Pressure control device, brake system, and control method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pressure control device (1) for a brake system (100). The device body (4) partially defines at least a first circuit side opening (9), at least a second circuit side opening (61), and at least one conduit (8) that fluidly connects the at least first circuit side opening (9) and the at least second circuit side opening (61), the at least one conduit (8) including at least a first conduit section (12) and at least a second conduit section (13). The first conduit section (12) is fluidly connectable to a first circuit (2) to receive a first circuit fluid at a first circuit pressure (P1), and the second conduit section (13) is fluidly connectable to a second circuit (3) to receive a second circuit fluid at a second circuit pressure (P2). The device is configured to control the first circuit pressure (P1) and / or the second circuit pressure (P2) to reach an operating pressure (Pa). The pressure control mechanism (5) is at least partially accommodated in the pipeline (8). When at least one of the first circuit pressure (P1) and the second circuit pressure (P2) is lower than a threshold pressure (Ps), the pressure control mechanism (5) is configured to block a fluid passage between the first pipeline portion (12) and the second pipeline portion (13), and is configured to maintain at least one of the first circuit pressure (P1) and the second circuit pressure (P2), which is higher than the threshold pressure (P2), up to an actuation pressure (Pa) to actuate either the first brake actuator (101) or the second brake actuator (102). When the first circuit pressure (P1) and the second circuit pressure (P2) are both higher than the threshold pressure (Ps), the pressure control mechanism (5) is configured to fluidly connect the first pipeline portion (12) and the second pipeline portion (13), match the first circuit pressure (P1) and the second circuit pressure (P2) to the threshold pressure (Pa), and operate the first brake actuator (101) and the second brake actuator (102) at the operating pressure (Pa).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] TECHNICAL FIELD TO WHICH THEINVENTION BELONGS

[0002] The present invention relates to a brake system pressure control device, a brake system, and a method for controlling the operating pressure of a brake system.

[0003] This patent application claims priority from Italian Patent Applications No. 102022000009182 and No. 102022000009176, the specifications and drawings of which are incorporated in their entirety into this patent application. [Background technology]

[0004] Background technology

[0005] Brake systems are known, in which two braking devices are associated with one wheel, for example two brake calipers respectively associated with two brake discs connected to two opposite sides of the wheel, such a solution being used, for example, in motorcycles to brake the front wheel.

[0006] In such systems, the two braking devices are hydraulically connected to the same pressure chamber of the actuating device, and the brake fluid pressurized in the pressure chamber actuates both braking devices, i.e. each hydraulic actuator of the braking devices, at the same pressure. In other words, in such systems there is only one brake circuit that actuates at least two braking devices in parallel. Thus, in these solutions the operating conditions of the two braking devices are the same, since the two braking devices are directly fluidly connected to the same pressure chamber. As a result, in these solutions the braking action and wear conditions of the two braking devices are substantially uniform.

[0007] These solutions make it possible to operate the two brake devices with the same pressure, which ensures uniformity of braking action on both sides of the wheel and uniformity of the wear state of the two brake devices, but if a hydraulic leak occurs, the pressure in the entire system will decrease, hindering the operation of the system, as a result of which the user will not be able to brake the wheels on which the system acts, which can significantly reduce driving safety in the event of a failure.

[0008] Therefore, there is a strong need felt in the industry to produce braking systems involving the operation of two braking devices per single wheel.

[0009] Furthermore, there is a strong need in the industry to manufacture brake devices that do not affect the operation of the other brake device even if there is a disruption in the use of one of the two brake devices, and at the same time, there is a demand for brake devices that satisfy the conflicting needs of keeping the operating conditions of the two brake devices as uniform as possible under normal use conditions. Summary of the Invention

[0010] solution

[0011] The object of the present invention is to provide a pressure control device for a braking system, which allows at least two braking devices to be operated with the same operating pressure during normal operation of the at least two braking devices and allows one braking device to be operated with its operating pressure regardless of the failure of another braking device, on the one hand, this makes it possible to prevent variations in pressure conditions in the operation of the braking devices, thereby reducing the variations in the wear of the braking devices, and on the other hand makes it possible to increase the safety of the braking system in case a braking device cannot be operated.

[0012] This object and other objects and advantages are achieved by a pressure control device according to claim 1, by a braking system according to claim 12 and by a pressure control method according to claim 14.

[0013] Some advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0014] The proposed solution makes it possible to ensure automatic control of the operating pressure of the first and second brake actuators.

[0015] The proposed solution makes it possible to balance and match the pressure in a first circuit connected to a first brake actuator and a second circuit connected to a second brake actuator, allowing a fluid connection between the two circuits when both circuits are at or above a threshold pressure.

[0016] The proposed solution makes it possible to provide a compact, low-cost mechanical pressure control device.

[0017] The proposed solution makes it possible to address the need to ensure operation of the first brake actuator regardless of the operation of the second brake actuator, whilst addressing the additional and conflicting need to ensure uniformity of operating conditions between the first and second brake actuators by keeping the first and second brake actuators fluidly separated from each other as long as at least one of the first and second circuit pressures is below a threshold pressure, and by bringing the first and second brake actuators into fluid communication only when both the first and second circuit pressures exceed the threshold pressure. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] drawing

[0019] Further characteristics and advantages of the pressure control device, the braking system and the control method will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of non-limiting indication and with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

[0020] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 shows diagrammatically a brake system of a known type in which the same actuator simultaneously controls a first brake actuator and a second brake actuator by means of two branched branches forming a single brake circuit, e.g. a first brake caliper and a second brake caliper, such that a failure in one of the two branches and / or in one of the two brake devices impairs the operation of the entire circuit.

[0021] [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a brake system according to the invention, in which the same actuator controls a first brake actuator and a second brake actuator (e.g. a first brake caliper and a second brake caliper associated with the same wheel of the vehicle) in parallel and independently by means of two separate pressure chambers, the first brake caliper and the second brake caliper associated with the same wheel of the vehicle forming a first circuit and a second circuit, the pressure control device according to the invention being connected in parallel to the first circuit and the second circuit with the two circuits fluidly separated if at least one of the first circuit pressure and the second circuit pressure is lower than a threshold pressure, so that the first brake actuator or the second brake actuator can be actuated regardless of a failure of the first circuit or the second circuit or the first circuit, and the two circuits can be put into fluid communication only if the first circuit pressure and the second circuit pressure are higher than a threshold pressure, so that the first brake actuator and the second brake actuator can be actuated with the same pressure.

[0022] [Figure 3a] Figures 3a-3d show generally the operation of a pressure control device according to an embodiment of the present invention, with Figure 3a showing the pressure-actuated device when the brake system is at rest and the first and second circuit fluids are not under pressure, in which case the pressure control mechanism is in a fully closed configuration. [Figure 3b]FIG. 3b illustrates a pressure actuated device that places the first and second circuit fluids in fluid communication when the first and second circuit pressures are above a threshold pressure, with the pressure control mechanism in a fully open configuration. [Figure 3c] FIG. 3c shows the pressure control device when there is a fault in the second circuit, the first circuit pressure is greater than the threshold pressure, and the second circuit pressure is less than the threshold pressure, showing the pressure control device when the pressure control mechanism is in the first closed configuration. [Figure 3d] FIG. 3d shows the pressure control device when there is a fault in the first circuit, when the second circuit pressure is greater than the threshold pressure, and when the first circuit pressure is less than the threshold pressure, and the pressure control mechanism is in the second closed configuration.

[0023] [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows an axonometric view of a pressure control device according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which a first side and a top of the body of the pressure control device are visible.

[0024] [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows an axonometric view of the pressure control device of FIG. 4, in which the second side opposite the first side and the lower part of the body of the pressure control device are visible.

[0025] [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows an axonometric exploded view of the pressure control device of FIGS. 4 and 5, in which the body housing and configured pressure control mechanism is visible.

[0026] [Figure 7] FIG. 6 shows an axonometric exploded view of the pressure control device of FIGS. 4 and 5, showing a body configured to house the pressure control mechanism and to be connected to the first and second circuits by respective connections.

[0027] [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows an axonometric view of the control device of FIG. 6 from the opposite perspective to that of FIG.

[0028] [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view taken along plane AA of the control device of FIG. 4, in which the pressure control mechanism housed within the device body can also be seen, with the first and second pistons forming seals with the respective seats in which they are housed by respective polymer gaskets attached to the body of the respective pistons to form dynamic and static seals with the walls of the respective seats, and by the respective piston faces adapted to form geometric static seals against the respective seat faces.

[0029] [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 4 taken along plane AA, in which the pressure control mechanism housed in the device body can also be seen, with the first and second pistons forming seals with the respective seats in which they are housed, by respective polymer gaskets mounted on the body of each first piston forming dynamic and static seals with the walls of the respective seats, and by second polymer gaskets inserted in axial seats made in the heads of each piston forming static seals against the respective surfaces of the seats. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] Description of Some Preferred Embodiments

[0031] According to a general embodiment, a pressure control device for a braking system 100 is designated by the reference numeral 1 .

[0032] The pressure control device 1 comprises an apparatus body 4 partially defining at least a first circuit side opening 9, at least a second circuit side opening 61, and at least one conduit 8 providing fluid communication between the at least first circuit side opening 9 and the at least second circuit side opening 61. The at least one conduit 8 includes at least a first conduit section 12 and at least a second conduit section 13. According to one embodiment, the at least first circuit side opening 9 and the at least second circuit side opening 61 are arranged on opposite sides of the apparatus body 4.

[0033] The first pipeline portion 12 is fluidly connectable to the first circuit 2 and receives the first circuit fluid.

[0034] The second pipe section 13 is fluidly connectable to the second circuit 3 and receives the second circuit fluid.

[0035] The first circuit 2 comprises a first pressure chamber of a brake actuator 103 for pressurising a first circuit fluid at a first circuit pressure P1. The first pressure chamber is fluidly connected to a first brake actuator 101 for braking the wheels of the vehicle.

[0036] The second circuit 3 has a second pressure chamber of the brake actuator 103 for pressurizing second circuit fluid at a second circuit pressure P2. The second pressure chamber is fluidly connected to a second brake actuator 102 for braking the wheels of the vehicle.

[0037] The pressure control device 1 includes a pressure control mechanism 5 configured to control the first circuit pressure P1 and / or the second circuit pressure P2 to reach an operating pressure Pa.

[0038] The pressure control mechanism 5 is at least partially housed within the conduit 8 .

[0039] Advantageously, when at least one of the first circuit pressure P1 and the second circuit pressure P2 is lower than the threshold pressure Ps, the pressure control mechanism 5 is configured to block a fluid passage between the first pipeline section 12 and the second pipeline section 13, or vice versa, and is configured to maintain at least one of the first circuit pressure P1 and the second circuit pressure P2, which is higher than the threshold pressure Ps, up to a first operating pressure Pa to operate either the first brake actuator 101 or the second brake actuator 102.

[0040] Advantageously, when the first circuit pressure P1 and the second circuit pressure P2 are both higher than a threshold pressure Ps, the pressure control mechanism 5 is configured to fluidly connect the first pipeline portion 12 and the second pipeline portion 13, and is configured to match the first circuit pressure P1 and the second circuit pressure P2 to the operating pressure Pa and operate the first brake actuator 101 and the second brake actuator 102 at the operating pressure Pa.

[0041] Such a pressure control device 1 allows the first and second circuits to be automatically, mechanically, and fluidically reversibly connected and disconnected, so that in normal operating conditions, when sufficient circuit pressure is available in each of the two circuits to operate the respective brake devices, the first and second circuits are fluidly connected and operate at the same pressure as if they were one circuit, and if a fault occurs in either circuit, i.e., when sufficient circuit pressure is not available to operate one of the two circuits and one of the two brake devices, the first and second circuits are separated, the movement of fluid between the two circuits is blocked, the two circuits are isolated, and one of the two circuits is pressurized regardless of a fault in the other circuit.

[0042] The pressure control mechanism 5 makes it possible to avoid the occurrence of a pressure difference between the first circuit pressure P1 and the second circuit pressure P2 that may occur when the first circuit 2 and the second circuit 3 are separated from each other when there is no failure in the first circuit 2 or the second circuit 3, and by fluidly connecting the two circuits, the pressure conditions in the first circuit 2 and the second circuit 3 are matched, and the first brake actuator 101 and the second brake actuator 102 are actuated at the same actuation pressure Pa. This makes it possible to match the wear conditions and the brake actuation conditions of the first brake actuator 101 and the second brake actuator 102 acting on two opposing sides of the same wheel of a vehicle, for example.

[0043] The pressure control mechanism 5 makes it possible to maintain the two circuits fluidly separated, even if a failure occurs in either the first circuit 2 or the second circuit 3, by avoiding malfunctions such as fluid leakage that occurred in conventional brake systems in which the two circuits 2, 3 are fluidly connected.

[0044] With the proposed solution, the pressure control mechanism 5 is configured such that the fluid in the working circuits 2,3 reaches the working pressure Pa regardless of a failure of one of the two circuits 2,3.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the pressure control mechanism 5 is configured to detect the first pressure P1 and the second pressure P2, preferably mechanically by means of at least one elastic device.

[0046] According to one embodiment, said pipeline 8 comprises a third pipeline section 14 adapted to fluidly connect said at least first pipeline section 12 and said at least second pipeline section 13 .

[0047] According to one embodiment, the pressure control mechanism 5 is configured to fluidically connect the first line portion 12 to the third line portion 14 while blocking the passage of fluid from the third line portion 14 to the second line portion 13 when the first line pressure P1 is higher than the threshold pressure Ps and the second line pressure P2 is lower than the threshold pressure Ps. When the first line pressure P1 is higher than the threshold pressure Ps and the second line pressure P2 is lower than the threshold pressure Ps, the pressure control mechanism 5 is configured to fluidically connect the first line portion 12 to the third line portion 14 and block the passage of fluid from the third line portion 14 to the second line portion 13 so as to maintain the first circuit pressure P1 and operate the first brake actuator 101 at the operating pressure Pa.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the pressure control mechanism 5 is configured to block the fluid passage between the third pipeline portion 14 and the first pipeline portion 12 when the second pipeline pressure P2 is higher than the threshold pressure Ps and the first pipeline pressure P1 is lower than the threshold pressure Ps, and when the second pipeline pressure P2 is higher than the threshold pressure Ps and the first pipeline pressure P1 is lower than the threshold pressure Ps, to maintain the second circuit pressure P2 and operate the second brake actuator 102 at the operating pressure Pa.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the pressure control mechanism 5 comprises a first valve 10 housed in at least a portion of the first pipeline portion 12 .

[0050] According to one embodiment, the pressure control mechanism 5 comprises a second valve 11 at least partially housed within the second line section 13 .

[0051] According to one embodiment, the third line portion 14 extends between a first valve side opening 18 in fluid communication with the first line portion 12 and a second valve side opening 20 in fluid communication with the second line portion.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the first valve 10 is configured to open the first valve opening 18 and reversibly close it in a fluid-tight manner.

[0053] According to one embodiment, when the first circuit pressure P1 is lower than the threshold pressure Ps, the first valve 10 closes the first valve side opening 18 and blocks the fluid passage from the first pipeline section 12 to the third pipeline section 14, and vice versa.

[0054] According to one embodiment, when the first circuit pressure P1 is equal to or greater than the threshold pressure Ps, the first valve 10 opens the first valve side opening 18 by fluidly connecting the first line section 12 and the third line section 14, and vice versa.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the second valve 11 is configured to open the second valve opening 20 and reversibly close it in a fluid-tight manner.

[0056] According to an embodiment, when the second circuit pressure P2 is lower than the threshold pressure Ps, the second valve 11 closes the second valve side opening 20 and blocks the fluid passage from the second pipeline section 12 to the third pipeline section 14, and vice versa.

[0057] According to one embodiment, when the second circuit pressure P2 is equal to or greater than the threshold pressure Ps, the second valve 11 opens the second valve side opening 20 by fluidly connecting the second pipeline section 12 to the third pipeline section 14, and vice versa.

[0058] According to one embodiment, said threshold pressure Ps is between 1 bar and 10 bar, preferably between 1 bar and 4 bar, and even more preferably between 1 bar and 3 bar.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the pressure control device 1 comprises a first connection part 6 fluidly connecting the first line part 12 to the first circuit 2 .

[0060] According to one embodiment, the pressure control device 1 comprises a first connection part 6 fluidly connecting a first line section 12 to a first circuit 2 .

[0061] According to one embodiment, the pressure control device 1 comprises a second connection 7 connecting a second line section 13 to a second circuit 3 .

[0062] According to a first embodiment, the first valve 10 comprises a first piston or first shutter element 21 housed within a first valve seat 15 defined by the device body 4 and at least partially constituting the first pipeline portion 12.

[0063] According to an embodiment, the first piston 21 is movable relative to the device body 4 at the first valve seat 15 and reversibly moves between a first line closing configuration and at least a first line opening configuration. According to an embodiment, the first piston 21 is permanently and / or elastically biased to the first line closing configuration so as to allow opening of the first valve only if the first circuit pressure P1 reaches and / or exceeds a threshold pressure Ps.

[0064] According to one embodiment, in the first line closed configuration, when the first circuit pressure P1 is lower than the threshold pressure Ps, the first piston 21 forms a seal with the first wall 26 of the first valve seat 15, preventing fluid passage from the first connection portion 6 to the third line portion 14.

[0065] According to an embodiment, at least in the first open conduit configuration, when the first circuit pressure P1 is at least equal to or greater than the threshold pressure Ps, the first piston 21 moves away from the first wall 26 and / or avoids forming a seal with the first wall 26, allowing a fluid connection between the first connection portion 6 and the third conduit portion 14. According to an embodiment, at least in the first open conduit configuration, the first piston 21 defines a first fluid passage together with the device body 4, skimming at least one head portion of the first piston 21 and allowing a fluid passage from the first connection portion 6 to the third conduit portion 14 or vice versa. According to an embodiment, said first piston 21 is movable with a maximum stroke between 0.2 mm and 0.8 mm, preferably between 0.2 mm and 0.4 mm.

[0066] According to the second embodiment, the second valve 11 is defined by the device body 4 and is composed of a second piston 23 or a second shutter element housed in a second piston seat 16 which at least partially constitutes the second pipeline portion 13.

[0067] According to an embodiment, the second piston 23 is reversibly movable in the second valve seat 16 relative to the device body 4 between a second line closing configuration and at least a second line opening configuration. According to an embodiment, the second piston 23 is constantly and / or elastically biased to the second line closing configuration so as to allow the second valve to open only when the second circuit pressure P2 reaches and / or exceeds a threshold pressure Ps. According to an embodiment, the second piston 23 has a maximum stroke of preferably between 0.2 mm-0.4 mm and a maximum stroke of 0.

[0068] According to an embodiment, in the second line closing configuration, when the second circuit pressure P2 is lower than the threshold pressure Ps, the second piston 23 forms a seal with the second wall 28 of the second valve seat 16, preventing fluid passage from the second connection portion 7 to the third line portion 14 or vice versa.

[0069] According to an embodiment, at least in the second closed conduit configuration, when the second circuit pressure P2 is at least equal to or greater than the threshold pressure Ps, the second piston 23 moves away from and / or avoids forming a seal with the second wall 28 to allow fluid connection from the first connection portion 7 to the third conduit portion 14. According to an embodiment, at least in the second open conduit configuration, the second piston 23 defines a second fluid passageway together with the device body 4 at least partially skimming a head portion of the second piston 23 to allow fluid connection from the first connection portion 7 to the third conduit portion 14 or vice versa.

[0070] According to an embodiment, the first valve 10 and the second valve 11 are one-way valves. According to an embodiment, the first valve 10 and the second valve 11 are configured to be driven only from one direction and to form a seal in both directions. According to an embodiment, the first valve 10 and the second valve 11 switch from their respective closed configurations to their respective open configurations only if the first circuit pressure P1 and the second circuit pressure P2, respectively, exceed a threshold pressure Ps. According to an embodiment, the first circuit pressure P1 does not affect the operation of the second piston 23, and the second circuit pressure P2 does not affect the operation of the first piston 21, because the second piston 23 does not have an effective area on which the pressure of the first fluid can act to move the second piston, and the first piston 21 does not have an effective area on which the pressure of the second fluid can act to move the first piston 21.

[0071] According to an embodiment, the first valve seat 15 extends along the longitudinal direction XX of the first valve. According to an embodiment, the second valve seat 16 extends along the longitudinal direction X'-X' of the second valve. According to an embodiment, the third pipe line portion 14 engages with the first valve seat 15 according to a first engagement direction YY intersecting and / or perpendicular to the longitudinal direction XX of the first valve. According to an embodiment, the third pipe line portion 14 engages with the second valve seat 16 according to a second engagement direction Y'-Y' intersecting and / or parallel to the longitudinal direction X'-X' of the second valve. According to an embodiment, the longitudinal direction XX of the first valve and the longitudinal direction X'-X' of the second valve are parallel and / or coincident. According to an embodiment, the longitudinal direction XX of the first valve and the longitudinal direction X'-X' of the second valve are linear. According to one embodiment, the longitudinal direction XX of the first valve and the longitudinal direction X'-X' of the second valve define a seat axis along which the walls of the device body defining the respective valve seats extend. According to one embodiment, the third flow guide 14 extends along a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction XX of the first valve and the longitudinal direction X'-X' of the second valve.

[0072] According to one embodiment, said first valve 10 comprises a first elastic element 22 housed in said first valve seat 15 .

[0073] According to one embodiment, the first elastic element 22 is interposed between the first piston 21 and the device body 4, preferably along a first bottom wall 25 of the first valve seat 15, so as to always bias the first piston 21 towards the first line closing configuration.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the first elastic element 22 is dimensioned such that the first piston is in the first line-closing configuration when the first circuit pressure P1 is below the threshold pressure Ps.

[0075] According to one embodiment, the second valve 11 comprises a second elastic element 24 housed in the second valve seat 16 .

[0076] According to an embodiment, a second elastic element 24 is interposed between the second piston 23 and the device body 4 along the longitudinal direction X'-X' of the second valve, preferably along the second bottom wall 26 of the second valve seat 16, to constantly bias the piston 23 in the second line-closing configuration.

[0077] According to one embodiment, the second elastic element 24 is dimensioned such that the first piston is in the second line-closing configuration when the second circuit pressure P2 is below the threshold pressure Ps.

[0078] According to one embodiment, the first piston 21 comprises a first piston gasket 31, which is configured to form a seal with a first sliding wall 32 of the first valve seat 15 of the first piston 21 at any position between at least a first line opening configuration and the first line closing configuration of the first piston 21. According to an embodiment, the first piston gasket 31 is configured to fluidically isolate the first elastic element 22 from the third line portion 14 and / or the first circuit 2.

[0079] According to an embodiment, the second piston 23 includes a first second piston gasket 36 configured to form a seal with a sliding wall 37 of the second valve seat 16 at least at any position between the second line open configuration and the second line closed configuration of the second piston 23. According to one embodiment, the first second piston gasket 36 is configured to fluidly isolate the second elastic element 24 from the third line portion 14 and / or the second circuit 3.

[0080] According to one embodiment, the first gasket 31 of the first piston is a low-friction annular gasket fitted in a first groove formed in the piston body of the first piston 21. According to one embodiment, the first gasket 31 of the first piston and / or the second gasket 36 of the second piston are made of a polymer material compatible with brake fluid.

[0081] According to an embodiment, the first gasket 31 of the first piston and / or the first gasket 36 of the second piston are, for example, V-shaped gaskets or O-rings.

[0082] According to an embodiment, the first gasket 36 of the second piston is a second low-friction annular gasket fitted in a second groove made in the piston body of the second piston 23 .

[0083] According to an embodiment, the first piston 21 comprises a first piston second gasket 33 configured to form a seal with the first wall 26 when the first piston is in the first line-closing configuration.

[0084] According to one embodiment, the first piston second gasket 33 is spaced from the first wall 26 when the first piston 21 is in the first open conduit configuration, thereby opening the first fluid passageway.

[0085] According to one embodiment, the second piston 23 includes a second piston gasket 38 configured to form a seal with the second wall 28 when the second piston is in the second line-closing configuration.

[0086] According to one embodiment, a second gasket 38 of the second piston is spaced from the second wall 28 when the second piston is in the second open-conduit configuration, thereby opening the second fluid passageway.

[0087] According to one embodiment, the second gasket 33 of the first piston is an annular gasket configured to fit the first piston body. According to one embodiment, the second gasket 38 of the second piston is a gasket configured to fit the second piston body of the second piston 38.

[0088] According to an embodiment, the first piston second gasket 33 and the second piston second gasket 39 are annular O-rings or V-rings housed in respective annular seats of the respective pistons 21, 23. According to an embodiment, the first piston second gasket 33 and / or the second piston second gasket 39 are made of a polymer material compatible with brake fluid.

[0089] According to an embodiment, the first piston 21 comprises a first piston head 34 .

[0090] According to one embodiment, the second gasket 33 of the first piston is an annular gasket adapted to be inserted in a respective axial annular seat formed in the first piston head 34 as a groove accessible from a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction XX of the first seat, whereby the second gasket 33 of the first piston is configured to abut axially against the first wall 26 to form a seal.

[0091] According to one embodiment, said first piston head 34 comprises a first sealing surface 35 adapted to abut said first wall 26 to form a geometric seal. According to one embodiment, a second gasket 33 of the first piston is said first sealing surface 35. According to one embodiment, the second gasket 33 of the first piston is a metallic surface of the body of the first piston.

[0092] According to an embodiment, the first wall 26 and the first sealing surface 35 have a surface roughness such that they form a hydraulic seal when they abut each other.

[0093] According to an embodiment, said second piston 23 comprises a second piston head 39 .

[0094] According to one embodiment, the second gasket 38 of the second piston is an annular gasket adapted to be inserted in a respective axial seat made on the second piston head 39 as a groove accessible from a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction X'-X' of the second seat. The second gasket 38 of the second piston is thus configured to abut axially against the second wall 28 to form a seal.

[0095] According to one embodiment, the second piston head 39 comprises a second sealing surface 40 adapted to abut against the second wall 28 to form a geometric seal. According to one embodiment, the second gasket 38 of the second piston is the second sealing surface 40. According to one embodiment, the second gasket 38 of the second piston is a metallic surface of the body of the second piston.

[0096] According to an embodiment, the second wall 28 and the second sealing surface 40 have a surface roughness such that they form a hydraulic seal when abutted against one another.

[0097] According to an embodiment, the first sealing surface 35 and the first wall 26, and the second sealing surface 40 and the second wall 28, respectively, form annular geometric seals.

[0098] According to one embodiment, said first sealing surface 35 belongs to a first tapered surface of the first piston head 34 .

[0099] According to one embodiment, said second sealing surface 40 belongs to a second tapered surface of the second piston head 39 .

[0100] According to one embodiment, each piston head is wedged into the first wall 26 or the second wall 28 with a respective annular gasket interposed therebetween.

[0101] According to one embodiment, the first wall 26 laterally and radially defines a portion of the first valve seat 15, preferably a first circuit side portion of the first pipe section 12, with respect to the longitudinal direction XX of the first seat.

[0102] According to one embodiment, the first wall 26 axially defines a portion of the first valve seat 15, preferably a first circuit side portion of the first pipe portion 12, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction XX of the first seat. According to one embodiment, the first wall 26 is an annular crown perpendicular to the longitudinal direction XX of the first seat.

[0103] According to one embodiment, the first wall 26 is a connecting wall between two segments of the first duct portion 12 and forms a first partial constriction of the first duct portion 12 .

[0104] According to one embodiment, the second wall 28 defines a portion of the second valve seat 15, preferably a second circuit side portion of the second conduit portion 13, radially transverse to the longitudinal direction X'-X' of the second seat.

[0105] According to one embodiment, the second wall 28 defines, in the axial direction, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X'-X' of the second valve seat, a portion of the second valve seat 15, preferably being a second circuit side portion of the second pipe portion 13. According to one embodiment, the second wall 28 is an annular crown perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X'-X' of the second valve seat.

[0106] According to one embodiment, the first wall 26 and the second wall 28 are tapered surfaces having a taper angle relative to the longitudinal extension direction XX, X'-X' of the respective valve seats that is greater than the taper angle of the first sealing surface 35 and the second sealing surface 40.

[0107] According to one embodiment, the second sealing surface 40 and the second wall 28, the first sealing surface 35, and the first wall 26 are conical surfaces.

[0108] According to one embodiment, the second wall 28 is a connecting wall between two segments of the second duct section 13 and forms a second constriction of the second duct section 13 .

[0109] According to one embodiment, the second gasket 33 of the first piston and the first gasket 31 of the first piston have the same seal diameter D. According to one embodiment, the second gasket 38 of the second piston and the first gasket 36 of the second piston have the same seal diameter D.

[0110] By section narrowing means is meant a radial narrowing of the conduit moving forward along the length of the conduit and / or a valve seat.

[0111] According to one embodiment, the first connection portion 6 partially defines the first pipe line portion 12 together with the first wall 26. According to one embodiment, the second connection portion 7 partially defines the second pipe line portion 13 together with the second wall 28.

[0112] According to one embodiment, the pressure control mechanism 5 comprises a first reinforcing part 41 in which the first elastic element 22 is accommodated, wherein the first reinforcing part 41 forms a first bottom of the first valve seat 15. According to one embodiment, the pressure control mechanism 5 comprises a first transmission element 42.

[0113] According to one embodiment, said first elastic element 22 is connected to said first piston 21 by said first transmission element 42 .

[0114] According to one embodiment, the first transmission element 42 is adapted to receive a first piston engagement portion 43 and is thereby connected to the first piston 21 by positive coupling and / or interference and / or interlock / engagement.

[0115] According to one embodiment, the first transmission element 42 is adapted to abut against a first piston thrust portion 44 .

[0116] According to one embodiment, the pressure control mechanism 5 comprises a second reinforcing part 45 in which the second elastic element 24 is housed, the first reinforcing part 45 forming a second bottom of the second valve seat 16 .

[0117] According to one embodiment, said pressure control mechanism 5 comprises a second transmission element 46 .

[0118] According to one embodiment, the second elastic element 24 is connected to the second piston 23 by a second transmission element 46 .

[0119] According to one embodiment, said second transmission element 46 is adapted to receive a second piston engagement portion 47 for connecting to the second piston 23 by positive coupling and / or interference and / or interlock / engagement.

[0120] According to an embodiment, said second transmission element 46 is adapted to abut against a second piston thrust portion 48 .

[0121] According to an embodiment, said first elastic element 22 and said second elastic element 24 constitute a first spring and a second spring, respectively.

[0122] According to an embodiment, the first spring and the second spring are wire springs.

[0123] According to an embodiment, the wire springs are dimensioned to enable the respective pistons 21, 23 to retract when the respective pressures P1, P2 exerted by the respective fluids on the surfaces of the piston heads facing the first or second circuits are higher than a threshold pressure Ps1.

[0124] According to one embodiment, the first transfer element 42 and the second transfer element 46 each have a T-shaped section and comprise a first T-shaped body and a second T-shaped body having a longitudinal through hole.

[0125] According to one embodiment, the first T-shaped body and / or the first transmission element 42 comprises a first elongated stem and a first enlarged head.

[0126] According to one embodiment, the first elongated stem is received within a turn of the first spring, with an end turn of the first spring abutting an outer first head surface of the first enlarged head.

[0127] According to one embodiment, the first elongated stem defines a first engagement seat therein that engages with the first piston engagement portion 43 by interference and / or positive coupling and / or engagement. According to one embodiment, the first piston thrust portion 44 abuts an inner first head surface of the first enlarged head.

[0128] According to one embodiment, the second T-shaped body and / or the second transmission element 46 has a second elongated stem and a second enlarged head.

[0129] According to one embodiment, the second elongated stem is received within a turn of the second spring, an end of the turn of the second spring abutting an outer second head surface of the second enlarged head.

[0130] According to one embodiment, the second elongated stem defines a second engagement seat therein that engages the second piston engagement portion 47 by interference and / or positive coupling and / or engagement.

[0131] According to one embodiment, the second piston thrust portion 48 abuts a second inner head surface of the second enlarged head.

[0132] According to one embodiment, the first and second springs are fixed to the first and second bottom walls 25 and 27, respectively.

[0133] According to one embodiment, the first transmission element 42 is configured to abut against a respective abutment portion of the first reinforcement 41 when the first piston 21 is in the first line open configuration, and defines a maximum stroke that the first piston can move between the first line closed configuration and the first line open configuration.

[0134] According to one embodiment, an outer first head surface of the first enlarged head of the first transmission element 41 is configured to abut against an abutment portion of the first reinforcement 41 when the first piston 21 is in the first line-opening configuration. According to an embodiment, when the first piston 21 is in the first line-closing configuration, the outer first head surface of the first enlarged head of the first transmission element 41 is at a distance from the abutment portion of the first reinforcement 41 equal to the maximum stroke of the first piston.

[0135] According to one embodiment, when the second piston 23 is in the second line-opening configuration, the second transmission element 46 is configured to abut against a respective abutment portion of the second reinforcement 45, defining a maximum stroke that the first piston can move between the second line-closing configuration and the second line-opening configuration.

[0136] According to one embodiment, the outer second head surface of the second enlarged head of the second transmission element is configured to abut against a respective abutment portion of the second reinforcement 45 when the second piston 23 is in the second line-opening configuration. According to one embodiment, the outer second head surface of the second enlarged head of the second transmission element is at a distance from the abutment portion of the second reinforcement 45 equal to the maximum stroke of the second piston when the second piston 23 is in the second line-closing configuration.

[0137] According to one embodiment, the first valve seat 15 is at least partially composed of the first conduit portion 12 and a first bottom portion 17. According to one embodiment, the first bottom wall 25 separates the first valve seat 15 and the second valve seat 16. According to one embodiment, the first bottom portion 17 constitutes the first bottom wall 25. According to one embodiment, the first bottom wall 25 constitutes at least a first bottom opening that is in fluid communication with an external environment without compressing the air or fluid within the first bottom portion 17.

[0138] According to one embodiment, the third conduit portion 14 leads to the first valve seat 15 together with the first valve opening 18. According to one embodiment, the first valve opening 18 is defined on a first side wall 29 of the first conduit portion 12.

[0139] According to one embodiment, at least a portion of the first valve seat 15 is fluidly connectable to at least a portion of the second valve seat 16 by the third conduit portion 14 .

[0140] According to one embodiment, the second valve seat 16 is at least partially composed of the second conduit section 13 and the second bottom 19. According to one embodiment, the second bottom 19 comprises the second bottom wall 27. According to one embodiment, the second bottom wall 27 separates the second valve seat 16 from the first valve seat 15. According to one embodiment, the second bottom wall 28 comprises at least a second bottom opening in fluid communication with the outside environment to allow the piston to retract without compressing the air or fluid in the second bottom 17. According to one embodiment, the third conduit section 14 leads to the second valve seat 16 together with the second valve side opening 20, where the second valve side opening 20 is defined on a second side wall 30 of the second conduit section 13.

[0141] According to one embodiment, the first bottom 17 is composed of a first segment 49 with an enlarged section and a first segment 50 with a reduced section. According to one embodiment, the first piston 21 slides sealingly against the first sliding wall 32 in the reduced section of the first segment 50. According to one embodiment, the first reinforcement 41 is accommodated in the first segment 49 with the enlarged section. According to one embodiment, the first reinforcement 41 constitutes the first bottom wall 25. According to an embodiment, the first reinforcement 41 comprises a first axial edge 51 facing the first bottom wall 25.

[0142] According to an embodiment, the second bottom 19 comprises a second segment 52 with an enlarged cross section and a second segment 53 with a reduced cross section, and the second piston 23 slides in a sealing manner in the second segment 53 with a reduced cross section against the second sliding wall 37. According to an embodiment, the second reinforcement 45 is accommodated in the second segment 52 with the enlarged segment. According to an embodiment, the second reinforcement 45 constitutes the second bottom wall 27, and the second reinforcement 45 constitutes a second edge 54 facing the second bottom wall 27. According to an embodiment, a locking gasket is interposed between the first bottom wall 25 and the second bottom wall 27.

[0143] According to one embodiment, the first transmission element 42 is configured to abut against a respective abutment portion of the first reinforcement 41 when the first piston 21 is in the first line open configuration, defining a maximum stroke that the first piston can move between the first line closed configuration and the first line open configuration.

[0144] According to one embodiment, the second transmission element 46 is configured to abut against a respective abutment portion of the second reinforcing portion 45 when the second piston 23 is in the second line opening configuration and defines a maximum stroke that the first piston can move between the second line closing configuration and the second line opening configuration.

[0145] According to one embodiment, the pressure balancing device 1 comprises a first bleeding section 55 and a second bleeding section 56 adapted to be connected to the third line section 14 so as to bleed the pressure balancing device 1. According to one embodiment, the first bleeding section 55 and the second bleeding section 56 are made integral with the device body 4.

[0146] According to one embodiment, the first connection portion 6 and the second connection portion 7 are formed integrally with the device body 4 separately, and are connected to the device body 4 in a sealable manner at the at least first circuit side opening 9 and the at least second circuit side opening 61, for example, by means of interposing a ring gasket 62 between the device body 4 and the first connection portion 6 and the second connection portion 7. According to one embodiment, the first connection portion 6 and the second connection portion 7 are formed integrally with the device body 4, and define the at least first circuit side opening 9 and the at least second circuit side opening 61, respectively.

[0147] According to one embodiment, the device body 4 comprises a first half 57 and a second half 58. According to one embodiment, the first half 57 comprises the first pipe section 12, the first half of the third pipe section 14 and the first valve seat 15. According to one embodiment, the second half 58 comprises the second pipe section 13, the second half of the third pipe section 14 and the second valve seat 16. According to one embodiment, the first half of the third pipe section 14 is fluid-tightly connected to the second half of the third pipe section 14, for example by an intervening gasket 59. According to one embodiment, the first half 57 is constrained to the second half 58 by at least a first pair of connecting elements 60, for example in a threaded manner, and / or a second pair of connecting elements 60, for example in a threaded manner, accommodated in respective connecting element seats made in the first half 57 and the second half 58.

[0148] The present invention also relates to a braking system, generally designated by the reference numeral 100 .

[0149] The braking system 100 comprises at least a first circuit 2 consisting of at least a first pressure chamber of a brake actuator 103 fluidly connected to a first brake actuator 101 for braking a wheel of the vehicle. The braking system 100 comprises at least a second circuit 3 consisting of at least a second pressure chamber of said brake actuator 103 fluidly connected to a second brake actuator 102 for braking said wheel. The braking system 100 comprises a pressure control device 1 according to any one of the above-mentioned embodiments, connected to the first circuit 2 and the second circuit 3 in parallel with the first brake actuator 101 and the second brake actuator 102 and connected to the first and second pressure chambers.

[0150] The system 100 makes it possible to operate the brake actuator 103 when the first circuit pressure P1 and the second circuit pressure P2 are higher than the threshold pressure Ps, thereby causing the first circuit pressure P1 and the second circuit pressure P2 to match the operating pressure Pa and operating each brake actuator 101, 102 at the operating pressure Pa.

[0151] By operating the brake actuator 103, the system 100 makes it possible to operate only one of the first brake actuator 101 and the second brake actuator 102 at the operating pressure Pa when one of the first circuit pressure P1 and the second circuit pressure P2 is lower than the threshold pressure Ps.

[0152] According to one embodiment, the brake actuator 103 is a lever-operated tandem master cylinder, or the brake actuator 103 consists of two separate lever-operated brake master cylinders.

[0153] According to one embodiment, each brake actuator 101, 102 is a brake caliper connected to said wheel on opposite sides.

[0154] According to an embodiment, the wheel is a front wheel of a motorcycle.

[0155] The invention also relates to a method for controlling the actuation pressure of at least one brake actuator in a braking system 100 comprising at least a first circuit 2 consisting of at least a first pressure chamber of a brake actuator 103 fluidly connected to a first brake actuator 101 for braking the vehicle, and at least a second circuit 3 consisting of at least a second pressure chamber of said brake actuator 103 fluidly connected to a second brake actuator 102 for braking the vehicle.

[0156] The method includes the following steps.

[0157] A pressure control device (1) is provided, comprising a first pipe section (12) fluidly connectable to a first circuit (2) and a second pipe section (13) fluidly connectable to a second circuit (3).

[0158] The pressure control device 1 is arranged in parallel with the first brake actuator 101 and the second brake actuator 102 as well as the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber, and the first pipeline portion 12 is fluidly connected to the first circuit 2 and the second pipeline portion 13 is fluidly connected to the second circuit 3, thereby connecting the first circuit 2 to the second circuit 3.

[0159] The brake actuator 103 is actuated by compressing the first circuit fluid in the first pipe section 12 with a first circuit pressure P1 and the second circuit fluid in the second pipe section 13 with a second circuit pressure P2.

[0160] The first circuit pressure P1 or the second circuit pressure P2 is caused to reach an operating pressure Pa, and the brake actuator 101 or the second brake actuator 102 is operated at the operating pressure Pa until at least one of the first circuit pressure P1 and the second circuit pressure P2 becomes lower than a threshold pressure Ps and the fluid passage between the first pipeline portion 12 and the second pipeline portion 13 is blocked.

[0161] -Then, when the first circuit pressure P1 and the second circuit pressure P2 are higher than the threshold pressure Ps, the first pipeline portion 12 and the second pipeline portion 13 are fluidly connected, the first circuit pressure P1 and the second circuit pressure P2 are made to match the operating pressure Pa, and each brake operating device 101, 102 is operated at the operating pressure Pa.

[0162] According to an operational aspect, the pressure control device 1 is a device according to any one of the above-mentioned embodiments. According to an operational aspect, the system 100 is a system according to any one of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0163] According to a general embodiment, a pressure control device 1 for a brake system 100 comprises a device body 4 in which at least one conduit 8 is defined, the conduit being composed of at least a first conduit portion 12 and at least a second conduit portion 13 .

[0164] The first conduit section 12 is fluidly connectable to the first circuit 2 for receiving the first circuit fluid.

[0165] The first circuit 2 comprises a first pressure chamber of a brake actuator 103 which pressurizes first circuit fluid at a first circuit pressure P1, said first pressure chamber being fluidly connected to a first brake actuator 101 which brakes the wheels of the vehicle.

[0166] The second conduit portion 13 is fluidly connectable to a second circuit 3 for receiving second circuit fluid, wherein the second circuit 3 constitutes a second pressure chamber of said brake actuator 103 for pressurizing the second circuit fluid at a second circuit pressure P2.

[0167] The second pressure chamber is fluidly connected to a second brake actuator 102 for braking the wheels of the vehicle.

[0168] The pressure control device 1 for a braking system 100 further comprises a pressure control mechanism 5 configured to control the first circuit pressure P1 and / or the second circuit pressure P2 to reach an operating pressure Pa.

[0169] The pressure control mechanism 5 is at least partially housed within the conduit 8 .

[0170] The pressure control mechanism 5 is configured to fluid-tightly separate a first volume V1 defined by the first conduit portion 12 from a second volume V2 defined by the second conduit portion 13.

[0171] The pressure control mechanism 5 is configured to control the relative volume change of the first volume V1 to the second volume V2, or the relative volume change in the opposite direction, within a range of a maximum relative volume change by blocking a fluid passage from the first pipe line portion 12 to the second pipe line portion 13, or the opposite direction, thereby maintaining the first circuit pressure P1 or the second circuit pressure P2 to reach an operating pressure Pa when the first circuit pressure P1 and the second circuit pressure P2 are sufficient to operate the respective braking devices 101, 102, and maintaining the first circuit pressure P1 or the second circuit pressure P2 at Pa when either the second circuit pressure P2 or the first circuit pressure P1 is insufficient to operate the respective braking devices 101, 102, thereby preventing the relative volume change from exceeding the maximum relative volume change by preventing a fluid passage from flowing from the first pipe line portion 12 to the second pipe line portion 13, or the opposite direction.

[0172] According to one embodiment, the pressure control device 1 comprises a first connection portion 6 fluidly connecting the first pipe section 12 to the first circuit 2 and a second connection portion 7 connecting the second pipe section 13 to the second circuit 3.

[0173] The pressure control mechanism 5 includes a diaphragm 9 that separates the first pipe line portion 12 and the second pipe line portion 13 in a fluid-tight manner.

[0174] The diaphragm 9 is resiliently movable, via elastic means, along the longitudinal extension direction XX of the conduit 8 between a first configuration and a second configuration, at least with respect to the stationary configuration.

[0175] In the rest configuration, the membrane 9 is in a rest position.

[0176] Between the rest configuration and the first configuration, at least a portion of the membrane 9 is moved forward by a first stroke along the longitudinal extension direction XX towards the first connecting part 6 within the first maximum stroke, and between the rest configuration and the second configuration, at least a portion of the membrane 9 is advanced by a second stroke towards the second connecting part 7 within the second maximum stroke, increasing or decreasing the relative volume change between the first volume V1 and the second volume V2, or vice versa.

[0177] According to one embodiment, the membrane 9 comprises the membrane body 10 , which comprises a membrane end 11 restrained in a fixed position and fluid-tight against a conduit side wall 31 of the conduit 8 .

[0178] The membrane body 10 includes the elastic means and is elastically deformable in the direction of the first connecting portion 6 and in the direction of the second connecting portion 7 by deformations corresponding to the first maximum stroke and the second stroke, respectively.

[0179] According to one embodiment, the maximum relative volume change is equal to the volume swept out by the membrane 9 during movement from the rest configuration to the first configuration when the first stroke is the first maximum stroke, or during movement from the rest configuration to the second configuration when the second stroke is the second maximum stroke.

[0180] According to one embodiment, the pressure control mechanism 5 includes a shell 14 defining a membrane sheet 15 for a membrane 9 therein, the membrane 9 being movable within the range of the maximum relative volume change, the shell 14 including a first half shell 16 and a second half shell 17, the membrane 9 being interposed between the first half shell 16 and the second half shell 17 forming a frame for the membrane 9 preventing the membrane 9 from moving outside the membrane sheet 15.

[0181] According to one embodiment, the first half shell 16 and the second half shell 17 each comprise at least one shell opening 18 and the membrane has a first membrane surface 19 that at least partially faces directly to the first connection 6 with which the first circuit fluid comes into contact and a second membrane surface 20 that at least partially faces directly to the second connection 7 with which the second circuit fluid comes into contact.

[0182] According to one embodiment, the first half shell 16 and the second half shell 17 are permeable to the first and second circuit fluids.

[0183] According to one embodiment, said membrane 9 is impermeable to said first circuit fluid and to said second circuit fluid.

[0184] According to one embodiment, the front half shell 16 comprises a first plate-like body 21 and a first annular flange 22 .

[0185] The rear shell 17 is composed of a second plate-like body 23 and a second annular flange 24 .

[0186] The first plate-like body 21 has a first annular edge portion 25 facing the side wall of the pipeline 8 .

[0187] The first annular flange 22 projects from the first plate-shaped body 21 in the direction of the second connecting portion 7 at a first radial distance from the first annular edge 25 .

[0188] The second plate-like body 23 has a second annular edge 26 facing the side wall of the pipeline 8 .

[0189] The second annular flange 24 projects from the second plate-like body 23 from the second annular edge 26 in the direction of the first connecting portion 6 by a second radial distance equal to the first annular distance and faces the first annular flange 22 .

[0190] The first annular flange 22 abuts in a fluid-tight manner against a second annular flange 24 with the membrane 9 interposed therebetween.

[0191] The first annular edge 25, the first annular flange 22, the second annular flange 24, and the second annular edge 26 form a U-shaped profile adapted to accommodate a sealing gasket adapted to form a seal with the side wall of said conduit 8.

[0192] The membrane end 11 is a sealing gasket having a thickness greater than the thickness of the membrane body 10, and configured so that the membrane end 11 forms a seal with the wall of the pipeline.

[0193] Each plate 21, 23 is intersected by at least one opening 18, and preferably by a plurality of openings 18.

[0194] According to one embodiment, the membrane 9 comprises a plurality of valleys 27 and a plurality of ridges 28 so as to increase the surface facing the first and second circuits, preferably the plurality of valleys 27 and the plurality of ridges 28 being concentric.

[0195] According to one embodiment, said membrane 9 is bellows-shaped.

[0196] According to one embodiment, said device body 4 consists of a first half 29 and a second half 30 connected to each other, for example by an external threading of the first half and an internal threading of the second half, or vice versa.

[0197] The first half body 29 defines the first pipe portion 12 .

[0198] The second half 30 defines the second pipe section 13 .

[0199] According to one embodiment, the device body 4 defines a third pipeline section at the opposing ends of the pipeline 8, which is a partial configuration of the first pipeline section 12 and the second pipeline section 13 and has a larger cross-section than the first pipeline section 12 and the second pipeline section 13, thereby defining an enlarged cross-section of the pipeline 8.

[0200] According to one embodiment, the device body 4 defines a mechanism sheet radially defined with respect to the longitudinal pipeline direction XX by the pipeline side wall 31, and is defined along the pipeline extension direction XX by a first radial crown 32 of the rear half body 30 and a second radial crown 33 of the second half body 30, and the pressure control mechanism 5 forms a radial seal with the pipeline side wall 31 and abuts axially against the first radial crown 32 and the second radial crown 33.

[0201] According to one embodiment, the brake system 100 includes:

[0202] at least a first circuit 2 comprising at least a first pressure chamber of a brake actuator 103 fluidly connected to a first brake actuator 101 for braking the wheels of the vehicle;

[0203] at least a second circuit 3 fluidly connecting at least a second pressure chamber of said brake actuator 103 to a second brake actuator 102 for braking said wheel;

[0204] The pressure control device 1 includes a pressure control device 1 according to any one of the above-mentioned embodiments. The pressure control device 1 is connected in parallel to the first circuit 2 and the second circuit 3, and the first brake actuator 101 and the second brake actuator 102, and is connected to the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber. Thus, by operating the brake actuator 103, when the first circuit pressure P1 and the second circuit pressure P2 are sufficient to operate the respective brake actuators 101 and 102, the respective brake actuators 101 and 102 are operated at the operating pressure Pa, and when one of the first brake actuator 101 and the second brake actuator 102 is insufficient to operate the respective brake actuators 101 and 102, the respective brake actuators 101 and 102 are operated at the operating pressure Pa.

[0205] According to one embodiment, the brake actuator 103 is a lever-operated tandem master cylinder, or the brake actuator 103 consists of two separate lever-operated brake master cylinders.

[0206] According to one embodiment, each brake actuator 101, 102 is a brake caliper connected to said wheel on opposite sides.

[0207] According to one embodiment, the wheel is a front wheel of a motorcycle.

[0208] According to a general embodiment, a method for controlling an actuation pressure of at least one brake actuator in a brake system 100 is described below, where said brake system 100 includes:

[0209] At least a first circuit 2 comprising at least a first pressure chamber of a brake actuator 103 fluidly connected to a first brake actuator 101 for braking both wheels.

[0210] At least a second circuit 3 comprising at least a second pressure chamber of said brake actuator 103 fluidly connected to a second brake actuator 102 for braking said vehicle.

[0211] The method includes the following steps.

[0212] Providing a pressure control device 1 comprising a first pipeline section 12 fluidly connectable to a first circuit 2 and a second pipeline section 13 fluidly connectable to a second circuit 3, the first pipeline section 12 being fluidly isolated from the second pipeline section 13, the first pipeline section 12 defining a first volume V1, and the second pipeline section 13 defining a second volume V2.

[0213] A step of disposing the first circuit 2 in the second circuit 3 and the pressure control device 1 in parallel with the first brake actuator 101 and the second brake actuator 102, connecting them to the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber, and fluidly connecting the first pipeline portion 12 to the first circuit 2 and the second pipeline portion 13 to the second circuit 3.

[0214] Compressing the first circuit fluid in the first conduit section 12 at a first circuit pressure P1 and the second circuit fluid in the second conduit section 13 at a second circuit pressure P2 to operate the brake actuator 103.

[0215] A step of performing a relative volume change of the first volume V1 with respect to the second volume V2 within a maximum relative volume change.

[0216] A step of matching the first circuit pressure P1 and the second circuit pressure P2 to an operating pressure Pa, and operating each brake actuator 101, 102 at said operating pressure Pa when the first circuit pressure P1 and the second circuit pressure P2 are sufficient to operate the respective brake actuators 101, 102.

[0217] and,

[0218] A step of maintaining the first circuit pressure P1 or the second circuit pressure P2 until it reaches an actuation pressure Pa, preventing the relative volume change of the first volume V1 and the second volume V2 from exceeding the maximum relative volume change, and actuating the first brake actuator 101 or the second brake actuator 102 when the second circuit pressure P2 or the first circuit pressure P1 is insufficient to actuate the second brake actuator 102 or the first brake actuator 101. [Explanation of symbols]

[0219] 1 Pressure control device 2 1st circuit 3 2nd circuit 4. Device body 5. Pressure control mechanism 6 First connection part 7 Second connection part 8 conduit 9 1st circuit side opening 10 First valve 11 Second valve 12 1st pipe section 13 Second pipe section 14 Third pipe section 15 No. 1 valve seat 16 No. 2 valve seat 17 1st bottom 18 First valve side opening 19 Second bottom 20 Second valve side opening 21 First piston or first shutter element 22 First elastic element 23 Second piston or second shutter element 24 Second elastic element 25 1st bottom wall 26 1st wall 27 Second bottom wall 28 Second wall 29 First side wall 30 Second side wall 31 First piston first gasket 32 First Sliding Wall 33 2nd gasket of 1st piston 34 First piston head 35 First seal surface 36 1st gasket of 2nd piston 37 Second Sliding Wall 38 Second piston second gasket 39 Second piston head 40 Second seal surface 41 First reinforcement part 42 First transmission element 43 First piston engagement portion 44 First piston thrust section 45 Second reinforcement part 46 Second transmission element 47 Second piston engagement portion 48 Second piston thrust section 49 First segment with enlarged cross section 50 First segment having reduced cross section 51 first axial edge 52 Second segment with enlarged cross section 53 First segment with reduction section 54 Second axial end 55 Breeding Division 1 56 Breeding Section 2 57 First half 58 Second half 59 Intervening gasket 60 Connected Elements 61 2nd circuit side opening 62 Ring gasket 100 Brake System 101 First brake actuator or first brake caliper 102 Second brake actuator or second brake caliper 103 Brake actuator P1 First circuit pressure P2 Second circuit pressure Ps Threshold pressure Pa working pressure D Seal diameter XX Longitudinal direction of first sheet X'-X' Longitudinal direction of second sheet YY 1st engagement direction Y'-Y' Second engagement direction

Claims

1. A pressure control device (1) for a brake system (100), A device body (4) that partially defines at least a first circuit-side opening (9), at least a second circuit-side opening (61), and at least one conduit (8) that provides fluid communication between at least the first circuit-side opening (9) and at least the second circuit-side opening (61), The at least one conduit (8) includes at least a first conduit section (12) and at least a second conduit section (13), The first conduit section (12) is fluid-connectable to the first circuit (2) so as to receive the fluid of the first circuit. The first circuit (2) includes a first pressure chamber of a brake actuator (103) that pressurizes the first circuit fluid with a first circuit pressure (P1), The first pressure chamber is fluidly connected to a first brake actuator (101) that brakes the wheels of the vehicle. The second conduit section (13) is fluid-connectable to the second circuit (3) to receive the fluid of the second circuit, The second circuit (3) includes a second pressure chamber of a brake actuator (103) that pressurizes the second circuit fluid with a second circuit pressure (P2). The second pressure chamber is fluidly connected to the device body (4) of the second brake actuation device (102) that brakes the vehicle's wheels, The system includes a pressure control mechanism (5) that controls the first circuit pressure (P1) and / or the second circuit pressure (P2) to reach an operating pressure (Pa), The pressure control mechanism (5) is at least partially housed within the pipeline (8), If at least one of the first circuit pressure (P1) and the second circuit pressure (P2) is lower than the threshold pressure (Ps), the pressure control mechanism (5) is configured to shut off the fluid passage between the first pipe section (12) and the second pipe section (13), or vice versa, and maintain at least one of the first circuit pressure (P1) and the second circuit pressure (P2) that is higher than the threshold pressure (Ps) up to the operating pressure (Pa) to activate either the first brake actuator (101) or the second brake actuator (102). A pressure control device (1) is configured such that, when both the first circuit pressure (P1) and the second circuit pressure (P2) are higher than the threshold pressure (Ps), the pressure control mechanism (5) fluidly connects the first pipeline section (12) and the second pipeline section (13), adjusts the first circuit pressure (P1) and the second circuit pressure (P2) to match the threshold pressure (Ps), and operates the first brake actuator (101) and the second brake actuator (102) at the operating pressure (Pa).

2. The conduit (8) includes a third conduit section (14) adapted to fluidly connect the first conduit section (12) and the second conduit section (13), The pressure control mechanism (5) includes a first valve (10) at least partially housed in the first pipeline section (12) and a second valve (11) at least partially housed in the second pipeline section (13). The third pipeline section (14) extends between a first valve-side opening (18) that is in fluid communication with the first pipeline section (12) and a second valve-side opening (20) that is in fluid communication with the second pipeline section. The first valve (10) is configured to reversibly take between a position where the first valve side opening (18) is open and a position where it is sealed. If the first circuit pressure (P1) is lower than the threshold pressure (Ps), the first valve (10) closes the first valve-side opening (18) to block the fluid passage from the first pipeline section (12) to the third pipeline section (14), or vice versa. If the first circuit pressure (P1) is higher than or equal to the threshold pressure (Ps), the first valve (10) opens the first valve-side opening (18), and fluidly connects the first pipeline section (12) to the third pipeline section (14), or vice versa. The second valve (11) is configured to reversibly take between a position where the second valve side opening (20) is open and a position where it is sealed. If the second circuit pressure (P2) is lower than the threshold pressure (Ps), the second valve (11) closes the second valve side opening (20) to block the fluid passage from the second pipeline section (12) to the third pipeline section (14) or in the reverse direction. If the second circuit pressure (P2) is higher than or equal to the threshold pressure (Ps), the second valve (11) opens the second valve-side opening (20), and fluidly connects the second pipeline section (12) to the third pipeline section (14), or vice versa. The pressure control device (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a first connection part (6) for fluidly connecting the first pipeline section (12) to the first circuit (2), and a second connection part (7) for connecting the second pipeline section (13) to the second circuit (3).

3. The first valve (10) has a first piston or first shutter element (21) housed in a first valve seat (15) which is defined by the device body (4) and at least partially constitutes the first pipeline section (12), The first piston (21) is In the first valve seat (15), within the first valve seat (15), it is movable between a first pipeline closed configuration and a first pipeline open configuration relative to the device body (4), The first pipeline closure configuration, when the first circuit pressure (P1) is lower than the threshold pressure (Ps), allows the first piston (21) to form a seal with the first wall (26) of the first valve seat (15), preventing fluid from passing from the first connection (6) to the third pipeline section (14), and is movable between the second pipeline closure configuration and the second pipeline open configuration. The first pipeline opening configuration is such that when the first circuit pressure (P1) is equal to or greater than the threshold pressure (Ps), the first piston (21) separates from the first wall (26) or does not form a seal with the first wall (26), thereby defining the first fluid passage together with the device body (4), and thereby scooping up at least one head portion of the first piston (21), and ensuring a fluid passage from the first connection portion (6) to the third pipeline portion (14). The second valve (11) has a second piston or second shutter element (23) housed in a second valve seat (16) which is defined by the device body (4) and at least partially constitutes the second pipeline section (13), The second piston (23) is movable within the second valve seat (16) between a second pipeline closed configuration and a second pipeline open configuration relative to the device body (4). The second pipe closure configuration is such that when the second circuit pressure (P2) is lower than the threshold pressure (Ps), the second piston (23) separates from the second wall (28) or does not form a seal with the second wall (28), thereby defining the second fluid passage together with the device body (4), and thereby scooping up at least one head portion of the second piston (23), and ensuring a fluid passage from the first connection portion (7) to the third pipe portion (14). The first valve seat (15) extends along the longitudinal direction (X-X) of the first valve, The second valve seat (16) extends along the longitudinal direction (X'-X') of the second valve, The pressure control device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the third pipeline section (14) engages with the first valve seat (15) and the second valve seat (16) according to their respective engagement directions (Y-Y, Y'-Y') that are incident on and / or intersect in the longitudinal direction (X-X) of the first valve and the longitudinal direction (X'-X') of the second valve, respectively.

4. The first valve (10) comprises a first elastic element (22) housed within the first valve seat (15), The first elastic element (22) is interposed between the first piston (21) and the device body (4), or between the first bottom wall (25) of the first valve seat (15), and constantly biases the first piston (21) to the first pipeline closure configuration. The first elastic element (22) is sized such that the first piston is in the first pipe closing configuration when the first circuit pressure (P1) is lower than the threshold pressure (Ps). The second valve (11) includes a second elastic element (24) housed in the second valve seat (16), The second elastic element (24) is interposed between the second piston (23) and the second bottom wall (26) of the device body (4) or the second valve seat (16), and constantly biases the second piston (23) to the second pipeline closing configuration. The pressure control device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the second elastic element (24) is sized such that the first piston is in the second pipe closing configuration when the second circuit pressure (P2) is lower than the threshold pressure (Ps).

5. The first piston (21) includes the first gasket (31) of the first piston. The first gasket (31) of the first piston forms a seal with the first sliding wall (32) of the first valve seat (15) at any position of the first piston (21) between the first open pipe configuration and the first closed pipe configuration, and fluidly isolates the first elastic element (22) from the third pipe section (14) and / or the first circuit (2). The second piston (23) includes the first gasket (36) of the second piston. The pressure control device (1) according to claim 4, wherein the first gasket (36) of the second piston forms a seal with the second sliding wall (37) of the second valve seat (16) at any position of the second piston (23) between the second pipeline open configuration and the second pipeline closed configuration, and fluidly isolates the second elastic element (24) from the third pipeline section (14) and / or the second circuit (3).

6. The first piston (21) has a second gasket (33) of the first piston that is configured to form a seal with the first wall (26) when the first piston (21) is in the first pipeline open configuration. When the first piston (21) is in the first pipeline open configuration, the second gasket (33) of the first piston separates from the first wall (26) and opens the first fluid passage. The second piston (23) has a second gasket (38) of the second piston that is configured to form a seal with the second wall (28) when the second piston (23) is in the second conduit closing configuration. The pressure control device (1) according to claim 4, wherein when the second piston (38) is in the configuration to open the second pipe, the second gasket (38) of the second piston separates from the second wall (28) to open the second fluid passage.

7. (A) The second gasket (33) of the first piston is a gasket that is fitted into the first piston body or fitted into an axial annular seat made in the first piston head. or The first piston (21) includes a first piston head (34), the first piston head (34) includes a first sealing surface (35) adapted to abut against the first wall (26) to form a geometric seal when the first piston (26) is in the first conduit closure configuration, the second gasket (33) of the first piston is the first sealing surface (35), and the first wall (26) and the first sealing surface (35) have a surface roughness such that they form a hydraulic seal when the first wall (26) and the first sealing surface (35) abut against each other. and / or, (B) The second gasket (38) of the second piston is a gasket adapted to be fitted into the second piston body (38) of the second piston or to be inserted into an axial seat made in the second piston head (39), or Pressure control device (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the second piston (23) includes a second piston head (39), the second piston head (39) includes a second sealing surface (40) adapted to axially abut against the second wall (28) to form a geometric seal when the second piston (23) is in the second pipeline closed configuration, the second piston is spaced apart from the second wall (28) when the second piston is in the second pipeline open configuration, the second gasket (38) of the second piston is the second sealing surface (40), and the second wall (28) and the second sealing surface (40) have a surface roughness such that they form a hydraulic seal when the second wall (28) and the second sealing surface (40) abut against each other.

8. The first wall (26) laterally partitions a portion of the first valve seat (15), including the first circuit side portion of the first conduit section (12). The first wall (26) is a connecting wall between the two segments of the first pipeline section (12), and forms the first constricted section of the first pipeline section (12). The second wall (28) is a connecting wall between the two segments of the second pipeline section (13), and forms the second narrow section of the second pipeline section (13). The first connection portion (6) partially partitions the first conduit portion (12) together with the first wall (26), The second connection (7), together with the second wall (28), partially partitions the second conduit section (13). The first sealing surface (35) and the first wall (26) each form an annular geometric seal, and the second sealing surface (40) and the second wall (28) each form an annular geometric seal. The first sealing surface (35) and the second sealing surface (40) are the tapered surfaces of the first piston head (34) and the second piston head (39), respectively. The first wall (26) and the second wall (28) are tapered surfaces having a larger taper angle than the first sealing surface (35) and the second sealing surface (40) with respect to the longitudinal extensions (X-X, X'-X') of the respective valve seats, the second sealing surface (40) and the second wall (28), and the first sealing surface (35) and the first wall (26) are conical surfaces, and the first piston head (34) or the second piston head (39) bites into the first wall (26) or the second wall (28), respectively, with an annular gasket between the first wall (26) and the second wall (28) in between. or The pressure control device (1) according to claim 7, wherein the second gasket (33) of the first piston and the second gasket (39) of the second piston are annular O-rings housed in the annular seats of the respective pistons (21, 23), and the annular seats of the respective pistons (21, 23) are axially annular seats.

9. The pressure control mechanism (5) comprises a first reinforcing portion (41) housing the first elastic element (22) and a first transmission element (42), wherein the first reinforcing portion (41) forms the first bottom of the first valve seat (15). The first elastic element (22) is connected to the first piston (21) by the first transmission element (42), The first transmission element (42) is adapted to receive a first piston engagement portion (43) for connection to the first piston (21) by coupling, interference, interlock, or engagement. The first transmission element (42) is fitted to abut against the first piston propulsion unit (44), The pressure control mechanism (5) comprises a second reinforcing portion (45) housing the second elastic element (24) and a second transmission element (47), the second reinforcing portion (45) forming the second bottom of the second valve seat (16), The second elastic element (24) is connected to the second piston (23) by the second transmission element (47), The second transmission element (46) is adapted to receive a second piston engagement portion (47) for connection to the second piston (23) by coupling, interference, interlock, or engagement. The pressure control device (1) according to claim 8, wherein the second transmission element (46) is fitted to abut against the second piston thrust section (48).

10. The first elastic element (22) and the second elastic element (24) each have a first spring and a second spring, The first spring and the second spring are wire springs, and the wire springs are such that the first piston (21) and the second piston (23) can retract when the respective pressures (P1, P2) applied by the respective fluids to the surfaces facing the first circuit of the first piston head (34) or the second circuit of the second piston head (39) are higher than the threshold pressure (Ps). The first transmission element (42) and the second transmission element (46) each comprise a first T-shaped body and a second T-shaped body, The first T-shaped body and the second T-shaped body are provided, and the T-shaped portion has a through hole in the longitudinal direction, The first T-shaped body comprises a first elongated stem and a first enlarged head, The first elongated stem is housed inside the winding of the first spring, and the end of the winding of the first spring abuts against the first head surface on the outside of the first enlarged head. The first elongated stem defines a first engagement seat internally that engages with the first piston engagement portion (43) by interference, coupling, or engagement, The first piston propulsion unit (44) contacts the inner first head surface of the first enlarged head, The second T-shaped body has a second elongated stem and a second enlarged head, The second elongated stem is housed inside the winding of the second spring, and the end of the winding of the second spring abuts against the outer surface of the second head of the second enlarged head. The second elongated stem defines a second engagement seat internally that engages with the second piston engagement portion (47) by interference, coupling, or engagement, The second piston thrust section (48) contacts the second head surface inside the second enlarged head, and / or, The pressure control device (1) according to claim 9, wherein the first spring and the second spring are fixed to the first bottom wall (25) and the second bottom wall (27), respectively.

11. The first connection portion (6) and the second connection portion (7) are integral but separate from the device body (4), and are sealedly connected to the device body (4) with a ring gasket (62) interposed between them at least at the first circuit-side opening (9) and at least the second circuit-side opening (61), or The first connection portion (6) and the second connection portion (7) are formed integrally with the device body (4) and define at least a first circuit-side opening (9) and at least a second circuit-side opening (61), respectively. The apparatus body (4) has a first half (57) and a second half (58), The first half (57) includes the first conduit section (12), the first half of the third conduit section (14), and the first valve seat (15). The second half (58) includes the second pipe section (13), the second half of the third pipe section (14), and the second valve seat (16). The first half of the third pipeline section (14) is tightly connected by a gasket (59) to the second half of the third pipeline section (14) so ​​that no fluid leaks out. The pressure control device (1) according to claim 10, wherein the first half (57) is restrained by the second half (58) by a pair of screw-type connecting elements (60) housed in connecting element sheets made in the first half (57) and the second half (58).

12. A first circuit (2) having a first pressure chamber of a brake actuation device (103) which is fluidly connected to a first brake actuation device (101) for braking the wheels of a vehicle, A second circuit (3) having a second pressure chamber of the brake actuator (103) which is fluidly connected to the second brake actuator (102) for braking the wheel, A pressure control device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first circuit (2) and the second circuit (3) are connected in parallel with the first brake actuator (101) and the second brake actuator (102), and are also connected to the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber, and when the first circuit pressure (P1) and the second circuit pressure (P2) are higher than the threshold pressure (Ps), the brake actuator (103) is activated so that each brake actuator (101, 102) operates at the operating pressure (Pa), A brake system (100) in which, when one of the first circuit pressure (P1) and the second circuit pressure (P2) is lower than the threshold pressure (Ps), one of the first brake actuator (101) and the second brake actuator (102) operates at the operating pressure (Pa).

13. The brake actuation device (103) is either a lever-operated tandem master cylinder, or the brake actuation device (103) includes two separate lever-operated brake master cylinders. The first brake actuator (101) and the second brake actuator (102) are brake calipers connected to the wheel from the opposite side. The brake system (100) according to claim 12.

14. A method for controlling the operating pressure of at least one brake actuator in a brake system (100), wherein the brake system (100) A first circuit (2) including at least a first pressure chamber of a brake actuator (103) which is fluidly connected to a first brake actuator (101) for braking a vehicle, The second circuit (3) includes at least a second pressure chamber of the brake actuator (103) which is fluidly connected to the second brake actuator (102) for braking the vehicle, The aforementioned method, A pressure control device (1) is provided, comprising a first conduit section (12) that can be fluidly connected to the first circuit (2) and a second conduit section (13) that can be fluidly connected to the second circuit (3). The pressure control device (1) is arranged in parallel with the first brake actuator (101) and the second brake actuator (102), and the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber, and the first pipeline section (12) is fluidly connected to the first circuit (2) and the second pipeline section (13) is fluidly connected to the second circuit (3), thereby connecting the first circuit (2) to the second circuit (3), The brake actuation device (103) is activated by compressing the first circuit fluid in the first pipe section (12) with the first circuit pressure (P1) and the second circuit fluid in the second pipe section (13) with the second circuit pressure (P2). The fluid passage between the first conduit section (12) and the second conduit section (13) is blocked until at least one of the first circuit pressure (P1) and the second circuit pressure (P2) falls below a threshold pressure (Ps), the first circuit pressure (P1) or the second circuit pressure (P2) is maintained at the operating pressure (Pa), and the first brake actuator (101) or the second brake actuator (102) is activated at the operating pressure (Pa). If the first circuit pressure (P1) and the second circuit pressure (P2) are higher than the threshold pressure (Ps), the first pipeline section (12) and the second pipeline section (13) are fluidically connected. A method for matching the first circuit pressure (P1) and the second circuit pressure (P2) to the operating pressure (Pa), and for operating the first brake actuator (101) or the second brake actuator (102) with the operating pressure (Pa).

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