Abstract: A controller controls respective braking pressures at wheels on a vehicle. The controller includes a processor electrically communicating with a first switching valve, which controls a first of the braking pressure at a first of the wheels, and a second switching valve, which controls a second of the braking pressures at a second of the wheels. The processor, during a braking control event, controls the switching valve associated with the higher of the braking pressures to maintain the higher braking pressure while switching a state of the switching valve associated with the lower of the braking pressures to increase the lower braking pressure.

Abstract: A brake ECU acquires the vehicle load (WW) (step S142), and sets a higher start-time criterion value (KT2) when the load (WW) is heavy than when the load (WW) is light (step S144). The brake ECU initiates auxiliary control when the period since the deceleration of the vehicle exceeded a first deceleration determination value is less than or equal to the start-time criterion value (KT2) and the G sensor value exceeds a second deceleration determination value.

Abstract: A deceleration of a vehicle is determined based on one or more wheel speeds of the vehicle. A brake pressure of the vehicle is determined. A model of a relationship of the deceleration and the brake pressure is produced. At least one of a vehicle load and a vehicle weight is determined by using the model. The brake pressure is adapted to at least one of the determined vehicle load and the vehicle weight.

Abstract: A torque applying device is provided for applying a driving torque to at least a pair of wheels, and a torque restraining device is provided for restraining the torque created on the wheels to be applied with the torque by the torque applying device. A friction braking device is provided for applying a braking torque to each wheel in response to operation of a brake pedal. An automatic braking control device automatically actuates the friction braking device independently of operation of the brake pedal, to apply the braking torque to each wheel. And, a torque restraining cancellation device is provided for cancelling the torque restraining operation for a time period determined in response to a vehicle speed decreasing state, after a condition for initiating the automatic braking control was fulfilled.

Abstract: A method and system for preventing vehicle movement during start-up arising from a false-neutral indication. Using signals from one or more wheel speed sensors of the vehicle, a vehicle processor determines if the vehicle is moving during start-up, and if so, outputs a termination signal to shut-down the vehicle before any additional movement occurs.

Abstract: A deceleration control apparatus and method for controlling deceleration of a vehicle where a controller is operable to set a target vehicular speed calculated based on a turning condition of the vehicle and a lateral acceleration limitation value. The controller is also operable to apply deceleration to the vehicle based on the actual vehicular speed and the target vehicular speed and to correct the deceleration used when the vehicle is traveling along a detected curve. Correcting the deceleration can be done by, for example, correcting the lateral acceleration limitation value.

Abstract: A traction control method is provided for dynamically maintaining safe driving traction between a tire (12) and a driving surface in a decelerating motor vehicle (10) through a modulated braking device (18, 24). The method monitors the acceleration response of a tire (12) to a torque change induced by modulation of a braking device (18, 24). Observation of the acceleration profile over time is used to determine whether additional braking torque or pressure can be applied without causing the tire (12) to slip. A Traction Reserve value is computed through observing the acceleration trend of the tire (12) over time after a single change in torque, whether that change is accomplished as an increase or a decrease.

Abstract: A trailer brake controller for controlling a towed trailer braking system through the use of an independent processor mounted for communication between a towing vehicle braking system and a towed trailer braking system. The brake controller receives a signal indicative of the brake pressure applied by a user and relays the signal to the processor for processing and communication to the towed trailer braking system. A visual display positioned within visual range of the user allows the user to observe the status of the brake controller operations and adjust the output signal where necessary. A manual override allows the user to override the output signal generated by the controller and apply full braking power of the trailer to stop the trailer and the vehicle. A number of automatic overrides facilitate smooth operation of the brake controller by detecting abnormal conditions in the system connections and relaying the diagnosed conditions to the processor.

Abstract: A brake torque control device obtains inertia torque Tine based upon an equation of motion (Tine=Tw?Ft·Rt) about the rotation of a tire based upon a wheel torque Tw according to a brake torque exerted on the tire, road friction force Ft and a radius Rt of the tire. When the inertia torque Tine exceeds a predetermined reference value, road friction force Ft at this time is set as estimated maximum road friction force Fmax. The instructed brake torque is calculated under the condition that the value that is obtained by adding the predetermined value corresponding to the inertia torque Tine to the torque Fmax·Rt based upon this estimated maximum road friction force Fmax is set as an upper limit value of the instructed brake torque. This allows to clearly set, as one value, the target value of the instructed brake torque upon an ABS control, thereby being capable of more accurately executing the pressure-increasing control and pressure-reducing control of the brake fluid pressure.

Abstract: A collision prevention method for motor vehicles is provided, in which method obstacles in front of the vehicle are detected by an on-board positioning system, a collision probability is calculated from the position data, and one or more responses to prevent a collision are triggered as a function of the collision probability. At least one of the responses is a preparatory measure accelerating the implementation of a command, which may be output later, to decelerate the vehicle, without the preparatory measure itself having any significant decelerating effect on the vehicle.

Abstract: This invention relates to a braking device, comprising a master cylinder (1), which is attached to a pneumatic servomotor (2) for an assisted braking, in a tight manner.

Abstract: A road friction coefficients estimating apparatus for a vehicle comprises a first road friction coefficient estimating section for calculating a first road friction coefficient based on a vehicle behavior in a lateral direction, a second road friction coefficient estimating section for calculating a second road friction coefficient based on a vehicle behavior in a longitudinal direction, a third road friction coefficient estimating section for calculating a third road friction coefficient based on road conditions and an estimating value selection section for selecting either one of the first, second and third road friction coefficients as a final road friction coefficient estimating value.

Abstract: A road surface condition determination system for an automotive vehicle comprises wheel-speed sensors, and a control unit being configured to be electrically connected to the wheel-speed sensors for data-processing a wheel-speed data signal. The control unit calculates a wheel-speed fluctuation of each of the road wheels on the basis of a previous value of the wheel-speed data signal and a current value of the wheel-speed data signal, and calculates an absolute value of the wheel-speed fluctuation of each of the road wheels. A integration circuit is provided to produce a first integrated value of the absolute values of the wheel-speed fluctuations of the road wheels. A smoothing circuit is provided to make a smoothing operation to the integrated value to produce a smoothed value. A road-surface condition determining section is also provided to determine a road surface condition on the basis of the smoothed value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic braking of a vehicle includes a number of elements which operate to control vehicle speed as the vehicle enters upcoming curves. A road shape detection device detects a road shape in a forward direction of a vehicle, and a proper vehicle travelling speed calculating device calculates a proper vehicle travelling speed in the forward direction, based upon the detected road shape. A vehicle speed detecting device detects a speed of the vehicle, and a deceleration setting device sets a vehicle deceleration. A brake control device is connected to the deceleration setting device, the vehicle speed detecting device, and the proper vehicle travelling speed calculating device, for reducing the vehicle speed according to the vehicle deceleration. A road surface friction detecting device detects a value corresponding to a frictional or slippery condition of the road surface. A deceleration correcting device increases the deceleration as the road surface becomes more slippery.

Abstract: A braking pressure control system comprises a braking pressure generator, a brake-actuating device for at least one vehicle wheel, a connecting line between the braking pressure generator and the brake-actuating device, a shut-off valve in the connecting line which has two switching positions, the connecting line being open in the basic position of the shut-off valve and the connecting line being closed or throttled in the switched position of the shut-off valve, including an outlet line which connects the brake-actuating device to a pressure fluid collecting means, an electromagnetically operated pressure-limiting valve in the outlet line, a wheel sensor which determines the rotational speed of the vehicle wheel and issues a corresponding sensor signal, and an electrical controlling and evaluating unit which has an input for the sensor signal and a first switching output to which a switching signal for the shut-off valve is applied, and a control output which issues a control signal for the current-supply ci

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: Braking system determines a brake actuation rate .DELTA.U/.DELTA.t, where U is a function of pedal position S, and compares the rate to a limiting value G. When G is not exceeded, the auxiliary brake is actuated first and the friction brake is actuated with a small slope. When G is exceeded, the friction brake is actuated sooner and with a greater slope, and the auxiliary brake may not be actuated at all.