Vacuum protection for brakes
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsDouglas Raymond MARTIN, Dale Scott CROMBEZ, Moses Alexander FRIDMAN
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods for controlling vacuum within a brake booster by modifying powertrain operation include determining an intake manifold vacuum in response to actuation of a brake pedal. Increasing the intake manifold vacuum if the brake booster vacuum is less than a desired brake booster vacuum. In some embodiments, the transmission is downshifted to increase engine speed and intake manifold vacuum.
Claims10
A method for controlling brake vacuum within a brake booster on a vehicle that includes an engine and a transmission, comprising:
- determining an intake manifold vacuum in response to actuation of a brake pedal;
- downshifting the transmission to increase engine speed and intake manifold vacuum in response to the intake manifold vacuum being less than a desired brake booster vacuum;
- and
- reducing torque of the engine to maintain a constant power output of the engine.
A system for controlling brake vacuum comprising:
- an engine including an intake manifold;
- a transmission coupled to the engine;
- a brake system including a brake booster in fluid communication with the engine and a brake pedal;
- and
- a controller programmed to:
- determine vacuum in the intake manifold in response to actuation of the brake pedal,
- downshift the transmission to increase a speed of the engine and to increase the vacuum in the intake manifold in response to the vacuum of the intake manifold being less than a desired brake booster vacuum, and
- reduce torque of the engine to maintain a constant power output of the engine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.