Tie rod for a brake booster
A first and second tie rods locating between a front shell and a rear shell of a brake booster through which a master cylinder is connected to a support member. Each of the first and second tie rods have a head that engages the rear shell and a first shaft that extends from the head in a first direction along a first axis through the front shell and the flange and a second shaft that extends from the head in a second direction offset from the first shaft along a second axis through the rear shell and the support member. Fasteners are secured to the first, second, third and fourth shafts such that the front shell and rear shell are compressed between the flange and support member and forces are transmitted into the support member without creating a moment that would change the axial alignment of the first and third shafts.
1. A tie rod arrangement locating between a front shell and a rear shell of a brake booster through which a flange on a housing of a master cylinder is connected to a support member, said tie rod arrangement being characterized by a first head that engages said rear shell with a first shaft that extends there from in a first direction along a first axis through said front shell and a first opening in said flange and a second shaft offset from said first shaft that extends from said first head in a second direction along a second axis through said rear shell and a first opening in said support member, such that said second shaft is located a fixed distance from a central axis of said brake booster and said first shaft is located a different fixed distance from said central axis of said brake booster and a second head that engages said rear shell with a third shaft that extends there from in said first direction along a third axis through said front shell and a second opening in said flange and a fourth shaft offset from said third shaft that extends from said second head in said second direction along a fourth axis through said rear shell and a second opening in said support member, and fastener means secured to said first shaft, second shaft, third shaft and fourth shaft such that said flange acts on said front shell to transmit a force through said first shaft that compresses said rear shell between said first head and second head and said support member while resisting said force.
2. The tie rod arrangement as recited in claim 1 wherein first head and second head are each characterized by an index tab that engages said rear shell to align said second and fourth shafts in a desired spatial alignment with respect to said support member.
3. The tie rod arrangement as recited in claim 2 wherein said index tabs may be rotated with respect to said first and third axis to achieve a different said desired spatial alignment of a support member.
4. The tie rod arrangement as recited in claim 3 wherein said first shaft and said third shaft are each characterized by a threaded section that extends from an end to a shoulder, said shoulder engaging said front shell to receive said force from said flange.
5. The tie rod arrangement as recited in claim 4 wherein said first shaft and said third shaft are each characterized by a washer and a seal member located between said shoulder and from shell to seal the interior of the front shell from the surrounding environment.
6. The tie rod arrangement as recited in claim 5 wherein said second shaft and fourth shaft receive a second seal to seal the rear shell from the surrounding environment.