Method and apparatus for automatic actuation of a vehicle component
AssigneeLuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
InventorsThomas Jager, Hubert Friedmann
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and an actuating arrangement for automatically actuating a component of a motor vehicle. The vehicle brake is actuated by an externally applied force and independently of an actuation of a brake pedal by the driver of the vehicle clutch actuation occurs at times when the speed of the vehicle is substantially zero, or when the vehicle rolls backward with the gearbox engaged in a forward gear, or when the vehicle rolls forward with the gearbox engaged in a reverse gear. Clutch wear and tear is thereby reduced. Additionally, the vehicle clutch can also be automatically actuated by an externally applied force, to engage or to disengage the clutch based upon predetermined operating parameters of components of the vehicle.
Claims16
A method for automatic actuation of a brake of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes a brake pedal and the brake acts on at least one first wheel of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle has an engine that is operatively connected to at least one second wheel via a drive train including a clutch and a gearbox for transmitting a drive torque from the engine to the at least one second wheel, wherein the gearbox has at least one forward gear and a reverse gear, the method comprising the steps of:
- automatically actuating the brake of the vehicle by means of an external force applied independently of the brake pedal when the engine is operating and when at least one condition selected from the group consisting of a first condition, a second condition, a third condition, and a fourth condition is fulfilled;
- wherein the first condition is fulfilled by actuating the clutch such that the transmission of drive torque from the engine to the at least one second wheel is not completely interrupted, the at least one forward gear is engaged in the gearbox, and the speed of the vehicle is substantially zero;
- wherein the second condition is fulfilled by actuating the clutch such that transmission of drive torque from the engine to the at least one second wheel is not completely interrupted, the at least one forward gear is engaged in the gearbox, and the vehicle is moving backward;
- wherein the third condition is fulfilled by actuating the clutch such that the transmission of drive torque from the engine to the at least one second wheel is not completely interrupted, the reverse gear is engaged in the gearbox, and the speed of the vehicle is substantially zero;
- and
- wherein the fourth condition is fulfilled by actuating the clutch such that the transmission of drive torque from the engine to the at least one second wheel is not completely interrupted, the reverse gear is engaged in the gearbox, and the vehicle is moving forward.
A method for automatic actuation of a brake of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle has an engine that is operatively connected to at least one wheel via a clutch and a gearbox such that a drive torque can be transmitted from the engine to the at least one wheel, wherein the gearbox has at least one forward gear and a reverse gear, the method comprising the steps of:
- determining whether the transmission of drive torque from the engine to the at least one wheel is not completely interrupted;
- determining an operating state of the engine;
- determining whether at least one forward gear or a reverse gear is engaged in the gearbox;
- determining at least one of a speed of the vehicle and a direction of travel of the vehicle;
- automatically actuating the brake of the vehicle by an actuator that is independent of a driver-operated brake pedal when the transmission of the drive torque from the engine to the at least one wheel is not completely interrupted, the engine is operating, the at least one forward gear is engaged in the gearbox, and the speed of the vehicle is substantially zero;
- automatically actuating the brake of the vehicle by the actuator when the transmission of drive torque from the engine to the at least one wheel is not completely interrupted, the engine is operating, the at least one forward gear is engaged in the gearbox, and the direction of travel of the vehicle is backward;
- automatically actuating the brake of the vehicle by the actuator when the transmission of drive torque from the engine to the at least one wheel is not completely interrupted, the engine is operating, the reverse gear is engaged in the gearbox, and the speed of the vehicle is substantially zero;
- automatically actuating the brake of the vehicle by the actuator when the transmission of drive torque from the engine to the at least one wheel is not completely interrupted, the engine is operating, the reverse gear is engaged in the gearbox, and the direction of travel of the vehicle is forward.
An actuating arrangement for a brake of a vehicle, the brake acting on at least one first wheel of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle has an engine that is operatively connected to at least one second wheel via a drive train including a clutch and a gearbox such that a drive torque can be transmitted from the engine to the at least one second wheel, wherein the gearbox has at least one forward gear and a reverse gear, the actuating arrangement comprising:
- a speed sensor for detecting vehicle speed;
- a brake actuator for actuating the brake by means of an external force independently of an actuation of a brake pedal of the vehicle;
- and
- a control unit for controlling the brake actuator when the engine is operating, such that the brake is automatically actuated by the external force provided by the brake actuator when at least one condition selected from the group consisting of a fifth condition, a sixth condition, a seventh condition, and an eighth condition is fulfilled;
- wherein the fifth condition is fulfilled when the at least one forward gear is engaged in the gearbox and the speed of the vehicle is substantially zero;
- wherein the sixth condition is fulfilled when the at least one forward gear is engaged in the gearbox and the vehicle is moving backward;
- wherein the seventh condition is fulfilled when the reverse gear is engaged in the gearbox and the speed of the vehicle is substantially zero;
- and
- wherein the eighth condition is fulfilled when the reverse gear is engaged in the gearbox and the vehicle is moving forward.
An actuating arrangement for a brake of a vehicle, the brake acting on at least one first wheel of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle has an engine that is operatively connected to at least one second wheel via a drive train including a clutch and a gearbox such that a drive torque can be transmitted from the engine to the at least one second wheel, wherein the gearbox has at least one forward gear and a reverse gear, the actuating arrangement comprising:
- a speed sensor for detecting vehicle speed;
- a brake actuator for actuating the brake by means of an external force independently of an actuation of a brake pedal of the vehicle;
- and
- a control unit for controlling the brake actuator when the engine is operating, such that the brake is automatically actuated by the external force provided by the brake actuator when at least one condition selected from the group consisting of a ninth condition, a tenth condition, and an eleventh condition is fulfilled;
- wherein the ninth condition is fulfilled when the vehicle speed is substantially zero;
- wherein the tenth condition is fulfilled when the at least one forward gear is engaged in the gearbox and the vehicle is moving backward;
- and
- wherein the eleventh condition is fulfilled when the reverse gear is engaged in the gearbox and the vehicle is moving forward.
A motor vehicle including an actuation arrangement for actuating a brake of the vehicle, wherein the brake acts on at least one first wheel of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle has an engine that is operatively connected to at least one second wheel via a drive train including a clutch and a gearbox such that a drive torque can be transmitted from the engine to the at least one second wheel, wherein the gearbox has at least one forward gear and a reverse gear, the actuation arrangement comprising:
- a speed sensor for detecting vehicle speed;
- a brake actuator for actuating the brake by means of an external force independently of an actuation of a brake pedal of the vehicle;
- and
- a control unit for controlling the brake actuator when the engine is operating, such that the brake is automatically actuated by the external force provided by the brake actuator when at least one condition selected from the group consisting of a twelfth condition, a thirteenth condition, a fourteenth condition, and a fifteenth condition is fulfilled;
- wherein the twelfth condition is fulfilled when the at least one forward gear is engaged in the gearbox and the speed of the vehicle is substantially zero;
- wherein the thirteenth condition is fulfilled when the at least one forward gear is engaged in the gearbox and the vehicle is moving backward;
- wherein the fourteenth condition is fulfilled when the reverse gear is engaged in the gearbox and the speed of the vehicle is substantially zero;
- and
- wherein the fifteenth condition is fulfilled when the reverse gear is engaged in the gearbox and the vehicle is moving forward.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.