Abstract: A hydraulic brake apparatus is provided for increasing a braking force with a brake feeling similar to that during a normal brake operation, even if a brake pedal is operated during an automatic brake operation. A valve device having a spool is placed in a power piston and is transferred between first and second positions depending on the operation of the brake pedal. At the first position, a power chamber is at atmospheric pressure level, while at the second position a fluid communication is established between the power chamber and an auxiliary hydraulic pressure source. The spool is driven independent of the operation of the brake pedal. When a hydraulic pressure is applied to the spool, the valve device is switched to the second position, urging the power piston to advance, without transmitting the resultant force to the brake operation member. The driving device, when applied with no hydraulic pressure, retains the valve device at the first position.

Abstract: A hydraulic pressure brake device for a vehicle includes a first piston outputting brake pressure generated in a first pressure chamber and a second piston having a larger diameter than that of the first piston and provided rearward of the first piston and forming a second pressure chamber having a larger diameter than that of the first pressure chamber. The hydraulic pressure brake device further includes a valve device closing the second pressure chamber hydraulically when actuation of the first piston and the second piston is assisted by the assisting device and establishing hydraulic communication between the second pressure chamber and the reservoir when the assisting is not carried out. The first pressure chamber is connected with wheel cylinders provided on front wheels through a first hydraulic pressure system and the second pressure chamber is connected with wheel cylinders provided on rear wheels through a second hydraulic pressure system.

Abstract: A hydraulic pressure assisting device includes a power piston slidably accommodated in a housing, an input member movable relative to the power piston in response to operation of a brake member, and an auxiliary hydraulic pressure source that increases brake fluid in a reservoir to a predetermined pressure and outputs power hydraulic pressure. A pressure modulator connected to the auxiliary hydraulic pressure source and the reservoir modulates power hydraulic pressure outputted from the auxiliary hydraulic pressure source to a predetermined pressure corresponding to movement of the input member relative to the power piston and supplies modulated power hydraulic pressure to a power chamber in the power piston. A cylindrical elastic member has one end portion connected to the input member or power piston and another end portion connected to the housing, with a space being defined in the elastic member connected to the pressure modulator and the reservoir.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake apparatus for a vehicle includes a brake operating member, a hydraulic pressure generating source, a regulating valve, a master cylinder having first and second pistons, a pressure detecting means connected to a second pressure chamber for detecting a brake hydraulic pressure outputted from the second pressure chamber, a brake operating amount detecting means for detecting an operating amount of the brake operating member, and a judging means for judging a hydraulic pressure condition of first and second hydraulic systems respectively connected to first and second chambers based upon the brake hydraulic pressure detected by the pressure detecting means relative to the operating amount of the brake operating member detected by the brake operating amount detecting means.

Abstract: A vehicle brake apparatus comprises brake operation detecting device for detecting an operation of a brake operating member, pressure detecting device for detecting a pressure supplied to a recirculating type hydraulic pressure modulator, and an electric motor control device. The recirculating type hydraulic pressure is disposed in a hydraulic pressure conduit between a master cylinder and a wheel brake cylinder. The electric motor control device drives an electric motor for activating a recirculating pump in response to the brake operation detected by the brake operation detecting device and the pressure detected by the pressure detecting means so that the pressure in the wheel brake cylinder is modulated.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake device for a vehicle includes a master piston, an auxiliary piston having first and second pistons, and an assisting device for assisting actuation of the master piston through the auxiliary piston. The brake pressure increase gradient in the assisting operation of the assisting device after the assisting output force of the assisting device reaches a maximum value is the same as the brake pressure increase gradient in the assisting operation of the assisting device before the assisting output force of the assisting device reaches the maximum value because the second piston of the auxiliary piston includes a large diameter portion possessing a diameter that is the same as the diameter of the master piston.

Abstract: A vehicle hydraulic brake apparatus includes a brake member, a master cylinder generating a brake hydraulic pressure by increasing the pressure of brake fluid in a reservoir, a master piston moved forward in response to operation of the brake member, a closed chamber defined behind the master piston, a power piston disposed behind the master piston, and a power chamber defined behind the power piston. An auxiliary hydraulic pressure source generates power hydraulic pressure and a pressure regulating device connects the auxiliary hydraulic pressure source with the reservoir. The power hydraulic pressure is regulated to a predetermined hydraulic pressure and is fed to the power chamber. A normally-open type valve connects the closed chamber and the power chamber, and is closable upon operation of the brake member. The closed chamber is connected to the reservoir via the normally-open type valve, the power chamber and the pressure regulating device.

Abstract: A braking pressure generating apparatus for a vehicle includes a hydraulic pressure generator for generating and outputting a power pressure irrespective of an operation of a brake pedal, and an input member connected with the brake pedal. A regulation valve is disposed coaxially with the input member to regulate the power pressure outputted from the hydraulic pressure generator to a predetermined pressure corresponding to the braking operation force of the brake pedal and output the predetermined pressure. The regulation valve includes a body and a valve portion movably disposed in the body. A force distribution device is disposed between the input member and the regulation valve to the distribute braking operation force applied to the input member the valve portion and the body of the regulation valve.

Abstract: A traction device has a casing, a drum mounted in the casing for undergoing rotation, and a traction rope having a first end connected to the drum and a second end extending through an opening in the casing. A roller is disposed in the casing for guiding the traction rope and a biasing member for resiliently biasing the traction rope onto the roller. A spring has a first end connected to the drum for urging the drum in a direction of rewinding the traction rope on the drum. A rope coupling is connected to the second end of the traction rope for preventing the second end of the traction rope from passing through the opening of the casing. A tension meter is disposed between the traction rope and the rope coupling for measuring a tension of the traction rope. A shaft is supported by the casing for undergoing rotation relative to the drum and is connected to a second end of the spring. A ratchet mechanism rotates the shaft to apply an initial load to the spring.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake apparatus for a vehicle includes a hydraulic pressure generator which generates and outputs a power pressure irrespective of brake pedal operation, a regulation valve which regulates the power pressure to a predetermined pressure corresponding to the brake pedal operation force and outputs the predetermined pressure, and a master cylinder having a master cylinder pressure chamber and an auxiliary pressure chamber connectable to an output side of the regulation valve. The master cylinder is operated by auxiliary pressure in the auxiliary pressure chamber to generate a master cylinder pressure corresponding to the auxiliary pressure. A wheel brake cylinder is operated by the master cylinder pressure to apply braking force to a wheel. A pressure modulation device is disposed in a pressure passage connecting the output side of the regulation valve to the auxiliary pressure chamber to modulate the auxiliary pressure to a pressure less than the predetermined.

Abstract: A hydraulic pressure assisting device includes a power piston slidably accommodated in a housing, an input member movable relative to the power piston in response to operation of a brake member, and an auxiliary hydraulic pressure source that increases brake fluid in a reservoir to a predetermined pressure and outputs power hydraulic pressure. A pressure modulator connected to the auxiliary hydraulic pressure source and the reservoir modulates power hydraulic pressure outputted from the auxiliary hydraulic pressure source to a predetermined pressure corresponding to movement of the input member relative a to the power piston and supplies modulated power hydraulic pressure to a power chamber in the power piston. A cylindrical elastic member has one end portion connected to the input member or power piston and another end portion connected to the housing, with a space being defined in the elastic member connected to the pressure modulator and the reservoir.

Abstract: A scanner-equipped apparatus includes a combination of a base unit such as a printer unit, personal computer or word processor incorporating a printer unit and a scanner unit. The printer unit and the scanner unit can operate as automatic sheet feeder type apparatus, respectively. The scanner unit can be used as a handy scanner in the state detached from the base unit. The basic unit and the scanner unit are disposed substantially in upstanding posture in parallel with each other, wherein the scanner unit is removably combined with the base unit so that the scanner unit can be used as the handy scanner. A sheet transporting path for the scanner is formed between confronting surfaces of the base unit and the scanner unit. The sheet feeding mechanism for the scanner unit is so implemented as to be used intact as a driving mechanism for the handy scanner. The scanner-equipped apparatus can be realized inexpensively in a simplified mechanical structure while ensuring enhanced manipulatability.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake apparatus is provided for increasing a braking force with a brake feeling similar to that during a normal brake operation, even if a brake pedal is operated during an automatic brake operation. A valve device having a spool is placed in a power piston and is transferred between first and second positions depending on the operation of the brake pedal. At the first position, a power chamber is at atmospheric pressure level, while at the second position a fluid communication is established between the power chamber and an auxiliary hydraulic pressure source. The spool is driven independent of the operation of the brake pedal. When a hydraulic pressure is applied to the spool, the valve device is switched to the second position, urging the power piston to advance, without transmitting the resultant force to the brake operation member. The driving device, when applied with no hydraulic pressure, retains the valve device at the first position.

Abstract: A hydraulic pressure brake device for a vehicle includes a first piston outputting brake pressure generated in a first pressure chamber and a second piston having a larger diameter than that of the first piston and provided rearward of the first piston and forming a second pressure chamber having a larger diameter than that of the first pressure chamber. The hydraulic pressure brake device further includes a valve device closing the second pressure chamber hydraulically when actuation of the first piston and the second piston is assisted by the assisting device and establishing hydraulic communication between the second pressure chamber and the reservoir when the assisting is not carried out. The first pressure chamber is connected with wheel cylinders provided on front wheels through a first hydraulic pressure system and the second pressure chamber is connected with wheel cylinders provided on rear wheels through a second hydraulic pressure system.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake device for a vehicle includes a master piston, an auxiliary piston having first and second pistons, and an assisting device for assisting actuation of the master piston through the auxiliary piston. The brake pressure increase gradient in the assisting operation of the assisting device after the assisting output force of the assisting device reaches a maximum value is the same as the brake pressure increase gradient in the assisting operation of the assisting device before the assisting output force of the assisting device reaches the maximum value because the second piston of the auxiliary piston includes a large diameter portion possessing a diameter that is the same as the diameter of the master piston.

Abstract: A vehicle hydraulic brake apparatus includes a brake member, a master cylinder generating brake hydraulic pressure, and a master piston movable in response to operation of the brake member. A closed chamber is defined by the master piston and a power piston is disposed behind the master piston. A power chamber is defined by the power piston rearwardly of the power piston. An auxiliary hydraulic pressure source generates power hydraulic pressure and a pressure regulating device regulates the output power hydraulic pressure and feeds it to the power chamber. A reaction force member is disposed in a front end portion of the power piston and is exposed towards the closed chamber. A retaining device maintains the reaction force member exposed towards the closed chamber, with the rearward reaction force of the master piston being transmitted to a front end portion of the power piston while bypassing the reaction force member.

Abstract: A vehicle hydraulic brake apparatus includes a brake member, a master cylinder generating a brake hydraulic pressure by increasing the pressure of brake fluid in a reservoir, a master piston moved forward in response to operation of the brake member, a closed chamber defined behind the master piston, a power piston disposed behind the master piston, and a power chamber defined behind the power piston. An auxiliary hydraulic pressure source generates power hydraulic pressure and a pressure regulating device connects the auxiliary hydraulic pressure source with the reservoir. The power hydraulic pressure is regulated to a predetermined hydraulic pressure and is fed to the power chamber. A normally-open type valve connects the closed chamber and the power chamber, and is closable upon operation of the brake member. The closed chamber is connected to the reservoir via the normally-open type valve, the power chamber and the pressure regulating device.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake device for a vehicle includes a master cylinder having a master piston and an auxiliary piston for assisting the actuation of the master piston. The vehicle hydraulic brake device also includes a first valve mechanism for hydraulically closing a first pressure transmitting chamber when the actuation of the master piston is assisted by an assisting device, a second valve mechanism for hydraulically closing a second pressure transmitting chamber after the pressure in the first pressure transmitting chamber reaches a predetermined value, and for hydraulically connecting the second pressure transmitting chamber with the first pressure transmitting chamber when the master piston is not actuated by the assisting device.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake device for a vehicle includes an auxiliary piston having an effective cross-sectional area larger than that of a master piston, and a pressure transmitting chamber provided between the large diameter portion and the master piston. The auxiliary piston is operatively associated with the assisting operation of an assisting device. A valve mechanism hydraulically closes the pressure transmitting chamber when the actuation of the master piston is assisted by the assisting device through the auxiliary piston and establishes hydraulic communication between the pressure transmitting chamber and a reservoir of the master cylinder when the master piston is not actuated by the assisting device.

Abstract: A thin film transistor (TFT) which may be used as a pixel drive element in an active matrix LCD display includes a pair of side wall spacers adjacent to the opposing side walls of its gate electrode. The side wall spacers provide the gate electrode with a substantially rectangular cross section, such that the gate electrode has a substantially constant thermal conductivity over its area. The TFT has a uniform device characteristic.