Brake Force Or Pressure Determined From Speed Sensors Patents (Class 303/167)
  • Patent number: 7314257
    Abstract: A vehicle brake system includes a brake actuator associated with a tire, the brake actuator having at least one moveable brake component, and a brake control system. The brake control system is operative to determine a target position of the at least one moveable brake component based at least in part upon a relationship between an actual tire/road friction force and a target tire/road friction force, and to control actuation of the brake actuator based at least in part upon the target position of the at least one moveable brake component and at least in part based upon a current position of the at least one moveable brake component. The target tire/road friction force may be determined based at least in part upon a relationship between vertical force acting on the tire, optimal tire slip, slip angle, at least one road dependant parameter, and at least one tire dependant parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Haldex Brake Products AB
    Inventors: Jacob Svendenius, Peter Nilsson, Ola Nockhammar
  • Publication number: 20070252432
    Abstract: An ECU executes a program that includes the steps of: setting a target deceleration of an operation vehicle on the basis of the operation amount of a brake pedal; controlling a brake device so that the deceleration caused by the braking force from the brake device becomes equal to a target deceleration; controlling a belt type stepless transmission to achieve a gear ratio where the braking force from the powertrain, that is, the deceleration caused by engine braking, becomes equal to the target deceleration, if a shift lever is operated so as to shift the belt type stepless transmission downward; and controlling the brake device so that the deceleration caused by the brake device gradually increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideki Takamatsu
  • 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: 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: 7159954
    Abstract: A system for controlling at least one of the slip threshold and the time period for an extended wheel slippage for a vehicle that is operating in the off-road ABS mode. When driving in a curve pattern and/or at high speeds, the individual wheel speeds are controlled with a lower slip threshold and/or shorter time period for the extended wheel slippage than when driving straight ahead and/or at a lower vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Hermann J. Goebels, Andreas Ziegler
  • Patent number: 7152935
    Abstract: The invention provides a solution, which makes it possible to determine brake surface temperatures for a vehicle brake system in dependence upon decelerations or accelerations acting on a vehicle in an activated state of the vehicle brake system and to control the vehicle braking system in dependence upon the brake surface temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Kinder, Ralf Leiter, Gregor Poertzgen
  • 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: 7010411
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for operating a pump-less rear wheel anti-lock brake system of a vehicle using speed sensors on at least one front and one rear wheel, to provide a true dynamic rear proportioning (DRP) function, and to significantly enhance braking performance in rear wheel anti-lock mode through better management of the volume of pressurized fluid supplied by the master cylinder using rear pressure control (RPC).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Bond, Daniel N. Borgemenke, Matthew A. Cukovecki, David F. Reuter, William F. Borchers, Jeffrey T. Vondervellen, Jerry L. Newton, Michael J. Check, Joseph A. Elliott
  • Patent number: 6980900
    Abstract: A method for determining an estimate of the mass of a motor vehicle for use in controlling the brake system of a motor vehicle, in which a driving force and a force of inertia acting instantaneously on the wheel being determined for all the wheels of the vehicle, and the instantaneous driving forces and inertia forces of all wheels as well as an instantaneous wind resistance of the motor vehicle are added up and divided by the instantaneous longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle to determine the estimate of the mass. In addition, the rolling resistance of the vehicle and/or a braking force acting instantaneously on the wheel is determined for all the wheels and taken into account in the addition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Joerg Grieser
  • 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: 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: 6890041
    Abstract: Improved methods and systems for controlling hydraulically or electrically actuated anti-lock brake systems (ABS) on air and land vehicles requiring only measurement of wheel angular speed although brake torque measurements can also be employed if available. A sliding mode observer (SMO) based estimate of net or different wheel torque (road/tire torque minus applied brake torque) derived from the measured wheel speed is compared to a threshold differential wheel torque derived as a function of a “skid signal” also based on wheel speed only to generate a braking control signal. The braking control signal can be employed to rapidly and fully applying and releasing the brakes in a binary on-off manner and, as an additional option, possibly modulating the maximum available brake hydraulic pressure or electrical current when the brakes are in the “on” state in a continuous manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Inventors: William B. Ribbens, Ronald J. Fredricks
  • Patent number: 6829529
    Abstract: A method for providing traction control when starting off a vehicle on a road surface having different adhesive friction values between the right and left sides of the vehicle, the driven low-&mgr; wheel being regulated to a specified setpoint slip pre-control value by a braking intervention if spinning occurs. In order to improve driving comfort, the engine speed is adjusted to the particular standing start conditions. To this end, the engine torque actually required for starting off is determined as soon as the vehicle is set in motion and has exceeded a specified speed threshold, and the engine speed actually required for starting off under the given conditions is determined from this. From this in turn, a new, corrected setpoint slip value is calculated and the setpoint slip is abruptly reduced or increased from the setpoint slip pre-control value to the newly calculated, corrected setpoint slip value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Mirko Trefzer, Thomas Sauter
  • Publication number: 20040164608
    Abstract: To provide an electrically powered brake system capable of performing a control of the braking force appropriate to a particular wheel rotational speed with high response and capable of being simplified in structure with no need to employ any hydraulic equipment and the related pipe lines, the electrically powered brake system includes an actuating unit 18 including a brake wheel 16 mounted on a vehicle wheel 1 and brake pieces 17 frictionally engageable with the brake wheel 16. A drive unit 19 is operable to translate a rotary output of an electric drive motor 20 into a rectilinear reciprocating motion by means of a ball screw mechanism 23, which rectilinear reciprocating motion is transmitted to the brake pieces 17 as a braking force. An operating unit 32 is operable to control the electric drive motor 20 according to manipulation of an operating member 31 such as, for example, a brake pedal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hisashi Ohtsuki, Masuo Takaki
  • Publication number: 20040119333
    Abstract: A device and method for controlling the brakes of a commercial vehicle are provided and include a device for the adaptive regulation of distance and/or driving speed (ACC), which modulates an urgency signal (d) based upon a hazard variable such as the relative speed of and/or distance to a vehicle traveling in front of said commercial vehicle, an electronically controlled brake system, which is designed to distribute a desired amount of braking force to a friction brake system and a retarding brake, and wherein the electronically controlled brake system is further designed in such a way that the distribution of the desired braking force to the friction brake system and the retarding brake is also based upon the urgency signal (d).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventor: Thomas Hackl
  • Patent number: 6728620
    Abstract: A control system (12) for an automotive vehicle includes a wheel speed sensor (18) generating a rotational speed signal and a controller (14) coupled to the wheel speed sensor. The controller determines a vehicle speed, calculates wheel slip based upon the vehicle speed and the rotational speed, calculates a predicted future wheel slip based upon the vehicle speed and the rotational speed, estimates a normal force on the wheel, calculates a modified brake torque signal in response to the wheel slip, the predicted future wheel slip and the normal force, and actuates the wheel brake in response to the modified brake torque signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Sohel Anwar
  • Publication number: 20040041470
    Abstract: In brake pressure estimating method and apparatus for an automotive vehicle, at a second wheel cylinder brake liquid pressure estimating, a vehicular state is detected and the second wheel cylinder brake liquid pressure for each road wheel is calculated from the detected vehicular motion state, and, at a master cylinder liquid pressure estimating, a master cylinder liquid pressure estimated value is outputted to make a difference between a first wheel cylinder brake liquid pressure estimated value based on a vehicle model and the second wheel cylinder brake liquid pressure estimated value based on a hydraulic unit model small to cause the master cylinder liquid pressure estimated value to be converged into a true value thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Applicant: HITACHI UNISIA AUTOMOTIVE, LTD.
    Inventor: Masamichi Imamura
  • Patent number: 6682154
    Abstract: A method and/or a device for estimating pressure and/or volume changes in a hydraulic system having two peripheral volume storage vessels connected to a central volume storage vessel, in which, to increase the response rate, the estimate is based at least at times on a model in which a direct connection to the peripheral volume storage vessels is assumed, regardless of whether or not the peripheral volume storage vessels are simultaneously connected directly to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Haeussler, Helmut Wiss
  • Publication number: 20030127910
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the response pressure of motor vehicle brakes, according to which the brakes to be inspected are subjected to a test pressure, whereby before and after the creation of the test pressure, a test-pressure indicator signal is generated, which is a linear combination of an acceleration signal and a differential speed signal. If the two test-pressure indicator signals correspond, (considered to be a “non-response of the brakes”), the test-pressure is increased and a new test-pressure indicator signals do not correspond, the prevailing brake pressure is considered to be the response pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventor: Peter Frank
  • Patent number: 6587774
    Abstract: A method and a system for operating a brake system of a motor vehicle having traction control are described. The brake system contains sensors which are assigned to the individual vehicle wheels and with which a quantity representing at least the driving and/or braking forces acting between the road surface and the vehicle wheel is detected for the respective vehicle wheel. For operation of the brake system having traction control, pressure quantities which describe the brake pressure established for the respective vehicle wheel are analyzed. The pressure quantities are determined as a function of the quantities detected by the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Hessmert, Jost Brachert, Thomas Sauter, Helmut Wandel, Norbert Polzin
  • Patent number: 6572202
    Abstract: A method and brake control system that calculates a target brake pressure of each wheel based on a braking amount by a vehicle operator and a product of a lateral acceleration of the vehicle and a vehicle speed. The brake control system comprises a first detector that detects a lateral acceleration of the vehicle and a second detector that detects a speed of the vehicle. A controller is provided that controls a braking force applied to each of front wheels and rear wheels. The controller increases the braking force applied to the front wheels by a vehicle operator so that the ratio of the braking force applied to the front wheels versus the braking force applied to the rear wheels increases as a product of the detected lateral acceleration and the detected speed of the vehicle increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryochi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6520601
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for brake pressure adjustment of a wheel brake comprising the following steps: determining a preliminary nominal pressure gradient in a brake control, determining actuating signals for a hydraulic pump and/or at least one hydraulic valve for the adjustment of the nominal pressure gradient, determining the actual pressure by way of a pressure model, determining the slip of a driven wheel, comparing the actual pressure with a first threshold value that is lower than the maximum possible brake pressure, and comparing the wheel slip, if the wheel slip is a traction slip, with a second threshold value, wherein, if the actual pressure and the wheel slip exceed the respective threshold values, the preliminary nominal pressure gradient is raised. The present invention also relates to a corresponding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Continential Teves AG & Co., OHG
    Inventors: Harald Kahl, Bernd-Uwe Hartmann
  • Patent number: 6485113
    Abstract: A haptic braking method and system is disclosed. A controller operates a pump to apply brake fluid to a brake when it is necessary to decelerate a wheel during an active cruise control mode of a vehicle. The controller further operates one or more valves to cyclically vary a pressure level of the brake fluid to cause one or more haptic movements of the brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hubert B. Riley, George Kuo
  • Publication number: 20020041124
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vehicle motion control system, which includes wheel brake cylinders, an automatic hydraulic pressure generating apparatus for generating a hydraulic braking pressure irrespective of operation of a brake pedal, a hydraulic pressure control valve device disposed between the pressure generating apparatus and the wheel brake cylinders to control the hydraulic braking pressure in each wheel brake cylinder, and a controller for controlling the pressure generating apparatus and the valve device in response to conditions of vehicle motion, and performing an automatically pressurizing control to the wheel brake cylinders at least when a brake pedal is not depressed, to perform a vehicle motion control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Inventors: Akitaka Nishio, Masanobu Fukami, Shiro Monzaki
  • Publication number: 20020027389
    Abstract: A panic braking operation of a vehicle having at least two wheels is detected by measuring speed quantities which represent the rotary motions of at least two wheels, selecting the speed quantity of one of the wheels and/or by determining a speed value from the speed quantities, determining a change value which represents the time-related change of the selected speed quantity and/or of the speed value, determining the time characteristic of the change value, and detecting a panic braking operation as a function of the time characteristic of the change value. What is advantageous here is that no complex and expensive additional sensor technology is needed for detecting panic braking; the wheel-speed sensors which are provided anyway in anti-lock control systems, traction control systems, and/or vehicle stability control systems are sufficient. Thus, the use of a panic detection is also possible in so-called “low-cost braking systems”.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventors: Steffen Ullmann, Ruediger Poggenburg, Thomas Opferkuch, Stefan Diehle
  • Patent number: 6341827
    Abstract: In an automotive vehicle brake system with an arrangement (rear-axle ABS) which controls or regulates the braking pressure or the brake force on the rear wheels and prevents locking of the rear wheels, the front wheels and the rear wheels are individually equipped with rotational speed sensors. Further, the distribution of the brake force to the front and rear axle (EBD function) is controlled or regulated on the basis of the rotational speed sensor signals and by means of the arrangement (rear-axle ABS) which prevents locking of the rear wheels. In addition, there is provision of an indicator and/or alarm device which signals the imminent locking of a front wheel or the second front wheel to the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co., OHG
    Inventor: Helmut Fennel
  • Publication number: 20010026098
    Abstract: A method is provided for automatically detecting the installation position of brake force generating units of an electromechanical motor vehicle brake system. A steered direction of the motor vehicle during cornering is sensed. Wheel speeds occurring at each wheel of the motor vehicle during the cornering are sensed. The wheel speed occurring for each wheel is compared with a position scheme of setpoint wheel speeds which is representative of the direction of cornering. The actual position of the brake force generating units is determined on the basis of the above comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventor: Stefan Hackl
  • Patent number: 6295499
    Abstract: To improve the steerability and driving stability in a curve, in an automotive vehicle furnished with an anti-lock control system, a special control mode is initiated upon identifying a cornering situation. In special circumstances, errors in identification may be unavoidable. To overcome the disadvantageous effects of such an identification in error, in the practice of the invention, re-acceleration (ai) of wheel (i) from which pressure is erroneously relieved is analyzed and brake pressure applied as long as an acceleration threshold value (alimit1,2) is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co., oHG
    Inventor: Ivica Batistic
  • Patent number: 6282478
    Abstract: A travelling direction correcting apparatus includes: a shift detection device for detecting a shift amount of a vehicle running on a road with respect to the road; a wheel brake pressure control device for pressure wheel brake pressures and controlling a wheel brake pressure distribution; and a cruise control device for commanding a wheel brake pressure distribution control to the wheel brake pressure control device. The wheel brake pressure distribution control includes the following processes: (1) at least one of a yaw rate, a lateral speed and a lateral acceleration is made an index, (2) a value of the index, which appears in the vehicle when its running direction is changed toward a direction along which the shift amount decreases, is added to a value of the index, which appears when the vehicle runs along a curved road, and a summed amount is made an object value and (3) the value of the index, which appears in the vehicle, is coincided with the object value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tokihiko Akita
  • Patent number: 6278929
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vehicle motion control system, which includes a hydraulic braking pressure control apparatus for controlling braking force applied to each wheel of a vehicle at least in response to depression of a brake pedal. A vehicle condition monitor is disposed in the vehicle for monitoring a condition of the vehicle in motion, and a vehicle condition determining device is provided for determining stability of the vehicle in motion, including a turning motion of the vehicle on the basis of the output of the monitor. A braking force controller is provided for controlling the pressure control apparatus in response to the result of determination of the vehicle condition determining device to control the braking force applied to each wheel of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Tozu, Takayuki Itoh
  • Patent number: 6278930
    Abstract: A moving behavior control device for a vehicle calculates first target braking forces to be applied to the respective wheels for stabilizing the vehicle against a turn instability, second target braking forces to be applied to the respective wheels for stabilizing the vehicle against a roll instability, and target overall braking forces to be applied to the respective wheels by integrating the first and second target braking forces, and applies braking forces to the respective wheels according to the target overall braking forces, wherein the applied braking forces are decreased according to a first rate schedule by which the applied braking forces are decreased at a first rate according to an excess of the applied braking forces relative to the target overall braking forces when the vehicle is running at no probability of rolling beyond a predetermined threshold roll, and according to a second rate schedule by which the braking forces are lowered at a second rate smaller than the first rate according to the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Noritaka Yamada, Akira Nagae
  • Patent number: 6249737
    Abstract: A parking brake system for vehicles, in particular passenger cars, with an extraneous force generating adjusting unit for tightening or loosening at least one actuating pull for a braking arrangement on the vehicle and having an electronic control device whose output variable is used to actuate the adjusting unit. Input variables, in particular from an operating arrangement, sensors and or switches are fed to the control device and the output variable van be varied as a function of the input variable. A force sensor is disposed on or the actuating pull for directly detecting the force exerted thereon. The signals from the force sensor are fed to the control device as an input variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Kuster & Co. GmbH
    Inventor: Jürgen Zipp
  • Patent number: 6246944
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the brake of a vehicle, which easily brings the vehicle to a halt, or starts it, only by the action of the accelerator without operating the brake pedal. Brakes (4,5) are applied when the vehicle speed detected by a speed detector (9) becomes a predetermined threshold value or less. The operation of the brakes (4,5) is turned off when a load detected by a load detector (10) becomes larger than a load operated by a load computer (11,14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryoichi Maruyama
  • Patent number: 6189986
    Abstract: A braking force control apparatus adapted to generate a braking force, which is larger than that generated in a regular case, when a predetermined braking operation is carried out, this apparatus aiming at preventing the occurrence of an unnecessarily large sensible deceleration during a low-speed travel of a vehicle. ECU (10) is adapted to judge whether or not an emergency braking operation has been executed on the basis of a master cylinder pressure (Pmc) and its rate of change (dPmc). When a judgement that an emergency braking operation has been carried out is given, a wheel cylinder pressure (Pwc) is quickly increased by supplying an accumulator pressure to the wheel cylinder. When a vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined level during the execution of the emergency braking operation, the wheel cylinder pressure (Pwc) is speedily increased (116, 118) by a braking assist regular control operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoshi Shimizu, Yoshiyuki Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 6178370
    Abstract: An antiskid brake controller which utilizes measured wheel speed in order to provide brake control for a vehicle such as an aircraft. The measured wheel speed is differentiated to determine the deceleration of the wheel, and the controller then compares the deceleration to a predefined deceleration threshold. If the wheel decelerates faster than the deceleration threshold, the controller reduces the command pressure provided to the brakes by a scaling factor. Full command pressure may eventually be applied otherwise. The controller is capable of operating based only on measured wheel speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: The B. F. Goodrich Company
    Inventor: Michael Lee Zierolf
  • Patent number: 6142585
    Abstract: At low speeds, an antiskid/autobrake control system applies a brake release current to the antiskid valves of the brake system associated with selected wheels of an airplane to prevent brake shudder caused by gear walk. The control system obtains a measured wheelspeed value from each of the selected wheels and calculates a reference wheelspeed based the measured wheelspeed. Tests are made to determine if the reference wheelspeed is below some predetermined magnitude, e.g., 15 knots, and if the airplane ground speed is below some predetermined magnitude, e.g., 50 knots. If the tests are passed, the value of a low-speed brake release current to be applied to the antiskid valves of the airplane's brake system is determined. In order to prevent an abrupt change in braking, the low-speed brake release value ramps off as the airplane slows to a stop. Releasing some of the brakes results in the pilot increasing pressure on the remaining brakes, thereby eliminating brake shudder due to gear walk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John J. Gowan, Trent D. Miller, Jay S. Kallaher, Thomas T. Griffith
  • Patent number: 6142587
    Abstract: Anti-lock braking system for an automobile is disclosed. It includes a brake unit that can control brake pressures within wheel cylinders of each road wheels of the automobile separately. In an anti-lock control mode, a control unit is operative to determine a controlled wheel speed for a road wheel to be controlled. The control unit determines a slip of the road wheel based on the determined controlled wheel speed and activates the brake unit in a direction to decrease the determined slip. In determining the controlled wheel speed, the control unit is operative to select a higher one of actual wheel speeds of front and rear road wheels on the opposite side to the side where the road wheel to be controlled exists. Then, the control unit is operative to use, as the controlled wheel speed, a lower one of an actual wheel speed of the road wheel to be controlled and the selected higher one wheel speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Unisia Jecs Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Ohtsu, Jun Kubo
  • Patent number: 6141616
    Abstract: A wheel braking system for a motor vehicle includes sensors, controllable actuators, and an electronic control device for regulating the rpm of a vehicle wheel when an actual driving state of the vehicle differs from a specified desired driving state calculated as a function of the driving parameters, using a mathematical vehicle model. An automatic correction of the vehicle model, corresponding to a deviation of the desired driving state specified at the moment from the actual driving state at the moment, is performed during vehicle operation if an ideal driving condition exists. The ideal driving condition is a driving state in which it is known that no deviation that leads to regulation occurs. At least one condition is defined by which it is detected whether ideal driving condition exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Reinhard Auffhammer, Stefan Pavic
  • Patent number: 6119062
    Abstract: In a brake system with electronic brake force distribution, the electronic brake force distribution is deactivated as soon as the maximum vehicle deceleration achieved during electronic control falls below by a given factor between 0 and 1, for example, two thirds. The purpose is that an early exit from the electronic brake force distribution is effected even if the brake light switch is defective, with the result that unnecessary valve actuations and the risk of underbraking are prevented. The present invention is applicable to brake systems where the criteria for the activation of the electronic brake force distribution are independent of a brake light switch signal, and to other brake systems if there is a defect in the brake light switch. The present invention makes it possible to sense in good time that the driver has taken his/her foot off the brake pedal or no longer desires heavy deceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Thomas Proger, Markus Zenzen
  • Patent number: 6106081
    Abstract: In a running stability control device of an automobile having front right, front left, rear right and rear left wheels, and a brake system for selectively braking each of said wheels separately, the control device estimates a ratio of a longitudinal force to a vertical load acting at each of the front right, front left, rear right and rear left wheels, and operates the brake system so as to make said ratio of each of the front right, front left, rear right and rear left wheels be substantially equal to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Isono, Masashi Ohta
  • Patent number: 6099090
    Abstract: A braking control system for agricultural tractors wherein individual front and rear wheel hydraulic brakes are operated by a hydraulic braking control unit which is controlled by an electronic control unit to cause it to vary the braking pressure to the individual brakes relative to a reference value set by operation of a brake operating pedal by the tractor operator. The braking control unit varies the braking pressure at the individual wheel brakes in dependence on the associated wheel speed and the tractor ground speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Same Deutz-Fahr S.p.A.
    Inventors: Bruno Paggi, Massimo Ribaldone
  • Patent number: 6099089
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing regenerative and friction braking on a vehicle having one or more wheels driven by a drive motor includes a master cylinder (28), a hydraulic control unit (30), a brake control unit (38), a drive motor control unit (52) and a drive motor (18). The drive motor control unit determines a coast down regenerative torque signal in response to an acceleration signal and a driver brake command regenerative torque signal in response to a pressure signal and a drive motor deceleration signal and commands the drive motor to regeneratively brake the driven left and right wheels in response thereto, thereby providing a desirable proportioning of front to rear braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Michael John Schneider
  • Patent number: 6089677
    Abstract: An apparatus for use with an automotive vehicle supported on traction and follower road wheels to control the braking forces applied to the respective road wheels. A target vehicle deceleration is calculated based on a driver's force exerted to apply braking to the vehicle. Target braking forces required for the respective road wheels are calculated in a manner to achieve the target vehicle deceleration based on loads to be shared by the respective road wheels. Target brake torque for the respective road wheels are calculated based on the calculated target braking forces. Drive torque for the respective road wheels are calculated. The drive torque calculated for the respective traction road wheels are used to correct the corresponding target brake torque calculated for the respective traction road wheels so as to calculate target traction road wheel brake torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Fukumura, Shinji Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6059383
    Abstract: A braking control system for agricultural tractors comprises:of the type having a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels with at least one pair being driven through a differential and wherein individual wheel brakes are individually controlled through a hydraulic braking control unit which in turn is controlled by an electronic control unit which causes the braking control unit to apply braking pressure to slow the wheels on the inside of the steering bend in response to signals received by a steering angle sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Same Deutz-Fahr S.p.A.
    Inventors: Bruno Paggi, Massimo Ribaldone
  • Patent number: 6053584
    Abstract: A method and a device for controlling a brake system, in which the braking force is regulated in at least one wheel as a function of a driver's command. In an operating state where transition to vehicle standstill is to be expected, the braking force in this at least one wheel is reduced independently of the driver's command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Eberhardt Schunck, Ulrich Gottwick
  • Patent number: 6050655
    Abstract: An antiskid brake controller, which can secure safety by avoiding a cascade caused when a braking pressure is reduced in a four-wheel-drive vehicle, includes wheel speed sensors braking force adjuster for adjusting a braking pressure and an ECU for calculating the control amount of a breaking force adjuster so as to prevent the locking tendency of each of the wheels based on a wheel speed Vw. The ECU includes means for the wheel deceleration calculator Gw corresponding to the locking tendency of each of the wheels, a basic vehicle calculator speed, a slip amount calculator SL based on the wheel speed Vw and the basic vehicle speed, cascade determination device for determining the occurrence of the cascade state when an unstable state occurs such that the slip amounts of three wheels are larger than a predetermined value and control amount corrector for changing the control amount of the braking pressure in an increasing pressure reduction amount when the occurrence of the cascade is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuo Naito, Chiaki Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 6003960
    Abstract: A brake system with electronic braking pressure control, including a braking pressure generator, electrically operable hydraulic valves, and an electronic analyzing, is provided with an acoustic sensor which is used to determine the change-over behavior of the hydraulic valves for the approximate determination of the braking pressure prevailing in the braking pressure generator and/or in the wheel brakes. The measured pressure values, in the capacity of control quantities, are taken into account for braking pressure control or analyzed for monitoring purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph Gronau, Gunther Buschmann
  • Patent number: 5927832
    Abstract: A brake system control apparatus comprising: a fluid brake system including a master cylinder containing a hydraulic fluid having a hydraulic pressure, a hydraulic pump having an output hydraulically coupled to the master cylinder, a motor coupled to and providing motive force to the hydraulic pump, a current sensing device coupled to the motor and providing an output signal indicative of electric current through the motor; and an electronic controller coupled to the current sensing device comprising a first sampler taking a first sample of the output signal a first time period after a start up of the motor, a second sampler taking a second sample of the output current a second time period after start up of the motor and a divider for determining a ratio of the first and second samples wherein the ratio is indicative of a hydraulic pressure in the master cylinder at the start up of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Gary Chris Fulks, William Dale Cornwell, William Frank Borchers
  • Patent number: 5890777
    Abstract: According to the present invention, the gradient of duty pressure increase can be adjusted to a best possible value even when an M/C pressure has varied. For example, duty ratio is set to a first set value when a difference between the M/C pressure and a wheel locking pressure is equal to or larger than a predetermined value and to a second set value for a longer pressure increase duration when the difference is smaller than the predetermined value. Then, a brake fluid pressure control valve is operated so that the duty pressure can be increased according to the duty ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Naito, Akitaka Nishio
  • Patent number: 5829847
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vehicle motion control system for maintaining vehicle stability by controlling the braking force applied to each wheel of a vehicle. The braking force applied to each wheel is controlled on the basis of outputs of the wheel speed sensors and the vehicle speed estimation unit. A limit value is calculated to a difference between a first estimated vehicle speed calculated for a second wheel located on the right side of the vehicle and a left estimated vehicle speed calculated for a left wheel located on the left side of the vehicle. The calculation of one of the first and second estimated vehicle speeds is limited in response to the limit value, so as to keep the estimated vehicle speed calculated for one of the right and left wheels rotating at a relatively low speed to be greater than a value subtracting the limit value from the second estimated vehicle speed provided for the other one of the right and left wheels rotating at a relatively high speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Tozu, Yoshiyuki Yasui, Masanobu Fukami, Takayuki Itoh, Norio Yamazaki