Detection device, brake caliper assembly, braking system and related systems and methods

Abstract

A detection device, a brake caliper assembly, a brake system and related systems and methods are described. The detection device is used to detect a braking force. The detection device comprises a low friction body, a caliper-hub-retainer element, a sensor element and an electrical interface. The caliper-hub-retainer connecting element is susceptible to deformation such that a strain and / or stress present in the connecting element is dependent on a total force acting on the connecting element. The low friction body is configured to separate a tightening force from the braking force to minimize the effect of the tightening force on the detection device such that the deformation and / or strain of the connecting element is representative of the above-mentioned braking force originating from a braking event. The sensor element is connected to the connecting element and is configured to detect the strain present in the connecting element and generate an electrical signal indicative of the detected strain and representative of the braking force. The electrical interface is connected to the sensor element for conducting and making available the generated electrical signal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for detecting braking force, the device being adapted to be installed at a fixed joint between a brake caliper and a corresponding wheel hub retainer.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a braking torque measurement system and method using the above-described device.

[0003] The present invention also relates to a brake caliper assembly equipped with at least one of the above-described devices. Background Technology

[0004] To control, monitor, and activate braking systems, such as electronically controlled disc brake systems, it is extremely useful to know, in real time and as accurately as possible, the braking force or torque applied by the brake calipers during braking action.

[0005] However, it is difficult to measure the braking force and / or torque applied by the brake calipers of the braking system directly in an accurate and reliable manner.

[0006] In this regard, existing technologies tend to determine braking torque and / or force based on indirect measurements, which are quantities closely related to braking torque and / or force, such as forces acting at different points on the brake caliper.

[0007] On the other hand, it is necessary to consider the additional need to use sensor devices that are as small and compact as possible so that the sensor devices can be easily integrated into the braking system without causing functional problems.

[0008] In this regard, some compact sensor devices are known that can use strain sensors to detect and / or measure the lateral (shear) force acting between the brake caliper support and the vehicle wheel hub.

[0009] Various types of sensors, which are inserted between the caliper and the hub retainer and utilize different force, strain, or stress sensor technologies, are known in the literature.

[0010] Cylindrical (i.e., "washer-shaped") sensors are also known to provide information about braking torque, which originates from deformation caused by friction at the joint between the caliper and the hub retainer. These concepts cannot ignore the presence of screws, whose tension is designed to generate friction, which, in use, is essential to counteract the tangential stresses caused by braking.

[0011] However, the results provided by such devices depend heavily on the tightening torque of the screws used to secure the two components, with the force measured between them. In other words, the results are heavily reliant on axial force, which interferes with the accuracy of braking force and / or torque estimates.

[0012] In view of the above, there is a strong need to design a device to more accurately detect the force released by the brake caliper on the wheel hub retainer due to braking action, thereby minimizing the influence of tightening force on the result.

[0013] There is also a strong need for devices and methods to more accurately determine braking torque and / or force through measurements performed at the joint between the brake caliper body and the brake caliper support or wheel hub retainer.

[0014] For this application, additional requirements for the measuring device are compactness, robustness, ease of installation (e.g., using a mounting system already provided for securing brake calipers), and versatility for use with fixed or floating disc caliper brakes.

[0015] As mentioned above, the solutions currently available in the prior art cannot fully meet the above requirements. Summary of the Invention

[0016] The object of the present invention is to provide a braking force detection device that can at least partially solve the disadvantages described above with reference to the prior art, and respond to the aforementioned needs particularly felt in the considered technical field.

[0017] These and other objectives are achieved by a detection device according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0018] This article also describes some advantageous implementations of this method.

[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide a corresponding braking torque measurement system configured to determine the braking torque generated by the implementation of the vehicle's braking system, and the corresponding braking torque measurement system employs the aforementioned device.

[0020] This objective is achieved through a process according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0021] This article also describes some advantageous implementations of such a system.

[0022] Another object of the present invention is to provide a brake caliper assembly for a vehicle braking system, the vehicle braking system being provided with at least one of the above-mentioned detection devices.

[0023] These and other objectives are achieved by means of an apparatus according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0024] This article also describes advantageous embodiments of this brake caliper assembly.

[0025] Another object of the present invention is to provide a braking system for a vehicle comprising a plurality of brake caliper assemblies.

[0026] These and other objectives are achieved by a braking system according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0027] Finally, the object of the present invention is to provide a method for measuring braking torque, the method being configured to determine the braking torque generated by actuation of a braking system for a vehicle by means of detection performed at at least one fixed joint between a brake caliper and a corresponding hub retainer or support.

[0028] These and other objectives are achieved by methods according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0029] This article also describes some advantageous implementations of such a system. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Further features and advantages of the apparatus, system, and method according to the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0031] - Figure 1 A perspective view of a braking force detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0032] - Figure 2 A perspective view of another embodiment of the device according to the invention is shown;

[0033] - Figure 3 An exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the device is shown;

[0034] - Figure 4 An exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the device is shown;

[0035] - Figure 5 An exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the device is shown;

[0036] - Figure 6 and Figure 7 It shows that it will be based on Figures 1 to 5 One of the devices shown is inserted into the corresponding manner of the brake caliper assembly according to the invention. Detailed Implementation

[0037] refer to Figures 1 to 7 A detection device 1 is described, which is used to detect the braking force originating from a braking event, the braking force being applied by the brake caliper 10 to the wheel hub retainer or brake caliper support 20 during and as a result of the braking event.

[0038] This detection device 1 is suitable for installation at a fixed or fastening joint (i, ii) between the brake caliper 10 and the wheel hub retainer or brake caliper support 20 by a tightening device 60 that applies a tightening force.

[0039] The device 1 includes a low-friction body 2, a caliper-hub-retainer element 3, and at least one additional sensor element 4 and an electrical interface 5.

[0040] The low-friction body 2 is formed into a washer, plate, or bearing.

[0041] The caliper-hub-retainer connecting element 3 is connected to the aforementioned low-friction body and is integral with the aforementioned low-friction body.

[0042] Furthermore, when the detection device 1 is installed at the fixed joint (i, ii), the caliper-hub-retainer connecting element 3 is adapted to be mechanically connected to both the brake caliper 10 and the hub retainer or brake caliper support 20 to form a mechanical connection through which the braking force is at least partially released from the brake caliper 10 to the hub retainer or brake caliper support 20.

[0043] The caliper-hub-retainer connecting element 3 is prone to deformation, such that the local deformation and / or strain in the caliper-hub-retainer connecting element 3 depends on the total force acting on the caliper-hub-retainer connecting element 3.

[0044] The aforementioned low-friction body 2 is configured to separate the tightening force (generated by tightening devices, such as screws) from the braking force, so as to minimize the effect of the tightening force on the detection device 1, such that the aforementioned deformation and / or strain in the caliper-hub-retainer connection element 3 represents the braking force originating from the braking event applied by the brake caliper 10 to the hub retainer or brake caliper support 20 through the caliper-hub-retainer connection element 3.

[0045] At least one sensor element 4 is operatively connected to the caliper-hub-retainer connection element 3, and the at least one sensor element 4 is configured to detect deformation and / or strain present in the caliper-hub-retainer connection element 3 and generate at least one electrical signal S indicating the detected deformation and / or strain and representing the braking force.

[0046] The electrical interface 5 is connected to the aforementioned sensor element 4 for conducting the generated at least one electrical signal S and making the generated at least one electrical signal S available.

[0047] According to one implementation option of the device, the aforementioned low-friction body 2 includes a bearing.

[0048] Depending on the specific implementation options, this type of bearing is a sliding bearing.

[0049] According to another implementation option, this bearing is an axial thrust bearing, a ball bearing, or a roller bearing.

[0050] According to another implementation option of the device, the aforementioned low-friction body 2 includes a layer of low-friction polymer material or various friction-reducing elements formed of a material with a low coefficient of friction.

[0051] According to another implementation option, the low-friction body 2 includes an element made of metal and / or ceramic and / or polymer materials, to which a low-friction coefficient coating is applied.

[0052] According to various possible implementation examples, the low-friction body 2 includes a plate that is generally disc-shaped or washer-shaped.

[0053] According to another implementation option of the device, the low-friction body 2 includes a metal washer coated with a low-friction material.

[0054] Depending on the various possible implementation examples, the gasket may be made of steel, aluminum, titanium, or cast iron.

[0055] Depending on the various possible implementation examples, the anti-friction coating is generally made of DLC (diamond-like carbon), TiN, PTFE, WC, TiCN, CrN, ZrN, PLC, CL or other anti-friction materials.

[0056] It is worth noting that the function of the friction-reducing element is to ensure that the physical connection between the caliper and the wheel hub retainer is as unaffected as possible by the frictional forces at the joint.

[0057] In other words, the purpose of the low-friction element is to separate the load (or force) generated by tightening the caliper retaining screw from the load (or force) generated by the braking torque. In this way, the caliper moves freely tangentially under the action of torque, thereby loading the caliper-hub connection element 3, in which the detection element or sensor element 4 is housed.

[0058] Therefore, in this case, the brake caliper 10 is connected to the hub retainer 20 (or to the brake caliper support 20) by a conventional and necessary tightening device (e.g., a screw) or by a connecting element or bushing 3.

[0059] It is worth noting that in this fastening method, the tightening device, such as a screw, has the function of generating translational constraints only on the caliper in the axial direction, while the task of the caliper-hub-retainer connecting element 3 is to generate translational constraints in the plane passing through the caliper-hub contact surface and the rotating surface.

[0060] In particular, this makes it possible to reduce the size of the screw if needed, as mentioned above, the function of the screw no longer includes (through axial load) generating the frictional force necessary to counteract the force generated during braking on the caliper / hub retainer contact surface.

[0061] The caliper-hub-retainer connection element 3 therefore transmits the braking force, which is the load caused by the braking torque transmitted to the hub retainer 20, at least partially or entirely. In other words, such a caliper-hub-retainer connection element 3 can also be referred to as a "load element" or "load-bearing element".

[0062] According to the embodiment of the detection device 1 (especially...) Figures 3-5 (As described in the implementation options shown), the caliper-hub-retainer connection element 3 includes a bushing 32 and a disc-shaped annular plate 33.

[0063] exist Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the example shown, the disc-shaped annular plate is a disc-shaped crown-shaped base or flange located at one end of the caliper-hub-retainer connection element 3. When the device 1 is installed, the disc-shaped annular plate is located at the end of the device and is intended to contact the brake caliper.

[0064] exist Figure 5 In the example shown, a disc-shaped annular plate is positioned on the portion of the mouth excluding the two ends.

[0065] According to the implementation method (in) Figures 1 to 5 As shown in, and especially in Figures 3 to 5 (shown in more detail below), the detection device 1 also includes a caulking washer 7, which is configured to adapt the thickness of the detection device 1 to the size and / or functional requirements of the fixed joint (i, ii).

[0066] In this case, the aforementioned caulking washer 7 can serve an additional function of protecting the friction-reducing element; for example, if the friction-reducing element is made of a bearing placed on an aluminum surface, the caulking washer 7 prevents the aluminum surface where the bearing rollers are placed from being etched.

[0067] According to the implementation of the device (e.g.) Figures 1 to 5 As shown, especially in more detail, such as Figures 3 to 5 As shown), the low-friction body includes a low-friction element 2, which is inserted into contact between the disc-shaped annular plate 33 of the caliper-hub-retainer connecting element 3 and the camber washer 7.

[0068] When the detection device 1 is installed at the fixed joint (i, ii), the disc-shaped annular plate 33 is adapted to be arranged to make close frictional contact with the surface of the brake caliper 10, and the camber washer 7 is adapted to be arranged to make close frictional contact with the surface of the hub retainer or the brake caliper support 20.

[0069] It is worth noting that the lower the friction between the caliper-hub-retainer connecting element 3 and the filler washer 7, the higher the percentage of braking force reaching the sensor element. In other words, the efficiency of the measurement system increases as the coefficient of friction decreases.

[0070] According to one implementation option, bushing 32 is a steel bushing adapted to be inserted into hub retainer 20.

[0071] According to one implementation option, the bushing 32 includes a recess 30 configured to accommodate a portion of the tightening device 60 when the detection device 1 is installed at the fixed joint (i, ii).

[0072] According to one implementation option, when the detection device 1 is installed at the fixed joint (i, ii), the bushing 32 defines a tubular channel suitable for the cylindrical thread of the corresponding screw to pass through.

[0073] According to one implementation option, the bushing 32 includes at least one housing 31 configured to accommodate at least one corresponding sensor element 3. Such a housing 31 is arranged in a corresponding detection position corresponding to the highly deformable bushing portion.

[0074] In practice, the connection ensured by bushing 3 is characterized by a large area of ​​constant load, which makes it easy to identify the areas where sensitive components must be installed.

[0075] The dimensions and positioning of the housing 31 and the corresponding sensor element 4 are determined through testing and experimentation to ensure that the sensor element 4 is subjected to stress to optimize its function, i.e., the bias voltage is neither too low to impair measurement accuracy nor too high to damage the sensor itself under overload conditions.

[0076] Depending on the implementation option, bushing 32 is adapted to be mounted in close contact with both the brake caliper and the hub retainer, thereby creating a gapless connection.

[0077] In this scenario, when the brake caliper is subjected to the load generated during a braking event, the caliper transfers this load to the bushing through direct contact, and the bushing, in turn, transfers this load to the hub retainer through direct contact. This latter contact causes localized deformation of the bushing containing sensor element 4.

[0078] According to one implementation option, when the detection device 1 is installed at the fixed joint (i, ii), the bushing 3 is adapted to be connected with a small gap on both the brake caliper 10 side and the wheel hub retainer 20 side.

[0079] The aforementioned gaps are designed to facilitate assembly.

[0080] The rest, from a functional perspective, behave similarly to the gapless case already described; when the brake caliper is subjected to the load generated during a braking event, the brake caliper "rests" against the bushing, transferring the load to the bushing, which in turn "rests" against the wheel hub retainer, transferring the load to the wheel hub retainer. This latter contact causes localized deformation of the bushing where sensor element 4 is located.

[0081] It is worth noting that different deformations and / or resulting strains may exist in different parts of the bushing. These different deformations and / or resulting strains are therefore localized, but all depend in some way on the applied load, which in turn depends on the braking torque.

[0082] It is worth noting that bushing 32 is designed such that, for foreseeable stress levels, the strain experienced remains within the elastic range and is therefore not permanent.

[0083] Advantageously, the sensor element 4 is placed in a detection position that corresponds to the portion of the force or load that causes high deformation.

[0084] According to the embodiment of device 1, the sensor element 4 is a deformation or strain sensor 4.

[0085] Even in this case, for a particular bushing, the strain can still be traced back from the deformation, based on relationships known in themselves or obtainable through experimentation.

[0086] Depending on the implementation options, strain sensor 4 is a strain gauge, such as a garland or uniaxial strain gauge, which are known in themselves.

[0087] Depending on other possible implementation options, the aforementioned sensor element 4 is a mechanical, optical, acoustic, pneumatic, or electrical strain gauge.

[0088] Depending on the specific implementation options, sensor element 4 may be a fiber optic strain sensor, a piezoresistive sensor, a silicon-on-a-resonator sensor, or an inductive transducer.

[0089] Depending on other implementation options, sensor element 4 may include any type of sensor known by itself capable of reading / detecting strain or deformation.

[0090] According to another implementation option, sensor element 4 includes a force sensor.

[0091] According to an embodiment of the device, the caliper-hub-retainer connecting element 3 and the low-friction body 2 are combined into a single element.

[0092] According to the implementation option, the low-friction body includes a friction-reducing coating portion disposed on the disc-shaped base 33 of the caliper-hub-retainer connection element 3.

[0093] According to the implementation method (e.g., in Figure 1 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown in the figure, the detection device 1 includes a single sensor element 4.

[0094] According to an embodiment, the detection device 1 includes a plurality of sensor elements 4.

[0095] According to another implementation (e.g., in Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown in the figure, the detection device 1 includes three sensor elements 4.

[0096] For example, each bushing may have three strain gauges mounted at 120°.

[0097] Refer again Figures 1 to 7 The present invention describes a system for measuring braking torque, the system being configured to determine the braking torque generated by actuation of a braking system for a vehicle by means of detection performed at at least one fixed engagement (i, ii) between a brake caliper 10 and a corresponding hub retainer or support 20.

[0098] The braking torque measurement system includes at least one detection device 1 according to any of the above embodiments (in Figure 3 and Figure 4 (Also referred to as D1 or D2), at least one of the detection devices 1 is pressed between the brake caliper body 11 of the brake caliper 10 and the wheel hub retainer or brake caliper support 20 at at least one corresponding fixed joint (i, ii). This arrangement is as follows: Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown.

[0099] The braking torque measurement system also includes a tightening device 60, which is configured to tighten the brake caliper 10 and the wheel hub retainer or brake caliper support 20, and press the detection device 1 between the brake caliper body 11 of the brake caliper 10 and the wheel hub retainer or brake caliper support 20.

[0100] The braking torque measurement system also includes an electronic processing device operatively connected to the electrical interface 5 to receive at least one of the aforementioned electrical signals S.

[0101] The electronic processing device is configured to determine the braking torque based on at least one of the aforementioned electrical signals S, whereby the electrical signal S represents the braking force acting on the corresponding detection device.

[0102] According to the implementation method, the braking torque measurement system includes multiple detection devices D1, D2, each detection device being located at a corresponding fixed joint (i, ii).

[0103] In this case, the electronic processing device is configured to determine the braking torque based on multiple electrical signals S, each of which comes from a corresponding detection device D1, D2.

[0104] according to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The implementation option shown includes a braking torque measurement system comprising a first detection device D1 located at a first fixed engagement (i) between a first caliper body portion and a first portion of a wheel hub retainer or brake caliper support; and a second detection device D2 located at a second fixed engagement (ii) between a second caliper body portion and a second portion of a wheel hub retainer or brake caliper support.

[0105] According to an embodiment of the braking torque measurement system, the electronic processing device includes a control unit and / or a processor, which is configured to calculate the braking torque based on the at least one electrical signal S by means of one or more algorithms executed by one or more software programs.

[0106] Depending on the implementation options, the system includes multiple detection devices, and electronic processing devices calculate the braking torque based on multiple corresponding electrical signals S through one or more algorithms executed by one or more software programs.

[0107] Depending on the various implementation options of the system, the electronic processing device (which may also be defined as an "acquisition system") is configured to determine the braking torque based on an electrical signal S representing the detected deformation and / or the detected strain and / or the detected force, by means of an algorithm and / or program described below for the method according to the invention.

[0108] By using algorithms executed by one or more software programs, employing more than one detection device and / or more than one sensor element for each device, it is advantageous to make it possible to distinguish the vehicle's operating conditions (e.g., forward / reverse gear).

[0109] According to an embodiment of the braking torque measurement system, the tightening device 60 includes at least one screw 61, 62, and the screw 61, 62 includes a screw friction reducing element disposed below the head of the screw.

[0110] In this way, due to the action of braking torque, the force transmitted by the screw under the head is also canceled out, and the force generated by the braking torque passes through the connecting part 3 and is read by the sensor element 4 and converted into a torque reading.

[0111] Now refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 A brake caliper assembly for a vehicle braking system is described. The brake caliper assembly includes a brake caliper 10, a wheel retainer or brake caliper support 20, and at least one detection device 1 according to any of the embodiments shown above, and a tightening device 60 configured to tighten the brake caliper 10 and the wheel retainer or brake caliper support 20, and to press the detection device 1 between the brake caliper body 11 of the brake caliper 10 and the wheel retainer or brake caliper support 20.

[0112] At least one detection device 1 is pressed between the brake caliper body 11 of the brake caliper 10 and the wheel hub retainer or brake caliper support 20 at at least one corresponding fixed joint (i, ii).

[0113] According to an embodiment, the brake caliper assembly includes: a first detection device D1, which is fixed at a first fixed joint i between the brake caliper body 11 of the brake caliper 10 and the wheel hub retainer or brake caliper support 20 by a first fixing bolt 61; and the brake caliper assembly further includes a second detection device D2, which is fixed at a second fixed joint ii between the brake caliper body 11 of the brake caliper 10 and the wheel hub retainer or brake caliper support 20 by a second fixing bolt 62.

[0114] Depending on the different possible implementation options, the brake caliper may be a disc brake caliper, or a fixed or floating caliper, or a brake caliper with radial and axial connections, or an integral or floating caliper.

[0115] The present invention includes a braking system for a vehicle, the braking system for a vehicle including a plurality of brake caliper assemblies according to any of the embodiments described above.

[0116] The present invention also includes a braking system for a vehicle, the braking system for a vehicle including a braking torque measurement system according to any of the embodiments described above.

[0117] Below, a method is described for determining the braking torque generated by actuation of a braking system for a vehicle by means of a detection performed at at least one fixed engagement (i, ii) between the brake caliper 10 and the corresponding hub retainer or support 20.

[0118] The method first includes the following steps: placing at least one detection device 1 according to any of the embodiments described above ( Figure 6 and Figure 7 D1 and D2) are inserted at at least one of the above-mentioned fixed joints, such that the detection device 1 is fixed at the corresponding at least one fixed joint and pressed between the brake caliper body 11 of the brake caliper 10 and the wheel hub retainer or brake caliper support 20.

[0119] The method then provides: detecting the braking force applied by the brake caliper 10 to the wheel hub retainer or brake caliper support 20 during and due to a braking event by each of the at least one of the above-mentioned detection devices 1, and generating at least one corresponding electrical signal S representing the detected braking force.

[0120] The method further includes the following steps: transmitting at least one electrical signal S to an electronic processing device (or acquisition device); and processing the at least one electrical signal S by the electronic processing device to determine the braking torque.

[0121] According to an embodiment of the method, the insertion step includes inserting a plurality of detection devices D1, D2 into corresponding fixed joints i, ii, respectively.

[0122] In this case, the processing steps include determining the braking torque based on multiple electrical signals S from the respective detection devices D1 and D2.

[0123] According to an embodiment of the method, the processing steps include: calculating the braking torque by an electronic processing device based on at least one electrical signal S using one or more algorithms executed by one or more software programs.

[0124] Depending on the implementation option, the above calculation steps include: calculating the braking torque using a predetermined relationship between braking torque and braking force represented by a lookup table or computerized model accessible by an electronic processing device.

[0125] For example, the aforementioned predetermined relationship is determined by experimental and / or characterization and / or calibration steps performed when at least one detection device 1 has been placed and fixed at the corresponding fixed joint.

[0126] According to another implementation option, the calculation step includes: calculating the braking torque by means of a predetermined nonlinear relationship between the braking torque and the strain and / or deformation detected by at least one strain and / or stress sensor 4 at a corresponding position arranged to contact the load-bearing element.

[0127] For example, such a predetermined nonlinear relationship can be represented by a lookup table or computerized model that can be accessed by an electronic processing device.

[0128] The aforementioned predetermined relationship is determined through experimental and / or characterization and / or calibration steps performed when at least one detection device 1 has been placed and fixed at the corresponding fixed joint.

[0129] Depending on the implementation options, the method includes: detecting the deformation of the loaded connecting element (or bushing) and calculating the strain stress based on the deformation. The transition from deformation to strain can be readily obtained using acquisition instruments, i.e., electronic processing devices, based on known or experimentally derived relationships.

[0130] According to an embodiment, the method further includes a step of testing the braking torque measurement system: the braking torque measurement system includes a detection device equipped with multiple sensor elements, then identifying the sensor element subjected to the greatest stress, and finally identifying the corresponding position as the most suitable position. In this case, the method then provides that only one sensor element in the detection device is installed in the aforementioned most suitable position identified by the test.

[0131] The following provides some further details on the operational principles of the method according to the present invention.

[0132] Due to the braking torque, a load (e.g., shear load) is generated on the caliper-hub-retainer connection element (i.e., the load-bearing element).

[0133] The term "load" refers to the force generated during braking, which is transmitted to the brake caliper (through the pad-caliper joint) through friction and is ultimately released to the wheel retainer via the mechanical connection caliper-block-wheel retainer.

[0134] It is worth noting that the generated force is not only tangential, but can also have both tangential and radial components.

[0135] In contrast, according to an embodiment of the method (and a corresponding embodiment of the device), the sensor element is arranged to align with the resultant force of the force.

[0136] In other words, the force generated by braking is transmitted to the brake caliper. The brake caliper transmits the force to the bushing. The bushing transmits the force to the wheel retainer. When a load is transmitted to the wheel retainer, the bushing locally deforms at the locations where sensing elements are provided (or at the locations where sensor elements are provided, if there are more than one sensor element).

[0137] In this example, the detection element detects deformation that represents the force applied to the hub retainer by the brake caliper (since the friction-reducing element minimizes and ideally cancels out the influence of the force generated by the fixed element), and the deformation is also representative of the braking torque (based on known or experimentally deducible relationships).

[0138] Finally, through electronic processing devices included in the acquisition system, the deformation is converted into strain, which ultimately represents the braking torque.

[0139] As described above, the system according to the invention has been appropriately modeled and sized. The theoretical level of accuracy of the measurements has also been verified, demonstrating that it remains within acceptable limits for medium / high torque values. The behavior under low braking torque was subsequently verified experimentally.

[0140] The system was then built and tested on a manually operated tangential bench with known values ​​for pressure and braking torque.

[0141] It is worth noting that the objective of this invention is fully achieved through the methods and systems described above, taking advantage of the functional and structural features of the methods and systems described above.

[0142] The aforementioned detection device can detect with high precision the force acting on the fastening joint between the brake caliper and the wheel hub retainer, which is directly dependent on the braking torque caused by the braking event.

[0143] In fact, due to the structural and functional characteristics of the detection device, the measurement of deformation or strain provided by the force acting locally on the detection device is essentially unaffected by and independent of the axial tightening force.

[0144] This is because the presence of the friction-reducing element allows the load generated by tightening the caliper retaining screws to be separated from the load given by the braking torque.

[0145] In other words, the concept of the detection device of the present invention utilizes the physical connection between the caliper and the hub retainer, which is achieved by a bearing element (see the description of the invention below) contained in the same device and is itself free from the frictional forces of the joint.

[0146] Meanwhile, the aforementioned testing device retains the advantages of the "washer testing device"; in fact, using the provided tightening device, the aforementioned testing device can be advantageously and easily inserted between the brake caliper and the brake caliper bracket or wheel hub retainer.

[0147] Systems and methods for measuring braking torque using the aforementioned devices have similar advantages.

[0148] In fact, braking torque measurement systems and methods have achieved more accurate and reliable braking torque results.

[0149] This result is achieved because such a system and method are based on a series of known deterministic relationships between quantities (the force present at the fixed joint depends on the braking torque, while the deformation and / or strain detected by the device depends on the force present at the fixed joint), wherein the physically detected quantity, i.e., the deformation, depends essentially only on the force applied to the wheel hub retainer by the brake caliper and is substantially independent of the tightening force, wherein the force applied to the wheel hub retainer by the brake caliper accurately represents the braking torque, while the tightening force, which is independent of the braking torque, would interfere with the measurement, which is avoided here (although not by chance, this is found in the solutions proposed in the prior art).

[0150] Without departing from the scope of the appended claims, those skilled in the art can make many changes and adjustments to the above embodiments, or replace elements with other functionally equivalent elements to meet possible needs. All features described above belonging to one possible embodiment can be implemented independently of other described embodiments.

Claims

1. A detection device (1) for detecting braking force, the braking force being applied by a brake caliper (10) to a wheel hub retainer or brake caliper support (20) during and due to a braking event, the detection device (1) being adapted to be mounted at a fixed joint (i, ii) between the brake caliper (10) and the wheel hub retainer or brake caliper support (20) by means of a tightening device (60) that applies a tightening force, wherein, The detection device (1) includes: - Low friction body (2), the low friction body (2) being formed as a washer or plate or bearing; - Caliper-hub-retainer connecting element (3), the caliper-hub-retainer connecting element (3) is connected to the low-friction body (2) and is integral with the low-friction body (2), wherein, when the detection device (1) is installed at the fixed joint (i, ii), the caliper-hub-retainer connecting element (3) is adapted to be mechanically connected to both the brake caliper (10) and the hub retainer or brake caliper support (20) to form a mechanical connection, the braking force being at least partially released from the brake caliper (10) to the hub retainer or brake caliper support (20) through the mechanical connection. The caliper-hub-retainer connecting element (3) is prone to deformation, such that the local deformation and / or strain in the caliper-hub-retainer connecting element (3) depends on the total force acting on the caliper-hub-retainer connecting element (3). The low-friction body (2) is configured to separate the tightening force from the braking force to minimize the effect of the tightening force on the detection device (1), such that the deformation and / or strain present in the caliper-hub-retainer connection element (3) represents the braking force applied by the brake caliper (10) to the hub retainer or brake caliper support (20) through the caliper-hub-retainer connection element (3); The detection device (1) further includes: - At least one sensor element (4), at least one of the sensor elements (4) being operatively connected to the caliper-hub-retainer connection element (3), at least one of the sensor elements (4) being configured to detect deformation and / or strain present in the caliper-hub-retainer connection element (3) and generate at least one electrical signal (S) indicating the detected deformation and / or strain and representing the braking force; - Electrical interface (5), which is connected to the sensor element (4) for conducting and providing the generated at least one electrical signal (S).

2. The detection device (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The low-friction body (2) includes a sliding bearing or an axial thrust bearing.

3. The detection device (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The low-friction body (2) includes a low-friction polymer material layer.

4. The detection device (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The low-friction body (2) includes elements made of metal and / or ceramic and / or polymer materials, on which a low-friction coefficient coating is applied.

5. The detection device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The caliper-hub-retainer connection element (3) includes a bushing (32) and a disc-shaped annular plate (33).

6. The detection device (1) according to claim 5, wherein, The detection device (1) further includes a slit gasket (7) configured to adapt the thickness of the detection device (1) to the size and / or functional requirements of the fixed joint (i, ii).

7. The detection device (1) according to claim 6, wherein, The low-friction body includes a low-friction element that is inserted between the disc-shaped annular plate (33) and the camber washer (7) of the caliper-hub-retainer connecting element (3). When the detection device (1) is installed at the fixed joint (i, ii), the disc-shaped annular plate (33) is adapted to be in close frictional contact with the surface of the brake caliper (10), and the gap-filling washer (7) is adapted to be in close frictional contact with the surface of the wheel hub retainer or brake caliper support (20).

8. The detection device (1) according to claim 5, wherein, The bushing (32) includes a recess (30) configured to accommodate a portion of the tightening device (60) when the detection device (1) is installed at the fixed joint (i, ii).

9. The detection device (1) according to claim 5, wherein, The bushing includes at least one housing (31) configured to accommodate at least one corresponding sensor element (4), the housing (31) being arranged in a corresponding detection position corresponding to a highly deformable bushing portion.

10. The detection device (1) according to claim 5, wherein, When the detection device (1) is installed at the fixed joint (i, ii), the bushing is adapted to be connected with a small gap on both the brake caliper (10) side and the wheel hub retainer or brake caliper support (20) side.

11. The detection device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The sensor element (4) is a strain sensor.

12. The detection device (1) according to claim 11, wherein, The strain sensor is a mechanical, optical, acoustic, pneumatic, or electrical strain gauge, or it is a fiber optic strain sensor, a piezoresistive sensor, a silicon-on-a-resonator sensor, or an inductive transducer.

13. The detection device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The caliper-hub-retainer connecting element (3) and the low-friction body (2) are combined into a single element.

14. The detection device (1) according to claim 13, wherein, The low-friction body includes a friction-reducing coating on a disc-shaped annular plate (33) disposed on the caliper-hub-retainer connecting element (3).

15. The detection device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The detection device (1) includes only one sensor element (4).

16. The detection device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The detection device (1) includes multiple sensor elements (4).

17. The detection device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The detection device (1) includes three sensor elements (4).

18. A system for measuring braking torque, said system being configured to determine the braking torque generated by actuation of a braking system for a vehicle by means of detection performed at at least one fixed engagement (i, ii) between a brake caliper (10) and a corresponding wheel hub retainer or brake caliper support (20). in, The system for measuring the braking torque includes: - At least one detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, at least one of the detection devices is pressed between the brake caliper body (11) of the brake caliper (10) and the wheel hub retainer or brake caliper support (20) at a corresponding fixed joint (i, ii); - Tightening device (60), the tightening device (60) is configured to: tighten the brake caliper (10) and the wheel hub retainer or brake caliper support (20), and press the detection device between the brake caliper body (11) of the brake caliper (10) and the wheel hub retainer or brake caliper support (20); - An electronic processing device, operatively connected to the electrical interface (5), for receiving the at least one electrical signal (S). The electronic processing device is configured to determine the braking torque based on the at least one electrical signal (S), the at least one electrical signal (S) representing the braking force acting on a corresponding detection device.

19. The system for measuring braking torque according to claim 18, wherein, The system includes multiple detection devices, each located at a corresponding fixed joint (i, ii); Furthermore, the electronic processing device is configured to determine the braking torque based on multiple electrical signals (S), each electrical signal (S) originating from a corresponding detection device.

20. The system for measuring braking torque according to claim 19, wherein, The system includes: - A first detection device, the first detection device being located at a first fixed joint between the first caliper body portion and the first portion of the wheel hub retainer or brake caliper support; - A second detection device, located at a second fixed joint between the second caliper body portion and the second portion of the wheel hub retainer or brake caliper support.

21. The system for measuring braking torque according to any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein, The electronic processing device includes a control unit and / or a processor, the control unit and / or processor being configured to calculate the braking torque based on the at least one electrical signal (S) by one or more algorithms executed by one or more software programs.

22. The system for measuring braking torque according to any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein, The tightening device (60) includes at least one screw (61, 62), wherein at least one of the screws includes a screw friction reducing element disposed below the head of the screw.

23. A brake caliper assembly for a braking system of a vehicle, the brake caliper assembly comprising: - Brake caliper (10); -Wheel hub retainer or brake caliper support (20); - At least one detection device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein at least one of the detection devices (1) is pressed between the brake caliper body (11) of the brake caliper (10) and the wheel hub retainer or brake caliper support (20) at at least one corresponding fixed joint (i, ii). - Tightening device (60), the tightening device (60) is configured to: tighten the brake caliper (10) and the wheel hub retainer or brake caliper support (20), and press the detection device (1) between the brake caliper body (11) of the brake caliper (10) and the wheel hub retainer or brake caliper support (20); The brake caliper is either a fixed caliper or a floating caliper.

24. The brake caliper assembly according to claim 23, wherein, The brake caliper assembly includes: - First detection device, the first detection device is fixed at the first fixed joint between the brake caliper body (11) of the brake caliper (10) and the wheel hub retainer or brake caliper support (20) by a first fixing bolt; - A second detection device, which is fixed at the second fixed joint between the brake caliper body (11) of the brake caliper (10) and the wheel hub retainer or brake caliper support (20) by a second fixing bolt.

25. A braking system for a vehicle, wherein, The braking system includes a plurality of brake caliper assemblies as described in claim 23 or 24. Alternatively, the braking system may include a system for measuring braking torque according to any one of claims 18 to 22.

26. A method for determining the braking torque generated by actuation of a braking system for a vehicle by means of detection performed at at least one fixed engagement (i, ii) between a brake caliper (10) and a corresponding hub retainer or brake caliper support (20), in, The method includes the following steps: - Insert at least one detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 17 into at least one of the fixed joints (i, ii), such that the detection device is fixed at the corresponding at least one fixed joint (i, ii) and pressed between the brake caliper body (11) of the brake caliper (10) and the wheel hub retainer or brake caliper support (20). - The braking force applied by the brake caliper (10) to the wheel hub retainer or brake caliper support (20) during and due to a braking event is detected by each of at least one of the detection devices, and at least one corresponding electrical signal (S) representing the detected braking force is generated. - Transmit the at least one electrical signal (S) to an electronic processing device; - The at least one electrical signal (S) is processed by the electronic processing device to determine the braking torque.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein, The insertion step includes inserting multiple detection devices into the corresponding fixed joints (i, ii) respectively. Furthermore, the processing steps include determining the braking torque based on multiple electrical signals (S) respectively from the corresponding detection devices.

28. The method according to claim 26 or 27, wherein, The processing steps include: the electronic processing device calculating the braking torque based on the at least one electrical signal (S) using one or more algorithms executed by one or more software programs. The calculation step includes: calculating the braking torque using a predetermined relationship between the braking torque and the braking force, represented by a lookup table or computerized model accessible by the electronic processing device. The predetermined relationship is determined by experimental and / or characterization and / or calibration steps performed when at least one detection device has been placed and fixed at the corresponding fixed joint.

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