A control device comprises two brake master cylinders (13, 14), both of which may be operated simultaneously by the same single manual control lever (15), according to a combined or integral braking mode. A switching element (27), associated with the manual control lever (15), may exclude one (14) of the two brake master cylinders.

A combination hydraulic master cylinder comprising two typically parallel pumps disposed within adjacent compartments within a common body of the combination hydraulic master cylinder. Each pump's piston physically pressurizes hydraulic fluid that has been separately drawn into its respective cylinder and in hydraulic isolation, however the proximate location of the independent pumps allows for convenient operation using one hand on one handlebar with reduced congestion of space rather than the more conventional arrangement of two separate master cylinders. The pistons are actuated mechanically using dedicated levers mounted externally to the cylinders. The levers are adjustable in the manner to which they are disposed to the pistons. One lever is oriented such that it is operable using a finger pull action; the second lever is oriented such that it is operable using a thumb push action.

A method of controlling the braking of a tractor-trailer combination, in which the tractor includes a drive train having an engine and at least one ground-engaging member driveably connected thereto, at least one ground-engaging member of the tractor includes at least one tractor brake, and at least one ground-engaging member of the trailer includes at least one trailer brake, the operation of which depends at least in part on the operative condition of the at least one tractor brake, includes the steps of, on the initiation of operation of the at least one tractor brake and the at least one trailer brake to brake the tractor-trailer combination, commencing operation of a timer that times the duration of operation of the at least one tractor brake and/or the at least one trailer brake. On a parameter related to the duration of braking effort timed by the timer reaching or exceeding a threshold value, the method then includes adjusting the braking effort applied by the at least one trailer brake in order to achieve or maintain a chosen braking performance of the tractor-trailer combination.

A hydraulic brake actuation assembly with a first and a second spool is disclosed. The hydraulic brake actuation assembly includes a first and a second subassembly which are configured to be mounted to each other in a pre-assembled manner. The first subassembly includes the first spool and a first actuation piston which are moveable along a first axis respectively. At least one first spring is located between the first spool and the first actuation piston along the first axis. The first subassembly includes the second spool and a second actuation piston which are moveable along a second axis respectively. At least one second spring is located between the second spool and the second actuation piston along the second axis. The first and the second axis are parallel to each other. The second subassembly includes a third and a fourth actuation piston. The third actuation piston is moveable along the first axis. It has a third contact surface which is able to contact a first contact surface of the first actuation piston. The fourth actuation piston is moveable along the second axis. It has a fourth contact surface which is able to contact a second contact surface of the second actuation piston.

A brake control system and method for autonomous vehicle control that includes a first brake pedal connected to a first brake arm, the first brake arm is connected to a first brake shaft, the first brake shaft extends a length between an upper end and lower end and includes a first actuator that expands and contracts in length. The lower end of the first brake shaft is operably connected to a first brake mechanism. An autonomous control system having a controller with microprocessor, memory and instructions is connected and controls operation of the first actuator. When the first brake shaft expands in length the first brake mechanism is engaged by the lower end of the first brake shaft thereby applying the brakes. The first brake mechanism is operable by depressing the first brake pedal in manual operation mode as well as by controlling the first actuator in autonomous operation mode.

A hydraulic brake assembly (12) includes a housing (24) having first and second side-by-side bores (30), each defining a respective master cylinder assembly. Each master cylinder assembly includes a master cylinder piston (32) slidably movable by actuation of a respective brake pedal (18a, 18b) to and between an active position and an inactive position. A spool (74) slidably disposed within a piston bore (70) of the master cylinder piston (32) is operable in a first mode to direct hydraulic fluid from a quick-fill chamber (62) to a master cylinder chamber (50) at a first pressure upon initial movement of the master cylinder piston (32) from the inactive position toward the active position. The spool (74) is operable in a second mode to direct hydraulic fluid from the quick-fill chamber (62) to a tank (20) when pressure in the master cylinder chamber (50) reaches a predefined threshold.

A master brake cylinder includes a unique mounting arrangement for securing thereof to a firewall of a vehicle and a particular porting arrangement. A cylinder sleeve includes a series of ports that cooperate with movement of the piston allowing for by-passing of the piston at one end position and then movement of the piston past the ports for brake actuation. Additionally a two stage pressure intensifier is provided that is in-line between a master brake cylinder and brake pistons. The intensifier also includes a by-pass position at one end of the movable piston having a differential area between a forward and a rear face of the piston.

A master brake cylinder includes a unique mounting arrangement for securing thereof to a firewall of a vehicle and a particular porting arrangement. A cylinder sleeve includes a series of ports that cooperate with movement of the piston allowing for by-passing of the piston at one end position and then movement of the piston past the ports for brake actuation. Additionally a two stage pressure intensifier is provided that is in-line between a master brake cylinder and brake pistons. The intensifier also includes a by-pass position at one end of the movable piston having a differential area between a forward and a rear face of the piston.

A brake control system and method for autonomous vehicle control that includes a first brake pedal connected to a first brake arm, the first brake arm is connected to a first brake shaft, the first brake shaft extends a length between an upper end and lower end and includes a first actuator that expands and contracts in length. The lower end of the first brake shaft is operably connected to a first brake mechanism. An autonomous control system having a controller with microprocessor, memory and instructions is connected and controls operation of the first actuator. When the first brake shaft expands in length the first brake mechanism is engaged by the lower end of the first brake shaft thereby applying the brakes. The first brake mechanism is operable by depressing the first brake pedal in manual operation mode as well as by controlling the first actuator in autonomous operation mode.

A vehicle brake device includes a first electric motor, a first electrically powered cylinder device, a first electromagnetic valve, and a first pressure sensor serving as first elements, a second electric motor, a second electrically powered cylinder device, a second electromagnetic valve, and a second pressure sensor serving as second elements, and a circuit board in which a first sector in which a first circuit for controlling the first element is formed and a second sector in which a second circuit for controlling the second element is formed are arranged side by side. In the vehicle brake device, the first element controlled only by the first circuit is disposed so as to face the first sector, and the second element controlled only by the second circuit is disposed so as to face the second sector.