GB2587782A

GB2587782A - Brake caliper

Info

Publication number: GB2587782A
Application number: GB1909705.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stevens Nicholas
Original assignee: Shiftec Leamington Ltd
Current assignee: Shiftec Leamington Ltd
Priority date: 2019-07-05
Filing date: 2019-07-05
Publication date: 2021-04-14
Also published as: GB201909705D0

Abstract

A vehicle brake caliper 1 comprises an inboard, mounting side limb 3 for mounting the caliper 1 to a vehicle 10, an outboard, non-mounting side limb 4 opposite the inboard limb 3 and a recess (26, fig 2) between the inboard and outboard limbs (3, 4). The caliper 1 also comprises an integral temperature sensor 5, e.g. an active infrared sensor, received within a receptacle 44 in the outboard limb 4 and facing the recess (26). The temperature sensor 5 is configured to measure, in use, a temperature of a brake rotor (15) or brake pad 7a, 7b received within the recess (26). The sensor 5 may be connected to brake management system comprising control means configured to control one or more parameters of a cooling circuit based on one or more signals received from the or each sensor 5. Also illustrated is a computer program element describing a three-dimensional design for use with a simulation means or a three-dimensional additive or subtractive manufacturing means, the three-dimensional design comprising an embodiment of the brake caliper.

Description

BRAKE CALIPER

This invention relates generally to brake calipers for vehicles. More specifically, although not exclusively, this invention relates to brake calipers, brake management systems, brake fault detection systems and vehicles incorporating such calipers and systems for use in motorsport and other aggressive environments.

One conventional type of disc brake systems for vehicles generally include a rotor coupled to the wheels, a brake caliper within which is received an outer segment of the rotor and friction pads within the caliper on either side of the rotor. The brake caliper includes one or more pistons reciprocable within a respective piston chamber that selectively compresses the rotor between the pads to slow the vehicle. In some applications, the caliper straddles an inner periphery of an annular rotor.

Such brake caliper designs normally fall into one of two categories, floating or sliding calipers and fixed or opposed piston calipers, the latter being the most common in motorsport and other applications requiring aggressive braking. During aggressive or high-energy braking, wear and/or overheating of the brake pads and/or rotor due to friction may lead to reduced braking performance, faults, damage or even failure.

Due to the safety critical nature of a vehicle braking system, it would be beneficial to provide a means for predicting faults and/or improving the consistency of brake cooling performance. It would also be desirable to provide a brake caliper that overcomes, or at least mitigates, at least some of the issues associated with known designs.

Accordingly, an aspect of the invention provides a caliper, e.g. a vehicle brake caliper, comprising an inboard, mounting side, e.g. for mounting the caliper to a vehicle, an outboard, non-mounting side opposite the inboard side, a recess described between the inboard and outboard side and a sensor, e.g. an integral and/or contactless sensor, on the outboard side and facing the recess, wherein the sensor is configured to measure, in use, a temperature and/or position of a rotor and/or brake pad received within the recess.

The Applicants have observed that the effectiveness of brake cooling systems, particularly in motorsport vehicles, can vary significantly between the inboard, mounting side and the outboard, non-mounting side. In general, cooling performance on the outboard side tends to be less effective. As such, temperature measurements from the outboard side can be more critical than those from the inboard side.

In addition, integrating the sensor into the caliper avoids the need to accommodate a separate bracket within the envelope, protects the sensor from external conditions and simplifies its integration in the braking system.

The Applicants have also determined that differences between the temperature of the inboard and outboard sides of the rotor can be indicative of a defect in the setup, which can to be detrimental to performance, cause the rotor and/or pads to wear prematurely and/or damage the rotor, such as by warping or cracking. In some cases, the temperature differential may be predictive of a likely fault, defect or damage in the braking system. In addition, the temperature differential can also provide a clearer, more complete, understanding of the cooling performance of a vehicle braking system between the inboard and outboard sides.

In embodiments, the sensor may comprise a first sensor and/or may be configured to be used with a further sensor, e.g. a second sensor. The sensor may be configured to measure, in use, a temperature of a surface on the outboard side of a rotor received within the recess and/or the temperature of an adjacent surface of a brake pad on the outboard side of the rotor. The further sensor may be configured to measure, in use, a temperature of a surface on the inboard side of a rotor received within the recess and/or the temperature of an adjacent surface of a brake pad on the inboard side of the rotor. The further sensor may also comprise an integral sensor, which may be on the inboard side. Alternatively, the further sensor may be located or mounted on or to an upright of a vehicle. The sensors may be arranged to measure the temperature of the inboard and outboard sides of a rotor concurrently.

The vehicle brake caliper may comprise a body, e.g. in or within which the sensor(s) may be at least partially embedded. The body may comprise a receptacle, bore, depression or sensor recess, e.g. in or within which at least part of the sensor is received and/or mounted and/or secured The body may have a first limb, which may be on the inboard, e.g. mounting, side. The body may have a second limb, which may be on the outboard, e.g. non-mounting, side. The body may have one or more bridging members, e.g. connecting or interconnecting the limbs.

The sensor may be at least partially embedded in the second or outboard limb or an outboard side portion of the or one of the bridging members. The sensor may be fully embedded within, e.g. surrounded by, the second or outboard limb. The sensor is preferably on a trailing side or portion of the caliper or body or of the second or outboard limb, but could instead be on a leading side or portion thereof. In embodiments, the sensor may be io at least partially embedded at or adjacent a trailing or leading end of the second or outboard limb.

As used herein, the terms 'trailing portion' and 'trailing end' refer to regions of the caliper through which a rotor segment exits after a braking force has been applied to it. References herein to 'leading end' are to be interpreted accordingly.

The sensor may be recessed relative to at least one surrounding surface of the vehicle brake caliper or body. The sensor may be recessed relative to a rotor-facing surface and/or non-rotor-facing surface of the second or outboard limb.

The sensor may be at least partially embedded or mounted on or in a receptacle or bore, e.g. a sensor receptacle or bore. The receptacle or bore may be described in and/or extend through the brake caliper, body, limb or bridging member.

One or each of the limbs may comprise one or more cylinders within which is or are received a respective piston. The caliper may comprise an opposed piston caliper. In embodiments, each limb comprises two or more, e.g. three or more, cylinders each having a piston received therein. The or each cylinder may comprise a hydraulic cylinder and/or the or each piston may be reciprocable within a respective cylinder. The limbs may each comprise the same number of cylinders and/or pistons. The limbs may comprise one or more, e.g. two or more, opposing piston and cylinder assemblies.

The sensor may be secured within a bore, e.g. described in the second or outboard limb. The bore may extend through the second or outboard limb. The bore may extend through the second or outboard limb from a rotor-facing side or surface to an outer side or non-rotor-facing side or surface thereof. The receptacle or bore may extend substantially perpendicularly or orthogonally to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle brake caliper or brake caliper body. Additionally or alternatively, the receptacle or bore may extend at an angle relative to the axis of the rotor or the axis of one or each of the pistons. The angle may be 100 or more, for example 15° or more, e.g. 20° or more. The angle may be 30° or more, for example 45° or more, e.g. 60° or more. The angled orientation may provide a broader reading along the radius of the rotor.

The sensor may comprise transmission means, e.g. for transmitting signals. The to transmission means may extend from the bore on the or an outer side of the second or outboard limb. The transmission means may comprise a transmitter or a transmission element or member. The transmission means may comprise a wireless transmitter or transmission means, element or member. Alternatively, the wireless transmission means may comprise a wire or cable. The caliper may comprise a recess for receiving the wire or cable. The caliper may comprise one or more brackets for retaining the cable relative to and/or against the body and/or within the recess.

The bore may comprise a shoulder. The sensor may abut the shoulder. The shoulder may inhibit removal of the sensor from the rotor-facing side of the limb. The caliper may comprise a retainer, which may be mounted to the outer side of the limb. The bracket may be secured to the vehicle brake caliper on the second or outboard side thereof The bracket may be secured to the brake caliper body on a non-rotor-facing side of the second or outboard limb. The sensor may be captivated between the shoulder and the retainer. The retainer may comprise a hole, aperture or slot through which the transmission means may extend.

Additionally or alternatively, at least a portion of the sensor receptacle or bore comprises engaging means, e.g. arranged to retain or engage a portion of the sensor therein. The sensor may comprise a threaded portion. The threaded portion of the sensor may be received within and/or engaged with a threaded portion of the bore. At least a portion of the sensor receptacle or bore may comprise a thread, e.g. arranged to threadedly engage a portion of the sensor.

The sensor may comprise a contactless sensor. The sensor may comprise an optical sensor. The sensor may comprise an infrared sensor. The infrared sensor may comprise an active infrared sensor or passive infrared sensor.

The sensor may be configured to measure the distance to a rotor received within the recess. The control means may be configured, in use, to determine one or more of rotor wear and rotor warp based on one or more signals received from the sensor.

When the caliper comprises a further or second sensor, the further or second sensor may be at least partially embedded in the first or inboard limb or an inboard side portion of the or one of the bridging members. The further or second sensor may be fully embedded within, e.g. surrounded by, the first or inboard limb. The further or second sensor is io preferably on a trailing side or portion of the caliper or body or of the first or inboard limb, but could instead be on a leading side or portion thereof. In embodiments, the further or second sensor may be at least partially embedded at or adjacent a trailing or leading end of the first or inboard limb.

In some examples, the caliper may comprise two or more sensors or first sensors. One or more of the sensors or first sensors may be on a trailing side or portion of the caliper or body or of the first or inboard limb. One or more of the sensors or first sensors may be on a leading side or portion of the caliper or body or of the first or inboard limb.

Additionally or alternatively, the caliper may comprise two or more further or second sensors. One or more of the further or second sensors may be on a trailing side or portion of the caliper or body or of the second or outboard limb. One or more of the further or second sensors may be on a leading side or portion of the caliper or body or of the second or outboard limb.

The further or second sensor may be secured within a bore, e.g. described in the first or inboard limb. The bore may extend through the first or inboard limb. The bore may extend through the first or outboard limb from a rotor-facing side or surface to a non-rotor-facing side or surface thereof. The receptacle or bore may extend substantially perpendicularly or orthogonally to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle brake caliper or brake caliper body.

Additionally or alternatively, the receptacle or bore may extend at an angle relative to the axis of the rotor or the axis of one or each of the pistons. The angle may be 100 or more, for example 15° or more, e.g. 20° or more. The angle may be 30° or more, for example 45° or more, e.g. 60° or more. The angled orientation may provide a broader reading along the radius of the rotor.

The further or second sensor may comprise any one or more of the features described in relation to the first sensor.

The vehicle brake caliper may comprise a motorsport brake caliper or a brake caliper for use in motorsport.

Another aspect of the invention provides a brake caliper body for use in a vehicle brake caliper as described above, the brake caliper body comprising a sensor receptacle for to receipt of a sensor.

Another aspect of the invention provides a braking apparatus comprising a brake caliper, e.g. a vehicle brake caliper or brake caliper body as described above, and a pair of opposed braking members, which may be movably received between the limbs.

The braking apparatus may comprise a brake rotor or disc disposed between the braking members.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method of making a vehicle brake caliper, for example as described above.

Another aspect of the invention provides a control means, which may be operatively connected or connectable to the sensor, e.g. via the transmission means.

The control means may be configured, in use, to determine one or more faults or fault conditions of a vehicle braking assembly based on one or more signals received from the sensor. The control means may be configured to control one or more parameters of a brake cooling circuit based on one or more signals received from the sensor and/or further sensor.

Another aspect of the invention provides a vehicle brake management system comprising a vehicle brake caliper as described above and a control means, e.g. as described above, operatively connected to the sensor of the vehicle brake caliper.

The sensor may comprise a first sensor. The vehicle brake management system may comprise a further sensor, e.g. a second sensor. The second sensor may be mounted or mountable to the first or inboard of the caliper. The second sensor may be mounted or mountable to an upright, e.g. of a vehicle to which the caliper is to be mounted. The further sensor may be operatively connected to the control means. The further sensor may be configured to measure, in use, a temperature of a surface on the first or inboard of a rotor received within the recess.

The system or control means may be configured to identify a fault, e.g. based on one or more measurements received, in use, from the or at least one of the sensor(s). The system or control means may be configured to identify a fault base on a comparison of io measurements received, in use, from each sensor. The system or control means may be configured to generate, in use, an alert signal, e.g. if a fault is identified.

The vehicle brake management system may comprise a cooling circuit, e.g. for cooling the caliper. The control means may be configured to control one or more parameters of the cooling circuit based on one or more signals received from the or each sensor.

Another aspect of the invention provides a brake fault detection system comprising one or more vehicle brake calipers as described above, configured to detect one or more faults or fault conditions in a vehicle braking assembly.

Another aspect of the invention provides a vehicle braking assembly comprising one or more, e.g. two or more, for example three or more, e.g. four, vehicle brake calipers as described above, a vehicle brake management system as described above or a brake fault detection system as described above.

The vehicle braking assembly may comprise one or more master cylinders fluidly connected, for example by one or more respective pipes, to the or each vehicle brake caliper.

Yet another aspect of the invention provides a vehicle comprising a brake assembly as described above, a brake fault detection system as described above or a brake management system as described above.

Another aspect of the invention provides a computer program element comprising and/or describing and/or defining a three-dimensional design for use with a simulation means or a

S

three-dimensional additive or subtractive manufacturing means or device, e.g. a three-dimensional printer or CNC machine, the three-dimensional design comprising an embodiment of the vehicle brake caliper or brake caliper body or any other relevant feature of the vehicle brake caliper, brake caliper body or braking apparatus or vehicle braking assembly described above.

A yet further aspect of the invention provides the computer program element embodied on a computer readable medium.

io For the avoidance of doubt, any of the features described herein apply equally to any aspect of the invention.

For purposes of this disclosure, and notwithstanding the above, it is to be understood that the control means may comprise a control system, controller, control unit and/or control module (e.g. incorporated in a larger control system). Any controller(s), control units and/or control modules described herein may each comprise a control unit or computational device having one or more electronic processors. The controller may comprise a single control unit or electronic controller or alternatively different functions of the control of the system or apparatus may be embodied in, or hosted in, different control units or controllers or control modules. As used herein, the terms "control unit" and "controller" will be understood to include both a single control unit or controller and a plurality of control units or controllers collectively operating to provide the required control functionality.

A set of instructions could be provided which, when executed, cause said controller(s) or control unit(s) or control module(s) to implement the control techniques described herein (including the method(s) described herein). The set of instructions may be embedded in one or more electronic processors, or alternatively, may be provided as software to be executed by one or more electronic processor(s). For example, a first controller may be implemented in software run on one or more electronic processors, and one or more other controllers may also be implemented in software run on or more electronic processors, optionally the same one or more processors as the first controller. It will be appreciated, however, that other arrangements are also useful, and therefore, the present invention is not intended to be limited to any particular arrangement. In any event, the set of instructions described herein may be embedded in a computer-readable storage medium (e.g., a non-transitory storage medium) that may comprise any mechanism for storing information in a form readable by a machine or electronic processors/computational device, including, without limitation: a magnetic storage medium (e.g., floppy diskette); optical storage medium (e.g., CD-ROM); magneto optical storage medium; read only memory (ROM); random access memory (RAM); erasable programmable memory (e.g., EPROM ad EEPROM); flash memory; or electrical or other types of medium for storing such information/instructions.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims to and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible.

For the avoidance of doubt, the terms "may", "and/or", "e.g.", "for example" and any similar term as used herein should be interpreted as non-limiting such that any feature so-described need not be present. Indeed, any combination of optional features is expressly envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention, whether or not these are expressly claimed. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a brake caliper according to an embodiment of the invention from below and from the inboard, mounting side; Figure 2 is a bottom view of the caliper of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of the caliper of Figures 1 and 2 from the outboard, non-mounting side; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the caliper of Figures 1 to 3 from below and from the outboard, non-mounting side; and Figure 5 is a schematic view of a vehicle with a braking system including four brake calipers according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figures 1 to 4 illustrate a vehicle brake caliper 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The brake caliper 1 includes a body 2 having a first limb 3, a second limb 4 housing an integral sensor 5 and a bridging member 6 connecting the limbs 3, 4.

Figure 5 illustrates a vehicle 10 to which the brake caliper 1 is mounted and is operable to apply a service braking force to slow a vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 includes a braking assembly 11 including an actuator 12, a brake pedal and master cylinder in this embodiment, which feeds each of a plurality of calipers 1 via brake lines 13. Each wheel 14 of the vehicle 10 includes a brake disc or rotor 15, hereinafter rotor 15 coupled thereto and for rotation therewith.

As is per se conventional, the caliper 1 receives a pair of opposed brake members 7a, 7b for applying a braking force to the brake rotor 15, thereby to slow the vehicle 10. The brake members 7a, 7b each include a carrier plate 71a, 71b having disposed thereon a friction material 72a, 72b which engages the brake rotor 15 to create a frictional force to slow the brake rotor 15 and thereby slow the vehicle 10.

The caliper body 2 includes a leading end 20, a trailing end 21, a rotor receiving side 22, an outer side 23 opposite the rotor receiving side 22, an inboard, mounting side 24 for mounting the caliper 1 to a vehicle 10 and an outboard, non-mounting side 25. A rotor receiving recess 26 is described on the rotor receiving side 22, between the mounting side 24 and non-mounting side 25 for receipt of a brake rotor 15.

A central plane C extends longitudinally along the caliper body 2, from the leading end 20 to the trailing end 21, through the centre of the recess 26. The leading end 20 of the body receives a segment of the brake rotor 15 as it enters the brake caliper 1, in use, when the vehicle 10 travels in a forward direction. The trailing end 21 receives that segment of the brake rotor 15 as it exits the brake caliper 1 after a braking force has been applied to it and is therefore downstream of the leading end 20.

The first limb 3 is located on the inboard, mounting side 24 of the caliper body 2 and has a rotor-facing side 3a, arranged to face a brake rotor 15 of a vehicle 10, and a non-rotorfacing side 3b on the opposite side of the first limb 3. The first limb 3 describes a pair of hydraulic cylinders 31, 32, within which actuating pistons (not shown) are received, and an inlet port 33 on the mounting side 24 for receiving hydraulic fluid. The first limb 3 also includes a pair of mounting points 34 for mounting the brake caliper 1 to a vehicle 10.

The second limb 4 is opposite the first limb 3, on the other side of the recess 26. The second to limb 4 is located on the outboard, non-mounting side 25 of the caliper body 2 and has a rotor-facing side 4a, arranged to face the brake rotor 15, in use, and a non-rotor-facing side 4b on the opposite side of the second limb 4. The second limb 4 also describes a pair of hydraulic cylinders 41, 42, within which actuating pistons (not shown) are received.

The rotor-facing sides 3a, 4a of the limbs 3, 4 are in opposed relation, with the recess 26 described therebetween. In addition, each limb 3, 4 includes a respective recess 35, 43 within which one of the brake members 7a, 7b is received.

The second limb 4 includes a sensor receptacle 44 in a trailing portion of the second limb 4. The receptacle 44 is extends through the second limb 4, from the rotor-facing side 4a to the non-rotor-facing side 4b. In this example, the receptacle 44 extends perpendicular to the central plane C and includes a shoulder 44a adjacent the rotor-facing side 4a.

The sensor 5 is a contactless, active infrared sensor in this example, which has a cylindrical body 51 and a lens 52 at one of its ends, through which signals are emitted and received.

The cylindrical body 51 houses an infrared transmitter (not shown) and receiver (not shown). The sensor 5 is received within the sensor receptacle 44 and abuts the shoulder 44a, such that the cylindrical body Si is completely surrounded by the second limb 4 and such that the lens 52 is recessed relative to the rotor-facing side 4a. The sensor 5 is directed toward the recess 26 such that one or more measurements of the outboard side of a brake rotor 15 received therein can be made.

The sensor 5 has a cable 53 (only part of which is shown) extending from an opposite end of the cylindrical body 51 to that of the lens 52, i.e the cable 53 extends from the non-rotor-facing side 4b. The cable 53 connects the sensor 5 with a control means or controller (herein controller) arranged to process measurements recorded by the sensor 5 and control one or more parameters of a cooling circuit of the brake caliper 1.

The caliper 1 includes a bracket 54 secures the sensor 5 within the sensor receptacle 44.

The bracket 54 is in the form of a plate with a slot 55 for passage of the cable 53 and a screw 56 for affixing the bracket 54 to the second limb 4. The screw 56 is received in a threaded aperture adjacent the sensor receptacle 44 such that the bracket is secured to the non-rotor-facing side 4b. The bracket 54 substantially covers the sensor receptacle 44 on the non-rotor-facing side 4b to captivate the cylindrical body 51 between the shoulder 44a io and bracket 54.

Whilst the sensor 5 is captivated within the receptacle 44 by the bracket 54 in this example, the receptacle 44 and sensors may both include threaded portions for securing the sensor 5 within the receptacle 44 in other examples.

The bridging member 6 is substantially planar with a plurality of apertures 60 and joins together the limbs 3, 4. The bridging member 6 describes with the limbs 3, 4 the rotor receiving recess 26 of the caliper body 2. The bridging member 6 also includes a cable receiving recess 61 for receiving the cable 53 and a pair of brackets 62 secured to the trailing end 21 of the bridging member 6 by respective bolts 63. In use, the cable 53 is routed from the sensors to the controller (not shown) via the recess 61 and each bracket 62 is bent to cover partially the cable receiving recess 61 for retaining the cable 53 within the recess 61. In some applications, the caliper 1 may comprise more or less brackets 62.

In use, operation of the brake caliper 1 is similar to conventional brake calipers, to apply a braking force to a brake rotor 15. The opposed brake members 7a, 7b are urged against a brake rotor 15, the friction between the contact surfaces generating heat. The position of the sensors at the trailing end of the second limb 4 enables of the temperature of the brake rotor 15 downstream of the caliper 1 to be measured on the trailing side, that is to say after the measured segment of the brake rotor 15 has passed between the braking members 7a, 7b during braking.

Temperature measurements are sent via cable 53 to the controller (not shown), which determines whether one or more parameters of a brake cooling circuit should be adjusted.

Additionally or alternatively, the driver of the vehicle 10 can be alerted if a fault, fault condition or unsafe operating condition is detected based on the temperature measurements.

The sensor 5 may also or alternatively be used to measure the distance to the outboard side of the brake rotor 15. Such measurements may be sent to the controller, via cable 53, where the extent of wear, warpage or other defect of the brake rotor 15 can be determined. The driver of the vehicle 10 can be alerted if a fault, fault condition or unsafe operating condition is detected based on the distance measurements.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that several variations to the aforementioned embodiments are envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, although the caliper 1 is described as having one sensor receptacle 44 on the trailing end of the second limb 4, this need not be the case. The caliper 1 may have additional sensor receptacles 44 for receipt of additional sensors, for example on the first limb 3 and/or multiple receptacles 44 on one or each limb 3, 4. Such an arrangement would allow for measurements of an inboard side of a brake rotor 15 to be made, in addition to measurements of the outboard side thereof.

Further, although the sensors is described as having a cable 53, this need not be the case.

Instead, the sensor 5 may be wirelessly connected or in wireless communication, for example via a transmitter or transceiver, with a controller of a vehicle 10. The caliper 1 need not receive an outer portion of the brake rotor 15. The brake rotor 15 may be annular, with the caliper 1 straddling an inboard periphery of the annulus.

It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any number of combinations of the aforementioned features and/or those shown in the appended drawings provide clear advantages over the prior art and are therefore within the scope of the invention described herein.

Claims

CLAIMSA vehicle brake caliper comprising an inboard, mounting side for mounting the caliper to a vehicle, an outboard, non-mounting side opposite the inboard side, a recess described between the inboard and outboard sides and an integral sensor on the outboard side and facing the recess, wherein the sensor is configured to measure, in use, a temperature of a rotor or brake pad received within the recess.
2. A vehicle brake caliper according to claim 1 comprising a body within which the io sensor is at least partially embedded.
3. A vehicle brake caliper according to claim 2, wherein the body has a first, inboard mounting side limb, a second, outboard non-mounting side limb, within which the sensor is at least partially embedded, and one or more bridging members connecting the limbs.
A vehicle brake caliper according to claim 3, wherein the sensor is at least partially embedded in a trailing portion of the second limb.
5. A vehicle brake caliper according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the sensor is recessed relative to a rotor-facing surface of the second limb.
6. A vehicle brake caliper according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the sensor is secured within a bore described in and extending through the second limb, the sensor comprising transmission means extending from the bore on an outer side of the second limb for transmitting signals.
7. A vehicle brake caliper according to claim 6, wherein the bore comprises a shoulder and the sensor is captivated between the shoulder and a retainer mounted to the outer side of the second limb.
A vehicle brake caliper according to claim 7, wherein the retainer comprises a slot through which the transmission means extends.
A vehicle brake caliper according to claim 6, wherein the sensor comprises a threaded portion received within and engaged with a threaded portion of the bore.
10. A vehicle brake caliper according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the transmission means comprises a wireless transmitter.
11 A vehicle brake caliper according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the transmission means comprises a cable, the caliper comprising one or more cable brackets for retaining the cable relative to and/or against the body.
12. A vehicle caliper according to any preceding claim comprising a further sensor mounted on the inboard side and facing the recess, wherein the further sensor is configured to measure, in use, a temperature of a rotor or brake pad received within the recess
13. A vehicle brake caliper according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each sensor comprises an optical sensor.
14. A vehicle brake caliper according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each sensor comprises an infrared sensor.
15. A vehicle brake caliper according to claim 13, wherein the or each infrared sensor comprises an active infrared sensor.
16. A vehicle brake caliper according to any preceding claim, wherein the caliper comprises a motorsport brake caliper.
17. A brake caliper body for use in a vehicle brake caliper according to any preceding claim, the brake caliper body comprising a sensor receptacle for receiving a sensor.
18. A vehicle brake management system comprising one or more brake calipers according to any one of claims 1 to 16 and a control means operatively connected to the sensor of the brake caliper via the or a transmission means.
19. A brake management system according to claim 18, wherein the integral sensor comprises a first sensor and the system comprises a second sensor mounted or mountable to the inboard side of the caliper or to an upright to which the caliper is to be mounted, the second sensor being operatively connected to the control means and configured to measure, in use, a temperature of a rotor or brake pad received within the recess.
20. A brake management system according to claim 19, wherein the control means is configured to identify a fault based on a comparison of measurements received, in use, from each sensor and to generate an alert signal if a fault is identified.
21 A vehicle brake management system according to any one of claims 18 to 20 comprising a cooling circuit for cooling the caliper, wherein the control means is configured to control one or more parameters of the cooling circuit based on one or more signals received from the or each sensor.
22. A vehicle braking assembly comprising one or more brake calipers according to any one of claims 1 to 16 or a vehicle brake management system according to any one of claims 18 to 21.
23. A vehicle comprising one or more brake calipers according to any one claims 1 to 16 or a vehicle brake management system according to any one of claims 18 to 21.
24. A computer program element describing a three-dimensional design for use with a simulation means or a three-dimensional additive or subtractive manufacturing means, the three-dimensional design comprising an embodiment of a vehicle brake caliper according to any one of claims 1 to 16 or a brake caliper body according to claim 17.
25. A computer program element according to claim 24 embodied on a computer readable medium.