System for exerting an amplified braking force

A method for providing emergency brake assistance comprising the steps of:

• exerting a pedal force upon a variable brake booster;
• generating a variable brake booster force, wherein a braking system exerts a braking force proportional to said pedal force during normal operation;
• detecting an imminent contact;
• increasing said variable brake booster force, wherein said braking system exerts an amplified braking force proportional to said pedal force;
• and
• reducing said amplified braking force when a driver seatbelt is unbuckled.

An emergency brake assist system comprising:

• a vehicle having a brake pedal coupled to a variable brake booster, said brake pedal exerting a pedal force upon said variable brake booster;
• a braking system located in said vehicle and coupled to said variable brake booster, said variable brake booster producing a variable brake booster force, wherein said braking system exerts a braking force proportional to said pedal force during normal operation;
• a driver seatbelt switch operative to generate a driver unbuckled signal when a driver seatbelt is unbuckled;
• a forward detection apparatus located in said vehicle and having control logic operative to detect an imminent contact and generate an imminent contact signal, said forward detection apparatus operative to notify a driver of said imminent contact;
• and
• a controller located in said vehicle and coupled to said variable brake booster, said driver seatbelt switch, and said forward collision detection apparatus, said controller including control logic operative to increase said variable brake booster force in response to said imminent contact signal, wherein said braking system exerts an amplified braking force proportional to said pedal force and reduces said amplified braking force when said driver seatbelt is unbuckled.