Back to results
US 6,293,632 B1Granted
Vehicular brake-by-wire system
OwnerJohn F. Grote, J. Denton Tarbetinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention provides an improved torque actuator control system using data inputs from an operator controlled input transducer relating to the desired torque output of a controlled member and inputs concerning the directly measured speed and torque of the controlled member. The improved torque actuator control circuit uses the inputs to generate an output command to the controlled member that results in the direct application of the desired torque output from the controlled member.
Claims35
A brake system for a vehicle, comprising:
- an operator input transducer providing a first signal corresponding to a braking demand;
- a rotatable vehicle member capable of having a rotation speed and an applied torque;
- a torque feedback transducer assembly coupled to said rotatable vehicle member for measuring the torque and providing a second signal corresponding thereto;
- a wheel speed sensor for providing a third signal corresponding to the rotation speed;
- a controller for receiving signals including said first signal, said second signal, and said third signal and providing signals including a fourth signal, said fourth signal corresponding to an applied braking torque;
- and
- a torque actuator assembly adapted to provide a substantially electrically distributed directly applied braking torque to said rotatable vehicle member in response to receiving said fourth signal from said controller;
- wherein the torque actuator assembly is hydraulically independent from a master cylinder.
5 more elements
A brake system for a vehicle, comprising:
- an operator input transducer providing a first signal corresponding to a braking demand;
- a rotatable vehicle member capable of having a rotation speed and an applied torque:
- a torque feedback transducer assembly coupled to said rotatable vehicle member for measuring the torque and providing a second signal corresponding thereto;
- a wheel speed sensor for providing a third signal corresponding to the rotation speed;
- a controller for receiving signals including said first signal, said second signal, and said third signal and providing signals including a fourth signal, said fourth signal corresponding to an applied braking torque;
- and
- a torque actuator assembly adapted to provide an applied braking torque to said rotatable vehicle member in response to receiving said fourth signal from said controller;
- wherein the torque feedback transducer comprises:
- a pair of overlapping torsion arms pivotably coupled to opposite sides of the torque actuator assembly and extending toward each other;
- and
- a transducer element positioned between said torsion arms and operationally coupled to said controller;
- wherein the plane of pivoting of said torsion arms is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotatable vehicle member.
9 more elements
A torque actuator control circuit comprising:
- a digital controller having a timer circuit adapted to provide fail-safe operation in case of an emergency loss of the electronic controller;
- a test circuit operationally coupled to the digital controller;
- a power supply operationally coupled to the digital controller;
- and
- an input/output interface adapted to receive a first input signal from a speed sensor, a second input signal from a torque sensor, and a third input signal from an input transducer and relay them to the digital controller and adapted to send a control output signal from the digital controller to a torque actuator;
- wherein the digital controller is adapted to process signals from the input/output interface, determine the maximum level of torque required, and send a command signal through the input/output interface to the torque actuator.
3 more elements
A torque feedback transducer system comprising:
- a frame;
- a first torsion arm pivotably coupled at a first point of said first torsion arm to a first portion of the frame;
- a second torsion arm pivotably coupled at a first point of said second torsion arm to a second portion of the frame;
- said torsion arms including overlapping portions;
- a piezoelectric transducer element positioned between said overlapping portions of said torsion arms and adapted to be operationally connected to a controller;
- wherein said torsion arms pivot around their respective first points when a force is exerted on said frame, thereby compressing or decompressing said transducer element.
3 more elements
A method for the independently controlled braking of each rotatable member of a vehicle, comprising:
- a) providing a preprogrammed controller having predetermined vehicle and braking parameters;
- b) providing a piezoelectrically induced torque actuator for each rotatable member, the torque actuators being adapted to apply a braking torque to their respective rotatable members;
- c) providing a torque feedback transducer for each rotatable member, the torque feedback transducers being adapted to detect the developed brake torque on their respective individual rotatable members and to send a signal representing the brake torque to the controller;
- d) providing a speed sensor for each rotatable member, the speed sensors being adapted to detect the rotational speed of their respective rotatable members and to send a signal representing the speed to the controller;
- e) providing an operator input transducer adapted to send a signal representing a request for a level of braking torque to the controller;
- f) determining a braking torque for each rotatable member in accordance with the request for a level of braking and within the predetermined braking parameters;
- g) sending a signal to the torque actuator associated with each rotatable member representing the braking torque to be applied to the respective rotatable member;
- and
- h) developing substantially the entire determined braking torque in the respective piezoelectrically induced torque actuator for each respective rotatable member.
6 more elements
A method for the independently controlled braking of each rotatable member of a vehicle, comprising:
- a) providing a preprogrammed controller having predetermined vehicle and braking parameters;
- b) providing a piezoelectrically induced torque actuator for each rotatable member, the torque actuators being adapted to apply a braking torque to their respective rotatable members and;
- c) providing a torque feedback transducer for each rotatable member, the torque feedback transducers being adapted to detect the developed brake torque on their respective individual rotatable members and to send a signal representing the brake torque to the controller;
- d) providing a speed sensor for each rotatable member, the speed sensors being adapted to detect the rotational speed of their respective rotatable members and to send a signal representing the speed to the controller;
- e) providing an operator input transducer adapted to send a signal representing a request for a level of braking torque to the controller;
- f) determining a braking torque for each rotatable member in accordance with the request for a level of braking and within the predetermined braking parameters;
- g) sending a signal to the torque actuator associated with each rotatable member representing the braking torque to be applied to the respective rotatable member;
- and
- h) applying the determined braking torque to each respective rotatable member;
- wherein (b) further comprises providing a pair of rotatable overlapping torsion arms fastened on opposite sides of the torque actuator and extending towards each other.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.