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Timestamp: 2013-06-18 23:53:40
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Spring-actuated Brake Cylinder 31 views for this patent on FreshPatents.comupdated 06/14/13
Patents sorted by company.	01/25/07 | Class 188 Monitor | RSS | Prev - Next | Industry/Agents/Inventors
Spring-actuated brake cylinder Abstract: A spring-actuated brake cylinder having a housing with a first housing part in which there is formed a spring chamber containing an actuator spring that acts on a spring-actuated piston, and with a second housing part in which there is formed a pressure chamber, the housing parts being provided with outwardly extending rim flanges that can be connected to one another. The second housing part is made from deformable plate material and has an adequately dimensioned rim flange which is crimped onto and circumferentially around the rim flange of the first housing part by exceeding its elastic limit. ...
Agent: Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP - New York, NY, USInventors: Frank Schrader, Oliver Brandt, Jurgen Ewald, Wilfried Matthias, Andreas RichterUSPTO Applicaton #: #20070017757 - Class: 188170000 (USPTO) - 01/25/07 - Class 188 Related Patent Categories: Brakes, Frictional Vibration Damper, Spring, Fluid-pressure ReleaseThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070017757, Spring-actuated brake cylinder.
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a spring-actuated brake
cylinder for use in vehicle brake systems.
[0002] Spring-actuated brake cylinders of the general type under
consideration are known to include a spring chamber, which is formed in a
first housing part and in which there is disposed an actuator spring that
acts on a spring-actuated piston, as well as a pressure chamber, which is
formed in a second housing part. The pressure chamber and spring chamber
can be separated by a diaphragm clamped between the two housing parts
such that it is in dynamic communication with the spring-actuated piston.
Such spring-actuated brake cylinders are used to actuate a parking brake.
[0003] In the pressurized pressure chamber, the actuator spring is
compressed to a condition in which it represents considerable potential
energy. In the event of pressure loss in the brake system, the actuator
spring moves the spring-actuated piston, whereby the vehicle brake is
actuated via a push rod. To ensure that the potential energy built up by
the compressed actuator spring cannot dissipate in uncontrolled manner,
leading to the risk that the housing part will break apart due to the
large spring force or the system pressure of the brake system, there is
particular value in a tamper-proof connection of the two housing parts.
Such a connection should also prevent the potential for leaks caused by
manipulation, since leaks could trigger unwanted braking events.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,067,391 describes a spring-actuated brake cylinder
in which a first housing part receiving the actuator spring is
manufactured from sheet steel by deep-drawing. An adjoining second
housing part receiving the pressure chamber is made from cast metal, such
as cast aluminum. Outwardly protruding rim flanges are formed on both
housing parts, between which a diaphragm is clamped. The rim flange of
the first housing part of sheet steel is crimped onto and
circumferentially around the rim flange of the second housing part of
cast metal. U.S. Pat. No. 5,067,391 also describes how to connect the rim
flanges of both housing parts using a clamping ring. In both cases, the
clamping means is deformed beyond its elastic limit. The use of cast
metal increases the manufacturing costs, since expensive castings need to
[0005] DE 3404014 A1 describes a combined single-chamber diaphragm-type
brake cylinder and spring-actuated brake cylinder, in which two housing
parts clamping a diaphragm are connected to one another by means of a
clamping ring having a U-shaped cross section as well as legs that
embrace rim flanges of the two housing parts. The clamping ring
represents an additional component and increases the cost as well as the
time and effort needed for assembly.
[0006] DE 3026596 A1 describes a diaphragm-type cylinder comprising a
cover and a cylindrical case. The cover and the cylindrical case are
connected to one another by a snap fit connection in such a way that an
axially extending slit snap ring is formed on the cover. This snap ring
is slit in order to form a plurality of hooks. The extensions of these
hooks embrace a collar formed on the cylindrical case and extending on
the outside circumference thereof. In addition, a band clamp is disposed
on the outside circumference of the snap ring, and can be tightened as
desired in order to clamp the diaphragm between the cover and cylindrical
case. In another embodiment of a diaphragm-clamping system, there is
provided, on the outside circumference of the collar, a thread onto which
a band with a corresponding thread can be screwed. For this connection,
two additional components are required--increasing the manufacturing cost
as well as the time and effort needed for assembly.
[0007] The types of connection of the two housing parts described in the
latter two references noted above are not tamper-proof. That is, they are
not secured against unauthorized adjustment, and so, potentially, the
connection can be loosened by relatively simple manipulation, creating
the risk that the cover will fly off due to sudden expansion of the
compression spring or due to the system pressure.
[0008] Generally speaking, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a tamper-proof, easy-to-assemble and cost-effective means for
connecting two housing parts of a spring-actuated brake cylinder that can
be manufactured simply and inexpensively.
[0009] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the
housing part that receives the pressure chamber and is typically made of
cast metal is instead manufactured from deformable plate material, for
example by deep-drawing, and the rim flange of this housing part is
crimped onto and circumferentially around the rim flange of the housing
part that receives the spring chamber containing the actuator spring by
deforming the encircling crimped rim flange beyond its elastic limit. One
advantage of this approach is that the cast metal housing part, which is
relatively time-consuming and expensive to manufacture, is replaced by a
sheet-steel housing part that is manufactured simply by deep-drawing and
that can be easily adapted to different size conditions. Crimping the rim
flange of the housing part receiving the pressure chamber onto and
circumferentially around the rim flange of the housing part receiving the
actuator spring is advantageous in view of the sequence of assembly of a
spring-actuated brake cylinder of the type under consideration.
[0010] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the
rim flange of one housing part is provided with a threaded portion. A
clamping ring having a mating thread configured for threaded engagement
with the threaded rim flange is provided for connecting the rim flanges
of the two housing parts. The ring is provided with a cylindrical portion
on which the mating thread is formed, and with an annular bend formed on
the cylindrical portion, such that the ring can be screwed onto the
threaded rim flange whereupon the bend embraces the rim flange of the
other housing part and pulls it toward the threaded rim flange.
[0011] In accordance with further embodiments of the present invention,
the rim flange of one housing part is provided with a circumferential
groove into which one or more snap fit elements formed on the rim flange
of the other housing part snap when the rim flange of the one housing
part is introduced onto or inserted into the rim flange of the other
housing part. The snap fit elements can be formed by tongues which are
created by U-shaped incisions in the bend and whose free ends are offset
slightly inwardly. The snap fit elements can also be shaped as hooks.
[0012] Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will in
part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.
[0013] The present invention accordingly comprises the features of
construction, combination of elements, and arrangements of parts which
will be exemplified in the constructions hereinafter set forth, and the
[0014] For a fuller understanding of the present invention, reference is
had to the following description taken in connection with the
[0015] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a connection of two housing
parts of a spring-actuated brake cylinder in accordance with one
[0016] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of area "A" of the embodiment of the
present invention depicted in FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a connection of two housing
parts of a spring-actuated brake cylinder in accordance with another
[0018] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of area "B" of the embodiment of the
present invention depicted in FIG. 3;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a connection of two housing
parts of a spring-actuated brake cylinder in accordance with yet another
[0020] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of area "C" of the embodiment of the
present invention depicted in FIG. 5;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a side view of the embodiment of the present invention
depicted in FIG. 5; and
[0022] FIGS. 8 and 9 depict a clamping system in accordance with one
[0023] Referring to the drawing figures, where like reference numerals are
used for corresponding parts, FIGS. 1 and 2 depict embodiments of a
spring-actuated air-brake cylinder 2 having a first housing part 4, in
which there is formed a spring-actuator chamber 6 containing an actuator
spring 10 that acts on a spring-actuated piston 8, a second housing part
12, in which there is formed a pressure chamber 14, and a spring-actuator
diaphragm 16 clamped between the two housing parts. A push rod 19
provided with a pressure member 17 is moveably guided in the pressure
chamber. The two housing parts 4 and 12 are made from sheet steel and are
manufactured by a deep-drawing method.
[0024] The two housing parts 4, 12 are provided with outwardly extending
circumferential rim flanges 18, 20, respectively, between which diaphragm
16 is clamped. In order to establish a tamper-proof connection between
the two housing parts 4, 12, or in order to connect the two housing parts
to one another in a manner secure against unauthorized adjustment, rim
flange 20 of second housing part 12 is crimped upwardly onto and
circumferentially around rim flange 18 of first housing part 4 by
deforming the crimped flange beyond its elastic limit.
[0025] FIGS. 3 and 4 show an embodiment of spring-actuated brake cylinder
2 in which first housing part 4 and second housing part 12 are connected
by means of a clamping ring 22, comprising a cylindrical portion 24 which
is equipped with a thread 26 and on which there is formed an inwardly
projecting annular bend 28. By means of its thread 26, clamping ring 22
is screwed in the manner of a union nut onto a mating thread 30 of a rim
flange 32 of the one housing part, in this case second housing part 12,
whereupon bend 28 embraces a rim flange 34 of the other housing part, in
this case first housing part 4.
[0026] As a safeguard against unauthorized opening, there is provided at
least one pin 36, which can be guided through an opening 38 formed in
cylindrical portion 24 of clamping ring 22 into a blind hole 40 of rim
flange 32 of housing part 12, and which at the outside at least forms a
closure flush with the outside face of clamping ring 22.
[0027] In another possible tamper-proof embodiment, there is provided a
free-running end that adjoins thread 26.
[0028] FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 show an embodiment of a tamper-proof connection of
the two housing parts 4, 12, using a clamping system 42 that represents a
tongue-and-groove type connection, and that is provided with a
circumferential groove 46 formed on a rim flange 44 of the one housing
part, in this case second housing part 12, and with at least one snap-in
element 50 associated with circumferential groove 46 and formed in rim
flange 48 of the other housing part, in this case first housing part 4.
[0029] In order that it can be pushed over rim flange 44 of second housing
part 12, rim flange 48 of first housing part 4 has a bent shape,
comprising an annular part 52 projecting away from housing shell 51 and
an annular bend 54, which extends away from part 52 toward the other
housing part 12 and which, in assembled condition, embraces rim flange 44
of second housing part 12. Rim flange 44 of second housing part 12 is
provided on the rim pointing opposite the "push on" direction with a
chamfer 56 by means of which it is easier to push bend 54 of rim flange
48 of first housing part 4 onto and over rim flange 44 of second housing
[0030] Snap-in elements 50 are preferably created by U-shaped incisions to
form tongues 58 whose free ends are offset slightly inwardly. To connect
the two housing parts 4, 12, first housing part 4 is pushed with rim
flange 48, or with bend 54 thereof, over rim flange 44 of second housing
part 12, whereupon bend 54 of rim flange 48 slides over chamfer 56 of rim
flange 44 and snaps with its tongues 58 into groove 46 in tamper-proof
manner, while simultaneously clamping diaphragm 16.
[0031] It should be understood that, although the practical examples
described herein relate to diaphragm-type spring-actuated brake
cylinders, the described means for connecting the two housing parts are
equally applicable to diaphragm-free spring-actuated brake cylinders.
[0032] FIGS. 8 and 9 show an alternative embodiment of clamping system 42
described with reference to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 above in which snap-in
element 50 as well as a circumferential groove 62 is disposed in
concealed manner. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 8 and 9, a part 60
of second housing part 12 embracing first housing part 4 is provided with
an internal circumferential groove 62, which is also referred to as a
plunge cut. On first housing part 4 there are disposed, in a manner
distributed over the circumference, snap fit elements 70 which are
provided with outwardly directed tongues 58 designed to snap into
circumferential groove 62. As is evident from FIG. 9, snap fit elements
70 can advantageously have the shape of hooks.
[0033] For assembly of spring-actuated compressed-air cylinder 2, first
housing part 4 is inserted into second housing part 12 until snap fit
elements 70 snap in place and create a brake-cylinder device secured
against inadvertent opening. By appropriate shaping of part 60 of first
housing part 12 as well as of snap fit elements 70 (with tongues 58),
diaphragm 16 is simultaneously fixed, in the manner shown in FIG. 9,
during assembly of the two housing parts.
[0034] It should be appreciated that the type of tamper-proof connection
of the housing parts of a spring-actuated brake cylinder described herein
is suitable for all types of spring-actuated brake cylinders, especially
for diaphragm-type cylinders and also for piston-type cylinders.
[0035] Accordingly, the present invention achieves a tamper-proof,
easy-to-assemble and cost-effective means for connecting two housing
parts of a spring-actuated brake cylinder that can be manufactured simply
[0036] It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those
and since certain changes may be made in the above constructions without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that
[0037] It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended
described and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a
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