Abstract: A vehicle includes a plurality of brake assemblies configured to control braking of a respective wheel of the vehicle. The brake assemblies includes a first brake assembly integrated with a smart actuator unit including a first actuator controller and a first electro-mechanical actuator that is configured to adjust a brake force applied to a first wheel coupled to the first brake assembly. A second brake assembly excludes an actuator controller and has installed therein a second electro-mechanical actuator that is configured to adjust a brake force applied to a second wheel coupled to the second brake assembly. At least one electronic actuator driver unit is remotely located from the first and second brake assemblies, and is configured to output a high-power signal that drives the first and second electro-mechanical actuators in response to receiving a digital command signal from the first actuator controller.

Abstract: A vehicle with a fault tolerant electronic brake-by-wire (BBW) system includes a plurality of brake assemblies that control braking of a respective wheel of the vehicle. The brake assemblies include a first brake assembly and a second brake assembly. The first brake assembly is integrated with at least one enhanced brake actuator assembly including a first electronic actuator driver circuit in signal communication with a first electro-mechanical actuator. The first brake assembly is configured to adjust a brake force applied to a first wheel of the vehicle. The second brake assembly is integrated with at least one enhanced smart brake actuator assembly including a first actuator controller in signal communication with a second electronic actuator driver circuit. The second electronic actuator driver circuit is in signal communication with a second electro-mechanical actuator that is configured to adjust a brake force applied to a second wheel of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a plurality of brake assemblies and a plurality of electrical power circuits. Each brake assembly includes an electro-mechanical actuator configured to adjust a torque force applied to a wheel of the vehicle. The electrical power circuits are located remotely from one another. Each power circuit is configured to drive a respective actuator. The vehicle further includes a first electronic brake system (EBS) controller and a second EBS controller. The first EBS controller is configured to output a first data command signal to control a first group of power circuits among the plurality of power circuits. The second EBS controller is configured to output a second data command signal to control a second group of power circuits among the plurality of power circuits. The second group excludes the power circuits from the first group.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling a vehicle using a specific torque of a brake system. In one embodiment, a method of using a specific torque of a brake system for a vehicle includes: determining a brake pressure of the brake system during a braking operation; determining a deceleration of the vehicle during the braking operation; determining a vehicle mass and a wheel radius; estimating a specific torque of the brake system based on the brake pressure and the deceleration; and operating the vehicle based on the specific torque.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a fault-tolerant braking system that controls a brake assembly which is configured to adjust a braking force applied to one or more wheels. The fault-tolerant braking system further includes a brake-by-wire (BBW) system and a vehicle control module (VCM). The BBW system is configured to control the brake assembly in response to a braking request. The VCM is configured to detect a fault of at least one of the brake assembly and the BBW system. In response to detecting the fault, the VCM selectively operates the vehicle between a normal operating mode and at least one degraded driving mode that limits operation of at least one of the vehicle engine and the vehicle transmission compared to the normal operating mode.

Abstract: A brake pedal assembly of a brake-by-wire system of a vehicle includes a support structure, a brake pedal pivotally engaged to the support structure at a first pivot axis, and a brake pedal emulator assembly. The brake pedal emulator assembly extends between and is pivotally engaged to the brake pedal and the support structure at respective second and third pivot axis. The brake pedal emulator assembly includes a brake pedal emulator and an adjustment mechanism aligned along a centerline intersecting the second and third pivot axis. The brake pedal emulator is constructed and arranged to displace axially when the brake pedal is actuated, and the adjustment mechanism is constructed and arranged to adjust axial displacement.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a plurality of brake assemblies and a plurality of electronic brake system (EBS) controllers. The brake assemblies each include an electro-mechanical actuator configured to adjust a torque force applied to a wheel of the vehicle. The EBS controllers are located remotely from one another. Each EBS controller has integrated therein an electronic actuator driver unit that includes an electronic power circuit configured to drive at least one of the electro-mechanical actuators. A first EBS controller is configured to drive a first group of electro-mechanical actuators, and a second EBS controller is configured to drive a second group of electro-mechanical actuators that exclude the electro-mechanical actuators of the first group.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling a vehicle using a specific torque of a brake system. In one embodiment, a method of using a specific torque of a brake system for a vehicle includes: determining a brake pressure of the brake system during a braking operation; determining a deceleration of the vehicle during the braking operation; determining a vehicle mass and a wheel radius; estimating a specific torque of the brake system based on the brake pressure and the deceleration; and operating the vehicle based on the specific torque.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a fault-tolerant braking system that controls a brake assembly which is configured to adjust a braking force applied to one or more wheels. The fault-tolerant braking system further includes a brake-by-wire (BBW) system and a vehicle control module (VCM). The BBW system is configured to control the brake assembly in response to a braking request. The VCM is configured to detect a fault of at least one of the brake assembly and the BBW system. In response to detecting the fault, the VCM selectively operates the vehicle between a normal operating mode and at least one degraded driving mode that limits operation of at least one of the vehicle engine and the vehicle transmission compared to the normal operating mode.

Abstract: A brake-by-wire system includes a controller, a brake assembly, a pedal assembly, and a hydraulic backup assembly. The brake assembly includes a brake and an actuator connected to the brake when the system is in a normal mode. The pedal assembly is coupled to the brake when the system is in a backup mode, and is coupled to the controller when in the normal mode. The controller receives braking signals from the pedal assembly and outputs a command signal to the actuator. The actuator drives the brake in the normal mode. The backup assembly includes a hydraulic line in controlled fluid communication with the brake and pedal assembly. A valve is in a normal position that isolates the pedal assembly from the brake when in the normal mode, and is in a backup position that provides communication between the pedal assembly and the brake when in the backup mode.

Abstract: A brake pedal emulator extends and is connected between a support structure and a brake pedal along a centerline. The emulator includes a hydraulic cylinder, a piston head, and a variable flow communicator. An outer casing of the cylinder engages one of the structure and the pedal. The piston head engages the other of the structure and the pedal, and the communicator is carried between the casing and the piston head. A first chamber is defined at least in-part by the casing and a first side of the piston head, and a second chamber is defined at least in-part by the casing and an opposite second side of the piston head. The piston head is in sealed and slides with respect to the casing, and the communicator is adapted to provide fluid communication between the first and second chambers that varies with axial displacement of the piston head.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a plurality of electronic brake system (EBS) controllers configured to detect at least one braking event, and a plurality of brake assemblies. Each brake assembly is coupled to a respective wheel of the vehicle and includes an enhanced smart actuator. The enhanced smart actuator further includes an electro-mechanical actuator, and at least one power circuit. The electro-mechanical actuator is configured to adjust a torque force applied to the respective wheel. The at least one electronic power circuit is configured to output a high-frequency switched high-power current drive signal that drives the electro-mechanical actuator. The EBS controllers control a first group of enhanced smart actuators independently from a second group of enhanced smart actuators that exclude the enhanced smart actuators of the first group.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a plurality of brake assemblies configured to control braking of a respective wheel of the vehicle. The brake assemblies includes a first brake assembly integrated with a smart actuator unit including a first actuator controller and a first electro-mechanical actuator that is configured to adjust a brake force applied to a first wheel coupled to the first brake assembly. A second brake assembly excludes an actuator controller and has installed therein a second electro-mechanical actuator that is configured to adjust a brake force applied to a second wheel coupled to the second brake assembly. At least one electronic actuator driver unit is remotely located from the first and second brake assemblies, and is configured to output a high-power signal that drives the first and second electro-mechanical actuators in response to receiving a digital command signal from the first actuator controller.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a plurality of brake assemblies and a plurality of electrical power circuits. Each brake assembly includes an electro-mechanical actuator configured to adjust a torque force applied to a wheel of the vehicle. The electrical power circuits are located remotely from one another. Each power circuit is configured to drive a respective actuator. The vehicle further includes a first electronic brake system (EBS) controller and a second EBS controller. The first EBS controller is configured to output a first data command signal to control a first group of power circuits among the plurality of power circuits. The second EBS controller is configured to output a second data command signal to control a second group of power circuits among the plurality of power circuits. The second group excludes the power circuits from the first group.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a plurality of brake assemblies, and a brake request input device. Each brake assembly is coupled to a respective wheel of the vehicle and is configured to control braking of the respective wheel. The brake request input device is configured to output an electronic brake request signal indicating a request to brake at least one of the wheels. Each brake assembly has integrated therein an enhanced smart actuator unit that includes an electronic actuator controller configured to control a braking torque applied to the respective wheel in response to receiving the brake request signal.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a plurality of brake assemblies and a plurality of electronic brake system (EBS) controllers. The brake assemblies each include an electro-mechanical actuator configured to adjust a torque force applied to a wheel of the vehicle. The EBS controllers are located remotely from one another. Each EBS controller has integrated therein an electronic actuator driver unit that includes an electronic power circuit configured to drive at least one of the electro-mechanical actuators. A first EBS controller is configured to drive a first group of electro-mechanical actuators, and a second EBS controller is configured to drive a second group of electro-mechanical actuators that exclude the electro-mechanical actuators of the first group.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a plurality of controllers and a driver. Each controller is configured to receive one or more braking signals. Each controller is also configured to generate one or more braking commands in correspondence to the one or more braking signals. The driver is configured to perform a voting operation on the one or more braking commands to determine whether to generate a driving signal to at least one brake.

Abstract: A vehicle with a fault tolerant electronic brake-by-wire (BBW) system includes a plurality of brake assemblies that control braking of a respective wheel of the vehicle. The brake assemblies include a first brake assembly and a second brake assembly. The first brake assembly is integrated with at least one enhanced brake actuator assembly including a first electronic actuator driver circuit in signal communication with a first electro-mechanical actuator. The first brake assembly is configured to adjust a brake force applied to a first wheel of the vehicle. The second brake assembly is integrated with at least one enhanced smart brake actuator assembly including a first actuator controller in signal communication with a second electronic actuator driver circuit. The second electronic actuator driver circuit is in signal communication with a second electro-mechanical actuator that is configured to adjust a brake force applied to a second wheel of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a brake-by-wire sub-system, which includes a controller. The controller receives a request to enter a service mode. In response to the request to enter the service mode, the controller determines whether a vehicle is in a stable state based on comparing at least one system condition against at least one threshold. When the vehicle is in the stable state, the controller causes the brake-by-wire sub-system to enter into the service mode. Further, the controller monitors the at least one system condition against predefined parameters to determine that the vehicle is maintaining the stable state while in the service mode.

Abstract: A brake pedal assembly of a brake-by-wire system of a vehicle includes a support structure, a brake pedal pivotally engaged to the support structure at a first pivot axis, and a brake pedal emulator assembly. The brake pedal emulator assembly extends between and is pivotally engaged to the brake pedal and the support structure at respective second and third pivot axis. The brake pedal emulator assembly includes a brake pedal emulator and an adjustment mechanism aligned along a centerline intersecting the second and third pivot axis. The brake pedal emulator is constructed and arranged to displace axially when the brake pedal is actuated, and the adjustment mechanism is constructed and arranged to adjust axial displacement.