Brake system and method

Abstract

A brake component system for a vehicle having first and second brake assemblies associated with first and second wheels, respectively, can include a floor panel, a first structure, a housing cover, a brake actuator an equalizer, a first brake wire, and a second brake wire. The housing cover can extend from the first structure and can be spaced above the floor panel. The first and second brake wires can run along the first structure and each can have a first end portion connected to the equalizer and a second end portion connected to the respective brake assembly. The first brake wire and second brake wire can be located between the floor panel and the housing cover. The first structure can include at least one of a heater duct structure, a floor stiffener structure, and a combination heater duct and floor stiffener structure that is configured to form a channel in which the first brake wire and second brake wire extend in the first direction. The housing cover can be spaced above the channel and can span the channel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A brake component system for a vehicle having first and second brake assemblies associated with first and second wheels, respectively, comprising:
 a floor panel;   a first structure extending along the floor panel and extending in a first direction along a length of the vehicle;   a housing cover extending from the first structure and spaced above the floor panel;   a brake actuator;   an equalizer operably connected to the brake actuator;   a first brake wire running along the first structure substantially in the first direction, the first brake wire having a first end portion connected to the equalizer and a second end portion connected to the first brake assembly; and   a second brake wire running along the first structure substantially in the first direction, the first brake wire having a first end portion connected to the equalizer and a second end portion connected to the second brake assembly, wherein:   the first brake wire and second brake wire are located between the floor panel and the housing cover,   the first structure includes at least one of a heater duct structure, a floor stiffener structure, and a combination heater duct and floor stiffener structure that is configured to form a channel in which the first brake wire and second brake wire extend in the first direction, and wherein   the housing cover is spaced above the channel and spans the channel.   
     
     
         2 . The brake component system of  claim 1 , wherein the first brake wire and second brake wire extend substantially parallel to one another in the first direction, the first brake wire crossing over the second brake wire at least once in a second direction transverse to the first direction. 
     
     
         3 . The brake component system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first cover located adjacent a first cover portion of the first brake wire; and   a second cover located adjacent a second cover portion of the second brake wire, wherein   the first cover portion of the first brake wire crosses over the second cover portion of the second brake wire at a crossover location such that the first brake wire is at a transverse angle with respect to the second brake wire at the crossover location, the first cover and the second cover being in contact with each other.   
     
     
         4 . The brake component system of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the first cover and second cover is in contact with the housing cover. 
     
     
         5 . The brake component system of  claim 3 , wherein the first cover and second cover are connected to the first brake wire and second brake wire, respectively, via at least one of an adhesive bond and an interference fit. 
     
     
         6 . The brake component system of  claim 1 , further comprising a hollow member connected to the housing cover by a hinge. 
     
     
         7 . The brake component system of  claim 1 , wherein the housing cover includes a portion spaced from the first structure and extending to the floor panel such that the first structure, the housing and the floor panel cooperated to define a passage through which the first and second brake wires extend. 
     
     
         8 . The brake component system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second structure extending along the floor panel substantially parallel to the first structure and along a length of the vehicle; and   wherein the housing cover extends to and engages the second structure such that the first structure, the housing cover, the second structure and the floor panel define a passage through with the first and second brake wires extend.   
     
     
         9 . The brake component system of  claim 1 , wherein
 the first brake wire crosses the second brake wire at two locations spaced from the equalizer.   
     
     
         10 . The brake component system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first brake wire includes an inner structure and an outer structure in direct contact with the inner structure and housing the inner structure, the inner structure is movable within the outer structure, and the outer structure includes a cover intermediate the first end portion of the first brake wire and the second end portion of the first brake wire; and   the cover of the first brake wire crosses over a crossover portion of the second brake wire at a crossover location such that the first brake wire and second wire are angled with respect to each other at the crossover location and the housing cover is in contact with the crossover portion of the second wire at the crossover location, and the housing cover is spaced from the crossover portion of the second brake wire immediately adjacent the crossover location.   
     
     
         11 . The brake component system of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the housing cover is fixed to the cover of the first brake wire at a fixing location that is aligned with the crossover location.   
     
     
         12 . The brake component system of  claim 1 , further comprising a carpet covering the floor structure, the first structure, and the housing cover and the first and second brake wires extend along the floor panel between the carpet and the floor panel. 
     
     
         13 . The brake component system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first cover located adjacent a portion of the first brake wire; and   a second cover located adjacent a portion of the second brake wire;   the first wire crosses over the second wire and the second cover is in contact with the first cover.   
     
     
         14 . The brake component system of  claim 13 , wherein the first cover and second cover are connected to the first brake wire and second brake wire, respectively, via at least one of an adhesive bond and an interference fit. 
     
     
         15 . The brake component system of  claim 1 , wherein the equalizer is incorporated into the actuator. 
     
     
         16 . The brake component system of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the first cover and second cover comprises a rubber material. 
     
     
         17 . The brake component system of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the first cover and second cover comprises Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer.