Enhanced active brake control system functionality through system integration with adaptive cruise control

• US 6,304,808 B1
• Filed: 09/09/2000
• Issued: 10/16/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes Co. (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes Co. (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Milot, Danny R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Camby, Richard M.
• Application Number:
  US09/659,027
• Time in Patent Office: 402 Days
• Field of Search: 701/70, 701/71, 701/72, 701/78, 701/82, 701/83, 701/93, 701/96, 701/91, 123/319, 123/349, 123/350, 123/352, 180/169, 180/170-179
• US Class Current: 701/91
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 31/0008 including means for detecting potential obstacles in vehicle path
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2201/02 Active or adaptive cruise control system; Distance control
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/22 initiated by contact of vehicle, e.g. bumper, with an external object, e.g. another vehicle , or by means of contactless obstacle detectors mounted on the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/24 responsive to vehicle inclination or change of direction, e.g. negotiating bends using electrical circuitry or regulation means B60T8/17
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/32 responsive to a speed condition, e.g. acceleration or deceleration using electrical circuitry or regulation means B60T8/17 ; B60T8/28 takes precedence; electric devices on electrically propelled vehicles indicating the wheel slip B60L3/10; measuring linear or angular speed per se G01P3/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/125 Lateral acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/14 Yaw
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/18 Steering angle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/16 Control of distance between vehicles, e.g. keeping a distance to preceding vehicle

Abstract

A control system for controlling braking and ACC functions of a vehicle includes a braking algorithm. A first signal processor receives input signals from at least one sensor and transmits transfer signals to the braking algorithm. The control system also includes an ACC algorithm. A second signal processor receives input signals from at least one sensor and transmits transfer signals to the ACC algorithm. Transfer signals are generated by the braking algorithm and transmitted to the ACC algorithm. Transfer signals are generated by the ACC algorithm and transmitted to the braking algorithm. Output signals are generated by the braking algorithm and transmitted to a hydraulic control unit to control vehicular braking. Output signals are generated by the ACC algorithm and transmitted to ACC actuators.

Claims

1. A vehicle control system comprising:

an adaptive cruise control (ACC) adapted to control the speed of a vehicle along a path while maintaining a safe operating distance from another vehicle or object located in said path ahead of the vehicle in accordance with predetermined operating parameters;

a braking control system operable in at least two of a plurality of operating states including anti-lock brake control, traction control and yaw stability control in order to enhance the braking, traction, and stability characteristic of the vehicle;

modifying one or more of the predetermined operating parameters of the ACC system as a function of the specific operating state of the brake control system.