Smart braking devices, systems, and methods with resin features

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10955017-B2
Application number	US-201615279255-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 28, 2016
Priority date	May 28, 2015
Publication date	Mar 23, 2021
Grant date	Mar 23, 2021

Abstract

Various braking devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the braking device includes a support element, a block of friction material supported by the support element, at least one piezoceramic sensor supported by the support element and interposed between the block of friction material (and the support element, and a protective element located at the piezoceramic sensor and embedding the latter. The protective element can have one or more layers of resin-based material applied to protect the piezoceramic sensor and direct a predetermined part of the external compression force onto an area of the support element surrounding the piezoceramic sensor. In some embodiments, a signal transduction device is provided and includes at least one piezoceramic sensor supported on a support element and has an integral protective coating having properties of mechanical and temperature resistance.

First claim

The following is claimed:

1. A braking device for vehicles, the device comprising:
a support element;
a block of friction material connected with the support element;
a piezoceramic sensor located between the block of friction material and the support element;
an electrically insulated electrical circuit, the electrical circuit being connected to the piezoceramic sensor, the electrical circuit configured to receive an electric response signal emitted by the piezoceramic sensor when the braking device is subjected to an external compression force; and
a protective element having one or more layers of resin-based material, the protective element being configured to direct a portion of the external compression force onto an area of the support element adjacent to the piezoceramic sensor,
wherein the resin-based material has substantially stable mechanical properties in a temperature interval between −40° C. and 200° C.,
wherein the mechanical properties comprise at least one of elastic modulus and shear modulus, and
wherein the protective element applies a final force (F p ) to the piezoceramic sensor in a direction of external compression force (F) applied to the block of friction material, and the resin-based material is selected such that F p /F is not less than 0.01.

2. The braking device for vehicles according to claim 1 , wherein the piezoceramic sensor is embedded within the protective element and the protective element is embedded within the block of friction material or within a damping layer interposed between the block of friction material and the support element.

3. The braking device for vehicles according to claim 1 , wherein the resin-based material has a cross-linking temperature that is lower than a Curie temperature of a piezoceramic material constituting the piezoceramic sensor.

4. The braking device for vehicles according to claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the protective element is not less than the thickness of the piezoceramic sensor.

5. The braking device for vehicles according to claim 1 , wherein the resin-based material is configured to electrically insulate the piezoceramic sensor.

6. The braking device for vehicles according to claim 1 , wherein the resin-based material is configured to thermally insulate the piezoceramic sensor.

7. The braking device for vehicles according to claim 1 , wherein the resin-based material comprises an epoxy resin.

8. The braking device for vehicles according to claim 1 , wherein the resin-based material comprises a polyimide resin.

9. The braking device for vehicles according to claim 1 , wherein the resin-based material comprises a bismaleimide resin.

10. The braking device for vehicles according to claim 1 , wherein the resin-based material comprises a cyanate ester resin.

11. The braking device for vehicles according to claim 1 , wherein the resin-based material comprises a resin filled with ceramic and/or metal particles.

12. A vehicle that incorporates the braking device according to claim 1 .

13. A friction element that measures an external compression force applied to the friction element, the friction element comprising:
a support element;
a friction material attached to and in contact with the support element;
a force sensor positioned between the support element and the friction material, the force sensor comprising a top surface and a plurality of side surfaces, the force sensor configured to output a response signal; and
a protective element positioned between the friction material and the force sensor such that the top surface and the side surfaces of the force sensor are separated from the friction material by the protective element,
wherein the protective element has one or more layers of resin-based material which protect the force sensor,
wherein the resin-based material has substantially stable mechanical properties in a temperature interval between −40° C. and 200° C.,
wherein the mechanical properties comprise at least one of elastic modulus and shear modulus, and
wherein the protective element applies a final force (F p ) to the force sensor in a direction of external compression force (F) applied to the friction material, and the resin-based material is selected such that F p /F is not less than 0.01.

14. The friction element according to claim 13 , wherein the force sensor is a piezoceramic sensor utilizing piezoceramic material, and the resin-based material has a cross-linking temperature that is lower than a Curie temperature of the piezoceramic material.

15. The friction element according to claim 13 , wherein the resin-based material is formed from one of an epoxy resin, a polyimide resin, a bismaleimide resin, a cyanate ester resin or a resin filled with ceramic and/or metal particles.

Assignees

• Itt Italia Srl

Inventors

• Serra Stefano
• Martinotto Luca
• Xicola Augusti Sin
• Merlo Fabrizio
• Galimberti Paolo

Classifications

• F16D66/00 Primary

  Arrangements for monitoring working conditions, e.g. wear, temperature · CPC title

• F16D65/092

  for axially-engaging brakes, e.g. disc brakes · CPC title

• F16D2066/006

  without direct measurement of the quantity monitored, e.g. wear or temperature calculated form force and duration of braking · CPC title

• F16D2066/005

  Force, torque, stress or strain · CPC title

• G01L1/16

  using properties of piezoelectric devices · CPC title