Abstract: A brake actuating device for a parking brake of automotive vehicles includes a hand brake lever which acts upon two wheel brakes by way of two brake cables. To assist the manual operation, an electric motor is additionally provided which generates at least part of the actuating force.

Abstract: A bicycle brake includes a fixed member (e.g., a hub axle) having a fixed member axis, a hub drum rotatably supported around the fixed member, and a fixed case nonrotatably fixed relative to the fixed member. The braking mechanism includes a brake member, a brake operating element disposed radially inwardly of the brake member for pushing the brake member radially outwardly, and a cam member disposed radially inwardly of the brake operating element and coupled to the fixed case. The cam member is shaped so that the brake operating element moves radially outwardly in response to relative rotation between the cam member and the brake operating element, and the cam member defines a cam member space radially inwardly of the cam member. A rotating case is coupled to the hub drum for rotating integrally with the hub drum. The rotating case has a contact surface disposed radially outwardly of the brake member for contacting the brake member when the brake member moves radially outwardly.

Abstract: A booster for a transmission gear box has an actuating rod cooperating with a gearshift lever and a hollow piston rod movably penetrating the pneumatic cylinder and cooperating with the actuating rod. A connector is mounted to the piston rod and introduces and discharges pressurized air into and from the piston rod. A striker is coupled to the actuating and piston rods through a pin and is coupled to a connecting lever of the gear box to allow the connecting lever to be operated in conjunction with the actuating and piston rods. The booster prevents a relative rotating motion between the actuating and piston rods, simplifies the gearshift part of the gear box, smoothly engages and disengages gears to the gear box with a small force and provides an easily-machinable hollow piston rod.

Abstract: A bicycle hub brake wherein a rotating member rotates with a bicycle wheel, and a brake actuating mechanism causes a brake member to apply a braking force to a braking surface. An intermediate member is disposed between the brake actuating mechanism and the rotating member for moving relative to one of the brake actuating mechanism and the rotating member when a braking force less than a selected value is applied to the braking surface and for moving relative to the other one of the brake actuating mechanism and rotating member when a braking force greater than the selected value is applied to the braking surface.

Abstract: A brake apparatus for use on a hub shaft (11) supporting a hub (2) of a bicycle has a brake ring (13), and a coupling device for coupling the brake ring and the hub to be rotatable together. The coupling device includes outer splines (13a) formed on the brake ring (13) and inner splines (2d) formed in the hub (2) to allow relative axial movement between the brake ring (13) and hub (2) while preventing relative rotation therebetween. The brake apparatus includes brake shoes (6) disposed inside the brake ring (13) to be movable into contact with the brake ring (13). A restrictor is provided for restricting axial movement of the brake shoes (6) relative to the brake ring (13). The restrictor includes stoppers (27a) projecting radially outwardly from peripheral positions of an annular shoe presser spring (27) fitted circumferentially of the brake shoes (6), and grooves (13b) formed in an inner peripheral wall of the brake ring ( 13).

Abstract: A roller intake mechanism having an operating force amplifying device includes a cam (7) rotatable about an axis of an axle a plurality of rollers (8) displaceable with rotation of the cam, a roller case (9) for displaceably retaining the rollers, a brake drum (5) extending from a wheel hub (2), and a brake shoe (10) disposed between the rollers and brake drum for contacting the brake drum with displacement of the rollers. The amplifying device is formed as a clamping ring (18) having one end thereof operatively connected to a brake lever (100) through an interlocking wire (150), and the other end operatively connected to the cam. An intermediate portion of the ring is wound around a peripheral surface of the brake drum. Based on a primary operating force applied from the brake lever, the clamping ring clamps the brake drum, which produces a frictional force for allowing the clamping ring to take power from the brake drum, i.e. the wheel hub.

Abstract: A power-assisted hand brake for motor vehicles, which can be operated in an automatic and power-assisted mode with the aid of an electric motor. If the power assisted brake fails, a conventional parking brake is operated mechanically to apply emergency brakes. The handbrake includes a rotatable spindle with a threaded nut thereon which operates the brake by use of the motor. A carrier plate and pivot plates function to disconnect the nut so that a hand-operated lever can be used to manually operate the brake.

Abstract: A force transmission linkage for an automotive vehicle couples a control member with a maneuvering member of a declutching device for a clutch, and is of the kind comprising a mechanical part with application points carried by a fixed part of the vehicle.In accordance with the invention, one of the application points of the linkage is movable in both directions along a course of travel which is defined between two limit positions and under the action of an irreversible control device driven by a motor. At least one position sensor is associated with the control member and with the movable application point, respectively. A computer is provided, for receiving the information signals from the position sensors so as to control the motor of the control device.

Abstract: A force transmission linkage for an automotive vehicle couples a control member with a manoeuvring member of a declutching device for a clutch, and is of the kind comprising a mechanical part with application points carried by a fixed part of the vehicle.In accordance with the invention, one of the said application points of the linkage is movable under the action of a control device comprising a motor and a transmission acting between the said motor and the said movable application point. A sensor for detecting a supplementary strain in the linkage, is provided together with a computer, with the computer receiving information signals from the strain sensor for control of the motor.

Abstract: A stroke control device having a servomotor, a hydraulic cylinder having a piston, a ball-thread mechanism coupling the servomotor with the piston, and a hydraulic circuit including pressure control valves for driving the hydraulic cylinder. Further it has a numerical control unit for driving the servomotor based on the numerical input data representative of the movement and moving speed of the piston, for detecting signals representative of the load on the servomotor and for producing control signals to control the pressure control valves in the hydraulic circuit in response to the load signals to move the piston so that the load on the servomotor will approach zero.

Abstract: A force transmission linkage for an automative vehicle couples a control member with a manoeuvring member of a declutching device for a clutch, and is of the kind comprising a mechanical part with application points carried by a fixed part of the vehicle.In accordance with the invention, one of the application points of the linkage is movable in both directions along a course of travel which is defined between two limit positions and under the action of irreversible control device, which comprises a motor together with a transmission interposed between the motor and the movable application point. A position sensor is associated with the control member for detecting its free position when the latter is not actuated by the driver. Driving devices, comprising a computer and a detector, are provided.

Abstract: A parking brake apparatus comprising a manipulation lever; an actautor; a balance lever connected at its one end through a first coupling member with the manipulation lever so that a manipulated force of the manipulation lever acts on the one end and at its outer end through a second coupling member with the actuator so that an operating force of the actuator acts on the other end, the balance lever having a portion on with a parking brake force acts; relative displacement detecting unit for detecting a relative displacement between the manipulation lever and the actuator; and control means unit for controlling the actuator so that the relative displacement detected by the relative displacement detecting unit is reduced.

Abstract: An electrically driven master cylinder assembly and various vehicle control systems utilizing the master cylinder assembly. Several forms of master cylinder assemblies are disclosed. In the preferred form, the assembly includes an electric DC motor directly coupled to a master cylinder unit with the central axis of the motor coaxial with the central axis of the bore of the master cylinder, a ball nut is positioned within the housing of the electric motor for rotation with the armature of the motor, and a ball screw is positioned on the axis of the motor and is driven linearly in response to rotation of the armature.

Abstract: A vehicle power brake system, whereby a control pedal may be mounted, in mobile manner, on to a fixed support, for axially displacing, when operated, a rod connected, at one end, to the control pedal, and, at the other end, to a control member on a brake hydraulic circuit; at least one portion of the rod consisting of a screw connected, via the interposition of balls, to a nut screw integral with a hollow shaft on an electric motor, through which hollow shaft the aforementioned rod extends; the electric motor being controlled by a threshold comparator, an input of which is connected to the electric output of a compression measuring device located between the control pedal and the rod.

Abstract: A power-assisted gear shift mechanism for a manual transmission includes a lateral casing mounted on a transmission housing, a first lateral shaft rotatably mounted within the casing and being operatively connected to a manual shift lever to be rotated in shifting operation of the shift lever, and a second lateral shaft in the form of a hollow shaft rotatably and axially slidably mounted on the first lateral shaft and being operatively connected to the manual shift lever to be axially moved in selecting operation of the shift lever, the second lateral shaft being integrally provided with a shift-and-select lever which extends into an interior of the transmission housing to be selectively engaged with a plurality of shift heads in axial movement of the second lateral shaft.

Abstract: A mechanism adapted to be coupled to a driven member capable of rotating alternately in both directions, in response to the rotation of a drive shaft. This mechanism comprises a motor, a gear train for reducing the speed of the motor and two clutches associated respectively with each direction of rotation, a control device for controlling the clutches positioned to bring into action one of the clutches depending on the direction and the amplitude of the torque applied to the drive shaft so that the driven member is driven by the motor and the gear train in the desired direction. Each clutch is connected to rotate the driven member through a unidirectional coupling which ensures that the driven member is rotated by the actuated clutch and not the reverse.

Abstract: To provide a power brake having relatively small hysteresis between brake pedal pressure and brake hose pressure and with compact construction, the push rod leading from the brake pedal to the brake master cylinder is divided into an input rod and an output rod. A pressure sensitive element is disposed between the rods and is displacable therewith. The pressure-sensitive element determines the force with which the servo member acts upon the output rod.

Abstract: A device for automatically inserting and ejecting an information carrier by means of an over-center mechanism, which is actuated manually until the over-center point is reached. The over-center mechanism comprises an eccentric gear which has a diameter which increases as the insertion movement proceeds, the gear surface engaging a sliding member for the information carrier. As a result, the automatic insertion path length is increased relative to the manual insertion path length.

Abstract: An assistor for operating a transmission, to be installed between the gearshift lever and the shift lever for actuating the shift jaws of the transmission, comprises a semicylindrical cylinder, a vane type piston adapted to turn slidingly within the cylinder, and a directional control valve for supplying a fluid to chambers defined by the vane of the piston. Operation of the gearshift lever opens the directional control valve to supply the fluid to one of the chambers separated by the piston vane, whereby the piston is turned and its turning output is transmitted from its boss to the shift lever.

Abstract: The linear motion power assist mechanism includes a stationary member, a friction drum rotatably supported on the stationary member, an output member mounted for linear, reciprocative movement relative to the stationary member, an input member mounted for linear, reciprocative movement relative to the stationary member and relative to the output member, a first flexible member, such as a wire cable, loosely wound around the drum in one direction, a second flexible member loosely wound around the drum in the opposite direction, and an unidirectional motor rotating the drum. The first cable is tightened on the rotating drum and pulls the output member in a first direction in response to movement of the input member in the first direction. The second cable is tightened on the rotating drum and pulls the output member in the opposite or second direction in response to movement of the input in the second direction.

Abstract: A rotary assistance device (D) is provided adapted to be coupled to a driven member (1) capable of rotating in both directions, particularly in response to the rotation of a drive shaft (4), this device comprising a motor (M) able to rotate at a relatively high speed with respect to that of the drive shaft (4) and of the driven member (1), speed reducing means (7) and friction coupling means (E1, E2) for driving the driven shaft (1) through the speed reducing means (7) and the motor (M). The device comprises angular torque damping means (A) disposed between the motor (M) and the friction coupling (E1, E2).

Abstract: The device includes an operating member adapted to drive the driven member positively and a frictional rotary assistance mechanism. It includes a transmission device for the motion between the operating member and the driven member comprising two plates, means for the resilient return of the plates towards one another, balls interposed between the plates and cooperating with inclined surfaces provided on these plates. The plates separate from one another during relative rotation and frictional coupling means are provided between an output of the assistance mechanism and at least one plate. The device is used for driven rotary members forming part of a machine tool or of an automobile.

Abstract: A servo-supported gear changing apparatus for mechanical gearboxes. A rotatably and axially displaceable gear selector shaft in a gear selector housing is axially displaced, during a selecting step, to a preselected engagement position, and is turned to engage or disengage the appropriate gear by at least one gear selector mounted on the shaft. At least one torque-transmitting connection between the shaft and its lever has limited play in both directions, allowing in the initial engagement or disengagement stage a relative movement in the turning direction. A control valve then triggers a pressure-operated servo cylinder to perform the major gear changing work.

Abstract: The power brake includes an electric motor to provide braking power assistance actuated by a brake pedal and a transmission means interconnecting the brake pedal, the motor and a master cylinder piston, the transmission means being actuated by the brake pedal and having a frictional coupling to actuate the master cylinder piston, the friction of the frictional coupling increasing in proportion to the brake pedal pressure.

Abstract: A servo device is disclosed intended for amplifying the force in a mechanical control apparatus, movable in two opposite directions when said apparatus is displaced in either direction, comprising two gears rotatably disposed in a housing and coaxial with a rotatable shaft. The gears are driven in counter-rotation by a conical pinion or by two counter-rotating cylindrical pinions in driving relation to a rotatable servo motor. A nut is screwably arranged on screw splines on the shaft between the gears. When screwed along said splines, the nut comes into frictional contact via annular friction surfaces with corresponding annular surfaces on the gears. The nut, the splines and one of the gears make a releasable driving connection with each other. Radially directed arms are attached to the shaft and the nut with control cable attachment means for transmitting the input operating force to one arm while an additional force is contributed from either gear via the shaft and splines to the other arm.

Abstract: A servo arrangement, especially for brake force amplifiers for automotive vehicles, in which a servomotor provides an auxiliary moment which is transmitted by a coil spring coupling to a linkage. The coil spring has a hook-shaped rear end adapted to be engaged by a first entrainment member connected to a power take-off means of the arrangement so as to tighten the coil spring about the peripheral surface of a cylinder driven by the servomotor and the front end of the coil spring, at which the first coil of the spring is outwardly bent in form of a spiral, is adapted to be engaged by a second entrainment member connected to operator controlled force applying means to expand the coil spring so that the latter may slip on the peripheral surface of the cylinder.

Abstract: Detecting and indicating the failure of the primary drive train of a flap actuator system that includes primary and secondary drive trains driven by a common power supply is disclosed. When the primary drive trains fails, a free motion zone formed between the common power supply and the secondary drive train is crossed. Crossing of the free motion zone causes the position of an electro-mechanical sensor (or sensors) to change. The change in position of the electro-mechanical sensor(s) creates or changes the value of an electrical signal or signals to provide an indication of the failure of the primary drive train.