Abstract: A hydraulic braking apparatus for a motor vehicle having a service braking system (A) fed by a central hydraulic unit (3) and an emergency braking system (B). A simulator (M) resists a forward motion of an actuator member (D, 16) for a master cylinder (17) to define a reaction corresponding to the progress of a braking operation. Admission solenoid values (9a-9d) and exhaust solenoid values (14a-14d) connected to the wheel brakes (2a-2d) modulate pressurized fluid supplied by a central hydraulic unit (3) in effecting the braking operation. Sensors (8, 13a-13d, 24, 29) in the motor vehicle detect various braking parameters that are communicated to a computer (C) to control the solenoid valves (9a-9d; 14a-14d) such that the braking operation is a function of the travel of the actuator member (D, 16).

Abstract: A pneumatic brake booster (10) having a moving piston (22) for urging an actuating rod (34) of a master cylinder (28) in response to actuation of a plunger (56). The plunger has a front end that passes through the piston (22) that forms a first feeler (62) that penetrates a reaction disc (44) located between the piston (22) and the actuating rod (34) to transmit to the plunger (56) a reaction force of the master cylinder (28) and a second feeler (68) that is pushed by the plunger (56) when the control rod (46) is actuated at a rate higher than a determined rate and immobilized by a one-way engagement device (70) in an axial position that varies with respect to the piston (22) and then is driven by the piston to push the second feeler (68) into the disc (44) so that the first feeler (52) applies a braking force more rapidly.

Abstract: A hydraulic antivibration support comprises two rigid strength members interconnected by an elastomer body which defines a working hydraulic chamber communicating with a compensation chamber via a constricted passage. The two hydraulic chambers are separated by a rigid partition formed by two grids disposed side by side, and a decoupling valve member is clamped between the grids. The decoupling valve member comprises a deformable membrane that, in the rest position, is closer to the second grid than to the first grid.

Abstract: A support structure for supporting a hydraulic unit of a brake system on a vehicle body is provided. The hydraulic unit has a housing and a motor attached to a lateral side surface of the housing. The hydraulic unit has a predetermined support width and is supported at two or more support positions on a vehicle body by way of resilient members. The support structure comprises a support member for supporting the hydraulic unit in such a manner as to allow a gravitational axis of the hydraulic unit to be disposed within the support width when viewed in a side elevation. A hydraulic unit arrangement and a method for supporting the hydraulic unit are also provided.

Abstract: To prevent a shock absorbing material mounted on a vehicle body from collapsing or being scattered under the shock at the time of a collision. The four sides of a shock absorbing material formed of a foamed material are surrounded by a bellows form cover consisting of four corrugated plates inclusive of corrugated plates. Under an external force due to collision, the bellows is folded and contracted easily, but is difficult to be deformed in the width directions. Therefore, the shock absorbing material receives the energy upon collision in its initial shape, so that the energy is absorbed substantially by the compression of the shock absorbing material. Accordingly, it suffices to design a set load for the shock absorbing material by taking into account only the shock absorbing material, so that it is easy to design the shape, material and the like of the shock absorbing material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for establishing the relationship between actuator position and actuator clamping force as well as a control system for applying defined actuator clamping forces to a brake operated electrically using an actuator. The method according to the present invention makes it possible to determine the initially unknown relationship between actuator position and actuator clamping force in real time without using any force sensor at all.

Abstract: A brake system for a wheel including a plunger assembly, brake pad assembly, drum assembly and a spring. The plunger assembly includes a plunger movable in a plunger housing, brake pad assembly chamber in the plunger housing and an axle opening. The brake pad assembly is movably mounted in the brake pad assembly chamber, whereby movement of the plunger causes movement of the brake pad assembly in the brake pad assembly chamber. The brake pad assembly includes an axle opening. The spring biases the brake pad assembly into the brake pad assembly chamber. The drum assembly includes a drum housing and a drum wear unit in the drum housing. The drum assembly includes an axle opening.

Abstract: A wheelchair wheel locking assembly comprises a first wheel stop having an actuating lever for operating a first wheel-engaging member. The first wheel stop is operably connected to a second wheel stop via a continuously flexible linkage, whereby actuating the first wheel stop simultaneously operates the second wheel stop. In the event the continuously flexible linkage is severed, the first wheel stop may continue to be operated by the actuating lever. The wheel locking assembly of this invention is advantageously operated from a single side of a wheelchair. A wheel locking assembly having dual actuating levers is also provided, whereby from a single side of a wheelchair a first actuating lever operates a first wheel-engaging member and a second actuating lever operates a second wheel-engaging member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for actuating a wheel brake assembly, in particular an electromechanical wheel brake assembly (10) or a mechanical system involving friction and having spring elasticity. To increase a braking force once a quasi-static terminal state of the wheel brake assembly (10) is reached, the invention proposes actuating the wheel brake assembly (10) for a brief period of time in the release direction and then to re-tighten it; the period of time of the actuation in the release direction is selected to be so brief that the braking force is reduced, if at all, only imperceptibly.

Abstract: A brake torque plate and an installation method for fixedly attaching the plate to an axle tube, includes the plate formed with an opening and a continuous cut extending between the plate peripheral edge and the opening, wherein the diameter of the opening is smaller than that of the axle tube. The cut enables the torque plate to be temporarily expanded for installation on the axle tube by spreading means until the bore diameter is larger than that of the axle tube. Upon mounting of the torque plate on the axle tube, the spreading means is removed to reduce the diameter of the opening, thereby creating an interference fit between the torque plate and the axle tube and minimizing or eliminating the gap between the plate opening and the axle tube to ensure perpendicularity between the axle tube center line and the torque plate inboard and outboard faces.

Abstract: Friction members are composed of a ceramic composite material. The friction members can be used for motor vehicles as a clutch disk for friction clutches, for transmitting motive power, or as a brake disk. A friction zone of the friction member is composed of ceramic, in particular of Si and SiC. A core zone of the friction member is made from fiber-reinforced C/SiC, in particular of long fiber woven fabric-reinforced and short fiber-reinforced C/SiC.

Abstract: An arrangement for ensuring the functioning of a brake configuration for a vehicle with a multiplicity of wheels which are arranged on a front axle and at least one rear axle and which support the vehicle. The brake configuration incorporates at least two brake devices, each to act upon one of the wheels, and a brake control with which the brake devices can be activated with a total brake action. A memory stores at least one value of a parameter for the brake devices. The parameter relates to at least one previous braking operation performed by the respective brake device. A control unit distributes the brake action to the brake devices, taking into account the value of the parameter of the respective brake devices when the brake control is actuated. The brake devices are disc brakes.

Abstract: A variable spring member includes a containment housing defining an inner chamber with alternating layers of compressible medium and electro-reactive medium. Adjacent each layer of electro-reactive medium is a coil assembly controlled by a controller. A sealed plate disposed between alternating layers of compressible medium and electro-reactive medium disperses a load exerted on the variable spring member assembly and prevents intermixing of compressible medium with the electro-reactive medium. Actuation of the coil assembly changes physical characteristics and compressibility of the layer of electro-reactive medium to vary spring rate and stiffness.

Abstract: A rolling-lobe air spring (2) includes a cover (cover plate, 6-I or 6-II), a roll-off piston (8) and a rolling-lobe flexible member (4). A support bell (16-I or 16-II) is provided in order to solve stability problems. The support bell (16-I or 16-II) is rigidly connected to the cover (6-I or 6-II) in order to provide a guide of high stiffness to the rolling-lobe flexible member. The support bell (16-I or 16-II) is rigidly connected to the cover (6-I or 6-II) and can be arranged within or outside of the cover (6-I or 6-II). For an inner-lying support bell (16-I) the upper end of the rolling-lobe flexible member is attached to the throat region (18-I) of the support bell (16-I) with the aid of a clamp ring (12-I) applied from the outside. For an outside-lying support bell (16-II), the throat region (18-II) of the support bell (16-II) is deformed against the upper end of the rolling-lobe flexible member and against a support ring (12-II) disposed therebelow.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting and reducing excessive amplitude of oscillation of a free piston slidably mounted in a housing. The housing has a vibration absorber, including a mass mounted through a spring to the housing. The mass reciprocates relative to the housing along a path in a phase relationship to the piston. A sensor is mounted near the mass for detecting the amplitude of oscillation of the mass. A controller is connected to the sensor for reducing the amplitude of oscillation of the piston when the amplitude of oscillation of the mass reaches a predetermined maximum.

Abstract: An electric braking apparatus is disclosed in which a rotational movement from a motor is converted into linear movement that moves a brake piston to generate braking force. The electric brake apparatus can perform full parking brake function without sacrificing its original braking function. In operation, immediately after generation of braking force caused by rotation of the rotor (26) supply of electricity to the motor is turned off. After supply of electricity is turned off, however, the rotor (26) is restricted from returning to its original position due to an engagement with an engaging claw (54) via a claw wheel (50), thereby keeping the barking brake remain effective. When electricity is thereafter supplied to the motor, the rotor (26) generates rotational torque sufficiently strong to push down the engaging claw (54) for disengagement, thereby releasing the parking brake.

Abstract: The adaptive brake application and initial skid detection system allows rapid brake application and prevents deep initial skids. Brake torque is compared with a predetermined threshold brake torque. Wheel velocity error signals are also generated to indicated the difference between the wheel velocity and a reference velocity signal. A torque bias modulator integrator responsive to brake torque signals adjusts the wheel velocity error signals to provide an anti-skid control signal. The torque bias modulator integrator can also be initialized to the value of the measured brake torque when the wheel velocity error signals indicate the beginning of a skid. Brake torque difference signals are generated to indicate the difference between brake torque and a commanded brake torque, and an adjusted brake torque error signal is generated in response to the brake torque difference signals.

Abstract: A braking system for a vehicle with air suspension, where a brake sensor amplification factor increases in proportion to an increase in gross vehicle weight is provided. The braking performance may vary within a predetermined range. Further, a load sensing arrangement for the braking system may include a pressure sensor for detecting an air pressure in an air suspension, a variable throttling valve for controlling the flow of brake fluid to a brake actuator, and a control means to vary the throttling effect of the throttling valve based on an output of the pressure sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a damper device for damping vibration, the device comprising an energy converter device mounted on a baseplate for fixing to a structure, the energy converter device presenting a moving portion suspended by at least one spring. The moving portion presents at least one flat centering spring extending between an inside region having a first diameter and an outside region having a second diameter, said centering spring presenting at least two cutouts, each being in the form of a branch having at least one segment turning its concave side towards the outside of the spring.

Abstract: A disc brake comprises at least two axially slidable brake discs. The brake discs are mounted for axial sliding movement under the dynamic conditions of use by means of a series of circumferentially spaced wire springs or leaf springs each of which simultaneously receives the at least two brake discs on the axially-extending structure of the spring. As a result, initiation of braking causes simultaneous axial sliding movement of the entire spring and multiple disc assembly as a unit, thereby achieving a more balanced braking action and more even friction pad wear.