A bushing assembly is provided for a spring brake actuator of a vehicle air braking system. The bushing assembly comprises a single-piece bushing member made of a material that is homogenous throughout the bushing member. The bushing member includes a first rib structure that faces one axial direction of the bushing member and a second rib structure that faces an opposite axial direction of the bushing member.

A braking system for an autonomous car is provided, including a car body, a pedal, a braking mechanism, a resistance ruler, a driving motor, a connecting member, a first micro switch, a second micro switch, and a control unit. The pedal is pivotally connected to the car body, the braking mechanism is connected to the pedal, and the resistance ruler is disposed on the pedal. The connecting member is connected to the driving motor and the pedal. The control unit is electrically connected to the driving motor, the resistance ruler, the first micro switch, and the second micro switch. When the pedal is in a first position relative to the car body, the pedal contacts and actuates the first micro switch. When the pedal rotates relative to the car body from the first position to a second position, the pedal contacts and actuates the second micro switch.

Described herein is a gas-liquid separating gas exchange device comprising a vent mechanism that services gas exchange between the interior and exterior of a housing, a shelter of the vent mechanism distal from the housing that provides shelter of a distal area around the vent mechanism, an area-encompassing abutment rising distally from the housing and encompassing both the vent mechanism and the shelter and creating a fluid-catchment junction between the shelter and the abutment, and at least one fluid-exchange passageway in the at least one shelter allowing fluid exchange between the distal sheltered area and the abutment into the fluid-catchment junction. The gas-liquid separating gas exchange device may separate gas and liquid by gravity, energy of vibration, air-pressure forces, or a combination thereof and facilitates expulsion of contaminating liquid and debris from the housing.

A parking brake apparatus is provided for an autonomously drivable vehicle having components of a parking brake system for applying a parking brake. The parking brake apparatus comprises a first controller arranged to provide one or more control signals to be applied to components of the parking brake system to apply the parking brake in response to a signal requesting the parking brake to be applied. The parking brake apparatus also comprises a second controller arranged to provide one or more control signals to be applied to other components of the parking brake system to apply the parking brake in response to unavailability of the first controller to cause the parking brake to be applied.

A parking brake apparatus is provided for an autonomously drivable vehicle having components of a parking brake system for applying a parking brake. The parking brake apparatus comprises a first controller arranged to provide one or more control signals to be applied to components of the parking brake system to apply the parking brake in response to a signal requesting the parking brake to be applied. The parking brake apparatus also comprises a second controller arranged to provide one or more control signals to be applied to other components of the parking brake system to apply the parking brake in response to unavailability of the first controller to cause the parking brake to be applied.

An electro-pneumatic brake system for an automotive vehicle comprising brake actuators each with a service brake chamber and a park brake chamber, a service brake system forming a pneumatic main deceleration system and comprising service brake lines configured to supply air pressure to the service brake chamber of the brake actuators, a park brake system forming a pneumatic immobilization system and a backup pneumatic deceleration system, and comprising park brake lines configured to supply air pressure to the park brake chamber of the brake actuators, wherein the park brake system comprises a pressure controller device configured to perform a wheel anti-locking function under a condition of the park brake system being used as a backup deceleration system, the pressure controller device being configured to control the air pressure supply in the park brake lines.

The present invention relates to a brake system for a vehicle. The proposed brake system (1) comprises an actuation unit for actuating wheel brakes of the vehicle in a normal operating mode of the brake system (1). Further, the system (1) comprises a brake cylinder (2) for pressurizing the wheel brakes of the vehicle in an emergency operating mode of the brake system (1). The brake cylinder (2) comprises a brake cylinder housing (4) and a push rod (3) being displaceable within the brake cylinder housing (4) by operation of a brake pedal (5). The brake cylinder (2) further comprises a piston (14) movably arranged within the brake cylinder housing (4). The piston (14) has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. A hydraulic chamber (11) is formed within the brake cylinder housing (4) between the first surface of the piston (14) and an inner surface of the brake cylinder housing (4). The hydraulic chamber (11) is configured for being selectively fluidly connected with the wheel brakes. The brake cylinder (2) further comprises an elastic simulator element (13) arranged between the second surface of the piston (14) and the push rod (3) for pedal feel simulation. The brake cylinder (2) further comprises a locking element (22) configured to selectively mechanically couple the push rod (3) with the piston (14) to provide a rigid connection between the push rod (3) and the piston (14) during the emergency operating mode.

The present invention relates to a brake system for a vehicle. The proposed brake system (1) comprises an actuation unit for actuating wheel brakes of the vehicle in a normal operating mode of the brake system (1). Further, the system (1) comprises a brake cylinder (2) for pressurizing the wheel brakes of the vehicle in an emergency operating mode of the brake system (1). The brake cylinder (2) comprises a brake cylinder housing (4) and a push rod (3) being displaceable within the brake cylinder housing (4) by operation of a brake pedal (5). The brake cylinder (2) further comprises a piston (14) movably arranged within the brake cylinder housing (4). The piston (14) has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. A hydraulic chamber (11) is formed within the brake cylinder housing (4) between the first surface of the piston (14) and an inner surface of the brake cylinder housing (4). The hydraulic chamber (11) is configured for being selectively fluidly connected with the wheel brakes. The brake cylinder (2) further comprises an elastic simulator element (13) arranged between the second surface of the piston (14) and the push rod (3) for pedal feel simulation. The brake cylinder (2) further comprises a locking element (22) configured to selectively mechanically couple the push rod (3) with the piston (14) to provide a rigid connection between the push rod (3) and the piston (14) during the emergency operating mode.

A pneumatic brake actuator has a spring brake actuator with spring and spring brake pressure chambers, and a service brake actuator with service brake pressure and pushrod chambers. A control valve has a seal that is moveable between an open position and a closed position for regulating fluid flow between the spring chamber and service brake pressure chamber. A first surface of the seal is in fluid communication with the service brake pressure chamber and a second surface of the seal is in fluid communication with a valve chamber that is not in fluid communication with the service brake pressure chamber or spring chamber. The seal moves between its open and closed positions based on a pressure in the service brake pressure chamber. Movement of the seal is not dependent on the rate of flow of fluid between the spring chamber and the service brake pressure chamber.

A resonator is described including a piezoelectric material with first and second electrodes provided on the piezoelectric material. An acoustic metamaterial at least partially surrounds an active region of the resonator.