[001] The present disclosure relates to brake boosters of a vehicle and more particularly, relates to systems and methods for operating a brake booster of a vehicle by controlling a vacuum pump for maintaining predefined pressure in a chamber of the brake booster.

BACKGROUND

[002] As is generally known, the majority of brake boosters in vehicles operate by using the vacuum generated by an intake section of the constituent internal combustion engine. However, the vacuum generated by the engine may not sometimes be sufficient for effective operation of a brake booster. For example, this vacuum may not be sufficient during a cold start phase, a warm-up phase, or when the vehicle is driving at extreme altitudes or even when an air-conditioning system is continuously operational in the vehicle. This situation would also prevail with new engine technologies, such as for electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles.

[003] Therefore, considering such situations, electric vacuum pumps are often used to ensure the reliable operation of the brake booster. The electric vacuum pump generates an alternative or additional vacuum for ensuring the effective operation of the brake boosters. This additional vacuum pump ensures compliance with the latest safety standards, while reliable running of the braking system, which operates with pneumatic brake boosters, is maintained. The vacuum so generated ensures stable and effective braking power in the vehicle at all times.

[004] For smooth and effective operation of the brake booster, it is critical to ensure that a uniform pressure is maintained inside a chamber of the brake booster, as that would achieve soft actuation of a connected brake paddle as well. Therefore, the activation and deactivation of the vacuum pump at the right time is absolutely critical, as that directly affects the braking capability of the vehicle.

SUMMARY

[005] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.

[006] In an implementation of the present disclosure, a system for operating a brake booster of a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a pressure sensor disposed inside a chamber of the brake booster and adapted to detect a pressure therein, and a control unit in communication with the pressure sensor. The control unit is also in communication with a vacuum pump that is connected with the chamber. The control unit is adapted to generate vacuum in the chamber for applying brakes to the vehicle. The control unit is adapted to receive, from the pressure sensor, a value of the pressure detected in the chamber, compare the detected value with a predefined threshold value of the pressure in the chamber, and transmit, based on the comparison, an instruction to control an operation of the vacuum pump to maintain predefined pressure in the chamber to operate the brakes of the vehicle.

[007] In another implementation of the present disclosure, a method of operating a brake booster of a vehicle is disclosed. The method includes detecting, by a pressure sensor, a value of a pressure inside a chamber of the brake booster, comparing, by a control unit, the detected value with a predefined threshold value of the pressure in the chamber, and transmitting, by the control unit, an instruction to control an operation of a vacuum pump to maintain predefined pressure in the chamber, based on the comparison, to operate the brakes of the vehicle.

[008] To further clarify the advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific implementations thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical implementations of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[009] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

[010] Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram depicting a system for operating a brake booster of a vehicle by controlling an associated vacuum pressure, according to an implementation of the present disclosure;
[011] Figure 2 illustrates a detailed schematic view depicting various components of the system, according to an implementation of the present disclosure;
[012] Figure 3 illustrates a graph depicting a relationship between supplied voltage and a sensitivity of a pressure sensor of the system, according to an implementation of the present disclosure;
[013] Figure 4 illustrates a method of operating the brake booster of a vehicle by controlling the associated vacuum pressure, according to an implementation of the present disclosure.

[014] Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the implementations of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[015] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the implementation illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

[016] Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at least one” feature or element do not preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language including, but not limited to, “there needs to be one or more...” or “one or more element is required.”

[017] Unless otherwise defined, all terms and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person ordinarily skilled in the art.

[018] Reference is made herein to some “implementations.” It should be understood that an implementation is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements of the present disclosure. Some implementations have been described for the purpose of explaining one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the proposed disclosure fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility, and non-obviousness.

[019] Use of the phrases and/or terms including, but not limited to, “a first implementation,” “a further implementation,” “an alternate implementation,” “one implementation,” “an implementation,” “multiple implementations,” “some implementations,” “other implementations,” “further implementation”, “furthermore implementation”, “additional implementation” or other variants thereof do not necessarily refer to the same implementations. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more implementations may be found in one implementation, or may be found in more than one implementation, or may be found in all implementations, or may be found in no implementations. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single implementation, or in the context of more than one implementation, or in the context of all implementations, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate implementations may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single implementation.

[020] Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some implementations and therefore should not necessarily be taken as limiting factors to the proposed disclosure.
[021] Implementations of the present invention will now be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[022] Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram depicting a system 100 for operating a brake booster 102 of a vehicle by controlling an associated vacuum pump 104, according to an implementation of the present disclosure. Particularly, the vacuum pump 104 may be connected with a chamber of the brake booster 102. There should be a predefined pressure within the chamber at all times to ensure effective operation of the brake booster 102 for applying the brakes of the vehicle. The maintenance of the predefined pressure would also ensure soft pressing of a brake paddle by a driver.

[023] In an implementation, the vacuum pump 104 may be adapted to generate vacuum to keep the pressure within the chamber to a predefined value for effectively operating the brakes of the vehicle. The system 100 may be adapted to control the operation of the vacuum pump 104 and in turn the operation of the brake booster 102.

[024] In an implementation, the system 100 may include, but is not limited to, a pressure sensor 106 and a control unit 108 in communication with the pressure sensor 106 and the vacuum pump 104. In an implementation, the pressure sensor 106 may be adapted to be disposed inside the chamber of the brake booster 102. In other embodiments, the pressure sensor 106 may be disposed outside the chamber as well, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, as far as the pressure inside the chamber can be accurately detected. Further, the pressure sensor 106 may be adapted to detect a value of the pressure inside the chamber. In an embodiment, the pressure sensor 106 may include a one-way valve pressure sensor.

[025] The control unit 108 may then be adapted to receive the value of the pressure detected in the chamber, from the pressure sensor 106. In an implementation, the control unit 108 may include, but is not limited to, a processor 110, memory 112, modules 114, and data 116. The modules 114 and the memory 112 may be coupled to the processor 110.

[026] The processor 110 can be a single processing unit or several units, all of which could include multiple computing units. The processor 110 may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the processor 110 is configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions and data stored in the memory 112.

[027] The memory 112 may include any non-transitory computer-readable medium known in the art including, for example, volatile memory, such as static random access memory (SRAM) and dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and/or non-volatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM, flash memories, hard disks, optical disks, and magnetic tapes.

[028] The modules 114, amongst other things, include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., which perform particular tasks or implement data types. The modules 114 may also be implemented as, signal processor(s), state machine(s), logic circuitries, and/or any other device or component that manipulate signals based on operational instructions.

[029] Further, the modules 114 can be implemented in hardware, instructions executed by a processing unit, or by a combination thereof. The processing unit can comprise a computer, a processor, such as the processor 110, a state machine, a logic array, or any other suitable devices capable of processing instructions. The processing unit can be a general-purpose processor which executes instructions to cause the general-purpose processor to perform the required tasks or, the processing unit can be dedicated to performing the required functions. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the modules 114 may be machine-readable instructions which, when executed by a processor/processing unit, perform any of the described functionalities.

[030] In an embodiment, the modules 114 may include a receiving module 118, a comparing module 120, and a transmitting module 122. The receiving module 118, the comparing module 120, and the transmitting module 122 may be in communication with each other. The data 116 serves, amongst other things, as a repository for storing data processed, received, and generated by one or more of the modules 114.

[031] In an implementation, the receiving module 118 of the control unit 108 may be adapted to receive the value of the pressure detected in the chamber, from the pressure sensor 106. The receiving module 118 is in communication with the comparing module 120. The comparing module 120 may be adapted to compare the detected value with a predefined threshold value of the pressure in the chamber. The comparing module 120 is in communication with the transmitting module 122. Based on the comparison, the transmitting module 122 may then be adapted to transmit an instruction to control an operation of the vacuum pump 104 for maintaining predefined pressure in the chamber to operate the brakes of the vehicle.

[032] In an implementation, the detected value of the pressure in the chamber of the brake booster 102 may be less than the predefined threshold value. In such an implementation, the transmitting module 122 may be adapted to transmit an instruction to activate the vacuum pump 104. The vacuum pump 104 may operate till the pressure inside the chamber reaches the predefined threshold value. When the predefined threshold value of the pressure is achieved in the chamber, the transmitting module 122 may be adapted to transmit an instruction to deactivate the vacuum pump 104.

[033] In an implementation, the predefined threshold value of the pressure in the chamber may be 0.89 kPa. Therefore, whenever the pressure inside the chamber falls below 0.89 kPa, the control unit 108 may activate the vacuum pump 104 to generate vacuum for raising the pressure to the predefined value, i.e., 0.89 kPa. Therefore, the vacuum pump 104 operates till the pressure in the brake booster 102 reaches 0.89 kPa.

[034] As would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, the system 100 may include further components to enable the effective operation of the pressure sensor 106 and the control unit 108 to control the vacuum pump 104. Figure 2 illustrates a detailed schematic view depicting various components of the system 100, according to an implementation of the present disclosure. In an implementation, the system 100 may also include a voltage regulator sub-circuit 202, an analog-to-digital converter (not shown), an NPN transistor 206, and a relay circuit 208. The system 100 may further include a battery (not shown) to supply operating power to other components of the system 100. In an implementation, the battery may include, but is not limited to, a homogeneous Lithium Ferro Phosphate battery that is adapted to supply the required voltage, say, 12.4 volts to the other components of the system 100. Further, the other components may include, but are not limited to, the pressure sensor 106, the control unit 108, the voltage regulator sub-circuit 202, the analog-to-digital converter, the NPN transistor 206, and the relay circuit 208.

[035] While the constructional and operational features of the pressure sensor 106 and the control unit 108 are already explained in detail in the description of Figure 1, Figure 2 can be referred, among other things, particularly for the understanding of the other components. In an implementation, the voltage regulator sub-circuit 202 may be connected with mains supply. The voltage regulator sub-circuit 202 may be adapted to convert supplied voltage into an operating voltage for the control unit 108. In an implementation, the voltage regulator sub-circuit 202 may include at least one transistor 210 adapted to convert the mains supply in the sub-circuit 202. In an implementation, the at least one transistor 210 may include, but is not limited to, 7000 series transistors, say, 7805 transistors.

[036] The voltage regulator sub-circuit 202 may also include at least one high-capacitance capacitor 212 connected in parallel to the at least one transistor 210. The at least one high-capacitance capacitor 212 may be adapted to reduce ripples during the conversion. The converted voltage may be provided to the control unit 108. In an implementation, the at least one high-capacitance capacitor 212 may include, but is not limited to, a 2200 microfarad capacitor and a 1000 microfarad capacitor. In the illustrated embodiment, the system 100 is shown to include two high-capacitance capacitors 212, individually referred to as 212-1 and 212-2. In other embodiments, the number of capacitors 212 may vary, say, depending on constructional and operational parameters of the system 100, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[037] In an implementation, the control unit 108 may be adapted to control supply of an operating voltage to the pressure sensor 106. In fact, a sensitivity range of the pressure sensor 106 may be set based on the operating voltage supplied by the control unit 108 to the pressure sensor 106. In an implementation, the control unit 108 may supply an operating voltage of 5 Volts to the pressure sensor 106.

[038] The pressure sensor 106 may be adapted to transmit the detected value of the pressure inside the chamber of the brake booster 102 as an analog signal. The system 100 may include the analog-to-digital converter to convert the analog signal into the digital signal, which is then used to operate on the NPN transistor 206. This would result into grounding the default open relay circuit 208, supplying the operating power to the vacuum pump 104, in turn activating the vacuum pump 104 for generating vacuum so that the pressure inside the chamber reaches the predefined threshold value, say, 0.89 kPa. In an implementation, the NPN transistor 206 may include, but is not limited to, a BD139 NPN transistor.

[039] As would be gathered, the vacuum pump 104 is being operated by the system 100 based on a pressure-voltage relationship. Figure 3 illustrates a graph 300 depicting a relationship between supplied voltage to the pressure sensor 106 and a sensitivity of the pressure sensor 106, according to an implementation of the present disclosure. In an implementation, the vacuum pump 104 is being operated based on the graph 300 depicting the pressure-voltage relationship.

[040] Figure 4 illustrates a method 400 of operating the brake booster 102 of the vehicle by controlling the vacuum pump 104, according to an implementation of the present disclosure. For the sake of brevity, the constructional and operational features of the system 100 that are already explained in detail in the description of Figure 1, Figure 2, and Figure 3 are not explained in detail in the description of Figure 4.

[041] At a block 402, the method 400 includes detecting a value of the pressure inside the chamber of the brake booster 102. In an implementation, the pressure sensor 106 may detect the pressure.

At a block 404, the method 400 includes comparing the detected value with the predefined threshold value of the pressure in the chamber. In an implementation, the control unit 108 may compare the detected value with the predefined threshold value.

[042] At a block 406, the method 400 includes transmitting the instruction to control the operation of the vacuum pump 104 to maintain the predefined pressure in the chamber, based on the comparison, to operate the brakes of the vehicle. In an implementation, the control unit 108 may transmit the instruction.

[043] In an implementation, the method 400 may include transmitting the instruction to activate the vacuum pump 104 when the detected value is less than the predefined threshold value.

[044] In another implementation, the method 400 may include transmitting the instruction to deactivate the vacuum pump 104 when the predefined threshold value of pressure is achieved in the chamber.

[045] As would be gathered, the present disclosure offers a comprehensive approach for maintaining the sufficient pressure inside the chamber of the brake booster 102 at all times, in turn ensuring the effective operation of the braking mechanism of a vehicle. The operation of the control unit 108 based on the data received from the pressure sensor 106 to activate and deactivate the vacuum pump 104 allows for the maintenance of uniform pressure within the chamber of the brake booster 102.

[046] Further, in the latest generation of vehicles, say, in electric vehicles, such operations are performed with the help of a vehicle control unit that sends and receives signals to operate the vacuum pump. The vehicle control unit basically functions as a postman that delivers control commands in the form of electrical signals of a specific voltage range. On the other hand, the control unit 108 of the present invention is not connected to any vehicle control unit and has inbuilt processing capabilities. It activates with the ignition of the vehicle and starts to process the data from the pressure sensor 106 and accordingly operates to maintain the desired pressure in the brake booster. Therefore, the control unit 108 can also be troubleshooted independently. This would also ensure ease in maintenance of the system 100.

[047] Moreover, the user of transistor-based switching in combination with accurately determined hardware components, such as the capacitors 212, the transistors 210, and the resistors, make it simple and gimmick. Therefore, the system 100 of the present disclosure is operation-effective, cost-effective, comprehensive, and simple.

[048] While specific language has been used to describe the present subject matter, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of implementations. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one implementation may be added to another implementation.

We claim:

1. A system (100) for operating a brake booster (102) of a vehicle, comprising:
a pressure sensor (106) disposed inside a chamber of the brake booster (102) and adapted to detect a pressure therein; and
a control unit (108) in communication with the pressure sensor (106) and a vacuum pump (104) that is connected with the chamber and adapted to generate vacuum in the chamber for applying brakes to the vehicle,
the control unit (108) adapted to:
receive, from the pressure sensor (106), a value of the pressure detected in the chamber;
compare the detected value with a predefined threshold value of the pressure in the chamber; and
transmit, based on the comparison, an instruction to control an operation of the vacuum pump (104) to maintain predefined pressure in the chamber to operate the brakes of the vehicle.

2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (108) is adapted to:
transmit an instruction to activate the vacuum pump (104) when the detected value is less than the predefined threshold value; and
transmit an instruction to deactivate the vacuum pump (104) when the predefined threshold value of pressure is achieved in the chamber.

3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predefined threshold value of the pressure in the chamber is 0.89 kPa.

4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor (106) comprising a one-way valve pressure sensor.

5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising:
a battery to supply operating power to other components of the system (100); and
a voltage regulator sub-circuit (202) connected with mains supply and adapted to convert supplied voltage into a control unit operable voltage, the voltage regular sub-circuit (202) comprising:
at least one transistor (210) adapted to convert the mains supply in the sub-circuit (202); and
at least one high-capacitance capacitor (212) connected in parallel to the at least one transistor (210) and adapted to reduce ripples during the conversion, wherein the converted voltage is provided to the control unit (108).

6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the control unit (108) is adapted to control supply of an operating voltage to the pressure sensor (106).

7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein a sensitivity range of the pressure sensor (106) is based on the operating voltage supplied by the control unit (108).

8. A method (400) of operating a brake booster (102) of a vehicle, the method (400) comprising:
detecting, by a pressure sensor (106), a value of a pressure inside a chamber of the brake booster (102);
comparing, by a control unit (108), the detected value with a predefined threshold value of the pressure in the chamber; and
transmitting, by the control unit (108), an instruction to control an operation of a vacuum pump (104) to maintain predefined pressure in the chamber, based on the comparison, to operate the brakes of the vehicle.

9. The method (400) as claimed in claim 8, comprising:
transmitting, by the control unit (108), an instruction to activate the vacuum pump (104) when the detected value is less than the predefined threshold value; and
transmitting, by the control unit (108), an instruction to deactivate the vacuum pump (104) when the predefined threshold value of pressure is achieved in the chamber.

10. The method (400) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the predefined threshold value of the pressure in the chamber is 0.89 kPa.