Patents Assigned to Sumitomo (SEI) Brake Systems, Inc.
  • Patent number: 7042117
    Abstract: A power supply circuit for various actuators includes control lines associated with the actuators that receive power from a single voltage increasing circuit. The power supply circuit supplies power to the control lines by splitting or dividing power from a voltage increasing circuit, which is configured to increase an on-board power source voltage. Power is supplied to loads by driving circuits. The loads are individually driven by activating switches. An auxiliary control line is connected to one of the control lines so that auxiliary voltage is able to be supplied or applied. A voltage-holding circuit is provided in connection with the other control line to eliminate influence associated with the activation of one control line with respect to the other control line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Sumitomo (SEI) Brake Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Seiji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6782796
    Abstract: A hydraulic pressure control device is provided which is capable of pressure reduction and pressure increase by electronic control without changing over hydraulic circuits, and which is reliable and simple in structure. A vehicle brake device using such a control device is also provided. A pressure chamber and an offset spring are provided in a hydraulic pressure control valve. A spool valve is moved to a position corresponding to brake operating force, thereby changing over connections between the output port and the discharge port and between the output port and the input port, and adjusting the degrees of opening of valve portions. In this manner, the hydraulic pressure at the output port to a value corresponding to the brake operating force is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Sumitomo (SEI) Brake Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Keita Nakano
  • Patent number: 6739378
    Abstract: A controlling member (a controlling pin 10) is inserted through an insertion hole 7 of a mold 1 and projected into a cavity 6. After a pipe P as an insert member is arranged at a predetermined position in the cavity 6, the pipe P is held in the cavity 6 by inserting a tip of the controlling pin 10 into a hole h of the pipe P at the end p1, or by inserting the end p1 of the pipe P into a cave 21 of the controlling member. A molten aluminum alloy is then poured through a gate 5 into the cavity 6 under such the condition, to enclose the pipe P with the aluminum alloy. Dislocation of the pipe P caused by kinetic and thermal energies of the poured aluminum alloy is suppressed by the controlling pin 10 or block 20 at the end p1. Since the enclosed pipe P has its end p1 opened at a predetermined position, a cast product obtained in this way can be used as a brake caliper or the like having an inner hydraulic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignees: Nippon Light Metal Co., Ltd., Sumitomo (SEI) Brake Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kaoru Sugita, Yoshihiro Tajima, Masayuki Yasuda, Tetsuo Ishikawa, Masahide Hamada, Yoshiki Matsuzaki
  • Patent number: 6732519
    Abstract: A pressure-responsive type pressure holding valve is proposed which serves to hold the hydraulic pressure in a circuit connected to a spool valve. A piston valve biased by a spring is mounted in a housing formed with a valve chamber, a small-diameter bore and a large-diameter bore. The outer periphery of the small-diameter portion of the piston valve is sealed by a seal member. A first port opened and closed by a valve head at the tip of the piston valve is connected to a circuit that needs pressure holding, a second port to a circuit in which minute leak can occur, and a third port to a source of hydraulic pressure for opening the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Sumitomo (SEI) Brake Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Keita Nakano
  • Patent number: 6715700
    Abstract: A poppet type solenoid valve used in an electronically controllable vehicle hydraulic brake system is proposed which suppresses sound and vibration and simultaneously eliminates malfunction. For these effects, the following conditions have to be satisfied: FSP/(r2−B2)<67  (1) FSP·St2/(r2−B2)>29  (2) wherein FSP is the force of the spring, r is the tip diameter of the poppet, St is the stroke of the poppet, and B is the diameter of the area of the poppet where the valve-opening force by hydraulic pressure does not work on the poppet under the Bernoulli effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Sumitomo (SEI) Brake Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Koichi Okamura, Keita Nakano
  • Patent number: 6655751
    Abstract: A control method of a hydraulic pressure source-driven type vehicle hydraulic pressure brake system in which no irritating noises or vibrations are produced during stoppage of the vehicle and which does not consume electric power in waste. When the vehicle stops and the surroundings become quiet, by detecting stoppage of the vehicle by a sensor for detecting the rotation of a wheel, stopping a motor for a pump for producing brake hydraulic pressure, and opening a solenoid valve in a master cylinder passage bringing the master cylinder and the wheel cylinder into communication with each other, it is possible to prevent noises or vibrations from the motor and wasteful consumption of electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Sumitomo (SEI) Brake Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Keita Nakano
  • Patent number: 6652041
    Abstract: A hydraulic pressure control device is proposed in which using a proportional pressure control valve having a built-in spool valve, the hydraulic pressure for wheel brakes is adjusted to a value corresponding to the magnitude of an external force applied to the spool valve, non-electrical pressure adjustment can be done both in a normal state and in an emergency, and the structure is simplified. The brake pedal is coupled through a spring to the spool valve of the proportional pressure control valve having a solenoid for generating a spool-driving force, and the brake pedal force is applied to the spool valve as an external force so that not only in an emergency but in a normal state, pressure is adjusted by the brake pedal force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignees: Advics Co., Ltd., Sumitomo (SEI) Brake Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Makoto Nishikimi, Keita Nakano, Masato Yoshino
  • Patent number: 6644760
    Abstract: A hydraulic pressure control device is provided in which a proportional pressure control valve is actuated by operating the brake pedal to adjust the hydraulic pressure supplied from a pressure source to the wheel brakes to a value corresponding to the pedal operating amount. Also, a brake device for a vehicle using it is provided. The proportional pressure control valve is integrated with a hydraulic pressure generator to transmit the input from the brake pedal to a spool valve in the control valve through a first piston, first spring, second piston and second spring of the hydraulic pressure generator. If the pressure source or the wheel brakes in a first line fail, after the second piston has made a full stroke, brake fluid in a fluid chamber is pressurized, so that the hydraulic pressure generated is supplied to wheel brakes in a second line through a copy valve which is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Sumitomo (SEI) Brake Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Keita Nakano, Masato Yoshino, Makoto Nishikimi
  • Publication number: 20030098619
    Abstract: A power supply circuit is provided in which among various actuators to be controlled, measures are taken for actuators other that one actuator that tend to be influenced by the behavior of the one actuator, in which power is supplied to a plurality of control lines through a single voltage increasing circuit, and which can be manufactured at an economical cost. A power supply circuit is constructed such that power is split from a voltage increasing circuit for increasing an on-board power source voltage and supplied to a plurality of control lines. Power is supplied to a plurality of loads by a driving circuit, the loads are individually driven by activating switches, and a load is driven by a driving circuit. An auxiliary control line is connected to one control line so that auxiliary voltage can be applied. A voltage-holding circuit is provided in the other control line to eliminate influence of the activation of the one control line on the other control line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Applicant: Sumitomo (SEI) Brake Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Seiji Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20030093725
    Abstract: A monitoring method and circuit is provided in which the detection of a failure or runaway of a microcomputer for an onboard control device is possible at a high program level and the cost is low. A program for generating data sequence signals D1 (0, 1, 2 . . . 6, 7) and timing signals T1 is provided in the microcomputer to be monitored. When they are received by the monitoring circuit, the data sequence signals D2 are generated in a counter. Simultaneously, it is checked whether the timing signals T1 coincide with the timing signals T2 in a counter to detect abnormality. If abnormality is detected in either of the circuits, the determining circuit determines that the microcomputer is abnormal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Applicant: Sumitomo (SEI) Brake Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Seiji Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20030085613
    Abstract: A hydraulic pressure control device is provided which is capable of pressure reduction and pressure increase by electronic control without changing over hydraulic circuits, and which is reliable and simple in structure, and a vehicle brake device using it is provided. A pressure chamber and an offset spring are added to a hydraulic pressure control valve in which by moving a spool valve to a position corresponding to brake operating force, thereby changing over connections between the output port and the discharge port and between the output port and the input port and adjusting the degrees of opening of valve portions, thereby controlling the hydraulic pressure at the output port to a value corresponding to the brake operating force. By introducing a pressure P1 adjusted by a pressure-adjusting valve into the pressure chamber and lowering the hydraulic pressure in the pressure chamber in the range of P1 to 0 for pressure reduction by electronic control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Applicant: Sumitomo (SEI) Brake Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Keita Nakano
  • Patent number: 6522966
    Abstract: A method of controlling a pump-driven type vehicle hydraulic brake system which can suppress pulsation of brake hydraulic pressure and makes it possible to accurately and quickly apply brake hydraulic pressure is provided. Using an equation between the pressure rising speed of the hydraulic pressure in the master cylinder and the approximate required driving force of the motor, the driving force of the motor is set from the pressure rising speed of the detected hydraulic pressure. The driving force of the motor is controlled to minimize the hydraulic pressure difference between the brake hydraulic pressure increased by the preset driving force and the hydraulic pressure in the master cylinder, thereby bringing the brake hydraulic pressure substantially close to the hydraulic pressure in the master cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Sumitomo (SEI) Brake Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Keita Nakano
  • Publication number: 20030029166
    Abstract: A piston assembly is provided which prevents and detects binding of a piston which is always fixed in a normal state and required to move only in case of a failure of a hydraulic or pneumatic system. One end of a second piston has a tubular extension. A first piston is inserted in the tubular extension. The first piston is acted by the hydraulic pressure introduced from a controlled pressure generating unit into a first fluid chamber and is kept in its initial position against a brake operating force transmitted from a brake pedal through a first spring. On the other hand, the second piston moves until the hydraulic pressure in the second fluid chamber becomes substantially equal to the hydraulic pressure in the first fluid chamber. By the movement of the second piston, the sliding portions between the first and second pistons are frequently slid. This makes it possible to prevent and detect binding by comparing the hydraulic pressures in the first and second fluid chambers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Applicant: Sumitomo (SEI) Brake Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Koichi Hashida
  • Publication number: 20030015676
    Abstract: A poppet type solenoid valve used in an electronically controlable vehicle hydraulic brake system is proposed which suppresses sound and vibration and simultaneously eliminates malfunction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Applicant: Sumitomo (SEI) Brake Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Koichi Okamura, Keita Nakano
  • Patent number: 6508523
    Abstract: A coordinated regenerative brake system controls total brake torque to brake a vehicle in accordance with brake pedal operation and achieve deceleration intended by the driver's operation of the brakes when the accelerator is not depressed. In a vehicle speed range below specific speed V1, engine brake equivalent torque Ta is set to decrease gradually to zero in accordance with vehicle speed V. When brake operation starts at a vehicle speed exceeding V1, the desired total brake torque Tq working on the vehicle is the sum of brake torque Tb corresponding to brake operation, and engine brake equivalent torque Ta, until vehicle speed reaches specific speed V1. When vehicle speed is V1 or less, brake torque is controlled using as desired total brake torque Tq the sum of brake torque Tb corresponding to brake operation, and first engine brake equivalent torque Ta1, if brake operation amount Sb is greater than or equal to a first brake operation amount Sb1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Sumitomo (SEI) Brake Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Masato Yoshino
  • Patent number: 6505110
    Abstract: A brake system control method is provided which makes it possible to carry out ABS control depending on actual road surface conditions in carrying out ABS control while automatic braking is being activated. The control mode of an ABS controller carried out while automatic braking is being activated set at select-low control for both front and rear wheels so that braking forces will act such that slips right and left wheels produced due to actual road surface conditions will be the same. Thus, it is possible to prevent yawing and prevent the steering wheel from getting out of control and to ensure maximum braking force according to the actual road surface conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Sumitomo (SEI) Brake Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Masato Yoshino
  • Patent number: 6502907
    Abstract: A method of controlling a hydraulic pressure source-drive type vehicle hydraulic brake system which would not make the driver feel a delay in the effect of braking, and in which the braking force acts quickly and reliably even during urgent braking. A stroke sensor for detecting the pedal depressed amount in the initial play area is provided. By activating a motor for a pump for supplying brake fluid to a wheel cylinder beforehand when the stroke sensor detects that the pedal depressed amount has reached a predetermined threshold, the time needed to depress the brake pedal to the terminal position of the initial play area and the delay time in response of the actuation of the motor are overlapped to shorten the time from the start of depressing of the brake pedal to the actuation of the brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Sumitomo (SEI) Brake Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Keita Nakano
  • Publication number: 20020174652
    Abstract: A pressure-responsive type pressure holding valve is proposed which serves to hold the hydraulic pressure in a circuit connected to a spool valve. A piston valve biased by a spring is mounted in a housing formed with a valve chamber, a small-diameter bore and a large-diameter bore. The outer periphery of the small-diameter portion of the piston valve is sealed by a seal member. A first port opened and closed by a valve head at the tip of the piston valve is connected to a circuit that needs pressure holding, a second port to a circuit in which minute leak can occur, and a third port to a source of hydraulic pressure for opening the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Applicant: SUMITOMO (SEI) BRAKE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Keita Nakano
  • Publication number: 20020166736
    Abstract: A disc brake is proposed which is of low cost, improved reliability and less weight and size. Cylinders are formed in a caliper therethrough so as to be machined from the bottom of the cylinder, and a cylinder cover is mounted to close the cylinder. A cylinder cover is inserted into a large-diameter hole at the rear of the cylinder. The cylinder cover, which is supported by an end face of the large-diameter hole, is fixed by caulking the portion at the rear of the cylinder to sandwich it between an engaging piece produced by plastic deformation and the end face of the large-diameter hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Applicant: Sumitomo (SEI) Brake Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Seiichi Yunba
  • Patent number: 6470250
    Abstract: A vehicle attitude control apparatus, wherein a corrected behavior index value for steering is determined in such a manner that the deviation between a target behavior index value for a vehicle and a corrected behavior index value for steering decreases, as an instability index value correlating to the amount of under-steer increases, and when the target behavior index value and the behavior index value are equal, the corrected behavior index value for steering is set to equal the behavior index value. A corrected behavior index value for braking is determined in such a manner that the deviation between the target behavior index value and a corrected behavior index value for braking increases, as the instability index value increases, and when the target behavior index value and the behavior index value are equal, the corrected behavior index value for braking is set to equal the behavior index value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignees: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd., Sumitomo (SEI) Brake Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Katsutoshi Nishizaki, Shiro Nakano, Masaya Segawa, Ryouhei Hayama, Kazuhiro Kato