Input and output rods for vacuum brake booster
View Patent ↗An input rod for connecting a vacuum brake booster to a pedal linkage member, wherein the input rod includes a connecting portion adapted to be connected to the pedal linkage member. The input rod further including a hollow body portion formed from a stamped flat blank.
1. A method of manufacturing a tubular input rod for use in a brake system including a vacuum brake booster and a pedal linkage member comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a flat blank having opposed edges; and
(b) forming at least a portion of the blank into a tubular input rod having opposed edges that are adjacent to one another, wherein the tubular input rod is adapted be connected between a vacuum brake booster and a pedal linkage member in a brake system.
2. The new method defined in claim 1 including the further step of forming at least a portion of the blank into a connecting member that is adapted to be connected to either a vacuum brake booster or a pedal linkage member.
3. The method defined in claim 1 including the further step of forming at least a portion of the blank into a spherical end.
4. The method defined in claim 1 including the further step of welding the opposed edges to define a seam that prevents separation thereof.
5. The method defined in claim 1 including the further step of forming the opposed edges of the seam with a mechanical lock feature that prevents separation thereof.
6. A method of manufacturing a brake system comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a vacuum brake booster;
(b) providing a pedal linkage member;
(c) manufacturing a tubular input rod by (1) providing a flat blank having opposed edges, and (2) forming at least a portion of the blank into a tubular input rod having opposed edges that are adjacent to one another; and
(c) connecting the tubular input rod between the vacuum brake booster and the pedal linkage member.
7. The method defined in claim 6 including the further step of forming at least a portion of the blank into a connecting member that is adapted to be connected to either a vacuum brake booster or a pedal linkage member.
8. The method defined in claim 6 including the further step of forming at least a portion of the blank into a spherical end.
9. The method defined in claim 6 including the further step of welding the opposed edges to define a seam that prevents separation thereof.
10. The method defined in claim 6 including the further step of forming the opposed edges of the seam with a mechanical lock feature that prevents separation thereof.