Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090222156 | METHODS, PROGRAM PRODUCTS, AND SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING BRAKING IN A HYBRID VEHICLE - A method for controlling braking in a hybrid vehicle includes the steps of determining a value of a variable pertaining to operation of the hybrid vehicle and applying regenerative braking based at least in part on the value of the variable. The variable comprises a speed of the hybrid vehicle, a steering angle of the hybrid vehicle, or a rate of change of the steering angle. | 09-03-2009 |
20100094511 | Optimization of Vehicle Stability and Steering During a Regenerative Braking Event - A method of optimizing steering and stability performance of a vehicle includes measuring a set of inertial data during a regenerative braking event (RBE), calculating a set of vehicle performance data using the inertial data, and comparing the performance data to calibrated threshold data to determine a maximum regenerative braking torque (RBT). The maximum RBT is automatically applied during the active RBE. The vehicle includes a chassis, an electric motor/generator for applying an RBT, a frictional braking system, chassis inertial sensors for measuring a set of chassis inertial data, and a controller having an algorithm for calculating a set of vehicle performance data using the chassis inertial data. The controller determines the maximum RBT by comparing the vehicle performance data to corresponding threshold data. The chassis inertial sensors can include accelerometers, a yaw rate sensor, a steering rate sensor, speed sensors, and/or a braking input sensor. | 04-15-2010 |
20100113214 | Method and Apparatus For Optimizing Braking Control During A Threshold Braking Event - A method minimizes a driveline vibration and reduces stopping distances in a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) having a plurality of drive wheels, a friction braking system having antilock braking system (ABS) capability, and an electronically variable transmission (EVT) with two EVT modes. The method automatically shifts the EVT to a predetermined high speed/low torque EVT mode when the ABS is active and when a calibrated maximum deceleration rate is not exceeded. An HEV has a friction braking system with ABS capability and an EVT including a plurality of modes. A controller automatically activates the friction braking ABS in response to a threshold level of slip between the drive wheels and the road surface when the brake pedal is actuated. An algorithm automatically shifts the EVT into one of the high speed/low torque EVT modes when the ABS is activated and the calibrated maximum deceleration rate is not exceeded. | 05-06-2010 |
20100161188 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERFORMANCE LAUNCH CONTROL OF A VEHICLE - A system and related operating method for performance launch control of a vehicle begins by receiving a user-selected driving condition setting that is indicative of road conditions. The method also collects real-time vehicle status data during operation of the vehicle, and derives a target wheel slip profile from the user-selected driving condition setting and the real-time vehicle status data. The actual propulsion system torque of the vehicle is limited using the target wheel slip profile, resulting in improved performance for standstill launches. | 06-24-2010 |
20100250081 | METHOD FOR OPERATING A VEHICLE BRAKE SYSTEM - A method for reducing or mitigating the effects of vibration in a vehicle brake system, particularly those that can lead to brake groan or other unwanted noise. According to an exemplary embodiment, when the vehicle brake system detects certain vibratory conditions, it makes slight braking adjustments (e.g., adjustments to fluid pressure, brake force, brake torque, etc.) that are aimed to address the brake groan. The vehicle brake system can then determine the effectiveness of the braking adjustments and, if need be, make additional braking adjustments. The method is particularly well suited for use with brake-by-wire systems, but can be used with a number of different vehicle braking systems. | 09-30-2010 |
20110049974 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR BRAKING DIFFERENT AXLES OF A VEHICLE USING A DECELERATION VALUE - A method for controlling braking of a vehicle having a first axle and a second axle includes the steps of obtaining a deceleration value pertaining to an input from a driver of the vehicle, braking the first axle with a first pressure, braking the second axle with a second pressure that is substantially equal to the first pressure if the deceleration value has not exceeded a predetermined threshold, and braking the second axle with a third pressure that is greater than the first pressure if the deceleration value has exceeded the predetermined threshold. | 03-03-2011 |
20110082631 | DYNAMIC PARKING BRAKE METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES - Various embodiments provide braking systems and methods for a motor vehicle. One braking system includes a primary braking system, a speed sensor, a brake pedal, a parking brake, and a processor coupled to the parking brake and the primary braking system. The processor is configured to engage the primary braking system when the parking brake is activated and the motor vehicle is traveling at a speed at least equal to a pre-determined speed. | 04-07-2011 |
20110127097 | WHEEL SLIP DETERMINATION FOR VEHICLES - A method for assessing slippage of wheels in a vehicle includes the steps of measuring, via a sensor, an initial value of vehicle speed, determining, via a processor, at least one of a minimum vehicle speed and a maximum vehicle speed, and determining, via the processor, wheel slip using the initial value and the at least one of the minimum vehicle speed and the maximum vehicle speed. | 06-02-2011 |
20110130935 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR BRAKE PEDAL TUNING AND BRAKING CONTROL IN VEHICLES - A method for calibrating a braking system of a vehicle having a brake pedal includes the steps of measuring, via a sensor, a speed of the vehicle, generating, via a processor, an optimized mapping relating a movement of the brake pedal and a deceleration of the vehicle based at least in part upon the speed of the vehicle, and calibrating, via the processor, a relationship between an engagement of the brake pedal and the deceleration of the vehicle using the optimized mapping. | 06-02-2011 |
20110130937 | BRAKING TORQUE ADJUSTMENTS BASED ON WHEEL SLIP - A method for adjusting braking in a vehicle having wheels and a regenerative braking system is provided. The method comprises the steps of providing regenerative braking torque for the vehicle via the regenerative braking system at a first level if a wheel slip of the vehicle is not present, and providing regenerative braking torque for the vehicle via the regenerative braking system at one of a plurality of modulated levels if the wheel slip is present. Each of the plurality of modulated levels is dependent on a magnitude, a location, or both, of the wheel slip. Each of the modulated levels is less than the first level. | 06-02-2011 |
20110208378 | METHOD FOR OPERATING A HYBRID VEHICLE - An exemplary method for operating a hybrid vehicle in the event that there is a problem with an auxiliary power source, such as an internal combustion engine or a fuel cell. According to one embodiment, the method provides a power management scheme for a variety of situations where an auxiliary power source experiences a problem; this may include situations where an internal combustion engine runs out of fuel, where there is a mechanical or electrical malfunction, or any other instance where the auxiliary power source is unable to generate and/or provide electrical energy for the hybrid vehicle. The power management scheme conserves the vehicle's primary power source, which is typically a battery, in order to provide the hybrid vehicle with an extended driving range. | 08-25-2011 |
20110221265 | METHOD FOR OPERATING A VEHICLE BRAKE SYSTEM - A method for operating a vehicle brake system having both frictional and regenerative braking capabilities. According to one embodiment, the method monitors wheel slip at a number of vehicle wheels, evaluates individual wheel slip at a single wheel as well as collective wheel slip involving multiple wheels, compares the wheel slips to one or more speed-based thresholds that are based on vehicle speed, and uses the comparisons to help distinguish between those situations that warrant disengagement of regenerative braking operations and those that do not. | 09-15-2011 |
20110276245 | METHOD FOR OPERATING A VEHICLE BRAKE SYSTEM - A method for operating a vehicle brake system during a wheel slip condition. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method involves receiving a requested brake torque, monitoring wheel slip, and if no wheel slip is detected then operating the vehicle brake system according to the requested brake torque. If, however, wheel slip is detected then the method may operate the vehicle brake system according to a modified brake torque that is less than the requested brake torque. | 11-10-2011 |
20120046840 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLE CONTROL DURING BRAKING OF THE VEHICLE - Methods and systems are provided for vehicle control during braking for vehicles having a transmission gear movable between at least a drive position and a neutral position. A wheel speed sensor measures a wheel speed of the wheel. A controller is coupled to the wheel speed sensor. The controller calculates a parameter using the wheel speed, and shifts the transmission gear from the drive position to the neutral position if the parameter exceeds a predetermined threshold. The parameter is indicative of a load on a component of the vehicle. | 02-23-2012 |
20120133202 | DYNAMIC REGENERATIVE BRAKING TORQUE CONTROL - Methods, systems, and program products for adjusting regenerative braking torque in a vehicle having wheels and a regenerative braking system providing the regenerative braking torque are provided. A deceleration of the vehicle is determined. A wheel slip of the wheels is determined. The regenerative braking torque is adjusted for the regenerative braking system using the deceleration and the wheel slip. | 05-31-2012 |
20130345913 | VEHICLE BRAKE SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME - A vehicle brake system and method designed to maximize the contributions from a regenerative braking system, yet still provide adequate safety measures that address potential regenerative braking failure. According to one embodiment, the method determines both a requested deceleration from the driver and an actual deceleration experienced by the vehicle, and uses the difference between these two values to calculate a deceleration error that can be integrated over time and compared to an error threshold. If the integrated or accumulated deceleration error surpasses the error threshold, then the method may reduce or disable the regenerative braking system until it can confirm that it is operating properly. | 12-26-2013 |
20140277989 | ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD INCORPORATING REGENERATIVE BRAKING AND START-STOP FUNCTIONS - A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a cruise control module, an engine control module, and a brake control module. The cruise control module determines a cruise torque request based on at least one of a following distance of a vehicle and a rate at which the vehicle is approaching an object. The engine control module determines a negative torque capacity of a powertrain. The powertrain includes an engine and an electric motor. The brake control module applies a friction brake when the cruise torque request is less than the negative torque capacity of the powertrain. | 09-18-2014 |