Pedal simulator using spring with non-linear response

A pedal simulator comprising:

• a housing having a bore therein;
• a piston disposed within said bore;
• a spring mechanism operatively connected to said piston such that movement of said piston in a direction towards said spring mechanism compresses said spring mechanism, said spring mechanism having a non-linear spring force coefficient;
• a pressure piston disposed in said bore, said piston, said pressure piston, and said housing cooperating to define a chamber of a master cylinder within said bore;
• and
• a static seal sealing between said housing and an axially central portion of said piston, and a dynamic seal sealing between said piston and said housing, said dynamic seal forming part of a pressure boundary for said chamber of said master cylinder.

A pedal simulator comprising:

• a housing having a bore therein;
• a piston disposed within said bore;
• and
• a spring mechanism operatively connected to said piston such that movement of said piston in a direction towards said spring mechanism compresses said spring mechanism, said spring mechanism having a non-linear spring force coefficient, said spring mechanism including a spring subjectable to a preload and further including an adjustment mechanism operably connected to said spring, said adjustment mechanism adapted to adjust said preload of said spring.

A pedal simulator comprising:

• a housing having a bore therein;
• a piston disposed within said bore;
• a spring mechanism operatively connected to said piston such that movement of said piston in a direction towards said spring mechanism compresses said spring mechanism, said spring mechanism having a non-linear spring force coefficient;
• and
• a piston stop operably engaging said housing, said piston stop disposed to engage said piston to set a position of maximum movement of said piston in the direction toward said spring mechanism, said piston stop being selectively movable relative to said housing to vary said position of maximum movement of said piston in the direction toward said mechanism.

A pedal simulator comprising:

• a housing having a bore therein;
• a piston disposed within said bore;
• a first spring retaining plate engaging said piston;
• a second spring retaining plate engaging said housing;
• and
• a spring disposed between said first spring retaining plate and said second spring retaining plate such that movement of said piston in a direction towards said spring compresses said spring, said spring having a non-linear spring force coefficient.