Fluid-pressure and analogous brake systems – Speed-controlled – Having a valve system responsive to a wheel lock signal
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-15
2001-10-30
Oberleitner, Robert J. (Department: 3613)
Fluid-pressure and analogous brake systems
Speed-controlled
Having a valve system responsive to a wheel lock signal
C303S113400
Reexamination Certificate
active
06309032
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a brake control apparatus for controlling a braking force applied to wheels of a vehicle, and more particularly to the brake control apparatus having a stroke simulating function for providing dummy braking load to a vehicle driver.
2. Description of the Related Arts
An apparatus for providing dummy braking load to a vehicle driver in his braking operation is known as a stroke simulator. For example, German patent publication (Offenlegungsshrift) No. 1961039 discloses an apparatus having the stroke simulating function. In that publication, in order to avoid difficulty in forward movement of the brake pedal in the braking operation, a spring is directly mounted on the brake pedal, and a solenoid valve for use in a braking force control device is controlled to increase or decrease the brake pressure in a wheel brake cylinder of the vehicle in response to the depressing force of the brake pedal, to apply the braking force to each wheel, with the dummy braking load applied to the brake pedal. Also, Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 63-64858 discloses an apparatus which has a solenoid valve disposed between a master cylinder and a wheel brake cylinder mounted on a wheel for selectively changing the communication between the master cylinder and the wheel brake cylinder, and the communication between the master cylinder and an absorbing member for consuming the brake fluid.
According to the one having the spring mounted on the brake pedal as disclosed in the above-identified publication, only a fixed braking load may be provided by the biasing force of the spring mounted on the brake pedal. With respect to the above-described apparatus for controlling the solenoid valve to change the communication between the master cylinder and the wheel brake cylinder, or the communication between the master cylinder and the absorbing member, if the solenoid valve is activated, the master cylinder is communicated with the wheel brake cylinder, so that only a fixed braking load may be provided by means of the absorbing member. Thus, any braking loads corresponding to brake feelings determined on the basis of the vehicle conditions and the driver's taste can not be provided.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a brake control apparatus having a stroke simulator for providing dummy braking loads corresponding to various brake feelings in accordance with conditions of a vehicle and a vehicle driver's taste.
To accomplish the above and other objects, a brake control apparatus is provided with a simulation device for applying a biasing force to a manually operated braking member of a vehicle in response to braking operation of the manually operated braking member. In this apparatus, a detection device is provided for detecting conditions of the vehicle including a braking condition of the vehicle. A first biasing device is provided for applying a first biasing force to the manually operated braking member in response to braking operation of the manually operated braking member, and a second biasing device is provided for applying a second biasing force to the manually operated braking member in response to braking operation of the manually operated braking member. Only one of the first and second biasing devices is adapted to apply the biasing force to the manually operated braking member in response to braking operation of the manually operated braking member, when a predetermined condition is detected by the detection device.
Preferably, the second biasing device comprises a cylinder device including a cylinder having a bore defined therein, and a piston slidably received in the bore to define a chamber filled with brake fluid, an elastic device for biasing the piston to expand the chamber, and a reservoir device communicated with the chamber of the cylinder device for storing the brake fluid drained from the cylinder device.
The brake control apparatus may further include a valve device disposed between the reservoir device and the cylinder device, and a controller for controlling the valve device in response to output of the detection device. The controller is preferably adapted to activate the valve device to apply the second biasing force to the manually operated braking member in response to braking operation of the manually operated braking member, when the predetermined condition is detected by the detection device.
The brake control apparatus according to the present invention may be embodied as follows:
First, the apparatus includes a sensor which is provided for detecting conditions of the vehicle including a braking condition of the vehicle, a first elastic member and a second elastic member which are connected in series with the manually operated braking member to be moved thereby. In this apparatus, only one of the first and second elastic members is adapted to provide a biasing force to the manually operated braking member, when a predetermined condition is detected by the sensor. Accordingly, the brake feeling can be changed under the predetermined condition.
Secondary, in addition to the above components, the apparatus further includes a cylinder in which brake fluid is filled and at least one of the first and second elastic members is accommodated, a piston slidably received in the cylinder, a reservoir for draining the brake fluid from the cylinder, a solenoid valve which is disposed between the reservoir and the cylinder, and a controller which is provided for controlling the valve in response to outputs of the sensor. The controller is adapted to activate the valve to provide a biasing force to the manually operated braking member by only one of the first and second elastic members, when the predetermined condition is detected by the sensor. Accordingly, the manually operated braking member is biased by both of the first and second elastic members in a normal braking operation, while it is biased only by one of the first and second elastic members under the predetermined condition, so that the brake feeling can be provided in accordance with the vehicle conditions and the vehicle driver's taste.
In the apparatus, the first elastic member may be accommodated in the piston to minimize the apparatus.
Thirdly, the apparatus includes a sensor which is provided for detecting conditions of the vehicle including a braking condition of the vehicle, a first elastic member which is connected with the manually operated braking member to be moved thereby, and a master cylinder which is connected with the first elastic member, in series. A first absorbing device is provided for storing the brake fluid from the master cylinder, and provided with a second elastic member which returns the brake fluid to the master cylinder. A solenoid valve is disposed between the first absorbing device and the master cylinder, and a controller is provided for controlling the valve in response to outputs of the sensor. The controller is adapted to activate the valve to provide a biasing force to the manually operated braking member only by the first elastic member, when the predetermined condition is detected by the sensor. Accordingly, the manually operated braking member is biased by both of the first and second elastic members in a normal braking operation, while it is biased only by the first elastic member under the predetermined condition, so that the brake feeling can be provided in accordance with the driver's taste with a simple structure using a conventional master cylinder.
Fourthly, the apparatus includes a sensor which is provided for detecting conditions of the vehicle including a braking condition of the vehicle, a cylinder in which a first elastic members connected with the manually operated braking member to be moved thereby is accommodated, a piston slidably received in the cylinder, a reservoir for draining the brake fluid from the cylinder, a solenoid valve which is disposed between the reservoir and the cylinder, and a master cy
Aizawa Hiroaki
Kusano Akihito
Toda Hiroshi
Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
Burns Doane , Swecker, Mathis LLP
Oberleitner Robert J.
Siconolfi Robert A.
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