초록 ▼

When a driver wants to stop a vehicle quickly, the driver depresses a braking pedal strongly. A stop switch is turned on. The deceleration of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined value. In this case, an electronic control unit ECU actuates a pump to send brake fluid from a master cylinder to a wheel

When a driver wants to stop a vehicle quickly, the driver depresses a braking pedal strongly. A stop switch is turned on. The deceleration of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined value. In this case, an electronic control unit ECU actuates a pump to send brake fluid from a master cylinder to a wheel cylinder. Thus, the hydraulic braking pressure applied to the wheel cylinder is increased to a level higher than that obtained by a driver's braking pedal depression. Accordingly, the braking force increases at a speed exceeding a driver's foot braking operation without any further burden on the driver. The braking performance can be improved with a prompt increase of the braking force in response to a strong braking operation. Furthermore, utilizing an increased braking force makes it possible to eliminate an imbalance between wheel braking behaviors.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A braking apparatus for automotive vehicles having a plurality of wheels, comprising:a master cylinder generating a hydraulic braking pressure in accordance with a brake operating condition representing a driver's braking operation;a wheel cylinder for receiving said hydr

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A braking apparatus for automotive vehicles having a plurality of wheels, comprising:a master cylinder generating a hydraulic braking pressure in accordance with a brake operating condition representing a driver's braking operation;a wheel cylinder for receiving said hydraulic braking pressure supplied from said master cylinder and generating a braking force applied to a corresponding one of the wheels;a main brake piping system connecting said master cylinder to said wheel cylinder;a pressurization control valve provided in said main brake piping system for increasing or holding a pressure level of said hydraulic braking pressure supplied from said master cylinder for supplying adjusted brake fluid to said wheel cylinder;a depressurization control valve for decreasing or holding a pressure level of said adjusted brake fluid supplied to said wheel cylinder;a pump for supplying braking fluid to said main brake piping system between said master cylinder and said pressurization control valve;a pressure difference holding valve interposing between said master cylinder and an outlet of said pump in said main brake piping system for holding said braking fluid supplied from said pump at a pressure level higher than said hydraulic braking pressure supplied from said master cylinder;an auxiliary brake piping system connecting said master cylinder to an inlet of said pump;a reservoir connected to said auxiliary brake piping system for storing a predetermined amount of brake fluid for being supplied to said pump;wheel speed sensors provided for a plurality of the wheels, including the corresponding one of the wheels, for independently detecting wheel speeds of the sensed wheels and generating corresponding signals; anda wheel speed adjusting means for activating said pump and at least one of said pressurization control valve and said depressurization control valve based on signals obtained from said wheel speed sensors to produce an increased hydraulic braking pressure higher than said hydraulic braking pressure generated from said master cylinder, and supplying said increased hydraulic braking pressure to said wheel cylinder.