Smart feel regenerative braking

• US 8,718,891 B2
• Filed: 06/06/2011
• Issued: 05/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: DeWitt, David S., Miyamoto, Naoya, Harty, Ryan Douglas Roy, Uyeki, Robert M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jabr, Fadey
• Assistant Examiner(s): WEEKS, MARTIN A
• Application Number:
  US13/153,680
• Publication Number:
  US 20120310501A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,065 Days
• Field of Search: 701/70, 701/93, 701/96, 477/182, 188/2.R
• US Class Current: 701/70
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 1/10 by utilising wheel movement for accumulating energy, e.g. driving air compressors
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2201/02 Active or adaptive cruise control system; Distance control
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2270/604 Merging friction therewith; Adjusting their repartition
• 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: B60W 2554/801 Lateral distance
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/50 of positioning data, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System] data
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2720/106 Longitudinal acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18127 Regenerative braking
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/082 Selecting or switching between different modes of propelling
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/087 where the control system corrects or modifies a request from the driver

Abstract

Methods and systems employing the same for controlling braking characteristics of a vehicle are provided. Expected braking characteristics of the vehicle are received and driving condition data is continuously received. A determination as to whether the expected braking characteristics can be safely applied in view of the driving condition data is continuously made and the expected braking characteristics are applied when they can be applied safely.

Claims

1. A method for controlling braking characteristics of a vehicle, said method comprising:

receiving by a controller expected braking characteristics of the vehicle;

continuously receiving by the controller driving condition data;

continuously determining by the controller whether the expected braking characteristics can be safely applied in view of the driving condition data;

applying by the controller the expected braking characteristics when they can be applied safely; and

,

applying by the controller at least one of a default braking characteristic and a safe braking characteristic when the expected braking characteristics cannot be applied safely;

wherein the determining includes;

calculating one or more safe driving distances based on at least one of the driving condition data and the expected braking characteristics; and

,

determining whether actual driving distances are within allowed variances from the safe driving distances.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle includes regenerative braking.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the expected braking characteristics are one of sporty braking characteristics and environmentally friendly braking characteristics.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the driving condition data includes data pertaining to distance between objects around the vehicle.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the driving condition data includes data pertaining to speed of the vehicle.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the driving condition data includes data pertaining to upcoming turns and stops.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the driving condition data includes data pertaining to topography.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the driving condition data includes data pertaining to one or more of road type, road conditions, and weather conditions.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the application of the expected braking characteristics includes enabling regenerative braking.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the safe driving distances include a safe driving distance in front of the vehicle and a safe driving distance behind the vehicle.