The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 30, 2001
Filed:
Dec. 28, 1998
Masanobu Fukami, Aichi-ken, JP;
Kenji Tozu, Yokkaichi, JP;
Takayuki Itoh, Nagoya, JP;
Satoshi Yokoyama, Nishio, JP;
Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Kariya, JP;
Abstract
A brake control apparatus includes a first valve for opening and closing a main line, a pump having an inlet port and an outlet port to supply pressurized brake fluid to a point between the main line and the wheel cylinder, an auxiliary line Mfc connecting the inlet port of the pump to a master cylinder, a second valve for opening and closing the auxiliary line, a brake operation sensor for detecting the operation of a brake pedal, and an electronic controller which controls the first valve, the second valve, and the hydraulic pump. The electronic controller judges the need for brake assist control based on the detection by the brake operation sensor and controls the first valve, the second valve and the pump to perform the brake assist control. The electronic control unit also controls the duty ratio for the second valve based on the detection of the brake operation sensor. According to the present invention, the duty ratio is determined based on the detection of the brake operation sensor when the brake assist control is judged to be necessary. The electronic control unit immediately drives the second valve with the determined duty ratio so that the pressure is promptly increased in the wheel cylinder in accordance with the driver's operation of the brake pedal.