Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Robert J Hammersmith

Donald E Schenk

Alexander Kade

Donald L Parker

Schuyler Scott Shaw

Kevin Gerard Leppek

Michael F Matouka

Edward J DeHoff

Dennis J Ricker

Thomas H Gardner

James J Kowalik

Paul D Wilkey

Paul D Agarwal

Linda L Hallinan

Naila Mikhaeil-Boules

David F Reuter

Richard F Honigsbaum

George N Villec

Ronald Paul

Gordon L Tierney

James F Quinn

Richard S Grewette

A torque limiter suitable for use in a gear train is provided having at least one gear connected with a first driven member and another gear being connected with a motive source for transmitting torque from the motive source to the first driven member. One of the gears has an inner hub and an outer ring with spring means preventing relative motion between the hub and the ring unless a predetermined torque value is exceeded whereby the hub has angular rotation with respect to the ring.

Torque limiter

To provide an ABS/TC integration and method of utilization thereof which is an alternative to those previously provided and to maximize the utilization of the actuator in both the ABS and TC functions the present invention is brought forth. The present invention provides an ABS/TC integration with a common actuator which maximizes the operation of the actuator when in either an ABS or TC braking mode.

Combined traction control and anti-lock braking system

A vehicle wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS) is provided including a master cylinder and a wheel brake. A controller cognizant of the rotational condition of the wheel provides a signal when the wheel condition is within preset parameters. An actuator frame is also provided having a bore fluidly communicating with the wheel brake. A piston is mounted within the bore for providing a variable control volume in communication with the wheel brake and for modulating the pressure therein. A reversible motor reciprocally powers the piston. The motor has a rotor with a connected disc. A friction surface is provided for engagement with the disc to lock the position of the piston. A plunger is also provided to urge the friction surface into engagement with the disc. An electromagnetic core, responsive to a signal by the controller, moves the plunger to a position allowing cessation of engagement between the friction surface and the disc thereby allowing rotation of the motor and movement of the piston.

Anti-lock braking system with electromagnetic brake

A pressure actuator for a vehicle braking system is provided. The actuator has a frame with fluid connections with a pressurized fluid source and a wheel cylinder. A piston is slidably mounted inside an interior bore of the frame. A nut is associated with the piston for moving the piston. A drive screw is threadably engaged with the nut. A motor is provided for powering the drive screw in response to a signal given by a controller. A gear train is provided having at least one gear connected with the first drive screw and another gear being connected with the motor for transmitting torque from the motor to the first drive screw. One of the gears has an inner hub and an outer ring with a spring device preventing relative motion between the hub and the ring unless a predetermined torque value is exceeded whereby the hub has angular rotation with respect to the ring.

Pressure actuator

An automotive vehicle drum brake including a brake drum for connected to the vehicle wheel and a backing plate for connected to the vehicle. At least one brake shoe is and pivotally mounted with respect to the backing plate. A non-rotative nut mounted for linear motion with respect to said backing plate and has a pivotal connection with the brake shoe. A power screw is threadably engaged with the nut. An electric motor powers the power screw to turn the same to actuate the brakes. A parking brake mechanism is also provided by a coil spring which surrounds a drum which is connected with the power train from and including the electrical motor and the power screw. An actuator is provided to move the coil spring to an unwound position to allow the parking brake to release.

Electric drum brake

A vehicle wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS) is provided including a master cylinder and a wheel brake. An ABS controller cognizant of the rotational condition of the wheel provide a signal when the wheel condition is within preset parameters. An isolation valve responsive to close upon an activation signal given by said controller prevents fluid communication between the master cylinder and the wheel brake. An actuator frame is also provided having a bore fluidly communicating with the wheel brake. A piston is mounted within the bore for providing a variable control volume in communication with said wheel brake for and modulating the pressure therein. A reversible motor reciprocally powers piston. The motor has a rotor with a connected disc. A friction surface is provided for engagement with the disc to lock the position of the piston. A plunger is also provided to urge said friction surface into engagement with said disc. An electromagnetic core, responsive to a signal by said controller, moves the plunger to a position allowing removal of engagement between said friction surface and said disc thereby allowing rotation of the motor and movement of the piston.

An automotive vehicle drum brake is provided including a brake drum connected to a wheel. A backing plate is connected to the vehicle and at least one brake shoe is connected with the backing plate and is pivotally mounted with respect thereto. A non-rotative nut is mounted for linear motion with respect to the backing plate and is pivotally connected with respect to the brake shoe. A power screw is threadably engaged with the nut. The power screw is also mounted to the backing plate. An electric motor is torsionally connected with the power screw to turn the same to actuate the brakes.

An integrated anti-lock braking system (ABS)/traction control (TC) braking system for a vehicle having a fluid activated brake for a wheel is provided the system in one embodiment includes a system controller for signaling the system to an ABS or TC mode, a master cylinder for delivering pressurized fluid to the wheel brake, an actuator with a longitudinal bore having a first stop. A hollow primary piston is slidably mounted within the longitudinal bore biased towards the first stop. The interior of the primary piston is fluidly connected with its exterior. A secondary piston is slidably mounted within the primary piston and movable in one direction to pressurize the wheel brake and movable in an opposite direction to relieve said wheel brake in response to the controller.

Anti-lock braking/traction control braking system

A brake system actuator which is actuated to increase pressure delivered to a wheel brake through a drive transfer mechanism powered by a variable torque electric motor, the actuator piston being retracted by a substantially constant torque spiral spring which is preloaded to drive transfer means in the opposite direction when the motor is deenergized. This is particularly useful in a brake actuator which is a component of a vehicle wheel brake and wheel anti-lock control system.

Brake system actuator with a return spring

A vehicle brake and wheel anti-lock control system in which an electronically controlled actuator normally provides brake pressure for the vehicle wheel brakes and also acts as a modulator to vary the brake actuating pressures for wheel anti-lock control. The actuator is so arranged that a master cylinder may be used to provide actuating pressure to the wheel brakes, the pressure passing through the actuator pressurizing chamber, if for any reason the actuator does not perform as needed to provide brake actuating pressure to stop the vehicle.

Actuating mechanism in a vehicle wheel brake and anti-lock brake control

A disc brake assembly is provided with a mechanism for dressing the disc brake lining during reverse movement of the vehicle on which the brake is installed. A suitable dressing material or mechanism is urged into engagement with the brake lining friction surfaces so that when the disc on which the linings act is rotated in accordance with reverse movement of the vehicle, the lining friction surface is dressed.

Growing community of inventors

Rochester Hills, MI, United States of America

Robert J Hammersmith