Abstract: The invention relates to a disk brake unit for a vehicle wheel including a hub and a brake disk. The brake disk includes an outer ring and an inner ring, the inner ring and the outer ring being non-rotatably linked together. The outer ring includes a friction ring. The inner ring includes an internal surface with inner dogs for contacting a hub. The brake disk is adapted to prevent heat from being transmitted from the friction ring to the internal surface.

Abstract: A cage is made of a low carbon steel and is for use in a rolling bearing which includes an outer ring, an inner ring and a plurality of rolling elements disposed rotationally between the outer ring and the inner ring. The cage includes a plurality of pockets for retaining the rolling elements in an equi-distribution in the rotating direction of the rolling elements. The low carbon steel is a steel containing from 0.02 to 0.10% by weight of C and from 0.10 to 0.45% by weight of Mn and is subjected to plastic working. The hardness for the pocket surface at least at a portion in contact with the rolling element is Hv 190 to 270, and the hardness for the core portion in the cage section is Hv 110 to 170.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a helical compression spring which is mounted on a vehicle body to be compressed between an upper seat and a lower seat. The spring is formed to provide a coil axis to be substantially curved at a predetermined radius of curvature in an unloaded state of the spring. A pitch of a lower end coil of the spring is set to tilt a lower end plane of the spring at a first angle to the lower seat in a direction for shortening the longitudinal length of the spring at the inside of the curvature in the unloaded state of the spring, and/or a pitch of an upper end coil of the spring is set to tilt an upper end plane of the spring at a second angle in a direction for shortening the longitudinal length of the spring at the outside of the curvature in the unloaded state.

Abstract: A brake by wire system is integrated with a brake transmission solenoid interlock (BTSI) unit to prevent a vehicle transmission from being shifted out of a park mode into a drive mode until a brake system operational state is determined. The BTSI is activated by a supplemental control unit, which generates a transmission release signal generated by a controller in response to simultaneous presence of a brake intent signal from one or more brake pedal sensors and a determination of an operational state of the brake system. The supplemental control unit includes a switch responsive to the transmission release signal to close the BTSI activating circuit and permit release of the transmission. In a split brake system with two brake controllers, the supplemental control unit may include a switch controlled by a logic (OR, AND) circuit or a pair of switches in an equivalent logical circuit configuration.

Abstract: A system for mounting a vehicle power train, such as a transversely mounted engine and transmission, to a motor vehicle such that vibrations from the power train are isolated from the vehicle frame. The system comprises a power train mounting cradle for mounting to the vehicle frame by a vibration-isolating mounts, and vibration-isolating mounts for connecting the power train to the cradle, at least one of the power train to cradle mounts adapted to damp torque-related vibrations, and further comprising a friction damper to attenuate low-frequency torque-related vibrations.

Abstract: A variable ratio of force-enlargement master cylinder for a braking system is described. The variable ratio of force-enlargement master cylinder has a cylinder, an outer piston, and an inner piston, in which comprise a plurality of cavities and openings therein. When a force is uniformly applied to the variable ratio of force-enlargement master cylinder, the flow rate of the fluid is preferably changed into a predetermined value by incorporating the cavities and openings located on the cylinder, the outer piston, and the inner piston in a suitable time.

Abstract: A mount that can be used to connect a vibration-generating substructure to a main structure. The mount uses vibration diverters to couple the vibration-generating substructure to the main structure. The vibration diverters can include passive elements, e.g., plates, ribs, notched plates, plates having wells, etc., active elements, e.g., actuators, sensor/actuators, etc., or a combination of passive and active elements. A vibration confiner interconnects the actuators. The vibration confiner can include a passive layer damping material for dissipating vibrations. The vibration diverters divert vibrations from the vibration-generating substructure to the vibration confiner.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for an anti-spin regulation (ASR) for a vehicle are described. The method is characterized in that a slipping driven wheel (20, 30) is braked by braking means (220, 230). A further driven wheel (20, 30) is monitored by monitoring means, (25, 35). The further driven wheel (20, 30) is braked by braking means (220, 230) in case a slipping trend is determined by determination means (90) for said further driven wheel (20, 30). The apparatus is in particular eligible for use with the inventive method and is characterized in that braking means (220, 230) are implemented for braking a slipping driven wheel (20, 30). Monitoring means (25, 35) are implemented for monitoring a further driven wheel (20, 30). Braking means (220, 230) are implemented for braking the further driven wheel (20, 30) in case a slipping trend is determined by further implemented determination means (90) for said further driven wheel (20, 30).

Abstract: Strategies other than immediate elimination of regenerative braking (FIG. 2) are invoked when an incipient wheel lock-up is detected, the ABS becomes active, and/or incipient wheel slip is detected. The strategies include: reducing the regenerative braking torque as a function of the coefficient of friction of a surface on which the vehicle is traveling (FIG. 3); and adjusting regenerative braking in relation to the rate at which wheel slip is changing (FIG. 4). Some of the strategies may be applied on an individual wheel basis (FIG. 5), and some of the strategies may be applied in conjunction with operating friction brakes of the vehicle to apply at least some of the reduction in regenerative braking torque as friction brake torque (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A method and a device for controlling the braking torque of a brake force controller at at least one wheel of a motor vehicle, in which the control pulses for a hydraulic valve is not calculated as a function of the control signal of the hydraulic pump (pump motor PM) but of the actual standstill of the pump motor PM. To detect the actual standstill of the pump motor PM, its induced voltage &mgr;PM is measured. When voltage &mgr;PM falls below a predefined minimum threshold value Vx, then the pump motor PM is assumed to be at a standstill.

Abstract: A damper, such as a vehicle shock absorber, and a method for attaching a ring to a base cup of a damper. The method includes the step of autogenously welding the ring to the damper base cup. The damper includes a ring autogenously welded to the damper base cup. In one variation, the ring is continuous and the base cup has a substantially convex surface with an outward projection. In another variation, the ring is split and has an end portion having a tab which projects radially outward. In one implementation, the welding consists essentially of drawn arc welding.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a disc brake mainly for road vehicles. The disc brake comprises a fixed caliper straddling one or more brake discs, one or more thrust plates and a number of brake pads. The brake discs are received in a non-rotating but axially moveable relationship on a rotating hub. The brake pads are guided axially moveable in the caliper taking up the load of the brake pads.

Abstract: A disc brake for a heavy road vehicle has a caliper arranged at a brake disc mounted on a wheel axle of the vehicle. A thrust rod of the disc brake transforms a rotational ingoing movement from a drive means into a linear outgoing movement for transmission to a disc brake pad, intended for braking engagement with the brake disc. The thrust rod has a non-rotatable spindle, a rotatable nut member in thread engagement with the spindle, and a thrust rod gear for receiving the ingoing rotational movement. A biased roller and ramp arrangement is operationally interposed between the nut member and the thrust rod gear and is intended for rotating the nut member on the spindle at a low counterforce in the spindle and for axially transferring the nut member with the spindle at a high counterforce in the spindle.

Abstract: Fluid current induced vibrations, as well as vortex shedding vibrations induced in a cable stay or a similar elongated, cylindrical element are dampened and substantially eliminated by applying a plurality of flexible active or passive damper bands to the cable at spaced intervals. In underwater currents, the damper bands force or channel the fluid flow over a circular cross-sectional shape, which inhibits lift, and therefore damps the cable stay oscillations. These damper bands can be retrofit to existing cables or can be installed on new cables. Each damper band may include a shiftable mass and an energizing device for facilitating assisted shifting of the mass. A control assembly can actuate all or selected ones of the energizing devices in response to sensed magnitudes of cable stay vibration.

Abstract: A vehicle has a park brake system, which has set a set operational state for holding the vehicle in a parked position, and a released operational state in which the vehicle may be driven. The park brake system includes a park brake actuator and connecting linkages which are driven by an operator of the vehicle in an engaging direction in order to effect the set operational state of the park brake system. The park brake system further includes a return spring engaged to the connecting linkages in such a manner to drive them and the park brake actuator in a disengaging direction and to ensure maintenance of the released operational state of the park brake system after it is effected by an operator. The park brake system also includes an impact-reduction energy absorber such as a spring, damper, or some combination thereof for absorbing some of the energy transferred to the connecting linkages when the return spring drives the connecting linkages and the park brake actuator in their disengaging directions.

Abstract: A tow ball (14) is mounted to a bracket (16) by means of a spacer (20) which incorporates transducers (24) to provide signals indicating forces existing between the towing vehicle and the trailer. A control system is described which is operable to apply braking to the trailer to modify the trailer behavior independently of operation of the vehicle brakes by the operator.

Abstract: A friction device such as an aircraft wheel and brake assembly having a wheel member journaled for rotation on a fixed member, which fixed member supports a torque tube member. A plurality of primary friction disks are carried by splines on the wheel member while a plurality of secondary friction disks are carried by splines on the torque tube member with such secondary disks interleaved with the primary friction disks for axial movement towards one end of the torque tube. An actuator, such as a plurality of pistons, is mounted on the fixed member to urge all the friction disks into frictional engagement with each other and against a stationary disk on the one end of the torque tube. A rigid disk is positioned between the actuator and the pluralities of friction disks, and acts as a pressure plate. The rigid disk may be formed of carbon or ceramic composite material.

Abstract: An electric parking brake system for a vehicle includes an electric control unit that controls a brake device and an operating element for actuating the electric parking brake system. When the vehicle is in a resting position, actuation of the operating element alternatively applies and releases the electric parking brake according to the driver's request. The electric parking brake system includes a parking operative mode and several starting operative modes. The electric parking brake system includes at least one distance sensor for enabling a controlled power braking involving dynamics and slip control when the vehicle is moving to avoid a potential collision with an obstacle, especially when parking the vehicle.

Abstract: Vibration damping systems for use in conjunction with rotating hollow bodies are provided. The vibration damping systems include a tubular outer shaft having a proximal and a distal end and defining a lumen therethrough, a tubular inner shaft having a proximal and a distal end wherein the inner shaft is configured and dimensioned to be received within the lumen of the outer shaft and a plurality of toroidal vibration damping elements disposed between the proximal and the distal ends of the outer and inner shafts. At least one vibration damping element is affixed between the proximal and the distal end of the outer and inner shaft and each end most vibration nodal point of a series of nodal points located along a length of the outer and inner shafts. At least one vibration damping element is affixed between adjacent vibration nodal points of the series of nodal points along the length of the outer and the inner shafts.

Abstract: An integrated drive unit having planetary gearing and an annular cone brake element affixed to a hydraulic motor barrel. A brake piston encircles the hydraulic motor barrel and is selectively engageable with the cone brake element to actuate the cone brake element into frictional contact with the spindle of the integrated drive unit to act as a safety/parking brake. The cone brake element is formed of a bronze-type powdered metal of sufficient durability to withstand dynamic braking. The hydraulic motor is selectively connectable to a transmission including planetary gearing. The planetary gearing of the present invention includes a planet gear carrier having carrier pins formed of a relatively low carbon steel and locally hardened over the area on which the planet gears will be supported. In an alternative embodiment, a carrier pins sleeve formed of VESPEL is utilized as the bearing between the planet gear and the carrier pin.