Control Of Brake Pressure Patents (Class 701/83)
  • Patent number: 8315772
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jochen Wagner, Stefan Epple
  • Patent number: 8311692
    Abstract: The invention relates to a braking method for a hybrid vehicle (1) comprising a drivetrain (3) controlled by a drivetrain computer (12), and a hydraulic braking system (15) controlled by a braking computer (21). In this method, as soon as the drivetrain computer (12) detects that the electrical braking torque is decreasing, this drivetrain computer (12) informs the hydraulic braking computer (21) of the value of the reduction in electric braking torque. The braking computer (21) then operates the hydraulic braking system (15) in such a way that the hydraulic braking torque applied to the wheels (2) by the brakes (17) compensates for this reduction in electric braking torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventors: Vincent Mulot, Remy Delplace, Olivier Mechin, Yvan Le Neindre, Nicolas Thauvin
  • Patent number: 8311693
    Abstract: Systems and methods for stabilizing a hybrid electric vehicle (“HEV”) towing a trailer. One system includes a regenerative braking system, a non-regenerative braking system, and a stabilization system. The stabilization system determines a direction of rotation and a speed of the HEV and compares the HEV's speed to a predetermined low speed threshold value and a predetermined high speed threshold value. The stabilization system instructs the regenerative braking system to brake at least one wheel when the speed is less than or equal to the predetermined low speed threshold value and instructs the regenerative braking system to brake at least one wheel opposite the direction of rotation and at least one of the regenerative braking system and the non-regenerative braking system to provide an extra stabilizing braking torque to at least one wheel opposite the direction of rotation when the speed is greater than the predetermined high speed threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hsien-Cheng (Kevin) Wu, Bo Xu
  • Patent number: 8301353
    Abstract: A vehicle motion control device and method computes a size of a using friction circle in each of wheels by multiplying a size of an each wheel friction circle indicating a maximum generating force in each of the wheel tires by a previously computed each wheel using percentage, computes the each wheel tire generating force and the each wheel using percentage indicating a rate with respect to an upper limit value of a ?-using efficiency in each of the wheels, and controls a vehicle motion in such a manner that the computed each wheel tire generating force is obtained on the basis of the computed each wheel tire generating force, thereby minimizing an upper limit of the ?-using efficiency in each of the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo Kenkyusho, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Eiichi Ono, Yoshikazu Hattori
  • Patent number: 8285466
    Abstract: An airbrake reservoir lock system for an airbrake system of a vehicle is provided. The vehicle has an electronic control module. The airbrake reservoir lock system comprises a primary air reservoir, and a first airbrake reservoir lock. The primary air reservoir has an input port and an output port. The primary air reservoir stores an amount of pressurized air. The first airbrake reservoir lock is disposed in fluid communication with the output port of the primary air reservoir. The first airbrake reservoir lock has a valve portion and an electrical actuator. The valve portion has an open position and a closed position. The electrical actuator positions the valve portion of the first airbrake reservoir lock between the open position and the closed position based upon an output of the electronic control module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Navistar Canada, Inc.
    Inventor: Leo P. Oriet
  • Patent number: 8255137
    Abstract: In a hybrid vehicle 20, when an ECO switch 88 is “on” when a brake demand operation is performed by a driver, a target regeneration distribution rate d is set using an ECO mode regeneration distribution rate setting map that gives priority to energy efficiency in comparison to a normal regeneration distribution rate setting map that is used when the ECO switch 88 is “off” and a braking force demand BF* that is based on the brake demand operation of the driver (S150), and a motor MG2 and a brake unit 90 are controlled so that the braking force demand BF* is obtained based on the target regeneration distribution rate d (S160 to S230).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kunihiko Jinno, Tadashi Nakagawa, Masahiko Maeda, Hideaki Yaguchi
  • Patent number: 8239112
    Abstract: A method for estimating a brake pressure, a longitudinal tire force and a tire-road ? during periods of antilock control that measures deceleration of a wheel during a period of constant brake pressure, reduces a brake pressure to cause slip on the wheel to begin reducing, measures reacceleration of the wheel after a point in time in which the change in brake pressure is completed, calculates a change in acceleration based on the measured reacceleration and the measured deceleration, estimates a change in brake pressure from a proportional relationship between the change in acceleration and a brake pressure value, estimates a brake pressure from the relationship between a time for valve activation during a change in acceleration and the change in brake pressure. The method also estimates a longitudinal tire force from a mathematical relationship between the change in acceleration, a tire radius, and the estimated brake pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventor: John Patrick Joyce
  • Patent number: 8229639
    Abstract: A system and method for stability control of a vehicle. The system and method can receive current vehicle operating data or signals as well as data or a signal from a traction control subsystem. Based on the received current vehicle operating data or signals data or a signal from a traction control subsystem, the system and method define one of a brake-based stability control subsystem and a torque management-based stability control subsystem as the dominant stability control system. Based on the stability control subsystem defined as the dominant stability control system, the system and method provide stability control for the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: William C Craig, Richard S Stevens, Thomas D'Onofrio, David Shivy, Charles Disaverio
  • Patent number: 8229641
    Abstract: An aircraft braking control system for an aircraft braking system that comprises at least one first side braking unit (30L) for braking a respective wheel (22L) positioned on a first side of a longitudinal axis of an aircraft and at least one second side braking unit (30R) for braking a respective wheel (22R) positioned on a second side of said longitudinal axis, said braking control system comprising a brake control unit (40) operable to process respective measurements of performance of the braking units (30L, 30R) and according to the process results to provide command signals for controlling respective braking forces applied by said first and second braking units (30L, 30R) to reduce any difference between a first side braking force applied on the first side of the longitudinal axis by said at least one first side braking unit (30L) and a second side braking force applied on said second side by said at least one second side braking unit (30R).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Meggitt Aerospace Limited
    Inventor: Michael Clothier
  • Patent number: 8224548
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preventing a vehicle in a starting maneuver from rolling in a direction opposite a direction selected to move the vehicle during the starting maneuver. A brake force is built up or maintained on at least one wheel brake during standstill of the vehicle. The method is characterized in that a comparison between an engine rotational speed gradient and an engine rotational speed gradient threshold value as well as a comparison between a pedal travel, by which an accelerator pedal of the vehicle is depressed, and a pedal travel threshold value are performed, and in that the brake force at the at least one wheel brake is reduced when it is established that the engine rotational speed gradient exceeds the engine rotational speed gradient threshold value, and/or the pedal travel, by which the accelerator pedal is depressed, exceeds the pedal travel threshold value. Also disclosed a device that is appropriate to implement the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignees: Continental Teves AG & Co, OHG, Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Dorothea Ludwig, Alexander Mann-Wahrenberg, Leo Schineller
  • Patent number: 8214119
    Abstract: A method for recognizing a reference position of a wedge member of a disk brake for vehicles, which has a disk rotating together with the rotation of a wheel of a vehicle, a movable friction pad rubbing against one surface of the disk and generating braking force, the wedge member having one surface, to which the movable friction pad is attached, and moving in a rotating direction of the disk and moving forward to the disk by a driving motor for generating driving force, a guide member guiding the wedge member to the disk when the wedge member moves in the rotating direction of the disk, and a driving force transfer member screw-connected to a rotary shaft of the driving motor, moving in the rotating direction of the disk by the driving motor, and causing the wedge member to move in the rotating direction of the disk, the method including moving the wedge member to a left end of an operating section and recognizing a position of the left end, when a driver applies a pressure to a pedal; moving the wedge membe
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Mando Corporation
    Inventor: Joo Gon Kim
  • Patent number: 8210991
    Abstract: A control system for a machine is disclosed. The control system may have a first sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of an inclination of the machine, a second sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of a travel speed of the machine, a third sensor configured to generate a third signal indicative of an engine speed of the machine, and a controller disposed in communication with each of the first, second, and third sensors. The controller is configured to determine whether the machine is freewheeling in a neutral gear, and to generate a machine braking command based on at least one of the first, second, and third signals. A method of retarding a machine is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Fu Pei Yuet, Jamie Shults, Jean-Jacques Clar, Kenneth L. Stratton
  • Patent number: 8190328
    Abstract: An electropneumatic control arrangement for an automatic vehicle level control system, particularly of a commercial vehicle, includes at least; a solenoid valve unit having at least two electropneumatic solenoid valves, a compressed air inlet for infeeding compressed air, at least one compressed air connection for at least one air bellows and electrical control inputs, and an electronic control unit for actuating the solenoid valve unit. The electronic control unit comprises control outputs for electrically connecting to the control inputs of the solenoid valve unit. A plug connector is configured on the housing of the solenoid valve unit, in which the electrical control inputs are disposed, and a plug connector is provided on the housing of the electronic control unit, in which the control outputs are disposed. The plug connectors are mechanically plugged into each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: WABCO GmbH
    Inventors: Ingo Jovers, Berend Kleen, Johann Lucas, Frauke Rathjen, Andreas Rutsch, Andreas Schwarzer, Thomas Stellmacher
  • Publication number: 20120130616
    Abstract: Disclosed is a traction control system and method for a vehicle having at least one driven wheel (R, L) with an associated wheel brake, an engine, and an electronic controller encompassing at least two linear sub-controllers designed for different coefficient of friction situations. Each of the at least two linear sub-controllers (CL, CH; CLL, CLH, CHL, CHH) determines a function of a control deviation (e) of at least one wheel specific characteristic, a control variable suggestion (uL, uH; uLL, uLH, uHL, uHH) that includes a control variable suggestion for the wheel brake and a control variable suggestion for the drive engine, and an output control variable (u) including an output control variable for the wheel brake and an output control variable for the drive engine, is determined from the control variable suggestions (uL, uH; uLL, uLH, uHL, uHH) by weighted addition (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL TEVES AG & CO. OAG
    Inventors: Roland Caspari, Gerold Schneider
  • Patent number: 8180544
    Abstract: An optimization system is provided for a braking schedule of a powered system traveling along a route. The braking schedule is based on at least one predetermined characteristic of the powered system and is configured to be enacted in a braking region along the route. The optimization system includes a sensor configured to measure a parameter related to the operation of the powered system. Additionally, the system includes a processor coupled to the sensor, to receive parameter data. The processor compares the measured parameter with an expected parameter, which is based on the at least one predetermined characteristic of the powered system. The processor adjusts the at least one predetermined characteristic based on the comparison, and adjusts the braking schedule based on the adjustment to the at least one predetermined characteristic. A method is also provided for optimizing a braking schedule of a powered system traveling along a route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joseph Forrest Noffsinger, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, David Michael Peltz
  • Patent number: 8175779
    Abstract: A program is executed which includes a step (S100) of calculating a base required driving force, a step (S200) of calculating a reference driving force, a step (S400) of calculating a final required driving force on which a vibration suppression filtering process has been performed when the base required driving force is greater than a reference driving force, and a step (S500) of calculating a final required driving force on which the vibration suppression filtering process has not been performed when the base required driving force is equal to or less than the reference driving force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Sawada, Toshihiro Fukumasu
  • Patent number: 8165770
    Abstract: A system and method of controlling a vehicle with a trailer comprises determining the presence of a trailer, generating an oscillation signal indicative of trailer swaying relative to the vehicle, generating an initial weighted dynamic control signal for a vehicle dynamic control system in response to the oscillation signal, operating at least one vehicle dynamic system according to the dynamic control signal, and thereafter, iteratively generating a penalty function for the weighted dynamic control signal as a function of the oscillation signal response. A neural network with an associated trainer modifies the dynamic control signal as a function of trailer sway response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Anya Lynn Getman, Perry Robinson Macneille, Aric David Shaffer
  • Patent number: 8150587
    Abstract: An ECU is configured to disengage a clutch by driving a motor upon detection of starting of a shift operation, and to engage the clutch upon detection of completion of the shift change. The shift operation starting detection is detected upon determination that an operational force given to a shift pedal is equal to or more than a predetermined operational force, and the shift change completion detection is detected upon determination that a rotational angle of a shift drum from a shift gear position before a shift gear operation becomes equal to or more than a first predetermined angle. The shift operation starting detection is also detected upon determination that the rotational angle of the shift drum from a shift gear position before a shift gear operation is a second predetermined angle or more which is smaller than the first predetermined angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ahihiko Tomoda, Kanau Iwashita, Yoshihisa Ieda, Koshi Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 8144448
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Oliver Lehner, Michael Robl
  • Patent number: 8144004
    Abstract: The embodiments of the invention are directed to a method and apparatus to generate pulsing lights where parameters such as frequency, degree of brightness, and the number of pulses vary depending on the duration of the brake pedal application, the time interval between consecutive brake applications, and the deceleration rate of the vehicle, as well as optionally its distance from other vehicles. The brake light control system incorporates a microprocessor having multiple inputs, including a brake pedal sensor, and its output connected via an amplifying circuit to the lights. Other inputs of the microprocessor include a deceleration sensor, a distance sensor, and an optional manual pushbutton or switch located within the driver's reach. The lights controlled by the system may include brake lights, emergency lights, or additional lights shaped into a warning triangle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: BLC Paws, LLC
    Inventors: Waldemar Polak, Adam Polak, J. Lee Edwards, Piotr Folkert, M. Lee Jones
  • Patent number: 8135527
    Abstract: A commercial vehicle trailer includes an electronically controlled braking system having an electronic control unit that has a parameter memory having one or more memory areas that can store vehicle-specific data. The electronic control unit controls the electronically controlled braking system based on the vehicle-specific data, and has an interface to an external computer. To permit reliable correlation of the vehicle-specific data to the commercial vehicle trailer, information is displayed on the trailer itself that characterizes the vehicle-specific data and that can be read into the computer via a reader unit. Based on such information, the appropriate vehicle-specific data is transferred to the electronic control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: WABCO GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Barlsen, Rainer Risse, Axel Stender
  • Patent number: 8135524
    Abstract: A driving force control device includes an individual-wheel friction-circle limit-value calculating portion that calculates friction-circle limit-values of individual wheels, an individual-wheel requested-resultant-tire-force calculating portion that calculates requested resultant tire forces of the individual wheels, an individual-wheel resultant-tire-force calculating portion that calculates resultant tire forces of the individual wheels, an individual-wheel requested-excessive-tire-force calculating portion that calculates requested excessive tire forces of the individual wheels, an individual-wheel excessive-tire-force calculating portion that calculates excessive tire forces of the individual wheels, an excessive-tire-force calculating portion that calculates an excessive tire force, an over-torque calculating portion that calculates an over-torque, and a control-amount calculating portion that calculates a control amount that is output to an engine control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Yoneda, Keisuke Hosokawa, Koichi Inoue, Hirowatari Yosuke, Tomohiro Yamada, Koji Matsuno, Masaru Kogure, Satoru Akiyama, Masato Igarashi, Yosuke Morokuma
  • Patent number: 8082088
    Abstract: A method for controlling the rotational speed of at least one rotating element in a vehicle's drive line is provided. A first control model and a second control model are defined. The first control model calculates a permitted slippage of at least one of the vehicle's ground-engaging elements at its point of contact with the ground, which ground-engaging element is driven via the rotating element. The second control model calculates a torque delivered to the said ground-engaging element. The result of one of the said control models is utilized for controlling the rotational speed of the rotating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB
    Inventor: Karl Erik Olsson
  • Patent number: 8078338
    Abstract: System and method for behavior based control of an autonomous vehicle. Actuators (e.g., linkages) manipulate input devices (e.g., articulation controls and drive controls, such as a throttle lever, steering gear, tie rods, throttle, brake, accelerator, or transmission shifter) to direct the operation of the vehicle. Behaviors that characterize the operational mode of the vehicle are associated with the actuators. The behaviors include action sets ranked by priority, and the action sets include alternative actions that the vehicle can take to accomplish its task. The alternative actions are ranked by preference, and an arbiter selects the action to be performed and, optionally, modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Todd Pack, James Allard, David S. Barrett, Misha Filippov, Selma Svendsen
  • Patent number: 8070237
    Abstract: To predictively determine the occurrence of rear wheel lifting before actual lifting of a rear wheel occurs and enable control of brake force. Vehicle body deceleration is computed on the basis of wheel velocities obtained by wheel velocity sensors 45 and 46 (S102), and when it is determined that that computed value exceeds a predetermined value K1 (S104), then the pressure of a front wheel cylinder 3 is reduced by a predetermined pressure and held at that reduced pressure (S106), and when it is determined that vehicle body deceleration has fallen below a value that is, for example, lower by a predetermined value ? than the predetermined value K1 (S108), then the state of holding of the pressure of the front wheel cylinder 3 is released (S110) and brake control returns to normal brake control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignees: Bosch Corporation, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Takahiro Ogawa, Helge Westerfeld, Markus Hamm
  • Patent number: 8051687
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for detecting and compensating for a traction steer event is provided. A first wheel speed of a first driven wheel is compared with a second wheel speed of a second driven wheel to determine whether a wheel slip condition has occurred. If a wheel slip condition is determined to have occurred, a current operating state of a vehicle is compared to an expected operating state of the vehicle to determine if a traction steer event has occurred. If a traction steer event is determined to have occurred, brake pressure is selectively applied to the first or second driven wheel to compensate for the traction steer event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: David T. De Carteret, Larry G. Gepfrey, Gregory K. Peterson, Mark S. Hogle
  • Patent number: 8050836
    Abstract: A method for determining whether a panic braking maneuver has been initiated in a vehicle with a brake pedal includes the steps of receiving brake pedal travel data, receiving brake pedal force data, determining a rate of change of acceleration of the brake pedal from the brake pedal travel data, determining a rate of change of acceleration of force applied to the brake pedal from the brake pedal force data, comparing the rate of change of acceleration of the brake pedal with a first predetermined value and a third predetermined value, and comparing the rate of change of acceleration of force applied to the brake pedal with a second predetermined value and a fourth predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Timothy M. Karnjate, William K. Manosh
  • Patent number: 8046149
    Abstract: A brake apparatus includes first, second and third solenoid valves (hereinafter SOL1, SOL2 and SOL3) respectively disposed in a first branch pipe, a second branch pipe, and a main pipe connecting a master cylinder and a brake caliper. The brake apparatus also includes first, second and third pressure sensors (hereinafter P1, P2 and P3) respectively disposed between the master cylinder and the SOL3, between the SOL1 and a fluid loss simulator, and between the SOL2 and the hydraulic pressure modulator. The brake apparatus further includes a control unit for detecting output values of P1, P2 and P3. A resolution of P2 is set at a value greater than resolutions of P1 and P3. With SOL1 in an opened state, when detected output value of P2 is less than a predetermined value, the control unit stores output values from the respective pressure sensors as reference values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takehiko Nanri, Sumitaka Ogawa, Kazuya Takenouchi
  • Patent number: 8036802
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of controlling an electromechanical brake for a vehicle wheel, the brake including an actuator provided with a pusher that is actuated by an electric motor and that is adapted to exert a braking force selectively on friction elements in response to an actuation setpoint, the method comprising the following steps: from a braking setpoint ( F), determining a nominal position setpoint ( X) for the brake actuator; from said braking setpoint ( F), estimating a reference current (i*) that ought normally to be flowing in the motor of the actuator to apply a force equal to the braking setpoint; comparing the reference current (i*) with a current (i) actually flowing in the motor of the actuator, and deducing a position correction (xcorr); and adding the position correction to the nominal position setpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Messier-Bugatti
    Inventor: Julien Thibault
  • Publication number: 20110238267
    Abstract: In a method for adjusting a brake system of a vehicle, braking power is automatically built up in the event of a collision. In the event of a collision, at least one foot pedal to be actuated by the driver is moved from its regular operating position, in which the foot pedal projects into the foot space, to an inoperative position in which the foot pedal is at least partially removed from the foot space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventor: Ferah Cetinkaya
  • Patent number: 8019498
    Abstract: An instruction value conversion section (31) of an operation target calculation section (30) converts an instruction signal from a joystick (25). In order to obtain a movement mode of a ship intended by an operator, a target propeller speed calculation section (32) calculates, using each converted value, target rotation speed of right and left propellers (13) and the propeller (14b) of a thruster (14). At a main engine operation control section (40), a slip rate determination section (41) calculates the slip rate U of a clutch mechanism (120) of a marine gear (12) in order to rotate the propellers (13) at the target rotation speed. A drive control section (42) controls operation of the main engine (11) and the clutch mechanism (120). Further, in a thruster operation control section (50), a drive control section (52) controls drive of the propeller (14b) in the rotational direction determined by an operation determining section (51).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takayoshi Yamazaki, Atsuyuki Tsuzuki, Kouichi Iguchi
  • Patent number: 8010271
    Abstract: A brake control device for an electric vehicle includes an instruction controller, a pattern generator, and comparators. The instruction controller generates an instruction signal for instructing a motor about electric brake force. The pattern generator generates a first pattern signal for changing over electric brake force to machine brake force and a second pattern signal obtained by shifting the first pattern signal by a predetermined frequency. One of the comparators outputs, as an electric-brake force pattern, smaller one of the instruction signal and the first pattern signal. The other of the comparators outputs, as a notification signal, a signal output when the second pattern signal becomes equal to or smaller than the instruction signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Ryotaro Harada
  • Patent number: 8010269
    Abstract: Brake apparatus includes a transmission unit for operatively connecting a brake pedal to a master cylinder, and the transmission unit is a mechanism capable of varying a ratio between an output amount of a push rod connected to a master cylinder and an operation amount of the brake pedal. Further, the transmission unit is constructed in such a manner that, in an initial operation region of the brake pedal, a ratio of the operation amount of the brake pedal to the output amount of the push rod is set to be greater than in another operation region immediately following the initial operation region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoya Toyohira, Arata Inoue, Kazuyoshi Akutsu, Kunimichi Hatano
  • Patent number: 8010273
    Abstract: A method for controlling braking in a motor vehicle equipped with a brake servo unit capable of being implemented in a braking system including: a hydraulic master cylinder associated with a vacuum brake booster and with hydraulic circuits supplying the wheel brakes equipping the vehicle wheels; an ABS hydraulic unit with wheel antiskid function, and an electronic mechanism implementing emergency braking assisted by the hydraulic unit. The method detects serial repetition in time for implementing emergency braking operations and adapts the conditions for implementing an emergency braking in case of serial repetition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Geraldine Vourch, Francois Yon, Gregory Kobiela
  • Patent number: 8010252
    Abstract: A system and method of controlling a vehicle with a trailer comprises determining the presence of a trailer, generating an oscillation signal indicative of trailer swaying relative to the vehicle, generating an initial weighted dynamic control signal for a vehicle dynamic control system in response to the oscillation signal, operating at least one vehicle dynamic system according to the dynamic control signal, and thereafter, iteratively generating a penalty function for the weighted dynamic control signal as a function of the oscillation signal response. A neural network with an associated trainer modifies the dynamic control signal as a function of trailer sway response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Anya Lynn Getman, Perry Robinson Macneille, Aric David Shaffer
  • Patent number: 8000870
    Abstract: A brake system is provided for minimizing brake pulsation feedback caused by surface variations of a brake system corner component. The brake system includes at least one sensing device configured to measure a pressure pulse caused by the surface variation of a brake system corner component. A controller module is in communication with the at least one sensing device and a hydraulic brake circuit. The controller module is configured to receive an output from the at least one sensing device and to adjust line pressure in the hydraulic brake circuit to substantially minimize brake pulsation feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Omar S. Dessouki, Brent D. Lowe, Mark T. Riefe
  • Patent number: 7983828
    Abstract: A stepwise brake control is automatically performed when TTC obtained according to a relative distance and a relative speed between a vehicle and an object is lower than a predetermined value. For example, a brake force or a brake reduction speed is gradually increased over a plurality of stages in time series. Moreover, the affect of speed change control to the automatic brake control is removed. Alternatively, automatic brake control is supported by the speed change control. Alternatively, the friction coefficient state is estimated, and the brake force or the brake speed reduction is adjusted according to the estimated result. Alternatively, an auto-cruse function is invalidated at least the final stage. Alternatively, when the brake force or the brake speed reduction generated by a brake operation by a driver is greater than the brake force or the brake speed reduction generated by the brake control means, the brake operation by the driver is handled with a higher priority than the stepwise brake control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Hino Motors Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiki Ezoe, Shuji Narada, Naoshi Ichinose, Koichi Okamoto, Hirokazu Okuyama
  • Patent number: 7962270
    Abstract: A method for controlling an automotive hydraulic pump, wherein the hydraulic pump is activated to increase the pressure in a hydraulic accumulator associated therewith once the pressure falls below a predetermined lower pressure threshold, and the hydraulic pump is switched off once the pressure exceeds a predetermined upper pressure threshold value (P_O). The solution is to reduce fuel consumption of the vehicle, wherein the hydraulic pump is activated during different operating phases of the vehicle at different lower pressure values (P_U1, P_U2) in the event of a hydraulic pressure drop in the hydraulic accumulator of the hydraulic pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Florian Schneider, Thomas Jäger, Marcus Gansohr
  • Patent number: 7957867
    Abstract: An electronic control unit reads a side slip angle of a vehicle body. Next, the electronic control unit reads a correction amount entered by a driver. Next, the electronic control unit calculates a target steering angle by subtracting a correction term from a rotation amount of a steering output shaft, which has a predetermined relation with a rotation amount of a steering input shaft, to reduce a lateral force generated in the vehicle due to the side slip angle of the vehicle body. Subsequently, the electronic control unit drives and controls an electric motor of a variable-gear-ratio actuator until the rotation amount of the steering output shaft reaches the target steering angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Goto, Ryuuichi Kurosawa
  • Patent number: 7945368
    Abstract: A method of actuating an automatic parking brake for a vehicle, comprising a spring device, designed to absorb the actuating forces, situated in the actuating mechanism of a brake device. This method comprises at least the following steps: application of a preload to the spring device to a value situated in part IV of the operating characteristic, and adjustment of this preload to a level corresponding at least to a minimum braking force required for the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Nicola Tristano, Corrado Caruso, Monika Schefzik
  • Patent number: 7941261
    Abstract: A brake controller function to optimally brake a wheel of a vehicle in motion, such as an aircraft. The brake pressure control self regulates by means of applying brake pressure in accordance with vehicle acceleration information and the change in acceleration over time in the horizontal plane. Vehicle acceleration and information about its change enable a brake pressure control function to determine the brake pressure associated with maximum obtainable retardation for a vehicle at that given point in time. By continuously monitoring acceleration change and detecting retardation pinnacles, the culmination and turning points of retardation, with their associated brake pressure, maximum braking ability is assured at any given time. By applying acceleration data in real time as a controls reference in a brake logic control function to increase or reduce brake pressure, such a brake control function will assure a brake pressure perfectly fit with net of all the forces that a vehicle is subjected to.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Inventor: Oddvard Johnsen
  • Patent number: 7937194
    Abstract: A method of reducing wheel slip and wheel locking in an electric traction vehicle includes receiving in a first controller a first signal value representative of a first amount of torque to be applied to at least one wheel of the electric traction vehicle by a motor coupled to the wheel and to the first controller, and a second signal value representative of a reference speed of the electric traction vehicle. The first and second signal values are generated by a second controller in communication with the first controller. The method also includes receiving in the first controller a third signal value representative of a speed of the at least one wheel, determining in the first controller a torque output signal using the first, second, and third signal values; and transmitting the torque output signal from the first controller to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Oshkosh Corporation
    Inventors: Nader Nasr, Peter Werner
  • Patent number: 7937204
    Abstract: A brake control device includes a braking device provided to a wheel, the braking device having a function of applying a brake force to the wheel while adjusting the brake force. The brake control device includes: an acceleration sensor for outputting acceleration data of acceleration acting on the rotating tire in a radial direction of the tire; a contact length calculating unit for calculating contact lengths of the tire based on the acceleration data; a brake sensor for detecting that a brake force is applied and for outputting a detection signal; a judging unit for outputting, to the braking device, a brake information signal for adjusting the brake force according to comparative judgment information which is obtained by comparing the calculated contact lengths; and a brake control unit for outputting a control signal for causing the braking device to adjust a brake force thereof according to the brake information signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Matsuda, Tsuyoshi Kitazaki, Naoshi Miyashita
  • Patent number: 7925408
    Abstract: During the standstill state maintenance control executed by an electric parking brake system, the moving force-based target tension Frefb is determined based on the inclination angle of a vehicle and the shift position each time the predetermined program is executed, and the tentative target tension Fref(n) in the current routine is set to a smaller value from among the moving force-based target tension Frefb and the maximum value Fmax. The control target tension Fref(n)* is set to a larger value from among the control target tension (the final target tension) Fref(n?1)* in the immediately preceding routine and the tentative target value Fref(n). Even if the tentative target tension Fref(n) is smaller than the control target tension Fref(n?1)*, the control target value Fref(n)* is not set to a value smaller than the control target tension Fref(n?1)*.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takahiro Shiraki
  • Patent number: 7925412
    Abstract: A system and method for providing stability control for a commercial vehicle. The system may include multiple selectable control tuning modes or sensitivities for defining when the system may intervene to provide corrective action to aid vehicle stability. The control tuning modes may be representative of different vehicle configurations/conditions and a source of input data indicative the present configuration/condition of the vehicle may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Romanchok, Cem Hatipoglu
  • Publication number: 20110082633
    Abstract: A traction control system includes a master cylinder containing brake fluid, braking devices configured to apply braking force to associated wheels of the vehicle, a brake pedal operable by a driver of the vehicle to generate braking force by pressurizing the brake fluid, and means for storing pressurized brake fluid to apply and temporarily hold a braking force at a slipping driven wheel. A method of providing traction control for a vehicle includes manually switching the vehicle from a normal operating mode to a traction control mode, sensing the slippage of a driven wheel, applying a braking force to the slipping driven wheel in response to a driver of the vehicle pressing a brake pedal, maintaining the braking force on the slipping driven wheel after the brake pedal is released, and gradually releasing the braking force as the slipping driven wheel gains traction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Robert Kaster
  • Patent number: 7890240
    Abstract: A brake system fault pedal gain change method and system for brake pedal simulator equipped vehicles such as hybrid electric vehicles is provided. In the event of a brake system booster fault, the method alerts the driver by way of tactile feedback. Additionally, the disclosed method provides a controlled means to gradually increase required brake pedal force during a brake system fault to avoid an abrupt change in brake pedal force when the brake system boost is depleted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Timothy M. Karnjate, William K. Manosh
  • Patent number: 7873459
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle that includes determining a dynamic normal load for the vehicle wheel, modifying the requested torque signal from a traction control system in response to the dynamic normal load to form a modified requested torque and controlling the engine in response to the modified requested torque. The controlling may be performed using the ratio of the dynamic normal load and the steady state normal load to form the modified requested torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Fodor, Davor Hrovat
  • Patent number: 7853387
    Abstract: A controller controls braking force and driving force of a vehicle, in accordance with demand force. The controller includes a first and second demand force arithmetic units for arithmetically calculating first and second demand force. The first demand force includes a factor inducing vibration in suspended components of the vehicle. The second demand force substantially excludes the factor inducing vibration in suspended components of the vehicle. A vibration damping filter reduces the factor from a waveform of the first demand force, thereby producing post-filter demand force. An arbitration unit compares the post-filter demand force with the second demand force, thereby selecting one of the post-filter demand force and second demand force as final demand force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignees: Denso Corporation, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Nakai, Kenji Kawahara, Shoji Inagaki, Hideki Takamatsu
  • Patent number: 7853388
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments comprise a method, which can comprise automatically setting a service brake of a mining haulage vehicle. The service brake can be set responsive to a determination that a wheel comprising a wheel motor is rotating at a rotational speed that is above a predetermined rotational speed. In certain exemplary embodiments, the service brake can be automatically released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventor: Xiaobin Wang