Caliper and support assembly and method

Abstract

The invention relates to a caliper and support assembly (1) for a disc brake capable of detecting a braking application, comprising a brake caliper (3) including a caliper body (5) adapted to straddle an associated disc (2) of the disc brake; the caliper and support assembly (1) comprises a support structure (4) connected to the caliper body (5); the support structure (4) comprises a first fixed part (7) and a second fixed part (8) adapted to be integrally connected to the vehicle and a connection part (6) adapted to connect the caliper body (5) to the first fixed part (7) at least along a direction parallel to said axial direction (XX) or along a direction parallel to a radial direction (RR). This connection allows free movement of the caliper body (5) relative to the support structure (4) along a predetermined direction (PP), which is incident on the axial direction (XX) and the radial direction (RR) or parallel thereto. The caliper and support assembly (1) comprises a constraining element (9) configured to connect the caliper body (5) to the second fixed part (8) along a predetermined direction (PP) preventing free movement of the caliper body (5), such that during braking, the constraining element (9) elastically deforms according to at least the predetermined direction (PP), resulting in a relative displacement of the caliper body (5) with respect to the support structure (4) at least in the predetermined direction (PP). The caliper and support assembly (1) comprises at least one detection device (10) for directly or indirectly detecting a displacement of the caliper body (5) with respect to the support structure (4) along at least the predetermined direction (PP).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] TECHNICAL FIELD OF THEINVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a caliper and support assembly for a disc brake.

[0003] In particular, the present invention relates to a caliper and support assembly that includes a sensing device.

[0004] The present invention also relates to a detection method. [Background technology]

[0005] Background technology

[0006] In disc brakes, a brake caliper is generally arranged to straddle the peripheral rim of a brake disc adapted to rotate about an axis of rotation. The brake caliper is constrained to a support structure that remains stationary relative to the vehicle wheel, for example a stub axle of a vehicle suspension, a vehicle wheel hub, or a motorcycle fork or yoke. The brake caliper comprises a caliper body having two elongated portions arranged to face opposite braking surfaces of the brake disc, and at least one bridge connecting the two elongated portions to each other.

[0007] Brake pads generally consist of a plate with a friction material fixed thereto, adapted to be pressed against the opposing braking surface of the brake band of a brake disc. Brake calipers for racing use brake pads in which the plate is integrated with the friction material. The plate may be configured with an audible wear indicator embedded in the friction material, which has the function of emitting a sound by rubbing against the brake band of the disc when the friction material becomes axially thinned due to long-term use.

[0008] In a floating caliper body associated with a fixed disc, the floating or sliding portion of the caliper body has a cylinder or cylinders adapted to accommodate thrust means which slide on the bracket or fixed portion of the caliper and are capable of abutting the braking surface of the disc and applying a thrust action to the clutch pad facing it whilst acting on a second clutch pad which abuts the brake disc to apply a braking action.

[0009] In the caliper body associated with the fixed disc, a cylinder or cylinders are present or are present on opposite sides of the caliper body and are adapted to accommodate thrust means capable of abutting against the braking surface of the disc and applying a thrust action to the clutch pads opposite it.

[0010] Alternatively, fixed caliper bodies associated with floating discs are also known, in which only one of the elongated portions of the caliper body has a cylinder or cylinders adapted to accommodate thrust means capable of exerting a thrust action on the opposing clutch pad, abutting against the braking surface of a disc which in turn slides axially on its support and abuts against the opposite clutch pad, exerting a braking action.

[0011] In a hydraulically operated brake system, when the driver of the vehicle depresses the brake pedal, brake fluid pressure is applied via a brake master cylinder, which in turn applies brake fluid in a hydraulic circuit located within the caliper body via pipes and reaches a cylinder where pressure is applied to the bottom of a piston, forcing the piston to close against a pad, which then presses against the braking surface of the disc.

[0012] The pressure action of the brake fluid is also exerted on the bottom wall of the cylinder, which reacts and deforms the caliper body away from the disc surface, a phenomenon known as elastic deformation or "strain" of the caliper, which moves away from the brake disc, forcing the pads to further bias the thrust means to apply the desired braking action.

[0013] When braking ceases, and thus the bias to deform the caliper body away from the brake disc ceases, the caliper body returns to its undeformed, resting state and again moves closer to the brake disc, and thus the pads move closer to the braking surface, which is undesirable because it creates slight contact between the pads and the disc, resulting in continued slight friction even after the braking command by the vehicle driver has ceased, resulting in braking action also known as residual brake torque.

[0014] This residual braking torque is often considered undesirable because of the slight but noticeable noise it generates due to friction between the braking surfaces of the pads and discs, the unwanted wear on the pads and brake discs resulting in more frequent maintenance to replace them, and the minimal fuel consumption required to provide the drive unit with the energy required to overcome this residual torque.

[0015] During braking, the clutch pads closed against the brake band of the disc are subjected to a tangentially or circumferentially directed frictional drag acceleration due to the rotation of the disc until they abut against a tangential abutment portion of the caliper body, such as a pin supporting the pad or a protruding wall on the caliper body.

[0016] Such dragging action is transmitted to the caliper body and tends to cause elastic elongation deformations in the tangential direction of the caliper body, especially in the tangential direction of the caliper body between the elements for restraining the caliper body to the support structure fixed to the vehicle, which is usually countered by the provision of elements for restraining the caliper body to the support structure, such as fixing pins or bushings, usually located on the laterally opposite sides of the clutch pads, and therefore usually causes a phenomenon of tangential jamming or "buckling" of the caliper body, resulting in elastic instability and bending and torsional stresses in the caliper body.

[0017] Furthermore, since the constraint between the caliper and its support is usually only located on the caliper side of the hub-side elongated elements, further cutting and twisting deformations occur, which can cause the elongated elements that are not constrained by the support, i.e. the wheel-side elongated elements, to move relative to the hub-side elongated elements and, as a result, the caliper bridge connecting these elongated elements to each other to deflect.

[0018] Otherwise, in brake-by-wire type braking systems, particularly for high performance vehicles, where the brake pedal is not connected to the caliper thrust means by a hydraulic circuit, there is a detection system associated with a data processing unit to measure the action applied to the brake pedal by the vehicle driver and to calculate the corresponding force to be transmitted to the brake caliper thrust means to thrust the pads against the opposing braking surfaces of the disc. For the vehicle driver, the braking feeling with a brake-by-wire system is radically changed compared to the braking feeling with hydraulically actuated brakes, particularly with regard to the mechanical feedback provided by the brake pedal, which may result in less sensitivity for the driver and less successful braking control.

[0019] Therefore, there is a strong need to quantify the braking action.

[0020] Several solutions have been proposed to quantify the braking action of a floating caliper based on an indirect measurement of the braking torque, i.e. based on detecting a quantity related to the substance of the braking torque, typically a bending deformation of a part of the brake caliper or its support.

[0021] For example, DE102012007118 shows a sensor system adapted to detect bending deformations of a dedicated cantilever connection bridge for connecting the caliper body of a floating caliper to a support structure. For example, US6511135 shows a solution arranged on the side of the caliper body looking towards or on the side of the disc outlet and adapted to detect bending deformations of an arm of a support bracket for a floating caliper where the brake action is released.

[0022] These solutions, although advantageous from several points of view, are only applicable to floating calipers and may be complicated in construction, for example by the need to provide a dedicated mechanical device cantilevered from a caliper body adapted to bend in a flexural manner, and it should be noted that the measurement of non-linear quantities, such as the bending deformation of a cantilevered caliper body, used in such solutions as the basis for calculating the braking torque, imposes substantial uncertainties on the quantification of the braking action.

[0023] From US-8146715 it is known to make a cut in the body of a floating caliper by laser cutting, constituting a cantilevered ledge that is excluded from the flow of forces occurring during braking. A proximity sensor is used to measure the change in axial width of such a cut during braking. Furthermore, US2012 / 0198926 shows a device for detecting the axial displacement between a bracket on which the clutch pads are attached and an elongated part of the floating caliper body.

[0024] Such a solution does not solve the problem, in that measurement of the axial deformation of the brake caliper is not suitable to provide a reliable estimate of the braking effect, since the axial deformation correlates non-proportionally to the braking torque due to unknown friction, which varies depending on the wear state of the friction material, driving conditions such as the temperature of the disc, and environmental conditions, e.g. rain.

[0025] Therefore, a need is felt to quantify the braking action of both floating and fixed type brake calipers in a reproducible and reliable manner.

[0026] From WO2019008534 to the same applicant, a caliper and support assembly is known, comprising a caliper body connected to a support structure, and provided with at least one disc inlet side fixing device, which fixation device locally prevents deformation of the disc inlet side of the caliper body relative to the support structure along said predetermined direction TT, thereby restraining the caliper body relative to the support structure along a tangential direction. This solution further comprises a disc outlet side fixing device coupled to the disc outlet side of the caliper body, avoiding the formation of a restraint in said at least one predetermined direction TT. In this double restraint system, the deformation of the caliper body is promoted in the tangential direction, and it is possible to quantify the braking action by a device that measures the distance between the disc outlet side fixing device and the slot of the caliper body that accommodates it. This solution is satisfactory in many respects, but it is hardly employable in situations where the braking action induces small tangential deformations of the caliper body, and the deformation measurements cannot be correlated with the braking action with sufficient accuracy.

[0027] There is therefore felt a need to repeatedly and reliably quantify braking action even when the deformation of the caliper body is very small, or even independent of the measurement of the deformation of the caliper body.

[0028] EP1646853 describes a device mounted at the centre of the wheel hub, independent of the brake caliper, to measure the forces and moments exchanged with the ground. This solution makes it possible to estimate the forces exchanged with the ground by the wheel, thus freeing the quantification of the braking action from the measurement of the deformation of the caliper body. This solution is very useful when testing vehicles, but is highly invasive and unsuitable for implementation in races.

[0029] There is a strong need for a simple, yet highly repeatable and reliable method for measuring braking action which can be implemented with minimal impact on standard brake caliper construction. Summary of the Invention

[0030] solution

[0031] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT It is an object of the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a solution to the needs mentioned above.

[0032] These and other objects are achieved by an assembly according to claim 1 and by a method according to claim 11.

[0033] Some advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0034] The proposed solution allows the caliper body to be connected to the support structure by a fixed connection so as to allow a displacement of the caliper body during a braking operation, and allows the caliper body to be constrained to the support structure by a constraining element adapted to elastically deform at least along a predetermined direction during a braking operation allowing a displacement of the caliper body relative to the support structure. Due to the caliper body being movable along a predetermined direction relative to the support structure and being constrained in the predetermined direction by the deformable constraining element, and due to the presence of a detection device, it is possible to directly or indirectly detect the displacement of the caliper body relative to the support structure.

[0035] According to one aspect of the invention, it is possible to directly detect the displacement of the caliper body relative to the support structure by measuring the distance over which a portion of the caliper body that is movable relative to the support structure faces a portion of the support structure.

[0036] According to one aspect of the invention, it is possible to indirectly detect the displacement of the caliper body by measuring the change in length of the restraining element, preferably due to deformation during traction, but not excluding deformation during compression during braking.

[0037] According to one aspect of the invention, the caliper body is connected to a connection portion of a support structure having a predetermined clearance along a predetermined direction, thereby allowing displacement of the caliper body within the length of the predetermined clearance, and the caliper body is constrained to the support structure by an elastically deformable constraining element that prevents displacement of the caliper body when no braking is applied and allows such displacement by its elastic deformation when braking is applied, so that displacement of the caliper body relative to the connection portion is only allowed during braking.

[0038] According to one aspect of the present invention, the caliper body includes a caliper body sheet wall defining a connecting sheet passing through at least a portion of the caliper body, the connecting sheet accommodating a connecting portion which is accommodated within the connecting sheet with a predetermined clearance along a predetermined direction to prevent the caliper body from abutting against the connecting portion upon displacement less than the predetermined clearance.

[0039] According to one aspect of the present invention, the connection portion slides on at least a portion of the connection seat of the caliper body with low friction.

[0040] Advantageously, the proposed solution avoids the discharge of braking forces along a predetermined direction onto the connecting part of the support structure due to the displacement permitted for the caliper body by the deformation of the restraining element along a predetermined direction in which the braking forces are discharged. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0041] figure

[0042] Further features and advantages of the assembly and method will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof, given as non-limiting examples, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

[0043] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an axial view of a caliper and support assembly according to one embodiment, where a caliper body straddles a brake disc defining radial, axial and tangential directions and the caliper body is connected to an arm of a vehicle suspension; a connection portion connects the caliper body to the vehicle along a radial direction to permit displacement of the caliper body along the predetermined direction, and a restraining element connects the caliper body to the vehicle along at least the predetermined direction to prevent displacement of the caliper body in the absence of braking action.

[0044] [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded axial view of the assembly of FIG.

[0045] [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an axial view of the caliper and support structure assembly of FIG. 1, with the caliper body and support structure partially cut along a plane perpendicular to the axial direction.

[0046] [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a front view perpendicular to the axial direction of the caliper and support assembly of FIG. 3, in which the first connecting device and the second connecting device connect the caliper body to the first fixed part, and the caliper body is connected to the connecting part with a predetermined clearance along a predetermined direction to prevent the caliper body from hitting against the connecting part during braking operation, so that the braking force is released onto the restraining element that elastically deforms along the predetermined direction.

[0047] [Diagram 5]FIG. 5 shows a detail of the cross-sectional assembly of FIG. 4, showing the first connecting device received in the first slot of the caliper body and showing a predetermined clearance between the first connecting device and the inner wall of the first guide bushing integral with the caliper body.

[0048] [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows a detail of the assembly of FIG. 4, showing the second connecting device received in the second slot of the caliper body, showing a predetermined clearance between the second connecting device and the inner wall of the second guide bushing integral with the caliper body, and showing the spacing between the surface of the caliper body facing the surface of the first fixed part to which the connecting part is restrained.

[0049] [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the caliper and support assembly of FIG. 1 taken along a plane perpendicular to the radial direction along which the first and second connection devices extend, in which in particular the elongated shape of the inner surfaces of the first and second caliper body bushings, respectively, along a predetermined direction can be seen due to the presence of a straight flat extension between two cylindrical semicircular extensions.

[0050] [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an axial view of a caliper and support assembly according to an embodiment, in which a connection portion connects the caliper body to the vehicle along an axial direction to permit displacement of the caliper body along a predetermined direction, and a deformable restraining element restrains the caliper body to the vehicle at least along the predetermined direction and prevents displacement of the caliper body in the absence of braking application.

[0051] [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an exploded axial view of the assembly of FIG.

[0052] [Figure 10]FIG. 10 shows a plan view perpendicular to the radial direction of the caliper and support assembly of FIG. 8, in which the caliper body, the support structure and the restraining element are partially divided according to a plane perpendicular to the radial direction, and the first connecting device and the second connecting device of the connecting part connect the caliper body to the first fixed part; the caliper body is connected to the connecting part with a predetermined clearance along a predetermined direction to prevent the caliper body from hitting the connecting part during braking operation, so that the braking force is released onto the restraining element which elastically deforms along the predetermined direction.

[0053] [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an axial view of a caliper and support assembly according to the variant of FIG. 1 and the variant of FIG. 8, respectively, in which the caliper body is connected to a first fixed part by a connection part and the caliper body is connected to a second fixed part by a deformable restraining element, the first fixed part and the second fixed part being integrated into the same element adapted to be connected to a wheel hub. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an axial view of a caliper and support assembly according to the variant of FIG. 1 and the variant of FIG. 8, respectively, in which the caliper body is connected to a first fixed part by a connection part and the caliper body is connected to a second fixed part by a deformable restraining element, the first fixed part and the second fixed part being integrated into the same element adapted to be connected to a wheel hub.

[0054] [Figure 13] FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional view of one of two connection devices of a support structure at least partially coupled to a first or second guide bushing of a brake caliper, which internally defines either a first or second slot, showing the clearance between the connection device and the first wall of the first or second slot and showing the linear extension of the first wall of the first or second slot, along which the respective connection device slides with low friction along a given direction of displacement of the caliper body relative to the support structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0055] Description of Some Preferred Embodiments

[0056] According to a general embodiment, a caliper and support assembly 1 for a disc brake 100 comprises a brake caliper 3 and a support structure 4 .

[0057] The disc brake 100 is defined by an axial direction XX that coincides with or is parallel to the rotation axis of the disc 2 of the disc brake 100, a radial direction RR that is perpendicular to the axial direction XX, a circumferential direction CC that is perpendicular to both the axial direction XX and the radial direction RR, and a tangential direction TT that is exactly perpendicular to both the axial direction XX and the radial direction RR.

[0058] Said brake caliper 3 comprises a caliper body 5 and is adapted to straddle an associated disc 2 of a disc brake 100 .

[0059] The support structure 4 is connected to the caliper body 5 .

[0060] The support structure 4 comprises a first fixed part 7 and a second fixed part 8 adapted for integral connection to a vehicle, for example a suspension arm of a vehicle.

[0061] Advantageously, the support structure 4 comprises a connection part 6 adapted to connect the caliper body 5 to a first fixed part 7 at least along a direction parallel to the axial direction XX or along a direction parallel to the radial direction RR, allowing a displacement of the caliper body 5 relative to the support structure 4 along a predetermined direction PP, whereby the predetermined direction PP is incident on the axial direction XX and the radial direction RR or in a direction parallel thereto.

[0062] The caliper and support assembly 1 comprises a restraining element 9 configured to connect the caliper body 5 to the second fixed part 8 along the predetermined direction PP, preventing said displacement of the caliper body 5 in the absence of braking action.

[0063] During braking, said arresting element 9 is elastically deformed at least according to said predetermined direction PP, resulting in a relative displacement of the caliper body 5 with respect to the support structure 4 at least in said predetermined direction PP.

[0064] The caliper and support assembly 1 comprises at least one detection device 10, which directly or indirectly detects the displacement of the caliper body 5 relative to a support structure 4 at least along the predetermined direction PP.

[0065] According to one embodiment, said at least one predetermined direction PP is a tangential direction TT.

[0066] Thanks to the provision of said detection device 10 it is possible to detect said distance d, which is proportional to the braking action, so that it is possible to calculate the braking torque on the basis of the information obtained by said detection device 10.

[0067] Thanks to said detection device 10, it is possible to detect the elastic deformation in traction or compression of the restraining element 9, which is proportional to the braking action, so that it is possible to calculate the braking torque on the basis of the information obtained by said detection device 10.

[0068] Due to the presence of such a detection device 10, the distance d evaluated in the tangential direction TT is proportional to the force with which the disc presses the pad in the tangential direction TT, thereby making it possible to quantify the braking effect by evaluating the deformation in the tangential direction TT of the at least one restraining element 9.

[0069] According to one embodiment, at least one detection device 10 directly detects the displacement of the caliper body 5 by detecting at least a distance d along the predetermined direction PP between the caliper body and a supporting structure part 6, 7, 8 facing the caliper body, the supporting structure part 6, 7, 8 being one of the first fixed part 7, the second fixed part 8 and the connecting part 6. According to one embodiment, the caliper body faces the supporting structure part 6, 7, 8 along the predetermined direction PP.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the at least one detection device 10 indirectly detects the displacement of the caliper body 5 by detecting at least one elongation 1 of the restraining element 9 at least along the predetermined direction PP due to elastic deformation of the restraining element 9 during the braking operation.

[0071] According to one embodiment, the at least one detection device 10 comprises at least one sensor 44 .

[0072] According to one embodiment, said connection portion 6 comprises a first connection device 13 extending mainly along said radial direction RR or said axial direction XX, depending on the type of connection between the caliper body and the support structure.

[0073] According to one embodiment, said connection part 6 comprises a second connection device 14 extending mainly along said radial direction RR or said axial direction XX.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the first connecting device 13 and the second connecting device 14 are constrained to the first fixed part 7 .

[0075] According to one embodiment, the brake caliper 3 comprises at least a first guide bushing 21 integrally connected to the caliper body 5, said first guide bushing 21 comprising a first slot first wall 15 at least partially defining a first slot 17. The first slot 17 receives the first connecting device 20 with a first predetermined clearance gl at least along the predetermined direction PP.

[0076] According to one embodiment, the brake caliper 3 comprises at least a second guide bushing 23 integrally connected to the caliper body 5, said second guide bushing 23 comprising a second slot first wall 18 at least partially defining a second slot 20. The second slot 20 receives the second connecting device 14 with a second predetermined clearance g2 at least along the predetermined direction PP.

[0077] According to one embodiment, the first slot 17 receives the first connection device 20 having a first predetermined clearance gl at least along the predetermined direction PP, and the second slot 20 receives the second connection device 14 having a second predetermined clearance g2 at least along the predetermined direction PP so as to enable the displacement of the caliper body 5 along the predetermined direction PP relative to the support structure 4.

[0078] According to one embodiment, the first connection device 13 and the first slot 17 couple the caliper body 5 and the support structure 4 in a manner that avoids any constraint being formed between them along the at least one predetermined direction PP.

[0079] According to one embodiment, the second connection device 14 and the second slot 20 are coupled in a manner that avoids the formation of any constraints between the caliper body 5 and the support structure 4 along the at least one predetermined direction PP.

[0080] According to one embodiment, said first connection device 13 cooperates with said first slot wall 15 to create an axial or radial constraint XX or RR between said caliper body 5 and said support structure 4 .

[0081] According to one embodiment, the second connection device 14 cooperates with the second slot first wall 18 forming an axial or radial constraint XX or RR between the caliper body 5 and the support structure 4 .

[0082] According to one embodiment, said caliper body 5 comprises at least one seat wall 12 at least partially defining a restraining seat 37 , said restraining seat 37 receiving an end of said restraining element 9 .

[0083] According to one embodiment, the second fixing part 8 consists of a fixing bracket including a restraining slot 38 passing through the thickness of the fixing bracket, the restraining element 9 being received in the restraining slot 38 and the head of the restraining element 9 abutting against the outer wall of the fixing bracket.

[0084] According to one embodiment, the restraining element 9 cooperates with the at least one seat wall 11 and the at least one restraining slot 38 by restraining the caliper body 5 to the support structure 4 along the predetermined direction PP and forming an axial and / or radial restraint between the caliper body 5 and the support structure 4.

[0085] According to one embodiment, the restraining element 9 is designed and dimensioned such that its maximum elongation Imax at least along the predetermined direction PP during a braking operation is smaller than the first predetermined clearance tl and / or the second predetermined clearance t2.

[0086] According to one embodiment, said first predetermined clearance tl is equal to said second predetermined clearance t2. According to one embodiment, the maximum extension Imax of the restraining element 9 is designed and dimensioned to prevent the first connection device 13 and / or the second connection device 14 from hitting the first slot first wall 15 and / or the second slot first wall 18 when the caliper body 5 moves along the predetermined direction PP.

[0087] According to one embodiment, the caliper body 5 comprises a first slot second wall 16 which defines the first slot 17 downstream of the first slot first wall 15 in the direction of the first fixing portion 7. According to one embodiment, the first slot second wall is cylindrical and avoids contact with the first connecting device.

[0088] According to one embodiment, the caliper body 5 comprises, downstream of the second slot first wall 18 in the direction of the first fixing portion 7, a second slot second wall 19 which defines the second slot wall 20. According to one embodiment, the second slot second wall is cylindrical and avoids contact with the second connecting device.

[0089] According to one embodiment, the first guide bushing 21 and the first connecting device 13 are composed of a respective first sliding surface 31 and a respective second sliding surface 33, enabling low-friction sliding of the caliper body 5 against the support structure 4 along the predetermined direction PP during braking, the first sliding surface 31 and the second sliding surface 33 being transverse to each other.

[0090] According to one embodiment, the second guide bushing 23 and the second connection device 14 comprise a respective third sliding surface 32 and a respective fourth sliding surface 34, the third sliding surface 32 and the fourth sliding surface 34 being mutually transverse, in order to enable low-friction sliding of the caliper body 5 against the support structure 4 along the predetermined direction PP during braking operation.

[0091] According to one embodiment, the first slot first wall 15 describes a first slot edge profile 39 having an elongated shape along the predetermined direction PP to avoid any binding being formed between the caliper body 5 and the first connecting device 13 in the predetermined direction PP during displacement of the caliper body 5.

[0092] According to one embodiment, the second slot first wall 18 describes a second slot edge profile having an elongated shape along the predetermined direction PP to avoid the formation of binding between the caliper body 5 and the second connecting device 14 in the predetermined direction PP during displacement of the caliper body 5.

[0093] According to one embodiment, the first slot first wall 18 consists of at least a first slot straight stretch 41, which lies in a first plane and has a first length along the predetermined direction PP at least equal to the first predetermined clearance g1. According to one embodiment, the first plane is parallel to the predetermined direction PP and transverse to the radial direction RR or to the axial direction XX. The first connecting device 13 slides on the first slot straight stretch 41. According to one embodiment, the first sliding surface 31 consists of the at least first slot straight stretch 41 and an outer surface part of the first connecting device 13 facing the straight stretch. Preferably, the outer surface part of the first connecting device is cylindrical and forms a contact surface reduced to the straight stretch.

[0094] According to one embodiment, said second slot first wall 18 consists of at least a second slot straight stretch 12, said at least second slot straight stretch 12 being in a second plane and having a second length along said predetermined direction PP at least equal to said second predetermined clearance g2. According to one embodiment, said second plane is parallel to said predetermined direction PP and transverse to said radial direction RR or to said axial direction XX. said second connecting device 14 slides on said second slot straight stretch 12. According to one embodiment, said third sliding surface 32 consists of said at least second slot straight stretch 12 and an outer surface part of said second connecting device 14 facing said straight stretch. Preferably, said outer surface part of said second connecting device is cylindrical and forms a contact surface reduced to the straight stretch.

[0095] According to one embodiment, the first guide bushing 21 comprises a first guide flange 22. According to one embodiment, the second guide bushing 23 comprises a second guide flange 24. According to one embodiment, the first guide flange 22 and the second guide flange 24 lie on a guide plane, which is parallel to the predetermined direction PP and parallel to either the axial direction XX or the radial direction RR. According to one embodiment, the first connecting device 13 and the second connecting device 14 slide on the first guide flange 22 and the second guide flange 24, respectively, on the guide plane. According to one embodiment, the first connecting device 13 comprises a first bushing flange 27. According to one embodiment, the second connecting device 14 consists of a second bushing flange 30. According to one embodiment, the first bushing flange 27 and the second bushing flange 30 slide on the first guide flange 22 and the second guide flange 24, respectively. According to one embodiment, the second sliding surface 33 at least partially constitutes the first guide flange 22 and the first bushing flange 27. According to one embodiment, the fourth sliding surface 34 at least partially constitutes the second bushing flange 30 and the second guide flange 24.

[0096] According to one embodiment, the first connecting device 13 comprises a first pin 25 and at least a first bushing 26 fitted onto the first pin 25 .

[0097] According to one embodiment, said second connection device 14 comprises a second pin 28 and at least a second bushing 29 fitted onto said second pin 28 .

[0098] According to one embodiment, said restraining element 9 consists of a screw.

[0099] According to one embodiment, the first connecting device 13 and the second connecting device 14 each consist of a stud.

[0100] According to one embodiment, said first guide bushing 21 is made integral with said caliper body 5 .

[0101] According to one embodiment, or when the first guide bushing 21 is accommodated in a first guide bushing seat 35 made in the caliper body 5, the first guide bushing 21 comprises an inner wall constituting the first slot wall 15 and an outer wall connected by shape or by interference to a seat wall defining the first guide bushing seat 35.

[0102] According to one embodiment, said second guide bushing 23 is made integral with said caliper body 5 .

[0103] According to one embodiment, the second guide bushing 23 is accommodated in a second guide bushing seat 36 made in the caliper body, the second guide bushing 23 having an inner wall constituting the second slot first wall 18 and an outer wall connected by form or by interference to the seat wall defining the second guide bushing seat 36.

[0104] According to one embodiment, the first bushing 26 comprises a first bushing flange 27 .

[0105] According to one embodiment, the second bushing 29 comprises the second bushing flange 30 .

[0106] According to one embodiment, the first guide flange 22 is slidable with the first bushing flange 27 and the second guide flange 24 is slidable with the second bushing flange 30 .

[0107] According to one embodiment, the caliper body rests on the first 27 and second 30 bushing flanges by the first 22 and second 24 guide flanges.

[0108] According to one embodiment, the first fixed part 7 comprises a first fixed part surface facing the caliper body 5. According to one embodiment, the first bushing 26 abuts with its first end against the first fixed part surface opposite the first bushing flange 27. According to one embodiment, the second bushing 26 abuts with its first end against the first fixed part surface opposite the second bushing flange 30.

[0109] According to one embodiment, the first bushing 26 and the second bushing 29 have respective longitudinal lengths adapted to avoid direct contact between the caliper body 5 and the first fixed part surface while maintaining the spacing s between the caliper body 5 and the first fixed part 7.

[0110] According to one embodiment, the first pin 25 and the second pin 28 are integral with the first bushing 26 and the second bushing 29, respectively, and the first pin 25 and the second pin 28 have respective pin heads that abut the first bushing flange 27 and the second bushing flange 30.

[0111] According to one embodiment, the first pin 25 and the second pin 28 have respective tail portions that are received and restrained in respective restraining device seats made in the first fixed part 7 .

[0112] According to one embodiment, said first fixed part 7 and said second fixed part 8 are directly connected and / or integrated and / or made in one piece.

[0113] According to one embodiment, the second fixed part 8 is made as a separate part from the first fixed part 7 and is indirectly connected to the first fixed part 7, for example via a yoke 43 or a fork of a motorcycle.

[0114] According to one embodiment, said support structure 4 is connected to an arm of a vehicle suspension.

[0115] According to one embodiment, said first fixing part 7 comprises a part adapted to receive a wheel pin connectable to a wheel hub of a vehicle.

[0116] According to one embodiment, said first fixing part 7 comprises a connecting mating part adapted to rigidly connect to said connecting part 6 .

[0117] According to one embodiment, said second fixing part 8 comprises a connection flange which projects from said first fixing part 7, for example L-shaped, facing a portion of the caliper body 5.

[0118] According to one embodiment, said second fixed part 8 consists of a connection flange projecting from the yoke 43 or from the fork facing a portion of the caliper body 5 .

[0119] According to one embodiment, the connection portion 6 has a substantially cylindrical extension in the radial direction RR or in the axial direction XX forming a radial or axial connection, respectively, between the caliper body 5 and the support structure 4.

[0120] According to one embodiment, the constraint element 9 is configured to integrate the detection device 10, which detects the at least one elongation 1 of the constraint element 9 at least along the predetermined direction PP.

[0121] According to one embodiment, the at least one sensor 44 is integral with the restraining element 9 and / or said restraining element 9 is an instrumented screw comprising said at least one sensor 44 .

[0122] According to one embodiment, the at least one sensor 44 is a strain gauge and / or a capacitive strain detector and / or an ultrasonic strain detector. According to one embodiment, the sensor 44 is, for example, integral with the caliper body 5. According to one embodiment, the sensor 44 is, for example, integral with the support structure 4, for example a part of the support structure.

[0123] According to one embodiment, the caliper body or the support structure comprises the at least one sensor 44 housed therein.

[0124] According to one embodiment, the at least one sensor 44 is an eddy current sensor.

[0125] According to one embodiment, the at least one sensor 44 is an LVDT.

[0126] According to one embodiment, the at least one sensor 44 comprises a cantilever sensor portion protruding in a cantilever-like manner from the first slot first wall 15 towards the first connection device 13 into the first slot 17, or from the second slot first wall 18 towards the second connection device 14 into the second slot 20, preferably the cantilever sensor portion extending substantially along the predetermined direction TT.

[0127] According to one embodiment, the sensor 44 comprises a sensor output adapted to connect to at least one data transmission wire.

[0128] According to an embodiment, said detection device 10 is associated with a data processing unit adapted to receive information relating to said distance d or said extension I in order to quantify the braking effect and / or to estimate the braking torque and / or to calculate the braking force. Preferably, said detection device 10 is associated with a data processing unit by means of said data transmission wire.

[0129] According to one embodiment, the caliper body 5 or the support structure part comprises a flattened surface oriented substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the displacement of the caliper body 5 is measured, preferably along the predetermined direction PP, and the detection device 10 is arranged on the flattened surface facing the support structure part or the caliper body 5.

[0130] The invention further relates to a method for detecting the displacement of the caliper body 5 relative to the support structure 4 during a braking operation.

[0131] The method comprises the following steps:

[0132] connecting the caliper body 5 to a first fixed part 7 of the support structure 4 by means of a connecting part 6 of the support structure 4 so as to allow displacement of the caliper body 5 along a predetermined direction PP;

[0133] restraining the caliper body 5 to the second fixed part 8 of the support structure 4 using a restraining element 9 elastically deformable at least along the predetermined direction PP to allow displacement of the caliper body 5 during braking and to prevent displacement of the caliper body 5 in the absence of braking;

[0134] Detecting, in a direct or indirect manner, the displacement of the caliper body 5 during braking.

[0135] Detecting the displacement in a direct manner includes the following steps.

[0136] identifying a caliper body facing a support structure part, preferably along a predetermined direction PP, comprising one of the first fixed part 7, the second fixed part 8 and the connection part;

[0137] Measuring the distance d between the caliper body and the support structure during a braking operation.

[0138] The step of indirectly detecting the displacement includes:

[0139] Measuring the change in length of said restraining element 9 at least along said predetermined direction PP.

[0140] According to an operation mode, the method includes the following steps:

[0141] calculating the maximum braking force applied by a brake caliper to the restraining element 9 along the predetermined direction PP,

[0142] - sizing the restraining element 9 so that it supports the maximum braking force by elastically deforming at a maximum elastic deformation (Imax), e.g. a maximum elongation;

[0143] forming connection opposing portions, such as the first slot 17 and the second slot 20, in the caliper body so as to connect the connection portions of the support structure, such as the brake caliper on the first connection device 13 and the second connection device 14, with a predetermined clearance, such as the first predetermined clearance gl and the second predetermined clearance g2, along the predetermined direction PP at least equal to the elongation of the maximum elastic deformation.

[0144] The features described above make it possible to obtain an assembly and method that simultaneously meets the needs and desired advantages set forth above.

[0145] The displacement of the caliper body can be detected in a simple and reproducible manner.

[0146] It is possible to detect the deformation of the constraint element 9 in a simple and repeatable manner.

[0147] Based on detecting the deformation of the restraining element and / or the displacement of the caliper body relative to the support structure, it is possible to obtain a method for quantifying the braking effect, which has improved reliability and reproducibility compared to known solutions, is suitable for all types of brake calipers whilst being simple to implement.

[0148] It is possible to detect a quantity proportional to the brake torque.

[0149] It is possible to establish a connection between the caliper body and a first fixed part of the support structure, which connection allows a displacement of the caliper body along a predetermined PP direction by discharging a braking force onto a deformable restraining element connecting the caliper body to a second fixed part of the support structure.

[0150] g1: First clearance g2: Second clearance Imax: Maximum length of the constraint element d: Detection distance between the movable caliper and the fixed support 1: Detection of elongation of the constraint element s interval XX: Axial direction RR: Radial direction CC: Circumferential direction TT:Tangential direction PP:Predetermined direction

Claims

1. A disc brake caliper and support assembly (1), comprising: an axial direction (X-X) that coincides with or is parallel to the rotation axis of the disc (2) of the disc brake, a radial direction (R-R) that is perpendicular to the axial direction (X-X), a circumferential direction (C-C) that is perpendicular to both the axial direction (X-X) and the radial direction (R-R), and a tangential direction (T-T) that is perpendicular to both the axial direction (X-X) and the radial direction (R-R), The caliper and support assembly (1) has a brake caliper (3), The brake caliper (3) has a caliper body (5), The caliper body (5) is adapted to straddle an associated disc (2) of the disc brake; The caliper and support assembly (1) includes a support structure (4) connected to the caliper body (5); The support structure (4) a first fixed part (7) and a second fixed part (8) adapted to be integrally connected to a vehicle; a connecting part (6) adapted to connect the caliper body (5) to the first fixed part (7) along a direction parallel to the axial direction (X-X) or along a direction parallel to the radial direction (R-R), the connecting part (6) allowing free movement of the caliper body (5) relative to the support structure (4) along a predetermined direction (P-P), the predetermined direction (P-P) being incident on the axial direction (X-X) and the radial direction (R-R) or a direction parallel thereto, the caliper and support assembly (1) comprises a restraining element (9) configured to connect the caliper body (5) to the second fixed part (8) along the predetermined direction (PP) and preventing the free movement of the caliper body (5); During braking, the restraining element (9) elastically deforms in at least said predetermined direction (PP) and determines the displacement of the caliper body (5) relative to the support structure (4) in at least said predetermined direction (PP), The caliper and support assembly (1) comprises at least one detection device (10) that directly or indirectly detects displacement of the caliper body (5) relative to the support structure (4) at least along the predetermined direction (PP).

2. the predetermined direction (P-P) is the tangential direction (T-T), The caliper and support assembly (1) comprises: Feature (2a), wherein the at least one detection device (10) directly detects the displacement of the caliper body (5) by detecting a distance (d) between a caliper body portion and a support structure portion (6, 7, 8) at least along the predetermined direction (P-P), the caliper body portion facing the support structure portion (6, 7, 8), and the support structure portion (6, 7, 8) being the first fixed portion (7), the second fixed portion (8), or the connecting portion (6); Feature (2b), wherein the at least one detection device (10) indirectly detects the displacement of the caliper body (5) by detecting at least one elongation of the restraining element (9) along at least the predetermined direction (PP) due to an elastic deformation of the restraining element (9) during braking; Feature (2b), wherein the at least one detection device (10) comprises at least one sensor (44); 2. A caliper and support assembly (1) according to claim 1, comprising any one of the features (2a)-(2c) or a combination of the features (2a)-(2c).

3. A caliper and support assembly (1) as described in claim 2, wherein the caliper main body portion faces the support structure portion (6, 7, 8) along the specified direction (P-P).

4. The connection part (6), a first connecting device (13) that extends mainly along the radial direction (RR) or the axial direction (XX); a second connecting device (14) that extends mainly along the radial direction (R-R) or the axial direction (X-X), The first connecting device (13) and the second connecting device (14) are constrained to the first fixed part (7), The brake caliper (3) at least one first guide bushing (21) integrally connected to the caliper body (5), the first guide bushing (21) comprising a first slot first wall (15) at least partially defining a first slot (17); and at least one second guide bushing (23) integrally connected to the caliper body (5), the second guide bushing (23) having a second slot first wall (18) at least partially defining a second slot (20); the first slot (17) receives the first connecting device (20) with a first clearance (gl) at least along the predetermined direction (PP); the second slot (20) receives the second connecting device (14) with a second clearance (g2) at least along the predetermined direction (PP); A caliper and support assembly (1) according to claim 2, whereby said displacement of said caliper body (5) along said predetermined direction (PP) relative to said support structure (4) is permitted.

5. The first connecting device (13) and the first slot (17) are coupled together while avoiding forming a constraint between the caliper body (5) and the support structure (4) at least along the predetermined direction (P-P); 5. The caliper and support assembly (1) according to claim 4, wherein the second connection device (14) and the second slot (20) couple together while avoiding the formation of any constraint between the caliper body (5) and the support structure (4) along at least one of the predetermined directions (P-P).

6. The first connecting device (13) cooperates with the first slot first wall (15) to form a constraint in the axial direction (X-X) or the radial direction (R-R) between the caliper body (5) and the support structure (4); 5. The caliper and support assembly (1) of claim 4, wherein the second connection device (14) cooperates with the second slot first wall (18) to form the axial (X-X) or radial (R-R) constraint between the caliper body (5) and the support structure (4).

7. The caliper body (5) has at least one sheet wall (11) that at least partially defines a restraining sheet (37), The restraining sheet (37) receives one end of the restraining element (9), The second fixed part (8) has a fixing bracket, the retaining bracket having a restraining slot (38) extending therethrough; The restraining element (9) is received in the restraining slot (38), The head of the restraining element (9) abuts against the outer wall of the fixing bracket, 5. The caliper and support assembly (1) according to claim 4, wherein the restraining element (9) cooperates with the at least one seat wall (11) and the restraining slot (38) to restrain the caliper body (5) against the support structure (4) along the predetermined direction (P-P) and to form a restraint in the axial direction (X-X) and / or the radial direction (R-R) between the caliper body (5) and the support structure (4).

8. A caliper and support assembly (1) as described in claim 4, wherein the restraining element (9) is designed and sized so that during braking, the maximum length (lmax) of the restraining element (9) at least along the predetermined direction (P-P) is less than the first clearance (g1) and / or the second clearance (g2), thereby preventing the first connecting device (13) and / or the second connecting device (14) from abutting against the first slot first wall (15) and / or the second slot first wall (18) when the caliper body (5) is displaced in the predetermined direction (P-P).

9. The caliper body (5) a first slot second wall (16) defining the first slot (17) downstream of the first slot first wall (15) in the direction of the first fixed portion (7); 5. The caliper and support assembly (1) according to claim 4, further comprising a second slot second wall (19) defining the second slot (20) downstream of the second slot first wall (18) in the direction of the first fixed portion (7).

10. The first guide bushing (21) and the first connecting device (13) respectively have a first sliding surface (31) and a second sliding surface (33) for enabling low-friction sliding of the caliper body (5) against the support structure (4) along the predetermined direction (P-P) during braking; The first sliding surface (31) and the second sliding surface (33) cross each other, the second guide bushing (23) and the second connecting device (14) respectively comprise a third sliding surface (32) and a fourth sliding surface (34) for enabling low-friction sliding of the caliper body (5) relative to the support structure (4) along the predetermined direction (P-P) during braking; the third sliding surface (32) and the fourth sliding surface (34) cross each other; The caliper and support assembly (1) comprises: the first slot first wall (15) has a first slot edge profile (39) that is elongated along the predetermined direction (P-P), to avoid forming a constraint between the caliper body (5) and the first connecting device (13) in the predetermined direction (P-P) during displacement of the caliper body (5); a feature (10a) in which the second slot first wall (18) has a second slot edge profile that is elongated along the predetermined direction (PP) to avoid forming a binding between the caliper body (5) and the second connecting device (14) in the predetermined direction (PP) during displacement of the caliper body (5); the first slot first wall (18) has at least one first slot linear extension (41); said at least one first slot linear extension (41) lies in a first plane and has a first length along said predetermined direction (PP) that is at least equal to said first clearance (gl); the first plane is parallel to the predetermined direction (P-P) and crosses the radial direction (R-R) or the axial direction (X-X); The first connecting device (13) slides on the at least one first slot linear extension (41); the second slot first wall (18) has at least one second slot linear extension (12); the at least one second slot linear extension (12) is in a second plane and has a second length along the predetermined direction (PP) that is at least equal to the second clearance (g2); the second plane is parallel to the predetermined direction (P-P) and transverse to the radial direction (R-R) or the axial direction (X-X); Feature (10b), wherein the second connecting device (14) slides on the second slot linear extension (12); The first guide bushing (21) has a first guide flange (22), The second guide bushing (23) has a second guide flange (24), The first guide flange (22) and the second guide flange (24) are on a guide plane; The guide plane is parallel to the predetermined direction (P-P) and parallel to the axial direction (X-X) or the radial direction (R-R), Feature (10c), wherein the first connecting device (13) and the second connecting device (14) slide on the guide plane and on the first guide flange (22) and the second guide flange (24), respectively; The first connecting device (13) has a first bushing flange (27), The second connecting device (14) has a second bushing flange (30); Feature (10d), wherein the first bushing flange (27) and the second bushing flange (30) are slidable over the first guide flange (22) and the second guide flange (24), respectively; A caliper and support assembly (1) according to claim 4, comprising any one of the features or a combination of the features (10a)-(10d).

11. The first connecting device (13) comprises a first pin (25) and a first bushing (26) fitted onto the first pin (25); The first pin (25) and the first bushing (26) are integral with each other, The caliper and support assembly (1) Feature (11a), wherein the second connecting device (14) comprises a second pin (28) and a second bushing (29) fitted onto the second pin (28); Feature (11b), wherein the restraining element (9) has a screw; Feature (11c), wherein the first connecting device (13) and the second connecting device (14) each have a stud; The first guide bushing (21) is made integral with the caliper body (5), or the first guide bushing (21) is accommodated in a first guide bushing seat (35) made in the caliper body (5); The first guide bushing (21) an inner wall having the first slot first wall (15); Feature (11d) having an outer wall form-fitted or interference-fitted with a seat wall defining said first guide bushing seat (35); The second guide bushing (23) is made integral with the caliper body (5), or the second guide bushing (23) is accommodated in a second guide bushing seat (36) made in the caliper body; The second guide bushing (23) is an inner wall having the second slot first wall (18); Feature (11e) having an outer wall connected by shape or interference with a seat wall defining said second guide bushing seat (36); 11. A caliper and support assembly (1) according to claim 10, comprising any one of the features or a combination of the features (11a)-(11e).

12. The first bushing (26) has a first bushing flange (27), The second bushing (29) has a second bushing flange (30); The first guide flange (22) slidably abuts against the first bushing flange (27), The second guide flange (24) slidably abuts against the second bushing flange (30), The first fixing portion (7) has a first fixing surface facing the caliper body (5), the first bushing (26) abuts a first end of the first bushing (26) opposite the first bushing flange (27) against the first fixing surface; the second bushing (29) abuts a first end of the second bushing (29) opposite the second bushing flange (30) against the first fixed portion surface; the first bushing (26) and the second bushing (29) have respective longitudinal lengths adapted to avoid direct contact between the caliper body (5) and a surface of the first fixed part (7) while maintaining a distance (s) between the caliper body (5) and the first fixed part; the first pin (25) and the second pin (28) are integral with the first bushing (26) and the second bushing (29), respectively; the first pin (25) and the second pin (28) have respective pin heads that abut against the first bushing flange (27) and the second bushing flange (30); 12. The caliper and support assembly (1) according to claim 11, wherein the first pin (25) and the second pin (28) have respective tail portions that are received and restrained in respective restraining device seats formed in the first fixed portion (7).

13. The first fixed part (7) and the second fixed part (8) are directly connected and / or integrated, or the second fixed part (8) is made of a single piece separate from the first fixed part (7) and is indirectly connected to the first fixed part (7), for example via a yoke (43); The caliper and support assembly (1) Feature (13a), wherein the support structure (4) is connected to an arm of a vehicle suspension; Feature (13b), wherein the first fixing part (7) has a connecting part adapted to rigidly connect to the connecting part (6); Feature (13c), wherein the second fixed part (8) has a connecting flange protruding, for example in an L-shape, from the first fixed part (7) or from a yoke (43) facing the caliper body (5); Feature (13d), wherein the connecting portion (6) has a main extension along the radial direction (R-R) or along the axial direction (X-X), respectively, forming a radial or axial connection between the caliper body (5) and the support structure (4); A caliper and support assembly (1) according to claim 1, comprising any one of the following features:

14. The restraining element (9) is configured by integrating the at least one detection device (10), the at least one detection device (10) detects the at least one extension of the restraining element (9) at least along the predetermined direction (PP); The caliper and support assembly (1) Feature (14a), wherein the at least one sensor (44) is integral with the restraining element (9); Feature (14b), wherein the restraining element (9) is an instrumented screw including the at least one sensor (44); Feature (14c), wherein the at least one sensor (44) is a strain gauge and / or a capacitive strain sensing device and / or an ultrasonic strain sensing device; A caliper and support assembly (1) according to claim 2, comprising any one of the following features:

15. The sensor (44) is integral with the caliper body (5), e.g., the caliper body portion, or the support structure (4), e.g., the support structure portion; The caliper and support assembly (1) comprises: Feature (15a), wherein the caliper body portion or the support structure portion is configured to house the at least one sensor (44); Feature (15b), wherein the at least one sensor (44) is an eddy current sensor; Feature (15c), wherein the at least one sensor (44) is a differential voltage transformer (LVDT) sensor; Feature (15d), wherein the at least one sensor (44) comprises a sensor cantilever portion that protrudes from the first slot first wall (15) into the first slot (17) toward the first connecting device (13) or from the second slot first wall (18) into the second slot (20) toward the second connecting device (14); Feature (15e), wherein the at least one sensor (44) has an output portion (19) of the sensor (16) adapted to connect with at least a data transmission wire (21); the caliper body or the support structure has a flat surface that is substantially perpendicular to a direction along which the displacement of the caliper body (5) is measured, preferably a direction along the predetermined direction (PP), Feature (15f), wherein the at least one detection device (10) is disposed on the flat surface so as to face the portion of the support structure or the caliper body (5); A caliper and support assembly (1) according to claim 4, comprising any one of the following features:

16. A caliper and support assembly (1) as described in Claim 15, wherein the sensor cantilever portion extends along the predetermined direction (P-P).

17. A method for detecting displacement of a caliper body (5) relative to a support structure (4) of a caliper and support assembly (1) during braking, comprising: connecting the caliper body (5) to a first fixed part (7) of the support structure (4) using a connection part (6) of the support structure (4) to allow displacement of the caliper body (5) along a predetermined direction (P-P); restraining the caliper body (5) to a second fixed part (8) of the support structure (4) using a restraining element (9) to allow displacement of the caliper body (5) during braking and to prevent displacement of the caliper body (5) during non-braking; a restraining element that is elastically deformable at least along the predetermined direction (PP) to allow displacement of the caliper body (5) during braking and to prevent displacement of the caliper body (5) in the absence of braking; and detecting the displacement of the caliper body (5) during a braking operation directly by identifying a caliper body portion facing a support structure portion constituting one of the first fixed portion (7), the second fixed portion (8) and the connection portion and measuring a distance (d) between the caliper body portion and the support structure portion during a braking operation, or detecting the distance (d) indirectly by measuring a change in length of the restraining element (9) at least along the predetermined direction (P-P).

Images