Itt Italia S.r.l.

Itt Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.

Daniele Donzelli

Luca Martinotto

Mattia Solari

Stefano Serra

Marco Terranova

Fabrizio Merlo

Diego A Santamaria Razo

Various systems, devices, and methods for detecting and/or responding to the temperature of brakes are disclosed. Certain embodiments relate to inhibiting or preventing the overheating of the brakes of such vehicles, such as could occur when a hot runner condition is present.

Hot runner detection and response systems, devices, and methods

Various antilock braking systems, devices, and methods using sensorized brake pads are disclosed. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method for improving the performance of an antilock braking (ABS) and anti-slip regulation (ASR) system of a vehicle. The method can include detecting the actual value of the coefficient of friction (e.g., between a tire and the ground), updating the coefficient of friction during braking using the braking torque data derived from at least one braking pad of each wheel, and adjusting brake force. For example, the brake force can be adjusted as a function of and/or to be approximately equal to the value of the actual tire-road friction during braking.

Antilock braking systems, devices, and methods using sensorized brake pads

A method in which at least one piezoceramic sensor, which converts every mechanical force to which it is subjected into an electrical signal and having a Curie temperature higher than 200&#xb0; C., is solidarized directly onto the surface of a metal support element of a vehicle braking element, which during use faces a vehicle element to be braked. While in contact with such a surface, an electrical circuit is implemented that picks up and eventually processes the electrical signal, the electrical circuit being connected with a connector integrated with the metal support element. An electrically insulating layer sandwiches the at least one piezoceramic sensor and the electrical circuit, and a block of friction material with an underlying damping layer is formed upon the electrically insulating layer. After forming the block of friction material, the piezoceramic sensor is polarized by applying a predetermined potential difference thereto by means of the connector.

Vehicle braking systems and methods

Methods, devices, and systems, for analyzing and managing data generated by a sensor-equipped braking system for vehicles, comprising a support element a block of friction material, at least one sensor interposed between the block of friction material and the support element, comprising at least one central control unit capable of receiving in real time from the sensor means at least the basic data related to one or more of the pressure of the activated braking system, the temperature of the activated braking system, the braking torque, the residual braking torque when the braking system is deactivated, and the wear on the braking system during and after activation thereof. The system can also include one or more auxiliary sensors.

Sensor-equipped vehicle braking systems, devices, and methods

A brake element is sensorized by at least one piezoceramic sensor arranged between a metallic support element and a block of friction material of a brake element, the sensor being completely embedded within the block. An electrical voltage signal generated by at least one piezoceramic sensor, without the need for a power supply, is picked up by an electrical circuit integrated into the metallic support element. The electrical voltage signal is processed in the form of equal length of samples per unit of time of the detected signal by successively processing in real time each sample of equal length of time sample of the signal by applying an algorithm. The algorithm is selected from at least one of a sequence of integrations of voltage values in the sample carried out in an interval of time in the order of milliseconds; FFT voltage data sample; and integral of the voltage data sample.

Method and device for real time estimation of the applied pressure and of noisiness in a brake element, in particular a brake pad

A method in which at least one piezoceramic sensor and an electric circuit to collect an electric signal emitted by the piezoceramic sensor when subjected to a mechanical stress and possibly processing it are made as an electrically insulated unit. The unit is equipped with at least a branching ending with respective electric contacts and having the connected at least one piezoelectric sensor. The electric circuit and the at least one sensor are mechanically fixed integral with a first surface of a supporting metal element of a brake pad. Branching is formed so as to position the at least one piezoelectric sensor at a predetermined point of the first surface.

Method for manufacturing a sensorized braking element, in particular a brake pad and a sensorized brake pad obtained thereby

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.

Growing community of inventors

Luserna San Giovanni, Italy

Daniele Donzelli