Pressure Control Patents (Class 303/11)
  • Publication number: 20130162012
    Abstract: A braking device comprises: a master cylinder; an electrical pressure adjusting unit; a reaction force generating unit, which forms a reaction force chamber and which generate a reaction hydraulic pressure in the reaction force chamber; a reservoir for brake fluid; an inter-chamber brake fluid path; a reservoir path that connects the reservoir and the inter-chamber brake fluid path; and a normally-closed control valve, wherein the electrical pressure adjusting unit includes an electrical pump which is directly connected with the driving hydraulic pressure chamber to supply the brake fluid to the driving hydraulic pressure chamber, and wherein at least one of electromagnetic valves provided in the electrical pressure adjusting unit and the reaction force generating unit is a normally-opened electromagnetic valve, which is provided in the inter-chamber brake fluid path and is configured to communicate the inter-chamber brake fluid path in a non-conduction state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: ADVICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: ADVICS CO., LTD.
  • Patent number: 8469463
    Abstract: [OBJECT] To provide a brake control apparatus and method for controlling the brake which is capable of preventing a fluctuation of a brake pedal stroke amount when switching a regenerative braking force to a hydraulic braking force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Sonoda, Motohiro Higuma
  • Patent number: 8444230
    Abstract: A vehicle motion control apparatus includes hydraulic pressure applying means for applying hydraulic pressure to a wheel cylinder side of any of plural solenoid valves, respectively arranged between a master cylinder and plural wheel cylinders, for the corresponding wheel cylinders even when an operator of the vehicle does not operate a brake operation member, motor controlling means for controlling an output of the electric motor to be reduced in accordance with a condition of a road surface when the hydraulic pressure is applied to the wheel cylinder, and valve controlling means for controlling the operation of the solenoid valve to increase an amount of the brake fluid flown by the operation of the solenoid valve before the output of the electric motor is reduced when the output of the electric motor is controlled to be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Ikematsu, Toshihisa Kato
  • Publication number: 20130106170
    Abstract: A hydraulic brake device and a method for controlling the same are disclosed. The disclosed hydraulic brake device determines failure of a booster pressure sensor provided at a hydraulic power unit, using pressure correlation among a master cylinder pressure sensor, a pressure sensor provided at the hydraulic power unit to detect a pressure transferred to a hydraulic pressure controller, and a high pressure accumulator pressure sensor. When there is failure of the booster pressure sensor, the driver is informed of the failure, and a braking operation is carried out, taking into consideration the failure. Accordingly, it may be possible to avoid excessive braking, sudden braking, insufficient braking, etc., and to achieve enhancement in braking sensation and braking force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: MANDO CORPORATION
  • Patent number: 8433490
    Abstract: A control device for a vehicle brake system includes first judgment value derivation and storage means for deriving and storing as first judgment value a boosting limit judgment pressure which, if predetermined conditions are satisfied during the driving of hydraulic pumps by boost control means, a boosting limit judgment pressure calculation means calculates at the time when the predetermined conditions are satisfied, and returning start judgment means for judging whether the returning of the brake manipulation member has been started or not. The boost control means executes the boost control using as the boosting limit judgment pressure the first judgment value stored in the first judgment value derivation and storage means when the returning start judgment means judges during the driving of the pumps that the returning of the brake manipulation member has been started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kato, Masanobu Yamaguchi, Koichi Tomida
  • Patent number: 8419138
    Abstract: The invention relates to a technology for effecting electronic brake force distribution in a vehicle brake system, which is equipped with a hydraulic brake boosting, comprising detecting a state requiring an electronic brake boosting and a limiting of the brake pressure generation of the hydraulic brake boosting according to the electronic brake boosting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Josef Knechtges
  • Patent number: 8405664
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes identifying a representation of a feature of an animated character by inverting an skinned representation of the feature in one position. The inversion includes a non-linear inversion of the skinned representation of the feature. The method also includes skinning the identified feature representation to produce the animated character in another position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Frederic P. Pighin, Cary Phillips
  • Patent number: 8366203
    Abstract: A brake system for an automotive vehicle includes a controller for operating friction and powertrain braking subsystems so that hydraulic pressure to the friction brakes is minimized during powertrain braking, while at the same time emulating the driver-interface operating characteristics of a pure friction-braking system during all operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventor: John P. Joyce
  • Patent number: 8352142
    Abstract: A brake control apparatus includes: a master cylinder; a wheel cylinder; a hydraulic pressure source; a control valve arranged to increase or reduce the pressure of the wheel cylinder; an outside gate valve arranged to connect or disconnect between the master cylinder and the wheel cylinder; a brake operation sensing section configured to sense a driver's brake operation; and a control unit configured to control the hydraulic pressure source, the control valve, and the outside gate valve, to perform an automatic-brake pressure-increasing control to control the outside gate valve in a valve closing direction, to drive the hydraulic pressure source, and thereby to increase the pressure of the wheel cylinder in accordance with a vehicle condition, and to increase a driving quantity of the hydraulic pressure source when the brake operation is sensed during the automatic-brake pressure-increasing control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinichiro Nishida
  • Publication number: 20120319466
    Abstract: In a method for carrying out an automatic braking in a motor vehicle with the aid of a pump which delivers a brake fluid in the direction of the wheel brakes, the brake pressure prevailing in the brake circuit is limited by a valve, which is overflowed when a settable pressure threshold is reached, and thus limiting the brake pressure. The dynamics of the pressure build-up is improved if the valve opens only at higher pressures, since a greater share of the volume flow coming from the hydraulic pump is then in fact conducted to the wheel brakes and is not able to flow off prematurely via the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventors: Michael Bunk, Matthias Schanzenbach, Michael Reichert, Markus Jung
  • Publication number: 20120319465
    Abstract: A brake control apparatus for a vehicle provided with a regenerative braking system includes a hydraulic circuit where a first passage connects a master cylinder to a wheel cylinder. A second passage connects a discharge side of a pump to a first portion of the first passage. A third passage connects a suction side of the pump to a second portion of the first passage between the master cylinder and the first portion. A fourth passage connects the suction side of the pump to a third portion of the first passage between an inflow valve and the wheel cylinder. A reservoir is connected to the third passage and a portion of the fourth passage between an outflow valve and the suction side of the pump. A shut-off valve restricts brake fluid discharge through a discharge-side valve from the pump being driven.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kotaro KOYAMA
  • Patent number: 8333442
    Abstract: When an electrical fluid pressure generator fails and a wheel cylinder is operated by brake fluid pressure generated by a master cylinder, if a first fluid pressure system leading to a rear fluid chamber of the electrical fluid pressure generator fails and is opened to the atmosphere, braking is performed by brake fluid pressure of a second fluid pressure system transmitted from the master cylinder through a front fluid chamber of the electrical fluid pressure generator to a wheel cylinder. At this time, a front supply port, which communicates through a front second cup seal, does not communicate with the master cylinder but with a reservoir. Such configuration prevents leakage of the brake fluid pressure generated by the master cylinder through the front supply port, the front second cup seal and the rear fluid chamber, thereby ensuring braking by the second fluid pressure system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunimichi Hatano, Takaaki Ohnishi
  • Patent number: 8321111
    Abstract: A pedal system to realize an intended vehicle output in response to pedal depression is provided. The pedal system provides hysteresis in the relationship between the pedal effort and the vehicle output, taking into account a pedal effort in a depressing motion or in a releasing motion, employing a relationship including a straight line or a folded line. A vehicle output command may be delivered by changing the vehicle output relative to the pedal effort depending on the vehicle speed. An appropriate vehicle output command may be delivered by providing a maintaining motion in addition to the depressing motion and the releasing motion with a different pedal effort and vehicle output command relationship, and by changing the sensitivity of the vehicle output command relative to the pedal effort in the maintaining motion depending on the pedal effort-increasing/decreasing direction, vehicle information, and the vehicle output command or the pedal effort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kentaro Ueno, Mitsuhide Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8235471
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a pump driving motor includes estimated fluid volume obtaining means for obtaining an estimated volume of a brake fluid discharged to a reservoir, hydraulic pump controlling means for specifying the number of rotations of the motor for driving a hydraulic pump based on the estimated volume and for driving the hydraulic pump with the specified number of rotations, and changing means for changing the number of rotations of the motor to be smaller than the number of rotations specified on the basis of the estimated volume in a case where an actual time defined from a driving start of the hydraulic pump to a point where the brake fluid in the reservoir actually turns to zero is shorter than an estimated time over which the estimated volume turns to zero by a driving of the hydraulic pump with the specified number of rotations of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Terasaka, Masayoshi Oishi, Koji Tsuji
  • Patent number: 8231182
    Abstract: A method for creating low pressure in a brake activation device of a motor vehicle brake system, comprising a pneumatic brake force booster the interior of which is divided into at least one low-pressure chamber and one working chamber, a brake master cylinder and a pneumatic motor pump unit for creating the low pressure in the low-pressure chamber, which motor pump unit comprises a low-pressure pump and a motor driving the low-pressure pump, a low-pressure level in the low-pressure chamber or a pressure difference between the low-pressure chamber and the working chamber being detected by a sensor and the motor pump unit being activated by an electronic control unit if the pressure falls below a first predefined, lower low-pressure level Pe in the low-pressure chamber and being deactivated if a second predetermined, upper low-pressure level Pa is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Jürgen Schonlau, Manfred Rüffer, Horst Krämer, Michael Jürging
  • Patent number: 8226173
    Abstract: A brake system for a vehicle includes a brake unit, a master cylinder, an accumulator, and a manifold configurable to direct brake fluid pressure generated by the master cylinder to the accumulator or to the brake unit. A solenoid valve can be used to hydraulically align the manifold. The brake system can be used as an adjunct or supplement to a vehicle's primary service brake system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: AM General LLC
    Inventors: Edward Michael Murray, Ralf Pionke
  • Patent number: 8224545
    Abstract: A brake control apparatus (20) includes: a hydraulic pressure source (30) that regulates pressure of hydraulic fluid in accordance with a brake operation input (24,25); a wheel cylinder (23) that applies braking force to a wheel (22) in response to a supply of the hydraulic fluid to the wheel cylinder (23); a hydraulic pressure booster mechanism (31) that amplifies the brake operation input by using the hydraulic pressure source (30), and outputs the amplified brake operation input; a hydraulic fluid supply path (63) through which the hydraulic fluid is supplied from the hydraulic pressure source (30) to the wheel cylinder (23); and a controller (70) that shuts off (valve 66) a flow of the hydraulic fluid-through the hydraulic fluid supply path (63), if a malfunction due to hydraulic fluid leakage is detected in the hydraulic fluid supply path (63) during a brake control mode in which the hydraulic fluid is supplied to the wheel cylinder (23) through the hydraulic fluid supply path (63).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshito Tanaka, Hiroshi Nakaoka, Masaki Nanahara
  • Patent number: 8205948
    Abstract: A method of determining an initial pressure prevailing between a master brake cylinder and an inlet valve of a wheel brake cylinder of a motor vehicle determines the initial pressure taking into consideration the variation of a voltage of a PWMoperated motor of a pump, which is used for the return delivery of brake fluid from a low-pressure accumulator into the master brake cylinder. Several characteristic quantities of the voltage variation are measured and converted to respective initial pressure values. The characteristic quantities or the initial pressure values determined therefrom are filtered or conditioned in the event of lack in quality or reliability of the measured characteristic quantities. The respective initial pressure values of similar size are averaged, and the averaged initial pressure values are temporally averaged in order to dampen fluctuations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co., OHG
    Inventors: Faouzi Attallah, Rudiger Majlo, Guntjof Magel, Lukas Kroh, Frank Sikorski, Andreas Kohl, Jochen Muller
  • Patent number: 8191974
    Abstract: A method to control a hydraulic pump of a vehicle, the pump coupled to at least a power steering system and a power braking system is provided. The method comprises measuring steering and braking information using a brake sensor and a steering sensor; and adjusting output of said hydraulic pump based on measured information from said sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Offerle, Brian D. Rutkowski, Mujeeb Ijaz, Ken Jackson
  • Publication number: 20120133201
    Abstract: A vehicle braking system includes a slip control system operable in an electronic stability control (ESC) mode to automatically and selectively apply the brakes in an attempt to stabilize the vehicle when an instability condition has been sensed. The slip control system is further operable in an adaptive cruise control (ACC) mode to automatically apply the brakes to slow the vehicle in response to a control signal. The slip control system includes a variable speed motor drive piston pump for supplying pressurized fluid pressure to the brakes through a valve arrangement. In the ESC mode, the pump motor operates in an ESC speed range, and in the ACC mode, the pump motor operates in an ACC speed range lower than the ESC speed range. The slip control system further includes an attenuator connected to a pump outlet for dampening pump output pressure pulses prior to application to the brakes. The attenuator includes an elastomeric member located in an attenuator chamber of a housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: KELSEY-HAYES COMPANY
    Inventors: Joseph F. Zeoli, Blaise Ganzel, Thomas Wald, Richard A. Swarich, Robert I. Girkin, Joseph A. Starr, David Lopez-Larequi
  • Patent number: 8186772
    Abstract: A pressure regulating valve unit is configured to regulate the output hydraulic pressure of a hydraulic pressure generating source through electrical control for application to a boosted hydraulic pressure chamber, and a release valve is interposed between the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber and a reservoir which is adapted to the hydraulic pressure in the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber to the reservoir side when the pressure regulating valve unit fails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Nissin Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jiro Suzuki, Koji Sakai, Kazuhiro Tagata
  • Patent number: 8186770
    Abstract: A method for controlling and/or regulating an electronically triggerable vehicle brake system, operating on the return principle, and to such a brake system in which by an adapted triggering of the drive motor for the pressure generator, the pumping quantity of the pressure generator is varied such that the difference between these flows of pressure medium to and from the master cylinder assumes a minimal value, preferably a value of zero. To that end, the driving rpm of the pressure generator is preferably varied. The trigger signal for the drive motor can be ascertained by an electronic control unit from measurement outcomes from sensors within the vehicle brake system, or it can be estimated with the aid of a hydraulic volume model stored in memory in the control unit. The trigger signal can be controlled or regulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Klug, Peter Zegelaar, Heiner Hild
  • Patent number: 8186773
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling a brake system (1) of a motor vehicle, which includes an electric generator (4) and a number of hydraulic, electronically controllable friction brakes (2) being allocated to axles of the motor vehicle, and the brake torque of which is composed of the brake torque of the generator (4) and the brake torque of the friction brakes (2), is intended to safeguard great brake comfort of the brake system (1). To this end, a number of friction brakes (2) are connected only when the total nominal brake torque exceeds the total actual brake torque by a selected maximum brake torque difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co., OHG
    Inventors: Markus Jaeger, Gregor Schmitt
  • Patent number: 8172339
    Abstract: A compressed air supply system for a utility vehicle includes a compressor that can be driven by a drive by a pneumatic clutch, and a valve that can be actuated by an electrical signal for the selective supply of compressed air to a control input of the clutch. The electrical signal is provided by an electronic control system to which signals indicating an operating state of a compressed air preparation system and various vehicle states can be supplied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Ansgar Fries, Eduard Hilberer
  • Patent number: 8155855
    Abstract: A vehicle motion control apparatus includes a motion controlling process operating a pump for supplying brake fluid between a pressure difference control valve and a pressure increasing control valve and controlling the pressure difference control valve and the pressure increasing control valve, thereby pressurizing the wheel cylinder of the wheel to be controlled, a control amount adjusting process reducing a control amount of a motor when a frictional coefficient of a road surface is small, a load judging process judging a load condition of the motor when determining to reduce the control amount of the motor, and a pressure difference controlling process reducing the pressure difference when the load of the motor is in a high load condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihisa Kato, Atsushi Ikematsu
  • Publication number: 20120080936
    Abstract: A shaft sealing device comprising: a first member; a second member provided with a through-hole through which the first member passes; a sealing member configured to seal a gap between the through-hole and the first member; a rotation restricting part restricting relative rotation between the first and second members; and an axial displacement restricting part restricting the axial displacement of the sealing member. The rotation restricting part includes a first contact portion provided on the first member, a second contact portion provided on the sealing member and an inclined surface included on the first contact portion. The axial displacement restricting part includes a stopper surface. When the sealing member rotates in one direction relative to the second member by being dragged by the first member, the sealing member contacts the stopper surface to restrict the axial displacement of the sealing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: ADVICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshitake HISADA
  • Publication number: 20120074769
    Abstract: A hydraulic brake apparatus for a vehicle is provided. The hydraulic brake apparatus includes a master cylinder, a high hydraulic pressure source, a brake assist mechanism, a liquid reservoir, an electronic control device, a hydraulic control device and is configured such that the master cylinder is actuated by a force assisted by the brake assist mechanism to generate a hydraulic pressure and a braking force according to the hydraulic pressure is applied to a wheel of the vehicle. The hydraulic brake apparatus further includes driving pressure reducing valve which is configured such that when a hydraulic pressure in a master pressure input port is higher than that in the driving pressure input port by a predetermined value, the hydraulic brake apparatus is actuated based on the pressure difference to open a hydraulic pressure discharge path extending from a driving hydraulic pressure chamber to the liquid reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: ADVICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yasunori Sakata
  • Patent number: 8128181
    Abstract: A braking control apparatus includes a brake operating member, a hydraulic circuit supplying a wheel cylinder hydraulic pressure to a wheel cylinder, a pump generating a hydraulic pressure so that the wheel cylinder hydraulic pressure reaches a value in response to an operation of the brake operating member, a circulation conduit provided at a portion of the hydraulic circuit, the circulation conduit through which a partial amount of brake fluid discharged from the pump is circulated back to the pump, a pressure regulating valve adjusting a pressure difference between an upstream side of the pressure regulating valve connected to the wheel cylinder and a downstream side, and a controlling device calculating, on the basis of a circulation flow rate of the brake fluid passing through the pressure regulating valve, an applied current to the pressure regulating valve for obtaining a target of the pressure difference and controlling the applied current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidehiro Yamauchi, Koichi Kokubo, Hiroaki Niino, Takeshi Hato, Masayoshi Takeda
  • Patent number: 8123307
    Abstract: A brake boost control apparatus has a brake operation member, a master cylinder, a wheel cylinder, a hydraulic pump, a master cylinder pressure detection section detecting a pressure of the brake fluid, a brake stroke amount detection section detecting a stroke amount of the brake operation member, a hydraulic pressure control section that controls a pressure of the wheel cylinder, a boost section which boosts the pressure of the brake fluid and increases the wheel cylinder pressure, and a control unit. The control unit controls at least one of the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic pressure control section so that the stroke amount detected by the brake stroke amount detection section under a boost operation by the boost section and the pressure detected by the master cylinder pressure detection section are maintained at a predetermined relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuya Yamano, Takanobu Saito, Satoru Kuragaki
  • Patent number: 8108116
    Abstract: A controller includes a target fluid amount calculation module 31 which obtains target fluid amounts for wheel brakes based on target hydraulic pressures which are set in a target wheel brake pressure setting module 30, an actual fluid amount calculation module 32 which obtains actual fluid amounts for the wheel brakes based on hydraulic pressures brake hydraulic pressure detectors, and a target flow rate calculation unit 34 which obtains target flow rates for the wheel brakes based on the actual fluid amounts obtained in the actual fluid amount calculation module 32 and controls the operation of a hydraulic pressure control unit based on the target flow rates obtained in the target flow rate calculation unit 34.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoji Mori, Atsushi Nakada, Teppei Komori, Susumu Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20120007418
    Abstract: A brake control apparatus has a master cylinder pressure detection section that detects a master cylinder pressure produced by driver's brake operation, a pump that draws brake fluid in a master cylinder and discharges the brake fluid to a wheel cylinder that is provided in a wheel, and a control unit that controls a wheel cylinder pressure in response to the detected master cylinder pressure. The control unit has a master cylinder pressure correction section that corrects the detected master cylinder pressure in accordance with a discharge flow quantity of the pump, and a wheel cylinder pressure control section that controls the wheel cylinder pressure by the brake fluid discharged from the pump on the basis of the corrected master cylinder pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi FURUYAMA
  • Patent number: 8087733
    Abstract: A braking energy recovery system adapted for use on a vehicle and a vehicle having such a system installed. The vehicle has an engine-transmission assembly, a driveshaft, a braking system and an auxiliary system. The energy recovery system comprises a first pump, a hydraulic accumulator and a hydraulic motor. The first pump is a variable displacement hydraulic pump. The hydraulic accumulator is connected to the first pump and is operative to store hydraulic fluid under pressure. The hydraulic motor is hydraulically connected to the accumulator to receive hydraulic fluid. The motor is adapted to drive a second hydraulic pump, which is hydraulically connected to the auxiliary system, using hydraulic energy stored in the accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Développement Effenco Inc.
    Inventors: Dany Fouquet, Benoit Lacroix, David Arsenault
  • Publication number: 20110315491
    Abstract: Systems for retarding the speed of a railcar comprise: a brake; a hydraulic actuator moving the brake between a closed position in which the brake applies braking pressure on a wheel of the railcar and an open position in which the brake does not apply braking pressure on the wheel of the rail car; a hydraulic circuit comprising a first manifold and a second manifold; a pump configured to pump hydraulic fluid into at least one of the first manifold and the second manifold; and a logic element controlling pressure of the fluid in the first manifold such that when the wheel enters the brake and forces the brake towards the open position. The logic element reacts to maintain a selected pressure in the first manifold, thus causing a selected braking pressure to be applied by the brake on the wheel of the railcar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: AAA SALES & ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Frailing, James E. Thompson
  • Patent number: 8066338
    Abstract: Each time a prescribed cycle comes to an end, an ECU estimates an average retaining amount of brake fluid in a reservoir of the current prescribed cycle on the assumption that a pump has sucked a constant amount of brake fluid in the current prescribed cycle. The ECU calculates deviation between the average retaining amount at the end of the previous prescribed cycle and the average retaining amount at the end of the current prescribed cycle. The greater the deviation is, the greater a deviation correction amount the ECU sets. The ECU performs deviation pump control in which the target suction amount of the pump is set based on the reference suction amount and the deviation correction amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kentaro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8052226
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic control brake system capable of ensuing pedal force upon regenerative braking or brake-by-wire control. The electronic control brake system having a simulation function includes a master cylinder for forming oil pressure corresponding to displacement of a brake pedal, an oil tank for providing oil to the master cylinder, a cut-off valve installed on a hydraulic supply pipe that connects an inlet of the master cylinder with an inlet valve of a hydraulic brake, an oil return pipe for connecting an outlet valve of the hydraulic brake with an inlet of the oil tank, and a simulation valve installed on a differential adjusting pipe, which connects the hydraulic supply pipe with the oil return pipe, to generate pedal force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Mando Corporation
    Inventor: I Jin Yang
  • Patent number: 8047618
    Abstract: A braking system for a motor vehicle includes a hydraulic circuit for producing a brake force, the hydraulic circuit having a pressure source for producing a hydraulic pressure and a pressure store, the pressure store of the hydraulic circuit being able to be supplied with hydraulic fluid from a delivery side of the pressure source if necessary. In this braking system, there is provision for the pressure store to be able to be coupled in fluidic terms to an intake side of the pressure source by means of an interposed actively controllable multi-way valve, in particular a two-way solenoid valve, and for the pressure store to be able to be decoupled therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Benedikt Ohlig
  • Publication number: 20110215638
    Abstract: Provided is a brake system capable of preventing fuel efficiency of a vehicle from being lowered. After an operation of a brake pedal (60) is released, a pump (219, 319) is driven under a state in which opening/closure of valves included in an ABS/VDC actuator (8) are regulated so that pressure-reduction control for returning a brake fluid in wheel cylinders (7) to a master cylinder (2) is performed. Therefore, the brake fluid remaining in the wheel cylinders (7) is returned to the master cylinder (2) via the pump (219, 319) to increase a hydraulic pressure of the master cylinder (2). As a result, return characteristics of an electric actuation unit (3) are improved. Therefore, for example, even if viscosity of grease applied onto a rotary-to-linear motion converting mechanism (23) is increased at a low temperature or the like, pistons of the master cylinder (2) can be appropriately returned to initial positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventor: Masaru SAKUMA
  • Patent number: 8000870
    Abstract: A brake system is provided for minimizing brake pulsation feedback caused by surface variations of a brake system corner component. The brake system includes at least one sensing device configured to measure a pressure pulse caused by the surface variation of a brake system corner component. A controller module is in communication with the at least one sensing device and a hydraulic brake circuit. The controller module is configured to receive an output from the at least one sensing device and to adjust line pressure in the hydraulic brake circuit to substantially minimize brake pulsation feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Omar S. Dessouki, Brent D. Lowe, Mark T. Riefe
  • Patent number: 7992946
    Abstract: A method for operating a brake system of a motor vehicle, which has at least one operating mode (normal, sporty, etc.), includes prefilling, to at least partially overcome a clearance of one or a plurality of wheel brake(s) prior to an expected actuation of a brake pedal, an actuation of the brake pedal being expected at specific positions and/or gradients of the actuation of operating devices of the motor vehicle, in particular an accelerator pedal. The method includes an operating mode in which the gradient is specified as a function of the dynamics and/or limit values of the actuation of the operating devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Knut Franzke, Mario Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7988241
    Abstract: A brake system includes an electric brake force generator for braking a wheel of a vehicle by a driving force of an electric motor. A problem determination device is provided in which the problem determination device sends an electrical signal to the electric motor such that the electric motor rotates in a direction opposite that of the direction of rotation to generate a brake force. If a rotation of the electric motor is not detected, then the problem determination device determines that a problem has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Ishii
  • Patent number: 7976108
    Abstract: A controller which controls an electric motor in such a manner that a rotational speed detected in a motor rotational speed detecting module 29 becomes a target rotational speed set in a target rotational speed setting module 37 controls, when a deviation between the rotational speed and the target rotational speed is large, a normally open solenoid valve in such a manner that a controlled variable of the normally open solenoid valve becomes smaller when the deviation is small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoji Mori, Atsushi Nakada, Teppei Komori, Susumu Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20110115283
    Abstract: A sealing structure is provided wherein an annular groove formed in a pump cylinder of a piston pump receives therein a seal ring made of a synthetic resin material and having an inner circumferential surface fluid-tightly contacting an outer circumferential surface of the pump piston and an O-ring arranged on the outer circumferential side of the seal ring and urging the seal ring radially inward. The seal ring is formed at its axial end portions with flange portions for preventing the O-ring from coming off. In the state that the seal ring and the O-ring are fitted in the annular groove, the flange portions do not receive a load from the O-ring, and a surface pressure which the seal ring applies to the outer circumferential surface of the piston at an axial center portion thereof is set to be higher than surface pressures which it applies to the outer circumferential surface of the piston at axial end portions thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: ADVICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoo HARADA, Tsunekazu Nishida
  • Publication number: 20110109152
    Abstract: The invention relates to a brake system for a vehicle, with a main brake cylinder, a fluid control unit, and at least one wheel brake. The fluid control unit has, for brake pressure modulation in at least one brake circuit a switchover valve, an intake valve and a recirculating pump for each brake circuit. According to the invention, the fluid control unit has, for each brake circuit, a sliding valve which is connected into a suction line between the recirculating pump and the main brake cylinder. The sliding valve restricts the effective pressure on a suction side of the recirculating pump to a predeterminable maximum pressure value. In this case, the sliding valve can be arranged in series with or parallel to the intake valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Rene Schepp, Norbert Alaze
  • Patent number: 7938493
    Abstract: A brake control system includes a wheel cylinder, a brake pedal, a master cylinder in which communication between it and an external master cylinder reservoir is cut off when the operating amount of the brake pedal is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, an internal reservoir, and a pump which selectively discharges hydraulic fluid in two directions, one being a direction that increases the hydraulic pressure in the wheel cylinder by drawing up hydraulic fluid from the internal reservoir, and the other being a direction that stores hydraulic fluid in the internal reservoir. The pump is driven to discharge hydraulic fluid in the direction that stores hydraulic fluid when communication is open between the master cylinder and the master cylinder reservoir, and driven to discharge hydraulic fluid in the direction that increases the hydraulic pressure when communication is cut off between the master cylinder and the master cylinder reservoir. A further invention is directed to a brake control method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tetsuya Miyazaki
  • Publication number: 20110089753
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic piston pump, particularly for a slip-controllable vehicle braking system. A piston pump according to the invention includes a hydraulically permanently permeable stopper, the throughflow of which is carried out as a function of the pressure in an outflow channel of the piston pump. A pressure medium flow only takes place if the pressure level in the outflow channel has exceeded a threshold value. The latter takes place, for example, if the kinematic viscosity of the flowing pressure medium decreases due to low ambient temperatures, or if a throughflow of the outflow channel is obstructed. By means of the proposed solution, excess pressure increases in the interior of the piston pump can be avoided, and the resulting loads for the pressurized pump components and the drive can be reduced. Otherwise, the operating behavior of the piston pump according to the invention corresponds to that of a known piston pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Wolfgang Schuller, Juergen Reiner
  • Patent number: 7887145
    Abstract: In a vehicle brake control device, a target W/C pressure depending on an amount of operation performed to a brake operating member, exhibits hysteresis due to a forward mapping dataset and a backward mapping dataset. The vehicle brake control device selects the forward mapping dataset or the backward mapping dataset based on the amount of operation performed to the brake operating member, and determines a current value of a current to be supplied to one of first to fourth linear valves. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a wheel cylinder pressure from changing too sensitively to the operation to the brake operating member and from changing even when the driver is not intentionally operating the brake operating member. This makes the driver experience an improved brake feeling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Niino, Takashi Sato
  • Publication number: 20110025120
    Abstract: A brake system for an automotive vehicle includes a controller for operating friction and powertrain braking subsystems so that hydraulic pressure to the friction brakes is minimized during powertrain braking, while at the same time emulating the driver-interface operating characteristics of a pure friction-braking system during all operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventor: John P. Joyce
  • Publication number: 20110014048
    Abstract: A hydraulic system and method for controlling the brake of a wind turbine are provided. During operation of the wind turbine, pressurized working fluid in the hydraulic system is blocked from being supplied to the brake. Even if some of this fluid does reach the brake, it is drained to prevent a pressure build-up and activation. To activate the brake, this drainage is stopped and the pressurized fluid is supplied to the brake. The blocking and unblocking the pressurized working fluid may be controlled by first and second activation valves arranged in parallel in a supply line that communicates the working fluid to the brake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventors: Carsten Roed, Ole Mølgaard Jeppesen, Keld Lyager Jensen, Claus Ahler
  • Patent number: 7871135
    Abstract: This apparatus is applied to a vehicle brake apparatus provided with a hydraulic booster operated by utilizing an accumulator hydraulic pressure that is adjusted to a predetermined high pressure (not less than a lower limit value) by a drive control of a hydraulic pump. This apparatus executes an automatic pressurization control by controlling plural solenoid valves with the use of the accumulator hydraulic pressure. The increasing slope of the brake hydraulic pressure during the automatic pressurization control is determined on the basis of the vehicle motion state. The increasing slope is restricted to be not more than a predetermined restriction value, in the case where the accumulator hydraulic pressure at the time of starting the automatic pressurization control is less than “a reference hydraulic pressure that is greater than a minimum value of the accumulator hydraulic pressure necessary for assisting the brake operation by the hydraulic booster and smaller than the lower limit value”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akitaka Nishio, Tatsuya Yano, Seiichi Kojima, Kiyohito Takeuchi, Hirohisa Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20110001351
    Abstract: To achieve a specifiable, and thus reproducible final pressure in at least one part of the brake circuit, the pump is first actuated for pressure buildup or pressure reduction when the valve is closed. When a first specified setpoint pressure is reached, or when a pressure threshold value is exceeded, the valve is put into an open position using a first actuation. After the pump is switched off, the actuation of the valve is modified in such a way that, during a specifiable time, a continuous change of the first actuation is undertaken all the way up to a second actuation, in which the valve assumes a holding position, particularly while taking into consideration the pressure difference which prevails at the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventors: Philipp Grell, Ulrich Mahlenbrey, Mark Unbescheiden, Heiner Messner, Raphael Oliveira, Julien Bregeault, Carsten Bodmann, Jens Kolarsky