Abstract: A hydraulic brake apparatus for a vehicle includes a brake operating member, a hydraulic pressure generating source, a regulating valve, a master cylinder having first and second pistons, a pressure detecting means connected to a second pressure chamber for detecting a brake hydraulic pressure outputted from the second pressure chamber, a brake operating amount detecting means for detecting an operating amount of the brake operating member, and a judging means for judging a hydraulic pressure condition of first and second hydraulic systems respectively connected to first and second chambers based upon the brake hydraulic pressure detected by the pressure detecting means relative to the operating amount of the brake operating member detected by the brake operating amount detecting means.

Abstract: A steering column assembly is provided and includes a lower steering column member, an upper steering column member pivotally attached to the lower steering column member, and a locking mechanism operably interconnecting the upper and lower steering column members and selectively actuable for locking the upper steering column member in one of a plurality of pivot positions relative to the lower steering column member and a lever mechanism operably interconnected with the locking member for selectively actuation the locking member. The lever mechanism includes a release lever, a multiplying lever in operable communication with the locking mechanism, and a link interconnecting the release lever and the multiplying lever. The link transfers an input force applied to the release lever for multiplication through the multiplying lever for actuating the locking mechanism.

Abstract: The solenoid current increases at low temperatures and decreases at high temperatures because the modulus of elasticity of an elastically deformable valve body and the slide resistance of an elastically deformable seal member vary with temperatures. Therefore the solenoid current for opening the valve mechanism from a closed position is required to be changed with low and high temperatures. To supply the solenoid current necessary for opening the valve mechanism without directly measuring the temperature, the solenoid current (the boost starting current leaning value) indicated when the pressure varies with the opening of the valve mechanism is recorded at the time of pressure-increasing, and thereafter when the valve mechanism is opened again after the closing of the valve mechanism, the solenoid current computed on the basis of the pressure-increase starting current learning value thus recorded is supplied.

Abstract: A pneumatic suspension system comprising: a pneumatic suspension bellows made of an elastomeric material which encloses an air chamber whose volume varies, with an embedded strengthening support; a pressure reservoir having an outer diameter on which one end of the pneumatic suspension bellows is fastened by a clamping ring; and a pneumatic suspension piston having an outer diameter on which the other end of the pneumatic suspension bellows is also fastened by a clamping ring, and having a roll-off piston on whose outer wall the pneumatic suspension bellows can roll off while forming a first rolling fold. The pressure reservoir has a contoured roll-off surface outside of the first fastening area. The roll-off surface is provided for a second rolling fold which rests against the roll-off surface and can roll off in a limited manner compared to the first rolling fold.

Abstract: The invention provides a damper assembly (10) comprising a housing (12) defining an inner chamber (22, 24) having a damping fluid disposed therein. A piston rod (14) is slidably retained by the housing (12), and at least partially extends into, the chamber (22, 24). A piston (18) is disposed at a first distal end (21) of the piston rod (14) and strokes inside the housing (12). The piston (18) defines a first chamber (22) and a second chamber (24) within the housing (12) and includes at least one aperture (26) for allowing damping fluid to flow between the first (22) and second (24) chambers. An actuator (30) is disposed within the piston (18) for varying the flow of damping fluid through the aperture (26) between the first (22) and second (24) chambers within the housing (12). The piston rod (14) includes an inner bore (16) that receives pressurized air from an external source for communicating pneumatic control signals to the actuator (30).

Abstract: The present invention concerns a brake caliper and a method for assembly of a brake mechanism for a disc brake in said caliper. The caliper surrounds the brake disc on both sides and has a cavity for receiving the brake mechanism. The caliper is of an open design having an opening in the wall furthest from the brake disc. The inside of the caliper may be machined through the opening, before the brake mechanism is assembled in the caliper.

Abstract: A steering column damper for a power-driven vehicle comprises a jacket tube with a central longitudinal axis; a sliding tube displaceably guided in the jacket tube; a steering shaft, which is mounted for pivotability about the central longitudinal axis relative to the sliding tube and/or the jacket tube and guided through the jacket tube and the sliding tube; at least one working area, which is disposed between the jacket tube and the sliding tube and filled with a damping medium; at least one working-area-volume reduction unit, which is connected with the sliding tube, reducing the volume of the at least one working area upon insertion of the sliding tube into the jacket tube; at least one aperture which opens the at least one working area to ambience for discharge of the damping medium from the respective working area; a closing element for blocking the at least one aperture; and a triggering unit for controllable release of the respective closing element.

Abstract: An electrically driven brake booster (1) includes an input member (4) disposed in operative association with a brake pedal (12), an output member (5) disposed in operative association with the master cylinder (6), and drive transmitting device (10) for translating a rotating motion of a motor (9) into a linear motion to be transmitted to the output member (5). The drive transmitting device (10) comprises a rack (23) formed on the output member (5), and pinions (21, 22) disposed in operative association with the motor (9) and in meshing engagement with the rack (23). Also, reaction transmitting device (8) which transmits a brake reaction to the input member (4) and the output member (5) at a given proportion is provided. In comparison to conventional drive transmitting device, the drive transmitting device (10) of the present invention has a simple construction, a reduced weight and a better transmission efficiency.

Abstract: A method for controlling drive of an actuator of an active vibration isolation support system allows the waveform of the lift of the actuator to be freely set, while avoiding the generation of heat in the actuator driver and a corresponding increase in the power consumption. Specifically, duty control of the voltage that is applied to the actuator is carried out in each of a large number of consecutive micro time regions such that the waveform of the lift of the actuator can be set freely, and by varying the number of consecutive micro time regions whose duty ratios change with a fixed pattern, the period over which the lift of the actuator changes can be set freely. Moreover, since electrical energy is not wasted as thermal energy in the actuator driver, the problems of heat being generated in the driver and increased power consumption can be avoided.

Abstract: In an automatic transmission for a motor vehicle which is controlled by an electronic transmission control device which continuously exchanges signals with a digital engine electronic system of an internal combustion engine, to reduce the thermal load on the automatic transmission in emergency operating mode, a transmission-independent program module (M1) of the digital engine electronics system presets an admissible maximum engine torque for the emergency operating mode (M_mot_max_not).

Abstract: A lubrication system for a vibratory apparatus such as a hydraulic striking device. The system includes a lubricant pump for pumping lubricant to one or more points of lubrication on the device and a drive for the pump powered in response to vibration of the device. The system includes a base for attachment to the device for vibration therewith, and a lubricant pump for pumping lubricant from a supply. The pump includes a cylinder and a plunger reciprocable in the cylinder through a stroke between a retracted position for intake of lubricant into the cylinder and a forward position for delivery of the intake from the cylinder. A weight is mounted on the base for oscillation in response to the vibration of the device, oscillation of the weight effecting reciprocation of the plunger through a stroke.

Abstract: A damping arrangement is proposed with at least two holding devices (10, 11) that are connected to one another via at least one damping element (12) in the form of a plane element made of a wire mesh or wire fabric, said holding devices (10, 11) being secured to at least two different regions of the damping element (12), and said damping element (12) having at least two curvatures in opposite directions between the holding devices (10, 11). A damping arrangement of this type may be produced cost-effectively in an automated process in such a way that elastic stiffnesses and damping characteristics can be adjusted in all spatial directions.

Abstract: A rack and a pinion respectively have stoppers constituted by a flat surface in both sides of tooth portions thereof. The stopper of the pinion is brought into contact with the stopper of the rack at both oscillating stroke ends of the rack, whereby a backlash is absorbed.

Abstract: A gear bearing having a first gear and a second gear, each having a plurality of teeth. Each gear operates on two non-parallel surfaces of the opposing gear teeth to perform both gear and bearing functions simultaneously. The gears are moving at substantially the same speed at their contact points. The gears may be roller gear bearings or phase-shifted gear bearings, and may be arranged in a planet/sun system or used as a transmission.

Abstract: A vibration damper includes a rebound, in particular a rebound spring. The vibration damper includes a piston which is formed on an axially movable piston rod and which separates two working chambers in a cylinder, the working chamber penetrated by the piston rod being closed off with a lid and containing the rebound. An out-stroke of the piston rod relative to the cylinder includes an idle-stroke which starts at a minimum out-stroke and in which the rebound does not counteract the piston rod movement, a working-stroke which ends at a maximum out-stroke and in which the rebound counteracts the piston rod movement, and a point of application at which the idle-stroke ends and the working-stroke begins. The vibration damper further includes an arrangement configured to adjust the point of application.

Abstract: A rotary damper for use in motor vehicle suspensions comprising a rotor disposed within damping fluid in a fluid chamber of a casing to form inner fluid volume and outer fluid volume, with first valve and second valve for controlling flow between the inner fluid volume and the outer fluid volume, and an accumulator using closed cell foam as a compressible material for fluid fill variation and thermal expansion. First valve controls flow from the outer fluid volume to the inner fluid volume for one direction of rotation of the rotor, while second valve controls flow from the inner fluid volume to the outer fluid volume for the opposite rotation of the rotor. Thus, the valves are configured to provide independent control of damping for each direction of rotation. A valve holder supporting the valves and providing flow passages is designed for powdered metallurgy fabrication.

Abstract: A rod guide is press-filted to an inner periphery of an outer cylinder and to an inner periphery of an inner cylinder. A rod seal is provided at an inner periphery of a cover member for covering the outer cylinder to seal between a piston rod and the cover member. Space between the rod seal and the rod guide is formed as a hydraulic fluid reservoir chamber. Further, a lip seal is integrally formed on an outer periphery of the rod seal. The lip seal is set so as to separably abut a valve seat surface of the rod guide. One side surface of the lip seal is provided with a plurality of radially extending hydraulic fluid grooves spaced from each other in a circumferential direction. With this arrangement, a valve opening pressure of the lip seal can be kept small regardless of size of interference of the lip seal. Thus, air removability is improved.

Abstract: Conventional positioning devices in which a body is displaceable in a plane and rotatable by three drives have the drawback that at least one of the drives is displaced together with the body, whereby these apparatus are relatively heavy and sluggish. In the case of the positioning device according to the invention, three straight guide elements, arranged radially, are rigidly connected to the body. Each guide element is accepted in a linear bearing in a longitudinally displaceable way, and each linear bearing is disposed on a separate rotor in a way pivotable about a pivot axis directed perpendicular to the plane. Through independent displacement of the linear bearings on a common circular path, the body can be shifted and rotated as desired in a region. This construction has the advantage that it is built simply and that it is able to execute quick and precise positioning movements in particular owing to small masses in motion.

Abstract: An actuating unit (1) for a wheel brake (2) of a motor vehicle has a hydraulic pump (12), which can be driven at variable speeds by an electric motor (11) and supplies pressure fluid from a storage tank (22), and has an element (24), which adjusts a return flow of pressure fluid to the pump (12) and is disposed between the pressure side (13) and the suction side (16) of the pump (12). In addition, a cylinder-piston unit (3) is provided, which is for pressing a brake lining (7) against a friction element (8) connected to a vehicle wheel. For purposes of controlling the brake pressure as a function of wheel slip, a pressure increase valve (18) and a pressure decrease valve (21) are disposed between the pump (12) and the cylinder-piston unit (3). In addition, a control unit (29) is provided, which can process electrical brake request signals and slip signals and can control the electric motor (11), the element (24), and the valves (18, 21).

Abstract: An automatic stroke adjustment device for a brake actuator having clutch rings (240, 340, 440, 540, 546, 640) making an irreversible screw engagement relatively rotatable for the amount of exceeding the backlash by releasing the clutch engagement to rotate when exceeding the backlash of reversible screw engagement and maintaining the clutch engagement when in releasing the brake actuator while the brake actuator is in an active state to improve the processability, reduce the weight, and prevent overadjustment of the shoe clearance during the thermal expansion of the brake drum.