Including A Stroke Sensor Patents (Class 303/113.4)
  • Patent number: 8500217
    Abstract: In a vehicle braking apparatus, a pressure control valve is controlled according to a brake operation amount of a brake pedal to thereby regulate hydraulic pressure and supply it to wheel cylinders. By controlling the pressure control valve by using hydraulic pressure output from a master cylinder as pilot pressure, the hydraulic pressure can be regulated and supplied to the wheel cylinders. A master cut valve capable of opening and closing a first hydraulic pipe that supplies the hydraulic pressure from the master cylinder to the wheel cylinders is provided. An external pressure supply pipe that supplies the pilot pressure to the pressure control valve is connected to the first hydraulic pipe on a side of the master cut valve closer to the wheel cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Isono
  • Patent number: 8500222
    Abstract: In order to increase the operational safety of a device which is used in a brake system of the “brake-by-wire” type and has the purpose of activating and deactivating a pedal travel simulator, an articulated connection which permits an all around pivoting movement of a piston rod is provided between a piston and the piston rod which activates the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Jürgen Schonlau, Manfred Rüffer, Holger von Hayn, Thomas Sellinger, Lazar Milisic
  • Patent number: 8500213
    Abstract: An electrically actuated booster performs displacement control such that the relative displacement relationship between an input member and an assist member is variable according to the absolute displacement of the input member. A target displacement that makes variable the relative displacement relationship between an input piston and a booster piston is set according to a detection signal from a potentiometer (86), and displacement control is performed so that the relative displacement between the two pistons becomes equal to the target displacement on the basis of a signal from a relative displacement sensor (100) that detects the relative displacement between the two pistons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukio Ohtani, Junichi Ikeda, Kazuhiro Nagai
  • Patent number: 8496301
    Abstract: A vehicle brake mechanism includes a master cylinder operated with a brake pedal. A first fluid channel connects a first hydraulic chamber of the master cylinder to a first-circuit wheel cylinder. A second fluid channel connects a second hydraulic chamber of the master cylinder to a second-circuit wheel cylinder. A master cut valve is provided in the first fluid channel and is capable of hindering communication between the first hydraulic chamber and the first-circuit wheel cylinder. A slave cylinder is connected to the second fluid channel and is driven by an actuator to generate a hydraulic pressure. A third fluid channel is provided downstream of the master cut valve and the slave cylinder and connects the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel to each other. A connection control valve is provided in the third fluid channel to close the third fluid channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoto Ohkubo, Arata Inoue, Takashi Nishioka
  • Patent number: 8452510
    Abstract: A device includes: actual-intake-pipe-pressure detection unit (11); estimated-intake-pipe-pressure detection unit (12) for calculating an estimated intake pipe pressure based on a rotation speed of the engine and an opening degree of a throttle valve; pressure difference calculation unit (13) for calculating a pressure difference between the actual and estimated intake pipe pressures; pressure difference integration unit (14) for integrating the pressure difference with respect to time; pumping brake detection unit (15) for determining that a pumping brake operation is performed when a integral value is equal to or more than a first determination value; and throttle valve control unit (16) for carrying out control for the pumping brake during the pumping brake operation based on a result of the determination by the pumping brake detection unit (15), and carrying out ordinary control otherwise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Akiyoshi Katayama, Takashi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8434830
    Abstract: An electronic control unit for a brake control apparatus has a pressure-command-signal memorizing portion, which outputs a pressure command signal to a brake force control unit, when a braking operation is not carried out by a vehicle driver, in order to gradually increase brake fluid pressure. The memorizing portion memorizes the pressure command signal as a gap-zero pressure signal sent to the brake force control unit when vehicle deceleration exceeds a predetermined value. A pre-charge control portion outputs the gap-zero pressure signal to carry out a pre-charge control, when the braking operation is not carried out, so that a gap between a friction element and a non-friction element is reduced to a desired amount before an actual braking operation by the vehicle driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroaki Niino
  • Patent number: 8434831
    Abstract: A vehicle brake device includes an input shaft coupled to a brake pedal, a pedal operation detector, a pedal simulator coupled to the input shaft in a control housing, a master cylinder, a control piston, a control chamber, and a hydraulic pressure supply, wherein the pedal simulator includes a pedal simulator piston, a pressing member, a simulator piston provided in the pedal simulator piston, and a push rod which is accommodated in the pressing member while being spaced apart from a bottom wall of a guide groove by passing through the pedal simulator piston and the simulator piston from the control piston to the input shaft, and wherein a diameter of the master cylinder is greater than a diameter of the simulator piston, and a diameter of the control piston is greater than a diameter of the master cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Mando Corporation
    Inventor: I Jin Yang
  • Patent number: 8392088
    Abstract: A method for controlling a braking system in a vehicle during a panic braking event includes the steps of determining a magnitude of force applied to the brake pedal, determining a first level of braking that would result from the magnitude of force applied to the brake pedal if there were no panic braking event, and applying a second level of braking equal to the lesser of the following: the maximum braking capacity, and the level of braking that would result from the magnitude of force applied to the brake pedal if there were no panic braking event, multiplied by a predetermined constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Timothy M. Karnjate, William K. Manosh
  • Patent number: 8380412
    Abstract: A control device (10) for a brake-power-assisted brake system of a vehicle having a first input device (26) for a supplied first information item (28) relating to a supplied assistance force (Fu) of a brake booster (14) of the brake-power-assisted brake system, a second input device (30) for a supplied second information item (32) relating to a total force (Fg) comprising the assistance force (Fu) and a driver braking force (FI) supplied by activation of an activation element (12) of the brake-power-assisted brake system, an evaluation device (36) which is configured to define a third information item relating to a proportional relationship between the total force (Fg) and the assistance force (Fu) taking into account the first information item (28) and the second information item (32), and an output device (44, 50) which is configured to supply at least one control signal (46, 52) to at least one component (14, 54) of the brake-power-assisted brake system taking into account the defined third information ite
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Vollert, Remy Garnier, Reinhard Weiberle, Timo Jahnz, Volker Mehl, Frank Kneip, Dirk Mahnkopf, Jens Kolarsky, Stephan Hoenle
  • Patent number: 8371662
    Abstract: A wheel braking controller of a vehicle includes a brake lever operated by a rider, a master cylinder generating a hydraulic pressure according to an operation force of the brake lever, and a brake caliper braking a front wheel based on operation of the brake lever, a channel switching unit provided between the master cylinder and the brake caliper and switching channels of a brake fluid. A hydraulic pressure generator generates a hydraulic pressure based on operation of the brake lever and the driving state of the vehicle and controlling braking of the front wheel using the brake caliper by the hydraulic pressure. A braking controller including the channel switching unit and the hydraulic pressure generator is integrally provided on one body. The wheel braking controller so configured reduces the number of parts, and provides for easy mounting of the controller on the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Nishikawa, Kazuya Takenouchi, Masaie Kato
  • Patent number: 8371661
    Abstract: The invention relates to a brake system which comprises an actuating device (26), especially a brake pedal (30), and a control/regulation device (22). Said control/regulation device (22) controls an electromotive drive device (8) in response to the movement and/or position (38) of the actuating device (30). The drive device (8) adjusts a piston (1) of a piston/cylinder system via a non-hydraulic transmission device (6), thereby adjusting a pressure in the working compartment (4?) of the cylinder (4). Said working compartment (4?) is connected to a wheel brake (15, 17) via a pressure conduit (13). In case of drive device (8) failure, the actuating device (26) adjusts the piston (1) or the drive device (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Ipgate AG
    Inventors: Heinz Leiber, Thomas Leiber
  • 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
  • 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: 8328297
    Abstract: In a brake system, two first fluid pressure chambers of a master cylinder respectively communicate with two second fluid pressure chambers of a motor cylinder. The two second chambers communicate with four wheel cylinders through an ABS. The wheel cylinders are operated by brake fluid pressure generated by the master cylinder in an abnormal situation where the motor cylinder is non-operational. The brake system includes two separate independent fluid pressure lines: one line extending from one of the first chambers in the master cylinder to the wheel cylinders via one of the second chambers in the motor cylinder; and the other line extending from the other first chamber in the master cylinder to the wheel cylinders via the other second chamber in the motor cylinder. Thus, even if an abnormality occurs in one of the two fluid pressure lines, a minimum necessary braking force is secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kunimichi Hatano
  • 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: 8303047
    Abstract: Systems and methods to prevent dragging of a fluid pressure type disk brake system are described herein. Brake fluid pressure generated by a master cylinder during a braking operation is transmitted to a wheel cylinder via a VSA system. The VSA system includes a low pressure accumulator and an out-valve disposed between the wheel cylinder and the low pressure accumulator. Temporarily opening the out-valve during a braking operation allows part of the brake fluid that would otherwise be supplied to the wheel cylinder to be supplied to the low pressure accumulator. After the braking operation by the driver is completed, brake fluid supplied to the wheel cylinder is returned to the master cylinder. Thus, a piston of the wheel cylinder is withdrawn by an extra amount corresponding to the amount of brake fluid supplied to the low pressure accumulator, thus reliably prevents disk pad dragging in the disk brake system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunimichi Hatano, Yuki Ito
  • Patent number: 8276997
    Abstract: In a brake-by-wire brake system for a motorcycle, a pressure regulator is interposed between a pressure-generating unit and a brake caliper to regulate an output hydraulic pressure of the pressure generator, and to apply the regulated hydraulic pressure to a brake caliper. The pressure regulator is controlled by a control unit, based on input from an applied operating force detector, to minimize or prevent influences of engine vibration and heat on the pressure regulator. The pressure regulator is arranged between an engine body and a fuel tank disposed in back of an intake system connected to and extending upwardly from a cylinder head of the engine body; where the intake system is disposed on an upper side of the engine body. The pressure regulator is flexibly supported, through a flexibly resilient case, by a support cage attached to a body frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuji Tahara, Masatsugu Nishimura
  • Patent number: 8267487
    Abstract: An actuator apparatus includes a booster creating an infinite boost ratio while a plunger valve does not contact with a reaction disc, and an oil reservoir and a pedal simulator unit forming a hydraulic circuit to follow hydraulic hysteresis characteristics. Therefore, it is possible to achieve insensibility of pedal changes transmitted from a master cylinder, minimize changes in pedal feel according to changes of pedal effort correspondingly generated, while blocking vibration transmitted to the pedal when achieving regenerative braking, and provide pedal feel following or simulating the hydraulic hysteresis characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jongsung Kim
  • Patent number: 8240780
    Abstract: A supply valve (40), a relief valve (42) and a microprocessor (46) control the supply of pressurized hydraulic fluid from a dedicated pressure source (12) to a brake boost piston (18, 60, 108) interposed between an operator brake pedal (22) input member (20, 106) and a master cylinder. Transducers (48, 50, 102) sense a current relationship between the input member (20, 106) and the boost piston (18, 60, 108) and supply the microprocessor (46) with a input to accordingly operate the supply valve (40) and relief valve (42). In one embodiment, a single transducer (102) senses relative motion between the input member and the piston while in a second embodiment, a single transducer (48) senses the force exerted on the piston by the input member and a third embodiment first and second transducers (48, 50) to sense relative motion between the input member and the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Milan Klimes
  • Patent number: 8210621
    Abstract: A vehicle brake device is configured to limit a drop in a final target braking force when an abrupt deceleration is performed by the driver. The vehicle brake device has a brake operating element, a master cylinder and a controller. The brake operating element is operated by the driver of a vehicle. The master cylinder is operatively coupled to the brake operating element to generate a fluid pressure in accordance with an operation of the brake operating element. The controller calculates a target deceleration rate based on the fluid pressure of the master cylinder and controls a braking force of the vehicle in accordance with the target deceleration rate. The controller is limits a decrease in the target deceleration rate during an abrupt deceleration caused by the operation of the brake operating element by the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keigo Ajiro, Naoki Miyashita
  • Patent number: 8186771
    Abstract: A stroke simulator in a brake system includes a cylinder body, a piston movably inserted in the cylinder body, and a second elastic member adapted to be pressed by the piston. It functions to give a simulative operational feel to a brake lever by operating the brake lever to generate a fluid pressure in a front wheel master cylinder and transmit this fluid pressure to the cylinder body, thereby deforming the second elastic member through the piston, and wherein annular recesses are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the second elastic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaie Kato, Kazuya Takenouchi, Yutaka Nishikawa, Masatsugu Nishimura, Kazuhiko Tani, Yoko Uno
  • Patent number: 8172338
    Abstract: At vehicle startup and vehicle shutdown, the driver modulates the brake pressure directly by depressing the brake pedal and the driver feels pedal resistance. During normal conditions of vehicle operation after vehicle startup, pressure boosted actuation of the vehicle brakes is provided by the modulation of boosted pressure from an accumulator via a boost valve operable in response to brake pedal depression, while an isolation valve isolates the pedal from direct influence by the brake pressure and the driver feels pedal resistance provided by a pedal simulator. Upon shutdown of boosted actuation, the boost valve reduces the brake pressure gradually over a calibrated period of time until the brake pressure substantially equals the pedal resistance then felt by the driver. Then the isolation valve reestablishes driver's feel of the brake pressure without an abrupt change in pedal resistance upon the reversion from boosted actuation to hydraulic unboosted actuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Timothy M. Karnjate, William K. Manosh
  • Patent number: 8141959
    Abstract: A vehicle brake hydraulic pressure control unit including a base body including a brake fluid flow path and a mounting hole portion having a bottom sealing surface and an inner circumferential sealing surface and an assembled part which is assembled into the mounting hole portion so as to communicate with the flow path. The assembled part includes a lower end sealing portion hermetically contacting with the bottom sealing surface of the mounting hole portion to form a lower side sealing portion and an outer circumferential sealing portion hermetically contacting with the inner circumferential sealing surface of the mounting hole portion to form a circumferential sealing portion. A hermetic accommodation space is defined by the lower side sealing portion and the circumferential sealing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Nissin Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Ota
  • Patent number: 8136892
    Abstract: A method of detecting the braking of a vehicle comprising a push rod (200) intended to transmit an amplified braking command to a master cylinder. A plunger (220), arranged parallel to the primary piston (200) so as to reproduce the movements of this piston, and a sensor (230) which senses the movements of the plunger (220), this sensor (230) being fastened to the booster (250), are used to detect a braking operation by detecting a movement of the plunger (220).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Stephane Lacroix, Philippe Richard, Jean Fourcade, Olivier Castello
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8061786
    Abstract: A brake system has a first piston (2) which is coupled to a brake pedal (3), a second piston (4) used to actuate a master cylinder (1), a third piston (5) actuated by the first piston (2) and movable into a force-transmitting connection with the second piston (4), and a pedal travel simulator. The first and the third pistons are coupled depending on the displacement of the third piston (5). The pressurization of a space (11) between the second and the third piston loads the second and third pistons (4, 5) in opposite directions. A pressure-supplying module (13) enables both filling and evacuation of the space (11) as well as its evacuation. A fourth piston (8) between the first piston (2) and the third piston (5) delimits a hydraulic compartment (9) in interaction with the third piston (5). A valve assembly (10) varies the pressure introduced into the space (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. Ohg
    Inventors: Stefan Drumm, Lothar Schiel
  • 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: 8055413
    Abstract: Faster shifting operation and reduced shift shock in response to a braking operation during a lift-foot-up shifting may be achieved when an automatic transmission is controlled by a method for compensating a hydraulic pressure that includes: determining whether a lift-foot-up shifting of the automatic transmission is under control; calculating a vehicle speed of a vehicle; calculating a deceleration rate of the vehicle; calculating a compensation hydraulic pressure to be applied to a friction member of the transmission, based on the deceleration rate; calculating a on-coming pressure based on the calculated compensation hydraulic pressure; and applying the calculated on-coming pressure to the friction member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Byeong Wook Jeon
  • Patent number: 8050836
    Abstract: A method for determining whether a panic braking maneuver has been initiated in a vehicle with a brake pedal includes the steps of receiving brake pedal travel data, receiving brake pedal force data, determining a rate of change of acceleration of the brake pedal from the brake pedal travel data, determining a rate of change of acceleration of force applied to the brake pedal from the brake pedal force data, comparing the rate of change of acceleration of the brake pedal with a first predetermined value and a third predetermined value, and comparing the rate of change of acceleration of force applied to the brake pedal with a second predetermined value and a fourth predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Timothy M. Karnjate, William K. Manosh
  • Patent number: 8029072
    Abstract: In order to achieve a good brake feeling, a brake control system includes a master cylinder which discharges pressurized operating fluid according to an operating amount of a brake operating member by a driver, a stroke simulator which is connected to the master cylinder and creates a reaction force with respect to that operation according to the operating amount of the brake operating member, and a control portion which calculates a target deceleration using hydraulic pressure in the stroke simulator. The brake control system is also provided with a master cylinder pressure sensor that measures the hydraulic pressure in the master cylinder. The control portion may also calculate the target deceleration using an estimated value of the hydraulic pressure in the stroke simulator calculated based on the measured value from the master cylinder pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuya Miyazaki, Yoshiaki Irie, Rio Suda
  • Patent number: 8025345
    Abstract: A vehicle brake system, capable of realizing a brake-by-wire construction which can be installed in vehicles in the same manner as conventional brake systems, is provided with a booster device, a master cylinder, wheel brakes, and a hydraulic pressure control device interposed between the master cylinder and the wheel brakes. The system is further provided with a stroke sensor for detecting the moving stroke of a brake pedal, a simulator for applying to the brake pedal a pseudo reaction force corresponding to the moving stroke of the brake pedal, a play or idling component arranged between the booster device and the hydraulic pressure control device for absorbing the moving stroke of the brake pedal by a predetermined amount, and an electronic control device for controlling the hydraulic pressure control device based on an input from the stroke sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Hashida, Yusuke Morikawa, Masayuki Naito, Koichi Kokubo
  • Patent number: 7954909
    Abstract: In a fluid pressure booster, when an input shaft and a valve plunger advance, an atmosphere valve opens to introduce air into a variable pressure chamber. At this time, the input shaft has not moved by a predetermined stroke, and thus a projection of the valve plunger is positioned within an inner peripheral surface of a control valve body, thus forming an orifice, which causes air to be sucked at a restricted flow rate. As a result, generation of noise is suppressed. When the input shaft moves the predetermined stroke, the projection of the valve plunger is positioned away from the inner peripheral surface of the control valve body and the orifice is no longer formed. Accordingly, the flow rate of the air is not restricted by the orifice, and thus a relatively large amount of air is sucked into and introduced into the pressure variation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Bosch Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20110130935
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a braking system of a vehicle having a brake pedal includes the steps of measuring, via a sensor, a speed of the vehicle, generating, via a processor, an optimized mapping relating a movement of the brake pedal and a deceleration of the vehicle based at least in part upon the speed of the vehicle, and calibrating, via the processor, a relationship between an engagement of the brake pedal and the deceleration of the vehicle using the optimized mapping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: ERIC E. KRUEGER, KEVIN S. KIDSTON, DANNY Y. MUI
  • 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
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7770982
    Abstract: An electrohydraulic brake system having a muscle-force-actuatable auxiliary brake and an external-force-actuatable service brake includes operating mode switchover valves triggerable by an electronic control unit for switching from the service braking state to the auxiliary braking state. A piston/cylinder unit with a pressure medium connection between a master cylinder and a wheel brake which is interrupted by the switchover valves to simulate the pedal travel in the service braking state. The piston/cylinder receives the pressure medium displaced in the master cylinder by actuation of the brake pedal by the driver's foot. The piston/cylinder unit can be hydraulically blocked in the auxiliary braking state so that pressure medium positively displaced in the master cylinder is available to the greatest possible extent for building up pressure at the wheel brakes. The subjection of the piston/cylinder unit to pressure medium is controlled via one of the operating mode switchover valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Gottwick, Michael Kunz
  • Patent number: 7748792
    Abstract: A brake-by-wire automotive braking system includes a master cylinder connected to a number of wheel cylinders, with the master cylinder being actuated by a brake pedal assembly operatively connected with a master cylinder force simulator simulating the resistive force/displacement characteristics of the master cylinder itself. An electronically controlled compliance device selectively immobilizes the master cylinder force simulator so that the resistive force provided by the simulator may be applied selectively to the brake pedal. This produces a transparency in the brake pedal's operational feel, notwithstanding the presence or absence of force provided by the master cylinder force simulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Dale S. Crombez, Daniel A. Gabor
  • Publication number: 20100078989
    Abstract: A stroke simulator in a brake system includes a cylinder body, a piston movably inserted in the cylinder body, and a second elastic member adapted to be pressed by the piston. It functions to give a simulative operational feel to a brake lever by operating the brake lever to generate a fluid pressure in a front wheel master cylinder and transmit this fluid pressure to the cylinder body, thereby deforming the second elastic member through the piston, and wherein annular recesses are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the second elastic member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaie Kato, Kazuya Takenouchi, Yutaka Nishikawa, Masatsugu Nishimura, Kazuhiko Tani, Yoko Uno
  • Patent number: 7681962
    Abstract: A method for estimating master cylinder pressure during brake apply of a brake system of a vehicle, wherein the brake system includes a brake pedal. A first master cylinder pressure is estimated from brake pedal position during brake apply. A second master cylinder pressure is estimated from vehicle deceleration during brake apply. The master cylinder pressure is estimated during brake apply to be equal to the first master cylinder pressure when the vehicle deceleration is below a predetermined deceleration value. The master cylinder pressure is estimated during brake apply to be equal to a value which is less than the first master cylinder pressure and greater than or equal to the second master cylinder pressure when the vehicle deceleration is at or above the predetermined deceleration value. At least the estimated master cylinder pressure during brake apply is used to control the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Inventors: Bryan Todd Fulmer, Deron C. Littlejohn, Rebecca L Wang
  • Publication number: 20090273228
    Abstract: Motor vehicle braking installation comprising a master cylinder (10) operated by a brake pedal and connected to a brake fluid reservoir (30) and to feed circuits (26, 28) supplying the wheel brakes, characterized in that the brake fluid reservoir (30) is mounted on the master cylinder and is connected to the master cylinder (10) by connecting means (32, 34) involving electrically operated valves (36, 38) which valves are closed in the rest position and are made to open by a computer (C) on the basis of an output signal from a position sensor or displacement transducer (40) associated with the brake pedal or with the said element moved by this pedal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Yannick Nen, Aleksander Hurwic, Bruno Beylerian, Etienne Durand, Nicolas Marlhe, Jean-Marc Piel
  • Publication number: 20090189441
    Abstract: A brake system including a communication bus, a sensor including an integral star coupler, the star coupler being in communication with the communication bus, wherein the sensor generates a sensor signal, a first electronic control unit directly connected to the sensor to directly receive the sensor signal, the first electronic control unit being in communication with the communication bus, and a second electronic control unit in communication with the communication bus, wherein the second electronic control unit receives the sensor signal over the communication bus by way of the star coupler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Paul Degoul, Robert J. Disser
  • Patent number: 7533944
    Abstract: A brake control apparatus includes wheel cylinders which apply braking force to wheels when supplied with hydraulic fluid; a wheel cylinder pressure control system that controls a wheel cylinder pressure independently of a brake operating member operation; a manual hydraulic pressure source that includes first and second hydraulic pressure sources that pressurize the hydraulic fluid; a hydraulic fluid supply path that connects the manual hydraulic pressure source to the wheel cylinders; and a controller. Communication through the hydraulic fluid supply path is interrupted when the wheel cylinder pressure control system controls the wheel cylinder pressure, and the communication is permitted when the wheel cylinder pressure deviates from a target pressure. The controller executes control so that the hydraulic fluid from the first hydraulic pressure source starts to be supplied after the hydraulic fluid from the second hydraulic pressure source starts to be supplied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuji Mizutani, Eiji Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20090102278
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pressure control device for varying the brake pressure in at least one wheel brake (3) of a vehicle, which includes at least one inlet valve and one outlet valve (1, 2) for the variation of the brake pressure, comprising a brake pressure channel (4) which connects a pressure fluid source (8) to the wheel brake (3) and in which the inlet valve (1) is mounted, as well as a return channel (5) which connects to the brake pressure channel (4) between the inlet valve (1) and the wheel brake (3) and in which the outlet valve is mounted (2), with the return channel (5) being connected either to a low-pressure accumulator (6) or an unpressurized supply tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2005
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Ivica Batistic, Helmut Fennel
  • Patent number: 7517026
    Abstract: The invention relates to a by-wire brake system. There is a need for a trailer brake control circuit for a by-wire brake system. A brake control circuit for trailer brakes in a by-wire brake system includes a hydraulic pump or a supply of pressurized air, a hydraulic reservoir or an air vent, a pair of solenoid operated proportional valves for controlling communication between the pump, the reservoir and the trailer brakes, and a pair of solenoid operated shutoff valves, each controlling communication between the trailer brakes and a corresponding one of the proportional valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Brian Lee Herbst, Troy Eugene Schick
  • Patent number: 7517027
    Abstract: A normally closed secondary solenoid opening/closing valve 36 is provided along a secondary branched fluid pipe 35 establishing a communication between an accumulator 11 and a reservoir 8 through a fluid pressure input side to a fluid pressure output side of a regulator valve 3, and in the event that a fluid pressure supplied to the regulator valve 3 decreases down to or lower than a predetermined range due to something abnormal occurring in the accumulator 11, the state of the secondary solenoid opening/closing valve 36 is changed over from a closed state to an opened state, whereby a residual pressure in the accumulator 11 and a residual pressure in the output fluid pressure chamber 15 can be released through the reservoir 8 which is in communication therewith through an output fluid pipe 31 and the secondary branched fluid pipe 35 along which the secondary opening/closing valve 36 is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Aoki, Akiharu Kanagawa
  • Patent number: 7497528
    Abstract: A brake-by-wire braking system including a braking unit, an electro-hydraulic actuator in fluid communication with the braking unit by way of a first fluid path, a master cylinder in fluid communication with the braking unit by way of a second fluid path, a normally open solenoid valve operatively associated with the second fluid path, and a control unit adapted to actuate the normally open solenoid valve, wherein actuation of the normally open solenoid valve generally fluidly isolates the master cylinder from the braking unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Reuter, Richard J Kriz, II, Schuyler Scott Shaw
  • Patent number: 7484815
    Abstract: To enable a trouble diagnosis of braking-input-side pressure sensors even in a state where a braking input side and a braking output side are interrupted from each other. In a brake device of a vehicle in which a braking input side which generates a liquid pressure by manipulating a brake manipulation portion and a braking output side which supplies the liquid pressure to a brake caliper are made to be communicated with each other or being interrupted from each other by way of a first electromagnetic open/close valve, and the brake device includes a hydraulic modulator which adjusts the liquid pressure of the braking output side by operating an electrically-operated motor, the brake device includes a first pressure sensor and a second pressure sensor for detecting the liquid pressure of the braking input side, and a trouble diagnosis of the pressure sensors is performed in response to detection values of the pressure sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sumitaka Ogawa, Hideo Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7478887
    Abstract: A brake control device includes a control unit that determines a driver's braking request to have occurred when a brake-on determination condition is satisfied and determines the driver's braking request to have been cancelled when a brake-off determination condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Eiji Nakamura, Yasuji Mizutani, Takayuki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7445298
    Abstract: A brake control apparatus for a vehicle includes: controlling means having timing means for timing an elapsed time from a brake operation starting time, and extended period of time calculating means obtaining an extended period of time based upon a target wheel cylinder pressure corresponding to an operation amount detected by an operation amount detecting sensor when the timing means times a predetermined period of time at which an amount of brake fluid discharged by each pump reaches a threshold value of brake fluid amount to generate an actual wheel cylinder pressure. During the extended period of time, the value of electric current to be supplied to each first and second motor is maintained at the maximum value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Niino, Takashi Sato
  • Publication number: 20080265664
    Abstract: A method for estimating master cylinder pressure during brake apply of a brake system of a vehicle, wherein the brake system includes a brake pedal. A first master cylinder pressure is estimated from brake pedal position during brake apply. A second master cylinder pressure is estimated from vehicle deceleration during brake apply. The master cylinder pressure is estimated during brake apply to be equal to the first master cylinder pressure when the vehicle deceleration is below a predetermined deceleration value. The master cylinder pressure is estimated during brake apply to be equal to a value which is less than the first master cylinder pressure and greater than or equal to the second master cylinder pressure when the vehicle deceleration is at or above the predetermined deceleration value. At least the estimated master cylinder pressure during brake apply is used to control the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Bryan Todd Fulmer, Deron C. Littlejohn, Rebecca L. Wang