A braking apparatus for a vehicle and a vehicle comprising said braking apparatus

摘要

The invention relates to a braking apparatus for a vehicle 10, in particular a heavy goods vehicle, the braking apparatus including a drive axle, such as the rear axle 6, having a transmission gear 18, such as a differential 18, around which the amount of oil for lubrication is variable, at least one friction brake 14 and at least one retarder 16, the at least one retarder 16 being capable of operating to slow the vehicle through the transmission gear. The braking apparatus comprises a brake operating device 12 for operating the at least one friction brake and the least one retarder, and means 20 for determining the oil level around the transmission gear. The brake operating device, on operation by a user, is arranged to apply the at least one 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.