HYDRAULIC ASSEMBLY, HOUSING ASSEMBLY FOR A HYDRAULIC ASSEMBLY, AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A HOUSING ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A housing assembly for a hydraulic assembly. The housing assembly includes a housing part at least partially enclosing an internal volume, having a through-opening extending between a housing-part inner face directed toward the internal volume and a housing-part outer face oriented in the opposite direction thereto, a region of the inner face surrounding the through-opening forming a depression; a tension anchor extending with an inner portion in the internal volume of the housing part and protruding through the through-opening, an outer portion of the tension anchor protruding beyond the outer face of the housing part; an anchor nut screwed onto the inner portion of the tension anchor and having a sealing face; and a sealing element arranged in the depression and bearing on the inner portion of the tension anchor, on the region of the inner face surrounding the through-opening, and on the sealing face of the anchor nut.

Claims

1-10. (canceled)

11. A housing assembly for a hydraulic assembly, comprising: a housing part which at least partially encloses an internal volume, the housing part having a through-opening which extends between an inner face directed toward the internal volume and an outer face of the housing part oriented in an opposite direction as the inner face, wherein a region of the inner face surrounding the through-opening forms a depression; a tension anchor which extends with an inner portion in the internal volume of the housing part and which protrudes through the through-opening, such that an outer portion of the tension anchor protrudes beyond the outer face of the housing part; an anchor nut which is screwed onto the inner portion of the tension anchor and has a sealing face; and a sealing element which is arranged in the depression and bears on the inner portion of the tension anchor, on the region of the inner face surrounding the through-opening, and on the sealing face of the anchor nut.

12. The housing assembly according to claim 11, wherein the housing part is deformed in the region surrounding the through-opening in such a way that the depression is formed on the inner face and a corresponding elevation is formed on the outer face.

13. The housing assembly according to claim 11, wherein the depression has a depth in a range between 1 mm and 4 mm.

14. The housing assembly according to claim 11, wherein the anchor nut includes an inner bore having an internal thread, which is screwed onto an external thread formed on the inner portion of the tension anchor, wherein the sealing face of the anchor nut extends at least partially spaced apart from an end of the external thread directed toward the outer portion of the tension anchor.

15. The housing assembly according to claim 14, wherein the inner bore protrudes beyond the end of the external thread in a direction of the outer portion of the tension anchor, and the sealing face of the anchor nut is formed on the inner bore of the anchor nut.

16. The housing assembly according to claim 15, wherein the sealing face of the anchor nut is formed as a phase on the inner bore of the anchor nut.

17. The housing assembly according to claim 11, wherein the anchor nut is secured against rotation on the tension anchor by a crimp connection.

18. The housing assembly according to claim 11, wherein the sealing element is an annular O-ring.

19. A hydraulic assembly for a hydraulic braking system, comprising: a housing assembly, including: a housing part which at least partially encloses an internal volume, the housing part having a through-opening which extends between an inner face directed toward the internal volume and an outer face of the housing part oriented in an opposite direction as the inner face, wherein a region of the inner face surrounding the through-opening forms a depression, a tension anchor which extends with an inner portion in the internal volume of the housing part and which protrudes through the through-opening, such that an outer portion of the tension anchor protrudes beyond the outer face of the housing part, an anchor nut which is screwed onto the inner portion of the tension anchor and has a sealing face, and a sealing element which is arranged in the depression and bears on the inner portion of the tension anchor, on the region of the inner face surrounding the through-opening, and on the sealing face of the anchor nut; a hydraulic device including a pressure generating device, the hydraulic device having a flange on which a bore is formed; wherein the outer portion of the tension anchor protrudes through the bore of the flange, and the hydraulic device is fastened to the housing assembly via the tension anchor.

20. A method for producing a housing assembly, the housing assembly including: a housing part which at least partially encloses an internal volume, the housing part having a through-opening which extends between an inner face directed toward the internal volume and an outer face of the housing part oriented in an opposite direction as the inner face, wherein a region of the inner face surrounding the through-opening forms a depression, a tension anchor which extends with an inner portion in the internal volume of the housing part and which protrudes through the through-opening, such that an outer portion of the tension anchor protrudes beyond the outer face of the housing part, an anchor nut which is screwed onto the inner portion of the tension anchor and has a sealing face, and a sealing element which is arranged in the depression and bears on the inner portion of the tension anchor, on the region of the inner face surrounding the through-opening, and on the sealing face of the anchor nut; the method comprising the following steps: arranging the sealing element in the depression of the housing part; passing the tension anchor through the through-opening of the housing part; screwing the anchor nut onto the tension anchor; and contacting the sealing element with the sealing face of the anchor nut, the region of the inner face surrounding the through-opening, and the inner portion of the tension anchor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a hydraulic assembly according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an outer side of a housing part of a housing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the region marked by the letter X of the hydraulic assembly shown in FIG. 1.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method for producing a housing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0027] In the figures, identical reference signs denote identical or functionally identical components, unless stated otherwise.

[0028] FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a hydraulic assembly 200. The hydraulic assembly 200 comprises a housing assembly 100 and a hydraulic device 210. The hydraulic assembly 200 can be used, for example, as an assembly in an electromotive brake booster for a vehicle or such a brake booster can comprise the hydraulic assembly 200.

[0029] The hydraulic device 210 is only partially shown in FIG. 1 and comprises a flange 212 in which at least one bore 214 is formed. The hydraulic device 210 can be, e.g., a hydraulic pressure generating device, such as a master brake cylinder, in particular a tandem master brake cylinder, a plunger or the like. The hydraulic device 210 can be mechanically actuated in particular by means of an actuating assembly 220. The actuating assembly 220 is also only partially shown in FIG. 1 and can, as shown by way of example, comprise, e.g., a connecting arm 221 and a sliding bearing 222 connected to the connecting arm 221. The connecting arm 221 can be linearly displaced by means of an electric motor (not shown), which is kinematically coupled to the actuating assembly, for example via a transmission (not shown), in order to actuate the hydraulic device 210.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, the housing assembly 100 comprises a housing part 1, a tension anchor 2, an anchor nut 3 and a sealing element 4.

[0031] The housing part 1 is only partially shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective partial view of the housing part 1. In general, the housing part 1 defines or encloses an internal volume 10 at least partially. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 by way of example, the housing part 1 can, for example, include a substantially flat or plate-shaped cover portion 14 and a circumferential portion 16 extending transversely thereto. In general, the housing part 1 comprises an inner face 1i directed toward the internal volume 10 or enclosing the internal volume 10 and an outer face 1a oriented opposite thereto. As further shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing part 1 comprises a through-opening 11 which extends between the inner face 1i and the outer face 1a of the housing part 1 and which can be formed in particular in the cover portion 14. The through-opening 11 can in particular comprise a circular circumference. Furthermore, a central connection opening 18 can be formed in the cover portion 14, which extends between the inner face 1i and the outer face 1a of the housing part 1 and serves for receiving an actuation interface of the hydraulic device 210. The housing part 1 can be formed, e.g., from a metal material, in particular a metal sheet. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, a region of the inner face 1i surrounding the through-opening 11 forms a depression 12. Thus, the through-opening 11 is provided or arranged on the bottom or base 12B of a depression 12 formed on the inner face 1i. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the depression 12 can comprise a conical portion 12A. The opening angle of the conical portion 12A can, e.g., be in a range between 70 degrees and 90 degrees. Further optionally, the depression 12 can comprise a substantially flat bottom portion 12B, in which the depression 12 is formed. As shown by way of example in FIG. 2, the housing part 1 can further comprise an elevation 13 on the outer face 1a in the region surrounding the through-opening 11. As shown schematically in FIG. 1, the housing part 1 can thus be deformed in such a way that the depression 12 is formed on the inner face 1i and a corresponding, complementary elevation 13 is formed on the outer face 1a. The depression 12 can, for example, have a depth t12 in a range between 1 mm and 4 mm (FIG. 3).

[0033] The tension anchor 2 is designed as a rod-shaped, elongated part which extends along a longitudinal axis A2. As shown in FIG. 1, the tension anchor 2 runs in the internal volume 10 and extends through the through-opening 11. A region of the tension anchor 2 located in the internal volume 10 forms an inner portion 2A, a region of the tension anchor 2 defined by the outer face 1a of the housing part 1 forms an outer portion 2B of the tension anchor 2. Thus, the tension anchor 2 extends transversely to the cover portion 14. The outer portion 2B of the tension anchor 2 protrudes beyond the outer face 1a of the housing part 1, in particular the cover portion 14.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 1, the inner portion 2A of the tension anchor 2 can comprise an external thread 20 in a region directed toward the through-opening 11. Furthermore, the tension anchor 2 can comprise a guide portion 22 on its inner portion 2A, on which the sliding bearing 222 is guided linearly or displaceably along the longitudinal axis A2. The outer portion 2B of the tension anchor 2 simultaneously forms an end portion of the tension anchor and can optionally also be provided with an external thread 24. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the outer portion 2B can have a smaller diameter, at least in some regions, in particular in the region of the thread 24, than the inner portion 2A in the region of the thread 20.

[0035] The anchor nut 3 is designed as a screwable sleeve. Accordingly, the anchor nut 3 comprises an inner bore 30 having an internal thread 31. Furthermore, the anchor nut 3 has a sealing face 3a, which can be provided, e.g., on the inner bore 30. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 as an example, the sealing face 3a can be designed, e.g., as a phase 32 on the inner bore 30 of the anchor nut 3. Thus, the phase 32 defines a conical contact face or sealing face 3a, which can, e.g., comprise an opening angle in a range between 100 degrees and 140 degrees. Furthermore, the anchor nut 3 can optionally be provided with an external hexagon on its outer circumference.

[0036] As shown schematically in FIG. 1, the anchor nut 3 is screwed onto the external thread 20 of the tension anchor 2 provided on the inner portion 2A. Optionally, the anchor nut 3 can be secured against rotation on the tension anchor 2, in particular by a crimp connection. For this purpose, the outer circumference of the anchor nut 3 can comprise at least one plastic deformation in the form of a notch 34, which causes a plastic deformation 35 on the internal thread 31. As further shown in FIG. 1, the anchor nut 3 bears with an end face 3b on the inner face 1a of the housing part 1.

[0037] As further shown in FIG. 1, the outer portion 2B of the tension anchor 2 protrudes through the bore 214 of the flange 212. For fixing the flange 212 to the housing part 1, an external nut 216 can be provided, which is screwed onto the external thread 24 of the outer portion 2B of the tension anchor 2 and clamps the flange 212 between itself and the housing part 1, in particular its cover portion 14. Optionally, the outer nut 216 can also be secured against rotation by a crimp connection to the tension anchor 2. As can also be seen in FIG. 1, the flange 212 can comprise a depression 215 on a contact face 212a directed toward the housing part 1 in a region surrounding the bore 214, in which the optionally made elevation 13 of the housing part 1 is received. However, the depression 215 can also be provided independently of the elevation of the housing part 1.

[0038] The sealing element 4 can in particular be designed to be annular, e.g. as an O-ring, as shown by way of example in FIGS. 1 and 3. As shown in FIG. 1, the sealing element 4 is arranged in the depression 12 on the inner face 1i of the housing part 1 and thus surrounds the through-opening 11. Furthermore, the sealing element 4 encloses the inner portion 2A of the tension anchor 2 and is in contact with the sealing face 3a of the anchor nut 3. As can be seen in particular in FIG. 3, the sealing element 4 thus bears in the depression 12 on the inner face 1i of the housing part 1, on the outer circumferential face of the tension anchor 2 and on the sealing face 3a of the anchor nut 3. Thus, the sealing element 4 seals the through-opening 11 in a fluid-tight manner, e.g. against leakage of liquid from the internal volume 10 or against penetration of liquid into the internal volume 10. The sealing element 4 is squeezed or compressed in particular between the sealing face 3a of the anchor nut 3 and the region of the inner face 1i forming the depression 12. In FIG. 3, the sealing paths that the sealing element 4 seals are indicated by the arrows P1, P2.

[0039] Due to the arrangement of the sealing element 4 in the depression 12 on the side of the inner face 1i of the housing part 1, the space required by the sealing element 4 in the internal volume 10 in relation to the longitudinal axis L1 is reduced. Thus, the guide portion 22 of the tension anchor 2 can reach relatively close to the inner face 1i of the housing part 1 or to the cover portion 14 in the axial direction.

[0040] Effectively, the stroke, i.e. the distance that the sliding bearing 222 can travel on the tension anchor 2, can thus be extended. The arrangement of the sealing element 4 in the depression 12 on the side of the inner face 1i of the housing part 1 offers the further advantage that the sealing element 4 is well protected against external influences. In particular, the hydraulic device 210 can be removed without damaging the sealing element 4 and/or requiring replacement of the sealing element 4 if the hydraulic device 210 is re-flanged or a new hydraulic device 210 is assembled.

[0041] As shown by way of example in FIGS. 1 and 3, the anchor nut 3 can be positioned relative to the tension anchor 2 in such a way that the sealing face 3a of the anchor nut 3 extends at least partially spaced apart from an end of the external thread 20 directed toward the outer portion 2B of the tension anchor 2. As can be seen in FIG. 3, e.g., the inner bore 30 of the anchor nut 3 with the sealing face 3a provided thereon, which in this case is conical, can protrude beyond the end of the external thread 20 of the tension anchor 2. As a result, it can be reliably prevented that the sealing element 4 is damaged by the external thread 20.

[0042] FIG. 4 shows schematically the sequence of a method M for producing a housing assembly 100. The method M is explained below by way of example with reference to the housing assembly 100 described above. The method M comprises arranging M1 the sealing element 4 in the depression 12 of the housing part 1 along with a step M2, in which the tension anchor 2 is passed through the through-opening 11 of the housing part 1, in particular in such a way that the external thread 20 and the guide portion 22 are positioned in the internal volume 10 of the housing part 1. The steps M1 and M2 can be carried out in particular in such a way that the sealing element 4 is pushed onto the tension anchor 2 and is positioned in the depression by passing the tension anchor 2 through the through-opening 11. Alternatively, however, the sealing element 4 can initially be positioned in the depression 12 and the tension anchor 2 can then be pushed through the sealing element 4 in step M2. In a further step M3, the anchor nut 3 is screwed onto the tension anchor 2, as described above. The screwing M2 can take place before or after passing (step M2) the tension anchor 2 through the through-opening 11.

[0043] Furthermore, a step M4 takes place for contacting the sealing element 4 with the sealing face 3a of the anchor nut 3, the region of the inner face 1i surrounding the through-opening 11 and the inner portion 2A of the tension anchor 2. The step M4 can take place simultaneously with the execution of the steps M1 to M3. For example, the contacting of the sealing element 4 with the inner portion 2A of the tension anchor 2 can take place during the step M2. The contacting of the sealing element 4 with the sealing face 3a of the anchor nut 3 and the region of the inner face 1i surrounding the through-opening 11 can be carried out, e.g., by the screwing in step M3.

[0044] Furthermore, an additional step M5 can optionally be provided, in which the anchor nut 3 is fixed to the tension anchor in a rotationally secure manner, e.g. by crimping.

[0045] Although the present invention has been explained above by way of example with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto, but can be modified in many ways. In particular, combinations of the above exemplary embodiments are also possible.