Abstract: A disc brake system comprises a mounting hub and at least one disc supported by the mounting hub. The mounting hub has a center portion and an outer portion substantially perpendicular to the center portion and defines a central axis extending perpendicular to the center portion. A plurality of grooves comprising a U-shape are defined within the outer portion and are spaced radially about the central axis. Each of the grooves extends axially relative to the central axis. A bearing is disposed in each of the plurality of grooves and operatively connects the mounting hub and the disc such that the bearing rotates about a bearing axis and moves axially within the groove in response to axial movement of the disc.

Abstract: A latching device including a reversibly rotatable drive gear, a reversibly rotatable driven gear meshing with the drive gear, and a cantilever including a latching gear meshing with one of either the drive gear or the driven gear. The cantilever includes an electrically distortable polymeric material configured to distort in response to an applied current to position the latching gear in an intermeshing relationship with both the drive gear and the driven gear, such that the drive gear, driven gear, and latching gear selectively prevent rotational motion of the gear assembly in a predetermined direction. Also, an electromechanical brake assembly including a rotary motor and the latching device, where the gear assembly selectively prevents rotational motion of the rotary motor in a brake-disengaging direction.

Abstract: A disc brake system comprises a mounting hub and at least one disc supported by the mounting hub. The mounting hub has a center portion and an outer portion substantially perpendicular to the center portion and defines a central axis extending perpendicular to the center portion. A plurality of grooves are defined within the outer portion and are spaced radially about the central axis. Each of the grooves extends longitudinally relative to the central axis. A bearing is disposed in each of the plurality of grooves and operatively connects the mounting hub and the disc such that the bearing rotates about a bearing axis and moves longitudinally within the groove in response to axial movement of the disc.

Abstract: A brake caliper assembly includes opposing brake shoes positioned on substantially opposing inner surfaces of a dual-disk rotor, wherein said assembly comprises an internal actuator circumferentially arranged between radially inner and outer portions of the rotor, the actuator having an inner surface facing an inboard rotor inner surface and an outer surface facing an outboard rotor inner surface; a plurality of pistons integral to the actuator and displaceable therein by pressurized fluid supplied to the actuator; a first brake shoe mounted to the actuator inner surface and displaceable by the plurality of pistons to engage the inboard rotor inner surface; a pair of pins mounted on the actuator to slide for purposes of transferring a reactionary load; and a second brake shoe mounted to the actuator outer surface and driven by the reactionary load into the outboard rotor inner surface.

Abstract: An actuator for an electro-mechanical-brake motor assembly includes a housing surrounding a rotatable motor shaft presenting a longitudinal axis. A spring is non-rotatably supported on the housing. A latching device is non-rotatably supported by the housing. The latching device has a plurality of teeth. A latch gear is non-rotatably supported on the rotatable motor shaft and circumscribes the longitudinal axis and presents a plurality of axially facing angled teeth presenting a meshing engagement with the teeth of the latching device. The latching device is axially movable relative to the housing in response to magnetic force generated by the electric coil.

Abstract: A ball screw and nut assembly includes a ball screw component having a threaded outer surface and a ball nut component having a bore in which the ball screw component is received. The ball nut component includes a threaded inner surface that cooperates with the threaded outer surface of the ball screw component to achieve axial movement of the ball nut component between a fully retracted position and a fully extended position as the ball screw rotates relative to the ball nut. A positive stop prevents rotation of the ball screw component relative to the ball nut component at an axial position between the fully retracted position and the fully extended position as the ball nut component is retracted.

Abstract: A brake apparatus is provided and includes a housing having a bore extending therethrough and an axial opening therein, a piston closely and slidably received within the bore, a driving member having a flange thereon, the driving member extending through the axial opening to operatively connected the piston to an electric motor, wherein rotation of the driving member is translated into axial movement of the piston, and a bearing coaxially received over the driving member and positioned between the flange and the housing, wherein the bearing facilitates rotation of the driving member relative to the housing and resists axial movement of the driving member relative to the housing.

Abstract: A motor assembly, such as an electro-mechanical-brake (EMB) motor assembly includes an electric motor, a latch gear, a solenoid, and a spring. The latch gear is non-rotatably attached to the drive shaft of the motor. The spring is operatively connected to the solenoid and has a spring projection which is longitudinally-deflectable by energizing the solenoid. The gear tooth is shaped to longitudinally retain the spring projection when the latch gear rotates the gear tooth into engagement with the longitudinally-deflected spring projection. In one example, the latch gear is a parking-brake latch gear and the motor assembly provides a parking brake function for an EMB electric motor which also is used for applying and releasing a vehicle's driving brakes.

Abstract: Brake assemblies and a method of dissipating heat from a brake assembly are provided. A first brake assembly includes a rotor, a brake caliper assembly including an actuator motor, and at least one friction pad operably attached to the caliper assembly. The actuator motor biases the friction pad into frictional engagement with the rotor. At least one thermal conduit extends distally from the actuator motor dissipating heat energy away from the actuator motor. The method includes providing an actuator motor and providing a thermal conduit extending distally from the actuator motor. Heat is conducted away from the actuator motor along the thermal conduit. A second brake assembly includes actuator motor means and thermal conduit means extending distally from the actuator motor means. The brake assembly further includes means for conducting heat from the actuator motor means along the thermal conduit means.

Abstract: A motor assembly, such as an electro-mechanical-brake (EMB) motor assembly includes an electric motor, a latch gear, a solenoid, and a spring. The latch gear is non-rotatably attached to the drive shaft of the motor. The spring is operatively connected to the solenoid and has a spring projection which is longitudinally-deflectable by energizing the solenoid. The gear tooth is shaped to longitudinally retain the spring projection when the latch gear rotates the gear tooth into engagement with the longitudinally-deflected spring projection. In one example, the latch gear is a parking-brake latch gear and the motor assembly provides a parking brake function for an EMB electric motor which also is used for applying and releasing a vehicle's driving brakes.

Abstract: The invention provides a brake caliper backdrive apparatus and method of backdriving a brake caliper. The apparatus includes a brake caliper, a motor including a shaft operably attached to the brake caliper and, a biasing member operably attached to the shaft. The biasing member backdrives the motor thereby releasing the brake caliper. The method includes rotating a shaft to clamp the brake caliper, storing energy in a biasing member responsive to the shaft rotation, and reversing the shaft rotation using the stored energy.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for a vehicle brake system or clutch pack comprises a motor shaft having a first tapered cutout, and a ballscrew shaft having a second tapered cutout. The first and second tapered cutouts being adapted to mate.

Abstract: The invention provides a brake caliper backdrive apparatus and method of backdriving a brake caliper. The apparatus includes a brake caliper, a motor including a shaft operably attached to the brake caliper and, a biasing member operably attached to the shaft. The biasing member backdrives the motor thereby releasing the brake caliper. The method includes rotating a shaft to clamp the brake caliper, storing energy in a biasing member responsive to the shaft rotation, and reversing the shaft rotation using the stored energy.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for a vehicle brake system comprises a piston disposed in a bore, a reservoir, and a solenoid. A channel is in fluid communication between the bore and the reservoir, and the solenoid is disposed in the channel. The solenoid is movable between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the solenoid blocks fluid communication between the bore and the reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sensor system for detecting lining wear and fluid level in a dry interface corner actuator for a single wheel brake including a reservoir assembly. The reservoir assembly includes a reservoir for containing fluid for the actuator and a sensor assembly positioned in the reservoir having a single set point to indicate both low reservoir fluid level and a need for brake lining replacement.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for a vehicle brake system or clutch pack comprises a motor shaft having a first tapered cutout, and a ballscrew shaft having a second tapered cutout. The first and second tapered cutouts being adapted to mate.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for a vehicle brake system comprises a piston disposed in a bore, a reservoir, and a solenoid. A channel is in fluid communication between the bore and the reservoir, and the solenoid is disposed in the channel. The solenoid is movable between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the solenoid blocks fluid communication between the bore and the reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sensor system for detecting lining wear and fluid level in a dry interface corner actuator for a single wheel brake including a reservoir assembly. The reservoir assembly includes a reservoir for containing fluid for the actuator and a sensor assembly positioned in the reservoir having a single set point to indicate both low reservoir fluid level and a need for brake lining replacement.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reservoir cap and bleed mechanism for use with the fluid reservoir of a dry interface corner actuator. The reservoir cap and bleed mechanism displaces a portion of the reservoir volume during filling and provides a diaphragm to maintain a fill reservoir volume during operation. The fluid reservoir can be bled and filled to the desired brake fluid level through a sealable passage in the reservoir cap assembly without removing the reservoir cap.