BRAKE SIGNAL TRANSMITTER, BRAKING SYSTEM, AND VEHICLE

Abstract

A brake signal transmitter (10) includes a housing (11) and a liquid drainage system (20). The liquid drainage system (20) includes an opening in the housing (11) and a cover (30) that extends over or along the opening. The cover (30) includes at least one aperture that allows a liquid to be drained through the cover (30). The opening (21) of the housing (11) is arranged on a downward side of the housing (11) relative to a gravitational force the transmitter is mounted horizontally. The cover (30) may be a cap having a filter inserted therein. The filter may define a tortuous path to block ingress of water or debris into the housing. The cover may include resilient fingers that snap fit into a socket of the housing.

Claims

1. A brake signal transmitter (10), comprising: a housing (11); and a liquid drainage system (20), comprising: an opening (21) in the housing (11); and a cover (30) configured to extend over or along the opening (21); wherein the cover (30) includes at least one aperture (33) configured to allow a liquid to be drained through the cover (30).

2. The brake signal transmitter (10) of claim 1, wherein the cover (30) includes a plastic material.

3. The brake signal transmitter (10) of claim 2, wherein the cover (30) includes an engagement structure (31, 32) that engages with the housing (11), wherein the engagement structure (31, 32) includes or is made of the plastic material.

4. The brake signal transmitter (10) of claim 3, wherein the engagement structure (31, 32) includes at least one resiliently deformable cover portion (31), wherein the at least one resiliently deformable cover portion (31) provides a snap-fit engagement with the housing (20).

5. The brake signal transmitter (10) of claim 4, wherein the at least one resiliently deformable cover portion (31) comprise at least one resilient finger (31), and the at least one aperture (33) includes gaps (33) on opposite sides of the at least one resilient finger (31).

6. The brake signal transmitter (10) of claim 1, wherein the housing (11) includes a housing socket (22) at the opening (21).

7. The brake signal transmitter (10) of claim 6, wherein the cover (30) is inserted into the housing socket (22).

8. The brake signal transmitter (10) of claim 1, wherein the brake signal transmitter (10) includes a foreign matter ingress-reducing arrangement (24, 26, 37) configured to reduce or eliminate foreign matter ingress through the opening (21) into the housing (11).

9. The brake signal transmitter (10) of claim 8, wherein the foreign matter ingress-reducing arrangement (24, 26, 37) includes a tortuous path (45), wherein the cover (30) delimits at least a portion of the tortuous path (45).

10. The brake signal transmitter (10) of claim 8, wherein the foreign matter ingress-reducing arrangement (24, 26, 37) includes a filter (26).

11. The brake signal transmitter (10) of claim 9, wherein the foreign matter ingress-reducing arrangement (24, 26, 37) includes a filter (26).

12. The brake signal transmitter (10) of claim 11, wherein the cover (30) is a cap (30), wherein the cap (30) includes a skirt portion (31, 35) that receives at least a portion of the filter (26) therein, wherein the skirt portion (31, 35) extends from a cap end portion (34).

13. The brake signal transmitter (10) of claim 12, wherein the foreign matter ingress-reducing arrangement (24, 26, 37) includes a resiliently deformable bias member (37) that biases the filter (26) and the cap end portion (34) away from each other, wherein the resiliently deformable bias member (37) is interposed between the filter (26) and the cap end portion (34) and biases the filter (26) toward an abutment surface (24) surrounding the opening (21).

14. The brake signal transmitter (10) of claim 11, wherein the filter (26) is integrally formed with the housing (11) or the cover (30).

15. The brake signal transmitter (10) of claim 1, further comprising: an actuating device (47) configured to enable actuation of the brake signal transmitter (10) by a driver of a vehicle, and a pressure-producing device (17, 18) configured to generate a braking pressure in response to the actuation, the pressure-producing device (17, 18) being arranged in the housing (11).

16. The brake signal transmitter (10) of claim 1, wherein the housing (11) includes a first a first axial housing end, a second axial housing end, and a circumferential housing wall extending between the first axial housing end and the second axial housing end, wherein the opening is provided in the circumferential housing wall.

17. The brake signal transmitter (10) of claim 16, wherein the opening is spaced from both the first axial housing end and the second axial housing end, wherein liquid drainage through the opening is facilitated at an intermediate location between the first and second axial housing ends.

18. The brake signal transmitter (10) of claim 17, wherein an inner diameter of the circumferential housing wall varies in a direction from the first axial housing end to the second axial housing end, wherein the opening is provided in a portion of the circumferential housing wall where the inner diameter is maximum, wherein gravity-driven liquid drainage is facilitated when the brake signal transmitter is mounted horizontally.

19. A braking system (10, 47, 48, 49), comprising the brake signal transmitter (10) of claim 1.

20. A vehicle (46), comprising the braking system (10, 47, 48, 49) of claim 19, wherein the opening (21) of the housing (11) is arranged on a downward side of the housing (11) relative to a gravitational force direction (19) when the vehicle (46) is on a horizontal surface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] Further advantages and embodiments and developments are defined throughout the disclosure. These and other aspects of the present disclosure will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0048] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a brake signal transmitter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the brake signal transmitter.

[0050] FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the brake signal transmitter.

[0051] FIG. 4 is a partially exploded detail view of the brake signal transmitter.

[0052] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cap of the brake signal transmitter.

[0053] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the cap.

[0054] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the cap with a bias member arranged thereon.

[0055] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a filter of a foreign matter ingress-reducing arrangement.

[0056] FIG. 9 is a perspective detail view illustrating assembly of the cap to a housing of the brake signal transmitter.

[0057] FIG. 10 is a perspective detail view illustrating the cap assembled to the housing of the brake signal transmitter.

[0058] FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating the cap assembled to the housing of the brake signal transmitter.

[0059] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view along line XII-XII in FIG. 10.

[0060] FIG. 13 is a schematic view of a commercial vehicle having the brake signal transmitter.

[0061] FIG. 14 is a flow chart of a method of assembling the brake signal transmitter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, similar or identical reference signs designate elements with similar or identical configuration and/or function.

[0063] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a brake signal transmitter as well as a brake system and vehicle having the brake signal transmitter. As used herein, the term brake signal transmitter refers to a device configured to receive an input and provide an output indicative of a desired braking action. The output may be pneumatic, electric, or both, without being limited thereto. The input may be a mechanical input, which may be obtained from a brake pedal or a linkage connected to the brake pedal or another actuation device.

[0064] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a brake signal transmitter 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the brake signal transmitter 10. The brake signal transmitter 10 includes a housing 11. The housing 11 includes a first axial housing end 12 and a second axial housing end 13. The housing 11 includes a circumferential housing wall 14. The circumferential housing wall 14 extends circumferentially around an axis 16 of the brake signal transmitter 10. The axis 16 may be an axis extending between a center of the first axial housing end 12 and a center of the second axial housing end 13. The axis 16 may be aligned with a center axis of a main coil spring 18 housed in the housing 11. A main valve 17 may be housed within the housing to provide pressure fluid (e.g., pressure gas) in response to an input received by the brake signal transmitter 10. Alternatively or additionally to providing a fluidic output, the brake signal transmitter 10 may be configured to provide an electric output signal.

[0065] When the brake signal transmitter 10 is mounted, a lower portion 15 of the circumferential housing wall 14 extends on the downward side of the housing 11. As used herein, the terms lower side or downward are provided with reference to a gravitational force direction 19 when a vehicle having the brake signal transmitter 10 is located on a horizontal surface.

[0066] The brake signal transmitter 10 includes a liquid drainage system 20. The liquid drainage system 20 may be a gravity-driven liquid drainage system. The liquid drainage system 20 is provided at the portion 15 of the housing 11 which, in a horizontal installation orientation of the brake signal transmitter 10, faces downward relative to the gravitational force direction 19. The liquid drainage system 20 is configured to provide a water flow path 25 that allows water or other liquids to be discharged from an interior of the housing 11, driven by gravitational force. The liquid drainage system 20 is also configured to reduce or eliminate ingress of liquid and dirt (such as dust or other particulate matter) into the interior of the housing 11. A cap 30 is engaged with a flange 22 of the housing 11 to secure the cap 30 overlapping with an opening (the opening being designated by reference numeral 21 in FIGS. 4 and 12) of the housing 11. The cap 30 includes one or several apertures to allow liquid to pass therethrough for liquid drainage from the housing 11. As will be explained in more detail below, the liquid drainage system 20 may be configured in such a way that it provides a one-way flow path for liquid to permit water egress while reducing or eliminating liquid and/or particulate matter ingress into the housing 11. The liquid drainage system 20 may include a labyrinth seal configuration to implement such a one-way valve functionality.

[0067] A configuration of the liquid drainage system 20 of the brake signal transmitter 10 will be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 12. FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the brake signal transmitter 10. FIG. 4 is a partially exploded detail view of the brake signal transmitter 10. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cap 30 of the brake signal transmitter 10. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the cap 30.

[0068] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the cap 30 with a bias member 27 arranged thereon. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a filter 26 of a foreign matter ingress-reducing arrangement of the liquid drainage system 20.

[0069] The liquid drainage system 20 includes the cap 30, the opening 21 of the housing 11, and may optionally include additional components such as the bias member 27 which may be implemented by a compression spring, and the filter 26 that further reduce the risk of ingress of liquid and/or dirt (i.e., particulate matter) into the housing 11. The opening 21 may be circular, without being limited thereto. The housing 11 includes a flange 22 projecting outwardly from the lower portion 15. The flange 22 facilitates assembly of the cap 30, provides protection for the cap 30, and reduces the effective area through which liquid and/or dirt could potentially enter into the housing 11 against the gravity force.

[0070] The cap 30 includes one or several snap fingers 31 that form as resiliently deformable cover portions. Each of the snap fingers 31 has an engagement structure 32 at its end. The snap finger(s) 31 allow the cap 30 to be secured on the housing 11 by way of a snap fit. A mating retaining recess 23 into which the engagement projections 32 can snap is provided in an inner wall of the flange 22. The retaining recess 23 can be a circumferential recess that extends circumferentially along an entire inner circumference of the flange 22. The snap finger(s) 31 may be resiliently deformable so as to bend towards a center axis of the cap 30 when the cap 30 is inserted into the socket defined by the flange 22. The snap finger(s) 31 may be dimensioned and biased so as to snap into the retaining recess 23 upon insertion of the cap 30 into the housing socket surrounded by the flange 22. On both circumferential sides, each snap finger 31 may be spaced from an adjacent cylindrical segment 35 of the cap 30 by a gap 33. The gaps 33 may extend from the free ends of the fingers 31 to an end face 34 of the cap. The end face 34 of the cap may be dimensioned to cover all or at least most of the opening 21 in the housing as seen in a plan view in a viewing direction perpendicular the end face 34.

[0071] The bias member 27, which may be implemented as a coil spring 27, may bias the cap 30 such that the engagement projections 32 are forced against a rim of the circumferential recess 23. The risk of unintentional deflection of the snap finger(s) 31 and, thus, of unintentional dislodgment of the cap 30 is thereby mitigated.

[0072] The coil spring 27 may be a compression spring. The coil spring 27 may be made of steel. Other implementations that provide shape memory may be used. The coil spring 27 may be a compression spring configured to provide the forces that reduce the risk of unintentional dislodgment of the cap 30 and/or the filter 26.

[0073] The snap finger(s) 31 and preferably all of the cap 30 may be made of a plastic material. This allows weight to be kept low. Moreover, the force exerted by the snap finger(s) 31 of plastic material onto the flange 22 are so low that the flange 22 may be formed with a small thickness as compared to other fastening techniques, such as crimping. This also contributes to keeping the weight low. The plastic material may be a polyamide, such as a glass fiber reinforced polyamide such as PA6-GF30. By using a fiber reinforced polymeric material, such as polyamide, a desired strength is attained for the cap while keeping its weight low.

[0074] While a snap-fit coupling of the cap 30 and the housing 11 has been explained above, other configurations may be used in accordance with the present disclosure for securing the cap 30 to the housing 11. For illustration, the cap 30 and the housing 11 may be configured such that the cap 30 is secured to the housing 11 by way of a press-fit or push-in connection. The cap 30 is respectively arranged so as to overlap the opening 21 to reduce the likelihood of foreign matter ingress into the housing 11 through the opening 21.

[0075] The liquid drainage system 20 includes the filter 26. The filter 26 may be or may include a sintered body. The filter 26 may include spheres and/or ellipsoids in a closed packing to further mitigate the risk of ingress of foreign matter (e.g., particulate matter such as dirt and/or liquid such as spray water) into the housing against the gravity force. The filter 26 may be or may include a bronze sintered body, without being limited thereto. Such a filter configuration provides a labyrinth-type liquid flow path and thereby reduces the risk of liquid and/or dirt entering the housing in a direction opposite to the gravity direction.

[0076] The spring 27 may be arranged in such a way that it biases the cap 30 relative to the filter 26. Thereby, the engagement projections 32 are pushed against a rim of the circumferential recess 23, reducing the risk of unintentional dislodgment of the gap. Further, the filter 26 is pushed against an abutment surface 24 of the housing surrounding the opening 21 in a ring-shaped manner. Forcing the filter 26 against the abutment surface 24 by way of the spring 27 reduces the risk of the filter 26 being dislodged relative to the abutment surface 24 during use. Tight abutment of the filter 26 on the abutment surface 24 reduces the formation of additional gaps through which water or dirt could enter the housing 11. In the assembled brake signal transmitter 10, a first spring end ring 28 of the spring acting as bias member abuts on the cap 30, and a second spring end ring 29 abuts on the filter 26.

[0077] The cap 30 may include a spring positioning structure 36. The spring positioning structure 36 may include a plurality of arms having ends 37 dimensioned to fit into an end ring of the spring 27. Other positioning structures may be used to position the spring 27 centrally relative to the cap 30 and the filter 26.

[0078] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the filter 26 when the filter is formed as a sintered body. The filter 26 may have a generally cylindrical outer envelope. The filter 26 may have a first filter end face 38 on which the second spring end ring 29 abuts. The filter 26 may have a second filter end face 39 that abuts on the abutment surface 24 of the housing.

[0079] FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are detail views illustrating assembly of the cap 30 to the housing 11. The filter 26 is received, at least in part, within a skirt portion of the cap 30 formed by the resilient fingers 31 and the cylindrical surface segments 35. With at least the resilient fingers 31 of the cap 30 being made of a plastic material (such as a glass fiber reinforced polymeric material, e.g., a glass fiber reinforced polyamide), an assembly force 40 is low.

[0080] FIG. 11 shows a detail view of the brake signal transmitter 10 when the cap 30 is assembled to the housing 11. When assembled, only a portion 42 of the cap 30 projects outwardly from an outer flange end plane 41 of the flange 22. A height 44 of the projecting cap portion 42, measured between the cap end face 34 and the flange end plane 41 at the free end of the flange 22, is less than a total height 43 of the cap, measured between the end face 34 and the free ends of the cylindrical portions 35. Thereby, the exposed parts of the gaps 33 that project outwardly beyond the flange end plane 41 make it even more challenging for liquid and/or dirt to enter the housing against the action of gravity. In some implementations, a ratio of the height 44 to the total height 43 may be 0.8 or less, 0.7 or less, 0.6 or less, or 0.5 or less.

[0081] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid drainage system 20 when the cap 30 is assembled to the housing. The flange 22, the filter 26, the cylindrical segments 35 of the cap 30, and the resilient fingers 31 of the cap 30 provide a tortuous path 45 through which water can exit the housing 11 in a gravity-driven manner. The liquid (in particular water) passes through and out of the cap 30 at the gap 33 which forms an aperture for liquid egress. At the same time, a labyrinth-type seal is provided that makes it unlikely for liquid (such as spray water) and/or dirt (i.e., particulate matter) to enter the housing through the liquid discharge system 20.

[0082] FIG. 13 is a schematic view of a vehicle 46. The vehicle 46 may be a commercial vehicle, such as a towing vehicle, a truck, a lorry, or a bus. The brake signal transmitter 10 may include an actuation device, which may be provided by a linkage 48 and/or brake pedal 47. The actuation device provides an input to the brake signal transmitter 10. In response to the input, the brake signal transmitter generates a fluidic and/or electric signal that causes a brake 49 to be actuated in accordance with a magnitude by which the actuation device has been displaced by a driver.

[0083] As schematically shown in FIG. 13, the brake signal transmitter 10 is arranged in the vehicle in such a manner that its axis 16 is transverse to the gravitational force direction when the vehicle 46 is on a horizontal surface.

[0084] As schematically shown in FIG. 13, the housing 11 of the brake signal transmitter 10 is oriented such that the opening 21 of the liquid drainage system 20 faces downward, relative to the gravitational force direction, when the vehicle 46 is on a horizontal surface.

[0085] FIG. 14 is a flow chart of a method 50 of assembling the brake signal transmitter. At process block 51, the brake signal transmitter housing 11 is provided. At process block 52, the cover including at least the cap 30 is assembled so as to overlap the opening 21. The assembly step may include arranging the filter 26 in a socket of the housing 11 delimited by the flange 22 and arranging the spring 27 (which is an example of a bias member) between the cap 30 and the filter 26.

[0086] While embodiments have been described with reference to the drawings, modifications and alterations may be implemented in other embodiments.

[0087] For illustration, while embodiments have been described in which a liquid drainage system includes a filter as an element separate from and interposed between the cap and the housing, the filter may be formed integrally with the housing or the cap.

[0088] For further illustration, while a cover has been described which is configured as a cap having a circular cap end face and a skirt portion extending from a circumference of the circular cap end face, the cover may have other shapes configured to extend over or along the opening of the housing.

[0089] For further illustration, while a cover engageable or engaged with the housing by way of a snap-fit connection has been described, other engagement techniques can be used. In particular, other techniques which allow the cover (e.g., the cap) to be directly engaged with and secured on the housing without requiring a fastening element different from the cap and the housing afford ease of assembly. Such techniques include, without limitation, a press-fit or push-in connection.

[0090] For further illustration, while a brake signal transmitter has been described which includes an actuation device, such as a brake pedal or linkage, the brake signal transmitter may have other structural configurations useful for generating and providing an output (such as a fluidic and/or electric) responsive to an input (such as a mechanical movement of a device actuable by a driver).

[0091] For further illustration, while a brake signal transmitter has been described which is configured for gravity-driven liquid drainage when installed in a horizontal orientation, the brake signal transmitter may also be operative to provide gravity-driven liquid drainage when installed in a vertical orientation.

[0092] Various effects and advantages are attained by embodiments of the present disclosure. For illustration, embodiments provide a brake signal transmitter having a mechanism for liquid drainage while reducing or eliminating the risk of ingress of liquid and/or dirt into the housing. The brake signal transmitter according to at least some embodiments allows liquid to be drained from the housing of the brake signal transmitter without requiring the brake signal transmitter to be necessarily mounted vertically. The brake signal transmitter according to at least some embodiments allows liquid to be drained from the housing while providing greater flexibility in mounting the brake signal transmitter, such as by enabling gravity-driven liquid drainage when the brake signal transmitter is mounted horizontally. The brake signal transmitter according to at least some embodiments is implemented using light-weight components which are designed in such a manner that a flange for receiving the cover does not need to be formed with a large thickness, which would add to the weight.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS (PART OF THE DESCRIPTION)

[0093] 10 brake signal transmitter [0094] 11 housing [0095] 12 first axial housing end [0096] 13 second axial housing end [0097] 14 circumferential housing wall [0098] 15 lower portion of circumferential housing wall [0099] 16 housing axis [0100] 17 brake signal transmitter main valve [0101] 18 brake signal transmitter main coil spring [0102] 19 gravitational force direction [0103] 20 liquid drainage system [0104] 21 opening [0105] 22 flange [0106] 23 retaining recess [0107] 24 abutment surface [0108] 25 water flow path [0109] 26 filter [0110] 27 spring [0111] 28 first spring end ring [0112] 29 second spring end ring [0113] 30 cap [0114] 31 resilient portion [0115] 32 engagement projection [0116] 33 gap [0117] 34 cap end face [0118] 35 cap cylindrical segment [0119] 36 spring positioning structure [0120] 37 ends of spring positioning structure [0121] 38 first filter end face [0122] 39 second filter end face [0123] 40 assembly force [0124] 41 flange end plane [0125] 42 projecting cap portion [0126] 43 cap height [0127] 44 projecting cap height [0128] 45 tortuous path [0129] 46 vehicle [0130] 47 brake pedal [0131] 48 linkage [0132] 49 brake [0133] 50 method [0134] 51 process block [0135] 52 process block