Description:Complete Specification

The following specification describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.
Field of the invention
[0001] This invention relates to an algorithm for varying a pressure applied by each of a plurality of brake shoes of an automobile, and more specifically to the algorithm for varying the pressure applied by each of the plurality of brake shoes in each of a plurality of disc brakes of an automobile.

Background of the invention
[0002] CN 203126835 U describes a utility model that discloses an online wear working condition monitor for a brake shoe and a tire of a locomotive. A displacement sensor is used for detecting the working condition of a brake, and a novel working condition (braking or releasing) monitoring sensor for an inner electric locomotive unit brake is provided. Closed-loop control instead of opened-loop control is adopted by a locomotive braking device, and a locomotive operator can know the working condition of each unit brake during running or preparation of the locomotive via a computer at any time. Due to the adoption of the online wear working condition monitor, driving accidents caused by low speed of locomotive wheel set, shelled tread or insufficient braking force due to failure of the unit brake can be prevented, and the online wear working condition monitor plays an important role in ensuring the running safety of the locomotive. Two displacement sensors and installation positions are used for detecting various parameters to calculate the thickness of the brake shoe, the wear degrees of wheel set on tread and the releasing degree of the brake. Meanwhile, a signal generated by the mechanical change of the sensor is converted into the thickness of the brake shoe, wear of the tread and the releasing degree of the brake.

Brief description of the accompanying drawing
[0003] Figure 1 illustrates an algorithm for varying a pressure applied by each of a plurality of brake shoes of an automobile in one embodiment of the invention.
Detailed description of the embodiments
[0004] Figure 1 illustrates an algorithm 100 for varying a pressure applied by each of a plurality of brake shoes of an automobile in one embodiment of the invention. The algorithm 100 comprises determining 110 a vehicle speed by a vehicle speed sensor to determine if the vehicle speed is greater than zero, monitoring 120 an actual first speed of at least one wheel of the automobile, and monitoring 130 an actual second speed of the at least one wheel of the automobile after at least one brake is applied on the at least one wheel of the automobile. The algorithm further comprises determining 140 a difference between the actual first speed of at least one wheel of the automobile and the actual second speed of the at least one wheel of the automobile after at least one brake is applied on the at least one wheel of the automobile, determining 150 a ratio of the difference between the actual first speed of at least one wheel of the automobile and the actual second speed of the at least one wheel of the automobile after at least one brake is applied on the at least one wheel of the automobile and an actual duration of time for which the at least one brake is applied on the at least one wheel of the automobile. The algorithm further comprises determining 160 a difference between the ratio of the difference between a theoretical first speed of at least one wheel of the automobile and a theoretical second speed of the at least one wheel of the automobile after at least one brake is applied on the at least one wheel of the automobile and a theoretical duration of time for which the at least one brake is applied on the at least one wheel of the automobile and the ratio of the difference between the actual first speed of at least one wheel of the automobile and the actual second speed of the at least one wheel of the automobile after at least one brake is applied on the at least one wheel of the automobile and the actual duration of time for which the at least one brake is applied on the at least one wheel of the automobile.

[0005] Figure 1 illustrates an algorithm 100 for varying a pressure applied by each of a plurality of brake shoes of an automobile in one embodiment of the invention. The algorithm 100 comprises determining 110 a vehicle speed by means of a vehicle speed sensor to determine if the vehicle speed is greater than zero. If the vehicle speed is equal to zero which implies that the vehicle is stationary, the algorithm 100 does not proceed ahead. However, if the vehicle speed is greater than zero, the algorithm 100 continues as follows. In an exemplary embodiment, the algorithm 100 comprises monitoring 120 an actual first speed of at least one wheel of the automobile. Therein, the actual second speed of the at least one wheel of the automobile after at least one brake is applied on the at least one wheel of the automobile is monitored 130. More specifically, after at least one brake is applied on the at least one wheel of the automobile and the at least one wheel of the automobile is decelerated by a pre-determined time interval, the actual second speed of the at least one wheel of the automobile is monitored 140. Once the actual first speed of at least one wheel of the automobile and the actual second speed of at least one wheel of the automobile is monitored, the algorithm comprises determining 140 the difference between the actual first speed of at least one wheel of the automobile and the actual second speed of the at least one wheel of the automobile after at least one brake is applied on the at least one wheel of the automobile. Thereafter, the algorithm 100 comprises determining 150 a ratio of the difference between the actual first speed of at least one wheel of the automobile and the actual second speed of the at least one wheel of the automobile after at least one brake is applied on the at least one wheel of the automobile and an actual duration of time for which the at least one brake is applied on the at least one wheel of the automobile.

[0006] The algorithm 100 for varying the pressure applied by each of the plurality of brake shoes of the automobile comprises determining a theoretical first speed of at least one wheel of the automobile. Therein, a theoretical second speed of the at least one wheel of the automobile after at least one brake is theoretically applied on the at least one wheel of the automobile is monitored. More specifically, after at least one brake is theoretically applied on the at least one wheel of the automobile and the at least one wheel of the automobile is theoretically decelerated by a pre-determined time interval, the theoretical second speed of the at least one wheel of the automobile is monitored. Once the theoretical first speed of at least one wheel of the automobile and the theoretical second speed of at least one wheel of the automobile is monitored, the algorithm comprises determining a difference between the theoretical first speed of at least one wheel of the automobile and the theoretical second speed of the at least one wheel of the automobile after at least one brake is theoretically applied on the at least one wheel of the automobile. Thereafter, the algorithm 100 comprises determining a ratio of the difference between the theoretical first speed of at least one wheel of the automobile and the theoretical second speed of the at least one wheel of the automobile after at least one brake is applied on the at least one wheel of the automobile and a theoretical duration of time for which the at least one brake is applied on the at least one wheel of the automobile.

[0007] The algorithm 100 for varying the pressure applied by each of the plurality of brake shoes of the automobile comprises determining a difference between the ratio of the difference between the theoretical first speed of at least one wheel of the automobile and the theoretical second speed of the at least one wheel of the automobile after at least one brake is applied on the at least one wheel of the automobile and a theoretical duration of time for which the at least one brake is applied on the at least one wheel of the automobile and the ratio of the difference between the actual first speed of at least one wheel of the automobile and the actual second speed of the at least one wheel of the automobile after at least one brake is applied on the at least one wheel of the automobile and the actual duration of time for which the at least one brake is applied on the at least one wheel of the automobile. In an exemplary embodiment, the theoretical first speed of the at least one wheel of the automobile is pre-determined by a user. In addition, the theoretical second speed of the at least one wheel of the automobile after the at least one brake is applied on the at least one wheel of the automobile is pre-determined by the user. The theoretical time duration for which the at least one brake is applied on the at least one wheel of the automobile is pre-determined by the user. In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one wheel of the automobile may be at least one of a first wheel, a second wheel, a third wheel, and a fourth wheel of the automobile.

[0008] If the difference between the the ratio of the difference between the theoretical first speed of at least one wheel of the automobile and the theoretical second speed of the at least one wheel of the automobile after at least one brake is applied on the at least one wheel of the automobile and a theoretical duration of time for which the at least one brake is applied on the at least one wheel of the automobile and the ratio of the difference between the actual first speed of at least one wheel of the automobile and the actual second speed of the at least one wheel of the automobile after at least one brake is applied on the at least one wheel of the automobile and the actual duration of time for which the at least one brake is applied on the at least one wheel of the automobile is greater than zero, a corresponding pressure applied by the break shoe of the corresponding at least one wheel of the vehicle which produces the non-zero value is increased or decreased such that each of the plurality of brake shoes apply the same amount of pressure on each of the plurality of wheels of the vehicle.

[0008] It must be understood that the embodiments explained above are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of the disclosure. Many modifications in the embodiments with regard to dimensions of various components are envisaged and form a part of this invention. The scope of the invention is only limited by the scope of the claims.

, Claims:We Claim

1. An algorithm (100) for varying a pressure applied by each of a plurality of brake shoes of an automobile, the algorithm (100) comprising:
Determining (110) a vehicle speed by a vehicle speed sensor to determine if the vehicle speed is greater than zero;
monitoring (120) an actual first speed of at least one wheel of the automobile;
monitoring (130) an actual second speed of the at least one wheel of the automobile after at least one brake is applied on the at least one wheel of the automobile;
determining (140) a difference between the actual first speed of at least one wheel of the automobile and the actual second speed of the at least one wheel of the automobile after at least one brake is applied on the at least one wheel of the automobile;
determining (150) a ratio of the difference between the actual first speed of at least one wheel of the automobile and the actual second speed of the at least one wheel of the automobile after at least one brake is applied on the at least one wheel of the automobile and an actual duration of time for which the at least one brake is applied on the at least one wheel of the automobile; and
determining (160) a difference between the ratio of the difference between a theoretical first speed of at least one wheel of the automobile and a theoretical second speed of the at least one wheel of the automobile after at least one brake is applied on the at least one wheel of the automobile and a theoretical duration of time for which the at least one brake is applied on the at least one wheel of the automobile and the ratio of the difference between the actual first speed of at least one wheel of the automobile and the actual second speed of the at least one wheel of the automobile after at least one brake is applied on the at least one wheel of the automobile and the actual duration of time for which the at least one brake is applied on the at least one wheel of the automobile.

2. An algorithm (100) for varying a pressure applied by each of a plurality of brake shoes of an automobile in accordance with Claim 1, wherein the theoretical first speed of at least one wheel of the automobile is pre-determined by a user.

3. An algorithm (100) for varying a pressure applied by each of a plurality of brake shoes of an automobile in accordance with Claim 2, wherein the theoretical second speed of the at least one wheel of the automobile after at least one brake is applied on the at least one wheel of the automobile is pre-determined by the user.

4. An algorithm (100) for varying a pressure applied by each of a plurality of brake shoes of an automobile in accordance with Claim 3, wherein the theoretical time duration for which the at least one brake is applied on the at least one wheel of the automobile is pre-determined by the user.

5. An algorithm (100) for varying a pressure applied by each of a plurality of brake shoes of an automobile in accordance with Claim 4, wherein the at least one wheel of the automobile may be at least one of a first wheel, a second wheel, a third wheel, and a fourth wheel of the automobile.