초록 ▼

A brake module provides a first circuit, a second circuit, and a third circuit of pressurized brake fluid. A first set and second set of brake actuators are operated by the application of pressurized brake fluid. A first and second fluid separator unit are integrated between the first and second cir

A brake module provides a first circuit, a second circuit, and a third circuit of pressurized brake fluid. A first set and second set of brake actuators are operated by the application of pressurized brake fluid. A first and second fluid separator unit are integrated between the first and second circuit, and the first and third circuit, respectively, for substantially preventing any intermixing of pressurized brake fluid between the first, second, and third circuits. The first and second fluid separator units include a moveable pressure boundary which enables the second circuit and third circuit of pressurized brake fluid to selectively act upon the first set and second set of brake actuators in response to the first circuit of pressurized brake fluid acting upon the first and second fluid separator units. At least one proportional valve selectively controls the pressurized brake fluid of the first circuit for acting on the first and the second fluid separator units.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A vehicle braking system comprising: a manually-operated master cylinder; a first brake module, said brake module comprising: a motor-driven pump supplying pressurized fluid; a first circuit of fluid supplied by said pump; a pressure regulating valve arrangement selectively s

What is claimed is: 1. A vehicle braking system comprising: a manually-operated master cylinder; a first brake module, said brake module comprising: a motor-driven pump supplying pressurized fluid; a first circuit of fluid supplied by said pump; a pressure regulating valve arrangement selectively supplying fluid from said pump to said first circuit so as to control the pressure of said fluid in said first circuit; a second circuit of brake fluid supplied by said master cylinder; and a third circuit of brake fluid supplied by said master cylinder; a first pair of brake actuators operated by the application of pressurized brake fluid in said second circuit; a second pair of brake actuators operated by the application of pressurized brake fluid in said third circuit; a first fluid separator unit coupled to said first circuit and said second circuit for substantially preventing the intermixing of pressurized brake fluid between said first circuit and said second circuit, said first fluid separator unit having a moveable pressure boundary which enables, through movement thereof said second circuit of pressurized brake fluid to selectively act upon said first pair of brake actuators in response to said first circuit of pressurized brake fluid acting upon said first fluid separator unit; a second fluid separator unit coupled to said first circuit and said third circuit for substantially preventing the intermixing of pressurized brake fluid of said first circuit and said third circuit, said second fluid separator unit having a moveable pressure boundary which enables, through movement thereof said third circuit of pressurized brake fluid to selectively act upon said second pair of brake actuators in response to said first circuit of pressurized brake fluid acting upon said second fluid separator unit; and a second brake module formed separately from the first brake module, said second brake module comprising fluidic components to provide secondary braking functionality to said first pair of brake actuators and said second pair of brake actuators; wherein said first brake module and said second brake module cooperate to selectively apply a braking torque to one brake actuator of said first pair and said second pair of brake actuators. 2. The vehicle braking system of claim 1 wherein said second circuit and said third circuit are connected to said first pair of brake actuators and said second pair of brake actuators, respectively, through said second brake module, said second brake module comprising an anti-lock braking module. 3. The vehicle braking system of claim 2 wherein said brake module further comprises a first isolation valve for alleviating over-pressurization of brake fluid within said second circuit and a second isolation valve for alleviating over-pressurization of brake fluid within said third circuit. 4. The vehicle braking system of claim 3 wherein said first isolation valve diverts said brake fluid into said first pair of brake actuators. 5. The vehicle braking system of claim 4 wherein said brake module includes a first relief valve in parallel with said first isolation valve for diverting said brake fluid into said first pair of brake actuators in response to said over-pressurization of brake fluid in said second circuit. 6. The vehicle braking system of claim 3 wherein said brake module further comprises a first low pressure accumulator for storing brake fluid in response to said over-pressurization of brake fluid in said second circuit. 7. The vehicle braking system of claim 6 wherein said brake module further comprises a first dump valve, said first dump valve diverts said brake fluid into said first low pressure accumulator. 8. The vehicle braking system of claim 3 wherein said brake module further comprises a second low pressure accumulator for storing brake fluid in response to said over-pressurization of brake fluid in said third circuit. 9. The vehicle braking system of claim 8 wherein said brake module further comprises a second dump valve, said second dump valve diverts said brake fluid into said second low pressure accumulator. 10. The vehicle braking system of claim 3 wherein said brake module includes a second relief valve in parallel with said second isolation valve for diverting said brake fluid into said second pair of brake actuators in response to said over-pressurization of brake fluid in said third circuit. 11. The vehicle braking system of claim 2 wherein said brake module further comprises a first relief valve for alleviating over-pressurization of brake fluid within said second circuit and a second relief valve for alleviating over-pressurization of brake fluid within said third circuit. 12. The vehicle braking system of claim 11 wherein said first relief valve is integrated within said first fluid separator unit and said second relief valve is integrated within said second fluid separator unit. 13. The vehicle braking system of claim 2 wherein said second brake module further comprises a traction control module. 14. The vehicle braking system of claim 2 wherein said second brake module further comprises a vehicle stability control module. 15. The vehicle braking system of claim 1 wherein said pressure regulating valve arrangement includes four proportional valves, wherein a first proportional valve and a second proportional valve are open and closeable to provide pressurized brake fluid from said first circuit to selectively act upon said first and second fluid separator units, wherein a third proportional valve and a fourth proportional valve are open and closeable to relieve said pressurized brake fluid from acting on said first and second fluid separator units. 16. The vehicle braking system of claim 15 wherein said first proportional valve and said third proportional valve are fluidically connected to said first fluid separator unit to provide said pressurized brake fluid from said first circuit to selectively act on said first fluid separator unit, and wherein said second proportional valve and said fourth proportional valve are fluidically connected to said second fluid separator unit to provide said pressurized brake fluid from said first circuit to selectively act on said second fluid separator unit. 17. The vehicle braking system of claim 16 wherein said four proportional valves comprise two-way proportional valves. 18. The vehicle braking system of claim 17 wherein said first and second proportional valves are two-way normally closed valves and said third and said fourth proportional valves are two-way normally open valves. 19. The vehicle braking system of claim 1 wherein said pressure regulating valve arrangement comprises a single three-way proportional valve. 20. The vehicle braking system of claim 1 wherein said first brake module further comprises an accumulator connected in fluid communication with said pump and said pressure regulating valve arrangement. 21. The vehicle braking system of claim 1 further comprising an electronic control module for electrically controlling the first brake module. 22. A hydraulic brake module adapted for connection to a brake system for a vehicle having at least four wheels and a hydraulic brake system, each wheel being provided with a respective brake and hydraulic brake actuator, each of the brake actuators being connected to a master cylinder, the mater cylinder being actuated by a manually operated brake pedal, at least two of the brake actuators being connected to the master cylinder via a respective one of a first conduit and a second conduit, an ABS unit, including hydraulic components and an electronics module controlling the operation of the hydraulic components of the ABS unit connected to the first conduit and the second conduit being interposed between the at least two brake actuators and the master cylinder to provide at least anti-lock braking functions, which hydraulic brake module adapted for connection to such a brake system comprises: a body formed separately from the ABS unit and the master cylinder of such a brake system; a first circuit of pressurized brake fluid formed in said body, a second circuit of pressurized brake fluid formed in said body, said second circuit having at least one port formed in said body through which said second circuit may be connected with the first conduit of the brake system between the master cylinder and the ABS unit; a third circuit of pressurized brake fluid formed in said body said third circuit having at least one port formed in said body through which said third circuit may be connected with the second conduit of the brake system between the master cylinder and the ABS unit; an electrically operated pump mounted on said body, the pump being plumbed to urge brake fluid through said first circuit; a first fluid separator unit coupled to said first circuit and said second circuit for substantially preventing the intermixing of pressurized brake fluid from said pump in said first circuit with brake fluid in said second circuit, said first fluid separator unit having a moveable pressure boundary which enables, through movement thereof, pressure in said first circuit to he transmitted to said second circuit such that, when said second circuit is connected in communication with the first conduit, and the ABS unit permits, the fluid in said second circuit thus pressurized though the fluid separator unit will actuate the brake actuator connected to the first conduit; a second fluid separator unit coupled to said first circuit and said third circuit for substantially preventing the intermixing of pressurized brake fluid from said pump in said first circuit with brake fluid in said third circuit, said second fluid separator unit having a moveable pressure boundary which enables, through movement thereof, pressure in said first circuit to he transmitted to said third circuit such that, when said third circuit is connected in communication with the second conduit, and the ABS unit permits, the fluid in said third circuit thus pressurized though the fluid separator unit will actuate the brake actuator connected to the second conduit; and a pressure regulating valve arrangement selectively supplying fluid to said first circuit so as to control the pressure of said fluid in said first circuit. 23. The vehicle braking system of claim 22 wherein said pressure regulating valve arrangement includes four proportional valves, wherein a first proportional valve and a second proportional valve are open and closeable to provide pressurized brake fluid from said first circuit to selectively act upon said first and second fluid separator units, wherein a third proportional valve and a fourth proportional valve are open and closeable to relieve said pressurized brake fluid from acting on said first and second fluid separator units. 24. The vehicle braking system of claim 22 wherein said first proportional valve and said third proportional valve are fluidically connected to said first fluid separator unit to provide said pressurized brake fluid from said first circuit to selectively act on said first fluid separator unit wherein said second proportional valve and said fourth proportional valve are fluidically connected to said second fluid separator unit to provide said pressurized brake fluid from said first circuit to selectively act on said second fluid separator unit. 25. The vehicle braking system of claim 22 wherein said first and second proportional valves are two-way normally closed valves and said third and said fourth proportional valves are two-way normally open valves.