An adaptive brake control system for use in Ground Support Equipment (GSE) including a speed control system. The adaptive brake control system includes a distance sensor adapted to measure a distance from an edge of the GSE to an external object and a speed senor adapted to measure a ground speed of the GSE. An actuator, such as a brake actuator, is adapted to cause the speed control system of the GSE to slow or stop the GSE. A controller is functionally associated with the distance sensor, the speed sensor, and the actuator. The controller is adapted to receive inputs from the distance sensor and the speed sensor, and, based on the received inputs, to trigger the actuator to affect slowing or stopping of the GSE.

A vehicle security system is provided for a vehicle having a braking system that includes a parking brake, the parking brake being capable of being switched between a driving position and a braking position. The vehicle security system is configured to secure the vehicle after an accident. The vehicle security system comprises a control unit configured to ascertain an accident of the vehicle and to switch the parking brake of the vehicle into the braking position in response to ascertaining an accident of the vehicle, and a sensor configured to capture and make available first vehicle data that represent a rotary location of the vehicle. The control unit is configured to carry out the ascertainment of an accident on the basis of the first vehicle data.

A vehicle security system is provided for a vehicle having a braking system that includes a parking brake, the parking brake being capable of being switched between a driving position and a braking position. The vehicle security system is configured to secure the vehicle after an accident. The vehicle security system comprises a control unit configured to ascertain an accident of the vehicle and to switch the parking brake of the vehicle into the braking position in response to ascertaining an accident of the vehicle, and a sensor configured to capture and make available first vehicle data that represent a rotary location of the vehicle. The control unit is configured to carry out the ascertainment of an accident on the basis of the first vehicle data.

A parking brake apparatus is provided for a vehicle having components of a parking brake system and a number of devices providing a plurality of output signals indicative of a plurality of vehicle factors. The parking brake apparatus comprises an electronic controller arranged to (i) monitor the output signals indicative of a plurality of vehicle factors, and (ii) provide one or more control signals to be applied to components of the parking brake system to apply parking brakes based upon a predefined sequence of the plurality of vehicle factors having been met.

A parking brake apparatus is provided for a vehicle having components of a parking brake system and a number of devices providing a plurality of output signals indicative of a plurality of vehicle factors. The parking brake apparatus comprises an electronic controller arranged to (i) monitor the output signals indicative of a plurality of vehicle factors, and (ii) provide one or more control signals to be applied to components of the parking brake system to apply parking brakes based upon a predefined sequence of the plurality of vehicle factors having been met.

An adaptive brake control system for use in Ground Support Equipment (GSE) including a speed control system. The adaptive brake control system includes a distance sensor adapted to measure a distance from an edge of the GSE to an external object and a speed senor adapted to measure a ground speed of the GSE. An actuator, such as a brake actuator, is adapted to cause the speed control system of the GSE to slow or stop the GSE. A controller is functionally associated with the distance sensor, the speed sensor, and the actuator. The controller is adapted to receive inputs from the distance sensor and the speed sensor, and, based on the received inputs, to trigger the actuator to affect slowing or stopping of the GSE.

A controller is provided to, in response to a speed of the vehicle exceeding an allowable speed based on a measured grade while the vehicle is running and in neutral or park, actuating a vehicle holding mechanism to stop the vehicle.

A controller is provided to, in response to a speed of the vehicle exceeding an allowable speed based on a measured grade while the vehicle is running and in neutral or park, actuating a vehicle holding mechanism to stop the vehicle.

A method for operating a motor vehicle including a hydraulic brake system having at least one controllable first hydraulic actuator and one controllable second hydraulic actuator. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, the motor vehicle is decelerated according to a deceleration specification by controlling a selected one of the hydraulic actuators. A current wear condition of the first hydraulic actuator is ascertained, a current wear condition of the second hydraulic actuator is ascertained, and the selection of one of the hydraulic actuators is made according to the ascertained wear conditions.

A method of operating a brake system for a motor vehicle, the brake system has a parking brake device and actuating the parking brake device for generating a parking braking force on a wheel of the motor vehicle is only permitted if a speed value falls below a speed threshold value. As such, the speed value is determined from a measured speed value corresponding at least temporarily to a speed of the motor vehicle. If the measured speed value falls below the speed value, the speed value is made to track the measured speed value with a speed gradient limited to a speed gradient limit value.