Anti-lock braking system controller for adjusting slip thresholds on inclines

• US 6,728,621 B1
• Filed: 10/04/2002
• Issued: 04/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Thatcher, David Alan, Leppek, Kevin Gerard, Walenty, Allen John
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Broadhead, Brian J.
• Application Number:
  US10/264,685
• Publication Number:
  US 20040068358A1
• Time in Patent Office: 571 Days
• Field of Search: 701/71, 701/72, 701/73, 701/75, 701/76, 701/78, 701/79, 701/80, 303/153, 303/155
• US Class Current: 701/71
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/46 Wheel motors, i.e. motor connected to only one wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2201/04 Hill descent control
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/17616 Microprocessor-based systems

Abstract

A method and apparatus for operating a vehicle anti-lock braking system includes a brake pedal and a brake modulator that reduces braking pressure by an initial pressure reduction after detecting insipient wheel lock. Vehicle deceleration is measured as a function of brake pedal position. A first table is updated with the vehicle deceleration and the brake pedal position. A coefficient of friction of a road surface is estimated based on the first table. A slip target for at least one wheel is estimated and is based on an estimated maximum slip of the at least one wheel before losing traction minus an estimated potential for vehicle rollover. A deceleration target for at least one wheel is estimated and is based on an estimated maximum deceleration of the at least one wheel before losing traction minus the estimated potential for vehicle rollover.

Claims

1. A method of operating a vehicle anti-lock braking system including a brake pedal and a brake modulator that reduces braking pressure by a initial pressure reduction after detecting insipient wheel lock, comprising:

measuring vehicle deceleration as a function of brake pedal position;

updating a first table with said vehicle deceleration and said brake pedal position;

estimating a coefficient of friction of a road surface based on said first table; and

estimating a slip target for at least one wheel that is based on an estimated maximum slip of said at least one wheel before losing traction minus an estimated potential for vehicle rollover.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising estimating a deceleration target for at least one wheel that is based on an estimated maximum deceleration of said at least one wheel before losing traction minus said estimated potential for vehicle rollover.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising estimating rollover lateral acceleration and wherein said estimated potential for vehicle rollover is based on said estimated rollover lateral acceleration.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising estimating grade based on rolling resistance, drag, engine braking, brake torque and acceleration.

5. The method of claim 3 further comprising estimating vehicle weight.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising estimating steering angle and steering rate.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising estimating weight distribution for each wheel of said vehicle.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising adjusting said weight distribution for roll, pitch, lateral acceleration and longitudinal acceleration.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising calculating brake release torque for each of said wheels based on said coefficient of friction, attitude, and weight transference.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising calculating brake apply torque based on said coefficient of friction, said attitude, and said weight transference.

11. A vehicle anti-lock braking system, comprising:

a brake pedal;

a brake modulator; and

a controller that communicates with said brake modulator and that measures vehicle deceleration as a function of brake pedal position, updates a first table with said vehicle deceleration and said brake pedal position, estimates a coefficient of friction of a road surface based on said first table, and estimates a slip target for at least one wheel that is based on an estimated maximum slip of said at least one wheel before losing traction minus an estimated potential for vehicle rollover.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said controller estimates a deceleration target for at least one wheel that is based on an estimated maximum deceleration of said at least one wheel before losing traction minus said estimated potential for vehicle rollover.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said controller estimates rollover lateral acceleration and wherein said estimated potential for vehicle rollover is based on rollover lateral acceleration.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein said controller estimates grade based on rolling resistance, drag, engine braking, brake torque and acceleration.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein said controller estimates vehicle weight.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said controller estimates steering angle and steering rate.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said controller estimates weight distribution for each wheel of said vehicle.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein said controller adjusts said weight distribution for roll, pitch, lateral acceleration and longitudinal acceleration.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein said controller calculates brake release torque for each of said wheels based on said coefficient of friction, attitude, and weight transference.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said controller calculates brake apply torque based on said coefficient of friction, said attitude, and said weight transference.