Rockwell International Corporation

Daniel W Roper

Dennis A Kramer

Mark E Malinowski

Edward G Trachman

John W Wiers

Richard F Johnson

John Dombrowski

A antilock brake system utilizes a microprocessor controller to monitor the rate of speed decay of a braked wheel of a vehicle and to cause release of braking force under incipient wheel lock-up conditions. The microprocessor receives a single digital wheel speed input signal and processes the latter in accordance with a program whereby a reference signal is generated and is periodically compared with the wheel speed signal to determine if a lock-up condition is in progress. The microprocessor compares the speed signal with the reference signal at frequent sampling intervals and when the wheel speed decreases at a rate exceeding a desired value, the reference signal is varied by the microprocessor to decrease at a predetermined first rate of decrement until the wheel speed signal and the reference signal correspond to each other, indicating that the wheel speed is dropping at a rate in excess of a desired rate of speed decay. The microprocessor adjusts the rate of decrement of the reference signal at a second maximum rate and generates a brake release signal to relieve the brake force applied to the wheel. When the wheel speed signal again crosses over the reference signal, the brake force is restored and the reference signal again tracks the wheel speed signal at a value less than the wheel speed signal. The microprocessor determines whether the weel is on a high or low friction surface and compensates for the latter by extending the brake release signal to provide additional time for the wheel to regain velocity. The microprocessor controller restricts the maximum time of brake release signal generation during each brake release cycle. The wheel speed sensing system and microprocessor controller are located remote from the braked wheel and in close proximity to each other to minimize the effects of shock, vibration and electrical interference. A failsafe circuit arrangement is also disclosed as part of the microprocessor controller.

Antilock brake system

A low power electric motor slowly leads a spring, which rapidly operates a two speed axle shift. An electric motor drives a nonreversing worm gear which engages a gear rack on a shaft. The shaft supports a caged spring. The motor moves the shaft, compressing the spring against one end of the cage, storing energy required for shifting. A solenoid piston holds the cage in position. When the shift is desired, the solenoid is tripped, the piston is raised and the spring moves the cage. An arm on the cage moves the shift lever. The solenoid piston engages the opposite detent in the cage and holds the cage in the new position. As the cage arrives at the new position, a lug trips a microswitch which completes a circuit to operate the motor in the reverse direction. The motor worm slowly drives the gear which slowly drives the rack to move the shaft in the reverse direction, compressing the spring against the opposite end of the cage. When the shaft moves sufficiently to fully load the spring, a lug on the shaft trips the switch turning the motor off. The next pulsing of the solenoid causes the spring to drive the cage in the opposite direction, back towards its first position, where the solenoid locks the cage. A lug in the cage trips the switch, turning the motor on to run in a forward direction, driving the shaft to its original position and compressing the spring until a lug on the shaft engages a switch, turning the motor off.

Two speed axle

The present invention contemplates a preferred position for mounting an antilock control system that uses a single wheel speed sensor. The wheel speed sensor is mounted to sense speed of rotation of the main differential gear in a differential gear assembly and generates a wheel speed signal indicative of the average rate of rotation of at least two wheels of the vehicle. The sensing point is beyond the final reduction in gear ratios so as to eliminate any need to accommodate different axle ratios. The preferred mounting position also reduces velocity fluctuations caused by oscillations of the truck driveline. A microprocessor controller is mounted in close proximity to the wheel speed sensor so as to minimize the length of sensor leads and, hence, the susceptibility of the antilock controller to electromagnetic interference. In the preferred embodiment, a single wheel speed sensor on one axle of a truck controls a solenoid valve that releases braking force from all the drive wheels of the vehicle in response to the wheel speed signal. Alternately, an antilock controller may be used on each axle and control only the brakes of that axle so as to provide axle-by-axle braking control.

Antilock brake system with wheel speed sensor

A low power electric motor slowly load to spring, which rapidly operates a two speed axle shift. An electric motor drives a nonreversing worm gear which engages a gear rack on a shaft. The shaft supports a caged spring. The motor moves the shaft, compressing the spring against one end of the cage, storing energy required for shifting. A solenoid piston holds the cage in position. When the shift is desired, the soleniod is tripped, the piston is raised and the spring moves the cage. An arm on the cage moves the shift lever. The solenoid piston engages the opposite detent in the cage and holds the cage in the new position. As the cage arrives at the new position, a lug trips a microswitch which completes a circuit to operate the motor in the reverse direction. The motor worm slowly drives the gear which slowly drives the rack to move the shaft in the reverse direction, compressing the spring against the opposite end of the cage. When the shaft moves sufficiently to fully load the spring, a lug on the shaft trips the switch turning the motor off. The next pulsing of the solenoid causes the spring to drive the cage in the opposite direction, back towards its first position, where the solenoid locks the cage. A lug in the cage trips the switch, turning the motor on to run in a forward direction, driving the shaft to its original position and compressing the spring until a lug on the shaft engages a switch, turning the motor off.

Two speed axle shift actuator

A limited slip differential includes a rotatably mounted differential casing with a pair of side gears rotatably mounted therein. One of the side gears includes an annular clutch plate having a frusto-conical clutch surface. A clutch ring is generally mounted for rotation with the differential casing and is capable of axial movement between a biased non-engaged position and an engaged position against biasing wherein a mating surface thereon is brought into contact with the frusto-conical clutch surface of the clutch plate. An inertial ring is mounted for rotation with the differential casing but is capable of circumferential movement relative thereto between a neutral position and an actuated position. When either of the side gears experiences a slipped condition, it rapidly accelerates to cause the differential casing to exceed a predetermined rate of acceleration. The inertial ring has sufficient mass to resist the acceleration of the differential casing to cause it to be moved from the neutral to the actuated position. A thrust pin is aligned with a cam surface on the inertial ring to cause it to be moved axially when the inertial ring is in the actuated position so that the other end of the thrust pin will move the clutch ring to the engaged position. When the clutch ring is in the engaged position, frictional contact between the clutch ring and the clutch plate will cause the clutch ring to be rotated with the side gear. As the clutch ring tries to rotate with the side gear, camming surfaces on the clutch ring and the differential casing are brought into contact to prevent further relative rotation between the differential casing and the side gear until the force generated between the differential casing and the clutch ring is released.

Limited slip differential

A mechanism is provided for adjusting the relative position of an automotive seat with respect to the floor of the automobile. The mechanism has a first member having a pair of flat converging surfaces of substantial length defining a path of movement between the seat and the floor. At least one locking member is provided and includes a groove having converging side walls complementary with the flat converging surfaces of the first member. The locking member is capable of movement toward and away from the flat converging surfaces of the first member. A spring is provided to bias the locking member toward the flat converging surfaces of the first member thereby wedging the flat converging surfaces of the first member into the groove on the locking element. This prevents relative movement between the seat and the floor. A release mechanism is provided for moving the locking element away from the flat converging surfaces on the first member to permit movement of the components along the path of adjustment.

Seat positioner

The invention consists of an infinitely variable seat reclining mechanism which is composed of a first arm attached to the seat cushion frame and a second arm attached to the seat back frame. A pivot pin rigidly secured to the second arm extends to at least one side thereof on an axis of rotation. The first arm is rotatably mounted on the pivot pin to be capable of relative rotation with respect to the second arm. A pair of locking pawls are rotatably mounted on the first arm. The locking pawls are capable of rotation toward and away from one another about separate pivot points and into contact with a circular friction surface on the second arm. The circular friction surface on the second arm has its center at the axis of rotation between the first and second arms. A spring is included for biasing the locking pawls toward one another. Each of the locking pawls has a substantially V-shaped groove on one end thereof which is capable of engaging the friction surface on the second arm. The friction surface also has a substantially V-shaped section with an included angle equal to the included angle of the grooves in the locking pawls. The interaction between the grooved surfaces on the locking pawls and on the second arm prevent relative rotation between the first and second arms. A lever arm is included for moving the locking pawls away from one another against the spring and out of engagement with the friction surface of the second arm thereby allowing relative rotation between the first and second arms.

Infinitely variable seat recliner mechanism

An infinitely variable seat recliner mechanism is provided for automobile seats. The mechanism has a first arm having a generally V-shaped camming surface thereon. The mechanism has a second arm having a pivot pin rigidly attached thereto. The first arm is mounted on the pivot pin of the second arm to enable relative rotation therebetween. There are two wedge blocks having a generally V-shaped friction surface at one end thereof slidably mounted on and retained in the generally V-shaped camming surface on the first arm. A friction surface is provided on the second arm having a generally V-shaped cross section with an included angle equal to the included angle of the friction surfaces on the wedge blocks and is capable of mating therewith. Each of the wedge blocks is capable of sliding along one leg of the V-shaped surface of the first arm and into locking engagement with the friction surface on the second arm thereby preventing rotation of the second arm relative to the first arm in one direction respectively. A spring is provided to force the wedge blocks into engagement with the friction surface on the second arm. A release mechanism is also provided to move the wedge blocks out of contact with the friction surfaces on the second arm to permit free rotation between the first and second arms.

Growing community of inventors

Rochester, MI, United States of America

Daniel W Roper