Data processing: vehicles – navigation – and relative location – Vehicle control – guidance – operation – or indication – Indication or control of braking – acceleration – or deceleration
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-23
2001-06-26
Cuchlinski, Jr., William A. (Department: 3661)
Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location
Vehicle control, guidance, operation, or indication
Indication or control of braking, acceleration, or deceleration
C701S070000, C701S074000, C303S138000, C303S142000, C477S182000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06253141
ABSTRACT:
The invention concerns a control system for optimizing performance of switched reluctance electric motors, when utilized in a braking system in a vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Switched reluctance electric motors have the torque-speed characteristics generally shown in FIG.
1
. If torque of the motor is to be increased from T
1
to T
2
, as when increased braking force is to be applied to a wheel of the vehicle, the operating point will generally be constrained to follow path P. However, following this path requires a relatively large amount of time, which is disadvantageous when emergency braking is required. Also, following this path consumes an excessive amount of current, which is not important during emergency braking, but does become significant during normal operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to provide a control system for a switched reluctance motor, which reduces the time required to change torque, and also reduces current consumed during the change.
In one aspect, this invention comprises an anti-lock braking system comprising an electric motor which applies braking force to a wheel, and means for predicting a future torque which will be demanded of said motor.
In another aspect, this invention comprises an anti-lock braking system comprising an electric motor which applies braking force to a wheel, means for receiving a signal indicative of the amount of presently demanded braking force, means for predicting a future braking force FBF which will be demanded, and means for controlling phase angle and duration of current applied to the electric motor, based on the FBF.
In yet another aspect, this invention comprises a system for use within a vehicle, comprising a switched reluctance electric motor which has native torque-speed curves which require a time T to execute an acceleration from a slow speed S
1
to a higher speed S
2
, and means for reducing the time T.
In still another aspect, this invention comprises a braking system for a vehicle, comprising a switched reluctance electric motor which has native torque-speed curves which slope downward, and applies braking force to a wheel, means for receiving a demanded torque signal produced by a control within the vehicle; and means for causing slope, d(torque)/d(speed), of the native torque-speed curves to become closer to zero.
In yet another aspect, this invention comprises a braking system within a vehicle, comprising a brake controller which accepts input indicative of driver pedal position, lateral acceleration, yaw rate, and rotational speed of each of four wheels, and produces a demanded torque signal for each wheel, a switched reluctance motor for each wheel, which applies braking force to the wheel, a motor controller for each wheel which receives the demanded torque signal for its wheel, computes terms, and utilizes the two terms (tau, sigma) to control phase angle and duration of current within the coils of the switched reluctance motor for the wheel.
In one form of the invention, both the (1) phase angle and (2) duration of current pulses delivered to the coils of a switched reluctance motor are adjusted, based on selected operating conditions of the vehicle, in order to reduce the time required for a change in torque delivered by the motor.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.
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Beaulieu Yonel
Cuchlinski Jr. William A.
Jacox Meckstroth & Jenkins
Valeo Electrical Systems, Inc.
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