A method is disclosed for controlling operation of a motor-driven brake boost assist system of a vehicle braking system during a loss of battery power to the brake boost assist system. The method may involve detecting a condition during which a power loss event to the brake boost assist system has occurred, and a motor associated with the brake boost assist system is being driven by linear movement of a component within the brake boost assist system in response to fluid pressure developed within the brake boost assist system. The method further involves using a voltage generated by the motor during the power loss event to help initiate a dynamic braking action on the motor.

A trailer braking system having a surge component used in combination with an electric over hydraulic brake system. The surge component includes a sliding member with a magnetic sensor for detecting trailer deceleration, the sliding member providing an initial pressurization of the hydraulic system. A trailer mounted electrical circuit detects when the tow vehicle brakes are applied and includes a microcontroller for detecting the speed of deceleration provided by the magnetic sensor. A trailer mounted electric motor receives a signal from the circuit board to vary pressure to the brakes in accordance with the speed of deceleration.

A trailer braking system having a surge component used in combination with an electric over hydraulic brake system. The surge component includes a sliding member with a magnetic sensor for detecting trailer deceleration, the sliding member providing an initial pressurization of the hydraulic system. A trailer mounted electrical circuit detects when the tow vehicle brakes are applied and includes a microcontroller for detecting the speed of deceleration provided by the magnetic sensor. A trailer mounted electric motor receives a signal from the circuit board to vary pressure to the brakes in accordance with the speed of deceleration.

A fluidic control system (1) for controlling a vehicle, which includes a controller (2) and a closed fluidic circuit. The circuit includes a pump (3) for pressurizing fluid in the circuit, valve means (40, 50, 60), an actuator (4, 5, 6) and a precharge accumulator (7). The valve means (40, 50, 60) is fluidly connected to the inlet and outlet of the pump (3) and the actuator (4, 6) is fluidly connected to the valve means (40, 50, 60) for selectively receiving pressurized fluid therefrom. The precharge accumulator (7) includes a movable member (73, FIG. 2) that describes a variable volume (71) fluidly connected to the circuit between the valve means (40, 50, 60) and the inlet of the pump (3). The system (1) also includes a sensor (70) for determining the position of the movable member (73) for estimating the quantity of fluid and/or detecting an abnormal pressure variation within the circuit.

A fluidic control system (1) for controlling a vehicle, which includes a controller (2) and a closed fluidic circuit. The circuit includes a pump (3) for pressurizing fluid in the circuit, valve means (40, 50, 60), an actuator (4, 5, 6) and a precharge accumulator (7). The valve means (40, 50, 60) is fluidly connected to the inlet and outlet of the pump (3) and the actuator (4, 6) is fluidly connected to the valve means (40, 50, 60) for selectively receiving pressurized fluid therefrom. The precharge accumulator (7) includes a movable member (73, FIG. 2) that describes a variable volume (71) fluidly connected to the circuit between the valve means (40, 50, 60) and the inlet of the pump (3). The system (1) also includes a sensor (70) for determining the position of the movable member (73) for estimating the quantity of fluid and/or detecting an abnormal pressure variation within the circuit.

Provided is a brake apparatus and a brake control method capable of improving accuracy of control of a wheel cylinder hydraulic pressure. The brake apparatus includes a first brake circuit connecting a master cylinder configured to generate a brake hydraulic pressure according to a pedal operation and a plurality of wheel cylinders configured to generate a braking force on each of wheels of a vehicle by application of the brake hydraulic pressure to each other, a pump configured to increase a pressure of brake fluid in the master cylinder and transmit the brake fluid having the increased pressure to the plurality of wheel cylinders via a second brake circuit connected to the first brake circuit, a plurality of pressure increase control valves provided in the first brake circuit, and a first target upstream hydraulic pressure calculation portion configured to calculate a target hydraulic pressure in the second brake circuit in such a manner that the target hydraulic pressure exceeds a maximum value of target wheel cylinder hydraulic pressures of respective wheel cylinders corresponding to the individual wheels by an amount of a change in the hydraulic pressure in the second brake circuit when a pressure increase control valve corresponding to a wheel other than a maximum hydraulic pressure wheel, of the plurality of pressure increase control valves, is opened.

Provided is a brake apparatus and a brake control method capable of improving accuracy of control of a wheel cylinder hydraulic pressure. The brake apparatus includes a first brake circuit connecting a master cylinder configured to generate a brake hydraulic pressure according to a pedal operation and a plurality of wheel cylinders configured to generate a braking force on each of wheels of a vehicle by application of the brake hydraulic pressure to each other, a pump configured to increase a pressure of brake fluid in the master cylinder and transmit the brake fluid having the increased pressure to the plurality of wheel cylinders via a second brake circuit connected to the first brake circuit, a plurality of pressure increase control valves provided in the first brake circuit, and a first target upstream hydraulic pressure calculation portion configured to calculate a target hydraulic pressure in the second brake circuit in such a manner that the target hydraulic pressure exceeds a maximum value of target wheel cylinder hydraulic pressures of respective wheel cylinders corresponding to the individual wheels by an amount of a change in the hydraulic pressure in the second brake circuit when a pressure increase control valve corresponding to a wheel other than a maximum hydraulic pressure wheel, of the plurality of pressure increase control valves, is opened.

A method is disclosed for validating operation of a secondary braking system (SBS) of a vehicle having a plurality of brakes, by controlling the SBS and a primary braking system (PBS) of the vehicle. The method may involve using the PBS to generate a first predetermined target braking pressure in the PBS for at least a first one of the brakes, while using the SBS to generate a second predetermined target braking pressure in the SBS for at least a second one of the brakes. Actual and anticipated performance characteristics of a braking component associated with the vehicle are then observed and compared, and from the comparison a determination is made whether the SBS is operating properly.

A hydraulic brake system of a motor vehicle includes a linear actuator as a driver-independent pressure provision device and a hydraulic valve arrangement between the linear actuator and wheel brakes. In the case of a reduced availability of the linear actuator, a holding mode is carried out, in which the hydraulic pressure in the wheel brakes is shut in with the valve arrangement and a power output of the linear actuator is reduced, the system pressure gradient in the holding mode is measured, and a transition from the holding mode into an alternative mode is carried out based on the system pressure gradient.

Example hydraulic brake actuators and related methods are disclosed herein. An example hydraulic brake actuator includes a rotary valve disposed in a bore of a housing. The rotary valve includes a shaft rotatably disposed within a sleeve. The sleeve and the shaft have ports that align at certain rotational positions to create a flow path between the bore and an inner chamber of the shaft. The example hydraulic brake actuator also includes a pump coupled to the shaft to increase and decrease a pressure within the inner chamber of the shaft.