Abstract: A power booster for a brake system including a housing having an interior and a diaphragm separating the interior of the housing into at least two chambers. A power piston is coupled for movement with the diaphragm and includes an output member. A reaction member is coupled to the power piston, and an input member is adapted to be coupled to a movable brake pedal. An air valve assembly moves between open and closed positions to selectively admit atmospheric air into at least one of the chambers. This induces an output force on the diaphragm that is transferred to the output member of the power piston. The air valve assembly includes a portion adapted to engage the reaction member in response to an input force applied to the input member and is length adjustable between the input member and the reaction member.

Abstract: An intelligent input push rod assembly for applying an input force from a brake pedal to a power booster of a brake system. The input push rod assembly includes a sensor that is capable of generating an electrical output having a magnitude that varies with the amount of force applied to the input push rod by the brake pedal. Preferably, the sensor generates an output voltage signal that is generally proportional to the input force applied to the input push rod. A shunt is provided so that springs associated with the sensor operate in a generally linear force-deflection range of the springs. The output signal generated by the sensor is applied to a brake light control system that is supported by the input push rod assembly. The brake light control system uses the signal generated by the sensor to determine whether the vehicle brake lights should be illuminated and also to cause direct illumination of the brake lights during a braking operation.

Abstract: An intelligent input push rod assembly for applying an input force from a brake pedal to a power booster of a brake system. The input push rod assembly includes a sensor that is capable of generating an electrical output having a magnitude that varies with the amount of force applied to the input push rod by the brake pedal. Preferably, the sensor generates an output voltage signal that is generally proportional to the input force applied to the input push rod. A shunt is provided so that springs associated with the sensor operate in a generally linear force-deflection operating range of the springs. The output signal generated by the sensor is applied to a brake light control system that is supported by the input push rod assembly. The brake light control system uses the signal generated by the sensor to determine whether the vehicle brake lights should be illuminated and also to cause direct illumination of the brake lights during a braking operation.

Abstract: An intelligent input push rod assembly for applying an input force from a brake pedal to a power booster of a brake system. The input push rod assembly includes a sensor that is capable of generating an electrical output having a magnitude that varies with the amount of force applied to the input push rod by the brake pedal. Preferably, the sensor generates an output voltage signal that is generally proportional to the input force applied to the input push rod. A shunt is provided so that springs associated with the sensor operate in a generally linear force-deflection operating range of the springs. The output signal generated by the sensor is applied to a brake light control system that is supported by the input push rod assembly. The brake light control system uses the signal generated by the sensor to determine whether the vehicle brake lights should be illuminated and also to cause direct illumination of the brake lights during a braking operation.

Abstract: Apparatus, method and program product that controls the release of an electronically activated parking brake. An algorithm adjusts for cable stretch and limits the occurrence of over-release and wheel drag within the brake system. A controller monitors force incident on an actuator during a brake release operation. When a preset load is indicated, the controlling parameter of the algorithm transitions from force to position control. Once in position control, the controller uses previous position measurements and equipment specific constants to calculate a release point.

Abstract: A linear position sensor that includes a plurality of Hall effect transducers enables reliable positioning of a parking brake cable. Coarse positioning sensing is provided by longitudinally spacing the Hall effect transducers such that not more than one transducer has a positively sloped output signal for a given position of a magnet connected to a parking brake cable actuator. Fine position sensing is provided by linear approximation of the output signal with an offset appropriate for the specific transducer having the sensed positively sloped output signal.

Abstract: Apparatus, method and program product that controls the release of an electronically activated parking brake. An algorithm adjusts for cable stretch and limits the occurrence of over-release and wheel drag within the brake system. A controller monitors force incident on an actuator during a brake release operation. When a preset load is indicated, the controlling parameter of the algorithm transitions from force to position control. Once in position control, the controller uses previous position measurements and equipment specific constants to calculate a release point.

Abstract: A power booster for a brake system including a housing having an interior and a diaphragm separating the interior of the housing into at least two chambers. A power piston is coupled for movement with the diaphragm and includes an output member. A reaction member is coupled to the power piston, and an input member is adapted to be coupled to a movable brake pedal. An air valve assembly moves between open and closed positions to selectively admit atmospheric air into at least one of the chambers. This induces an output force on the diaphragm that is transferred to the output member of the power piston. The air valve assembly includes a portion adapted to engage the reaction member in response to an input force applied to the input member and is length adjustable between the input member and the reaction member.