Abstract:
A hydraulic block for a hydraulic assembly of a slip-regulated, hydraulic vehicle brake system, comprises a first plurality of receivers aligned in a first row that are each configured to fluidly connect to a respective brake pressure, and a second plurality of receivers aligned in a parallel second row that are each configured to fluidly connect to a respective brake pressure reduction valve. The second row is spaced from the first row in a first direction. The hydraulic block further comprises a first further receiver that fluidly connects to a brake master cylinder pressure sensor. The first further receiver is located perpendicularly offset from the first row in a second direction opposite the first direction and within a plane extending between two of the first plurality of receivers and between two of the second plurality of receivers and that is outside of a center plane defined by the hydraulic block.

Description:
This application is a 35 U.S.C. §371 National Stage Application of PCT/EP2013/070821, filed on Oct. 7, 2013, which claims the benefit of priority to Serial No. DE 10 2012 221 980.3, filed on Nov. 30, 2012 in Germany, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     The disclosure concerns a hydraulic block for a hydraulic assembly of a slip-regulated hydraulic vehicle brake system. In detail, the disclosure concerns a drilling of such a hydraulic block, i.e. details of an arrangement of hydraulic components of a slip control system on and in the hydraulic block, and their hydraulic connections in the hydraulic block. The disclosure also concerns a hydraulic vehicle brake system. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Such hydraulic blocks are known. They are typically squat, cuboid metallic blocks for installation of hydraulic components such as hydraulic pumps, magnetic valves, hydraulic accumulators and damper chambers of a slip-regulated vehicle brake system. The hydraulic blocks hold the hydraulic components mechanically and connect them hydraulically through typically drilled connecting lines. A hydraulic block fitted with the hydraulic components forms a hydraulic assembly and is the core of the slip control system. ‘Squat’ means that hydraulic blocks often have a thickness which is around one-quarter to one-third, and rarely more than half, of the length and width. In top view, the hydraulic blocks are rectangular and often approximately square. The hydraulic block normally contains only hydraulic parts of the components. Electromechanical parts, such as coils and rotors of the magnetic valves, protrude from the hydraulic blocks. Also, an electric motor for driving the hydraulic pumps is attached to the outside of the hydraulic block. 
     Such a hydraulic block is known from publication DE 10 2006 059 924 A1. The known hydraulic block has receivers for brake pressure build-up valves and for brake pressure reduction valves. The receivers for the brake pressure build-up valves are arranged in the hydraulic block next to each other in a row. The receivers for the brake pressure reduction valves are arranged in the hydraulic block in a further row parallel to the row of receivers for the brake pressure build-up valves. 
     SUMMARY 
     The subject of the disclosure is the arrangement of a receiver for a brake master cylinder pressure sensor and/or a pressure sensor for a brake circuit of a vehicle brake system in the hydraulic block, and its hydraulic connections to other hydraulic components of a slip control system of the vehicle brake system. The brake master cylinder pressure sensor measures a pressure in a brake circuit of a master brake cylinder typically actuated by muscular force or a servo control, to which the hydraulic block is connected via one brake line per brake circuit. In one embodiment, the receiver for the brake master cylinder pressure sensor is arranged outside the two rows for the brake pressure build-up valves and the brake pressure reduction valves. Preferably, the receiver for the brake master cylinder pressure sensor is arranged on the side of the brake pressure build-up valves. Also the receiver for the brake master cylinder pressure sensor is arranged outside a central plane, in a plane parallel to the central plane and perpendicular to the two rows of receivers for the brake pressure build-up valves and brake pressure reduction valves, which plane lies between two receivers for brake pressure build-up valves and between two receivers for brake pressure reduction valves. In other words, the receiver for the brake master cylinder pressure sensor lies at a corner of a theoretical triangle, the other two corners of which lie in the receivers of two brake pressure build-up valves, wherein the receiver for the brake master cylinder pressure sensor is arranged on a side of the receivers for the brake pressure build-up valves facing away from the receivers for the brake pressure reduction valves. 
     One embodiment provides for arrangement of a receiver for a pressure sensor for a brake circuit of the vehicle brake system in the hydraulic block. According to such an embodiment, the receiver for the pressure sensor for a brake circuit is arranged in a central plane of the hydraulic block between two receivers for brake pressure build-up valves and between two receivers for brake pressure reduction valves. Preferably, according to certain embodiments, the hydraulic block has two receivers for two pressure sensors for the two brake circuits of a dual circuit vehicle brake system, which are both arranged in the described center plane of the hydraulic block, wherein one of the two receivers is arranged outside the two rows of receivers for the brake pressure build-up valves and for the brake pressure reduction valves, and the other receiver for the pressure sensor of the other brake circuit is arranged between the two rows of receivers for the brake pressure build-up valves and the brake pressure reduction valves. According to another embodiment, the two receivers for the two pressure sensors for the two brake circuits are arranged on opposite sides of the hydraulic block, i.e. for example on a top and a bottom side. 
     The object of the disclosure is a favorable arrangement of the receiver for the brake master cylinder pressure sensor and/or the receiver or receivers for the pressure sensor or sensors for the brake circuits of the vehicle brake system in the hydraulic block, with a view to a space-saving, compact arrangement of hydraulic components in and on the hydraulic block, and in view of shorter and/or less angled connection lines in the hydraulic block. Also the suitability of the hydraulic block for predrilling must be guaranteed. Short and less angled connection lines of the pressure sensors are advantageous because a brake pressure is seldom constant, but normally fluctuates continually and sometimes at high speed. Long and angled lines choke the pressure changes and can create pressure reflections, adversely affecting the measurement result. Short and less angled connection lines of the receivers for pressure sensors in the hydraulic block improve the measurement result and the slip regulation. 
     The arrangement of the receiver or receivers for the pressure sensor or sensors for the brake circuit or circuits of the vehicle brake system in the hydraulic block is independent of the presence and arrangement of the receiver for the brake master cylinder pressure sensor; the features of some particular embodiments described may be implemented in other described embodiments of the disclosure. 
     The claims concern advantageous embodiments and refinements of the disclosure. 
     One embodiment is directed to a hydraulic vehicle brake system comprising a pressure sensor in at least one brake circuit, which can also be designated a circuit pressure sensor. Wheel pressure sensors are not required. Consequently the number of pressure sensors is reduced and better slip regulation is possible if the brake pressures in the brake circuits are known. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure is now explained in more detail with reference to an exemplary embodiment. The drawings shows: 
         FIG. 1  a hydraulic circuit diagram of a slip-regulated, hydraulic vehicle brake system according to the disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  a perspective, front view of a hydraulic block according to the disclosure; and 
         FIG. 3  a perspective, rear view of the hydraulic block in  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     The hydraulic block is drawn transparently to reveal its drillings. The drawings should be regarded as diagrammatic and simplified depictions for understanding and explanation of the disclosure. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The slip-regulated, hydraulic, dual circuit vehicle brake system  1  shown in  FIG. 1  comprises a hydraulic assembly  2 , a dual circuit brake master cylinder  3  to which the hydraulic assembly  2  is connected, and wheel brakes  4  which are connected to the hydraulic assembly  2 . The hydraulic assembly  2  comprises the hydraulic components, listed in the paragraph below, of a slip control system of the vehicle brake system  1 . 
     Each brake circuit I, II of the vehicle brake system  1  is connected to the brake master cylinder  3  via a shut-off valve  5 . The wheel brakes  4  are connected to the shut-off valves  5  via brake pressure build-up valves  6 . In each brake circuit I, II, a hydraulic accumulator  8  and a suction side of a hydraulic pump  9  are connected to the wheel brakes  4  via brake pressure reduction valves  7 . The two hydraulic pumps  9 , often also designated return pumps, are jointly driven by an electric motor  10 . Damper chambers  11  are connected on the pressure sides of the hydraulic pumps, which are connected via chokes  12  to the connecting lines  13  which connect the shut-off valves  5  and the brake pressure build-up valves  6 . Furthermore, the vehicle brake system  1  has an intake valve  14  in each brake circuit I, II, which connects the suction sides of the hydraulic pumps  9  with the brake master cylinder  3 . The structure and function of such slip-regulated vehicle brake systems  1  are known and will not be explained in more detail here. 
     In a brake circuit I, a brake master cylinder pressure sensor  25  is connected to the brake master cylinder  3 . Also, in each of the two brake circuits I, II, a pressure sensor  26 ,  27  is connected between the shut-off valve  5  and the brake pressure build-up valves  6 . This has the advantage that only one pressure sensor  26 ,  27  is present for each brake circuit I, II, instead of one pressure sensor for each wheel brake  4 . A further advantage is better slip regulation of all vehicle wheels when the pressures in the brake circuits are known instead of the wheel brake pressures. 
     The hydraulic components of the hydraulic assembly  2  of the slip control system of the vehicle brake system  1  are housed in a hydraulic block  15  shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The hydraulic block  15  serves for mechanical fixing and hydraulic connection of the hydraulic components of the hydraulic assembly  2  or of the slip control system of the vehicle brake system  1 . It contains hydraulic parts of the components in receivers, installation spaces or similar of the hydraulic block, while electrotechnical and electromechanical parts, such as coils and rotors of the magnetic valves, protrude outward from the hydraulic block  15 . The electric motor  10  for driving the hydraulic pumps  9  is attached to the outside of the hydraulic block  15 . The hydraulic block  15  is drawn without fittings, i.e. without the hydraulic components. The receivers are cylindrical bores, in some cases with stepped diameters, in the hydraulic block  15 ; for the hydraulic connections, bores are produced as connecting lines or generally as lines in the hydraulic block  15 . The receivers and lines are arranged parallel or at right angles to each other and to the edges and outer faces of the hydraulic block  15 , i.e. in a Cartesian coordinate system. The hydraulic block  15  is squat and cuboid, its thickness is approximately one-quarter of its length or width, and in front view it is almost square. For clearer designation and distinction, the flat side of the hydraulic block  15  shown in  FIG. 2  is designated the front  16 , the flat side shown in  FIG. 3  is the rear  17 , and the side faces are the longitudinal sides  18  and transverse sides  19 . The hydraulic block  15  is mirror-symmetrical to a theoretical longitudinal center plane. 
     On one transverse side  19 , the hydraulic block  15  has four ports  4 ′ for the wheel brakes  4  which are arranged next to each other in a row. The term ‘in a row’ in the exemplary embodiment means that ports  4 ′ etc. are arranged next to each other on a theoretical straight line. The ports  4 ′ are cylindrical blind holes, from which at least one line  20  leads to other ports, receivers for magnetic valves, installation spaces for hydraulic pumps, hydraulic accumulators and/or damper chambers. The lines are bores in the hydraulic block  15  which, when not originating from a port, a receiver or an installation space, are hermetically sealed at an opening on one of the sides  16 ,  17 ,  18 ,  19  of the hydraulic block  15 , for example with a pressed-in ball. 
     The ports  4 ′ may have internal threads for connection of wheel brake lines, or may be provided for caulking, for example crimping, for connection of the wheel brake lines. ‘Arranged on the transverse side  19  of the hydraulic block  15 ’ means that the ports  4 ′ are open at this transverse side  19  so that the wheel brake lines may be connected. ‘Arranged at the installation spaces for the hydraulic pumps and hydraulic accumulators on a side of the hydraulic block  15 ’ means that the installation spaces are open at this side of the hydraulic block  15 , so that the hydraulic pumps or hydraulic accumulators can be inserted or installed from this side. The same applies to the receivers for the magnetic valves. 
     On the rear  17  of the hydraulic block  15 , two ports  3 ′ for the two brake circuits I, II of the brake master cylinder  3  are arranged at a distance from the transverse side  19  of the hydraulic block  15  corresponding approximately to a depth of the ports  4 ′ for the wheel brakes  4 . The ports  3 ′ for the brake master cylinder  3  are each arranged between an outer and an inner port  4 ′ for the wheel brakes  4 . 
     Four receivers  6 ′ for the brake pressure build-up valves  6  are arranged in a row next to each other on the front  16  of the hydraulic block  15 , adjacent to the ports  3 ′ for the brake master cylinder  3 . The receivers  6 ′ for the brake pressure build-up valves  6  are connected to the ports  4 ′ for the wheel brakes  4  by the abovementioned lines  20 . 
     Ports  7 ′ for the brake pressure reduction valves  7  are arranged next to each other on the front  16  of the hydraulic block  15 , in a further row parallel to the ports  6 ′ for the brake pressure build-up valves  6 , on a side of the receivers  6 ′ for the brake pressure build-up valves  6  facing away from the ports  4 ′ for the wheel brakes  4 . 
     Adjacent to the receivers  7 ′ for the brake pressure reduction valves  7  are installation spaces  9 ′ for the hydraulic pumps  9 , which are arranged, i.e. are open, on the longitudinal sides  18  of the hydraulic block  15  and run parallel to the rows of successively arranged receivers  6 ′,  7 ′ for the brake pressure build-up valves  6  and the brake pressure reduction valves  7 . The installation spaces  9 ′ for the hydraulic pumps  9  extend comparatively deeply into the hydraulic block  15  and, after two diameter-reducing steps, open radially into a cam chamber  10 ′ for a pump cam (not shown here) which is arranged rotationally fixedly on a shaft of the electric motor  10  which drives the hydraulic pumps  9  configured as piston pumps. The cam chamber  10 ′ is open at the rear  17  of the hydraulic block  15  and lies in a middle between the installation spaces  9 ′ for the hydraulic pumps  9 . The electric motor  10  (not shown) is attached on the outside at the rear  17  of the hydraulic block  15 , coaxially to the cam chamber  10 ′. 
     In a further row parallel to the rows of the receivers  6 ′,  7 ′ for the brake pressure build-up valves  6  and the brake pressure reduction valves  7 , on a side of the installation spaces  9 ′ for the hydraulic pumps  9  facing away from the receivers  6 ′,  7 ′ for the brake pressure build-up valves  6  and brake pressure reduction valves  7 , four receivers  5 ′,  14 ′ for the shut-off valves  5  and the intake valves  14  are arranged next to each other on the front  16  of the hydraulic block  15 . The receivers  5 ′ for the shut-off valve  5  are arranged between the receivers  14 ′ for the intake valves  14 . 
     Two installation spaces  8 ′ for the hydraulic accumulators  8  are arranged adjacent to the row of receivers  5 ′,  14 ′ for the shut-off valves  5  and intake valves  14 . The installation spaces  8 ′ are arranged on a transverse side of the hydraulic block  15  which lies opposite the transverse side  19  containing the ports  4 ′ for the wheel brakes  4 . 
     Two installation spaces  11 ′ for the damper chambers  11  are arranged between the two rows of receivers  6 ′,  7 ′ for the brake pressure build-up valves  6  and the brake pressure reduction valves  7 . The installation spaces  11 ′ for the damper chambers  11  are arranged on the longitudinal sides  18  of the hydraulic block  15 , i.e. they are open there for the installation of the damper chambers  11 , and they run parallel to the rows of installation spaces  6 ′,  7 ′ for the brake pressure build-up valves  6  and the brake pressure reduction valves  7 . The receivers  6 ′,  7 ′ for the brake pressure build-up valves  6  and the brake pressure reduction valves  7  are, as stated, arranged on the front  16  of the hydraulic block  15 . The installation spaces  11 ′ for the damper chambers  11  are arranged in the hydraulic block  15  close to the rear  17  of the hydraulic block  15 , viewed from the top  16  of the hydraulic block  15  therefore below the receivers  6 ′,  7 ′ for the brake pressure build-up valves  6  and brake pressure reduction valves  7 . 
     Perforated discs  12 ′, forming chokes  12 , are inserted in the installation spaces  11 ′ for the damper chambers  11 . The installation spaces  11 ′ for the installation chambers  11  are hermetically sealed pressure-resistantly with covers  21  which are inserted in the openings of the installation spaces  11 ′ for the damper chambers  11  and welded, for example ultrasonically welded, or caulked. In hydraulic terms, the discs  12 ′ which form the chokes  12  are situated between the hydraulic accumulators  11  on the one side and the shut-off valves  5  and brake pressure build-up valves  6  on the other side of the discs  12 ′. 
     At their base, the installation spaces  11 ′ for the damper chambers  11  are connected, via short joining lines  22  running axially parallel to the installation spaces  11 ′ (see  FIG. 3 ), to the connecting lines  13  which connect the receivers  5 ′ for the shut-off valves  5  to the receivers  6 ′ arranged on the inside for the brake pressure build-up valves  6 . The receivers  6 ′ arranged on the outside for the other two brake pressure build-up valves  6  are connected via transverse bores  24  to the receivers  6 ′ arranged on the inside for the brake pressure build-up valves  6 . The lines  13  run parallel to the longitudinal sides  18  of the hydraulic block  15  and perpendicular to the installation spaces  9 ′ for the hydraulic pumps  9  and the installation spaces  11 ′ for the damper chambers  11 . The lines  13  open at the narrow side  19  on which the ports  4 ′ for the wheel brakes  4  are arranged, and are there hermetically sealed pressure-resistantly by pressed-in balls (not shown). The joining lines  22  of the installation chambers  11 ′ for the choke chambers  11  to the connecting lines  13  are, as stated, arranged axially parallel to the installation spaces  11 ′ and eccentrically at a point of a periphery of the installation spaces  11 ′ facing the transverse side  19  of the hydraulic block  15  containing the ports  4 ′ for the wheel brakes  4 . This allows or simplifies purging on filling of the pre-assembled hydraulic block  15  with brake fluid, i.e. when it is prefitted with the hydraulic components of the slip control system of the vehicle brake system  1 . 
     Due to the arrangement of the installation spaces  11 ′ for the damper chambers  11  between the receivers  6 ′ for the brake pressure build-up valves  6  and the receivers  7 ′ for the brake pressure reduction valves  7 , the damper chambers  11  can be accommodated space-savingly in the hydraulic block  15 . 
     The hydraulic block  15  is drilled in a Cartesian pattern, i.e. the receivers, installation spaces, lines are drilled parallel or at right angles to each other and to the sides of the hydraulic block  15 . 
     In the longitudinal center plane, the hydraulic block has two receivers  26 ′,  27 ′ for the two pressure sensors  26 ,  27  for measuring the brake pressures in the two brake circuits I, II. One of the two receivers  27 ′ is arranged on the front  16  between the two rows of receivers  6 ′,  7 ′ for the brake pressure build-up valves  6  and the brake pressure reduction valves  7 . This receiver  27 ′ for the pressure sensor  27  communicates via a short transverse line  28  with one of the two installation spaces  11 ′ for a damper chamber  11 , in the base of which the transverse line  28  opens. Close to their bases, the installation spaces  11 ′ for the damper chambers  11  are intersected by the connecting lines  13  which run parallel to the longitudinal center plane in the hydraulic block  15  and open on the transverse side  19  containing the ports  4 ′ for the wheel brakes  4 . The openings of the connecting lines  13  are sealed pressure-tightly by pressed-in balls. The connecting lines  13  run on both sides of the cam chamber  10 ′. Transverse bores  24  which open into the connecting lines  13  connect the two receivers  6 ′ for the brake pressure build-up valves  6  of the respective brake circuit I, II to the assigned connecting line  13 . The connecting lines  13  terminate at the receivers  5 ′ for the shut-off valves  5 , so that the receiver  27 ′ for the pressure sensor  27  for the one brake circuit is connected via the transverse bore to the connecting line  13  of the one brake circuit which connects the receiver  5 ′ for the shut-off valve  5  with the receivers  6 ′ for the brake pressure build-up valves  6  of this brake circuit. 
     The other receiver  26 ′ for the pressure sensor  26  of the other brake circuit is, as stated, also arranged in the longitudinal center plane of the hydraulic block  15 , but on the opposite side i.e. the rear  17 , and is offset in the direction of the transverse side  19  of the hydraulic block  15  containing the ports  4 ′ for the wheel brakes  4 . The receiver  26 ′ for the pressure sensor  26  is arranged on a side of the receivers  6 ′ for the brake pressure build-up valves  6  facing away from the receivers  7 ′ for the brake pressure reduction valves  7 . It is connected via a short longitudinal bore  29  in the longitudinal center plane of the hydraulic block  15 , and via a vertical bore  30  which also lies in the longitudinal center plane of the hydraulic block  15 , to the transverse bore  24  which connects the two receivers  6 ′ for the brake pressure build-up valves of the other brake circuit. This transverse bore  24  is extended to the longitudinal center of the hydraulic block  15 . 
     A receiver  25 ′ for the brake master cylinder pressure sensor  25  is arranged between the transverse side  19  of the hydraulic block  15  containing the ports  4 ′ for the wheel brakes  4 , and the row of receivers  6 ′ for the brake pressure build-up valves  6 . The receiver  25 ′ for the brake master cylinder pressure sensor  25  is situated in a longitudinal plane which runs parallel to the longitudinal center plane between an inner receiver  6 ′ for a brake pressure build-up valve  6  close to the longitudinal center plane and a receiver  6 ′ for a brake pressure build-up valve  6  close to a longitudinal side  18 , and also between a receiver  7 ′ for a brake pressure reduction valve  7  close to the longitudinal center plane of the hydraulic block  15  and a receiver  7 ′ for a brake pressure reduction valve  7  close to the longitudinal side  18  of the hydraulic block  15 . The receiver  25  for the brake master cylinder pressure sensor  25 ′ is arranged in the region of an imaginary extension of a cylindrical casing surface of one of the two ports  3 ′ for the brake master cylinder, wherein the port  3 ′ is arranged on the rear  17  and opposite the receiver  25  for the brake master cylinder pressure sensor  25  on the front  16  of the hydraulic block  15 . Due to the arrangement of the receiver  25  for the brake master cylinder pressure sensor  25  inside the casing surface of the port  3 ′ for the brake master cylinder, the receiver  25 ′ for the brake master cylinder pressure sensor  25  can connect to a vertical bore  31  on a short path. 
     The receivers  5 ′,  14 ′ for the shut-off valves  5  and intake valves  14  are connected via a transverse bore  32  to the joining line  13  of the respective brake circuit I, II. The vertical bore  31  connects the receiver  25 ′ for the brake master cylinder pressure sensor  25  to the port  3 ′ of the brake master cylinder  3 .