Turn signal controlled regenerative braking and decelerative loading

• US 9,457,802 B2
• Filed: 04/06/2012
• Issued: 10/04/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Richard Louis Ponziani
• Original Assignee: Richard Louis Ponziani
• Inventors: Ponziani, Richard Louis
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Nga X
• Application Number:
  US13/441,584
• Publication Number:
  US 20130268162A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,642 Days
• Field of Search: 701/48, 701/36, 701/52, 701/70, 701/51, 701/99, 701 1- 2, 701/54
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/2009 for braking
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/423 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/443 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/486 Operating parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/622 by satellite navigation
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/16 by display
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/26 by pedal actuation
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/61 by batteries charged by engine-driven generators, e.g. series hybrid electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/12 for vehicles propelled by dc motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/26 Controlling the braking effect
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/44 for indicating braking action or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/04 including control of propulsion units
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/10 including control of change-speed gearings
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/18 including control of braking systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/184 with wheel brakes
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/198 with exhaust brakes
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/30 including control of auxiliary equipment, e.g. air-conditioning compressors or oil pumps
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2030/18081 : With torque flow from driveshaft to engine, i.e. engine being driven by vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/20 : Direction indicator values
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/50 : of positioning data, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System] data
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0666 : Engine torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/083 : Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/105 : Output torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/00 : Purposes of road vehicle drive control systems not related to the control of a particular sub-unit, e.g. of systems using conjoint control of vehicle sub-units
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18109 : Braking
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18127 : Regenerative braking
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18136 : Engine braking
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 : Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 : Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 : Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 : Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 : Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 : Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Abstract

A vehicle executing a turn will most likely be slowed down before the turn and when a driver activates a turn signal to indicate the turn, a vehicle internal controller uses this information to engage regenerative braking for energy recapture while slowing down the vehicle for the pending turn. Since the turn signal is usually activated very early in the turn event, and turns are an ongoing, frequent part of driving, a greater overall vehicle efficiency can be realized without special effort from the driver. Implementation is relatively simple for the manufacturer and adds no cost since the controllers and sensors are already installed on nearly all roadworthy vehicles. Fuel mileage and vehicle driving ranges are improved on a large scale and brake system wear is reduced.

Claims

1. A regenerative braking system for a vehicle, comprising:

a) a drivetrain resistance load for providing regenerative braking, for recapturing vehicle forward motion kinetic energy;

b) a driver'"'"'s turn signal interface switch assembly configured to send a turn activation signal upon activation of a driver'"'"'s turn signal switch;

c) a computer configured with programming for performing an algorithm to modulate a magnitude of regenerative braking of the drivetrain resistance load in response to a dynamic status of the vehicle, and to increase the magnitude of regenerative braking in response to a combination of the driver'"'"'s turn activation signal and a driver'"'"'s throttle pedal input position at zero.

2. The regenerative braking system of claim 1, wherein the drivetrain resistance load comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of:

an electrical energy generator load,

a hydraulic load,

a rotational inertia device load, a mechanical energy storage device load, and a pneumatic load.

3. The regenerative braking system of claim 1, wherein the drivetrain resistance load comprises a device that converts vehicle forward motion kinetic energy to stored energy.

4. The regenerative braking system of claim 1, wherein the computer is further configured with programming for measuring the driver'"'"'s recent historical driving habits, and modifying the algorithm to adapt to the driver'"'"'s recent historical driving habits and to optimize regenerative braking system.

5. The regenerative braking system of claim 1, wherein the dynamic status of the vehicle is determined by at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of:

throttle position sensor, foot brake pedal position sensor, foot brake pedal force sensor, steering wheel angle sensor, vehicle speed sensor, vehicle yaw sensor, accelerometer and a Global Position System.

6. The regenerative braking system of claim 5, wherein the dynamic status of the vehicle is determined by the Global Position System.

7. The regenerative braking system of claim 1, wherein a vehicle rear facing brake light is activated in response to the combination of the driver'"'"'s turn activation signal and the driver'"'"'s throttle pedal input position at zero and a predetermined vehicle deceleration.

8. A method of modulating a magnitude of regenerative braking of a drivetrain resistance load of a vehicle in response to a driver'"'"'s use of a turn signal, said method comprising the steps of:

a) modulating a magnitude of regenerative braking of the drivetrain resistance load in response to a dynamic status of the vehicle,

b) sensing an input position of a driver'"'"'s throttle pedal,

c) activating a driver'"'"'s turn signal switch to send a turn activation signal, and

d) increasing the magnitude of regenerative braking in response to a combination of the driver'"'"'s turn activation signal and the driver'"'"'s throttle pedal input position being at zero.

9. The method of claim 8, further including the steps of:

a) detecting a predetermined vehicle deceleration, and

b) activating a vehicle rear facing brake light in response to the combination of the driver'"'"'s turn activation signal and the driver'"'"'s throttle pedal input position at zero, and the predetermined vehicle deceleration.