Electro-hydraulic braking systems

US6318817A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Lucas Industries plc · GB

Inventors

• Peter Martin · Mountain View, US
• Barry J. Bridgens · Quarry Bank, GB
• Alan Leslie Harris · Coventry, GB
• Michael John Holt · Kenilworth, GB
• Andrew W. Kingston · Rhens, DE
• Robert L. Ferger · Homburg, DE
• Salvatore Oliveri · Filsen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: May 6, 1999
• Grant date: Nov 20, 2001
• Expiry date: May 6, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60T13/686
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An electro-hydraulic braking system for motor vehicles. The system includes a brake pedal and a braking device associated with at least one vehicle wheel which is brought into communication with an electronically controlled valve arrangement in order to apply hydraulic fluid under pressure to the braking device. A fluid pressure accumulator fed by the pump provides a pressurized hydraulic fluid which can be passed to the braking device by way of an electronically controlled valve arrangement in order to apply hydraulic fluid in proportion to the driver braking demand as sensed at the brake pedal in the "brake by wire" mode. A first device within the system provides a level of fluid pressure supply within the electro-hydraulic system whose highest value is less than that sufficient for the maximum possible braking demand level which may be required. A second device within the system recognizes a braking demand level which exceeds that which can be achieved by the highest value of fluid pressure available by the first device and establishes a higher level of fluid pressure supply within the system for controlling the brakes in accordance with the driver's demanded braking level.