Abstract: A braking force distribution control device for an automotive vehicle is designed to make it possible to initiate a braking force distribution control as rapidly as possible upon rapid braking operation while at the same time being capable of preventing a malfunction of the braking force distribution control even when one of hydraulic pressure lines fails. The braking force distribution control establishes a predetermined relationship between the wheel cylinder pressure of a front wheel and a wheel cylinder pressure of a rear wheel on the basis of a comparison between the wheel speeds of the front and rear wheels. The braking force distribution control is initiated when the decelerations of all the wheels exceed a set value.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a brake control system for a vehicle, wherein a first valve device for opening or closing a main passage, a hydraulic pressure pump, and a second valve device for opening or closing an auxiliary passage are disposed in each hydraulic pressure circuit of a dual hydraulic pressure circuit system. At least one of the first and second valve devices is controlled to equalize the slip rates of a pair of wheels, with the wheel brake cylinders operatively mounted thereon and disposed in different hydraulic circuits, and placed at the left side and right side of the vehicle, respectively, when a difference between the slip rates of the wheels placed at the left side and right side exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a brake control system for a vehicle, wherein a first valve device for opening or closing a main passage, which communicates a master cylinder with wheel brake cylinders, a hydraulic pressure pump for supplying the hydraulic pressure to the main passage, and a second valve device for opening or closing an auxiliary passage, which communicates the inlet of the pressure pump with the master cylinder, are disposed in each hydraulic pressure circuit of a dual hydraulic pressure circuit system.

Abstract: A brake control apparatus includes a first valve to open and close a main line between a master cylinder and a wheel cylinder, a pump connected between a first valve and the wheel cylinder to supply pressurized brake fluid to the wheel cylinder, an auxiliary line connecting the inlet side of the pump to a master cylinder, a second valve to open and close the auxiliary line, a pressure sensor to detect the output pressure of the master cylinder and an electronic control unit which controls the first valve, the second valve, and the pump based upon the pressure detected by the pressure sensor so that the wheel cylinder receives a higher pressure than that of the master cylinder. The electronic control unit also closes the second valve while the pressure sensor detects the pressure over a certain pressure determined by the road surface condition.

Abstract: A brake control apparatus includes a first valve for opening and closing a main line, a pump having an inlet port and an outlet port to supply pressurized brake fluid to a point between the main line and the wheel cylinder, an auxiliary line Mfc connecting the inlet port of the pump to a master cylinder, a second valve for opening and closing the auxiliary line, a brake operation sensor for detecting the operation of a brake pedal, and an electronic controller which controls the first valve, the second valve, and the hydraulic pump. The electronic controller judges the need for brake assist control based on the detection by the brake operation sensor and controls the first valve, the second valve and the pump to perform the brake assist control. The electronic control unit also controls the duty ratio for the second valve based on the detection of the brake operation sensor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hydraulic braking system for an automotive vehicle, wherein a first passage is provided for communicating a master cylinder with first and second wheel cylinders. First and second pressure control devices are disposed in the first passage to control the hydraulic pressure of the brake fluid in the first and second wheel cylinders, respectively. A second passage is provided for communicating the master cylinder with an inlet of an auxiliary pressure source, which introduces the brake fluid from the wheel cylinders, and discharges the pressurized brake fluid to the wheel cylinders through the pressure control devices.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a braking force control system for an automotive vehicle having a hydraulic braking pressure control apparatus which is provided for applying the braking force to each of front and rear wheels of the vehicle at least in response to depression of a brake pedal. A desired yaw rate is set in accordance with a motion of the vehicle, and an actual yaw rate of the vehicle is measured. A varying rate of the desired yaw rate is calculated, and a varying rate of the actual yaw rate is calculated. Then, a deviation between the varying rate of the desired yaw rate and the varying rate of the actual yaw rate is calculated. And, a limitation unit is provided for actuating the hydraulic braking pressure control apparatus to limit the varying rate of the actual yaw rate by applying the braking force to at least one of the wheels, when the deviation exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a brake control system, which includes a first pressure circuit and a second pressure circuit for communicating a master cylinder with two sets of wheel cylinders, respectively. In each pressure circuit, a modulator is arranged to modulate the braking pressure in each wheel cylinder, a pressure pump is disposed to supply pressurized brake fluid to each wheel cylinder through each modulator, a normally open first valve is arranged to open or close a first passage for communicating the master cylinder with the modulator, and a normally closed second valve is arranged to open or close a second passage for communicating a reservoir directly with the inlet of each pump, or communicating the reservoir with it through the master cylinder. The pressurized brake fluid is supplied to each pressure circuit including the second valve at the inlet of the pump to perform an auxiliary pressurization.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a monitor system for use in an automotive vehicle which includes wheel brake cylinders operatively mounted on wheels, respectively, and which includes a hydraulic pressure control apparatus for generating a hydraulic braking pressure in response to depression of a brake pedal. A difference calculating unit calculates a difference between a wheel speed of a wheel to be determined and a wheel speed of at least one reference wheel which is compared with a predetermined value, when a braking operation detection unit detects a braking operation. Then, a determination unit compares the difference with a predetermined value, and determines that the pressure circuit provided for the wheel to be determined is normal, when the difference is lower than the predetermined value. An output unit may be provided to produce an output signal when a period of time during which the difference continues to be equal to or greater than the predetermined value, exceeds a predetermined time.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vehicle motion control system for maintaining vehicle stability by controlling the braking force applied to at least one wheel of a vehicle. A vehicle condition monitor is provided for monitoring a condition of the vehicle in motion. The braking force is applied by a braking apparatus to each wheel in response to depression of a brake pedal, and on the basis of an output of the monitor and irrespective of depression of the brake pedal. A control variable is provided for actuating the braking apparatus and set in accordance with at least a first parameter (e.g., wheel acceleration) and a second parameter (e.g., slip rate) which are provided on the basis of the output of the monitor, respectively, so that the control variable is varied in response to the output of the monitor. The control variable is integrated during the braking apparatus is actuated.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vehicle motion control system for maintaining vehicle stability by controlling the braking force applied to at least one of the driven wheels and non-driven wheels of a vehicle. A vehicle motion control is performed by applying the braking force to at least one wheel, on the basis of a condition of the vehicle in motion and irrespective of depression of a brake pedal. The braking force is applied to at least one wheel so as to cause an increase in turning radius, when an excessive oversteer occurs during vehicle motion. Whereas, the braking force is applied to at least one wheel so as to cause a decrease in turning radius, when an excessive understeer occurs during vehicle motion. In the case where an excessive braking to at least one of the driven wheels is detected, when an engine brake is exerted on the vehicle, a correction control is performed to increase the braking force applied to at least one of the non-driven wheels.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vehicle motion control system for maintaining vehicle stability by controlling the braking force applied to each wheel of a vehicle. The braking force applied to each wheel is controlled on the basis of outputs of the wheel speed sensors and the vehicle speed estimation unit. A limit value is calculated to a difference between a first estimated vehicle speed calculated for a second wheel located on the right side of the vehicle and a left estimated vehicle speed calculated for a left wheel located on the left side of the vehicle. The calculation of one of the first and second estimated vehicle speeds is limited in response to the limit value, so as to keep the estimated vehicle speed calculated for one of the right and left wheels rotating at a relatively low speed to be greater than a value subtracting the limit value from the second estimated vehicle speed provided for the other one of the right and left wheels rotating at a relatively high speed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vehicle motion control system for maintaining vehicle stability by controlling the braking force applied to at least one of the front and rear wheels of a vehicle. Oversteer restraining control and/or understeer restraining control are performed by applying the braking force to at least one wheel, on the basis of a condition of the vehicle in motion and irrespective of depression of a brake pedal. In the oversteer restraining control, the braking force is applied to at least one wheel so as to cause an increase in turning radius, when an excessive oversteer occurs during vehicle motion. Whereas, in the understeer restraining control, the braking force is applied to at least one wheel so as to cause a decrease in turning radius, when an excessive understeer occurs during vehicle motion.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vehicle motion control system for maintaining vehicle stability by controlling the braking force applied to at least one wheel of a vehicle. A vehicle condition monitor monitors a condition of the vehicle in motion. A steering control unit actuates a braking unit to apply the braking force to at least one wheel on the basis of the output of the monitor and irrespective of depression of a brake pedal. An anti-skid control unit actuates the braking unit to control the braking force applied to at least one wheel in response to a rotational condition thereof during braking. A subordinate control unit actuates the braking unit to adjust the braking force control performed by the anti-skid control unit, in accordance with a predetermined relationship between the anti-skid control unit and the subordinate control unit.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a vehicle motion control system for maintaining vehicle stability by controlling the braking force applied to each wheel, in response to a condition of the vehicle in motion. A predetermined pressure increasing characteristic is provided for the hydraulic braking pressure which is supplied from a pressure control apparatus to wheel brake cylinders, on the basis of the vehicle condition, when the braking force controller initiates the control of the braking force to actuate the pressure control apparatus. And, a predetermined pressure decreasing characteristic is provided for the hydraulic braking pressure, when the braking force controller terminates the control of the braking force. The braking force controller is arranged to control the hydraulic braking pressure supplied from the pressure control apparatus to each wheel brake cylinder in accordance with the pressure increasing characteristic and the pressure decreasing characteristic to maintain the stability of the vehicle.

Abstract: Protective apparatus, for a vehicle microcomputer, that constrains the microcomputer output during periods of abnormal microcomputer operation. The protective apparatus includes a regulator connected to receive a microcomputer oscillating signal having a predetermined period during normal operation, the regulator inverting a reset signal provided thereby upon the oscillating signal period exceeding the predetermined period to indicate abnormal operation. The apparatus further includes a one-shot multivibrator (OMB) which inverts its output upon the regulator reset signal being inverted and an output inhibiting logic circuit which receives the microcomputer CPU output, the output inhibiting logic circuit interrupting the microcomputer CPU output when the OMB inverts its output.

Abstract: An electrically driven power steering apparatus develops an assisting steering force to be applied to a steering system in accordance with a driving force detected, by detecting a driving force which is applied to a steering system from steering means and allowing an electric motor of an electric drive mechanism to be energized at a higher power level when the driving force detected is of an increased magnitude and at a reduced power level when the detected driving force is of a reduced magnitude. A voltage output from an onboard power supply is monitored, and when the voltage is below a given value, the motor is energized at a power level which is less than the energization power level which corresponds to the detected driving force. In this manner, a degradation of the onboard battery is prevented which would result from the operation of the electrically driven power steering apparatus when the battery voltage is low or when the charging power is insufficient.