Brake Assist Driver Command for Vehicles

• US 20090099745A1
• Filed: 10/16/2007
• Published: 04/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Karnjate, Timothy M., Manosh, William K.
• Granted Patent: US 8,392,088 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/70
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2201/03 Brake assistants
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/3275 Systems with a braking assistant function, i.e. automatic full braking initiation in dependence of brake pedal velocity

Abstract

A method for controlling a braking system in a vehicle during a panic braking event includes the steps of determining a magnitude of force applied to the brake pedal, determining a first level of braking that would result from the magnitude of force applied to the brake pedal if there were no panic braking event, and applying a second level of braking equal to the lesser of the following: the maximum braking capacity, and the level of braking that would result from the magnitude of force applied to the brake pedal if there were no panic braking event, multiplied by a predetermined constant.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a braking system in a vehicle during a panic braking event, the braking system having a brake pedal and a maximum braking capacity, the method comprising the steps of:

determining a magnitude of force applied to the brake pedal;

determining a first level of braking that would result from the magnitude of force applied to the brake pedal if there were no panic braking event; and

applying a second level of braking equal to the lesser of the following;

the maximum braking capacity; and

the first level of braking, multiplied by a predetermined constant.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

determining whether the magnitude of force applied to the brake pedal is greater than a calibration value;

wherein the second level of braking is applied only if the magnitude of force applied to the brake pedal is greater than the calibration value.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

applying a level of braking equal to the maximum braking capacity for a predetermined amount of time following detection of the panic braking event;

wherein the braking system is applied with the second level of braking only after the predetermined amount of time.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising the steps of:

determining a measure of brake pedal movement;

determining whether the brake pedal is applied by a driver;

determining a third level of braking that would result from the measure of brake pedal movement if there were no panic braking event; and

applying the third level of braking, if it is determined that the brake pedal is not applied by the driver.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the predetermined constant is approximately equal to two.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the predetermined amount of time is within the range of 210 to 230 milliseconds.

7. A control system for controlling a braking system in a vehicle during a panic braking event, the braking system having a brake pedal and a maximum braking capacity, the control system comprising:

a sensor configured to at least facilitate measuring a force applied to the brake pedal; and

a processor configured to at least facilitate;

determining a first level of braking that would result from the force applied to the brake pedal if there were no panic braking event; and

applying a second level of braking equal to the lesser of the following;

the maximum braking capacity; and

the first level of braking, multiplied by a predetermined constant.

8. The control system of claim 7, wherein the processor is further configured to at least facilitate:

determining whether the force applied to the brake pedal is greater than a calibration value; and

applying the second level of braking only if the force applied to the brake pedal is greater than the calibration value.

9. The control system of claim 8, wherein the processor is further configured to at least facilitate:

applying a level of braking equal to the maximum braking capacity for a predetermined amount of time following detection of the panic braking event; and

applying the second level of braking only after the predetermined amount of time.

10. The control system of claim 8, further comprising:

a second sensor configured to at least facilitate measuring brake pedal movement; and

a third sensor configured to at least facilitate determining whether the brake pedal is applied by a driver;

wherein the processor is further configured to at least facilitate;

determining a third level of braking that would result from the brake pedal movement if there were no panic braking event; and

applying the third level of braking, if it is determined that the brake pedal is not applied by the driver.

11. The control system of claim 8, further comprising:

a memory configured to store values of the force applied to the brake pedal.

12. A braking system for a vehicle having a maximum braking capacity, comprising:

a brake pedal;

a brake pedal force sensor configured to generate force data indicative of a magnitude of force applied to the brake pedal;

a plurality of brake units configured to slow or stop the vehicle; and

a brake controller for controlling the plurality of brake units in the vehicle during a panic braking event, the brake controller configured to at least facilitate;

determining a first level of braking that would result from the magnitude of force applied to the brake pedal if there were no panic braking event; and

applying the plurality of brake units with a second level of braking of an amount equal to the lesser of the following;

the maximum braking capacity; and

the first level of braking, multiplied by a predetermined constant.

13. The braking system of claim 12, wherein the brake controller is further configured to at least facilitate:

determining whether the magnitude of force applied to the brake pedal is greater than a calibration value; and

applying the plurality of brake units with the second level of braking only if the magnitude of force applied to the brake pedal is greater than the calibration value.

14. The braking system of claim 13, wherein the braking controller is further configured to at least facilitate:

applying the plurality of brake units with a level of braking equal to the maximum braking capacity for a predetermined amount of time following detection of the panic braking event; and

applying the plurality of brake units with the second level of braking only after the predetermined amount of time.

15. The braking system of claim 13, further comprising:

a second sensor configured to at least facilitate determining a measure of brake pedal movement; and

a third sensor configured to at least facilitate determining whether the brake pedal is applied by a driver;

wherein the brake controller is further configured to at least facilitate;

determining a third level of braking that would result from the measure of brake pedal movement if there were no panic braking event; and

applying the plurality of brake units with the third level of braking, if it is determined that the brake pedal is not applied by the driver.

16. The braking system of claim 13, further comprising:

a brake light switch;

wherein the third sensor is configured to at least facilitate determining whether the brake light switch is activated.

17. The braking system of claim 13, further comprising:

a hydraulic boost valve configured to at least facilitate application of the plurality of brake units with a level of braking equal to the maximum braking capacity for a predetermined amount of time following detection of the panic braking event.

18. The braking system of claim 13, wherein the brake pedal force sensor comprises a hydraulic brake pedal emulator.

19. The braking system of claim 13, wherein the predetermined constant is approximately equal to two.

20. The braking system of claim 13, wherein the predetermined amount of time is within the range of 210 to 230 milliseconds.