Vehicle anti-roll braking system and method

Abstract

Vehicle anti-roll braking system and method. A vehicle control system, comprising an electronic control unit having a processor circuit designed and arranged to detect whether the vehicle is rolling, detect the direction in which the vehicle is rolling, and detect the vehicle's gear position. The vehicle's gear position and direction are compared to determine if the vehicle is rolling in the wrong direction, based on the detected gear position and direction. The vehicle is brought to a stop when it is determined that the vehicle is rolling in the wrong direction. Figure 1:

Description

Title of the invention: Vehicle anti-roll braking system and method

[0001] DOMAIN

[0002] The invention relates to a system and method for controlling a vehicle and preventing the vehicle from rolling, in particular using at least one brake.

[0003] BACKGROUND

[0004] 1. Domain

[0005] Hill start assist (HSA), also known as hill hold control (HHC) or hill start assist control (HAC) or hill hold device, is the name of a driver assistance system in motor vehicles, intended for example to prevent the vehicle from rolling backward on a slope.

[0006] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0007] A hill start assist (HSA) may be a driver assistance system in motor vehicles intended to prevent the vehicle from rolling backward, for example, on a slope, for example by holding the brake until the clutch is at the friction point, thereby facilitating hill starts from a standstill in both manual and automatic transmission automobiles. A hill hold device may, for example, operate by holding the brake in position while the driver sets and activates first gear to set the car in forward motion from a complete stop, without the risk of rolling backward.

[0008] SUMMARY

[0009] An objective of one or more embodiments is to improve a system and method for controlling a vehicle and preventing vehicle rollover.

[0010] In accordance with the principles of a present embodiment, this object is achieved by providing a system and / or method, wherein once a vehicle is stopped on a hill (e.g. with HSA not active) and the vehicle starts to roll in the opposite direction to that intended by the driver (in particular detected on the basis of a vehicle gear position), the system detects an incorrect movement (e.g. on the basis of a wheel(s) direction) and brings the vehicle to a stop.

[0011] A method of controlling a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of: detecting whether the vehicle is moving, detecting the direction in which the vehicle is moving, detecting the gear position of the vehicle, comparing the gear position of vehicle and steering ratio, determining that the vehicle is moving toward an incorrect direction based on the detected gear position and based on the detected direction, and upon determining that the vehicle is moving toward an incorrect direction, bringing the vehicle to a stop.

[0012] A control system for a vehicle, the system comprising an electronic control unit having a processor circuit that is designed and arranged to detect whether the vehicle is traveling, detect which direction the vehicle is traveling, detect the gear position of the vehicle, compare the gear position of the vehicle and the direction, determine that the vehicle is traveling toward an incorrect direction based on the detected gear position and based on the detected direction, bring the vehicle to a stop upon determining that the vehicle is traveling toward an incorrect direction.

[0013] According to a particular embodiment of the system, the stopping device is designed and arranged to bring the vehicle to a stop by means of a device designed and arranged to discharge a pressure medium towards wheel brakes of the vehicle.

[0014] One or more non-transitory tangible media are encoded with logic for execution by a machine and, when the logic is executed by the machine, are capable of: detecting whether a vehicle is traveling, detecting which direction the vehicle is traveling, detecting the gear position of the vehicle, comparing the gear position of the vehicle and the direction, determining that the vehicle is traveling toward an incorrect direction based on the detected gear position and based on the detected direction, and upon determining that the vehicle is traveling toward an incorrect direction, bringing the vehicle to a stop.

[0015] Other objects, features and characteristics of the embodiments, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the associated structural elements, combination of parts and economical manufacture will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification. Brief description of the drawings

[0016] The embodiments will be better understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts. In the drawings:

[0017] [Fig.l] is a schematic view of a system for preventing unwanted rolling towards an unwanted direction of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0018] [Fig.2] is a schematic view of the vehicle, including a system allowing to prevent unwanted rolling of a vehicle in accordance with one embodiment.

[0019] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0020] The following detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawings indicate, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the apparatus may be implemented. These embodiments, which are also referred to herein as "examples" or "options," are described in sufficient detail to enable a person skilled in the art to implement the present embodiments. Embodiments may be combined, other embodiments may be used, or structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The following detailed description should therefore not be construed in a limiting sense.

[0021] Referring to [Fig.l], a vehicle anti-roll control system is shown generally indicated by 1 in accordance with one embodiment.

[0022] The system may be implemented in a vehicle shown in [Fig.2] generally indicated by 99 in accordance with one embodiment.

[0023] Referring to [Fig.l], the system 1 comprises an electronic braking system (e.g. an ABS module) generally indicated by 2 and an anti-roll vehicle braking system (logic) 11 associated therewith.

[0024] The control system and / or the braking system 2 may for example be of the type disclosed in patent application US 2020 / 0001846 AL

[0025] The embodiment of the braking system 2 comprises brake cylinders 3, 4, 5, 6 (for example at least one brake cylinder 3, 4, 5, 6 per wheel 7, 8, 9, 10 of the vehicle 99) actuated by an electronic braking system 2 (comprising for example an ABS module 2) depending for example on an actuating pedal or a brake pedal 6 of the vehicle (for example a car or a truck) and a driver braking system control 21.

[0026] An engine control device 13, for example an ECU, is configured to detect the torque of an engine 14 of the vehicle 99. The engine control device 13 is configured to detect a torque required by the driver, for example as a function of a pedal of the vehicle 99.

[0027] A gear controller (or transmission controller) 15, for example an ECU, is configured to detect the gear position of the vehicle 99, for example a forward gear (or “D”) indicating a (correct / intended) forward direction of the vehicle (F in [Fig. 2]) desired by a driver of the vehicle 99, or a reverse gear (or “R”) indicating a (correct / intended) direction of the vehicle backward (B in [Fig.2]) desired by a driver of the vehicle.

[0028] Wheel speed sensors 12 are arranged on each wheel 7, 8, 9, 10 of the motor vehicle 99.

[0029] Wheel speed sensors 12 are arranged to detect whether the vehicle 99 is rolling, in particular by detecting the direction (forward or backward) and / or the speed of the rolling wheels.

[0030] A wheel speed detection device 17 is configured to detect the speed of one or more wheel speed sensors 12 of the vehicle 99 and / or wheel speed ticks and / or the direction of the wheels 7, 8, 9, 10 of the vehicle 99, for example associated with a forward direction F or a rearward direction B of the vehicle 99.

[0031] Furthermore, the system 2 may comprise an IMU (inertial measurement unit) module 20 for example for detecting the direction and speed at which the vehicle is traveling, either in addition to the wheel speed sensor device 17 or instead of it.

[0032] If the direction (B or F) detected by the gear control device 15 is different from the direction (F or B) detected by the wheel speed sensors 12 and / or by the wheel speed sensor device 17 and / or by the UMI module 20, this may be a detection that the vehicle 99 is driving towards an incorrect direction (e.g. a direction different from the direction in which the driver of the vehicle is supposed to wish to drive now or after pressing the accelerator pedal). For example, if the gear control device 15 detects a forward direction F (of gear and / or desired), but the wheel speed sensor device 17 detects a reverse (vehicle) direction B, this may be a detection that the vehicle 99 is driving towards an incorrect direction.For example, if the gear control device 15 detects a backward direction B (gear and / or desired), but the wheel speed sensor device 17 detects a forward (vehicle) direction F, this may determine that the vehicle 99 is traveling toward an incorrect direction.

[0033] In the context of the present description, the term “direction” could be replaced by the term “sense”.

[0034] When it is determined that the vehicle 99 is traveling in an incorrect direction, the control and / or braking system 2 may bring the vehicle to a stop, for example by activating one or more or all of the brakes 3, 4, 5, 6 of the vehicle 99 and / or by either increasing or reducing the idle torque of the vehicle's engine.

[0035] Generally, anti-roll logic 11 may compare the detected direction F or B in which the vehicle 99 is traveling to the gear position of the vehicle, determining that the vehicle 99 is traveling toward an incorrect position F or B based on the detected gear position and depending on the detected direction (in which the vehicle is traveling). When it is determined that the vehicle is traveling in an incorrect direction, bringing the vehicle to a stop.

[0036] In certain situations, the vehicle could roll and the parking brake could be applied. For example, the parking brake could take 3 seconds or more to apply and the vehicle would move a few meters before the parking brake could be fully applied.

[0037] If the vehicle stops on a steep incline or if there is reduced transmission resistance (such as DSG transmissions), it is possible that the vehicle may start to roll in a direction of travel opposite to that intended by the driver. This could lead to engine stalling and the driver could panic.

[0038] Another situation that could be solved is that of energy saving, so that the vehicle reduces the idling torque, which should result in an increase in the braking torque. This invention makes it possible to obtain easy detection of the inertia of the engine reducing the holding of the vehicle in place.

[0039] Using wheel speed and direction, the vehicle state and direction of travel can be defined. Using gear position information, it can be detected whether the vehicle is moving in the desired direction or whether a hold is necessary (preventing the vehicle from rolling backward, for example).

[0040] Once the detection is triggered, pressure can be applied in 100 ms for example. The invention can be useful in any field having an article that would have a wheel speed sensor and a directional transmission.

[0041] According to one embodiment, detecting that a vehicle is moving in a direction opposite to that intended by the driver could be useful.

[0042] Stopping can mean a complete stop at zero speed or at reduced speed.

Claims

Claims

1. A method of controlling a vehicle (99) comprising: detecting whether the vehicle is traveling, detecting the direction (F; B) toward which the vehicle is traveling, detecting the gear position of the vehicle, comparing the gear position of the vehicle and the direction, determining that the vehicle is traveling toward an incorrect direction based on the detected gear position and the detected direction, and upon determining that the vehicle is traveling toward an incorrect direction, bringing the vehicle to a stop.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein detecting whether the vehicle is moving comprises detecting a wheel speed of at least one wheel (7, 8, 9, 10) of the vehicle.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein detecting whether the vehicle is moving comprises detecting a wheel speed of at least one wheel of the vehicle using a wheel speed sensor (12) of the car.

4. The method of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein determining that the vehicle is traveling toward an incorrect direction comprises comparing the detected gear position and the detected direction, and determining that the vehicle is traveling toward an incorrect direction, if the detected gear position and the detected direction are different.

5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein bringing the vehicle to a stop comprises activating one or more brakes of the vehicle.

6. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein bringing the vehicle to a stop comprises the vehicle increasing the idle torque of the vehicle's engine.

7. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein bringing the vehicle to a stop comprises the vehicle increasing the braking torque of at least one brake of the vehicle.

8. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein moving the vehicle in an incorrect direction means that the vehicle is moving in a direction different from the indicated direction. by the vehicle's gear position.

9. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the method is activated only or also when a hill start assist system is not active or is deactivated in the vehicle.

10. A system for controlling a vehicle, the system comprising: an electronic control unit having a processor circuit that is designed and arranged to detect whether the vehicle is traveling, detect which direction the vehicle is traveling, detect the gear position of the vehicle, compare the gear position of the vehicle and the direction, determine that the vehicle is traveling toward an incorrect direction based on the detected gear position and the detected direction, and bring the vehicle to a stop upon determining that the vehicle is traveling toward an incorrect direction.

11. A system according to claim 10, wherein the stopping device is designed and arranged to bring the vehicle to a stop by means of a device designed and arranged to discharge a pressure medium to wheel brakes of the vehicle.

12. A system according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the stopping device is designed and arranged to bring the vehicle to a stop by means of a device designed and arranged to increase the idling torque of the vehicle engine.

13. One or more non-transitory tangible media encoded with logic for execution by a machine and, when the logic is executed by the machine, for: detecting whether a vehicle (99) is traveling, detecting which direction (F; B) the vehicle is traveling, detecting the gear position of the vehicle, comparing the gear position of the vehicle and the direction, determining that the vehicle is traveling toward an incorrect direction based on the detected gear position and based on the detected direction, and upon determining that the vehicle is traveling toward an incorrect direction, bringing the vehicle to a stop.

Images