A hybrid actuation device including a first plate and a second plate coupled to the first plate, a shape memory alloy wire coupled to the first plate and the second plate, a bladder positioned between the first plate and the second plate, the bladder housing a fluid, a first fixed electrode coupled to the second plate, and a flexible electrode coupled to the first plate and extending along the first fixed electrode.

A hybrid actuation device including a first plate and a second plate coupled to the first plate, a shape memory alloy wire coupled to the first plate and the second plate, a bladder positioned between the first plate and the second plate, the bladder housing a fluid, a first fixed electrode coupled to the second plate, and a flexible electrode coupled to the first plate and extending along the first fixed electrode.

A hybrid actuation device including a first plate and a second plate coupled to the first plate, a shape memory alloy wire coupled to the first plate and the second plate, a bladder positioned between the first plate and the second plate, the bladder housing a fluid, a first fixed electrode coupled to the second plate, and a flexible electrode coupled to the first plate and extending along the first fixed electrode.

A hydraulic brake actuation device is provided that basically includes a housing, a master piston, a push rod, an actuation lever, a contact member and a support member. The housing includes a master cylinder. The master piston is slidably disposed in the master cylinder. The push rod is coupled to the master piston. The actuation lever is pivotally attached to the housing. The contact member contacts the actuation lever. The contact member also contacts the push rod that pushes the master piston. The support member is attached to the housing. The support member is a separate piece from the housing that guides the contact member.

A hydraulic brake actuation device is provided that basically includes a housing, a master piston, a push rod, an actuation lever, a contact member and a support member. The housing includes a master cylinder. The master piston is slidably disposed in the master cylinder. The push rod is coupled to the master piston. The actuation lever is pivotally attached to the housing. The contact member contacts the actuation lever. The contact member also contacts the push rod that pushes the master piston. The support member is attached to the housing. The support member is a separate piece from the housing that guides the contact member.

A brake cylinder includes a brake cylinder housing having a master chamber, a slave chamber, and a wall disposed there between. The wall defines at least one opening configured to provide fluid communication between the master chamber and the slave chamber. The brake cylinder also includes a master piston configured to pressurize fluid in the master chamber when a brake pedal is pressed. The brake cylinder further includes a slave piston and a pressure sensor disposed in fluid communication with the slave chamber. The pressure sensor is configured to measure pressure in the slave chamber and send a signal to a processor indicating of movement of the brake pedal. When pressurizing fluid in the master chamber, the master piston is configured to drive fluid from the master chamber to the slave chamber via the at least one opening to increase pressure in the slave chamber.

A brake cylinder includes a brake cylinder housing having a master chamber, a slave chamber, and a wall disposed there between. The wall defines at least one opening configured to provide fluid communication between the master chamber and the slave chamber. The brake cylinder also includes a master piston configured to pressurize fluid in the master chamber when a brake pedal is pressed. The brake cylinder further includes a slave piston and a pressure sensor disposed in fluid communication with the slave chamber. The pressure sensor is configured to measure pressure in the slave chamber and send a signal to a processor indicating of movement of the brake pedal. When pressurizing fluid in the master chamber, the master piston is configured to drive fluid from the master chamber to the slave chamber via the at least one opening to increase pressure in the slave chamber.

A spool valve V1 includes a valve element 11 and a cylinder 12 having a bore 12a which accommodates the valve element 11 to be movable in an axial direction. In this spool valve V1, when the valve element 11 in an initial position moves in the axial direction in relation to the cylinder 12, a supply valve port Vi formed between the valve element 11 and the cylinder 12 opens, whereby a working fluid is introduced from a hydraulic pressure source into a hydraulic chamber through the supply valve port Vi. A throttle portion O1 is provided in a fluid channel formed on the hydraulic chamber side of the supply valve port Vi. The throttle portion O1 is configured such that in a throttle valid region which extends from the initial position to a position where the amount of axial movement of the valve element 11 from the initial position becomes equal to a predetermined value, the area of the opening formed between the valve element 11 and the cylinder 12 is constant, and in a throttle invalid region where the amount of axial movement of the valve element 11 exceeds the predetermined value, the area of the opening increases. Thus, it becomes possible to restrain occurrence of oil impact within the hydraulic chamber to which the working fluid is supplied through the spool valve V1.

A spool valve V1 includes a valve element 11 and a cylinder 12 having a bore 12a which accommodates the valve element 11 to be movable in an axial direction. In this spool valve V1, when the valve element 11 in an initial position moves in the axial direction in relation to the cylinder 12, a supply valve port Vi formed between the valve element 11 and the cylinder 12 opens, whereby a working fluid is introduced from a hydraulic pressure source into a hydraulic chamber through the supply valve port Vi. A throttle portion O1 is provided in a fluid channel formed on the hydraulic chamber side of the supply valve port Vi. The throttle portion O1 is configured such that in a throttle valid region which extends from the initial position to a position where the amount of axial movement of the valve element 11 from the initial position becomes equal to a predetermined value, the area of the opening formed between the valve element 11 and the cylinder 12 is constant, and in a throttle invalid region where the amount of axial movement of the valve element 11 exceeds the predetermined value, the area of the opening increases. Thus, it becomes possible to restrain occurrence of oil impact within the hydraulic chamber to which the working fluid is supplied through the spool valve V1.

A hydraulic actuating device for a friction clutch and a gear setting element has a power unit for pressure generation by use of an electrically driven pump. Gear setting and clutch actuating sections are hydraulically connected to the power unit. A detenting device with a blocking element is associated with a piston of the clutch setting cylinder, which is operatively connected with the friction clutch and can be hydraulically loaded on opposite sides. The blocking element is resiliently biased into a blocking setting preventing piston movement and is movable by an actuator from the blocking setting into a release setting permitting piston movement. The pump is reversible in order to load the piston on one or the other side for an actuating movement. The control unit coordinates activation of the pump and actuator in order to disengage or engage the friction clutch.