Patent ID: 6142581
Filing Date: 2000-11-07
Classification: B60T

Abstract:
A brake apparatus for a vehicle comprising:a brake fluid pressure producing device for producing brake fluid pressure in response to braking operation of an operator;a wheel braking force generating device for generating wheel braking force using said brake fluid pressure;a main conduit connecting said wheel braking force generating device to said brake fluid pressure producing device;a pressure maintaining valve disposed in said main conduit, thereby to divide said main conduit into a first conduit part at a side of said brake fluid pressure producing device and a second conduit part at a side of said wheel braking force generating device;a pump for moving a part of brake fluid from said first conduit part to said second conduit part to produce fluid pressure in said second conduit part higher than fluid pressure in said first conduit part in cooperation with said pressure maintaining valve;a brake assist control means for driving said pump to apply said higher fluid pressure in said second conduit part to said wheel braking force generating device when said brake fluid pressure is produced by said brake fluid pressure generating device and brake assist control is required;wherein said pressure maintaining valve allows attenuating brake fluid flow from said second conduit part to said first conduit part by a predetermined amount when said pump is driven.