Electric Control Patents (Class 303/20)
  • Patent number: 7837278
    Abstract: A vehicle brake system includes first and second central control units communicating with, respectively, first and second control networks, and a plurality of brake units. Each brake unit includes a brake component, a self-enforcing mechanism associated with and acting upon the brake component, and first and second actuation mechanisms acting upon the self enforcing mechanism, in response to, respectively, first and second actuation control signals, to cause actuation of the brake component. Each brake unit also includes first and second local control units in direct communication with, respectively, the first and second central control units via, respectively, the first and second control networks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Haldex Brake Products AB
    Inventor: Peter Nilsson
  • Patent number: 7832813
    Abstract: A parking brake module for a pressure medium-operated brake system of a vehicle having a parking brake function enabled by at least one spring brake cylinder includes a first valve device that increases the amount of pressure medium and has an inlet that can be connected to a pressure medium reservoir, an outlet that can be connected to at least one spring-loaded part of a spring brake cylinder, and a control input connected to a control line. A second valve device encompasses at least one first connection used as a trailer control valve connection and can be connected to a trailer control valve to control a trailer brake. To provide a valve concept for different vehicle configurations, particularly including an anti jackknifing function, pressure prevailing at the first connection can be adjusted regardless of pressure prevailing in the pressure medium reservoir and at the outlet of the first valve device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: WABCO GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Bensch, Heinrich Diekmeyer, Jörg Helmer, Bernd-Joachim Kiel, Andreas Schäl, Frank Van Son
  • Publication number: 20100286882
    Abstract: A method for controlling braking in a vehicle having a brake pedal includes the steps of calculating an intended amount of brake torque corresponding to a braking request made via application of the brake pedal, applying the intended amount of brake torque if a pre-determined condition pertaining to the vehicle is satisfied, and applying a filtered amount of brake torque if the pre-determined condition is not satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: CHONG H. SIN, ADAM BUSACK, PATRICK J. MONSERE, MICHAEL C. ROBERTS
  • Patent number: 7831407
    Abstract: An adaptive vehicle control system that classifies a driver's driving style based on vehicle U-turn maneuvers. A process determines if the vehicle has started a turn if the yaw rate is greater than a first yaw rate threshold, and determines a vehicle heading angle based on the yaw rate and a sampling time if the vehicle has started a turn. The process then determines whether the vehicle maneuver has been completed by determining if the yaw rate is less than a second yaw rate threshold. The process then determines that the completed maneuver was a U-turn maneuver if the yaw rate is less than a third yaw rate threshold during the maneuver, the final vehicle heading angle is within a heading angle range and the duration of the maneuver is less than a predetermined time threshold. In one non-limiting embodiment, the heading angle range is between 165° and 195°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Jihua Huang, William C. Lin, Yuen-Kwok Chin
  • Publication number: 20100276988
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method provide emergency differential braking for effecting braked steering of an aircraft. A brake input device is provided that not only allows for emergency and parking brake functions, but also enables differential braking. The brake input device (e.g., a parking and/or emergency brake lever, pedal, handle, etc.) can be used in a brake system including a brake system control unit (BSCU), one or more electro-mechanical actuator controllers (EMACs) and a brake assembly including one or more electrical actuators. Each EMAC is electrically coupled to one or more of the actuators so as to provide electrical power for driving the actuators. Each EMAC is also communicatively coupled to the BSCU so as to receive braking data therefrom. In an emergency, the input device sends braking signals directly to the brake actuators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventor: Eric D. Cahill
  • Publication number: 20100276989
    Abstract: A brake fill effect minimization function for preventing or reducing brake controller windup during a brake fill condition or the like that may commonly occur in hydraulic or electromechanical brake systems, particularly during initial application of the brakes or during anti-skid conditions. The function temporarily reduces error input to the brake controller during a perceived brake fill condition (hydraulic brakes) or running clearance condition (electromechanical brakes) thereby facilitating smooth application of the brakes during initial braking and/or under anti-skid conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventor: Richard P. Metzger, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100270855
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to reduce an influence of deviation in pressure increasing performance, which would be caused by individual differences of pressure increase valves, so that a desired braking force may be obtained. A moderate pressure increasing operation is carried out for wheel cylinder pressure of a wheel, which is on a high ?-road, wherein a demand differential pressure for a pressure increase valve is set at a first target pressure for a first time period and then switched to a second target pressure for a second time period. The influence of the deviation may be absorbed during the moderate pressure increasing operation, so that a difference of wheel cylinder pressure between front left and front right wheels may be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: ADVICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Mototsugu SAWADA
  • Publication number: 20100264723
    Abstract: To efficiently make a brake fluid pressure control device compact and lightweight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventors: Hiroaki Atsushi, Tohru Masuno, Makoto Sasaki, Yoshio Tajika, Sirichai Bannasarn
  • Patent number: 7806486
    Abstract: The present invention makes an improved braking system available. This comprises a brake pedal and/or a servo unit and also incorporates a hydraulic unit including an integrated electronic controller (for short: EBS) and a hydraulically actuated wheel brake associated with each wheel. Hereby, the wheel brakes are connected hydraulically to the electronic hydraulic unit as is also the brake pedal/servo unit. A brake cylinder for the wheel brake is arranged to be prefilled by means of a “prefill” function in order to at least partly reduce the clearance gap. For the first time hereby, the braking system is provided with a switching device by means of which the “prefill” function is arranged to be switched on or off in dependence on a selectable operating mode. Moreover, the invention proposes a method for electronically regulating the brakes utilizing such a braking system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerd Bitz
  • Patent number: 7798576
    Abstract: In an ABS control, a vehicle brake control device detects a sudden change road in which a friction coefficient changes suddenly from a high value to a lower value and controls, based on the detection of the sudden change road, the currents to be supplied to a first and a second electrical motor in a first manner or a second manner, wherein in the first manner the currents are controlled so that the first and second electrical motors would eventually stop rotating if the motor control portion kept controlling the currents in the first manner for a sufficiently long time, and in the second manner the currents are controlled so that the first and second electrical motors would eventually start rotating in a reverse direction if the motor controlling portion kept controlling the currents in the second manner for a sufficiently long time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Sato, Hiroaki Niino
  • Publication number: 20100235065
    Abstract: A method that compensates for temperature-related effects in a vehicle brake system. According to one embodiment, the method determines the temperature of a brake pad, calculates a temperature-based modifier, and then uses the temperature-based modifier to adjust one or more brake command signals provided to the vehicle brake system so that they are compensated for temperature-related changes in the coefficient of friction (?) of the brake pad and rotor. The method may be used with brake-by-wire systems such as electrohydraulic braking (EHB) systems and electromechanical braking (EMB) systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon K. Logan, Patrick J. Monsere, Danny Y. Mui, Margaret C. Richards
  • Publication number: 20100225159
    Abstract: A braking system having a master cylinder to which wheel brake circuits (I, II) can be connected, a first piston coupled to a brake pedal, a second piston by means of which the master cylinder is actuated, a third piston actuated by the first piston and connected in a force transmitting fashion to the second piston, a simulation device which gives the driver of the vehicle a pedal sensation, an intermediate space between the second piston and third piston, a hydraulic chamber which is bounded by the third piston and when necessary, a movement of the third piston in the actuating direction is prevented, a pressure generating device which controls the pressure in the intermediate space, a pressure medium reservoir vessel which is under atmospheric pressure and which can be connected hydraulically to the intermediate space, and means for electrically controlling the pressure in the intermediate space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: Continental Teves AG & Co., oHG
    Inventor: Stefan Drumm
  • Publication number: 20100219679
    Abstract: Brake apparatus (10; 110; 140) includes a transmission unit (75) for operatively connecting a brake pedal (12) to a master cylinder (17), and the transmission unit is capable of varying a ratio between an output amount of a push rod (86) connected to a master cylinder (17) and a movement amount of the brake pedal (12). Further, the transmission unit (75) is constructed such that, in a latter-half operation amount region (E2; E6; E9) of the brake pedal, the ratio of the operation amount of the brake pedal to the movement amount of the push rod is controlled, via the transmission unit, to increase in response to increase of the operation amount of the brake pedal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoya Toyohira, Arata Inoue, Kazuyoshi Akutsu, Kunimichi Hatano
  • Patent number: 7784881
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for reducing deviations between the effective current and the measured current in a pulse-width-modulated current control, in particular for electronic brake control units of motor vehicles, wherein the measured current is determined at a certain predefined time within an actuation period and a compensation occurs by means of temperature-responsive and/or supply-voltage-responsive compensation variables which are added to the measured current such that a corrected nominal current is available for current control. The invention also relates to a circuit arrangement for actuating several inductive loads and comprises a circuit for PWM control of the load current. The method of the invention is implemented as a program in a microcomputer or microcomputer system that is electrically connected to the PWM circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Mario Engelmann, Peter Oehler
  • Patent number: 7784879
    Abstract: A brake system assembly for a motor vehicle is provided comprising an air compressor operably engaged to the motor vehicle engine; a compressed air control device; at least one supply circuit for retaining compressed air in fluid communication with the compressed air control device; a service brake operably engaged by the application of compressed air; a parking brake operably disengaged by the application of compressed air; a dash control assembly having a parking brake control; a plurality of functional conduits for fluid communication; and a plurality of valves for manipulating compressed air including a foot brake valve for selectively engaging the brake system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Haldex Brake Corporation
    Inventor: Robert L. Koelzer
  • Publication number: 20100213758
    Abstract: In a normally closed electromagnetic valve (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D), a rod (112,212) is supported so as to be able to move in a first direction toward a valve seat (114b) as well as in a second direction away from the valve seat (114b). This rod (112,212) closes off the hydraulic fluid path when seated on the valve seat (114b), and opens up the hydraulic fluid path when away from the valve seat (114b). When current is not being supplied to a coil (130), a first armature (116,216) pushes the rod (112,212) in the first direction using urging force of a first spring (122). When current is being supplied to the coil (130), the first armature (116,216) moves in the second direction, and the second armature (118) pushes the rod (112,212) in the first direction using electromagnetic force corresponding to the amount of the current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masaki Nanahara
  • Patent number: 7775607
    Abstract: An anti-skid brake control system for a multi-wheeled vehicle includes both a paired function and an individual function. The paired function controls the wheels of the vehicle in unison. The individual function controls the wheels of the vehicle individually. A paired/individual logic circuit alternatively activates and deactivates the paired function and the individual function. A method for controlling the skid of a vehicle utilizing a paired function and a individual function is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Hydro-Aire, Inc.
    Inventors: Harris K. Butler, III, Scott A. Brittian
  • Patent number: 7766431
    Abstract: A system and methods for an electric autobrake function suitable for use with an aircraft is disclosed. The system includes a single master autobrake channel configured to generate a master autobrake command and a plurality of slave autobrake channels configured to receive the autobrake master command. The methods receive autobrake command actuation data, compute a common autobrake master command based upon the autobrake command actuation data, and synchronize brake application by utilizing the common autobrake master command to actuate all brake actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: T. Todd Griffith, Andreea D. Uta, John Gowan
  • Patent number: 7748793
    Abstract: A control system for an electromechanical brake with self-reinforcement has a unit adapted to recognize brake failure, a unit adapted to detect the actual state of motion of the device to be braked, and a unit adapted to open and close the brake upon recognition of a failure dependent upon the detected actual state of motion of the device to be braked. The unit adapted to detect the state of motion detects in particular the rotational velocity of a brake disk assigned to the brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: eStop GmbH
    Inventors: Henry Hartmann, Martin Schautt
  • Patent number: 7748791
    Abstract: A combination secondary master cylinder and brake pedal compliance device for an automotive braking system includes a cylinder having a signal chamber, a working chamber, and a compliance chamber. Elastic devices mounted within the working chamber and compliance chamber allow the apparent compliance of the friction braking system attached to the combination device to remain at a relatively constant value notwithstanding the presence of varying amounts of powertrain braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventor: John Joyce
  • Patent number: 7744166
    Abstract: A process for operating the brake arrangement of a vehicle is presented, which comprises an electrically controllable service brake system, which is set to generate brake forces independently of driver actuation, and which comprises an electrically controllable parking brake system, which is set to generate brake forces and maintain these forces. So that the parking brake system or its electromechanical actuating unit only needs to cope with relatively small load situations, it is proposed that, when, for certain operating conditions, the parking brake system has to maintain brake forces which are greater than the brake forces it is able to generate itself, the service brake system generates the additionally required brake forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Leiter, Gregor Poertzgen
  • Publication number: 20100152989
    Abstract: A trailer mounted proportional brake controller for a towed vehicle and a method of controlling the brakes of a towed vehicle is described. The brake control unit may control the brakes of a towed vehicle. The brake control unit may include a power control unit and a hand control unit. The power control unit may be connected to the brakes of the towed vehicle and the power control unit may be capable of selectively controlling the brakes of the towed vehicle based on a set of braking parameters. The hand control unit may be configured to remotely communicate with the power control unit. The hand control unit may be capable of transmitting information to the power control unit to adjust at least one of the braking parameters and receiving information from the power control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Bruce Edward Smith, Mark William Austin, Richard Lyons Hilsbos, Chandrakumar Kulkarni
  • Patent number: 7735938
    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: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Hydro-Aire, Inc., Subsidiary of Crane Co.
    Inventors: Gary DeVlieg, John Gowan
  • Publication number: 20100141025
    Abstract: The invention rotates to a modulator (1), particularly for a brake system in a motor vehicle, connected to a central module (15) via a data bus (20), the modulator (1) having at least one input (6) for capturing measured values and at least one output (8) for controlling at least one electromagnetic valve, a control circuit for actuating the at least one electromagnetic valve being connected by the data bus (20) such that the measured values captured by the modulator (1) are transmitted to the central module (15), control commands for actuating the at least one electromagnetic valve being first calculated from said measured values in the central module (15), said control commands being transmitted via the data bus (20) to the modulator (1) in order that the modulator (1) selects the at least-one electromagnetic valve as a function of the control commands transmitted via the data bus (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: WABCO GMBH
    Inventors: Christoph Brockmann, Claudia Deike, Matthias Grimm, Hartmut Rosendahl, Ingo Torhoff, Hans-Klaus Wolff
  • Publication number: 20100138126
    Abstract: A brake hydraulic pressure controlling apparatus for a vehicle includes a hydraulic pressure block included in a hydraulic pressure unit and including therein a hydraulic circuit, a plurality of electromagnetic valves attached on a surface of the hydraulic pressure block and changing an opening degree of a passage of the hydraulic circuit, and an electronic control unit including an ECU board, which is electrically connected to the electromagnetic valves and on which an electronic control device executing a driving control of each of the electromagnetic valves is provided, and attached on the surface of the hydraulic pressure block so that the ECU board is covered by a case, wherein the ECU board of the electronic control unit is arranged within an area of the surface of the hydraulic pressure block and all of the plurality of the electromagnetic valves are arranged adjacently around the ECU board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: ADVICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Fumitoshi KOYAMA
  • Publication number: 20100133896
    Abstract: An electronic control unit which includes: a sensor board to which a sensor for detecting a predetermined physical quantity is attached; a control board which controls an operation of an electric part based on the physical quantity detected by the sensor; and a housing which accommodates the sensor board and the control board, wherein the housing has a first room for accommodating the electric part, a second room for accommodating the sensor board and the control hoard in a stacked condition, and a partition portion for separating the first room and the second room from each other, wherein a recess which is opened to the second room is formed in the partition portion, and a sensor accommodating portion for accommodating the sensor is formed using the recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: NISSIN KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Iyatani, Naoki Obuse
  • Patent number: 7722134
    Abstract: A method and system for providing true failsafe control of an electronic braking system by a train control system which controls a switch that supplies power to the electronic braking system. When the train control system determines that it is necessary to activate the train's brakes, it controls the switch so as to remove power to the electronic braking system, which results in activation of the train's brakes. In highly preferred embodiments, the switch is of a type that is normally open and that requires the presence of an electrical signal to close the switch to supply power to the electronic braking system. In such embodiments, any loss in power to the train control system will result in a loss of signal to the switch, thereby causing activation of the train's brakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Invensys Rail Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Edward Kane
  • Patent number: 7717527
    Abstract: An electric brake system for an aircraft employs a brake control process to alleviate high dynamic structural loading of the aircraft landing gear caused by braking maneuvers. The system obtains and processes real-time data—which may include the current aircraft speed, the current brake pedal deflection position, and the current brake pedal deflection rate—to determine how best to control the onset of the brakes. The braking control scheme delays the onset of the desired braking condition to reduce high dynamic loading and lurching of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: T. Todd Griffith
  • Patent number: 7699410
    Abstract: Method and device for controlling an automotive wheel brake, in which in a predefined operating situation, for example at a standstill, the braking force or brake pressure built up, and/or the dynamics of change, are limited. Two pressure control circuits are connected so that the pressure on the two respective wheel brakes is regulated by a pressure control circuit. A wheel brake is completely released in the predefined operating situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Beck, Ulrich Gottwick, Dirk Ortlinghaus, Michael Schubert
  • Patent number: 7699408
    Abstract: The system and method for monitoring wear of one or more aircraft parts, such as an aircraft brake, an aircraft tire, a standby system, and landing gear. One or more sensors are provided for sensing a parameter of usage, and an estimate of usage of the part can be determined based upon the signal indicating the sensed value of the parameter of usage of the aircraft part. A plurality of sensors can be provided for sensing usage of a plurality of parts of the aircraft, and the estimate of usage of the part can be stored for access of the estimate by ground personnel. As applied to monitoring wear of an aircraft brake, a linear brake wear indicator attached to the brake moves a discrete distance when the brake is actuated, and a linear position encoder measures the distance traveled by the linear brake wear indicator as an indication of brake usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Hydro-Aire, Inc.
    Inventor: Garrett H. DeVlieg
  • Publication number: 20100090521
    Abstract: Method in which an electromagnetic valve in an electronically controlled pressure control device is calibrated, wherein the differential pressure prevailing at the valve which is to be calibrated is modulated periodically, and wherein the electrical signal which is present at the valve coil of the valve is evaluated at the valve coil or at an additional measuring coil for the purpose of calibration. Also disclosed is an electronically controlled motor vehicle brake pressure control device in which the above method can be carried out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: Continental Teves & Co. oHG
    Inventor: Mirco Loos
  • Patent number: 7690737
    Abstract: A system and method of controlling an automotive vehicle and trailer includes determining the presence of a trailer and applying brake-steer to the vehicle in response to the trailer to reduce the turning radius of the vehicle and the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventor: Jianbo Lu
  • Publication number: 20100072811
    Abstract: When a brake force is generated by a service brake in accordance with the depression of a brake pedal by a driver, a brake force generated by an electric parking brake is reduced when lock control is performed, taking the brake force generated by the service brake into consideration. More specifically, a target motor current value increase amount is corrected such that as the brake force generated by the service brake becomes larger, the target motor current value increase amount becomes smaller. Thus, when brake force is generated by the electric parking brake and the service brake compensates for the brake force, it is possible to inhibit generation of a brake force larger than necessary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: ADVICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuma KONDO, Takashi WATANABE
  • Patent number: 7681961
    Abstract: A brake system for a vehicle includes an electrically operated parking brake drive device which generates an operating force for operating the wheel brakes or dedicated parking brakes in response to energization, and which operates even upon cancellation of the energization while in the operated state. A braking force related amount detector detects a physical quantity related to a braking force exhibited by each of the hydraulic pressure operated wheel brakes. When a detected physical quantity exceeds a reference value in a stopped state of the vehicle, a controller energizes the electrically operated parking brake drive device. Thus, the frequency of operation of the electrically operated parking brake drive device is decreased while eliminating inconvenient operations required to operate the electrically operated parking brake drive device, thereby reducing noise and improving durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ikuo Nonaga, Hiroshi Koan, Akihiko Koike, Tsuyoshi Sato, Makoto Taniguchi, Yutaka Kichima, Ichiro Ueno, Katsuyuki Takei, Takashi Kuboshima
  • Patent number: 7676286
    Abstract: A system including a node, wherein the node includes two separate controllers, each of which is configured to output data to a bus, or receive data from a bus, or output data to and receive data from a bus. At least one controller is configured to monitor the output of the other controller and is configured such that if the at least one controller determines that the other controller is providing improper data or signals, at least part of the output data of the other controller is nullified, overridden or superseded by an output from the at least one controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Inventors: Robert J. Disser, Paul M. Degoul, Steven L. Tracht
  • Publication number: 20100051374
    Abstract: A vehicle operator input device for controlling the vehicle with the operator input device including an operator interface lever moveable by a vehicle operator in first and second directions about an axis. The operator input device includes a sensor system with a sensor target. The sensor system senses the moveable operator interface lever and provides an operator interface lever position signal as a function of a position of the operator interface lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: LORD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenneth A. St.Clair, Robert H. Marjoram
  • Patent number: 7665808
    Abstract: A method and a device for automatically releasing an automatic parking brake at start-up. A transmitted torque estimation threshold value is determined that enables the vehicle movement to be balanced. Then, at start-up a loop for calculating the transmitted torque estimation is carried out so long as the calculated value does not exceed the threshold value. When the threshold is exceeded, an automatic parking brake-release command is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Philippe Deprez, Emmanuel Devaud, Philippe Planchon
  • Patent number: 7644996
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling the unintended rolling of a rolling stock, the rolling stock having a driver park brake, and an in-vehicle network for signals transmission, the method comprises the steps of selecting among the signals transmitted over the in-vehicle network, a set of predefined signals, then analyzing the status of the selected signals to determine a regulation process to be applied to the rolling stock, and monitoring the regulation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Francis Bredin
  • Publication number: 20090309413
    Abstract: A valve unit for an electro-pneumatic brake control is connected to an input of an air-quantity-boosting valve for the aeration/venting thereof. A double-armature solenoid valve includes primary and secondary armatures each spring-loaded and actuated by common magnet coil. The primary armature is a switch for a vent valve; the secondary armature is a switch for an intake valve. When the coil is not drawing current, the armatures are in spring-loaded position, the intake valve blocking intake and the vent valve venting. When a first current flows through the coil, the primary armature enters switching position, with the secondary armature in spring-loaded position; the intake valve blocking intake and the vent valve blocking venting. When a second current greater than the first flows through the coil, both primary and secondary armatures are moved into switching positions, so that the intake valve admits air and the vent valve blocks venting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2007
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Uwe Bensch, Jörg Helmer, Reiner Hölscher, Bernd-Joachim Kiel, Wilfried Menze, Juan Rovira-Rifaterra
  • Patent number: 7628459
    Abstract: A method and system for automatic braking is described. A service brake which can be operated electrically with a compressed air pressure and a parking brake which can be operated electrically are provided. When the vehicle stops due to the service brake being applied, the service brake is released and the parking brake is applied as a function of a release criterion. The release criterion includes the parking brake not being applicable manually because of a defect, and the operation of a control element for application of the parking brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Herges
  • Patent number: 7621602
    Abstract: A vehicle brake control device determines a first duty factor required to achieve a stable rotational speed of motors and a second duty factor required to achieve a change rate of a target wheel cylinder pressure. The vehicle brake control device selects the larger one of the determined duty factors as a for-use motor duty factor to be used in outputting currents to the motors. Therefore, with the stable rotational speed and the change rate of the target wheel cylinder pressure, it is possible to achieve quick response to a request for braking made by a driver while suppressing the electric energy consumption of the motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Sato, Hiroaki Niino
  • Patent number: 7618100
    Abstract: An electric brake system for an aircraft includes a power interlock mechanism that prevents inadvertent (uncommanded) application of brakes. The interlock removes operating power from the brake mechanisms whenever the brake system sensor data does not indicate a legitimate brake application condition. The interlock processing occurs in parallel with the brake command processing such that even if an inadvertent brake command is generated, the brake mechanisms will be unable to act upon the inadvertent brake command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: T. Todd Griffith, Erik Godo
  • Publication number: 20090278401
    Abstract: A brake system of a vehicle includes a plurality of electromechanical brake actuators (EBAs) proximate the wheels of the vehicle. Each EBA includes a power device for effectuating braking of an associated wheel, and electronics to generate a drive signal for the power device. The brake system may further include at least one brake control unit (BCU) for converting a brake command signal into a control signal for each EBA. The electronics for each EBA may be configured to convert the corresponding control signal into the drive signal that is applied to the power device to cause movement of the power device and effectuate braking of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul L. Summers, Staffan Erickson, Thom Clary, Harald Klode
  • Patent number: 7607521
    Abstract: In the specification and drawings, an apparatus and method for operating a take-up mechanism is described and shown. The take-up mechanism includes a gear, a motor configured for engagement with the gear, and a manual input shaft configured for engagement with the gear. In a first mode of operation, the gear transmits rotation from the motor, and in a second mode of operation, the gear transmits rotation from the manual input shaft. In an alternate embodiment, the take-up mechanism may include a plate between the manual input shaft and the gear. The plate may be configured to transfer rotation and torque from the manual input shaft to the gear, or inhibit the transfer of rotation and torque from the gear to the manual input shaft. The method for operating the take-up mechanism uses a motor and a manual input shaft connected to a gear to operate the take-up mechanism in the first and second modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Graham-White Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: William F. Ginder
  • Patent number: 7604303
    Abstract: A pedal travel audit assembly adapted for measuring the applied force to and resultant pedal travel of a brake pedal includes first and second sensors and an electronic control unit, wherein the second sensor is configured to wirelessly detect the relative distance between the pedal and a remaining structure spaced from and unsupportive of the pedal, and the electronic control unit is configured to cause an output relative to the distance to be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Cole, Kennedy U. Odumodu, Richard E. Raymond
  • Patent number: 7597407
    Abstract: A motor-driven brake system includes a brake body for enabling brake pads to be pressed against a disk rotor attached to a member which supports a wheel of a vehicle, the brake pads being adapted to be driven by an electric device; a pressing-force maintaining mechanism for maintaining the pressing force generated by the brake body; a pressing-force detecting device adapted to detect the pressing force generated by the brake body; and a control device for controlling the electric device and the pressing-force maintaining mechanism, the control device including an elapsed time measuring device adapted to measure elapsed time during a parking brake operation; and a pressing-force reduction predicting device adapted to predict, based on the elapsed time measured by the elapsed time measuring device and a value of a pressing force, a magnitude of the pressing force generated by the brake body after the elapsed time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tohma Yamaguchi, Yukio Ohtani
  • Publication number: 20090240412
    Abstract: A brake control circuit for determining if a brake command from a brake pedal is valid is provided. The brake control circuit includes at least two independent channels configured to receive data indicative of brake pedal deflection for the brake pedal, and logic circuitry operatively coupled to the at least two independent channels. The logic circuitry is configured to generate a valid brake flag when the respective channels receive data that are within a predetermined range of one another, and to generate an invalid brake flag when the respective channels receive data that are not within a predetermined range of one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventor: Eric D. Cahill
  • Publication number: 20090225489
    Abstract: A control unit has a closed-loop controller which is connected to a regulating electrovalve by way of a feedback branch, forming a closed-loop control circuit, in order to regulate the electrical coil current of the regulating electrovalve. The armature of the electrovalve is used to adjust a desired volume flow in a motor vehicle hydraulic device. The armature of the regulating electrovalve is continuously subjected to an armature oscillation in order to reduce the static friction and/or magnetic hysteresis. Inside the closed-loop controller of the closed-loop control circuit itself, the nominal current, which is supplied to the closed-loop controller on the input side as a command variable, is subjected to a dither signal generated inside the closed-loop controller for producing the armature oscillation, essentially synchronously to the clock cycle of the closed-loop controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Oliver Lehner, Michael Robl
  • Publication number: 20090212622
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic control brake system capable of ensuing pedal force upon regenerative braking or brake-by-wire control. The electronic control brake system having a simulation function includes a master cylinder for forming oil pressure corresponding to displacement of a brake pedal, an oil tank for providing oil to the master cylinder, a cut-off valve installed on a hydraulic supply pipe that connects an inlet of the master cylinder with an inlet valve of a hydraulic brake, an oil return pipe for connecting an outlet valve of the hydraulic brake with an inlet of the oil tank, and a simulation valve installed on a differential adjusting pipe, which connects the hydraulic supply pipe with the oil return pipe, to generate pedal force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: I Jin YANG
  • Publication number: 20090216417
    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: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: MESSIER-BUGATTI
    Inventor: Julien THIBAULT