The present disclosure in some embodiments provides a brake apparatus for a vehicle, comprising: a reservoir configured to store a working fluid; a master cylinder connected to the reservoir; a hydraulic circuit connected to a wheel brake; a primary brake unit configured to supply a hydraulic pressure to the wheel brake through the hydraulic circuit; and a secondary brake unit configured to supply a hydraulic pressure to the wheel brake through the hydraulic circuit, wherein the hydraulic circuit comprises: a first hydraulic circuit coupled to the reservoir, the master cylinder, and the secondary brake unit; a second hydraulic circuit coupled to the reservoir and the primary brake unit; and a third hydraulic circuit coupled to the primary brake unit, the secondary brake unit, and the wheel brake.

A valve-arrangement is operable to switch between a bistable-valve (BV) behavior and a relay-valve (RV) behavior to control a parking-brake, and includes a housing with a supply-pressure-inlet (SPI), a service brake-control-inlet (SBCI) to provide a control-pressure, a pressure-outlet, and an exhaust-port, and includes a first-piston and a second-piston both movable along a same direction in the housing to define a first-chamber communicating with the SBCI, a second-chamber between the first-piston and the second-piston, and third chamber communicating with the pressure-outlet and with a controllable connection to the SPI, in which upon the control-pressure the second-piston moves with the first-piston to connect the pressure-outlet with the exhaust-port or with the SPI. The valve arrangement includes a throttle unit adapted, depending on the control-pressure, to connect the second-chamber with the third-chamber to enable the BV behavior or disconnect the second-chamber from the third-chamber to enable the RV behavior.

A valve-arrangement is operable to switch between a bistable-valve (BV) behavior and a relay-valve (RV) behavior to control a parking-brake, and includes a housing with a supply-pressure-inlet (SPI), a service brake-control-inlet (SBCI) to provide a control-pressure, a pressure-outlet, and an exhaust-port, and includes a first-piston and a second-piston both movable along a same direction in the housing to define a first-chamber communicating with the SBCI, a second-chamber between the first-piston and the second-piston, and third chamber communicating with the pressure-outlet and with a controllable connection to the SPI, in which upon the control-pressure the second-piston moves with the first-piston to connect the pressure-outlet with the exhaust-port or with the SPI. The valve arrangement includes a throttle unit adapted, depending on the control-pressure, to connect the second-chamber with the third-chamber to enable the BV behavior or disconnect the second-chamber from the third-chamber to enable the RV behavior.

A brake system for a utility vehicle includes: an electronic brake controller unit, a pneumatic parking brake circuit with at least one spring energy cylinder, a parking brake valve to control a parking brake pressure in the parking brake circuit, and at least one 3/3-way valve arranged in a pneumatic line of the parking brake circuit between the parking brake valve and at least one of the spring energy cylinders. The 3/3-way valve is actuable by the electronic brake control unit, and is configured to ventilate the pneumatic line between the 3/3-way valve and at least one of the spring energy cylinders to a predefined pressure, so as to cause the at least one of the spring energy cylinders to allow a brake, which is assigned to the spring energy cylinder, to pass into engagement.

An electric-parking-brake for a utility-vehicle, including: a feed-line for brake-pressure air; a discharge-line for brake-pressure air for a pneumatic-brake-device; a first-valve and a second-valve, each being switchable between a stable-state and an activated-state in response to electrical control-signals; and a valve-device which is connected between the feed-line and the discharge-line and exhibits a control-input, the valve device being switchable between a stable-state and an activated-state in response to control signals at the control-input, the feed-line being connected to the discharge-line in the activated-state, in which the first-valve in the stable-state or in the activated-state connects the control-input of the valve-device to the discharge-line, to retain a current-state of the valve-device when the brake-pressure air is applied to the discharge-line, and in the activated or stable state connects the control-input to the second-valve. Also described are an electric parking brake system, a utility vehicle, and a related method.

An electronic brake system and a method for operating the same are disclosed. The electronic brake system includes an integrated master cylinder, a hydraulic-pressure supply device, and a hydraulic control unit. The integrated master cylinder allows a pressing medium to be discharged based on displacement of a brake pedal and at the same time provides proper pedal feel for the user. The hydraulic control unit controls hydraulic pressure of a pressing medium supplied to respective wheel cylinders. The electronic brake system operates in different ways according to a normal operation mode and an abnormal operation mode.

A spring brake actuator has a service brake with a service brake housing and a service brake working chamber located in the service brake housing. The service brake working chamber is confined by a diaphragm. A service brake piston movable along an actuator-longitudinal axis and abuts the diaphragm, which applies a brake force onto the service brake piston. A spring between the service brake piston and the service brake housing pushes the service brake piston against the direction of the brake force. A modulator valve unit communicates with the service brake working chamber and is configured to regulate the inlet and outlet of fluid into and out of the service brake working chamber. The modulator valve unit is integrated into the spring brake actuator and includes a controllable inlet valve communicating with the service brake working chamber and a controllable outlet valve communicating with the service brake working chamber.

Provided are an electronic brake system and a method of operating the same, capable of performing a normal operation mode and an abnormal operation mode by including an integrated master cylinder configured to discharge a pressurizing medium according to a displacement of a brake pedal while providing a driver with a pedal fee, a liquid pressure supply device configured to generate a liquid pressure by operating a hydraulic piston according to an electrical being output on the basis of the displacement of the brake pedal, and a hydraulic control unit configured to a liquid pressure of a pressurizing medium to be supplied to each wheel cylinder.

A multiple-circuit hydraulically open braking system, for a highly automated or autonomous vehicle, includes at least two wheel brakes each assigned to a braking circuit having a pressure relief path, two multiple-circuit pressure generators hydraulically connected in series between a fluid container and the at least two wheel brakes, and a hydraulic unit for hydraulically connecting the pressure generator to the at least two wheel brakes and for individual brake pressure modulation in the at least two wheel brakes. A first pressure generator is configured as a plunger system and is assigned to a main system having a first energy supply and a first evaluation and control unit. A second pressure generator is configured as a second plunger system or as a pump system and is assigned to a secondary system having a second energy supply that is independent from the first energy supply and a second evaluation and control unit.

A housing for an electropneumatic modulator for an electropneumatic brake system for a vehicle, includes: an electric chamber configured to receive at least one electrical and/or electronic component of the electropneumatic modulator from a first side of the housing; and a receptacle chamber which is arranged opposite the electric chamber and is configured so as to receive a relay piston and a guide device for guiding the relay piston from a second side, opposite the first side, of the housing, in which the housing is formed in one piece. Also described are a related electropneumatic modulator and a method for making the electropneumatic modulator.