Abstract: A commercial vehicle includes at least one driven axle, a service brake, at least one propulsion engine, and wheels. A parking brake function of the vehicle is achieved by a bistable locking means that acts on both wheels. A first and second multi-speed gearbox having respective first and second gear stages are each activated by an actuator and coupled to the wheels. The parking brake function is achieved at least in-part by concurrently activating the first and second gear stages. A computing device is configured to activate the bistable locking means when the commercial vehicle is at a standstill and configured to send a brake request via an electronic signal to an electronic brake control unit to activate the service brake.

Abstract: A brake controller determines if an amount of regenerative braking needed to achieve a requested deceleration will exceed a driveline capability of a tractor. If it will, the brake controller redistributes some of the requested deceleration to a braking system of a trailer. That way, the requested deceleration can be achieved by the combination of regenerative braking of the tractor and the braking system of the trailer. Other braking mechanism(s) of the tractor can also be used, if needed.

Abstract: A parking brake apparatus is provided for a vehicle including a vehicle drive train that extends between a vehicle propulsion engine and a vehicle wheel. The parking brake apparatus comprises a wheel drum located away from the vehicle wheel and fixedly attached to a drivetrain shaft that extends along a portion of the vehicle drive train between the vehicle propulsion engine and the vehicle wheel. The parking brake apparatus also comprises activatable drum brake components disposed in an interior chamber of the wheel drum. When activated, the drum brake components apply a clamping force to the wheel drum to prevent the wheel drum and the drivetrain shaft fixedly attached thereto from rotating and thereby preventing the vehicle wheel from rotating to provide the vehicle with a parking brake functionality.

Abstract: A commercial vehicle includes at least one driven axle, a service brake, at least one propulsion engine, and wheels. A parking brake function of the vehicle is achieved by a bistable locking means that acts on both wheels. A first and second multi-speed gearbox having respective first and second gear stages are each activated by an actuator and coupled to the wheels. The parking brake function is achieved at least in-part by concurrently activating the first and second gear stages. A computing device is configured to activate the bistable locking means when the commercial vehicle is at a standstill and configured to send a brake request via an electronic signal to an electronic brake control unit to activate the service brake.

Abstract: A commercial vehicle with at least one driven axle, at least one service brake, at least one propulsion engine, and wheels characterized in that the parking brake function of the vehicle is solved by a bistable locking means acting on both wheels. At least one multi-speed gearbox is provided to concurrently activate a first gear stage and a second gear stage having different ratios.

Abstract: Various examples of park brake interface modules which are utilized as human machine interfaces (HMI) in vehicles are provided. In one example, a park brake interface module for a vehicle includes a park brake switch device to actuate the park brake. The park brake switch device is capable of actuating the vehicle park brake in a brake apply mode upon receipt of a pinch signal. In another example, the park brake interface module includes a park brake switch device which is capable of actuating the vehicle park brake in a brake release mode upon receipt of a reach signal. In a further example, the park brake interface module includes recessed fixed parking brake actuation switches. In operation, the electronic interface module and park brake switch devices allow the operator to apply or release the vehicle park brakes according to memorable mnemonics, for example, “pinch to park” and “reach to release.

Abstract: A commercial vehicle with at least one driven axle, at least one service brake, at least one propulsion engine, and wheels characterized in that the parking brake function of the vehicle is solved by a bistable locking means acting on both wheels. At least one multi-speed gearbox is provided to concurrently activate a first gear stage and a second gear stage having different ratios.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooling a high heat-generating vehicle component includes an air compressor assembly operable in a heat-generating mode, in which the air compressor assembly has a relatively low capability to absorb heat energy from a coolant that has passed through a high heat-generating vehicle component. The coolant may be passed through a heat exchanger submerged in an oil reservoir of the air compressor assembly to facilitate the heat exchange. The air compressor assembly can also be operated in a non-heat-generating mode, in which the air compressor assembly has a relatively higher capability to absorb heat energy from the coolant that has passed through the high heat-generating vehicle component.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooling a high heat-generating vehicle component includes an air compressor assembly operable in a heat-generating mode, in which the air compressor assembly has a relatively low capability to absorb heat energy from a coolant that has passed through a high heat-generating vehicle component. The coolant may be passed through a heat exchanger submerged in an oil reservoir of the air compressor assembly to facilitate the heat exchange. The air compressor assembly can also be operated in a non-heat-generating mode, in which the air compressor assembly has a relatively higher capability to absorb heat energy from the coolant that has passed through the high heat-generating vehicle component.

Abstract: A commercial vehicle with at least one driven axle, at least one service brake, at least one propulsion engine, and wheels characterized in that the parking brake function of the vehicle is solved by a bistable locking means acting on both wheels. At least one multi-speed gearbox is provided to concurrently activate a first gear stage and a second gear stage having different ratios.

Abstract: A commercial vehicle with at least one driven axle, at least one service brake, at least one propulsion engine, and wheels characterized in that the parking brake function of the vehicle is solved by a bistable locking means acting on both wheels. At least one multi-speed gearbox is provided to concurrently activate a first gear stage and a second gear stage having different ratios.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for cooling a high heat-generating vehicle component having a coolant loop. The apparatus comprises an air compressor assembly including a heat-sinking portion that can be thermally coupled to the coolant loop to transfer heat energy away from the coolant loop to enhance cooling of the vehicle component.

Abstract: Various examples of park brake interface modules which are utilized as human machine interfaces (HMI) in vehicles are provided. In one example, a park brake interface module for a vehicle includes a park brake switch device to actuate the park brake. The park brake switch device is capable of actuating the vehicle park brake in a brake apply mode upon receipt of a pinch signal. In another example, the park brake interface module includes a park brake switch device which is capable of actuating the vehicle park brake in a brake release mode upon receipt of a reach signal. In a further example, the park brake interface module includes recessed fixed parking brake actuation switches. In operation, the electronic interface module and park brake switch devices allow the operator to apply or release the vehicle park brakes according to memorable mnemonics, for example, “pinch to park” and “reach to release.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling a vehicle air compressor. The apparatus comprises an input for receiving a signal indicative of operation of the vehicle air compressor. The apparatus also comprises a data storage unit arranged to, when the vehicle is in a driving state, store signals from the input. The apparatus further comprises a processing unit arranged to, when the vehicle is in a non-driving state, control the vehicle air compressor to expel moisture from the vehicle air compressor based upon signals that have been stored over a period of time in the data storage unit.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for cooling a high heat-generating vehicle component having a coolant loop. The apparatus comprises an air compressor assembly including a heat-sinking portion that can be thermally coupled to the coolant loop to transfer heat energy away from the coolant loop to enhance cooling of the vehicle component.

Abstract: A motor-generator system for hybrid electric internal combustion engine applications includes a selectively-engageable motor-generator located co-axially with a front end of the engine crankshaft. The motor-generator system includes at least a first rotor rotationally coupled with the crankshaft and an axially-displaceable stator which is held against rotation relative to the engine. Preferably, a motor-generator controller controls an actuator to axially displace the stator between engaged and disengages states. When in the engaged state, the stator electromagnetically interacts with the rotor to generate electric energy from crankshaft-supplied torque or to produce torque to deliver to the crankshaft and/or an engine accessory drive. The motor-generator system may have multiple axially-displaceable stators and rotors to increase the output of the motor-generator system.