Abstract: The invention relates to a brake application device for a motor vehicle brake, in particular to a brake application device for a rail vehicle brake and preferably to a brake application device for a rail vehicle disc brake, comprising a braking force generator for applying and/or releasing the vehicle brake and a braking force converter for converting the energy delivered by the braking force generator into a brake application motion. The brake application device is characterised in that the braking force converter is configured in such a way that the force which is to be exerted by the braking force generator during braking, in order to generate a defined brake application force which is greater than zero and less than the maximum brake force, measures zero.

Abstract: An electrically operated parking brake apparatus that includes a ball screw mechanism driven by an electric motor so as to move a nut member along a screw-threaded shaft. Two Bowden cables, for example, are connected to left and right ends of an equalizer supported on the nut member via an upper support shaft and a lower support shaft for transmitting brake operation force to wheel brakes. Since an axis of the upper and lower support shafts provided at positions facing each other across the screw-threaded shaft for swingably supporting the equalizer on the nut member passes through the center of the screw-threaded shaft, and a line connecting portion where the pair of Bowden cables are connected to the equalizer passes through the center of the screw-threaded shaft, the application of an unbalanced load to the screw-threaded shaft is prevented.

Abstract: A vehicle brake system (10) is provided which compensates for brake pedal feel variation so as to provide for enhanced braking feel to the vehicle operator. The brake system (10) includes a brake command input (10), an accelerometer (22) for sensing longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle, and friction brakes (26) and regenerative brakes (29) for generating braking force to be applied to brakes on the vehicle. The vehicle brake system (10) further includes a controller (12) for detecting a brake torque variation as a function of the sensed acceleration and the brake demand signal. The controllers (12) further adjusts a torque command signal to adjust the amount of braking torque generated by the brakes (26) so as to compensate for brake torque variation.

Abstract: An assembly for actuating a parking brake comprises a screw, a nut mounted for translation on the screw, and a cable connected between the brake and the nut. A compliant element is mounted on the screw, and is adapted to expand axially with a change in tension in the cable.

Abstract: A vehicle brake systems (10) is provided which compensates for brake pedal feel variation to provide enhanced braking feel. The brake system (10) includes a brake pedal (18), a wheel sensor (20), and a database (16) for storing target accelerations and torque to pressure parameters. The brake systems (10) may employ a friction brakes (26) and regenerative brakes (29). The brake system further includes a controllers (12) for controlling the amount of braking, including the friction brake actuator (24). The controller (12) determines brake acceleration caused by braking torque and determines a target acceleration based on the driver commanded input. The controller (12) also determines a brake acceleration error as the difference between the target acceleration and the brake acceleration. The controller adjusts the torque-related parameter to reduce the brake acceleration error by adjusting the braking torque generated by the friction brake actuator to compensate for brake torque variation.

Abstract: An electrically operated parking brake apparatus that includes an electric motor and a screw mechanism The screw mechanism includes a screw-threaded shaft adapted to be rotationally driven by the electric motor, and a nut member meshing with the screw-threaded shaft, the nut member being movable along the screw-threaded shaft by the rotation of the screw-threaded shaft. The parking brake apparatus also includes a transmission member connected to the nut member for transmitting a brake operating force to a wheel brake, and a rotation preventing unit for preventing the rotation of the screw-threaded shaft so as to hold the brake operating force by fixing the position of the nut member relative to the screw-threaded shaft. The rotation preventing unit in one embodiment is an electromagnetic brake for confining the screw-threaded shaft to a stationary portion of a vehicle body.

Abstract: Apparatus for a lever (6) for controlling a parking brake including brake units and an electrically driven tightening means for applying or releasing a braking force on the said brake units. Characteristic of the invention is that a means is arranged to detect the position of the lever and produce control signals to a first electric motor (12) for generating a brake force corresponding to the position of the lever. The lever can be adjusted manually. Further there is a second electric motor (49) intended to automatically control the lever (6) depending on incoming control signals. In the fully applied position the lever (6) is locked against manual adjustment.

Abstract: A cable device for actuating a control element, in particular for actuating a transmission shift shaft of a motor vehicle transmission, and preferably for actuating a parking lock of the motor vehicle transmission, is provided. The cable device has a core and a sheath substantially encasing the core. The core and the sheath are mounted such that they form a pull-push cable. A first end of the core is operatively connected to the control element, in particular to the transmission shift shaft. A emergency actuation device cooperates functionally with the core in such a way that, in the event of a functional failure of a controlling device, the control element can be, preferably manually, actuated with the emergency actuation device.

Abstract: A method of generating an error signal (F) in a motor vehicle having a brake actuating means (16) that is actuatable by the vehicle's driver, through which a brake system is activated, and detection means (16a), through which actuation of the brake actuating means (16) is detected, a gas pedal (18), a gas pedal position detector (18a), wherein a time at which the gas pedal is released (T0) is determined, a vehicle deceleration (av) is determined, which represents the longitudinal deceleration of the vehicle, a braking status (BSon/off) is determined, which represents the operating status of the brake actuating means (16a), an elapsed time since gas pedal release (Telapse) is monitored, and an error signal (F) is generated as a function of the vehicle deceleration (av), the elapsed time (Telapse), and the braking status (BSon/off).

Abstract: A parking brake assembly includes an electric motor having an output shaft, a control module coupled to the motor for controlling the motor and a transmission coupling a threaded lead screw to the output shaft of the motor. A drive nut has a lead screw bore threadably receiving the lead screw therein and a guide shaft bore slidingly receiving the elongate guide shaft therein. The drive nut also has a cable attachment for attaching a brake cable to the drive nut. A retainer member is coupled to the attachment point and a biasing member urges the retainer member away from a seat. A tension feedback device measures the displacement of the retainer toward the seat. The displacement is proportional to the cable tension when a predetermined displacement is achieved. The operation of the electric motor is stopped when the tension feedback device measures the predetermined distance and the brake is set.

Abstract: An assembly for actuating a parking brake comprises a screw, a nut mounted for translation on the screw, and a cable connected between the brake and the nut. A compliant element is mounted on the screw, and is adapted to expand axially with a change in tension in the cable.

Abstract: The invention comprises a retarder system for use with road vehicles. The retarder system discloses two improvements. The first is a system incorporating a self-excited electromagnetic and hydraulic retarder combination. The second is a retarder system incorporating the use of a PMG Gear ratio which permits use of a permanent magnet generator on a secondary shaft which is coupled by the gear ratio to a drive train.

Abstract: A motor-driven disk brake is capable of functioning as a parking brake satisfactorily without degrading the brake operating feeling and impairing the function of operating as a motor-driven brake. A stator and rotor of an electric motor are provided in a caliper body floatably supported on a carrier. The rotation of the rotor is transmitted to a piston after being converted into rectilinear motion through a ball-and-ramp mechanism and an adjusting nut. The piston, together with a claw member, presses brake pads against a disk rotor. A rotation assisting device is provided between the rear end of the rotor and a motor casing. A rotary disk constituting the rotation assisting device is rotated through a wire extending from an external operating member.

Abstract: An electric caliper comprises a motor having a shaft, and a gear rotatable with the shaft and having at least one tooth projecting therefrom. A plunger is disposed on the shaft, and has at least one socket engagable with a corresponding tooth on the gear. A magnet disposed proximate the plunger is adapted to draw the plunger in a first axial direction, and a solenoid yoke disposed proximate the plunger is adapted to selectively draw the plunger in a second axial direction.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a brake for motor vehicles. The present invention relates to a method as well as a system for controlling a brake for motor vehicles, which can be electromechanically actuated by means of an actuator, consisting of an electric motor as well as a drive mechanism positioned downstream of the electric motor. In order to be able to increase motor speed under certain operating conditions, i.e. according to demand, without reducing the available torque, the invention provides for the slope of the speed-torque characteristic curve of the electric motor (4) to be modified by weakening components of the electromagnetic field of said electric motor (4), which affect the dynamics of same, in such a way that a higher speed (&ohgr;′1) is obtained at the same torque (M1).

Abstract: With electromechanically or electromotively operated brakes, adjusting a clearance presents a problem because with this type of brakes self-actuating reset means of the type provided for hydraulic brakes cannot be used. For adjustment, a neutral position of the actuator must first be determined in which at least one of the friction linings is in close proximity. To this end, the present invention provides for the change in the actuator current (IAkt), the change in the actuator position (&phgr;Akt), and the rigidity of the system as derived from the actuator force as a function of actuator position to be evaluated so as to determine the contact.

Abstract: An electric parking brake includes a motor and a transmission coupling a threaded lead screw to the output shaft of the motor. The transmission preferably includes a plurality of helical gears such that the lead screw and the output shaft are coaxial. A guide shaft extends substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the lead screw. A drive nut threadably receives the lead screw and slidingly receives the elongate guide shaft. A brake cable is connected to the drive nut at a position preferably located midway between the lead screw and the guide shaft. In operation, rotation of the lead screw causes linear motion of the drive nut along the lead screw and the guide shaft which causes tensioning and untensioning of the brake cable. The assembly preferably includes a manual override device operatively connected to the lead screw for manual rotation of the lead screw.

Abstract: A mechanical release for an electric parking brake has a first cable engaging a housing. A second cable is connected to a lever that is pivotally supported on the housing by a pivot pin. A locking member engages the lever and prevents rotation of the lever when tension is applied to the cables. When the locking member is released, the lever is free to rotate, reducing tension in the cables and freeing the parking brake system.

Abstract: A park brake system for vehicles is provided that has an actuator with an electric drive motor and an electronic control unit provided with an interface. A reduction gear has an input connected to the output of the electric motor and an output member for connection to mechanical brakes of the vehicle. A command unit has a transducer connected to the electronic control unit. The transducer converts position indication signals into appropriate digital signals to enable the control unit to generate corresponding brake control commands. With appropriate control signals from the electronic control unit, the mechanical brake system can thus reflect positional brake commands from the command unit within an operating range from OFF to ON, including partial activation conditions of the park brake.

Abstract: Method of braking a vehicle driven by an electric motors in particular a industrial truck, where the rotational speed of the motor is reduced according to a predetermined deceleration characteristic (a-d) when baking is activated. Preferably the deceleration characteristic is chosen in dependency of the length of depression of a brake pedal.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system having an operating member (103) by way of which a foundation braking force can be transmitted to a brake actuator in accordance with a driver's intentions, wherein there is provided a park brake mechanism (24) which provides the facility of electric motor driven actuation of the operating member (103) of the brake for the parking phase of braking.

Abstract: A brake apparatus for a vehicle includes a housing including a bore formed therein. A piston is slidably positioned in the bore, the piston and bore defining a fluid chamber therebetween. A screw member is operatively engaged with the piston. The piston and screw member are movable based on fluid pressure in the fluid chamber and movable in a linear direction based on the rotational movement of the screw member.

Abstract: A system and method for ABS stability control is provided, the method comprising the steps of determining whether a first wheel is in an ABS mode; determining whether the first wheel is in an apply mode; determining whether a second parallel wheel is in the release mode; calculating an adjusted wheel slip if the first wheel is in the ABS mode, the first wheel is in the apply mode, and the second parallel wheel is in the release mode; and determining a control mode for the first wheel using the adjusted wheel slip.

Abstract: Improving operating feelings and energy saving are aimed for a brake system of the type in which a predetermined differential pressure is produced between a master cylinder and wheel cylinders by a hydraulic pressure limit/changeover device during regenerative braking, and at the end of regenerative braking, the differential pressure is cancelled by increasing the pressure in the wheel cylinders with fluid sucked up from a reservoir for pressure increase by an electric pump. A reservoir for pressure increase, which is also used as a stroke simulator, is provided on the master cylinder side of the hydraulic pressure limit/changeover device, an on-off valve and a check valve are provided parallel to each other on the inlet side of the reservoir for pressure increase.

Abstract: An eddy-current brake device includes at least one heat exchanger for dissipating the thermal energy that is due to the eddy currents during braking. The heat exchanger is designed to define a path for the cooling liquid, which path is predetermined in order to minimize the pressure drops and maximize the rate of flow of cooling liquid circulating through the exchanger, with a view to reducing the variations in working temperature of the heat exchanger. The device may include two symmetric heat exchangers, of which the inlets, the circuits and the outlets for water are arranged symmetrically, so as to compensate for the forces due to the currents of cooling liquid and so as thus to minimize the corresponding residual torque.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel brake apparatus having an electric motor, a rotation/translation conversion mechanism that can be driven to rotate by the electric motor, a hydraulic working piston that can be moved by the rotation/translation conversion mechanism, and a brake lining piston that can be hydraulically moved by the working piston. In order to permit an emergency actuation of the wheel brake apparatus in the event of a leak in the hydraulics, the invention proposes embodying the wheel brake apparatus so that the brake lining piston can also be mechanically moved by the working piston. This can be achieved by virtue of the fact that the two pistons are disposed coaxially.

Abstract: While a regulation gear is positioned in a disengaged position where the regulation gear is disengaged from a pinion of a driving motor during running of a vehicle, a controller continuously applies a small holding voltage to a switching motor that drives the regulation gear to prevent engagement of the regulation gear with the pinion. The holding voltage is chosen to be relatively small, but enough to prevent engagement of the regulation gear with the pinion upon application of vibrations or shocks encountered during running of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method is provided for automatically detecting the installation position of brake force generating units of an electromechanical motor vehicle brake system. A steered direction of the motor vehicle during cornering is sensed. Wheel speeds occurring at each wheel of the motor vehicle during the cornering are sensed. The wheel speed occurring for each wheel is compared with a position scheme of setpoint wheel speeds which is representative of the direction of cornering. The actual position of the brake force generating units is determined on the basis of the above comparison.

Abstract: The invention relates to a brake arrangement for a land vehicle comprising the following characteristics: an electric motor with a downstream connected (reduction) gear which acts on the friction pads of a brake arrangement, with the gear being designed self-locking, and an actuation mechanism by means of which the self-locking function can be cancelled or established.

Abstract: A slave operated self-contained hydraulic brake system having an electric motor that is mounted on a gear housing. The electric motor moves a threaded rod in a lateral direction. Movement in a first direction results in contact of the rod with a master cylinder piston assembly within a master cylinder. Movement of the master cylinder piston assembly forces hydraulic fluid out of the master cylinder to actuate brakes of a towed vehicle. A pressure sensor is attached to the master cylinder and measures the hydraulic fluid pressures in master cylinder chamber. Movement of the rod in a second direction is detected by a reverse limit switch. Electrical signals are used to control the slave operated self-contained hydraulic brake system. The brake system communicates electrically with a brake control board. Sensors may be provided to provide information to a microprocessor on the control board to add control features to the brake system.

Abstract: A park brake system for vehicles is provided that has an actuator with an electric drive motor and an electronic control unit provided with an interface. A reduction gear has an input connected to the output of the electric motor and an output member for connection to mechanical brakes of the vehicle. A command unit has a transducer connected to the electronic control unit. The transducer converts position indication signals into appropriate digital signals to enable the control unit to generate corresponding brake control commands. With appropriate control signals from the electronic control unit, the mechanical brake system can thus reflect positional brake commands from the command unit within an operating range from OFF to ON, including partial activation conditions of the park brake.

Abstract: The invention relates to an actuator assembly for a vehicle brake with a drive which is connected with an input side of a transmission. An output side of the transmission is adapted for the actuation of at least one friction element of the vehicle brake, with the transmission being a knee lever arrangement with two arms.

Abstract: The invention provides an electric brake caliper that includes a caliper housing have a rotor channel adapted to receive a rotor therein, where the rotor channel has a first axial surface adapted to seat an outer brake pad thereon. The brake caliper also includes a piston assembly mounted to the housing on an axial side of the rotor channel opposite that of the outer brake pad.

Abstract: In a drum brake, a damper spring is provided for transmitting a shoe operating force outputted from a power lever to an input lever and for absorbing an impact force transmitted from brake shoes to the power lever via a link mechanism. The damper spring is mounted between the power lever driven by an electric motor of an operating force producing mechanism and the input lever of the link mechanism for receiving the shoe operating force outputted from the power lever for driving the shoes.

Abstract: An electromechanical brake system for a vehicle has a brake actuator installed to each wheel of the vehicle and a controller for controlling an operation of each brake actuator. The brake actuator is constituted to clamp a disc rotor by a pair of brake pads through a rotational motion converting mechanism according to an operation of the motor. The rotational motion converting mechanism is constituted by a screw shaft integrally connected to a rotation shaft of the motor and a ball screw screwed with the screw shaft and integrally connected to one of the pair of brake pads. When the vehicle is put in a stopping state, the controller drives the motor so that an ordinary use region of the screw shaft, which is contacted with balls of the ball nut during a brake operation, is faced with a lubricant hole formed at an end portion of the ball nut.

Abstract: The invention relates to an actuator subassembly for a vehicle brake with a drive, which is connected to an input side of a lever arrangement, wherein an output side of the lever arrangement is adapted to operate at least one friction element of the vehicle brake. If a vehicle brake of this kind is used as a parking brake, static preloading forces occur at the friction element. In order that these forces may still be taken up within the actuator subassembly, it is proposed that the lever arrangement be changed over from a service brake region, in which it is self-releasing, beyond its force reversal point into a parking brake position, in which it is self-locking. Various operating possibilities for an actuator subassembly of this kind and the use thereof in a vehicle brake are described.

Abstract: A manual override mechanism for an electric brake includes a flexible cable having an elongate outer conduit and an elongate inner core extending within the conduit, a conduit end fitting secured to an end of the outer conduit, a housing located within the conduit end fitting and rotatable therein and a core end fitting secured to an end of the inner core. The core end fitting is located within the housing and is longitudinally movable from a first position to a second position such that the end of the inner core moves toward the end of the outer conduit. Preferably, a spring element biases the core end fitting into the second position. Movement from the first position to the second position engages the core with a connecting element such as a helical gear to operably connect the core to the electric parking brake for manual operation thereof.

Abstract: A motor-driven disk brake has a first brake pad and a second brake pad disposed at opposite sides of a disk rotor, a piston disposed so as to face the first brake pad, a claw portion extending over the disk rotor and facing the second brake pad, and an electric motor disposed in the vicinity of the piston. A ball ramp mechanism for converting rotation of the electric motor to a linear motion is disposed between the first brake pad and the electric motor. When the motor is operated, the piston is reciprocally moved by the ball ramp mechanism, to thereby enable application and removal of a braking force relative to the disk rotor by the brake pads.

Abstract: An actuator for driving a load includes a driving motor for driving and operating an output shaft, and a slipping prevention unit for preventing a slipping of the output shaft due to an external force from a load side. The slipping prevention unit includes a regulation gear which is disposed to engage or disengage with a pinion rotating with a rotation of the driving motor, and a switching motor which electrically switches operation of the regulation gear between an engagement state and a non-engagement state. In the engagement state, the regulation gear engages with the pinion so that at least one side rotation of the pinion is prevented. Thus, the actuator having the slipping prevention unit has a simple structure.

Abstract: An electronic control unit is provided for automatically activating a parking brake in dependence of at least one specified operating parameter or operating mode of a motor vehicle, which can be started without a mechanical key. The operating mode for the basic automatic activation of the parking lock is the fact that the internal combustion engine is shut off.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electromechanical wheel brake device, having a screw link actuator, which is supported in a floating caliper. The screw link actuator can be driven by an electric motor, and can press a frictional brake lining against one side of a brake disc and can press a second frictional brake lining against another side of the brake disc by means of a reaction force by way of the floating caliper. In order to permit a release of the wheel brake device in the event of a malfunction, brake device embodies the screw link actuator as selflocking-free, supporting a spindle nut and a threaded spindle in rotary fashion, and securing the threaded spindle against rotation by means of a releasable rotation prevention device. The threaded spindle is connected in a rotationally secured and axially mobile fashion by means of a positive engagement.

Abstract: An electromechanical brake for motor vehicles having a selflocking-free spindle that is electromotively moved bidirectionally in a longitudinal direction in order to press at least one brake lining against a rotating friction element in an advancing stroke and and in order to release the brake lining in a restoring stroke. The brake also has a plate-shaped coupling member between the spindle and the brake lining. The coupling member engages directly with the spindle and is supported against the brake lining so that the brake lining slides lateral to the longitudinal axis of the spindle. This largely prevents lateral forces, which interfere with the lack of friction of the spindle and can occur when the brake lining is against the friction element. The electromechanical brake is used in passenger motor vehicles.

Abstract: This device comprising a control member (2) actuatable by a user so as to govern the powering of the actuator, is characterized in that it comprises means (10) for estimating the movements of the control member (2), along a travel thereof between extreme positions of control of the actuator, and means (12, 13, 14, 15, 16) for analysing these movements so as to derive therefrom a cue for controlling means (17) for powering the actuator so as to supply the latter with a quantity of current corresponding to the movement of the control member, as determined by these means of analysis on the basis of a predetermined correspondence law (15) stored in the latter means and of means (16) for aggregating the successive movements of the actuator during its various controls, and updated after each new control of the actuator by these means of analysis, so as to slave the position of the actuator to the position of the control member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a brake actuation unit comprising a cylinder/piston arrangement which acts on at least one brake lining which can be brought into frictional engagement with a brake disk, a hydraulic pump which is hydraulically connectable with a pressure chamber of the cylinder/piston arrangement in order to move the cylinder of the cylinder/piston arrangement relative to the piston of the cylinder/piston arrangement, and a motor for driving the hydraulic pump.

Abstract: An electromechanical brake, in particular for vehicles, has an electric actuator which generates an actuation force and acts on at least one frictional element so as to press the latter, in order to bring about a frictional force, against a rotatable component of the brake which is to be braked. In order to keep the actuation force to be applied by the actuator low, there is, between the component to be braked and the electric actuator, an arrangement which brings about the self-energization of the actuation force generated by the electric actuator. In the event of a deviation between the setpoint value and the actual value, a device for comparing a setpoint value of the frictional force with the actual value of the frictional force controls the electric actuator, in order to correspondingly increase or decrease the generated actuation force, with the result that the actual value is approximated to the setpoint value of the frictional force.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combined service and parking brake system, especially for automotive vehicles, which includes a hydraulically clampable combined service and parking brake with a mechanical locking device. The mechanical locking device is electrically operable and thus satisfies in a simple fashion the parking function of the hydraulically clamped combined service and parking brake.

Abstract: A brake calliper for a disc brake comprises a yoke carrying a pair of opposite brake pads and an electric actuating mechanism connected to the yoke, the actuating mechanism engaging a displaceable support member for displacing the brake pads towards and from each other. The actuating mechanism is driveable over a first range of rotations as well as over a second range of rotations, one of which ranges being for displacing the pads towards and from each other for exerting a braking effect on an associated brake disc, and the other range of which being for wear compensation of the pads.

Abstract: A parking braking system in a vehicle not having EBS wherein, for parking braking, the brakes are arranged to be supplied with actuating fluid from a pressure source under the control of a manually operated electrical device and wherein, upon selecting parking braking by actuation of the electrical device, the brakes are arranged to be applied and mechanically locked or latched in place.

Abstract: Apparatus for a lever (6) for controlling a parking brake including brake units and an electrically driven tightening means for applying or releasing a braking force on the said brake units. Characteristic of the invention is that a means is arranged to detect the position of the lever and produce control signals to a first electric motor (12) for generating a brake force corresponding to the position of the lever. The lever can be adjusted manually. Further there is a second electric motor (49) intended to automatically control the lever (6) depending on incoming control signals. In the fully applied position the lever (6) is locked against manual adjustment.

Abstract: A block brake actuator including in a housing a service brake arrangement, having an electric motor and mechanism for transforming its rotary movement into an axial movement of a push rod, and a safety brake arrangement, including at least one powerful spring, which acts in a brake application direction, may be tensioned at a service brake application and may be locked to the housing in a tensioned state. The spring is arranged transverse of the push rod and acts thereon over a wedge and roller arrangement.