Electronic brake system

Abstract

An electronic brake system is disclosed. The electronic brake system includes a pedal operation part connected to a brake pedal so as to provide better pedal feel to a driver of a vehicle; a first hydraulic circuit which includes two wheel brakes, a first hydraulic pressure supply part generating hydraulic pressure, and a plurality of valves, and is hydraulically connected to the pedal operation part; a second hydraulic circuit which includes the other two wheel brakes, a second hydraulic pressure supply part generating hydraulic pressure, and a plurality of valves, and is hydraulically connected to the pedal operation part; a first electric circuit configured to control the first hydraulic circuit; a second electric circuit configured to control the second hydraulic circuit; and a power-supply source configured to supply power to the first electric circuit and the second electric circuit. The first electric circuit and the second electric circuit are operated independently of each other.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electronic brake system comprising:
 a pedal operation part connected to a brake pedal so as to provide better pedal feel to a driver of a vehicle;   a first hydraulic circuit which includes two wheel brakes, a first hydraulic pressure supply part generating hydraulic pressure, and a plurality of valves, and is hydraulically connected to the pedal operation part;   a second hydraulic circuit which includes other two wheel brakes, a second hydraulic pressure supply part generating hydraulic pressure, and a plurality of valves, and is hydraulically connected to the pedal operation part;   a first electric circuit configured to control the first hydraulic circuit;   a second electric circuit configured to control the second hydraulic circuit; and   a power-supply source configured to supply power to the first electric circuit and the second electric circuit,   wherein the first electric circuit and the second electric circuit are operated independently of each other.   
     
     
         2 . The electronic brake system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first electric circuit includes a first electronic control unit (ECU); and   the second electric circuit includes a second electronic control unit (ECU).   
     
     
         3 . The electronic brake system according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 the first hydraulic circuit, the first hydraulic pressure supply part, and the first electronic control unit (ECU) are integrated into a first module; and   the second hydraulic circuit, the second hydraulic pressure supply part, and the second electronic control unit (ECU) are integrated into a second module.   
     
     
         4 . The electronic brake system according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 the first hydraulic circuit further includes a first control valve configured to interconnect an inlet port and an outlet port of the first hydraulic pressure supply part; and   the second hydraulic circuit further includes a second control valve configured to interconnect an inlet port and an outlet port of the second hydraulic pressure supply part.   
     
     
         5 . The electronic brake system according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a communication interface configured to perform communication between the first electric circuit and the second electric circuit.   
     
     
         6 . The electronic brake system according to  claim 5 , wherein the communication interface is electrically operated independently of the first electric circuit and the second electric circuit. 
     
     
         7 . The electronic brake system according to  claim 4 , wherein:
 the first hydraulic circuit includes:   a first inlet valve and a third inlet valve respectively disposed between the outlet port of the first hydraulic pressure supply part and the two wheel brakes;   a first outlet valve and a third outlet valve respectively disposed between the inlet port of the first hydraulic pressure supply part and the two wheel brakes; and   a first-circuit hydraulic pressure sensor connected to the first hydraulic pressure supply part, and   the second hydraulic circuit includes:   a second inlet valve and a fourth inlet valve respectively disposed between the outlet port of the second hydraulic pressure supply part and the other two wheel brakes;   a second outlet valve and a fourth outlet valve respectively disposed between the inlet port of the second hydraulic pressure supply part and the other two wheel brakes; and   a second-circuit hydraulic pressure sensor connected to the second hydraulic pressure supply part.   
     
     
         8 . The electronic brake system according to  claim 7 , wherein each of the first hydraulic pressure supply part and the second hydraulic pressure supply part includes:
 a pump unit; and   a drive unit configured to drive the pump unit.   
     
     
         9 . The electronic brake system according to  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a first reservoir chamber connected to the inlet port of the first hydraulic pressure supply part; and   a second reservoir chamber connected to the inlet port of the second hydraulic pressure supply part.   
     
     
         10 . The electronic brake system according to  claim 2 , wherein the pedal operation part includes:
 a pedal displacement sensor configured to detect driver's braking intention, and transmit an electric signal indicating the driver's braking intention to at least one of the first electric circuit and the second electric circuit.   
     
     
         11 . The electronic brake system according to  claim 10 , wherein the pedal operation part further includes a cylinder chamber and a simulator chamber. 
     
     
         12 . The electronic brake system according to  claim 11 , wherein the cylinder chamber includes a first cylinder chamber and a second cylinder chamber,
 wherein the first cylinder chamber is connected to the inlet port of the first hydraulic pressure supply part, and   the second cylinder chamber is connected to the inlet port of the second hydraulic pressure supply part.   
     
     
         13 . The electronic brake system according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a reservoir configured to store an operating fluid therein,   wherein the simulator chamber is connected to a simulation part and is connected to the reservoir through a first reservoir valve.   
     
     
         14 . The electronic brake system according to  claim 13 , wherein the cylinder chamber is connected to the reservoir through a second reservoir valve. 
     
     
         15 . The electronic brake system according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a reservoir configured to store an operating fluid therein,   wherein the simulator chamber is connected to the reservoir through a first reservoir valve, and   the cylinder chamber is connected to the reservoir through a second reservoir valve,   whereby, during testing a presence or absence of leakage of air or the operating fluid, the first hydraulic pressure supply part and the second hydraulic pressure supply part are configured to generate hydraulic pressure when the first reservoir valve and the second reservoir valve are closed.   
     
     
         16 . The electronic brake system according to  claim 2 , wherein the outlet port of the first hydraulic pressure supply part and the outlet port of the second hydraulic pressure supply part are connected to each other through a balance valve. 
     
     
         17 . The electronic brake system according to  claim 2 , wherein the first hydraulic circuit, the first hydraulic pressure supply part, the first electronic control unit (ECU), the second hydraulic circuit, the second hydraulic pressure supply part, and the second electronic control unit (ECU) are integrated into a single module. 
     
     
         18 . An electronic brake system comprising:
 a pedal operation part connected to a brake pedal so as to provide better pedal feel to a driver of a vehicle;   a first hydraulic circuit which includes two wheel brakes, a first hydraulic pressure supply part generating hydraulic pressure, and a plurality of valves, and is hydraulically connected to the pedal operation part;   a second hydraulic circuit which includes other two wheel brakes, a second hydraulic pressure supply part generating hydraulic pressure, and a plurality of valves, and is hydraulically connected to the pedal operation part;   a first electric circuit configured to control the first hydraulic circuit;   a second electric circuit configured to control the second hydraulic circuit;   a first power-supply source configured to supply power to the first electric circuit; and   a second power-supply source configured to supply power to the second electric circuit,   wherein the first electric circuit and the second electric circuit are operated independently of each other, and   the first power-supply source and the second power-supply source are operated independently of each other.   
     
     
         19 . The electronic brake system according to  claim 18 , wherein:
 the first electric circuit includes a first electronic control unit (ECU); and   the second electric circuit includes a second electronic control unit (ECU).   
     
     
         20 . The electronic brake system according to  claim 19 , wherein the pedal operation part includes:
 a pedal displacement sensor configured to detect driver's braking intention, and transmit an electric signal indicating the driver's braking intention to at least one of the first electric circuit and the second electric circuit.   
     
     
         21 . The electronic brake system according to  claim 20 , wherein the pedal displacement sensor includes:
 a first pedal displacement sensor connected to the first power-supply source; and   a second pedal displacement sensor connected to the second power-supply source.   
     
     
         22 . The electronic brake system according to  claim 19 , wherein the pedal operation part includes a cylinder chamber and a simulator chamber. 
     
     
         23 . The electronic brake system according to  claim 22 , further comprising:
 a reservoir configured to store an operating fluid therein,   wherein the simulator chamber is connected to a simulation part and is connected to the reservoir through a first reservoir valve,   wherein the first reservoir valve is simultaneously connected to the first power-supply source and the second power-supply source.   
     
     
         24 . The electronic brake system according to  claim 23 , wherein:
 the cylinder chamber is connected to the reservoir through a second reservoir valve, and   wherein the second reservoir valve is simultaneously connected to the first power-supply source and the second power-supply source.   
     
     
         25 . An electronic brake system comprising:
 a pedal operation part connected to a brake pedal so as to provide better pedal feel to a driver of a vehicle;   a first hydraulic circuit which includes two wheel brakes, a first hydraulic pressure supply part generating hydraulic pressure, and a plurality of valves, and is hydraulically or mechanically separated from the pedal operation part;   a second hydraulic circuit which includes other two wheel brakes, a second hydraulic pressure supply part generating hydraulic pressure, and a plurality of valves, and is hydraulically or mechanically separated from the pedal operation part;   a first electric circuit configured to control the first hydraulic circuit;   a second electric circuit configured to control the second hydraulic circuit;   a first power-supply source configured to supply power to the first electric circuit; and   a second power-supply source configured to supply power to the second electric circuit,   wherein the first electric circuit and the second electric circuit are operated independently of each other, and   the first power-supply source and the second power-supply source are operated independently of each other.   
     
     
         26 . The electronic brake system according to  claim 25 , wherein:
 the first electric circuit includes a first electronic control unit (ECU); and   the second electric circuit includes a second electronic control unit (ECU).   
     
     
         27 . The electronic brake system according to  claim 26 , wherein:
 the first hydraulic circuit, the first hydraulic pressure supply part, and the first electronic control unit (ECU) are integrated into a first module; and   the second hydraulic circuit, the second hydraulic pressure supply part, and the second electronic control unit (ECU) are integrated into a second module.   
     
     
         28 . The electronic brake system according to  claim 27 , further comprising:
 a first reservoir chamber connected to an inlet port of the first hydraulic pressure supply part; and   a second reservoir chamber connected to an inlet port of the second hydraulic pressure supply part,   wherein the first reservoir chamber is installed in the first module, and the second reservoir chamber is installed in the second module.   
     
     
         29 . The electronic brake system according to  claim 26 , wherein the pedal operation part includes:
 a piston connected to the brake pedal;   a housing configured to form a space in which the piston moves forward and backward;   an elastic member configured to provide reaction force corresponding to a pedal effort of the brake pedal; and   a pedal spring configured to provide restoring force to the brake pedal.