TITLE
VEHICLE BRAKE SYSTEM
ARRANGEMENT FOR PREVENTING
PRESSURE CROSS TALK DURING VSC MANEUVER
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims the benefit of United States provisional patent application identified as Application No. 60/055,979, filed August 18, 1997.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to a vehicle brake system and in particular a vehicle stability control (VSC) system for use in an anti-lock brake
(ABS) and traction control (TC) system. Vehicles are commonly slowed and stopped with hydraulic brake systems.
These systems vary in complexity but a base brake system typically includes a tandem master cylinder, fluid conduit arranged in two similar but separate brake circuits, and wheel brakes in each circuit. The master cylinder generates hydraulic forces in both brake circuits by pressurizing brake fluid when the driver steps on the brake pedal. The pressurized fluid travels through the fluid conduit in both circuits to actuate brake cylinders at the wheels and slow the vehicle.
Braking a vehicle in a controlled manner under adverse conditions requires precise application of the brakes by the driver. Under these conditions, a driver can easily apply excessive brake pressure thus causing one or more wheels to lock, resulting in excessive slippage between the wheel and road
surface. Such wheel lock-up conditions can lead to greater stopping distances and possible loss of directional control.
Advances in braking technology have led to the introduction of ABS systems. An ABS system monitors wheel rotational behavior and selectively applies and relieves brake pressure in the corresponding wheel brakes in order to maintain the wheel speed within a selected slip range while achieving maximum braking forces. While such systems are typically adapted to control the braking of each braked wheel of the vehicle, some systems have been developed for controlling the braking of only a portion of the braked wheels. Electronically controlled ABS valves, comprising apply valves and dump valves, are located between the master cylinder and the wheel brakes and perform the pressure regulation. Typically, when activated, these ABS valves operate in three pressure control modes: pressure apply, pressure dump and pressure hold. The apply valves allow brake pressure into the wheel brakes to increase pressure during the apply mode, and the dump valves release pressure from the wheel cylinders during the dump mode. Wheel cylinder pressure is held constant during the hold mode.
A further development in braking technology has led to the introduction of traction control (TC) systems. Additional valves have been added to existing ABS systems to provide a brake system that controls wheel speed during acceleration. Excessive wheel speed during vehicle acceleration leads to wheel slippage and a loss of traction. An electronic control system senses this condition and automatically applies braking pressure to the wheel cylinders of the slipping wheel to reduce the slippage and increase the traction available. In order to achieve optimal vehicle acceleration, braking pressures greater than the master cylinder pressure must quickly be available when the vehicle is accelerating.
During vehicle motion such as cornering, dynamic forces are generated which can reduce vehicle stability. A VSC brake system improves the stability of the vehicle by counteracting these forces through selective brake actuation. These forces and other vehicle parameters are detected by sensors that signal an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit automatically operates pressure control devices to regulate the amount of hydraulic pressure applied to specific individual wheel brakes. In order to achieve optimum vehicle stability, brake pressures greater than the master cylinder pressure may be required in a very short time. However, a brake system that generates high pressures very quickly typically has high power requirements or uses a large high-pressure accumulator.
It would be desirable to provide an ABS/TC/VSC brake system which would provide fluid pressures in excess of master cylinder pressure quickly using a low amount of power and a low amount of stored energy.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an improved ABS/TC/VSC vehicle brake system. The vehicle brake system includes a hydraulic master cylinder connected to wheel brakes via brake conduits. A pump generates fluid pressures and pressure control valves located between the master cylinder and the wheel brakes regulate the fluid pressures at the wheel brakes to achieve ABS and traction control. A medium-pressure accumulator stores fluid pressurized by the pump, which is supplied to the wheel brakes via associated control valves to achieve VSC braking control. The brake system has low power requirements because the medium-pressure accumulator does not have to be filled quickly, yet the stored pressurized fluid can be released to the wheel brakes to quickly produce the braking pressures necessary for initiating most VSC applications. The pump is
used to supplement the accumulator pressures to achieve full VSC control. Pressure cross talk between opposite side wheel brakes when braking during a VSC maneuver is prevented by a hydraulic arrangement which includes either a relatively small high-pressure accumulator at the discharge of the pump or an 5 arrangement of check valves or both.
Various objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.
l o BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a hydraulic schematic of an ABS/TC VSC brake system with a medium-pressure accumulator having two channel VSC control in accordance with this invention.
Fig. 2 is a sectional elevational view of the medium-pressure accumulator 15 illustrated in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a sectional elevational view of the bypass valve illustrated in Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a sectional elevational view of a self-relieving HPA that may be used in the brake system of the invention. 20 Fig. 5 is a hydraulic schematic of an ABS/TC/VSC brake system with a medium-pressure accumulator having four channel VSC control in accordance with this invention.
Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of an alternate embodiment of an ABS/TC/VSC brake system in accordance with this invention. 25
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Fig. 1 illustrates an ABS/TC/VSC brake system 10 according to this invention. The brake system 10 includes a tandem master cylinder 12 for pressurizing brake fluid when the driver steps on the brake pedal 14. A brake switch 16 is connected to the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) 18 to indicate that the driver is stepping on the brake pedal 14. A reservoir 20 is connected to the master cylinder 12 and holds a supply of brake fluid at atmospheric pressure. Two separate brake circuits 22a, 22b are connected to the master cylinder 12 via main fluid conduits 24 and 26 respectively. The brake system 10 is preferably configured as a vertical split system with brake circuit 22a having first and second wheel brakes 28 and 29 connected to the master cylinder 12 via the main conduit 24 and brake circuit 22b having first and second wheels brakes 30 and 31 connected to the master cylinder 12 via main conduit 26. The brake system 10 provides ABS control to all four wheel brakes 28-31 and brake circuit 22b provides VSC and traction control to the wheel brakes 30 and 31.
In brake circuit 22a, the main conduit 24 splits into two conduits 32 and 33. A normally open solenoid actuated 2-position, 2-way ABS isolation valve 34 is located in conduit 32 between the master cylinder 12 and the wheel brakes 28 and 29. The solenoid actuated isolation valve 34 has a first, open position 34a and a second position 34b having a one-way valve which allows fluid to flow from the wheel brakes 28 and 29 towards the master cylinder 12 but prevents flow in the opposite direction. A pump 36 having an inlet 36a and an outlet 36b is located in conduit 33. A 2-position, 2-way solenoid actuated dump valve 38 is located in conduit 33 between the wheel brakes 28 and 29 and the pump inlet 36a. A damping chamber 37 and restricting orifice 39 are located at the pump outlet 36b to reduce the pressure pulsations from the pump. A low-pressure accumulator (LPA) 40 is located in conduit 33 between the pump 36 and the
dump valve 38. The dump valve 38 has a first, one-way position 38a which prevents fluid from flowing from the wheel brakes 28 and 29 to the LPA 40 but allows fluid to flow in the opposite direction, and a second, open position 38b allowing flow in both directions. In circuit 22b, a master cylinder pressure transducer 41 is located in conduit 26 and is connected to the ECU 18 to indicate the master cylinder pressure. The main brake conduit 26 splits into two conduits 42 and 43. Conduit 42 is connected to the first wheel brake 30 and conduit 43 is connected to the second wheel brake 31. A first normally open solenoid actuated 2-position, 2- way ABS isolation valve 44 is located in conduit 42 between the first wheel brake 30 and the master cylinder 12. A second normally open solenoid actuated 2-position, 2-way ABS isolation valve 46 is located in conduit 43 between the second wheel brake 31 and the master cylinder 12. The ABS isolation valves 44, 46 have a first open position 44a, 46a and a second position 44b, 46b having a one-way valve which allows fluid to flow from the wheel brakes 30 and 31 towards the master cylinder 12 but prevents flow in the opposite direction. A normally open solenoid actuated 2-position, 2-way TC/VSC isolation valve 48 is located in conduit 26 between the master cylinder 12 and the ABS isolation valves 44 and 46. The TC/VSC isolation valve 48 has a first open position 48a, and a second position 48b having a one-way valve which allows fluid to flow from the master cylinder 12 towards the wheel brakes 30 and 31 but prevents flow in the opposite direction.
Conduits 50 and 51 connect the first and second wheel brakes 30 and 31 respectively to a conduit 52 that is connected to conduit 43. A pump 54 having an inlet 54a and an outlet 54b is located in conduit 52. An optional restricting orifice 55 may be provided at the pump outlet 54b to reduce the pressure pulsations from the pump. To further dampen pressure pulsations, a
conventional damping chamber (not shown) may be connected between the pump outlet 54b and the restricting orifice 55.
According to a first embodiment of the invention, the brake system 10 includes a relatively small high-pressure accumulator (HP A) 56. As shown in Fig. 1 , the HP A 56 is connected to the second conduit 43 by an inlet line 56a. Of course, as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, the HP A 56 could alternatively be connected to the first conduit 42, since no system components are interposed between the inlet line 56a and the first conduit 42. The HP A 56 acts to maintain the pressure in the portions of the first conduit 42 and the second conduit 43 connected to the inlet line 56a at a higher pressure than the pressure at either the first and second wheel brakes 30 and 31, as will be described below. The HP A 56 is preferably of the type of accumulator having a piston 56b reciprocably mounted and sealingly engaging the inner surface wall of a cylinder 56c, with a spring 56d urging the piston 56b toward the end of the cylinder 56c in communication with the inlet line 56a. However, any suitable type of high-pressure accumulator may be used. The portion of the cylinder 56c containing the spring 56d ("the spring side") is preferably vented back to the master cylinder 12 via a conduit 56e and a flow path to be described below. A first 2-position, 2-way solenoid actuated dump valve 57 is located in conduit 50 between the wheel brake 30 and the connection with conduit 52. A second 2-position, 2-way solenoid actuated dump valve 58 is located in conduit 51 between the wheel brake 31 and the connection with conduit 52. A low- pressure accumulator (LPA) 60 is located in conduit 52 between the pump 54 and the dump valves 57 and 58. The dump valves 57, 58 each have a first, one- way position 57a, 58a which prevents fluid from flowing from the wheel brakes 30 and 31 to the LPA 60 but allows fluid to flow in the opposite direction, and a second, open position 57b, 58b allowing flow in both directions.
A supply conduit 62 is connected to the main brake conduit 26 between the TC/VSC isolation valve 48 and the master cylinder 12. The cylinder 56c of the HPA 56 is preferably vented back to the master cylinder 12 via the conduit 56e through the supply conduit 62. Thus, pressure from the master cylinder 12 can assist in discharging fluid from the HPA 56. It is also contemplated that instead of being vented back to the master cylinder 12, the conduit 56e could suitably be connected to vent the spring side of the cylinder 56c of the HPA 56 to the LPA 60, or could be connected to vent the spring side of the cylinder 56c of the HPA 56 to atmospheric pressure. Of course, each of these choices would have a different effect on the differential pressures experienced by the HPA 56, and thus affect the operating characteristics thereof.
The supply conduit 62 is also connected to the pump inlet 54a for supplying the pump 54 with fluid. A 2-position, 2-way solenoid actuated supply valve 64 is located in the supply conduit 62 between the master cylinder 12 and the pump inlet 54a. The supply valve 64 has a first, one-way position 64a, in which a spring-loaded check valve 65 prevents fluid from flowing from the master cylinder 12 to the pump inlet 57a but allows fluid to flow in the opposite direction when the fluid reaches pressures of approximately 800 p.s.i. greater than the pressure out of the master cylinder 12. The 800 p.s.i. pressure requirement may be different depending on system parameters. The supply valve 64 also has a second, open position 64b allowing flow in both directions. A one-way check valve 63 is located between the connection of the supply conduit 62 to the conduit 52 and the LPA 60. The check valve 63 prevents fluid in the supply conduit from flowing into the LPA 60, but allows fluid in the accumulator 60 to flow towards the pump inlet 54a.
A medium-pressure accumulator (MPA) 66 is located in the conduit 68, which connects the conduit 62 to the conduit 43. The MPA stores fluid at
pressures which are higher than a typical low-pressure accumulator but which are lower than typical high-pressure accumulators. The MPA stores fluid at preferably between 40 p.s.i. and 400 p.s.i., however fluid may be stored at other suitable pressures. A switch 69 on the MPA 66 is connected to the ECU 18 to indicate whether or not the MPA 66 is full of pressurized fluid.
Referring now to Fig. 2, there is illustrated one possible embodiment of the medium-pressure accumulator 66. The MPA 66 includes a housing 268 having a bore 270. A port 271 intersects the bore 270 and connects with conduit 68 shown in Fig. 1. A cup-shaped end cap 272 is disposed within the bore 270 and secured by a snap ring 285. The cup-shaped end cap 272 includes an annular rim surface 273, which extends into the bore 270. The end cap 272 includes a seal 274 to sealingly enclose the bore 270 to keep out contaminants. A cup- shaped piston 276 is disposed within the bore 270 and includes an annular rim 277, which extends into the bore 270. A seal 278 is disposed within a groove 279 in the outer surface of the piston 276. A pressure chamber 280 is defined between the sealed piston 276 and port 271. A cylindrical piston extension 281 having a shoulder 282 is disposed within the cup-shaped piston 276. A spring 284 is disposed between the piston 276 and the end cap 271. The spring 284 abuts the shoulder 282 of the extension 281, biases the extension against the piston 276, and biases the piston 276 towards the port 271. A switch 269 is mounted to the end cap 272 and includes an extension 286, which extends into the bore 270 and past the end cap 271.
The MPA 66 stores pressurized fluid in the pressure chamber 280. Fluid entering the pressure chamber 280 from port 271 pushes the piston 276 upward towards the end cap 272 and expands the pressure chamber 280. The spring 284 exerts a force against the piston 276 that pressurizes the fluid in the pressure chamber 280. When the MPA 66 begins to fill, the fluid pressure in the pressure
chamber 280 is approximately 40 p.s.i. When the MPA 66 is full, the piston 276 contacts the end cap 272 and the annular rim 277 of the piston 276 abuts the annular rim of the end cap 273. In addition, the extension 281 abuts the switch extension 286 that operates the switch 269 to indicate that the MPA 66 is full. When the MPA 66 is full, the fluid pressure in the pressure chamber 280 is approximately 400 p.s.i. When fluid exits the pressure chamber 280, the piston 276 moves downwardly, the piston extension no longer contacts the switch extension 286, and the switch 269 indicates that the MPA 66 is no longer full. Referring again to Fig. 1, a first control valve in the form of a 2-position, 2-way solenoid actuated priming valve 70 is located in conduit 68 between the supply valve 64 and the MPA 66. The priming valve 70 has a first, one-way position 70a, in which a spring-loaded check valve 71 prevents fluid from flowing from the master cylinder 12 to the MPA 66 but allows fluid to flow in the opposite direction when the fluid reaches a pressure differential of approximately 1600 p.s.i. across the valve 70. The priming valve 70 also has a second, open position 70b allowing flow in both directions.
A second control valve in the form of a 2-position, 2-way solenoid actuated charging valve 72 is located in conduit 68 between the connection with conduit 43 and the MPA 66. The charging valve 72 has a first, one-way position 72a, in which a spring-loaded check valve 73 prevents fluid from flowing from the MPA 66 towards the wheel brakes 30 and 31 but allows fluid to flow in the opposite direction when the fluid reaches a pressure differential of approximately 1600 p.s.i. across the charging valve 72. The 1600 p.s.i. pressure requirements needed to open the spring loaded check valves 71 and 73 may be different values depending on system parameters. The charging valve 72 also has a second, open position 72b allowing flow in both directions. A switchable solenoid valve is used rather than a check valve because by opening the charging valve 72 the
MPA can be charged by the pump 54 without creating a large load on the pump 54. Also, a solenoid valve is more contamination resistant in the fully open position than a spring loaded check valve used as a relief valve.
A bypass valve 74 is connected to conduits 43 and 62 and is connected in parallel to the TC/VSC isolation valve 48 and the HPA 56. The bypass valve 74 prevents excessive pressure buildup by opening at approximately 2500 p.s.i. to allow pressurized fluid to flow through the conduit 62 back to the master cylinder 12 when the TC/VSC isolation valve 48 is in the second position 48b. The opening pressure of the bypass valve 74 should be higher than the sum of the opening pressure of the spring loaded check valve 73 in the charging valve 72 plus the MPA pressure. Such an arrangement directs fluid from the wheel brakes 30 and 31 which was taken from the MPA 66 during VSC mode back to the MPA 66 at the completion of the VSC maneuver rather than directing the fluid to the master cylinder 12 by ensuring that the spring loaded check valve 73 opens before the bypass valve 74.
Referring now to Fig. 3, there is illustrated the bypass valve indicated generally at 74 according to the invention. The bypass valve 74 includes a housing 302 having a bore 304. A first port 306 connected with conduit 43 intersects the bore 304, and a second port 308 connected with conduit 62 intersects the bore 304. A filter, preferably a cigar band filter 307, is disposed at the first port 306. A sleeve 310 is disposed within the bore 304 and secured therein by a snap ring 312. A first sleeve seal 314 is disposed between the outer surface of the sleeve 310 and the bore 304 to prevent fluid flow between the first and second ports 306 and 308. The first sleeve seal 314 is preferably a lip seal which may allow some fluid flow from the second port 308 to the first port 306 but not in the opposite direction; however, other known seals may be used. A second sleeve seal 316 is disposed between the outer surface of the sleeve 310
and the bore 304 to prevent fluid flow between the first port 306 and the atmosphere. The sleeve 310 includes a coaxial bore 318 having a first sleeve shoulder 320 and a second sleeve shoulder 322. A radial bore 324 intersects the sleeve coaxial bore 318 providing fluid communication between the first port 306 and the coaxial bore 318. An end piece 326 is disposed in the bore 304 and retained therein by a swage 328 formed on the sleeve 310. A seal 330 is disposed in a groove 332 formed on the outer surface of the end piece 326. The end piece 326 includes a coaxial bore 334 having a valve seat 336. An optional orifice 337 is disposed beneath the valve seat 336 which improves the contamination resistance of the valve be creating greater valve lift. An optional filter 338 is disposed in the end piece coaxial bore 334.
A poppet 340 is slidably disposed within the sleeve coaxial bore 318 coaxial to the end piece 326. The poppet 340 includes a first end 342 having a shoulder 344 and a coaxial bore 346. A check element, such as a ball 347 is disposed in the poppet bore 346 for seating against the valve seat 336. The poppet further includes a second end 348 which is sealed by seal 350 abutting the second sleeve shoulder 322 to prevent fluid flowing from the sleeve coaxial bore 318 to the atmosphere. An annular washer 352 is disposed against the first sleeve shoulder 320 and a spring 354 is disposed between the washer 352 and the poppet shoulder 344. The spring 354 biases the poppet 340 towards the end piece 326 so that the ball 347 seats against the valve seat 336 and closes fluid communication between the first and second ports 306 and 308.
When the fluid pressure at port 306 and inside the sleeve bore 318 reaches a predetermined pressure, the poppet 340 is pushed upward and the ball moves off the valve seat to allow fluid to flow through the bypass valve 74 from port 306 to port 308. The fluid pressure require to lift the poppet 340 and open the valve is preferably approximately 2500 p.s.i., but may be any suitable pressure.
The poppet seal 350 allows the poppet 340 to be referenced to atmosphere so that the fluid pressure required to lift the poppet 340 is measured relative to atmospheric pressure.
Referring again to Fig. 1, in an alternate embodiment which is contemplated, the bypass valve 74 is connected to discharge to the LPA 60, instead of to the supply conduit 62 connected to the master cylinder 12. Such an arrangement would avoid venting fluid out of the brake circuit 22b to the master cylinder 12.
Note that in another alternate embodiment which is contemplated, the relief function provided by the bypass valve 74 and the accumulator function of the HPA 56 could be integrated into a single component. One embodiment of such a self-relieving HPA is illustrated generally at 500 in Fig. 4. The HPA 500 includes a cylinder body 502, which defines an inlet port 504 and an outlet port 506. The inlet port 504 could be connected to the inlet line 56a of Fig. 1 in place of the HPA 56, while the outlet port 506 could be connected to the conduit 56e of Fig. 1. A cylindrical bore 508 having an open end 508a and a blind end 508b is defined in the body 502, along which connections to the inlet port 504 and the outlet port 506 are axially spaced.
A cup-shaped cap 510 is fitted into the open end 508a of the bore 508. The body 502 is provided with threads near the open end 508a of the bore 508 which engage mating threads formed on the cap 510 at the location indicated by the arrow 512 to secure the cap 510 in the bore 508. An annular recess is formed on the outer surface of the cap 510 and extends circumferentially thereabout, in which recess an elastomeric seal 514 is seated to provide a leak proof seal between the cap 510 and the body 502. The inlet port 504 and the outlet port 506 provide the only communication into and out of the volume in the bore 508 which is enclosed by the cap 510 cooperating with the seal 514. A plurality of
generally radially extending ports 516 are provided through an axially inwardly extending skirt 510a of the cap 510 which permits fluid flow from the inlet port 504 into the cylindrical interior volume of the cap 510.
A tubular piston 518 is reciprocably mounted in the interior volume of the cap 510. The piston 518 includes a first end 518a most adjacent the open end 508a of the bore 508, a second end 518b most adjacent the blind end 508b of the bore 508, and an axial bore 518c extending therebetween. An elastomeric seal 520 is seated in a circumferentially extending annular groove in the outer surface of the piston 518 to slidingly seal the piston 518 to the interior surface of the skirt 510a. A plurality of radially extending ports 522 are defined in the piston 518 to provide communication between the axial bore 518c and fluid supplied through the ports 516 of the cap 510. An axially extending circumferential groove 524 is formed on the exterior surface of the piston 518 which communicates with the ports 522, such that as the piston 518 reciprocates relative to the skirt 510a of the cap 510, continuous communication is provided between the ports 516 and the ports 522 via the groove 524. Fluid entering the HPA 500 via the inlet port 504 is supplied to the first end 518a of the piston 518 via the ports 516, the groove 524, the ports 522 and the interior bore 518c. Such fluid is normally prevented from flowing down the interior bore 518c to the second end 518b of the piston 518 by a check valve indicated generally at 526. The check valve 526 includes a tubular seat 526a sealed to the inner surface of the bore 518 so as to be prevent movement of the seat 526a relative to the piston 518, and prevent fluid flow around the outside of the seat 526a. A ball 526b seats against an inwardly extending flange of the seat 526 so as to prevent fluid flow through the bore 518c from the first end 518a to the second end 518b of the piston 518. A spring 526c urges the ball 526b into the seated position engaging the seat 526a. A movable pin 528 is retained in the bore 518c at the
second end 518b of the piston 518 so that a portion of the pin 528 extends out of the bore 518c toward the blind end 508b of the bore 508. A plurality of radially extending ports 529 are formed through the second end 518b of the piston 518 to provide communication between the outlet port 506 and the annular space between the pin 528 and the interior surface of the piston 518 defining the bore 518c. A spring 530 acts between the blind end 508b of the bore 508 and the piston 518 to urge the piston 518 toward the open end 508a of the bore 508 (upwardly as viewed in Fig. 4).
The outlet port 506 is vented to a relatively low pressure area, such as the conduit 62 of Fig. 1. As relatively high pressure fluid from the inlet port 504
(from the pump 54 of Fig. 1, for example) is directed to toward the first end 518a of the piston 518, and prevented by the closed check valve 526 from traveling through the bore 518c, a differential pressure builds up across the piston 518. This causes the piston 518 to move toward the blind end 508b of the bore 508, compressing the spring 530. The HPA 500 thus stores a volume of fluid under high pressure in the volume created between the piston 518 and the cap 510 as the piston 518 moves to compress the spring 530. As the differential pressure increases, the spring is further compressed and the piston 518 moves closer to the blind end 508b of the bore 508. When the differential pressure is sufficiently great, the pin 528 is carried into contact with the blind end 508b of the bore 508 by the piston 518. As the differential pressure increases even further, the piston 518 further advances toward the blind end 508b, carrying with it the seat 526a of the check valve 526. However the ball 526b of the check valve 526 contacts the pin 528 and is prevented from moving with the seat 526a. Thus the check valve 526 is opened, and pressurized fluid from above the first end 518a of the piston passes through the check valve 526, into the annular region about the pin 528, out through the radial ports 529 into the bore 508 and out the outlet port 506.
When sufficient fluid has been relieved through the check valve 526 to reduce the differential pressure across the piston 518, the spring 530 urges the piston 518 away from the blind end 508b of the bore 508. This draws the pin 528 out of contact with the blind end 508b and the ball 526b of the check valve 526, allowing the ball 526b to be urged by the spring 526c to seal against the seat 526a, closing the check valve 526. Thus, the HPA 500, besides having a fluid accumulator function similar to the HPA 56 of the brake system 10, also includes a relief function similar to the bypass valve 74 of the brake system 10.
Referring again to Fig. 1 , during normal braking the driver actuates the base braking system by pushing on the brake pedal 14 which causes the master cylinder 12 to pressurize brake fluid. In the circuit 22a, the pressurized brake fluid travels through conduits 24 and 32, through the open ABS isolation valve 34 and into the wheel brakes 28 and 29 to brake the vehicle. In the circuit 22b, the pressurized brake fluid travels through the conduits 26, 42 and 43, through the open ABS isolation valves 44 and 46 and into the wheel brakes 30 and 31 to brake the vehicle. When the driver releases the brake pedal 14 , the master cylinder 12 no longer pressurizes the brake fluid and the brake fluid returns to the master cylinder 12 via the same route.
During ABS modes, the driver applies the brakes in a similar manner as during normal braking. When a wheel begins to slip, the pumps 36 and 54 run and pressurize fluid in the circuits 22a and 22b. The ABS isolation valves 34, 44 and 46 and the ABS dump valves 38, 57 and 58 are pulsed to control the pressures at the wheel brakes 28, 29, 30, and 31.
The MPA 66 is filled with pressurized fluid, or charged, during the charging mode. The charging mode is initiated when the MPA switch 69 indicates that the MPA 66 is not full and the brake switch 16 and the master cylinder pressure transducer 41 indicate that the driver is not requesting base
braking by pushing on the brake pedal 14. The TC/VSC isolation valve 48, and the first and second ABS isolation valves 44 and 46, are shuttled to their respective second positions 48b, 44b, and 46b to prevent pressurized fluid from reaching the master cylinder 12 and the wheel brakes 30 and 31. The charging valve 72 is shuttled to the second position 72b to open a path between the pump outlet 54b and the MPA 66. The supply valve 64 is shuttled to the second position 64b to allow fluid from the master cylinder 12 to supply the pump inlet 54a. The pump 54 runs and pumps pressurized fluid into the MPA 66 until the MPA switch 69 indicates that the MPA 66 is full. When the MPA 66 is full, the pump 54 is turned off and the TC/VSC isolation valve 48, the ABS isolation valves 44 and 46, the supply valve 64, and the charging valve 72 are returned to the first positions 48a, 44a, 46a, 64a, and 72a, respectively. The pressure of the fluid stored in the MPA 66 when the MPA 66 is full is approximately 400 p.s.i., although any suitable pressure can be used. The spring loaded check valve 71 in the priming valve 70 provides a pressure relief function which prevents fluid expansion in a fully charged MPA 66 from generating pressures capable of damaging components. For example, if the temperature of the fluid in the fully charged MPA 66 should increase, the pressure in the MPA 66 will increase. The increased pressure will open the check valve 71 and the excess fluid will flow back to the master cylinder 12 through the check valves (not shown) located in the pump 54 and the open TC/VSC isolation valve 48.
The brake system 10 provides VSC control to the wheel brakes 30 and 31 using the circuit 22b to generate the necessary fluid pressures. VSC control may be needed when the driver is applying the brakes, or when the driver is not applying the brakes. Pressurized fluid stored in the MPA 66 is used to provide fluid flow rates which are greater than those available from a standard ABS/TC
pump to begin to fill the wheel brake cylinders of the wheel brakes 30 and 31. When VSC control is needed the charging valve 72 is switched to the open position 72b and pressurized fluid flows from the MPA 66 towards the isolation valves 44 and 46 which are selectively pulsed open to allow fluid into the affected wheel brakes 30, 31. Alternatively, the priming valve 70 could be switched to the open position 70b to allow pressurized fluid to flow from the MPA 66, through the pump 54 to the wheel brake cylinders of the wheel brakes 30 and 31 but this path includes restrictions which would limit the flow. When the MPA 66 has discharged to a pressure below a predetermined pressure, the charging valve 72 is switched back to the one-way position 72a. The priming valve 70 is switched to the open position 70b and the pressurized fluid still in the MPA 66 is supplied to the pump inlet 54a which improves the efficiency of the pump 54 by increasing the net positive suction head available at the pump inlet 54a. The pump 54 pumps more pressurized fluid towards the wheel brakes 30 and 31 , and VSC braking pressures are achieved by pulsing the isolation and dump valves to regulate the pressures at the wheel brakes 30 and 31.
The valves and pumps are preferably mounted together in a hydraulic control unit (not shown). The hydraulic control unit may be mounted in a remote location using longer conduits to connect the hydraulic control unit with the master cylinder 12. The longer conduits typically impart flow restrictions which lengthen the time required to charge the MPA 66, however, the time required to charge the MPA 66 is not critical.
During traction control, or when VSC control is needed while the driver is not pushing the brake pedal 14, the TC/VSC isolation valve 48 is shuttled to the second position 48b to prevent pressurized fluid in the brake circuit 22b from reaching the master cylinder 12. The first and second ABS isolation valves 44 and 46 are also shuttled to the second positions 44b and 46b to prevent
pressurized fluid from reaching the wheel brakes 30 and 31. The pump 54 runs and pressurizes fluid. The ECU 18 selects the wheel to be braked and pressurized fluid is supplied to the selected wheel brake 30, 31 by shuttling the charging valve 72 to the second, open position 72b and pulsing the corresponding ABS isolation valve 44 or 46 to the second, open position 44b or 46b. The pressurized fluid in the MPA 66 flows into the selected wheel brake 30 or 31 providing a rapid pressure increase. The charging valve 72 is shuttled back to the first position 72a and further pressure is applied by pulsing the priming valve 70 to the second, open position 70b to feed the pump inlet 54a with pressurized fluid from the MPA 66. The spring loaded check valve 65 in the supply valve 64 holds pressure on the pump inlet side of the supply valve 64 so that the fluid released from the MPA 66 by the priming valve 70 will not flow back to the master cylinder 12.
The pressure at the selected wheel brake 30 or 31 is increased in a controlled manner by pulsing the corresponding ABS isolation valve 44 or 46 open and closed. The pressure is decreased in a controlled manner by pulsing open the corresponding ABS dump valve 57 or 58, allowing some of the pressurized fluid in the wheel brake 30 or 31 to flow into the LPA 60. While the ABS isolation valve 44 or 46 is pulsed closed, the pressurized fluid in the LPA is pumped through the spring loaded check valve 73 in the charging valve 72 and to recharge the MPA 66. Therefore, the amount of fluid stored in the LPA 60 is minimized to provide adequate volume to receive fluid in the LPA 60 in case of transition to ABS. In addition, the amount of fluid stored in the MPA 66 is maximized to reduce the need to enter the MPA 66 charging mode. If the driver should apply the brakes during the TC or VSC mode just described (VSC without brake apply), some pedal movement will be experienced as the master cylinder 12 pressurizes the brake fluid in circuit 22a. However, the
driver is isolated from the front wheel brakes 30 and 31 and some action must be taken in circuit 22b or the driver will experience an unusually high, hard brake pedal 14. When the pressure transducer 41 and the brake switch 16 indicate that the driver is applying the brakes during TC or VSC mode, the priming valve 70 remains in the first position 70a and the supply valve 64 is shuttled to the second position 64b. The pressurized fluid from the master cylinder 12 is supplied to the pump inlet 54 and the driver will experience brake pedal movement that is typical to normal base braking. When the MPA switch 69 indicates to the ECU 18 that the MPA 66 is full, the supply valve 64 is returned to the first position 64a.
When VSC mode is entered while the driver is already applying the brakes, the valve control is the same as in VSC without brake pedal apply except that the supply valve 64a is pulsed to the second, open position 64b instead of the priming valve 70. The driver will experience brake pedal movement typical of normal base braking and the pump inlet 54a is supplied with fluid. Further VSC control is similar to the VSC control without brake pedal apply described above. When the driver releases the brake pedal, the excess fluid in circuit 22b which was supplied by the master cylinder 12 is pumped back to the master cylinder 12 through the bypass valve 74. Since the pressure in the master cylinder 12 is variable, and may be at a relatively high pressure, the bypass valve 74 references atmospheric pressure. The bypass valve 74 opens when the pressure at the pump outlet 54b reaches approximately 2500 p.s.i. above atmospheric pressure. Note that it is contemplated that the bypass valve 74 may be referenced to other than atmospheric pressure. For example, it is contemplated that the bypass valve 74 may be arranged so that the bypass valve 74 opens at a preset pressure above the pressure in the LPA 60, or above the pressure at the outlet of the master cylinder 12.
During a transition from ABS control to VSC control, the TC/VSC isolation valve 48 is shuttled to the second position 48b to allow pressures greater than master cylinder pressure to be achieved at the wheel brakes 30 and 31. Fluid may still be stored in the LPA from the previous ABS mode, and this fluid is pumped through the bypass valves 74 and back to the master cylinder 12. Through proper control of the valves and utilizing information from the MPA switch 69, a consistent relationship of pedal travel to brake pressure can be maintained in all modes of operation.
As described above, the HPA 56 maintains a relatively high pressure in the conduits 42 and 43, between the TC/VSC isolation valve 48, the charging valve 72, and the ABS isolation valves 44 and 46. This prevents pressure cross talk between the wheel brakes 30 and 31 during braking while in the VSC mode, which is a condition where fluid from one of the wheel brakes 30 and 31 which is a relatively high pressure flows through a cross connecting conduit to the other of the wheel brakes 30 and 31 which is at a relatively low pressure. Pressure cross talk decreases the effectiveness of the VSC mode of operation by decreasing the side-to-side differential braking which is being demanded by the ECU 18 in the VSC mode.
The problem of pressure cross talk, and the solutions thereto may be most clearly understood by example. Suppose that during operation in the VSC mode, the first wheel brake 30 is to be maintained 500 p.s.i. greater than the pressure in the second wheel brake 31. The MPA 66 and pump 54 cooperate to pressurize the first wheel brake 30 to the required pressure as described above. If the driver of the vehicle steps harder on the brake pedal 14, to signal an increase in the overall braking effort, pressure must be raised in both the wheel brakes 30 and 31 while maintaining a significant pressure difference between the wheel brakes 30 and 31. If the HPA 56 of the present invention were not provided to keep the
conduits 43 and 42 pressurized, when the ABS isolation valve 46 is moved to the open position 46a, the pump 54 would not be able to instantly supply fluid at the desired high pressure since a finite period of time is required for the pump 54 to supply the required amount of fluid to cause the desired pressure rise. When the ABS isolation valve 46 is first opened, high pressure fluid from the first wheel brake 30 would tend to flow from the first wheel brake 30, through check valve of the ABS isolation valve 44 in the position 44b, through the open ABS isolation valve 46 and into the low pressure second wheel brake 31. This is pressure cross talk. It is contemplated that one means for operating the brake system 10 of
Fig. 1 to increase pressure in both of the wheel brakes 30 and 31 without pressure cross talk may be to operate the ABS isolation valves 44 and 46 in conjunction with the pump 54 in a fashion where the ABS isolation valves 44 and 46 may be opened only one at a time, and only after the pump 54 had built up a discharge pressure which was higher than the pressure of either of the wheel brakes 30 and 31. If this could be accomplished, no flow path would be established through the ABS isolation valves 44 and 46 and the conduits 42 and 43 to vent high pressure fluid from the first wheel brake 30 to the lower pressure second wheel brake 31. However, such a control algorithm is difficult to implement. Use of additional pressure instrumentation to monitor the pressures at the wheel brakes 30 and 31, and the pressure in the conduits 42 and 43 upstream of the ABS isolation valves 44 and 46 would facilitate implementation of such a strategy.
Such a controlled braking increase during the VSC mode is also enabled by the HPA 56 of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 1. The
HPA 56 maintains the pressure in the conduits 42 and 43 at the connection to the conduit 56a and the connection with the pump outlet 54b at a high pressure. The
pressure maintained by the HPA 56 would be at least as high as the pressure in either of the wheel brakes 30 and 31, due to the check valves built into the ABS isolation valves 44 and 46, and may be higher. When the ABS isolation valve 46 is opened to admit fluid to the relatively low pressure wheel brake 31, no flow occurs through the check valve in the ABS isolation valve 44, since no differential pressure across the ABS isolation valve 44 exists which would enable such fluid flow. The HPA 56 supplies pressurized fluid to the second wheel brake 31 until the pump 54 has built up sufficient discharge pressure to supply the second wheel brake 31 and to recharge the HPA 56. Thus, pressure cross talk is prevented by the HPA 56.
Referring now to Fig. 5, there is illustrated a second embodiment of a brake system according to the invention, indicated generally at 110. The brake system 110 includes two similar but separate brake circuits 122a and 122b connected to the master cylinder 112 via respective main conduits 124 and 126. The brake system 110 is preferably configured as a diagonal split system (not illustrated) with the brake circuit 122a including a first driven wheel brake 128 and a first non-driven wheel brake 129, and brake circuit 122b including a second driven wheel brake 130 and a second non-driven wheel brake 131. Alternatively, the brake system 110 may be configured as a vertical split system with the brake circuit 122a including first and second non-driven wheel brakes 128 and 129, and the brake circuit 122b including first and second driven wheels brakes 130 and 131, as illustrated in Fig. 5.
Both brake circuits 122a and 122b include the same components as the circuit 22b of Fig. 1. The brake circuits 122a and 122b also operate in a manner identical to the circuit 22b of Fig. 1 to provide selective ABS, traction control and VSC control to all four wheel brakes 128-131 individually. In particular, in accordance with the invention, each of the brake circuits 122a and 122b is
provided with a respective one of an HPA 156a and an HPA 156b. The HP As 156a and 156b operate to maintain a respective volume of pressurized fluid which is at a pressure at least as high as the highest pressure respective wheel brake 128-131 capable of being supplied therefrom. Thus each of the HP As 156a and 156b function in a manner similar to the HPA 56 in preventing pressure cross talk in the respective associated brake circuits 122a and 122b.
Fig. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention, including a brake system indicated generally 600. The brake system 600 is generally similar to the brake system 10 illustrated in Fig. 1, and like reference numbers are used to indicate components which are similar in structure and function. The brake system 600 includes a brake circuit 22a that is identical in structure and function to the brake circuit 22a of the brake system 10.
The brake system 600 also includes a brake circuit 622b that is generally similar in function and structure to the brake circuit 22b of the brake system 10. The brake circuit 622b differs from the brake circuit 22b principally in that instead of the ABS isolation valves 44 and 46, the brake circuit 622b is provided with a pair of ABS isolation valves 644 and 646 which do not have internal check valves. The ABS isolation valve 644 has a first position 644a when the solenoid for the ABS isolation valve 644 is deenergized, in which the ABS isolation valve 644 is open, and a second, closed position 644b when the solenoid for the ABS isolation valve 644 is energized. Similarly, the ABS isolation valve 646 has a first position 646a when the solenoid for the ABS isolation valve 646 is deenergized, in which the ABS isolation valve 646 is open, and a second, closed position 646b when the solenoid for the ABS isolation valve 646 is energized. Thus it is apparent that pressure cross talk of the type described with respect described with respect to Fig. 1 (without the HPA 56) is prevented, since flow through the ABS isolation valves 644 and 646 can be
prevented even when the pressure of the fluid in the associated wheel brakes 30 and 31 is higher than the pressure of the fluid being supplied from the pump 54. Accordingly, the HPA 56 and its connections are shown in dashed lines to indicate their status as optional equipment. It will be appreciated that the provision of the HPA 56, along with the other components herein described with respect to the brake circuit 622b would permit the brake circuit 622b to be operated as a pedal isolated ABS brake circuit if the bypass valve 74 were connected to vent to the LPA 60 instead of the master cylinder 12. Additionally replacing the brake circuit 22a with a pedal isolated ABS brake circuit would allow the resulting brake system to be operated as a pedal isolated ABS brake system.
As in the brake system 10, each of the ABS isolation valves 644 and 646 is connected to the outlet of the pump 54, the charging valve 72, and to the inlet side of the other of the ABS isolation valves 644 and 646 by the conduits 42 and 43. In the brake system 10, the master cylinder 12 supplied the conduits 42 and 43 thorough the conduit 26, and the conduits 42 and 43 could be isolated from the master cylinder 12 by closing the TC/VSC isolation valve 48 in the conduit 26. However, in the brake system 600, the conduits 42 and 43 are supplied from the master cylinder 12 by a conduit 626 which contains a check valves 647. During normal braking, the check valve 647 operates to permit fluid to flow from the master cylinder 12 through the conduit 626, and through the ABS isolation valve 644 (when open) to the first wheel brake 30, and through the ABS isolation valve 646 (when open) to the second wheel brake 31. The check valve 647 operates to prevent fluid flow from the conduits 42 and 43 through the check valve 647 to the master cylinder 12.
In order to provide for a return of fluid from the wheel brakes 30 and 31 to the master cylinder 12 when the brake pedal 14 is released during normal
braking, a pair of conduits 642 and 643 are provided. The conduit 642 is connected at a first end 642a to the conduit 42 between the ABS isolation valve 644 and the first wheel brake 30. A second end 642b of the conduit 642 is in fluid communication with the TC/VSC isolation valve 48. A check valve 648a is provided in the conduit 642 which ensures that fluid flow is only from the first end 642a to the second end 642b of the conduit 642, and that fluid flow from the second end 642b to the first end 642a is prevented. Similarly, the conduit 643 is connected at a first end 643a to the conduit 42 between the ABS isolation valve 644 and the first wheel brake 30. A second end 643b of the conduit 643 is in fluid communication with the TC/VSC isolation valve 48. A check valve 648b is provided in the conduit 643 which ensures that fluid flow is only from the first end 643a to the second end 643b of the conduit 643, and that fluid flow from the second end 643b to the first end 643 a is prevented.
Fluid passing through the conduits 642 and 643 can return to the master cylinder 12 through the TC/VSC isolation valve 48, since the TC/VSC isolation valve 48 is open except during TC and VSC modes (e.g., open during normal braking). Note that while the conduits 642 and 643 are hydraulically connected at the TC/VSC isolation valve 48, pressure cross talk between the wheel brakes 30 and 31 is prevented by the action of the check valves 648a and 648b, as long as the ABS isolation valves 644 and 646 are not simultaneously opened.
Note that when the pump 54 is operated in the TC or VSC modes, the pressurized fluid therefrom will be directed through the conduits 42 and 43 to the ABS isolation valves 644 and 646, and will be prevented from being diverted through the conduit 626 to the master cylinder 12 by the check valve 647. In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the principle and mode of operation of this invention have been described and illustrated in its preferred embodiments. However, it must be understood that this invention may
be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.