Braking force distribution control system and method

• US 6,276,767 B1
• Filed: 09/20/1999
• Issued: 08/21/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nisshinbo Industries, Inc. (Kawasaki Heavy Industries Limited)
• Original Assignee: Nisshinbo Industries, Inc. (Kawasaki Heavy Industries Limited)
• Inventors: Nishizawa, Hiromitsu
• Primary Examiner(s): Butler, Douglas C.
• Application Number:
  US09/399,138
• Time in Patent Office: 701 Days
• Field of Search: 303/186, 303/113.5, 303/187, 303/188, 303/189, 303/176, 303/177, 303/183, 303/9.61, 303/9.71, 303/9.75, 303/9.67, 303/9.68, 303/24.1, 303/198, 303/22-- 2, 188/349, 188/181.C, 188/181.A, 188/195, 701/71, 701/70, 701/72, 701/79, 701/78, 701/83, 701/74
• US Class Current: 303/186
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/268 using the valves of an ABS, ASR or ESP system
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/3275 Systems with a braking assistant function, i.e. automatic full braking initiation in dependence of brake pedal velocity

Abstract

A system and method for initiating a braking force distribution control are disclosed. In one embodiment the deceleration of a front wheel and rear wheel are determined. When the front wheel deceleration is less than the rear wheel deceleration, the braking force distribution control is initiated.

Claims

1. A method of initializing a braking force distribution control system, comprising the steps of:

detecting brake pedal movement;

detecting front wheel deceleration during brake pedal movement;

detecting rear wheel deceleration during brake pedal movement; and

initiating a brake force distribution control system when front wheel deceleration is less than rear wheel deceleration;

wherein the braking force distribution control system comprises a main hydraulic circuit connecting a master cylinder to a front wheel cylinder and a rear wheel cylinder each via an inlet valve, an auxiliary hydraulic circuit connecting an auxiliary reservoir to the front wheel cylinder and the rear wheel cylinder each via an outlet valve, an electronic control device for controlling the main and the auxiliary hydraulic circuit, and a means for determining brake pedal movement and sending signals to the electronic control means which signal is an indicator of brake pedal movement.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the rear wheel deceleration is determined to be less than the front wheel deceleration by a predetermined amount.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, the brake force distribution control system is operated by signals received from the electronic control device.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the electronic control device controls the inlet and outlet valves in response to the signals from the means for determining brake pedal movement.

5. A method of initializing a braking force distribution control system, comprising the steps of:

detecting brake pedal movement;

detecting front wheel deceleration during brake pedal movement;

detecting rear wheel deceleration during brake pedal movement; and

initiating a brake force distribution control system when the difference between the front wheel and the rear wheel deceleration exceeds a predetermined value wherein the braking force distribution control system comprises a main hydraulic circuit connecting a master cylinder to a front wheel cylinder and a rear wheel cylinder each via an inlet valve, an auxiliary hydraulic circuit connecting an auxiliary reservoir to the front wheel cylinder and the rear wheel cylinder each via an outlet valve, an electronic control device for controlling the main and the auxiliary hydraulic circuit; and

a means for determining brake pedal movement and sending signals to the electronic control means which signal is an indicator of brake pedal movement.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein, the brake force distribution control system is operated by signals received from the electronic control device.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the electronic control device controls the inlet and outlet valves in response to the signals from the means for determining brake pedal movement.

8. A system for initializing a braking force distribution control system, comprising:

a means for detecting brake pedal movement;

a means for detecting front wheel deceleration during brake pedal movement;

a means for detecting rear wheel deceleration during brake pedal movement;

a means for analyzing front wheel deceleration relative to rear wheel deceleration;

an electronic control means which operates the braking force distribution control system when front wheel deceleration is determined to be less than rear wheel deceleration;

a main hydraulic circuit connecting a master cylinder to a front wheel cylinder and a rear wheel cylinder each via an inlet valve; and

an auxiliary hydraulic circuit connecting an auxiliary reservoir to the front wheel cylinder and the rear wheel cylinder each via an outlet valve.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the braking force distribution control system is initialized on receiving signals from the electronic control device indicating the front wheel deceleration is determined to a predetermined amount, or more, less than the rear wheel deceleration.