Abstract: A force generating apparatus (10) for providing a force to a moving element based upon receipt of an electrical force signal includes a force applying element (33) coupled to the moving element for applying the force to the moving element and an actuator (21) coupled to the force applying element (33) for actuation thereof in response to receiving the electrical force signal. The force generating apparatus (10) further includes a controller (18) for determining when the force applying element (33) 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 (21), and modifying a stored control parameter.

Abstract: A force generating apparatus provides a force to a moving element upon receipt of an electrical force signal. The force generating apparatus 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 receiving a desired force actuation signal, determining a parameter of the desired force actuation signal, selecting a set of gains based on the parameter, applying the set of gains to a linear control function, determining the electrical force signal as a function of the non-linear control function, and sending the electrical force signal to the actuator.

Abstract: A braking assembly (102) and method for use with a brake by wire system provides braking forces to first and second wheels (104, 106) as a function of first and second electrical brake signals. A first hydraulic brake assembly (108) coupled to the first wheel (104) applies a first braking force to the first wheel (104). A second hydraulic brake assembly (110) coupled to the second wheel (106) applies a second braking force to the second wheel (106). A first pressure sensor (112) senses a pressure of the first hydraulic brake assembly (108) and responsively produces a first pressure signal. A second pressure sensor (114) senses a pressure of the second hydraulic brake assembly (110) and responsively produces a second pressure signal. A controller (116) receives a desired brake actuation signal and responsively determines the first and second electrical brake signals.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring brake pad wear are provided. The system provides a vehicle disc brake caliper assembly including a boot assembly and least one friction pad. The system further provides at least one caliper bolt including a caliper bolt switch point, the caliper bolt movably positioned within the boot assembly. A conductive element is positioned a predetermined distance from the caliper bolt switch point. An electrical circuit is switched when the conductive element contacts the switch point. The contact is established when the friction pad wears to a predetermined level corresponding to the predetermined distance. The method provides a caliper bolt including a caliper bolt switch point. A conductive element is positioned a predetermined distance from the caliper bolt switch point. The predetermined distance is progressively decreased as the brake pad wears. An electrical circuit is switched when the conductive element contacts the caliper bolt switch point.

Abstract: A brake pedal feel emulator for a motor vehicle brake system includes a housing having a bore for supporting a first piston operably connected to a brake pedal. An elastomer spring encapsulating a magnet or magnetized by the dispersion of ferrous particles throughout the spring body is engageable by the first piston and is disposed in the emulator housing. A second piston is disposed in the housing and engaged with the elastomer spring and with a mechanical spring. Hall effect sensors mounted on the emulator housing sense changes in a magnetic field generated by the magnet to provide signals to a controller proportional to travel and force exerted on the brake pedal for use in controlling the vehicle brake system.

Abstract: A brake pedal feel emulator for a motor vehicle brake system includes a housing having a bore for supporting a first piston operably connected to a brake pedal. An elastomer spring encapsulating a magnet or magnetized by the dispersion of ferrous particles throughout the spring body is engageable by the first piston and is disposed in the emulator housing. A second piston is disposed in the housing and engaged with the elastomer spring and with a mechanical spring. Hall effect sensors mounted on the emulator housing sense changes in a magnetic field generated by the magnet to provide signals to a controller proportional to travel and force exerted on the brake pedal for use in controlling the vehicle brake system.

Abstract: In a motor vehicle braking system wherein a first brake device has a first mode of operation in which power-assisted braking is provided and a second mode of operation in which manual braking is provided, wherein the second braking system has a second brake device controlled by a control command, a method of controlling the braking system comprising the steps of receiving a signal indicative of an operator brake request, determining the control command in response to the signal and a first gain factor if the first brake device is in the first mode of operation, determining the control command in response to the signal and a second gain factor if the first brake device is in the second mode of operation, wherein the second gain factor is less than the first gain factor, applying the control command to the second brake device.

Abstract: In a vehicle brake system having braking control responsive to a pressure signal from a pressure transducer in a hydraulic brake line, a method of operation comprising the steps of: (a) determining whether a brake pedal is depressed; (b) when the brake pedal is determined to be depressed: (i) controlling the brake system responsive to the pressure signal and a stored offset value for the pressure transducer, and (ii) resetting a timer; (c) when the brake pedal is determined to be not depressed: (i) cycling the timer, (ii) determining whether the timer has timed out, and (iii) if the timer has timed out, (iii.i) receiving the pressure signal from the pressure transducer, (iii.ii) comparing the pressure signal to a predetermined limit value indicative of an acceptable maximum sensor output when the pedal is not depressed, and (iii.iii) updating the stored offset value responsive to the pressure signal.