Braking apparatus for a vehicle and vehicle comprising said braking apparatus
US8662276B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 3, 2011 |
| Grant date | Mar 4, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 17, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/19991
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A braking apparatus for a vehicle, in particular a heavy goods vehicle, includes a drive axle having a transmission gear, such as a differential, around which an amount of oil for lubrication is variable. The brake apparatus further includes at least one friction brake and at least one retarder that is capable of operating to slow the vehicle through the transmission gear. The braking apparatus comprises a brake operating device for operating the at least one friction brake and the least one retarder, and a determining feature to determine an oil level around the transmission gear. The brake operating device, on operation by a user, is arranged to apply the retarder when the oil level around the transmission gear is above a threshold level, and, if the oil level is below the threshold level, the brake operating device is arranged to initiate an increase in the oil level around the transmission gear.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.