Traction control system and method

• US 20060293841A1
• Filed: 06/15/2005
• Published: 12/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Inventors: Fodor, Michael, Hrovat, Davor, McConnell, Mitch
• Granted Patent: US 8,442,735 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/205
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2210/12 Friction
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/172 Determining control parameters used in the regulation, e.g. by calculations involving measured or detected parameters B60T8/17551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/10 including control of change-speed gearings
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2552/00 Input parameters relating to infrastructure
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2552/05 Type of road, e.g. motorways, local streets, paved or unpaved roads
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2552/15 Road slope, i.e. the inclination of a road segment in the longitudinal direction
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2552/40 Coefficient of friction
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/65 Data transmitted between vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/165 Automatically following the path of a preceding lead vehicle, e.g. "electronic tow-bar"

Abstract

In one example, a first vehicle traveling on a road is provided. The vehicle comprises a communication device coupled in the first vehicle configured to receive information transmitted by a second vehicle traveling on the road, said information identifying road surface conditions experience by said second vehicle; and a controller configured to adjust a vehicle operating parameter of the first vehicle in response to receiving said transmitted information from said second vehicle.

Claims

1. A first vehicle traveling on a road, comprising:

a communication device coupled in the first vehicle configured to receive information transmitted by a second vehicle traveling on the road, said information identifying road surface conditions experience by said second vehicle;

a controller configured to adjust a vehicle operating parameter of the first vehicle in response to receiving said transmitted information from said second vehicle.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein said controller is further configured to receive information from a satellite, and adjust said vehicle operating parameter of the first vehicle in response to said received satellite information.

3. The vehicle of claim 2 wherein said vehicle operating parameter of the first vehicle is an engine output.

4. The vehicle of claim 2 wherein said vehicle operating parameter of the first vehicle is a wheel torque.

5. The vehicle of claim 2 wherein said vehicle operating parameter of the first vehicle is relationship between driver pedal actuation and engine output.

6. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein said information further includes a location of said road surface conditions.

7. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein said controller is further configured to adjust said vehicle operating parameter of the first vehicle in response to road grade.

12. The vehicle of claim 2 wherein said vehicle operating parameter of the first vehicle is relationship between driver pedal actuation and engine output.

8. A first vehicle traveling on a road, comprising:

a communication device coupled in the first vehicle configured to receive information transmitted by a second vehicle traveling on the road, said information identifying road surface conditions experience by said second vehicle and a location of said road surface conditions;

a pedal operated by a driver of the first vehicle; and

a controller for adjusting a powertrain output of the first vehicle in response to actuation of said pedal, and during said adjusting, receiving said transmitted information from said second vehicle and further adjusting said output in response to said received infromation.

9. The vehicle of claim 8 wherein said controller is further configured to receive information from a satellite, and adjust said vehicle operating parameter of the first vehicle in response to said received satellite information.

10. The vehicle of claim 9 wherein said vehicle operating parameter of the first vehicle is an engine output.

11. The vehicle of claim 9 wherein said vehicle operating parameter of the first vehicle is a wheel torque.

13. A vehicle traveling on a road, comprising:

a communication device coupled in the first vehicle configured to receive information transmitted remotely from the vehicle, said information identifying road surface conditions and a location of said road surface conditions;

a controller for determining location of the vehicle, and adjusting a powertrain output of the vehicle in response to said transmitted information when in a vicinity of said location of said identified road surface conditions.

14. The vehicle of claim 13 wherein said vehicle operating parameter of the vehicle is a wheel torque.

15. The vehicle of claim 13 wherein said vehicle operating parameter of the vehicle is relationship between driver pedal actuation and engine output.

16. The vehicle of claim 13 wherein said remotely transmitted information is transmitted from another vehicle.

17. The vehicle of claim 13 wherein said remotely transmitted information is transmitted from a fixed station.

18. The vehicle of claim 13 wherein said controller is configured to send and receive information, where said information includes road surface friction data.

19. The vehicle of claim 13 wherein said controller is configured to send and receive information, where said information includes road surface type.

20. The vehicle of claim 19 wherein said road surface type includes information relating to at least one of ice, rain, and snow.