Braking Pressure Demand Or Braking Force Desire Patents (Class 303/155)
  • Patent number: 7434894
    Abstract: A method and a device for controlling the brake system of a vehicle, wherein a stand-by phase is made available. The stand-by phase is initiated as soon as the input pressure exceeds a threshold value S1 and the rate of change of input pressure exceeds a third threshold value SB. The third threshold value SB is smaller than a second threshold value S2, which when exceeded immediately changes the braking operation into a full braking support operation. When the third threshold value SB is exceeded or when the stand-by phase is entered, the brake support system is activated or becomes ready to use, however, a full braking support operation is not triggered yet. During the stand-by phase, the braking behavior of the driver is continually monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thomas Toelge
  • Patent number: 7419229
    Abstract: A vehicle brake control apparatus controls an actual braking force of a vehicle to achieve a command braking force in accordance with a driver's demand braking force corresponding to a driver's braking operation, and a target braking force. A controller is configured to calculate a time rate of change of the target braking force; to calculate a time rate of change of the demand braking force; and to calculate the command braking force in the control mode in accordance with the time rate of change of the demand braking force and the time rate of change of the target braking force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuya Higuchi, Takeshi Ishimoto, Tatsuya Suzuki, Masahide Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20080185910
    Abstract: A brake system and a brake device for use with automobiles is provided in which braking energy stored in an auxiliary pressure source can be effectively used for braking, even if an electrical system fails. The vehicle brake system includes a proportional pressure control valve for generating braking liquid pressure by adjusting the braking energy stored in the auxiliary pressure source. A passage transmits the liquid pressure generated by a brake pedal stroke, a switching valve opens the passage in the powered condition and closes the passage in the off-powered condition, and an auxiliary control portion activates the proportional pressure control valve. Even in the off-powered condition, the high pressure accumulated in the auxiliary pressure source can be used to adjust the required braking liquid pressure at the proportional pressure control valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Masato YOSHINO, Hideaki HIGASHIMURA, Makoto NISHIKIMI, Keita NAKANO, Yoichi MIYAWAKI
  • Patent number: 7387349
    Abstract: The adaptive brake application and initial skid detection system allows rapid brake application and prevents deep initial skids. Brake pressure is compared with a predetermined threshold brake pressure. Wheel velocity error signals are also generated to indicated the difference between the wheel velocity and a reference velocity signal. A pressure bias modulator integrator responsive to brake pressure signals adjusts the wheel velocity error signals to provide an anti-skid control signal. The pressure bias modulator integrator can also be initialized to the value of the measured brake pressure when the wheel velocity error signals indicate the beginning of a skid. Brake pressure difference signals are generated to indicate the difference between brake pressure and a commanded brake pressure, and an adjusted brake pressure error signal is generated in response to the brake pressure difference signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Hydro-Aire, Inc.
    Inventors: Bijan Salamat, Robert D. Cook
  • Patent number: 7367633
    Abstract: Disclosed is a redundant braking system for a vehicle. A controller may monitor a status of a hydraulic braking system, and during vehicle travel, automatically switch to a modulated electric braking system which is separate from the hydraulic braking system when the hydraulic braking system fails. The modulated electric braking system may utilize a brake acting on a drive shaft of the vehicle, and an operator-actuated switch may set a mode of the modulated electric braking system to a non-modulated parking brake mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: William C Craig, Patrick J Fitzgibbons
  • Publication number: 20080088176
    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: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: NISSIN KOGYO CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro OTA
  • Patent number: 7359786
    Abstract: An electrically controlled braking system includes a first control unit and a second control unit in electrical communication via a communication link and a human machine-interface manipulatable by a vehicle operator. The human-machine interface includes a first sensor and a second sensor, the first sensor providing an input signal to the first control unit, and the second sensor providing an input signal to the second control unit. The first control unit and the second control unit compare the input signal received from the first sensor with the input signal received from the second sensor, and generate control signals at least in part based upon the input signal received from the first sensor, the input signal received from the second sensor, and the comparison of the input signal received from the first sensor with the input signal received from the second sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Haldex Brake Products AB
    Inventor: Anders Lindqvist
  • Patent number: 7349787
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of servo-control in a vehicle brake system including at least one electric brake having at least one actuator comprising a pusher facing friction elements and driven by an electric motor to apply a force selectively against the friction elements in response to a braking setpoint, the method making use of a plurality of relationships between various operating parameters of the actuator including a relationship between a pusher position and a corresponding force applied by the pusher to the friction elements. According to the invention, the method comprises the step of adjusting a particular relationship between position and force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Messier-Bugatti
    Inventor: Julien Thibault
  • Patent number: 7347304
    Abstract: A vehicle brake system includes a brake actuator, a brake controller operative to control the brake actuator, and at least one position sensor which senses a current position of at least one moveable brake component and provides a current position signal indicative of the current position of the at least one moveable brake component to the brake controller. The brake controller is operative to cause actuation of the brake actuator based at least in part upon a position indicative command received by the brake controller indicative of a commanded position of the at least one moveable brake component and at least in part based upon the current position signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Haldex Brake Products AB
    Inventors: Peter Nilsson, Ola Nockhammar
  • Patent number: 7346443
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of servo-control in a vehicle braking system that includes at least one electric brake provided with at least one actuator comprising a pusher facing friction elements and driven by an electric motor to apply a force selectively against the friction elements in response to a braking setpoint, the method making use of a relationship for transforming a setpoint for the braking that is to be applied by the pusher into a setpoint for the position of the pusher. The method of the invention includes the step of adjusting a particular relationship by imposing pauses in the position of the pusher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Messier-Bugati
    Inventor: Julien Thibault
  • Patent number: 7338136
    Abstract: An electronic braking device is provided which easily generates a braking force depending on the amount of brake operation in a range in which the amount of brake operation is small, just after the start of brake operation, and which protects a fluid pressure sensor from a fluid pressure beyond its tolerance. The electronic braking device activates a brake caliper through an electronic control unit (ECU) according to a signal in response to a braking request from a driver, and is provided with a first pressure sensor and a second pressure sensor for detecting the requested braking amount. The first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor are different from each other in detection resolution and detection range. A relief valve unit r is provided which, when a fluid pressure above a prescribed level is applied to the master cylinder 3, relieves this fluid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masamobu Nakayama, Kazuya Takenouchi, Hideo Takahashi, Sumitaka Ogawa, Kazuhiko Tani, Yutaka Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 7325887
    Abstract: A parking braking system for a brake in a vehicle wherein, upon moving a parking brake selector to a park position, the brake is arranged to be mechanically locked or latched into place by means of a variable position park latch mechanism which is adapted to co-operate with an operating member of the brake so as to set the park load on the brake at a desired level. The parking braking system includes a control system which has a brake level determining means (134) to determine the brake load level at which the brake is to be parked and a control means (136) for controlling the actuation of the latching mechanism, or a combination of several latching mechanisms, to selectively maintain that brake load level during a parking phase. In order to determine the park load level to which the brake should be applied in a given situation, there is provided a static mode 1 which generates a signal representative of the static condition of the vehicle or a static compensation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Denis John McCann, Andrew John Ward
  • Publication number: 20080001475
    Abstract: An anti-skid control apparatus includes: electric current controlling means for controlling the value of electric current, which is being applied to the first solenoid valve and equal to or greater than the predetermined electric current value, to a value of electric current corresponding to the pressure difference between the master cylinder pressure and the wheel cylinder pressure at a time point where the pressure-increasing control is started; and changing means for changing the value of electric current controlled by the electric current controlling means in a direction to be reduced for a first period of time during the pressure-increasing control as the estimated amount of the wheel cylinder pressure reduced by the pressure-reducing control is increased, when the estimated amount of the wheel cylinder pressure reduced by the pressure-reducing control is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Kito, Katsuo Obai
  • Publication number: 20080001477
    Abstract: A method for brake pressure apply in a hydraulic brake system includes commanding a cage clearance reduction phase and commanding a wheel control phase subsequent to the cage clearance reduction phase. Accordingly, the cage clearance is reduced prior to entering the wheel control phase. A method for cage clearance reduction in a hydraulic brake system for roll stability control is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Erick Lavoie, Thomas A. Salmon, Keith Mattson
  • Patent number: 7296861
    Abstract: The invention relates to a brake system for a motor vehicle comprising a master brake cylinder in which a primary piston for generating a brake pressure in a hydraulic brake circuit can be displaced according to actuation of a brake pedal, it being possible to displace the primary piston under the effect of a hydraulic servo pressure circuit in the master brake cylinder and the hydraulic servo pressure circuit comprising a pressure source for generating the servo pressure and a pressure accumulator for maintaining a minimum servo pressure in the servo pressure circuit. It is provided in this brake system that the pressure accumulator of the servo pressure circuit can be supplied with hydraulic fluid as a function of the servo pressure prevailing in the servo pressure circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Benedikt Ohlig, Wilfried Giering, Erwin Michels
  • Patent number: 7290841
    Abstract: Braking system including a power-operated hydraulic pressure source operable to deliver a pressurized working fluid, a brake including a hydraulically operated brake cylinder, and a flow-rate changing device disposed between the power-operated hydraulic pressure source and the brake cylinder and operable to change a rate of flow of the pressurized working fluid into the brake cylinder, which rate corresponds to a given rate at which the pressurized working fluid is delivered from the power-operated hydraulic pressure source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Isono
  • Publication number: 20070241611
    Abstract: When vehicle speed V decreases to or below a preset reference vehicle speed Vref during output of regenerative braking force from a motor in response to the driver's depression of a brake pedal, the vehicle of the invention performs a replacement pre-operation (steps S190 to S220 and S160) and a replacement operation (steps S240 to S280 and S160) and controls the motor and an electronically controlled hydraulic braking system to satisfy a braking force demand BF*. The replacement pre-operation actuates and controls pumps included in a brake actuator of the electronically controlled hydraulic braking system to exert their proper pressurization performance. The replacement operation decreases the regenerative braking force output from the motor and enhances a pressure increase by the pumps to replace the regenerative braking force with a pressure increase-based braking force BFpp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Inventors: Michihito Shimada, Kazuya Maki
  • Publication number: 20070228823
    Abstract: A control unit of a brake apparatus includes: a compensation braking force controlling means for controlling a compensation braking force in response to an operation of a brake operating member so that a characteristic of a total braking force relative to the operation of the brake operating member agrees with a predetermined target characteristic. The total braking force is a sum of the compensation braking force containing a pressurizing hydraulic braking force based upon at least the pressurization and a basic hydraulic pressure braking force based upon the basic hydraulic pressure. The compensation braking force controlling means includes: a judging means for judging whether the vehicle has stopped; and a limiting means for limiting the amount of pressurization via a pressure control valve when the judging means determines that the vehicle has stopped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Koichi Kokubo, Kazuya Maki, Masayuki Naito
  • Patent number: 7275794
    Abstract: A braking system for battery-powered industrial trucks, comprising a three-phase driving motor which drives a driving wheel, a first braking device associated with the driving wheel, a brake pedal with which a braking signal generator is associated to generate an electric braking signal corresponding to a first desired braking force in response to the excursion of the brake pedal, a control device for the driving motor, a first conversion unit in the control device which converts said braking signal into a desired torque for the driving motor, a second conversion unit in the control device which converts the actual torque of the driving motor into an actual braking force, a comparator device in a braking control in which the first desired braking force is compared to the actual braking force to form a second desired braking force for the second braking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Jungheinrich Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Sebastian Huther, Frank Manken, Nis-Georg Nissen
  • Publication number: 20070216222
    Abstract: A brake controller is provided, having a braking force application mechanism that presses a friction member against a braked member so as to apply a braking force to a wheel of a vehicle; and a control unit that calculates an index indicating the difference between an estimated braking effectiveness and an actual braking effectiveness, and calculates a correction amount using the index, determines that the index is inaccurate. The control unit further limits the change in the correction amount calculated using the index, if it is determined that the index is inaccurate, and corrects a target value, which is set to control a pressing force of the friction member, based on the correction amount to reduce a variation in a braking effectiveness of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuya Miyazaki, Yoshiaki Irie, Rio Suda
  • Publication number: 20070210648
    Abstract: In an ABS control, a vehicle brake control device detects a sudden change road in which a friction coefficient changes suddenly from a high value to a lower value and controls, based on the detection of the sudden change road, the currents to be supplied to a first and a second electrical motor in a first manner or a second manner, wherein in the first manner the currents are controlled so that the first and second electrical motors would eventually stop rotating if the motor control portion kept controlling the currents in the first manner for a sufficiently long time, and in the second manner the currents are controlled so that the first and second electrical motors would eventually start rotating in a reverse direction if the motor controlling portion kept controlling the currents in the second manner for a sufficiently long time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Applicant: ADVICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Sato, Hiroaki Niino
  • Publication number: 20070210647
    Abstract: A brake controller is provided that includes a braking force application mechanism that presses a friction member against a braked member so as to apply a braking force to a wheel of a vehicle; and a control unit. The control unit calculates an index, which indicates a difference between an expected braking effectiveness and an actual braking effectiveness, corrects a target value, which is set to control a pressing force of the friction member, in accordance with the index to reduce a variation in a braking effectiveness of the vehicle. The control unit further sets a variation range in accordance with a factor that causes the difference. The variation range limits a variation in a correction amount to correct the target value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuya Miyazaki, Yoshiaki Irie, Rio Suda
  • Publication number: 20070205659
    Abstract: In a BBW type brake system, first ports of fluid pressure generators are closed to generate brake fluid pressure in respective wheel cylinders before a master cylinder generates brake fluid pressure, by initiating the operation of the fluid pressure generators based on the output of a pedal stroke sensor. Therefore, the brake fluid pressure generated by the master cylinder is prevented from being transmitted to wheel cylinders, even when a shutoff valve, which closes during normal operation of a conventional BBW type brake system, is not provided, thereby providing reliable operation of the BBW type brake system. Thus, since the master cylinder and the fluid pressure generators are kept in communication at a non-braking time, a reservoir of the master cylinder can be also used as the reservoir of the fluid pressure generators without providing the system with an atmosphere valve, which is conventionally required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kunimichi Hatano
  • Publication number: 20070194622
    Abstract: A brake control apparatus includes a master cylinder, wheel cylinders provided for each vehicle wheel, first and second hydraulic actuators provided separately from the master cylinder and adjusting a hydraulic pressure of the wheel cylinder. The first and second hydraulic actuators respectively have first and second hydraulic pressure sources and each have a wheel cylinder system. The first hydraulic actuator adjusts the hydraulic pressure of the wheel cylinder belonging to the one wheel cylinder system between the wheel cylinders by the first hydraulic pressure source. The second hydraulic actuator adjusts the hydraulic pressure of the wheel cylinder belonging to the other wheel cylinder system than the above wheel cylinder system by the second hydraulic pressure source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Inventors: Chiharu NAKAZAWA, Yoshiki Sakamoto, Takayuki Furuya, Hitoshi Kobayashi, Toshiya Oosawa, Toshiyuki Innami
  • Patent number: 7258404
    Abstract: An anti-skid brake control system for a multi-wheeled vehicle includes both a paired function and an individual function. The paired function controls the wheels of the vehicle in unison. The individual function controls the wheels of the vehicle individually. A paired/individual logic circuit alternatively activates and deactivates the paired function and the individual function. A method for controlling the skid of a vehicle utilizing a paired function and a individual function is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Hydro-Aire, Inc.
    Inventors: Harris K. Butler, III, Scott A. Brittian
  • Patent number: 7249807
    Abstract: A vehicle braking force control device for executing a follow-up (or servo) control of braking force for individual wheels is improved for canceling the difference of braking force between left and right wheels especially during transient condition of braking force variation due to the difference of input-output response characteristics in braking force generating apparatuses and components associated therewith in a braking system. In the inventive control device, a relation between actual values of braking force on left and right wheels, such as the difference between braking force or pressure values on the left and right wheels, is fed back to these braking force generating apparatuses through the modification of target barking force or pressure values. The modification amounts of the target values may be determined so as to keep appropriate braking force distribution among front and rear wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideki Sakai
  • Patent number: 7249810
    Abstract: A stepped braking system is used as a function of the required braking torque in this method for maintaining a desired braking torque in a vehicle equipped with stepped and infinitely-variable permanent braking systems whereby simultaneous activation of the stepped and infinitely-variable braking systems occurs in such manner that the sum of the participations of the different systems provides the required braking torque at any time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Grupp, Bernhard Reisch, Frank Sauter, Peter Schmidtner
  • Publication number: 20070164607
    Abstract: A brake control apparatus is configured to suppress sounds while a vehicle is stationary. The brake control apparatus basically has a brake operation detecting section, a vehicle state detecting section, a braking force generating section, a braking force adjusting section and a brake control section. The brake operation detecting section detects a brake operation value indicative of an operation of a brake element. The vehicle state detecting section detects whether a vehicle is in a stopped state. The braking force generating section generates a braking force. The braking force adjusting section adjusts the braking force generated in the braking force generating section based on the brake operation value. The brake control section then control the braking force to prohibit reduction in the braking force when the brake operation value decreases while the vehicle is in the stopped state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Applicant: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akihiro ITOH
  • Patent number: 7234786
    Abstract: A vehicular brake control apparatus detects risky occasions and locations that may be risky by using, for example, an infrastructure information input device or a navigation device, and, for such locations and the like, performs the pre-charge so that braking force will be promptly generated. Therefore, the pre-charge can be precisely performed under necessary circumstances, irrespectively of the driver's accelerator operation. Hence, when the driver depresses the brake pedal at such a location or the like, braking force will be promptly generated. Thus, accidents and the like can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukio Mori, Kazutaka Kato, Kazuhiro Kamiya, Masahiro Matsuura
  • Patent number: 7213892
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vehicle motion control apparatus, which includes normally open valves to supply hydraulic pressure discharged from a master cylinder into wheel brake cylinders, normally closed valves to reduce wheel cylinder pressure, and a proportional pressure difference valve which is disposed between the master cylinder and the normally open valves, to regulate a pressure difference between the hydraulic pressure at the side of the master cylinder and the hydraulic pressure at the side of the normally open valves to be of a desired value. A pressure generating device is provided for generating the hydraulic pressure independently of the master cylinder to supply it into a passage between the pressure difference valve and the normally open valves. The hydraulic pressure in one of the wheel brake cylinders in one hydraulic circuit is regulated on the basis of monitored vehicle state variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihisa Kato, Shingo Nishigaki
  • Patent number: 7165816
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving brake performance, including extending the life of carbon brakes on aircraft. One embodiment of the method comprises measuring the speed of the aircraft and the intensity of braking and comparing these to predetermined maximum values for each. If the values are both lower than the maximum values, one or more of the brakes are selectively disabled. In other embodiments, the methods and systems can include other features, including providing selected back forces on brake pedals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Garrett Howard DeVlieg
  • Patent number: 7165820
    Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a method and system for providing brake control, autobrake and antiskid brake functionality by recognizing that the only difference between the three functions is the amount of deceleration they allow. Unlike a conventional system where the pedals represent brake pressure, the present invention interprets pedal commands as desired deceleration. The method and system involve controlling acceleration of a wheel reference speed and setting a desired slip based on autobrake settings, pedal positions, and various parameters. A proportional/integral/derivative algorithm controls wheel speed and is monitored for normal operation. Abnormal operation generates control parameters which are used to alter the wheel reference speed and its deceleration. Additionally, vehicles using the invention will benefit from improved yaw stability, even brake temperatures and differential braking during antiskid operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Edward Rudd, III
  • Patent number: 7136737
    Abstract: A coordinated brake control system is for a hybrid brake system including a regenerative brake unit and a friction brake unit for a vehicle and is arranged to generate a total braking torque which is a combination of a regenerative braking torque generated by the regenerative brake unit and a friction braking torque generated by the friction brake unit, so as to bring the total braking-torque closer to a target braking torque, and to limit a rate of change of the regenerative braking torque according to a response delay of the friction braking torque when a first distribution ratio of the generative braking torque relative to the total braking torque is decreased and when a second distribution ratio of the friction braking torque relative to the total braking torque is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ashizawa, Kazuhiko Tazoe, Hideo Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7128377
    Abstract: The adaptive brake application and initial skid detection system allows rapid brake application and prevents deep initial skids. Brake pressure is compared with a predetermined threshold brake pressure. Wheel velocity error signals are also generated to mediated/indicate the difference between the wheel velocity and a reference velocity signal. A pressure bias modulator integrator responsive to brake pressure signals adjusts the wheel velocity error signals to provide an anti-skid control signal. The pressure bias modulator integrator can also be initialized to the value of the measured brake pressure when the wheel velocity error signals indicate the beginning of a skid. Brake pressure difference signals are generated to indicate the difference between brake pressure and a commanded brake pressure, and an adjusted brake pressure error signal is generated in response to the brake pressure difference signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Hydro-Aire, Inc.
    Inventors: Bijan Salamat, Robert D. Cook
  • Patent number: 7110873
    Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a method and system for providing brake control, autobrake and antiskid brake functionality by recognizing that the only difference between the three functions is the amount of deceleration they allow. Unlike a conventional system where the pedals represent brake pressure, the present invention interprets pedal commands as desired deceleration. The method and system involve controlling acceleration of a wheel reference speed and setting a desired slip based on autobrake settings, pedal positions, and various parameters. A proportional/integral/derivative algorithm controls wheel speed and is monitored for normal operation. Abnormal operation generates control parameters which are used to alter the wheel reference speed and its deceleration. Additionally, vehicles using the invention will benefit from improved yaw stability, even brake temperatures and differential braking during antiskid operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Edward Rudd, III
  • Patent number: 7077484
    Abstract: A brake control apparatus for a vehicle includes an actuating section to apply a regenerative braking force to a motor-driven wheel driven by a motor of the vehicle. A control section is arranged to vary the regenerative braking force in a direction to shift a front and rear wheel braking force distribution toward an ideal braking force distribution, in accordance with a wheel locking tendency of the motor-driven wheel when the regenerative braking force exceeding a braking force determined by the ideal braking force distribution is applied to the motor-driven wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Sasaki, Hideo Nakamura, Junji Tsutsumi, Kazuhiko Tazoe, Hidetoshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7070248
    Abstract: In a vehicle brake control device, it is determined whether a first starting condition, that a master cylinder pressure and a rate of change of the master cylinder pressure are equal to or more than respective first reference values, is satisfied. Furthermore, it is determined whether a second starting condition is satisfied based on a determination as to whether the master cylinder pressure is equal to or more than a second reference value at a time when a predetermined time has elapsed since a time when the first starting condition was satisfied. In a case where the second starting condition is determined as being satisfied, a brake assist control is executed until a termination condition of the brake assist control is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Hara, Kouji Yotsuya, Yasuji Mizutani, Tomihiro Wada
  • Patent number: 7040721
    Abstract: A braking system for a vehicle is described, including a hydraulic service braking system and an electric service braking system having wheel brakes, to which braking pressure is applied when a brake pedal is operated. To maintain essentially constant vehicle braking behavior during a change in the braking-force distribution between the hydraulic and the electric service braking systems, it is proposed to provide a control unit, which is capable of varying the braking-force distribution and to equip the hydraulic service braking system with a braking pressure modulator that is controlled by the control unit and is able to effect a variable braking-force distribution as a function of the control by the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Weiberle, Frank Schumann
  • Patent number: 7039517
    Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a method and system for providing brake control, autobrake and antiskid brake functionality by recognizing that the only difference between the three functions is the amount of deceleration they allow. Unlike a conventional system where the pedals represent brake pressure, the present invention interprets pedal commands as desired deceleration. The method and system involve controlling acceleration of a wheel reference speed and setting a desired slip based on autobrake settings, pedal positions, and various parameters. A proportional/integral/derivative algorithm controls wheel speed and is monitored for normal operation. Abnormal operation generates control parameters which are used to alter the wheel reference speed and its deceleration. Additionally, vehicles using the invention will benefit from improved yaw stability, even brake temperatures and differential braking during antiskid operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Edward Rudd, III
  • Patent number: 7018002
    Abstract: The invention proposes a master cylinder 1 with a device for detecting actuation of a braking system. The detection device is fixed to a body 2 of the master cylinder 1 at a pressure chamber 5. The detection device comprises a magnetic circuit 9 able to be opened and closed by a moving magnetic piece 19. The moving magnetic piece 19 is, for example, fixed to a piston 4 of the master cylinder 1. Actuation of a brake pedal causes the piston 4 and the moving piece 19 to advance in the master cylinder 1. The magnetic circuit 9 therefore changes state (opened or closed). The change in state of the magnetic field switches the brake lights on and off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Olivier Masson, Jean Fourcade
  • Patent number: 7008026
    Abstract: A steering booster process is provided for a motor vehicle with a steering arrangement for the input of a set steering variable by a driver, several travel sensors for detecting travel dynamic variables, a steering control system by way of which a steering control variable, which is determined dependent on the output variables of the several travel sensors, is overlapped on the set steering variable, as well as at least one other control system that influences the performance of the motor vehicle, which evaluates data from the steering control system. The additional control system is especially a braking control system for stabilizing the vehicle stability by braking individual vehicle wheels. The additional control system evaluates the set steering variable overlapped by the steering control variable from the steering control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Goetz Baumgarten
  • Patent number: 6976741
    Abstract: In a brake control system for a vehicle, a target wheel cylinder pressure of each wheel is calculated in accordance with a braking force applied by the driver, a brake control mode is determined to be one of an increase pressure mode, a decrease pressure mode, or a maintain pressure mode, and a target increase/decrease force slope is calculated in accordance with a slip amount of the wheel. In particular, the target wheel cylinder pressure is calculated based on actual wheel cylinder pressure and the target increase/decrease pressure slope, set on the target increase/decrease force slope when starting anti-skid control, the target wheel cylinder pressure is calculated after starting the anti-skid control based on the most recent target wheel cylinder pressure and the target increase/decrease pressure slope, and the wheel cylinder pressure Pi is controlled so as to become equal to the target wheel cylinder pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Hara, Toshihisa Nihei, Naruyuki Matsui, Masahiro Matsuura
  • Patent number: 6969126
    Abstract: A braking apparatus comprises a first contact unit arranged on the rotary shaft side of a wheel, at least a second contact unit for contacting the first contact unit for generating a friction force, an actuator for pressing the second contact unit against the first contact unit, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the actuator, wherein the control unit performs the position control operation for moving the second contact unit in such a manner that the interval between the first contact unit and the second contact unit is smaller than a preset distance, and the force control operation for pressing the second contact unit against the first contact unit in accordance with the required braking force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanori Ichinose, Atsushi Yokoyama, Yuzo Kadomukai, Takaomi Nishigaito, Hiroyuki Saito
  • Patent number: 6964461
    Abstract: The brake control apparatus sets a target deceleration (1) in accordance with an amount of operation of the brake pedal. It calculates another target deceleration (2) on the basis of the target deceleration (1). In this calculation, limit values of deceleration increasing and decreasing gradients with respect to the target deceleration (1) are set on the basis of the target deceleration (1), and then the target deceleration (2) is obtained by correcting the target deceleration (1) on the basis of the established deceleration increasing and decreasing gradients. Accordingly, the deceleration increasing/decreasing gradient becomes small when braking is gentle. This makes it possible to curb an abrupt change in brake force to achieve smooth brake control. Further, the deceleration increasing/decreasing gradient becomes larger when braking is abrupt. Accordingly, it is possible to create a great change in brake force to provide a high response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahisa Yokoyama, Haruo Arakawa, Takayuki Takeshita
  • Patent number: 6957870
    Abstract: A braking pressure control apparatus including a first pressure source including a power-operated pressurizing device, a second pressure source operable by a manually operable brake operating member to pressurize a fluid to a pressure higher than a level corresponding to the operating force of the brake operating member, a switching device for selectively placing the braking system in a first state in which a brake cylinder is operated with the fluid pressurized by the first pressure source and a second state in which the brake cylinder is operated with the fluid pressurized by the second pressure source, and a change restricting device operable upon a switching between the first and second states, to restrict a change of the operating state of the brake operating member and a change of the brake cylinder pressure, which change take place due to the switching, or a switching control device for controlling the switching device on the basis of the running condition of a vehicle whose wheel is braked by the brak
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazunori Kagawa, Kimihiro Matsuki, Tetsuya Miyazaki, Fumiaki Kawahata, Akihiro Otomo, Eiji Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6953230
    Abstract: The performance of a system for controlling vehicle-movement dynamics, which operates the braking system and the drive train of a vehicle in order to prevent lateral breakaway of the vehicle, is improved yet further for the case in which oversteering of the vehicle is to be compensated. To this end it is proposed, according to the invention, that a braking moment be produced on the front wheel on the outside of the bend by the braking system, and an additional drive moment be built up by the drive train on the driven wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Einig, Elmar Hoffmann, Josef Knechtges, Michael Bleser
  • Patent number: 6951372
    Abstract: The adaptive brake application and initial skid detection system allows rapid brake application and prevents deep initial skids. Brake pressure is compared with a predetermined threshold brake pressure. Wheel velocity error signals are also generated to indicated the difference between the wheel velocity and a reference velocity signal. A pressure bias modulator integrator responsive to brake pressure signals adjusts the wheel velocity error signals to provide an anti-skid control signal. The pressure bias modulator integrator can also be initialized to the value of the measured brake pressure when the wheel velocity error signals indicate the beginning of a skid. Brake pressure difference signals are generated to indicate the difference between brake pressure and a commanded brake pressure, and an adjusted brake pressure error signal is generated in response to the brake pressure difference signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: Hydro-Aire, Inc.
    Inventors: Bijan Salamat, Robert D. Cook
  • Patent number: 6948416
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a device for determining the instantaneous value of the amplification provided by a pneumatic-assistance servomotor (14) in a braking device for a motor vehicle, wherein instantaneous values of the relative vacuum level inside the negative-pressure chamber (24) of the servomotor and of the hydraulic pressure at the exit from the master cylinder (16) are measured using sensors (28 and 30), and wherein output signals provided by said sensors are processed by data-processing means (32) so as to compute a pressure difference (?P), proportional to the instantaneous amplification provided by the servomotor and, if required, an instantaneous value of the pressure (Prc) inside the working chamber (26) of the servomotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Nicolas Marlhe, Christophe Leboube
  • Patent number: 6945612
    Abstract: A brake control system includes a brake line with a supply line, a pump for supplying brake fluid to the supply line, branch lines branched from the supply line to wheel cylinders, a pressure controller for allowing independent control of brake-fluid pressures within the wheel cylinders, and an ECU for controlling the pump and the pressure controller. The ECU includes an estimate part for estimating the pressures within the wheel cylinders in accordance with a flow amount of brake fluid obtained out of signals indicative of braking conditions, wherein it is estimated an amount of brake fluid flowing from the supply line to the wheel cylinder during execution of brake-fluid pressure control of the ECU and when the control is switched to pressure-increase control for the wheel cylinder having the pressure lower than that in the supply line, and wherein it is estimated the pressure within the wheel cylinder in accordance with the amount of brake fluid as estimated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masamichi Imamura, Motohiro Higuma
  • Patent number: 6945610
    Abstract: A hydraulically operated braking system including a master cylinder (12; 300: 500; 600) having a pressurizing piston (34; 322, 324; 504, 506) operatively connected to a brake operating member (10), to pressurize a fluid in a pressurizing chamber (30, 32; 302, 304; 508, 510), so that a brake cylinder (22–28), is actuated by the pressurized fluid, and an assisting device (81; 260–272; 109; 538; 612) for applying to the pressurizing piston an assisting drive force which is other than a primary drive force to be applied to the pressurizing piston on the basis of a brake operating force acting on the brake operating member. The assisting device is electrically controllable to control the assisting drive force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuji Mizutani, Hiroshi Isono