Abstract: A vehicular hydraulic braking pump includes a sleeve having an inner bore defining an inner bore surface and a piston having a stop collar and a ramped seal face. The stop collar, ramped seal face, and the inner bore cooperating to define a seal pocket which traps a high pressure seal therein. The ramped seal face provides contact of the high pressure seal to the sleeve inner bore that is proportional to fluid pressure acting on the high pressure seal.

Abstract: This invention refers to an electrically assisted steering system that includes a torque sensor connected to a vehicle steering wheel. The system also includes a torque control ECU that is responsive to torque signals from the torque sensor to generate a motor assist requirement signal. The system further includes a motor control ECU responsive to the motor assist requirement signal to generate a motor control signal. The system additionally includes a steering assist motor responsive to the motor control signal to provide a steering assistance torque to the vehicle steering system. Finally, the system includes a safety domain ECU connected to at least one vehicle operational parameter sensor to generate a torque signal and send the same signal to the torque control ECU. The safety domain ECU is also being in communication with the torque control ECU and the Motor control ECU.

Abstract: A brake pedal unit for coupling to a brake pedal includes a housing and a pedal simulator housed within a simulation chamber formed in the housing. The pedal simulator includes a spring for providing force feedback. A first piston is mounted in the housing. The first piston is operable to generate brake actuating pressure at a first pressure output. A second piston is mounted in the housing. The first piston is operable to generate brake actuating pressure at a second pressure output. An input piston is connected to operate the pedal simulator during a normal braking mode, and wherein the input piston is coupled to actuate the first and second pistons during a manual push-though mode.

Abstract: A disc brake assembly comprises: an anchor bracket having at least one bore formed therein, the bore defining a first axis; a brake caliper slidably secured to the anchor bracket; a pair of brake pads carried by the disc brake assembly; and at least one guide pin adapted to be disposed in the bore of the anchor bracket, the at least one guide pin defining a second axis; wherein when the at least one guide pin is disposed in the at least one bore of the anchor bracket, the second axis of the at least one guide pin is configured to be offset relative to the first axis of the at least one bore such that there is provided at least one defined point of contact between only a portion of a shank portion of the at least one guide pin and a portion of an inner surface of the at least one bore.

Abstract: A vehicle brake system includes a brake pedal unit coupled to a vehicle brake pedal. The system includes an input piston connected to operate a pedal simulator during a normal braking mode, and coupled to actuate a pair of output pistons during a manual push through mode. The output pistons are operable to generate brake actuating pressure at first and second outputs of the brake pedal unit. A hydraulic pressure source supplies fluid at a controlled boost pressure. A hydraulic control unit is adapted to be hydraulically connected to the brake pedal unit and the hydraulic pressure source. The hydraulic control unit includes a slip control valve arrangement, and a switching base brake valve arrangement for switching the brake system between the normal braking mode wherein boost pressure from the pressure source is supplied to first and second vehicle brakes, and the manual push through mode wherein brake actuating pressure from the brake pedal unit is supplied to the first and second vehicle brakes.

Abstract: A short duration test activation signal is applied to the test activation port of a motion sensor module and the test activation status port observed with an error flag being set if a corresponding signal does not appear at the test activation status port within a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A damping element for attenuating hydraulic pressure pulses is integrated into a hydraulic chamber of a motor vehicle hydraulic system. The damping element includes a end cap support body and a membrane that fits over a portion of the support body. The membrane has a first side facing towards a source of hydraulic fluid and a second side facing away from the hydraulic fluid source. At least one space is provided between the second side of the membrane and the end cap support body to allow for deformation of the membrane under hydraulic pressure. The membrane has a collar with a lip seal provided for fitting into place on the wall of the hydraulic chamber. At least one second space for receiving hydraulic fluid is defined between the lip seal and a region of the membrane opposite the lip seal.

Abstract: The brake system includes a pedal, a pedal simulator, and a brake pedal unit. The brake pedal unit includes an input piston connected to the brake pedal for operating the pedal simulator during a normal braking mode. The brake pedal unit further includes first and second output pistons actuated by the input piston during a manual push through mode such that the first output piston generates brake actuating pressure at a first output of the brake pedal unit, and the second output piston generates actuating pressure at a second output of the brake pedal unit. The brake system further includes a hydraulic pressure source for supplying fluid at a controlled boost pressure, and a hydraulic control unit adapted to be hydraulically connected to the brake pedal unit and the hydraulic pressure source.

Abstract: A vehicle disc brake assembly having a mechanical parking brake comprises: a piston carried by the brake assembly, the piston having a bore provided with an inner cone surface and an internal groove formed in an inner wall of the bore; an adjusting strut part disposed within the piston bore, the strut part having a flange configured to contact the inner cone surface; and a single, one-piece clutch spring carried by the strut part within the piston bore; wherein the clutch spring includes a main body having a plurality of legs extending therefrom, each of the legs including an outermost remote end configured to be received in the groove of the piston to secure the clutch spring within the piston and each of the legs configured to provide a spring force operative to bias the flange of the strut part against the inner cone surface of the piston.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a position of an electric dc brush motor (22, 24) including the steps of supplying drive current (104) to drive the electric motor and calculating (70, 108) a coast constant for the motor. Current through the motor is monitored (80) and motor speed (66) is determined in response to monitored motor current. Electrical current to the motor is interrupted (50) in response to the calculated coast constant (70, 106) and motor speed when it is desired to stop the electric motor so that a brush of the motor will come to rest at a location on a commutator segment of the motor (22, 24).

Abstract: A drum-in-hat (DIH) disc brake assembly has a backing plate configured to be supported relative to an axle flange and to support a drum brake shoe assembly of the drum-in-hat parking and emergency brake; a caliper bracket configured to be supported relative to the axle flange and to support a disc brake caliper assembly of the disc service brake; and a parking brake anchor configured to be supported relative to the axle flange. The parking brake anchor includes an anchor body and an abutment. The anchor body has an opening formed therein which is configured to receive a lever arm of a parking and emergency brake actuator which extends through the opening in the anchor body.

Abstract: An electronically controlled boosted brake system including an isolation valve between a source of pressurized fluid and a boost valve for selectively restricting the flow of fluid from the source to the boost valve. Another feature of the brake system relates to an accumulator valve connected between the boost valve and the accumulator for controlling when the operating pressure of the accumulator is supplied to the boost valve. Yet another feature is a unique master cylinder design including at least one primary piston positioned within a housing in an overlapping relationship with portions of a pair of secondary pistons.

Abstract: A position sensing assembly adapted for use with a master cylinder to measure travel of a piston of the master cylinder via a magnet operatively coupled to the piston thereof for movement therewith between a zero brake apply position and a full brake apply position. According to one embodiment, the position sensing assembly includes a housing adapted to be attached to a master cylinder housing and a flux concentrator operatively disposed with the position sensing assembly housing. The flux concentrator includes a first end, an intermediate body, and a second end. At least one of the first end and the second end defines a longitudinal plane and at least a portion of the intermediate body is oriented at an angle relative to the longitudinal plane whereby the position sensing assembly is adapted to measure the travel of the piston of the master cylinder via the magnet.

Abstract: This invention relates to a brake clip for use with a disc brake assembly. The brake clip includes a U-shaped section having a base leg with opposing first and second legs extending from the base leg. An abutment leg extends from at least one of the first and second legs of the U-shaped section. An extension leg extends from the abutment leg. The abutment leg is in contact with an anchor bracket of the disc brake assembly and the extension leg is in contact with a brake pad of the disc brake assembly when the brake clip is disposed therebetween.

Abstract: An electromagnetic valve for use in controlling fluid flow between first and second passageways in a hydraulic valve block includes a valve body. The valve body defines a central axis, has a central opening therethrough, and has a lower end adapted to be inserted into a bore of the valve block. A hollow valve dome is attached to an upper end of the valve body. An armature is axially moveable within the valve dome. A spring biases the armature in one axial direction. A closing element is coupled to a lower end of the armature. An electromagnetic coil coaxially surrounds the armature and is operable to effect axial movement of the armature in an axial direction opposite the one axial direction. A valve seat member is carried by a lower end of the valve body and has an orifice providing fluid flow between the first and second valve block passageways. The valve seat member defines a valve seat that surrounds the orifice and cooperates with the closing element for selectively closing the orifice.

Abstract: A method for efficiently decelerating a vehicle having front and rear wheel brakes by isolating the rear wheel brakes and applying pressurized brake fluid only to the front wheel brakes.

Abstract: An algorithm for limiting the output of a master cylinder pressure sensor in an electronic brake control system to a value that is a function of the master cylinder pressure and the travel of the brake pedal.

Abstract: A vehicle drum-in-hat disc brake assembly comprises a drum-in-hat adapter adapted to be secured to a fixed component of a vehicle; a backing plate adapted to be secured to the drum-in-hat adapter and to support a pair of brake shoes therein; a parking and emergency brake actuation mechanism adapted to move the brake shoes apart from another between a braking position and non-braking position, the parking and emergency brake actuation mechanism including a brake actuation lever adapted to be pivotally supported on one of the pair of brake shoes; wherein the backing plate includes at least one raised pad and the brake actuation lever includes an abutment surface provided thereon which is disposed adjacent and in sliding support with the raised pad whereby at least a portion of the abutment surface of the brake actuation lever rests against and is supported by at least a portion of the raised pad when the brake actuation lever of the parking and emergency brake actuation mechanism is in both the braking and non-

Abstract: The output amplitude of an inertial sensor output signal is compared to an upper and a lower limit to determine whether or not the bandwidth of the sensor is within specification.

Abstract: An improved electro-hydraulic brake system having features for improving the pedal feel of the system, while further having design features which contribute to the economy of manufacture of certain components of the system. The system provides for an electrically powered normal source of pressurized hydraulic brake fluid, and a manually powered backup source of pressurized hydraulic brake fluid to the vehicle brakes in the event of failure of the normal source. During normal braking, fluid from the backup source is redirected from the vehicle brakes to a pedal simulator. The pedal simulator preferably includes arrangements of spring loaded pistons, expansion volumes, and damping orifices, together with valves selectively controlling the flow of fluid to and from the pedal simulator which provides for an improved pedal feel during vehicle braking.