Abstract: A brake boost assist system for use with a master cylinder of a motor vehicle braking system, includes an inductive sensing system. The inductive sensing system has sensing devices carried on an input member and an output member, where the input and output members are coupled to respective ones of an input rod and an output rod of the brake boost assist system. Movement of the input and output members relative to one another, and relative to a fixed element of the inductive sensing system positioned within the brake boost assist system, enables an accurate estimation of the distance of a pedal gap which separates faces of the input and output rods. The accurate estimation of the pedal gap distance enables a more accurate determination to be made of the braking force required for any given pedal stroke input by an operator of the vehicle during a braking action.

Abstract: A brake boost assist system for use with a master cylinder of a motor vehicle braking system, includes an inductive sensing system. The inductive sensing system has sensing devices carried on an input member and an output member, where the input and output members are coupled to respective ones of an input rod and an output rod of the brake boost assist system. Movement of the input and output members relative to one another, and relative to a fixed element of the inductive sensing system positioned within the brake boost assist system, enables an accurate estimation of the distance of a pedal gap which separates faces of the input and output rods. The accurate estimation of the pedal gap distance enables a more accurate determination to be made of the braking force required for any given pedal stroke input by an operator of the vehicle during a braking action.

Abstract: A boost arrangement for pressurizing a master cylinder of a vehicle braking system of a vehicle includes a housing, a primary piston and a secondary piston. The housing defines a boost chamber filled with brake fluid. The primary piston is disposed in the boost chamber and defines an opening extending therethrough. The secondary piston has an end extending into the opening defined by the primary piston.

Abstract: A boost arrangement for pressurizing a master cylinder of a vehicle braking system of a vehicle includes a housing, a primary piston and a secondary piston. The housing defines a boost chamber filled with brake fluid. The primary piston is disposed in the boost chamber and defines an opening extending therethrough. The secondary piston has an end extending into the opening defined by the primary piston.

Abstract: A braking system for a vehicle is operative to apply a friction brake force to at least one wheel of the vehicle. The braking system includes a master cylinder is in fluid communication with a reservoir of brake fluid and in fluid communication with the hydraulic brake device. According to one aspect, the braking system includes an electric brake force generator which moves the brake fluid within the master cylinder to deliver brake fluid to the friction brake device in response to a first predetermined displacement of a brake pedal. The electric brake force generator includes a housing defining a boost chamber filled with brake fluid and in fluid communication with the reservoir of brake fluid and further includes a drive arrangement for creating pressure in the boost chamber.

Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle includes a load displacement system allowing transient loads of the steering mechanism to be displaced. The steering system also includes a first coupling mechanism coupling an electric motor to a rack housing, and a second coupling mechanism coupling a ball nut to a rack and method.

Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle may include a load displacement system allowing transient loads of the steering mechanism to be displaced. The steering system may also include a first coupling mechanism coupling an electric motor to a rack housing, and a second coupling mechanism coupling a ball nut to a rack. A method for providing an actuation force to a rack of a vehicle includes isolating non-axial loads from an electric motor of a steering system and isolating non-axial loads from a linearly actuatable member of a rotary-to-linear conversion device in the steering system. An actuator for a steering system may include a rotary to linear actuator, a movable linear section, and an interface between the rotary to linear actuator and the linear section.

Abstract: An electric power steering system, comprising: a steering wheel in operable communication with a mechanical linkage; a steering shaft in operable communication with the mechanical linkage, and in operable communication with at least one road wheel; a first transmission in operable communication with the steering shaft; a unidirectional electric motor in operable communication with the first transmission; wherein the electric power steering system is configured such that when the steering wheel is turned in a first direction, the motor's power is transmitted in the first direction to the steering shaft, and when the steering wheel is turned in a second direction, the motor's power is transmitted in the second direction to the steering shaft.

Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle, the steering system includes a rack-independent actuator. The rack-independent actuator has component parts isolates from undesirable loads by two universal joints that isolate mechanical components of the actuator from transient loads that may be encountered by the rack or rack housing.

Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle, the steering system includes a rack-independent actuator. The rack-independent actuator has component parts isolated from undesirable loads by two universal joints that isolate mechanical components of the actuator from transient loads that may be encountered by the rack or rack housing.

Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle, the steering system includes a rack-independent actuator. The rack-independent actuator has component parts isolates from undesirable loads by two universal joints that isolate mechanical components of the actuator from transient loads that may be encountered by the rack or rack housing.

Abstract: A gear isolator assembly includes a gearbox housing, a first gear having a first axis of rotation about a first shaft and the second gear having a second axis of rotation about a second shaft. The first and second gears are rotatably mounted in a gearbox housing so that the first and second gears mesh with each other such that the first axis of the first gear is substantially perpendicular to the second axis of the second gear. The gear isolator assembly is preferably disposed within the gearbox housing about the second gear for reducing noise generated between the first and second gears during operation of the mechanism.

Abstract: A gear reduction mechanism includes a gearbox housing, a first gear having a first axis of rotation about a first shaft and the second gear having a second axis of rotation about a second shaft. The first and second gears are rotatably mounted in a gearbox housing so that the first and second gears mesh with each other such that the first axis of the first gear is substantially perpendicular to the second axis of the second gear. The gear isolator assembly is preferably disposed within the gearbox housing about the second gear for reducing noise generated between the first and second gears during operation of the mechanism.

Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle, the steering system includes a rack-independent actuator. The rack-independent actuator has component parts isolates from undesirable loads by two universal joints that isolate mechanical components of the actuator from transient loads that may be encountered by the rack or rack housing.

Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle, the steering system includes a rack-independent actuator. The rack-independent actuator has component parts isolates from undesirable loads by two universal joints that isolate mechanical components of the actuator from transient loads that may be encountered by the rack or rack housing.

Abstract: A virtual ball joint, comprising a pair of bearings disposed about a center of curvature; each of the bearing comprising an inner race and an outer race supporting a plurality of balls therebetween. The inner and outer races have angled surfaces in contact with the balls, such that the outer angled surfaces coincide with an imaginary sphere centered about the center of curvature. A shaft mounted in the bearings may thus be rotated about the center of curvature as if mounted with a ball joint.

Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle, the steering system includes a rack-independent actuator. The rack-independent actuator has component parts isolates from undesirable loads by two universal joints that isolate mechanical components of the actuator from transient loads that may be encountered by the rack or rack housing.

Abstract: A gear isolator assembly includes a gearbox housing, a first gear having a first axis of rotation about a first shaft and the second gear having a second axis of rotation about a second shaft. The first and second gears are rotatably mounted in a gearbox housing so that the first and second gears mesh with each other such that the first axis of the first gear is substantially perpendicular to the second axis of the second gear. The gear isolator assembly is preferably disposed within the gearbox housing about the second gear for reducing noise generated between the first and second gears during operation of the mechanism.