Method and arrangement for improving the performance of a safety-critical vehicle actuator

• US 9,505,360 B2
• Filed: 06/19/2012
• Issued: 11/29/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Polestar Performance AB (Polestar Automotive Holding UK Plc)
• Original Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation (AB Volvo)
• Inventors: Ahnfalk, Henrik
• Primary Examiner(s): AMAYA, CARLOS DAVID
• Application Number:
  US13/527,229
• Publication Number:
  US 20120326676A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,624 Days
• Field of Search: 307/9.1, 307/10.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/03 for supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems or for circuit arrangements for charging batteries H02J7/00

Abstract

Embodiments herein relate to an arrangement and method for improving the performance of a safety-critical vehicle actuator, in particular a safety-critical vehicle actuator powered directly or indirectly from a vehicle electrical system. The safety-critical vehicle actuator is arranged to, upon activation thereof, signal to an alternator of the vehicle to output a raised voltage for a pre-determined time period.

Claims

1. An arrangement for a vehicle, the arrangement comprising:

a vehicle electrical system including an alternator; and

a safety vehicle actuator powered directly or indirectly from the vehicle electrical system, wherein the safety vehicle actuator, upon activation thereof, is configured to signal directly to the alternator to output a raised voltage for a pre-determined time period.

2. The arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the alternator is configured to output the raised voltage within 300 milliseconds from receipt of said signal.

3. The arrangement according to claim 2 wherein the alternator is configured to output the raised voltage at a level of approximately 15 volts for the pre-determined time period.

4. The arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the safety vehicle actuator is either of an at least partially electrically operated vehicle braking system or an at least partially electrically operated vehicle steering system.

5. The arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the arrangement is configured to be responsive to activation of the safety vehicle actuator by a vehicle mounted forward collision avoidance system.

6. The arrangement according to claim 1 further comprising a vehicle mountable forward collision avoidance system configured to activate the safety vehicle actuator.

7. The arrangement according to claim 6 wherein the vehicle mountable forward collision avoidance system further is configured to trigger signaling to the alternator in response to a predicted threat potentially requiring imminent activation of the safety vehicle actuator.

8. The arrangement according to claim 7 wherein the vehicle mountable forward collision avoidance system is further configured to trigger a warning to a driver of the vehicle to activate the safety vehicle actuator.

17. The arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the alternator comprises a magnetization winding, the winding magnetized selectively for causing the alternator to output the raised voltage.

9. A method for improving performance of a safety vehicle actuator powered directly or indirectly from a vehicle electrical system, the method comprising:

arranging the safety vehicle actuator to, upon activation thereof, signal directly to an alternator of the vehicle to output a raised voltage for a pre-determined time period.

18. The method according to claim 9 wherein the alternator comprises a magnetization winding, the winding magnetized selectively for causing the alternator to output the raised voltage.

10. A vehicle comprising:

an electrical system including an alternator; and

a safety vehicle actuator powered directly or indirectly from the electrical system, wherein the safety vehicle actuator, upon activation thereof, is configured to signal directly to the alternator to output a raised voltage for a pre-determined time period.

11. The vehicle according to claim 10 wherein the alternator is configured to output the raised voltage within 300 milliseconds from receipt of said signal.

12. The vehicle according to claim 11 wherein the alternator is configured to output the raised voltage at a level of approximately 15 volts for the pre-determined time period.

13. The vehicle according to claim 10 wherein the safety vehicle actuator is either an at least partially electrically operated vehicle braking system or an at least partially electrically operated vehicle steering system.

14. The vehicle according to claim 10 further comprising a forward collision avoidance system configured to activate the safety vehicle actuator.

15. The vehicle according to claim 14 wherein the forward collision avoidance system is further configured to trigger signaling to the alternator in response to a predicted threat potentially requiring imminent activation of the safety vehicle actuator.

16. The vehicle according to claim 15 wherein the forward collision avoidance system is further configured to trigger a warning to a driver of the vehicle to activate the safety vehicle actuator.

19. The vehicle according to claim 10 wherein the alternator comprises a magnetization winding, the winding magnetized selectively for causing the alternator to output the raised voltage.

20. The vehicle according to claim 10 wherein the alternator is configured to output a first voltage lower than the raised voltage during normal operation.