Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080300762 | REGENERATIVE BRAKING WITH HILL DESCENT CONTROL - An automotive hill descent control includes a friction-braking subsystem and a non-friction braking subsystem with engine-based braking and regenerative braking. The regenerative and engine-based braking systems may be controlled according to the position of a manual switch, as well as inversely proportionally to the slope upon which a vehicle is being operated, and according to the speed of the vehicle. | 12-04-2008 |
20090160227 | COVER FOR VEHICLE SEAT HANDLE - A vehicle seat is provided with a seat back having a seating surface for supporting a back of an occupant. The seat back is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle and at least a portion of the seat back has a pivotal connection for movement from an upright position to a deployed position. A handle is mounted to the seating surface of the pivotal portion of the seat back. A cover is mounted to the seat back seating surface and extends over the handle. | 06-25-2009 |
20090230765 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DELIVERING POWER TO AN ELECTRIC MOTOR OF AN AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE - A plurality of electronically controlled parallel electro-mechanical switches are each configured to deliver power from a power source to an electric motor of an automotive vehicle. The electric motor has an expected number of activation cycles for the life of the automotive vehicle. Each of the electro-mechanical switches has a specified number of activation cycles that defines its useable life. The specified number of action cycles for each of the electro-mechanical switches is less than the expected number of activation cycles of the electric motor. | 09-17-2009 |
20100084915 | BRAKING SYSTEM FOR HYBRID VEHICLE - A braking system for a vehicle includes an active booster master cylinder connected with the wheel cylinders, and a controller for operating active booster master cylinder during braking. The primary master cylinder, which is located remotely from the active booster master cylinder, is selectably connected with either a pedal feel emulator or a servo system which applies the brakes using the active booster master cylinder and a hydraulic output from the primary master cylinder in the event that control of the active booster master cylinder becomes impaired. | 04-08-2010 |
20100211240 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING AN INSTANTANEOUS FUEL ECONOMY OF A VEHICLE - An information display system and method are provided for displaying an energy efficiency of a vehicle. The vehicle may include an engine and an electric machine that operates to provide torque to propel the vehicle. The vehicle may also include an energy source that provides energy to the electric machine. The information display system may comprise an information display configured to display an efficiency indicator, the efficiency indicator being configured to indicate an efficiency of the vehicle. The information display system may further comprise a controller configured to receive information related to the braking system of the vehicle. The controller further being configured to determine an energy efficiency value based upon the braking system information. The controller may also be configured to transmit the energy efficiency value so that the information display displays the efficiency indicator based upon the energy efficiency value. | 08-19-2010 |
20100257852 | Vacuum Accumulator System and Method for Regenerative Braking System - A vacuum accumulator system includes a booster, a vacuum accumulator disposed in fluid communication with the booster and an engine disposed in fluid communication with the vacuum accumulator. | 10-14-2010 |
20100320011 | AUTOMOTIVE BRAKING SYSTEM - An automotive braking system includes a windshield wiper system, a traction wheel, and a non-friction brake system configured to apply a braking force to the traction wheel. The system also includes one or more controllers operatively connected with the windshield wiper system, and configured to, in response to a braking request, command the non-friction brake system to apply the braking force to the traction wheel. The braking force has a magnitude that depends on whether the windshield wiper system is active. | 12-23-2010 |
20110023772 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DISPLAYING RECOVERED ENERGY FOR A HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE - An information display configured to display one or more energy efficiency values of a vehicle. The information display system may comprise an information display configured to display an energy recovered indicator corresponding to a ratio of the braking energy recovered using a regenerative braking system. The information display may include both an overall energy recovered indicator and an instantaneous energy recovered indicator. | 02-03-2011 |
20110080278 | System And Method For Customizing An Information Display Within A Vehicle - A display system having an information display configured to display at least one digital indicator. The display system may be configured to receive one or more customization settings indicative of a type, quantity, and placement of at least one digital indicator. A controller may transmit the customization settings to the information display so that at least one digital indicator is shown using the customization settings. | 04-07-2011 |
20110126663 | Vehicle Braking Assembly - The present disclosure relates to various vehicle braking assemblies. Brake pedal arms include, for example, a cam block that is configured to simplify the engagement between the power booster and pedal arm. Cam block can be movable with respect to the pedal arm to manage the gap between the pedal arm and power booster in by-wire braking assemblies. | 06-02-2011 |
20110143320 | HEV BRAKE PEDAL SIMULATOR AIR GAP FILLER SYSTEM AND METHOD - A brake pedal simulator air gap filler system includes a brake pedal, a pedal feel simulator engaged by the brake pedal, a pedal push rod engaged by the brake pedal, a master cylinder/booster push rod spaced-apart from the pedal push rod, an air gap between the pedal push rod and the master cylinder/booster push rod, a master cylinder/booster engaged by the master cylinder/booster push rod and an air gap filling apparatus having an air gap filling head in adjacent proximity to the air gap and adapted to selectively engage and disengage the air gap. | 06-16-2011 |
20110160962 | Vehicle Control System and Method - A vehicle control system for a vehicle having an onboard diagnostics connector and a connector interface connected to the onboard connector includes at least one external controller adapted for unfastenable connection to the connector interface; and at least one operator control connected to said at least one external controller. | 06-30-2011 |
20110160970 | Electro-Hydraulic Brake-By-Wire System and Method - An electro-hydraulic brake-by-wire system includes a brake pedal, an electronic booster coupled to the brake pedal, a master cylinder coupled to the electronic booster, at least one front hydraulic brake disposed in fluid communication with the master cylinder, at least one electronic control unit connected to the brake pedal and at least one rear electronic brake connected to the at least one electronic control unit. | 06-30-2011 |
20110160971 | Electro-Hydraulic Brake Brake-By-Wire System and Method - An electro-hydraulic brake-by-wire system includes a brake pedal, an active vacuum booster coupled to the brake pedal, a master cylinder coupled to the active vacuum booster, at least one hydraulic brake circuit disposed in fluid communication with the master cylinder, at least one hydraulic front brake disposed in fluid communication with the at least one hydraulic brake circuit, an electronic control unit connected to the brake pedal and at least one electronic rear brake connected to the electronic control unit. | 06-30-2011 |
20110160972 | Electronic Brake Actuator Brake-By-Wire System and Method - An electro-hydraulic brake-by-wire system includes a brake pedal, an electronic booster coupled to the brake pedal, a master cylinder coupled to the electronic booster, at least one hydraulic brake circuit disposed in fluid communication with the master cylinder, at least one front hydraulic brake disposed in fluid communication with the at least one hydraulic brake circuit and at least one rear hydraulic brake disposed in fluid communication with the at least one hydraulic brake circuit. | 06-30-2011 |
20110160991 | Method and System for Extending an Operating Range of a Motor Vehicle - A method and system are described for extending an operating range of a motor vehicle, the vehicle having an economy mode of operation. When the vehicle fuel level decreases below a first threshold, an indication is provided to a vehicle user that the vehicle will enter the economy mode of vehicle operation. The economy mode of vehicle operation is automatically entered a predetermined period of time after providing the indication to the vehicle user. The economy mode of vehicle operation is exited in response to a user command to exit the economy mode of vehicle operation. | 06-30-2011 |
20110160992 | Method and System for Extending an Operating Range of a Motor Vehicle - A method and system are described for extending an operating range of a motor vehicle, the vehicle having a first mode of operation and an economy mode of operation. A vehicle range may be estimated based on a vehicle fuel level and the first mode of operation. A distance to a fuel location may also be estimated. The economy mode of vehicle operation may be automatically entered a predetermined period of time after the estimated vehicle range based on the vehicle fuel level and the first operating mode decreases to within a predetermined threshold of the estimated distance to a fuel location. | 06-30-2011 |
20110166725 | CHARGE UTILIZATION CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD - A charge utilization control system for an electric vehicle includes a controller, an electric motor connected to the controller, a battery connected to the electric motor and an internal combustion engine connected to the controller. The controller is adapted to minimize electric charge stored in the battery as the electric vehicle approaches a charging destination for the battery. | 07-07-2011 |
20110166734 | SILENT KEY START CLIMATE CONTROL DEMAND - A hybrid electric vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, a high voltage traction battery, an electric motor powered by the traction battery, an electric air conditioning (AC) system, and a controller. The controller is programmed to start the vehicle. The vehicle is started by, if a climate control demand requires cooling: (a) if a vehicle start request is a remote start request, starting the engine; (b) if the vehicle start request is a local start request, avoiding starting the engine to provide a silent start. | 07-07-2011 |
20110178663 | Plug-In Electric Vehicle Interlock - To prevent damage of a cord set used to charge a plug-in electric vehicle when the vehicle is driven away while the cord set is attached, an interlock can be provided to disable the vehicle. Such interlock may be based on a protective door over the charging receptacle being open or detection that a cord set is plugged in. However, in the event that the vehicle is in an activated state, the interlock is prevented from disabling the vehicle according to an embodiment of the disclosure. That is, undesirable disabling of the vehicle is prevented when either there is no indication of a cord set being coupled to the vehicle or the vehicle is in an activated state. | 07-21-2011 |
20110295468 | Control Of A Vehicle Powertrain In Response To Brake Pedal Input - In the event that the brake pedal and accelerator pedal are depressed simultaneously, powertrain output is decreased monotonically with brake pedal input. In a lower range of brake pedal input, the brakes are prevented from actuating or are allowed to actuate minimally. In a higher range of pedal input, the powertrain output continues to be decreased and the brakes are allowed to actuate. In yet another higher range of pedal input, the powertrain output is substantially decreased such that a minimal powertrain output is achieved. The powertrain may include an internal combustion engine and/or an electric motor. The brake pedal input is determined based on a sensor associated with the brake pedal, the brake booster, or the master cylinder. | 12-01-2011 |
20120116656 | Vacuum Boost For Vehicle Braking - Power brakes are typically vacuum assisted, with the vacuum provided from the intake manifold. If the engine is commanded to operate for a long period at a condition with low intake manifold vacuum, the vacuum within the brake booster may drop to a level which is marginal or insufficient for a present or subsequent braking operation. To ensure sufficient vacuum in the intake manifold to provide to the brake booster, the engine may be commanded to operate at a condition to increase intake manifold vacuum by one of: adjusting cam timing, increasing engine speed, and increasing EGR. In the case of a stop-start vehicle, the engine speed is increased from zero to a condition that provides the desired vacuum. | 05-10-2012 |
20120179346 | Regenerative Braking Feedback Display And Method - Driver braking performance feedback may be conveyed to a vehicle operator as a braking efficiency score using a vehicle display system. The display system may include a vehicle display for displaying a braking efficiency indicator or gauge corresponding to the braking efficiency score. The braking efficiency score may be based on a comparison of the total regenerative braking energy recaptured during at least one braking event to a either a maximum amount of braking energy that may be recaptured during the at least one braking event or an actual total braking energy expended during the at least one braking event. The braking efficiency score may be displayed upon the completion of a braking event or upon a completion of a trip including a plurality of braking events. The display may also convey a distance corresponding to a portion of a trip distance achieved through regenerative braking. | 07-12-2012 |
20120179347 | Regenerative Braking Feedback Display And Method - Driver braking performance feedback may be conveyed to a vehicle operator as a braking efficiency score using a vehicle display system. The display system may include a vehicle display for displaying a braking efficiency indicator or gauge corresponding to the braking efficiency score. The braking efficiency score may be based on a comparison of the total regenerative braking energy recaptured during at least one braking event to a either a maximum amount of braking energy that may be recaptured during the at least one braking event or an actual total braking energy expended during the at least one braking event. The braking efficiency score may be displayed upon the completion of a braking event or upon a completion of a trip including a plurality of braking events. The display may also convey a distance corresponding to a portion of a trip distance achieved through regenerative braking. | 07-12-2012 |
20120265382 | Torque Modulation in a Hybrid Vehicle Downshift During Regenerative Braking - A controller and a control strategy minimizes shift shock in a hybrid electric vehicle during a downshift conducted while the vehicle is in a regenerative braking mode by maintaining total powertrain torque at a desired target during the downshift. The controller has three preferable modes including modulating just engine torque, modulating just electric motor torque or simultaneously modulating both motor and engine torque. | 10-18-2012 |
20130000296 | HYDRAULIC BRAKE ASSIST VACUUM MAINTENANCE SYSTEM AND METHOD - A hydraulic brake assist vacuum maintenance system includes a vacuum source, a vacuum booster/master cylinder interfacing with the vacuum source, a brake pedal interfacing with the vacuum booster/master cylinder, a brake control unit interfacing with the vacuum booster/master cylinder, wheel brakes interfacing with the brake control unit and a hydraulic brake assist interfacing with the brake control unit and adapted to hydraulically operate the wheel brakes upon reduction or cessation of vacuum pressure from the vacuum source to the vacuum booster/master cylinder. | 01-03-2013 |
20130015860 | Method And System For Determining A Target State of Charge To Charge A Battery In A Vehicle Using External Electric PowerAANM Crombez; Dale ScottAACI LivoniaAAST MIAACO USAAGP Crombez; Dale Scott Livonia MI US - A system and method is provided for determining a target state of charge (SOC) to charge a storage battery in an electric vehicle using electric power from an external power source. Charging the storage battery to the target SOC occurs prior to starting a drive cycle of the vehicle. The target SOC is determined based on a profile of regenerative braking energy expected to be recovered and a profile of energy expected to be used from the battery during a portion of a future drive cycle. | 01-17-2013 |
20130079968 | PLUG-IN ELECTRIC VEHICLE INTERLOCK - To prevent damage of a vehicle or a cord set used to charge a plug-in electric vehicle when the vehicle is driven away while the cord set is attached, an interlock can be provided to disable the vehicle. Such interlock may be based on a protective door over the charging receptacle being open or detection that a cord set is plugged in. However, in the event that the vehicle is in an activated state, the interlock is prevented from disabling the vehicle according to an embodiment of the disclosure. That is, undesirable disabling of the vehicle is prevented when either there is no indication of a cord set being coupled to the vehicle or the vehicle is in an activated state. | 03-28-2013 |
20130253745 | CHARGE UTILIZATION CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD - A charge utilization control system for an electric vehicle includes a controller, an electric motor connected to the controller, a battery connected to the electric motor and an internal combustion engine connected to the controller. The controller is adapted to minimize electric charge stored in the battery as the electric vehicle approaches a charging destination for the battery. | 09-26-2013 |
20130289809 | REGENERATIVE BRAKING CONTROL TO MITIGATE POWERTRAIN OSCILLATION - A vehicle is provided with at least one wheel and a motor that is coupled to the wheel. The motor is configured to provide regenerative brake torque. The vehicle also includes at least one controller that is configured to predict future powertrain oscillation based on input indicative of a wheel speed and a total brake torque. The controller is also configured to control the motor to reduce the regenerative brake torque prior to the powertrain oscillation. | 10-31-2013 |
20130297164 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A BRAKE SYSTEM IN A VEHICLE - A method for controlling a brake system in a vehicle includes using a first brake pedal map when the vehicle has a first load; the first brake pedal map allows a first predetermined non-friction braking torque to be reached. The method further includes using a second brake pedal map allowing a second predetermined non-friction braking torque, lower than the first predetermined non-friction braking torque, to be reached. The second brake pedal map is used when the vehicle has a second load lower than the first load. | 11-07-2013 |
20130297165 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A BRAKE SYSTEM IN A VEHICLE - A method for controlling a brake system in a vehicle includes providing a first non-friction braking torque for an axle of the vehicle when the vehicle has a first load. A second non-friction braking torque lower than the first non-friction braking torque is provided for the axle when the vehicle has a second load lower than the first load. Non-friction braking at the axle is limited by the first and second non-friction braking torques when the vehicle has the first and second loads, respectively. | 11-07-2013 |
20140041470 | Vehicle Braking Assembly - The present disclosure relates to various vehicle braking assemblies. Brake pedal arms include, for example, a cam block that is configured to simplify the engagement between the power booster and pedal arm. Cam block can be movable with respect to the pedal arm to manage the gap between the pedal arm and power booster in by-wire braking assemblies. | 02-13-2014 |
20140114514 | DELAYED ELECTRIC-ONLY OPERATION OF A HYBRID VEHICLE - A vehicle and a method for controlling the vehicle include a controller configured to, in response to a user command to delay electric-only operation of the vehicle, selectively operate an electric machine and an engine to propel the vehicle such that a state of charge of a traction battery electrically connected with the electric machine is generally maintained at a target value within a predefined range of states of charge. A vehicle includes a powertrain and a controller. The controller is configured to (i) operate the powertrain in a charge deplete mode and a charge sustain mode, and (ii) in response to a user request, operate the powertrain in the charge sustain mode if the state of charge is within a predefined range of states of charge when the request is received. | 04-24-2014 |
20140156131 | PLUG-IN ELECTRIC VEHICLE INTERLOCK - To prevent damage of a vehicle or a cord set used to charge a plug-in electric vehicle when the vehicle is driven away while the cord set is attached, an interlock can be provided to disable the vehicle. Such interlock may be based on a protective door over the charging receptacle being open or detection that a cord set is plugged in. However, in the event that the vehicle is in an activated state, the interlock is prevented from disabling the vehicle according to an embodiment of the disclosure. That is, undesirable disabling of the vehicle is prevented when either there is no indication of a cord set being coupled to the vehicle or the vehicle is in an activated state. | 06-05-2014 |
20140157979 | PNEUMATIC PRESSURE BRAKE BOOSTER SYSTEM AND METHOD - A pneumatic pressure brake booster system includes an air pressure chamber; an ambient air chamber; a flexible diaphragm separating the air pressure chamber and the ambient air chamber; at least one air pressure source communicating with the air pressure chamber; a brake pedal shaft engaged by and movable with the diaphragm; and a brake master cylinder engaged by the brake pedal shaft. | 06-12-2014 |
20140163786 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVED ABS PERFORMANCE DURING PARALLEL REGENERATIVE BRAKING - A system for improved ABS performance during parallel regenerative braking of a vehicle includes an ABS system adapted to transmit an ABS active signal; a drive shaft position sensor adapted to transmit a drive shaft position sensor signal; and a regenerative braking system adapted to inhibit parallel regenerative braking in a primary mode using the ABS signal and in a default mode using the drive shaft position sensor signal. | 06-12-2014 |
20140265543 | CONTROL OF HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM AND METHOD - A hybrid or electric vehicle includes a hydraulic brake system having an active vacuum booster with an active boost control valve actuated by at least one controller. An isolation valve is disposed in a fluid circuit that fluidly connects a master cylinder to hydraulic brakes. A brake pedal is capable of moving in an initial deadband displacement range when initially depressed by an operator of the vehicle. While in the initial deadband displacement range, the controller selectively activates the isolation valve to inhibit fluid flow from at least a portion of the fluid circuit to the master cylinder based at least upon an operating state of the active boost control valve. | 09-18-2014 |
20140277874 | Information Display System And Method - A user interface for conveying tips on driving behaviors or vehicle settings that will improve vehicle efficiency may be provided. The tips may be listed on an information display along with an efficiency impact value associated with each tip. The efficiency impact values may be conveyed in terms of fuel economy, vehicle range, emissions or some other value. Accordingly, the user interface may communicate ways to improve a vehicle's efficiency, as well as quantify the potential improvement in meaningful terms. | 09-18-2014 |
20140277983 | VEHICLE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING REGENERATIVE BRAKING - A vehicle includes a control system configured to implement a method for regenerative braking control. The control system has at least one controller and is configured to control regenerative braking torque to be no greater than a regenerative braking torque limit when a wheel slip of a wheel of the vehicle is above a threshold value. The regenerative braking torque limit is non-zero for at least some values of the wheel slip above the threshold value. | 09-18-2014 |
20140305624 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE REDUCTION OF WASHER FLUID ODOR IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF A VEHICLE - A climate control system including an air controller switchable between fresh air, recirculated air, and partial recirculated air modes is disclosed. The system further includes a control module connected to the controller and a link operatively connecting the washer fluid system and the module. When the washer fluid system is activated the module switches the controller from the fresh air to the recirculated air mode. Thus washer fluid odors are prevented from entering the vehicle cabin while the washer fluid system is activated. The module can also selectively switch the air controller between fresh air, recirculated, and partial recirculated air modes based on condition inputs. Non-limiting examples of condition inputs include a fog look-up table, a wet bulb level, humidity level, air quality level, and temperature level. The module directs air controller to switch to the fresh air mode based on information generated by one or more of the condition inputs. | 10-16-2014 |
20140324318 | POWERTRAIN CREEP TORQUE CONTROL - A vehicle powertrain control system causes friction torque to be delivered to wheels at a generally constant value for a range of increasing requested friction torque values such that commanded powertrain torque values are reduced to a generally constant floor value. The range of increasing requested torque values is less than a requested powertrain torque value under foot off accelerator pedal and vehicle stop conditions. | 10-30-2014 |
20150012197 | ENHANCED REGENERATIVE BRAKING CONTROL METHOD FOR BRAKE BOOSTER PRESSURE BUILD-UP DELAY COMPENSATION - A regenerative braking control method. An illustrative embodiment of the method includes selecting a vehicle speed at onset of transition from regenerative braking to friction braking of a vehicle, comparing the vehicle speed to a threshold value, applying a delayed regenerative braking torque ramp out to a hybrid powertrain and sending an undelayed regenerative braking torque ramp-out signal to a vehicle brake controller without at onset of transition from regenerative braking to friction braking of the vehicle if the vehicle speed falls below the threshold value. | 01-08-2015 |
20150084758 | DRIVER PROMPTING BRAKING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A driver prompting braking system includes a detection device adapted to sense at least one object in front of the vehicle; a detection system interfacing with the detection device, the detection system adapted to detect the at least one object; and a brake coaching system interfacing with the detection system, the brake coaching system adapted to determine a brake application timing for an operator of the vehicle to avoid the object and optimize fuel economy of the vehicle. A driver prompting braking method is also disclosed. | 03-26-2015 |