[0001] Field of the invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a braking feel simulator device for a Brake- By-Wire ("BBW") type braking system of vehicles with two or more wheels actuatable by a driver by means of a brake pedal or lever, and to a braking system provided with such a braking feel simulator device.

[0003] Background art

[0004] In braking systems of the BBW type, there is a decoupling between force and displacement imparted on the brake pedal or lever by the driver and the resulting braking force which is applied by the calipers to the vehicle wheels.

[0005] In BBW braking systems, the displacement imparted by the driver on the brake pedal or lever results in an electrical signal which is processed by a control unit to control the actuation of the braking system calipers.

[0006] Accordingly, it is known to equip the BBW braking systems with a braking feel simulator device, referred to as a “simulator device” for brevity, connected to the brake pedal or lever and configured to simulate the feel and stiffness of a brake pedal or lever of conventional hydraulic braking systems, and thus emulate the "stiffness curve” thereof. [0007] "Stiffness curve" means the relationship between the displacement of the brake pedal or lever along its stroke and the respective reaction force applied by the simulator device to the brake pedal or lever, and thus by the brake pedal or lever to the driver. In general, the stiffness curve has a first segment with low stiffness, a second segment with medium stiffness, and a third segment with high stiffness. Again in general terms, a steeper, "hard", stiffness curve is preferred for an "aggressive" or "sporty" driving style, while a less steep, "soft", stiffness curve is preferred for a "city" or "eco" driving style.

[0008] In the prior art, the stiffness curve of the simulator device can be designed beforehand, based on the driver's needs, so that the brake pedal or lever has the "hardness" required by the driver.

[0009] The known simulator devices comprise a plurality of elastic elements, usually helical springs, arranged in series or in parallel and configured to apply, upon a tensile or compressive stress thereof, an overall reaction force, which replicates the stiffness curve of a conventional hydraulic braking system.

[0010] However, the known simulator devices do not allow modulating or adjusting the stiffness curve, and thus the "hardness" of the brake pedal or lever, without a complete redesign of the simulator device. Therefore, the known simulator devices are not customizable and adjustable to the needs of different driving styles, unless the simulator device is disassembled from the braking system and the components thereof are redesigned and replaced.

[0011] Moreover, the stiffness curve achieved by known simulator devices is subject to variations in the response between one device and the other, mainly due to the mechanical tolerances of the several components inside the simulator device, and in particular the tolerances of the group of springs and elastic elements arranged in series and in parallel inside the simulator device. Therefore, simulator devices sharing the same configuration but responding by achieving mutually different stiffness curves due to such mechanical tolerances are known.

[0012] Moreover, the high complexity of the known simulator devices has high costs and maintenance needs.

[0013] Solution

[0014] It is the object of the present invention to provide a braking feel simulator device and a braking system provided with the simulator device, such as to obviate at least some of the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0015] It is a particular object of the present invention to provide a simulator device configured to allow adjusting and customizing the stiffness curve thereof without requiring a complete redesign.

[0016] It is a further particular object of the present invention to provide a simulator device, which is more stable, more efficient, and less prone to the response variability of the known simulator devices.

[0017] It is a further particular object of the present invention to provide a simplified simulator device with low costs and maintenance needs.

[0018] These and other objects are achieved by a braking feel simulator device and a braking system provided with such a simulator device according to the independent claims.

[0019] The dependent claims relate to preferred and advantageous embodiments of the present invention.

[0020] Figures

[0021] In order to better understand the invention and appreciate the advantages thereof, some non-limiting exemplary embodiments thereof will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0022] - figure 1 is a perspective view of a braking feel simulator device according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0023] - figure 2 is a side view of the braking feel simulator device shown in figure 1 ;

[0024] - figure 3 is a longitudinal section view of the braking feel simulator device shown in figure 2;

[0025] - figure 4 is a perspective view of a braking feel simulator device according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0026] - figure 5 is a partially sectioned perspective view of a braking feel simulator device according to a first embodiment of the invention, in a first operating configuration; [0027] - figure 6 is a partially sectioned perspective view of the braking feel simulator device shown in figure 5 in a second operating configuration;

[0028] - figure 7 is a partially sectioned perspective view of the braking feel simulator device shown in figure 5 shown in a third operating configuration;

[0029] - figure 8 is a detail view of the braking feel simulator device shown in figure

6;

[0030] - figure 9 is a longitudinal section view of the braking feel simulator device shown in figure 4;

[0031] - figure 10 is an exploded front view of the braking feel simulator device shown in figure 4;

[0032] - figure 1 1 is an exploded rear view of the braking feel simulator device shown in figure 4;

[0033] - figure 12 diagrammatically shows three different stiffness curves achievable by a braking feel simulator device according to the present invention.

[0034] Description of some preferred embodiments

[0035] The present invention is adapted to be applied to a Brake-By-Wire ("BBW") type braking system of vehicles with two or more wheels, which is actuatable by a driver by means of a brake pedal or lever. Therefore, in the present description, the term "brake pedal" means indistinctly both a brake pedal for motor vehicles and the like and a brake lever for motorcycles, mopeds, and the like, unless otherwise specified.

[0036] With reference to the figures, a braking feel simulator device is generally indicated by reference numeral 1 . The braking feel simulator device 1 is adapted to be used in a braking system 2.

[0037] The braking feel simulator device 1 is adapted to be connected to a brake pedal 3.

[0038] Preferably, the braking feel simulator device 1 is adapted to be connected to a brake pedal 3 by means of a hydraulic fluid.

[0039] The braking feel simulator device 1 comprises at least one elastic element 4. [0040] Moreover, the braking feel simulator device 1 comprises a thrust piston 5.

[0041] The thrust piston 5 is configured to be biased in translation along an actuation axis 7 in the direction of the at least one elastic element 4 and so as to stress the at least one elastic element 4, in response to an actuation of the brake pedal 3.

[0042] Preferably, the thrust piston 5 is configured to be biased by the hydraulic fluid in translation along an actuation axis 7 in the direction of the at least one elastic element 4 and so as to stress the at least one elastic element 4, in response to an actuation of the brake pedal 3.

[0043] The at least one elastic element 4 is configured to contrast the translation of the thrust piston 5 along the actuation axis 7.

[0044] The braking feel simulator device 1 further comprises a cam element 6.

[0045] The cam element 6 is interposed between the at least one elastic element 4 and the thrust piston 5.

[0046] Moreover, the cam element 6 is configured to convert the translation of the thrust piston 5 along the actuation axis 7 into a non-linear stress of the at least one elastic element 4.

[0047] Advantageously, a braking feel simulator device 1 thus configured allows adjusting and customizing the stiffness curve without requiring a complete redesign.

[0048] Indeed, a braking simulator device 1 thus configured achieves a reaction force, opposed to a brake pedal actuation 3, with a non-linear trend and thus such as to simulate the stiffness curve of a conventional hydraulic brake system.

[0049] Specifically, the braking feel simulator device 1 thus configured, by means of the cam element 6, allows achieving a stiffness curve customized according to a driver's needs without requiring a redesign of the braking feel simulator device 1 .

[0050] Only the replacement of cam element 6 is required to change the "hardness" of the stiffness curve of the braking feel simulator device 1 , and thus achieve a different stiffness curve.

[0051] Therefore, the braking feel simulator device 1 has lower complexity and costs than the simulator devices of the prior art.

[0052] With added advantage, the braking feel simulator device 1 thus configured has a simplified structure and is more stable, more efficient, and less prone to the typical response variability of the known simulator devices. [0053] According to an embodiment, the cam element 6 is positioned so that it can be biased in translation along the actuation axis 7 against the at least one elastic element 4 and so as to stress the at least one elastic element 4, in response to a translation of the thrust piston 5 against the cam element 6.

[0054] According to an embodiment, the thrust piston 5 and the cam element 6 are operatively connected to each other by means of a threaded connection 8.

[0055] The threaded connection 8 is configured to allow a relative rotation between the thrust piston 5 and the cam element 6 about the actuation axis 7.

[0056] Accordingly, the threaded connection 8 is also configured to allow a relative translation between the thrust piston 5 and cam element 6 along the actuation axis 7, dependent on the relative rotation between the thrust piston 5 and cam element 6.

[0057] The cam element 6 comprises a shaped cam wall 10.

[0058] Moreover, the braking feel simulator device 1 comprises a backing body 9 operatively connected to the cam wall 10 of the cam element 6.

[0059] The backing body 9 is configured to cause a rotation of the cam element 6 with respect to the thrust piston 5 about the actuation axis 7 upon a relative translation of the cam element 6 with respect to the backing body 9 along the actuation axis 7.

[0060] Specifically, the backing body 9 is configured to cause a rotation of the cam element 6 with respect to the thrust piston 5 about the actuation axis 7 upon a relative translation of the cam wall 10 with respect to the backing body 9 along the actuation axis 7.

[0061] Advantageously, the operating connection between the thrust piston 5, the cam element 6, and the backing body 9 allows achieving, upon a translation of the thrust piston 5 along the actuation axis 7 in response to an actuation of the brake pedal 3, a non-linear translation of the cam element 6 along the actuation axis 7.

[0062] Such a non-linear translation of the cam element 6 along the actuation axis 7 is determined by the combined configuration of the threaded connection 8 and the cam element 6.

[0063] Moreover, the non-linear translation of the cam element 6 along the actuation axis 7 against the at least one elastic element 4 achieves a non-linear stress of the at least one elastic element 4.

[0064] The non-linear stress of the at least one elastic element 4 is discharged as a reaction force on the brake pedal 3 so as to reproduce the stiffness curve of a conventional hydraulic braking system. [0065] Advantageously, the replacement of the cam element 6 alone with a differently configured cam element 6, i.e., having a different shaping of the cam wall 10 or a different threading of the threaded connection 8 or a different combination of the shaping of the cam wall 10 and the threading of the threaded connection 8, allows achieving a different stiffness curve.

[0066] Therefore, a simulator device 1 thus configured allows achieving a customized stiffness curve according to the driver’s needs by means of a customized configuration of the shaping of the cam wall 10 and/or a different threading of the threaded connection 8.

[0067] According to an embodiment, the cam wall 10 is substantially transverse to the actuation axis 7.

[0068] Alternatively, the cam wall 10 is substantially radial to the actuation axis 7

[0069] According to an embodiment, the backing body 9 extends in a direction substantially transverse to the actuation axis 7.

[0070] Preferably, the backing body 9 extends in a direction substantially radial to the actuation axis 7.

[0071] The backing 9 is positioned so as to be in contact with the cam wall 10.

[0072] According to an embodiment, the braking feel simulator device 1 comprises a housing 1 1 forming a housing compartment 12 therein, substantially extending along the actuation axis 7.

[0073] The thrust piston 5, the cam element 6, and the at least one elastic element 4 are positioned in the housing compartment 12.

[0074] According to an embodiment, the backing body 9 is fixed to the housing 11 . [0075] Therefore, the backing body 9 is not movable with respect to housing 1 1 .

[0076] Moreover, the backing body 9 extends into the housing compartment 12 in a direction substantially transverse to the actuation axis 7.

[0077] According to an embodiment, the backing body 9 is configured to prevent a rotation of the thrust piston 5 about the actuation axis 7 with respect to the housing 11 .

[0078] According to an embodiment, the backing body 9 is fixed to a pin.

[0079] According to an embodiment, the cam element 6 comprises a sliding wall 13 and a bottom wall 14.

[0080] The sliding wall 13 ha has a substantially cylindrical shape, coaxial to the actuation 7.

[0081] The bottom wall 14 is substantially transverse to the actuation axis 7 and is connected to the sliding wall 13.

[0082] According to this embodiment, the cam wall 10 is formed at the sliding wall 13.

[0083] According to an embodiment, the sliding wall 13 is internally hollow.

[0084] The sliding wall 13 and the bottom wall 14 thus define an open cavity toward the at least one elastic element 4.

[0085] Preferably, the cavity defined by the sliding wall 13 and the bottom wall 14 is blind and thus closed by the bottom wall 14 in the opposite direction to the at least one elastic element 4.

[0086] According to this embodiment, the cam wall 10 extends through the sliding wall 13 in the transverse direction to sliding wall 13.

[0087] The cam wall 10 thus forms a shaped slot 15 extending through sliding wall 13.

[0088] According to this embodiment, the backing body 9 is inserted into the shaped slot 15, in contact with the cam wall 10.

[0089] According to this alternative embodiment, the cam wall 10 extends into the sliding wall 13 in the transverse direction to sliding wall 13.

[0090] The cam wall 10 thus forms a shaped groove in the sliding wall 13.

[0091] According to this embodiment, the backing body 9 is inserted into the shaped grooves in contact with the cam wall 10.

[0092] According to a further alternative embodiment, the cam wall 10 extends outside the sliding wall 13 in a transverse direction to the sliding wall 13.

[0093] The cam wall 10 thus forms a shaped relief on the sliding wall 13.

[0094] According to this embodiment, the backing body 9 is positioned in contact with the shaped relief formed by the cam wall 10.

[0095] According to an embodiment, the cam wall 10 comprises a first cam wall portion 16 and a second cam wall portion 17.

[0096] According to an embodiment, the first cam wall portion 16 extends along an inclined direction with respect to the actuation axis 7.

[0097] The first cam wall portion 16 and the actuation axis 7 define a first inclination angle 18 therebetween.

[0098] The first inclination angle 18 is defined in a plane parallel to the actuation axis 7 and substantially tangent to the sliding wall 13 and passing through the cam wall 10.

[0099] According to an embodiment, the second cam wall portion 17 extends along an inclined direction with respect to the actuation axis 7. [00100] The second cam wall portion 17 and the actuation axis 7 define a second inclination angle 19 therebetween.

[00101] The second inclination angle 19 is defined in a plane parallel to the actuation axis 7 and substantially tangent to the sliding wall 13 and passing through the cam wall 10.

[00102] According to an embodiment, the first cam wall portion 16 and the second cam wall portion 17 extend substantially along mutually incident directions.

[00103] According to an embodiment, the first cam wall portion 16 is configured so that a translation of the thrust piston 5 along the actuation axis 7 toward the at least one elastic element 4 corresponds to a smaller translation of the cam element 6 along the actuation axis 7 toward the at least one elastic element 4.

[00104] Therefore, the first cam wall portion 16 is configured so that a translation of the thrust piston 5 along the actuation axis 7 toward the at least one elastic element 4 corresponds to an approach between the thrust piston 5 and the cam element 6.

[00105] Therefore, the first cam wall portion 16 is configured so that a translation of the thrust piston 5 along the actuation axis 7 toward the at least one elastic element 4 corresponds to a screwing of the cam element 6 to the thrust piston 5.

[00106] Conversely, the first cam wall portion 16 is configured so that a translation of the thrust piston 5 along the actuation axis 7 in the opposite direction to the at least one elastic element 4 corresponds to a smaller translation of the cam element 6 along the actuation axis 7 in the opposite direction to the at least one elastic element 4.

[00107] Therefore, the first cam wall portion 16 is configured so that a translation of the thrust piston 5 along the actuation axis 7 away from the at least one elastic element 4 corresponds to a separation between the thrust piston 5 and the cam element 6.

[00108] Therefore, the first cam wall portion 16 is configured so that a translation of the thrust piston 5 along the actuation axis 7 away from the at least one elastic element 4 corresponds to an unscrewing of the cam element 6 from the thrust piston 5.

[00109] According to an embodiment, the second cam wall portion 17 is configured so that a translation of the thrust piston 5 along the actuation axis 7 toward the at least one elastic element 4 corresponds to a greater translation of the cam element 6 along the actuation axis 7 toward the at least one elastic element 4.

[00110] Therefore, the second cam wall portion 17 is configured so that a translation of the thrust piston 5 along the actuation axis 7 toward the at least one elastic element 4 corresponds to a separation between the thrust piston 5 and the cam element 6. [00111] Therefore, the second cam wall portion 17 is configured so that a translation of the thrust piston 5 along the actuation axis 7 toward the at least one elastic element 4 corresponds to an unscrewing of the cam element 6 from the thrust piston 5.

[00112] Conversely, the second cam wall portion 17 is configured so that a translation of the thrust piston 5 along the actuation axis 7 in the opposite direction to the at least one elastic element 4 corresponds to a greater translation of the cam element 6 along the actuation axis 7 in the opposite direction to the at least one elastic element 4.

[00113] Therefore, the second cam wall portion 17 is configured so that a translation of the thrust piston 5 along the actuation axis 7 away from the at least one elastic element 4 corresponds to an approach between the thrust piston 5 and the cam element 6.

[00114] Therefore, the second cam wall portion 17 is configured so that a translation of the thrust piston 5 along the actuation axis 7 away from the at least one elastic element 4 corresponds to a screwing of the cam element 6 to the thrust piston 5.

[00115] Advantageously, the configuration of the first cam wall portion 16 and the second cam wall portion 17 allows applying a non-linear stress of the at least one elastic element 4, which follows a trend as shown in figure 1 1 , i.e., a trend replicating the stiffness curve of a conventional hydraulic braking system.

[00116] The backing body 9 is configured to slide on the first cam wall portion 16 and the second cam wall portion 17 upon a translation of the cam element 6 along the actuation axis 7.

[00117] According to an embodiment, the first cam wall portion 16 and the second cam wall portion 17 are positioned so that a minimum separation between the thrust piston 5 and the cam element 6 corresponds to a positioning of the backing body 9 at the intersection of the first cam wall portion 16 and the second cam wall portion 17.

[00118] Conversely, a maximum separation between the thrust piston 5 and the cam element 6 corresponds to a positioning of the backing body 9 at the end of the first cam wall portion 16 opposite to the second cam wall portion 17.

[00119] Alternatively, a maximum separation between the thrust piston 5 and the cam element 6 corresponds to a positioning of the backing body 9 at the end of the second cam wall portion 17 opposite to the first cam wall portion 16.

[00120] According to an embodiment, the first cam wall portion 16 and the second cam wall portion 17 are positioned so that, in a translation of the cam element 6 along the actuation axis 7 toward the at least one elastic element 4, the backing body 9 slides first on the first cam wall portion 16 and then on the second cam wall portion 17. [00121] Conversely, in a translation of the cam element 6 along the actuation axis 7 away from the at least one elastic element 4, the backing body 9 slides first on the second cam wall portion 17 and then on the first cam wall portion 16.

[00122] According to an embodiment, a sliding of the backing body 9 from the first cam wall portion 16 toward the second cam wall portion 17 corresponds to an increase in the stress of the at least one elastic element 4.

[00123] Conversely, a sliding of the backing body 9 from the second cam wall portion 17 toward the first cam wall portion 16 corresponds to a release of the stress of the at least one elastic element 4.

[00124] According to an embodiment, the first inclination angle 18 is between 0° and 90° and the second inclination angle 19 is between 90° and 180°.

[00125] According to an embodiment, the first inclination angle 18 is between 0° and 80°.

[00126] According to a preferred embodiment, the first inclination angle 18 is between 30° and 60°, or between 40° and 50°.

[00127] Even more preferably, the first inclination angle 18 is of about 45°.

[00128] According to an embodiment, the second inclination angle 19 is between 0° and 180°.

[00129] According to a preferred embodiment, the second inclination angle 19 is between 130° and 175°, or between 140° and 160°.

[00130] Even more preferably, the second inclination angle 19 is of about 150°.

[00131] According to an embodiment, the length of the first cam wall portion 16 is less than the length of the second cam wall portion 17.

[00132] According to an embodiment, the length of the first cam wall portion 16 is between 1/3 and 2/3 of the length of the second cam wall portion 17.

[00133] According to an embodiment, the length of the first cam wall portion 16 is about half the length of the second cam wall portion 17.

[00134] Advantageously, varying the inclination angles of the first cam wall portion 16 and the second cam wall portion 17 and/or the length of the first cam wall portion 16 and the second cam wall portion 17 allows achieving different and customized stiffness curves.

[00135] According to an embodiment, the cam element 6 comprises a screw wall 20. [00136] The screw wall 20 extends from the bottom wall 14, in a direction substantially parallel to the actuation axis 7, in the opposite direction to the at least one elastic element 4.

[00137] According to an embodiment, the thrust piston 5 comprises a nut-screw wall 21.

[00138] The nut-screw wall 21 of the thrust piston 5 is screwed to the screw wall 20 of the cam element 6.

[00139] According to this embodiment, the screw wall 20 and nut-screw wall 21 form the threaded connection 8 between the cam element 6 and the thrust piston 5.

[00140] According to an embodiment, the screw wall 20 forms from one to eight threads 22.

[00141] Preferably, the screw wall 20 forms from four to six threads 22.

[00142] Advantageously, the configuration of the screw wall 20 increases the strength and stability of the cam element 6 and the thrust piston 5, while reducing the size of braking feel simulator device 1 .

[00143] According to an embodiment, the nut-screw wall 21 comprises a threaded wall 23 and a stressing wall 24.

[00144] The threaded wall 23 has a substantially cylindrical shape, coaxial to the actuation axis 7.

[00145] Moreover, the threaded wall 23 is configured to be screwed outside the cam element 6, specifically outside the screw wall 20 of the cam element 6.

[00146] The stressing wall 24 is substantially transverse to the actuation axis 7 and is connected to the threaded wall 23.

[00147] The threaded wall 23 is internally hollow and defines, with the stressing wall 24, an open cavity toward the cam element 6.

[00148] In an operating configuration, the screw wall 20 of the cam element 6 is positioned inside the cavity.

[00149] The thrust piston 5 is configured to receive on the stressing wall 24 a stress of a hydraulic fluid adapted to move the thrust piston 5 in translation toward the at least one elastic element 4.

[00150] The stressing wall 24 faces a conveying pipe 25.

[00151] The conveying pipe 25 is configured to fluidly connect the braking feel simulator device 1 to the brake pedal 3 by means of the hydraulic fluid.

[00152] Specifically, the conveying pipe 25 is configured to convey hydraulic fluid into the braking feel simulator device 1 when the brake pedal 3 is actuated and to discharge hydraulic fluid from the braking feel simulator device 1 when the brake pedal 3 is released.

[00153] Preferably, the conveying pipe 25 is at least partially defined by the housing 11.

[00154] According to an embodiment, the braking feel simulator device 1 comprises at least one hydraulic seal 28.

[00155] The at least one hydraulic seal 28 is positioned at the thrust piston 5 and is configured to prevent leakages of hydraulic fluid toward the cam element 6 and the at least one elastic element 4.

[00156] Specifically, the at least one hydraulic seal 28 is interposed between the thrust piston 5 and the housing 11 .

[00157] Preferably, the at least one elastic seal 28 is positioned to be interposed between the threaded wall 23 and the housing 11 .

[00158] Advantageously, by means of the at least one hydraulic seal 28, the hydraulic fluid is confined within the braking feel simulator device 1 in a space between the conveying pipe 25 and the threaded wall 23 of the thrust piston 5.

[00159] According to an embodiment, the thrust device 5 comprises a guiding wall 26. [00160] The guiding wall 26 is connected to the nut-screw wall 21 .

[00161] The guiding wall 26 substantially extends in a direction parallel to the actuation axis 7.

[00162] The guiding wall 26 comprises a linear slot 27 extending along a direction parallel to the actuation axis 7.

[00163] The linear slot 27 passes through the guiding wall 26.

[00164] The linear slot 27 is configured to achieve a geometric fit with the backing body 9, so that the backing body 9 allows a translation of the thrust piston 5 with respect to the housing 11 along the actuation axis 7, but prevents a rotation of the thrust piston 5 with respect to the housing 11 about the actuation axis 7.

[00165] According to an embodiment, the linear slot 27 is positioned at the shaped slot 15 of the cam element 6.

[00166] According to an embodiment, the guiding wall 26 has a substantially cylindrical, hollow shape. Advantageously, the guiding wall 26 of the thrust piston 5 is configured to wrap the sliding wall 13 of the cam element 6 externally.

[00167] According to an embodiment, the at least one elastic element 4 is positioned inside the housing compartment 12.

[00168] The at least one elastic element 4 is configured to apply a reaction force to the brake pedal in response to an actuation of the braking feel simulation device 1. Specifically, the at least one elastic element 4 is configured to apply a reaction force to the thrust piston 5 actuatable in translation against the at least one elastic element 4 in response to an actuation of the brake pedal 3 by a driver. Therefore, the at least one elastic element 4 is configured to apply a reaction force to the brake pedal 3 in response to an actuation of the brake pedal 3 by a driver.

[00169] According to an embodiment, the at least one elastic element 4 is configured to be stressed along a direction substantially parallel to the actuation axis 7. Preferably, the at least one elastic element 4 is configured to be stressed along a direction substantially coinciding with the actuation axis 7.

[00170] Moreover, the at least one elastic element 4 is configured to stress the thrust piston 5 toward the resting position thereof.

[00171] Therefore, during the operation of the braking feel simulator device 1 , the thrust piston 5 is moved from the resting position thereof against the at least one elastic element 4. When the actuation of the braking feel simulator device 1 is interrupted, the at least one elastic element 4 stresses the thrust piston 5 back to the resting position thereof.

[00172] According to an embodiment, the at least one elastic element 4 is positioned to abut against the cam element 6.

[00173] According to an embodiment, the at least one elastic element 4 is positioned to abut against the bottom wall 14 of the cam element 6.

[00174] According to an embodiment, the braking feel simulator device 1 comprises a single elastic element 4, extending in the direction of the actuation axis 7.

[00175] Advantageously, such a configuration simplifies the structure of the braking feel simulator device 1 , also making it less prone to the typical mechanical deterioration of known simulator devices.

[00176] According to an embodiment, the at least one elastic element 4 is a helical compression spring.

[00177] The helical compression spring is positioned substantially coaxial to the actuation axis 7.

[00178] Alternatively, the at least one elastic element 4 is a square spring, a torsion spring, a band spring or a shaped spring.

[00179] According to an embodiment, the braking feel simulator device 1 comprises a plurality of elastic elements 4 positioned in series and/or in parallel in the braking feel simulator device 1 , and preferably inside the housing compartment 12.

[00180] According to an embodiment, the plurality of elastic elements 4 comprises helical springs and/or square springs and/or torsion springs and/or band springs and/or shaped springs.

[00181] According to an embodiment, the braking feel simulator device 1 comprises a cap 29.

[00182] The cap 29 is positioned opposite to the thrust piston 5 with respect to the at least one elastic element 4.

[00183] The cap 29 is configured to apply a reaction force to the at least one elastic element 4 in response to a stress of the at least one elastic element 4 by the thrust piston 5.

[00184] According to an embodiment, the at least one elastic element 4 is positioned to abut against the cap 29.

[00185] According to an embodiment, the at least one elastic element 4 is a helical compression spring, and one end of the helical compression spring abuts against the cap 29.

[00186] According to an embodiment, the cap 29 is connected to the housing 1 1 and is configured to close the housing compartment 12 in the opposite direction to the thrust piston 5.

[00187] According to an embodiment, the braking feel simulator device 1 comprises a spacer 30.

[00188] The spacer 30 is positioned to be interposed between the cam element 6 and at least one elastic element 4.

[00189] The spacer 30 is configured to reduce the friction between the cam element 6 and the at least one elastic element 4 during the actuation of the braking feel simulator device 1 .

[00190] Specifically, the spacer 30 is configured to decouple the rotary motion of the cam element 6 from the translatory motion of the at least one elastic element 4.

[00191] Thereby, the spacer 30 thus configured prevents a rotation of the cam element 6 about the actuation axis 7 from driving the at least one elastic element 4 in rotation.

[00192] According to an embodiment, the spacer 30 comprises a convex body 31 connected to a base body 32.

[00193] The convex body 31 faces the cam element 6.

[00194] The base body 32 faces the at least one elastic element 4. [00195] Advantageously, the convex body 31 reduces the contact surface between the cam element 6 and the spacer 30. The small contact surface does not allow a rotary motion transmission from the cam element 6 to the spacer 30 and thus prevents the rotary motion of the cam element 6 from being transmitted to the at least one elastic element 4.

[00196] According to an embodiment, the convex body 31 has a dome shape which defines a dome apex. The dome apex is positioned to abut against the cam element 6. [00197] According to an embodiment, the convex body 31 has a sphere portion shape which defines a sphere portion vertex. The sphere portion vertex is positioned to abut against the cam element 6.

[00198] According to an embodiment, the convex body 31 has a hemispherical shape defining a hemisphere vertex. The hemisphere vertex is positioned to abut against the cam element 6.

[00199] According to an embodiment, the base body 32 has a substantially either discoidal or annular shape.

[00200] The at least one elastic element 4 abuts against the base body 32.

[00201] According to an embodiment, the at least one elastic element 4 is a helical compression spring and one end of the helical compression spring abuts against the base body 32.

[00202] According to an embodiment, the spacer 30 is positioned to be interposed between the bottom wall 14 of the cam element 6 and the at least one elastic element 4. [00203] According to this embodiment, the convex body 31 is positioned to abut against the bottom wall 14.

[00204] According to an embodiment, the spacer 30 is housed inside the sliding wall 13, abutting against the bottom wall 14.

[00205] According to an embodiment, one end of the at least one elastic element 4 is housed inside the sliding wall 13, abutting against the spacer 30.

[00206] According to a further aspect of the invention, a braking system 2 comprises a braking feel simulator device 1 as described above.

[00207] Moreover, the braking system 2 comprises a brake pedal 3 operatively connected to the braking feel simulator device 1 .

[00208] The brake pedal 3 is connected to the braking feel simulator device 1 so that an actuation of the brake pedal 3 corresponds to a translation of the thrust piston 5 along the actuation axis 7 in the direction of the at least one elastic element 4. [00209] Specifically, the brake pedal 3 is connected to the braking feel simulator device 1 so that an actuation of the brake pedal 3 corresponds to a conveying of pressurized hydraulic fluid at the thrust piston 5, which stresses the thrust piston 5 in translation along the actuation axis 7 in the direction of the at least one elastic element 4.

[00210] Obviously, those skilled in the art will be able to make changes or adaptations to the present invention, without however departing from the scope of the following claims.

List of reference numerals

1 . Braking feel simulator device

2. Braking system

3. Brake pedal

4. Elastic element

5. Thrust piston

6. Cam element

7. Actuation axis

8. Threaded connection

9. Backing body

10. Cam wall

11 . Housing

12. Housing compartment

13. Sliding wall

14. Bottom wall

15. Shaped slot

16. First cam wall portion

17. Second cam wall portion

18. First inclination angle

19. Second inclination angle

20. Screw wall

21 . Nut-screw wall

22. Threads

23. Threaded wall

24. Stressing wall

25. Conveying pipe

26. Guiding wall

27. Linear slot

28. Hydraulic seal

29. Cap

30. Spacer

31 . Convex body

32. Base body