Abstract: Method and arrangement for controlling or regulating total auxiliary brake torque in a motor vehicle. The device includes at least one first auxiliary brake (4) of a first type and at least one second auxiliary brake (4, 6) of a second type that is different from the first type. The second auxiliary brake (4, 6) can take the form of a retarder (4, 6). A control system (10, 17) is provided for controlling or regulating the auxiliary brake. Information is stored in the control system regarding characteristics of the respective auxiliary brake (4, 6) and at least one predefined limit value for maximally permitted auxiliary brake torque. The control system (10, 17) is designed such that, if the limit value is exceeded or if a request is made for the brake force from the auxiliary brakes (4, 6) to be moderated, then this is done by turning down or moderating, in the first place, the brake torque of the retarder (6).

Abstract: A vehicular brake fluid pressure control unit includes a base block of aluminum material having a cylinder bore containing a piston and a return spring, and a cover member fixed to the base block to cover an open end of the cylinder bore. The cover member is formed with a vent hole opening into an atmospheric chamber in the cover member, and made of aluminum. material.

Abstract: A suspension system includes a composite leaf spring having a mounting segment of a tapered width combined with an expanding depth. Any position along the longitudinal length of the mounting segment provides a singular cross-sectional shape taken parallel to an axle beam. An axle beam attachment system defines a cavity having a shape equivalent to the leaf spring at the predetermined location for mechanically interlocking the axle beam attachment system with the leaf spring at that predetermined location.

Abstract: A mount assembly having a first carrier and a second carrier with each of the carriers being coupled to a frame of a vehicle. A first insulator abuts the first carrier and a second insulator abuts the second carrier for isolating movement of the frame relative to the vehicle body in a first direction. The first insulator is formed of microcellular polyurethane having a non-linear modulus of elasticity. An intermediate insulator is also mounted to the frame of the vehicle. The intermediate insulator is formed of rubber having a substantially linear modulus of elasticity. The intermediate insulator may include a structural insert encapsulated by the rubber. The intermediate insulator further isolates the movement of the frame relative to the vehicle body in the first direction to provide two different rates of elasticity. The intermediate insulator also isolates movement of the frame relative to the vehicle body in a second direction transverse to the first direction.

Abstract: One of a pair of the hydraulic shock absorbers each mounted in the right and left sides of a front wheel for a two-wheel vehicle includes a contraction-side damping valve (5a) disposed in a flow passage (11) communicating a rod-side oil chamber (R1) with a piston-side oil chamber (R2), the contraction-side damping valve (5a) permitting an operating oil to flow from the piston-side oil chamber (R2) to the rod-side oil chamber (R1) only when a volume in the piston-side oil chamber (R2) is reduced, and a contraction-side check valve (6) disposed in a flow passage (10) communicating the piston-side oil chamber (R2) with the reservoir (R), the contraction-side check valve (6) permitting the operating oil to flow from the reservoir (R) to the piston-side oil chamber (R2) only when a volume in the piston-side oil chamber (R2) is increased.

Abstract: In assistance function evaluation apparatus and method for a vehicle dynamics control system, the vehicle dynamics control system being an object to be evaluated, a simulator is provided to obtain a data base when the vehicle dynamics control system is operated, a vehicle model, a road surface environment model, and a driver model that calculates a steering angle imposed on the vehicle model to trace a target course are provided, the simulator comprises a driver intention quantity detecting section that detects an intention quantity of a vehicle driver to move the vehicle in a lateral direction and a system function detecting section that detects a function quantity of the vehicle dynamics control system and evaluates that the assistance function of the vehicle dynamics control system is in conformity to the driver when the system function quantity and the driver intention quantity are balanced without excess or deficiency.

Abstract: A parking brake system pneumatically actuates an air cylinder to mechanically lock a wheel brake in an applied position in response to a parking demand request. The parking brake system includes a dual hand control that has an electronic control element and a pneumatic control element. The electronic control element communicates with an electronic braking system control unit and the pneumatic control element communicates with a parking brake air reservoir. When the dual hand control is moved to a park position, the electronic control element generates an electronic control signal that applies a parking brake force to the wheel brake. The pneumatic control element generates an air signal that is sent to the air cylinder. The air cylinder includes an extendable shaft that supports a lock member. The air signal moves the lock member into engagement with a brake operating member to lock the wheel brake in the applied condition.

Abstract: A wheel bearing having fixed part accommodating the brake caliper. The fixed part of the wheel bearing is connected to the wheel carrier by connecting elements. At least one projection is integrated with the fixed part, the wheel carrier or the connecting element. The projection transmits to the wheel carrier at least the torque acting in the fixed part during braking.

Abstract: An opposed piston disc brake caliper has a caliper housing arranged for mounting brake shoes on each of opposite sides of a rotor. The rotor in use is disposed between the brake shoes with each brake shoe having a backing plate and a friction lining applied to the backing plate. The caliper housing has side walls extending generally in a plane parallel to a plane of the rotor and on opposite sides of the plane of the rotor which accommodate a piston. The caliper housing has mounting members for engagement with each of the side edges of each backing plate between the radially inner edge and the radially outer edge of the friction lining. The engagement is such as to substantially limit movement of each brake shoe other than in a direction toward or away from the rotor with at least one of the mounting members being removable from the caliper housing to facilitate removal of the brake shoe from the caliper housing.

Abstract: A method for optimizing a braking sequence in a vehicle with automatic transmission (3) and gearbox (9) and automatic cruise control, which cruise control controls acceleration and braking to achieve a set speed, taking into account the distance to the vehicle in front. Data simulations are carried out continually of how the vehicle will be driven in the future, for a set of different combinations of engine speed at which a gear change takes place, gear change step and braking sequence, and a braking sequence with associated gear change schedule is selected that will be optimal. The vehicle is equipped with at least two different braking systems, for example service brake and auxiliary brake (48, 6). The system selects to brake primarily with the braking system that has the least tendency to wear.

Abstract: The invention relates to an architecture for a braking system for an airplane fitted with a plurality of undercarriages each carrying a plurality of wheels, at least some of which are fitted with brakes, the architecture comprising at least two braking computers each having two modules such that in each computer, one of the modules controls a first fraction of the brakes and the other module controls a second fraction of the brakes complementary to the first. According to the invention, the architecture is configured to operate in any one of the following modes of operation: a first normal mode in which both modules of one of the braking computers are active for controlling all of the brakes; a second normal mode in which both modules of the other braking computer are active for controlling all of the brakes; and an alternative mode in which one module of one of the braking computers and one module of the other braking computer are active for controlling all of the brakes.

Abstract: The invention is to permit a bushing main body of rubber elastomer to be adhered to a bar member while retaining a necessary contact pressure for adhering and after adhering, to permit a further compressive force to be imparted. The bushing main body (10) having a bore (11), through which the bar member (B) passes, and a bracket (20) holding the former are longitudinally split into two, respectively, the resulting split rubber bodies (10a)(10b) are vulcanization bonded to inner peripheral surfaces of the resulting half bracket members (20a)(20b). The inside diameter (D1) of both split rubber bodies as molded is made smaller than the outside diameter (D2) of the bar member, and inner peripheral surfaces (11a)(11b) at the bore are formed to be eccentric on mutually opposite sides.

Abstract: A disc brake has a brake carrier (10) with at least two bolts (16a, 16b, 18a, 18b) which stand axially to the brake disc for guiding a brake lining (32a, 32b). The plane (P) spanned by the bolt axes has a smaller radial distance (D) from the disc axis (A) than the centroid of the friction lining.

Abstract: A brake lever assembly for actuating a hydraulic system is shown and described. The brake lever assembly comprises a housing, a master cylinder disposed in the housing, and a master piston disposed in the master cylinder. The master piston has an adjustable dead band. A lever is connected to the housing and has an adjustable reach. The lever is pivotable about a first axis to adjust the reach and is pivotable about a second axis to actuate the master piston.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle is disclosed having ancillary equipment that may be raised and lowered relative to the ground with consequential changing of the position of the center of gravity of the vehicle and having a hydraulic braking system comprising a master cylinder and a slave cylinder. The braking system further includes a pressure relief valve for limiting the hydraulic pressure applied to the slave cylinder only when the vehicle is in road mode. This ensures that the braking force does not exceed a safe limit below which the vehicle does not risk toppling forwards when braking.

Abstract: A self-pressurized damper, for example, a pressure-sensitive damper is described. At least one suspension spring is used to pressurize the damping fluid, a task typically carried out by a sealed moveable barrier, such as an internal floating piston (IFP) and a pressurized gas. Thus, stroke length may be maximized. Furthermore, the amount of compression damping force produced by the damper may be a function of the force generated by the at least one suspension spring.

Abstract: Variably controllable motion-damping devices are disclosed that utilize a magneto-rheological fluid (MRF). One configuration of such a device includes a first valving region and a second valving region connected to the first valving region. Between the first and second valving regions is a plate having a first surface adjacent the first valving region and a second surface adjacent the second valving region. At least one of the first and second surfaces is treated to impart a significantly increased shear yield stress to columnized MRF particles passing over the surface, compared to an otherwise similar untreated surface. An MRF is contained in the first and second valving regions such that the MRF can flow through the first and second valving regions. Motion of a first object relative to a second object is damped by causing flow of MRF through the first and second valving regions. A magnet produces a magnetic field within at least one of the valving regions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the design and fabrication of flexures used to guide motion in mechanical systems. A high specific stiffness flexure includes two narrow and thin flexing sections separated by a longer stiffened section. The present invention provides designs and processes for making flexures and flexure systems with monolithic high specific stiffness frame or box structures for the stiffened sections that creates relatively higher self-resonant frequencies.

Abstract: In a brake force generator for a vehicle hydraulic brake system having a force input element, which is connectable or connected to a brake pedal and displaceable in a base housing of the brake force generator, a master cylinder, in which a primary piston is displaceably guided, wherein the primary piston with the master cylinder delimits a primary pressure chamber for generating a hydraulic brake pressure, an electromagnetic actuating force generating device for exerting an actuating force on the primary piston, and at least one operating position detecting device for detecting the present operating position of the brake force generator, it is provided that the actuating force generating device is controllable in accordance with a brake pedal actuation and that the brake force generator is provided with a central connector, in which contact elements for contacting electric lines to the actuating force generating device and to the operating position detecting device are integrally provided.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for detecting and performing diagnostics regarding an incipient ground fault that may occur in an electrical propulsion system of a traction vehicle, such as a locomotive, transit vehicle, or off-highway vehicle. The method allows providing a first ground connection for the electrical propulsion system. This first ground connection forms a grounding path generally used by the electrical propulsion system during normal operation. The method further allows providing a second ground connection for the electrical propulsion system. This second ground connection forms a grounding path selectively usable in lieu of the first ground connection. A control strategy is defined for switching between the first ground connection and the second ground connection. A respective leakage current associated with at least one of the first and second ground connections may be monitored.