Abstract: A method is described for detecting a braking action of a railway vehicle (RV) comprising monitoring the load transfer to a first axle of the railway vehicle (RV) from a second axle following the first axle according to the direction of travel (d) and, if the load transfer exceeds a predetermined threshold, determining that the railway vehicle (RV) is braking. An emergency braking method is also described comprising detecting an emergency braking request, activating an electrodynamic braking system to decelerate the railway vehicle when the emergency braking request is detected, applying the method to detect a braking action of a railway vehicle and, if so, determining that the electrodynamic braking system is operating correctly and using the electrodynamic braking system to fulfill at least partially the emergency braking request.

Abstract: When a vehicle decelerates quickly or otherwise experiences a hard brake event, the described systems and methods facilitate reducing load transfer between axles of a common set of axles (e.g. a tandem axle, a tridem axle, etc.). Transfer of suspension pressure from a dynamically unloaded axle to a more loaded axle is limited by a suspension control component such as a valve or solenoid or the like that closes upon detection of a hard brake event in order to lock air in the suspension components of the respective axles. This in turn limits the dynamically unloaded axle from lifting, thereby permitting it to contribute more significantly to the braking effort and improving stopping distance.

Abstract: A method for controlling a hydraulic braking system of a motor vehicle is provided. The method includes determining the vehicle speed and comparing the vehicle speed with a predefinable critical vehicle speed. If the vehicle speed lies below the critical vehicle speed, the method includes determining a required brake pressure or a brake pressure present in the braking system and comparing the brake pressure with a predefinable critical brake pressure. The method includes if the brake pressure lies below the critical brake pressure, blocking the buildup of a brake pressure in wheel brakes used for braking vehicle wheels of a vehicle rear axle.

Abstract: A retarding unit in a vehicle is automatically controlled based on conditions including a current setting of the retarding control, downhill grade, speed, current gear, and impending gear change. With the retarder control set in the high position, when the vehicle is operating at a downhill angle greater than the low angle threshold and less than the high angle threshold, and the pending gear is a large step downshift, automatically setting a retarder level to a low retarder level. When the vehicle is operating on level ground and the pending gear is a large step downshift or the current gear is first or second gear, automatically setting the retarder level to off. When the vehicle is operating on flat ground and the deceleration is above a trigger level, automatically setting the retarder level to a low retarder level.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a controller, system and method of preventing vehicle rollaway for a heavy vehicle are disclosed. The controller receives a service brake signal indicating an operator has engaged the service brakes, a parking brake signal indicating the operator intent to actuate the parking brake and a signal indicative of motion. The controller transmits a control signal to at least two braking system components in response the service brake signal, the parking brake signal, and the motion of the vehicle to maintain engagement of the vehicle service brakes after the service brake pressure signal begins to decrease.

Abstract: To provide an ABS control system and software with an automatic parameter calibration function. An ABS control system according to the present invention includes an electronic control unit (ECU), a wheel speed sensor, and a brake pressure sensor. The wheel speed sensor and the brake pressure sensor measure wheel speed and brake pressure during ABS braking, and the ABS control system automatically calibrates an internal parameter used in ABS control in response to the wheel speed and brake pressure measurement results.

Abstract: A method of releasing brakes of a motor vehicle including: if no vehicle start command takes place, after manual application of the vehicle brakes in a position to immobilize the vehicle when at rest is over, an assistance device progressively releases the brakes according to a suitable control scheme configured to make the vehicle move under its own weight, generally tending towards predetermined non-zero speed and acceleration conditions, and then, when the predetermined conditions are considered to have been reached, the assistance device stops releasing the brakes.

Abstract: A method for assisting a motor vehicle with a hill start, the motor vehicle having previously been held stationary when parked by a brake. The method measures inclination of the vehicle, previously establishes a map between engine torque and engine speed, defines, within the map, an authorized zone and a forbidden zone, provides a vehicle engine speed value, provides a vehicle engine torque value, deduces from these coordinates of the engine operating point within the map, and releases the brake automatically only if the coordinates of the operating point lie within the authorized zone of the map.

Abstract: A system and method for braking a drawbar trailer having a front axle and one or more further axles, each axle having at least two wheels, includes first sensors which sense the axle load of at least one axle, and second sensors which sense the rotational wheel speeds. Brakes actuatable with a pneumatic brake pressure brake the trailer. Brake signals generated in the towing vehicle are transmitted between the towing vehicle and the trailer. A control unit receives these brake signals and the sensor signals, and determines the axle load. The operating pressure is adapted to the brake pressure which is fed to the brakes. The control unit detects the brake pressure value as a function of (i) the specific axle loads of the front axle and the other axles and (ii) the received brake signals, and actuates the brakes such that the detected brake pressure is made available.

Abstract: A method and system for performing the method of controlling vehicle braking where the wheel slip of individual vehicle wheels is calculated and the load upon individual vehicle wheels is determined. A first brake line correction factor is calculated based on the determined loads upon the vehicle wheels. A second brake line correction factor is calculated based on the calculated wheel slip and the first and second load brake line correction factors are used to modulate a pressure supplied to individual wheel calipers during braking of the vehicle.

Abstract: Brake pedal input is modulated to produce a consistent relationship between the brake pedal input and a deceleration of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for braking a drawbar trailer having a front axle and one or more further axles, each axle having at least two wheels, includes first sensors which sense the axle load of at least one axle, and second sensors which sense the rotational wheel speeds. Brakes actuatable with a pneumatic brake pressure brake the trailer. Brake signals generated in the towing vehicle are transmitted between the towing vehicle and the trailer. A control unit receives these brake signals and the sensor signals, and determines the axle load. The operating pressure is adapted to the brake pressure which is fed to the brakes. The control unit detects the brake pressure value as a function of (i) the specific axle loads of the front axle and the other axles and (ii) the received brake signals, and actuates the brakes such that the detected brake pressure is made available.

Abstract: The parking brakes on a truck or other vehicle having plural axles are applied such that at least one wheel at a first end of a first axle receives a parking brake force without applying a parking brake force to any wheel at the opposite end of the first axle. In addition, at least one wheel at a second end of a second axle, the second end of the second axle being opposite to the first end of the first axle, receives a parking brake force. Desirably, any wheels at the opposite end of the second axle from the second end of the second axle are not the recipient of a parking brake force such that diagonally disposed parking brake forces are applied upon activation of the vehicle parking brakes. The first axle in one example is forwardly of the second axle and the first end of the first axle may be at the longitudinal side of the vehicle which is the heaviest.

Abstract: An alarm system that indicates to an operator the status of locking pins of a vehicle sliding axle assembly. The alarm system includes an alarm valve coupled to the locking pins and in fluid communication with an alarm. When the pins are unlocked from a vehicle component, the alarm valve is configured in an alarm mode to indicate the unsecured condition of the assembly. In this mode, air is diverted from the vehicle brakes to sound the alarm, thereby informing an operator that the pins are improperly engaged. In one embodiment, the alarm valve is in communication with or includes a pressure relief valve, which diverts a sufficient amount of air from the vehicle brakes so that the brakes cannot be released. When the pins are properly locked to secure the slider axle assembly, the alarm valve does not divert air from the brakes to sound the alarm.

Abstract: The invention relates to an anti-lock braking system as well as to a method of operating the anti-lock braking system. As a function of the motional state of at least one wheel control commands are generated for at least one actuator (12) of the anti-lock braking system. During generation of the control commands a quantity characteristic of the vertical tyre force is taken into account.

Abstract: When performing the function of “constant speed on the gradient”, the necessary braking power is determined as a function of the vehicle's loading.

Abstract: A compressed air operable wheeled trailer braking system includes a braking electronic control unit (ECU) having an electronically operable control valve which derives suitably proportioned load and vehicle speed dependent service brake pressure for brake chambers of the trailer wheeled. The braking ECU has a data memory storing specific braking parameters normally installed therein prior to commissioning the trailer. The trailer has a further diagnostic ECU responsive to vehicle operational sensors, the further ECU also having memory capacity. The specific braking parameters are stored via a communication link consequent upon installation thereof to the braking ECU. Upon recognizing installation of a replacement braking control unit, the parameters from the further ECU are installed in the replacement ECU.

Abstract: Taking into account the signals of tire sensors to adjust the driving performance of a vehicle is known. For example, the signals of contact sensors can be used to indicate the forces which act on the individual vehicle tires. According to this new method, to permit a control intervention in the shortest possible real time, especially those forces are used as a control quantity which are determined by the signals from tire sensors. This means that nominal conditions of the vehicle are converted into nominal forces Fi,Soll which are compared to the actually applied forces Fi,Ist. The so produced differences in forces &Dgr;Fi are then converted by a wheel force controller (2), for example, into brake pressure variations or variations of the engine drive torque which then influence the vehicle (3) as a controlled system.

Abstract: When it is detected that a vehicle is running on a road surface which has a coefficient of friction sufficiently low as to invite ready road wheel slippage, a control which enables the vehicle to automatically follow a preceding vehicle at a predetermined inter-vehicle distance, is inhibited. In one embodiment, when a request for vehicle follow-up is issued by the driver, and the follow-up is inhibited, the driver is informed of the low frictional coefficient of the road and is required to issue a confirmation that follow-up is required before its implementation can be carried out.

Abstract: In a running stability control device of an automobile having front right, front left, rear right and rear left wheels, and a brake system for selectively braking each of said wheels separately, the control device estimates a ratio of a longitudinal force to a vertical load acting at each of the front right, front left, rear right and rear left wheels, and operates the brake system so as to make said ratio of each of the front right, front left, rear right and rear left wheels be substantially equal to one another.

Abstract: A braking system for braking a motor vehicle by the front and rear brakes of the vehicle's front and rear wheels, respectively, including a distribution control device for controlling a distribution of front and rear wheel braking force produced by the respective front and rear brakes, according to a selected one of a first and a second distribution pattern, each of which represents the front and rear wheel braking forces in relation to each other wherein the rear wheel braking force defined by the second distribution pattern is larger than that defined by the first distribution pattern at least when the front and rear wheel braking forces are smaller than respective predetermined values. The selection of the two distribution patterns may be dependent on vehicle load.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake force regulating system controls the brake system of a vehicle such that substantially the same breaking power is applied to both wheels of an axle despite the presence of a biased load applied to the wheels. A pair of positioning sensors mounted on the axle to detect the level of inclination of the axle. An electronic controller between the positioning sensors and a control valve regulates the hydraulic oil transferred to the wheels on the axle. The electronic controller actuates a device for controlling the control valve based on a signal received from the electronic controller.

Abstract: A brake system is provided for a multi-platform railroad car in which a single microprocessor is employed to control the car brakes. In one embodiment, a single electro-pneumatic control unit provides a common brake pressure to the brakes of each truck in accordance with the truck design net brake ratio and load weight of whichever truck requires the lowest brake pressure. In a second embodiment of the invention, the brakes on separate truck sets are provided with different common brake pressures by employing separate electro-pneumatic control units for each truck set under control of the microprocessor. In such an arrangement, the different common brake pressure on one truck set can be increased to make-up at least a portion of a brake deficit on another truck set due to light car loads associated with the other truck set in order to meet or at least closely approach the commanded net braking ratio for the entire multi-platform car.

Abstract: In an apparatus for controlling the braking force applied to the wheels of a vehicle, the braking force required for the vehicle is calculated according to a brake pedal depression amount and the weight of the vehicle. This braking force is allocated to the wheels, according to static loads acting on the wheels which vary according to the vehicle loading conditions. Alternatively, the forward/backward acceleration of the vehicle and sideway acceleration of the front and rear axles are detected, dynamic loads acting on the wheels are calculated from the static loads and these accelerations, and the braking force is allocated according to these dynamic loads. Preferably, the roll angles of the front and rear axles are respectively detected, and the detected sideways accelerations are corrected based on these angles. By way this braking force control, braking force can be optimized according to the loading conditions in commercial vehicles, such as trucks, where wheel load conditions largely vary.

Abstract: A braking system for braking a motor vehicle by the front and rear brakes of the vehicle's front and rear wheels, respectively, including a distribution control device for controlling a distribution of front and rear wheel braking force produced by the respective front and rear brakes, according to a selected one of a first and a second distribution pattern, each of which represents the front and rear wheel braking forces in relation to each other wherein the rear wheel braking force defined by the second distribution pattern is larger than that defined by the first distribution pattern at least when the front and rear wheel braking forces are smaller than respective predetermined values. The selection of the two distribution patterns may be dependent on vehicle load.

Abstract: An electronic braking system for a multi-axle road vehicle, having a foot-operable braking transducer which generates electrical braking demand signals representative of a driver's braking demand, load transducers which generate electrical load signals representative of the respective load on different axles of the vehicle, and in electronic controller which receives the braking demand signals and load signals and generates electrical output signals for controlling the operation of braking devices for the wheels carried by axles, the controller including adaptive load compensation device which acts to modify the output signals of the controller to the various braking devices so as to take account of prevailing loads on the respective axles.

Abstract: An antiskid braking system performs antiskid braking control, by periodically increasing and reducing hydraulic braking pressure according to a wheel speed so as to control a vehicle going into a skid, at a control gain greater in a low speed range of vehicle speeds less than a specified speed when a vehicle speed at a time of commencement of braking is low than when the vehicle speed at the time is high.

Abstract: A rail car load sensor 10 configured for use with a rail car brake controller 12. The rail car load sensor 10 detects and measures the distance between rail car 14 and rail 15 and transmits a distance signal to rail car brake controller 12 for adjusting the braking action of rail car brake controller 12 in accordance with the amount of load or weight in rail car 14.

Abstract: A method and a device for electronically controlling or adjusting a brake system of a vehicle is proposed, in which brake system the characteristic braking curve of the trailer is adapted to a prescribed characteristic braking curve of the towing vehicle, in order to minimize the longitudinal forces between a towing vehicle and a trailer during a braking process, in such a way that the braking of the entire road train takes place in accordance with the prescribed characteristic braking curve of the towing vehicle.

Abstract: To infinitely variably adjust the distance between a reaction disc and an interacting second part of a bipartite valve piston in a completely assembled vacuum brake power booster, which is already mounted to the automotive vehicle, a tubular sleeve is provided, arranged coaxially to a piston rod that actuates the valve piston, and is in engagement with a first part of the valve piston, connected with the second part by a threaded union, to apply a torque to the first piston part. For this purpose, the sleeve has at its end projecting from the control housing with an extension permitting rotation of the sleeve.

Abstract: An anti-skid control for use in an automotive vehicle is comprised of a brake control device for adjusting braking force of each road-wheel of a vehicle, the brake control device being set to be initiated upon receipt of a condition, a detecting device being set to be initiated upon receipt of a condition, a detecting device for measuring a load applied to the vehicle, and a changing device for less sensitivity of the initiation of the brake control device as the load decreases. Even if an instantaneous decrease of the load occurs due to the vehicle's jumping motion or turning motion, an expected initiation of the brake operation can be prevented.

Abstract: A brake system has a variable front/rear axle braking force distribution for a racing car. An electrohydraulic braking force control device with an electronic computer stage is provided in the system to take account of the aerodynamic axle load changes occurring at high speeds. This computer stage forms, from the vehicle speed and dynamically determined magnitudes, or magnitudes assumed to be appropriate, of the coefficient of friction .mu..sub.B effective at the vehicle wheels, an optimized braking force distribution factor. The brake pressure connected into the rear wheel brakes is caused to follow up the brake pressure connected into the front wheel brakes in such a way that the rear axle braking force follows the front axle braking force.