Method and system for electric parking brake activation based on tire replacement

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for controlling a parking brake of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes evaluating tire pressure data associated with at least one tire of a vehicle; and selectively generating a parking brake control signal to activate a parking brake of the vehicle in response to the evaluation.

Description

[0001] The technical field generally relates to vehicles, and more particularly to methods and systems for electrically actuating a parking brake based on a tire replacement event. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Vehicles are equipped with a parking brake, also known as a hand brake or emergency brake, which holds the vehicle stationary when parked. The parking brake typically includes a braking system that secures two wheels (e.g., the rear wheels).

[0003] During tire replacement, for example, when a tire goes flat, it is generally recommended to engage the parking brake when the vehicle is lifted. In such cases, the parking brake is manually engaged by the vehicle's user. Some users may forget to engage the parking brake.

[0004] Accordingly, there is a desire to provide methods and systems for electrically actuating a parking brake based on a detected tire replacement event. Additionally, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the present invention and this background of the invention. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Methods and systems for controlling a parking brake of a vehicle are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes: evaluating tire pressure data associated with at least one tire of the vehicle; and in response to the evaluation, selectively generating a parking brake control signal to activate the parking brake of the vehicle.

[0006] In various embodiments, the evaluating includes determining whether the tire pressure data indicates a low tire pressure of at least one tire of the vehicle, and when the tire pressure data indicates a low tire pressure of at least one tire of the vehicle, selectively generating including generating a parking brake control signal to activate the parking brake.

[0007] In various embodiments, the evaluating includes comparing the tire pressure data with a threshold tire pressure to determine a low tire pressure of at least one tire of the vehicle, and when the tire pressure is determined to be low, selectively generating including generating a parking brake control signal to activate the parking brake.

[0008] In various embodiments, the method further includes evaluating transmission range data associated with the vehicle's transmission, and wherein the selectively generating further responds to the evaluation of the transmission range data.

[0009] In various embodiments, the evaluating includes determining that the transmission range is park based on the transmission range data, and wherein the selectively generating includes generating a parking brake control signal to activate the parking brake.

[0010] In various embodiments, the assessment includes determining that the transmission range has shifted out of park based on transmission range data, and wherein, selectively generating includes generating a parking brake control signal to deactivate the parking brake.

[0011] In various embodiments, the method includes assessing parking brake status data associated with a vehicle's parking brake and selectively generating a notification control signal to a notification device that notifies a user of the vehicle of the activation of the parking brake.

[0012] In another embodiment, a system includes: a computer-readable medium configured to store tire pressure data associated with at least one tire of a vehicle; and a computer system on the vehicle and configured by a processor to: assess the tire pressure data associated with at least one tire of the vehicle; and in response to the assessment, selectively generate a parking brake control signal to activate the vehicle's parking brake.

[0013] In various embodiments, the computer system is configured to perform the assessment by determining whether the tire pressure data indicates that the tire pressure of at least one tire of the vehicle is low, and when the tire pressure data indicates that the tire pressure of at least one tire of the vehicle is low, the computer system is configured to selectively generate a parking brake control signal to activate the parking brake.

[0014] In various embodiments, the computer system is configured to perform the assessment by comparing the tire pressure data to a threshold tire pressure to determine that the tire pressure of at least one tire of the vehicle is low, and when the tire pressure is determined to be low, the computer system selectively generates a parking brake control signal to activate the parking brake.

[0015] In various embodiments, the computer system is further configured to assess transmission range data associated with the vehicle's transmission, and wherein, the computer system further selectively generates in response to assessing the transmission range data.

[0016] In various embodiments, the computer system is configured to perform the assessment by determining that the transmission range is in park based on the transmission range data, and the computer system selectively generates a parking brake control signal to activate the parking brake.

[0017] In various embodiments, the computer system is configured to perform the assessment by determining that the transmission range has shifted out of park based on the transmission range data, and the computer system selectively generates a parking brake control signal to deactivate the parking brake.

[0018] In various embodiments, the computer system is further configured to evaluate parking brake status data associated with a parking brake of a vehicle and selectively generate a notification control signal to a notification device that notifies a user of the vehicle of the activation of the parking brake.

[0019] In another embodiment, a vehicle includes: a parking brake system including a parking brake configured to be electrically activated; and a controller including: a computer-readable medium configured to store tire pressure data associated with at least one tire of the vehicle; and a processor. The processor is configured to evaluate the tire pressure data associated with at least one tire of the vehicle; and in response to the evaluation, selectively generate a parking brake control signal to activate the parking brake of the vehicle.

[0020] In various embodiments, the controller is configured to perform the evaluation by determining whether the tire pressure data indicates that the tire pressure of at least one tire of the vehicle is low, and when the tire pressure data indicates that the tire pressure of at least one tire of the vehicle is low, the processor is configured to selectively generate a parking brake control signal to activate the parking brake.

[0021] In various embodiments, the processor is configured to perform the evaluation by comparing the tire pressure data with a threshold tire pressure to determine that the tire pressure of at least one tire of the vehicle is low, and when the tire pressure is determined to be low, the processor selectively generates a parking brake control signal to activate the parking brake.

[0022] In various embodiments, the controller is further configured to evaluate transmission gear range data associated with the transmission of the vehicle, and wherein the processor further selectively generates in response to evaluating the transmission gear range data.

[0023] In various embodiments, the processor is configured to perform the evaluation by determining that the transmission gear range is in park based on the transmission gear range data, and the processor selectively generates a parking brake control signal to activate the parking brake.

[0024] In various embodiments, the processor is configured to perform the evaluation by determining that the transmission gear range has changed from park based on the transmission gear range data, and the processor selectively generates a parking brake control signal to deactivate the parking brake. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The present disclosure will be described below in conjunction with the following drawings, in which like numbers represent like elements, and in which:

[0026] Figure 1 is a functional block diagram of a vehicle including a parking brake activation system for providing electrical activation of a parking brake according to various embodiments;

[0027] Figure 2 is a diagram showing various embodiments Figure 1 A data flow diagram of a parking brake activation system for a vehicle; and

[0028] Figure 3 is a flow chart of a process for providing electrical activation of a parking brake system according to an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit application and use. In addition, there is no intention to be bound by any express or implied theory presented in the aforementioned technical field, background technology, invention content or the following detailed description. As used herein, the term module refers to any hardware, software, firmware, electronic control component, processing logic and / or processor device, alone or in any combination, including but not limited to: application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), electronic circuits, processors (shared, dedicated or groups) and memories that execute one or more software or firmware programs, combinational logic circuits and / or other suitable components that provide the described functions.

[0030] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be described herein in terms of functional and / or logical block components and various processing steps. It should be understood that such block components may be implemented by any number of hardware, software, and / or firmware components configured to perform a specified function. For example, embodiments of the present disclosure may employ various integrated circuit components, such as memory elements, digital signal processing elements, logic elements, lookup tables, etc., which may perform various functions under the control of one or more microprocessors or other control devices. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced in conjunction with any number of systems, and the systems described herein are merely exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0031] For the sake of brevity, conventional techniques related to other functional aspects of signal processing, data transmission, signaling, control, and systems (and the various operating components of the systems) may not be described in detail herein. In addition, the connecting lines shown in the various figures included herein are intended to represent example functional relationships and / or physical couplings between various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may exist in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0032] refer to Figure 1, according to various embodiments, a parking brake activation system generally designated at 100 is associated with a vehicle 10 equipped with a parking brake system 102. As will be discussed in more detail herein, the parking brake control system 100 electrically activates one or more parking brakes of the parking brake system based on the detection of a tire change event. As will be discussed in more detail herein, a tire change event is detected based on a determined low tire pressure.

[0033] In various embodiments, vehicle 10 includes an automobile. Vehicle 10 can be any of a variety of different types of automobiles, e.g., such as a sedan, van, truck, or sport utility vehicle (SUV), and in certain embodiments can be two-wheel drive (2WD) (i.e., rear-wheel drive or front-wheel drive), four-wheel drive (4WD), or all-wheel drive (AWD) and / or various other types of vehicles. In various embodiments, vehicle 10 can also include other types of mobile platforms having a parking brake system and is not limited to automobiles.

[0034] As Figure 1 depicted therein, exemplary vehicle 10 generally includes a chassis 13, a body 14, front wheels 16, and rear wheels 18. Body 14 is disposed on chassis 13 and substantially encloses the components of vehicle 10. Body 14 and chassis 13 can together form a frame. Wheels 16 - 18 are each rotatably coupled to chassis 13 near a respective corner of body 14 and can each include a tire.

[0035] Vehicle 10 generally includes a propulsion system 20, a transmission system 22, a steering system 24, a braking system 26, a sensor system 28, an actuator system 30, at least one data storage device 32, at least one controller 34, and a display system 35. In various embodiments, propulsion system 20 can include an internal combustion engine, an electric motor such as a traction motor, and / or a fuel cell propulsion system. Transmission system 22 is configured to transfer power from propulsion system 20 to vehicle wheels 16 - 18 according to selectable speed ratios. According to various embodiments, transmission system 22 can include a step ratio automatic transmission, a continuously variable transmission, or other suitable transmissions.

[0036] The braking system 26 is configured to provide braking torque to vehicle wheels 16-18. In various embodiments, the braking system 26 can include friction brakes, brake-by-wire systems, regenerative braking systems such as electric motors, and / or other suitable braking systems. The parking brake system 102 is configured to provide braking torque to at least two of the vehicle wheels 16-18 (e.g., the rear wheels 18) when the vehicle 10 is in a parked state, for example, to keep the vehicle 10 stationary. In various embodiments, the parking brake system 102 can include the brakes of the braking system 26 and / or a separate parking brake 27 configured to provide a parking brake function. For illustrative purposes, the parking brake system 102 will be discussed in the context of an embodiment having a separate parking brake 27.

[0037] The steering system 24 affects the position of the vehicle wheels 16-18. Although depicted for illustrative purposes as including a steering wheel, in some embodiments contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure, the steering system 24 may not include a steering wheel.

[0038] The sensor system 28 includes one or more sensing devices 40a-40n that sense the external and / or internal environment of the vehicle 10 and / or observable conditions of the vehicle itself. The sensing devices 40a-40n can include, but are not limited to, radar, lidar, global positioning system, optical cameras, thermal cameras, ultrasonic sensors, inertial measurement units, pressure sensors, position sensors, speed sensors, and / or other sensors. In various embodiments, the sensor system 28 includes one or more tire pressure sensors configured to sense the pressure of the tires associated with the wheels 16-18.

[0039] The actuator system 30 includes one or more actuator devices 42a-42n that control one or more vehicle features, such as but not limited to the propulsion system 20, the transmission system 22, the steering system 24, and the braking system 26. In various embodiments, the vehicle features can further include internal and / or external vehicle features, such as but not limited to doors, trunks, and cabin features such as air, music, lighting, etc. (not numbered). In various embodiments, the actuator system 30 includes the actuator devices of the parking brake system 102 configured to activate and deactivate the parking brake 27.

[0040] The data storage device 32 stores data for controlling the vehicle 10. In various embodiments, the data storage device 32 stores defined values for controlling the vehicle 10. It can be understood that the data storage device 32 can be part of the controller 34, separate from the controller 34, or part of the controller 34 and part of a separate system.

[0041] The controller 34 includes at least one processor 44, a communication bus 45, and a computer-readable storage device or medium 46. The processor 44 can be any custom or commercially available processor, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an auxiliary processor among several processors associated with the controller 34, a semiconductor-based microprocessor (in the form of a microchip or chipset), a macroprocessor, any combination thereof, or any device generally used for executing instructions. For example, the computer-readable storage device or medium 46 can include volatile and non-volatile storage in the form of read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), and keep-alive memory (KAM). KAM is persistent or non-volatile memory that can be used to store various operating variables when the processor 44 is powered down. The computer-readable storage device or medium 46 can be implemented using any of a number of known memory devices, such as PROM (programmable read-only memory), EPROM (electric PROM), EEPROM (electrically erasable PROM), flash memory, or any other electrical, magnetic, optical, or combination memory device capable of storing data, some of which represents executable instructions used by the controller 34 in controlling the vehicle 10. The bus 45 is used to transfer programs, data, status, and other information or signals between various components of the vehicle and / or trailer. The bus 45 can be any suitable physical or logical means of connecting computer systems and components. This includes but is not limited to direct hardwired connections, fiber optics, infrared, and wireless bus technologies.

[0042] The instructions can include one or more separate programs, each program including an ordered list of executable instructions for implementing a logical function. When executed by the processor 44, the instructions receive and process signals from the sensor system 28, execute logic, calculations, methods, and / or algorithms for automatically controlling components of the vehicle 10, and generate control signals to the actuator system 30 to automatically control components of the vehicle 10 based on the logic, calculations, methods, and / or algorithms. Although Figure 1 only one controller 34 is shown in the figure, embodiments of the vehicle 10 can include any number of controllers 34 that communicate via any suitable communication medium or combination of communication media and cooperate to process sensor signals, execute logic, calculations, methods, and / or algorithms, and generate control signals to automatically control features of the vehicle 10. In various embodiments, one or more instructions of the controller 34 are embodied in the parking brake control system 100 and, when executed by the processor 44, receive and process data from the sensor system 28 in order to generate control signals to the parking brake system 102 to electrically activate the parking brake and / or provide notification of parking brake activation based on a detected tire change event.

[0043] It will be appreciated that the controller 34 can be different in other ways from Figure 1. For example, the controller 34 may be coupled to or may otherwise utilize one or more remote computer systems and / or other control systems, such as as part of one or more of the vehicle devices and systems described above. It should be understood that although the exemplary embodiment is described in the context of a fully functional computer system, those skilled in the art will recognize that the mechanisms of the present disclosure are capable of being distributed as a program product along with one or more types of non-transitory computer-readable signal-bearing media for storing programs and their instructions and performing their distribution, such as a non-transitory computer-readable medium that carries the program and contains computer instructions stored therein for causing a computer processor (such as processor 44) to execute and implement the program. Such a program product may take a variety of forms, and the present disclosure applies equally regardless of the specific type of computer-readable signal-bearing medium used to perform the distribution. Examples of signal-bearing media include: recordable media, such as floppy disks, hard drives, memory cards, and optical disks, and transmission media, such as digital and analog communication links. It should be understood that cloud-based storage and / or other technologies may also be utilized in certain embodiments. Similarly, it should be understood that the computer system of the controller 34 may also be different from other systems in other ways. Figure 1 In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1 , for example, the computer system of controller 34 may be coupled to or may otherwise utilize one or more remote computer systems and / or other control systems.

[0044] refer to Figure 2 And continue to refer to Figure 1 , a data flow diagram showing the Figure 1 It is understood that various embodiments of the parking brake control system 100 according to the present disclosure may include any number of modules embedded within the controller 34, which modules may be combined and / or further divided to similarly implement the systems and methods described herein. In addition, inputs to the parking brake control system 100 may be received from the sensor system 28, from other control modules (not shown) associated with the vehicle 10, and / or by Figure 1 The input may be pre-processed, such as sub-sampling, noise reduction, normalization, feature extraction, missing data reduction, etc. In various embodiments, the parking brake control system 100 includes a parameter data repository 202, an enabling module 204, a parking brake control module 206, and a notification control module 208.

[0045] In various embodiments, the parameter data repository 202 stores parameter data 210 associated with the tires of the vehicle 10. For example, the parameter data repository 202 stores threshold data for determining when the tire pressure of the tires of the vehicle 10 is low. For example, the parameter data may include the recommended tire pressure for each tire, the threshold percentage of the recommended pressure for each tire, the vehicle speed at which the tire pressure is monitored, and / or the threshold duration for monitoring the tire pressure. It will be appreciated that other parameters that can be used to evaluate the tire pressure of the tires of the vehicle may be stored in various embodiments.

[0046] In various embodiments, the enablement module 204 receives transmission range data 212, tire pressure data 214, and parking brake status data 216 as inputs. In various embodiments, the transmission range data 212 indicates the range (e.g., park, reverse, neutral, etc.) or gear (e.g., park, first gear, second gear, etc.) of the transmission system 22. Based on whether the range is in the park state or transitioning from park, the enablement module 204 generates parking brake enablement data 218 to enable the activation or deactivation of the parking brake. For example, when the range is in the park state, the parking brake enablement module 204 sets the parking brake enablement data 218 to indicate that the parking brake is enabled. In another example, when the range transitions from a park gear or range to another gear or range, the parking brake enablement module 204 sets the parking brake enablement data 218 to indicate that the parking brake is disabled.

[0047] In various embodiments, the tire pressure data 214 indicates the status of the tire pressure, e.g., such as normal or low. In various other embodiments, the tire pressure data 214 includes data indicating the pressure of each tire of the vehicle 10 and / or other data for determining whether the tire pressure is low. Based on whether the tire pressure of the tire is determined to be low, e.g., based on the received status or a comparison of the tire pressure data 214 with the parameter data 210 stored in the parameter data repository 202, the enablement module 204 generates parking brake enablement data 218 to enable the activation of the parking brake 27. For example, when at least one tire pressure is below the corresponding tire pressure threshold (e.g., which is a percentage of the recommended tire pressure) while the vehicle speed is above a threshold speed for a defined duration, the tire pressure is determined to be low, and the parking brake enablement module 204 sets the parking brake enablement data 218 to indicate that the parking brake is enabled. In another example, when all tire pressures are determined not to be low, the parking brake enablement module 204 sets the parking brake enablement data 218 to indicate that the parking brake is disabled.

[0048] It will be appreciated that in various embodiments, the conditions of the transmission range data 212 and the tire pressure data 214 may be evaluated combinatorially or separately in order to generate the parking brake enablement data 218.Figure 3 Embodiments of enabling conditions for combined implementation are shown.

[0049] The parking brake status data 216 indicates the status of the parking brake of the parking brake system. Based on whether the parking brake is engaged or disengaged as indicated by the parking brake status, the enabling module 204 generates notification enabling data 220 to enable the activation of the notification device. For example, when the parking brake status data 216 indicates that the parking brake 27 is engaged, the parking brake enabling module 204 sets the notification enabling data 220 to indicate enabling of the notification. In another example, when the parking brake status data 216 indicates that the parking brake 27 is not engaged, the parking brake enabling module 204 sets the notification enabling data 220 to indicate disabling of the notification.

[0050] It can be understood that in various embodiments, the conditions of the transmission gear range data 212, the tire pressure data 214, and the parking brake status data 216 can be evaluated combinatorially or individually to generate the notification enabling data 220. Figure 3 Embodiments of enabling conditions for combined implementation are shown.

[0051] In various embodiments, the parking brake control module 206 receives the parking brake enabling data 218 as an input. Based on the parking brake enabling data 218, the parking brake control module 206 selectively generates parking brake signal data 222 to electrically activate or deactivate the parking brake system. For example, when the parking brake enabling data 218 indicates enabling of the parking brake, the parking brake control module 206 generates the parking brake signal data 222 to enable the notification. In another example, when the parking brake enabling data 218 indicates disabling of the parking brake, the parking brake control module 206 generates the parking brake signal data 222 to disable the notification.

[0052] In various embodiments, the notification control module 208 receives the notification enabling data 220 as an input. Based on the notification enabling data 220, the notification control module 208 selectively generates notification signal data 224 to notify the user of the activation or deactivation of the parking brake. For example, when the notification enabling data 220 indicates enabling of the notification, the notification control module 208 generates the notification signal data 224 to notify the user that the parking brake is engaged (e.g., by illuminating a light, activating a sound, displaying a message, etc.). In another example, when the notification enabling data 220 indicates disabling of the notification, the notification control module 208 generates the notification signal data 224 to notify the user that the parking brake is disengaged (e.g., by turning off a light, activating another sound, displaying a message, etc.).

[0053] Now refer to Figure 3 And continue to refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2, according to an exemplary embodiment, a flowchart of a method 300 for providing electrical activation of a parking brake based on a tire replacement event, which is executed by a parking brake control system 100, is provided. It can be understood according to the present disclosure that the order of operations within method 300 is not limited to being executed in the order shown in Figure 3 but can be executed in one or more variant orders, where applicable and according to the present disclosure. In various embodiments, method 300 can be scheduled to run based on one or more predetermined events and / or can run continuously during the operation of vehicle 10.

[0054] It can be understood that, for example, based on the time of vehicle 10, various parameters are pre-stored in the parameter data repository 202.

[0055] In one example, method 300 can start at 302. Receive gear range or gear data at 304. Determine whether the transmission gear range is in park at 306. If the transmission gear range is in park at 306, receive tire pressure data at 308 and evaluate the tire pressure data at 310, for example, by comparing it with parameter data 210 stored in the parameter data repository 202, to determine whether the tire pressure is low.

[0056] For example, if it is determined at 310 that the tire pressure of at least one tire is low, determine whether the parking brake is engaged at 312. If the parking brake is not engaged at 312, generate a parking brake activation signal to electrically activate the parking brake of the parking brake system 102.

[0057] Once it is determined at 312 that the parking brake is engaged, generate a notification signal at 316 to notify the user of the activation of the parking brake. Thereafter, method 300 continues to receive and monitor gear range data at 304 and 306.

[0058] When it is determined at 306 that vehicle 10 is not operating in the park state, determine whether vehicle 10 is transitioning out of park at 318. If vehicle 10 is transitioning out of park at 318, generate a control signal at 320 to deactivate the parking brake. Once it is confirmed at 322 that the parking brake is disengaged, generate a notification signal at 324 to notify the user that the parking brake has been deactivated. Thereafter, method 300 continues to receive and monitor gear range data at 304 and 306.

[0059] Although at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be understood that there are numerous variations. It should also be understood that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the present disclosure in any way. On the contrary, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient roadmap for implementing the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that various changes can be made to the functions and arrangements of the elements without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. A method for providing control of a parking brake of a vehicle, comprising: evaluating tire pressure data associated with at least one tire of the vehicle; and responsive to the evaluation, selectively generating a parking brake control signal to activate the parking brake of the vehicle.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The evaluation includes determining whether the tire pressure data indicates that the tire pressure of the at least one tire of the vehicle is low, and when the tire pressure data indicates that the tire pressure of the at least one tire of the vehicle is low, the selectively generating includes generating the parking brake control signal to activate the parking brake.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The evaluation includes comparing the tire pressure data with a threshold tire pressure to determine that the tire pressure of the at least one tire of the vehicle is low, and when the tire pressure is determined to be low, the selectively generating includes generating the parking brake control signal to activate the parking brake.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising evaluating transmission range data associated with a transmission of the vehicle, and wherein, The selectively generating further responds to the evaluation of the transmission gear range data.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein The evaluation includes determining that the transmission gear range is in park based on the transmission gear range data, and wherein the selectively generating includes, in response, generating the parking brake control signal to activate the parking brake.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein The evaluation includes determining that the transmission gear range has shifted out of park based on the transmission gear range data, and wherein the selectively generating includes, in response, generating the parking brake control signal to deactivate the parking brake.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising evaluating parking brake status data associated with the parking brake of the vehicle, and selectively generating a notification control signal to a notification device that notifies a user of the vehicle of the activation of the parking brake.

8. A system for controlling a parking brake of a vehicle, comprising: a computer-readable medium configured to store parameter data associated with at least one tire of the vehicle; and a computer system on the vehicle and configured by a processor to: evaluate tire pressure data associated with at least one tire of the vehicle using the parameters; and responsive to the evaluation, selectively generate a parking brake control signal to activate the parking brake of the vehicle.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein The computer system is configured to perform the evaluation by determining whether the tire pressure data indicates that the tire pressure of the at least one tire of the vehicle is low, and when the tire pressure data indicates that the tire pressure of the at least one tire of the vehicle is low, the computer system is configured to selectively generate the parking brake control signal to activate the parking brake.

10. The system according to claim 8, wherein, The computer system is configured to perform the evaluation by comparing the tire pressure data with a threshold tire pressure to determine that the tire pressure of the at least one tire of the vehicle is low, and when the tire pressure is determined to be low, the computer system selectively generates the parking brake control signal to activate the parking brake.

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