Abstract: A parking brake apparatus is provided for a vehicle having components of a parking brake system and devices for providing a plurality of output signals indicative of a plurality of vehicle factors. The parking brake apparatus comprises an electronic controller that monitors the output signals indicative of a plurality of vehicle factors, monitors for a pre-startup sequence of the plurality of vehicle factors having been met, monitors for a driver request to unpark the vehicle, monitors for a pre-release sequence of the plurality of vehicle factors having been met, and applies one or more control signals to components of the parking brake system to release parking brakes based upon a valid pre-startup sequence of the plurality of vehicle factors having been met, a driver request to unpark the vehicle, and at least one valid pre-release sequence of the plurality of vehicle factors having been met.

Abstract: A parking brake apparatus is provided for a vehicle having components of a parking brake system. The parking brake apparatus comprises a parking brake controller arranged to (i) obtain a first signal indicative of whether a hill start assist system is installed on the vehicle, and (ii) provide one or more control signals to be applied to components of the parking brake system to apply parking brakes when the first signal is indicative of a hill start assist system installed on the vehicle is present and a second signal indicative of the hill start assist system being activated is received.

Abstract: A system on a tractor for controlling trailer service brakes comprises a manually operated trailer brake switch, a first electropneumatic valve in communication with a pressure source and a controller. The controller has an input communicating with the trailer brake switch, an output communicating with the electropneumatic valve and control logic. The control logic receives an input from the trailer brake switch indicating a driver's request to apply the trailer service brakes of the combination vehicle, determines if a predetermined condition exists and transmits a signal to the output to the electropneumatic valve. The electropneumatic valve transmits pressure to a trailer service control line to actuate the trailer service brakes in response to the trailer brake switch and existence of the predetermined condition.

Abstract: A parking brake apparatus is provided for a vehicle having components of a parking brake system and a number of devices providing a plurality of output signals indicative of a plurality of vehicle factors. The parking brake apparatus comprises an electronic controller arranged to (i) monitor the output signals indicative of a plurality of vehicle factors, and (ii) provide one or more control signals to be applied to components of the parking brake system to apply parking brakes based upon a predefined sequence of the plurality of vehicle factors having been met.

Abstract: A parking brake apparatus is provided for a vehicle having components of a parking brake system and devices for providing a plurality of output signals indicative of a plurality of vehicle factors. The parking brake apparatus comprises an electronic controller that monitors the output signals indicative of a plurality of vehicle factors, monitors for a pre-startup sequence of the plurality of vehicle factors having been met, monitors for a driver request to unpark the vehicle, monitors for a pre-release sequence of the plurality of vehicle factors having been met, and applies one or more control signals to components of the parking brake system to release parking brakes based upon a valid pre-startup sequence of the plurality of vehicle factors having been met, a driver request to unpark the vehicle, and at least one valid pre-release sequence of the plurality of vehicle factors having been met.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a trailer parking brake status indicator in a tractor is provided that allow an operator to deactivate the indicator when the tractor is operating without a trailer using a pre-existing operator interface. The apparatus includes means for determining whether a trailer is coupled to the tractor and a controller configured to execute, when a determination whether the trailer is coupled to the tractor cannot be made, a process for controlling activation and deactivation of the indicator. The process includes determining whether a speed of the tractor meets a predetermined condition relative to a predetermined speed. The process further includes monitoring, after determining that the speed of the tractor meets the predetermined condition relative to the predetermined speed, for an activation command to activate a parking brake on the trailer. The process further includes deactivating the trailer parking brake status indicator responsive to the activation command.

Abstract: A system for controlling compounding in a vehicle brake actuator includes first and second valves configured to control, respectively, a first fluid pressure in a parking brake chamber of a brake actuator that acts against a spring force applied by a spring of the actuator to a pushrod of the actuator and a second fluid pressure in a service brake chamber of the actuator that applies a fluid force to the pushrod. A controller is configured to receive first and second fluid pressure signals indicative of the first and second fluid pressures, determine a total brake actuator force applied to the pushrod responsive to the first and second fluid pressure signals and control at least one of the first and second valves responsive to the total brake actuator force to adjust a corresponding one of the first and second fluid pressures and thereby obtain an adjusted total brake actuator force.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a controller for controlling at least one solenoid comprise a first electrical connector for electrically communicating with a vehicle communications bus; a second electrical connector for transmitting messages to a plurality of solenoids; and a processor having control logic. The control logic is capable of associating each of a plurality of solenoids with a vehicle function when the plurality of solenoids are in electrical communication with the controller; receiving a control message at the first electrical connector in a first format to enable a first vehicle function; and electrically communicating a control message in a second format at the second electrical connector in response to receiving the control message in the first format to control one of the plurality of solenoids associated with the first vehicle function.

Abstract: A solenoid valve comprises first, second, and third ports. The solenoid valve further comprises an armature movable between a first position in which fluid flow from the second port to the third port is blocked and fluid flow from the first port to the third port is unblocked and a second position in which fluid flow from the second port to the third port is unblocked and fluid flow from the first port to the third port is blocked. The fluid flow in the second position is blocked until fluid pressure at the first port exceeds fluid pressure at the third port by a predetermined amount to thereby provide check valve functionality. The check valve functionality is integral to the armature. The solenoid valve also comprises an energizeable solenoid that, when energized, moves the armature from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A solenoid valve with an integrated check valve functionality is provided. The solenoid valve comprises first, second, and third ports. The solenoid valve further comprises an armature movable between a first position in which fluid flow from the second port to the third port is blocked and fluid flow from the first port to the third port is unblocked and a second position in which fluid flow from the second port to the third port is unblocked and fluid flow from the first port to the third port is blocked until fluid pressure at the first port exceeds fluid pressure at the third port by a predetermined amount of fluid pressure to thereby provide the check valve functionality. The check valve functionality is integral to the armature. The solenoid valve also comprises an energizeable solenoid for, when energized, moves the armature from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a controller for controlling at least one solenoid comprise a first electrical connector for electrically communicating with a vehicle communications bus; a second electrical connector for transmitting messages to a plurality of solenoids; and a processor having control logic. The control logic is capable of associating each of a plurality of solenoids with a vehicle function when the plurality of solenoids are in electrical communication with the controller; receiving a control message at the first electrical connector in a first format to enable a first vehicle function; and electrically communicating a control message in a second format at the second electrical connector in response to receiving the control message in the first format to control one of the plurality of solenoids associated with the first vehicle function.

Abstract: A drum brake assembly includes a brake spider having a central aperture configured to receive an axle extending therethrough and first and second brake shoes. Each of the first and second brakes shoes has a first end pivotally coupled to the brake spider. First and second cam followers are disposed at corresponding second ends of the first and second brake shoes. A camshaft has a shaft extending through a camshaft aperture in the brake spider and disposed along a rotational axis and a cam disposed at a first end of the shaft and in engagement with the first and second cam followers. An electric motor has an output shaft coupled to the camshaft. A controller is configured to drive the electric motor to cause rotation of the camshaft and move the first and second brake shoes between positions of engagement and disengagement with an associated braking surface.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a controller for controlling at least one solenoid comprise a first electrical connector for electrically communicating with a vehicle communications bus; a second electrical connector for transmitting messages to a plurality of solenoids; and a processor having control logic. The control logic is capable of associating each of a plurality of solenoids with a vehicle function when the plurality of solenoids are in electrical communication with the controller; receiving a control message at the first electrical connector in a first format to enable a first vehicle function; and electrically communicating a control message in a second format at the second electrical connector in response to receiving the control message in the first format to control one of the plurality of solenoids associated with the first vehicle function.

Abstract: Various examples of park brake interface modules which are utilized as human machine interfaces (HMI) in vehicles are provided. In one example, a park brake interface module for a vehicle includes a park brake switch device to actuate the park brake. The park brake switch device is capable of actuating the vehicle park brake in a brake apply mode upon receipt of a pinch signal. In another example, the park brake interface module includes a park brake switch device which is capable of actuating the vehicle park brake in a brake release mode upon receipt of a reach signal. In operation, the electronic interface module and park brake switch devices allow the operator to apply or release the vehicle park brakes according to memorable mnemonics, for example. “pinch to park” and “reach to release.

Abstract: Various examples of park brake interface modules which are utilized as human machine interfaces (HMI) in vehicles are provided. In one example, a park brake interface module for a vehicle includes an actuation member mounted to an electromechanical switch to actuate the park brake. The actuation member includes a finger pad opposite the front surface and the actuation member is movable between a brake apply position and a brake release position to actuate the vehicle park brake. In another example, the actuation member is pivotally mounted to the electromechanical switch device and the actuation member is pivotable between the brake apply position and the brake release positions to actuate the park brake.

Abstract: A drum brake assembly includes a brake spider having a central aperture configured to receive an axle extending therethrough and first and second brake shoes. Each of the first and second brakes shoes has a first end pivotally coupled to the brake spider. First and second cam followers are disposed at corresponding second ends of the first and second brake shoes. A camshaft has a shaft extending through a camshaft aperture in the brake spider and disposed along a rotational axis and a cam disposed at a first end of the shaft and in engagement with the first and second cam followers. An electric motor has an output shaft coupled to the camshaft. A controller is configured to drive the electric motor to cause rotation of the camshaft and move the first and second brake shoes between positions of engagement and disengagement with an associated braking surface.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a controller for controlling at least one solenoid comprise a first electrical connector for electrically communicating with a vehicle communications bus; a second electrical connector for transmitting messages to a plurality of solenoids; and a processor having control logic. The control logic is capable of associating each of a plurality of solenoids with a vehicle function when the plurality of solenoids are in electrical communication with the controller; receiving a control message at the first electrical connector in a first format to enable a first vehicle function; and electrically communicating a control message in a second format at the second electrical connector in response to receiving the control message in the first format to control one of the plurality of solenoids associated with the first vehicle function.