Meritor Wabco Vehicle Control Systems

Alan M Korn

A control system is provided for platooning a plurality of vehicles, each of which equipped with vehicle braking control systems and V2V communication system components. The system determines nominal following distances for each of said following vehicles relative to an immediately preceding vehicle, based in part on brake performance capabilities. Vehicle sensors throughout the platoon are implemented to monitor target vehicles positioned relative to the platoon, and some or all of the nominal following distances are dynamically adjusted to account for braking event risks associated with the target vehicles. Adjustment to following distances for trailing vehicles may be proactively applied even before braking reaction is determined or applied for a lead vehicle, and control signals are simultaneously generated implementing vehicle movement adjustments based on the following distance adjustments. Adjustments may be based on threshold violations associated with target vehicles in front, laterally merging into, or tailgating behind the platoon.

System and method for adjusting vehicle platoon distances based on predicted external perturbations

An electronically controlled brake system includes a brake actuator wherein a valve is electrically controlled to maintain the spring chamber in the non-actuated position during normal operation. However, should there be a failure in the electrical system, then the spring chamber is allowed to set the brake actuator. The &ldquo;failure&rdquo; could also include a diagnostic system included in the control which identifies a failure in control operation. In this way, should there be an electrical failure, either in the control or power circuits, the truck is stopped.

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Rochester Hills, MI, United States of America

Alan M Korn