Method and device for determining a parameter for an instantaneously maximal frictional force coefficient

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a device for determining a characteristic quantity for an instantaneously maximum coefficient of friction between the tires of a vehicle and a roadway, which is calculated from the ratio between the frictional force and the wheel contact force, especially for defining a following time of the vehicle in relation to another vehicle which is directly in front thereof in the direction of travel, for collision avoidance purposes. In this arrangement, the characteristic quantity of the coefficient of friction is assigned to one of at least two classes and is then presented to a driver of the vehicle and/or sent to the collision avoidance system of the vehicle, by logically linking data output values of sensor means provided in the vehicle, on the one hand. On the other hand, there is provision of an evaluating device which is connected to an outside temperature sensor connected preferably to the engine control of the vehicle, to an air humidity sensor which is preferably connected to an air conditioning system of the vehicle, and/or to a wiper system, especially said's actuating button, stepped switch, and/or rain sensor, in said's inlet range, and to an indicator device, such as a display of a navigation system of the vehicle, and/or a collision avoidance system of the vehicle in its outlet range.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.