Abstract: An energy distribution box includes a connection line connected respectively by an input supply line to each of a first and second input and an output supply line to each of a plurality of outputs. A switching means is arranged respectively in each of the input and output supply lines for selectively and independently coupling each of the inputs and outputs with the connection line. Each of the output supply lines are disposed independent of each other and at least two pedal feel emulators are disposed separately on independent output supply lines for ensuring that in case of malfunction of one of the pedal feel emulators that at least one of the pedal feel emulators is supplied with electrical energy from the energy distribution box.

Abstract: A brake system including a communication bus, a sensor including an integral star coupler, the star coupler being in communication with the communication bus, wherein the sensor generates a sensor signal, a first electronic control unit directly connected to the sensor to directly receive the sensor signal, the first electronic control unit being in communication with the communication bus, and a second electronic control unit in communication with the communication bus, wherein the second electronic control unit receives the sensor signal over the communication bus by way of the star coupler.

Abstract: A sensor to controller connection system including a power source, a controller in communication with the power source, and a sensor in communication with the power source and the controller, the sensor including sensor electronics and a current source, the current source having a control input and an output, the control input being applied by the sensor electronics and the output being applied to the controller, wherein the current source controls an electric signal communicated to the controller from the sensor based upon the control input.

Abstract: Energy distribution box (1) for an electrically controlled system of a vehicle, the said energy distribution box including: a set of inputs (E1, E2) intended to be connected to sources (6, 8, 30, 31, 33, 34) for supply of electrical energy, a set of outputs (S1 to SN) intended to be connected to electrical loads (11, 12, 13, 14, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 20A, 21A, 22A, 23A) of the said system and switching means (I1 to IN) arranged between the said set of inputs and the said set of outputs, the said energy distribution box being able to communicate with a unit for control of the switching means.

Abstract: The invention provides an electric brake system and method. The electric brake system includes an electric motor having a portion moveable along a path between a plurality of positions for moving a brake pad and applying a selectable amount of braking force on a brake rotor. One of the plurality of positions is a minimal contact position. The minimal contact position is operable to change among the plurality of positions over time. The electric brake system also includes an electric controller for controlling the electric motor to move the portion along the path between the minimal contact position and at least one other of the plurality of positions for moving the brake pad and for selecting the amount of braking force. The electric brake system also includes at least one sensor for sensing at least one of motor current, motor acceleration, controller voltage, motor speed, motor voltage, and motor temperature, and communicating a sensed condition to the controller.

Abstract: A distributed architecture system including a plurality of nodes operatively coupled together by a bus. Each node includes a main controller configured to provide data to the bus and to an actuator, and a supervisory controller configured to provide data to the bus and to the actuator. Each node is configured such that during normal operations the main controller provides data to the actuator that controls the actuator and the supervisory controller generally does not provide data to the actuator that controls the actuator. Each node is configured such that if it is determined that the main controller is providing improper data, the supervisory controller provides data to the actuator that controls the actuator and the main controller does not provide data to the actuator that controls the actuator.

Abstract: A system including a node, wherein the node includes two separate controllers, each of which is configured to output data to a bus, or receive data from a bus, or output data to and receive data from a bus. At least one controller is configured to monitor the output of the other controller and is configured such that if the at least one controller determines that the other controller is providing improper data or signals, at least part of the output data of the other controller is nullified, overridden or superseded by an output from the at least one controller.

Abstract: A system including a vehicle body having a plurality of wheels and a brake subsystem associated with each wheel. The system further includes a plurality of remote controllers, wherein each remote controller is associated with one of the brake subsystem and is configured to calculate basic braking functions for the associated brake subsystem and for each of the other brake subsystems. The remote controllers are operatively coupled together. The system further includes a central controller operatively coupled to each remote controller, wherein each remote controller has about the same or less processing capability than the central controller.