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US 12,662,091 B2Granted
Vehicle emergency braking system and method
OwnerChanaka Irosh Koswatta Liyanageinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A vehicle emergency braking system and method is provided. The braking system includes hydraulic cylinders mounted on an undercarriage of a vehicle with brake pads configured to extend and retract via hydraulic pumps and a control switch powered by a power source. The brake pads can extend down until in contact with a road surface to stabilize and/or stop the vehicle in the event extra stopping power is required such as during an emergency or if the vehicle loses traction on an icy road.
Claims9
A vehicle emergency braking system, comprising:
- one or more electric hydraulic pumps that generate hydraulic pressure;
- one or more hydraulic cylinders mounted on an undercarriage of a vehicle and electrically connected to the one or more electric hydraulic pumps configured to extend and retract, wherein, when the braking system is activated, the one or more electric hydraulic pumps deliver high-pressure hydraulic fluid to the one or more hydraulic cylinders via hydraulic hoses to extend the one or more hydraulic cylinders and move one or more brake pads outward to make contact with a road surface, and wherein, when the braking system is deactivated, hydraulic pressure is reduced to retract the one or more hydraulic cylinders and move the one or more brake pads away from the road surface;
- the one or more brake pads disposed on an extendable end of the one or more hydraulic cylinders, wherein each brake pad comprises:
- a base member;
- a plurality of protruding points extending from and connected to the base member;
- a plate cover configured to secure the plurality of protruding points while allowing the points to extend beyond the plate cover surface;
- and
- a plurality of grooves formed in the plate cover and positioned between the protruding points to prevent debris buildup;
- a control switch electrically connected to the one or more electric hydraulic pumps and configured to selectively extend and retract the one or more hydraulic cylinders in response to input from a user in distinct selectable operating modes including a first mode to rapidly deploy the brake pads to completely stop the vehicle and in a second mode to slightly touch down the brake pads on a road surface to stabilize the vehicle and allow it to gain traction, wherein the control switch is configured to provide precise electric hydraulic pressure control to achieve the first mode rapid deployment and the second mode slight touch down without compromising vehicle steering control during emergency conditions;
- a power source;
- and
- wherein the vehicle emergency braking system defines a hydraulic actuation circuit comprising the electric hydraulic pumps, hydraulic cylinders, hydraulic hoses, and hydraulic fluid, and the vehicle braking system is devoid of pneumatic or compressed-gas actuation components for extending and retracting the hydraulic cylinders.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.