A braking apparatus for a vehicle may include: a pedal stroke sensing unit configured to sense a pedal stroke of a brake pedal, and output a pedal stroke signal; and a control unit configured to control a brake actuator for braking the vehicle, based on the pedal stroke signal inputted from the pedal stroke sensing unit, and output a ramp signal in which information on whether a braking action of the vehicle has been performed is reflected, based on a reference voltage signal which is preset to determine whether the brake pedal is stepped on and a voltage signal converted from the pedal stroke signal.

A side-facing brake light assembly, including a left side-facing brake light incorporated into a left side view mirror and a right side-facing brake light incorporated into a right side view mirror, the left and right side-facing brake lights operable by an electrical circuit. Both the left side-facing and right side-facing brake lights are positioned and directed such that drivers and pedestrians on both the right side and the left side of the vehicle can see when the brakes of the vehicle have been applied, especially useful as the vehicle approaches an intersection. The side-facing brake light apparatus of the invention more effectively communicates the intention of the driver as he/she approaches the intersection, thereby increasing the safety of other drivers and pedestrians. The side-facing brake light apparatus of the invention helps to avoid serious collisions, property damage, and loss of life due to misunderstandings of other drivers and pedestrians.

A microprocessor-controlled rechargeable brake light control circuit is a compact package with connectors that includes a rechargeable power source, a power supply sensor, and a non-volatile memory connected to a microprocessor. When power is abruptly disconnected, as when the brake is disengaged, there still is enough power to the device from the rechargeable power source for a period of time that allows a microprocessor to store an indication, such as a time stamp, of approximately where in time the pulse sequence terminated. When the brake is again depressed and power is restored to the circuit, that time stamp may be used as a reference point to restart the pulse sequence. Pulsing of the brake light is through a MOSFET switch pulse circuit that receives vehicle power when the brake pedal is depressed and imprints a pulse pattern on that vehicle power responsive to pulse sequence command from the microprocessor.

A side-facing brake light assembly, including a left side-facing brake light incorporated into a left side view mirror and a right side-facing brake light incorporated into a right side view mirror, the left and right side-facing brake lights operable by an electrical circuit. Both the left side-facing and right side-facing brake lights are positioned and directed such that drivers and pedestrians on both the right side and the left side of the vehicle can see when the brakes of the vehicle have been applied, especially useful as the vehicle approaches an intersection. The side-facing brake light apparatus of the invention more effectively communicates the intention of the driver as he/she approaches the intersection, thereby increasing the safety of other drivers and pedestrians. The side-facing brake light apparatus of the invention helps to avoid serious collisions, property damage, and loss of life due to misunderstandings of other drivers and pedestrians.

An automotive vehicle includes a body, a housing disposed on the body, and an exterior lens coupled to the housing defining a cavity therebetween. The vehicle additionally includes an interior lens disposed in the cavity. The exterior and interior lenses have distinct first and second colors, respectively. The vehicle also includes a reflector disposed in the cavity. The reflector has an at least partially reflective coating disposed thereon and is positioned to reflect light from the interior lens and to the exterior lens. The vehicle further includes first and second light sources configured to emit light having a third color. The first light source is oriented to direct light through the exterior lens without passing through the interior lens, and the second light source is oriented to direct light through the interior lens, reflect from the reflector, and subsequently through the exterior lens.

Instead of binary brake lights on a car, the present disclosure provides methods and apparatus to provide an indicator of deceleration magnitude of a car, as caused by coasting or engine braking. An accelerometer or other means of approximating the magnitude of a braking force is coupled to a control module, which itself is coupled to auxiliary lights mounted on the car. These auxiliary lights are capable of displaying a pulse, color, or a pattern correlated to the magnitude of the deceleration force. This gives drivers behind the car an indication of how quickly to respond to a decelerating car.

A brake light control module for activating brake lights of a vehicle in response to activation of an engine brake of said vehicle. A control circuit of the module features a thyristor, a power lead and service lead for connection to the vehicle's electrical system and brake light service line across the thyristor, and a trigger lead for connection between the thyristor's gate terminal and an engine brake activation line of the vehicle to switch the thyristor to its conductive state when the engine brake activation line is energized. A delay circuit is installed in the power lead to prevent energization of the service lead in the event of a momentary gate signal indicative of an engine brake assisted gear shift. An operational indicator mounted within the housing is activated when the engine brake activation line is energized, thus confirming proper installation of the module.

Instead of binary brake lights on a car, the present disclosure provides methods and apparatus to provide an indicator of brake magnitude of the car. A pressure sensor, accelerometer, or other device capable of approximating the magnitude of a braking force is coupled to a control module, which itself is coupled to auxiliary lights mounted on the car. These auxiliary lights are capable of displaying a pulse, color, or a pattern correlated to the magnitude of the braking force. This gives drivers behind the car an indication of how quickly to respond to a braking car.

A calliper for an electromechanical disc brake for a vehicle wheel. The calliper comprises a control unit configured to control the braking of the wheel, the control unit being intended to be electrically connected to a braking control line of the vehicle.

A switch device may include a rod movable in association with an operation of a brake pedal, a main body case in which one end side of the rod is disposed, a movable board disposed in the main body case, and a connecting mechanism configured to connect the rod and the movable board. The movable board may be displaceable via the movement of the rod such that a movable contact point of the movable board is in contact with or separate from a fixed contact point. The connecting mechanism may include a protruding portion radially protruding from the rod, and a wall portion provided in the movable board. After pushing the rod into the main body case by a predetermined length, a tooth portion disposed on the protruding portion may mesh with a tooth portion disposed on the wall portion connecting the rod and the movable board.