Loading patent…
AssigneeKelsey-Hayes Company
InventorsPeter W. Schnerer, Jeffrey E. Shaya, Brian C. Tuck
Estimating the term…
Method and system for testing components, such as a motor, of a vehicular system capable of controlling the relative slip between a vehicle wheel and a road surface, for functionality prior to performing antilock functions utilizing a progressively increasing energization duty cycle, so as to minimize perception of noise by the vehicle operator by minimizing motor energization duration and minimizing peak motor rotational speed. The method includes energizing the motor successively with a plurality of electrical signals, each electrical signal being applied to the motor for a predetermined period of time and having at least one pulse having a width which is progressively increased with respect to the width of the at least one pulse of the previous electrical signal. Each pulse has a width sufficiently long to permit motor operation to test functionality and yet sufficiently short so that the noise associated with the operating motor during this test is minimized.
For use with a vehicle having a system for controlling a relative slip between at least one vehicle wheel and a road surface, the system including an electronic control unit and a pump assembly including a motor having a winding, a method for testing a functionality of the motor comprising:
For use with a vehicle having a system for controlling a relative slip between at least one vehicle wheel and a road surface, the system including an electronic control unit and a pump assembly including a motor having a winding, a method for testing a functionality of the motor comprising:
For use with a vehicle having a system for controlling a relative slip between at least one vehicle wheel and a road surface, the system including an electronic control unit and a pump assembly including a motor having a winding, a method for testing a functionality of the motor comprising:
For use with a vehicle having a system for controlling a relative slip between at least one vehicle wheel and a road surface, the system including an electronic control unit and a pump assembly including a motor having a winding, a system for testing a functionality of the motor comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
Drawings are temporarily unavailable. Open the PDF at USPTO
Comprising an additional fluid circuit including fluid pressurising means for modifying the pressure of the braking fluid, e.g. including wheel…:…
With failure responsive means, i.e. means for detecting and indicating faulty operation of the speed responsive control means: using electrical…
Testing of electric installations on transport means: on road vehicles, e.g. automobiles or trucks
Failsafe aspects of brake control systems: test-mode; Self-diagnosis
Term ended 18 Mar 2014 (estimated)
USPTO file history isn’t available for this patent, so only indexed dates are shown.
The present invention relates to a method and system for testing the integrity of vehicular antilock brake system components.
Vehicle manufacturers are increasingly including antilock braking systems (ABS) on vehicles. These systems are designed to increase the ability of a vehicle operator to bring a vehicle to a stop on road surfaces, even if the surfaces are slippery.
In an ABS system, it is desirable to perform a cycle test of certain ABS system components to determine their functionality prior to a time the vehicle operator requires the system to perform antilock functions. Typically, this cycle test is performed once the vehicle ignition is turned on, or shortly thereafter once the vehicle attains a predetermined speed. Although some ABS systems rely on master cylinder pressure, other systems include a motor which drives a pump for creating system pressure. In these latter systems, it is desirable to test the functionality of the motor, as well as other system components, such as solenoid valve coils.
FIG. 1 is an illustration of a first prior art ignition cycle test signal for a vehicular ABS;
FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a circuit arrangement for carrying out the methodology of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is an illustration of the quiet ignition cycle test sequence according to the present invention; and
Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a schematic diagram of a circuit arrangement including antilock brake system (ABS) componentry shown generally by reference numeral 20 for use with the present invention. As shown, the circuit arrangement 20 includes an electronic control unit (ECU) 12 in electrical communication with a pump motor 14 of a pump assembly 16. The motor 14 includes an output shaft (not specifically illustrated) which is mechanically coupled to a pump.
For purposes of this discussion, the ECU 12 includes known electronic componentry, such as a commercially available microprocessor, as well as random access and read only memories, and executes software, permitting the ECU to control the ABS componentry according to the present invention. Once the motor 14 is energized by the ECU 12, the motor output shaft drives the pump, which in turn provides pressure for the ABS. The other hardware typically associated with an ABS and well-known in the art, such as brake fluid conduits, brake valves, vehicle wheels, wheel speed sensors, and the like have been omitted for the sake of clarity.
Referring now to FIG. 3, there is illustrated an ignition cycle test sequence. The ignition cycle test is executed when the vehicle first moves after an ignition turn-on. As shown, the test comprises a sequence of energizing various ABS components to verify their functionality before the system is needed to perform antilock functions. The test includes a functionality test of the main power relay to check for both an open and/or a shorted relay condition, in preparation for energizing various solenoid coils and the pump motor. As shown, additional functional tests are performed to check for an open motor condition, and to check for both open and/or a shorted solenoid valve (e.g. isolation and dump) coils condition.