Vehicle line-locking braking system and method

• US 8,297,717 B2
• Filed: 04/16/2010
• Issued: 10/30/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Mlynarczyk, Scott, Dunn, Daniel Joseph, Leese, Michael V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schwartz, Christopher
• Application Number:
  US12/762,294
• Publication Number:
  US 20110175439A1
• Time in Patent Office: 928 Days
• Field of Search: 303/9.64, 303/15, 303/20, 303/122.08, 701/71, 701/72, 701/82, 307/10.1
• US Class Current: 303/20
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/662 characterised by specified functions of the control system components
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/686 in hydraulic systems or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2240/02 Longitudinal grip
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2270/89 Criteria for brake release
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/175 Brake regulation specially adapted to prevent excessive wheel spin during vehicle acceleration, e.g. for traction control safety devices for propulsion unit control responsive to, or preventing, skidding of wheels B60K28/16
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/1766 Proportioning of brake forces according to vehicle axle loads, e.g. front to rear of vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/26 characterised by producing differential braking between front and rear wheels 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

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to various computer-implemented methods of line-locking a hydraulic vehicle braking system. A method includes performing a preliminary system check and controlling the distribution of fluid between a hydraulic module and an individual wheel-end brake component when the preliminary check is satisfied. The system continues to monitor predetermined vehicle inputs during activation.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of line-locking a hydraulic vehicle braking system, comprising:

receiving an electric signal related to a driver request;

performing a preliminary system check of a system condition;

monitoring the system condition, driver request or a vehicle condition; and

controlling the distribution of fluid between a hydraulic module and a wheel braking component according to the system condition, driver request or vehicle condition;

wherein the performing a preliminary system check or monitoring includes assessing whether a predetermined line lock activation time limit has been exceeded.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the performing a preliminary system check or monitoring also includes assessing whether a wheel speed has been exceeded.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the performing a preliminary system check or monitoring also includes assessing whether a predetermined steering wheel position has been exceeded.

4. The method of claim 1, the performing a preliminary system check or monitoring includes also assessing whether a predetermined signal related to a driver request is received.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the performing a preliminary system check or monitoring also includes assessing whether a vehicle service brake is applied.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein assessing whether the vehicle service brake is applied includes:

measuring a brake system pressure; and

assessing whether a predetermined brake system pressure has been exceeded.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the controlling the distribution of fluid includes disconnecting the brake actuator from the wheel brake component.

8. A vehicle line-locking braking system, comprising:

a brake actuator;

a hydraulic brake module configured to provide brake pressure from the brake actuator to wheel braking components; and

an electric control module configured to control the brake module according to a system condition, driver request or vehicle condition;

wherein the electric control module comprises system logic configured to assess whether a predetermined line lock activation time limit has been exceeded; and

wherein the control module is configured to disable a valve in the brake module if the predetermined time limit has been exceeded.

9. The braking system of claim 8, wherein the electric control module is linked to a user interface, configured to receive a signal from the user interface;

and

wherein the system logic is further configured to assess whether a predetermined user command is entered into the user interface.

10. The braking system of claim 9, wherein the predetermined user command is a selection command, cancel command or break in ignition key cycle.

11. The braking system of claim 8, wherein the system logic is further configured to assess a wheel speed;

and

wherein the electric control module is configured to disable a valve in the brake module when the wheel speed exceeds a predetermined amount.

12. The braking system of claim 8, wherein the system logic is further configured to assess a steering wheel position;

and

wherein the control module is configured to disable a valve in the brake module when the steering wheel position is greater than a predetermined angular range.

13. The braking system of claim 8, wherein the system logic is further configured to assess a traction system mode of operation;

and

wherein the control module is configured to disable a valve in the brake module if the traction control system is in a mode of operation that allows driven wheel spin.

14. The braking system of claim 8, wherein the system logic is further configured to assess whether a vehicle service brake is applied;

and

wherein the control module is configured to disable a valve in the brake module when the service brake is not applied.

15. The braking system of claim 8, wherein the system logic is further configured to assess whether a vehicle service brake is applied to a predetermined brake pressure;

and

wherein the control module is configured to disable a valve in the brake module when the service brake is not applied to a predetermined brake pressure.

16. The braking system of claim 8, wherein the system logic is further configured to assess a vehicle module communication network;

and

wherein the control module is configured to disable a valve in the brake module when the module network is not functioning according to a predetermined algorithm.

17. The braking system of claim 8, wherein the system logic is further configured to assess a vehicle stability control system;

and

wherein the control module is configured to disable a valve in the brake module when the stability control system is not functioning according to a predetermined algorithm.

18. A vehicle configured to line-lock, the vehicle comprising:

a user interface;

an electric control module configured to receive a signal from the user interface for activation of a line-locking system; and

a hydraulic brake module including a plurality of valves configured to control brake pressure to wheel brake components;

wherein the electric control module comprises system logic configured to assess a line-locking system condition, driver request or vehicle condition;

wherein the system logic is configured to assess whether a predetermined line lock activation time limit has been exceeded; and

wherein the control module is configured to disable a valve in the brake module if the predetermined time limit has been exceeded.

19. The vehicle of claim 18, wherein the user interface is incorporated into an instrument panel in the vehicle.

20. The vehicle of claim 18, wherein the user interface includes a cancel command key configured to disable the line lock system.

21. The vehicle of claim 18, wherein the user interface includes a message center configured to deliver line-locking system information to a vehicle user.

22. The vehicle of claim 18, wherein the electric control module is configured to control the valves according a line-locking system condition, driver request or vehicle condition.