Method for securing the operation of an automobile provided with hill start assist, and such an automobile

• US 8,463,520 B2
• Filed: 07/23/2009
• Issued: 06/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Renault Sas (Renault)
• Original Assignee: Renault Sas (Renault)
• Inventors: Febrer, Pascal, Monti, Alessandro
• Primary Examiner(s): Trammell, James
• Assistant Examiner(s): LANG, MICHAEL DEAN
• Application Number:
  US13/062,622
• Publication Number:
  US 20110276244A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,419 Days
• Field of Search: 701/70
• US Class Current: 701/70
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2201/06 Hill holder; Start aid systems on inclined road
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/122 for locking of reverse movement
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18027 Drive off, accelerating from standstill
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18118 Hill holding

Abstract

Following an automobile start command, at least one condition is examined before a hill start assist is executed and if the condition is fulfilled, the execution of the hill start assist is prevented.

Claims

1. A method for making safe an operation of a motor vehicle that includes a drive train for driving the vehicle and a device for applying a hill-start assist, the method comprising:

examining, in response to a command to start the vehicle, at least one condition before executing the hill-start assist; and

preventing execution of the hill-start assist when the at least one condition is satisfied,

wherein a first condition of the at least one condition is that stopping of the drive train is in progress.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first condition is satisfied from a time of a command to stop the drive train and only for as long as at least one of three situations (1)-(3) has not occurred, the three situations being:

(1) the drive train is stopped while no command to stop the drive train has been given;

(2) since the last command to stop the drive train, a predetermined time has fully elapsed, while no command to stop the drive train has been given; and

(3) the speed of the motor vehicle is higher than a predetermined speed, while no command to stop the drive train has been given.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

examining the first condition and at least one other condition, and

preventing an execution of the hill-start assist when at least one of the at least one other condition is satisfied.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least one other condition includes determining the validity of vehicle information relating to rotation speed of an engine of the vehicle, position of a gas pedal of the vehicle, speed of the vehicle, inclination of the vehicle, position of a clutch pedal of the vehicle, torque supplied by the engine, rotation speed of wheels of the vehicle, or gear ratios.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the at least one other condition is satisfied when any of the vehicle information is determined to be invalid.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

stopping an execution of the hill-start assist from being prevented when the first condition is no longer satisfied.

7. A motor vehicle, comprising:

a drive train for driving the vehicle; and

a device for applying a hill-start assist that includes a processor programmed to

examine, in response to a command to start the vehicle, at least one condition before executing the hill-start assist; and

prevent execution of the hill-start assist when the at least one condition is satisfied,

wherein a first condition of the at least one condition is that stopping of the drive train is in progress.