Abstract: In a brake apparatus for a two-axle vehicle to obtain uniform wear of the brake linings a conventional ABS control device is so configured that on braking a braking pressure is supplied to the brakes of the rear wheels which is greater than a braking pressure supplied to the brakes of the front wheels for as long as the rotational deceleration of the rear wheels remains below a predetermined value.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for controlling a brake system in a heavy-duty vehicle provide for continuously measuring parameters which are characteristics of the state of the vehicle, such as the velocity of the vehicle, the inclination of the roadway, the axle load, and the transverse acceleration. Furthermore, the braking capability is being monitored continuously. To that end the temperature of the brakes, their condition of wear, the state of a compressed air reservoir, and the tire pressure are measured. For any given state of the vehicle and brakes it is determined whether or not the stopping distance to be expected will be longer than a predetermined rated stopping distance. If that is so, the driver is warned and/or a reduction of the travelling speed is initiated automatically.

Abstract: In a method for determining the coefficient of friction between a vehicle tire and a roadway one of the vehicle wheel is pressurized during normal brake operation at a higher pressure than another wheel. The rotational speed of the braked wheel is compared with the rotational speed of another non-braked wheel for determining the wheel slip. Furthermore, the axle load of the braked wheel is measured. On the basis of wheel slip, brake torque and axle load, the coefficient of friction is determined.

Abstract: A brake pad (34) has a rear surface (46) for support on an actuating member (32,64) of a disc brake and a braking surface (56) constituted by friction material (38). At least one hole (48) is arranged in the brake pad (34) at right angles with respect to the rear surface (46) to guide the brake pad (34) on a guide pin (60). A protective sleeve (54) for the guide pin (60) extends coaxially with the hole (48) in a direction towards the plane of the braking surface (56). The protective sleeve (54) is made of a material which wears down together with the friction material (38) and it is embedded, at least for part of its length, in the friction material (38).

Abstract: A disc brake comprises a pair of brake pads (34) each associated with either side of a brake disc (10). At least one brake pad (34) comprises a backplate (36) having at least one projection (40) which is free of friction lining and by which it is guided on a guide pin (46) for displacement towards the brake disc (10). The guide pin (46) is fastened at a brake carrier member (12), extends through the corresponding projection (40) into a protective sleeve (56) fixed to the same, and has a free end (54) adjacent the brake disc (10). The protective sleeve (56) is designed to be elastic in longitudinal direction and has an end (60) remote from the corresponding projection (40) of the backplate (36). This end (60) is fixed tightly at the free end (54) of the corresponding guide pin (46). The fastening of the guide pin (46) at the carrier member (12) is releasable.

Abstract: An adjusting device (24,34) of an automatically adjustable shoe drum brake has an at least prartly movable locking member (46) associated with it which cooperates with a heat sensitive spring element (50) and prevents pivoting of an adjusting lever (34) and consequently variation in length of a strut (24) in response to the magnitude of a predeterminable brake actuating force and/or a temperature. A loss distance caused by the movement of at least part of the locking member (46) is reduced by a change in rigidity and/or shape of the spring element (50) at rising temperature, in response to the temperature, and completely cancelled . . . reaching a predeterminable value of the temperature.

Abstract: In a drum brake including three brake shoes (4,22,23) adapted to be pressurized hydraulically and/or mechanically first and second hydraulically operable brake shoes (4,22) are supported trailingly in forward travelling direction (21), while the third brake shoe (23), together with at least one of the other brake shoes (4,22) is pressurized upon mechanical braking such that one each of the brake shoes (23 and 4 or 22) is supported trailingly and one is supported leadingly, both in forward and backward travelling directions.

Abstract: In a disc brake of the sliding yoke reaction type the noise due to "squeal" or "twitter" is substantially eliminated by resiliently biassing the yoke in grooves in a stationary member so that it engages an upper face of a groove on one side of the brake and a lower face of a groove on the other side. A dampening assembly may be provided between the yoke and a complementary face of one of the grooves. Alternatively the noise may be reduced by providing an abutment of stepped outline on the yoke which engages a friction pad assembly to apply it to the disc when the brake is applied.

Abstract: In an hydraulically operated disc brake one of a pair of guide pegs for a caliper works in an inner elongated bore in a resilient bush with same play in a transverse direction the bush being located in a bore of one of a pair of guide members, the play between said peg and bush accommodating changes in the circumferential spacing of the guide members or guide pegs due to distortion of a stationary, drag-taking part of the brake.

Abstract: In a disc brake of the sliding yoke reaction type a friction pad assembly adapted to be applied directly to a rotatable disc by actuating means is provided at opposite ends with lugs which engage over spaced arms in a stationary member so that, when the brake is applied, the drag on the pad assembly is taken by the arm at the end of the brake with which any point on the disc first comes into alignment for a given direction of disc rotation.

Abstract: A sliding caliper disc brake has a caliper member which applies friction elements to opposite sides of a rotatable disc and which is slidably mounted on a fixed torque-taking member by a single pin disposed at one side of the caliper. The other side of the caliper is urged into sliding engagement with the torque member by a spring arranged between the caliper and a projection on the torque member. The caliper carries a lug which is normally spaced from the projection but is engageable with the projection to limit outward pivoting of the caliper about the pin in the event of failure of the spring. The caliper lug may engage the spring so as to slide the spring on the projection upon sliding of the caliper so as to maintain spring orientation as the friction elements wear.