Fluid Pressure And Electric Patents (Class 303/3)
  • Patent number: 8708428
    Abstract: In a pump control apparatus that controls the discharge of brake fluid using the rotation of a motor, the number of windings in a low speed circuit is set such that the motor operates at a second rotation speed when the low speed circuit is connected to a power supply. A high speed circuit shares a portion of the windings of the low speed circuit so that the motor operates at a first rotation speed when a power supply voltage is supplied to an input terminal which is disposed midway in the windings of the low speed circuit. An ECU determines the load state of the motor based on a difference between the output voltage at an output terminal and the power supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masakuni Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8708427
    Abstract: A hydraulic pressure brake unit includes a power hydraulic pressure source able to generate, by a supply of power, a high hydraulic independent of a brake operation by a driver; a field system which connects the power hydraulic pressure source with both first and second wheel cylinders, regulates the hydraulic pressure of operating fluid from the power hydraulic pressure source, and applies a common hydraulic pressure to both the first and second wheel cylinders; a separator valve provided so as to be able to cut off the supply of operating fluid to the second wheel cylinder via the first system; and a second system which connects the second wheel cylinder with the power hydraulic pressure source such that operating fluid can be supplied front the power hydraulic pressure source to the second wheel cylinder regardless of weather the separator valve is open or closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Eiji Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20140110994
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a braking system, including a brake booster, which is divided into at least one vacuum chamber and at least one working chamber by at least one movable partition, wherein at least one vacuum chamber is connected, or can be connected, to a vacuum source for creating a vacuum, and further including at least one sensor, which detects at least one variable such as travel and/or angle and/or force of a brake pedal actuation and/or a brake pressure that is built up in at least one main brake cylinder connected to the brake booster in accordance with a brake pedal actuation. According to the invention, the remaining vacuum in at least one vacuum chamber is estimated on the basis of at least one of the detected variables by considering actuations already performed. The invention further relates to a braking system and to the use thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Steffen Gruber, Thorsten Ullrich, Scott Ross, Thomas Peichl
  • Patent number: 8702179
    Abstract: A brake system for a vehicle includes brake cylinders operated by pressurized fluid for actuation of brakes by means of pressurized fluid on at least one first axle of the vehicle. The brakes on at least one other, second, axle can be actuated exclusively electromechanically in response to an electrical braking request signal. The pressure of the pressurized fluid can be modulated indirectly or directly and the electrical braking request signal can be generated indirectly or directly in response to actuation of a brake pedal of a brake pedal device. A service brake function is provided by means of hybrid use of the brakes on the first axle(s) together with the brakes on the second axle(s). The brake cylinders operated by pressurized fluid are pneumatically operated brake cylinders. The pressure modulated by the brake pedal device is a pneumatic pressure, and the pressurized fluid is compressed air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: WABCO GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Beier, Henning Förster, Hartmut Rosendahl, Gerhard Bruns, Olaf Jantz, Wolfgang Strache
  • Patent number: 8696070
    Abstract: A hydraulic braking valve having an inlet orifice intended to be connected to a pressure supply, an outlet orifice intended to be connected to a braking unit, a leak orifice intended to be connected to a tank, a power distributor adapted so as to connect the inlet orifice to the outlet orifice in a braking configuration, and a leak orifice to the outlet orifice in a rest configuration. The power distributor is driven by two independently driven calibrators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Poclain Hydraulics Industrie
    Inventors: Dominique Costaz, Fabien Roger
  • Publication number: 20140084673
    Abstract: A brake control apparatus includes: a fluid storing section for storing a quantity of brake fluid that is flown out of a master cylinder by driver's braking operation; pressure-increasing control valves each of which is disposed between the master cylinder and a corresponding one of wheel cylinders; a master cylinder pressure reduction control valve disposed in a fluid passage connected between the master cylinder and the fluid storing section. A hydraulic pressure control section is configured to perform a control operation when a braking force is being controlled with a regenerative braking system, wherein the control operation includes: controlling at least one of the pressure-increasing control valves toward closed state; controlling the master cylinder pressure reduction control valve toward open state; and allowing the quantity of brake fluid to flow into the fluid storing section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi MATSUOKA
  • Patent number: 8668279
    Abstract: A system for controlling an electronically actuated brake is described. The system includes a plurality of brakes controlled by an electronic brake control unit, a brake pedal, momentary switch contact, and a latching relay. When the brake pedal is deflected beyond a threshold and the momentary switch contact are engaged the electronic brake control unit will communicate to the brakes to change their state between on and off. The present state is saved in the latching relay even when power is removed from the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Bruce Van Deventer
  • Publication number: 20140062176
    Abstract: A brake control apparatus includes a normally-open pressure-buildup control valve disposed between a master cylinder and each wheel-brake cylinder, a reservoir into which the brake fluid in each of the wheel-brake cylinders flows during an anti-brake skid pressure-reduction control mode, and a pressure-reduction control valve disposed between each of the wheel-brake cylinders and the reservoir. Also provided is a fluid-pressure controller configured to bring the pressure-buildup control valve to a non-controlled state and simultaneously bring the pressure-reduction control valve to a controlled state, when flowing and storing the brake fluid, flown out of the master cylinder due to a driver's brake-pedal operation, into the reservoir and when flowing and storing the brake fluid in each of the wheel-brake cylinders into the reservoir, during braking with an electric-regenerative braking system brought to an operative state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichiro NISHIDA, Atsushi MATSUOKA, Yusuke FUJII
  • Patent number: 8662600
    Abstract: A lawnmower vehicle which is a working vehicle with an electromagnetic brake includes left and right electromagnetic brakes, a brake relay which is a common brake releasing unit, and an ECU. The ECU compares electricity supply states of the left and right electromagnetic brakes, and controls the brake relay to disconnect an electrical connection between a battery and the left and right electromagnetic brakes, and to brake left and right wheels when a difference in the electricity supply states compared by a comparator exceeds an allowable upper limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunari Koga, Hongkun Wang, Jun Matsuura, Kengo Sasahara, Fumitoshi Ishino
  • Publication number: 20140054955
    Abstract: Taking a stroke within a period from when an operation of a brake operating member is started to when a predetermined stroke operation is performed as an ineffective stroke in which the master cylinder pressure is not generated, a control means controls an amount of differential pressure formed by a differential control valve such that a hydraulic braking force that corresponds to a stroke of the brake operating member is generated during the ineffective stroke, and even after the stroke of the brake operating member exceeds the ineffective stroke, increases the wheel cylinder pressure by performing raising of the amount of differential pressure formed by the differential pressure control valve by a predetermined raising amount with respect to the amount of differential pressure during the ineffective stroke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventors: Masaki Ninoyu, Masayuki Naito, Yasuhiro Koike
  • Patent number: 8651585
    Abstract: An auxiliary braking system and method of controlling the braking a towed vehicle is provided that includes a remote control that is in selective communication with an auxiliary braking unit positioned in a towing vehicle. More specifically, it is often desirable for the operator of the towing vehicle to assess the performance of the auxiliary braking apparatus positioned in a towed vehicle. In addition, it is often advantageous for the operator to perform real time adjustments to the performance parameters of the auxiliary braking apparatus positioned in the towing vehicle without having to cease driving and physically access the auxiliary braking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Hopkins Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Gary Kaminski, Jonathan Gray, Vicki Sickler
  • Publication number: 20140042800
    Abstract: There is provided a brake system for performing regenerative braking and friction braking to brake a rotating body, the brake system including: a manipulation part configured to provide a brake input; a regenerative braking unit configured to perform regenerative braking; a friction braking unit configured to perform friction braking; and a control unit configured to control the brake system, wherein the friction braking unit includes: a friction working part configured to brake a rotating body by friction; a pneumatic line system configured to operate the friction working part; a first valve part connected to the pneumatic line system; and a second valve part connected to the pneumatic line system and connected in parallel to the first valve part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventor: Won-Seo KIM
  • Patent number: 8646431
    Abstract: To provide a vehicle provided with a valve-stop-mechanism-equipped internal combustion engine capable of ensuring a negative pressure in a brake booster while preventing with reliability fresh air from flowing into a catalyst during a valve stop control. An internal combustion engine provided with a valve stop mechanism capable of changing the operational state of an intake valve between a valve operating state and a valve closed/stopped state is provided. A brake booster is provided capable of assisting operation of a brake pedal of the vehicle. Exhaust side negative pressure passages are provided as communication passages that are configured to be in communication with each branch pipe section of an exhaust manifold in a period in which a negative pressure is generated in the case where the intake valve is in the valve closed/stopped state while an exhaust valve is allowed to open and close. The remaining end of the second exhaust side negative pressure passage is connected to the brake booster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuichi Miyasaka, Akio Kidooka
  • Patent number: 8646853
    Abstract: To provide a train braking device including a controller that controls a brake cylinder pressure acting on a brake cylinder based on a service brake command or an emergency brake command, the train braking device includes a supply valve for supplying compressed air to the brake cylinder and an exhaust valve for adjusting a pressure of the supplied compressed air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuharu Itano, Hiroshi Yamada, Etsuji Matsuyama, Hiroshi Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 8639428
    Abstract: An electromechanical brake system and an associated method with a failsafe energy supply, have a first to fourth brake module with at least one control unit and brake actuation unit. In order to supply the modules with electrical energy, the control unit and the brake actuation unit are each connected to at least one main energy supply unit via independently fed lines. In order to supply additional electrical energy to the modules, a first emergency energy supply unit is connected to the control unit and brake actuation unit of the first and fourth brake module and a second emergency energy supply unit is connected to those of the second and third brake module, respectively via additional independently fed lines, wherein the selection of the energy supply unit is made via switches actuated at least partially separately from one another via at least one central control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Jörgen Holzwarth
  • Patent number: 8632136
    Abstract: A brake control system displaces a primary piston by controlling an operation of the electric motor by a master pressure control unit according to the operation amount (Xop) of the brake pedal, thereby generating a hydraulic pressure in the master cylinder to supply it to wheel cylinders (Ba to Bd). The master pressure control unit sets a target relative displacement (?XT) between an input piston and the primary piston and a target hydraulic pressure (PT) in the master cylinder, and appropriately switch which is used to control a brake force. During regenerative cooperation, the master pressure control unit selects the control with use of the target hydraulic pressure, which enables easy execution of a hydraulic pressure control including a subtraction of the hydraulic pressure corresponding to a brake effect from the regenerative cooperation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuke Nozawa, Tohma Yamaguchi, Kentaro Ueno, Yukihiko Yamada, Daisuke Kojima
  • Patent number: 8634987
    Abstract: A creep travel capability of an electric vehicle is secured when an abnormality occurs in a brake sensor. When an accelerator operation amount reaches 0% in a low vehicle speed region, a target creep torque is set, whereupon a motor-generator is controlled toward the target creep torque. The target creep torque is reduced as a brake pedal is depressed in order to suppress heat generation and the like in the motor-generator during vehicle braking. Hence, in an electric vehicle in which the target creep torque is varied in accordance with the brake operation amount, when an abnormality occurs (step S11) in a brake sensor for detecting a brake operation amount, a preset prescribed creep torque is employed as the target creep torque regardless of the brake operation amount (step S15). The prescribed creep torque is set at a required magnitude for securing the creep travel capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Itaru Seta, Yosuke Ohtomo
  • Publication number: 20140015309
    Abstract: A pressure transmission device for a power-assisted braking system of a vehicle; at its inlet, the pressure transmission device being connectible in a hydraulically operative manner to a master brake cylinder of the power-assisted braking system, and at its outlet, the pressure transmission device being connectible in a hydraulically operative manner to a wheel brake cylinder of the power-assisted braking system; the pressure transmission device including an accumulator and a linkage, which transmits a pressure difference between the inlet and the outlet to the accumulator and stores it in this.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventor: Jochen Mayer
  • Publication number: 20140015310
    Abstract: When an abnormality is occurring in a main braking device for service brake, a parking brake control device determines whether the abnormality is a single system failure or a dual system failure and whether to execute an auxiliary lock control that generates a parking brake force by controlling a parking brake device. The parking brake control device then sets, in accordance with a mode of failure determined, a wheel on which the auxiliary lock control is to be executed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: ADVICS CO ., LTD.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Hanzawa, Kazuma Kondo
  • Publication number: 20140008965
    Abstract: A brake device for a vehicle is provided in which when a slave cylinder generates a brake fluid pressure that is commensurate with the actual amount of operation of a brake pedal by a driver in a state in which a master cut valve is closed and a fluid path connecting a master cylinder to the slave cylinder is cut off, a wheel cylinder is actuated by the brake fluid pressure. Since deterioration determination means determines a leak in the downstream of the slave cylinder based on the actual amount of actuation of the slave cylinder detected by a slave cylinder stroke sensor and the actual brake fluid pressure generated by the slave cylinder and detected by a fluid pressure sensor, it is possible to rapidly determine a leak in the downstream of the slave cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuki Ito, Yuki Hotani
  • Patent number: 8620556
    Abstract: A correction method in which characteristic curves and/or correction values are produced, by way of which the drive current for one or more electrically activated hydraulic values operated in an analog fashion is measured during a pressure regulation in such a way that, during the operation of an anti-lock regulation, one or a respective characteristic curve is first prescribed and then the prescribed characteristic curve is corrected, particularly in a learning process, wherein, after a pressure build-up phase, the current pressure model value (Pmod) is compared to and/or analyzed using a model locking pressure level (Pmax).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Jochen Müller, Jochen Zimmermann, Robert Schmidt, Dieter Burkhard
  • Patent number: 8612076
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and a system for enabling antilock braking in a vehicle which is propelled at least by an electric motor. The method includes detecting tendency of locking of the at least one wheel by comparing actual rate of change of speed of the at least one of the motor, wheels, transmission, shaft and ground speed with expected rate of change of speed of at least one wheel, wherein the vehicle is being decelerated. Based on the tendency of locking at least regenerative braking is modulated to prevent locking of at least one wheel of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicles Pvt. Ltd.
    Inventors: Chetan Kumar Maini, Prakash Ramaraju, Suresh Veerabetappa Munirangiah, Basab Paul, Sajith Abdul Hameed
  • Patent number: 8608256
    Abstract: A hydraulic control method of a regenerative braking system for vehicles in which a point of time when regenerative braking torque starts to be reduced is predicted and hydraulic control is performed in advance prior to this point of time so as to improve braking performance. A hydraulic braking control unit predicts the point of time when regenerative braking torque starts to be reduced based on vehicle velocity and starts hydraulic control in advance prior to this point of time, thereby improving responsiveness of hydraulic braking force compared to the regenerative braking torque to satisfy braking force required by a driver, and minimizing a deceleration change at the end of regenerative braking to improve braking performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Mando Corporation
    Inventor: Man Bok Park
  • Patent number: 8608255
    Abstract: When vehicle speed V decreases to or below a preset reference vehicle speed Vref during output of regenerative braking force from a motor in response to the driver's depression of a brake pedal, the vehicle of the invention performs a replacement pre-operation (steps S190 to S220 and S160) and a replacement operation (steps S240 to S280 and S160) and controls the motor and an electronically controlled hydraulic braking system to satisfy a braking force demand BF*. The replacement pre-operation actuates and controls pumps included in a brake actuator of the electronically controlled hydraulic braking system to exert their proper pressurization performance. The replacement operation decreases the regenerative braking force output from the motor and enhances a pressure increase by the pumps to replace the regenerative braking force with a pressure increase-based braking force BFpp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michihito Shimada, Kazuya Maki
  • Publication number: 20130328386
    Abstract: A method/controller for operating a vehicle regenerative braking system by operating in a first braking mode, in which a generator braking torque of a generator is not zero and is equal to a first regenerative portion predefined for the first mode, and controlling the system out of the first mode into a second braking mode having a second regenerative portion, which is smaller than the first portion, so that brake fluid is pumped out of a storage volume of the system into at least one wheel brake cylinder and/or at least one brake circuit of the system via at least one brake fluid delivery mechanism; by activating the delivery mechanism via a setpoint delivery output variable, which is established/predefined for a setpoint brake pressure having a setpoint pressure rise which increases over time, so that an actual brake pressure having an actual pressure rise increase over time is built up.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan STRENGERT, Michael KUNZ, Dirk DROTLEFF
  • Patent number: 8602507
    Abstract: A method for controlling the activation of a hydraulic vehicle brake system of a hybrid vehicle, which can be braked by generator operation of an electric drive motor, includes compensating for the braking effect of the electric drive motor and reducing a wheel brake pressure in the wheel brakes of the vehicle wheels by opening brake pressure-reducing valves, which are braked with the electric drive motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Vollert, Reinhard Weiberle
  • Patent number: 8581714
    Abstract: A drive torque modulation is generated in response to an unintentional lane departure or traffic/obstacle intervention in an electric vehicle or a hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV). At least one of propulsion and braking of the vehicle is controlled via a motor of the vehicle in accordance with the torque modulation. Vehicle oscillation is generated through the torque modulation to let the driver be aware of the impending dangerous driving situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hai Yu, Ming Lang Kuang, Ryan Abraham McGee
  • Patent number: 8579384
    Abstract: A vehicle air brake system is presented with an improved service work brake arrangement. The arrangement may provide a service work brake function or both a service work brake function and a parking brake function for the vehicle. The arrangement may provide an improved service work brake arrangement disposed within a housing for reducing the number of components and plumbing required to achieve this functionality versus prior known systems. The arrangement may utilize a pneumatic latching valve to deliver pressurized air for applying a vehicle's service brakes. The pneumatic latching valve opens upon receiving a pneumatic control signal from an electronically controlled valve and closes upon receiving a pneumatic control signal from another source. In addition, a controller and control logic may be provided for controlling the arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventor: Mark A. Bennett
  • Patent number: 8573709
    Abstract: In a braking control apparatus for an electric vehicle, a target braking torque command value calculation section calculates a target braking torque command value on a basis of at least one of a state of road wheels and a braking request by a vehicle driver, a frequency component decomposition section decomposes a target braking torque command value into a first frequency component lower than a resonance frequency of a drive train and a second frequency component equal to or higher than the first frequency component, and a braking force control section provides an electrical braking torque for road wheels on a basis of a motor torque command value corresponding to the first frequency component and provides a frictional braking torque for the road wheels on a basis of a frictional braking torque command value corresponding to the second frequency component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keisuke Suzuki, Jun Kubo
  • Patent number: 8573708
    Abstract: A hydraulic braking system for use in a vehicle employing both hydraulic and regenerative braking including a master cylinder with a reservoir inlet port and an outlet port. The outlet port is responsive to vehicle operator applied brake pedal pressure to close the inlet port and provide pilot pressure at the outlet port which is selectively coupled by a valve (57) to a hydraulic pedal simulator and to a control valve. The control valve provides boost hydraulic pressure from a pressure source to a vehicle wheel brake actuator in proportion to the pressure differential between the pilot pressure and a hydraulic pressure which is proportional to regenerative braking torque. This allows the power train controller to independently request different levels of regeneration on the two axles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Gregory P Goodzey, Roger W Miller
  • Publication number: 20130257140
    Abstract: A controller controls a hydraulic control device to generate a target braking force corresponding to the stroke of a brake pedal by adjusting a controlled hydraulic braking force portion generated by the hydraulic control device on the basis of the relationship with a master hydraulic braking force portion generated from the brake hydraulic pressure in a master cylinder and a regenerative braking force portion generated by a regenerative brake device. The regenerative brake device maximizes the regenerative braking force portion before the stroke of the brake pedal reaches an idle stroke, and thereafter, the hydraulic control device 5 starts braking by the controlled hydraulic braking force portion. When the stroke of the brake pedal reaches the idle stroke, the master cylinder starts braking by the master hydraulic braking force portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Takato OGIWARA, Mitsuhiro ENDO, Naganori KOSHIMIZU
  • Publication number: 20130234500
    Abstract: A brake control device of an electric vehicle comprises a master cylinder, wheel cylinders, a VDC brake fluid pressure unit, a motor controller and an integrated controller. The motor controller controls a regenerative braking force produced by a vehicle driving electric motor. The integrated controller achieves, upon braking operation, a driver-desired deceleration based on the sum of a base hydraulic pressure part produced by a master cylinder pressure and a regenerative part produced by the regenerative braking force and compensates an insufficient regenerative part with a pressure increased part produced by the VDC brake fluid pressure unit. In addition to this, at the time when the VDC motor is stopped due to the regenerative cooperative brake control, a pressure difference control effected by M/C cut solenoid valves and which are differential pressure regulating valves is carried out based on a motor rotation speed of the VDC motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventor: Shinichiro Morishita
  • Patent number: 8527176
    Abstract: A method and system for measuring pressure in a pressure regulation unit of a motor vehicle braking system, without using pressure sensors and having a motor pump unit with an electric motor and a hydraulic pump. The steps include producing a relative motor characteristic diagram for a series of the units. The diagram includes the data of motor-rotational-speed-dependent parameters, intensity of the motor actuation, and parameters relating to the level of the motor load. Further steps include; determining individual motor characteristic variables, determining a current rotational-speed-dependent parameter of an individual motor during the operation of the pump, and calculating a pressure which is characteristic of the braking system, by means of the diagram parameter of the individual motor and the value of the current motor actuation which determines the intensity of the motor actuation, wherein the individual motor characteristic variables are taken into account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Jochen Zimmermann, Michael Stein
  • Publication number: 20130221733
    Abstract: A brake control apparatus includes a first brake fluid passage connecting a master cylinder to a wheel cylinder. A second brake fluid passage is connected to the first brake fluid passage. A first pump pressurizes brake fluid from the master cylinder and sends the pressurized brake fluid to the wheel cylinder through the second brake fluid passage. A third brake fluid passage is branched from the first brake fluid passage, and connected to the first pump. A fourth brake fluid passage is branched from the third brake fluid passage, and connected to the first brake fluid passage. A pressure regulator reservoir is disposed in the fourth brake fluid passage. A second pump sends brake fluid from the pressure regulator reservoir to the wheel cylinder by discharging to the first brake fluid passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventor: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
  • Patent number: 8521350
    Abstract: A control device for a vehicle includes: a charge control portion that adjusts an upper limit of charging power to a battery to prevent a negative electrode potential of the battery from dropping to a lithium reference potential, based on a charge/discharge history of the battery; a braking control portion that detects a sharing ratio between hydraulic braking force by a braking device and regenerative braking force for desired braking force according to a brake pedal depression amount so that a motor generator generates a regenerative braking force within a range of the adjusted upper limit of charging power; and a setting portion that variably sets, according to the hydraulic response rate detected by the detection portion, a degree of limitation of the upper limit when restricting charging current to the battery by restricting the upper limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Keiichi Minamiura
  • Patent number: 8511758
    Abstract: In a brake system, when setting a control origin position for a resolver for detecting a moved position of a booster piston, communication between a master cylinder and wheel cylinders is interrupted by cut valves. Thereafter, the booster piston is moved forward by an electric actuator in a direction in which a hydraulic pressure is generated so that a position detected by the resolver upon detection of generation of the hydraulic pressure by a hydraulic pressure sensor (position at a time of generation of hydraulic pressure) is obtained. A position obtained by moving backward the position at the time of generation of hydraulic pressure by a predetermined amount is set as the control origin position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazumoto Sano, Masaru Sakuma
  • Patent number: 8506020
    Abstract: A brake control system that enables accurate brake control is provided that precisely detects a master-cylinder pressure and includes a back-up function. The brake control system includes a master-cylinder operated by a brake operation of a driver; a first mechanism that regulates a pressure inside the master-cylinder according to the brake operation amount; a first control apparatus that controls operation of the first mechanism; a second mechanism that regulates communication of the pressure inside the master-cylinder to a wheel-cylinder; and a second control apparatus that controls operation of the second mechanism and operation of a pump apparatus that increases a pressure communicated to the wheel-cylinder. The first and second control apparatuses each have a power supply circuit and CPU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kimio Nishino, Toshiyuki Innami, Norikazu Matsuzaki, Masayuki Kikawa, Takuya Obata, Takayuki Ohno
  • Patent number: 8509964
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a remote control system for controlling a railway vehicle. The remote control system including a remote control device for transmitting signals to a first controller module. The first controller is mounted to the railway vehicle and controls and monitors the functions of the railway vehicle. The first controller module also relays information to the remote control device. The remote control system can also include a portable safety switch allowing any individual in proximity to the railway vehicle to send a stop signal to the first controller module to stop the railway vehicle if any unsafe conditions exist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Hetronic International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Ecton, Torsten Rempe, Max Heckl
  • Patent number: 8500213
    Abstract: An electrically actuated booster performs displacement control such that the relative displacement relationship between an input member and an assist member is variable according to the absolute displacement of the input member. A target displacement that makes variable the relative displacement relationship between an input piston and a booster piston is set according to a detection signal from a potentiometer (86), and displacement control is performed so that the relative displacement between the two pistons becomes equal to the target displacement on the basis of a signal from a relative displacement sensor (100) that detects the relative displacement between the two pistons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukio Ohtani, Junichi Ikeda, Kazuhiro Nagai
  • Patent number: 8494745
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle brake system having a hydraulically actuatable service brake system and an electromechanically actuatable brake system, including an operating element HMI, in particular for activating a parking brake function, an electronic control device (EPB-ECU) for activating an electromechanical actuator of the electromechanically actuatable brake system, and an electrohydraulic control unit (HECU) associated with a service brake and serving to control or regulate hydraulically implemented service brake functions, driving stability functions and/or braking assistance functions. It is an aim of the invention to contribute to reducing the stress on parts or components of the brake system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Heinz-Anton Schneider, Jürgen Balz
  • Publication number: 20130181506
    Abstract: A brake system includes: a brake actuating element; a first piston-cylinder unit having a first piston displaceable by the brake actuating element actuated by at least a predefined minimum actuation such that a first internal pressure in the first piston-cylinder unit is increased; at least one wheel brake cylinder having a brake pressure which is increased using the increased first internal pressure; a first brake booster; and a second piston-cylinder unit having a second piston displaceable by the first brake booster so that a second internal pressure in the second piston-cylinder unit is increased, and to which the at least one wheel brake cylinder is hydraulically connected such that the brake pressure of the at least one wheel brake cylinder is increased by the increased second internal pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2011
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Inventors: Reinhard Weiberle, Timo Jahnz
  • Patent number: 8483942
    Abstract: A center-of-gravity detection system includes a vehicle capable of carrying cargo and adapted to be towed by a towing vehicle, a shake detector configured to detect shakes in the directions of the self-weight and width of the towed vehicle during travel of the towed vehicle, and an arithmetic unit. The arithmetic unit is configured to derive, based upon physical quantities that correlate with the shakes, the location of the center of gravity, in three-dimensional space, of the towed vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: National University Corporatioin Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology
    Inventor: Yutaka Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8483887
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a remote control system for controlling a railway vehicle. The remote control system including a remote control device for transmitting signals to a first controller module. The first controller is mounted to the railway vehicle and controls and monitors the functions of the railway vehicle. The first controller module also relays information to the remote control device. The remote control system can also include a portable safety switch allowing any individual in proximity to the railway vehicle to send a stop signal to the first controller module to stop the railway vehicle if any unsafe conditions exist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Hetronic International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Ecton, Torsten Rempe, Max Heckl
  • Publication number: 20130169032
    Abstract: A brake system for a motor vehicle includes on at least one wheel, an electric-regenerative brake and a friction brake that can be hydraulically actuated by a first generator of brake pressure using a fluid, wherein the friction brake can be connected via an actuatable inlet valve to the first generator of brake pressure and via a first actuatable outlet valve to a pressure accumulator, so that a volume of fluid applied by the first generator of brake pressure can be diverted via the first outlet valve into the pressure accumulator. The first generator of brake pressure can be connected to the pressure accumulator via a further hydraulic connection having a second actuatable outlet valve. A method for operating a brake system is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL TEVES AG & CO.OHG
    Inventor: Paul Linhoff
  • Publication number: 20130162009
    Abstract: A method and system for braking a vehicle are disclosed. The vehicle has at least one of an electronic stability control system and an antilock brake system. The vehicle may also include a regenerative brake adapted to apply a regenerative braking torque to slow the vehicle. The vehicle may further include a pressure sensor adapted to sense pressure in a hydraulic brake line. The pressure sensor may be a component of the at least one of the electronic stability control system and the antilock brake system. The vehicle may also include a controller adapted to control the regenerative braking torque of the regenerative brake based on at least the sensed pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Coda Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Mitts, Ali Maleki, Broc William TenHouten
  • Publication number: 20130154344
    Abstract: A vehicle brake control device includes a master cylinder, a plurality of wheel cylinders, a VDC brake hydraulic pressure unit, a motor controller and an integration controller. When a brake operation is carried out, the integration controller carries out a regenerative brake control which achieves a target deceleration. Additionally, a motor suspension control is carried out which suspends a drive status of the VDC motor when the vehicle velocity is less than a first prescribed value. Furthermore, when the vehicle velocity exceeds a second prescribed value and the brake operation is carried out while the VDC motor is in the suspended status, the value of the target deceleration is set to a lower value than the value of the target deceleration which the driver requests, and a motor reactivation control is carried out which reactivates the VDC motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masayuki Imamura
  • Publication number: 20130154343
    Abstract: A method for operating a regenerative braking system includes increasing a generator braking torque and establishing a setpoint variable with regard to a brake fluid volume to be shifted from a brake master cylinder and/or at least one brake circuit to at least one storage volume, taking into account the increased generator braking torque and a predefined hydraulic efficiency characteristic curve; reducing the generator braking torque and transferring the actual brake fluid volume previously transferred to the at least one storage volume at least partially from the at least one storage volume to the at least one brake circuit; ascertaining at least one reaction variable with regard to a hydraulic reaction of the braking system; and reestablishing the hydraulic efficiency characteristic curve of the braking system, at least taking into account the at least one ascertained reaction variable. A control unit for a regenerative braking system is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Michael KUNZ, Stefan STENGERT
  • Publication number: 20130140877
    Abstract: A regulatable brake booster and to a method and a control unit for operating same. Using the method for operating the brake booster, as well as the embodiment of the brake booster, a reaction on a driver may be avoided or reduced by an offset of the brake pedal or by a changed operating force in response to a change in the supporting force. The change in the supporting force is particularly an adjustment of the braking effect of an hydraulic braking system to the braking effect of a regenerative braking system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventor: Dirk Mahnkopf
  • Publication number: 20130134767
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicle brake device that includes hydraulic brake means for generating a hydraulic brake force and regenerative brake means for generating a regenerative brake force and distributes the hydraulic brake force and the regenerative brake force for a driver-requested brake force. The hydraulic brake means includes a pressure reducing valve that reduces hydraulic pressure of wheel cylinders. The vehicle brake device includes hydraulic brake control means for maintaining the pressure reducing valve open while the driver-requested brake force is covered by only the regenerative brake force. The hydraulic brake control means does not open the pressure reducing valve when hydraulic pressure is present in the wheel cylinders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: BOSCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Motomu Hakiai, Yoshiyasu Takasaki
  • Publication number: 20130134768
    Abstract: A vehicle braking system includes a master cylinder for producing an upstream hydraulic pressure corresponding to an operation given to a brake operation part, a shut-off valve provided between the master cylinder and a wheel cylinder, a hydraulic-pressure source for producing a downstream hydraulic pressure between the shut-off valve and the wheel cylinder in a close instruction receiving condition of the shut-off valve, and a controller for setting a target value of the downstream hydraulic pressure based on an operation amount and controlling the downstream hydraulic pressure based on the target value. According to the vehicle braking system, a driver is prevented from feeling discomfort through a brake operation without an increase in a power consumption of a shut-off valve provided between the master cylinder and the wheel cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuki Ito, Yuki Hotani, Shinichi Sato