METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MONITORING THAT A VEHICLE IN STANDBY MODE IS CORRECTLY IMMOBILIZED FOR TRANSPORT, AND VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH SUCH A DEVICE

• US 20120158239A1
• Filed: 07/05/2010
• Published: 06/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Renault Sas (Renault)
• Original Assignee: Renault Sas (Renault)
• Inventors: Brunou, Alfred, Nicolle, Stephane
• Granted Patent: US 8,688,310 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/29.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2270/406 Test-mode; Self-diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2270/413 Plausibility monitoring, cross check, redundancy
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/1755 Brake regulation specially adapted to control the stability of the vehicle, e.g. taking into account yaw rate or transverse acceleration in a curve road vehicle drive control systems for control of driving stability otherwise than by controlling a particular sub-unit B60W30/02
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/885 using electrical circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5726 With padlock
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5735 Externally mounted locking device

Abstract

A method for monitoring that a vehicle on standby has been correctly immobilized for transport, the vehicle including a course control device, wheel speed sensors, a yaw speed sensor, a processing unit processing information managing operation modes of the vehicle, and a device for immobilizing the vehicle. The method includes detecting the vehicle is in a standby mode at a standstill following installing of the vehicle on a transport support, detecting a non-zero vehicle speed through the speed sensors of at least two wheels over a defined period, detecting a non-zero yaw speed through the yaw speed sensor, over a predefined period, and under these conditions determining a mode whereby immobilization of the vehicle for transport is monitored, in which mode information from at least the wheel speed sensors is filtered after a determined number of attempts at immobilizing the vehicle and allowing the vehicle to be fired up.

Claims

1-10. -10. (canceled)

11. :

A method for monitoring that a vehicle in standby mode is correctly immobilized for transport following installation of the vehicle on a transport carrier, the vehicle including a course control device, wheel speed sensors and a vehicle yaw speed sensor linked to the course control device of the vehicle, a detected information processing unit, of on-board computer type, managing modes of operation of the vehicle, and a vehicle immobilizing device, the method comprising;

detecting a standby mode of operation of the vehicle when stopped following installation of the vehicle fixed on a transport carrier;

detecting a zero speed of the vehicle, recorded by the wheel speed sensors of the vehicle following the installation of the vehicle on the transport carrier, over a predefined time period;

detecting a non-zero yaw speed of the vehicle, recorded by the yaw speed sensor of the vehicle, corresponding to relative movement of the vehicle fixed on its carrier, over a predefined time period;

detecting a non-zero speed of the vehicle on at least two wheels of the vehicle over a determined time period and over a low displacement amplitude;

under these conditions, determining a mode for transport and for monitoring correct immobilization for transport of the vehicle, stored by the information processing unit, in which the course control device orders retightening of the vehicle immobilizing device at least once to immobilize the vehicle and disables the control to avoid producing unnecessary tightening forces of the vehicle immobilizing device resulting, or to avoid defects requiring a diagnostic-based technical intervention; and

allowing for an exit from the mode for transport and for monitoring the correct immobilization of the vehicle and the standby mode, corresponding to the vehicle being switched on again.

12. :

The monitoring method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the standby mode of the vehicle remains for a determined time period after the vehicle is stopped, on the transport carrier.

13. :

The monitoring method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the predefined time period for detecting the zero speed of the vehicle is of an order of a few seconds.

14. :

The monitoring method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the predefined time period of the non-zero yaw speed of the vehicle is of an order of a few seconds.

15. :

The monitoring method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the determined time period of the non-zero speed of the vehicle on at least two wheels is of an order of a few seconds.

16. :

The monitoring method as claimed in claim 11, wherein low displacement amplitude of the at least two wheels at non-zero speed of the vehicle is of an order of 0.5 to 10 centimeters.

17. :

The monitoring method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the order to retighten the immobilizing device is carried out a limited number of times.

18. :

A device for monitoring that a vehicle in standby mode is correctly immobilized for transport for implementing the method defined as claimed in claim 11, comprising;

vehicle wheel speed sensors;

a vehicle yaw speed sensor;

a vehicle course control device, or of E.S.C. (vehicle stability control) type;

an information processing unit of computer type on board the vehicle configured to manage modes of operation of the vehicle;

a device comprising means for detecting the vehicle in a mode for transport and for monitoring that the vehicle is correctly immobilized for transport, stored by the information processing unit, in which the course control device orders retightening of the vehicle immobilizing device at least once and a limited number of times to immobilize the vehicle and is adapted to disable the control to avoid producing unnecessary vehicle brake tightening forces and causing defects requiring a diagnostic-based technical intervention, and for enabling the vehicle to be switched on again, or to be switched on again when a door is opened or when the vehicle is moved.

19. :

The monitoring device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the means for detecting the vehicle in transport mode while maintaining the monitoring of the immobilization of the vehicle is a software element added to the software of the course control device of the vehicle.

20. :

A vehicle comprising a device for monitoring that the vehicle in standby mode is correctly immobilized for transport as claimed in claim 18.