Abstract: A latching device including a reversibly rotatable drive gear, a reversibly rotatable driven gear meshing with the drive gear, and a cantilever including a latching gear meshing with one of either the drive gear or the driven gear. The cantilever includes an electrically distortable polymeric material configured to distort in response to an applied current to position the latching gear in an intermeshing relationship with both the drive gear and the driven gear, such that the drive gear, driven gear, and latching gear selectively prevent rotational motion of the gear assembly in a predetermined direction. Also, an electromechanical brake assembly including a rotary motor and the latching device, where the gear assembly selectively prevents rotational motion of the rotary motor in a brake-disengaging direction.

Abstract: A torsion pedal feel emulator assembly for a motor vehicle and a method of operating the same. The assembly includes a pedal member for receiving an applied pedal force. A torsion member is operably attached to the pedal member. A portion of the torsion member is positioned adjacent a reaction surface. The torsion member rotates as a result of the applied pedal force, and a dynamic reaction force is generated against the applied pedal force. A pivot is operably attached to the torsion member and the motor vehicle. The method includes receiving an applied pedal force. A torsion member is rotated as a result of the applied pedal force. A dynamic reaction force is generated against the applied pedal force as a result of the torsion member rotation.

Abstract: A pedal feel emulating system including a brake pedal fixedly mounted to a surface, the brake pedal including at least one piezoelectric material, and an electrical power source connected to the brake pedal to supply electrical energy to the piezoelectric material.

Abstract: A parking brake system including at least one braking unit actuated by at least one cable, a cylinder having a piston chamber and a rod chamber, a piston slidably received within the cylinder and having a rod connected thereto, the rod extending through the rod chamber and operably connected to the cable, a pressurized fluid source connected to the piston chamber, and a valve for controlling the flow of the fluid to the piston chamber, wherein the piston and rod move through the cylinder when the fluid pressurizes the piston chamber, thereby actuating the braking unit.

Abstract: A brake caliper with an integral parking brake. The brake caliper includes a housing having a bore with tapered walls, a piston having a rod mounted within the bore, a wedge element positioned between the rod and the tapered walls and displaceable to a locking position and a release position, a resilient element positioned to displace the wedge element to the release position, and a locking element for selectively displacing the wedge element to the locking position. When the locking element is momentarily actuated while a hydraulic pressure is present, the wedge element is urged to the locking position, thereby holding the brake caliper in a braking position when the hydraulic pressure is removed and then the locking element is de-actuated. A hydraulic pressure sufficient to cause the resilient element to urge the wedge element to the release position is effective to release the caliper.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved boot guide for a caliper brake system. The improved boot guide includes a guide portion integrally formed with a boot portion, wherein the guide portion guides a brake piston and the boot portion seals the brake piston. The piston may be electrically driven. Alternatively, the piston may be hydraulically driven. The guide portion of the single piece boot guide may further include a radial support member that provides a radial retaining force. The radial support member may be manufactured utilizing material selected from a group consisting of mild steel and spring steel. The single piece boot guide may be manufactured from an elastomer. The elastomer may be selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, ethylene propylene terpolymer rubber, and nitrile rubber. The boot portion may form convolutions within a boot guide cavity. The guide portion may include an environmental seal portion.

Abstract: A torsion pedal feel emulator assembly for a motor vehicle and a method of operating the same. The assembly includes a pedal member for receiving an applied pedal force. A torsion member is operably attached to the pedal member. A portion of the torsion member is positioned adjacent a reaction surface. The torsion member rotates as a result of the applied pedal force, and a dynamic reaction force is generated against the applied pedal force. A pivot is operably attached to the torsion member and the motor vehicle. The method includes receiving an applied pedal force. A torsion member is rotated as a result of the applied pedal force. A dynamic reaction force is generated against the applied pedal force as a result of the torsion member rotation.

Abstract: A pedal emulator assembly and method for a motor vehicle. The assembly includes at least one pedal for generating a dynamic reaction force against an applied pedal force. The pedal is deformed as a result of the applied pedal force. The assembly further includes at least one sensor operably attached to the pedal for estimating the applied pedal force based on the pedal deformation. The method includes deforming at least one pedal with an applied pedal force. A dynamic reaction force is generated against the applied pedal force with the pedal. The applied pedal force is estimated based on the pedal deformation.

Abstract: One aspect of the control system provides a hydraulic control system for a transfer case that includes an actuator for generating fluid pressure. The system also includes an isolation valve and a control valve in fluid communication with the actuator. The isolation valve is in a normally closed position and the control valve is in a normally open position. The system further includes a piston for applying fluid pressure to a device of the transfer case. Another aspect provides a method for controlling the hydraulic pressure to a transfer case.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for monitoring the wear of brake linings in a disc brake assembly having a caliper mounted in a floating manner on a mounting bracket, by determining a relative distance between the caliper and bracket. Determining the relative distance may be accomplished by attaching a first housing to the mounting bracket, and attaching a second housing to the caliper, with the first and second housings each including a bore facing one another, and aligning the bores with respect to one another along a common translational axis. A plunger inserted in the bores moves along the translational axis within the bores in proportion to lining wear, and the remaining lining thickness is monitored by determining a position of the plunger along the translational axis within the bores. The position of the plunger in the bores may be used for initiating a change in electrical state of an electrical circuit indicative of the relative axial distance of the caliper from the bracket.

Abstract: A brake master cylinder-sensor system and method are provided. The system includes a master cylinder, a piston slidably positioned in the master cylinder, a magnet positioned on the piston, and a sensor disposed on the master cylinder. A change of piston linear position causes a linear change in a magnetic field position sensed by the sensor, and a brake control signal proportional to the change of piston linear position is generated. A method of operating a brake master cylinder-sensor system includes applying a brake pedal force, changing a piston linear position within a master cylinder, determining a change in a linear magnetic field position proportional to the change of the piston linear position, and generating a brake control signal based on the change in the linear magnetic field position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for monitoring the wear of brake linings in a disc brake assembly having a caliper mounted in a floating manner on a mounting bracket, by determining a relative distance between the caliper and bracket. Determining the relative distance may be accomplished by attaching a first housing to the mounting bracket, and attaching a second housing to the caliper, with the first and second housings each including a bore facing one another, and aligning the bores with respect to one another along a common translational axis. A plunger inserted in the bores moves along the translational axis within the bores in proportion to lining wear, and the remaining lining thickness is monitored by determining a position of the plunger along the translational axis within the bores. The position of the plunger in the bores may be used for initiating a change in electrical state of an electrical circuit indicative of the relative axial distance of the caliper from the bracket.

Abstract: A brake system and method of controlling the system are disclosed. The system provides secondary hydraulic braking in a de-energized mode. The system includes a wheel brake associated with wheels of a vehicle typically at each corner of the vehicle. The wheel brake typically includes a caliper or drum for deceleration of the vehicle. The system includes a master cylinder in fluid communication with the wheel brake. In the de-energized mode, the master cylinder operates the wheel brake. A solenoid isolation valve decouples the master cylinder from the wheel brake when the system is in a normal, i.e., an energized, mode. As such, the master cylinder is isolated from the wheel brake and is prevented from operating the wheel brake. Alternatively, in the de-energized mode, the isolation valve couples the master cylinder with the wheel brake to provide the secondary hydraulic braking.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring brake pad wear are provided. The system provides a vehicle disc brake caliper assembly including a boot assembly and least one friction pad. The system further provides at least one caliper bolt including a caliper bolt switch point, the caliper bolt movably positioned within the boot assembly. A conductive element is positioned a predetermined distance from the caliper bolt switch point. An electrical circuit is switched when the conductive element contacts the switch point. The contact is established when the friction pad wears to a predetermined level corresponding to the predetermined distance. The method provides a caliper bolt including a caliper bolt switch point. A conductive element is positioned a predetermined distance from the caliper bolt switch point. The predetermined distance is progressively decreased as the brake pad wears. An electrical circuit is switched when the conductive element contacts the caliper bolt switch point.

Abstract: The object of this invention is directed to an improved control system and actuator for a transfer case. More particularly, this invention is directed to a hydraulic actuator and control system for a transfer case. One aspect of the present invention provides a hydraulic control system for a transfer case that includes an actuator for generating fluid pressure. The system also includes an isolation valve and a control valve in fluid communication with the actuator. The isolation valve is in a normally closed position and the control valve is in a normally open position. The system further includes a piston for applying fluid pressure to a device of the transfer case. The invention further provides a method for controlling the hydraulic pressure to a transfer case.

Abstract: A brake master cylinder-sensor system and method are provided. The system includes a master cylinder, a piston slidably positioned in the master cylinder, a magnet positioned on the piston, and a sensor disposed on the master cylinder. A change of piston linear position causes a linear change in a magnetic field position sensed by the sensor, and a brake control signal proportional to the change of piston linear position is generated. A method of operating a brake master cylinder-sensor system includes applying a brake pedal force, changing a piston linear position within a master cylinder, determining a change in a linear magnetic field position proportional to the change of the piston linear position, and generating a brake control signal based on the change in the linear magnetic field position.

Abstract: A brake pedal feel emulator for a motor vehicle brake system includes a housing having a bore for supporting a first piston operably connected to a brake pedal. An elastomer spring encapsulating a magnet or magnetized by the dispersion of ferrous particles throughout the spring body is engageable by the first piston and is disposed in the emulator housing. A second piston is disposed in the housing and engaged with the elastomer spring and with a mechanical spring. Hall effect sensors mounted on the emulator housing sense changes in a magnetic field generated by the magnet to provide signals to a controller proportional to travel and force exerted on the brake pedal for use in controlling the vehicle brake system.

Abstract: A brake system and method of controlling the system are disclosed. The system provides secondary hydraulic braking in a de-energized mode. The system includes a wheel brake associated with wheels of a vehicle typically at each corner of the vehicle. The wheel brake typically includes a caliper or drum for deceleration of the vehicle. The system includes a master cylinder in fluid communication with the wheel brake. In the de-energized mode, the master cylinder operates the wheel brake. A solenoid isolation valve decouples the master cylinder from the wheel brake when the system is in a normal, i.e., an energized, mode. As such, the master cylinder is isolated from the wheel brake and is prevented from operating the wheel brake. Alternatively, in the de-energized mode, the isolation valve couples the master cylinder with the wheel brake to provide the secondary hydraulic braking.

Abstract: A brake pedal feel emulator for a motor vehicle brake system includes a housing having a bore for supporting a first piston operably connected to a brake pedal. An elastomer spring encapsulating a magnet or magnetized by the dispersion of ferrous particles throughout the spring body is engageable by the first piston and is disposed in the emulator housing. A second piston is disposed in the housing and engaged with the elastomer spring and with a mechanical spring. Hall effect sensors mounted on the emulator housing sense changes in a magnetic field generated by the magnet to provide signals to a controller proportional to travel and force exerted on the brake pedal for use in controlling the vehicle brake system.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake master cylinder assembly includes a central or center port compensation valve mounted in respective brake actuator pistons and having a variable length stem which may be adjusted to predetermine the amount of valve travel between open and closed positions in response to actuation of the brake cylinder piston or pistons. The variable length stem includes a hub and a sleeve which is force fit over the hub and may be moved to set the length of the stem. The amount of gap or open position of the valve in the primary piston may be determined by installing the primary piston in the master cylinder, holding the piston in a fixed position and installing a seal retainer and washer for engaging the primary piston pin to move the pin to set the length of the valve stem.