WHEEL SLIP CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract: A wheel slip control system used for a vehicle includes a pressure source selection means which selects one of the first pressure source providing a first pressure and a second pres­ sure source providing a second pressure depending on the difference of the two pressure, a slip control means which ad­ justs the first pressure in response to a first adjustment signal or adjust the second pressure in response to a second adjust­ ment signal and thereafter operates to suppress slipping of the wheels including the driven wheels, a brake slip detection means which produces a brake slip signal upon detection of a slip during braking operation, an acceleration slip detection means which produces an acceleration slip signal upon detec­ tion of a slip during accelerating operation, and an electronic control means which provides the first adjustment signal to the slip control means based on the brake slip signal for the pur­ pose of vehicle anti-skid control and provides the second ad­ justment signal to the slip control means based on the acceler­ ation slip signal for the purpose of vehicle traction control. The wheel slip control system performs both of anti-skid control and traction control for a vehicle with a simple arrangement.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technological Field: The present invention relates to a wheel slip control system for a vehicle operable to control the frictional force between the driven wheel tire and the road surface during a braking operation and during an accelerating operation as well, and particularly to a wheel slip control system which controls the rotation of the driven wheel using a brake hydraulic system. Prior Art: There have been known so-called anti-skid brake systems for vehicles which control the rotation of the wheel so that an optimal braking force is produced without the occurrence of "locked wheel" during the braking operation. In these systems, the rotational speed of the wheel (will be termed "wheel speed" hereinafter) is controlled to amount slightly lower than the running speed of the vehicle (will be termed "vehicle speed" hereinafter) during the braking operation so as to maximize the frictional force between the wheel tire and the road surface. Defining a slip rate S as a function of the vehicle speed Vs and the wheel speed V as: S = [(Vs - V)/Vs] x 100 (%) the frictional force M between the wheel tire and the road surface reaches a maximum and at the same time the side force F for preventing a skid has a proper value when the slip rate S is around 10%. Based on this fact, the wheel speed V is controlled to a speed calculated by the following equation so that the slip rate S becomes around 10%, for example. V = (1 - α)Vs - β where is a constant taking a value, e.g., 0.03, and is a constant taking a value, e.g., 4 km. Various anti-slip and anti-skid wheel control systems have been developed and practically installed on vehicles for the security purpose of minimizing the stopping distance without a skid when the driver takes an abrupt braking action. Document DE-A-31 27 302 discloses a system for controlling the propulsive drive applied to motor vehicle wheels, particularly having hydraulically operated disk brakes, in the sense of preventing undesired spinning of the driven wheels in order to obtain a desired vehicle behaviour in critical driving situations, especially under extreme road conditions. In the system, a comparator is provided which is triggered by at least one presettable or permanently preset threshold value corresponding to the speed of the vehicle, and which generates an output signal causing the drive torque to be reduced as soon as the threshold value is exceeded and a signal is present, which indicates that the individual wheel brake is being activated and/or that one of the driven wheels is tending to spin. A control system comprises a first control loop which reacts to the state of motion of at least the driven vehicle wheels and which, when one of these wheels is tending to spin, activates its wheel brake, and comprises a second control loop applying a torque-reducing control action to the drive unit of the vehicle when values preferably being determined from the wheel rotation speeds of the undriven vehicle wheels and representing the speed and the acceleration of the vehicle exceed the threshold value. The threshold value of the speed of the vehicle which value governs the control process, is preferably regulated in accordance with the transverse acceleration which acts on the vehicle whenever it follows a curved path, thus performing a control of the vehicle behaviour depending on the detected vehicle speed and being additionally adapted to the vehicle cornering state. This document also discloses the use of a conventional anti-skid brake system in combination with the mentioned wheel slip control system. Furthermore, document DE-A-18 06 671 discloses an electrically controlled system for preventing a spinning of the driven wheels of a vehicle in which the rotational slippage between the driven and non-driven wheels is determined, and in which the rotational speed of the driven wheels is controlled dependent on the magnitude of such a slippage. To this end, the hydraulic circuit of the system is provided with a single pressure source including a pressure tank supplied by a pump and a plurality of valves being energized or deenergized in accordance with the detected slippage to supply the respective wheel brakes with the required hydraulic pressure. In a normal operating condition the vehicle brake can be actuated in a conventional manner by means of a brake pedal. When a slippage of the driven wheels in relation to a non-driven wheel is detected, a special inlet valve is opened to provide the wheel brakes of the driven wheels with a hydraulic pressure. In order to deactivate the entire control system during the actuation of the brake pedal, a contact is connected with a brake light switch, the signal of which serves to control the respective magnetic valves accordingly, since the whole hydraulic circuit is based on only one single pressure source used for controlling both the acceleration and braking slippage. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to solve the foregoing problems and easily provide a wheel slip control system capable of controlling the frictional force between the driven wheel tire and the road surface accurately and responsively upon detection of a wheel slip condition during the vehicle accelerating operation. Another object of this invention is to provide a wheel slip control system which uses a slip control means, e.g., anti-skid control means, and an additional pressure source already installed on the vehicle to control the braking force of wheels including the driven wheels so that an excessive slip, such as idle running of driven wheel and accompanying skid, is prevented, whereby the driven wheels produce an optimal traction force. Still another object of this invention is to provide a wheel slip control system including a minimum of device required for traction control, and having a simple arrangement for the overall wheel slip control. A further object of this invention is to provide a wheel slip control system which readily provides a traction control ability for a vehicle installing an anti-skid control system and an additional pressure source. According to the present invention these objects are accomplished by a wheel slip control system for a vehicle comprising: (a) braking means operated by a driver of a vehicle for braking a rotation of driven wheels; (b) brake slip detection means for detecting a slip condition of a wheel during deceleration of said vehicle to output a brake slip signal indicative of the brake slip condition; (c) acceleration slip detection means for detecting a slip condition of said driven wheels during an acceleration of said vehicle to output an acceleration slip signal indicative of the acceleration slip condition; (d) a first hydraulic system, for anti-skid control, connected to said braking means and said driven wheels for receiving hydraulic pressure of said braking means, and in response to said brake slip signals output from said brake slip detection means during deceleration of said vehicle for providing said driven wheels with said hydraulic pressure received from said braking means so as to prevent said driven wheels from a braking slip; (e) traction control means connected to said acceleration slip detection means and said first hydraulic system, and in response to said acceleration slip signals output from said acceleration slip detection means during an acceleration of said vehicle, for providing said driven wheels with hydraulic pressure of said first hydraulic system so as to prevent said driven wheels from an acceleration slip; being characterized in that said wheel slip control system further comprises: (f) a second hydraulic system installed in said vehicle for providing a hydraulic pressure under the condition of vehicle acceleration and slip of said driven wheels; (g) a change valve connected to said braking means, said first hydraulic system, and said second hydraulic system for providing said first hydraulic system with the higher of the pressures from either said hydraulic pressure of said braking means or said hydraulic pressure when provided by said second hydraulic system. The wheel slip control system according to the present invention is designed to detect the difference between the hydraulic pressure produced by the first hydraulic system in accordance to the braking action of the driver and the hydraulic pressure produced by the second hydraulic system installed in the vehicle, and to conduct the higher hydraulic pressure selectively to the wheel brakes in accordance with the result of the detection, thereby ensuring that, if the braking means is sufficiently operated by the driver, the hydraulic pressure of the braking means is applied to the driven wheels and the first hydraulic system. This scheme allows the driver to have priority in taking a braking action, whereas, in addition, a slip control during the acceleration of the vehicle is attained safely without impairing the feeling of operating the braking means. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a general block diagram according to the invention slip control system; Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram mainly showing the hydraulic system of the wheel slip control system embodying the present invention; Fig. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing the traction control section 30' of the electronic control circuit 30 in Fig. 2 according to the first embodiment; Fig. 4 is a timing chart showing, as an example, the control operation of the first embodiment; Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of the electronic control circuit 30 in Fig. 1 according to the second embodiment; Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing, as an example the control operation of the second embodiment; Fig. 7 is a timing chart showing, as an example, the control operation of the second embodiment; Fig. 8 is a schematic block diagram mainly showing the wheel slip control system according to the third embodiment; Fig. 9 is a schematic block diagram of the electronic circuit for implementing the hydraulic pressure source selection according to the third embodiment; Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing the electronic control circuit 30 according to the fourth embodiment; and Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing, as an example the control operation of the fourth embodiment. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. In Fig. 2 showing generally an embodiment of the inventive wheel slip control system, the arrangement includes a brake pedal 1, a brake master cylinder 2 serving as the first pressure source for providing a brake hydraulic pressure in response to a displacement of the brake pedal 1, a sub-master cylinder 3 serving as the second pressure source for providing a brake hydraulic pressure derived from the power steering hydraulic system upon detection of an acceleration slip as described later, non-driven right and left wheels 4 and 5 of the vehicle, driven right and left wheels 6 and 7, wheel cylinders 8-11 provided for the wheels 4-7, a first hydraulic system 15 in the form of an anti-skid hydraulic system 15 used for anti-skid control, a second hydraulic system in the form of a power steering hydraulic system 20 of the vehicle, a non-driven wheel speed sensor 25 generating a pulse signal at frequencies in proportion to the rotational speed of the non-driven wheels 4 and 5, a driven-wheel speed sensor 26 generating pulse signal at frequencies in proportion to the rotational speed of the driven wheels 6 and 7, and an electronic control circuit 30 implementing anti-skid control and traction control as well. The brake master cylinder 2 is of a tandem master cylinder assembly, supplying a brake oil pressure to the wheel cylinders 8 and 9 on the non-driven wheels 4 and 5 in one hydraulic system, and to the wheel cylinders 10 and 11 of the driven-wheels 6 and 7 in another. The brake oil pressure produced by the sub-master cylinder 3 is used for the braking of driven wheels 6 and 7, and as to which of this brake hydraulic pressure or that produced by the brake master cylinder 2 is supplied by way of the anti-skid hydraulic system 15 to the wheel cylinders 10 and 11 is determined by a change valve 32 serving as the pressure source selection means. The change valve 32 has the structure of a shuttle valve, supplying the higher of the above two hydraulic pressures to the anti-skid hydraulic system 15. The anti-skid hydraulic system 15 has major hydraulic paths for supplying the pressure from the change valve 32 to the wheel cylinders 10 and 11 via a 3-position valve 34, and operates to increase the pressure by means of an oil pump 36 and hold or decrease (release the pressure to a reservoir 38) depending o on the position of the 3-position valve 34. The system 15 further includes check valves 39, 40 and 41, the hydraulic path via the valve 41 being used to decrease the pressure (decrease the braking force) by the operation of the brake pedal when the 3-position valve 34 is set at "hold" position. The 3-position valve 34 is operated by the electronic circuit 30, and positions a , b and c in Fig. 2 correspond to "increase pressure", "hold pressure' and "decrease pressure", respectively. Next, the power steering hydraulic system 20 will be described. The power steering hydraulic system 20 consists of an oil pump 52 for pumping up the hydraulic oil used in the system from a reservoir tank 51, check valves 53 and 54 for conducting the oil flow in one way, a steering gear box 55, an oil pressure switch 56 which turns on (low level) when the oil pressure in the steering gear box 55 increase due to steering operation, a 2-position valve 57 (will be termed M/C up-pressure valve hereinafter) having e position for supplying the oil pressure increased by the oil pump 52 (will be termed steering oil pressure hereinafter) only to the power steering hydraulic system 20 and position f for supplying the oil to both of the power steering hydraulic system 20 and the traction control sub-master cylinder 3, and 2-position valve 58 (will be termed PS up-pressure valve hereinafter) having position h for supplying the hydraulic oil pumped by the oil pump 52 directly to the steering gear box 55 and position i for supplying the hydraulic oil with increased pressure to the gear box 55. The position of the oil pressure switch 56 is informed to the electronic control circuit 30, and the M/C up-pressure valve 57 and PS up-pressure valve 58 are controlled by the electronic control circuit 30. Next, a section 30' of the electronic control circuit 30 for implementing traction control will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Besides the traction control circuit 30', the electronic control circuit 30 includes the anti-skid control circuit (ESC), but this section unrelated directly to the present invention will be disregarded in the following description. Briefly, the traction control circuit 30' operates to receive the pulse signal from the non-driven wheel speed sensor 25 on an F/V converter 70, differentiate its voltage output Vfr by a differentiator 71 to obtain the acceleration of the vehicle, and compare the differentiated output with a zero level by a comparator 72 to obtain a signal Vfc indicative of as to whether the vehicle is in acceleration or deceleration. The signal Vfc is sent to the anti-skid control circuit ESC, which is activated when Vfc is at a low level. Based on the signal Vfr representing the non-driven wheel speed, a threshold-1 generator 73 and an adder 74 in unison produce the first slip threshold level Vrl, and a threshold-2 generator 76 and an adder 77 in unison produce the second slip threshold level Vrh. These voltage levels are compared by comparators 80 and 81, respectively, with the voltage signal Vrr which is derived from the pulse signal generated by the driven wheel sensor speed 26 and converted into voltage by an F/V converter 79, and two slip threshold signals Vcl and Vch are obtained. These signals indicated comparison of the driven wheel speed (Vrr) with the lower threshold level Vrl and upper threshold level Vrh provided based on the non-driven wheel speed (Vfr) as shown at the top of Fig. 4. The lower slip threshold signal Vcl gives a timing for the preparation of traction control, while the upper slip threshold signal Vch gives a timing for carrying out traction control by increasing the brake oil pressure. The traction control circuit 30' further operates to differentiate the signal Vrr representing the driven wheel speed to obtain a signal Vrg representing the accelerating of the driven wheels 6 and 7. The signal Vrg is compared with an output signal G1 from a threshold-3 generator 84 and an output signal G2 from a threshold-4 generator 85 by comparators 87 and 88, respectively, and the first slip control signal Vrgh and second slip control signal Vrgl are obtained. The above three signal processing systems perform traction control as shown in Fig. 4. In operation, when the vehicle accelerates to have a high Vfc signal, a lower slip threshold signal Vcl goes high, causing a delay circuit 89 formed of a monostable multivibrator to produce a high output, and a 2-input AND gate 90a produces a high output Vrt as shown in Fig. 4. This signal goes through a 2-input OR gate 91 and an amplifier 92 to activate the oil pump 36 in the anti-skid hydraulic system 15 and, at the same time, goes through an amplifier 90b to switch the M/C up-pressure valve 57 to position f so that an oil path for conducting the power steering oil pressure to the sub-master cylinder 3 is formed. With another condition that the oil pressure switch 56 is off at a high level added to the above condition, a 3-input AND gate 90c provides an output Vrs, and when the Vrs becomes high, it goes through an amplifier 93 to switch the PS up-pressure valve 58 to position i and the steering gear box 55 is throttled and the power steering hydraulic pressure is conducted to the sub-master cylinder 3. The purpose of entering then output of the oil pressure switch 56 to the 3-input AND gate 90c is to switch the PS up-pressure valve 58 so as to prevent an unnecessary increase in the oil pressure which is raised automatically when the steering wheel is turned during traction control operation. The arrangement also works to supply the oil pressure to the power steering system in precedence over the traction control system. The 3-position valve 34 in the anti-skid hydraulic system 15 has its three positions a , b and c controlled in response to the state of a transistor Tr1 driven by the output of an amplifier 95 and the state of a transistor Tr2 provided with a current limiting resistor R and driven by the output of another amplifier 96. The valve position is determined by the combination of the transistor outputs as follows. Tr1 Tr2 Valve position Brake oil pressure OFF OFF a Increase OFF ON b Hold ON ON c Decrease The amplifier 96 for driving the transistor Tr2 receives the output Vru of a 3-input AND gate 97, which signal Vru is determined from the logical sum of the output of a 2-input NAND gate 98 receiving the upper slip threshold signal Vch and first slip control signal Vrgh, the signal Vrt, and the control signal from the anti-skid control circuit (ESC), as shown in Fig. 4. While, the amplifier 95 for driving the transistor Tr1 receives the output signal Vrd of a 2-input OR gate 99, which signal Vrd is determined form the logical sum of the output of a 2-input AND gate 101 receiving the lower slip threshold signal Vcl inverted by an inverter 100 and the second slip control signal Vrgl, and the input signal from the ESC. As a result of the foregoing arrangement of this embodiment, (A) When the vehicle accelerates as detected on the non-driven wheels 4 and 5, the power steering oil pressure is high enough, the control operation proceeds as follows: (1) When the driven wheel speed Vrr has exceeded the lower threshold level Vrl based on the non-driven wheel speed, the oil pump 36 in the anti-skid hydraulic system 15 is activated, and the M/C up-pressure valve 57 and PS up-pressure valve 58 in the power steering hydraulic system 20 are switched to positions f and i , respectively; (2) If the driven wheel speed Vrr exceeds the upper threshold level Vrh based on the non-driven wheel speed and at the same time the driven wheel acceleration Vrg exceeds a certain reference level G1 , the 3-position valve 34 in the anti-skid hydraulic system 15 is set to position a (increase pressure) so as to increase the braking force of the driven wheels 6 and 7; (3) If the driven wheel speed Vrr is below the lower threshold level Vrl based on the non-driven wheel speed and at the same time the driven wheel acceleration Vrg is below a certain reference level G2 (a negative value), the 3-position valve 34 is set to position c (decrease pressure) so as to reduce the braking force; and (4) On any conditions other than the above (2) and (3), the 3-position valve 34 is set to position b (hold pressure) so as to maintain the braking force. (B) When a steering operation takes place, causing the oil pressure in the steering gear box 55 to increase with the oil pressure switch 56 operating ON, the PS up-pressure valve 58 is restored to position h and the 3-position valve 34 is set to position a (increase pressure). Accordingly, if the driven wheel 6 or 7 slips during the acceleration of the vehicle, the existing anti-skid hydraulic system 15 sourced by the power steering hydraulic pressure is used to brake the driven wheels 6 and 7 so as to prevent a slip running ect., whereby the driven wheels 6 and 7 are exerted to produce an optimal traction force. This traction control is easily implemented without the need of a specialized hydraulic system and devices, but by utilization of the first hydraulic system 15 used for the anti-skid operation, the 3-position valve 34 used therein, and the power steering hydraulic system 20 for obtaining the braking oil pressure independently of the driver's action. On this account, traction control can be established merely through a little modification for the piping and replacement of the electronic control circuit 30 for a vehicle which already installs the anti-skid control and power steering systems. It should be noted in Fig. 3 that the remaining one input to the 2-input OR gates 91 and 99 and the 3-input AND gate 97 respectively and to allow the anti-skid control circuit (ESC) to control the 3-position valve 34 and oil pump 36. Since anti-skid control and traction control do not take place concurrently, these devices can be shared by separate purposes through a simple logical sum process. Next, the second embodiment of this invention will be described. The second embodiment is intended to control the hydraulic systems and associated devices similar to those of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 2 through an electronic control circuit 30 which is in this case constituted mainly by a microcomputer as shown in Fig. 5. The arrangement of Fig. 5 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 110 which is programmed to receive the sensor signals from the driven wheel speed sensor 26, non-driven wheel speed sensor 25 and oil pressure switch 56, and perform various calculations in response to these input signals. Other circuit components included are a read-only memory (ROM) 112 for storing the above-mentioned CPU control program, maps, and fixed data, a random access memory (RAM) 113 for performing reading and writing sensor input data temporarily, and calculation data, an input interface circuit 114 including waveform shaping circuits and a multiplexer for supplying sensor input signals selectively to the CPU 110, an output circuit 116 for driving the oil pump 36, M/C up-pressure valve 57 and PS up-pressure valve 58 and also driving the 3-position valve 34 through transistors Tr1 and Tr2, a bus line 118 for providing data communication between the CPU 110, ROM 112, RAM 113, and input/output interface circuits 114 and 116, and a power supply circuit 120 for all of the above circuit components. The traction control operation which is carried out together with anti-skid control on a time division basis by the electronic control circuit 30 arranged as described above will be described in connection with the flowchart shown in Fig. 6. Step 200: Read input data on the input interface circuit 114 of the driven wheel speed vr from the driven wheel speed or 26, the non-driven wheel speed vf from the non-driven wheel speed sensor 25, and the switch state from the oil pressure switch 56. Step 220: Perform differentiation process for the driven wheel speed vr to obtain acceleration of the driven wheels 6 and 7. Step 230: Test whether the driven wheel acceleration α is above zero (acceleration). Step 240: Calculate the slip threshold levels vs1 and vs2 from the non-driven wheel speed vf using predetermined constants K1, K2 (K2>K1), g1 and g2, as follows. vs1 = K1 x vf + g1 vs2 = K2 x vf + g2 Step 250: Test whether the driven wheel speed vr is higher than the first threshold level vs1. Step 260: Set a predetermined value to the counter C in the CPU. Step 270: Reset the counter C to zero. Step 280: Decrement the counter C by one. Step 290: Test whether the content of counter C is above than zero. The counter C used in the steps 260-290 is actually a programmed operation substituting the delay circuit 89 in the first embodiment, and its purpose is to continue traction control for a present time length when the speed vr has fallen below the first threshold level vs1 after traction control had been commenced. Step 293: Test whether the oil pressure switch 56 is OFF. If the oil pressure switch is OFF, indicating the steering operation being inert and the power steering hydraulic pressure not being increased, the sequence proceeds to step 350. Step 296: If the oil pressure switch 56 is found ON in step 293, indicating the steering operation, the PS up-pressure valve 58 is reset to position h . Step 300: Set or hold the M/C up-pressure valve 57 in the power steering hydraulic system 20 to position f , and activate the oil pump 36. Step 303: Test whether the oil pressure switch 56 is OFF. Step 306: If the oil pressure switch 56 is OFF, switch the PS up-pressure valve 58 to position i so as to increase the oil pressure conducted to the sub-master cylinder 3. Step 309: if the oil pressure switch 56 is ON, switch the PS up-pressure valve 58 to position h . Step 310: Test whether the driven wheel speed vr is higher than the second threshold level vs2. Step 320: Reset or hold the M/C up-pressure valve 57 and PS up-pressure valve 58 to positions e and h , respectively, and deactivate the oil pump 36. Step 330: Set or hold the 3-position valve 34 in the anti-skid hydraulic system 15 to position a (increase pressure) Step 340: Set the 3-position valve 34 to position b (hold pressure). Step 350: Set the 3-position valve 34 to position c (decrease pressure). According to this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 7, (A) When the driven wheels 6 and 7 are found accelerating (α=0), i.e., an affirmative decision made by step 230, the control operation takes place as follows. (1) When the driven wheel speed vr has exceeded the first threshold level vs1 which is based on the non-driven wheel speed vf, i.e., an affirmative decision made by step 250, the oil pump 34 in the anti-skid hydraulic system 15 is activated, the M/C up-pressure valve 57 in the power steering hydraulic system 20 is set to position f , and the 3-position valve 34 in the anti-skid hydraulic system 15 is set to position b (hold pressure). (See period I in Fig. 7.) In the above operation, if the oil pressure switch 56 is OFF, the PS up-pressure valve 58 is set to position i (steps 303 and 306), or if the oil pressure switch 56 is ON, the PS up-pressure valve 58 is set to position h (steps 303 and 309). (2) When the driven wheel speed vr has exceeded the second threshold level vs2, i.e., an affirmative decision made by step 310, the 3-position valve 34 is set to position a (increase pressure) so as to increase the braking force of the driven wheels 6 and 7. (See period II in Fig. 7.) (3) Following the above state (1) or (2), when the driven wheel speed vr has fallen below the first threshold level vs1, i.e., a negative decision made by step 250 and an affirmative decision made by step 290, the 3-position valve 34 is set to position c (decrease pressure) so as to reduce the braking force. (See period III in Fig. 7.) At this time, if the oil pressure switch 56 is found ON, the PS up-pressure valve 58 is reset to position h (steps 293 and 296). (4) When the time length set in the counter C has expired (a negative decision made by step 290), while the driven wheel speed vr staying below the first threshold level vsl, the M/C up-pressure valve 57 and PS up-pressure valve 58 are set to positions e and h , respectively, the oil pump 34 is deactivated, and the 3-position valve 34 is switched to position a (increase pressure) to complete the traction control operation (the period not shown in Fig. 7.). (B) If the vehicle acceleration falls below zero, i.e., deceleration begins, (a negative decision made by step 230), the counter C is reset to zero, and the same control as above (4) takes place. (See period IV in Fig. 7) This embodiment performs identically to the first embodiment, and moreover, the use of the CPU 110 allows various schemes of traction control without changing the hardware structure of the electronic control circuit 30. Next, the third embodiment of the invention will be described. This embodiment features to detect the differential pressure between the first and second pressure sources and allow the control means to select a brake pressure source depending on the detection result so that more stable traction control can take place through the provision of a hysteresis or priority rule in selecting a pressure source. The arrangement of the third embodiment will be described in connection with Fig. 8, with portions identical to parts of the first and second embodiments being disregarded in the following description. The new arrangement employs a 3-port, 2-position electromagnetic valve of a spring offset type (will be termed simply switch valve 32' hereinater) as a pressure source selection means in place of the change valve 32 used in the previous embodiment. The switch valve 32' operates in response to the command of the electronic control circuit 30 to conduct the higher of the two pressure sources to the anti-skid hydraulic system 15. A differential pressure switch 33 is provided for the electronic control circuit 30 to compare the pressure of two hydraulic sources, and the swtich 33 produces an ON signal to operate the switch valve 33 when the pressure of the brake master cylinder 2 is higher than the sub-master cylinder 3. Fig. 9 shows the circuit diagram of the electronic control circuit 30 for implementing the switching operation of the switch valve 32'. The arrangement includes an inverter 32a, which receives and inverts the output signal from the differential pressure switch 33 and delivers the inverted output to an amplifier 32b, by which output the solenoid of the switch valve 32' is energized. Accordingly, on the normal running condition in which the hydraulic pressure of the sub-master cylinder 3 is discharged to the drain 51, the pressure of the brake master cylinder 2 is added to the anti-skid hydraulic system 15 so that the driver's action is reflected on a first priority basis. During the aforementioned traction control, the driver does not normally take a braking action, and the sub-master cylinder 3 receiving pressure from the power steering hydraulic system 20 has an increased oil pressure to activate the switch valve 32', thereby conducting its pressure to the anti-skid hydraulic system 15. In case the driver takes a braking action during the traction control, an increased pressure in the brake master cylinder 2 as detected by the differential pressure switch 33 causes the switch valve 32' to be deenergised, whereby the driver's will is reflected on the operation on a first priority basis and at the same time the feeling of depressing the brake pedal 1 is not affected. Fig. 10 shows the fourth embodiment of this invention, in which the differential pressure switch 33 sends its output to the electronic control circuit 30. The control operation will be described with reference to Fig. 11. The flowchart of Fig. 11 differs from that of the second embodiment shown in Fig. 6 in the addition of step 245. The step 245 tests the state of the differential pressure switch 33. When the driver does not take a braking action and thus the brake master cylinder 2 has a low pressure, the sequence responds to a negative decision of step 245 to proceed to step 250. If the step 250 makes an affirmative decision, the sequence proceeds to step 270 in which the counter C' is reset to zero as in the case of the previous embodiment. The third and fourth embodiments are designed to detect the difference between the brake oil pressure produced by the driver's braking action and the brake oil pressure produced by another pressure source installed on the vehicle, and conduct one of them selectively to the braking device in accordance with the result of detection. This scheme allows the driver to have priority in taking a braking action, and the traction control is accomplished without impairing the feeling of operating the brake pedal 1. By making the control means for selecting a brake oil pressure source to be responsive to the change in the differential pressure of the two sources through the provision of a hysteresis or priority rule, for example, a more sophisticated traction control can be realized.

Claims: A wheel slip control system for a vehicle comprising: (a) braking means (1, 2) operated by a driver of a vehicle for braking a rotation of driven wheels (6, 7); (b) brake slip detection means (c) for detecting a slip condition of a wheel (4, 5, 6, 7) during deceleration of said vehicle to output a brake slip signal indicative of the brake slip condition; (c) acceleration slip detection means (d) for detecting a slip condition of said driven wheels (6, 7) during an acceleration of said vehicle to output an acceleration slip signal indicative of the acceleration slip condition; (d) a first hydraulic system (15), for anti-skid control, connected to said braking means (1, 2) and said driven wheels (6, 7) for receiving hydraulic pressure of said braking means (1, 2), and in response to said brake slip signal output from said brake slip detection means (c) during deceleration of said vehicle for providing said driven wheels (6, 7) with said hydraulic pressure received from said braking means (1, 2) so as to prevent said driven wheels (6, 7) from a braking slip; (e) traction control means connected to said acceleration slip detection means (d) and said first hydraulic system (15), and in response to said acceleration slip signal output from said acceleration slip detection means (d) during an acceleration of said vehicle, for providing said driven wheels (6, 7) with hydraulic pressure of said first hydraulic system (15) so as to prevent said driven wheels (6, 7) from an acceleration slip; being characterized in that said wheel slip control system further comprises: (f) a second hydraulic system (20) installed in said vehicle for providing a hydraulic pressure under the condition of vehicle acceleration and slip of said driven wheels (6, 7); (g) a change valve (32) connected to said braking means (1, 2), said first hydraulic system (15), and said second hydraulic system (20) for providing said first hydraulic system (15) with the higher of the pressures from either said hydraulic pressure of said braking means (1, 2) or said hydraulic pressure when this is provided by said second hydraulic system (20). A wheel slip control system according to claim 1, being characterized in that said second hydraulic system (20) includes a power steering hydraulic system (20) for providing hydraulic pressure to said change valve (32), said power steering hydraulic system (20) comprises: (f1) a reservoir tank (51); (f2) a hydraulic pump (52) connected to said reservoir tank (51) for providing hydraulic pressure; (f3) 2-position valve (57) connected to said traction control means and said hydraulic pump (52) and said reservoir tank (51), and having a set position (f) for receiving said hydraulic pressure from said hydraulic pump (52) to provide said change valve (32) with said hydraulic pressure under the condition of vehicle acceleration and slip of said driven wheels (6, 7) and a reset position (e) for shutting off so as not to provide said change valve (32) with said hydraulic pressure during non-acceleration of said vehicle; (f4) a steering gear box (55) connected to said reservoir tank (51); and (f5) 2-position valve (58) connected to said traction control means and said hydraulic pump (52), said 2-position valve (57) and said steering gear box (55), and having a set position (i) for increasing said hydraulic pressure from said pump (52) to said steering gear box (55) by restricting a flow from said pump (52) to said steering gear box (55) during non-steering and a reset position (h) for maintaining said hydraulic pressure from said pump (52) to said steering gear box (55) during steering. A wheel slip control system according to claim 2, being characterized in that said second hydraulic system (20) further comprises: (f6) a hydraulic pressure switch (56) connected to said traction control means and provided at a path connecting said 2-position valve (58) with said steering gear box (55) for outputting a steering signal indicating the energization of said steering gear box (55) to said traction control means which controls said 2-position valve (58) in accordance with said steering signal. A wheel slip control system according to claim 1, being characterized in that said braking means (1, 2) includes: (a1) a brake pedal (1) adapted to be actuated by operation of said driver of said vehicle; (a2) a master cylinder (2) for providing said change valve (32) with a hydraulic pressure corresponding to an extent of actuation of said brake pedal (1); and (a3) a sub-master cylinder (3) connected to said master cylinder (2), said second hydraulic system (20), and said change valve (32) for providing said change valve (32) with said hydraulic pressure from said second hydraulic system (20). A wheel slip control system according to claim 1, being characterized in that said acceleration slip detection means (d) includes: (c1) a first sensor (26) for detecting a driven wheel speed (Vrr); (c2) a second sensor (25) for detecting a vehicle speed; and (c3) a comparator (80, 81, 87, 88), which is triggered by at least one predetermined threshold value (Vrl, Vrh, G1, G2), connected to said first sensor (26) and said second sensor (25) for generating said acceleration slip signals which effects reduction of drive torque of said driven wheels (6, 7). A wheel slip control system according to claim 1, being characterized in that said first hydraulic system (15) includes: (d1) a hydraulic unit (36, 38, 39, 40, 41) for storing, actuating and accumulating said hydraulic pressure; and (d2) a control valve (34) in the form of a shuttle valve connected to said hydraulic unit (36, 38, 39, 40, 41) and having three change-over positions (a, b, c) for providing said driven wheels (6, 7) with said hydraulic pressure from said change valve (32) at a first position (a), holding said hydraulic pressure at a second position (b), and reducing said hydraulic pressure at a third position (c). A wheel slip control system according to claim 6, being characterized in that said traction control means includes: (el) means for changing over said control valve (34) to said first position (a) when both said driven wheel speed (Vrr) and a driven wheel acceleration (Vrg) derived from said driven wheel speed (Vrr) exceed a first upper limit value (Vrh) and a second upper limit value (G1), respectively, to provide said driven wheels (6, 7) with said hydraulic pressure from said control valve (34); (e2) means for changing over said control valve (34) to said second position (b) when both said driven wheel speed (Vrr) and said driven wheel acceleration (Vrg) exceed a first lower limit value (Vrl) and a second lower limit value (G2), respectively, to maintain said hydraulic pressure presently applied to said driven wheels (6, 7); and (e3) means for changing over said control valve (34) to said third position (c), when either one or both of said driven wheel speed (Vrr) and said driven wheel acceleration (Vrg) are below the lower limit value thereof, to reduce said hydraulic pressure presently applied to said driven wheels (6, 7). A wheel slip control system according to claim 6, being characterized in that said traction control means further comprises: (e4) means for energizing said control valve (34) in said position (c) when said driven wheel speed (Vrr) does not exceed said first upper limit value (Vrh, VS1) whereas said means delays the deenergization of said 2-position valve (57) and said 2-position valve (58) and said hydraulic unit (36, 38, 39, 40, 41) for a predetermined time period (ΔT). A wheel slip control system according to claim 1, being characterized in that said first hydraulic system (15) includes: (d1) a hydraulic unit (36, 38, 39, 40, 41) for storing, actuating and accumulating said hydraulic pressure; (d2) a control valve (34) in the form of a solenoid valve connected to said hydraulic unit (36, 38, 39, 40, 41) and having three change-over positions (a, b, c) for providing said driven wheels (6, 7) with said hydraulic pressure from said change valve (32), so formed as a switch valve (32'), at a first position (a), holding said hydraulic pressure at a second position (b), and reducing said hydraulic pressure at a third position (c); and (g1) a differential pressure switch (33) connected to an output of said second hydraulic system (20) and an output of said braking means (1, 2) for outputting to said traction control means a selection signal indicating that said hydraulic pressure from said braking means (1, 2) is higher than said hydraulic pressure from said hydraulic system (20), whereby said traction control means energizes said switch valve (32') to select said higher hydraulic pressure selected from either said braking means (1, 2) or said second hydraulic system (20) in accordance with said selection signal from said differential pressure switch (33) input to said traction control means. A wheel slip control system according to claim 9, being characterized in that said switch valve (32') is energized when said traction control means determines from said selection signal of said differential pressure switch (33) that said hydraulic pressure from said braking means (1, 2) is lower than said hydraulic pressure from said second hydraulic system (20).

Inventors: ISHIKAWA, MASAKAZU, NAKAMURA, KAZUMASA, NOGAMI, TAKAHIRO, NOMURA, YOSHIHISA, OHASHI, KAORU, SHIRAI, AKIRA
Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Application year: 1985
Main classification: B60T8
IPC codes: B60T8, G11B7