Patent Publication Number: US-2023144133-A1

Title: Mounting assembly for fixing a component of a vehicle brake system to a vehicle structure and vehicle

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present disclosure claims the benefit of priority of co-pending European Patent Application No. 21 207 128.6, filed on Nov. 9, 2021, and entitled “MOUNTING ASSEMBLY FOR FIXING A COMPONENT OF A VEHICLE BRAKE SYSTEM TO A VEHICLE STRUCTURE AND VEHICLE,” the contents of which are incorporated in full by reference herein. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a mounting assembly for fixing a component of a vehicle brake system to a vehicle structure. 
     Moreover, the present disclosure is directed to a vehicle having such a mounting assembly and a vehicle brake system. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It is known that components of vehicle brake systems generate noise and vibration when being operated. This is especially the case for brake boosters. 
     For this reason, usually absorber means are provided in the surroundings of components of vehicle brake systems and especially in the surroundings of brake boosters. These absorber means serve the purpose of attenuating the noise and vibration such that the comfort of the passengers inside the vehicle is not disturbed. In other words, the passenger compartment is isolated from the components of the vehicle brake systems as far as noise and vibrations are concerned. 
     However, the absorber means are costly both in terms of material costs and in terms of labor cost since they need to be installed in the vehicle. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     An objective of the present disclosure is therefore to provide a solution for attenuating noise and vibrations being generated during the operation of a component of a vehicle brake system, the solution being cost-efficient while maintaining a high level of effectiveness. 
     The problem is at least partially solved or alleviated by the subject matter of the present disclosure. 
     According to a first aspect, there is provided a mounting assembly for fixing a component of a vehicle brake system to a vehicle structure, the mounting assembly includes a mounting portion of the vehicle structure having a through hole and a mounting element of the vehicle brake system having a through hole. A bolt extends through the through hole of the mounting portion and through the through hole of the mounting element. The bolt has a bolt head on a first end thereof. Moreover, a nut engages the bolt at a second end portion thereof which is opposed to the first end, wherein the mounting portion is attached to the mounting element via the bolt and the nut. Additionally, an elastic bushing is provided having a bushing body which is arranged in the through hole of the mounting portion or in the through hole of the mounting element. The elastic bushing further has a first bushing collar extending from the bushing body in a radial direction. The first bushing collar extends on a first axial side of the corresponding mounting portion or mounting element. In the present context, the corresponding mounting portion or mounting element is the mounting portion or mounting element having the through hole in which the bushing body of the elastic bushing is arranged. The first axial side is defined with respect to a middle axis of the through hole in which the bushing body is arranged. The first bushing collar may for example be interposed between the mounting portion and the mounting element. Since the bushing is elastic, it provides attenuation or dampening as far as noise and vibration are concerned. This is especially the case for the first bushing collar. If it is interposed between the mounting portion and the mounting element, noise and vibration are hindered from being transferred between these elements. Moreover, the bushing can be sourced on the market at comparatively low cost. This is especially the case when considering the usual mass production in the automotive industry. Additionally, the bushing is easy to install during the mounting of the components of the vehicle brake system. Consequently, the mounting assembly according to the present disclosure offers a cost-efficient solution for dampening noise and/or vibrations. 
     The elastic bushing can have a second bushing collar extending from the bushing body in a radial direction, the second bushing collar being arranged at an end of the bushing body being opposed to the end at which the first bushing collar is provided. In other words, the bushing has a bushing collar at both of its ends. This means that if the bushing is provided in the through hole of the mounting portion, an elastic bushing collar is provided at both sides of the mounting portion. If the bushing is provided in the through hole of the mounting element, an elastic bushing collar is provided at both sides thereof. In both cases this leads to an effective attenuation of noise and vibration being generated by the operation of the component of the vehicle brake system. 
     The second collar may be interposed between the nut and the mounting portion or the mounting element along an axial direction of the elastic bushing. As a consequence of this configuration, noise and or vibration can only be transferred to the nut and the bolt cooperating therewith in a dampened manner. This further hinders noise and vibration from reaching a passenger compartment. 
     It is possible that the bolt extends through the elastic bushing. Put otherwise, the bushing circumferentially surrounds the bolt. This especially applies to the bushing body. This configuration is very compact. Thus, the mounting assembly is suitable for being installed in restraint spaces of the vehicle. 
     The elastic bushing may be an integral structure. In other words, the elastic bushing may be designed as one piece. This renders the bushing design simple. Moreover, such a bushing can be installed easily within the mounting assembly, 
     Additionally, the mounting assembly may include a rigid bushing having a bushing body extending through the same through hole as the elastic bushing. The rigid bushing has a radially protruding bushing collar being arranged at an axial end of the bushing body. The bushing collar of the rigid bushing is arranged outside the elastic bushing. Such a rigid bushing can be used for compressing the elastic bushing in a defined and at least locally substantially uniform manner. This way, an attenuation characteristic of the elastic bushing can be set. Moreover, through the rigid bushing, vibrations can be fed into the elastic bushing in order to be attenuated. 
     The bolt may also extend through the rigid bushing. Again, such a configuration is very compact. Furthermore, the bolt can be used to compress the elastic bushing via the rigid bushing in a defined manner. 
     The collar of the rigid bushing may be interposed between the nut and the elastic bushing. Consequently, the rigid bushing occupies a very restraint space only. 
     An end of the rigid bushing being opposed to the collar of the rigid bushing may abut against the mounting portion or the mounting element. Consequently, the rigid bushing can be easily arranged in a defined position. Thus, the mounting portion or the mounting element against which the bushing abuts serves for positioning the rigid bushing. Of course, the rigid bushing being arranged in a defined position can serve for positioning further elements of the mounting assembly. 
     The mounting assembly may additionally include a stopper member having a through hole through which the bolt extends. The stopper member abuts against the nut and has at least one abutment leg being configured for abutting against the mounting portion or the mounting element. Thus, the stopper member is secured within the mounting assembly by the bolt and the nut. The abutment leg can be used for limiting a relative movement of the parts of the mounting assembly with respect to each other. 
     In a neutral state of the mounting assembly, a clearance may be provided between an end of the abutment leg and the mounting portion or the mounting element. In this context, a neutral state of the mounting assembly is to be understood as a state, in which neither noise nor vibration results from the component of the vehicle brake system. This means that the elastic bushing is not deformed beyond the deformation resulting from its mounting within the mounting assembly. The clearance, thus, defines a range of movement within the mounting assembly being available for further elastic deformation of the elastic bushing. More precisely, the clearance defines a range of relative movement between the mounting portion and the mounting element. 
     Moreover, a dampening material may be arranged in an abutment area of the mounting portion or the mounting element, the abutment area being configured for contacting the abutment leg. Thus, in a case in which the abutment leg contacts the abutment area, particularly no noise and/or vibrations are generated. This further enhances the comfort of the vehicle&#39;s passengers. 
     In a variant, the stopper member may be formed as a portion of the rigid bushing. In other words, the stopper member and the rigid bushing are realized as a single part. This leads to a very simple design of the mounting assembly. Moreover, the assembly of the mounting assembly is facilitated since only one part, i.e. the part being both the stopper member and the rigid bushing, needs to be mounted instead of two parts, i.e, the stopper member and the rigid bushing. 
     On the mounting portion and/or on the mounting element an extension space may be provided radially adjacent to the first bushing collar and/or the second bushing collar of the elastic bushing such that the first bushing collar and/or the second bushing collar can extend into the extension space when being deformed. Consequently, the elastic bushing can freely deform into the extension space. In other words, the deformation of the elastic bushing is not hindered by geometric restraints. Vibration and noise can thus be attenuated in a reliable manner. 
     According to a second aspect, there is provided a vehicle including a mounting assembly according to the present disclosure and a vehicle brake system. A component of the vehicle brake system is fixed to a structure of the vehicle via the mounting assembly. Consequently, noise and vibration resulting from the operation of the component of the vehicle brake system is effectively attenuated in a cost-effective manner. 
     In an example, the component of the vehicle brake system is a brake booster. 
     It should be noted that the above examples may be combined with each other irrespective of the aspect involved. 
     These and other aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from and elucidated with reference to the examples described hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Examples of the disclosure will be described in the following with reference to the following drawings: 
         FIG.  1    shows a vehicle according to the present disclosure including a mounting assembly according to a first example of the present disclosure, 
         FIG.  2    shows a sub-assembly of the vehicle of  FIG.  1    including the mounting assembly in a perspective view, 
         FIG.  3    shows the mounting assembly along a direction indicated by arrow III in  FIG.  2   , wherein remaining components of the sub-assembly of  FIG.  2    are not shown, 
         FIG.  4    shows a sectional view along plane IV-IV in  FIG.  3   , 
         FIG.  5    shows a view corresponding to the view of  FIG.  3    including a mounting assembly according to a second example of the present disclosure, and 
         FIG.  6    shows a sectional view along plane VI-VI in  FIG.  5   . 
     
    
    
     The figures are merely schematic representations and serve only to illustrate examples of the disclosure. Identical or equivalent elements are in principle provided with the same reference signs. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG.  1    shows a vehicle  10  having a vehicle brake system  12  being represented in a schematical manner. 
     The vehicle brake system  12  includes a pedal unit  14  reaching into a passenger compartment  16  of the vehicle  10 . 
     Furthermore, the vehicle brake system  12  has a component  18  being a brake booster which is operationally connected to the pedal unit  14 . 
     For the ease of explanation, the component of the vehicle brake system and the brake booster will both be designated with reference sign  18 . 
     Moreover, an exemplary front brake caliper  20  being adapted for interacting with a front brake disc  22  is connected to the brake booster  18  via an exemplary first brake line  24 . 
     An exemplary rear brake caliper  26  is adapted for interacting with a rear brake disc  28 . The rear brake caliper  26  is connected to the brake booster  18  by an exemplary second brake line  30 . 
     The brake booster  18  is fixed to the structure  31  of the vehicle  10  by a mounting assembly  32 . More precisely, the brake booster  18  is fixed to a separation wall  34  separating a motor compartment  36  from the passenger compartment  16 . Sometimes such a separation wall  34  is designated a firewall. The separation wall  34  obviously forms part of the structure  31  the vehicle  10 . 
     In  FIG.  2    the brake booster  18  and the pedal unit  14  are shown in more detail. Also the separation wall  34  is visible. Additionally, a dash panel carrier  38  is represented which is also affixed to the separation wall  34 . 
     A first example of the mounting assembly  32  will now be explained with reference to  FIGS.  3  and  4   . In these figures the brake booster  18  is not represented in order to enhance the visibility of the parts of the mounting assembly  32 . 
     The mounting assembly  32  includes a mounting portion  40  of the vehicle structure  31 . In the present example the mounting portion  40  is a plate-shaped portion of the separation wall  34 . 
     The mounting portion  40  has a through hole  42  (cf.  FIG.  4   ). 
     Furthermore, the mounting assembly  32  includes a mounting element  44  of the vehicle brake system  12 . In the present example, the mounting element  44  is a substantially plate-shaped mounting element  44  of the brake booster  18 . 
     Also the mounting element  44  has a through hole  46 . 
     Moreover, a bolt  48  is provided which extends through both through holes  42 ,  46 . 
     The bolt  48  has a bolt head  50  at a first end thereof. 
     In the present example, the bolt head  50  abuts against the mounting portion  40  on a side being opposite the mounting element  44 . 
     At a second end portion of the bolt  48 , which is arranged opposite the first end, and nut  52  is screwed on the bolt  48 . This means that an external thread of the bolt  48  engages an internal thread of the nut  50 . 
     Furthermore, and elastic bushing  54  is provided. 
     The elastic bushing  54  has a bushing body  56  which extends through the through hole  46  of the mounting element  44 . 
     More precisely, the bushing body  56  radially lies against the cylindrical surface forming the circumference of the through hole  46 . 
     The elastic bushing  54  has a first bushing collar  58  extending from the bushing body  56  in a radial direction. 
     The first bushing collar  58  lies against a rim of the through hole  46 . Moreover, the first bushing collar  58  is interposed between the mounting portion  40  and the mounting element  44 . 
     The elastic bushing  54  also has a second bushing collar  60  extending from the bushing body  56  in a radial direction. 
     The second bushing collar  60  is located at an opposite end of the bushing body  56  as compared to the first bushing collar  58 . 
     The second bushing collar  60  also lies against a rim of the through hole  46 . However, the rim against which the second bushing collar  60  lies is arranged on an opposite side as compared to the rim against which the first bushing collar  58  lies. 
     Beyond that, the second bushing collar  60  is interposed between the nut  52  and the mounting element  44  along an axial direction A of the elastic bushing  54  corresponding to an axial direction of the through holes  42 ,  46 . 
     The elastic bushing  54 , i.e. the bushing body  56 , the first bushing collar  58  and the second bushing collar  60 , are formed in one piece. 
     The mounting assembly  32  further includes a rigid bushing  62 . 
     Also the rigid bushing  62  has a bushing body  64 . 
     The bushing body  64  extends through the through hole  46  of the mounting element  44  radially inside the elastic bushing  54 . 
     Moreover, the rigid bushing  62  has a radially protruding bushing collar  66  being arranged at an end of the bushing body  64 . 
     The bushing collar  66  of the rigid bushing  62  is arranged axially outside the second bushing collar  60  of the elastic bushing  54 . 
     The bushing collar  66  axially lies against the second bushing collar  60 . 
     Consequently, the bushing collar  66  of the rigid bushing  62  is interposed between the nut  52  and the elastic bushing  54 , more precisely its second bushing collar  60 . 
     Moreover, the rigid bushing  62  is arranged within the mounting assembly  32 , such that an end  68  thereof being arranged opposite the bushing collar  66  abuts against the mounting portion  40 . 
     The bolt  48  extends through the center of the rigid bushing  62 . 
     Since the rigid bushing  62  is arranged at least partially radially inside the elastic bushing  54 , the bolt  48  also extends through the elastic bushing  54 . 
     The mounting assembly  32  additionally includes a stopper member  70  being generally shaped in the form of half-shell and having a through hole  72  through which the bolt  48  extends. 
     On a first side, the stopper member  70  abuts against the nut  52 . 
     On a second, opposing side, the stopper member  70  abuts against the bushing collar  66  of the rigid bushing  62 . 
     Thus, a central portion of the stopper member  70  is interposed between the nut  52  and the rigid bushing  62 . 
     The stopper member also has an abutment leg  74  which is configured for abutting against the mounting element  44 . 
     In the present example, the abutment leg has a substantially circular shape when considering a middle axis A of the through hole  72  as a center. However, the axial length of the abutment leg  74  differs from its circumference. 
     In order to provide a defined range of motion of the mounting element  44 , a clearance  76  is provided between an end of the abutment leg  74  and an abutment area  78  of the mounting element  44 . This, of course, is only the case in a neutral state of the mounting assembly  32  which is shown in  FIGS.  3  and  4   . 
     In order to render a potential contact between the abutment leg  74  and the mounting element  44  soft, a dampening material  80  is arranged on the abutment area  78 . 
     The mounting portion  40  is, thus, attached to the mounting element  44  by means of the bolt  48 , the elastic bushing  54 , the rigid bushing  62 , the stopper member  70  and the nut  52 . 
     Thereby, the rigid bushing  62  and the stopper member  70  are rigidly fixed to the mounting portion  40  by the bolt  48  and the nut  52 . This is due to the fact that the end  68  of the rigid bushing  62  rigidly abuts against the mounting portion  40  and the stopper member  70  is held rigidly against the rigid bushing  62  by the nut  52 . 
     Moreover, the elastic bushing  54  is compressed in a defined manner if the rigid bushing  62  is mounted on the mounting portion  40  such that the end  68  of the rigid bushing abuts against the mounting portion  40 . A dimension of an axial space being available for the elastic bushing  54  in the mounted condition, thus, corresponds to a distance between the end  68  of the rigid bushing  62  and its bushing collar  66 . 
     However, the mounting element  44  is able to move in a first axial direction with respect to the mounting portion  40  by compressing the first bushing collar  58 . 
     Additionally, the mounting element  44  can move in a second axial direction with respect to the mounting portion  40  by physically compressing the second bushing cover  60 . However, the range of movement in the second axial direction is limited by the size of the clearance  76 . Once the clearance  76  is overcome, the mounting element  44  abuts against the stopper member  70   
     Moreover, the mounting element  44  is able to move in a radial direction by deforming the bushing body  56 . 
     In order not to geometrically limit the elastic deformation of the elastic bushing  54 , an extension space  82  is provided radially adjacent to the first bushing collar  58  such that the latter can extend into the extension space  82  when being deformed. 
     In the present example, the extension space  82  is a geometrical feature of the mounting element  44 . 
     During operation of the brake booster  18 , such movements of the mounting element  44  will be generated as parts of vibrations. Due to the above-explained deformation of the elastic bushing  54 , these vibrations are not transferred to the mounting portion  40  or are at least attenuated before being transferred to the mounting portion  40 . 
     A second example of the mounting assembly  32  will now be explained with reference to  FIGS.  5  and  6   . Again, in these figures the brake booster  18  is not represented in order to enhance the visibility of the parts of the mounting assembly  32 . 
     The mounting assembly  32  according to the second example only differs from the mounting assembly  32  of the first example in that the stopper member  70  is formed as a portion of the rigid bushing  62 . In other words, the stopper member  70  and the rigid bushing  62  are formed as one part. 
     In the second example, one can imagine the stopper member  70  and its abutment leg  74  being formed by prolonging the bushing collar  66  of the rigid bushing  62 . 
     Beyond that, reference is made to the explanations given in respect of the first example. 
     It is noted that in the first example and the second example, the mounting element  44  is not only mounted on the mounting portion  40  via the bolt  48  and the nut  52  as has been explained before. In both examples a second bolt  84  and a second nut  86  are provided. 
     However, in both examples, the fixation of the mounting element  44  on the mounting portion  40  via the second bolt  84  and the second nut  86  is realized in the same manner as the fixation via the bolt  48  and the nut  52 . Thus, reference can be made to the above explanations. 
     In other words, the representations shown in  FIGS.  4  and  6    also show the fixation via the respective second bolt  84  and the respective second nut  86 . 
     It is additionally understood that the mounting assembly  32  as explained above could be kinematically inverted without departing from the general idea underlying the present disclosure. This means that the elastic bushing  54  and the rigid bushing  62  could as well be arranged in the through hole  42  of the mounting portion  40  and the bolt head  50  could abut against the mounting element  44 . 
     Other variations to the disclosed examples can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed disclosure, from the study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. 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. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.