Electric brake controller
US4721344A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 22, 1984 |
| Grant date | Jan 26, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 22, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60T17/20
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An electric brake control circuit is responsive to an activation signal and a vehicle deceleration signal for generating a brake control signal representing a predetermined amount of braking. A comparator compares the voltage level of the brake control signal with the voltage level of a sawtooth waveform to produce a pluse width modulated signal having a duty cycle corresponding to the predetermined amount of braking. This pulse width modulated signal is supplied to an output driver for generating a brake driving signal to energize the brakes. The activation signal is generated at the voltage level of the vehicle power supply when the driver actuates the vehicle stop light switch. The circuit is responsive to the activation signal for disabling the output driver when the voltage level of the activation signal is below a predetermined level. The circuit also senses the current load on the brake driving signal to protect the output driver in the event of a full or partial short circuit condition. As the sensed current load progressively exceeds a predetermined level, the circuit progressively increases the average voltage level of the sawtooth waveform, thus causing the comparator to…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.