| Pump assembly for a vehicle braking system with eccentric drive actuator -> Monitor Keywords |
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Pump assembly for a vehicle braking system with eccentric drive actuatorRelated Patent Categories: Pumps, Expansible Chamber Type, Biasing Means Effects Induction Stroke Of Abutment Driven, Vacuum Producing Pumping MemberPump assembly for a vehicle braking system with eccentric drive actuator description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060177327, Pump assembly for a vehicle braking system with eccentric drive actuator. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This application is based on U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/651,808, filed on Feb. 10, 2005 and claims the benefit thereof for priority purposes. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention relates to a vehicle braking system and, more particularly, to an eccentric drive actuator that permits two hydraulic pump members to be actuated simultaneously to pump a hydraulic fluid. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] With reference to FIG. 1, a conventional hydraulic vehicle brake system is shown generally indicated at 10. The system 10 includes a motor/pump unit with an electric motor having a shaft 12 and a hydraulic pump 14 for delivering brake fluid. The functionality of the hydraulic system 10 is based on fluid flow and pressure. These two characteristics are dependant on the actuation of at least two pump members 14 and 14' that are diametrically opposed, as shown in FIG. 1. The linear pump actuation is commonly solved with the use of a centrally located eccentric motion that drives the pump members 14 one at a time in the directions E. This motion is accomplished with the use of a centrally located eccentric bearing 16. This eccentric motion causes one of the pump members 14 to be actuated or displaced while the other pump member 14' is released to be retracted into a pump cylinder cavity. [0004] With this pumping motion, the fluid at the inlet of a hydraulic system is being pressurized and passed through the system to apply proper braking force to wheels of a vehicle. For adequate pressure and fluid flow the degree of eccentricity is varied on the bearing or shaft end. With the conventional system 10 of FIG. 1, the motor sees high forces that create a bending moment on a shaft 12 with each rotation. [0005] There is a need provide a rotating apparatus that actuates both hydraulic pump members of a vehicle braking system substantially simultaneously so as to reduce stress on a motor shaft. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] An object of the invention is to fulfill the need referred to above. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, this objective is achieved by providing a hydraulic pump assembly of a vehicle braking system that includes at least one pair of hydraulic pumps for pumping brake fluid. Each pump has a pump member. The pump members of a pair of pumps are disposed in opposing, spaced relation along an axis. An eccentric drive actuator is disposed between the pump members of a pair of pumps so as to move the pump members substantially simultaneously along the axis between first and second positions. [0007] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of actuating pumps of a vehicle braking system provides at least one pair of hydraulic pumps, each pump having a pump member. The pump members of a pair of pumps are disposed in opposing, spaced relation along an axis. An eccentric drive actuator is provided between the pump members of a pair of pumps so as to contact the pump members. The drive actuator is moved to a first position thereby moving the pump members substantially simultaneously along the axis to a first position to cause the pumps to pump brake fluid. [0008] Other objects, features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and the functions of the related elements of the structure, the combination of parts and economics of manufacture will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING [0009] The invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts, in which: [0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a conventional hydraulic pump assembly of a vehicle braking system having eccentric bearing that drives two pump members one at a time. [0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of hydraulic pump assembly of a vehicle braking system having an eccentric drive actuator provided in accordance with the principles of the invention, for driving at least two pump members substantially simultaneously to a pumping position. [0012] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the hydraulic pump assembly of FIG. 2, shown with the eccentric drive actuator moved to a second position with the pump members in a non-pumping position. [0013] FIG. 4 is an end view of an eccentric drive actuator of provided in accordance with the invention. [0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the eccentric drive actuator of FIG. 4. [0015] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an eccentric drive actuator of the invention manufactured into rotor shaft. [0016] FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of the hydraulic pump assembly of FIG. 3, but shown with a bearing device between the actuator and the pump members. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS [0017] With reference to FIG. 2, hydraulic pump assembly of a vehicle braking system is shown, generally indicated at 20, in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The system 20 includes at least one pair of hydraulic pumps 13 with each pump 13 having a pump member 14. The pump members 14 of each pair of pumps are disposed in opposing, spaced relation along axis X. Each pump 13 is constructed and arranged to pump a brake fluid for a vehicle braking system such as an antilock braking system (ABS) or a Traction Control braking system. As used herein, "brake fluid" includes any hydraulic fluid that can be used in a vehicle braking system. Linear actuation of the pump members 14 in the directions E (along axis X) is provided by a centrally located eccentric drive actuator 22. The eccentric drive actuator 22 is coupled to a shaft 12 of a motor (not shown) and, upon rotation, actuates both hydraulic pump members 14 substantially simultaneously. The center O of the drive actuator 22 is disposed on axis X. This configuration advantageously equalizes the forces that are pressing onto the motor shaft 12. [0018] In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the forces on shaft 12 are equalized because both pump members 14 are subjecting pressure and force to the shaft 12 at the same time. The drive actuator 22 can be attached to a rotor (e.g. via shaft 12) of a motor by any of the following (however not limited to) methods: [0019] 1) Press fit onto the shaft of the rotor [0020] 2) Machined surface of the shaft [0021] 3) Crimped [0022] 4) Welded [0023] 5) Bonded [0024] FIG. 4 shows a front view of the eccentric drive actuator 22 and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the drive actuator 22. The shaft 12 (not shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) is received in a central bore 24. 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