o Brake control system for motor vehicles By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A brake control system for motor vehicles includes a stability system for stabilizing the vehicle from the standpoint of driving dynamics during braking, a triggering unit for the automatic output of a braking demand as a function of the traffic situation, a braking unit which converts the braking demand into a braking action, and a control unit for modifying the braking demand prior to its implementation as a function of the state of the stability system. Full Article
o Methods and systems for landing decision point By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods and systems for a go/no-go Landing Decision Point (LDP) are disclosed. The methods and systems provide a graphical LDP on a cockpit display that pilots can use to determine whether to continue the landing or execute a go-around. The methods and systems may be implemented in embodiments having an onboard portion, an off-board portion, or both operatively coupled to provide an LDP in a preview/planning mode and real time mode. Full Article
o Brake fade determination device, brake fade determination method and braking system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A brake fade determination device determines whether a fade state of a brake device that brakes a wheel of a vehicle is occurring on the basis of the deceleration of the vehicle and the slip amount of the wheel. A braking system includes: the brake device that is able to adjust a braking force that acts on the wheel of the vehicle; and a controller that controls the braking force to control the slip condition of the wheel. The controller determines whether a fade state of the brake device is occurring on the basis of the deceleration of the vehicle and the slip amount of the wheel, and adjusts the amount of increase or decrease in braking force on the basis of whether the fade state is occurring. Full Article
o Pressure control reservoir with check valve By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A pressure control reservoir includes a valve ball and a shaft which is movable to move the valve ball to open or close a fluid path leading to a fluid reservoir chamber. The shaft has a tip with a slant surface which has a peripheral edge of a polygonal shape with even numbers of vertices and is inclined to the longitudinal center line of the shaft. Such a polygonal geometry increases an entire or inclined length of the slant surface, which results in an increased range where an angle which the slant surface makes with a plane extending perpendicular to an axial direction of the tip is permitted to be increased without causing the point of contact between the valve ball and the slant surface to be shifted close to the tip of the slant surface when the tip of the shaft moves the valve ball. Full Article
o Brake apparatus for motorcycle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A brake apparatus that can achieve front-rear distribution in accordance with a traveling environment variation. At an intermediate point from a start point of a second mode, first interval to an end point of a second mode, second interval, the increasing rate of braking force for a front wheel with respect to an operation amount is changed. The increasing rate of the operation amount prior to the intermediate point can be represented by a first inclination of a curve while the increasing rate of the operation amount after the intermediate point is represented by a second inclination of the curve. The first inclination is less than the second inclination. Setting the increasing rate after an intermediate point to be higher than the increasing rate before the intermediate point, the vehicle body generation deceleration can be caused to increase in a linear proportion to the operation amount. Full Article
o Pre-fill system to improve brake feel and method of increasing initial flux using the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed herein are a pre-fill system to improve brake feel and a method of increasing an initial flux using the same which may reduce an invalid travel distance of a brake pedal. The pre-fill system includes a first housing connected with the master cylinder and provided with a first bore having a smaller-diameter portion and a larger-diameter portion, a second housing provided with a stepped second bore communicating with the first bore to be coupled with the first housing to define a hydraulic pressure chamber, a piston arranged in the first bore and provided with an oil channel unit, and a valve assembly adapted to open and close the oil channel unit of the piston according to the hydraulic brake pressure, wherein the piston applies pressure to the hydraulic pressure chamber through the piston to supply hydraulic pressure to the disc brake. Full Article
o Braking apparatus for vehicle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An electronic control unit inputs from temperature sensors a temperature of the heating side of a thermoelectric conversion section assembled to each of brake units provided for left and right rear wheels. When the temperature of the heating side is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, the electronic control unit drives and controls a brake hydraulic pressure control section so as to operate the brake units preferentially over brake units provided for left and right front wheels. With this operation, each of the brake units generates friction heat, and heats the heating side of the corresponding thermoelectric conversion section, whereby the thermoelectric conversion section efficiently collects thermal energy and generates electrical power. Meanwhile, when the heating side temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature, the electronic control unit drives and controls the brake hydraulic pressure control section so as to decrease the proportion of the braking forces applied by the brake units and increase the proportion of the braking forces applied by the brake units. Full Article
o Method and system for regulating driving stability By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method in which the driving behavior of a vehicle is influenced as a function of data on the surroundings in order to assist an avoidance maneuver, as soon as a risk of a collision is detected on the basis of the data from one or more environment sensors, in particular radar sensors and/or cameras, and the data from one or more vehicle sensors, in particular a steering angle sensor and/or yaw rate sensor and/or wheel speed sensors, and the vehicle has an electronically controlled brake system which permits a driver-independent buildup and modulation of the braking forces at the individual wheels of the vehicle, wherein when a risk of a collision is detected, in a first phase a turning-in operation by the driver is assisted and/or in a second phase a steering operation by the driver is damped. Furthermore, an electronic control unit for a brake system is defined. Full Article
o Method and system for diagnosing the operating status of an assisted start-up mode for a motor vehicle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method and system for diagnosing an operating status of an assisted start-up mode for a motor vehicle. The system includes a driving engine, a transmission including a mechanism determining a piece of engine rotation speed information, a piece of information on a position of an accelerator pedal of the vehicle, a piece of information on a position of a transmission, and a piece of information on torque transmitted to wheels, a detection mechanism producing a malfunction signal for the assisted start-up using the information received, a plurality of encoding mechanisms to produce a follow-up signal for each piece of calculated information received, and a memory saving the follow-up signals. Full Article
o Brake system for a motor vehicle and method for operating a brake system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A brake system for a motor vehicle includes on at least one wheel, an electric-regenerative brake and a friction brake that can be hydraulically actuated by a first generator of brake pressure using a fluid, wherein the friction brake can be connected via an actuatable inlet valve to the first generator of brake pressure and via a first actuatable outlet valve to a pressure accumulator, so that a volume of fluid applied by the first generator of brake pressure can be diverted via the first outlet valve into the pressure accumulator. The first generator of brake pressure can be connected to the pressure accumulator via a further hydraulic connection having a second actuatable outlet valve. A method for operating a brake system is also disclosed. Full Article
o Hydraulic brake system with controlled boost By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A vehicle brake system includes a brake pedal unit (BPU) coupled to a vehicle brake pedal and including an input piston connected to operate a pedal simulator during a normal braking mode, and coupled to actuate a pair of output pistons during a manual push through mode. The output pistons are operable to generate brake actuating pressure at first and second outputs of the BPU. A hydraulic pressure source for supplying fluid at a controlled boost pressure is included. The system further includes a hydraulic control unit (HCU) adapted to be hydraulically connected to the BPU and the hydraulic pressure source, the HCU including a slip control valve arrangement, and a switching base brake valve arrangement for switching the brake system between the normal braking mode wherein boost pressure from the pressure source is supplied to first and second vehicle brakes, and the manual push through mode wherein brake actuating pressure from the BPU is supplied to the first and second vehicle brakes. Full Article
o Electric-hydraulic antilock braking system for a trailer By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An electric-hydraulic antilock braking system (ABS) installed in a trailer is coupled with a tow vehicle to facilitate controlled braking of the trailer. A trailer in-cab controller (TIC) monitors vehicle networks for diagnostic information used in determining appropriate braking actions to be taken. A communication network can interconnect the TIC, a trailer actuator controller (TAC), and an ABS controller. The ABS controller receives current tow vehicle speeds and current trailer wheel speeds, and dynamically adjusts the brakes based on the differences in the speeds. A three-way solenoid valve or an equivalent valve structure thereto allows for the ABS system to be quickly activated and deactivated. Full Article
o Electric braking device for vehicles By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An electric braking device for a vehicle. The device includes: front wheel and/or rear wheel braking modules that are not powered when the vehicle is in a standby state; at least one on-board computer; at least one user control module which, upon a user's request, delivers a power supply control signal to control the power supply to the braking modules and braking control signals to activate the braking modules when the modules are powered; and a mechanism for cutting the power supply to the braking modules once the vehicle has zero speed and the wheels are immobilized under action of the braking modules. The device can reduce the power consumption of vehicles. Full Article
o Motorcycle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A motorcycle with an ABS module disposed to make it hard to affect the layout of other components while suppressing the influence of vibration on the ABS module. A motorcycle includes rear frames joined to corresponding rear portions of the main frames and extending upwardly and rearwardly at a position below the corresponding seat frames. Front wheel braking members apply a braking force to a front wheel. An ABS module is connected to the front wheel braking means. A seat is supported on the upper portions of the seat frames. The ABS module has at least a portion disposed below the seat and between the seat frames and the rear frames as viewed from the side. The ABS module is suspended and supported by front and rear cross stays spanned between the pair of seat frames via a front elastic members and a rear elastic member. Full Article
o System and method for brake assisted turning By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system and method for brake assisted turning are provided. One system includes a pedal operated braking system configured to apply hydraulic brake pressure to brakes of a vehicle when one or more brake pedals are pressed. The system also includes a steer assist braking system configured to apply hydraulic brake pressure to the brakes of the vehicle based at least partly on a steering angle. The system includes hydraulic shut-off circuitry configured to selectively enable and disable operation of the steer assist braking system. Full Article
o Fault-tolerant vehicle brake system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A braking system for a vehicle, particularly a commercial vehicle, includes an operating brake device for providing an operating brake function for braking the vehicle, and a parking brake device for providing a parking brake function independently of the operating brake system. If one of the two braking devices partially or completely fails, the vehicle can be braked automatically by means of the other braking device. Full Article
o Pump housing for motor-vehicle hydraulic assemblies and the use thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In a pump housing of a motor-vehicle hydraulic assembly, on which at least two inlet-valve openings, at least two outlet-valve openings, at least one high-pressure control valve opening and at least one switchover-valve opening and a pressure-sensor connection are formed. The at least two inlet-valve openings are arranged in a first row, the at least two outlet-valve openings are arranged in a following second row, the pressure sensor connection is arranged in a further following third row, and the at least one high-pressure control valve opening and the at least one switchover valve opening are arranged in a further following fourth row. There are also five embodiments of arrangements of connecting lines and holes in a pump housing for the short connection of the valve openings and connections, and one embodiment with respect to the use of the pump housing according to one of the six embodiments. Full Article
o Trailer sway detection and method for reducing trailer sway utilizing trailer brakes By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT When a trailer is pulled by a tow vehicle where the trailer begins to sway to the left and right of the tow vehicle a large sway can result in loss of control of the trailer and or tow vehicle. The field of the present invention is a system and method of controlling a trailer sway which comprises determining the sway of the trailer utilizing an electronic sensor and independently applying the left and or right trailer brakes at varying levels to reduce trailer sway the traditional single braking signal power from the tow vehicle is separated into two independent braking signals for each of the left and right brakes. All brakes are applied whenever the traditional braking signal goes active where trailer battery power is utilized to independently activate the left and or right brakes during trailer sway. Full Article
o Accumulator By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An accumulator of the invention is provided with a safety mechanism for an emergency which releases an internal pressure of the housing to the oil port side so as to prevent the housing from being exploded by the internal pressure of the housing which comes to a higher pressure in an emergency, for example, occurrence of fire disaster. The safety mechanism for the emergency has a taper portion in a corner portion between the tubular portion and the end surface portion of the stay. The taper portion is buckled at its root position in the emergency. In the case that the taper portion is buckled, a pressure releasing flow path is formed between the bellows cap or the retained member and the taper portion as well as the bellows cap or the retained member and the end surface portion come away. The stay can be manufactured only by press molding. Full Article
o Braking control system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided is a braking control system including: an internal combustion engine serving as a power source of a vehicle; a brake servo unit operated by a negative pressure supplied thereto; a passage configured to supply an intake negative pressure of the internal combustion engine to the brake servo unit; and a negative pressure pump configured to generate a negative pressure by being driven by power transmitted from a wheel of the vehicle and transmit the generated negative pressure to the brake servo unit, wherein the negative pressure pump is driven so as to supply the negative pressure to the brake servo unit during execution of inertia running in which the internal combustion engine stops and the vehicle runs by inertia. Full Article
o Method for operating a parking brake module in the event of defects and parking brake module suitable for performing the method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method is provided for operating a parking brake module that is at least partially integrated into a compressed air generation system in the event of defects, having a control unit, solenoid valves, and a relay valve for aerating and deaerating at least one spring-loaded brake cylinder. A pressure in the parking brake module which is elevated compared to a normal pressure is determined. A constant compressed air delivery is stopped. A reduced switch-off pressure of the compressed air generation system is set. The pressure level in the parking brake module is lowered to the reduced switch-off pressure through repeated activation of the relay valve. Full Article
o System and method for providing indication of braking for electric brakes By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system for electrical braking of a vehicle comprises a power bus coupled to a first driver associated with a first electromechanical actuator (EMA). The power bus is also coupled to a second driver associated with a second EMA, and the first EMA and the second EMA are associated with a wheel of the vehicle. The power bus provides braking power to the first EMA via the first driver and to the second EMA via the second driver. A normal braking command interface provides a first braking signal to the first driver and a second braking signal to the second driver. An emergency/park brake interface bypasses the normal braking command interface and sends a first emergency/park braking signal to the first driver and a second emergency/park braking signal to the second driver. A sensor measures a current at a single location of the power bus that is proportional to a braking force exerted on the wheel. Full Article
o Method for operation of a braking system for a motor vehicle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed is a method for operating an electromechanically operable parking brake for motor vehicles with a driving engine furnished with a mechanical gear box, being substantially composed of an operating element, an electronic control unit, to which are sent wheel rotational speed values from wheel rotational speed sensors, at least one unit for generating a brake application force, and brake devices on at least one axle being lockable by the unit, with the electronic control unit actuating the unit after detection of a starting maneuver of the motor vehicle in the sense of a release operation of the parking brake. In order to render a release operation of the parking brake as comfortable as possible after detection of a starting maneuver of the motor vehicle, the method at issued arranges that the electronic control unit (6) actuates the unit (1) in order to reduce the brake application force to an inclination-responsive holding force when a starting maneuver is detected and before the release operation of the parking brake is performed. Full Article
o Electric driving type utility vehicle having regenerative brake force distribution control function, and regenerative brake force distribution control method thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An electric driving type utility vehicle having a regenerative brake force distribution control function, and a regenerative brake force distribution control method thereof are provided. The utility vehicle includes: a controller for controlling an output and a recovery of a motor; recovery sensing means for sensing a recovery braking state when the motor is driven; a power measurement unit for measuring the amount of recovery power generated in the recovery braking state; and a power switching unit for automatically switching a drive mode from a two-wheel drive mode to a four-wheel drive mode or vice versa according to the load condition. The present invention can switch the present mode to the four-wheel drive mode by operating the power switching unit according to the control of the controller when sensing the recovery brake through the recovery sensing means in the driving state. Full Article
o Method for hydraulically boosting an electric parking brake of a vehicle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for hydraulically boosting a vehicle electric parking brake having a hydraulic service brake and an electric parking brake. Application forces electically generated by the parking brake function is superimposed on the boosting brake force generated by a hydraulic boosting brake pressure provided by the service brake to the brake actuator. When the parking brake is actuated to generate a predetermined application force, the force generated by the brake actuator is detected as the actual value, if an actual value of the measured value is smaller than a first target value a boosting brake pressure value is applied to the brake actuator, and by means of the parking brake function an adjustment function for the tension of the brake actuator to which the hydraulic boosting brake pressure is applied is carried out to achieve the predetermined application force. Full Article
o Control device for a braking system of a vehicle, braking system for a vehicle, and method for operating a braking system of a vehicle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A control device for a braking system of a vehicle is provided, having a first receiving device which receives a provided brake activation intensity variable, a plunger control device which determines a setpoint fill level variable of a plunger, taking into account at least the received brake activation intensity variable, and a corresponding plunger control signal is outputtable so that a ratio of an actual volume and a maximum fillable volume of a storage volume of the plunger is settable corresponding to the determined setpoint fill level variable. For a brake activation intensity variable corresponding to a predefined non-activation intensity variable, the plunger control device determines a fill level variable different from an empty state as the setpoint fill level variable, and outputs a plunger control signal corresponding to the determined setpoint fill level variable to the plunger such that the plunger is at least partially filled. Full Article
o Brake control device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A brake control device for a brake system. The control device can perform both an interlocking brake control and an antilock brake control. The brake system includes a front-wheel hydraulic circuit, a front-wheel-side braking part; a rear-wheel hydraulic circuit, a rear-wheel-side braking part; and an electrically-operated pump which pressurizes the brake fluid. The brake control device includes a usual voltage mode where the interlocking brake control or the anti-lock brake control is performed when the supply voltage is a first voltage or more, and a low voltage mode where at least one of the interlocking brake control and the anti-lock brake control is performed in a limited manner when the supplied voltage is a second, lower voltage. An operation mode is changed from the usual voltage mode to the low voltage mode when it is determined that the supply voltage becomes lower than the first voltage. Full Article
o Control method of electronic parking brake system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed is a control method of an electronic parking brake system, which variably controls the duty of voltage applied to a motor upon release of the electronic parking brake system. The control method includes controlling voltage applied to a motor to a first duty ratio upon release of the electronic parking brake system, controlling the voltage applied to the motor to a second duty ratio greater than the first duty ratio if locking of the motor occurs and the motor is not operated, and controlling the voltage applied to the motor to the first duty ratio if locking of the motor is released and the motor begins to operate, after the control of voltage to the second duty ratio. Full Article
o Systems and methods for emergency braking system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Systems and methods disclosed herein may be useful emergency braking systems for use in, for example, an aircraft. A system is disclosed that allows emergency braking without the need for a manually operated emergency brake. For example, a system is provided comprising a potentiometer in mechanical communication with a brake pedal, a first electronic switch in electrical communication with the potentiometer, a second electronic switch indicating a displacement of the brake pedal, wherein a brake control valve opens in response to the first electronic switch, and wherein a shutoff valve opens in response to the second electronic switch. Full Article
o Pressure control valve arrangement having pressure medium guiding surface integrally formed onto a projection of the cover By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A pressure control valve arrangement for controlling a fluid pressure in an ABS brake system of a vehicle so that, while there is a tendency of individual wheels of the vehicle to lock, the brake pressure in at least one associated brake cylinder can be adaptively adjusted, including: a housing; and at least one diaphragm valve is accommodated in the housing, the diaphragm valve having a diaphragm as the valve body, which diaphragm can be acted upon by introducing pressure medium into a control chamber that is covered on the outside of the housing by a cover so that the control chamber is formed between the diaphragm and the cover, wherein at least one pressure medium channel carrying pressure medium is formed in the housing in the region of the cover, wherein at least one cover has at least one projection projecting into the pressure medium channel in the housing, a pressure medium guiding surface for directing the flow of the pressure medium carried in the pressure medium channel being formed on the projection. Full Article
o Hydraulic block for a slip-controlled vehicle brake system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A flat, box-shaped hydraulic block for the mechanical fastening and hydraulic interconnection of solenoid valves, pump elements, etc. of a slip-controlled vehicle brake system connects connections of installation spaces for the pump elements to connectors for a brake master cylinder and connections of receptacles for pressure build-up valves which run past one another via flat chambers on longitudinal sides of the hydraulic block and short blind bores. As a result, the receptacles of the pressure build-up valves are connected to the connectors for the brake master cylinder. The chambers damp pressure pulses of the pump elements of a piston pump. Full Article
o Brake assist function By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method of controlling a vehicle having a transmission system, an engine system, and a braking system includes detecting a braking condition of the braking system. The braking condition is at least one of a brake temperature being above a predetermined brake temperature limit and a braking load being above a predetermined braking load limit. The method also includes detecting a second condition of at least one of the transmission system and the engine system. The method also includes determining whether the second condition satisfies predetermined criteria. Furthermore, the method includes detecting an absolute vehicle acceleration that is below a predetermined acceleration limit. Moreover, the method includes downshifting from a current gear to a lower gear to thereby cause engine braking when the braking condition is satisfied, the second condition satisfies the predetermined criteria, and the absolute vehicle acceleration is below the predetermined acceleration limit. Full Article
o Vehicle yaw stability control method and apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A vehicle yaw stability control method and a vehicle yaw stability control apparatus are provided. The yaw rate {dot over (ψ)} of the vehicle is measured. A first reference yaw rate {dot over (ψ)}ref is set. A difference yaw rate Δ{dot over (ψ)} is set. Stabilizing braking intervention is triggered when a value of the difference yaw rate Δ{dot over (ψ)} exceeds limits defined by difference yaw rate threshold values Δ{dot over (ψ)}min, Δ{dot over (ψ)}max. Information regarding the shape of the road ahead of the vehicle is acquired. The reliability of the driver steering input δ is evaluated upon stabilizing braking intervention being triggered. In case the driver steering input δ is deemed unreliable a replacement reference yaw rate {dot over (ψ)}refroad is set based on the acquired road shape and a replacement difference yaw rate Δ{dot over (ψ)}road is set whereupon stabilizing braking intervention is performed based on the replacement difference yaw rate Δ{dot over (ψ)}road. Full Article
o Method and device for controlling an electric motor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 18 Feb 2014 08:00:00 EST A method and a device for controlling and/or regulating an electric motor. Such electric motors are used for example in motor vehicles in the form of pump motors. In general, the electric motor is supplied with electrical energy from a battery and/or using a generator. The controlling and regulation take place using a high-frequency pulse width modulation (PWM). When the electric motor is started, the PWM is used to continuously increase the motor current required for the operation of the electric motor, e.g. beginning from 0. Full Article
o Method and apparatus for load dependent speed control of a motor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 11 Mar 2014 08:00:00 EDT A variable speed power converter controls the speed of a load in a material handling system as a function of the torque required to move the load. While the power converter is running, the torque being produced in the motor is determined. The power converter then determines the maximum rotational speed of the motor as a function of the torque currently being produced and of the torque-speed curve of the motor. The power converter then commands the motor to rotate at this maximum rotational speed. The power converter periodically monitors the torque being produced and adjusts the maximum rotational speed of the motor throughout the run. Full Article
o Electric power tool By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 08:00:00 EDT An electric power tool includes: a motor; a manipulation input receiving unit which receives a user manipulation input for rotating the motor; a mode changeover unit that has one manipulation portion which manipulated by the user; a rotation drive force transmitting unit that switches a transmission mechanism to one of the transmission mechanisms corresponding to the set position of the manipulation portion and transmits a drive force of the motor to a tool output shaft via the switched transmission mechanism; an electric signal output unit that outputs an electric signal corresponding to the set position of the manipulation portion; and a motor control unit that sets the control method of the motor to a control method preset for the electric signal, among a plurality of different types of control methods, based on the electric signal, and controls the motor by the set control method, based on manipulation by the user. Full Article
o Motor control device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 25 Mar 2014 08:00:00 EDT A motor control device comprises: an acceleration upper limit estimating unit; a target acceleration setting unit; a motor control unit; and a deficit calculating unit, wherein the target acceleration setting unit corrects the target acceleration based on the acceleration profile by an amount corresponding to the acceleration deficit within a range in which the target acceleration does not exceed the acceleration upper limit on the basis of the acceleration deficit calculated by the deficit calculating unit to set the target acceleration at each time. Full Article
o Method and apparatus for applying a commutation advance automatically in a brushless DC motor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 25 Mar 2014 08:00:00 EDT To achieve peak acoustic and power performance, the coil or applied current should be in phase or substantially aligned with the back electromotive force (back-EMF) voltage. However, there are generally phase differences between the applied current and back-EMF voltage that are induced by the impedance of the brushless DC motor (which can vary based on conditions, such as temperature and motor speed). Traditionally, compensation for these phase differences was provided manually and on an as-needed basis. Here, however, a system and method are provided that automatically perform a commutation advance by incrementally adjusting a drive signal over successive commutation cycles when the applied current and back-EMF voltage are misaligned. Full Article
o Driving system for fan and method of driving fan By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 25 Mar 2014 08:00:00 EDT A driving system for a fan that enables an increase in motor current that may be supplied to excitation windings at the time of a maximum static pressure without increasing the rotational speed excessively when an amount of maximum air flow is provided. The fan driving system includes a drive signal generating circuit that generates drive signals, a motor driving circuit that supplies a motor current to the motor in accordance with the drive signals, a current detecting circuit (resistance) that detects the motor current, and a drive signal changing circuit. The drive signal changing circuit changes the drive signals generated by the drive signal generating circuit to restrict an increase in the motor current when the motor current becomes larger than a threshold. Full Article
o Motor control apparatus and image forming apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 25 Mar 2014 08:00:00 EDT A motor control apparatus for controlling a DC motor includes a first detection unit configured to detect an angular velocity of the DC motor, a driven member configured to be driven by the DC motor, a control unit configured to perform, during start-up of the DC motor, feed forward control for changing a control value used for controlling drive of the DC motor from a first control value corresponding to an angular velocity smaller than a target angular velocity to a second control value corresponding to the target angular velocity, and to change the feed forward control to feedback control for controlling the control value based on a detection result by the first detection unit to keep the DC motor at the target angular velocity, and a second detection unit configured to detect whether the driven member has been replaced. Full Article
o Electric motor, and device for generating a signal for controlling the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 01 Apr 2014 08:00:00 EDT An electric motor, having a stator (465), a rotor (470), and an apparatus for evaluating a signal provided for controlling said motor (110), comprises a receiving unit (430, 440) for receiving a control signal (PWM_mod), which is a pulse width modulated signal (PWM) onto which a data signal (DIR, DATA) is modulated. An evaluation unit (440) is provided for evaluating the modulated control signal (PWM_mod). The unit is configured to extract, from the modulated control signal (PWM_mod), data provided for operation of the motor (110). The control apparatus includes a signal generator (450) configured to generate, on the basis of the extracted or ascertained data provided for operation of the motor (110), at least one control signal for the motor (110), such as a commanded direction of rotation. Piggybacking other control data onto the PWM power level signal reduces hardware investment, by permitting omission of a signal lead which would otherwise be required in the motor structure. Full Article
o Single-phase brushless motor drive circuit By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 08 Apr 2014 08:00:00 EDT A driving circuit for a single-phase-brushless motor includes a driving-signal-generating circuit to generate a driving signal for supplying, to a driving coil of the single-phase-brushless motor, first- and second-driving currents alternately with a de-energized period therebetween, an output circuit, and a zero-cross-detecting circuit. While measuring a driving cycle from a start of an energized period, during which the output circuit supplies the first- or the second-driving current to the driving coil, to a time when the zero-cross-detecting circuit detects a zero cross of an induced voltage, generated across the driving coil, during the de-energized period, the driving-signal-generating circuit determines a length of a subsequent energized period based on the measured driving cycle, when the zero-cross-detecting circuit detects the zero-cross, and the driving-signal-generating circuit determines a length of an immediately previous energized period as a length of a subsequent energized period, when the zero-cross-detecting circuit does not detect the zero-cross. Full Article
o Automatic furniture flap type detection By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 08 Apr 2014 08:00:00 EDT Electromotive furniture-flap drive, characterized by an identification device for automatically identifying the type of furniture flap in the installed state of the furniture flap drive. Full Article
o System and method for determining the start position of a motor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 22 Apr 2014 08:00:00 EDT A system and method for determining the start position of a motor. According to an embodiment, a voltage pulse signal may be generated across a pair of windings in a motor. A current response signal will be generated and based upon the position of the motor, the response signal will be greater in one pulse signal polarity as opposed to an opposite pulse signal polarity. The response signal may be compared for s specific duration of time or until a specific integration threshold has been reached. Further, the response signal may be converted into a digital signal such that a sigma-delta circuit may smooth out glitches more easily. In this manner, the position of the motor may be determined to within 60 electrical degrees during a startup. Full Article
o Brushless motor drive apparatus and drive method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 29 Apr 2014 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a drive apparatus and drive method for switching an energization mode when a voltage of a non-energized phase of a brushless motor crosses a threshold. In threshold learning, first, the brushless motor is stopped at an initial position. The brushless motor is then rotated by performing phase energization based on the energization mode from the stopped state. The voltage of the non-energized phase at an angular position of switching the energization mode is detected from a maximum value or a minimum value of the voltage of the non-energized phase during the rotation, and the threshold is learned based on the detected voltage. Alternatively, the brushless motor is positioned at the angular position of switching the energization mode by maintaining one energization mode, and then the energization mode is switched to the next energization mode. The voltage of the non-energized phase immediately after the switching to the energization mode is detected, and the detected voltage of the non-energized phase is learned as the threshold used to determine the timing of switching to the next energization mode. Full Article
o Low cost blender control permitting low actuation force switches By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 06 May 2014 08:00:00 EDT A control circuit for a blender provides low-cost power conditioning through the use of a high resistance which provides temporary power for operation of low-voltage logic circuitry and low-voltage switches for a time sufficient to switch the motor on, and a lower resistance which provides sufficient power for maintaining the motor on state indefinitely as instructed by the low-voltage logic circuitry. Low average power dissipation is provided by powering the low-voltage logic circuitry and low-voltage switches using the high resistance in a standby mode and switching in the lower resistance only when the motor is activated. Full Article
o Circuit and method for speed monitoring of an electric motor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 06 May 2014 08:00:00 EDT A circuit for speed monitoring of an electric motor comprises a circuit for generating a time-frame signal, a circuit for receiving a first signal from a chopper driver circuit designed to drive the electric motor, a circuit for detecting chopper pulses in the first signal, a pulse counter, and a circuit for at least one of outputting and evaluating a state of the pulse counter, after the inactive state of the time-frame has been indicated. The time-frame signal indicates when a time-frame of predefined length changes from an inactive state to an active state and indicates when the time-frame changes back from the active state to the inactive state. The pulse counter is designed to count the detected chopper pulses while the active state is indicated by the circuit for generating the time-frame signal. Full Article
o Permanent magnet motor system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 13 May 2014 08:00:00 EDT A sensorless permanent magnet motor system that prevents negative torque caused by back EMF. The system determines the position of the rotating permanent magnet by monitoring back EMF generated on an inactive coil of the motor system. A snubber circuit is used to prevent the back EMF from causing negative torque on the motor. The voltage of back EMF used to power a logic circuit, such as a microcontroller, that controls the operation of the motor. The microcontroller controls the operation of the motor by detecting back EMF and is also partially powered by the back EMF. Full Article
o Method and apparatus for processing a motor signal, having current ripple, of a DC motor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 13 May 2014 08:00:00 EDT In order to process a motor signal (Ia, Um) of a DC motor (4), in particular of an adjustment drive of a motor vehicle, the armature current (Ia) and the motor voltage (Um) of the DC motor (4) are detected and used for determining the back-emf (E) of the DC motor (4), wherein the determined back-emf (E) is used to generate a useful signal (Sf, SEFL), which is in particular speed-proportional, from the armature current signal (Ia) for position sensing or for evaluating an excess force limitation. Full Article
o Method and device for controlling an electric motor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 20 May 2014 08:00:00 EDT A method and device for controlling an electric motor, in particular a machine tool drive, wherein during a sensorless open-loop control mode of operation of the electric motor the speed and the torque are determined from the motor current and the motor voltage, and the moment of inertia of the electric motor torque are determined from the determined motor current and the determined motor voltage, wherefrom then a control torque is determined, which is then associated with an open-loop torque control value and supplied as the torque setpoint value to a control element for setting the motor current and/or the motor voltage in the open-loop mode of operation. As long as the speed is below a minimum speed, the control element receives as input variable a control or pilot control torque generated from a predefined moment of inertia for a sensorless closed-loop control mode of operation of the electric motor. Full Article