Brake Actuator

Abstract

A brake actuator is disclosed having a transfer element configured to be moved along an actuating direction and to actuate a brake by moving into at least one actuating position; an actuating mechanism configured to move the transfer element into the at least one actuating position to actuate the brake, wherein the actuating mechanism is configured to be movable along the actuating direction; and a distancing mechanism configured to move the actuating mechanism from a non-operating position into an operating position along the actuating direction. The transfer element and the actuating mechanism are configured such that the transfer element is located in the actuating position when the actuating mechanism is located in the non-operating position.

Claims

1.-15. (canceled)

16. A brake actuator, comprising: a transfer element configured to be moved along an actuating direction and to actuate a brake by moving into at least one actuating position; an actuating mechanism configured to move the transfer element into the at least one actuating position to actuate the brake, wherein the actuating mechanism is configured to be movable along the actuating direction; a distancing mechanism configured to move the actuating mechanism from a non-operating position into an operating position along the actuating direction, wherein the transfer element and the actuating mechanism are configured such that the transfer element is located in the actuating position when the actuating mechanism is located in the non-operating position.

17. The brake actuator according to claim 16, wherein the transfer element and the actuating mechanism are configured to be movable as one block along the actuation direction.

18. The brake actuator according to claim 16, wherein the distancing mechanism is configured to hold the actuating mechanism in the operating position, and/or the distancing mechanism is configured to move the actuating mechanism into the operating position.

19. The brake actuator according to claim 16, wherein the distancing mechanism is configured to move the actuating mechanism into at least one second non-operating position to keep the brake actuated so that a minimum braking force or torque threshold is met or held.

20. The brake actuator according to claim 16, wherein the actuating mechanism is configured to move the transfer element when the actuating mechanism is actuated, and/or the actuating mechanism is configured to be actuated pneumatically, hydraulically, electro-mechanically and/or a mechanically.

21. The brake actuator according to claim 16, wherein the distancing mechanism is configured to move the actuating mechanism into the operating position and/or to hold the actuating mechanism in the operating position when the distancing mechanism is actuated, and/or the distancing mechanism is configured to be actuated pneumatically, hydraulically, electro-mechanically and/or a mechanically.

22. The brake actuator according to claim 16, wherein the actuating mechanism is configured to move into the non-operating position when it is not held in the operating position by the distancing mechanism or when it is not moved into the operating position by the distancing mechanism.

23. The brake actuator according to claim 16, wherein the distancing mechanism comprises a pressure chamber with a movable face, configured to be moved in reaction to a pressure in the pressure chamber exceeding a predetermined threshold, and the actuating mechanism is moved into the operating position in reaction to the movement of the face, wherein the face is connected to the actuating mechanism or is a face of the actuating mechanism.

24. The brake actuator according to claim 16, wherein the distancing mechanism comprises an electromagnetic mechanism configured to move the actuating mechanism into the operating position or to hold the actuating mechanism in the operating position, when the electromagnetic mechanism is activated.

25. The brake actuator according to claim 16, wherein the distancing mechanism is configured to hold the actuating mechanism in the operating position frictionally and/or by form fitting.

26. The brake actuator according to claim 16, wherein the brake actuator is configured to return the actuating mechanism into the non-operating position or to hold the actuating mechanism in the non-operating position when the distancing mechanism is not acting on the actuating mechanism.

27. A brake system for a vehicle, comprising: at least one brake configured to be activated by a movement of a transfer element into an actuating position; and a brake actuator comprising the transfer element, which is configured to be moved along the actuating direction and to actuate the at least one brake by moving into the actuating position; an actuating mechanism configured to move the transfer element into the actuating position to actuate the brake, wherein the actuating mechanism is configured to be movable along the actuating direction; a distancing mechanism configured to move the actuating mechanism from a non-operating position into an operating position along the actuating direction, wherein the transfer element and the actuating mechanism are configured such that the transfer element is located in the actuating position when the actuating mechanism is located in the non-operating position, wherein the transfer element of the brake actuator is configured to activate the brake.

28. A vehicle, comprising: a brake system according to claim 27, wherein the vehicle is configured as a commercial vehicle, a truck, a trailer, a passenger car, and/or a combination of a towing vehicle and a trailer, and/or wherein the vehicle is configured as an electric, hybrid or conventional vehicle.

29. A method for operating a brake actuator having a transfer element configured to be moved along an actuating direction and to actuate a brake by moving into at least one actuating position; an actuating mechanism configured to move the transfer element into the at least one actuating position to actuate the brake, wherein the actuating mechanism is configured to be movable along the actuating direction; a distancing mechanism configured to move the actuating mechanism from a non-operating position into an operating position along the actuating direction, the method comprising the steps of: (S1): moving the actuating mechanism, which is configured to move the transfer element into the operating positing, such that the transfer element is not located in the actuating position; (S2): moving the transfer element into the actuating position to actuate at least one brake via operating the actuating mechanism; and (S3): moving the actuating mechanism into a non-operating position, whereby the transfer element is located in the actuating position to actuate the at least one brake when the actuating mechanism is located in the non-operating position.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein the steps (S1) and/or (S2) are/is executed during a driving operation of the vehicle, and/or the step (S3) is executed during a non-driving operation of the vehicle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] FIG. 1 shows a general embodiment of the invention;

[0048] FIG. 2 shows the brake actuator with a first embodiment of the distancing mechanism;

[0049] FIG. 3 shows the brake actuator with a second embodiment of the distancing mechanism;

[0050] FIG. 4 shows the brake actuator with a third embodiment of the distancing mechanism;

[0051] FIG. 5 shows the general embodiment according to FIG. 1, comprising a reset element; and

[0052] FIG. 6 shows the general embodiment according to FIG. 1, comprising a locking element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0053] FIG. 1 shows a general embodiment of a brake actuator according to the invention.

[0054] An actuating direction 1 is shown leading from the right to the left in the drawing. Along the actuating direction 1 there are marked-up three positions (beginning with the most right position): an operating position OP, a non-operating position NOP and an actuating position AP.

[0055] A brake 2 is shown represented by a block to keep the drawing simple. The brake 2 can comprise a disc or a drum brake and generally be configured to work as a friction brake.

[0056] A transfer element 5 is shown which is movable along the actuating direction 1. The transfer element 5 comprises a rod extending from the right to the left, wherein its axis is oriented in parallel to the actuating direction 1.

[0057] The brake 2 and the transfer element 5 are configured such that when the left end of the rod of the transfer element 5 is in the actuating position AP, the brake 2 is actuated by the transfer element 5. That means, as described above, a brake force or torque is generated by the brake 2.

[0058] The transfer element 5 is in contact with, or part of, an actuating mechanism 6. The actuating mechanism 6 is configured to move the transfer element 5 into the actuating position AP. The actuating mechanism 6 itself is configured to be moved between the operating position OP and the non-operating position NOP. The transfer element 5 can be moved by the actuating mechanism 6 by applying a force on the transfer element 5 pneumatically, hydraulically, electro-mechanically and/or a mechanically.

[0059] Further, a distancing mechanism 4 is shown which is in contact with the actuating mechanism 6 via a connection 3. The connection 3 can comprise a rod, in particular a push rod, to apply a force from the distancing mechanism 4 to the actuating mechanism 6, to move the actuating mechanism 6 into the operating position OP. For applying the force to the actuating mechanism 6, which means an actuating of the distancing mechanism 4, the distancing mechanism 4 can generate the force pneumatically, hydraulically, electro-mechanically and/or a mechanically.

[0060] The brake actuator according to FIG. 1 works as follows.

[0061] In the state of the brake actuator shown in FIG. 1, the actuating mechanism 6 is located in the operating position OP, wherein the transfer element 5, in particular the left end of the rod, is not located in the actuating position AP.

[0062] The actuating mechanism 6 can be held actively in the operating position OP by the distancing mechanism 4, for example by applying a permanent force against the actuating direction 1 onto the actuating mechanism 6. Alternatively, the actuating mechanism 6 can be locked in the operating position OP, for example, by engagement of a form fitting locking mechanism (not shown).

[0063] The state shown in FIG. 1 can be taken during a driving operation, wherein a vehicle comprising the brake actuator and the brake 2 is moving. For actuating the brake 2, the transfer element 5 is moved to the left so that the left end of the rod is in the actuating position AP. Thereby the brake 2 generates a braking force or torque to adjust the speed of the vehicle.

[0064] A state wherein the actuating mechanism 6 is located in the non-operating position NOP is preferably taken during a non-driving operation when the vehicle is at rest. The brake actuator can be configured to move the actuating mechanism 6 into the non-operating position NOP automatically as soon as the distancing mechanism 4 is not activated anymore and therefore not applying a force onto the actuating mechanism 6. Alternatively, the distancing mechanism 4 can be configured to move the actuating mechanism 6 actively into the non-operating position NOP.

[0065] By moving the actuating mechanism 6 into the non-operating position NOP, the transfer element 5 is moved into the actuating direction AP, wherein the actuating mechanism 6 and the transfer element 5 act as one block.

[0066] Therefore, when the actuating mechanism 6 is located in the non-operating position NOP, the brake 2 is automatically actuated by the transfer element 5, because the left end of the rod is located in the actuating position AP.

[0067] In this state, the brake 2 can be actuated permanently, in particular, when there is no energy to spend to keep the actuating mechanism 6 in the non-operating position NOP. Thereby, a permanent brake force or torque can be applied to the vehicle which can be used to keep the vehicle at rest during a non-driving operation.

[0068] Preferably, the distancing mechanism 4 is arranged coaxially to the actuating mechanism 6 to avoid tilting of the actuating mechanism 4 when applying the force onto the actuating mechanism 4.

[0069] FIG. 2 shows the brake actuator with a first embodiment of the distancing mechanism 4.

[0070] As the embodiment is similar to the general embodiment according to FIG. 1, only the differences to FIG. 1 are described. Otherwise, reference is made to the description of FIG. 1.

[0071] The distancing mechanism 4 comprises a housing forming a pressure chamber 7 with a piston acting as the connection 3, wherein the right limitation of the pressure chamber 7 is formed by the left face 8 of the piston which is slidingly guided in the housing in parallel to the actuating direction 1.

[0072] The face 8 and the connection 3 are arranged coaxially to the actuating mechanism 6 to avoid tilting when a force is applied onto the actuating mechanism 6.

[0073] The brake actuator works as follows.

[0074] When the pressure chamber 7 is pressurized by a fluid, for example pneumatically or hydraulically, the pressure acts on the face 8 and, therefore, via the connection 3 a force is applied on the actuating mechanism 6 causing the actuating mechanism 6 to move into the operating position OP or to be held in the operating position OP.

[0075] Therefore, pressurizing the pressure chamber 7 leads to the state of the brake actuator as shown in the drawing.

[0076] FIG. 3 shows the brake actuator with a second embodiment of the distancing mechanism.

[0077] As the embodiment is similar to the embodiment according to FIG. 2, only the differences to FIG. 2 are described. Otherwise, reference is made to the description of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

[0078] In this embodiment, the distancing mechanism 4 is arranged to the right of the actuating mechanism 6. The distancing mechanism 4 comprises a pressure chamber 7 formed by a housing and a piston acting as a connection 3, wherein the piston is slidingly guided in the housing in parallel to the actuating direction 1.

[0079] As described according to FIG. 2, the actuating mechanism 6 is moved or held in the operating position OP by pressurizing the pressure chamber 7.

[0080] The working of the brake actuator is similar to the working of the brake actuator according to FIG. 2.

[0081] FIG. 4 shows the brake actuator with a third embodiment of the distancing mechanism.

[0082] As the embodiment is similar to the embodiment according to FIG. 2, only the differences to FIG. 2 are described. Otherwise, reference is made to the description of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

[0083] In this embodiment, the face 8 is formed directly on the actuating mechanism 6 respectively as a face of the actuating mechanism 6. Therefore, the actuating mechanism 6 itself acts as the piston and no connection 3 as shown in FIG. 2 is needed.

[0084] This embodiment allows a reduction of extension of the brake actuator in the actuating direction 1.

[0085] As described according to FIG. 2, the actuating mechanism 6 is moved or held in the operating position OP by pressurizing the pressure chamber 7.

[0086] The working of the brake actuator is similar to the working of the brake actuator according to FIG. 2.

[0087] FIG. 5 shows the general embodiment according to FIG. 1, comprising a reset element.

[0088] As the embodiment is similar to the general embodiment according to FIG. 1, only the differences are described. Otherwise, reference is made to the description of FIG. 1.

[0089] This embodiment can be combined with every embodiment described in this application, in particular with the embodiments according to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.

[0090] Here, a reset element 9 is provided on the right side of the actuating mechanism 6 configured to generate a reset force to the actuating mechanism 6 in the actuating direction 1 to remove the actuating mechanism 6 into the non-operating position NOP when the distancing mechanism 4 is not activated or not applying a force onto the actuating mechanism 6 against the actuating direction 1.

[0091] The reset element 9 can comprise a spring or can be configured as a spring. In the combination with one of the embodiments according to the FIGS. 2 to 4 or in general, wherein the distancing actuator 4 is actuated by a fluid, in particular pneumatically or hydraulically, a spring-loaded actuator is formed by the reset element 9 and the distancing actuator 4, leading to an automatic reset of the actuating mechanism 6 into the non-operating position NOP when the distancing actuator 4 is de-pressurized.

[0092] The spring of the reset element 9 is preferably arranged coaxially to the actuating mechanism 6 and/or to the transfer element 5 to avoid tilting.

[0093] FIG. 6 shows the general embodiment according to FIG. 1, comprising a locking element.

[0094] As the embodiment is similar to the general embodiment according to FIG. 1, only the differences are described. Otherwise, reference is made to the description of FIG. 1.

[0095] This embodiment can be combined with every embodiment described in this application, in particular with the embodiments according to FIGS. 2 to 5.

[0096] A locking element 10 is provided on the right side of the actuating mechanism 6 configured to lock or hold the actuating mechanism 6 in the operating position OP.

[0097] The locking can be realized by frictional or form fitting engagement of the actuating mechanism 6 with the locking element 10.

[0098] Additionally or alternatively, the locking is achieved by an electromagnetic mechanism comprised by the locking element 10, wherein an electromagnet of the locking element 10 locks the actuating mechanism 6 by generating a magnetic locking force. In particular, this embodiment is capable for an electro-mechanic braking system.

[0099] If the locking element 10 releases the actuating mechanism 6 and a reset element 9 according to FIG. 5 is provided, the actuating mechanism 6 is removed automatically into the non-operating position.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0100] 1 actuating direction [0101] 2 brake [0102] 3 connection [0103] 4 distancing mechanism [0104] 5 transfer element [0105] 6 actuating mechanism [0106] 7 pressure chamber [0107] 8 face [0108] 9 reset element [0109] 10 locking element [0110] AP actuating position [0111] NOP non-operating position [0112] OP operating position