Driver braking demand indicator apparatus for a heavy vehicle

摘要

A driver braking demand indicator apparatus comprises a brake valve including (i) a brake valve member movable in response to a driver moving a brake applicator member, and (ii) a delivery pressure line to operate a vehicle service brake circuit. The apparatus also comprises a travel sensor arranged to (i) sense movement of the brake valve member, and (ii) provide a first signal indicative of the extent of travel of the brake valve member when movement of the brake valve member is sensed. The apparatus further comprises a delivery pressure line sensor arranged to (i) sense pressure in the delivery pressure line of the brake valve, and (ii) provide a second signal indicative of the pressure in the delivery pressure line. The apparatus also comprises a controller arranged to process the first and second signals to provide a driver braking demand signal for at least one external device.

主权项

1. A driver braking demand indicator apparatus for a heavy vehicle having a movable brake applicator member and at least one external device which can process a driver braking demand signal, the driver braking demand indicator apparatus comprising:
a brake valve including
(i) a brake valve member movable in response to a vehicle driver moving the brake applicator member, and(ii) a delivery pressure line to operate a vehicle service brake circuit; a travel sensor arranged to
(i) sense movement of the brake valve member of the brake valve, and(ii) provide a first signal indicative of the extent of travel of the brake valve member when movement of the brake valve member is sensed; a delivery pressure line sensor arranged to
(i) sense pressure in the delivery pressure line of the brake valve, and(ii) provide a second signal indicative of the pressure in the delivery pressure line; and a controller arranged to process the first and second signals to provide a driver braking demand signal for the at least one external device, wherein the controller is arranged to calculate the driver braking demand signal based upon the first signal when the extent of brake valve member travel is determined to be at or below a first predetermined threshold value and the controller is arranged to calculate the driver braking demand signal based upon the second signal when the extent of brake valve member travel is determined to be above the first predetermined threshold value.