Abstract: A disc brake assembly includes a brake clip having a U-shaped section and at least one extension portion. The U-shaped section has a base leg and opposing upper and lower legs extending from the base leg. The at least one extension portion has an application portion, a transition portion with first and second legs, and a bend connecting the first and second legs. The transition portion extends in a first direction from a side of the U-shaped section. The first and second legs extend in a direction other than the first direction. The bend redirects the application portion from a second direction to a third direction. The second direction is angled from the first direction.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for controlling operation of a motor-driven brake boost assist system of a vehicle braking system during a loss of battery power to the brake boost assist system. The system makes use of a brake boost assist system including a motor, an electronic control unit (ECU) for controlling operation of the brake boost assist system, and a detection system. The detection system is responsive to a transition edge of a VBATTERY signal powering the motor. The detection system is configured to generate a wakeup pulse in response to detecting the transition edge. The wakeup pulse is applied to the ECU to wake up the ECU in the event of a momentary power loss to the ECU.

Abstract: A method of conducting a diagnostic test to determine leakage within a brake system includes first providing a brake system having a plunger assembly including a housing defining a bore therein. The plunger assembly includes a piston slidably disposed therein such that movement of the piston pressurizes a pressure chamber when the piston is moved in a first direction. The pressure chamber of the plunger assembly is in fluid communication with an output, and wherein the plunger assembly further includes an electrically operated linear actuator for moving the piston within the bore. The linear actuator of the plunger assembly is actuated to provide pressure at the output of the plunger assembly at a first predetermined level. The pressure at the output of the plunger assembly is held for a predetermined length of time. The method further includes determining whether conditional criteria has been met indicating a leakage within the brake system.

Abstract: A brake system includes first and second wheel brakes, a reservoir, and a brake pedal unit having a housing and a pair of output pistons slidably disposed in the housing. The output pistons generate brake actuating pressure during a manual push-through mode for actuating the first and second wheel brakes. The system further includes a plunger assembly having a housing having first and second ports, a motor driving an actuator, and a piston connected to the actuator. The piston pressurizes a first chamber when the piston is moving in a first direction to provide fluid flow out of the first port. The piston pressurizes a second chamber when the piston is moving in a second direction opposite the first direction to provide fluid flow out of the second port. The first and second ports are selectively in fluid communication with the wheel brakes.

Abstract: A method of determining a homing position of a piston within a plunger assembly for a vehicle brake system at the beginning of an ignition cycle of the vehicle includes first providing a plunger assembly having a housing defining a bore therein. The plunger assembly includes a piston slidably disposed in the bore for pressurizing fluid within a pressure chamber when the piston is moved in a first direction. The plunger assembly further includes an electrically operated linear actuator for moving the piston within the bore. The method further includes providing electrical power to the linear actuator of the plunger assembly. The linear actuator is actuated to retract the piston in a second direction opposite the first direction towards an end stop. The piston engaging with the end stop is then detected.

Abstract: A stability control system of a vehicle utilizing an electronic control unit that minimizes rollback of a vehicle as a result of wheel slip immediately following a hill start assist operation. The electronic braking control module controls actuation and de-actuation of vehicle brakes on an inclined surface. Immediately following a hill start assist operation on the inclined surface after each wheel brake is de-actuated for allowing forward movement of the vehicle up the hill, a split-mu road surface condition is detected in response to sensing wheel slip for each of the wheels. The electronic control unit determines a respective undriven, or non-dominant driven, wheel having the highest coefficient of friction among the undriven, or less dominant driven wheels, as determined by the wheel speeds.

Abstract: A brake pad for a vehicle disc brake assembly has a backing plate, a shim, and an adhesive bond between the backing plate and the shim that retains the shim on the backing plate. The backing plate is configured to support a brake lining and has a recessed portion with transverse first and second surfaces. The first surface is a bottom surface of the recessed portion and the second surface is a perimeter surface that defines a perimeter of the bottom surface. The shim has a face surface that is also transverse to the bottom surface. The face surface is configured to engage with the perimeter surface to mechanically restrain the shim in the recessed portion from lateral displacement.

Abstract: Longitudinal acceleration, intended travel angle, wheel speed, and requested drive torque signals are measured for a vehicle. The longitudinal acceleration, intended travel angle, wheel speed, and requested drive torque signals are then evaluated. A brake torque is calculated as a function of a propulsive torque, wherein the propulsive torque is produced by a power source for the vehicle. The brake torque is applied when the longitudinal acceleration signal exceeds a longitudinal acceleration threshold, the intended travel angle signal is between intended travel angle limits, the wheel speed signal is less than a minimum speed threshold, the requested drive torque signal exceeds a requested drive torque threshold, and a torque threshold is exceeded.

Abstract: An electrically actuated parking brake has a single electric motor producing a torque, a first torque limiting device with a first spring force, and a second torque limiting device with a second spring force. The first torque limiting device fully transmits a first portion of the torque to a first spindle until a first clamp force overcomes the first spring force and the second torque limiting device fully transmits a second portion of the torque to a second spindle until a second clamp force overcomes the second spring force. When the first clamp force overcomes the first spring force and the second spring force overcomes the second clamp force, the first portion of the torque that exceeds the first spring force is transmitted to the second spindle by the second torque limiting device.

Abstract: A stability control system of a vehicle utilizing an electronic control unit that detects a yaw condition while each of the wheel brakes are actuated by EBCM and the wheel speeds are zero. An electronic control unit includes an electronic braking control module that controls actuation and de-actuation of vehicle brakes on an inclined surface. A yaw condition is identified while all vehicle brakes are actuated on the inclined surface and each wheel speed is zero. The electronic control unit identifies which uphill wheel is leading a direction of the yaw and identifies a wheel of an opposing axle diagonal to the identified uphill wheel. The electronic control unit in cooperation with the electronic braking control module de-actuates the vehicle brakes of the identified uphill wheel and diagonal wheel to increase a side friction to the identified diagonal wheels to reduce further yawing of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of conducting a diagnostic test to determine leakage within a brake system includes first pressurizing the brake system. The pressure within the brake system is held for a predetermined length of time. The method further includes determining whether a leakage within the brake system has occurred.

Abstract: A brake system having a wheel brake and being operable under a non-failure normal braking mode and a manual push-through mode. The system includes a master cylinder operable by a brake pedal during the manual push-through mode to provide fluid flow at an output for actuating the wheel brake. A first source of pressurized fluid provides fluid pressure for actuating the wheel brake under the normal braking mode. A second source of pressurized fluid generates brake actuating pressure for actuating the wheel brake under the manual push-through mode.

Abstract: A fluid level detector assembly is used to determine the level of fluid in a tank. The assembly includes a float movably mounted within the tank which corresponds to the level of fluid within the tank. The fluid level detector assembly further includes a sensor assembly for detecting movement of the float, and a mechanism for causing movement of the float hydraulically.

Abstract: A disc brake assembly includes a brake shoe, an anti-rotation member extending outward from the brake shoe, a displaceable brake piston that supports the brake shoe, an end face of the brake piston, and a recessed area in the end face. The brake shoe is displaceable along an axis. The end face is perpendicular to the axis and faces the brake shoe. The anti-rotation member has a stop surface and a diversion surface. The recessed area engages the stop surface to stop rotation of the brake piston in a first direction and the recessed area engages the diversion surface to allow rotation of the brake piston in a second direction. The first and second directions are opposite.

Abstract: A ball nut assembly comprises a spindle having a longitudinal axis, a ball nut, and bearing elements supporting the ball nut on the spindle. First, second, third, and fourth ball nut deflectors are between the ball nut and the spindle. First, second, and third planes extend parallel to the axis. The first and fourth ball nut deflectors are in the first plane, the second ball nut deflector is in the second plane, the third ball nut deflector is in the third plane. Furthermore, the second and third ball nut deflectors are on opposite sides of the first plane. A first acute angle is between the first and second planes and a second acute angle is between the first and third planes.

Abstract: A ground loss detection circuit identifies a faulty ground connection in a vehicle electrical system including a pair of redundant ground lines connected between a vehicle battery/chassis ground and an electronic control unit (ECU). In particular, a first ground line is connected between the battery/chassis ground and a first ECU ground connection, while a second ground line is connected between the battery/chassis ground location and a second ECU ground connection. The ECU includes a common ground associated with selected electronic components included in the ECU. A first shunt component is connected between the first ECU ground connection and the common ground, and a second shunt component is connected between the second ECU ground connection and the common ground. The currents through the first and second shunt components are monitored to identify a current imbalance to detect a faulty ground connection in one of the first and second ground lines.

Abstract: An electric parking brake for a vehicle brake system includes a caliper, a piston, a spindle, an adjuster nut, a ring-like member affixed to the piston, and a biasing member. The piston may be disposed within a cavity of the caliper. The spindle is configured to drive the axial movement of the adjuster nut between a retracted position and an extended position via a threaded engagement wherein the adjuster nut is disposed within the piston. The biasing member may be disposed between the ring-like member and the adjuster nut so that, as the adjuster nut moves from an extended position to a retracted position which corresponds to a control signal, the biasing member urges the piston away from the rotor.

Abstract: A twin piston caliper with an electric parking brake and method of operating such a twin piston caliper with an electric parking brake. The twin piston caliper housing comprises two separate inner brake pads for each of the two pistons; one outer brake pad at the outer housing finger area; an electric parking brake mechanism configured to be incorporated in between the two pistons so that it is not embedded in the hydraulic piston and not the hydraulic brake fluid; and wherein the electric parking brake mechanism uses its own electric parking brake friction brake pad to clamp against the brake rotor.

Abstract: A disc brake assembly includes an anchor bracket, a guide pin, a sliding mechanism, and a damping member. The anchor bracket may have at least one bore formed therein. The guide pin may be adapted to be disposed in the at least one bore and slidably support a brake caliper relative to the anchor bracket. The sliding mechanism may be adapted to be disposed in the at least one bore and to slidably support the guide pin in the at least one bore. The damping member may damp sliding motion of the guide pin relative to the anchor bracket.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved plunger assembly for a vehicle brake system. The plunger assembly is operable as a pressure source to control brake fluid pressure supplied to one or more wheel brakes. The plunger assembly comprises a housing defining a cylinder; a reversible motor supported by the housing and having a rotor; and a linear actuator such as a ball screw/nut mechanism driven by the motor. A plunger head is mounted in the cylinder and driven by the linear actuator in first and second opposite directions. Improvements include an elastomeric tubular torque coupler connected to a ball screw/nut anti-rotation member; and a clamped connection at an inner race of a motor bearing for securing the rotor to the ball screw/nut component.