from an axial end of the spindle nut to the brake lining.

4. The spindle drive according to claim 3, wherein, starting from the axial end of the spindle nut, the cross-section of the collar merges from a circular cross-section into an oval or elliptical cross-section.

5. The spindle drive according to claim 1, wherein the contact surface has at least one depression, viewed in a side view.

6. The spindle drive according to claim 5, wherein, in the case of an oval or elliptical contact surface, the depression is arranged in the region of the co-vertices.

7. The spindle drive according to claim 1, wherein the contact surface runs at an angle to a friction surface of the brake lining, wherein two regions of the contact surface that are situated circumferentially opposite each other have opposite inclinations.

8. The spindle drive according to claim 1, wherein the pressure-distributing element is made from metal and press-fitted or welded to the spindle nut, or in that the pressure-distributing element merges into the spindle nut as a single piece.

9. The spindle drive according to claim 1, wherein the spindle drive is supported on an axial bearing in the brake caliper via the spindle, wherein the contact surface of the axial bearing with the spindle is a conical surface.

10. The spindle drive according to claim 1, wherein the spindle drive is a ball screw.

11. The spindle drive according to claim 1, wherein at least one cut-out, which leads to a thread of the spindle and which forms a mounting opening for the balls of the spindle drive, is present in a circumferential wall of the spindle nut.

12.-14. (canceled)

15. An actuator assembly for a vehicle brake, the actuator assembly including: a brake lining, a brake rotor, and a spindle drive, the spindle drive including with a spindle and a spindle nut mounted on the spindle that forms an actuating carriage that can be displaced between a retracted and an extended position in order to apply a brake lining against a brake rotor, wherein the spindle nut has a pressure-distributing element at an end of the spindle nut that is close to the brake lining, wherein a contact surface of the pressure-distributing element that faces away from the spindle is continuously or discontinuously annular, wherein the pressure-distributing element is arranged at an end of the spindle nut that faces the brake lining and the contact surface of the pressure-distributing element is in contact with a back plate of the brake lining in an extended position of the spindle nut and applies the brake lining to the brake rotor.

16. The actuator assembly according to claim 15, wherein the annular contact surface is at least one of continuously or discontinuously circular, oval, or elliptical when viewed from the front.

17. The actuator assembly according to claim 15, wherein the pressure-distributing element has a frustoconical projecting collar that ends at the contact surface and widens out from an axial end of the spindle nut to the brake lining.

18. The actuator assembly according to claim 17, wherein, starting from the axial end of the spindle nut, the cross-section of the collar merges from a circular cross-section into an oval or elliptical cross-section.

19. The actuator assembly according to claim 15, wherein the contact surface has at least one depression, viewed in a side view.

20. The actuator assembly according to claim 15, wherein the contact surface runs at an angle to a friction surface of the brake lining, wherein two regions of the contact surface that are situated circumferentially opposite each other have opposite inclinations.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0023] Further advantages and features of the disclosure emerge from the following description and from the attached drawings to which reference is made. In the drawings:

[0024] FIG. 1 shows an actuator assembly according to the disclosure for a vehicle brake with a spindle drive according to the disclosure in a view in section,

[0025] FIG. 2 shows a drive assembly of the actuator assembly from FIG. 1,

[0026] FIG. 3 shows the spindle drive from FIG. 1 in a perspective view,

[0027] FIG. 4 shows the spindle drive from FIG. 1 in a further perspective view,

[0028] FIG. 5 shows the spindle drive from FIG. 1 in a side view,

[0029] FIG. 6 shows the spindle drive from FIG. 1 with a brake lining in a side view,

[0030] FIG. 7 shows a spindle drive according to the disclosure according to a further exemplary arrangement in a perspective view,

[0031] FIG. 8 shows the spindle drive from FIG. 7 in a view in partial section, and

[0032] FIG. 9 shows a further spindle drive according to the disclosure in a perspective view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] FIG. 1 shows an actuator assembly 10 as part of an electromechanical vehicle brake.

[0034] The actuator assembly 10 comprises a control assembly 12 which can be mounted as a separate subunit, and a drive assembly 14 which can be mounted as a separate subunit (see FIG. 2).

[0035] The control assembly 12 and the drive assembly 14 are arranged in a common housing 16.

[0036] The housing 16 comprises an essentially sleeve-shaped housing base part 18 and a housing cover 20 by which the housing base part 18 is tightly closed in the mounted state.

[0037] In the exemplary arrangement illustrated, the housing cover 20 is also essentially shell-shaped.

[0038] Both the housing base part 18 and the housing cover 20 are produced from plastic material. The housing 16 as a whole is thus made from plastic material.

[0039] The actuator assembly 10 furthermore comprises a brake caliper 15 in which a gap 17 is formed for a brake rotor 19, i.e. a brake disc. The housing 16 is pushed partially onto the brake caliper 15 with its end close to the brake caliper 15.

[0040] The drive assembly 14 comprises a support assembly 22 which has a plate-like frame part 24, as can be seen particularly well in FIG. 2.

[0041] A first fastening interface 26, at which an electric motor 28 is fastened in the exemplary arrangement illustrated, is provided on the plate-like frame part 24.

[0042] To be more precise, the electric motor 28 is connected captively to the frame part 24 via the first fastening interface 26. The frame part 24 absorbs the forces of the electric motor 28 and holds the latter.

[0043] The electric motor 28 fastened to the frame part 24 such that is centred with respect to a centre axis 34 of the first fastening interface 26.

[0044] In addition, an anti-rotation device 36 is provided in the form of an anti-rotation depression which is designed to prevent the electric motor 28 from rotating relative to the frame part 24.

[0045] An output gear wheel 40 is arranged on an output shaft 38 of the electric motor 28, as shown in FIG. 2, in order to impart torque to the drive assembly 14.

[0046] Furthermore, a journal 42, on which in the exemplary arrangement illustrated a gear wheel 44 is mounted which meshes with the output gear wheel 40, is provided on the frame part 24.

[0047] Moreover, a receiving space 46 for a planetary gear stage 48 is provided on the frame part 24.

[0048] A centre axis 50 of the receiving space 46 is here arranged essentially parallel to the centre axis 34 of the first fastening interface 26.

[0049] A reinforcing part 52 is moreover fastened on the frame part 24 in such a way that it spans the end of the receiving space 46 axially with respect to the centre axis 50.

[0050] In the exemplary arrangement illustrated, the reinforcing part 52 is essentially cross-shaped.

[0051] In addition, a bearing point 54 for a gear wheel 56 arranged coaxially with respect to the planetary gear stage is provided on the reinforcing part 52.

[0052] The gear wheel 56 meshes with the gear wheel 44.

[0053] A gear train 58 is consequently formed by the gear wheel 44 and the gear wheel 56, the output gear wheel 40 acting as its input member.

[0054] The gear wheel 56 is moreover formed integrally with a sun gear 60 (see FIG. 1) of the planetary gear stage 48. In this way, the gear train 58 and the planetary gear stage 48 are coupled drivingly.

[0055] The planetary gear stage 48 moreover comprises a ring gear 62 which runs essentially along an inner circumference of the receiving space 46 (see FIG. 1).

[0056] In the exemplary arrangement illustrated, a total of three planetary gears 64 are provided drivingly between the sun gear 60 and the ring gear 62, as can be seen in FIG. 2. They are mounted rotatably on a planet carrier 66.

[0057] The planet carrier 66 here represents an output element of the planetary gear stage 48.

[0058] The gear train 58 and the planetary gear stage 48 are also referred to together as a gear unit 67.

[0059] The frame part 24 furthermore has a second fastening interface 68 which is designed for fastening a guide part 70, held therein, for a spindle drive 72.

[0060] In the exemplary arrangement, the guide part 70 is a bearing sleeve which is held in the brake caliper 15. For example, the bearing sleeve is press-fitted in the brake caliper or is welded to the latter.

[0061] A centre axis of the second fastening interface 68 here coincides with the centre axis 50 of the receiving space 46 and for this reason is provided with the same reference numeral.

[0062] The second fastening interface 68 has an anti-rotation geometry 74, for example a splined shaft geometry, which runs circumferentially around the centre axis 50.

[0063] A complementary anti-rotation geometry 82 is provided at that end of the guide part 70 which is to be coupled to the second fastening interface 68 such that the guide part 70 can be pushed along the centre axis 50 into the anti-rotation geometry 74 of the second fastening interface 68 and held there non-rotatably in a form-fitting fashion. The anti-rotation geometry is likewise a splined shaft geometry.

[0064] The spindle drive 72 is accommodated inside the guide part 70.

[0065] It comprises a spindle 84 which is configured in the present case as a ball screw.

[0066] The spindle 84 is here connected non-rotatably to the planet carrier 66 via the toothed section 86.

[0067] The spindle drive 72 can thus be driven by the electric motor 28. In detail, the electric motor 28 is coupled to the spindle drive 72 drivingly via the gear train 58 and the planetary gear stage 48.

[0068] A spindle nut 88, which is configured as a piston and forms an actuating carriage for a brake lining, is mounted on the spindle 84.

[0069] Rotation of the spindle 84 thus causes the spindle nut 88 to be shifted axially along the centre axis 50.

[0070] The spindle nut 88 is here guided along the centre axis 50 directly on a running surface 90, wherein the running surface 90 is formed by an inner side of the guide part 70. The running surface 90 corresponds essentially to a cylindrical surface forming the inner circumference of the guide part 70. In other words, the spindle nut 88 is guided linearly displaceably in the guide part 70.

[0071] The guide part 70 is open towards the gap 17 such that the spindle nut 88 can move into the gap 17.

[0072] The spindle nut 88 is moreover prevented from rotating relatively about the centre axis 50 by an anti-rotation device 92 which is designed as a slot on the guide part 70. For this purpose, an anti-rotation element 94 which engages in the slot (see FIG. 1) is attached to the spindle nut 88. In the exemplary arrangement, the anti-rotation element 94 is a radial extension.

[0073] The spindle nut 88 serves to apply a first brake lining 96 of a brake caliper assembly 98 to the brake rotor 19. As a result, the first brake lining 96 can be moved actively onto a brake rotor 19 by the actuator assembly 10.

[0074] In detail, the spindle nut 88 is transferred selectively into an extended position, which is associated with the application of the first brake lining 96 to the brake rotor 19, by the electric motor 28 via the gear train 58, the planetary gear stage 48 and the spindle drive 72.

[0075] Because of the reaction forces acting inside the actuator assembly 10 and the brake caliper assembly 98, a second brake lining 102 is consequently also applied to the brake rotor 19.

[0076] It should be understood that the spindle nut 88 can be moved in the same way by operation of the electric motor 28 into a retracted position which is associated with lifting the first brake lining 96 and the second brake lining 102 off the brake rotor 19.

[0077] The spindle drive 72 is supported on an axial bearing 104 in the brake caliper 15 via the spindle 84.

[0078] Specifically, in the exemplary arrangement, the axial bearing 104 is supported on a wall 105 which is formed integrally with the guide part 70 and which runs transversely to a direction of movement of the spindle nut 88. In the exemplary arrangement, the wall 105 is a radially inward facing flange.

[0079] A contact surface 106, which is in contact with the spindle 84, of the axial bearing 104 is a conical surface. As a result, transverse forces, which occur in particular when the brake lining 96 is applied to the brake rotor 19, can be absorbed by the axial bearing 104 and be absorbed by the brake caliper 15 via the guide part 70.

[0080] The axial bearing 104 is a rolling bearing, in particular a needle bearing.

[0081] In the present case, the actuator assembly 10 is designed so that it is not self-locking, such that the spindle nut 88 also shifts back automatically into the retracted position by virtue of elasticities inherent in the system when it is no longer actively forced into the extended position by the electric motor 28.

[0082] A spindle drive according to a first arrangement will be described below in detail with the aid of FIGS. 3 to 6, in particular the spindle drive 72 of the actuator assembly 10 shown in FIG. 1.

[0083] The spindle nut 88 has a pressure-distributing element 108 at an end of the spindle nut 88 which is close to the brake lining 96.

[0084] The pressure-distributing element 108 is, for example, made from metal.

[0085] In the exemplary arrangement, the pressure-distributing element 108 is manufactured separately from the spindle nut 88 and press-fitted or welded to the spindle nut 88. In this case, the pressure-distributing element 108 preferably has a cylindrical centring extension 110 which sits in a recess 112 of the spindle nut 88 (see FIG. 1).

[0086] In the case of two-part manufacture, the pressure-distributing element 108 forms a sealing cap for the spindle nut 88.

[0087] The pressure-distributing element 108 can also merge into the spindle nut 88 as a single piece. The spindle nut 88 with the integrated pressure-distributing element 108 can be produced in this case as a milled or cast part.

[0088] A contact surface 114, facing away from the spindle 84, of the pressure-distributing element 108 is annular (see FIG. 4). To be more precise, the annular contact surface 114 is oval when viewed from the front. An elliptical or circular contact surface 114, designed as a ring, is, however, also conceivable.

[0089] In an extended position of the spindle nut 88, the contact surface 114 of the pressure-distributing element 108 is in contact with a back plate 115 (see FIG. 6) of the brake lining 96 and applies the brake lining 96 to the brake rotor 19.

[0090] In the arrangement according to FIGS. 3 to 6, the contact surface 114 is in particular discontinuously annular, which is explained in more detail below.

[0091] The pressure-distributing element 108 has a frustoconical projecting collar 116.

[0092] Starting from an axial end of the spindle nut 88, the collar 116 widens out towards the brake lining 96 and ends at the contact surface 114. The contact surface 114 consequently has a larger external circumference than the spindle nut 88, in particular an external circumference which is larger by at least 50%.

[0093] In the exemplary arrangement, starting from the axial end of the spindle nut 88, the cross-section of the collar 116 merges from a circular cross-section into an oval cross-section.

[0094] As can be seen particularly well in FIG. 1, the collar 116 has, at the end fastened to the spindle nut 88, the same diameter as the spindle nut 88. To be more precise, a diameter of the collar 116 at its base is the same size as an average diameter of the spindle nut 88 or as a diameter at a circumferential surface of the recess 112. The circumference of the contact surface 114 is consequently greater than the circumference of the spindle nut 88.

[0095] There is a clearance between the collar 116 and an end side of the spindle nut 88 such that a circumferential depression 118 is formed for receiving a seal 120. Such a clearance can be obtained simply by an appropriate dimensioning of the recess 112.

[0096] The depression 18 is formed in particular when the pressure-distributing element 108 is attached to the spindle nut 88.

[0097] As can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, which each show the spindle drive 72 in a side view, the contact surface 114 has two depressions 122 when viewed from the side.

[0098] The discontinuously annular form of the contact surface 114 which has already been mentioned above is obtained by the depressions 122. There is in particular no contact of the pressure-distributing element 108 with the back plate 115 of the brake lining 96 in the region of the depressions 122. The contact surface 114 thus comprises two ring segments 124.

[0099] In the case of an oval or elliptical contact surface 114, the depression 122 is arranged in the region of the co-vertices 125. The contact surface 114 is thus in contact with the back plate 115 of the brake lining 96 in the region of the vertices 126.

[0100] As can be seen in FIG. 5, the ring segments 124 of the contact surface 114 run at an angle a to a friction surface 117 of the brake lining 96. In particular, two regions of the contact surface 114 which are situated opposite each other at the circumference, to be more precise the two ring segments 124 formed by the depressions 122, have opposite inclinations. Specifically, the ring segments 124 are inclined towards the centre of the pressure-distributing element 108 such that the contact surface 114 is roof-shaped when viewed from the side.

[0101] Because a pressure-distributing element 108 is provided on the spindle nut 88, improved distribution of the application force in the brake lining is achieved such that the brake lining 96 is deformed as little as possible when acted upon by the spindle nut 88 or the pressure-distributing element 108 and is consequently applied to a large area of a brake disc of the brake rotor 19.

[0102] A further spindle drive 72 according to the disclosure, which can likewise be used in the actuator assembly 10 shown in FIG. 1, is illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 8.

[0103] The same reference numerals are used below for the same structures with the same functions which are known from the above arrangement and reference is made in this respect to the preceding explanations, wherein the differences in the respective arrangements are discussed below in order to prevent repetitions.

[0104] In the arrangement of the spindle drive 72 illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 8, the contact surface 114 is not oval and instead is circular. Moreover, there are no depressions 122.

[0105] In particular, the contact surface 114 is flat in FIGS. 7 to 8.

[0106] The spindle drive 72 illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 8 is suited in particular for combination with smaller brake linings than the spindle drive 72 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6.

[0107] FIG. 9 shows a further spindle drive 72 according to the disclosure.

[0108] The spindle drive 72 illustrated in FIG. 9 differs from the spindle drive illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 in that at least one cut-out 130, which leads to a thread 132 of the spindle 84, is present in a circumferential wall 128 of the spindle nut 88.

[0109] The cut-out 130 forms in particular a mounting opening for the balls 134 of the spindle drive 72.

[0110] The spindle drive 72 according to FIGS. 3 to 6 and 7 to 8 can optionally likewise have a cut-out 130 in the circumferential wall 128 of the spindle nut 88.

[0111] The cut-out 130 enables mounting of the spindle drive 72 when the pressure-distributing element 108 forms a single piece with the spindle nut 88 or when the pressure-distributing element 108 has been connected to the spindle nut 88 before the spindle nut 88 is mounted on the spindle 84.

[0112] The balls 134 of the spindle drive 72 can be blown through the cut-out 130 into the thread 132 by compressed air.

[0113] The balls 134 are, for example, arranged in a mounting tube 136 which is pushed into the cut-out and to which compressed air is applied in order to blow the balls into the thread. The mounting tube 136 preferably has a curve.

[0114] The ball return can be integrated into the spindle nut 88 or into the spindle 84.

[0115] For example, a ball return integrated into the spindle 84 is provided with individual ball recirculation functionality. In this case, a cut-out 130 is provided as a mounting opening for each individual ball recirculation.

[0116] The cut-outs 130 can be closed with a cover once the mounting is complete.

[0117] In a first step the balls 134 can also be inserted into the thread 132 of the spindle 84, and in a subsequent step the pressure-distributing element 108 is fastened to the spindle nut 88, In this case, a rod, which serves as a mounting aid, can be pushed gradually into the spindle nut 88, wherein the balls 134 are mounted in the threads of the spindle nut 88. The balls 134 are secured against falling out during mounting by virtue of being covered by the cylindrical rod. The spindle 84 can then be screwed into the spindle nut 88, wherein the rod is pushed out of the spindle nut 88. Afterwards, the pressure-distributing element 108 can be fastened to the spindle nut 88.

[0118] Regardless of whether the pressure-distributing element 108 is fastened to the spindle nut 88 before or after the balls 134 are mounted, the pressure-distributing element 108 can be press-fitted to the spindle nut 88 and secured against rotation by a knurled joint. The pressure-distributing element 108 can also be welded to the spindle nut 88.