Plural Diverse Brake Means Patents (Class 477/188)
  • Patent number: 9037331
    Abstract: A two-wheeled inverted pendulum vehicle includes: single-winding first and second motors respectively rotating one of two wheels; first and second control systems respectively supplying drive currents to the first and second motors; a sensor detecting a physical quantity that varies with a turn of the vehicle; a dynamic brake unit being able to switch between active and inactive states of dynamic brake being applied to the first motor; and a control unit, when the control unit has determined that the vehicle is turning about the second motor side on the basis of the physical quantity while supply of drive current from the first control system to the first motor is inhibited, activating dynamic brake in the dynamic brake unit. The first control system, when an abnormality has been detected in the first control system, inhibits supply of drive current from the first control system to the first motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuya Taira, Hiroshi Bitoh
  • Patent number: 8678975
    Abstract: A vehicle braking system includes an electric motor, an operating amount detector, a brake assist controller, a first braking device and a second braking device. The electric motor drives a driving wheel via a reduction ratio setting device. The first braking device makes the electric motor generate a first braking power under regenerative control. The second braking device generates a second braking power by actuating an actuator with an operating fluid to be pressurized through a hydraulic pressure source. When an initiation condition for a brake assist control is met, the reduction ratio setting device sets a reduction ratio so as to reduce the first braking power and then suspends a change in the reduction ratio, and the first braking device generates the first braking power as well as the second braking device generates the second braking power to produce a target braking power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaki Koike
  • Patent number: 8512208
    Abstract: A braking system and method provided for a utility vehicle pneumatically coupled to a trailer. The system has an electronic control unit, a valve device that can be electrically connected by the at least one electronic control unit, the valve device building up pressure for the trailer braking system when connected, causing the trailer to brake, and a pressure sensor which detects the pressure for the trailer braking system and transmits a corresponding signal to the electronic control unit. The electronic control unit can influence the pressure generated for the trailer braking system by pulsed connection of the valve device, taking into account the pressure detected by the pressure sensor for the trailer braking system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE Systeme fuer Nutfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventor: Eduard Hilberer
  • Patent number: 8296034
    Abstract: To provide a vehicle speed limiting system that is capable of executing a maximum speed limiting control without influencing a driving feeling of a vehicle. A vehicle speed limiting system includes: a three-dimensional map 46a and a throttle valve driving unit 47. A first maximum speed limiter opening degree is calculated by adding a first predetermined opening degree, a second predetermined opening degree, and a current throttle valve opening degree, the first predetermined opening degree being calculated by multiplying a speed difference of the vehicle by a preset P-term coefficient, the second predetermined opening degree being calculated by multiplying an acceleration of the vehicle by a preset D-term coefficient. Once the calculated first maximum speed limiter opening degree falls below the target throttle valve opening degree ?B, the throttle valve motor 30 is driven on a basis of the first maximum speed limiter opening degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Tetsuka, Kenichi Machida, Yukihiro Asada, Masanori Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8255136
    Abstract: A method and arrangement for running in and calibrating an electromechanical parking brake system (EPB) has at least one brake mechanism unit (BME) and at least one control device (SG), the actuation of the brake mechanism unit (BME) being controlled by a control routine (SR) provided in the control device (SG). The electromechanical parking brake system (EPB) is advantageously run in by at least one running-in routine (EFR) and/or calibrated by at least one calibration routine (KRR), the running-in routine (EFR) and/or the calibration routine (KRR) checking for the existence of at least one safety-critical condition (SB) and/or the existence of at least one system error (SF) before and/or during the running-in operation and/or calibration operation and in dependence thereon the running-in operation and/or calibration operation is continued or terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Bentner, Alexander Kalbeck
  • Patent number: 8016724
    Abstract: A drive train of a motor vehicle, with a drive engine, a torque converter, an additional brake, a retarder, a manual actuator device for a power control element, a manually operated preselector element for an operating range of the torque converter, a manually operated preselector element for selecting braking resistance of the additional brake, a manual control element for actuating a brake that decelerates the motor vehicle and an electronic control unit for exchanging and processing signals and data of the drive train and/or of the motor vehicle. The preselector element for the additional brake is connected to the electronic control unit such that starting from a zero position “0”, it can be actuated in a direction “I” for signaling the selection of a braking resistance of the additional brake, and also in another direction “II” for signaling the activation of a drive-power-off rolling or coasting operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Uwe Griesmeier, Peter Reitz
  • Patent number: 7949454
    Abstract: In a method for stabilizing a vehicle in extreme driving situations, in particular when understeering while cornering, multiple wheels are decelerated in order to reduce the driving speed. A maximum cornering force of the wheels and thus a minimal curve radius may be achieved if in particular the rear wheels are decelerated and a higher braking torque is applied on the rear wheels than on the front wheels and in the process in particular the outside front wheel remains highly underdecelerated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Gerald Graf
  • Publication number: 20100292049
    Abstract: A method for braking a vehicle is provided, wherein the vehicle includes a circuit adapted for transmitting a brake signal from an operator controlled braking element to brake devices arranged at a plurality of the vehicle's ground engaging elements via a brake fluid. The method includes detecting a fluid pressure in the circuit, using the detected fluid pressure level as an input for determining a brake power for at least one auxiliary brake in the vehicle, and controlling the auxiliary brake responsively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AB
    Inventor: Mikael Petersson
  • Patent number: 7789799
    Abstract: A parking control system includes a range-switching device that operates in conjunction with the range selection device and that switches the lock mechanism to an engaged state and a released state in conjunction with a switching of one of the driving range and the non-driving range of the drive unit; a vehicle parking brake unit that is operated based on an electric range position signal, which corresponds to the driving range and the non-driving range of the drive unit, and that switches a brake unit, which is provided to stop a rotation of the rotating member of the vehicle, between a braking state and a released state; and a control unit that operates the vehicle parking brake unit based on the range position signal of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsutoshi Shimizu, Kazuo Takemoto, Saijiro Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20100078519
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method of controlling a braking system of a vehicle having a plurality of rotating wheels and a plurality of brakes, each brake corresponding to one of the plurality of wheels, is provided. In controlling the brakes, an operational status of the braking system is determined. Based on the determined operational status, different feedback regulation schemes are selectively implemented to control the brake force applied by the brakes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventor: Eric D. Cahill
  • Patent number: 7670259
    Abstract: A system for braking a vehicle includes a transmission having a plurality of gear sets for establishing a plurality of forward and reverse gear ratios and an actuator for changing the gear ratios. The system also includes a plurality of sensors for detecting a plurality of vehicle operating parameters and an auxiliary brake for reducing a speed of the vehicle. A controller having a processor configured to receive a plurality of output signals from the plurality of sensors has control logic for activating one of the actuator and the auxiliary brake based on the received output signals. A method for operating the system for braking is also provided. The method includes determining road grade, determining an acceleration of the vehicle, determining an activation status of the primary brake, determining a position of the throttle, determining whether extra braking is and activating the auxiliary brake based on the extra braking determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew L. Mitchell, Brett R. Caldwell
  • Patent number: 7641589
    Abstract: A motor vehicle with a parking brake (3) which, in addition to functioning as a parking brake (3), may also be used as an auxiliary brake for assisting the main brake (2) and/or a sustained-action brake. The parking brake (3) is preferably incorporated in the transmission (1) of the vehicle and designed as a rotary disk brake in an oil bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Hans Hofler, Karl Kuhner, Wolfgang Rebholz
  • Publication number: 20090197738
    Abstract: A system for adjusting a brake force to be applied by a brake includes a module for estimating a weight of a vehicle to which a brake is fitted, a module for determining an angle of incline upon which the vehicle is positioned, and a control unit for calculating a sufficient brake force to be applied according to predetermined criteria based upon the estimated weight and the incline to maintain the vehicle in a stationary state. The control unit is configured to signal the brake to apply the calculated amount of force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: Jonathan Leslie Christopher Jackson, Brendan Joseph Wilde, Martin Pors Taylor, Ralf Leiter
  • Publication number: 20090182477
    Abstract: A method for shifting the braking assistant function into an activatable state, in which method: after termination of a braking force monitoring function, the braking assistant function is shifted into a non-activatable state or a non-activatable state is maintained; information about the hydraulic pressure at a predefined point in the hydraulic braking circuit is determined; and after at least one predefined condition is met by that information, the braking assistant function is shifted into an activatable state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventors: Jochen Wagner, Stefan Epple
  • Publication number: 20090112383
    Abstract: An operator selectable performance control system for an electric vehicle, is provided. In various embodiments, the system includes a motor structured and operable to provide motive power and regenerative braking forces to the vehicle and a mechanical brake assembly structured and operable to exert mechanical braking forces to the vehicle. The system additionally includes a controller operable to control the application of motive power and regenerative braking forces of the motor. The system further includes an operator selectable switch structured and operable to changeably select one of a plurality of vehicle performance routines executable by the controller for affecting maximum vehicle speed and an amount of regenerative braking implemented during vehicle operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Barry Lenart, Anthony Williams
  • Patent number: 7396315
    Abstract: An ECT_ECU executes a program including the steps of: when the vehicle is coasting, increasing at a predetermined variation rate an electrical load attributed to an alternator; and if the transmission has downshifted, reducing the electrical load attributed to alternator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ogawa, Yoshiharu Harada, Atsushi Yuki
  • Patent number: 7311639
    Abstract: According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a clutch is applied when the vehicle comes to a stop. The application of this clutch locks the output shaft with energy stored therein. When the shift selector is then moved to the park position, the clutch releases the stored energy in a controlled manner by slipping the clutch plates. The controlled slipping reduces the noise as the park pawl tooth contracts an output gear tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Steven F. James, Phillip F. Mc Cauley, Jeffrey K. Runde, Scott T. Kluemper, Andrew L. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 7223206
    Abstract: Motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine, a transmission and at least a first and a second brake device. The first brake device acts directly on at least some of the wheels of the vehicle and the second brake device acts on the driving wheels of the vehicle via the transmission and is arranged before the clutch device of the transmission. The first brake device is activated when the second brake device is in an activated state and a shifting operation is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Anders Eriksson, Mats Sabelstrom, Bengt Terborn, Peter Lingman
  • Patent number: 6021365
    Abstract: In an electric vehicle having front wheels braked by regenerative braking and hydraulic braking and rear wheels hydraulically braked, it is possible to check the magnitude of the regenerative braking force easily and accurately, by using a two-axle chassis dynamometer. Assuming that the front wheel braking force F.sub.2 ' detected by the chassis dynamometer is the total braking force C.sub.2 ' of the front and rear wheels, the total braking force C2' is broken down into component forces according to braking force distribution ratio data previously stored in a memory, to calculate a reference regenerative braking force A.sub.2 'D.sub.2 '. Based on the actually detected pedal depressing force A.sub.2 and the distribution ratio data, an imaginary pedal depressing force A.sub.2 ' is calculated that is required to produce a total braking force of the driven wheels and follower wheels equal to the braking force F.sub.2 ', generated by the driven wheels in the actual pedal depressing force A.sub.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukihisa Ishii, Hiroyuki Matsuo, Yasushi Aoki
  • Patent number: 5816665
    Abstract: A retarder system for a vehicular drive train is disclosed. The retarder system includes a compression brake being adapted to operate in multiple stages to slow the speed of the engine and a fluid retarder being adapted to operate in multiple stages to absorb power from the drive train. A controller regulates the operational stages of the compression brake and the fluid retarder so that the compression brake and the fluid retarder operate in combination to slow the speed of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Burnett, Alan D. Young, Peter F. Prillinger
  • Patent number: 5788597
    Abstract: In a process and apparatus for braking a hybrid drive vehicle, kinetic vehicular energy is converted by the driving electric motor into electrical power, which alternatively can be absorbed by charging a traction battery or by driving a combustion engine via a generator coupled to the engine, which is functioning as a motor. According to the invention, engine braking is activated if the traction battery is fully charged, if its temperature lies outside a predetermined charging temperature range, or if the charging current due to the electrical power supplied by the driving electric motor exceeds a predetermined limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Mercedes-Benz AG
    Inventors: Wolf Boll, Herbert Botzelmann, Peter Antony
  • Patent number: 5542754
    Abstract: In an electric vehicle capable of being regeneratively braked, driven wheels connected to and driven by a motor are connected to and capable of being regeneratively braked by a brake control unit. When the regenerative braking of the driven wheels is being conducted by the brake control unit, the gear-shifting of an automatic transmission by a motor/AT control unit is prohibited. Thus, the need for continuance or control of the regenerative braking during gear-shifting is eliminated, thereby preventing a reduction in braking force during the gear-shifting and the generation of a shock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasushi Aoki, Ryosuke Fujiya, Iwao Nakamura
  • Patent number: 5318355
    Abstract: The switchover is mode from a regenerative braking-preference mode in which the braking force for follower and driving wheels are more than a theoretical braking force distribution characteristic for follower and driving wheels, to a usual mode in which a braking force distribution characteristic thereof corresponds to the theoretical braking force distribution characteristic, is carried along an equal braking force line which is the sum of the braking forces for the follower and driving wheels. Thus, the sum total of the braking forces over the entire vehicle is kept constant even if the distribution of the braking forces for the follower and driving wheels is varied and therefore, a smooth braking is possible without a degradation of the steering stability. In addition, the switchover in mode from the regenerative-preference mode to the usual mode is carried out when the time-differentiation value of a wheel speed of the follower wheel or the driving wheel exceeds a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi Asanuma, Yasushi Aoki, Atsuo Ohno, Takeshi Ohba