Abstract: A dampening cylinder is provided. The dampening cylinder includes a cylindrical housing defining a cavity for receiving a fluid therein. A piston slidably extends through the cavity in the housing and includes a flange projecting radially therefrom. The flange is positioned within the cavity so as to divide the cavity in the housing into first and second portions. First and second flow control valves control the rate of flow of fluid between the first and second portions of the cavity in the housing, and hence, the rate at which the piston slides through the housing. An emergency stop valve is positioned in fluid communication with the fluid flowing between the first and second portions of the cavity in the housing. The stop valve is movable between a first open position for allowing the flow of fluid between the first and second portions of the cavity in the housing and a closed position for preventing the flow of fluid between the first and second portions of the cavity in the housing.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake device for applying a braking force to a wheel of a vehicle which can detect an air-containing in a hydraulic circuit. The hydraulic brake device includes a hydraulic pressure generating device for generating and outputting a hydraulic pressure in accordance with a brake operational amount, a wheel cylinder operated by the hydraulic pressure directly or indirectly supplied from the hydraulic pressure generating device for applying a braking force to a vehicle wheel, a brake operational amount detection device for detecting the brake operational amount, a pressure sensor for detecting an output hydraulic pressure outputted from the hydraulic pressure generating device, and a controller for detecting an air-containing in a hydraulic circuit by a response time relating to a rise of the output hydraulic pressure detected by the pressure sensor relative to a start of a rise of the brake operation amount detected by the brake operational amount detection device.

Abstract: This invention relates to a drum-in-hat disc brake assembly. According to one embodiment of the invention, only four fasteners extend through the associated apertures of the backing plate, the drum-in-hat adapter, the axle flange and the caliper bracket for securing the caliper bracket, drum-in-hat adapter and the backing plate to the axle flange. Two of the four fasteners extend through the two apertures of the caliper bracket and at least partially into two of the four apertures of the axle flange to thereby secure the caliper bracket to the axle flange. The other two of the four fasteners extend through the two smaller apertures of the backing plate and the drum-in-hat adapter and at least partially into the remaining two apertures of the axle flange to thereby secure the backing plate and the drum-in-hat adapter to the axle flange.

Abstract: A magnetically actuated motion control device includes a housing defining a cavity and including a slot therethrough. A movable member is located within the cavity and is movable relative to the housing. A magnetic field generator located on either the housing or the movable member causes the housing to press against the movable member to develop a friction force. The flux caused by the magnetic field flows through the housing, the movable member and at least one pole located along the movable member. The at least one pole comprises a first portion having a first axial dimension and a second portion having a second axial dimension where the first axial dimension is greater than the second axial dimension and as a result the magnetic flux through the second portion of the at least one pole has a greater magnitude than the magnetic flux through the first portion of the pole.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel and/or brake disk hub (2) for receiving a one-piece or multi-piece, and notably fragmented, brake disk (1) having friction rings (5, 6) which are preferably connected via links (7). Said hub is configured such that cams (15) of the hub (2) have shoulders (22) which protrude radially outwards and on one side axially secure the brake disk (1) positioned on the hub (2). The brake disk is axially stepped at its inner periphery in such a way that a step (6′) is formed which is supported on the shoulder (22).

Abstract: The invention shows a shifting device (11, 40) with a servo-assistance device (10) for a transmission (30) of a vehicle. A gear shift linkage (4, 6, 16) is connected with a lever (18) which is connected with a control rod (20) of the assistance device (10) and a gear shift shaft (26, 44) engages in gear shift rails (32) of the transmission (30) by means of levers (28). A central gear shift shaft (44) is provided in the shifting device (40) which is firmly mounted on the transmission housing and can be rotatably actuated by the gear shift linkage (4, 6, 16) actuated by the driver for transmitting the manual shifting force to the disengaging lever (18) of the assistance device (10) and for transmitting the manual shifting force to the gear shift rails (32) of the transmission (30). The central gear shift shaft (44) can also be displaceably actuated by the gear shift linkage (4, 6, 16) to select the gear shift rail (32) to be shifted.

Abstract: A process for braking a vehicle having at least first and second brakes, comprises supplying energy to the first and second brakes so as to actuate them, the energy being distributed between the first and second brakes in accordance with the brakes' response energies. Preferably, the momentary values of the response energies are used so that the first and second brakes are actuated simultaneously.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for allowing a vehicle to be braked in both a regenerative and a distributive type or frictional manner, thereby reducing the amount of energy which is dissipated as the vehicle is braked.

Abstract: The present application relates to brake actuators, and more particularly to a brake actuator of the hand-operated type in which a hand grip is rotated to release a pawl for enabling brake releasing movement of a brake lever.

Abstract: A shock absorbing structure for a vehicle, including (a) a plurality of main bodies each made of a resin and including a lateral wall that extends substantially in a shock-receiving direction in which a shock is to be primarily applied to the shock absorbing structure, and (b) at least one connecting body each made of a resin and connecting adjacent ones of the main bodies. Each of the at least one connecting body includes a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion. The first connecting portion has a shape configured to be deformable more easily in a perpendicular direction that is perpendicular to the shock-receiving direction, than in a parallel direction that is parallel to the shock-receiving direction. The second connecting portion has a shape configured to be deformable more easily in the parallel direction than in the perpendicular direction.

Abstract: A rolling bearing with the sealing device which has a fitting groove and sealing device with a mounting portion. The fitting groove formed on the inner peripheral surface of an outer ring. An outside surface of the fitting groove tilts at 5 to 30 degrees with respect to an radial direction of the bearing. An inside surface of the fitting groove tilts at a tilt angle smaller than that of the outside surface. A total of these tilt angles is 35 degrees or more. The mounting portion has a base portion contacting the inside surface and a portion projecting toward the outside surface of the fitting groove from the base portion, and the mounting portion is thinnest at a front end portion of the projecting portion.

Abstract: A disc brake (3) of the kind comprising an axially fixed hub (2) and at least one slidable brake disc (4, 6) comprises resilient means (10) acting between the disc (4, 6) and the hub (2) to control certain aspects of the movement of the brake disc (4, 6) during use. The resilient means (10), is of a leaf spring format, acting between the disc (12, 14) and the hub to control the disc dynamics is mounted on the disc (4, 6). This leads to advantages in terms of spring structure and cost and independence of the resilient bias with respect to disc position and disc (12, 14) relationship to another disc (if present) and with respect to simplicity of mounting and avoidance of dirt entrapment. The mounting of the resilient means comprising clipping the resilient means over a drive key (12) of the disc (4, 6) though an aperture (23) defined within the resilient means (10) and having associated stiffening elements or strips (26a, 26b).

Abstract: A vehicle motion control device includes a throttle opening amount automatic adjusting device for adjusting automatically the opening amount of the engine throttle valve irrespective of accelerator pedal operation, a control device for performing an automatic pressure increase control to the wheel cylinder at least during a non-operating condition of the brake pedal and for controlling the throttle opening amount automatic adjusting device, an intake vacuum pressure decrease condition detecting device for detecting a decrease condition of the intake vacuum pressure, and a counter for counting the number of times the automatic pressure increase control is performed under the intake vacuum pressure decrease condition. The control device corrects the throttle opening amount at the automatic pressure increase control to decrease based on the number of time the automatic pressure increase control is performed.

Abstract: An integral self-leveling gas shock strut with dual spring rates as a structural load support between a vehicle chassis and wheel. When the vehicle is driving at an inclined longitudinal pitch a gravity sensitive device within the strut governs a pilot valve which opens to allow a pressure input signal from strut piston compression deflection to close a high flow volume slave valve located between primary and secondary volumetric chambers, trapping gases within the primary chamber to provide a hard spring rate for the strut mounted on the vehicle's downhill side. Contrarily, a similar valve sequence in a companion strut mounted on the vehicle's uphill side opens gas flow communication to combine its primary and secondary chamber volumes, thus providing a soft spring rate and consequent leveling effect of the vehicle using only the pumping action of the strut pistons as a power source, requiring neither external power nor inputs.

Abstract: A force generating apparatus for providing a force to a moving element based upon receipt of an electrical force signal includes a force applying element coupled to the moving element for applying the force to the moving element and an actuator coupled to the force applying element for actuation thereof in response to receiving the electrical force signal. The force generating apparatus further includes a controller for determining when the force apply element is in an apply mode, determining the elapsed time until reversion to a normal mode, determining when the elapsed time is greater than a predefined minimum, modifying the value of the electrical force signal sent to the actuator, and modifying a stored control parameter.

Abstract: A brake shoe assembly (1) for a drum brake, the brake shoe assembly being a single-piece construction and including a brake shoe (2) of generally circular form having two separate and opposed ends (17, 18), and defining a pair of friction lining mounting sections (11, 12) disposed on opposite sides of the brake shoe (2). The friction lining mounting sections (11, 12) have a T-shaped cross-sectional form defining an arcuate, radially outer platform (15) for mounting a friction lining (16) and a radially inwardly extending web (14). The brake shoe (2) including hinge means (27, 28) between the lining mounting sections (11, 12), facilitating pivoting movement of the lining mounting sections (11, 12), to alter the separation between the brake ends (17, 18) between a brake operative condition in which in use, the friction lining (16) engages a braking surface of a drum to which the brake shoe assembly (1) is fitted, and a brake inoperative condition in which there is no such engagement.

Abstract: To provide a brake cylinder unit wherein both the normal brake and the spring brake that is used as a parking brake, etc., can act, and in addition wherein it is possible to shorten the axial direction length. In a brake cylinder unit (1) wherein both the normal-service brake means (2) and the spring brake means (3) can act, there is provided a clutch means (4) that links the rod (111) and the second piston (21) when the pressure fluid ceases to act on the second action chamber (24) of the spring brake means (3), and the first piston (21) starts to move towards to the rod (111). This clutch means (4) comprises a screw (31) that is provided on the rod (111), a nut member (32) that is provided on the second piston (21) such that it can rotate, and a stop means (33) that stops the rotation of the nut member (32) when the second piston (21) starts to move towards the rod (111).

Abstract: An assembly (20) is used with an anti-lock braking system (10) and an associated method. The assembly (20) includes a circuit board (30), a motor (40), a hydromechanical block (50), a lead frame (60), and a plurality of solenoid coils (70). The circuit board (30) integrates the electronics of the anti-lock braking system (10). The motor (40) provides pressurized fluid to the anti-lock braking system (10). The motor (40) is connected to the circuit board (30). The hydromechanical block (50) has a through bore (52). The lead frame (60) has a built-in connector (61) extending through the through bore (52) to the circuit board (30). The plurality of solenoid coils (70) controls flow of the pressurized fluid through the hydromechanical block (50). Each of the plurality of solenoid coils (70) is connected to the lead frame (60) such that the plurality of solenoid coils (70) is electrically connected to the circuit board (30) by the built-in connector (61) of the lead frame (60).

Abstract: An adjuster strut (10) for use in a drum brake assembly. The adjuster strut (10) has an adjustable elongate extent with first and second engagement means (17,37) disposed at opposite ends thereof for engaging opposed braking members (11,12,35) of a brake assembly. The first engagement means (17) is arranged for receipt and support within an inwardly opening slot (19,20) formed in one of the braking members (11,12,35) and includes an end face (18) for abutting engagement with the inner end wall (19a,20a) of the slot opening (19,20). The first engagement means (17) further includes a first channel (21) extending rearwardly from the face (18), for receiving therein an edge or wall portion (hereinafter an “edge portion”) defining the slot opening (19,20). The braking members can include opposed cross-sectionally T-shaped brake shoes and a parking brake lever disposed adjacent the inwardly extending web of one of the brake shoes.

Abstract: A bus door/service brake interlock system having a warning system is provided to inform a driver that the service brake pressure is insufficient or not being applied at all, as well as indicating if a system malfunction occurs, precluding a service brake application. The system is based on a sequential operation of the driver activating the caution lights and opening the door. Once these events have occurred, the autobrake system including an alarm is activated. On the other hand, applying the park brake deactivates the autobrake system. The autobrake assembly energizes a solenoid that receives regulated pressure from a pressure reducing valve. This pressure is supplied to one side of a double check valve, while the other side receives a delivery from the foot valve to assure delivery for normal service braking.