US 7,017,701 B2 · Inclination-measuring device

Abstract

An inclination-measuring apparatus for use with a motor vehicle includes a rotary sensor connected to the motor vehicle, the rotary sensor selected from one of a rotary position sensor and a rotary angle sensor, a pendulum and a controller. The pendulum has a pendulous mass being oriented to hang substantially aligned with the earth's gravitational forces. The movement of the pendulum providing an input to the rotary sensor to generate a signal to ascertain the inclination of the vehicle relative to the earth's gravitational forces. The signal is processed by the controller that is operatively connected to control one of an electric park brake, a chassis leveling device while parked, a lateral inclination device while the vehicle is operational and a longitudinal inclination device while the vehicle is operational.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A parking brake apparatus for use with a vehicle, the apparatus comprising, in combination;

a non-contacting, rotary, hall effect sensor;
a pendulum member pivotally mounted adjacent to the hall effect sensor, the pendulum member having a pendulous mass and a portion forming an aperture, the hall effect sensor disposed in the aperture of the pendulum member;
a magnet member disposed in the aperture of the pendulum member so that the magnet member can activate the hall effect sensor when the pendulum member is angularly displaced to generate an inclination signal that varies with the inclination of the pendulum member;
a controller coupled to the sensor to process the inclination signal;
and
a parking brake having an actuator to set the parking brake, the controller coupled to the actuator for sending a brake setting signal to the actuator that is related to the inclination signal.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Inclination-measuring device

Life of this patent

Inclination-measuring device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15