EP4561874A1

EP4561874A1 - A device for simulating a brake

Info

Publication number: EP4561874A1
Application number: EP22770005.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Janos ZSINOR
Original assignee: Simtag
Current assignee: Simtag
Priority date: 2021-09-02
Filing date: 2022-09-01
Publication date: 2025-06-04
Also published as: BE1029727B1; WO2023031325A1; BE1029727A1

Abstract

The invention provides a device (100) for simulating a brake. The device (100) comprises a hydraulic cylinder (110). The hydraulic cylinder (110) comprises an inlet port (113) for being connected to a hydraulic fluid source (194), a piston (120) which is moveable inside the hydraulic cylinder (110) in response to hydraulic fluid flowing in and out of the hydraulic cylinder (110) via the inlet port (113), and a piston rod (121) connected to the piston (120). The piston rod (121) extends out of the hydraulic cylinder (110) at a first end (111) of the hydraulic cylinder (110). The hydraulic cylinder (110) is configured for moving the piston rod (121) respectively in an outwards and inwards direction in response to hydraulic fluid flowing in and out the hydraulic cylinder (110) via the inlet port (113). The device (100) comprises a first seating surface (141) opposite of the first end (111) of the hydraulic cylinder (110). The device (100) comprises a resilient element (150) arranged between an external end (123) of the piston rod (121) and the first seating surface (141).

Description

A device for simulating a brake

Technical field

The present invention relates to a device for simulating a brake, preferably a disc brake.

Background art

Devices for simulating a brake, more specifically a calliper of a disc brake, are known from the prior art. Usually, such a device comprises a hydraulic cylinder, i.e. a slave cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder comprises an inlet port configured to be connected for fluid communication to a brake master cylinder, which is connected to a brake pedal of a pedal system, as a source of hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic cylinder further comprises a piston which is moveable inside the hydraulic cylinder in response to hydraulic fluid flowing in and out of the hydraulic cylinder via the inlet port. The device further comprises a piston rod connected to the piston. The piston rod extends out of the hydraulic cylinder at a first end of the hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder is configured for moving the piston rod respectively in an inwards and outwards direction in response to hydraulic fluid flowing in and out of the hydraulic cylinder via the inlet port, i.e. the hydraulic cylinder is a hydraulic pull cylinder. The device further comprises a resilient element in the shape of a hollow cylinder, i.e. a tube, which is arranged over the piston rod outside the hydraulic cylinder with a first end of the resilient element arranged against the first end of the hydraulic cylinder. The device further comprises a seating surface fixed to the piston rod and arranged against a second end of the resilient element opposite of the first end of the resilient element, such that the resilient element is arranged between the first end of the hydraulic cylinder and the seating surface. The device further comprises a pressure sensor configured for measuring the pressure in the hydraulic fluid.

When the hydraulic cylinder of the device is connected to the brake master cylinder of the pedal system and the brake pedal is pressed by a user, hydraulic fluid will flow from the brake master cylinder to the hydraulic cylinder. The inflow of hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic cylinder will cause the piston rod to move in the inwards direction, thereby compressing the resilient element between the seating surface and the first end of the hydraulic cylinder. This will cause an increase in the pressure in the hydraulic fluid, which is measured by the pressure sensor. The output signal of the pressure sensor is then sent to a computer or other computing device for use in a driving or racing simulation as an indicator of the amount of braking force applied by the user to the brake pedal.

The use of the hydraulic pull cylinder in this device has the disadvantage that the piston rod needs to pass through the resilient element to be able to be able to apply a symmetric force on the resilient element to compress the resilient element between the seating surface and the first end of the hydraulic cylinder. Hence, a cylindrical hollow or tube shaped resilient element has to be used, which however has the disadvantage that, when the resilient element is compressed between the seating surface and the first end of the hydraulic cylinder, the inside of the resilient element will be moved towards and pressed against the piston rod passing through the resilient element. The cylindrical hollow or tube shaped resilient element pressing against the piston rod does however change the brake response or the simulated resistance of the brake in an undesired way.

This device also has the disadvantage that in order to change the brake response or the simulated resistance of the brake, the resilient element has to be replaced. For example, a harder resilient element needs to be used for simulating a higher resistance of the brake, whereas a softer resilient element needs to be used for simulating a lower resistance of the brake. It is however time consuming to replace the resilient element.

The hydraulic pull cylinder of the device also has the disadvantage that there is a risk of hydraulic fluid leaking out of the hydraulic cylinder at the first end onto the resilient element.

Disclosure of the invention

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a device for simulating a brake, more specifically a calliper of a disc brake, with a more realistic brake response.

This aim is achieved according to the invention with a device for simulating a brake showing the technical characteristics of the first independent claim. Therefore, the present invention provides a device for simulating a brake, preferably a disc brake. The device comprises a hydraulic cylinder. Preferably, the hydraulic cylinder is arranged in an upright position. Preferably, the hydraulic cylinder is a hydraulic push cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder comprises an inlet port configured for being connected to a source of hydraulic fluid, i.e. connected to be in fluid communication with said source. Preferably, the hydraulic fluid is a hydraulic brake fluid. Preferably, the hydraulic fluid is a liquid. Preferably, the source of hydraulic fluid is a brake master cylinder of a pedal system connected to a brake pedal of the pedal system. The hydraulic cylinder comprises a piston which is moveable inside the hydraulic cylinder in response to hydraulic fluid flowing in and out of the hydraulic cylinder via the inlet port. The hydraulic cylinder comprises a piston rod connected to the piston. The piston rod extends out of the hydraulic cylinder at a first end of the hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder is configured for moving the piston rod in an outwards direction, i.e. a direction outwards of the hydraulic cylinder, in response to hydraulic fluid flowing in the hydraulic cylinder via the inlet port. The hydraulic cylinder is configured for moving the piston rod in an inwards direction, i.e. a direction inwards into the hydraulic cylinder, in response to hydraulic fluid flowing out of the hydraulic cylinder via the inlet port. The device comprises a first seating surface arranged opposite of the first end of the hydraulic cylinder. The first seating surface is arranged outside the hydraulic cylinder. The device comprises a resilient element arranged between an external end of the piston rod and the first seating surface.

An inflow of hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic cylinder will cause the piston rod to move in the outwards direction, thereby compressing the resilient element between the external end of the piston rod and the first seating surface, which compression corresponds to braking pads of a disc brake being pressed against a brake disc or rotor of a disc brake during braking. The compression of the resilient element will cause an increase in the pressure in the hydraulic fluid, which can be measured by a pressure sensor. The output signal of such a pressure sensor can then be sent to a computer or other computing device for use in a driving or racing simulation as an indicator of the amount of braking force.

The use of the hydraulic push cylinder offers the advantage that the piston rod does not have to pass through the resilient element in order to be able to compress the resilient element between the external end of the piston rod and the first seating surface, such that undesired effects of the inside of the resilient element being pressed against the piston rod can be avoided. This is beneficial for having a more realistic brake response or simulated resistance of the brake.

The first seating surface in the device according to the present invention can also be used beneficially for pre-compressing the resilient element, i.e. applying a preload on the resilient element, before the compression of the resilient element between the external end of the piston rod and the first seating surface, this by moving the first seating surface and the hydraulic cylinder with respect to each other. In this way an increasing resistance of the brake can be simulated by applying an increasing preload on the resilient element, hence without having to replace the resilient element with a resilient element with an higher hardness.

The hydraulic push cylinder of the device also has the advantage that there is no risk of hydraulic fluid leaking out of the hydraulic cylinder at the first end onto the resilient element.

In an embodiment of the device according to the present invention the device comprises a pressure sensor configured for measuring the pressure or pressure change in the hydraulic fluid.

In an embodiment of the device according to the present invention the device further comprises a cap arranged on the hydraulic cylinder at the first end. The first seating surface is provided on the cap.

The cap provides a simple means for providing the first seating surface opposite of the first end of the hydraulic cylinder, which simplifies the design of the device. The cap can also be used beneficially for enclosing a volume in which the resilient element is arranged and in which the resilient element is compressed between the external end of the piston rod and the first seating surface. Enclosing this volume is beneficial for the safety of the device.

In an embodiment of the device according to the present invention the external end of the piston rod is provided with a second seating surface for the resilient element.

Providing the external end of the piston rod with a second seating surface is beneficial for providing a good contact between the external end of the piston rod and the resilient element. The second seating surface is also beneficial to hold the resilient element in the correct position. The second seating surface is also beneficial to provide a good transmission of forces from the external end of the piston rod to the resilient element.

In an embodiment of the device according to the present invention the resilient element is a spherical element in a resilient material. Preferably, the spherical element is a ball.

The resilient element being a spherical element is beneficial for a symmetrical distribution of the forces in the resilient element when the resilient element is being compressed between the external end of the piston rod and the first seating surface. The resilient element being a spherical element also offers the advantage that when the resilient element is rotated between the external end of the piston rod and the first seating surface, this does not change the braking characteristics simulated by the device, certainly when the resilient element is in an isotropic resilient material.

In an embodiment of the device according to the present invention the resilient material is rubber.

In an embodiment of the device according to the present invention at least one of the first seating surface and the second seating surface is a conical or frustoconical surface.

The first seating surface and/or the second seating surface being a conical or frustoconical surface is beneficial in combination with a spherical resilient element, as it aides in centring the spherical resilient element on the first seating surface and/or the second seating surface, certainly with the hydraulic cylinder being arranged in an upright position. This is beneficial for holding the resilient element in the correct position. The conical or frustoconical shaped first seating surface and/or second seating surface also contact the resilient element along a circular circumference, which is beneficial for an even distribution of the forces on the resilient element when it is being compressed between the first seating surface and the second seating surface.

In an embodiment of the device according to the present invention the first seating surface and the hydraulic cylinder are moveable with respect to each other for adjusting a preload or pretension on the resilient element. This embodiment is beneficial for changing the braking characteristics simulated by device without having to replace the resilient element with another resilient element having different characteristics.

In an embodiment of the device according to the present invention the cap is screwed on the first end of the hydraulic cylinder. The first seating surface is moveable with respect to the hydraulic cylinder by screwing the cap up or down on the first end of the hydraulic cylinder.

This embodiment provides a simple design of the device with which the first seating surface and the hydraulic cylinder are moveable with respect to each other for adjusting the preload on the resilient element. This can be done manually and easily by a user by screwing the cap up or down on the first end of the hydraulic cylinder.

In an embodiment of the device according to the present invention the device comprises at least one actuator for moving the first seating surface and the hydraulic cylinder with respect to each other. Preferably, the actuator is an electrical actuator.

Using an actuator offers the advantage that the first seating surface and the hydraulic cylinder do not have to be moved manually with respect to each other, and that a desired preload on the resilient element can be set accurately by means of a control unit controlling the at least one actuator.

In an embodiment of the device according to the present invention the at least one actuator is arranged for moving the cap with respect to the hydraulic cylinder.

In an embodiment of the device according to the present invention the device comprises a plurality of actuators for moving the cap with respect to the hydraulic cylinder. Preferably, the plurality of actuators are symmetrically arranged around the cap.

Using a plurality actuators instead of a single actuator for moving the cap offers the advantage that a higher preload can be applied on the resilient element if needed, without having to make use of an actuator that can provide a higher force, which are usually more complex and more expensive. Arranging the actuators symmetrically around the cap for moving the cap is beneficial for an even distribution of the force applied by the actuators on the cap, and thus of the preload on the resilient element via the first seating surface on the cap. In an embodiment of the device according to the present invention the device further comprises a pedal system. The pedal system comprises a brake pedal connected to a brake master cylinder. The brake master cylinder is the source of the hydraulic fluid.

In an embodiment of the device according to the present invention an outlet port of the brake master cylinder is connected via a duct to the inlet port of the hydraulic cylinder for fluid communication between the brake master cylinder and the hydraulic cylinder. The pressure sensor is arranged for measuring the pressure or pressure change in the duct.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will be further elucidated by means of the following description and the appended figures.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a device according to the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a cross section through the device of Figure 1 .

Figure 3 shows a cross section through the cap of the device of Figure 1 .

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the seating plate of the device of Figure 1.

Figure 5 shows a cross section through the seating plate of the device of Figure 1.

Figure 6 shows a cross section through a second embodiment of a device according to the present invention.

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the hydraulic cylinder with cap of the device of Figure 6.

Figure 8 shows a cross section through the hydraulic cylinder with cap of the device of Figure 6.

Figure 9 shows a cross section through the cap of the device of Figure 6.

Figure 10 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of the support structure and electrical actuators of the device of Figure 6.

Figure 11 shows an exploded view of another embodiment of the support structure and electrical actuators of the device of Figure 6.

Figure 12 shows a schematic representation of a device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Modes for carrying out the invention

The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn on scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not necessarily correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.

Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. The terms are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and the embodiments of the invention can operate in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. The terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and the embodiments of the invention described herein can operate in other orientations than described or illustrated herein.

The term “comprising”, used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It needs to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression “a device comprising means A and B” should not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. It means that with respect to the present invention, the only relevant components of the device are A and B.

The Figures 1-5 show a first embodiment of a device 100 according to the present invention for simulating a disc brake. The Figures 6-11 show a second embodiment of a device 100 according to the present invention.

Each of these devices 100 comprises a hydraulic cylinder 110, which is arranged in an upright position. At a first end 111 the hydraulic cylinder 110 is provided with a first flange element 130, which provides a flange on the hydraulic cylinder 110 at the first end 111 . At a second end 112, opposite of the first end 111 , the hydraulic cylinder 110 is provided with a second flange element 135, which provides a flange on the hydraulic cylinder 110 at the second end 112 via which the hydraulic cylinder 110 can be connected to a base or an underground. Therefore, the second flange element 135 is provided with a plurality of openings 136 via which the hydraulic cylinder 110 can be connected to a base or an underground by means of bolts. O-rings 137 are arranged between the second flange element 135 and the hydraulic cylinder 110 such that hydraulic fluid cannot leak out of the hydraulic cylinder 110 at the first end 111.

Inside an interior cavity 115 of the hydraulic cylinder 110 there is arranged a piston 120, which divides the interior cavity 115 in a first section 116 extending from one side of the piston 120 to the first flange element 130 at the first end 111 of the hydraulic cylinder 110, and a second section 117 extending from the opposite side of the piston 120 to the second flange element 135 at the second end 112 of the hydraulic cylinder 110. The piston 120 is moveably arranged inside the interior cavity 115 of the hydraulic cylinder 110, such that the piston 120 can be moved in the direction towards the first end 111 of the hydraulic cylinder 110 and away from the second end 112 of the hydraulic cylinder 110, and also in the reverse direction towards the second end 112 of the hydraulic cylinder 110 and away from the first end 111 of the hydraulic cylinder 110.

The device 100 further comprises a piston rod 121 arranged in the first section 116 of the interior cavity 115 of the hydraulic cylinder 110, and extending through an opening 131 in the first flange element 130 to the exterior of the hydraulic cylinder 110. An internal end 122 of the piston rod 121 located inside the first section 116 of the interior cavity 115 is connected to the side of the piston

120 facing the first section 116. Connected as such to the piston 120, the piston rod 121 is moveable together with the piston 120, such that when the piston 120 is moved towards the first end 111 of the hydraulic cylinder 110 the piston rod

121 moves more outwards of the hydraulic cylinder 110, i.e. in an outwards direction, and such that wen the piston 120 is moved towards the second end 112 of the hydraulic cylinder 110 the piston rod 121 moves more inwards into the hydraulic cylinder 110, i.e. in an inwards direction. To facilitate the movement of the piston rod 121 through the opening 131 in the first flange element 130, said opening 131 is provided with a bushing 132 through which the piston rod 121 is passed.

Near the second end 112 the hydraulic cylinder 110 is provided with an inlet port 113 between the exterior of the hydraulic cylinder 110 and the second section 117 of the interior cavity 115 of the hydraulic cylinder 110. The inlet port 113 is configured for being connected to a source 194 of hydraulic fluid, to be in fluid communication with said source 194, such that a hydraulic fluid can flow in and out of the second section 117 of the interior cavity 115. An inflow of hydraulic fluid into the second section 117 will cause the piston 120 to move inside the interior cavity 115 towards the first end 111 of the hydraulic cylinder 110. An outflow of hydraulic fluid out of the second section 117 will cause the piston 120 to move inside the interior cavity 115 towards the second end 112 of the hydraulic cylinder 110. The latter movement of the piston 120 is aided by a coil spring 124, which is arranged in the second section 117 of the interior cavity 115 of the hydraulic cylinder 110, which is at one end connected to the side of the piston 120 facing the second section 117 of the interior cavity 115 and at an opposing end to the second flange element 135, and which is configured for biasing the movement of the piston 120 towards the second end 112 of the hydraulic cylinder 110.

Preferably, the source 194 of hydraulic fluid is a brake master cylinder 194 of a pedal system 190, such as schematically shown in Figure 12. An outlet port 195 of the brake master cylinder 194 is connected via a duct 196 to the inlet port 113 of the hydraulic cylinder 110, such that hydraulic fluid can flow between the brake master cylinder 194 and the hydraulic cylinder 110. The pedal system 190 further comprises a brake pedal 192 connected to the brake master cylinder 194 in such a way that when the brake pedal 192 is pressed by as user hydraulic fluid flows from the brake master cylinder 194 into the hydraulic cylinder 110, and in the reverse direction when the brake pedal 192 is released by the user.

Near the second end 112 the hydraulic cylinder 110 is also provided with a bleeding port 114 between the exterior of the hydraulic cylinder 110 and the second section 117 of the interior cavity 115 of the hydraulic cylinder 110. The bleeding port 114 is configured to enable a user to bleed air from the hydraulic fluid in the second section 117 of the interior cavity 115 if necessary. At the first end 111 of the hydraulic cylinder 110 a cap 140 is arranged on the hydraulic cylinder 110. The cap 140 encloses a volume in which a resilient element 150 is arranged. In the embodiments shown the resilient element 150 is a spherical element, i.e. a ball, of a resilient material, preferably rubber. In alternative embodiments, the resilient element 150 may however also be provided in other suitable shapes and be made from other suitable materials.

At one side, the resilient element 150 is seated on a first seating surface 141 , which is provided on a wall of the cap 140 facing towards the first end 111 of the hydraulic cylinder 110. At an opposite side, the resilient element 150 is seated on a second seating surface 126, which is provided on a seating element 125 that is connected to the external end 123 of the piston rod 121 , and which faces away from the first end 111 of the hydraulic cylinder 110 towards the first seating surface 141. With the seating element 125 being connected to the external end 123 of the piston rod 121 , the second seating surface 126 moves together with the piston 120 and the piston rod 121.

As such, an inflow of hydraulic fluid into the hydraulic cylinder 110 will cause the second seating surface 126 to move towards the first seating surface 141 , thereby compressing the resilient element 150 between the first seating surface 141 and the second seating surface 126. This movement corresponds to braking pads of a disc brake pressing against a brake disc or rotor of a disc brake during braking. The piston rod 121 pressing with the external end 123 against the resilient element 150 via the second seating surface 126 on the seating element 125 causes an increase in the pressure in the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic cylinder 110. In the other direction, an outflow of hydraulic fluid out of the hydraulic cylinder 110 will cause the second seating surface 126 to move away from the first seating surface 141 until the resilient element 150 is no longer compressed between the first seating surface 141 and the second seating surface 126 but only seated on the first seating surface 141 and the second seating surface 126. This movement corresponds to braking pads of a disc brake being released from pressing against a brake disc or rotor of a disc brake when braking is stopped. The piston rod 121 no longer pressing with the external end 123 against the resilient element 150 via the second seating surface 126 on the seating element 125 causes a decrease in the pressure in the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic cylinder 110. These pressure changes in the hydraulic fluid can be measured by means of a pressure sensor 180 of the device 100. The output signal of the pressure sensor 180 can then be used by a computer or other computing device for use in a driving or racing simulation as an indicator of the amount of braking force applied by a user to the brake pedal 192 over time. The pressure sensor 180 can be arranged in the duct 196 between the outlet port 195 of the brake master cylinder 194 and the inlet port 113 of the hydraulic cylinder 110, such as shown in Figure 12, but may also be arranged in other suitable positions, such as for example in the second section 117 of the internal cavity 115 of the hydraulic cylinder 110 or at the inlet port 113.

The first seating surface 141 is a conical surface, as can be seen in the Figures 3 and 9, and the second seating surface 126 is a frustoconical surface, as can be seen in the Figures 4 and 5. With the conical or frustoconical shape the first seating surface 141 and the second seating surface 126 contact the resilient element 150 along a circular circumference, which is beneficial for an even distribution of the forces on the resilient element 150 when it is being compressed between the first seating surface 141 and the second seating surface 126.

The first seating surface 141 may be fixed in position with respect to the hydraulic cylinder 110, for example by having the cap 140 connected to the hydraulic cylinder 110 in a fixed position with respect to the hydraulic cylinder 110. In the embodiments shown, the device 100 is however arranged such that the first seating surface 141 is moveable with respect to the hydraulic cylinder 110, which is beneficial for applying a preload or pretension on the resilient element 150 in order to change the brake characteristics or resistance simulated by the device 100. Thereby, the preload is applied by moving the first seating surface 141 towards the hydraulic cylinder 110 and thus to the second seating surface 126 in order to already compress the resilient element 150 between the first seating surface 141 and the second seating surface 126 before there is an inflow of hydraulic fluid into the hydraulic cylinder 100 moving the second seating surface 126.

In the first embodiment, the first seating surface 141 being moveable with respect to the hydraulic cylinder 110 is realised by the cap 140 being connected to the hydraulic cylinder 110 by means of a screw thread on an inner surface of the cap 140 which is screwed on a corresponding screw thread along the circumference of the first flange element 130. For use without preload, the cap 140 can then be screwed onto the hydraulic cylinder 110 just until the first seating surface 141 is contacting the resilient element 150 seated on the second seating surface 126. A preload can then be applied onto the resilient element 150 by screwing the cap 140 further on to the hydraulic cylinder 110. This can be done manually, or in other ways, such as for example by means of an electrical actuator configured for rotating the cap 140.

In the second embodiment, the first seating surface 141 being moveable with respect to the hydraulic cylinder is realised in a different manner, such as shown in Figure 6. The hydraulic cylinder 110 of the second embodiment is similar to that of that of the first embodiment, with the difference that the first flange element 130 has a smaller width such that the cap 140 can be positioned freely over the first end 111 of the hydraulic cylinder 110 without contacting the first flange element 130. The cap 140 is held in position from opposing sides by means of two electrical actuators 160 arranged on a support structure 170, of which different embodiments are shown in more detail in the exploded views of Figures 10 and 11. The support structure 170 comprises a base plate 171 to which the hydraulic cylinder 110 is connected via the second flange element 135 by means of bolts through the openings 136 in the second flange element 135 and corresponding slots or openings 172 in the base plate 171. The support structure 170 further comprises two upstanding side plates 175, 176, which are connected at the bottom to the base plate 171 and at the top to a top plate 173 of the support structure 170. The electrical actuators 160 are connected to the top plate 173 by means of bolts and extend through openings 174 in top plate 173. The electrical actuators 160 are connected to the cap 140 via a connector plate 145 which is supported on a flange 142 of the cap 140 and held in position by means of a Seeger ring or circlip 147 arranged in a corresponding slot on the cap 140. The electrical actuators 160 are connected to the connector plate 145 via corresponding connectors 146 provided on the connector plate 145. For use without preload, the cap 140 can then be lowered, from the lifted position shown in Figures 6 and 8, onto the hydraulic cylinder 110 by means of the electrical actuators 160 just until the first seating surface 141 is contacting the resilient element 150 seated on the second seating surface 126. A preload can then be applied onto the resilient element 150 by moving the cap 140 further down on to the hydraulic cylinder 110 by means of the electrical actuators 160.

Besides the two side plates 175, 176 supporting the top plate 173, the support structure 170 can be provided, such as shown in the embodiment of Figure 11 , with further side plates 177, 178 for closing off the area containing the hydraulic cylinder 110, for example for safety reasons.

In alternative embodiments more electrical actuators 160 can be used, preferably arranged symmetrically around the cap for an even distribution of the preload on the resilient element 150. In another alternative embodiment, a single electrical actuator 160 can also be used, preferably connected to the top side of the cap 140. The choice for more or less electrical actuators may amongst others be determined by the maximum preload to be applied to the resilient element 150 and the maximum force that can be applied by the electrical actuators 160.

Claims

Claims A device (100) for simulating a brake, wherein the device (100) comprises: a hydraulic cylinder (110), wherein the hydraulic cylinder (110) comprises: an inlet port (113) configured for being connected to a source (194) of hydraulic fluid; a piston (120) which is moveable inside the hydraulic cylinder (110) in response to hydraulic fluid flowing in and out of the hydraulic cylinder (110) via the inlet port (113); and a piston rod (121) connected to the piston (120), wherein the piston rod (121) extends out of the hydraulic cylinder (110) at a first end (111 ) of the hydraulic cylinder (110), wherein the hydraulic cylinder (110) is configured for moving the piston rod (121) respectively in an outwards and inwards direction in response to hydraulic fluid flowing in and out the hydraulic cylinder (110) via the inlet port (113); a first seating surface (141 ) arranged opposite of the first end (111 ) of the hydraulic cylinder (110); and a resilient element (150) arranged between an external end (123) of the rod piston (120) and the first seating surface (141 ). The device (100) according to claim 1 , wherein the device (100) comprises a pressure sensor (180) configured for measuring the pressure in the hydraulic fluid. The device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the device (100) further comprises a cap (140) arranged on the hydraulic cylinder (110) at the first end (111 ), wherein the first seating surface (141 ) is provided on the cap (140). The device (100) according to any one of the claims 1-3, wherein the external end (123) of the piston rod (121) is provided with a second seating surface (126) for the resilient element (150).

5. The device (100) according to any one of the claims 1-4, wherein the resilient element (150) is a spherical element in a resilient material.

6. The device (100) according to claim 5, wherein the resilient material is rubber.

7. The device (100) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein at least one of the first seating surface (141) and, if present, the second seating surface (126) is a conical or frustoconical surface.

8. The device (100) according to any one of the claims 1-7, wherein the first seating surface (141) and the hydraulic cylinder (110) are moveable with respect to each other for adjusting a preload on the resilient element (150).

9. The device (100) according to claim 8, at least in combination with claim 3, wherein the cap (140) is screwed on the first end (111 ) of the hydraulic cylinder (110), and wherein the first seating surface (141) is moveable with respect to the first end (111) of the hydraulic cylinder (110) by screwing the cap (140) up or down on the first end (111 ) of the hydraulic cylinder (110).

10. The device (100) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the device (100) comprises at least one actuator (160) for moving the first seating surface (141 ) and the hydraulic cylinder (110) with respect to each other.

11 . The device (100) according to claim 10, at least in combination with claim 3, wherein the at least one actuator (160) is arranged for moving the cap (140) with respect to the first end (111 ) of the hydraulic cylinder (110).

12. The device (100) according to claim 11 , wherein the device (100) comprises a plurality of actuators (160) for moving the cap (140) with respect to the first end (111) of the hydraulic cylinder (110), wherein the plurality of actuators (160) are symmetrically arranged around the cap (140).

13. The device (100) according to any one of the claims 1-12, wherein the device (100) further comprises a pedal system (190), wherein the pedal system (190) comprises a brake pedal (192) connected to a brake master cylinder (194), wherein the brake master cylinder (194) is the source (194) of the hydraulic fluid. 17 The device (100) according to claim 13, at least in combination with claim 2, wherein an outlet port (195) of the brake master cylinder (194) is connected via a duct (196) to the inlet port (113) of the hydraulic cylinder (110) for fluid communication between the brake master cylinder (194) and the hydraulic cylinder (110), wherein the pressure sensor (180) is arranged for measuring the pressure in the duct (196).