Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting degradation of a sensor in a vacuum brake booster coupled to a manifold of an internal combustion engine include measuring an engine or vehicle operating parameter to detect operating or control conditions and detecting degradation of the sensor based on the engine or vehicle operating parameter. In one embodiment the operating parameter is a measured or estimated manifold pressure. A pressure drop across a check valve disposed between the brake booster and the intake manifold may also be considered.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an electrically operated parking brake-by-wire system is disclosed. More particularly to a method and system for control of electrically operated parking brake-by-wire systems that interfaces with various elements and systems of a motor vehicle; processes information obtained from vehicle systems, parking brake by wire systems, and the driver/user; and uses this information to safely control the operation of the parking brake-by-wire system, alerting the driver/user to potential problems associated with operation of the parking brake-by-wire system and related vehicle systems. The present invention also includes provisions to provide feedback to users and handle situations where the parking brake is actuated while the vehicle is in motion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus control target deceleration of a vehicle in response to a master cylinder pressure and the like. A controlled braking mode in which the pressure in each wheel cylinder is controlled based on the target deceleration, and a driver braking mode in which the pressure in each wheel cylinder is directly controlled by a master cylinder. When an abnormality in the braking control is detected, the ratio of the wheel braking force to the amount of driver's braking operation is gradually adjusted closer to the ratio set for the driver braking mode.

Abstract: By allowing for the possibility that light-weight spare wheels or spare wheels are mounted, a demonstration of the possible ways for replacing the output signals of one or more defective wheel speed sensors is presented.

Abstract: A method for communicating a wheel speed sensor fault in an anti-lock braking system (ABS) for a road vehicle, especially for an ABS with voltage supply controlled by the brake light switch, is provided. If, during monitoring of the wheel speed sensors, a sensor fault is detected in at least one of the sensors, a warning light is actuated and a sensor fault bit is set in the ABS fault memory. The already lighted warning light is turned off and the sensor fault bit is deleted only when the wheel speed sensor in question delivers, at a predefined (low) vehicle limit speed, a voltage signal having an amplitude greater than a predefined voltage threshold.

Abstract: By allowing for the possibility that light-weight spare wheels or spare wheels are mounted, the invention demonstrates possible ways for replacing the output signals of one or more defective wheel speed sensors.

Abstract: In a method of controlling the braking pressure variation during EBD control, during a braking operation, the vehicle deceleration is sensed and evaluated as a control criterion, and an increase in the braking pressure in the rear-wheel brakes is only permitted if the vehicle deceleration after commencement has risen above a predetermined minimum value, or if there are criteria which indicate brake fading or a brake malfunction, or if the vehicle deceleration exceeds a defined limit value.

Abstract: A method for communicating a wheel speed sensor fault in an anti-lock braking system (ABS) for a road vehicle, especially for an ABS with voltage supply controlled by the brake light switch, is provided. If, during monitoring of the wheel speed sensors, a sensor fault is detected in at least one of the sensors, a warning light is actuated and a sensor fault bit is set in the ABS fault memory. The already lighted warning light is turned off and the sensor fault bit is deleted only when the wheel speed sensor in question delivers, at a predefined (low) vehicle limit speed, a voltage signal having an amplitude greater than a predefined voltage threshold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus control target deceleration of a vehicle in response to a master cylinder pressure and the like. A controlled braking mode in which the pressure in each wheel cylinder is controlled based on the target deceleration, and a driver braking mode in which the pressure in each wheel cylinder is directly controlled by a master cylinder. When an abnormality in the braking control is detected, the ratio of the wheel braking force to the amount of driver's braking operation is gradually adjusted closer to the ratio set for the driver braking mode.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic braking system of the type capable of operating in a brake-by-wire mode wherein hydraulic pressure is applied to braking devices at the vehicle wheels in proportion to the driver's braking demand as sensed electronically at a brake pedal, wherein when it is detected that there exists within the system a prescribed category of non safety-critical fault, it is arranged that the driver is caused to experience a modified, different to usual, travel/force behaviour characteristic through the braking pedal when braking.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a braking system contained in a vehicle. The braking system includes at least one brake circuit. The brake circuit, on the output side, contains valve configurations, to which wheel brake cylinders allocated to the brake circuit are connected. The braking system furthermore has at least one pump capable of delivering braking medium to at least two wheel brake cylinders. During predetermined vehicle states, the at least one pump is actuated and the first valve configurations are driven by predefined driving signals. Ascertained for at least one wheel of the vehicle during the actuation of the pump and the first valve configurations is a wheel-performance variable which describes the wheel performance, in particular the wheel-rotation performance, of the corresponding wheel. The braking system is checked for a first and/or second fault as a function of this wheel-performance variable.

Abstract: A brake assembly of the constant friction type has a rotary transmission shaft fitted with a constant friction brake device including a first set of friction plates carried on the shaft and a second set of friction plates interleaved with the friction plate and mounted on a friction element support. The friction brake device acts on the shaft to apply a braking torque thereto in at least one direction of rotary movement. The friction element support is rotatable relative to the shaft and to a housing of the assembly. A detent mechanism acts between the housing and the friction element support so as to retain the support against rotation below a predetermined braking torque. A signalling means such as a proximity sensor is arranged to be operated when the friction element support moves relative to the housing.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic braking system for motor vehicles. The system includes a brake pedal and a braking device associated with at least one vehicle wheel which is brought into communication with an electronically controlled valve arrangement in order to apply hydraulic fluid under pressure to the braking device. A fluid pressure accumulator fed by the pump provides a pressurized hydraulic fluid which can be passed to the braking device by way of an electronically controlled valve arrangement in order to apply hydraulic fluid in proportion to the driver braking demand as sensed at the brake pedal in the “brake by wire” mode. A first device within the system provides a level of fluid pressure supply within the electro-hydraulic system whose highest value is less than that sufficient for the maximum possible braking demand level which may be required.

Abstract: A motor vehicle having an electronically controlled automatic transmission, which comprises a parking position, and a power parking brake. The parking position and the power parking brake are operable independently of one another. A redundant system is provided in that a device checks the parking position as well as the power parking brake with respect to its optional functioning and, in the event of an operating failure of one system, operates the respective other system to take over the function of the failed system.

Abstract: A brake-by-wire control system for aircraft brakes is presented. The system includes a hardware based discrete component control path and a software control path, the two operating in parallel. Each of the paths monitors the same input, with the hardware path being configured to enable the shutoff valve driver and the software path being configured to inhibit the shutoff valve driver, depending upon the status of the inputs. As a consequence, a failure in a single path in the braking system cannot enable the brake system so as to allow for inadvertent braking.