Electric Control Patents (Class 303/20)
  • Patent number: 8172340
    Abstract: The method for reducing aircraft carbon brake wear involves monitoring the commanded initiation of braking, and setting a residual brake clamping force to a predetermined minimum residual brake clamping force, which is maintained following the commanded initiation of braking to prevent release of braking during taxiing of the aircraft. The minimum residual brake clamping force is applied despite a commanded release of braking until at least one predetermined control logic condition occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Hydro-Aire, Inc., Subsidiary of Crane Co.
    Inventors: Gary DeVlieg, John Gowan
  • Patent number: 8165768
    Abstract: A method for providing a trailer equipped with trailer brakes with an electronically controlled trailer braking output to help slow a vehicle/trailer combination as quickly as possible, but in a stable and balanced manner. In situations where a low friction environment is detected, such as a wet or icy road, the present method can brake the trailer in a more aggressive manner than a gain setting would normally allow. This gain-independent segment of the trailer braking output can result in a shorter stopping distance for the vehicle/trailer combination, without causing excessive trailer wheel lockup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Robert W. Leschuk, John X. Cui, Jiande Wu, Thomas A. Schuelke, Katherin Hartman
  • Publication number: 20120074770
    Abstract: A system for controlling a brake force of a vehicle. In one embodiment, the system includes an electronic control unit including a controller, a plurality of sensors in electronic communication with the controller. Each of the sensors transmits sensor data to the controller. A user interface and a driver recognition system are in electronic communication with the controller, and a computer readable memory stores instructions executed by the controller. The instructions cause the controller to evaluate a driver identification data received from the driver recognition system, a driver preference data received from the user interface, and the sensor data received from the sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Jungwon Lee
  • Patent number: 8141687
    Abstract: A system includes a first detector, second detector and processor section. The first detector is provided to a first wheel in a first position in a vehicle. The second detector is provided to a second wheel in a second position in the vehicle. The vehicle includes a brake system configured to brake the first wheel in response to a signal designating the first position. The first detector is assigned with a first identifier and the second detector is assigned with a second identifier. The first detector is configured to output the first identifier to the processor section, in response to a change in rotation of the first wheel. The second detector is configured to output the second identifier to the processor section, in response to a change in rotation of the second wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Hideki Kagawa
  • Patent number: 8136891
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a control system for applying defined clamping forces in a brake that is electrically operable by means of an actuator and includes a first friction surface (friction lining) and a second friction surface (brake disc). In the method, a correlation exists between the actuator position and the clamping force, and values of the clamping force as well as of the actuator position are determined by a clamping force sensor and a position sensor, and a value of the actuator position is determined, which corresponds to the application of the first friction surface on the second friction surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co., Ohg
    Inventor: Christof Maron
  • Publication number: 20120062024
    Abstract: The invention relates to a brake booster system for a vehicle brake system, comprising a control device (34), which is designed to determine a boosting force (Fu) on the basis of provided first information with regard to a driver braking force (Ff) transmitted to a first piston (12) of the brake system, and comprising a first actuator device (30), which is designed to apply the boosting force (Fu) to a second piston (16) of the brake system. The control device (34) is further designed to determine, on the basis of provided second information with regard to an operating mode of the brake system, a compensating force (Fa) on a probable adjustment force which, in the operating mode, may be applied to the first piston (12) via the force/pressure conversion element (22), and a second actuator device (32) of the brake booster system is designed to apply this compensating force (Fa) to the first piston (12) of the brake system. The invention further relates to a method for operating a vehicle brake system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Dirk Mahnkopf
  • Patent number: 8123305
    Abstract: A locomotive brake system including an electronic air brake controller for controlling at least a train brake pipe in a standard EAB mode and remote mode of the brake system and a remote locomotive controller for providing braking signals to the electronic air brake controller and an electrical emergency signal in the remote mode. A magnetic valve is connected to the train brake pipe for providing a pneumatic emergency signal on the train brake pipe in the remote mode when energized in response to the electrical emergency signal from the remote locomotive controller or upon failure of the remote locomotive controller. A cut-in system is connected to the remote locomotive controller and the magnetic valve to provide an electrical emergency signal to the magnetic valve when the cut-in system is initially activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin B. Root, Kip Flint
  • Publication number: 20120025600
    Abstract: The invention relates to an automobile braking system with grip prediction and continuous control of braking pressure, including a hydraulic circuit which regulates braking pressure by controlling a proportional pressure value (8) which maintains the necessary pressure on the brake piston (6) in order to perform suitable braking. Braking control is permanently performed by a control system capable of recognizing actual grip conditions at all times and of establishing the ideal pressure conditions on the braking piston (6), said pressure being under optimal control at all times, ensuring that none of the wheels of the vehicle are subject to excessive skidding. Automobile braking can also be performed manually when the value (4) is in a standby position or in the event of a malfunction of the automatic braking control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: UNIVERSIDAD DE MALAGA
    Inventors: Juan Antonio Cabrera Carrillo, Juan Jesus Castillo Aguilar, Antonio Simon Mata, Antonio Ortiz Fernandez, Francisco Garcia Vacas, Antonio Guerra Fernandez
  • Patent number: 8103421
    Abstract: When a release control is executed while a service brake is operating, a parking brake control device continues the release control until a first predetermined time passes even if the pressing force for moving a friction material becomes a target value, wherein the first predetermined time is a time period which is longer than a time period which it is supposed to take until the negative influence of the service brake vanishes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuma Kondo, Takashi Watanabe, Masaki Ninoyu
  • Publication number: 20120013174
    Abstract: A brake apparatus includes: a master cylinder that forms a driving fluid pressure chamber, which drives master pistons as brake fluid is supplied and discharged; a pressure adjusting part adjusting a driving fluid pressure of the driving fluid pressure chamber; a reaction force generator that forms a reaction force chamber and that is configured to generate a reaction force fluid pressure in the reaction force chamber in accordance with an operating amount of the brake operation member; a brake fluid path, which connects the reaction force chamber to the driving fluid pressure chamber, and a valve device configured to block, at a current-on state, flowing of the brake fluid, and that communicates, at a current-off state, the reaction force chamber to the driving fluid pressure chamber through the brake fluid path to enable the flowing of the brake fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: ADVICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Satoshi ISHIDA
  • Patent number: 8090492
    Abstract: The apparatus comprises a measured signal detector 11, a vehicle parameter obtainer 12, a sideslip angle temporary estimator 13, a sideslip angle differential corresponding value computer 14 and a sideslip angle real estimator 15. A sideslip angle temporary estimate value is computed from one or plural vehicle parameters including at least the mass. A sideslip angle differential corresponding value is computed from a measured signal and the vehicle parameters including no mass. A sideslip angle is derived from the sideslip angle temporary estimate value and the sideslip angle differential corresponding value. A sideslip can be detected without a steering angle detection mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: National University Corporation Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
    Inventors: Masao Nagai, Yohei Michitsuji, Pongsathorn Raksincharoensak
  • Patent number: 8086384
    Abstract: A vehicle stop determination apparatus includes a vehicle speed sensor for detecting a speed of a vehicle, a G sensor for detecting a longitudinal acceleration of a vehicle, an inclination acceleration estimate section for calculating an estimated inclination acceleration resulting from an inclination of a road surface based on a vehicle speed reduction rate calculated from an output of the vehicle speed sensor and an output from the G sensor, and a stop determination section which has a first stop determination mode and a second stop determination mode and which selects the first stop determination mode or the second stop determination mode based on the vehicle speed reduction rate provided before the output of the vehicle speed sensor becomes equal to or less than a detection limit. Also, the inclination is re-determined based on the output of the G sensor when the vehicle is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Daisuke Nakayama
  • Patent number: 8070238
    Abstract: An electro mechanical brake apparatus is provided, in which a counter-measure for the heat of the driving circuit is much improved when configured to be integrated with an electric circuit. An electric circuit portion is provided by sandwiching a motor with brake pads, and a power module is provided so that a heat dissipating surface is opposed to the inner surface of the metallic outer case of the electric circuit portion, and a control circuit board is disposed at the motor side for the power module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Yasukawa, Kazumoto Sano
  • Publication number: 20110278916
    Abstract: The method for reducing aircraft carbon brake wear involves monitoring the commanded initiation of braking, and setting a residual brake clamping force to a predetermined minimum residual brake clamping force, which is maintained following the commanded initiation of braking to prevent release of braking during taxiing of the aircraft. The minimum residual brake clamping force is applied despite a commanded release of braking until at least one predetermined control logic condition occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: HYDRO-AIRE, INC., SUBSIDIARY OF CRANE CO.
    Inventors: Gary DeVlieg, John Gowan
  • Patent number: 8047618
    Abstract: A braking system for a motor vehicle includes a hydraulic circuit for producing a brake force, the hydraulic circuit having a pressure source for producing a hydraulic pressure and a pressure store, the pressure store of the hydraulic circuit being able to be supplied with hydraulic fluid from a delivery side of the pressure source if necessary. In this braking system, there is provision for the pressure store to be able to be coupled in fluidic terms to an intake side of the pressure source by means of an interposed actively controllable multi-way valve, in particular a two-way solenoid valve, and for the pressure store to be able to be decoupled therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Benedikt Ohlig
  • Patent number: 8042885
    Abstract: A brake control apparatus for a vehicle includes a controlling device for actuating the pressure modulating device and the motor, calculating a target braking force corresponding to an operation amount, and driving the motor and the pressure modulating device, wherein, in an electric power supply stopped situation, in which electric power is not supplied by the battery, while an operation amount detected by the operation amount sensor increases, the controlling device starts driving the motor by means of electric power supplied by the capacitor, only when a target braking force corresponding to the operation amount reaches memorized target braking force memorized in the memorizing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuya Maki, Hiroaki Niino
  • Patent number: 8042887
    Abstract: A brake control apparatus for controlling brakes of a vehicle having wheels, the apparatus including a stopped-state detecting portion which detects, based on a speed of at least one of the wheels detected by at least one wheel-speed sensor, a stopped state of the vehicle; an operation-force limiting portion which limits, based on a detection of the stopped state of the vehicle by the stopped-state detecting portion, an operation force of at least one of the brakes, such that an upper limit of the operation force is an intermediate level of an operation-force range used when the stopped state is not detected; a sensor ignoring portion which ignores, when an electric voltage supplied from a power source to the at least one wheel-speed sensor is not higher than a reference value, the at least one wheel-speed sensor; a limitation canceling portion which cancels, when the sensor ignoring portion ignores the at least one wheel-speed sensor, a limitation of the operation force by the operation-force limiting portio
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takayuki Yamamoto, Masaaki Komazawa, Yasushi Hanaki
  • Publication number: 20110254362
    Abstract: A hydraulic braking assembly (14) for a vehicle comprising an electric servomotor (15), a master cylinder (16), a hydraulic fluid tank (17) mounted on the master cylinder, a hydraulic fluid level sensor (25) situated inside the fluid tank and monitoring the hydraulic fluid level inside the tank. The fluid level sensor is connected from the tank to the computer of the electric servomotor by a cable (26).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Vincent Maury, Jean-Michel L'Aot, Antony Auguste, Philippe Richard, François Gaffe, Bastien Cagnac
  • Patent number: 8036802
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of controlling an electromechanical brake for a vehicle wheel, the brake including an actuator provided with a pusher that is actuated by an electric motor and that is adapted to exert a braking force selectively on friction elements in response to an actuation setpoint, the method comprising the following steps: from a braking setpoint ( F), determining a nominal position setpoint ( X) for the brake actuator; from said braking setpoint ( F), estimating a reference current (i*) that ought normally to be flowing in the motor of the actuator to apply a force equal to the braking setpoint; comparing the reference current (i*) with a current (i) actually flowing in the motor of the actuator, and deducing a position correction (xcorr); and adding the position correction to the nominal position setpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Messier-Bugatti
    Inventor: Julien Thibault
  • Publication number: 20110241418
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to simplify a control during regenerative cooperation in a brake control system generating a hydraulic pressure in a master cylinder by displacing a piston with use of an electric actuator according an operation amount of a brake pedal. The brake control system displaces the primary piston 8 by controlling an operation of the electric motor 22 by a master pressure control unit 4 according to the operation amount Xop of the brake pedal 19, thereby generating a hydraulic pressure in the master cylinder 2 to supply it to wheel cylinders Ba to Bd. The master pressure control unit 4 sets a target relative displacement ?XT between an input piston 17 and the primary piston 8 and a target hydraulic pressure PT in the master cylinder 2, and appropriately switch which is used to control a brake force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventors: Yusuke NOZAWA, Tohma Yamaguchi, Kentaro Ueno, Yukihiko Yamada, Daisuke Kojima
  • Publication number: 20110221264
    Abstract: A hydraulic pressure control apparatus has an electromagnetic valve having a valve body forced to one side by an elastic member and a coil driving the valve body to the other side; a hydraulic pressure control section for calculating a command current value to drive the electromagnetic valve and controlling a hydraulic pressure in a hydraulic circuit by opening/closing the electromagnetic valve; a current detection section detecting a value of the current passing through the coil; and a command current value correction section. The command current value correction section detects a change of an inductance of the coil when the valve body moves from the one side to the other side or from the other side to the one side through the current detection section, and corrects the command current value using the detected inductance change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: Norihiro SAITA, Taichi SHIBATA, Masamichi IMAMURA, Shinichiro NISHIDA, Satoshi DOI, Tadaharu YOKOTA
  • Publication number: 20110204710
    Abstract: Disclosed a brake pressure control apparatus including a cylinder of which an upper portion is formed with a connection port connected with a brake line and a lower surface is formed with an air inlet/outlet port; a piston which is supported by a first spring disposed at a bottom surface of the cylinder; an opening/closing plate which is fixed to an upper portion of the piston so as to divide an inner portion of the cylinder and in which a fluid passage is formed at a center portion thereof; an introduction control valve which is disposed at an upper portion of the fluid passage H formed at the opening/closing plate so as to control a flow of the brake fluid introduced into the cylinder according to a brake pressure; a fluid passage opening/closing unit which is disposed at an inner portion of the opening/closing plate, and comprises a permanent magnet provided at one side thereof, a movement spring provided at the other side thereof and an opening/closing member disposed between the permanent magnet and the
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventor: Won-Bae Lee
  • Patent number: 8000870
    Abstract: A brake system is provided for minimizing brake pulsation feedback caused by surface variations of a brake system corner component. The brake system includes at least one sensing device configured to measure a pressure pulse caused by the surface variation of a brake system corner component. A controller module is in communication with the at least one sensing device and a hydraulic brake circuit. The controller module is configured to receive an output from the at least one sensing device and to adjust line pressure in the hydraulic brake circuit to substantially minimize brake pulsation feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Omar S. Dessouki, Brent D. Lowe, Mark T. Riefe
  • Publication number: 20110193407
    Abstract: An improved braking system and brake control method for a vehicle, in particular a truck, utilizes at least one pressure line for carrying a medium from at least one pressurized medium source to a brake device, and a brake pedal for receiving brake commands from a vehicle driver and for operating a brake line, which can be connected to the brake device. A pilot control valve with accompanying measuring capability quantitatively determines the brake pressure demanded by the vehicle driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventors: Dirk Wohltmann, Thomas Wolf, Thomas Lenz
  • Publication number: 20110187181
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a parking brake module that is at least partially integrated into a compressed air generation system in the event of defects, having a control unit, solenoid valves, and a relay valve for aerating and deaerating at least one spring-loaded brake cylinder. A pressure in the parking brake module which is elevated compared to a normal pressure is determined. A constant compressed air delivery is stopped. A reduced switch-off pressure of the compressed air generation system is set. The pressure level in the parking brake module is lowered to the reduced switch-off pressure through repeated activation of the relay valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: KNORR-BREMSE Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventor: Oliver KAUPERT
  • Patent number: 7988242
    Abstract: The method for reducing aircraft carbon brake wear involves monitoring the commanded initiation of braking, and setting a residual brake clamping force to a predetermined minimum residual brake clamping force, which is maintained following the commanded initiation of braking to prevent release of braking during taxiing of the aircraft. The minimum residual brake clamping force is applied despite a commanded release of braking until at least one predetermined control logic condition occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Hydro-Aire, Inc., Subsidiary of Crane Co.
    Inventors: Gary DeVlieg, John Gowan
  • Patent number: 7988241
    Abstract: A brake system includes an electric brake force generator for braking a wheel of a vehicle by a driving force of an electric motor. A problem determination device is provided in which the problem determination device sends an electrical signal to the electric motor such that the electric motor rotates in a direction opposite that of the direction of rotation to generate a brake force. If a rotation of the electric motor is not detected, then the problem determination device determines that a problem has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Ishii
  • Publication number: 20110175438
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method of line-locking a hydraulic vehicle braking system. The method includes performing a preliminary system check and controlling the distribution of fluid between a hydraulic module and two sets of vehicle brakes when the preliminary check is satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventors: Scott Mlynarczyk, Daniel Joseph Dunn, Michael V. Leese
  • Publication number: 20110175439
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to various computer-implemented methods of line-locking a hydraulic vehicle braking system. A method includes performing a preliminary system check and controlling the distribution of fluid between a hydraulic module and an individual wheel-end brake component when the preliminary check is satisfied. The system continues to monitor predetermined vehicle inputs during activation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventors: Scott Mlynarczyk, Daniel Joseph Dunn, Michael V. Leese
  • Patent number: 7954910
    Abstract: The method for reducing aircraft carbon brake wear involves monitoring the commanded initiation of braking, and setting a residual brake clamping force to a predetermined minimum residual brake clamping force, which is maintained following the commanded initiation of braking to prevent release of braking during taxiing of the aircraft. The minimum residual brake clamping force is applied despite a commanded release of braking until at least one predetermined control logic condition occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Hydro-Aire, Inc., Subsidiary of Crane Co.
    Inventors: Gary DeVlieg, John Gowan
  • Patent number: 7954908
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pedal simulation device for simulating the reaction behavior of a pedal, in particular of a brake pedal of a vehicle brake system, comprising a cylinder, a piston disposed displaceably inside the cylinder and coupled to the pedal and delimiting a working chamber inside the cylinder, a resetting element which, upon an actuation of the pedal, exerts a resetting force on the pedal, and a modelling device, which is fluidically connected to the working chamber, for influencing the reaction behavior of the pedal. In the invention, for achieving the reaction behavior it is provided that, upon an actuation of the pedal, by means of the modelling device a vacuum, which is arising or has arisen in the working chamber, is built up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Wilfried Giering, Erwin Michels, Benedikt Ohlig, Herbert Steinheuer
  • Publication number: 20110126732
    Abstract: A controlled power system is in a train having electric controlled pneumatic (ECP) brakes on cars of the train connected to a trainline which carries electric power and control signals and having at lease one auxiliary device on some of the cars. The power system on a car having the auxiliary device includes a power module connecting the auxiliary device to a source of power when activated; and a first controller, including a transceiver, for activating the power module to the connect the source of power to the auxiliary device in response to a power up signal on the trainline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: New York Air Brake Corporattion
    Inventors: Anthony W. Lumbis, Bryan M. Mclaughlin, Josemaria Mora
  • Patent number: 7949441
    Abstract: Method for controlling the level of tractive efforts in a train having a first locomotive at a head end of the train, constituting a lead locomotive, and a second locomotive positioned in the train behind the lead locomotive, constituting a remote locomotive, with the remote locomotive being configured to selectively operate in either of two modes of operation, such as a first mode in which the locomotive operates at a full tractive effort level of operation and a second mode in which the locomotive operates in a partial tractive effort level of operation producing a tractive effort which is less than the full tractive effort of the locomotive. The method allows selecting (e.g., at the lead locomotive) one of the two modes of operation for producing a level of tractive effort appropriate for conditions as the train moves along a length of track. The method further allows transmitting a signal indicative of the selected mode of operation from the lead locomotive to the remote locomotive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mirza Aref Ahmed Baig, Richard L. Evans, Scott Sexauer, Christopher E. Pallo, Ning Zhang, Steven Andrew Kellner, Leonard Hill, Bruce M. Sweeley, James Glen Corry
  • Publication number: 20110074209
    Abstract: In an electrically driven brake booster wherein an electrically driven actuator moves a booster piston upon operation of a brake pedal to generate a hydraulic pressure for driving a brake force at the maser cylinder, the electrically driven actuator controls to move the booster piston as the pressing member in order to correctly detect presence/absence of an operation of the booster piston and detect a movement pattern of an input rot and an input piston as the shaft member relative to a movement of the pressing member. In accordance with the movement pattern, presence/absence of an operation of the brake pedal is detected. By confirming that the brake pedal is not operated, by the method described above, a zero point of a stroke sensor for detecting the position of the shaft member and zero points of oil pressure sensors for detecting a hydraulic pressure supplied by the master cylinder are learnt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kentaro UENO
  • Publication number: 20110062280
    Abstract: An electromagnetic control for the landing gear of an aircraft includes a hub to be fixed to a frame of an aircraft landing gear. A rotor rotates with a tire on the aircraft landing gear. Permanent magnetic disks are associated with the rotor, and interspersed with disks on the hub. Some of the disks on the hub are electromagnetic disks supplied with electric power, and some of the plurality of disks on the hub are made of high electric conductivity material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventors: Jacek F. Gieras, Gregory I. Rozman
  • Publication number: 20110062775
    Abstract: An electronic control unit includes: a sensor board on which a sensor is mounted; a control board configured to control an operation of each electric component, based on a physical quantity detected by the sensor; and a housing configured to accommodate the sensor board and the control board, wherein: in an internal space of the housing, a first accommodation chamber in which the electric component is accommodated, a second accommodation chamber in which the sensor board and the control board are accommodated in a hierarchical state, and a partitioning portion which partitions between the first accommodation chamber and the second accommodation chamber are formed; and the sensor board and the control board are supported by the partitioning portion, and a rib is protrudingly provided on the partitioning portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: NISSIN KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masatoshi IYATANI
  • Patent number: 7896446
    Abstract: An electric parking brake apparatus for a vehicle includes a state information outputting part and a control part. A navigation device is connected to an accessory power supply of the vehicle. The accessory power supply supplies an electric power even when an ignition switch is turned off. The state information outputting part outputs information regarding a state of operation of a parking brake. The control part instructs the state information outputting part to output the information regarding a state of operation of the parking brake. The state information outputting part outputs the information regarding a state of operation of the parking brake even when a power of the control part is turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hidehiro Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20110037310
    Abstract: The invention relates to a technology for effecting electronic brake force distribution in a vehicle brake system, which is equipped with a hydraulic brake boosting, comprising detecting a state requiring an electronic brake boosting and a limiting of the brake pressure generation of the hydraulic brake boosting according to the electronic brake boosting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventor: Josef Knechtges
  • Patent number: 7887145
    Abstract: In a vehicle brake control device, a target W/C pressure depending on an amount of operation performed to a brake operating member, exhibits hysteresis due to a forward mapping dataset and a backward mapping dataset. The vehicle brake control device selects the forward mapping dataset or the backward mapping dataset based on the amount of operation performed to the brake operating member, and determines a current value of a current to be supplied to one of first to fourth linear valves. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a wheel cylinder pressure from changing too sensitively to the operation to the brake operating member and from changing even when the driver is not intentionally operating the brake operating member. This makes the driver experience an improved brake feeling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Niino, Takashi Sato
  • Patent number: 7887144
    Abstract: In order to improve an electronic system for a motor vehicle which comprises an electronic controller which is coupled via an electronic communication system to electronic controllers of other electronic systems of the vehicle in order to co-operate through data exchanges with the other electronic systems of the vehicle, wherein electronic sensor devices for controlling and/or regulating operating states of the vehicle detect quantities which are related to the operating states of the vehicle, so as to obtain cost and functional advantages, it is proposed that at least one of the electronic sensor devices be accommodated in one of the electronic controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Volker Braschel
  • Patent number: 7866761
    Abstract: A braking system for vehicles, including at least one first brake circuit, and at least one second brake circuit, in which the at least one first brake circuit and the at least one second brake circuit each have an electrical control circuit, which respectively has an electronic control unit and its own power supply device, and brake actuating devices which are activatable by the electronic control units, at least one of the brake actuating devices being activatable by more than one of the electronic control units, in which the brake circuits are electrically activatable via a foot brake valve, and the foot brake valve has two electrical braking transmitter devices which are each connected to the electronic control units so that they are DC-isolated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme fur Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Eduard Gerum, Walter Broch, Bence Csák, László Gianone
  • Patent number: 7866762
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a transmission brake disengagement apparatus which eliminates the disadvantages of transmission brake disengagement apparatus having mechanical switches thereby improving the starting consistency of a drag race car. In particular, the present invention provides an improved transmission brake disengagement apparatus which incorporates a mechanical actuation switch for providing an electrical signal to effect the disengagement of an electrically actuated transmission brake of a drag race car, without the need of applying continuous pressure on the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Inventor: William H. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 7862129
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electric parking brake system with one cable that has only one cable between an actuator, serving as a power generator, and parking cables and high flexibility in laying-out for mounting to a vehicle. According to an electric parking brake system with one cable of the invention, an actuator that converts torque of a motor into axial moving force to operate parking cables is manufactured into a single module, a housing that defines the whole external shape of the actuator is formed into an integral unit by injection molding, in which vibration caused by rotation in the operation of the actuator is absorbed by elastic members, so that a small-sized actuator having improved workability in mounting can be obtained and desired performance, such as reduction of operational noise caused by absorption of vibration, can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae Woo Jeon
  • Patent number: 7857400
    Abstract: An electrical, decentralized braking system includes at least four sensors for sensing the actuation of a brake actuating device; one braking module for each vehicle wheel, for acquiring sensor data and for controlling braking of the wheel; at least one first communication device with which all braking modules are connected to one another for the exchange of data; an electrical connecting device by which each sensor is connected to at least one braking module; and at least one further communication device for receiving and/or exchanging data between at least two braking modules of different sides of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Weiberle, Udo Koegel
  • Publication number: 20100314934
    Abstract: An electronic system to operate an electromechanical parking brake for a land vehicle comprises at least one input unit to detect a driver request for parking brake and at least two control units in connection with the input unit to evaluate the driver request for parking brake transmitted thereto. The control units are in connection with at least one actuator for activating the parking brake, in order to control said actuator. In addition, the system comprises an energy supply to feed the input unit, and the control units of the at least one actuator. On occurrence of a single fault from a set of possible fault states in the system, at least one control unit and at least one actuator are supplied with energy and/or control signals, the at least one control unit supplied controls the at least one actuator supplied so that the land vehicle is fixed in a parked position when a corresponding driver request for parking brake is present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2008
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventor: Ralf Leiter
  • Publication number: 20100308645
    Abstract: A parking brake having an actuator, wherein the actuator is driven with a direct current motor which can be operated in two directions and which moves a piston of the actuator and, via a self-locking gear mechanism of the actuator, at least one brake shoe for applying or releasing the parking brake. A control unit for performing open-loop or closed-loop control of the movement of the direct current motor is also provided. During open-loop or closed-loop control of the movement of the direct current motor for applying and/or releasing the parking brake, the control unit takes into account a hydraulic admission pressure which is currently present at the piston if the brake is applied or was present at the piston if the brake has been released when it had previously been applied. A corresponding method for operating such a parking brake is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Christof Maron, Marcus Schumann, Faouzi Attallah, Heinz-Anton Schneider
  • Patent number: 7845737
    Abstract: A braking device that calculates an electric braking force command according to the braking command and generates a mechanical braking command, and a control circuit that calculates an electric braking force based on the electric braking force command from the device and the braking command and controls the power converter, are provided. The control circuit includes a control calculating unit that calculates the electric braking force and controls the converter, a virtual braking force calculating unit that calculates a virtual braking force to complement the electric braking force when starting braking, based on the braking command and an output of a voltage sensor for detecting an input voltage to the converter, and an adder that adds a calculation output of the control calculating unit and a calculation output of the virtual braking force calculating unit. The braking command from the device is changed according to an output of the adder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Hideto Negoro
  • Patent number: 7845736
    Abstract: A method and a device for the open- and/or closed-loop control of a generator or a dynamo in a vehicle. The generator supplies, at least part of the time, an electric motor located in a braking system, e.g., a pump motor, with electrical power. A main feature is that the generator is activated as a function of the pressure in the brake master cylinder, it being activated as soon as the pressure in the brake master cylinder exceeds an initial threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Reize, Frank Kaestner, Juergen Hachtel, Markus Hutt
  • Patent number: 7841673
    Abstract: A vehicle braking system is responsive to vehicle conditions to alter the response of the braking system for a given driver input. In one mode, the vehicle conditions are conditions that are indicated by sensor in real time. In another mode, the vehicle conditions are historical conditions, such as trends, patterns, etc. The braking system provides braking responses that are appropriate for vehicle conditions and enables personalization of the braking system to accommodate individual driver characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph F. Szczerba, Adrian B. Chernoff
  • Patent number: 7841672
    Abstract: An electronic brake controller for an electropneumatic brake system includes a housing; at least one brake operator mounted to said housing and whose position defines desired brake action; a display on said housing; a signal output on the housing; and a multiple position switch on the housing. A controller in said housing determines the position of the operator and the multiple position switch, provides one of operator position signal and desired brake action to the output and drives the display to display desired braking action as a function of the determined position of the operator for acceptable operator positions, and drives the display with a brake system variable and adjusts the variable as a function of the position of the multiple position switch for don't care operator positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventors: Richard J. Teifke, John J. Allen