An example apparatus includes a base including a first locking surface, a wheel including an axle, and a locking body at the axle of the wheel to rotate with the wheel. The locking body includes a second locking surface to engage the first locking surface of the base to lock the wheel. The apparatus further includes a plate spring that captures the axle of the wheel to allow wheel to rotate. The plate spring urges the second locking surface of the locking body against the first locking surface of the base to lock the wheel. The plate spring is to deflect under application of an external force to separate the second locking surface of the locking body from the first locking surface of the base to allow the wheel to roll.

A method, apparatus and vehicle for controlling a ride level for a vehicle having at least one first axle having a first air suspension and/or one second axle having a second air suspension, a parking brake and an operating brake, including: reading a ride level variation signal, indicating a ride level variation to be performed; providing a parking break release signal to an interface to a parking brake valve that, responding to the ride level variation signal, releases and engages the parking brake installation, the parking brake release signal being for actuating the parking brake valve for releasing the parking brake installation; and providing a first control signal to an interface to a first valve of the first air suspension and/or a second control signal to an interface to a second valve of the second air suspension while using the ride level variation signal for performing the ride level variation.

A method, apparatus and vehicle for controlling a ride level for a vehicle having at least one first axle having a first air suspension and/or one second axle having a second air suspension, a parking brake and an operating brake, including: reading a ride level variation signal, indicating a ride level variation to be performed; providing a parking break release signal to an interface to a parking brake valve that, responding to the ride level variation signal, releases and engages the parking brake installation, the parking brake release signal being for actuating the parking brake valve for releasing the parking brake installation; and providing a first control signal to an interface to a first valve of the first air suspension and/or a second control signal to an interface to a second valve of the second air suspension while using the ride level variation signal for performing the ride level variation.

A method for estimating achievable total braking force for an automated deceleration of a vehicle or vehicle combination includes performing, for each respective one of a plurality of brake units, at least partially applying, in an estimation braking operation by the respective brake unit, an estimation braking force configured to cause deceleration and determining, from measured values, a current deceleration caused by the estimation braking force. The method further includes, for each respective brake unit, determining, a respective braking characteristic value of the respective brake unit, the braking characteristic value representing a ratio between a partial braking force of the respective brake unit and a manipulated variable which is set for the partial braking force of the respective brake unit, and determining a respective achievable partial braking force. The method further includes estimating, as a sum of the respective achievable partial braking forces, the achievable total braking force.

A method for estimating achievable total braking force for an automated deceleration of a vehicle or vehicle combination includes performing, for each respective one of a plurality of brake units, at least partially applying, in an estimation braking operation by the respective brake unit, an estimation braking force configured to cause deceleration and determining, from measured values, a current deceleration caused by the estimation braking force. The method further includes, for each respective brake unit, determining, a respective braking characteristic value of the respective brake unit, the braking characteristic value representing a ratio between a partial braking force of the respective brake unit and a manipulated variable which is set for the partial braking force of the respective brake unit, and determining a respective achievable partial braking force. The method further includes estimating, as a sum of the respective achievable partial braking forces, the achievable total braking force.

A method for determining a brake pressure change for a wheel of a vehicle to optimize a braking operation. The method includes: supplying a current wheel status of the wheel, wherein the wheel status includes a plurality of status parameters; determining at least one status parameter whose value deviates from a target wheel status; determining a change direction of the brake pressure change depending on a deviation of the at least one status parameter from the target wheel status; supplying a brake pressure characteristic map for determining a value of the brake pressure change, wherein the brake pressure characteristic map associates a brake pressure change with the plurality of status parameters and is specific to the determined change direction of the brake pressure change and status parameter change; determining a value of the brake pressure change using the current wheel status and the supplied brake pressure characteristic map.

A method for determining a brake pressure change for a wheel of a vehicle to optimize a braking operation. The method includes: supplying a current wheel status of the wheel, wherein the wheel status includes a plurality of status parameters; determining at least one status parameter whose value deviates from a target wheel status; determining a change direction of the brake pressure change depending on a deviation of the at least one status parameter from the target wheel status; supplying a brake pressure characteristic map for determining a value of the brake pressure change, wherein the brake pressure characteristic map associates a brake pressure change with the plurality of status parameters and is specific to the determined change direction of the brake pressure change and status parameter change; determining a value of the brake pressure change using the current wheel status and the supplied brake pressure characteristic map.

Disclosed is an apparatus for moving a brake pedal. The apparatus for moving a brake pedal according to the disclosure includes a pedal simulator providing a reaction force according to a pedal effort of the brake pedal and having one side connected to the brake pedal through an input rod, a screw fixed to the other side of the pedal simulator and having a first screw thread formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof, an anti-rotation portion configured to prevent rotation of at least one of the pedal simulator and the screw, and an actuator configured to provide power, wherein the first screw thread is connected to the actuator to receive a rotational force, and the screw converts the rotational force into a translational motion by the anti-rotation portion, thereby generating the translational motion of the pedal simulator and the brake pedal fixed or connected to the screw.

Disclosed is an apparatus for moving a brake pedal. The apparatus for moving a brake pedal according to the disclosure includes a pedal simulator providing a reaction force according to a pedal effort of the brake pedal and having one side connected to the brake pedal through an input rod, a screw fixed to the other side of the pedal simulator and having a first screw thread formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof, an anti-rotation portion configured to prevent rotation of at least one of the pedal simulator and the screw, and an actuator configured to provide power, wherein the first screw thread is connected to the actuator to receive a rotational force, and the screw converts the rotational force into a translational motion by the anti-rotation portion, thereby generating the translational motion of the pedal simulator and the brake pedal fixed or connected to the screw.

A retrofit pneumatic circuit complements an existing factory braking system to preserve the original function of the driver's foot pedal while also adding the ability for a computer to actuate the brakes separately and independently. In the event where both the primary and secondary drivers are actuating the brakes at any time, the braking force applied is the maximum of the two. In the preferred approach, a shuttle valve is connected between a primary proportional valve and a copy of that proportional valve. Directional control valves are also included to isolate both the input and the output portions of the secondary circuit in order to enforce positive shutdown of computer control. One directional valve blocks a supply pressure to prevent bleeding of the system in any situation where pressure is requested when computer control is supposed to be disabled. A second directional valve vents any built-up pressure to the atmosphere, so that any residual pressure does not actuate the brakes after computer control is disabled.