Simulation systems and related game systems that simulate braking systems, particularly for gaming purposes.

Abstract

A simulation system and related game system for simulating a brake system, particularly for game applications. The present invention relates to a simulation system (100) for simulating a brake system, particularly for game applications. The system comprises a mechanical lever (110) rotatably connected (115) to a base surface (180) and operated by a user to apply braking force, and a hydraulic pump (120) containing hydraulic fluid configured to be pressurized by a piston (121) mechanically connected to the mechanical lever (110) via a rigid mechanical coupling (111). The hydraulic pump (120) opposite to the mechanical lever (110) is grounded by a rotatable grounding connection (145). The system further comprises a first mechanism (140, 150) positioned between the hydraulic pump (120) and the rotatable grounding connection (145) for manually adjusting the idle stroke of the hydraulic pump (120), and a connection between the base surface (180) and the rigid mechanical coupling (111) for adjusting the resting height (h VAR The invention further relates to an electronic simulation system (1000) that utilizes a simulation system (100) to simulate the brake system according to the present invention.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates in particular to a simulation system for simulating a braking system for gaming applications and related game systems. Background of the Invention

[0002] There are multiple patent documents that describe game brake simulation systems.

[0003] Patent document US2022333618 (Asetek Danmark) describes a hydraulic pedal simulator that can provide accurate feedback to the user during operation. Specifically, this pedal simulator includes a hydraulic pump having a housing with a main chamber, a secondary chamber, and a wall disposed between the two chambers. The wall defines at least one opening configured to fluidly connect the main chamber and the secondary chamber. The hydraulic pump also includes a main cylinder configured to pressurize the fluid in the main chamber when the brake pedal is pressed. Further, the hydraulic pump includes a secondary piston and a pressure sensor that are in fluid communication with the secondary chamber. The pressure sensor measures the pressure in the secondary chamber and transmits a signal indicating the movement of the brake pedal to a processor. When the fluid in the main chamber is pressurized, the main piston guides the fluid from the main chamber to the secondary chamber through at least one opening, increasing the pressure in the secondary chamber.

[0004] Document US2021197083 (Logitech Europe) describes a gaming pedal assembly comprising a base and a pedal arm rotatably coupled to the base at a first mounting position providing a first axis of rotation with respect to the base. This gaming pedal assembly further comprises a piston assembly having a resistance profile. The piston assembly is coupled to the pedal arm at a coupling position providing a second axis of rotation with respect to the pedal arm. The piston assembly is rotatably coupled to the base at a second mounting position providing a third axis of rotation with respect to the base. The piston assembly is compressed according to the resistance profile of the piston assembly in response to the user interface area of the pedal arm receiving a pressure force.

[0005] However, the cited prior art documents deal with brake force absorption and damping systems that do not accurately represent pedal stiffness compared to what actually occurs in vehicle calipers. Furthermore, the aforementioned prior art documents do not allow for a simple method of changing pedal stiffness. More precisely, the described pedal simulators do not allow for adjustment of idle stroke or simple adjustment of the pedal ratio (defined as the stationary inclination of the hydraulic pump relative to the base) according to user needs during the setup and customization process. Specifically, users of the system described in document US2022333618 (Asetek Danmark) are required to use external tools to adjust the pedal ratio, making this process not very user-friendly.

[0006] Furthermore, conventional brake pedal simulators equipped with hydraulic systems do not incorporate a true brake caliper into the system, which is a necessary element for conveying response in terms of rigidity. This contributes to creating a more realistic driving experience for the user.

[0007] Furthermore, while commercially available brake pedal simulators measure the force applied to the pedal, this force measurement on the pedal is not a parameter that adequately represents the actual braking force measured in a real brake system. In fact, in a real brake system, the braking force is measured at the caliper. That is, it is measured at the end of the entire brake system, taking into account all the series elements that contribute to the overall rigidity of the system.

[0008] Current game brake pedal simulators have several technical issues that need to be addressed, primarily related to making the user's gaming experience as comfortable and realistic as possible, and ensuring that users can easily adjust pedal settings during setup. Specifically, the main technical issues identified from the analysis of the most recent prior art literature are the difficulty in simulating the actual braking feel when a user operates the brake pedal simulator, and the difficulty in easily adjusting the settings of the brake simulation system, especially in the case of hydraulic systems, and customizing them to the user's specific needs. Finally, the difficulty in faithfully reproducing the braking force applied to the pedal has also been identified.

[0009] Patent document US2022 / 333618 describes a complex hydraulic pump with a master piston and a slave piston, and a brake simulation system using a damping device inside the hydraulic pump. Manufacturing such a device is complex and expensive, and these specific design features make the feedback provided to the user unrealistic.

[0010] Based on the above, there is room for improvement to enhance the user experience both during setup and use of the brake system simulator. [Overview of the project]

[0011] The object of the present invention is to provide a simulation system for simulating a brake system, and a related game system, although not limited to game applications. These systems solve the problems and overcome the shortcomings of the prior art.

[0012] The present invention relates to a simulation system for simulating a brake system as described in the appended claims, and to a related game system, although not limited to game applications. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] The present invention will be described by non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the system according to the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 shows a detailed view of the specific part of Figure 1 (the connection between the hydraulic pump and the caliper).

[0016] Figure 3 shows another embodiment of the system according to the present invention.

[0017] Figure 4 shows a more detailed view of Figure 3, with a load cell placed between the brake disc and pad.

[0018] Figure 5 illustrates an electronic game system that utilizes a simulation system for simulating the brake system according to the present invention. Explanation of Terms

[0019] It is explicitly stated that components of different embodiments can be combined without limitation to provide further embodiments, as long as the technical concept of the invention is respected. This will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from this specification.

[0020] This specification also refers to prior art in practice, including, for example, features not described in detail in the prior art, such as less important components typically used in similar solutions.

[0021] It is understood that when elements are introduced, there can always be "at least one" or "more than one" elements.

[0022] Where a list of elements or features is provided in this specification, it is understood that the discovery of the invention "includes" or "constitutes" such elements.

[0023] When features are listed within the same sentence or in a bulleted list, one or more of the individual features may be included in the invention independently of the other features in the list.

[0024] Two or more of the components (elements, devices, systems) described above can be freely combined and regarded as a parts kit according to the invention.

Example

[0025] The present invention provides a brake pedal simulation system (hereinafter referred to as "simulator") that is not particularly limited to game applications. This can overcome the limitations of customization and user experience pointed out in the description of the prior art.

[0026] Referring to the drawings, the brake pedal simulator according to the present invention includes a mechanical lever 110 operable by a user, and a hydraulic pump 120 (having a piston 121 for compressing hydraulic fluid inside) connected via first mechanical connecting parts 111, 112 having a predetermined length and rigidity (for example, rods or tubes made of metal or plastic).

[0027] Therefore, the mechanical connecting part preferably connects a rigid rod (mechanical connecting part) 111 and a thrust element 113 configured to receive the action by the foot. This rigid rod can be mechanically connected to the thrust element in various ways. For example, the end 112 can be slidably fitted into a slot 112a, and the rod 111 can be configured to always face substantially the same direction as the thrust direction of the hydraulic pump 120 (including hydraulic fluid). The thrust element 113 is supported by a ground connection (or a fixed reference plane 180) via a rotatable connection 115 (for example, a pin). The pin is placed on the support element 116 and thus supported with respect to the base surface 180. The distance between the ground (or the fixed reference plane or the base surface 180) and the end 112 of the rod 111 is h VAR which is called and is variable in advance by an adjustment system 160 (described later) (that is, in a state where the system is stationary and has not yet been operated by the user). From the adjustment position at rest, it is possible to change the height of the end 112 during pedal operation.

[0028] The hydraulic pump 120 is further connected to a brake caliper 130 (a mechanism for attenuating the braking force applied by the user) and acts on at least one brake disk portion (not shown, see the next embodiment). The hydraulic pump 120 and the brake caliper 130 are fluidly connected by a hydraulic pipe 170. Thereby, the pressure generated by the user in the hydraulic pump via the mechanical lever 110 is transmitted to the brake caliper 130. The assembly connecting the hydraulic pump 120 and the brake caliper 130 is a braking force absorption / damping system, which reproduces the braking feeling experienced when driving a real vehicle as much as possible. A load cell 135 is provided in the brake caliper to actually detect / measure the braking force in the caliper due to the force applied by the user to the mechanical lever 110 connected to the hydraulic pump.

[0029] The hydraulic pump 120 is connected to the ground or a fixed reference (e.g., the base 180) via a rotatable connection portion 145 and by a mechanical connection portion 140 on the rotatable connection portion at an end opposite to the mechanical lever 110. The connection portion 140 can be arbitrarily automated by an electromechanical mechanism (not shown). The mechanical connection portion 140 has a variable length and is manually adjustable by being connected, in particular, to a ball circulation system provided on the back of the hydraulic pump itself and via a manual adjustment element 150 (e.g., a mechanical ring nut). Such a mechanism can be manually operated by the user without using external tools when setting the brake pedal simulator, and enables the idle stroke of the pedal simulator to be easily and quickly adjusted according to the specific needs of the user.

[0030] Finally, as described above, the brake pedal simulator according to the present invention has a static height h of the mechanical lever that can be pre-operated by the user VARThe system includes a mechanism 160 for adjusting the inclination of the hydraulic pump (when stationary) relative to a horizontal plane parallel to the virtual base 180. In other words, the pedal ratio can be adjusted. In particular, the mechanism for adjusting the height of the mechanical lever 110 may consist of, for example, a screw mechanism with a gear directly connected to the rigid mechanical coupling 111. Optionally, such a mechanism 160 may be automated by an electromechanical mechanism (not shown). To accurately simulate the actual braking experience, the proposed device arranges elements that exist individually in a real braking system in a novel and effective configuration, especially for the game environment. Specifically, it includes the following elements: - Mechanical lever ("pedal"); - Hydraulic pump ("master cylinder"); - Brake caliper with load cell for force measurement; - Free-roaming stroke adjustment mechanism (e.g., ball screw mechanism); and - A gear screw mechanism for adjusting the pedal lever ratio.

[0031] The coexistence and arrangement of these elements in the various configurations described above can create a system that provides users with an actual braking feel while offering the possibility of product adaptation and adjustment.

[0032] The assembly described works as follows: - The pedal is connected to the hydraulic pump by a fixed mechanical connection; - The brake hydraulic pump is fixed to the ground (base) by a length-adjustable mechanical connection. For example, a ball screw system located behind the brake hydraulic pump adjusts the dead zone (idle stroke) of the hydraulic pump; - The hydraulic pump is connected to the caliper via a hydraulic pipe (e.g., braided), thereby introducing the fluid pressure generated by the hydraulic pump into the caliper; - The fluid pressure received by the caliper is detected and measured by a load cell located in the caliper, effectively measuring the braking force within the caliper.

[0033] In addition to these mechanisms, the system includes an additional position adjustment mechanism 160 that adjusts the pedal thrust ratio by modulating the pedal height to adjust the tilt angle of the hydraulic pump (α in Figure 1). This adjustment can be achieved by a manual screw and gear mechanism or an electromechanical mechanism (not shown). In one embodiment of the present invention (which is also applicable to the following embodiment), a geared screw mechanism is directly connected to the aforementioned rigid mechanical coupling 111 via a threaded rigid bar 161.

[0034] Referring to Embodiment 200 shown in Figures 3 and 4, the mechanical lever 210 is connected to a hydraulic pump 220, as in the previous embodiment (and thus contains hydraulic fluid configured to be pressurized by a piston (not shown)). Similarly, an adjustment system 260 is provided to adjust the tilt position of the pedal. Furthermore, the hydraulic pump 220 and the brake caliper 230 are fluidly connected by a hydraulic pipe 270 as described above.

[0035] The thrust element 213 is supported to a ground connection (or fixed reference plane) via a rotatable connector 215 (e.g., a pin). This pin rests on a support element with respect to a base surface (not shown, similar to that of the previous embodiment). A rigid bar (mechanical connector) 211 is connected to the thrust element 213, which is configured to be subjected to the action of the feet.

[0036] Furthermore, the hydraulic pump 220 is connected to the ground or a fixed reference (not shown) at the end opposite to the mechanical lever 210 via a rotatable connector (not shown) and by a mechanical connector 240 on the rotatable connector. The mechanical connector 240 can also be automated by an electromechanical mechanism (not shown). The mechanical connector 240 is of variable length and is located particularly behind the hydraulic pump itself, and can be manually adjusted by a manual adjustment element (not shown), such as a ball circulation system connected by a mechanical ring nut.

[0037] However, referring to Figure 3, a portion of the brake disc 280 on which the brake caliper 230 acts in response to the operation of the pedal 210 can be used in the system of the present invention. The caliper, as its operation suggests, can generally act on any useful element, and the brake disc is merely a preferred embodiment.

[0038] In the brake caliper shown in the detailed view of Figure 4, a load cell 235 is interposed between the brake disc 280 and the pad 290.

[0039] Optionally, the brake disc 280 is mounted between the mechanical coupling 240 and the housing of the adjustment system 260. Thus, the brake simulation system 200 is compact and easy to manufacture, and provides realistic feedback to the user, especially since it operates a real brake caliper by acting on a real brake disc.

[0040] The simulation systems described in the various embodiments above can be used in the electronic simulation system 1000 schematically shown in Figure 5.

[0041] Devices 100 and 200 are operated by a user (not shown) pressing pedals 113 and 213 and are connected to an electronic processing unit (computer, console, and other peripherals) 300. The electronic processing unit receives measurements from load cells 135 and 235 as input, processes the simulated brakes, and displays the results on a screen 400 connected to the electronic processing unit.

[0042] Measuring braking force using a load cell, that is, measuring it within the caliper rather than on the pedal, provides a more representative representation of the actual braking force than force measurements performed on the pedal, as in the conventional technology described above.

[0043] Furthermore, a pressure sensor can be optionally installed as a backup system in case of load cell failure. This pressure sensor can measure the pressure of the hydraulic pump (upstream or downstream of the pump, depending on the configuration).

[0044] While preferred embodiments and some modifications of the present invention have been described above, those skilled in the art will understand that modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the relevant scope of protection as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A simulation system (100, 200) that simulates brake systems, especially for gaming purposes, A mechanical lever (110, 210) is rotatably connected (115, 215) to the base surface (180) and can be operated by the user to apply braking force, A hydraulic pump (120, 220) containing hydraulic fluid, configured to be pressurized by a piston (121) mechanically connected to the mechanical levers (110, 210) by rigid mechanical couplings (111, 211), wherein the hydraulic pump (120, 210) is connected to the ground by a rotatable grounding coupling (145) on the opposite side of the mechanical levers (110, 210), The simulation system (100, 200) that simulates the brake system, A first mechanism (140, 150, 240) for adjusting the idle stroke of the hydraulic pump (120, 220), the first mechanism (140, 150, 240) being positioned between the hydraulic pump (120, 220) and the rotatable ground connection (145), A second mechanism (160, 260) for adjusting the lever ratio of the mechanical levers (110, 210), which is connected between the base surface (180) and the rigid mechanical connecting part (111, 211), and adjusts the stationary height (h) of the mechanical levers (110, 210). ＶＡＲ A second mechanism (160, 260) is configured to adjust the following: Brake calipers (130, 230), It is located outside the aforementioned hydraulic pump (120, 220) and is hydraulically connected (170, 270) to the aforementioned hydraulic pump (120, 220), A simulation system (100, 200) comprising a brake caliper (130, 230) having load cells (135, 235) configured to detect and measure the aforementioned braking force, or connected thereto.

2. The simulation system (100, 200) according to claim 1, wherein the first mechanism (140, 150, 240) for adjusting the idle stroke includes a circulating ball system.

3. The simulation system (100, 200) according to claim 2, wherein the first mechanism (140, 150, 240) is located behind the hydraulic pump (120, 220) and is connected to the hydraulic pump (120, 220) by a manual adjustment element (150).

4. The simulation system (100, 200) according to claim 2, wherein the first mechanism (140, 150, 240) for adjusting the idle stroke of the hydraulic pump (120, 220) is an electromechanical mechanism.

5. The simulation system (100, 200) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second mechanism (160, 260) for adjusting the lever ratio includes a screw mechanism having gears directly connected to the rigid mechanical coupling (111, 211), and the screw mechanism is manually operable.

6. The simulation system (100, 200) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second mechanism (160, 260) for adjusting the lever ratio includes a screw mechanism having gears directly connected to the rigid mechanical coupling (111, 211), and the screw mechanism is an electromechanical mechanism.

7. The simulation system (100, 200) according to claim 6, wherein the screw mechanism is directly connected to the rigid mechanical connection part (111, 211) via a threaded rigid rod.

8. Includes a pressure sensor, The simulation system (100, 200) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, configured to measure the braking force by measuring the pressure of the hydraulic pump in the event of a failure of the load cells (135, 235).

9. The simulation system (100, 200) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the hydraulic pump (120, 220) includes only one piston.

10. The simulation system (100, 200) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the brake calipers (130, 230) are configured to act on a brake disc (280).

11. The simulation system (100, 200) according to claim 10, wherein the load cell (235) is inserted between the brake disc (280) and the brake pad.

12. A game system comprising a simulation system (100, 200) for simulating a brake system and an electronic processing unit (300) connected to a game screen (400), wherein the simulation system (100, 200) is described in any one of claims 1 to 11, and the electronic processing unit (300) receives brake force as input from load cells (135, 235) or pressure sensors.

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