Brake system of vehicle having filter assembly for filtering particulate matter generated during operation of brake system

Abstract

A brake apparatus for a vehicle includes: a brake apparatus having a pair of friction members and selectively operable to cause braking of the vehicle by pressing the friction members against each other; the cooling pipeline extends between the air inlet and the air outlet, and the friction component is arranged in the cooling pipeline; the filtering pipeline extends between an inlet communicated with the air outlet and an outlet leading to the external environment and is provided with a first branch part and a second branch part which are arranged in parallel; a valve device comprising a blocking element and controllable according to a first configuration in which the blocking element at least partially blocks the first branch and empties the second branch and a second configuration in which the blocking element at least partially blocks the second branch and empties the first branch; a first filter disposed at the second branch portion and filtering particulate matter from air flowing through the second branch portion; and an actuation device configured to drive the valve device from the second configuration to the first configuration in response to braking of the vehicle.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This patent application claims the priority of Italian Patent Application No. 102023000017799 filed on August 30, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The invention relates to a brake system for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, in particular a racing motor vehicle, but the brake system is generally applicable to any type of vehicle. Background Art

[0004] Generally, all motor vehicles comprise a braking device which can be controlled to brake the motor vehicle or more specifically its wheels.

[0005] In most cases, the brake device comprises at least one friction brake device, ie a brake device causing braking of the motor vehicle by friction of at least two bodies to generate a friction force opposing the rotation of at least one corresponding wheel about its axis.

[0006] One of the two bodies is typically fixed to the wheel, and the other body can selectively press against the body fixed to the wheel to generate a friction force proportional to the pressure between the two bodies.

[0007] These bodies are usually made of a material that is subject to wear, also known as friction material, which tends to shatter during contact between the two bodies, thereby releasing particles.

[0008] In addition, the brake system usually includes a plurality of cooling ducts for guiding the airflow from the outside of the motor vehicle to the brake system for cooling it. These ducts usually even extend outside the brake system to discharge the air in contact with the brake system to the external environment of the motor vehicle.

[0009] During braking, the released particles are therefore dissipated into the external environment via the air exhausted by the cooling duct.

[0010] The particulate matter generated by braking systems is considered to be harmful to human health, and its emission in the environment therefore represents an inconvenience that needs to be mitigated or even better overcome.

[0011] This inconvenience has an impact on all cars, especially current Formula 1 cars, where the rules of the race require that all air directed to the brake system should be discharged into the environment in a direction parallel to and opposite to the direction of travel of the car, so that the airflow is directed towards the driver.

[0012] In this way, the driver is at a higher risk of inhaling a significant portion of the particles released by the braking system.

[0013] Therefore, there is a need to reduce the above mentioned inconveniences, namely, to reduce the emission of particulate matter from the friction brake device into the environment.

[0014] The object of the present invention is to meet the above-mentioned need, preferably in a simple and reliable manner. Summary of the invention

[0015] This object is achieved by a brake system for a vehicle according to claim 1 .

[0016] The dependent claims indicate particular embodiments of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] For a better understanding of the present invention, one embodiment thereof is described below by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0018] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle including a brake device according to the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the area of ​​the vehicle containing the brake equipment;

[0020] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a wheel assembly of a vehicle, exaggerated in scale and with portions removed for clarity;

[0021] Figure 4 and 5 shows a horizontal section through a filter duct of a brake system in corresponding different operating configurations;

[0022] Figure 6 and 7 is a perspective view of a particulate filter of a brake system at an enlarged scale;

[0023] Figure 8 is part of the vertical section of a valve assembly applied to a filtration line; and

[0024] Fig. 9 It is a plan view of a variation of the filter duct. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] exist Figure 1 In the drawings, reference numeral 1 is used to denote a vehicle as a whole, in particular a motor vehicle, more particularly a racing motor vehicle.

[0026] According to a specific non-limiting example, the vehicle 1 is a Formula 1 single-seater racing car, but the following also applies to any motor vehicle.

[0027] The vehicle 1 has a direction of travel which in practice coincides with the roll axis X of the vehicle 1 and of the frame F.

[0028] In particular, the vehicle 1 has four wheels 2, each of which can rotate about its own axis or wheel axis A substantially transverse to the direction of advancement.

[0029] The vehicle 1 further comprises, for each wheel 2 , a wheel carrier which is suitable for carrying the respective wheel 2 in a rotatable manner about the axis A.

[0030] The frame F is suspended relative to wheels 2 for gripping the ground via a known suspension S which is not described in detail.

[0031] It should be noted that the wheel 2 and the corresponding wheel carrier are part of the unsprung mass of the vehicle 1 .

[0032] The vehicle 1 further comprises a brake device 4 for braking the vehicle 1. The brake device 4 is associated or coupled to one of the wheels 2, in particular the front wheel, but each wheel 2 may preferably be associated or coupled to the same brake device 4.

[0033] The brake system 4 and the associated wheel 2 are therefore part of a wheel assembly of the vehicle 1 .

[0034] The brake device 4 comprises a brake device 5, in particular a disc brake device, having at least one pair of friction members 6, 7, in particular at least one disc 6 and at least one brake pad 7. More precisely, each brake device 5 comprises two brake pads 7.

[0035] The following description will always refer to a disc 6 and an associated brake pad 7, but these components can always be replaced by conventional friction members, such as a drum and a shoe, without loss of generality.

[0036] The disc 6 is fixed to the wheel 2 , ie rotates integrally therewith about the axis A.

[0037] On the other hand, the brake pads 7 are not affected by the rotation of the wheel 2 , so they do not rotate integrally with the wheel 2 , but are carried by the wheel carrier; the wheel carrier in turn may be coupled to the frame F via the suspension S.

[0038] As is known, for a disc brake system such as the particular system 5, the brake pad 7 may be carried by a brake caliper which in turn may be carried by a wheel carrier.

[0039] The brake caliper is a component known per se and is not shown, so that its operation and arrangement relative to the vehicle 1 will not be described in greater detail.

[0040] The brake device 5 can be selectively driven to brake the vehicle 1 by pressing the disc 6 and the brake pad 7 against each other. In other words, the brake caliper is driven to press the brake pad 7 against the disc 6.

[0041] In this way, a pressure is generated between the disc 6 and the brake pad 7. This pressure is the source of the friction force acting on both the disc 6 and the brake pad 7, in particular on the disc 6, for braking the rotation of the wheel 2 and therefore the vehicle 1.

[0042] Braking therefore corresponds to the pressure generated between the disc 6 and the brake pad 7 , ie the associated friction force generated, which increases with the pressure; in particular, the friction force is proportional to the pressure.

[0043] The brake system 4 further comprises cooling ducts 8 which serve to cool the brake system 5 , in particular the disk 6 and the brake pad 7 , for example during and / or after braking.

[0044] The cooling duct 8 is defined by a plurality of walls 10, 11, wherein the walls 10 are in particular part of the unsprung mass and wherein the walls 11 are in particular fixed to the wheel 2 so that they rotate integrally with the wheel 2. The wheel 2 is freely rotatable relative to the walls 10 about its axis A.

[0045] The cooling duct 8 extends between an air inlet 12 for taking in outside air and an air outlet 13 for discharging the air taken in through the air inlet 12 .

[0046] At least the disk 6 and preferably also the blade 7 are arranged in the cooling duct 8 so as to be struck by the air flow flowing through the cooling duct 8 from the air inlet 12 to the air outlet 13 .

[0047] In more detail, the disk 6 and preferably also the blade 7 are located in the portion of the cooling duct 8 defined by the wall 11 .

[0048] For example, the wall 11 may be considered as a part of the wheel 2. More particularly, the wall 11 comprises the rim of the wheel 2.

[0049] In particular, the wall 10 comprises an annular wall 14 extending in an annular shape around the axis A and thus arranged transversely or more precisely orthogonally to the axis A. In other words, the annular wall 14 is also part of the unsprung mass of the vehicle 1 and is fixed to the wheel carrier.

[0050] The annular wall 14 is often referred to in automotive terms as a "donut" due to its shape.

[0051] In the direction of the axis A, from the outside toward the inside of the vehicle 1 , the annular wall 14 covers the disk 6 and preferably also the brake pad 7 , so that these latter components are not visible in particular from the outside of the vehicle 1 .

[0052] The annular wall 14 is configured to prevent the air flowing through the cooling duct 8 from flowing away from the wheel 2 transversely along the axis A towards the outside of the vehicle 1 .

[0053] The annular wall 14 at least partially delimits an annular channel 15 inside the wheel 2 and forms part of the cooling duct 8. The channel 15 extends around the axis A in an annular shape.

[0054] In particular, the disk 6 and preferably also the brake pad 7 are arranged in the annular channel 15 .

[0055] In the particular example shown, although this is generally not necessary, the air inlet 12 is located at the front, ie it is oriented towards the front of the vehicle 1 according to the direction of travel of the vehicle 1 .

[0056] Furthermore, independently, in the specific example shown, the air outlet 13 faces towards the rear of the vehicle 1 according to the advancing direction, although this is generally not necessary.

[0057] In practice, the air flow entering the cooling duct 8 through the air inlet 12 is directed in a direction parallel to and opposite to the advancing direction.

[0058] Although not relevant, the same also applies to the air flow leaving the cooling duct 8 through the air outlet 13 .

[0059] Referring again to the specific example shown, although it is generally not necessary, the cooling duct 8 is essentially in communication with the exterior thereof only via the air inlet 12 and the air outlet 13 .

[0060] The word "substantially" here means that the cooling duct 8 generally extends along a path completely defined by a continuous arc having two ends located at the air inlet 12 and the air outlet 13 respectively; in use, the air flow substantially follows this path, but not necessarily excluding negligible escape from the gap between the walls 10, 11.

[0061] This means that substantially all air entering through the air inlet 12 leaves the cooling duct 8 through the air outlet 13 unless there is a return flow through the same air inlet 12 (which in particular is unlikely to exceed a speed threshold of the vehicle 1 in any case) or unless there is any negligible escape.

[0062] In any case, the cooling duct 8 is an element known per se in the art and it is therefore not necessary to describe it in great detail.

[0063] Preferably, the air outlet 13 and / or the air inlet 12 are defined by the wall 10 .

[0064] The device 4 also comprises a filter duct 20 which is preferably arranged outside the wheel 2 , for example behind the wheel 2 according to the direction of travel of the vehicle 1 .

[0065] The filter pipe 20 is fixed relative to the cooling pipe 8 communicating therewith.

[0066] The filter duct 20 extends between an inlet communicating with the air outlet 13 and an outlet 21 facing the external environment, ie in particular communicating directly with the external environment.

[0067] In more detail, the inlet of the filter duct 20 matches, ie coincides, with the air outlet 13. Therefore, all the air leaving the cooling duct 8 is conveyed or transferred to the filter duct 20.

[0068] In other words, the filter duct 20 is connected to the cooling duct 8 via the air outlet 13 in a substantially fluid-tight manner.

[0069] The filter duct 20 has two branches 22, 23 arranged parallel to each other to form at least a first node 24 and a second node 25 which is preferably different from the first node 24. In particular, the nodes 24 and 25 are respectively close to and far from the inlet of the filter duct 20 (ie, the air outlet 13).

[0070] According to an example not shown, the second node 25 can be omitted, so that the filter duct 20 has an additional outlet for the branch 23 in addition to the outlet 21 remaining for the branch 22 .

[0071] In practice, the filtration conduit 20 branches at a node 24 and preferably rejoins at a node 25 .

[0072] The node 25 is therefore arranged downstream of the node 24 according to the direction that the air flow should have along the filter duct 20 during use of the vehicle 1. The outlet 21 is therefore situated downstream of the node 25.

[0073] Generally, in the remainder of this description, words such as “upstream” and “downstream” will refer to the direction of air flow along the filter duct 20 during use of the vehicle 1 .

[0074] Obviously, the filter duct 20 is bounded by a housing 26; similarly, the branches 22, 23 are separated by at least one partition wall D fixed to the housing 26. In particular, the housing 26 is in turn carried by the wall 10 in a fixed position relative to the wall 10.

[0075] The device 4 further comprises a valve device 27 which is carried in particular by the housing 26 .

[0076] The valve device 27 comprises a blocking element 28 , for example a wall or a partition or a set of walls or partitions, which is suitable for at least partially or completely blocking or obstructing or closing the branches 22 , 23 .

[0077] Partially blocking, plugging or closing a branch 22 or a branch 23 means moving the blocking element 28 to a position or point on the branch 22 or the branch 23, thereby reducing the air flow through the same position on the branch 22 or the branch 23 compared to the flow that would occur if the blocking element 28 did not occupy the position on the branch 22 or the branch 23. Completely blocking, plugging or closing a branch 22 or a branch 23 means moving the blocking element 28 to a position or point on the branch 22 or the branch 23, thereby preventing the air flow through the same position on the branch 22 or the branch 23.

[0078] The valve device 27 can at least partially or completely block the branch 22 and in particular completely empty or open the branch 23 in at least one first configuration or filtering configuration ( Figure 5 ) to control or be configured to control.

[0079] Emptying or opening the branch 22 or 23 means moving the blocking element 28 to increase the air flow through the branch 22 or 23. Completely emptying or opening the branch 22 or 23 means that the blocking element 28 does not occupy the branch 22 or 23 or is separated from it.

[0080] Furthermore, the valve device 27 can at least partially or completely block the branch 23 and in particular completely empty or open the branch 22 in at least one second configuration or basic configuration ( Figure 4 ) to control or be configured to control.

[0081] Specifically, the valve device 27 is operated at the node 24, so the blocking element 28 is arranged at the node 24 in a movable manner between at least two positions corresponding to the filtering configuration and the basic configuration, respectively.

[0082] More specifically, the blocking element 28 pivots about the axis K at the node 24 so that it can rotate between two positions corresponding to the filtering configuration and the base configuration, respectively ( Figure 5 and 4 ). In the non-limiting embodiment shown, the axis K is vertical, ie oriented in the direction of gravity; however, the axis K can obviously also be oriented differently.

[0083] The valve device 27 is conventionally operated in the basic configuration. In other words, the valve device 27 comprises in particular a return member, in particular an elastic return member, such as a spring 29, which is configured to exert a return force or reaction force on the blocking element 28 when the blocking element 28 moves away from the position corresponding to the basic configuration, wherein the return force or reaction force is directed to return the blocking element 28 to the position corresponding to the basic configuration.

[0084] The spring 29 has ends respectively coupled with the housing 26 and the blocking member 28. Specifically, the spring 29 is disposed around the axis K. In particular, the spring 29 is a torsion spring, and thus it is configured to apply the return force as a torque around the axis K.

[0085] The device 4 further includes a filter 30 disposed at the branch portion 23 and configured to filter particles from the air flowing through the branch portion 23. For example, the filter 30 is fixed relative to the branch portion 23; in particular, the filter 30 is fixed to the housing 26 within the branch portion 23.

[0086] Specifically, particulate matter is generated by the pressure between the disc 6 and the brake pad 7 when the vehicle 1 is braked. The particulate matter may include carbon particles, and possibly silicon, iron, titanium, magnesium, barium, bromine, potassium and sodium particles.

[0087] The filter 30 is more specifically configured to capture particulate matter while allowing air to pass through or evaporate.

[0088] In more detail, the filter 30 includes a filter fabric capable of retaining particulate matter while allowing air to pass therethrough.

[0089] For example, the fabric of filter 30 may form at least one grid extending, for example, across a rectangular cross-sectional plane, in particular with elements oriented along the height (or long side) or along the width (or short side) or both or with alternative or additional elements oriented obliquely.

[0090] Conveniently, the grid extends across a plane that is inclined to the vertical plane; in this way, captured particles can more easily fall from the filter 30 with the help of gravity.

[0091] For example, the fabric of the filter 30 may be a pleated fabric.

[0092] Preferably, the filter 30 is configured to filter particulate matter having a size of at least greater than 70 microns, more preferably at least greater than 35 microns, and more preferably at least greater than 3-4 microns.

[0093] Advantageously, the device 4 also comprises a container 31 for collecting the particles filtered by the filter 30 .

[0094] The container 31 has an inlet port 32 at the branch portion 23 between the node 24 or the valve device 27 and the filter 30. The inlet port 32 receives particulate matter entering the container 31; in other words, the particulate matter is deposited into the container 31 through the inlet port 32.

[0095] In more detail, the inlet port 32 is located to receive particulate matter that falls from the filter 30 by gravity or in the direction of gravity.

[0096] Specifically, the inlet port 32 is immediately upstream of the filter 30 .

[0097] In addition, the inlet port 32 is preferably disposed below the filter 30 , in particular, directly below the filter 30 .

[0098] In other words, on the upstream side of the filter 30 , the filter 30 itself faces the inlet port 32 .

[0099] Preferably, the blocking element 28 comprises a through slot 33. Thus, due to the slot 33, the branches 22, 23 will always be connected at the node 24 at least through the slot 33. In particular, it is possible to Figure 4 ) defines the direction H through the slot 33.

[0100] Preferably, the filter duct 20 comprises a portion 20a having a converging or converging-diverging section extending in a direction oriented from the gas outlet 13 to the outlet 21, in particular transverse to the direction H. The portion 20a is in the basic configuration ( Figure 4 ) is arranged at the groove 33 along the branch 22. Specifically, the portion 20a is defined by the branch 22 and the obstruction 28 when the valve device 27 is arranged as the basic configuration.

[0101] In detail, at portion 20a, advancing along the branch portion 22 in a direction oriented from the air outlet 13 toward the outlet 21, the housing 26 includes a segment 26a, which faces the lumen of the branch portion 22 and / or defines the lumen of the branch portion 22 and extends along a direction H relative to the partition wall D over a gradually decreasing distance.

[0102] In the embodiment shown, the portion 20a is of the convergent-divergent type, so the housing 26 also comprises a segment 26b which also faces the lumen of the branch 22 and / or defines the lumen of the branch 22 and extends along the direction H relative to the partition wall D over a gradually increasing distance.

[0103] The housing 26 further comprises a segment 26c which faces the lumen of the branch 22, is interposed between the segments 26a and 26b perpendicularly to the direction H and is arranged at a minimum distance relative to the partition wall D along the direction H. Specifically, the segment 26c is at least partially aligned with the groove 33 perpendicularly to the direction H when the valve device 27 is arranged in the basic configuration.

[0104] Similarly, when the valve device 27 is arranged in the basic configuration, advancing along the branch 22 in a direction directed from the gas outlet 13 towards the outlet 21, the obstruction 28 comprises:

[0105] a segment 28a facing the lumen of the branch 22 and extending in the direction H over a gradually increasing distance relative to the partition wall D; and

[0106] Segment 28 b , which also faces the lumen of branch 22 and extends along direction H relative to partition wall D over a decreasing distance.

[0107] The obturator 28 further includes a segment 28c facing the lumen of the branch 22, interposed between the segments 28a and 28b perpendicularly to the direction H, and disposed at a maximum distance relative to the partition wall D along the direction H. Specifically, the groove 33 is disposed at the segment 28c.

[0108] Additionally, considering a direction orthogonal to direction H, segment 26a is at least partially aligned with segment 28a, and segment 26b is at least partially aligned with segment 28b.

[0109] In other words, segments 26a and 28a help form the converging portion of portion 20a; segment 26b helps form the diverging portion of portion 20a; and finally, segments 26c and 28c define the minimum passage area of ​​portion 20a where slot 33 is provided.

[0110] The portion 20 a is adapted to cause a low pressure in the air flow through the branch portion 22 at the groove 33 .

[0111] The branches 22 , 23 are always connected to one another, in particular at a node 25 .

[0112] Thus, with valve device 27 in the basic configuration, the communication between branches 22, 23 in node 25 may cause air to flow back from node 25 towards node 24, in particular due to portion 20a. In more detail, the air flow back is caused by the low air pressure created at the location of groove 33 at portion 20a.

[0113] The backflow is advantageous for the filter 30 because its cleaning is facilitated, ie the captured particles are caused to fall, in particular towards the inlet port 32 or the container 31 .

[0114] Conveniently, in order to prevent particles from circulating from the branch 23 to the branch 22 through the groove 33 due to a backflow, the device 4 comprises a filter 35 at the groove 33 .

[0115] The filter 35 is configured to filter particulate matter from the air similarly to the filter 30, but the filter 35 may be simpler and smaller than the filter 30. In addition, the filter 35 may have a lower filtering performance than the filter 30.

[0116] The filter 35 is configured to filter the air flowing through the slot 33 .

[0117] The filter 35 is preferably attached to the obstruction element 28 .

[0118] Furthermore, when the valve device 27 is in the basic configuration, the filter 35 is arranged on the side of the branch 23. More generally, the filter 35 is arranged downstream of the node 24.

[0119] In the embodiment shown, the device 4 preferably, but not necessarily, comprises an additional filter 38 configured to filter the air flowing through the outlet 21. The filter 38 is arranged at the outlet 21.

[0120] Filter 38 may be similar in structure to filter 35 , ie, it may have the same features as described above for filter 35 .

[0121] The device 4 further comprises an actuation assembly 40 configured to move the valve device 27 from the basic configuration to the filtering configuration in response to braking of the vehicle 1 , ie in response to the pressure between the disc 6 and the brake pad 7 .

[0122] In particular, the actuation assembly 40 may comprise an actuator 41 , for example an electric actuator, which is controllable to move or drive the valve device 27 or more precisely the blocking element 28 from the basic configuration to the filtering configuration.

[0123] In practice, the actuator 41 rotates the blocking element 28 about the axis K, in particular against the action of the spring 29 , towards the filtering configuration of the valve device 27 .

[0124] In the drawings, the actuator 41 is arranged in a position aligned with the blocking element 28 along the axis K and is preferably directly coupled to the blocking element 28 to rotate it. However, the actuator 41 can also be remote from the blocking element 28 or more generally remote from the valve device 27; in fact, the power to drive the valve device 27 can be transmitted through the actuator 41 via any transmission device, even a transmission device of a known type (for example, including one or more gears, clutches, couplers, belts, cables, chains and similar known transmission elements).

[0125] The actuator 41 may be a hydraulic or pneumatic actuator in addition to an electric actuator without loss of generality.

[0126] Preferably, the device 4 also comprises a transducer 42 configured to detect an amount indicative of the occurrence of braking and to generate a related signal.

[0127] For example, the transducer 42 detects a quantity representative of the pressure between the disk 6 and the brake pad 7 .

[0128] In this case, the signal generated by the transducer 42 indicates that braking occurs when the quantity (eg pressure) detected by the transducer 42 exceeds a defined threshold (eg greater than 3 bar). In practice, the signal carries information whether the pressure exceeds the pressure threshold.

[0129] The device 4 further comprises a control unit 43 configured to receive the signal generated by the transducer 42 and to control the actuator 41 to move or drive the valve device 27 to the filtering configuration when the signal indicates that braking has occurred, ie when the pressure exceeds a pressure threshold.

[0130] The pressure threshold value is stored in the control unit 43 , for example.

[0131] As already explained above, actuating the valve device 27 into the filtering configuration specifically means moving the blocking element 28 from a position corresponding to the basic configuration into a position corresponding to the filtering configuration.

[0132] Preferably, the device 4 also includes a measuring or estimating device (not shown) for determining (e.g. by direct detection or by estimation from other quantities detected or determined by the control unit 43) a quantity representing the forward movement of the vehicle 1 (e.g. a quantity representing the speed or acceleration of the vehicle 1).

[0133] The control unit 43 is coupled to the measuring or evaluation means in order to obtain information on the determined quantity.

[0134] In particular, the control unit 43 has, in addition to the occurrence of the pressure threshold condition described above, an additional condition, the occurrence of which is preferably necessary for controlling the actuator 41 to drive the valve device 27 to the filtering configuration.

[0135] The additional condition is that the quantity determined by the measuring or estimating means indicates that the forward movement of the vehicle exceeds a minimum movement threshold at which braking occurs (ie when the pressure exceeds a pressure threshold).

[0136] This additional situation occurs, for example, when the speed or acceleration of the vehicle 1 is greater than a corresponding minimum threshold value.

[0137] The control unit 43 determines whether this additional situation has occurred due to its coupling to the measuring or evaluation device, ie due to its having information on the quantity determined by the measuring or evaluation device.

[0138] In this way, the control unit 43 causes the valve device 27 to enter the filtering configuration only if the vehicle 1 is actually moving when braking. In fact, with the vehicle 1 stationary, braking will not generate particles that would justify the filtering configuration.

[0139] according to Fig. 9 In a variant of the invention, the actuator 41 is replaced in its function by a mass 45 which oscillates via elastic means 46, in particular a spring.

[0140] The mass 45 is part of the device 4 and is coupled to a support 47 , for example fixed relative to the housing 26 , or coupled to another component of the vehicle 1 , for example the filter duct 20 , via elastic means 46 .

[0141] The support 47 is part of the device 4 and is configured to guide the mass 45 along a direction W oriented to have at least one component along the direction of advancement of the vehicle 1 or, more preferably, parallel to the direction of advancement.

[0142] Reference again Fig. 9 In a variation of the invention, the mass member 45 is coupled to the valve device 27 or more precisely to the blocking element 28 via a mechanism 48, which mechanism 48 is, for example, a hinge mechanism, which is configured to move or drive the valve device 27 from the basic structure to the filtering structure (i.e., to rotate the blocking element 28 from a position corresponding to the basic structure to a position corresponding to the filtering structure) in response to a translation of the mass member 45 relative to the bracket 47 along a direction W caused by braking.

[0143] In practice, the mass 45 moves relative to the support 47 (in practice, the mass 45 is suspended relative to the support 47 by means of the elastic means 46 ) due to inertia (ie due to inertial forces generated on the mass 45 due to braking) during braking of the vehicle 1 .

[0144] Movement of the mass 45 causes the valve device 27 to be actuated via a mechanism 48 , which is also part of the device 4 .

[0145] Obviously, the mechanism 48 can be formed in many forms to perform its functions described herein; therefore, the construction of the mechanism 48 will not be described in detail herein. Figure 8 The operation of the specific mechanism 48 shown can be performed from the same Fig. 9 It's obvious.

[0146] When the braking of the motor vehicle 1 stops, the elastic device 46 returns the mass 45 to its initial position. In this way, the valve device 27 is also returned to the basic configuration, for example by means of the spring 29, which is no longer necessary in this variant, since its function can obviously be replaced by the elastic device 46 via the mechanism 48.

[0147] Advantageously, especially for Fig. 9 In a variant or in general, the device 4 includes a sensor 50 ( Figure 8 For example, the sensor 50 may send the position of the blocking element 28 to the control unit 43 .

[0148] In particular, the sensor 50 may be a magnetic sensor, in particular a Hall Effect sensor.

[0149] During operation of the vehicle 1 , the brakes of the vehicle 1 , ie the pressure between the disc 6 and the brake pad 7 , drive the actuation assembly 40 , causing the valve device 27 to enter the filtering configuration.

[0150] Meanwhile, the vehicle 1 still moves forward, thus generating an aerodynamic airflow in a direction opposite to the forward direction of the vehicle 1. Therefore, at least a part of the airflow enters the cooling duct 8 through the air inlet 12.

[0151] The same part of the air flow, after having struck and cooled the brake system 5 (in particular the disk 6 and the brake pad 7 ), reaches the filter duct 20 through the air outlet 13 .

[0152] In the filtering configuration, the blocking element 28 at least partially blocks the branch 22 , thus causing a portion of the air flow coming from the cooling duct 8 to move along the branch 23 .

[0153] Therefore, the airflow moving along the branch portion 23 carries therewith the particles generated by the friction between the disk 6 and the gate plate 7 .

[0154] In the branch 23 , the air flow encounters a filter 30 which retains particulate matter and allows the air to flow through the node 25 towards the outlet 21 .

[0155] When braking is stopped, the actuation assembly 40 is configured to return the valve device 27 to the basic configuration. This is achieved in particular by a return member defined in particular by the spring 29.

[0156] Here, the air flow from the cooling duct 8 contains no particles or at least a very small amount of particles compared to the situation when the vehicle 1 is braking.

[0157] Here, the blocking element 28 at least partially blocks the branch portion 23, thus causing a portion of the airflow from the cooling duct 8 to flow through the branch portion 22. Thus, this portion of the airflow substantially bypasses the branch portion 23 and reaches the outlet 21.

[0158] During this phase, normal vibrations from the operation of the vehicle 1 assist in the separation of particulate matter retained by the filter 30 from the filter 30 , causing it to preferably fall into the receptacle 31 .

[0159] Due to the presence of the grooves 33, the airflow in any case preferably flows through the branch 22, but a backflow may be generated along the branch 23 from the node 25 (in any case the branches 22, 23 are connected to each other) toward the node 24. This backflow further helps the separation of particles from the filter 30 and their falling into the container 31.

[0160] The advantages of the device 4 and the vehicle 1 according to the invention are apparent from the foregoing.

[0161] Filter line 20 prevents particles from being emitted from brake system 5 into the surroundings.

[0162] In particular, the particles are retained in the filter duct 20 when the vehicle 1 is moving without braking. In fact, without braking the vehicle 1, the airflow through the cooling duct 8 bypasses the branch 23 where the filter 30 retains the particles collected during braking of the vehicle 1.

[0163] Here, the particles fall into the container 31 and are thus trapped.

[0164] Finally, it is obvious that modifications and variations may be made to the device 4 and to the vehicle 1 according to the invention without departing from the scope of protection defined by the claims.

[0165] In particular, the number and shapes of components described and shown herein may be different.

[0166] Furthermore, the multiple examples described herein may be combined with each other to determine additional embodiments within the above protection scope.

[0167] In particular, the brake device 5 may be located at positions other than those shown in relation to the wheels 2. For example, the brake device 5 may be arranged in the centre of the vehicle 1.

Claims

1. A braking device (4) for a vehicle (1), the braking device comprising: a braking device (5) having at least one pair of friction members (6, 7) and being selectively operable to cause braking of the vehicle (1) by pressing the friction members (6, 7) against each other such that pressure between the friction members (6, 7) causes a friction force to be exerted on the friction members (6, 7) and increases with the pressure; a cooling duct (8) extending between an air inlet (12) for taking in external air and an air outlet (13) for discharging the air taken in through the air inlet (12), wherein at least one of the friction members (6, 7) is arranged in the cooling duct (8) so as to be struck by an air flow passing through the cooling duct (8); a filter duct (20) extending between an inlet communicating with the air outlet (13) and an outlet (21) leading to the external environment, the filter duct (20) having a first branch portion (22) and a second branch portion (23) arranged in parallel; a valve device (27) comprising a blocking element (28) and controllable according to at least a first configuration, in which the blocking element (28) at least partially blocks the first branch (22) and empties the second branch (23), and a second configuration, in which the blocking element (28) at least partially blocks the second branch (23) and empties the first branch (22); a first filter (30) disposed at the second branch portion (23) and configured to filter particulate matter from the air flowing through the second branch portion (23); as well as Actuating means (40) are configured to drive the valve means (27) from the second configuration to the first configuration in response to braking of the vehicle (1).

2. The brake device according to claim 1, wherein: The air outlet (13) matches the inlet of the filter duct (20) so that all air leaving the cooling duct (8) flows toward the filter duct (20).

3. The brake device according to claim 1, wherein: The cooling pipe (8) is in communication with the outside only through the air inlet (12) and the air outlet (13).

4. The braking device according to claim 1 further comprises a container (31) for collecting particulate matter filtered by the first filter (30), the container having an inlet port (32) for receiving particulate matter between the valve device (27) and the first filter (30) at the second branch portion (23).

5. The brake device according to claim 4, wherein: The inlet port (32) of the container (31) is located to receive particulate matter that falls from the first filter (30) due to gravity, in particular, immediately upstream of the first filter (30).

6. The brake device according to claim 1, wherein: The blocking element (28) comprises a groove (33) so that the first branch (22) and the second branch (23) are connected through the groove (33) along a penetration direction (H) through the groove (33) when the valve device (27) is in the second configuration.

7. The brake device according to claim 6, wherein: The filter duct (20) comprises a portion (20a) having a converging or converging-diverging section extending transversely to the direction (H) in a directional direction from the gas outlet (13) to the outlet (21), the portion (20a) being arranged at the groove (33) along the first branch (22) when the valve device (27) is in the second configuration.

8. Braking device according to claim 6, comprising a second filter (35) for filtering particles from the air, the second filter (35) being attached to the blocking element (28) at the groove (33).

9. The brake device according to claim 1, wherein: The actuating device (40) comprises: an actuator (41) controllable to move the valve means (27) from the second configuration to the first configuration; a transducer (42) configured to detect an amount indicative of the occurrence of braking and to generate a related signal; and A control unit (43) is configured to receive the signal and control the actuator (41) to move the valve device (27) to the first configuration when the signal indicates that braking has occurred.

10. The brake device according to claim 9, wherein: The amount is representative of the pressure, and wherein the signal is representative of the occurrence of braking when the pressure is greater than a pressure threshold.

11. The braking device according to claim 9 further comprises a measuring or estimating device configured to determine a quantity representing the forward movement of the vehicle (1), wherein the control unit (43) is coupled to the measuring or estimating device and is configured to control the actuator (41) to move the valve device (27) to the first configuration in an additional case where the quantity determined by the measuring or estimating device represents that the forward movement of the vehicle (1) exceeds a minimum movement threshold at which braking occurs.

12. A wheel assembly for a vehicle, comprising a wheel (2) and a brake device (4) according to claim 1, wherein one of the friction members (6, 7) is fixed to the wheel (2).

13. A vehicle comprising a wheel assembly according to claim 12.

14. The vehicle according to claim 13, having a forward direction, wherein the air outlet (13) faces the rear of the vehicle (1) according to the forward direction, so that the air flow flowing out through the air outlet (13) is guided in a direction parallel to and opposite to the forward direction.

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