Abstract: For the connection of the Bowden cable coming from the pedal with the Bowden cables leading to the wheel brakes, the foot parking brake for vehicles has a connection element by means of which the cables are connected with one another. As a compact constructional unit, the connection element is provided with a sleeve part in which a pivot pin can be inserted by means of which swivel levers are connected for the connection of the cable and Bowden controls, and can be fixed as a constructional unit on a vehicle body part, for example, a transmission tunnel.

Abstract: In a method for the adaptive control of the hydraulic pump of a brake system containing low pressure accumulator (NDS1,2) which take up the pressure fluid discharged in the case of control from the wheel brakes and which are evacuated by the hydraulic pump (HP), first the brake pressure pattern (pR) is determined for each individual wheel with the aid of a wheel pressure model. Then a volume model (VM1,2) is formed on the basis of the wheel pressure model for each individual brake circuit, which volume model indicates, by way of approximation, the filling level of the low pressure accumulators (NDS1,2). The maximum filling level (MaxV) and the control frequency or the time interval (T) between two successive brake pressure decreasing phases (Ph2) are determined. The delivery capacity of the hydraulic pump (HP) is so dimensioned that the time interval (T) between two successive brake pressure decreasing phases (Ph2) is just adequate for completely evacuating the low pressure accumulators (NDS1,2).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved braking system. The braking system includes a valving arrangement which reduces the dead band of the system and the freedom to randomly select the pistons return position. In particular, the system includes a fluid reservoir, a piston located in a cylinder including a reservoir port, a first fluid channel connecting the reservoir to the reservoir port, a brake actuator, and a second fluid channel connecting the cylinder to the brake actuator. The piston is moveable within the cylinder to produce fluid flow within the first channel. A first valve is disposed between the reservoir and the cylinder to prevent fluid flow from the cylinder to the reservoir when the piston is moved to pressurize fluid in the second fluid channel.

Abstract: In a brake system, the actuating force of a pneumatic brake power booster, which is adapted to be independently activated, is indirectly determined. For this purpose, there is provided a pressure sensor which senses hydraulic pressure introduced into a master brake cylinder connected downstream of the brake power booster, and a differential pressure sensor which senses the pneumatic differential pressure which prevails in the housing of the brake power booster. An electronic controller calculates from both sensor signals the actuating force acting at an actuating pedal.

Abstract: A valve seat (50) is provided on and along the end face of the end tubular portion (16a) of the valve body (16) of a power brake device. A valve member (49) is slidably put on the input shaft (8). The valve member (49) is moved forward and backward by an actuator (51). When the valve member (49) is seated on the valve seat (50), the valve member (49) closes a pressure path (35). In this state, the operation of amplifying a braking force by the power brake device is not performed. The brake system may be incorporated into a vehicle with a regenerative brake device. The operation of amplifying a braking force by the power brake device can be interrupted. Therefore, the brake system produces a braking force optimal for a current loading state of a vehicle. The braking force amplifying operation of the power brake device can be stopped until the regenerative brake device produces a large regenerative braking force. Therefore, the regenerative braking force can be effectively used.

Abstract: A braking system which employs redundant hydraulic systems. The system has a first hydraulic system coupled to the brake of a first wheel through a first switching valve, and a second hydraulic system coupled to the brake of a second wheel through a second switching valve. Each switching valve will switch the coupled brake to the other hydraulic system, if the pressure within its system falls below a threshold value. For example, if the first hydraulic system fails, the first switching valve switches the first wheel to the second hydraulic system. If the second hydraulic system fails, the second switching valve switches the second wheel to the first hydraulic system.

Abstract: In a vehicle brake system having braking control responsive to a pressure signal from a pressure transducer in a hydraulic brake line, a method of operation comprising the steps of: (a) determining whether a brake pedal is depressed; (b) when the brake pedal is determined to be depressed: (i) controlling the brake system responsive to the pressure signal and a stored offset value for the pressure transducer, and (ii) resetting a timer; (c) when the brake pedal is determined to be not depressed: (i) cycling the timer, (ii) determining whether the timer has timed out, and (iii) if the timer has timed out, (iii.i) receiving the pressure signal from the pressure transducer, (iii.ii) comparing the pressure signal to a predetermined limit value indicative of an acceptable maximum sensor output when the pedal is not depressed, and (iii.iii) updating the stored offset value responsive to the pressure signal.

Abstract: An active compensation system for an anti-locking brake system eliminates undesirable brake fluid pressure buildup and, therefore, brake drag by controlling the normally closed valves within the anti-locking brake system through the anti-locking brake system electronic control module to allow the undesired pressure to be released as the brake fluid passes through the normally closed outlet valves into pressure relieving conduits.

Abstract: A brake cylinder is disclosed featuring a reduction of weight and a construction for reducing a tendency to vibrate. The piston (11), serving for the brake actuation, is formed out of a plastic mold part and is furnished with a simplified guiding of the piston. A pressure piece (44) serves for the transfer of the braking force, and is formed at the brake cylinder as a plastic mold part for allowing a relatively large distance from the brake drum. The new brake cylinder can be used advantageously for vehicles with wedge expanding brakes, where the brake force is transmitted by and applied with a pressure agent.

Abstract: An anti-skid-controlled hydraulic brake system is described where the pressure medium, bled off from the wheel brakes for the purpose of pressure control, is replaced from a storage reservoir. The pressure medium will be delivered by a pump to the wheel brakes, and also into the master brake cylinder. As a result, during brake slip control, the volume requirements of the wheel brakes partially are met from the master brake cylinder. Directly involved is a pedal pulsation. So as to attenuate the pulsation, a throttling unit is inserted into the line between the pump and the master brake cylinder. A simple embodiment includes an orifice inserted between the pump and master brake cylinder.

Abstract: A high pressure manifold brake hose end fitting used in a brake system to reduce the number of wet fittings required in the brake system. The manifold brake hose end fitting has a crimped sleeve connection to a reinforced rubber brake hose on one end, a first receptacle for a hydraulic fitting on the opposite end and a second receptacle formed in the side of the fitting between the one end and the opposite end. A conduit is provided for hydraulic fluid flow through the fitting and in one embodiment, the conduit is preferably eccentrically located away from the side of the fitting including said second receptacle. An end fitting providing three or more receptacles in a single fitting that may be part of one or more fluid systems is disclosed. A brake system and a method of installing brake fluid conduits are also disclosed which use the end fitting to reduce the number of wet fittings in a brake system and reduce the number of steps required to install a brake fluid conduit on a vehicle.

Abstract: A brake source select system for selecting one of a plurality of sources of pressurized hydraulic fluid for use in actuating a brake system. The brake source select system (10) includes a primary, secondary and reserve source (20, 22 and 24) of pressurized hydraulic fluid connected in fluid communication respectively to a primary selector valve (32), a secondary selector valve (96) and a reserve selector valve (102). Pressurized hydraulic fluid from the primary source (20) is applied to deselect ports (94 and 100) on the secondary and reserve selector valves, causing those valves to block fluid flow from their associated sources to the brake system, so long as the primary source is operative.

Abstract: A controller for controlling the increase in fluid brake pressure as a brake is applied irrespective of how rapidly the operator applies the brakes. The controller includes a valve between inlet and outlet ports in a valve body, the valve having opposing faces subjected respectively to pressure at the outlet and pressure in a volume chamber between the valve and a spring loaded piston and connected to the outlet through a restricted orifice. The valve seeks an equilibrium position wherein the rate of rise in pressure at the outlet is controlled and the deceleration of the vehicle is controlled even when the operator applies the brakes at an excessive rate.

Abstract: A brake system utilizes an auxiliary chamber defined by a control rod to control a brake assembly. The auxiliary chamber supports braking during a normal brake application and relieves the brake application forces in response to a skidding condition for a wheel assembly associated with the brake assembly.

Abstract: A left-to-right interchangeable, vehicle suspension strut includes a left-to-right interchangeable functional line bracket plate and accommodating left and right brackets or bracket portions.

Abstract: A brake for retarding rotation of a powered shaft in which the shaft includes a crankshaft section having opposed pistons disposed on the crank section, pistons oriented in respective laterally extending cylinders, sections of the cylinder on a side of the piston remote from the crankshaft provided with springs operatively abutting against a face of the piston to alter the resistance against the piston, and a hydraulically actuated device for increasing the spring pressure applied on the piston face so that when the hydraulic device is actuated, the piston meets increasing resistance to continue motion in the cylinder away from the crankshaft, in such a manner that rotation of the shaft is retarded in precise amounts.

Abstract: An arrangement for controlling the pressure of a hydraulic braking fluid supplied to a brake actuating cylinder includes an elongated hollow valve member mounted for axial movement in a bore of a housing. A compression spring acts on the valve member in one axial direction, and a control piston acts on the valve member in the opposite axial direction. Control pressure is admitted into an actuating compartment to act on the control piston and via the same on the valve member. The valve member forms a first valve arrangement with the control piston and a second valve arrangement with a part which is rigid with the housing. The first and second valve arrangement respectively controlled the communication of a slave unit with a low-pressure supply reservoir and with an actuating pressure source. The compression spring urges the valve member toward a position in which the first valve arrangement is open and the second valve arrangement is closed.

Abstract: A motor vehicle with conventional spring suspension has a valve which is connected to the suspension on either side of the vehicle through springs so that when the vehicle rolls during cornering the valve is biassed in one direction or the other. The valve controls braking to the front wheels of the vehicle so that in a corner the inboard wheel is braked less than the outboard wheel.

Abstract: A tractor trailer having an air brake system includes a reservoir of pressurized air for holding its brakes applied when parked. A fail safe locking device is provided, which is operable to lock the brake actuator rod in the fixed position in which the brakes are applied upon loss of air reservoir pressure. The locking device includes canting plates and an air cylinder. The air pressure from the reservoir overcomes a biasing mechanism in the locking device to shift the canting plates to a normal rod release position. Upon loss of pressure, the biasing mechanism shifts the air cylinder to tilt the canting plates and lock the brake actuator rod in a fixed position. The actuator rod is actuated longitudinally to rotate a brake crank arm and crank rod to apply the vehicle brakes. The crank arm interfits into a clevis extension on the actuator rod and is connected thereto by a rigid connector.