Delphi Technologies, Inc.

Other

Douglas E Poole

Gary Chris Fulks

Michael C Pfeil

Timothy Allen Haerr

John Edward Pozenel

David Bernard Drennen

James William Zehnder, Ii

Timothy M Schlangen

Harald Klode

John G Noetzel

Ernest R Siler

Xavier Groult

Michelle Kay Goecke

Vivek V Mohile

A first vehicle autonomous brake-apply system includes a vehicle hydraulic brake assembly, a vacuum booster assembly operatively connected to the vehicle hydraulic brake assembly, a solenoid valve operatively connected to the vacuum booster assembly, and an automatic controller including an output signal operatively connected to the solenoid valve. A second system uses a lateral-acceleration-sensor assembly in place of the automatic controller. A third system includes a braking controller, an electrical braking device, and at least one distance sensor. A method for assisting driving of a vehicle includes applying a braking force to stop the vehicle before the vehicle strikes an obstacle whose distance to the vehicle is measured using at least one distance sensor.

Vehicle autonomous brake-apply system and method

A pressure locking master cylinder including a fluid reservoir for storing a hydraulic fluid, a housing, a piston slidably received within the housing and defining a working chamber and a blocking chamber, wherein the blocking chamber is in fluid communication with the reservoir, and a valve positioned between the blocking chamber and the reservoir, the valve being adapted to selectively trap the hydraulic fluid within the blocking chamber to lock the piston in a position with respect to the housing.

Pressure locking master cylinder

An electronic control systemis provided for independent actuation of a plurality of hydraulic actuatorsThe electronic control systememploys an electronic driverconnected to a first parallel circuit or first low side driverand a second parallel circuit or second low side driverEach parallel circuitcontains a first and a second actuator LLrespectively, connected in series to a first and a second low side MOSFET Qand Qrespectively. Pulse width modulation of the electronic driverin conjunction with selective actuation of either low side driverresults in rapid response to system control algorithms whereby each actuator Lor Lmay be de-activated in a relatively quick manner thereby improving vehicular control.

Control module

A control system for controlling energization of a plurality of valves in a vehicle hydraulic system. The control system includes a plurality of sensors for measuring various dynamic conditions and operational aspects of the vehicle, a signal processing circuit coupled to the plurality of sensors for determining a desired energization of the plurality of valves dependent upon measurements by at least a portion of the plurality of sensors, and a driver circuit coupled to the signal processing circuit for generating, responsive to the desired energization of the plurality of valves as determined by the signal processing circuit, a control signal to energize the plurality of valves to the desired energization. The control system receives inputs from the plurality of vehicle sensors. These inputs are processed, and the processed inputs and signals derived from the inputs are forwarded to the driver circuit for use in generating a control signal for operating the vehicle valve system. In a particular embodiment, the valve system is controlled to operate a plurality of hydraulic actuators to provide a desired configuration of the vehicle.

System and method for controlling vehicle hydraulic system

A tilt sensor system () is provided comprising a housing (), a magnetized region () within the housing (), and a magnetized, articulated pendulum () magnetically coupled to the magnetized region () for suspending the pendulum () within the housing (). In a particular embodiment, the tilt sensor system () is incorporated into a park brake system () including a park brake for securing a portion of a vehicle in a static condition, and a control system for actuating the park brake responsive to a tilt measurement from the tilt sensor system. In addition, the tilt sensor system () may be incorporated into (or functionally coupled to) other vehicle control systems adapted for receiving tilt-related information from the tilt sensor system for use in performing respective vehicle control functions.

Electric park brake inclinometer

A method for controlling the release of a brush motor which has applied a load includes several steps. One step includes applying a release current to the brush motor to rotate the brush motor in a direction toward releasing the applied load of the brush motor. Another step includes sensing the commutator bar ripple current of the brush motor. Another step includes determining when to remove the release current using at least the sensed commutator bar ripple current.

Controlling the release of a brush motor which has applied a load

An intelligent input push rod assembly for applying an input force from a brake pedal to a power booster of a brake system. The input push rod assembly includes a sensor that is capable of generating an electrical output having a magnitude that varies with the amount of force applied to the input push rod by the brake pedal. Preferably, the sensor generates an output voltage signal that is generally proportional to the input force applied to the input push rod. A shunt is provided so that springs associated with the sensor operate in a generally linear force-deflection operating range of the springs. The output signal generated by the sensor is applied to a brake light control system that is supported by the input push rod assembly. The brake light control system uses the signal generated by the sensor to determine whether the vehicle brake lights should be illuminated and also to cause direct illumination of the brake lights during a braking operation.

Method of calibrating an intelligent input push rod assembly

A flow control system and a valve for controlling a fluid flow in a flexible conduit. The valve includes a movable member movable to compressingly contact the outer surface of the flexible conduit to adjust the flow cross-sectional area of the flexible conduit. The flow control system includes the flexible conduit, the valve, and a controller. The controller is operatively connected to the movable member for controllably moving the movable member.

Flow control system and valve for controlling a fluid flow

A torque sensing apparatus for use with a brake caliper having opposing brake pads positioned on opposite sides of a rotor. The brake caliper causes the brake pads to apply a braking force against the rotor that generates a braking torque. A torque transfer device is supported by the brake caliper and is in contact with one of the brake pads. The torque transfer device is resiliently movable with respect to the brake caliper in response to the braking torque. A torque sensor is positioned in a sensing relationship relative to the torque transfer device. Thus, the torque sensor provides an output signal related to a change of position of the torque transfer device and the braking torque. The torque sensor includes a magnet mounted on the torque transfer device and a magnet field sensor, for example, a Hall Effect sensor, is mounted on the brake caliper.

Wheel brake caliper with integral brake pad torque sensing

An assembly for actuating a parking brake comprises a screw, a nut mounted for translation on the screw, and a cable connected between the brake and the nut. A compliant element is mounted on the screw, and is adapted to expand axially with a change in tension in the cable.

Electromechanical parking brake

A brake caliper comprises a motor having a shaft, at least one first planetary gear, and at least one second planetary gear. The at least one first planetary gear is rotatably engaged with the shaft and with a piston, and is operatively engaged with a first carrier. The at least one second planetary gear is operatively engaged with the first stage carrier and with a second carrier. A ball screw is engaged with the second stage carrier for rotation therewith, and a ball screw nut is operatively engaged with the ball screw. A parking brake for the caliper is also provided.

Caliper with internal motor

An intelligent input push rod assembly for applying an input force from a brake pedal to a power booster of a brake system. The input push rod assembly includes a sensor that is capable of generating an electrical output having a magnitude that varies with the amount of force applied to the input push rod by the brake pedal. Preferably, the sensor generates an output voltage signal that is generally proportional to the input force applied to the input push rod. A shunt is provided so that springs associated with the sensor operate in a generally linear force-deflection range of the springs. The output signal generated by the sensor is applied to a brake light control system that is supported by the input push rod assembly. The brake light control system uses the signal generated by the sensor to determine whether the vehicle brake lights should be illuminated and also to cause direct illumination of the brake lights during a braking operation.

Intelligent input push rod assembly

A linear position sensor that includes a plurality of Hall effect transducers enables reliable positioning of a parking brake cable. Coarse positioning sensing is provided by longitudinally spacing the Hall effect transducers such that not more than one transducer has a positively sloped output signal for a given position of a magnet connected to a parking brake cable actuator. Fine position sensing is provided by linear approximation of the output signal with an offset appropriate for the specific transducer having the sensed positively sloped output signal.

Hall effect position sensing in a powered parking brake system

A self contained, supplemental vacuum assist unit is provided for use with a vacuum brake booster and a source of vacuum in a motor vehicle. The unit includes, within a single housing, an electric motor, an air pump driven by the motor, a manifold defining air exhaust and assist vacuum chambers, a pair of check valves permitting air flow from the pump outlet and the assist vacuum chamber to the air exhaust chamber, an outlet from the air exhaust chamber with a fitting for connection to the vacuum source, an opening from the assist vacuum chamber with a fitting providing communication directly to the interior of the vacuum chamber of the booster, and a pressure sensor including a diaphragm, plunger, magnet with a Hall effect sensor and motor control circuitry on a circuit board within the assist vacuum chamber. The unit is compact, light weight and efficient and is designed for attachment directly to the booster with no intervening vacuum hose therebetween.

Self contained, supplemental vacuum assist unit for vehicle brake booster

A brake booster provides additional boost capacity without unduly increasing booster size and weight by providing a vacuum pump connected so as to add its additional vacuum capacity to that of the normal vacuum source when activated in response to sensed approaching run-out. The additional vacuum is provided by connecting the vacuum pump in a second conduit between the vacuum source and the booster vacuum chamber in parallel with a first conduit connecting the vacuum source directly with the booster vacuum chamber, with check valve means in the first and second conduits preventing substantial vacuum loss from the vacuum chamber. Approaching run-out is signaled by a sensor responsive to a vacuum level in the working chamber; and control means are responsive to a predetermined low value of the sensed vacuum level in the working chamber to activate the vacuum pump and thus increase the vacuum level in the vacuum chamber over that produced by the vacuum source, whereby a greater pressure differential is available across the booster diaphragm before run-out is encountered. An optional sensor responsive to vacuum level in the vacuum chamber enables the vacuum pump to be additionally used for backup of the vacuum source while still providing the functionality of the invention in most cases. The venting of the vacuum pump to the vacuum source reduces released noise which might otherwise require bulky noise filter apparatus.

Growing community of inventors

Dayton, OH, United States of America

Douglas E Poole