Fluid-pressure and analogous brake systems – Speed-controlled – Having a valve system responsive to a wheel lock signal
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-29
2001-10-16
Butler, Douglas C. (Department: 3613)
Fluid-pressure and analogous brake systems
Speed-controlled
Having a valve system responsive to a wheel lock signal
C303S113100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06302499
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to vehicular brake systems, and in particular is concerned with a control valve mounted on a hydraulic control unit of an electronically controlled brake system.
Electronically controlled brake systems for vehicles are well known. One type of electronically-controlled brake system includes a hydraulic control unit (HCU) connected in fluid communication between a master cylinder and a plurality of wheel brakes. The HCU includes a housing containing control valves and other components for selectively controlling hydraulic brake pressure at the wheel brakes.
Control valves for HCU's are commonly formed as electronically actuated solenoid valves. A typical solenoid valve includes a cylindrical armature slidably received in a flux tube or sleeve for movement relative to a valve seat. A spring is used to bias the armature in an open or closed position, thereby permitting or blocking fluid flow through the valve, respectively. A coil subassembly is provided about the flux tube. When the valve is energized, an electromagnetic flux generated by the coil subassembly slides the armature from the biased open or closed position to a closed or open position, respectively.
Control valves mounted on a HCU are actuated by an electronic control module to provide desired braking functions such as anti-lock braking, traction control, and vehicle stability control.
It is desirable that a control valve provides fluid control in a manner proportional to the amount of current applied to the coil subassembly. Such proportional control valves result in enhanced performance of an electronically controlled brake system. Furthermore, it is desirable that a control valve be easily assembled to reduce costs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a control valve mounted on a hydraulic control unit of a vehicular brake system. The control valve includes a subassembly formed by pressing together a flux cap, a tube, and a flux ring pole. The control valve is easy to assembly and does not require laser welding, brazing, or precision machining of thin sections. The control valve provides enhanced magnetic performance and low hysteresis.
In a preferred embodiment, a control valve for controlling fluid flow in a is hydraulic control unit of a vehicular brake system includes a tube. A flux cap is pressed onto one end of the tube. A flux ring pole is pressed onto an opposite end of the tube. An armature is slidably received in the tube. A coil subassembly is provided about the tube, flux cap, and flux ring pole. A valve seat receives the flux ring pole. The valve seat is mounted in a bore of a hydraulic control unit of a vehicular brake system.
This control valve is particularly adapted to be mounted in a bore of a housing of a hydraulic control unit of an electronically controlled vehicular brake system.
Various objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.
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McMaster-Carr Supply Company Catalog No. 94, Copyright 1988, pp. 1266-1273; McMaster-Carr Supply Company, P.O. Box 1355, Chicago, IL 60680-1355.
Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., Copyright 1991, p. 825.
Linkner, Jr. Herbert L.
Tackett Wendell D.
Butler Douglas C.
Kelsey-Hayes Company
MacMillan Sobanski & Todd LLC
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