Abstract: A variable force rate vacuum booster including a reaction disk having an input surface and an output surface, the reaction disk being formed from a deformable material, an input rod position relative to the reaction disk to apply an input force to the input surface of the reaction disk, an output rod having a reaction surface generally engaged with the output surface of the reaction disk, the output rod defining a bore therein, and a plunger positioned in the bore and biased out of the bore by a biasing force, the plunger being adapted to resist deformation of the reaction disk into the bore until the input force reaches a threshold value.

Abstract: A method for making a ball-nut includes cutting a 360-degree closed-loop surface groove in the inner-circumferential wall portion of a ball-nut body using a whirling-type internal-diameter cutting machine. The closed-loop surface groove surrounds the longitudinal axis of the wall portion, is adapted for receiving a plurality of ball bearings, includes a helical-grooved portion substantially coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis, and includes a crossover-grooved portion. A method for making a ball-screw includes cutting at least one 360-degree closed-loop surface groove in the outer-circumferential wall portion of a ball-screw body using a whirling-type external-diameter cutting machine. The closed-loop surface groove surrounds the longitudinal axis of the wall portion, is adapted for receiving a plurality of ball bearings, includes a helical-grooved portion substantially coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis, and includes a cross-under-grooved portion.

Abstract: An electrical system comprised of at least two control modules as well as at least one power supply module. The present invention improves functional reliability of electrical systems by configuring a power supply module as a smart device and connecting it to at least one of the control modules for the purpose of data exchange and, in case of a malfunction, transforming the control module(s) to one of a stand-alone operating mode and a cut-off state.

Abstract: A watchdog monitoring circuit and a method related thereto are provided. The watchdog monitoring circuit includes a first signal detection circuit configured to determine a first error condition associated with a first device when the first signal detection circuit does not receive a first plurality of signal pulses having a first predetermined characteristic from the first device. The watchdog monitoring circuit further includes a second signal detection circuit configured to determine a second error condition associated with a second device when the second signal detection circuit does not receive a second plurality of signal pulses having a second predetermined characteristic from the second device. The watchdog monitoring circuit further includes a first electrical control circuit operably associated with the first and second signal detection circuits.

Abstract: A method for making a ball-nut includes cutting a 360-degree closed-loop surface groove in the inner-circumferential wall portion of a ball-nut body using a whirling-type internal-diameter cutting machine. The closed-loop surface groove surrounds the longitudinal axis of the wall portion, is adapted for receiving a plurality of ball bearings, includes a helical-grooved portion substantially coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis, and includes a crossover-grooved portion. A method for making a ball-screw includes cutting at least one 360-degree closed-loop surface groove in the outer-circumferential wall portion of a ball-screw body using a whirling-type external-diameter cutting machine. The closed-loop surface groove surrounds the longitudinal axis of the wall portion, is adapted for receiving a plurality of ball bearings, includes a helical-grooved portion substantially coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis, and includes a cross-under-grooved portion.

Abstract: The problem of reliably locking an electrically actuated park brake is resolved through the use of a jaw-tooth clutch operatively installed between the shaft and the housing of a drive motor, for engaging the brake. The brake may be locked and unlocked by selectively engaging the jaw-tooth clutch either electrically or manually.

Abstract: An electrical system comprised of at least two control modules as well as at least one power supply module. The present invention improves functional reliability of electrical systems by configuring a power supply module as a smart device and connecting it to at least one of the control modules for the purpose of data exchange and, in case of a malfunction, transforming the control module(s) to one of a stand-alone operating mode and a cut-off state.

Abstract: A manually operated cable release apparatus, suitable for use in an electrically actuated brake, is provided for a locking mechanism having a shaft that is rotatable about an axis of rotation of the shaft, between a first angular position where the locking mechanism is disengaged, and a second angular position where the locking mechanism is engaged. The cable release apparatus includes a lever having one end thereof fixedly attached to the shaft and extending outward from the shaft for applying a force to the lever, for rotating the shaft back and forth through an angular displacement between the first and second angular positions.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for steering a vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes a back-drivable steer-by-wire system including a road wheel actuator assembly coupled to a wheel of the vehicle. The road wheel actuator assembly defines a steering axis and the steering axis is off-set from a longitudinal axis of the wheel by a positive scrub radius. In an embodiment for a method in accordance with the present invention, a method to steer a vehicle after failure of a road wheel actuator assembly in a back-drivable steer-by-wire steering system is disclosed. The method includes the acts of applying a braking force to the wheel and generating a torque on the road wheel actuator assembly by the applied braking force acting through a positive scrub radius.

Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle includes a steering handle having a center position, a steer-by-wire system, and a steer feel control system. The steer-by-wire system senses the position of the steering handle and controls the steering angle of a steerable vehicle wheel as a function of the position of the steering handle. The steer feel control system includes a motor that is operatively associated with the steering handle, and has first and second modes of operation. In the first mode, the steer feel control system applies a force to the steering handle as a function of vehicle's operating condition, and in the second mode, the motor may be shorted. The steer feel control system may also include a spring that biases the steering handle towards to the center position. A method is used to provide steering feel to a steering handle of a vehicle having a steer-by-wire system and a steer feel control system, when the steer feel control system fails.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for steering a vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes a back-drivable steer-by-wire system including a road wheel actuator assembly coupled to a wheel of the vehicle. The road wheel actuator assembly defines a steering axis and the steering axis is off-set from a longitudinal axis of the wheel by a positive scrub radius. In an embodiment for a method in accordance with the present invention, a method to steer a vehicle after failure of a road wheel actuator assembly in a back-drivable steer-by-wire steering system is disclosed. The method includes the acts of applying a braking force to the wheel and generating a torque on the road wheel actuator assembly by the applied braking force acting through a positive scrub radius.

Abstract: A voltage regulating control system for vehicle systems which includes a power supply providing electrical power to the system and having a predefined maximum voltage. A controller controls an actuator performing a vehicle system function and the electrical load in the system wherein the controller has a first predefined minimum operating voltage. A voltage regulator communicates with the controller and the power supply and senses a system input voltage in the system. In response to a sensed voltage dip in excess of a predetermined value, the regulator changes an effective electrical impedance of the system to maintain the system voltage at a predefined minimum voltage greater than the first predefined minimum operating voltage required by the controller.

Abstract: A voltage regulating control system for vehicle systems which includes a power supply providing electrical power to the system and having a predefined maximum voltage. A controller controls an actuator performing a vehicle system function and the electrical load in the system wherein the controller has a first predefined minimum operating voltage. A voltage regulator communicates with the controller and the power supply and senses a system input voltage in the system. In response to a sensed voltage dip in excess of a predetermined value, the regulator changes an effective electrical impedance of the system to maintain the system voltage at a predefined minimum voltage greater than the first predefined minimum operating voltage required by the controller.

Abstract: A mounting bracket apparatus for a disc brake of a vehicle is provided for measuring torque in a disc brake mounting bracket. The invention includes a bracket capable of being secured to a non-rotatable part of a vehicle. The bracket includes first and second caliper bracket abutments and a cross member extending in the direction of the rotational axis of the disc. The cross member joins the first and second caliper bracket abutments at respective first and second corner-shaped portions. A force sensor is located adjacent the first corner-shaped portion of the bracket adapted to sense strain in the first corner-shaped portion.

Abstract: A manually operated cable release apparatus, suitable for use in an electrically actuated brake, is provided for a locking mechanism having a shaft that is rotatable about an axis of rotation of the shaft, between a first angular position where the locking mechanism is disengaged, and a second angular position where the locking mechanism is engaged. The cable release apparatus includes a lever having one end thereof fixedly attached to the shaft and extending outward from the shaft for applying a force to the lever, for rotating the shaft back and forth through an angular displacement between the first and second angular positions.

Abstract: The electric park brake of the present invention includes an electric caliper motor assembly. The electric caliper motor assembly includes a motor, which is operably coupled to a shaft. The motor and shaft are surrounded by a housing. A cogwheel is disposed axially and operably connected to the shaft within the housing. A solenoid mechanism is disposed on the housing and positioned axially in relation to the shaft. There is at least one guide pin that is associated with the solenoid mechanism for interacting with the cogwheel when the solenoid is activated. The interaction between the at least one guide pin and the cogwheel provides a park brake feature and prevents movement of the shaft.

Abstract: The problem of reliably locking an electrically actuated park brake is resolved through the use of a jaw-tooth clutch operatively installed between the shaft and the housing of a drive motor, for engaging the brake. The brake may be locked and unlocked by selectively engaging the jaw-tooth clutch either electrically or manually.

Abstract: The electric park brake of the present invention includes an electric caliper motor assembly. The electric caliper motor assembly includes a motor, which is operably coupled to a shaft. The motor and shaft are surrounded by a housing. A friction wheel is disposed axially and operably connected to the shaft within the housing. A park brake motor is disposed within a second housing. The second housing is connected to the first housing and positioned laterally in relation to the shaft. An acme screw is operably coupled to the park brake motor wherein the acme screw interacts with an acme nut. A lever is in juxtaposition to the acme nut and friction wheel. The lever is angularly displaced by the acme screw interacting with the acme nut to frictionally interact with the friction wheel when the park brake motor is activated. This provides a park brake feature and prevents movement of the shaft.

Abstract: A mounting bracket apparatus for a disc brake of a vehicle is provided for measuring torque in a disc brake mounting bracket. The invention includes a bracket capable of being secured to a non-rotatable part of a vehicle. The bracket includes first and second caliper bracket abutments and a cross member extending in the direction of the rotational axis of the disc. The cross member joins the first and second caliper bracket abutments at respective first and second corner-shaped portions. A force sensor is located adjacent the first corner-shaped portion of the bracket adapted to sense strain in the first corner-shaped portion.