Abstract: Motor vehicles and methods for operating motor vehicles are disclosed herein. An example motor vehicle includes an electric drive, an electrical brake including one or more braking actuators, a drive controller communicatively coupled to the electric drive and the electrical brake, and a brake controller communicatively coupled to the electrical brake. The drive controller is to cause the one or more braking actuators to actuate in response to a signal indicating a failure of the brake controller.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture to extend brake life cycle are disclosed herein. An example vehicle disclosed herein includes a first brake associated with a first wheel of the vehicle, a second brake associated with a second wheel of the vehicle, memory, a brake controller to execute instructions to detect a parking event, compare a temperature of at least one of the first brake or the second brake to a temperature threshold, in response to determining the temperature satisfies the temperature threshold engage the first brake for a first duration, disengage the first brake after the first duration, and engage the second brake for a second duration.

Abstract: A braking system includes a first hydraulic brake assembly associated with a first front wheel, a second hydraulic brake assembly associated with a second front wheel, a front EBB module operably coupled to the first and second hydraulic brake assemblies for primary operation of the first and second hydraulic brake assemblies, a first EMB assembly associated with a first rear wheel, a second EMB assembly associated with a second rear wheel, a controller operably coupled to the first and second EMB assemblies for primary operation of the first and second EMB assemblies, a first power network and a second power network providing redundant power supply to the system, and a bus network operably coupling both the EBB module and the controller to the first and second EMB assemblies so the EBB module can provide control of backup operation of the first and second EMB assemblies if the controller is inoperable.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture to extend brake life cycle are disclosed herein. An example vehicle includes a first brake associated with a first wheel of the vehicle, a second brake associated with a second wheel of the vehicle, memory, and a brake controller to execute instructions to detect a first parking event, determine, via a first sensor, a condition of the vehicle, access, from the memory, a record of a second parking event including an activation of the first brake, the second parking event preceding the first parking event, and in response to determining the condition satisfies a threshold, engage the second brake without engaging the first brake.

Abstract: Embodiments of the inventive subject matter relate to a current collector that includes a vehicle-mounted base frame and including a lower scissor fastened on the base frame and an upper scissor fastened on the lower scissor with respective steering rods and includes a current collector rocker fastened on the upper scissor that includes contact strips for contacting an energized overhead line. A height adjustment device is situated on the base frame to pivot the lower scissor relative to the base frame, the height adjustment device including an electrical linear drive, the linear drive being connected to a sled, which is mounted for translational displacement on the base frame, the sled being displaceable by the linear drive from a park position into a lift position, the sled being connected to the lower scissor via a tension spring to initiate a pivoting movement of the lower scissor into a raised position.

Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a brake module operably coupled to a braking system to provide a braking torque request, a steering module operably coupled to a steering system to provide a steering input request, a power supply, and a power management module. The power supply is operably coupled to the brake module and the steering module to provide power to the brake module and the steering module. The power supply has a power budget indicating a maximum power providable to the brake module and the steering module. The power management module is operably coupled to sensors to receive a power draw indication from one of the brake module or the steering module and control power draw of the other of the steering module or the brake module to maintain a combined power draw of the brake module and the steering module below the power budget.

Abstract: A vehicle control system may include a brake module operably coupled to a braking system of the vehicle to provide a braking torque request to the braking system, a steering module operably coupled to a steering system of the vehicle to provide a steering input request to the steering system, a power supply, and a power management module. The power supply may be operably coupled to the brake module and the steering module to provide power to the brake module and the steering module. The power supply may have a power budget indicating a maximum power providable to the brake module and the steering module. The power management module may be operably coupled to one or more sensors to receive a power draw indication from one of the brake module or the steering module and control power draw of the other of the steering module or the brake module to maintain a combined power draw of the brake module and the steering module below the power budget.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture to extend brake life cycle are disclosed herein. An example vehicle includes a first brake associated with a first wheel of the vehicle, a second brake associated with a second wheel of the vehicle, memory, and a brake controller to execute instructions to detect a first parking event, determine, via a first sensor, a condition of the vehicle, access, from the memory, a record of a second parking event including an activation of the first brake, the second parking event preceding the first parking event, and in response to determining the condition satisfies a threshold, engage the second brake without engaging the first brake.

Abstract: Motor vehicles and methods for operating motor vehicles are disclosed herein. An example motor vehicle includes an electric drive, an electrical brake including one or more braking actuators, a drive controller communicatively coupled to the electric drive and the electrical brake, and a brake controller communicatively coupled to the electrical brake. The drive controller is to cause the one or more braking actuators to actuate in response to a signal indicating a failure of the brake controller.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a powertrain and an electric parking brake. A controller activates the electric parking brake in response to the powertrain transitioning to an off state that inhibits production of propulsive torque during an ignition cycle when a vehicle speed is less than a predetermined speed and in a presence of conditions that inhibit the powertrain from transitioning to an on state that permits production of propulsive torque.

Abstract: A method for passivating a metal surface of a light-weight metal part is disclosed, wherein a conversion layer is applied to the surface of the light-weight metal part in a passivation step. A passivation step is carried out wherein an aqueous passivation solution is used to create a calcium phosphate-containing conversion layer (5) on the metal surface of the part, said conversion layer comprising oxides and hydroxides from the material of the part and from the passivation solution and containing amino acids.

Abstract: Performance electric parking brake controllers determine braking control signals for a performance electric parking brake system of a vehicle based on differing sets of operating conditions of the vehicle. A controller is configured to electromechanically actuate rear brake calipers of the vehicle in response to a first set of operating conditions of the vehicle, to hydraulically actuate front brake calipers and the rear brake calipers of the vehicle in response to a second set of operating conditions of the vehicle, and to hydraulically actuate only the rear brake calipers in response to a third set of operating conditions of the vehicle.

Abstract: Performance electric parking brake controllers determine braking control signals for a performance electric parking brake system of a vehicle based on differing sets of operating conditions of the vehicle. A controller is configured to electromechanically actuate rear brake calipers of the vehicle in response to a first set of operating conditions of the vehicle, to hydraulically actuate front brake calipers and the rear brake calipers of the vehicle in response to a second set of operating conditions of the vehicle, and to hydraulically actuate only the rear brake calipers in response to a third set of operating conditions of the vehicle.

Abstract: Performance electric parking brake controllers determine braking control signals for a performance electric parking brake system based on a position of a parking brake lever. A parking brake lever has a first rate of resistance associated with movement in a first direction away from a neutral position and a second rate of resistance associated with movement in a second direction away from the neutral position opposite the first direction. The first and second rates of resistance are different. A controller is configured to electromechanically actuate rear brake calipers of the vehicle in response to a first set of operating conditions of the vehicle, to hydraulically actuate front brake calipers and the rear brake calipers of the vehicle in response to a second set of operating conditions of the vehicle, and to hydraulically actuate only the rear brake calipers in response to a third set of operating conditions of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine having auto-stop and auto-start conditions. The vehicle additionally includes a braking system having an auto-hold function. The auto-hold function is configured to, after braking the vehicle to a full stop, automatically apply braking torque independent of a brake pedal position. The vehicle further includes a controller configured to, in response to the engine being in the auto-stop condition, the auto-hold function automatically applying braking torque, and a gear shifter being moved out of a gear other than PARK, maintain the engine in the auto-stop condition.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine with auto-stop and auto-start functions. The vehicle additionally includes a braking system configured to apply braking torque to vehicle wheels. The vehicle further includes a controller configured to control the engine and braking system via an ACC system in response to a detected forward object. The controller is configured to automatically control the braking system in response to a distance to the detected forward object falling below a first predefined threshold and a vehicle speed falling below a second predefined threshold. In response to these inputs, the controller automatically controls the braking system to apply a braking torque to hold the vehicle stationary in the absence of powertrain torque based on a current road grade. The controller additionally controls the engine to auto-stop in response to these inputs.

Abstract: A method for operating a braking apparatus with a service and parking brake function, which braking apparatus can be applied both in a hydraulic manner by means of a hydraulic pressure generator and by means of an electromechanical force generator. A transfer takes place from the pressure generator, which exerts the hydraulic brake application, to the force generator, which exerts the electromechanical brake application, as soon as the braking torque is active at the braking apparatus. During the transfer, the braking torque, which is applied by the hydraulic pressure generator and the braking torque which is applied by the electromechanical force generator, is at least as high as the braking torque applied solely by the hydraulic pressure generator before the transfer.

Abstract: Rotary packaging machine and method for filling open-mouth bags with multiple filling units disposed over the circumference and rotating along, each of which having a filling spout with a bottom filling opening, wherein the open-mouth bags can be appended by way of a motion oriented upwardly relative to the filling spout. A transfer device for transferring the open-mouth bags intended for filling to the filling units is provided. The transfer device comprises a gripping arm including a gripping unit provided thereat. The gripping arm is rotatingly disposed at the transfer device. A longitudinal speed of the longitudinal motion of the gripping arm is temporarily adapted to a peripheral speed of the circumferential motion of the filling spouts.

Abstract: A method for operating a braking apparatus with a service and parking brake function, which braking apparatus can be applied both in a hydraulic manner by means of a hydraulic pressure generator and by means of an electromechanical force generator. A transfer takes place from the pressure generator, which exerts the hydraulic brake application, to the force generator, which exerts the electromechanical brake application, as soon as the braking torque is active at the braking apparatus. During the transfer, the braking torque, which is applied by the hydraulic pressure generator and the braking torque which is applied by the electromechanical force generator, is at least as high as the braking torque applied solely by the hydraulic pressure generator before the transfer.

Abstract: A sensed element is disclosed for incorporation into an apparatus that includes a rotatable shaft. The sensed element includes a base portion mounted directly on the shaft so as to rotate with the shaft, at least one sensor-detectible feature coupled to the base portion, for use in measuring a rotational speed of the shaft, and a projection extending from the base portion and engageable with a portion of the apparatus other than the shaft to limit movement of the element along the shaft.