Abstract: A brake controller reduces a hydraulic pressure applied to a wheel cylinder by opening or closing a pressure-reducing linear control valve, a regulator cut valve, and a master cut valve arranged in a hydraulic circuit. A brake ECU detects a state of a vehicle, estimates a degree of influence of noise due to reduction in wheel cylinder pressure on the vehicle on the basis of the detected state of the vehicle, and then selects any of the electromagnetic valves, that is, the pressure-reducing linear control valve, the regulator cut valve and the master cut valve, to reduce the wheel cylinder pressure on the basis of the estimated result.

Abstract: In a brake control apparatus that controls braking forces which are applied to wheels based on the pressure of the hydraulic fluid, when the pressure detected by a control pressure sensor (73) is equal to or higher than a predetermined value while a partition valve (60) is closed, a master cut valve (64) is closed to suppress an increase in the pressure in a first passage (45) in a first hydraulic circuit (37), to which the control pressure sensor (73) is connected. Alternatively, the control pressure sensor (73) is protected against overpressure by opening the outlet valve (56,57) or the pressure-decreasing valve (67).

Abstract: There is provide a brake control technology according to which a target hydraulic pressure is reliably achieved when a hydraulic pressure is decreased during hydraulic control and brake drag does not occur even when the target hydraulic pressure is zero. In a brake apparatus, a dead-band region is set for the target hydraulic pressure that is used in the hydraulic control. When braking control is switched from the hydraulic control to regenerative control in cooperative braking control, residual pressure reduction control is executed. In the residual pressure reduction control, the target hydraulic pressure is set to a value that is lower than zero to which the hydraulic pressure should be brought.

Abstract: In a brake controlling device (20), a separating valve (60) is provided in a main flow path (45) for interconnecting a first liquid pressure circuit and a second liquid pressure circuit. When an abnormality detecting section detects an abnormality relating to brake fluid pressure, a controlling section sets the separating valve (60) to a closed state. A leakage suppressing section performs leakage suppressing processing for suppressing entry of a brake fluid, which is in the first liquid pressure circuit, into the second liquid pressure circuit after the separating valve (60) is set to the closed state. A leakage suppressing section sets a master cut valve (64) to a closed state to perform the leakage suppressing processing.

Abstract: There is provide a brake control technology according to which a target hydraulic pressure is reliably achieved when a hydraulic pressure is decreased during hydraulic control and brake drag does not occur even when the target hydraulic pressure is zero. In a brake apparatus, a dead-band region is set for the target hydraulic pressure that is used in the hydraulic control. When braking control is switched from the hydraulic control to regenerative control in cooperative braking control, residual pressure reduction control is executed. In the residual pressure reduction control, the target hydraulic pressure is set to a value that is lower than zero to which the hydraulic pressure should be brought.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake unit (120) includes: a manual hydraulic pressure supply unit (127) that pressurizes a hydraulic medium supplied from a reservoir (134) and generates a hydraulic pressure corresponding to a brake operation amount; first and second hydraulic systems (161, 162) in which the manual hydraulic pressure supply unit (127) communicates with first and second wheel cylinders (123F, 123R); a separation valve (160) provided between the first hydraulic system (161) and the second hydraulic system (162); and a brake ECU (170) having a separation valve control unit (110) and a hydraulic medium amount detection unit (IIia), wherein the separation valve control unit (110) executes control to close the separation valve (160) when the hydraulic medium amount detection unit (IIia) detects that the hydraulic medium stored in the reservoir (134) has decreased below a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A brake controller reduces a hydraulic pressure applied to a wheel cylinder by opening or closing a pressure-reducing linear control valve, a regulator cut valve, and a master cut valve arranged in a hydraulic circuit. A brake ECU detects a state of a vehicle, estimates a degree of influence of noise due to reduction in wheel cylinder pressure on the vehicle on the basis of the detected state of the vehicle, and then selects any of the electromagnetic valves, that is, the pressure-reducing linear control valve, the regulator cut valve and the master cut valve, to reduce the wheel cylinder pressure on the basis of the estimated result.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake unit applies braking force to a plurality of wheels of a vehicle according to the operation of a brake pedal. A pressure increase linear control valve supplies hydraulic fluid from an accumulator to wheel cylinders of disc brake units of the respective wheels. Pressure-sustaining valves are placed in passages that extend from a first passage to the rear wheel cylinders. A pressure-increase response-delay reduction section closes the pressure-sustaining valves for a predetermined period of time after starting the hydraulic pressure control to temporarily limit the inflow of hydraulic fluid into the wheel cylinders that communicate with the first passage. Thus, the amount of the hydraulic fluid that is supplied to the second passage is increased, and it is possible to reduce the hydraulic pressure response delay in the second passage.

Abstract: A brake control apparatus obtains a required braking force using a hydraulic braking force in combination with a regenerative braking force. The brake control apparatus includes a hydraulic brake unit that controls the hydraulic braking force. When the deviation of an actual hydraulic pressure from a target pressure falls outside a permissible range (d), the hydraulic brake unit controls the actual hydraulic pressure in such a manner that the deviation falls within the permissible range. On the other hand, when the deviation is within the permissible range (d), the hydraulic brake unit maintains the actual hydraulic pressure. The hydraulic brake unit includes a control unit that detects timing (Ta) at which usage of the hydraulic braking force needs to be started to compensate for a deficiency from the required braking force, and that raises (r) the target pressure at the detected timing (ta).

Abstract: In a brake apparatus, an activation current for opening a simulator cut valve from a closed state is applied, whereupon a steady-state current is applied continuously to maintain the open state. A brake control apparatus and a brake control method are employed to perform control in which a valve opening current, which is higher than the steady-state current, is applied to the simulator cut valve every time a brake pedal is depressed. Thus, in a brake apparatus including a switch valve that is driven steadily by applying the steady-state current thereto, favorable control responsiveness can be maintained in the switch valve at all times while achieving a reduction in power consumption.

Abstract: In a brake control apparatus that controls braking forces which are applied to wheels based on the pressure of the hydraulic fluid, when the pressure detected by a control pressure sensor (73) is equal to or higher than a predetermined value while a partition valve (60) is closed, a master cut valve (64) is closed to suppress an increase in the pressure in a first passage (45) in a first hydraulic circuit (37), to which the control pressure sensor (73) is connected. Alternatively, the control pressure sensor (73) is protected against overpressure by opening the outlet valve (56,57) or the pressure-decreasing valve (67).

Abstract: An apparatus that generates brake pedal reaction force is provided. The apparatus includes a variable throttle mechanism that varies a fluid passage area between the variable throttle mechanism and a stroke simulator when the flow rate of an operating fluid supplied from a master cylinder exceeds a predetermined flow rate. The variable throttle mechanism includes a movable member, in which a through passage for the operating fluid is formed, and a throttle portion that is formed in the middle of the through passage. The movable member is slidably provided in the inside of a case body and the movable member changes the fluid passage area by closing a portion of a communicating port formed in the case body.

Abstract: A brake system includes a master cylinder that pressurizes hydraulic fluid when a brake control portion is operated; a stroke simulator that, when supplied with the hydraulic fluid pressurized by the master cylinder, produces reactive force in response to the operation of the brake control portion; and a stroke simulator disconnecting mechanism, provided in a hydraulic passage between the master cylinder and the stroke simulator, that mechanically interrupts the flow of the hydraulic fluid through the hydraulic passage when the hydraulic fluid is allowed to flow from the master cylinder to the wheel cylinder in response to the operation of the brake control portion. The stroke simulator disconnecting mechanism starts the disconnecting operation before the hydraulic fluid flows from the master cylinder to the stroke simulator.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake unit applies braking force to a plurality of wheels of a vehicle according to the operation of a brake pedal. A pressure increase linear control valve supplies hydraulic fluid from an accumulator to wheel cylinders of disc brake units of the respective wheels. Pressure-sustaining valves are placed in passages that extend from a first passage to the rear wheel cylinders. A pressure-increase response-delay reduction section closes the pressure-sustaining valves for a predetermined period of time after starting the hydraulic pressure control to temporarily limit the inflow of hydraulic fluid into the wheel cylinders that communicate with the first passage. Thus, the amount of the hydraulic fluid that is supplied to the second passage is increased, and it is possible to reduce the hydraulic pressure response delay in the second passage.

Abstract: A controller for controlling an actuator device which is installed on a vehicle and operated by a motor. The controller includes: a motor control portion operable to control the motor on the basis of a target value; and a target-value determining portion operable to determine the target value on the basis of a wave intensity characteristic. The wave intensity characteristic is represented by a relationship between (A) a propagated wave intensity indicative of an intensity of a wave which is generated as a result of activation of the actuator device and which is propagated to occupant of the vehicle, and (B) an output index indicative of an amount of an output of the motor. Also disclosed is a wave-intensity-characteristic obtainer for obtaining the wave intensity characteristic by measuring the intensity of the wave.

Abstract: A controller for controlling an actuator device which is installed on a vehicle and operated by a motor. The controller includes: a motor control portion operable to control the motor on the basis of a target value; and a target-value determining portion operable to determine the target value on the basis of a wave intensity characteristic. The wave intensity characteristic is represented by a relationship between (A) a propagated wave intensity indicative of an intensity of a wave which is generated as a result of activation of the actuator device and which is propagated to occupant of the vehicle, and (B) an output index indicative of an amount of an output of the motor. Also disclosed is a wave-intensity-characteristic obtainer for obtaining the wave intensity characteristic by measuring the intensity of the wave.