There is provided a hydraulic control device that improves the reliability. The hydraulic control device includes a rear-side connection fluid path, a front-side connection fluid path, a first discharge fluid path, a first hydraulic source, a second discharge fluid path, a second hydraulic source, and a shutoff valve. The rear-side connection fluid path connects a master cylinder with a rear-side wheel cylinder. The front-side connection fluid path connects the master cylinder with a front-side wheel cylinder. The first discharge fluid path is connected to the rear-side connection fluid path and to the front-side connection fluid path. The first hydraulic source is configured to discharge a brake fluid to the first discharge fluid path. The second discharge fluid path is connected to the front-side connection fluid path at a position between a connecting position of the first discharge fluid path and the front-side wheel cylinder. The second hydraulic source is configured to discharge the brake fluid to the second discharge fluid path. The shutoff valve is placed between the connecting position of the first discharge fluid path and a connecting position of the second discharge fluid path in the front-side connection fluid path.

A method for controlling the braking system of a vehicle when the vehicle is switching from a standstill state where parking brake is applied to a driving state includes at least the following steps: a) detecting at least one starting condition of the vehicle, b) determining at least one parking condition of the vehicle, c) assessing whether said parking condition is favorable or unfavorable, d) if said parking condition is considered to be favorable at step c), starting to release the parking brake, and e) after step d), starting to apply the service brake.

A method for controlling the braking system of a vehicle when the vehicle is switching from a standstill state where parking brake is applied to a driving state includes at least the following steps: a) detecting at least one starting condition of the vehicle, b) determining at least one parking condition of the vehicle, c) assessing whether said parking condition is favorable or unfavorable, d) if said parking condition is considered to be favorable at step c), starting to release the parking brake, and e) after step d), starting to apply the service brake.

A method of actuating a parking brake for a vehicle having an electromechanical brake device in a situation whereat driving dynamics state information is not available in the vehicle and whereat a driver operates the parking brake includes producing an electromechanical braking force with a magnitude that is less than a maximum braking force of the parking brake.

A method of actuating a parking brake for a vehicle having an electromechanical brake device in a situation whereat driving dynamics state information is not available in the vehicle and whereat a driver operates the parking brake includes producing an electromechanical braking force with a magnitude that is less than a maximum braking force of the parking brake.

A brake pedal apparatus for a vehicle is provided. The brake pedal apparatus includes a fixing bracket fixedly installed in a vehicle, a pedal arm coupled to the fixing bracket to be rotatable about a first axis, and a collision rack coupled to the fixing bracket to be rotatable about a second axis which is different from the first axis. The collision rack is configured to rotate upon a collision with a collision bracket. The fixing bracket supports the pedal arm to allow the pedal arm to be movable in a predetermined direction. The collision rack blocks the movement of the first axis of the pedal arm, and upon the collision with the collision bracket, the collision rack allows the pedal arm to be disengaged from the fixing bracket, thereby reducing the risk of injuring the driver.

A brake pedal apparatus for a vehicle is provided. The brake pedal apparatus includes a fixing bracket fixedly installed in a vehicle, a pedal arm coupled to the fixing bracket to be rotatable about a first axis, and a collision rack coupled to the fixing bracket to be rotatable about a second axis which is different from the first axis. The collision rack is configured to rotate upon a collision with a collision bracket. The fixing bracket supports the pedal arm to allow the pedal arm to be movable in a predetermined direction. The collision rack blocks the movement of the first axis of the pedal arm, and upon the collision with the collision bracket, the collision rack allows the pedal arm to be disengaged from the fixing bracket, thereby reducing the risk of injuring the driver.

A method for operating a vehicle, the vehicle being guided in fully automated fashion, and if an error is detected during the fully automated guidance, a safe state being selected from a plurality of safe states as a function of one parameter, the vehicle being guided in fully automated fashion into the selected safe state. Also described is an apparatus for operating a vehicle, as well as to a computer program.

A method for operating a vehicle, the vehicle being guided in fully automated fashion, and if an error is detected during the fully automated guidance, a safe state being selected from a plurality of safe states as a function of one parameter, the vehicle being guided in fully automated fashion into the selected safe state. Also described is an apparatus for operating a vehicle, as well as to a computer program.

A brake cooling period prediction system for predicting a brake cooling period following a braking event, and including a sensor apparatus in communication with a prediction apparatus. The sensor apparatus has a torque sensor for measuring the torque reacted by a brake during a braking event; a wear sensor for measuring a wear state of the brake; and an environmental sensor for measuring at least one ambient condition of the environment of the brake. The prediction apparatus includes a memory storing information relating to the thermal behavior of the brake; and a controller configured to receive a torque measurement, a wear measurement and an ambient condition measurement from the sensor apparatus; and predict a cooling period based on the received torque, wear and ambient condition measurements, and the information relating to the thermal behavior of the brake.