Method of terminating electronic brake force distribution

• US 6,367,892 B1
• Filed: 03/25/1999
• Issued: 04/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. OHG (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. OHG (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Proger, Thomas, Zenzen, Markus
• Primary Examiner(s): Oberleitner, Robert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SY, MARIANO ONG
• Application Number:
  US09/155,319
• Time in Patent Office: 1,111 Days
• Field of Search: 303/9.62, 303/113.5, 303/156, 303/157, 303/158, 303/176, 303/177, 303/186
• US Class Current: 303/186
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/1764 Regulation during travel on surface with different coefficients of friction, e.g. between left and right sides, mu-split or between front and rear
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/1766 Proportioning of brake forces according to vehicle axle loads, e.g. front to rear of vehicle

Abstract

The present invention discloses a brake system with electronic brake force distribution which includes additional criteria of deactivation of the electronic brake force distribution. Deactivation of the electronic brake force distribution is intended to occur, on the one hand, if a pressure increase phase lasts longer than a defined time (50). On the other hand, another criterion of deactivation (60) is deceleration-responsive, and an additional check is made whether or not braking is pedal operated (62).

Claims

1. Method of terminating a mode of electronic brake force distribution for a two-axle vehicle in which the electronic brake force distribution is carried out by variation of braking pressure of rear-axle brakes on command of an electronic control unit, wherein the electronic brake force distribution makes a distinction at least between pressure reduction phases and pressure increase phases,

the method including the step of terminating the electronic brake force distribution if, according to a first condition, a pressure increase phase lasts for a defined time period

wherein the electronic brake force distribution is deactivated prior to expiry of the defined time period if, according to a second condition, a vehicle acceleration exceeds a determined value −

k*g, wherein 0<

k<

1 and g=9.9=81 m/sec²

wherein the deactivation according to the second condition is effected only if there is no coincidental pedal-operated brake application by the driver of the vehicle.

2. Method as claimed in claim 1,

wherein a brake light switch error detection is carried out, and wherein the deactivation according to the second condition is effected only if no such error is detected.

3. Method of terminating a mode of electronic brake force distribution for a two-axle vehicle in which the electronic brake force distribution is carried out by variation of braking pressure of rear-axle brakes on command of an electronic control unit, wherein the electronic brake force distribution makes a distinction at least between pressure reduction phases and pressure increase phases, the method including the step of terminating the electronic brake force distribution if, according to a first condition, a pressure increase phase lasts for a defined time period, and wherein the electronic brake force distribution is deactivated prior to expiry of the defined time period if, according to a second condition, a brake light switch error detection is carried out.

4. Method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the deactivation according to the second condition is effection only if the vehicle acceleration exceeds a determined value −

k*g, wherein 0≦

k<

1 and g=9.81 m/sec².

5. Method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the deactivation according to the second condition is effected only if there is no coincidental pedal-operated brake application by the driver of the vehicle.

6. Method of terminating a mode of electronic brake force distribution for a two-axle vehicle in which the electronic brake force distribution is carried out by variation of braking pressure of rear-axle brakes on command of an electronic control unit, wherein the electronic brake force distribution makes a distinction at least between pressure reduction phases and pressure increase phases, the method including the step of terminating the electronic brake force distribution if, according to a first condition, a pressure increase phase lasts for a defined time period, and wherein the electronic brake force distribution is deactivated prior to expiry of the defined time period if, according to a second condition, a vehicle acceleration exceeds a determined value −

k*g, wherein 0≦

k<

1 and g=9.81 m/sec², a brake light switch error detection is carried out, and there is no coincidental pedal-operated brake application by the driver of the vehicle.