Electrically driven brake device and control apparatus thereof

• US 20030233179A1
• Filed: 06/13/2003
• Published: 12/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Yokoyama, Atsushi, Matsubara, Kenichiro, Ueki, Nobuyuki, Manaka, Toshio
• Granted Patent: US 6,728,614 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/74 with electrical assistance or drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2270/414 Power supply failure
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/885 using electrical circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 5/001 Mechanical components or aspects of steer-by-wire systems, not otherwise provided for in this maingroup

Abstract

A power supply system for a vehicle is provided which is able to supply an electric brake apparatus with necessary power even if an abnormal condition occurs in a battery or a conductor which is connected to the electric brake apparatus. A relay control unit 12 normally brings a relay 11 in a state in which its input terminal is connected to an A terminal 13. This causes a generator 50 or main battery 20 to supply an electric brake apparatus 100 with power via first and second power supply lines 40 and 41 and charges an auxiliary battery 21. If an abnormal condition occurs at main and auxiliary batteries 20 and 21, main and auxiliary power supply lines 30 and 31, first and second power supply lines 40 and 41, the relay control unit 12 brings the relay 21 into a state in which its input terminal is connected to A or B terminal 13 or 14 in response to the abnormal condition.

Claims

1. A power supply system for a vehicle including a plurality of batteries having a main and auxiliary batteries to supply an electric brake apparatus which is separable into at least two brake systems, with electric power via at least two independent power supply lines characterized in that said power supply system further comprises connection switching means for connecting said auxiliary battery to any one of said plurality power supply lines.

2. A power supply system for a vehicle including a plurality of batteries having a main and auxiliary batteries to supply an electric brake apparatus which is separable into at least two brake systems, with electric power via at least two independent power supply lines characterized in that said power supply system further comprises connection switching means for connecting said auxiliary battery to said main battery or at least one of said plurality power supply lines.

3. A power supply system for a vehicle including a plurality of batteries having a main battery which is charged by a generator and an auxiliary battery to supply an electric brake apparatus which is separable into at least two brake systems, with electric power via at least two independent power supply lines characterized in that said power supply system further comprises connection switching means for connecting said main battery to said plurality of power supply lines and for connecting said auxiliary battery to any one of said plurality power supply lines.

4. A power system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 3 wherein that diodes for preventing currents from flowing back to said main battery are provided between said main battery and said plurality of power supply lines and in that a diode for preventing a current from flowing back to said connection switching means is provided between said connection switching means and at least one of said power supply lines.

5. A power supply system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 3 wherein that connection of said auxiliary battery is switched by said connection switching means in response to a current discharged from at least main and auxiliary batteries.

6. A power supply system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 4 wherein that connection of said auxiliary battery is switched by said connection switching means in response to a current flowing through a conductor which is not provided with a diode of the conductors disposed between said connection switching means and said plurality of power supply lines, or a current flowing through a conductor disposed between said auxiliary battery and said connection switching means.

7. A power supply system for a vehicle including a plurality of batteries having a main and auxiliary batteries to supply an electric steering apparatus which is separable into at least two units, with electric power via at least two independent power supply lines characterized in that said system further comprises connection switching means for connecting said auxiliary battery to any one of said plurality power supply lines.