Multiple-stage collision avoidance braking system and method
First Claim
1. A method of automatic braking, collision avoidance for vehicle air brake systems in vehicles having a driver brake pedal (21), including the steps of:
- detecting an impending collision condition with a collision warning device (11);
pressurizing a rear relay valve (51) with a source air pressure of about 40 psi when said impending collision condition is detected, wherein said pressurizing is actuated automatically by activating an automatic braking control system, said automatic braking control system comprising an actuation apparatus (13);
pressurizing a front connector gate (36) when the air pressure at the rear relay valve (51) has risen to about 20 psi, wherein said pressurizing is actuated automatically with said actuation apparatus (13); and
maintaining an air pressure of 40 psi at the rear relay valve (51) and 20 psi at the front connector gate (36) with said actuation apparatus (13) to slow or stop the vehicle; and
wherein pressing the driver brake pedal (21) deactivates the automatic braking control system.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for automatic actuation and control of an air braking system on a commercial vehicle, under a warning of collision conditions, has multiple stages of operation, which supplements the normal brake pedal activation and control of the air brake operation under the driver'"'"'s foot control. Automatic actuation has two stages: (1) impending collision automatic activation and control for 1.4 second closure; and (2) imminent collision automatic activation and control for 0.9 seconds closure. A determination of closure occurring in excess of 1.6 seconds, turns off the warning, and also deactivates the automatic activation and control. A modification to a standard air brake system structure enables the addition of the automatic activation and control stages. When an impending collision signal is received, an activation component operates valves to pressurize the rear brakes to 40 psi. When the air pressure at the rear brakes rises to 20 psi, other valves pressurize the front brakes. This first stage automatic operation stops or slows the vehicle with 40 psi on the rear brakes and 20 psi on the front brakes. When an imminent collision signal is received, the activation component opens valves to pressurize the rear brakes to 120 psi. Once the air pressure at the rear brakes rises to 20 psi, the front brakes are also pressurized. This second stage automatic operation stops the vehicle with 120 psi on the rear brakes and 80 psi on the front brakes, unless restricted to a lower pressure by the brake system manufacturer. The driver can deactivate the automatic braking functions by stepping on the brake pedal or by operating the vehicle turn signals.
47 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method of automatic braking, collision avoidance for vehicle air brake systems in vehicles having a driver brake pedal (21), including the steps of:
-
detecting an impending collision condition with a collision warning device (11); pressurizing a rear relay valve (51) with a source air pressure of about 40 psi when said impending collision condition is detected, wherein said pressurizing is actuated automatically by activating an automatic braking control system, said automatic braking control system comprising an actuation apparatus (13); pressurizing a front connector gate (36) when the air pressure at the rear relay valve (51) has risen to about 20 psi, wherein said pressurizing is actuated automatically with said actuation apparatus (13); and maintaining an air pressure of 40 psi at the rear relay valve (51) and 20 psi at the front connector gate (36) with said actuation apparatus (13) to slow or stop the vehicle; and wherein pressing the driver brake pedal (21) deactivates the automatic braking control system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 18)
-
-
12. An automatic braking collision avoidance system for a commercial vehicle air brake system, said commercial vehicle air brake system having a front connector gate (36), a rear relay valve (51) and a driver brake pedal (21), the system comprising:
-
a collision warning device (11) providing a signal representing closure time with a foregoing vehicle or object, including an impending collision warning signal and an imminent collision warning signal; a rear air pressure reservoir (45), and a front air pressure reservoir (29), where the pressure in said rear air pressure reservoir (45) and said front air pressure reservoir (29) is each maintained at the same pressure; an automatic braking control system that comprises an actuation apparatus (13), said actuation apparatus (13) being electrically connected to said collision warning device (11), wherein said automatic braking control system is activated in response to an impending collision warning signal or an imminent collision warning signal from said collision warning device (11); a rear brake control valve (23) in a pneumatic pressure line between said rear air pressure reservoir (45) and said rear relay valve (51); a front brake control valve (25) in a pneumatic pressure line between said front air pressure reservoir (29) and said front connector gate (36); wherein when an impending collision warning signal is detected, said actuation apparatus (13) first controls air pressurization of said rear relay valve (51) with air from the rear air pressure reservoir (45) such that when the air pressure at said rear relay valve (51) reaches a first threshold said actuation apparatus (13) controls pressurization of said front connector gate (36) with air from the front air pressure reservoir (29) to pressurize said front connector gate (36); wherein when the air pressure at said rear relay valve (51) and the air pressure at said front connector gate (36) each reach a predetermined target pressure, further pressure increases are ceased and each target pressure is maintained; and wherein pressing the driver brake pedal (21) deactivates the automatic braking control system. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19)
-
-
20. A method of automatic braking and collision avoidance for vehicle air brake systems in vehicles having a driver brake pedal (21), including the steps of:
-
receiving a collision indication signal from a collision warning device (11), said collision indication signal activating an automatic braking control system that comprises an actuation apparatus (13); pressurizing a rear relay valve (51) with air pressure from a rear air pressure reservoir (45) to a threshold pressure value when said collision indication signal is detected, wherein pressurizing of said rear relay valve (51) is actuated automatically with said actuation apparatus (13); pressurizing a front connector gate (36) with air pressure from a front air pressure reservoir (29) when the air pressure at the rear relay valve (51) reaches said threshold value, wherein pressurizing of said front connector gate (36) is actuated automatically with said actuation apparatus (13); wherein the air pressure on the rear relay valve (51) is maintained at a higher level than the air pressure on the front connector gate (36), wherein the rear relay valve (51) is continuously pressurized up to a maximum air pressure to slow or stop the vehicle, and wherein pressurization of the front connector gate (36) is stopped when said maximum air pressure on the rear relay valve (51) is reached; and wherein pressing the driver brake pedal (21) deactivates the automatic braking control system.
-
Specification