FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 and rule 13)
1. TITLE OF THE INVENTION
BRAKING FEEL SIMULATOR DEVICE
2. APPLICANT(S)
Name Nationality Address
BREMBO S.P.A. ITALIAN Via Brembo, 25 24035 Curno,
BERGAMO, Italy
3. PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in
which it is to be performed.
2
[0001] Field of the invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a braking feel simulator device for a Brake-
By-Wire ("BBW") type braking system of vehicles with two or more wheels actuatable
by a driver by means of a brake pedal or lever, and a braking system provided with such5
a braking feel simulator device.
[0003] Background art
[0004] In braking systems of the BBW type, there is a decoupling between force and
displacement imparted on the brake pedal or lever by the driver and the resulting braking
force which is applied by the calipers to the vehicle wheels.10
[0005] In BBW braking systems, the force and displacement imparted by the driver on
the brake pedal or lever are transduced into an electrical signal which is processed by a
control unit to control the actuation of the braking system calipers.
[0006] Accordingly, it is known to equip the BBW braking systems with a braking
feel simulator device connected to the brake pedal or lever and configured to simulate the15
feel and stiffness of a brake pedal or lever of conventional hydraulic braking systems, and
thus emulate the "stiffness curve” thereof.
[0007] "Stiffness curve" means the relationship between the displacement of the brake
pedal or lever along its stroke and the respective reaction force applied by the simulator
device on the brake pedal or lever, and thus by the brake pedal or lever on the driver.20
[0008] Driving safety and comfort strictly depend on the stiffness of the brake pedal
or lever, implemented by the braking feel simulation devices.
[0009] Braking feel simulator devices comprising a master cylinder connected to the
brake pedal are known.
[0010] The master cylinder comprises a float, which is moved by the driver's25
mechanical action on the brake pedal and has the function of pressurizing the hydraulic
fluid.
[0011] The hydraulic fluid is contained in a reservoir fluidically connected to the
master cylinder by means of a hydraulic connection.
[0012] Moreover, the master cylinder is fluidically connected by means of an30
additional hydraulic connection to an absorber, which is a device generally provided with
a plurality of elastic elements arranged in series and in parallel, configured to apply an
elastic reaction force against a brake pedal actuation.
3
[0013] In such known simulator devices, the connection between the master cylinder
and the absorber comprises a calibrated orifice.
[0014] The calibrated orifice is configured to implement a damping force against the
brake pedal actuation.5
[0015] The absorber and the calibrated orifice interposed between the master cylinder
and the absorber are responsible for the generation of the reaction force in response to a
brake pedal actuation, which emulates the stiffness curve of a conventional braking
system.
[0016] However, such known simulator devices have a large volume which make them10
difficult to install inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle, in which there is less
space available, in both the hanging brake pedal configuration and the floor brake pedal
configuration. Due to the large volume, the known simulator devices are generally
installed in the engine compartment of the vehicle, under the hood.
[0017] Moreover, the actuation of such known simulator devices has an initial idle15
stroke during which no reaction force is applied on the brake pedal by the simulator
device, which adversely affects the braking and driving feel perceived by the driver.
[0018] The need is felt to reduce the idle stroke of the simulator device as much as
possible, and thus that a brake pedal movement immediately corresponds to the reaction
force by the simulator device.20
[0019] In known simulator devices, the idle stroke is inherent to the master cylinder,
because the actuation of the master cylinder requires an initial movement of the float to
plug a compensation hole of the master cylinder and initiate the pressurization of the
hydraulic fluid.
[0020] Moreover, the known simulator devices exhibit high tolerances related to the25
stiffness curve they generate. The high tolerances, which are to be reduced as much as
possible, are mainly due to the large number of components forming the known simulator
devices, the individual tolerances of which, combined together, result in a high tolerance
in generating the stiffness curve.
[0021] The high number of components also adversely affects the cost and30
maintenance requirements of the known simulator devices.
[0022] A further critical issue with known simulator devices concerns the real and
perceived safety of the driver due to the presence of pressurized components inside the
4
passenger compartment, such as a possible installation of the master cylinder of the
simulator device close to the driver. Indeed, it is necessary to maintain a constant pressure
of about 50 bar inside the master cylinder to ensure the braking action.
EP0927120A1 discloses an actuation unit for an electronically controlled hydraulic5
vehicle brake system has a power brake that can be actuated by the brake pedal and is
provided with a master cylinder and a reservoir for hydraulic fluid. DE102016211012A1
discloses a hydraulic power brake system with a master brake cylinder for auxiliary
braking and as a setpoint generator for service braking, with a hydraulic power pressure
generator for service braking and with a spring-loaded pedal travel simulator which is10
connected to the master brake cylinder. DE102017106035A1 discloses a hydraulic
braking system including a stroke simulator; a pump configured to suck and discharge
working fluid; a hydraulic brake including a brake cylinder connected to the pump.
US2018037207A1 discloses a brake pedal apparatus for actuating a vehicle brake
assembly includes a stationary structure, a brake pedal emulator assembly, and an15
emulator override device.
[0023] Solution
[0024] It is the object of the present invention to provide a braking feel simulator
device and a braking system provided with such a simulator device, such as to obviate at
least some of the drawbacks of the prior art.20
[0025] It is a particular object of the present invention to provide a more compact
braking feel simulator device adapted to be installed inside the vehicle passenger
compartment, in both the hanging brake pedal configuration and the floor brake pedal
configuration.
[0026] It is a further particular object of the present invention to provide a braking feel25
simulator device in which the idle stroke is minimized.
[0027] It is further particular object of the present invention to provide a braking feel
simulator device and a braking system provided with such a simulator device, which
exhibit reduced tolerances in the generation of the stiffness curve.
[0028] It is a further particular object of the present invention to provide a braking feel30
simulator device and a braking system provided with such a simulator device, which have
low costs and lower maintenance requirements.
[0029] It is a further particular object of the present invention to provide a braking feel
5
simulator device and a braking system provided with such a simulator device, which
exhibit a greater safety both real and perceived by the driver.
[0030] These and other objects are achieved by a braking feel simulator device and a
braking system provided with such a simulator device according to the independent5
claims.
[0031] The dependent claims relate to preferred and advantageous embodiments of the
present invention.
[0032] Figures
[0033] In order to better understand the invention and appreciate the advantages10
thereof, some non-limiting exemplary embodiments thereof will be described below with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0034] - figure 1 diagrammatically shows a braking system comprising a braking feel
simulator device, according to the prior art;
[0035] - figure 2 diagrammatically shows a braking system comprising a braking feel15
simulator device, according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0036] - figure 3 diagrammatically shows a braking system comprising a braking feel
simulator device, according to a further embodiment of the invention;
[0037] - figure 4 is a front perspective view of a braking feel simulator device
according to an embodiment of the invention;20
[0038] - figure 5 is a rear perspective view of the braking feel simulator device shown
in figure 4;
[0039] - figure 6 is a side view of the braking feel simulator device shown in figure 4;
[0040] - figure 7 is a longitudinal section view of the braking feel simulator device
shown in figure 4;25
[0041] - figure 8 is an exploded rear perspective view of the braking feel simulator
device shown in figure 4;
[0042] - figure 9 is an exploded rear perspective view of the braking feel simulator
device shown in figure 4;
[0043] - figure 10 is a front perspective view of a braking feel simulator device30
according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0044] - figure 11 is a rear perspective view of the braking feel simulator device shown
in figure 10;
6
[0045] - figure 12 is a side view of the braking feel simulator device shown in figure
10;
[0046] - figure 13 is a longitudinal section view of the braking feel simulator device
shown in figure 10;5
[0047] - figure 14 is an exploded rear perspective view of the braking feel simulator
device shown in figure 10;
[0048] - figure 15 is an exploded rear perspective view of the braking feel simulator
device shown in figure 10;
[0049] - figure 16 is a top view of the braking feel simulator device shown in figure10
10;
[0050] - figure 17 is a cross-section view of the braking feel simulator device shown
in figure 16.
[0051] Description of some preferred embodiments
[0052] The present invention is suitable for being applied to a Brake-By-Wire15
("BBW") type braking system of vehicles with two or more wheels, which is actuatable
by a driver by means of a brake pedal or lever. Therefore, in the present description, the
term "brake pedal" means indistinctly both a brake pedal for motor vehicles and the like
and a brake lever for motorcycles, mopeds, and the like, unless otherwise specified.
[0053] With reference to the figures, a braking feel simulator device is generally20
indicated by reference numeral 1. The braking feel simulator device 1 is adapted to be
used in a braking system 2.
[0054] The braking feel simulator device 1 is adapted to be connected to a brake pedal
3.
[0055] The braking feel simulator device 1 comprises a reservoir 4 and an absorber 5.25
[0056] The reservoir 4 is configured to contain hydraulic fluid.
[0057] The absorber 5 is configured to apply a reaction force on the brake pedal 3
against an actuation of the brake pedal 3.
[0058] The absorber 5 is configured to contain hydraulic fluid.
[0059] According to an aspect of the invention, the reservoir 4 and the absorber 5 are30
directly fluidically connected to each other by means of a first hydraulic duct 6.
[0060] Moreover, the first hydraulic duct 6 comprises a calibrated orifice 7 interposed
between the reservoir 4 and the absorber 5.
7
[0061] Specifically, the calibrated orifice 7 is configured to dampen a flow of
hydraulic fluid passing between the absorber 5 and the reservoir 4.
[0062] Advantageously, an actuation of the braking feel simulator device 1 thus
configured, in response to an actuation of the brake pedal 3, conveys a flow of hydraulic5
fluid from the absorber 5 to the reservoir 4, which is damped by the calibrated orifice 7.
[0063] Such a damping, in combination with the counteracting action of the absorber
5, implements the reaction force in response to an actuation of the brake pedal 3, which
emulates the stiffness curve of a conventional braking system.
[0064] Advantageously, a braking feel simulator device 1 thus configured is more10
compact than the simulator devices of the prior art and is adapted to be installed inside
the passenger compartment of the vehicle, in both the hanging brake pedal configuration
and the floor brake pedal configuration.
[0065] Indeed, the braking feel simulator device 1 thus configured lacks a master
cylinder interposed between the reservoir 4 and the absorber 5, and thus has smaller15
overall size and volume.
[0066] Specifically, the braking feel simulator device 1 thus configured has no
hydraulic machines interposed between the reservoir 4 and the absorber 5.
[0067] With added advantage, a braking feel simulator device 1 thus configured
minimizes the idle stroke of the braking feel simulator device 1.20
[0068] Indeed, since the braking feel simulator device 1 lacks a master cylinder
interposed between the reservoir 4 and the absorber 5, an actuation of the brake pedal 3
corresponds to an immediate actuation of the absorber 5.
[0069] With added advantage, a braking feel simulator device 1 thus configured
exhibits lower tolerances in the generation of the stiffness curve, because the inherent25
tolerances of a master cylinder, which is absent in the braking feel simulator device 1 thus
configured, are canceled.
[0070] With added advantage, a braking feel simulator device 1 thus configured is
simplified compared to the prior art because it lacks a master cylinder. Such a
simplification results in low costs and lower maintenance requirements.30
[0071] With added advantage, a braking feel simulator device 1 thus configured
exhibits a greater safety both real and perceived by the driver.
[0072] Indeed, devices constantly subjected to high pressures, which would also
8
require high sizing, are not present in the braking feel simulator device 1.
[0073] Conversely, the braking feel simulator device 1 is only subjected to a small
transient pressure peak when the hydraulic fluid starts flowing from the absorber 5 to the
reservoir 4.5
[0074] The braking feel simulator device 1 is configured to contain hydraulic fluid,
with fluid continuity, inside the absorber 5 and the reservoir 4.
[0075] According to an embodiment, the braking feel simulator device 1 comprises
hydraulic fluid contained, with fluid continuity, inside the absorber 5 and the reservoir 4.
[0076] Therefore, in an operating configuration, the hydraulic fluid fills the absorber10
5, the first hydraulic duct 6, and at least partially the reservoir 4.
[0077] Advantageously, the braking feel simulator device 1 thus configured, with the
absorber 5 in the hydraulic fluid bath, minimizes the idle stroke of the braking feel
simulator device 1.
[0078] According to an embodiment of the invention, the absorber 5 extends along an15
actuation axis 8, between a first absorber end 9 and an opposite second absorber end 10.
[0079] According to an embodiment, the first hydraulic duct 6 extends along a
direction substantially transverse to the actuation axis 8.
[0080] Advantageously, such a configuration reduces the overall volume of the
braking feel simulator device 1.20
[0081] According to an embodiment, the absorber 5 is configured to be connectable to
the brake pedal 3.
[0082] Preferably, the absorber 5 is configured to be connectable to the brake pedal 3
at the first absorber end 9.
[0083] Moreover, the absorber 5 is configured to be actuatable by the brake pedal 3 at25
the first absorber end 9.
[0084] According to an embodiment, the absorber 5 is configured so that an actuation
of the brake pedal 3 corresponds to a pressurization of the hydraulic fluid contained in
the absorber 5, which conveys a flow of hydraulic fluid from the absorber 5 to the
reservoir 4, through the first hydraulic duct 6.30
[0085] According to an embodiment, the absorber 5 comprises a perimeter wall 14
substantially extending in a direction parallel to the actuation axis 8, between the first
absorber end 9 and the second absorber end 10.
9
[0086] The perimeter wall 14 defines a housing compartment 15 therein, configured
to contain the hydraulic fluid.
[0087] According to an embodiment, the reservoir 4 comprises a containing wall 11
and a bottom wall 12.5
[0088] The bottom wall 12 is substantially transverse to the containing wall 11.
[0089] The bottom wall 12 and the containing wall 11 form a reservoir compartment
13 configured to contain the hydraulic fluid.
[0090] According to an embodiment, the containing wall 11 forms a top-up opening.
Preferably, the top-up opening is positioned opposite to the bottom wall 12.10
[0091] The top-up opening is configured to allow topping up hydraulic fluid in the
reservoir 4.
[0092] The top-up opening is closable by means of a cap 17.
[0093] According to an embodiment, the first hydraulic duct 6 extends through the
bottom wall 12 of the reservoir 4 and the perimeter wall 14 of the absorber 5.15
[0094] The first hydraulic duct 6 thus fluidically connects the reservoir compartment
13 to the housing compartment 15.
[0095] Advantageously, such a configuration reduces the overall volume of the
braking feel simulator device 1.
[0096] According to an embodiment, the reservoir 4 is fixed to the absorber 5.20
[0097] According to an embodiment, the reservoir 4 is made in one piece with the
absorber 5.
[0098] According to an embodiment, the bottom wall 12 extends in a plane
substantially parallel to the actuation axis 8 and the containment wall 11 is substantially
transverse to the actuation axis 8.25
[0099] According to an embodiment, the bottom wall 12 of the reservoir 4
substantially coincides with a portion of the perimeter wall 14 of the absorber 5.
[00100] According to an embodiment, the reservoir 4 is at least partially interpenetrated
with the absorber 5.
[00101] According to an embodiment, the bottom wall 12 of the reservoir 4 is at least30
partially interpenetrated with the perimeter wall 14 of the absorber 5.
[00102] According to an alternative embodiment, the reservoir 4 is distinct from the
absorber 5. The fluid connection between the reservoir 4 and the absorber 5 is ensured by
10
the first hydraulic duct 6.
[00103] Advantageously, the reservoir 4 thus configured is freely positionable and
orientable with respect to the absorber 5.
[00104] According to an embodiment, the first hydraulic duct comprises a flexible pipe,5
extending between the reservoir 4 and the absorber 5.
[00105] According to an embodiment, the calibrated orifice 7 is configured to generate
the damping required by a driver.
[00106] According to an embodiment, the calibrated orifice 7 forms a section having a
diameter between 0.7 mm and 1.5 mm.10
[00107] According to an embodiment, the calibrated orifice 7 has a length less than 3.0
mm.
[00108] According to an embodiment, the first hydraulic duct 6 has a length less than
10.0 mm.
[00109] According to this embodiment, the distance between the reservoir compartment15
13 and the housing compartment 15 is less than 3.0 mm.
[00110] According to an embodiment, the first hydraulic duct 6 has a length less than
3.0 mm.
[00111] According to this embodiment, the distance between the reservoir compartment
13 and the housing compartment 15 is less than 3.0 mm.20
[00112] According to an embodiment, the absorber 5 comprises at least one elastic
element 16 positioned inside the housing compartment 15.
[00113] The at least one elastic element 16 is configured to apply a reaction force in
response to an actuation of the braking feel simulator device 1. Specifically, the at least
one elastic element 16 is configured to apply a reaction force on the brake pedal 3 in25
response to an actuation of the brake pedal 3 by a driver.
[00114] The at least one elastic element 16 is configured to be biased along a direction
substantially parallel to the actuation axis 8.
[00115] According to an embodiment, the absorber 5 comprises a plurality of elastic
elements 16 positioned in series and/or in parallel within the housing compartment 15.30
[00116] According to an embodiment, the elastic elements 16 comprise a plurality of
compression coil springs positioned substantially coaxial to the actuation axis 8.
[00117] According to an embodiment, the elastic elements 16 comprise conical spring
11
washer and/or square springs and/or torsion springs and/or strip springs and/or shaped
springs.
[00118] According to an embodiment, in the operating configuration, the at least one
elastic element 16 is immersed in the hydraulic fluid.5
[00119] Preferably, the plurality of compression coil springs positioned substantially
coaxial to the actuation axis 8 is immersed in the hydraulic fluid.
[00120] According to an embodiment, the braking feel simulator device 1 comprises a
second hydraulic duct 18 which fluidically connects the reservoir 4 to the absorber 5.
[00121] The second hydraulic duct 18 is distinct from the first hydraulic duct 6.10
[00122] Advantageously, the second hydraulic duct 18 is configured to allow faster
return of the hydraulic fluid from the reservoir 4 to the absorber 5 following the release
of the actuation of the braking feel simulator device 1.
[00123] According to an embodiment, the second hydraulic duct 18 comprises a check
valve 19 interposed between the reservoir 4 and the absorber 5.15
[00124] The check valve 19 is configured to allow a flow of hydraulic fluid from the
reservoir 4 to the absorber 5, and prevent a flow of hydraulic fluid from the absorber 5 to
the reservoir 4.
[00125] Therefore, during the actuation of the braking feel simulator device 1, the
absorber 5 pushes the hydraulic fluid toward the reservoir 4, through the first hydraulic20
duct 6 and the calibrated gap 7, which implements a damping of the hydraulic fluid flow.
The check valve 19 ensures that hydraulic fluid flow from the absorber 5 to the reservoir
4 flows only through the first hydraulic duct 6. Conversely, upon release of the braking
feel simulator device 1, the hydraulic fluid flows out toward the absorber 5 more rapidly,
because it flows out through both the first hydraulic duct 6 and the second hydraulic duct25
18.
[00126] According to an embodiment, the second hydraulic 18 extends parallel to the
first hydraulic duct 6.
[00127] Advantageously, such a configuration reduces the overall volume of the
braking feel simulator device 1.30
[00128] According to an embodiment, the absorber 5 comprises a thrust shaft 22. The
thrust shaft 22 is configured to be biased against the at least one elastic element 16 in
response to an actuation of the brake pedal 3.
12
[00129] The thrust shaft 22 is positioned inside the housing compartment 15.
[00130] According to an embodiment, the thrust shaft 22 is configured to be biased by
the brake pedal 3 in translation along the actuation axis 8 against the at least one spring
element 16. The absorber 5 thus applies a counteracting force on the actuation of the brake5
pedal 3.
[00131] According to an embodiment, the braking feel simulator device 1 comprises at
least one sensor 21.
[00132] The at least one sensor 21 is configured to detect an actuation and/or a
movement of the braking feel simulator device 1.10
[00133] According to an embodiment, the at least one sensor 21 is configured to detect
the movement of at least one component of the braking feel simulator device 1.
[00134] According to an embodiment, the at least a sensor 21 is configured to detect a
movement of the thrust shaft 22 within the absorber 5.
[00135] Preferably, the at least one sensor 21 is configured to detect a translation of the15
thrust shaft 22 along the actuation axis 8.
[00136] Advantageously, such a translation of the thrust shaft 22, actuatable by the
brake pedal 3, can be correlated with the movement of the brake pedal 3 by a driver. The
movement of the brake pedal 3 is usable to determine the braking force required by a
driver from the braking system 2.20
[00137] According to an embodiment, the at least one sensor 21 is either a position
sensor or a pressure sensor or a force sensor or a combination thereof.
[00138] According to an embodiment, the at least one sensor 21 is a laser position
sensor or an infrared position sensor or an elastomeric sensor or a piezoelectric sensor or
a Hall effect sensor or a magnetoresistive sensor or a linear magnetic sensor or a25
combination thereof.
[00139] According to an embodiment, the at least one sensor 21 is positioned inside the
absorber 5. Preferably, the at least one sensor 21 is positioned inside the housing
compartment 15.
[00140] According to an embodiment, the at least one sensor 21 is positioned connected30
to the thrust shaft 22.
[00141] According to a further aspect of the invention, a braking system 2 comprises a
braking feel simulator device 1 as described above.
13
[00142] Moreover, the braking system 2 comprises a brake pedal 3 operatively
connected to the braking feel simulator device 1.
[00143] According to an embodiment, the brake pedal 3 is connected to the absorber 5
so that an actuation of the brake pedal 3 corresponds to a pressurization of the hydraulic5
fluid contained in the absorber 5, which conveys a flow of hydraulic fluid from the
absorber 5 toward the reservoir 4, through the first hydraulic duct 6.
[00144] According to an embodiment, the brake pedal 3 is connected to the absorber 5
by means of a mechanical connection 20, preferably by means of an articulated
connection.10
[00145] An actuating force applied by a driver on the brake pedal 3 is thus mechanically
transferred to the absorber 5.
[00146] Advantageously, the connection between brake pedal 3 and absorber 5 is
without a hydraulic connection.
[00147] Specifically, the braking system 2 described above is configured so that an15
actuation of the brake pedal 3 by a driver corresponds to a reaction force applied by the
braking feel simulator device 1 on the brake pedal 3 against an actuation of the brake
pedal 3.
[00148] The reaction force applied by the braking feel simulator device 1 on the brake
pedal 3 against an actuation of the brake pedal 3 is implemented by the combined20
counteracting action of the absorber 5 and the calibrated orifice 7.
[00149] The absorber 5 is configured to generate a reaction force against an actuation
of the brake pedal 3, e.g., by means of the at least one elastic element 16 configured to
counteract the actuation of the brake pedal 3.
[00150] The calibrated orifice 7 is configured to generate a damping force on the25
hydraulic fluid conveyed from the absorber 5 to the reservoir 4 through the first hydraulic
duct 6, under the actuation of the brake pedal 3, and such a damping force counteracts the
actuation of the brake pedal 3.
[00151] The combined counteracting action of the absorber 5 and the calibrated orifice
7 is configured to simulate the feel and stiffness of a brake pedal or lever of the30
conventional hydraulic braking systems.
[00152] When the brake pedal 3 is released, the hydraulic fluid previously conveyed
from the absorber 5 to the reservoir 4 flows out from the reservoir 4 to the absorber 5
14
passing through the first hydraulic duct 6, and possibly also through the second hydraulic
duct 18.
[00153] According to an embodiment, the braking system 2 comprises an electronic
processing unit.5
[00154] Moreover, the braking system 2 comprises at least one brake caliper.
[00155] The electronic processing unit is electrically connected to the braking feel
simulator device 1 and to at least one brake caliper.
[00156] The electronic processing unit is configured to actuate the at least one brake
caliper upon detection, by the at least one sensor 21, of an actuation and/or movement of10
the braking feel simulator device 1.
[00157] Obviously, those skilled in the art will be able to make changes or adaptations
to the present invention, without however departing from the scope of the following
claims.
15
List of reference numerals
1. Braking feel simulator device
2. Braking system
3. Brake pedal5
4. Reservoir
5. Absorber
6. First hydraulic duct
7. Calibrated orifice
8. Actuation axis10
9. First absorber end
10. Second absorber end
11. Containing wall
12. Bottom wall
13. Tank compartment15
14. Perimeter wall
15. Housing compartment
16. Elastic element
17. Cap
18. Second hydraulic duct20
19. Check valve
20. Mechanical connection
21. Sensor
22. Thrust shaft
25
16
WE CLAIM:
1. A braking system (2), comprising a braking feel simulator device (1) and a brake pedal
(3) operatively connected to the braking feel simulator device (1),5
said braking feel simulator device (1) comprising:
- a reservoir (4), configured to contain hydraulic fluid;
- an absorber (5), configured to apply a reaction force on the brake pedal (3) to contrast
an actuation of the brake pedal (3),
wherein the reservoir (4) and absorber (5) are fluidically connected directly to each other10
by means of a first hydraulic duct (6),
and wherein the first hydraulic duct (6) comprises a calibrated orifice (7) interposed
between the reservoir (4) and the absorber (5),
wherein the brake pedal (3) is connected to the absorber (5) through an articulated
mechanical connection (20), so that an actuating force applied by a driver on the brake15
pedal (3) is transferred mechanically to the absorber (5).
2. A braking system (2) according to claim 1, configured to contain hydraulic fluid, with
fluid continuity, inside the absorber (5) and the reservoir (4).
20
3. A braking system (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the absorber (5) extends along
an actuation axis (8), between a first absorber end (9) and an opposite second absorber
end (10),
wherein the first hydraulic duct (6) extends along a direction substantially transverse to
the actuation axis (8),25
and wherein, preferably, the absorber (5) is configured to be connectable to the brake
pedal (3) and is configured so that at an actuation of the brake pedal (3) corresponds a
pressurization of the hydraulic fluid contained in the absorber (5), which conveys a flow
of hydraulic fluid from the absorber (5) to the reservoir (4), through the first hydraulic
duct (6).30
4. A braking system (2) according to claim 3, wherein the absorber (5) comprises a
perimeter wall (14) extended substantially in a direction parallel to the actuation axis (8),
17
between the first absorber end (9) and the second absorber end (10),
wherein the perimeter wall (14) defines therein a housing compartment (15), configured
to contain the hydraulic fluid,
wherein the reservoir (4) comprises a containing wall (11) and a bottom wall (12)5
substantially transverse to the containing wall (11), and the bottom wall (12) and the
containing wall (11) form a reservoir compartment (13) configured to contain the
hydraulic fluid,
and wherein the first hydraulic duct (6) extends through the bottom wall (12) of the
reservoir (4) and the perimeter wall (14) of the absorber (5), so that the first hydraulic10
duct (6) fluidically connects the reservoir compartment (13) to the housing compartment
(15),
and wherein the reservoir (4) is preferably fixed to the absorber (5) or the reservoir (4) is
made in one piece with the absorber (5), and/or
wherein the bottom wall (12) extends in a plane substantially parallel to the actuation axis15
(8) and the containment wall (11) is substantially transverse to the actuation axis (8),
and/or
wherein the reservoir (4) is at least partially interpenetrated with the absorber (5),
or wherein the reservoir (4) is distinct from the absorber (5).
20
5. A braking system (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
calibrated orifice (7) forms a section with a diameter comprised between 0.7 mm and 1.5
mm,
and/or wherein the length of the calibrated orifice (7) is less than 3.0 mm,
and/or wherein the length of the first hydraulic duct (6) is less than 10.0 mm.25
6. A braking system (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
absorber (5) comprises a perimeter wall (14) extended along an actuation axis (8) which
defines a housing compartment (15) therein,
wherein the absorber (5) comprises at least one elastic element (16) positioned within the30
housing compartment (15) and configured to be biased along a direction substantially
parallel to the actuation axis (8), wherein, in the operating configuration, the at least one
elastic element (16) is immersed in the hydraulic fluid,
18
and wherein the absorber (5) preferably comprises a plurality of elastic elements (16)
positioned in series and/or in parallel within the housing compartment (15), and the elastic
elements (16) comprise compression coil springs positioned substantially coaxial to the
actuation axis (8) and/or conical spring washers and/or square springs and/or torsion5
springs and/or strip springs and/or shaped springs.
7. A braking system (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a
second hydraulic duct (18), which fluidically connects the reservoir (4) to the absorber
(5), wherein the second hydraulic duct (18) is distinct from the first hydraulic duct (6),10
and wherein, preferably, the second hydraulic duct (18) extends parallel to the first
hydraulic duct (6).
8. A braking system (2) according to claim 7, wherein the second hydraulic duct (18)
comprises a check valve (19) interposed between the reservoir (4) and the absorber (5),15
wherein the check valve (19) is configured to allow a flow of hydraulic fluid from the
reservoir (4) to the absorber (5), and prevent a flow of hydraulic fluid from the absorber
(5) to the reservoir (4).
9. A braking system (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least20
one sensor (21) configured to detect an actuation and/or a movement of the braking feel
simulator device (1),
and wherein, preferably, the at least one sensor (21) is either a position sensor or a
pressure sensor or a force sensor or a combination thereof,
and/or the at least one sensor (21) is a laser position sensor or an infrared position sensor25
or an elastomeric sensor or a piezoelectric sensor or a Hall effect sensor or a
magnetoresistive sensor or a linear magnetic sensor or a combination thereof,
and/or the at least one sensor (21) is placed inside the absorber (5).
10. A braking system (2) according to claims 6 and 9, wherein the absorber (5) comprises30
a thrust shaft (22) configured to be biased against the at least one spring element (16) in
response to an actuation of the brake pedal (3), and wherein the at least one sensor (21)
is configured to detect a movement of the thrust shaft (22) inside the absorber (5).
19
11. A braking system (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the brake
pedal (3) is connected to the absorber (5) so that at an actuation of the brake pedal (3)
corresponds a pressurization of the hydraulic fluid contained in the absorber (5), which5
conveys a flow of hydraulic fluid from the absorber (5) to the reservoir (4) through the
first hydraulic duct (6).
12. A braking system (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an
electronic processing unit and at least one brake caliper, wherein the electronic processing10
unit is electrically connected to the at least one brake caliper and to the braking feel
simulator device (1) according to claim 9 or 10,
and wherein the electronic processing unit is configured to actuate the at least one brake
caliper upon detection by the at least one sensor (21) of actuation and/or movement of the
braking feel simulator device (1).15