Dual-Control Electro-Pneumatic Foot Brake System and Method
AssigneeBendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
InventorsJeremy Beaulieu, Anthony M. Pitts, David W. Howell, Alexander J. Augoustidis, Chitti Kolli
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A dual-control electro-pneumatic foot brake system and method are provided for use with a vehicle having multiple foot brake modules that communicate electronic signals to an electronic brake controller. As a backup feature in case there is a problem with the electron braking system, one of the foot brake modules provides pneumatic pressure to the other foot brake module, which supplies the provided pneumatic pressure to various components of the vehicle's braking system. Other alternatives are provided.
Claims20
A braking sub-system for use in a vehicle comprising first and second foot brake assemblies, the braking sub-system comprising:
- a brake valve actuator coupled with a first foot brake assembly, the first foot brake assembly comprising a first pedal and a first valve, wherein the first valve is configured to apply pneumatic pressure to a braking system of a vehicle in response to actuation of the first pedal;
- wherein:
- the brake valve actuator is pneumatically coupled with a second foot brake assembly comprising a second pedal and a second valve, the second valve being configured to apply pneumatic pressure to the brake valve actuator in response to actuation of the second pedal;
- and
- the brake valve actuator is configured to open the first valve in the first foot brake assembly to apply pneumatic pressure to the braking system of the vehicle in response to receiving pneumatic pressure from the second foot brake assembly.
A method comprising:
- performing in a braking system of a vehicle comprising an electronic braking system and first and second foot brake modules:
- providing electronic signals from the first and second foot brake modules to the electronic braking system;
- and
- as a backup to the electronic braking system, providing a pneumatic signal indirectly from the second foot brake module to braking components in the vehicle via the first foot brake module.
A braking sub-system comprising:
- an electronic braking system configured to receive electrical signals from first and second foot brake modules;
- and
- means for providing one of the first and second foot brake modules with pneumatic pressure from the other of the first and second foot brake modules as a backup to the electronic braking system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.