Multiple-stage collision avoidance braking system and method
OwnerArnaldo C. Gomesinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method for automatic actuation and control of an air braking system on a commercial vehicle, under a warning of collision conditions, having multiple stages of operation, which supplements the normal brake pedal activation and control of the air brake operation under the driver's foot control. A modification to a standard air brake system structure enables the addition of the automatic activation and control stages. When an impending collision signal is received, an activation component operates valves to pressurize the rear brakes followed by pressurizing the front brakes, if necessary. The driver can deactivate the automatic braking functions by stepping on the brake pedal or by operating the vehicle turn signals.
Claims17
A method of automatic braking, collision avoidance for vehicle air brake systems in vehicles having a driver brake pedal and having vehicle turn signals, including the steps of:
- detecting an impending collision condition with a collision warning device;
- pressurizing a rear brake circuit with a source air pressure of about 40 psi when said impending collision condition is detected, wherein said pressurizing is actuated automatically by activating an automatic braking control system, said automatic braking control system comprising an actuation apparatus;
- pressurizing a front brake circuit when the air pressure at the rear brake circuit has risen about 20 psi, wherein said pressurizing is actuated automatically with said actuation apparatus;
- and
- maintaining an air pressure of about 40 psi at the rear brake circuit and about 20 psi at the front brake circuit with said actuation apparatus to slow or stop the vehicle;
- and
- wherein operating the vehicle turn signals deactivates the automatic braking control system.
An automatic braking collision avoidance system for a commercial vehicle air brake system, said commercial vehicle air brake system having a front brake circuit, a rear brake circuit a driver brake pedal and vehicle turn signals, the system comprising:
- a collision warning device providing a signal representing closure time with a foregoing vehicle or object, including an impending collision warning signal and an imminent collision warning signal;
- a rear air pressure reservoir, and a front air pressure reservoir, where the pressure in each of said rear air pressure reservoir and said front air pressure reservoir is maintained at the same pressure;
- an automatic braking control system that comprises an actuation apparatus, said actuation apparatus being electrically connected to said collision warning device, wherein said automatic braking control system is activated in response to an impending collision warning signal or an imminent collision warning signal from said collision warning device;
- a rear brake control valve in a pneumatic pressure line between said rear air pressure reservoir and said rear brake circuit;
- a front brake control valve in a pneumatic pressure line between said front air pressure reservoir and said front brake circuit;
- wherein when an impending collision warning signal is detected, said actuation apparatus first controls air pressurization of said rear brake circuit with air from the rear air pressure reservoir such that when the air pressure at said rear brake circuit reaches a first threshold said actuation apparatus controls pressurization of said front brake circuit with air from the front air pressure reservoir to pressurize said front brake circuit;
- wherein when the air pressure at said rear brake circuit and the air pressure at said front brake circuit each reach a predetermined target pressure, further pressure increases are ceased and each target pressure is maintained;
- and
- wherein operating the vehicle turn signals deactivates the automatic braking control system.
A method of automatic braking and collision avoidance for vehicle air brake systems in vehicles having a driver brake pedal and having vehicle turn signals, including the steps of:
- receiving a collision indication signal from a collision warning device, said collision indication signal activating an automatic braking control system that comprises an actuation apparatus;
- pressurizing a rear brake circuit with air pressure from a rear air pressure reservoir to a threshold pressure value when said collision indication signal is detected, wherein pressurizing of said rear brake circuit is actuated automatically with said actuation apparatus;
- and
- pressurizing a front brake circuit with air pressure from a front air pressure reservoir when the air pressure at the rear brake circuit reaches said threshold value, wherein pressurizing of said front brake circuit is actuated automatically with said actuation apparatus;
- and
- wherein the rear brake circuit is continuously pressurized up to said maximum air pressure setting of said rear air pressure reservoir to slow or stop the vehicle, and wherein pressurization of the front brake circuit is stopped if the pressure on the rear brake circuit reaches said maximum air pressure setting, and wherein operating the vehicle turn signals deactivates the automatic braking control system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.