Apparatus and method of attaching a connecting member and a tube member to a housing of a vacuum brake booster

A method of attaching a connecting member to a housing member of a vacuum brake booster, wherein the connecting member includes a cylindrical body portion having a first end and a second end, a rim portion formed between the first end and the second end, a stem portion formed at the second end of the cylindrical body portion, the stem portion including a tapered end portion, the cylindrical body portion further including a first opening formed in the cylindrical body portion adjacent to the first end of the cylindrical body portion and a second opening in communication with the first opening, the first opening having a first diameter and the second opening having a second diameter, the second diameter being less than the first diameter, and wherein the housing member includes an inner surface, an outer surface, and a housing member opening formed therein, and comprising the steps of:

• inserting the stem portion through the housing member opening;
• contacting the rim portion against the housing member;
• applying a force to the stem portion;
• flowing the stem portion radially outward;
• and
• deforming the stem portion to create a seal between a portion of the housing member and the connecting member.

A method of attaching a tube member to a housing member of a vacuum brake booster comprising the steps of:

• providing a connecting member including a cylindrical body portion having a first end and a second end, a rim portion formed between the first end and the second end, a stem portion formed at the second end of the cylindrical body portion, the stem portion including a tapered end portion, the cylindrical body portion further including a first opening formed in the cylindrical body portion adjacent to the first end of the cylindrical body portion and a second opening in communication with the first opening, the first opening having a first diameter and the second opening having a second diameter, the second diameter being less than the first diameter, the tube member including a first end portion, and the housing member including an inner surface, an outer surface, and a housing member opening formed therein;
• inserting the stem portion through the housing member opening;
• contacting the rim portion against the housing member;
• inserting the first end portion of the tube member into the first opening in the cylindrical body portion;
• applying a force to the stem portion;
• flowing the stem portion radially outward;
• deforming the stem portion to create a seal between a portion of the housing member and the connecting member;
• and
• deforming the rim portion against the first end portion of the tube member to fasten the tube member to the cylindrical body portion.