Abstract: An adjuster for an air disc brake includes an over-torque clutch arrangement that includes an adjuster drive plate having ramped detents, and a ball-carrying plate having pockets for retaining ball bearings. Ball bearings are carried and retained in the ball-carrying plate, and transmit rotation between the adjuster drive plate and the ball-carrying plate below a torque threshold. Above a torque threshold, the balls move axially away from the adjuster drive plate against the force of a spring, and ride up the ramped detents. Above the torque threshold, rotation is not transmitted.

Abstract: An adjuster for an air disc brake includes an over-torque clutch arrangement that includes an adjuster drive plate having ramped detents, and a ball-carrying plate having pockets for retaining ball bearings. Ball bearings are carried and retained in the ball-carrying plate, and transmit rotation between the adjuster drive plate and the ball-carrying plate below a torque threshold. Above a torque threshold, the balls move axially away from the adjuster drive plate against the force of a spring, and ride up the ramped detents. Above the torque threshold, rotation is not transmitted.

Abstract: Sealing means are disclosed for preventing the ingress of water and dirt between a brake caliper and the carrier guide pin. At the end of the guide pin facing away from the brake carrier, a retaining clip holds a sealing bead of a sealing boot at least partially within an axial bore of the guide pin. At the end of the guide pin which faces towards the carrier, a sealing boot is provided seated on a ring which in turn is attached to the caliper. The other end of the sealing boot is attached to the guide pin, in a space between the guide pin and the ring. The sealing means at either end are compact, and provide effective sealing where there is not enough space to provide known sealing means.

Abstract: A disc brake (10) of the type including a pivoting lever having eccentric journals which act on a pair of tappets is disclosed. The tappets are adjusted in length by rotation, and each tappet has a tappet gear (22). A centrally located intermediate gear (24) is provided between the tappet gears to form a gear train, synchronizing the rotation of the two tappets and therefore ensuring that they remain the same length. The centrally located intermediate gear (24) includes a socket (26) for receiving a centrally located adjuster. The adjuster may be installed and removed from the disc brake through an aperture at the rear of the brake caliper, without any substantial disassembly of the brake and without de-synchronizing the tappets or even interrupting the gear train between the tappets.

Abstract: Sealing means are disclosed for preventing the ingress of water and dirt between a brake caliper and the carrier guide pin. At the end of the guide pin facing away from the brake carrier, a retaining clip holds a sealing bead of a sealing boot at least partially within an axial bore of the guide pin. At the end of the guide pin which faces towards the carrier, a sealing boot is provided seated on a ring which in turn is attached to the caliper. The other end of the sealing boot is attached to the guide pin, in a space between the guide pin and the ring. The sealing means at either end are compact, and provide effective sealing where there is not enough space to provide known sealing means.

Abstract: A disc brake (10) of the type including a pivoting lever having eccentric journals which act on a pair of tappets is disclosed. The tappets are adjusted in length by rotation, and each tappet has a tappet gear (22). A centrally located intermediate gear (24) is provided between the tappet gears to form a gear train, synchronizing the rotation of the two tappets and therefore ensuring that they remain the same length. The centrally located intermediate gear (24) includes a socket (26) for receiving a centrally located adjuster. The adjuster may be installed and removed from the disc brake through an aperture at the rear of the brake caliper, without any substantial disassembly of the brake and without de-synchronizing the tappets or even interrupting the gear train between the tappets.

Abstract: A disc brake caliper for a vehicle includes a caliper housing, first and second tappets (16) mounted in the caliper housing for transmitting force to a brake pad, a bridge section (14) mounted across the first and second tappets, and a pivoting lever (12) for applying force to the bridge section (14), the bridge section in use transmitting the applied force to both tappets (16) simultaneously, and first and second return springs (20) disposed side by side provided between the bridge section (14) and a front wall of the caliper housing, for urging the bridge section (14) and both tappets (16) rearwardly into the caliper housing.

Abstract: A brake carrier for a heavy vehicle disc brake includes an actuating side carrier portion including a support for an actuating side brake pad having a first material having a first property. The brake carrier also includes a separate reaction side carrier portion having a support for a reaction side brake pad for securement to the actuating side carrier portion. The actuating side carrier portion includes a first material having a first property, and the reaction side carrier portion includes a second material having a second property, wherein the second property differs from the first property.

Abstract: A system configured to estimate a change in temperature of a brake component of a vehicle brake during a braking operation. The system includes a weight estimation module for estimating a weight of a vehicle to which a brake is fitted, a volume estimation module for estimating a volume of a brake component, a temperature model module for calculating a change in temperature during brake application based on a relationship between the weight of the vehicle as estimated by the weight estimation module, the volume of the brake component as estimated by the volume estimation module, the deceleration of the vehicle, and further constants of the vehicle and/or the brake.

Abstract: An electromechanical parking brake system for a heavy vehicle braked by air-actuated service brakes includes an EPB-ECU and a first electromechanical parking brake actuator controlled by the EPB-ECU. The electromechanical parking brake system further includes a redundant sub-system for applying a second parking brake in an event of a failure in the EPB-ECU or the first electromechanical parking brake actuator.

Abstract: A system for adjusting a brake force to be applied by a brake includes a module for estimating a weight of a vehicle to which a brake is fitted, a module for determining an angle of incline upon which the vehicle is positioned, and a control unit for calculating a sufficient brake force to be applied according to predetermined criteria based upon the estimated weight and the incline to maintain the vehicle in a stationary state. The control unit is configured to signal the brake to apply the calculated amount of force.

Abstract: A parking brake mechanism for an air-actuated disc brake includes an electrically powered actuator, an extensible device drivably connected to the electrically powered actuator and able to extend and retract and be held in place in an extended position to thereby apply a brake, and a resilient device arranged to act on the extensible device and maintain a desired level of force to be applied by the parking brake mechanism in the event of contraction of brake components due to cooling.

Abstract: An electromechanical parking brake system for a heavy vehicle braked by air-actuated service brakes includes an EPB-ECU and a first electromechanical parking brake actuator controlled by the EPB-ECU. The electromechanical parking brake system further includes a redundant sub-system for applying a second parking brake in an event of a failure in the EPB-ECU or the first electromechanical parking brake actuator.

Abstract: A system configured to estimate a change in temperature of a brake component of a vehicle brake during a braking operation. The system includes a weight estimation module for estimating a weight of a vehicle to which a brake is fitted, a volume estimation module for estimating a volume of a brake component, a temperature model module for calculating a change in temperature during brake application based on a relationship between the weight of the vehicle as estimated by the weight estimation module, the volume of the brake component as estimated by the volume estimation module, the deceleration of the vehicle, and further constants of the vehicle and/or the brake.

Abstract: A system for adjusting a brake force to be applied by a brake includes a module for estimating a weight of a vehicle to which a brake is fitted, a module for determining an angle of incline upon which the vehicle is positioned, and a control unit for calculating a sufficient brake force to be applied according to predetermined criteria based upon the estimated weight and the incline to maintain the vehicle in a stationary state. The control unit is configured to signal the brake to apply the calculated amount of force.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension assembly includes a device for securing an axle to a selected suspension component. A seat member that is received between the axle and the suspension component includes an axle adaptor as part of the seat member. A first portion of the seat member is received between the axle and the suspension component. A second portion of the seat member extends away from the first portion and includes at least one support surface for supporting a brake component relative to the axle. In one example embodiment, the seat member includes an integrated brake carrier.

Abstract: An axle and brake mounting assembly includes a brake carrier secured directly to the axle. In one example, the brake carrier includes a portion that completely surrounds a corresponding portion of the axle. The brake carrier in one example is welded directly to the axle.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension assembly includes a device for securing an axle to a selected suspension component. A seat member that is received between the axle and the suspension component includes an axle adaptor as part of the seat member. A first portion of the seat member is received between the axle and the suspension component. A second portion of the seat member extends away from the first portion and includes at least one support surface for supporting a brake component relative to the axle. In one example embodiment, the seat member includes an integrated brake carrier.

Abstract: A disc brake includes a housing which straddles a braking disc and is slidably mounted in a torque taking member. The housing includes a brake actuator mechanism having at least one adjustable tappet assembly. The tappet assembly extends through a bearing aperture and a cover plate and is sealed thereto by a seal assembly. The bearing aperture is defined by the inside wall of a bearing projection formed with the cover plate. A lever and eccentric arrangement operates the tappet assembly via a force transmission member located in a groove in the eccentric. An intermediate member also located in the groove carries a gear drive which operates an adjuster mechanism for the brake.