Brake-feel simulation device and actuation method of a braking system

A braking feel simulator device for a braking system, the braking feel simulator device being adapted to be connected to a brake pedal,

• wherein the braking feel simulator device comprises:
• a thrust piston, and
• an electromechanical opposition device,
• wherein the thrust piston is configured to be biased in translation against the electromechanical opposition device, in response to an actuation of the brake pedal, and
• wherein the electromechanical opposition device is configured to oppose the translation of the thrust piston.

A braking system, comprising

• a braking feel simulator device adapted to be connected to a brake pedal,
• wherein the braking feel simulator device comprises:
• a thrust piston, and
• an electromechanical opposition device,
• wherein the thrust piston is configured to be biased in translation against the electromechanical opposition device, in response to an actuation of the brake pedal,
• wherein the electromechanical opposition device is configured to oppose the translation of the thrust piston,
• wherein the electromechanical opposition device comprises an electric motor and an opposition mechanism, wherein the opposition mechanism is configured to oppose the translation of the thrust piston, wherein the electric motor is configured to actuate the opposition mechanism so that the opposition mechanism opposes the translation of the thrust piston,
• wherein the opposition mechanism is a screw-nut screw assembly, coaxial to an actuation axis,
• wherein the screw-nut screw assembly comprises a screw and a nut screw connected to each other so that a relative translation of the nut screw with respect to the screw along the actuation axis corresponds to a relative rotation of the screw with respect to the nut screw about the actuation axis,
• wherein the electric motor comprises a drive shaft extended along a motor axis,
• wherein the screw-nut screw assembly is connected to the drive shaft, and the electric motor is configured to apply a mechanical torque on at least either the screw or the nut screw,
• wherein the thrust piston is configured to be biased against the screw-nut screw assembly in response to the actuation of the brake pedal, so as to translate at least either the screw or the nut screw along the actuation axis, and
• wherein the electric motor is configured to oppose the translation of the thrust piston and at least either the screw or the nut screw along the actuation axis by applying a mechanical opposing torque on the screw-nut screw assembly, and
• a brake pedal operatively connected to the braking feel simulator device.

An actuation method of a braking system comprising a braking feel simulator device adapted to be connected to a brake pedal,

• wherein the braking feel simulator device comprises:
• a thrust piston, and
• an electromechanical opposition device,
• wherein the thrust piston is configured to be biased in translation against the electromechanical opposition device, in response to an actuation of the brake pedal,
• wherein the electromechanical opposition device is configured to oppose the translation of the thrust piston,
• wherein the electromechanical opposition device comprises an electric motor and an opposition mechanism, wherein the opposition mechanism is configured to oppose the translation of the thrust piston, wherein the electric motor is configured to actuate the opposition mechanism so that the opposition mechanism opposes the translation of the thrust piston,
• wherein the opposition mechanism is a screw-nut screw assembly, coaxial to an actuation axis,
• wherein the screw-nut screw assembly comprises a screw and a nut screw connected to each other so that a relative translation of the nut screw with respect to the screw along the actuation axis corresponds to a relative rotation of the screw with respect to the nut screw about the actuation axis,
• wherein the electric motor comprises a drive shaft extended along a motor axis,
• wherein the screw-nut screw assembly is connected to the drive shaft, and the electric motor is configured to apply a mechanical torque on at least either the screw or the nut screw,
• wherein the thrust piston is configured to be biased against the screw-nut screw assembly in response to the actuation of the brake pedal, so as to translate at least either the screw or the nut screw along the actuation axis, and
• wherein the electric motor is configured to oppose the translation of the thrust piston and at least either the screw or the nut screw along the actuation axis by applying a mechanical opposing torque on the screw-nut screw assembly, and
• a brake pedal operatively connected to the braking feel simulator device,
• the braking system further comprising an electronic processing unit electrically connected to the electric motor of the electromechanical opposition device, and at least one sensor configured to detect the actuation and/or a movement of the brake pedal,
• wherein the electronic processing unit is configured to actuate the electric motor of the electromechanical opposition device only upon a detection, by the at least one sensor, of the actuation and/or the movement of the brake pedal, or
• wherein the electronic processing unit is configured to actuate the electric motor of the electromechanical opposition device so as to constantly bias the nut screw of the screw-nut screw assembly towards a stroke start position of the nut screw, independently of the actuation of the brake pedal,
• the actuation method comprising:
• selecting, using a selection device, a stiffness curve from a plurality of predefined stiffness curves achievable by the braking feel simulator device;
• and
• upon selecting the stiffness curve, the actuation method further comprising
• either:
• actuating, by the electronic processing unit, the electric motor, so that the electric motor applies the mechanical opposing torque on the screw-nut screw assembly, preferably in contrast to the translation of the nut screw, independently of the actuation of the brake pedal,
• or
• detecting, by the at least one sensor, the actuation of the brake pedal;
• and
• upon the detection of the actuation of the brake pedal, actuating, by the electronic processing unit, the electric motor, so that the electric motor applies the mechanical opposing torque on the screw-nut screw assembly, preferably in opposition to the translation of the nut screw.