Methods and systems for activating the electric parking brake when changing a tire

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for controlling a parking brake of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method comprises: 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.

Description

introduction

[0001] The technical field relates generally to vehicles and more specifically to methods and systems for electrically applying a parking brake during a tire change event.

[0002] Vehicles are equipped with a parking brake, also known as a handbrake or emergency brake, which immobilizes the vehicle while parked. The parking brake typically includes a braking system that immobilizes two wheels, such as the rear wheels.

[0003] When changing a tire, such as a flat tire, it is generally recommended to apply the parking brake while lifting the vehicle. In such a case, the parking brake is manually applied by the vehicle's user. Some users may forget to apply the parking brake.

[0004] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide methods and systems for electrically actuating the parking brake based on a detected tire change event. Furthermore, 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 and this background of the invention. Summary

[0005] Methods and systems for controlling a parking brake of a vehicle are provided. In one embodiment, a method comprises: 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, evaluating includes determining whether the tire pressure data indicates that a tire pressure for the at least one tire of the vehicle is low, and if the tire pressure data indicates that the tire pressure for the at least one tire of the vehicle is low, selectively generating includes generating the parking brake control signal to activate the parking brake.

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

[0008] In various embodiments, the method further comprises evaluating transmission range data associated with a transmission of the vehicle, and wherein the selectively generating is further performed in response to evaluating the transmission range data.

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

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

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

[0012] In another embodiment, a system comprises: a computer-readable medium configured to store tire pressure data associated with at least one tire of the vehicle; and a computer system onboard the vehicle configured, through a processor, to: evaluate the tire pressure data associated with the at least one tire of the vehicle; and, in response to the evaluating, selectively generate a parking brake control signal to activate the parking brake of the vehicle.

[0013] In various embodiments, the computer system is configured to evaluate by determining whether the tire pressure data indicates that a tire pressure for the at least one tire of the vehicle is low, and if the tire pressure data indicates that the tire pressure for 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.

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

[0015] In various embodiments, the computer system is further configured to evaluate transmission range data associated with a transmission of the vehicle, and wherein the computer system selectively generates further transmission range data in response to evaluating the transmission range data.

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

[0017] In various embodiments, the computer system is configured to evaluate by determining that a transmission range has been exited from park based on the transmission range data, and the computer system selectively generates the 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 the parking brake of the 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 comprises: a parking brake system including a parking brake configured to be electrically activated; and a controller comprising: 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 the 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 evaluate by determining whether the tire pressure data indicates that a tire pressure for the at least one tire of the vehicle is low, and if the tire pressure data indicates that the tire pressure for the at least one tire of the vehicle is low, the processor is configured to selectively generate the parking brake control signal to activate the parking brake.

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

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

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

[0024] In various embodiments, the processor is configured to evaluate by determining that a transmission range has been exited from park based on the transmission range data, and the processor selectively generates the parking brake control signal to deactivate the parking brake. Description of the drawings

[0025] The present specification will now be described in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like numerals designate like elements, and wherein: Fig. 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; Fig. 2 is a data flow diagram illustrating the vehicle's parking brake activation system from Fig. 1 according to various embodiments; and Fig. 3 is a flowchart of a method for providing electrical activation of the parking brake system according to example embodiments. Detailed description

[0026] The following detailed description is merely exemplary and is not intended to limit the application and uses. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any express or implied theories presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary, 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, individually or in any combination, including, without limitation, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (common, dedicated, or group) and memory executing one or more software or firmware programs, a combined logic circuit, and / or other suitable components that provide the described functionality.

[0027] Embodiments of the present description may be described herein in terms of functional and / or logical block components and various processing steps. Such block components may be implemented by any number of hardware, software, and / or firmware components configured to perform the specified functions. For example, an embodiment of the present description may utilize various integrated circuit components, such as memory elements, digital signal processing elements, logic elements, lookup tables, or the like, which may perform a variety of functions under the control of one or more microprocessors or other control units.Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that embodiments of the present description may be used in connection with any number of systems and that the systems described herein are merely exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0028] For the sake of brevity, conventional techniques related to signal processing, data transmission, signaling, control, and other functional aspects of the systems (and the individual operating components of the systems) are not described in detail here. Furthermore, the connecting lines depicted in the various figures included herein are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and / or physical couplings between the various elements. It should be understood that many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may be present in an embodiment of the present description.

[0029] With reference to Fig. 1, a parking brake activation system, generally designated 100, is connected to a vehicle 10 equipped with a parking brake system 102 in accordance with various embodiments. As 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 detection of a tire change event. As explained in more detail herein, the tire change event is detected based on a tire pressure determined to be low.

[0030] In various embodiments, vehicle 10 comprises an automobile. Vehicle 10 may be any number of different types of automobiles, such as a sedan, station wagon, truck, or sport utility vehicle (SUV), and may have 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 certain embodiments. In various embodiments, vehicle 10 may also include other types of mobile platforms with a parking brake system and is not limited to an automobile.

[0031] As in Fig. 1, the exemplary vehicle 10 generally includes a chassis 13, a body 14, front wheels 16, and rear wheels 18. The body 14 is disposed on the chassis 13 and substantially encloses components of the vehicle 10. The body 14 and the chassis 13 may collectively form a frame. Wheels 16-18 are each rotatably connected to the chassis 13 near a corner of the body 14 and may each include a tire.

[0032] The vehicle 10 generally includes a drive 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 control unit 34, and a display system 35. The drive system 20 may, in various embodiments, include an internal combustion engine, an electric machine such as a traction motor, and / or a fuel cell drive system. The transmission system 22 is configured to transfer power from the drive system 20 to the vehicle wheels 16-18 according to selectable gear ratios. According to various embodiments, the transmission system 22 may include a stepped automatic transmission, a continuously variable transmission, or other suitable transmission.

[0033] The braking system 26 is configured to apply braking torque to the vehicle wheels 16-18. In various embodiments, the braking system 26 may include friction brakes, wire brakes, a regenerative braking system such as an electric machine, and / or other suitable braking systems. The parking brake system 102 is configured to apply braking torque to at least two of the vehicle wheels 16-18, for example, the rear wheels 18, when the vehicle 10 is in park mode, for example, to hold the vehicle 10 stationary. In various embodiments, the parking brake system 102 may include the brakes of the braking system 26 and / or separate parking brakes 27 configured to provide the parking brake function. For exemplary purposes, the parking brake system 102 will be discussed in the context of the embodiment having separate parking brakes 27.

[0034] The steering system 24 influences the position of the vehicle wheels 16-18. Although a steering wheel is shown for illustrative purposes, the steering system 24 may not include a steering wheel in some embodiments contemplated within the scope of the present description.

[0035] The sensor system 28 includes one or more sensing devices 40a-40n that sense observable conditions of the external and / or internal environment of the vehicle 10 and / or the vehicle itself. The sensing devices 40a-40n may include, but are not limited to, radars, lidars, global positioning systems, 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 a pressure of the tires associated with the wheels 16-18.

[0036] 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 drive system 20, the transmission system 22, the steering system 24, and the braking system 26. In various embodiments, the vehicle features may also include interior and / or exterior features of the vehicle, such as, but not limited to, doors, a trunk, and cabin features such as air, music, lighting, etc. (not numbered). In various embodiments, the actuator system 30 includes actuator devices of the parking brake system 102 that are configured to activate and deactivate the parking brakes 27.

[0037] The data storage device 32 stores data for use in controlling the vehicle 10. In various embodiments, the data storage device 32 stores defined values for controlling the vehicle 10. As can be seen, the data storage device 32 may be part of the control unit 34, separate from the control unit 34, or part of the control unit 34 and part of a separate system.

[0038] The control unit 34 includes at least one processor 44, a communications bus 45, and a computer-readable storage device or media 46. The processor 44 may be any custom or off-the-shelf processor, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an auxiliary processor among multiple processors associated with the control unit 34, a semiconductor-based microprocessor (in the form of a microchip or chipset), a macroprocessor, any combination thereof, or generally any device for executing instructions. The computer-readable storage device or media 46 may include volatile and non-volatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), and keep-alive memory (KAM).KAM is a persistent or non-volatile memory that can be used to store various operating variables while the processor 44 is off. The computer-readable storage device or media 46 can be implemented using any number of known storage devices such as PROMs (programmable read-only memory), EPROMs (electrical PROMs), EEPROMs (electrically erasable PROMs), flash memory, or other electrical, magnetic, optical, or combination storage devices capable of storing data, some of which are executable instructions used by the control unit 34 in controlling the vehicle 10. The bus 45 serves to transfer programs, data, status, and other information or signals between the various components of the vehicle and / or trailer.Bus 45 may be any suitable physical or logical means for interconnecting computer systems and components. This includes, but is not limited to, direct, hard-wired connections, fiber optics, infrared, and wireless bus technologies.

[0039] The instructions may comprise one or more separate programs, each of which comprises an ordered collection of executable instructions for implementing logical functions. When executed by processor 44, the instructions receive and process signals from sensor system 28, perform logic, calculations, methods, and / or algorithms to automatically control the components of vehicle 10, and generate control signals for actuator system 30 to automatically control the components of vehicle 10 based on the logic, calculations, methods, and / or algorithms. Although in Fig. 1, embodiments of the vehicle 10 may include any number of control units 34 communicating via any suitable communication medium or combination of communication media, and which cooperate to process the sensor signals, perform 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 control unit 34 are included in the parking brake control system 100 and, when executed by the processor 44, receive data from the sensor system 28 and process the data to generate control signals for the parking brake system 102 to electrically activate the parking brake and / or provide notification of the parking brake activation based on a detected tire change event.

[0040] It is clear that the control unit 34 is otherwise different from the one shown in Fig. 1. For example, the control unit 34 may be coupled to or otherwise utilize one or more remote computer systems and / or other control systems, for example, as part of one or more of the above-mentioned vehicle devices and systems. While this 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 description may be distributed as a program product having one or more types of non-transitory, computer-readable, signal-bearing media used to store the program and its instructions and to carry out its distribution, such asa non-transitory, computer-readable medium carrying the program and including computer instructions stored thereon for causing a computer processor (such as processor 44) to perform and execute the program. Such a program product may take a variety of forms, and the present description applies equally regardless of the particular type of computer-readable signal-bearing medium used to effect distribution. Examples of signal-bearing media include writable media such as floppy disks, hard disks, memory cards, and optical discs, as well as transmission media such as digital and analog communication links. It will be understood that cloud-based storage and / or other technologies may also be used in certain embodiments. It will also be understood that the computer system of the control unit 34 may otherwise differ from that shown in FIG. Fig. 1, for example in that the computer system of the control unit 34 may be coupled to or otherwise utilize one or more remote computer systems and / or other control systems.

[0041] With reference to Fig. 2 and with continued reference to Fig. 1 illustrates a data flow diagram of elements of the parking brake control system 100 of Fig. 1 in accordance with various embodiments. As can be appreciated, various embodiments of the parking brake control system 100 according to the present description may include any number of modules embedded in the control unit 34, which may be combined and / or further subdivided to implement the systems and methods described herein in a similar manner. Furthermore, 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 from other sub-modules (not shown) within the control unit 34 of Fig. 1. Furthermore, the inputs may also be subjected to preprocessing, such as sub-sampling, noise reduction, normalization, feature extraction, missing data reduction, and the like. In various embodiments, the parking brake control system 100 includes a parameter data store 202, an enabling module 204, a parking brake control module 206, and a notification control module 208.

[0042] In various embodiments, parameter data storage 202 stores parameter data 210 associated with the tires of vehicle 10. For example, parameter data storage 202 stores threshold data for determining when tire pressure of the tires of vehicle 10 is low. The parameter data may include, for example, a recommended tire pressure for each tire, a threshold percentage of the recommended pressure for each tire, a vehicle speed to monitor tire pressure, and / or a threshold duration to monitor tire pressure. As will be appreciated, in various embodiments, other parameters may also be stored that may be used to evaluate the tire pressure of the vehicle's tires.

[0043] In various embodiments, the enable module 204 receives as input transmission range data 212, tire pressure data 214, and parking brake status data 216. In various embodiments, the transmission range data 212 indicates a range (e.g., Park, Reverse, Neutral, etc.) or a gear (e.g., Park, First Gear, Second Gear, etc.) of the transmission system 22. The enable module 204 generates parking brake enable data (218) to enable the parking brake to be enabled or disabled, depending on whether the range is in Park or in transition from Park. For example, if the range is in Park, the parking brake enable module 204 sets the parking brake enable data 218 to indicate that the parking brake is being enabled.In another example, the parking brake enable module 204 sets the parking brake enable data 218 to indicate that the parking brake is deactivated when the range transitions from park to another gear or range.

[0044] In various embodiments, the tire pressure data 214 indicates a status of the tire pressure, e.g., normal or low. In various other embodiments, the tire pressure data 214 includes data indicating a pressure of each tire of the vehicle 10 and / or other data used in determining whether the tire pressure is low. The enable module 204 generates parking brake enable data 218 to enable activation of the parking brake 27 based on whether a tire pressure of a 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 store 202. For example, if at least one tire pressure is below a corresponding tire pressure threshold (e.g.,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 enable module 204 sets the parking brake enable data 218 to indicate parking brake engagement. In another example, if all tire pressures are determined to be non-low, the parking brake enable module 204 sets the parking brake enable data 218 to indicate parking brake disengagement.

[0045] As can be seen, in various embodiments, the conditions of the transmission range data 212 and the tire pressure data 214 may be evaluated in combination or separately to generate the parking brake release data 218. Fig. 3 illustrates embodiments of the release conditions implemented in combination.

[0046] The parking brake status data 216 indicates the status of the parking brake of the parking brake system. The enabling module 204 generates notification enabling data 220 to enable the notification device to be enabled, depending on whether the parking brake status indicates that the parking brake is engaged or disengaged. For example, if 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 the notification. In another example, if the parking brake status data 216 indicates that the parking brake 27 is disengaged, the parking brake enabling module 204 sets the notification enabling data 220 to indicate disabling the notification.

[0047] As can be understood, in various embodiments, the conditions of the transmission range data 212, the tire pressure data 214, and the parking brake status data 216 may be evaluated in combination or separately to generate the notification enable data 220. Fig. 3 illustrates embodiments of the release conditions implemented in combination.

[0048] In various embodiments, the parking brake control module 206 receives as input the parking brake enable data 218. Based on the parking brake enable data 218, the parking brake control module 206 selectively generates parking brake signal data 222 to electrically enable or disable the parking brake system. For example, if the parking brake enable data 218 indicates that the parking brake should be enabled, the parking brake control module 206 generates parking brake signal data 222 to enable the notification. In another example, the parking brake control module 206 generates parking brake signal data 222 to disable the notification if the parking brake enable data 218 indicates that the parking brake should be disabled.

[0049] In various embodiments, the notification control module 208 receives as input the notification enable data 220. Based on the notification enable data 220, the notification control module 208 selectively generates notification signal data 224 to notify a user of the activation or deactivation of the parking brake. For example, if the notification enable data 220 indicates that the notification should be activated, the notification control module 208 generates notification signal data 224 to notify the user that the parking brake is activated (e.g., by illuminating a light, activating a sound, displaying a message, etc.).In another example, if the notification enable data 220 indicates that the notification should be disabled, the notification control module 208 generates notification signal data 224 to notify the user that the parking brake is off (e.g., by turning off the light, activating a different sound, displaying a message, etc.).

[0050] With reference to Fig. 3 and with continued reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, a flowchart of a method 300 for providing electrical activation of a parking brake based on a tire change event is shown, as performed by the parking brake control system 100 according to exemplary embodiments. As can be seen from the description, the order of operations in the method 300 is not limited to the Fig.3, but may be executed in one or more varying orders as applicable in accordance with the present description. In various embodiments, method 300 may be scheduled to run based on one or more predetermined events and / or may run continuously during operation of vehicle 10.

[0051] As can be seen, the various parameters are pre-stored in the parameter data memory 202, e.g., based on the vehicle 10.

[0052] In one example, method 300 may begin at 302. Range or gear data is received at 304. At 306, it is determined whether the transmission range is park. If the transmission range is park at 306, tire pressure data is received at 308 and evaluated to determine if the tire pressure is low, for example, by comparing it to parameter data 210 stored in parameter data memory 202 at 310.

[0053] For example, if it is determined at 306 that the tire pressure for at least one of the tires is low, a determination is made at 312 as to whether the parking brake is engaged. If the parking brake is not engaged at 312, a parking brake engagement signal is generated at 314 to electrically engage the parking brake of the parking brake system 102.

[0054] Once it is determined at 312 that the parking brake is engaged, a notification signal is generated to notify a user of the parking brake engagement at 316. Thereafter, method 300 continues by receiving and monitoring the range data at 304 and 306.

[0055] If it is determined at 306 that the vehicle 10 is not in park, a determination is made at 318 as to whether the vehicle 10 is moving out of park. If the vehicle 10 is moving out of park at 318, control signals are generated to disable the parking brake at 320. Once it is confirmed that the parking brake is disengaged at 322, a notification signal is generated to notify the user that the parking brake is disengaged at 324. Thereafter, the method 300 continues by receiving and monitoring the range data at 304 and 306.

[0056] Although at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be understood that numerous variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the description in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description is intended to provide one skilled in the art with a convenient guide for implementing the exemplary embodiment or embodiments. It should be understood that various changes in the function and arrangement of elements may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims and the legal equivalents thereof.

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 in response to evaluating, selectively generating a parking brake control signal to activate the vehicle's parking brake. [2] The method of claim 1, wherein evaluating comprises determining whether the tire pressure data indicates that a tire pressure for the at least one tire of the vehicle is low, and if the tire pressure data indicates that the tire pressure for the at least one tire of the vehicle is low, selectively generating comprises generating the parking brake control signal to activate the parking brake. [3] The method of claim 1, wherein evaluating comprises comparing the tire pressure data to a tire pressure threshold to determine that a tire pressure for the at least one tire of the vehicle is low, and if the tire pressure is determined to be low, selectively generating comprises generating the parking brake control signal to activate the parking brake. [4] The method of claim 1, further comprising evaluating transmission range data associated with a transmission of the vehicle, and wherein the selectively generating is further responsive to evaluating the transmission range data. [5] The method of claim 4, wherein evaluating comprises determining that a transmission range is park based on the transmission range data, and wherein selectively generating comprises responsively generating the parking brake control signal to activate the parking brake. [6] The method of claim 4, wherein evaluating comprises determining that the transmission range is out of park based on the transmission range data, and wherein selectively generating comprises, in response, generating the parking brake control signal to deactivate the parking brake. [7] The method of 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 board the vehicle, and configured by a processor: to evaluate tire pressure data associated with at least one tire of the vehicle with the parameter data; and in response to the evaluating, selectively generate a parking brake control signal to activate the vehicle's parking brake. [9] The system of claim 8, wherein the computer system is configured to evaluate by determining whether the tire pressure data indicates that a tire pressure for the at least one tire of the vehicle is low, and if the tire pressure data indicates that the tire pressure for 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 of claim 8, wherein the computer system is configured to evaluate, by comparing the tire pressure data to a tire pressure threshold, to determine that a tire pressure for the at least one tire of the vehicle is low, and if 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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