4967 results about "Vehicle brake" patented technology

A check valve which is positioned in the vacuum air line of an internal combustion engine. The check valve includes a single-piece valve body having an outlet port and two or more inlet ports, with one outlet port located substantially in line with the inlet port and connected by a venturi tube. The second inlet port is separated from the main air flow line by the valve stem and a diaphragm which allows communication there between and prevents back pressure. The second inlet port communicates with the outlet port through the valve stem and a second venturi tube which provides a vacuum boost to a device, usually vehicle brakes, connected to the inlet. The use of seal diaphragms having a non-constant radius allows for faster recovery time for replenishment than prior art devices.

A control system is provided for platooning a plurality of vehicles, each of which equipped with vehicle braking control systems and V2V communication system components. The system determines nominal following distances for each of said following vehicles relative to an immediately preceding vehicle, based in part on brake performance capabilities. Vehicle sensors throughout the platoon are implemented to monitor target vehicles positioned relative to the platoon, and some or all of the nominal following distances are dynamically adjusted to account for braking event risks associated with the target vehicles. Adjustment to following distances for trailing vehicles may be proactively applied even before braking reaction is determined or applied for a lead vehicle, and control signals are simultaneously generated implementing vehicle movement adjustments based on the following distance adjustments. Adjustments may be based on threshold violations associated with target vehicles in front, laterally merging into, or tailgating behind the platoon.

The present invention relates to a brake-by-wire actuator for actuating the brake system of a motor vehicle, comprising a simulator which can be acted upon by a brake pedal, with a signal of an actuation sensor being sent to an electronic control unit which controls a pressure source in response to the signal of the actuation sensor, and wherein an output of the pressure source is connected to a distributor device for the brake force and actuates individual wheel brakes of the vehicle, also comprising means for enabling actuation of the brakes by muscular power within a fallback mode. In order to provide an improved fallback mode in a brake-by-wire actuator, according to the invention, a lost travel is provided between a first actuation component such as a brake pedal in particular or a component articulated at the brake pedal and an actuation component that is connected downstream in the flux of force, in particular an input member, in order to uncouple the first actuation component mechanically from the reactions of force of the motor vehicle brake system in the by-wire mode.

A vacuum enhancing check valve for direct connection to a vehicle brake booster which increases the partial vacuum provided thereto and restricts possible air back flow into the brake booster. The valve comprises a venturi for reducing the pressure of air induced to flow between a first air inlet and an air outlet by a partial vacuum at a vehicle engine's intake manifold. By significantly reducing the air pressure, the valve enhances the partial vacuum available for provision to the brake booster. The venturi is also in air communication with a second air inlet directly attachable to the brake booster such that the air pressure at the second air inlet tends toward the enhanced partial vacuum within the venturi. A valve seat and seal member within the valve are cooperative to allow air flow from the second air inlet toward the venturi, but not in the reverse direction.

A method is provided for controlling a low speed operation of a vehicle. A speed activation switch is activated. A target vehicle speed is calculated in response to an accelerator pedal demand as determined by an accelerator pedal position where each respective accelerator pedal position is associated with a respective predetermined target vehicle speed. A vehicle turning geometry is determined in response to a steering wheel angle input. A target wheel speed of each of a plurality of vehicle wheels is calculated as a function of the target vehicle speed and turning geometry. An actual wheel speed of each wheel is measured. A net torque is determined in response to the target wheel speeds and actual wheel speeds. An engine output torque and a braking torque are determined in response to the net torque. The engine output torque and the total vehicle braking torque are controlled for cooperatively maintaining the target vehicle speed.

A reporting system, employing a microprocessor, tracks the operation of an on-vehicle brake lathe and provides records of the resurfacing operations performed by the lathe. Identification of the vehicle and wheel position of a brake disk to be resurfaced are inputted using an operator interface, and stored in a temporary memory. When tool bits of the lathe are positioned to set a depth of cut, a thickness monitor indicates the resulting thickness for the brake disk, which is compared to a minimum thickness specification for the inputted vehicle and wheel position to determine whether the disk can be resurfaced to meet the specification. If so, a cutting operation evaluator monitors a continuity checker that is responsive to contact of the tool bits and the disk to determine when the resurfacing operation is complete, at which time the collected data can be reported.

A method for prioritizing potential threats identified by vehicle active safety systems. The method includes providing context information including map information, vehicle position information, traffic assessment information, road condition information, weather condition information, and vehicle state information. The method calculates a system context value for each active safety system using the context information. Each active safety system provides a system threat level value, a system braking value, a system steering value, and a system throttle value. The method calculates an overall threat level value using all of the system context values and all of the system threat level values. The method then provides a braking request value to vehicle brakes based on all of the system braking values, a throttle request value to a vehicle throttle based on all of the system throttle values, and a steering request value to vehicle steering based on all of the system steering values.

The invention relates to a stereoscopic vision based emergency treatment device and method for running vehicles, wherein the device comprises a binocular-vision image pick-up unit, an on-board bus interface, a central processing unit, a vehicle braking control system and an acousto-optic alarm circuit. The binocular-vision image pick-up unit is used for capturing an image of a road in front of a vehicle; the DSP (digital signal processor) based central processing unit is adopted for carrying out real-time quick calculation on a visual image so as to obtain a three-dimensional road scene, and compares the obtained three-dimensional road scene with a safe driving road model set up by a system so as to judge whether obstacles or dangers exist in the traveling direction of the vehicle; when adanger is found, the vehicle braking control system is started so as to reduce the speed of the vehicle and send an acousto-optic alarm to a driver; meanwhile, the central processing unit is connected with a vehicle sensor by an inter-vehicle bus so as to detect the state of the vehicle, and when the vehicle has mechanical or circuit faults, a braking system is started so as to reduce the speed of the vehicle and send an acousto-optic alarm. The device disclosed by the invention can be arranged on ordinary motor vehicles so as to avoid the occurrence of accidents or reduce the accident loss, thereby improving the driving safety performance.

A method for reducing or mitigating the effects of vibration in a vehicle brake system, particularly those that can lead to brake groan or other unwanted noise. According to an exemplary embodiment, when the vehicle brake system detects certain vibratory conditions, it makes slight braking adjustments (e.g., adjustments to fluid pressure, brake force, brake torque, etc.) that are aimed to address the brake groan. The vehicle brake system can then determine the effectiveness of the braking adjustments and, if need be, make additional braking adjustments. The method is particularly well suited for use with brake-by-wire systems, but can be used with a number of different vehicle braking systems.

A system, apparatus and method provide a means for testing operation of vehicle brake system. More particularly, a brake actuator is automatically commanded to engage a brake disk stack while the vehicle is in a benign state. An engagement force applied to the brake-disk stack by the actuator then is determined, and the engagement force is compared to a first threshold value. If the engagement force is within a predetermined range of the first threshold value, it is concluded that the brake system is operating normally, otherwise it is concluded that the brake system is operating abnormally.

The invention discloses a prescription of a ceramic-based friction material used in a vehicle braking friction pad, comprising the components (by weight): adhesives 5 percent-15 percent, intensifier 23.5 percent-33.5 percent, grinding aid 0 percent-7 percent anti-wearing lubricant 11.3 percent-21.3 percent, elastic toughening agent 5.7 percent-15.7 percent and filling material 27.5 percent-37.5 percent. The total amount of the components is 100 percent. The materials of the invention can be processed and molded into the vehicle braking pad that is applicable to friction braking on a vehicle braking device. The anti-wearing performance of the pad can be greatly enhanced, thereby reducing noise pollution and promoting the performance of the braking system of the vehicle.

An electromechanical parking brake system for a heavy vehicle braked by air-actuated service brakes includes an EPB-ECU and a first electromechanical parking brake actuator controlled by the EPB-ECU. The electromechanical parking brake system further includes a redundant sub-system for applying a second parking brake in an event of a failure in the EPB-ECU or the first electromechanical parking brake actuator.

A trailer brake controller 10 for use in a passenger vehicle 12 is provided, including a control element 11 positioned within the passenger vehicle 12, a vehicle speed input 16 and a vehicle brake pressure input 14 providing speed and brake pressure data to the control element 11, and a trailer brake output 18 sending a signal to the trailer in response to the vehicle speed input 16 and the vehicle brake pressure input 14.

A combined vehicle brake including a hydraulically actuated service brake and an electromechanically actuated parking brake device, a hydraulic operating pressure chamber in a brake housing being defined by a brake piston, which for performing service braking actions can be acted upon by hydraulic pressure fluid, so that the brake piston can be actuated along a piston longitudinal axis in order to produce a braking action, and the parking brake device acting on the brake piston by way of a transmission that translates the rotary motion of an electromechanical actuator into a translational motion and actuates the brake piston to perform parking brake actions and to keep it in the actuated position. Also disclosed is a transmission for translating a rotary motion into a translational motion by way of a screw spindle and a spindle nut, which are in contact with one another by way of multiple rolling elements.

The invention provides a vehicle brake energy regeneration control method and system; the system comprises a hydraulic energy accumulator, a variable pump/motor, an electromagnetic clutch, a brake pedal switch, an acceleration pedal switch, a gear switch, a road slope sensor, a speed sensor, a pressure sensor of the energy accumulator, a hydraulic control unit and an electric control unit; the system automatically identifies the acceleration or brake intention of a driver, automatically detects the running state of the vehicle and the road slope situation, calculates the control current I1 of the proportional electric magnet of the variable pump/motor on different downgrade road slopes or horizontal roads and at different speeds by adopting the formula (I), calculates the control current I2 of the proportional electric magnet of the variable pump/motor on different upgrade road slopes or horizontal roads and at different speeds by adopting the formula (II) and carries out brake energy releasing circulation control, so as to control the running stability of the vehicle and improve the recovery rate as well as the regeneration rate of the brake energy.

A method of operating an engine for a vehicle having at least a first cylinder, the method comprising of operating the first cylinder to provide at least one of compression braking and expansion braking by holding one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve of the first cylinder closed while opening, closing, and opening the other of the intake valve and the exhaust valve during a cycle of the first cylinder and during a first vacuum level of an intake manifold upstream of the first cylinder; and operating the first cylinder to provide at least one of compression braking and expansion braking by operating both the intake valve and the exhaust valve of the first cylinder during a cycle of the first cylinder to allow at least some air to flow through the first cylinder during a second vacuum level of the intake manifold.

A braking system is provided for applying pressurized hydraulic brake fluid to a plurality of vehicle brakes. The system includes a source of pressurized brake fluid, a first brake fluid circuit, and a boost valve for controlling a flow of brake fluid from the source to the first circuit. A first brake actuator is actuated by brake fluid from the first circuit and a second brake actuator operated by an application of brake fluid from the first circuit. The system further includes a second brake fluid circuit and a third brake fluid circuit. A third brake actuator is actuated by brake fluid from the second circuit. A fourth brake actuator actuated by brake fluid from the third circuit. A master cylinder includes a primary piston, a first secondary piston, and second secondary piston. The first and second secondary pistons are capable of being each independently operably displaced by an application of pressurized fluid from the first circuit to pressurize brake fluid in, respectively, the second circuit to operate the third brake actuator and the third circuit to operate the fourth brake circuit.

An improved vehicle brake system for controlling the frictional braking force and the regenerative braking force to be applied to a wheel of a vehicle. The brake system reduces the regenerative braking force to a predetermined force and keeps the regenerative braking force at the predetermined force before the start of anti-lock control. When the anti-lock control starts, the brake system decreases the regenerative braking force from the predetermined force. With this arrangement, it is possible to quickly eliminate a locking tendency of any wheel of the vehicle, thereby stabilizing the vehicle.

The invention relates to a piston pump for a slip-controlled, hydraulic vehicle brake system. In order to be able to simply and inexpensively produce the piston pump as a stepped piston pump, the invention embodies a piston as a tubular deep drawn part made of sheet metal, with an outwardly protruding circumferential bead. The bead is produced by axially compressing the piston. The bead constitutes an axial support for a guide ring and sealing ring placed onto the piston. A disk-shaped, abrasion resistant striking piece is press-fitted into an open end of the tubular piston, and is used by the piston for resting against a circumference of a cam element used for the stroke drive.