Abstract: A braking apparatus for vehicles BU, in which plurality systems of individually separated brake fluid pressure passages BC(A), BC(B) are arranged, and each passage is provided with at least one brake fluid pressure retaining means RU(A), RU(B) for continuously retaining brake fluid pressure within a wheel cylinder WC(A), WC(B) arranged in the brake fluid pressure passage after a depression of a brake pedal BP is released and for releasing the retained brake fluid pressure in response to an increase of a starting driving force of the vehicle, wherein the release of the retained brake fluid pressure is carried out in a time differential manner at each brake fluid pressure retaining means.

Abstract: A brake fluid pressure retaining unit for retaining brake fluid pressure within a wheel cylinder after releasing a brake pedal is disclosed. The brake fluid pressure retaining unit includes a brake fluid pressure reduction speed control device for retaining reduction speed of the brake fluid pressure within the wheel cylinder less than that of brake pedal load applied by a driver. The brake fluid pressure reduction speed control device may be formed by a restriction in a brake fluid pressure circuit arranged between a master cylinder at which the brake fluid pressure is generated in accordance with a brake pedal load applied by the driver and the wheel.

Abstract: A braking apparatus for vehicles BU, in which plurality systems of individually separated brake fluid pressure passages BC(A), BC(B) are arranged, and each passage is provided with at least one brake fluid pressure retaining means RU(A), RU(B) for continuously retaining brake fluid pressure within a wheel cylinder WC(A), WC(B) arranged in the brake fluid pressure passage after a depression of a brake pedal BP is released and for releasing the retained brake fluid pressure in response to an increase of a starting driving force of the vehicle, wherein the release of the retained brake fluid pressure is carried out in a time differential manner at each brake fluid pressure retaining means.

Abstract: A method of controlling the driving state of a vehicle in which an antilock brake control for eliminating a locking tendency of a wheel during braking can be carried out, and a four-wheel drive state and a two-wheel drive state can be switched from one to another. A monitored estimated vehicle speed is calculated on the basis of highest one of wheel speeds of the vehicle wheels and a value is detected by a longitudinal acceleration/deceleration sensor for detecting a longitudinal acceleration or deceleration of a vehicle speed, and a judgement speed is determined at a value lower than the monitored estimated vehicle speed. The vehicle speed is also independently determined based upon the speed of each of the vehicle wheels. The four-wheel drive state is switched to the two-wheel drive state in response to highest one of vehicle speeds independently calculated on the basis of the wheel speeds becoming equal to or less than the judgement speed in the four-wheel drive state.

Abstract: A process for calculating estimated vehicle speeds on the basis of wheel speeds of the vehicle wheels and a value resulting from addition of an offset value corresponding to an output error including a dispersion component and a slope component of an output from a longitudinal acceleration/deceleration sensor to a detection value detected by the longitudinal acceleration/deceleration sensor. In a condition in which it is determined that a vehicle is traveling at a substantially constant speed for a relatively long period of time, a first correction amount is calculated from an average value of variations in wheel speeds and an average value of outputs from the longitudinal acceleration/deceleration sensor during the long period of time.

Abstract: An antilock brake control method for a four-wheel drive vehicle including calculating an estimated vehicle speed on the basis of a wheel speed of a wheel and a value obtained by adding an offset value to an output from a longitudinal acceleration/deceleration sensor for detecting a longitudinal acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle. When it is detected that all of the four wheels are in their spinning state, the addition of the offset value to the output from the longitudinal acceleration/deceleration sensor is stopped, and the estimated vehicle speed is calculated on the basis of the wheel speed and the output from the longitudinal acceleration/deceleration sensor.

Abstract: A disk brake system employing a caliper support bracket pivotally mounted about the axis of a first disk which is coupled with a hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder in turn drives a second caliper assembly on a second disk. The hydraulic cylinder driven by the caliper support bracket is aligned with the plane of the disk. A bell crank may be employed in alignment with the disk to couple the caliper support bracket and the hydraulic cylinder together.