★★★ DESCRIPTION

[0001]. Field of the invention

[0002]. The present invention relates to a hydraulic assembly, particularly, but not exclusively, for brake systems and/or clutch circuits, typically for automotive or motorcycle applications.

[0003]. Prior art

[0004], In hydraulic systems for actuating brakes and/or clutches, typically a plurality of hydraulic connections are employed which connect hydraulic system ducts to one another to convey a hydraulic fluid from, e.g. a hydraulic control unit, such as a master cylinder, to a hydraulic actuating unit, such as a brake caliper, a pressure plate of a clutch and the like.

[0005]. The plurality of hydraulic connections between hydraulic units must be fluid-tight to avoid the presence of leaks which generate inefficiencies in the hydraulic system and not least malfunctions in the hydraulic system itself, endangering the system user, e.g. the motorcycle rider or the car driver.

[0006]. Generally, the hydraulic connections comprise at least one connection having a delivery pipe and an eyelet, superimposed on a feed channel formed in a hydraulic unit, e.g. such as a brake caliper, an ABS manifold, or a clutch pressure plate, wherein the connection is fixed to the hydraulic unit by means of a union pipe coaxial to the eyelet and fixed to the hydraulic unit. e.g. by means of a nut-screw mechanism. To guarantee the hydraulic seal, there is a lower gasket and an upper gasket arranged respectively between the hydraulic unit and the eyelet, and between the eyelet and the union pipe. However, in some cases in the absence of one of the gaskets, the mechanical interaction between the eyelet and the hydraulic unit, or between the eyelet and the union pipe, may be sufficient to maintain the hydraulic seal between the components in the stages immediately following assembly, and therefore some faulty hydraulic assemblies may not be intercepted on the assembly line.

[0007]. Document WO2018150365 by the applicant describes a hydraulic connector for a hydraulic unit configured to detect simply and effectively a possible failed assembly of at least one upper or lower gasket, thereby being able to intercept a faulty hydraulic assembly before it is sold or mounted on a respective vehicle. In particular, the suggested solution provides a hydraulic connector having a connection provided with an upper and/or lower projection having an axial thickness smaller than the axial thickness of the respective gasket so if the respective lower or upper gaskets are missing, the projection abuts against a base surface of the hydraulic unit and creates a gap, e.g. between the eyelet and a base surface of a hydraulic unit, from which hydraulic fluid may leak. [0008]. Such a solution teaches how to detect the missing assembly of a gasket between the hydraulic unit and the connection independently from the positioning between one and the other.

[0009]. However, during the assembly of a hydraulic assembly, the correct positioning of the connection relative to the hydraulic unit is of crucial importance to ensure a safe and durable sealed connection without improper interactions when using the hydraulic connections with other elements of the vehicle once the hydraulic assembly has been mounted on the vehicle.

[0010]. In the industry, there is a particularly strong response to the correct positioning between connections and hydraulic units, and consequently, there are conflicting needs to create a hydraulic assembly which is easy to assemble as quickly as possible, and which has a high level of safety, preventing tampering with the connection by external users or accidental movement of the connection connected to the hydraulic unit relative to the design position.

[0011]. Document JP2011006033 describes a hydraulic connection configured to assist the assembly of the hydraulic connection to the respective supply duct formed in the hydraulic unit and to prevent rotations of the connection itself relative to the supply duct once the connection has been tightened to the hydraulic unit through the respective union pipe. Such a solution comprises providing the eyelet of the connection with a radially extending projection having a bent engagement end, wherein on the base surface the hydraulic unit provides a housing configured to accommodate the bent engagement end. Therefore, during assembly, once the bent end is inserted into the respective housing, the connection may rotate relative to a fixed axis defined by the housing, and an operator can rotate the connection until the eyelet is correctly superimposed over the feed channel of the hydraulic unit, and connect the connection to the hydraulic unit.

[0012]. Such a solution, although satisfactory in some respects, has some disadvantages from the constructive point of view, in particular, such a projection is usually welded to the eyelet and plastically bent. Such a projection is constructively a weak point in the system which increases its fragility, consequently losing the ability to prevent the connection from rotating over time. However, in the case of hydraulic units provided with a plurality of hydraulic ports which can be associated with a plurality of connections having such a bent projection, the assembly of the hydraulic assembly could be particularly difficult, because it is not immediately apparent which housings are intended for which projections and for which inlet port a specific connection is intended.

[0013]. Document US8511717 describes a manifold for ABS hydraulic units having a plurality of connection ports for respective connections, wherein each connection has a block shaped to achieve a positive coupling with at least one pair of adjacent blocks. In this manner, the assembly and positioning of the plurality of connections are guided by the external shapes of the block of each neighboring connection. Despite this solution being advantageous in some respects, the positioning of each block is dependent on the positioning of neighboring blocks, and thus it is possible that during assembly a user may make several attempts before finding the correct position of each block relative to the neighboring blocks. As a result, such a solution can slow down the assembly time and increase production costs.

[0014]. However, it is worth noting that such a solution is functional for hydraulic units having a plurality of connections but loses its effectiveness in the presence of a hydraulic unit in which only one inlet port is provided, for example, in which the correct position of the connection is not automatically defined by the first nearby connections, because they are not present.

[0015]. Therefore, the need is felt to devise a hydraulic assembly in which the correct positioning of the connection relative to the hydraulic unit can be easily identified and sustained over time. [0016]. Furthermore, the need is felt to devise a hydraulic assembly in which it is possible to reduce the assembly time between each connection and the corresponding hydraulic unit.

[0017]. Furthermore, the need is felt for a hydraulic assembly which makes it possible to univocally define the correct position of each connection relative to the corresponding inlet port, preventing a rotation of the connection relative to the hydraulic unit both during assembly and during use, and optionally which also makes it possible to automatically detect the absence of a gasket before the sale or a successive assembly of the assembly to a respective vehicle.

[0018]. Therefore, the problem underlying the present invention is to devise a hydraulic assembly, which has such structural and functional features as to satisfy the aforementioned requirements and, at the same time, solve the drawbacks mentioned with reference to the prior art and satisfy the aforesaid needs felt. [0019]. Solution

[0020]. It is an object of the present invention to provide a hydraulic assembly having at least one connection and a hydraulic unit which allows an easily identifiable, unambiguous positioning free of rotations between the connection and the hydraulic unit. [0021]. These and other objects and advantages are achieved by a device according to claim 1.

[0022], Some advantageous embodiments are the ob ect of the dependent claims.

[0023]. The suggested hydraulic assembly makes it possible to obtain a univocal coupling between the hydraulic connection and the hydraulic unit, preventing any rotation of the connection relative to its predetermined position either during assembly or during use. [0024]. The hydraulic assembly is particularly easy to manufacture cost-effectively.

[0025]. The hydraulic assembly is also particularly robust relative to the known solutions and is tamper-resistant.

[0026]. The hydraulic assembly according to the present invention does not impact the standard assembly arrangements, and can thus be easily implemented in the assembly line, furthermore the presence of welded or plastically deformed connecting elements is avoided.

[0027]. From the analysis of this solution, it has emerged how the suggested solution makes it possible to obtain an error-proof assembly between connection and hydraulic unit, by virtue of the configuration and sizing of the connection and the hydraulic unit only one assembly position is allowed, wherein such a position is particularly stable and easily identifiable by an operator.

[0028]. Furthermore, the suggested solutions make it possible to reduce the assembly time of the hydraulic assembly, avoiding possible positioning errors between the connection and the hydraulic unit.

[0029]. Even further, by virtue of the suggested solutions, it is possible to intercept a hydraulic assembly lacking a bottom or top gasket before the assembly is destined for sale or is sent to a successive assembly line, e.g. to be mounted on a vehicle, without the addition of a further control on the assembly line.

[0030]. Furthermore, by virtue of the suggested solutions, it is possible to guarantee an increase in breakage resistance.

[0031]. Figure

[0032]. Further features and advantages of the hydraulic assembly will be apparent from the description provided below of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0033]. - figure 1 is an axonometric view of a connection of a hydraulic assembly known in the prior art;

[0034]. - figure 2 is an axonometric view of a connection of a hydraulic assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035]. - figure 3 is an axonometric view of a connection of a hydraulic assembly according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

[0036]. figure 4 is an axonometric view of a detail of a hydraulic unit of the hydraulic assembly according to the present invention;

[0037]. - figure 5 is an axonometric view of a hydraulic unit according to the invention;

[0038]. - figure 6 shows a lateral view of a detail in figure 5;

[0039]. - figure 7 is a section view of the detail in figure 6, from which some elements have been omitted;

[0040]. - figure 8 is a section view of the detail in figure 6;

[0041]. - figure 9 is a union pipe according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0042]. Description of some preferred embodiments

[0043]. A hydraulic assembly 1, in particular for braking and/or clutch actuation systems, for a braking system is provided according to a general embodiment. However, the use of the present invention should be considered in a broad and non-restrictive sense, because it is applicable on all hydraulic connections and hydraulic units, preferably but not exclusively in the automotive sector, understood as the sector of motor vehicles and motorcycles, such as brake calipers, master cylinders, ABS control units, valves and the like. [0044]. Said hydraulic assembly 1 comprises a hydraulic unit 2 having a hydraulic unit body 27, in which said at least one delivery channel 12 is formed. The hydraulic unit body 27 comprises a hydraulic unit body base 28 in which an inlet port 29 of said delivery channel 12 is formed.

[0045]. Said hydraulic assembly 1 further comprises at least one connection 3 provided with a feed pipe 4 adapted to receive an inlet hydraulic fluid, and an eyelet 5 adapted to output said fluid.

[0046]. Said connection 3 may be obtained, for example, from a semi-finished product, by turning, milling or forging.

[0047]. Said eyelet 5 delimits an eyelet hole 19 defining an eyelet axis X, which in turn defines an axial direction A-A, a radial direction R-R perpendicular to said axial direction A-A, and a circumferential direction C-C transverse to said axial direction A-A and said radial direction R-R.

[0048]. Said eyelet 5 comprises an eyelet upper sealing surface 32 and an eyelet lower sealing surface 31.

[0049]. The feed pipe 4 is hollow to allow the transporting of pressurized fluid through a feed connection inner channel 20 in fluid communication with the eyelet.

[0050]. Said hydraulic assembly 1 further comprises at least one union pipe 11 having a hollow cylindrical body 13 and a union pipe head 21. The hollow cylindrical body 13 is configured to receive said fluid from said eyelet 5 and to feed said fluid into said delivery channel 12.

[0051]. The union pipe 11 is inserted coaxially to said eyelet hole 19.

[0052]. Said hydraulic assembly 11 comprises at least one upper gasket 34 arranged between said eyelet upper sealing surface 32 and said pipe union head 21.

[0053]. The upper gasket 34 is typically ring-shaped, e.g. made of annealed copper, fitted coaxially with the union pipe 11.

[0054], Said hydraulic assembly 1 comprises at least one lower gasket 35 arranged between said eyelet lower sealing surface 33 and said hydraulic unit body base 28.

[0055 ] . The lower gasket 35 is typically ring-shaped, e.g. made of annealed copper, fitted coaxially with the union pipe 11.

[0056] . In an assembly configuration, said lower gasket 35 and upper gasket 34 are axially compressed between the abutment surfaces of respective elements arranged axially above and below said elements.

[0057 ] . Said connection 3 comprises at least one shoulder 8 which extends laterally, at least in the radial direction R-R, relative to said eyelet 5.

[0058 ] . The shoulder 8 comprises a lower projection 9 which extends in the axial direction A-A to the side of said lower eyelet sealing surface 33 so as not to interfere with said lower gasket 35. [0059] . The hydraulic unit body base 28 comprises a cavity 31 configured to accommodate said lower projection 9 in a complementary manner, so that said at least one connection 3 is coupled in a fail- proof manner to said hydraulic unit 2, thus preventing it from rotating in a circumferential direction C-C both during assembly and use.

[0060 ] . According to an embodiment, said cavity 31 has a cavity bottom surface 37 and a lateral cavity surface 38. The cavity lateral surface 38 is developed peripherally to said cavity bottom surface 37 at least along said axial direction A-A. The lower projection 9 is configured to abut with said cavity bottom surface 37 and at least one portion of said lateral cavity surface 38 prevents said connection 3 from movement along said radial direction R-R.

[0061]. According to an embodiment, said lower projection 9 and said recess 31 have a positive coupling so that during assembly of said connection 3 with said hydraulic unit 1 a stable connection position is defined, wherein said position defines a stable positioning in both circumferential direction C-C and radial direction R-R.

[0062]. According to an embodiment, the cavity lateral surface of 38 has at least a cavity radially inner portion 39 and a cavity radially outer portion 40.

[0063]. According to an embodiment, said cavity radially inner portion 39 is flared to direct said lower projection 9 to said stable connection position.

[0064]. According to an embodiment, in the stable connection position, the lower projection 9 abuts with said radially outer lateral surface 40 and with said cavity bottom surface 37.

[0065]. According to an embodiment, the pipe union 11 comprises a pipe union radial duct 14 in fluid communication with the connection feed duct 20 and a pipe union axial duct 16 which is connected to the pipe union radial duct 14 and leads into the hydraulic unit body delivery channel 12.

[0066]. According to an embodiment, the delivery channel 12 obtained in the hydraulic unit 2 is threaded, the pipe union 11 comprises a pipe union outer lateral wall 17 which has a pipe union thread 18, and threaded delivery channel 12 accommodates said pipe union thread 18.

[0067]. According to an embodiment, the union pipe head 21 is opposite to the thread 18 and comprises at least one head collar 26. [0068]. According to an embodiment, not shown, the head collar 26 forms an undercut relative to the eyelet 5, resting in abutment against the eyelet upper sealing surface.

[0069]. According to an embodiment, the union pipe head 21 comprises a profile adapted to facilitate screwing of the union pipe.

[0070]. According to an embodiment, the eyelet 5 has an eyelet inner lateral wall 49 on which an eyelet opening 50 is obtained from which the connection feed inner channel 20 leads, wherein the eyelet opening 50 faces the union pipe radial duct 14 to allow the fluid connection between the feed pipe 20 and the hydraulic unit body delivery channel 12.

[0071]. According to an embodiment, the union pipe 11 comprises a union pipe circular crown 22 formed on the union pipe outer lateral wall 17 onto which said union pipe radial duct 14 leads. The union pipe circular crown 22 is made in the form of a recess in the outer lateral wall 17.

[0072]. According to an embodiment, said connection feed inner channel flows leads to said union pipe circular crown 22.

[0073]. In this manner, it is not necessary to have a perfect radial correspondence between the opening of the eyelet and the union pipe radial duct, because the fluid flows into the circular crown and consequently into the radial duct facing the respective circular crown.

[0074 ] . According to an embodiment, as shown in figure 7, the cavity 31 and said lower projection 9 are configured or sized so that, in the absence of said lower gasket 35, at least one escape route is formed between said eyelet lower sealing surface 33 and said hydraulic unit body base 28, through which said hydraulic liquid leaks.

[0075 ] . According to an embodiment, in the absence of said lower gasket 33, said lower projection 9 abuts against a cavity bottom surface 37 thus preventing said eyelet lower abutment surface 33 from abutting against said hydraulic unit body base 28 and thus forming a gap 41 between said eyelet lower abutment surface 33 and said hydraulic unit body base 28, through which said hydraulic fluid leaks. Such a gap 41 is shown in figure 7.

[0076] . According to an embodiment, the cavity 31 has an axial cavity depth, said lower projection 9 has an axial lower projection thickness and said lower gasket 35 has an axial lower gasket thickness, wherein said cavity depth, said lower projection thickness and said lower gasket thickness is measured parallel to the axial direction A-A.

[0077 ] . According to an embodiment, the axial lower projection thickness is greater than said lower gasket axial thickness and said axial cavity depth.

[0078 ] . According to an embodiment, said gap 41 has an axial gap thickness measured along a direction parallel to the axial direction A-A, wherein, in the absence of said lower gasket 35, when said connection 3 is connected to said hydraulic unit 2 by means of said pipe union 11, said axial gap thickness has dimensions similar to the axial lower gasket thickness measured along a direction parallel to the axial direction A-A.

[0079]. Due to the mutual dimensioning of the cavity 31 and the lower projection, a hydraulic fluid leakage due to the absence of the lower gasket 35 can be detected when said connection is assembled to said hydraulic unit by means of said union pipe before the hydraulic assembly is sold or subsequently assembled on a vehicle. In particular, the gap 41 which is formed in the absence of the lower gasket 35 causes the eyelet lower sealing surface 33 not to be in contact with the base of the hydraulic unit body 28 and, therefore, there is no hydraulic seal between the two components 33, 28 and leakage of hydraulic fluid can be easily and evidently detected.

[0080]. According to an embodiment, the shoulder 8 comprises an upper projection 10 which extends in an axial direction A-A, in a position diametrically opposite to said lower projection 9 by the side of said upper eyelet sealing surface 32, so as not to interfere with said upper gasket 34.

[0081]. According to an embodiment, said eyelet 5 comprises an eyelet base 7 and an eyelet head 6, which are diametrically opposite, wherein said eyelet base 7 is arranged on the side of said feed pipe 4, wherein said shoulder 8 is obtained either on said eyelet base 7 or on said eyelet head 6.

[0082], According to an embodiment, said upper projection 10 and said pipe union head 21 are configured or sized so that, in the absence of said upper gasket 34, at least one escape route is formed between said eyelet upper sealing surface 32 and said pipe union head 21, through which said hydraulic fluid leaks.

[0083] . According to an embodiment, said pipe union head 21 has a radial volume along the radial direction R-R which is such as to abut, at least partially, against said upper projection 10 in the absence of said upper gasket 34, so that said eyelet upper sealing surface 32 does not abut against said pipe union head 21.

[0084 ] . According to an embodiment, the hydraulic assembly 1 comprises a second connection 43 presenting a second connection feed pipe 44 and a second connection eyelet 45.

[0085 ] . The second feed pipe is adapted to receive a second input hydraulic fluid, and the second eyelet 45 delimits a second eyelet hole 46 which defines a second eyelet axis X' coincident with said eyelet axis X.

[0086] . The second eyelet 45 comprises a second eyelet upper sealing surface 47 and a second eyelet lower sealing surface 48. [0087 ] . According to an embodiment, the second eyelet 45 is arranged coaxially to said eyelet hole 19 between said top gasket 34 and said union pipe head 21.

[0088 ] . According to an embodiment, the upper gasket 34 is arranged between the eyelet upper sealing surface 32 and the second eyelet lower sealing surface 48.

[0089] . According to an embodiment, the hydraulic assembly 1 further comprises a second upper gasket 36 arranged between said second eyelet upper abutment surface 47 and said pipe union head 21. [0090]. According to an embodiment, said upper projection 10 and said second connection 43 are configured or sized so that, in the absence of said upper gasket 34, at least one escape route is formed between said eyelet upper sealing surface 32 and said second eyelet lower sealing surface 48, through which said hydraulic fluid leaks. [0091]. According to an embodiment, said pipe union 11 is further configured to receive said second fluid from said second eyelet 45 and send it into said delivery channel 12.

[0092]. According to an embodiment, said union pipe 11 comprises at least one union pipe second radial duct 15 in fluid connection with said one union pipe axial duct 16.

[0093]. According to an embodiment, the second eyelet 45 has a second eyelet inner side wall 51 on which a second eyelet opening 52 is formed from which the second connection inner feed channel 44 flows. The second eyelet opening 52 faces the union pipe second radial duct 15 to allow the fluid connection between the second feed pipe and the hydraulic unit body supply channel 12.

[0094]. According to an embodiment, said union pipe second radial duct 15 is arranged in an axially higher position than said union pipe radial duct 14.

[0095]. According to an embodiment, the union pipe 11 comprises a second union pipe circular crown 23 formed on the union pipe outer lateral wall onto which said second union pipe radial duct 15 flows.

Said second circular crown 23 is formed as an indentation on the shank of the nozzle. [0096]. According to an embodiment, the second connection 43 has a radial volume in a radial direction R-R which is such as to abut, at least partially, against said upper projection 10 in the absence of said upper gasket 34, so that said upper eyelet sealing surface 32 does not abut against said second lower eyelet abutment surface 48. [0097]. According to an embodiment, shown in the figures, in the absence of said upper gasket 34, the upper projection 10 abuts against said second connection second feed pipe 4 .

[0098]. According to an embodiment, not shown, said upper projection 10 abuts against a second connection shoulder.

[0099]. According to an embodiment, said hydraulic unit body base 28 comprises a flattening 30 adapted to house the lower gasket 35 at least partially.

[00100]. According to an embodiment, said cavity 31 is provided at least partially radially outside said flattening 30, as shown in figure 4.

[00101]. As can be appreciated from the description above, the present invention makes it possible to overcome the drawbacks presented in the prior art.

[00102]. It is worth noting that the present invention is applicable relative to all hydraulic plants comprising hydraulic connections and hydraulic units, e.g. such as brake calipers, master cylinders, ABS control units, valves and the like.

[00103]. Furthermore, the invention allows a safe, stable and fast assembly due to the arrangement on the connection of a lower projection and the hydraulic unit body base of a cavity so that with a single operation of inserting the projection into the cavity the stable position of the fail-safe connection is reached, which can thus be fixed to the hydraulic unit by means of the union pipe. [00104], By virtue of the shape and to the mechanical interaction between the cavity and the lower projection, the invention makes it possible to prevent any rotation of the connection relative to the hydraulic unit, already during the assembly as soon as the lower projection and the cavity are coupled to each other.

[00105]. The invention also makes it possible to detect the absence of at least the lower gasket by virtue of the mutual sizing of the lower projection and the cavity.

[00106]. Therefore, the invention makes it possible to decrease the assembly time of hydraulic units, by virtue of the provision of elements which allow a positive coupling between the hydraulic connection and the hydraulic unit which is easy and intuitive to be implemented in existing assembly lines, and at the same time, the present invention makes it possible to reduce possible mutual positioning errors between hydraulic connections and hydraulic units, and consequently increase the production of correctly assembled hydraulic assemblies.

[00107]. Moreover, the suggested invention is favorably applicable to hydraulic units having a plurality of hydraulic connection ports and a plurality of respective connections, wherein the stable position between the connection and the hydraulic connection port can be easily identified by virtue of the arrangements of the respective slots and the shapes of the respective projections. [00108]. A person skilled in the art can make numerous changes and variants to the embodiments described above, all contained within the scope of protection of the invention defined by the following claims to satisfy contingent, specific needs.

LIST OF REFERENCES

1 hydraulic assembly

2 hydraulic unit

3 connection

4 feed pipe

5 eyelet

6 eyelet head

7 eyelet base

8 shoulder

9 lower projection

10 upper projection

11 pipe union

12 hydraulic unit body delivery channel

13 pipe union cylindrical body

14 pipe union radial duct

15 union pipe second radial duct

16 union pipe axial duct

17 union pipe outer lateral wall

18 pipe union thread

19 eyelet

20 feed pipe inner channel

21 pipe union head

22 pipe union circular crown

23 union pipe second circular crown

26 head collar

27 hydraulic unit body

28 hydraulic unit body base

29 delivery channel inlet mouth

30 flattening

31 cavity

32 eyelet upper sealing surface

33 eyelet lower sealing surface

34 upper gasket 35 lower gasket

36 second upper gasket

37 cavity bottom surface

38 cavity lateral surface

39 radially inner portion

40 radially outer portion 1 gap

43 second connection

44 second feed pipe

45 second eyelet

46 second eyelet hole

47 second eyelet upper sealing surface

48 second eyelet lower sealing surface

49 eyelet inner lateral wall

50 eyelet opening

51 second eyelet inner lateral wall

52 second eyelet opening

X eyelet axis

X' second eyelet axis

A-A axial direction

R-R radial direction

C-C circumferential direction H band height