Abstract: A brake pedal emulator extends and connects between a support structure and a brake pedal pivotally engaged to the support structure at an axis. The brake pedal emulator includes a rotational damping device operatively connected to the brake pedal for driven rotation as the brake pedal moves about the axis.

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 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 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, 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 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 vehicle system. The vehicle system includes a brake-by-wire portion, which also includes a controller. The controller can cause a forced coastdown of the vehicle. The forced coastdown includes performing analyzing conditions of the vehicle system to determine whether the vehicle is in a stable state and to determine an amount of energy available to the vehicle system and automatically applying the forced coastdown when the vehicle is not in the stable state and the amount of energy is less than or equal to a threshold for continued manual operation of the vehicle. The forced coastdown also includes utilizing brake pressure to reduce a speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: A brake pedal assembly of a brake emulator includes a resiliently flexible arm constructed and arranged to include a flexibility that mimics, at least in-part, a pre-determined braking force profile. The flexible arm includes opposite first and second end portions and a pivot point disposed there-between.

Abstract: A brake pedal assembly of a braking system for a vehicle includes a brake pedal pivotally engaged to a support structure at a first pivot axis. A linkage of the brake pedal assembly is pivotally engaged to the brake pedal at a second pivot axis spaced from the first pivot access by a distance. An adjustment mechanism of the assembly is carried by the brake pedal and is constructed and arranged to alter the distance.

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 apparatus for actuating a vehicle brake assembly includes a stationary structure, a brake pedal emulator assembly, and an emulator override device. The brake pedal emulator assembly includes a brake pedal operatively engaged to the stationary structure, and a brake pedal emulator operatively engaged between the stationary structure and the brake pedal along a centerline. The brake pedal emulator is configured to electrically operate the brake assembly. The emulator override device includes a mechanical linkage operatively engaged to the brake assembly, and a latch configured to selectively connect and disconnect the mechanical linkage from the brake pedal emulator assembly. The mechanical linkage is configured to mechanically operate the brake assembly via at least in-part movement of the brake pedal along the centerline.

Abstract: A brake pedal emulator for a brake-by-wire system of a vehicle extends and connects between a support structure and a brake pedal operatively engaged to the support structure. The brake pedal emulator includes a hydraulic cylinder having a magneto-rheological hydraulic fluid and an electrical element configured to carry an electrical current for controlling a viscosity of the magneto-rheological hydraulic fluid and thereby controlling a first force exerted by the hydraulic cylinder when actuated by the brake pedal.

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 brake system and method that are designed to improve the driver braking experience by compensating for the effects that humidity and temperature can have on brake performance. According to one embodiment, the method determines if a braking event is underway and, if so, it measures humidity and brake temperature. With this information, the method is able to compensate for anticipated changes in the coefficient of friction (?) of one or more brake components, such as brake pads or rotors, and to provide a modified brake command signal accordingly.

Abstract: A vehicle brake system and method that are designed to improve the driver braking experience by compensating for the effects that humidity and temperature can have on brake performance. According to one embodiment, the method determines if a braking event is underway and, if so, it measures humidity and brake temperature. With this information, the method is able to compensate for anticipated changes in the coefficient of friction (n) of one or more brake components, such as brake pads or rotors, and to provide a modified brake command signal accordingly.