IP Library Granted Patent US 11,827,192
Granted Patent B2
US 11,827,192 · App. 16/959,917 · Granted Nov 28, 2023

Electronic control unit and brake control device

Inventor: Katsuhiko Wakabayashi (Takasaki, JP)
Assignee: Hitachi Astemo, Ltd.
B60T13/662B60T13/16B60T13/686B60T17/221B60T2270/402B60T2270/414
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,827,192
App. No.
16/959,917
Granted
Nov 28, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A control unit comprises a first power source line connecting a vehicle power source and a motor, a second power source line connecting the vehicle power source and a plurality of electromagnetic valves, a solenoid relay arranged in a second power source line, a link line connecting a portion of the second power source line, which extends between the solenoid relay and the plurality of electromagnetic valves, to the first power source line, and a link relay arranged in the link line.

Claims (52)

1. An electronic control unit comprising:

a first power source line that connects an electric power source and a first load;

a second power source line that connects the electric power source and a second load;

a first connecting function portion arranged in the second power source line;

a link line that connects a portion of the second power source line, which extends between the first connecting function portion and the second load, to the first power source line; and

a second connecting function portion arranged in the link line,

wherein the electronic control unit comprises a load control computing function portion configured to control a drive signal of the first connecting function portion and a drive signal of the second connecting function portion and also detect and monitor voltages at both terminals of the second connecting function portion, and

wherein the load control computing function portion detects and monitors the voltages at both the terminals of the second connecting function portion when the first connecting function portion is connected and the voltages at both the terminals of the second connecting function portion when the first connecting function portion is disconnected.

2. The electronic control unit according to claim 1 ,

wherein the first connecting function portion is a first relay, and the second connecting function portion is a second relay.

3. The electronic control unit according to claim 1 ,

wherein the first connecting function portion is a first logic circuit, and the second connecting function portion is a second logic circuit.

4. The electronic control unit according to claim 1 ,

wherein the first load is a motor configured to drive a pump that discharges brake fluid used in a brake control device, and

wherein the second load is an electromagnetic valve configured to adjust an amount of the brake fluid supplied to wheel cylinders.

5. The electronic control unit according to claim 4 ,

wherein the first connecting function portion is a first relay.

6. The electronic control unit according to claim 5 ,

wherein the second connecting function portion is a second relay.

7. The electronic control unit according to claim 6 ,

wherein the electronic control unit comprises a third connecting function portion arranged in the first power source line, and

wherein the link line connects a portion of the second power source line, which extends between the first connecting function portion and the second load, to a portion of the first power source line, which extends between the third connecting function portion and the first load.

8. The electronic control unit according to claim 5 , comprising:

a third power source line that diverges from a portion of the second power source line, which extends between the electric power source and the first connecting function portion, the third power source being connected to a drive circuit for driving a parking brake that provides a braking force to vehicle wheels, and

a fourth connecting function portion arranged in the third power source line.

9. The electronic control unit according to claim 4 ,

wherein the first connecting function portion is a first logic circuit, and the second connecting function portion is a second logic circuit.

10. The electronic control unit according to claim 9 , comprising:

a third relay in a portion of the second power source line, which extends between the first logic circuit and the second load,

wherein the link line connects a portion of the second power source line, which extends between the first logic circuit and the third relay, to the first power source line.

11. The electronic control unit according to claim 9 ,

wherein the first logic circuit and the second logic circuit function as a pair of logic circuits.

12. The electronic control unit according to claim 4 , comprising:

a load control computing function portion configured to control a drive signal of the second connecting function portion,

the load control computing function portion being configured to control the second connecting function portion so as to connect or disconnect the second connecting function portion, and also configured to control a current flow so that current flows in both directions or one direction while connecting the second connecting function portion.

13. The electronic control unit according to claim 4 , comprising:

a load control computing function portion configured to control a drive signal of the first connecting function portion and a drive signal of the second connecting function portion and also detect and monitor voltages at both terminals of the second connecting function portion,

the load control computing function portion being configured to detect and monitor the voltages when the first connecting function portion is connected and the voltages when the first connecting function portion is disconnected.

14. A brake control device comprising:

a hydraulic unit and a control unit,

the hydraulic unit including:

connecting fluid passages connected to wheel cylinders;

electromagnetic valves situated in the connecting fluid passages; and

a pump that is driven by a motor and capable of supplying brake fluid to the connecting fluid passages,

the control unit including:

a first power source line that connects an electric power source and the motor;

a second power source line that connects the electric power source and the electromagnetic valves;

a first connecting function portion arranged in the second power source line;

a link line that connects a portion of the second power source line, which extends between the first connecting function portion and the electromagnetic valves, to the first power source line; and

a second connecting function portion arranged in the link line,

wherein the electronic control unit comprises a load control computing function portion configured to control a drive signal of the first connecting function portion and a drive signal of the second connecting function portion and also detect and monitor voltages at both terminals of the second connecting function portion, and

wherein the load control computing function portion detects and monitors the voltages at both the terminals of the second connecting function portion when the first connecting function portion is connected and the voltages at both the terminals of the second connecting function portion when the first connecting function portion is disconnected.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 25, 2021
From: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
To: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.
Reel/Frame 056299/0447 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 6, 2020
From: WAKABAYASHI, KATSUHIKO
To: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
Reel/Frame 053125/0915 →