Abstract: A check valve arrangement utilizes a disc (15) for a valve member while eliminating the need for a ball. A valve seat in the common sense is unnecessary, too. Instead, a substantially flat surface (13) interacts with the disc (15). In order to allow unidirectional flow only, the disc (15) is biased toward the surface (13) by means of an elastic bias ring (17) which itself is held in place by a retainer (6) extending through the center hole (16) of the disc (15) and thereby axially guiding the disc (15).

Abstract: A non-powered evacuation and fill valve assembly is provided that is suitable for use in connection with hydraulic brake system. The assembly utilizes a pressure differential and/or the properties of material expansion to provide a tight seal. During evacuation of air from the system, the assembly is in an “open” position to permit air to pass. After the air has been evacuated from the system and the system has been filled with fluid, the valve assembly will assume a “closed” position. Thereafter, a tight seal is provided as long as the system is filled with a requisite amount of fluid.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system including an auxiliary circuit for activating the vehicles brake system independent of the position of the vehicle ignition switch. In a preferred embodiment, the auxiliary circuit is actuated through actuation of the vehicle service brake pedal, enabling the braking system to be operable whenever the brake pedal is activated.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for acquiring and analyzing vehicle motion signals to determine vehicle performance. The sampled vehicle motion signals are transferred from the time domain to the frequency domain using online frequency analysis. Once the frequency spectrum for the sampled vehicle motion data is obtained, the main frequencies and associated amplitudes are identified. Depending on the type of test conducted and the vehicle components to be analyzed, the natural frequencies of interest will be known and identified in the frequency spectrum. Online frequency analysis is used for analyzing the pre-defined frequencies in embedded systems with restricted computational resources and storage facilities. A weight filter matrix is used to calculate the frequency spectrum of interest in real time. The matrix is pre-calculated in accordance with a given sampling time, sampling rate, and selected frequencies.

Abstract: A method of calibrating an acceleration sensor by utilizing a two point analysis involves positioning the acceleration sensor at a first angle, measuring a first output voltage and positioning the sensor at a second angle and measuring a second output voltage and thereafter calculating a sensitivity ratio and a zero position output voltage based on the angles and voltages. Further, the method of the present invention optionally includes a second calibration after the acceleration sensor is installed onto a vehicle. Thus, the present invention improves accuracy in determining actual vehicle acceleration.

Abstract: An electrical connector for connecting a solenoid wire coil to a printed circuit board in an automotive anti-lock braking system has a coil bobbin, around which the wire coil is wound. The wire coil has pre-tinned sections that are wrapped over stems protruding from the coil bobbin. When the stems are inserted in through-holes of the printed circuit board, the pre-tinned sections contact the through-holes, establishing a connection between the solenoid coil wire and the printed circuit board without soldering. In a preferred embodiment, the connector includes a bobbin outer mold and a stem outer mold covering the bobbin and stems, respectively, for protection against environmental conditions. A seal at the juncture between the stem and bobbin outermolds provides further protection of the coil.

Abstract: To provide for non-powered evacuation and filling of an anti-lock brake system with integrated control units, a check valve is placed between the suction side of the ABS pump (16) and the wheel brake (6). The check valve (26) enables evacuation and filling of the brake system without energizing electro-magnetically operated, normally closed valves at the place of vehicle assembly. With the check valve (26) in its suggested position, a release of the brake pedal after a brake operation cannot cause trapping of vacuum as previously observed in the pressure relief line as the pressure on the side of the brake line remains above atmospheric pressure and keeps the check valve closed.

Abstract: A switchable solenoid valve is disposed between the master cylinder port and the wheel caliper port for an anti-lock brake system. The switchable solenoid valve includes a valve housing, a valve seat that includes a center orifice and a plurality of perimeter bores, and an axially moveable valve plate and tappet for sealing against the valve seat. The switchable solenoid valve is movable between a normally open position, a closed position and an intermediate position that occurs when the brake system is in anti-lock mode. In the open position, both the valve plate and tappet are spaced away from the valve seat to allow unrestricted pressure fluid flow between the master cylinder and the wheel caliper. When the solenoid valve is moved in to the closed position, the valve plate is in face-to-face engagement with the valve seat to seal the perimeter bores while the tappet is simultaneously sealingly engaged with the center orifice.

Abstract: For distinguishing two signals from different sources but with similar shapes, a signal generator offsets the signals from each other so that the values each signal assumes can be positively identified as being in permissible value ranges of one unique channel. The offset of the signals from each other is at least as large as the range of values for each channel. In this case, a mix up of channel from a signal generator to an electronic control unit can safely be detected. Also, if no positive assignment of a signal to one channel is possible, an error message can be provided. To carry out this analysis, not only the digital value of on and off of such a signal, but also the analog value, i.e. the absolute amplitude of that signal is measured for a determination of the offset. This can easily be done for two signals, but also for three or more, if only appropriate offsets are chosen.

Abstract: A brake force control valve for use with an electrically controlled braking system having a housing with first and second fluid channels, a coil coupled to the housing, a ferrous core magnetically interacting with the coil, a spool coupled to the ferrous core, where the spool in conjunction with the housing forms a compression volume, a plurality of seals to fluidly seal the compression volume and where the coil is energized and deenergized to move the spool back and forth, the spool varying the volume of the compression volume to create positive pressure, thereby creating a pumping action.

Abstract: A one-time bleed valve with reset capability for an anti-lock hydraulic control unit comprises a piston adapted to be sealingly installed in a bore made in a body of the hydraulic control unit in response to a brake pressure. The bore is located in a portion of the body that is immediately under a recessed part of the body that accommodates a normally open electromagnet valve. On its one end, the bore is in communication with a primary hydraulic pressure circuit, whereas on another its end it is connected with a low-pressure line. Owing to such a structure, when the piston sits loosely in the bore, an air communication is established between the primary hydraulic pressure circuit and the low-pressure line, and air can evacuate from the low-pressure brake circuit on exposure to a vacuum applied to the primary hydraulic pressure circuit. To provide the bleed valve with a reset capability, an access hole is made between outside of the body and the bore.

Abstract: A reciprocating piston-type pump for a brake system, such as an antilock brake system, includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet connected by a bore containing one or more pistons driven by an eccentric shaft for pumping high pressure brake fluid to one or more vehicle brakes. Each pump piston includes a directional seal for selectively sealing the gap between the piston and the bore permitting high pressure to be developed on a pressure stroke of the piston but permit fluid to pass by the seal during an intake or return stroke. The directional seal can have a cup shape to achieve these functions. Accordingly, the need for a one-way inlet check valve inside the piston is eliminated. The overall pump design can therefore be reduced in size and associated manufacturing costs are reduced.

Abstract: A wheel bearing assembly is provided that includes a tone wheel fixedly connected to a wheel axle so as to rotate with the wheel axle and a wheel bearing cap that is mounted over the end of the wheel axle such that the tone wheel freely rotates within a cavity defined by the wheel bearing cap. The wheel bearing cap further includes a sensor element that is molded to a mounting member that is integral with the wheel bearing cap. When the wheel bearing cap is connected to mating components of the wheel bearing assembly, the sensor element is positioned adjacent data generating sections that are disposed on the tone wheel to detect rotary and angular motions.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing encapsulated semiconductor devices, including rotary speed sensing devices, by using a lead frame. Electrical terminals of the semiconductor device are electrically connected to electrical leads from the lead frame. The semiconductor device is encapsulated in a plastic housing which is also connected to positioning posts located on the lead frame. The electrical leads are disconnected from the lead frame, permitting additional processing of the semiconductor device, including testing.