An air bleeding apparatus and method for electric brake systems. The air bleeding apparatus includes a piston position sensor configured to detect a position of a piston installed in a main master cylinder, a motor drive unit configured to drive a motor to move the piston, a motor speed detection unit configured to detect a speed of rotation of the motor, a brake pedal position sensor configured to detect a position of a brake pedal, and a control unit configured to, when entering an air bleeding mode, release a normally actuated valve and control the position of the piston by controlling the motor drive unit according to the position of the piston detected by the piston position sensor or the speed of rotation of the motor detected by the motor speed detection unit when it is determined that the brake pedal is pressed.

A bleeding device (1, 100) for bleeding air from a hydraulic system, which includes a bleed screw (2, 102) and a bleeding needle (3, 103) for unseating the bleed screw (2, 102) to enable any air trapped within the system to be bled. The bleed screw (2, 102) is receivable within a threaded bleed port (41) in a component of the system, such as a brake caliper (4). The bleed screw (2, 102) includes a socket (28, 128), a conical sealing face (27) and a radial fluid passage (24) between the sealing face (27) and the socket (28, 128). The bleed needle (3, 103) includes a plug (34, 134) for releasable engaging receipt within the socket (28, 128) of the valve member and a fluid passageway (31) which is in fluid communication with the radial fluid passage (24) of the bleed screw (2) when the plug (34, 134) is received within the socket (28, 128). The bleed screw (2, 102) is movable, in use, between a sealed position in which the sealing face (27) seats against the sealing face (43) of a bleed port (41) and a bleeding position in which the sealing face (27) is unseated to open fluid communication between the bleed port (41) and the fluid passageways (24, 31).

A bleeding device (1, 100) for bleeding air from a hydraulic system, which includes a bleed screw (2, 102) and a bleeding needle (3, 103) for unseating the bleed screw (2, 102) to enable any air trapped within the system to be bled. The bleed screw (2, 102) is receivable within a threaded bleed port (41) in a component of the system, such as a brake caliper (4). The bleed screw (2, 102) includes a socket (28, 128), a conical sealing face (27) and a radial fluid passage (24) between the sealing face (27) and the socket (28, 128). The bleed needle (3, 103) includes a plug (34, 134) for releasable engaging receipt within the socket (28, 128) of the valve member and a fluid passageway (31) which is in fluid communication with the radial fluid passage (24) of the bleed screw (2) when the plug (34, 134) is received within the socket (28, 128). The bleed screw (2, 102) is movable, in use, between a sealed position in which the sealing face (27) seats against the sealing face (43) of a bleed port (41) and a bleeding position in which the sealing face (27) is unseated to open fluid communication between the bleed port (41) and the fluid passageways (24, 31).

An assembly for venting a bicycle hydraulic braking system. One portion of the assembly is bleeding valve for a bicycle hydraulic braking system, comprising a valve body rotatably insertable in a seat of a brake caliper that has an axial inner cavity in fluid communication with a fluid cavity in the caliper and a closing body configured to removably held it in the axial cavity. A second portion of the assembly is a hydraulic fitting for venting the braking system. The hydraulic fitting has a fastening lip for a flexible tube, a portion to engage a tool, a portion configured to screw into a threaded cavity of the bleeding valve, and an axial passage through the fitting.

An assembly for venting a bicycle hydraulic braking system. One portion of the assembly is bleeding valve for a bicycle hydraulic braking system, comprising a valve body rotatably insertable in a seat of a brake caliper that has an axial inner cavity in fluid communication with a fluid cavity in the caliper and a closing body configured to removably held it in the axial cavity. A second portion of the assembly is a hydraulic fitting for venting the braking system. The hydraulic fitting has a fastening lip for a flexible tube, a portion to engage a tool, a portion configured to screw into a threaded cavity of the bleeding valve, and an axial passage through the fitting.

A brake control system for a vehicle, the brake control system including a master cylinder, a brake line for communicating brake fluid between the master cylinder and a brake, a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the brake line during non-braking conditions, and means for selectively moving brake fluid into and/or out of the fluid reservoir. The means for selectively moving brake fluid into and/or out of the fluid reservoir includes means for removing gas from the fluid reservoir, and is configured to move brake fluid into the fluid reservoir, so that brake fluid is moved along the brake line in a direction towards the master cylinder, during non-braking conditions. Upon receiving a signal of an anticipated brake event, brake fluid may also be moved out of the fluid reservoir, so that brake fluid is moved along the brake line in a direction away from the master cylinder.

A brake control system for a vehicle, the brake control system including a master cylinder, a brake line for communicating brake fluid between the master cylinder and a brake, a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the brake line during non-braking conditions, and means for selectively moving brake fluid into and/or out of the fluid reservoir. The means for selectively moving brake fluid into and/or out of the fluid reservoir includes means for removing gas from the fluid reservoir, and is configured to move brake fluid into the fluid reservoir, so that brake fluid is moved along the brake line in a direction towards the master cylinder, during non-braking conditions. Upon receiving a signal of an anticipated brake event, brake fluid may also be moved out of the fluid reservoir, so that brake fluid is moved along the brake line in a direction away from the master cylinder.

A brake bleeding system includes: a brake apply module of a wheel of a vehicle, the brake apply module including: a brake fluid reservoir; a caliper; and a pump configured to pump brake fluid from the brake fluid reservoir to the caliper; and a bleed screw; and a brake bleed module configured to, in response to user input indicative of a request to bleed air from the brake apply module, operate the pump and bleed air from the brake apply module.

A brake bleeding system includes: a brake apply module of a wheel of a vehicle, the brake apply module including: a brake fluid reservoir; a caliper; and a pump configured to pump brake fluid from the brake fluid reservoir to the caliper; and a bleed screw; and a brake bleed module configured to, in response to user input indicative of a request to bleed air from the brake apply module, operate the pump and bleed air from the brake apply module.

A hydraulic braking system includes: a master cylinder including a pressurizing piston, a rearward chamber, and a pressure chamber; and a rearward-hydraulic-pressure controller connected to the rearward chamber and including a pressure increase valve and a regulator for controlling a hydraulic pressure in an output chamber. An air detector includes: an upstream detector, including the rearward-hydraulic-pressure controller, for detecting presence or absence of air in an upstream portion based on a relationship between the hydraulic pressure in the output chamber and an open time of the pressure increase valve; and a downstream detector for detecting presence or absence of air in a downstream portion based on a relationship between a stroke of the pressurizing piston and the hydraulic pressure in the output chamber. The downstream portion includes a portion located downstream of the pressure chamber of the master cylinder.