Braking System and Braking System Provision Method

Abstract

A braking system and method of providing a braking system includes: a rotatory braking element that is fixedly connected to a wheel or wheel hub in a manner to rotate conjointly with the wheel, a stationary braking element that is fixedly connected to a vehicle chassis, a brake actuator that is configured to actuate the stationary braking element so as to press the stationary braking element towards the rotatory element, a lever that is configured so as to transfer a force exerted by the brake actuator to the stationary brake element, wherein a pivot axis of the lever is in parallel with a rotational plane of the rotatory braking element and perpendicular to a horizontal caliper plane that is a plane that is oriented tangentially of the rotatory brake element, and an actuator axis is in parallel with the rotational plane and the horizontal caliper plane.

Claims

1.-10. (canceled)

11. A braking system for a vehicle, comprising: a rotatory braking element that is fixedly connected to a wheel or wheel hub in a manner to rotate conjointly with the wheel; a stationary braking element that is directly or indirectly connected to a vehicle chassis such that movement of the stationary braking element is restricted so as to not rotate conjointly with the wheel; a brake actuator that is configured to actuate the stationary braking element so as to urge the stationary braking element towards the rotatory braking element; a lever that is configured so as to transfer a force exerted by the brake actuator to the stationary brake element, wherein a pivot axis of the lever is in parallel with a rotational plane of the rotatory braking element and perpendicular to a horizontal caliper plane that is a plane that is oriented tangentially of the rotatory brake element, and wherein an actuator axis is in parallel with the rotational plane and the horizontal caliper plane.

12. The braking system according to claim 11, wherein the brake actuator comprises a main brake actuator and an auxiliary brake actuator, that are arranged at mutually different sides of the lever.

13. The braking system according to claim 12, wherein a main brake actuator axis and an auxiliary brake actuator axis deviate from a mutual orientation that is parallel to each other.

14. The braking system according to claim 12, wherein a main brake actuator axis and an auxiliary brake actuator axis are arranged coaxially with an angle of 0 to 5, 5 to 10 or 10 to 15, with respect to the rotational plane and/or the horizontal caliper plane.

15. The braking system according to claim 14, wherein the main brake actuator axis and the auxiliary brake actuator axis are arranged coaxially with an angle of 5 with respect to the rotational plane and/or the horizontal caliper plane

16. The braking system according to claim 11, further comprising: a transfer element arranged between the lever and the stationary braking element.

17. The braking system according to claim 16, wherein an orientation of the transfer element is inclined with respect to the rotational plane by 0 to 5, 5 to 10 or 10 to 15 with respect to the rotation direction.

18. The braking system according to claim 17, wherein the orientation of the transfer element is inclined with respect to the rotational plane by 4 with respect to the rotation direction.

19. A method of providing a braking system, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a rotatory braking element that is fixedly connected to a wheel or wheel hub in a manner to rotate conjointly with the wheel; b) providing a stationary braking element that is fixedly connected to a vehicle chassis; c) providing a brake actuator that is configured to actuate the stationary braking element so as to press the stationary braking element towards the rotatory element; d) providing a lever that is configured so as to transfer a force exerted by the brake actuator to the stationary brake element, wherein step d) further comprises: da) orienting a pivot axis of the lever in parallel with a rotational plane of the rotatory braking element and perpendicular to a horizontal caliper plane that is a plane that is oriented tangentially of the rotatory brake element, and wherein step c) further comprises: ca) orienting an actuator axis in parallel with the rotational plane and the horizontal caliper plane.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein step c) further comprises: cb) providing a main brake actuator; cc) providing an auxiliary braking actuator; and cd) arranging the main brake actuator and the auxiliary brake actuator at different sides of the lever.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein step cd) further comprises: cda) arranging a main brake actuator axis and an auxiliary brake actuator axis such that they deviate from a mutual orientation that is parallel to each other.

22. The method according to claim 18, further comprising the step of: e) providing a transfer element between the lever and the stationary braking element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a braking system known from the related art.

[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates a further braking system known from the related art.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a top view of a braking system according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0023] FIG. 4 is an axial view/side view of the braking system according the embodiment.

[0024] FIG. 5 illustrates a first modification of the braking system according the embodiment.

[0025] FIG. 6 illustrates a second modification of the braking system according the embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] FIG. 3 shows a braking system 20 according to an embodiment of the invention in a top down illustration. The braking system 20 comprises a brake disc 22 as a rotatory braking element having a disc center plane 222, and an outboard brake pad 24, an inboard brake pad 26 and a caliper 28 as stationary braking elements. The outboard brake pad 24 is supported in the caliper 28 by carriers 30 such that the outboard brake pad 24 is rigidly fixed in the caliper. The inboard brake pad 26 is supported in the caliper 28 by the carriers 30 such that it is movable towards and away from the brake disc 22. The caliper 28 and the brake pads 24, 26 are configured such as to form a floating caliper. A lever 32 comprises a shaft that is supported in a needle bearing 235. The center of the shaft and the needle bearing serve as a pivot axis 326 of the lever 32. The lever 32 further comprises a first end portion 321 that is connected to a bridge 35. The lever 32 transfers braking force to a brake slider 36 via the bridge 35. The bridge 35 is configured such as to be adjustable in the angle with which the bridge 35 may transfer force to the brake slider 36. The brake cylinder acts on the inboard braking pad 26. Although the braking system of the embodiment is configured as single piston system, also multi piston systems are applicable. The lever 32 comprises a second end portion 322 that is connected to a parking brake rod 380 on the one side and a service brake rod 400 at the other side.

[0027] A parking brake actuator 38 comprises the parking brake rod 380. The parking brake rod is urged inwardly position by a spring arrangement 382 that is located inside the parking brake actuator 38. By that, the parking brake rod 380 and the lever 32 is urged towards a locking position in that braking is applied to the vehicle. In an operative state of the vehicle, the parking brake actuator 38 is kept in an extended configuration by a pneumatic pressure. By that, the parking brake rod 380 is urged towards an extended open position in that no braking is applied via the lever 32.

[0028] A service brake actuator 40 contains the service brake rod 400. By a pneumatic cylinder 402, the service brake rod 400 may be urged outwardly. By that, the lever 32 is urged towards a close position.

[0029] As it can be seen, the pivotal axis 326 of the lever 32 is oriented perpendicular to a horizontal caliper plane 42 that is a plane that is oriented in a tangential direction of the brake disc 22 at the location of the caliper 28. Deviations of the pivotal axis 326 from that orientation in any direction of up to 15 are possible.

[0030] As it can be further seen, the parking brake actuator axis 384 along the parking brake rod 380 and the service brake actuator axis 404 along the service brake rod 400 are arranged parallel to the disc center plane 222 and parallel to the horizontal caliper plane 42. Deviations of the actuator axes 384 and 404 from that orientation in any direction of up to 15 are possible.

[0031] Further, as it can be seen in FIG. 3, a service brake portion and a parking brake portion of an actuator may be separated and may be placed on both sides of the second end portion 322 of the lever 32 as the parking brake actuator 38 and the service brake actuator 40.

[0032] FIG. 4 illustrates the braking system 20 of the embodiment of the invention in a side view.

[0033] In the embodiment, the parking brake actuator axis 384 and the service brake actuator axis 404 are parallel to each other.

[0034] FIG. 5 illustrates a first modification of the embodiment. In the embodiment, the bridge guide plane 350 of the bridge 35 that defines the direction of possible movement of the bridge 35, is oriented perpendicular to the disc center plane 222 in parallel with a wheel hub. However, with the arrangement of the embodiment, it is optionally possible to adjust the inclination of the bridge guide plane 350 to an angle different from perpendicular to the disc center plane 222.

[0035] Further the inclinations of the parking brake actuator axis 384 and the service brake actuator axis 404 may be varied with respect to the disc center plane 222 depending e.g. on the size of the parking brake actuator 38 and the service brake actuator 40 or other parts of the vehicle.

[0036] FIG. 6 illustrates a second modification of the embodiment. As it can be seen in conjunction with FIG. 5, the axis of the parking brake actuator 38 and the service brake actuator 40 can have different inclination angles (A_SB_ACT_x and A_PB_ACT_x and A_SB_ACT_z and A_PB_ACT_z) or an offset between the parking brake actuator 38 and the service brake actuator 40 (dx_PB_ACT and dz_PB_ACT). The service brake actuator 40 can have an offset from neutral bridge plane 42 (horizontal caliper plane) which is representing the height of bridge/plunger (dz_SB_ACT).

[0037] In particular, the parking brake actuator 38 and the service brake actuator 40 may be arranged coaxial with an angle of 5 (A_SB_ACT_x and A_PB_ACT_x the bridge inclination is 4 (A_BRIDGE_GUIDE_NEUT) respectively to the rotation direction.

[0038] The invention was described by means of an embodiment. The embodiment is only of explanatory nature and does not restrict the invention as defined by the claims. As recognizable by the skilled person, deviations from the embodiment are possible without leaving the invention that is defined according to the scope of the claimed subject-matter.

[0039] For example, as a service brake, a pneumatic brake was employed. However, also electromechanical or hydraulic brake systems may be employed there.

[0040] For example, the parking brake actuator is configured as a pulling actuator and the service brake actuator is configured as a pushing actuator in the embodiment. However, also mere pushing actuators or pulling actuators or any mix of them may be applied mutatis mutandis.

[0041] For example, the caliper 28 is a floating caliper in the embodiment. However, any other kind of caliper is applicable, in particular fixed calipers.

[0042] Different embodiments may be combined. In particular the first modification and the second modification may be combined.

[0043] A commercial vehicle in the sense of this document is any vehicle, either self-driven or towed, for transporting goods or freight. These are in particular HGV, trucks, tractor units or trailers.

[0044] A main brake system or service brake system in the sense of this document is a brake system that is configured to serve for vehicle deceleration during operation, in particular during movement of the vehicle.

[0045] An auxiliary brake system/actuator or parking brake system/actuator in the sense of this document is a brake system/actuator that is configured to serve as a backup for the main brake system/actuator and that is configured to provide a continuous locking function to maintain a vehicle's position.

[0046] A horizontal caliper plane is a plane that extends tangentially of a brake disc at the location of the brake disc's caliper. Thus, the horizontal caliper plane is horizontal in a case when the caliper is arranged at a 12 o'clock position of the brake disc like in the embodiment. However, if the caliper is arranged at a different position, the horizontal caliper plane is not necessarily horizontal with respect to the usual orientation of the vehicle. In a case when the caliper is arranged at a 9 or 3 o'clock position of the brake disc, the horizontal caliper plane may be even oriented vertically.

[0047] In this document, as far as an axis is described as having a specific orientation, e.g. like being parallel to a disc center plane and a horizontal caliper plane, this description encompasses any orientation of that axis within a 15 angle range of deviation in any direction from that worded orientation.

[0048] In this document, a wheel axleas far as a stationary braking element is connected theretorefers to a non-rotating axle ore.g. in case of a driven wheelto a non-rotating part of the axle like an axle casing.

[0049] In this document, the terms and, or and either . . . or are used as conjunctions in a meaning similar to the logical conjunctions AND, OR (often also and/or) or XOR, respectively. In particular, in contrast to either . . . or, the term or also includes occurrence of both operands.

[0050] Method steps indicated in the description or the claims only serve an enumerative purpose of the method steps. They only imply a given sequence or an order where their sequence or order is explicitly expressed or isobvious for the skilled personmandatory due to their nature. In particular, the listing of method steps do not imply that this listing is exhaustive. Also, not all method steps described in an embodiment are required to implement the invention. The required method steps are defined by the claims only.

[0051] In the claims, the word comprising does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article a or an does not exclude a plurality and has to be understood as at least one.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0052] 1 pivotal axis [0053] 2 eccentric lever [0054] 3 horizontal caliper plane [0055] 4 caliper [0056] 5,5 actuator [0057] 6 service brake portion [0058] 7 parking brake portion [0059] 8,8 actuator axis [0060] 9 brake disc [0061] 10 disc center plane [0062] 11 bridge [0063] 12 bridge guidance [0064] 20 braking system [0065] 22 brake disc [0066] 222 disc center plane [0067] 24 outboard brake pad [0068] 26 inboard brake pad [0069] 28 caliper [0070] 30 carrier [0071] 32 lever [0072] 321 first end portion [0073] 322 second end portion [0074] 324 support portion [0075] 326 pivotal axis [0076] 34 adjuster [0077] 35 bridge [0078] 350 bridge guide plane [0079] 36 brake slider [0080] 38 parking brake actuator [0081] 380 parking brake rod [0082] 382 spring arrangement [0083] 384 parking brake actuator axis [0084] 40 service brake actuator [0085] 400 service brake rod [0086] 402 pneumatic cylinder [0087] 404 service brake actuator axis [0088] 42 horizontal caliper plane