SIMULATOR VALVE AND ELECTRONIC BRAKE SYSTEM USING THE SAME

• US 20190100179A1
• Filed: 09/28/2018
• Published: 04/04/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HL Mando Corporation (Halla Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mando Corporation
• Inventors: Lee, Chung Jae
• Granted Patent: US 10,988,123 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/146 Part of the system directly actuated by booster pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/161 Systems with master cylinder
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/58 Combined or convertible systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/662 characterised by specified functions of the control system components
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/686 in hydraulic systems or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/745 acting on a hydraulic system, e.g. a master cylinder
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 15/028 in hydraulic systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2270/402 Back-up
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2270/404 Brake-by-wire or X-by-wire failsafe
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2270/82 Brake-by-Wire, EHB
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/042 by electrical means, e.g. using travel or force sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/17 Using electrical or electronic regulation means to control braking detecting or indicating faulty operation B60T8/885
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/363 in hydraulic systems B60T8/3655, B60T8/3675 and B60T8/369 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/365 combining a plurality of functions in one unit, e.g. pressure relief
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/4081 Systems with stroke simulating devices for driver input B60T8/4077 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 27/029 Electromagnetically actuated valves
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/0644 One-way valve
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/0665 with valve member being at least partially ball-shaped F16K31/0662 takes precedence

Abstract

A simulator valve and an electronic brake system using the same are disclosed. The electronic brake system includes a master cylinder provided with at least one cylinder chamber having a volume changeable according to operation of a pedal, a pedal simulator connected to the cylinder chamber, configured to provide reaction force corresponding to a pedal effort of the pedal, a hydraulic-pressure supply device configured to provide hydraulic pressure to at least one wheel cylinder, an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to operate the hydraulic-pressure supply device, and a simulator valve provided in a flow passage through which the master cylinder is connected to the pedal simulator, and provided with a unidirectional flow passage that allows fluid to flow from the pedal simulator to the cylinder chamber and a bidirectional flow passage that is electronically opened or closed.

Claims

1. An electronic brake system comprising:

a master cylinder provided with at least one cylinder chamber having a volume changeable according to operation of a pedal;

a pedal simulator connected to the cylinder chamber, configured to provide reaction force corresponding to a pedal effort of the pedal;

a hydraulic-pressure supply device configured to provide hydraulic pressure to at least one wheel cylinder;

an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to operate the hydraulic-pressure supply device; and

a simulator valve provided in a flow passage through which the master cylinder is connected to the pedal simulator, and provided with a unidirectional flow passage that allows fluid to flow from the pedal simulator to the cylinder chamber and a bidirectional flow passage that is electronically opened or closed.

2. The electronic brake system according to claim 1, wherein the unidirectional flow passage is formed by a lip seal provided in the simulator valve.

3. The electronic brake system according to claim 1, wherein the simulator valve includes:

a sleeve, an upper part of which is coupled to a magnet core and a lower part of which is coupled to a valve housing provided with an orifice;

an armature configured to move upward and downward in the sleeve;

a first elastic member disposed between the magnet core and the armature to provide elastic force to the armature; and

a lip seal coupled to an outer surface of the valve housing, and provided with an inclined protrusion,

wherein the unidirectional flow passage is opened, because the inclined protrusion is deformed inward when pressure of the pedal simulator is higher than pressure of the master cylinder, and

the bidirectional flow passage is opened, because the armature moves by the magnet core receiving a current and the orifice is thus opened.

4. The electronic brake system according to claim 3, wherein the sleeve is press-fitted into an inner surface of the valve housing and is coupled to the valve housing by welding.

5. The electronic brake system according to claim 2, wherein the simulator valve includes:

a sleeve, an upper part of which is coupled to a magnet core and a lower part of which is coupled to the lip seal;

an armature configured to move upward and downward in the sleeve;

a first elastic member disposed between the magnet core and the armature to provide elastic force to the armature; and

a valve seat disposed below the armature, and provided with an orifice to be opened or closed by the armature; and

a second elastic member configured to provide the valve seat with elastic force in a direction of the armature;

wherein, when pressure of the pedal simulator is higher than pressure of the master cylinder, the unidirectional flow passage is opened or closed by upward or downward movement of the valve seat in a space between the valve seat and the sleeve, or is opened or closed by deformation of an inclined protrusion of the lip seal.

6. The electronic brake system according to claim 5, wherein:

one end of the second elastic member is supported by the sleeve; and

the other end of the second elastic member is configured to pressurize the valve seat at a lower side of the valve seat.

7. The electronic brake system according to claim 6, wherein the simulator valve further includes a stopper coupled to a modulator block,

wherein the sleeve is press-fitted into an inner surface of the stopper and is coupled to the stopper by welding.

8. The electronic brake system according to claim 1, wherein the simulator valve includes:

a sleeve, an upper part of which is coupled to a magnet core and a lower part of which is coupled to a valve housing;

an armature configured to move upward and downward in the sleeve;

a first elastic member disposed between the magnet core and the armature to provide elastic force to the armature;

a first valve seat disposed below the armature, and provided with an orifice to be opened or closed by the armature;

a second elastic member configured to provide the first valve seat with elastic force in a direction of the armature; and

a second valve seat fixed to the valve housing,

wherein the unidirectional flow passage is opened or closed by upward or downward movement of the first valve seat in a space between the first valve seat and the second valve seat.

9. The electronic brake system according to claim 8, wherein:

one end of the second elastic member is supported by the sleeve; and

the other end of the second elastic member is configured to pressurize the first valve seat at a lower side of the first valve seat.

10. The electronic brake system according to claim 8, wherein:

one end of the second elastic member is supported by the valve housing; and

the other end of the second elastic member is configured to pressurize the first valve seat at a lower side of the first valve seat.

11. The electronic brake system according to claim 8, wherein:

the first elastic member allows the second elastic member to have stronger force than force needed to pressurize the first valve seat such that the orifice remains closed in a normal state; and

when a current is supplied to the magnet core, the armature moves and the orifice is thus opened.

12. The electronic brake system according to claim 8, wherein:

in case that pressure of the pedal simulator is higher than pressure of the master cylinder, if a sum of a difference in pressure between the pedal simulator and the master cylinder and force generated when the second elastic member pushes the first valve seat is higher than other force generated when the first elastic member pushes the first valve seat, the unidirectional flow passage is opened.

13. A simulator valve comprising:

a sleeve, an upper part of which is fastened to a magnet core and a lower part of which is fastened to a valve housing provided with an orifice;

an armature configured to move upward and downward in the sleeve;

a first elastic member disposed between the magnet core and the armature so as to provide elastic force to the armature;

a lip seal fastened to an outer surface of the valve housing, and provided with an inclined protrusion;

a unidirectional flow passage provided with an inclined protrusion, wherein the inclined protrusion is deformed inward when pressure of a pedal simulator is higher than pressure of a master cylinder such that the unidirectional flow passage is opened; and

a bidirectional flow passage configured to open the orifice by movement of the armature after a current is supplied to the magnet core.

14. The simulator valve according to claim 13, wherein the sleeve is press-fitted into the valve housing and is coupled to the valve housing by welding.

15. A simulator valve comprising:

a sleeve, an upper part of which is fastened to a magnet core and a lower part of which is fastened to a lip seal provided with an inclined protrusion;

an armature configured to move upward and downward in the sleeve;

a first elastic member disposed between the magnet core and the armature so as to provide elastic force to the armature;

a valve seat located below the armature, and provided with an orifice to be opened or closed by the armature;

a second elastic member configured to provide the valve seat with elastic force in the direction of the armature; and

a unidirectional flow passage, when pressure of the pedal simulator is higher than pressure of the master cylinder, that is opened or closed by upward or downward movement of the valve seat in a space between the valve seat and the sleeve or is opened or closed by deformation of the inclined protrusion of the lip seal.

16. The simulator valve according to claim 15, wherein:

one end of the second elastic member is supported by the sleeve; and

the other end of the second elastic member is configured to pressurize the valve seat at a lower side of the valve seat.

17. The simulator valve according to claim 16, wherein the simulator valve further includes a stopper coupled to a modulator block,

wherein the sleeve is press-fitted into an inner surface of the stopper and is coupled to the stopper by welding.

18. A simulator valve comprising:

a sleeve, an upper part of which is coupled to a magnet core and a lower part of which is coupled to a valve housing;

an armature configured to move upward and downward in the sleeve;

a first elastic member disposed between the magnet core and the armature to provide elastic force to the armature;

a first valve seat disposed below the armature, and provided with an orifice to be opened or closed by the armature;

a second elastic member configured to provide the first valve seat with elastic force in a direction of the armature; and

a second valve seat fixed to the valve housing,

wherein the unidirectional flow passage is opened or closed by upward or downward movement of the first valve seat in a space between the first valve seat and the second valve seat.

19. The simulator valve according to claim 18, wherein:

one end of the second elastic member is supported by the sleeve; and

the other end of the second elastic member is configured to pressurize the first valve seat at a lower side of the first valve seat.

20. The simulator valve according to claim 18, wherein:

one end of the second elastic member is supported by the valve housing; and

the other end of the second elastic member is configured to pressurize the first valve seat at a lower side of the first valve seat.

21. The simulator valve according to claim 18, wherein:

the first elastic member allows the second elastic member to have stronger force than force needed to pressurize the first valve seat such that the orifice remains closed in a normal state; and

when a current is supplied to the magnet core, the armature moves and the orifice is thus opened.

22. The simulator valve according to claim 18, wherein:

in case that pressure of the pedal simulator is higher than pressure of the master cylinder, if a sum of a difference in pressure between the pedal simulator and the master cylinder and force generated when the second elastic member pushes the first valve seat is higher than other force generated when the first elastic member pushes the first valve seat, the unidirectional flow passage is opened.