Maneuverability assist system

• US 7,139,650 B2
• Filed: 04/02/2004
• Issued: 11/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Lubischer, Frank
• Primary Examiner(s): Zanelli, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US10/817,509
• Publication Number:
  US 20040199319A1
• Time in Patent Office: 963 Days
• Field of Search: 701/48
• US Class Current: 701/48
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/04 including control of propulsion units
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/18 including control of braking systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/20 including control of steering systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/26 Wheel slip
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/10 Accelerator pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0666 Engine torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/202 Steering torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18 Propelling the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18063 Creeping
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18118 Hill holding
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18145 Cornering

Abstract

The invention concerns a process for the operation of a vehicle unit comprising a motor vehicle to which a trailer is coupled, wherein the motor vehicle is equipped with electronic systems for controlling and/or regulating the operating conditions of the vehicle unit. To improve the maneuverability of such a vehicle unit, it is proposed that the operating conditions attained by the vehicle unit and/or desired by the driver are automatically controlled and/or regulated through the cooperation of the electronic braking system (EBS) and/or the electronic engine output control system and/or the electronic drive-train control (ASS) and/or the electronic steering system (ELS).

Claims

1. Process for the operation of a vehicle unit, which consists of a motor vehicle to which a trailer is coupled, the process comprising:

(a) providing a motor vehicle that is equipped with a plurality of electronic systems for controlling operating conditions of the vehicle unit, the electronic systems including an electronic braking system (EBS), an electronic engine output control system (EMS), an electronic drive-train control system (ASS) and an electronic steering control system (ELS); and

(b) automatically controlling the operating conditions achieved by the vehicle unit through the cooperation of at least two of the systems in the group of the electronic braking system (EBS), the electronic engine output control system (EMS), the electronic drive-train control system (ASS) and the electronic steering system (ELS), such that when the vehicle unit achieves an operating condition “

stop on an incline or a decline”

, at least one of the electronic engine output control system (EMS), the electronic drive-train control system (ASS) and the electronic braking system (EBS) holds the vehicle unit stationary.

2. Process according to claim 1, wherein when an operating condition “

restart”

is desired for the vehicle unit, at least one of the electronic braking system (EBS) and the electronic drive-train control system (ASS) cooperates with the electronic engine output control system (EMS) in such a way that a smooth (jolt-free) movement of the vehicle unit occurs in the direction of travel desired by the driver.

3. Process according to claim 1, wherein when an operating condition “

constant travel”

is desired for the vehicle unit, at least one of the electronic braking system (EBS) and the electronic drive-train control system (ASS) co-operates with the electronic engine output control system (EMS) in such a way that a vehicle speed desired by the driver is maintained.

4. Process according to claim 1, wherein when an operating condition “

slow travel”

is desired for the vehicle unit, the response behaviour of the engine output control system (EMS) is altered in such a way that, while maintaining the entire range of movement of the accelerator pedal an amplification is reduced.

5. Process according to claim 4, wherein the reduction of the amplification occurs step-wise.

6. Process according to claim 4, wherein the reduction of the amplification is adjustable by the driver.

7. Process according to claim 4, wherein when at least one of an actuation speed and an actuation force of the accelerator pedal exceeds a predetermined level, the reduction of the amplification is cancelled.

8. Process according to claim 4, wherein when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since reduction of the amplification, the reduction of the amplification is cancelled.

9. Process according to claim 4, wherein the reduction of the amplification occurs continuously.

10. Process according to claim 1, wherein when the vehicle unit attains the operating condition “

spinning of at least one drive wheel”

, the electronic braking system (EBS) and at least one of the electronic drive-train control system (ASS) and the electronic engine output control system (EMS) counteracts the spinning of the drive wheel(s) concerned.

11. Process according to claim 1, wherein when the operating condition “

reduce speed”

is desired for the vehicle unit, the retraction of the accelerator pedal of the electronic engine output control system (EMS) is evaluated in order to, in the event of exceeding or falling below a predetermined level, produce a moment (torque) counteracting the propulsion of the vehicle unit via the electronic braking system (EBS) and the electronic drive-train control system (ASS).

12. Process according to claim 11, wherein the level is predetermined as a particular gradient during retraction of the accelerator pedal.

13. Process according to claim 11, wherein the level is adjustable step-wise.

14. Process according to claim 11, wherein the level is predetermined as a particular position of the accelerator pedal.

15. Process according to claim 11, wherein the level is adjustable continuously by the driver.

16. Process according to claim 1, wherein when the operating condition “

cornering”

is desired for the vehicle unit, the impact of the electronic steering system (ELS) is evaluated in order to, in the event of exceeding or falling below a predetermined level, produce a moment (torque) on at least one wheel of the motor vehicle at an inner side of the curve counteracting the propulsion of the vehicle unit via at least one of the electronic braking system (EBS) and the electronic drive-train control system (ASS).

17. Process according to claim 16, wherein the predetermined level is at least one of a particular steering angle and a particular vehicle speed.

18. Process according to claim 16, wherein the level is adjustable step-wise.

19. Process according to claim 16, wherein when the operating condition “

forward travel”

is desired for the vehicle unit, a moment (torque) counteracting the propulsion of the vehicle unit is produced on at least one wheel of the trailer at an inner side of the curve via the electronic braking system (EBS).

20. Process according to claim 19, wherein when the operating condition “

reverse travel”

is desired for the vehicle unit, a moment (torque) counteracting the propulsion of the vehicle unit is generated on at least one wheel of the trailer at an outer side of the curve via the electronic braking system (EBS).

21. Process according to claim 19, wherein when the operating condition “

reverse travel”

is desired for the vehicle unit, a moment (torque) counteracting the propulsion of the vehicle unit is generated on at least one wheel of the trailer at an inner side of the curve via the electronic braking system (EBS).

22. Process according to claim 16, wherein the level is adjustable continuously by the driver.

23. Process according to claim 1, wherein when the operating condition “

cornering”

is desired for the vehicle unit, the impact of the electronic steering system (ELS) is evaluated in order to, in the event of exceeding or falling below a predetermined level, produce a moment (torque) on at least one wheel of the motor vehicle at an outer side of the curve supporting the propulsion of the vehicle unit via at least one of the electronic braking system (EBS) and the electronic drive-train control system (ASS).

24. Process according to claim 1, wherein when the operating condition “

cornering”

is desired for the vehicle unit, the impact of the electronic steering system (ELS) is evaluated in order to, in the event of exceeding or falling below a predetermined level, generate a moment (torque) at the rear wheels of the motor vehicle supporting the cornering travel of the vehicle unit via the electronic steering system (ELS).

25. Process according to claim 1, wherein a power assistance supplemented by the electronic steering system (ELS) for assisting the driver is adjustable.

26. Process according to claim 1, wherein a transmission of the electronic steering system (ELS) is adjustable.

27. An electronic system for a vehicle unit, which consists of a motor vehicle to which a trailer is coupled, the system comprising:

an electronic braking system adapted to be installed upon the motor vehicle;

an electronic engine output control system adapted to be installed upon the motor vehicle;

an electronic drive-train control system adapted to be installed upon the motor vehicle;

and an electronic steering control system adapted to be installed upon the motor vehicle; and

an electronic communication system linking the braking system, engine output control system, electronic drive-train control system and the electronic control system with at least two of the electronic control systems co-operating to automatically control the operating by the vehicle unit in accordance with a process that is integrated into the electronic systems as hardware, such that when the vehicle unit achieves an operating condition “

stop on an incline or a decline”

, at least one of the electronic engine output control system (EMS), the electronic drive-train control system (ASS) and electronic braking system (EBS) holds the vehicle unit stationary.

28. An electronic system for a vehicle unit, which consists of a motor vehicle to which a trailer is coupled, the system comprising:

an electronic braking system adapted to be installed upon the motor vehicle;

an electronic engine output control system adapted to be installed upon the motor vehicle;

an electronic drive-train control system adapted to be installed upon the motor vehicle;

and an electronic steering control system adapted to be installed upon the motor vehicle; and

an electronic communication system linking the braking system, engine output control system, electronic drive-train control system and the electronic control system with at least two of the electronic control systems co-operating to automatically control the operating by the vehicle unit in accordance with a process that is integrated into the electronic systems as software, such that when the vehicle unit achieves an operating condition “

stop on an incline or a decline”

, at least one of the electronic engine output control system (EMS), the electronic drive-train control system (ASS) and the electronic braking system (EBS) holds the vehicle unit stationary.