Claims:We Claim:

1. A system (100) for modulating brake fluid pressure in a vehicle, the system (100) comprising:
a proportional valve (101) fluidly disposed in a brake fluid line (99) of the vehicle; and
a control unit (104) communicatively coupled to the proportional valve (101) and an engine electronic control unit (102), the control unit (104) is configured to:
receive, a signal from the engine electronic control unit (102) corresponding to load of the vehicle; and
operate, the proportional valve (101) to modulate brake fluid pressure in the brake fluid line (99), based on the load of the vehicle.

2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises at least one sensor (103) associated with a brake pedal (97) and configured to generate an activation signal corresponding to actuation of the brake pedal (97).

3. The system (100) as claimed in claims 1 and 2, wherein the control unit (104) is communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor (103) and configured to operate the proportional valve (101), when the brake fluid pressure exceeds beyond predetermined value, corresponding to load of the vehicle.

4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the proportional valve (101) is a solenoid proportional valve.

5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor (103) is one of a pressure sensor, a force sensor and a position sensor.

6. A vehicle comprising a system (100) as claimed in claim 1.

7. A method of modulating brake fluid pressure of a vehicle, comprising:
receiving, by a control unit (104) a signal from an engine electronic control unit (102) corresponding to load of the vehicle; and
operating, by the control unit (104), a proportional valve (101) based on the load of the vehicle for modulating the brake fluid pressure.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, comprises receiving by the control unit (104) a signal from at least one sensor (103) associated with a brake pedal (97), corresponding to actuation of the brake pedal (97).

9. The method as claimed in claims 7 and 8, comprises operating by the control unit (104), the proportional valve (101) based on the signal from the at least one sensor (103) and relative to load of the vehicle, for modulating the brake fluid pressure.

Dated this 28th December 2021

GOPINATH ARENUR SHANKARAJ
IN/PA 1852
Of K&S Partners
AGENT FOR THE APPLICANT

, Description:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
[39 OF 1970]
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10; rule 13]

TITLE: “A SYSTEM FOR MODULATING BRAKE FLUID PRESSURE AND A METHOD THEREOF”

Name and Address of the Applicant: TATA MOTORS LIMITED; Bombay House, 24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai 400 001 Maharashtra, India.

Nationality: IN

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.
TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] Present disclosure generally relates to a field of automobiles. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to modulating brake fluid pressure of a vehicle. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure discloses a system for modulating brake fluid pressure of the vehicle based on load of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[002] Vehicles are commonly slowed and stopped by using brake systems. These systems come in an array of configurations and each one varies in complexity. Typically such systems includes a brake pedal, a tandem master cylinder, fluid conduits arranged in two similar but separate brake circuits, and wheel brakes in each circuit. The driver of the vehicle operates the brake pedal which is connected to the tandem master cylinder. When the brake pedal is pressed, the master cylinder generates forces in both brake circuits by pressurizing the brake fluid. The pressurized fluid travels through the fluid conduit in both circuits to actuate brake cylinders at the wheels to slow or stop the vehicle.

[003] Existing brake systems are configured to provide maximum force (i.e., brake pressure) for effective braking of the vehicle, based on travel of the brake pedal. The maximum force is applied irrespective of the laden or unladen condition of the vehicle, even though the maximum force is not necessary during unladen condition of the vehicle. Such application of maximum force at unladen condition, would result in rear wheel locking and unnecessary use of brake force amounts to stress, which leads to faster wear and tear of moving parts that may cause catastrophic failure of the brake system, which is undesired. Also, with the brake system continuously providing maximum force irrespective of the condition of the vehicle, it would lead to high energy consumption thereby affecting the efficiency of engine.

[004] The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or other limitations associated with the existing art.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[005] One or more shortcomings of conventional systems are overcome, and additional advantages are provided through the system and method as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered as a part of the claimed disclosure.

[006] In one non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure, a system for modulating brake fluid pressure in a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a proportional valve fluidly disposed in a brake fluid line of the vehicle and a control unit communicatively coupled to the proportional valve and an engine electronic control unit. The control unit is configured to receive a signal from the engine electronic control unit corresponding to load of the vehicle, and operate the proportional valve to modulate brake fluid pressure in the brake fluid line, based on the load of the vehicle.

[007] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the system includes at least one sensor associated with a brake pedal. The at least one sensor is configured to generate an activation signal to the control unit, corresponding to travel of the brake pedal.

[008] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the control unit is communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor and configured to operate the proportional valve when the brake fluid pressure exceeds beyond predetermined value, corresponding to load of the vehicle.

[009] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the proportional valve is a solenoid proportional valve.

[010] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one sensor is one of a pressure sensor, a force sensor and a position sensor.

[011] In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for modulating brake fluid pressure is disclosed. The method includes receiving by a control unit, a signal from an engine electronic control unit corresponding to load of the vehicle. Further, the method includes operating, by the control unit, a proportional valve based on the load of the vehicle for modulating the brake fluid pressure.

[012] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the method includes receiving by the control unit a signal from at least one sensor associated with a brake pedal, corresponding to actuation of the brake pedal.

[013] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the method includes operating by the control unit, the proportional valve based on the signal from the at least one sensor and relative to load of the vehicle, for modulating the brake fluid pressure.

[014] It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.

[015] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

[016] The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

[017] Figure. 1 is a block diagram of a brake system, in accordance to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[018] Figure. 2 is a block diagram of a system for modulating brake fluid pressure in the brake system of Figure. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[019] Figure. 3 is a flow chart depicting operational sequence of the system for modulating the brake pressure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[020] The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[021] While the embodiments in the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.

[022] It is to be noted that a person skilled in the art would be motivated from the present disclosure and modify various features of a system and a method for modulating brake fluid pressure in a vehicle, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Therefore, such modifications are considered to be part of the disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings show only those specific details that are pertinent to understand the embodiments of the present disclosure, so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skilled in the art having benefit of the description herein.

[023] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a system that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system. In other words, one or more elements in a system or device proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or device.

[024] Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a system for modulating brake fluid pressure of a brake system in a vehicle. Conventional brake systems are configured to provide maximum force (i.e., brake pressure) for braking of the vehicle, based on travel of the brake pedal. The maximum force is applied irrespective of the laden or unladen condition of the vehicle, even though the maximum force is not necessary during unladen condition of the vehicle. Such application of maximum force at unladen condition, would result in rear wheel locking, which may lead to catastrophic failure of the vehicle over a period of time, which is undesired. Also, with the brake system continuously providing maximum force irrespective of the condition of the vehicle, it would lead to high energy consumption thereby affecting the efficiency of engine.

[025] Accordingly, the present disclosure discloses the system for modulating the brake fluid pressure in the brake system of the vehicle. The system may be configured to modulate the brake fluid pressure based on load of the vehicle. The system may include a proportional valve which may be fluidly disposed in a brake fluid line of the vehicle. Further, the system may include a control unit, which may be communicatively coupled to the proportional valve and an engine electronic control unit. The control unit may be configured to receive a signal from the engine electronic control unit, which may correspond to load of the vehicle. Further, the control unit may be configured to operate the proportional valve for modulating the brake fluid pressure in the brake fluid line, based on the load of the vehicle.

[026] The configuration of the system aids in providing effective and adequate brake fluid pressure in the brake fluid lines based on the load of the vehicle, unlike conventional brake systems which provide maximum brake fluid pressure irrespective of operating parameters of the vehicle, thereby leading to rear wheel locking during unladen condition of the vehicle.

[027] The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to Figures. 1 to 3. In the figures, the same element or elements which have similar functions are indicated by the same reference signs.

[028] Figure. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a brake system (96). In an illustrated embodiment, the brake system (96) is a pneumatic brake system for braking rear wheels of a vehicle. However, the same cannot be construed as a limitation, as the brake system may a hydraulic brake system for braking front and rear wheels of the vehicle, and also pneumatic brake system for braking front wheels. . The brake system (96) may include a brake pedal (97), which may be disposed in a cabin of a vehicle and may be operable by an operator. Further, the brake system (96) may include a plurality of fluid storage tanks (98), Brake actuators (109) and Brake fluid lines (99) [indicated as ] connecting between each of the plurality of storage tanks (98) with the brake actuators (109). Furthermore, the brake system (96) may include a system (100), which may be configured to modulate brake fluid pressure in the brake system (96). The system (100) may be electrically connected within the brake system (96) via electrical lines [indicated as ------]. In an illustrated embodiment, the system (100) is adapted in the rear wheel brake system and the same cannot be construed as a limitation, since the system (100) may be adapted in the front wheel brake system for efficient braking of the front wheels.

[029] Referring now to Figure. 2, which illustrates a block diagram of the system (100) for modulating brake fluid pressure in a vehicle. The system (100) may be adapted to modulate the brake fluid pressure based on load of the vehicle. Further, the system (100) may be adapted to modulate brake fluid pressure in any of the brake system such as but not limiting to pneumatic brake system, hydraulic brake system and the like. The term “load” may be inferred as mass/ gross weight of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the load of the vehicle may be determined by an engine electronic control unit (ECU) (102). In an embodiment, the Engine ECU (102) may determine the average load of vehicle through but not limiting to calculation based on acceleration of vehicle and torque delivered by the engine which is transferred on wheel ends.

[030] As seen in Figure. 2, the system (100) may include a proportional valve (101), which may be fluidly disposed in a brake fluid line (99) of the vehicle. As an example, the proportional valve (101) may be but not limiting to a solenoid proportional valve. Further, the system (100) may include at least one sensor (103), which may be associated with a brake pedal (97) of the vehicle. The at least one sensor (103) may be one of but not limiting to a pressure sensor, a position sensor and a force sensor, which may be configured to generate an activation signal, corresponding to actuation (thus, pressing) of the brake pedal (104). Further, as apparent from Figure. 2, the system (100) may include a control unit (104), which may be communicatively coupled to the engine ECU (102), the at least one sensor (103) and the proportional valve (101). The control unit (104) may be configured to operate the proportional valve (101) to modulate the brake fluid pressure based on the signals received by the engine ECU (102) and the at least one sensor (103).

[031] In an embodiment, the proportional valve (101) is an electro pneumatic valve which can modulate the pressure via electric current and algorithm from the control unit (104).

[032] Referring further to Figure. 2, the control unit (104) may include a receiving module (105), a processing module (106), a memory module (107) and an activation module (108). The control unit (104) may be configured to operate the proportional valve (101) for modulating the brake fluid pressure based on signal from the engine ECU (102), which may correspond to load of the vehicle, once the at least one sensor (102) determines actuation of the brake pedal (97). Working of the control unit (108) to modulate the brake fluid pressure is described hereinafter.

[033] The receiving module (105) of the control unit (104) may be configured to receive a signal from the engine ECU (102), which may correspond to load of the vehicle, once the at least one sensor (103) generates a signal corresponding to actuation of the brake pedal (97).. Now, the processing module (106) may receive the signals [load of the vehicle] from the receiving module (105) and may analyze the received signal to determine the level of the brake fluid pressure to be modulated. That is, the processing module (106) may analyze the received signal and determines the level of brake fluid pressure to be modulated based on predetermined modulation levels stored in the memory module (107) corresponding to load of the vehicle. Further, the control unit (104) may determine brake fluid pressure in the brake fluid lines (99) relative to actuation (thus, pressing) of the brake pedal (97). When the brake fluid pressure in the brake fluid lines (99) exceeds beyond the predetermined modulation levels corresponding to load of the vehicle, the processing module (106) may generate an input signal. The activation module (108) upon receiving the input signal from the processing module (106) may operate the proportional valve (101) for modulating the brake fluid pressure.

[034] In an embodiment, the at least one sensor (103) may continuously monitor actuation of the brake pedal (97) and the engine ECU (102) may continuously determine load of the vehicle in real time running of the vehicle, which may be received by the control unit (104). The control unit (108) may operate the proportional valve (101) for modulating the brake fluid pressure for efficient operating of the brake actuators (109), upon exceeding of the brake fluid pressure beyond the predetermined value, corresponding to load of the vehicle.

[035] In an embodiment, the system (100) may modulate the brake fluid pressure based on load of the vehicle, thereby ensures effective and adequate braking in laden condition of the vehicle and avoids rear wheel and front wheel locking in unladen condition of the vehicle.

[036] Turning now to Figure. 3, which is a flowchart depicting operational sequence of the system (100) for modulating brake fluid pressure. As an example, the operation sequence of the system (100) is described in a pneumatic brake system and the same cannot be construed as a limitation, since the system (100) of the present disclosure may be adapted in any other brake systems such as but not limiting to hydraulic brake system.

[037] As illustrated in flowchart of Figure. 3, the one or more blocks illustrates a sequence of operation of the system (100). The operation may be described in the general context of computer executable instructions. Generally, computer executable instructions may include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, procedures, modules, and functions, which perform functions or implement abstract data types.

[038] As seen in Figure. 3, at block 201, the at least one sensor (103) may generate a signal corresponding to actuation of the brake pedal (97) and the engine ECU (102) may generate the signal corresponding to the load of the vehicle.. Further, the detected load of the vehicle may be received by the receiving module (105) of the control unit (108) [as seen in block 202].

[039] As seen in block 203, the processing module (110) may receive signals [i.e., load of the vehicle] and brake fluid pressure in the brake system (96) corresponding to actuation of the brake pedal (97).Upon analyzing the signals, the processing module (110) may generate an input signal to the activation module (108), which may correspond to level of brake fluid pressure to be modulated. At block 204, the activation module (111) based on the input signal from the processing module (110) may operate the proportional valve (101) for modulating the brake fluid pressure for efficient operation of the brake actuators (109).

[040] In an embodiment, the system (100) may be installed in existing vehicles without substantial modification.

[041] In an embodiment, the system (100) is modular, simple, and effectively facilitates in modulating the brake fluid pressure, thus mitigates rear wheel or front wheel locking during unladen or partially laden conditions of the vehicle.

[042] In an embodiment, the system (100) may modulate brake fluid pressure directly based on load of the vehicle.

[043] In an embodiment, the system (100) may include at least one sensor between the proportional valve (101) and brake actuators. The at least one sensor may be configured to provide feedback about operation of the proportional valve.

[044] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the control unit (104) may be a centralized control unit or a dedicated control unit. The control unit (104) may be implemented by any computing systems that is utilized to implement the features of the present disclosure. The processing module (106) of the control unit (104) may comprise at least one data processor for executing program components for executing user or system (100) generated requests. The processing module (106) may be a specialized processing module such as integrated system (bus) controllers, memory management control units, floating point units, graphics processing modules, digital signal processing modules, etc. The processing module (106) may include a microprocessor, such as AMD Athlon, Duron or Opteron, ARM’s application, embedded or secure processors, IBM PowerPC, Intel’s Core, Itanium, Xeon, Celeron or other line of processors, etc. The processing module (106) may be implemented using a mainframe, distributed processor, multi-core, parallel, grid, or other architectures. Some embodiments may utilize embedded technologies like application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), etc.

[045] In some embodiments, the control unit (108) may be disposed in communication with one or more memory devices (e.g., RAM, ROM etc.) via a storage interface. The storage interface may connect to memory devices including, without limitation, memory drives, removable disc drives, etc., employing connection protocols such as serial advanced technology attachment (SATA), integrated drive electronics (IDE), IEEE-1394, universal serial bus (USB), fiber channel, small computing system (100) interface (SCSI), etc. The memory drives may further include a drum, magnetic disc drive, magneto-optical drive, optical drive, redundant array of independent discs (RAID), solid-state memory devices, solid-state drives, etc.

[046] It is to be understood that a person of ordinary skill in the art may develop a system (100) of similar configuration without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. Such modifications and variations may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure covers such modifications and variations provided they come within the ambit of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Equivalents:

[047] With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

[048] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances, where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.” While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope.

Referral Numerals:

Particular Reference number
Brake system 96
Brake pedal 97
Storage tank 98
Brake fluid line 99
System 100
Proportional valve 101
Engine electronic control unit 102
Sensor 103
Control unit 104
Receiving module 105
Processing module 106
Memory module 107
Activation module 108
Brake actuator 109
Method blocks 201-204