Spring Brake Units and Drainage Means Therefor

This invention relates to spring brake units for use in vehicle braking systems. Such brake units normally comprise a cylindrical housing, a piston movable axially therein and having operative connection with the brake or brake linkage, a loading spring operating to urge the piston in a direction to apply the brakes and means for introducing pressure fluid to the housing in such manner that the piston is normally held in an inoperative position but, on a reduction or failure of the supply of pressure fluid, said wall moves under the action of its loading spring to apply the brakes. Such units are sometimes constructed as separate entities although they are often combined with a fluid pressure-actuated brake motor to form an assembly having a common output rod.

In spring brakes as above described the loading spring is often located between the piston and a detachable housing end wall which is of dished formation and is retained within the open end of the housing by a spring circlip or equivalent means. It has been found that in such units, particularly where there is provision for breathing, moisture tends to collect in the spring chamber defined by said movable wall and said end wall and such moisture can have a deleterious effect on the smooth working of the unit.

It is an object of the present invention to provide for such a unit a housing construction which overcomes this defect.

According to the invention a spring brake unit for use in vehicle braking systems comprises a housing, a piston for direct or indirect connection, in use, with the brake or brake linkage and movable axially within the housing, under the action of a spring located between one side of the movable piston and a detachable housing and wall, to apply the brakes upon reduction or failure of supply of pressure fluid to the other side of the piston, wherein either or both of the housing and the detachable end wall are so formed as to define one or more drainage ports, the joint between the two parts of the housing being bridged by a gaiter into which the port or ports open and which includes a drain outlet.

In one embodiment, the detachable end wall fits within an enlarged rim portion on the housing and a series of axially extending slots are formed around the inner face of the rim portion so that the rim portion and end wall together define the drainage ports.

Preferably, the drain outlet comprises a radially extending channel communicating with the interior of the gaiter and a flap which normally closes the channel, but is arranged to yield to permit drainage. In a preferred embodiment, the flap is formed from resilient material and is integral with the gaiter.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a cross-section of a spring brake unit 2 according to this invention in combination with a fluid pressure-actuated brake motor 4.

A piston 5 is slidable within an open ended housing and defines a chamber 8 to which high pressure fluid is introduced to hold the piston 5 in an inoperative position against the action of a spring 9.

The open end 10 of the cylindrical housing or body 12 comprises an enlarged rim portion 14 in the inner face of which is formed a series of eight, axially-extending equally-spaced slots 16, a thickened rim 17 on the detachable end plate 18 being retained within this enlarged portion by a spring circlip 20 received in an annular groove formed in the wall of the housing body 12. The slots 16 permit the spring chamber to breathe whilst at the same time allowing any moisture forming in the spring chamber 24 to drain to the exterior of the end wall. Embracing the joint between the body 12 and the end plate 18 is a flexible annular gaiter 22 of synthetic or natural rubber or a synthetic plastics material, resiliently held in place on the unit and into which moisture drains from the spring chamber 24. The gaiter 22 is provided at one point with a radially-extending drainage channel 26. In use, the gaiter is positioned on the unit as shown in the drawing, such that the drainage channel 26 is at the lowest point and extends downwardly. A resilient flap 28, integral with the gaiter, is provided at the inner end of the drainage channel 26 which yields to permit drainage moisture to escape, but which normally closes the channel to prevent the entry of dust or other foreign matter into the gaiter and thus into the unit.