Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Brandon C Pennala

Eric Edward Krueger

Patrick J Monsere

Paul A Kilmurray

Alan J Houtman

Christopher C Chappell

Michael C Roberts

Kevin S Kidston

Steven J Weber

Edward T Heil

Robert L Nisonger

Constandi J Shami

Joshua R Auden

Jason D Fahland

Scott C Mrdeza

Christopher A Hammond

A vehicle includes a plurality of brake assemblies configured to control braking of a respective wheel of the vehicle. The brake assemblies includes a first brake assembly integrated with a smart actuator unit including a first actuator controller and a first electro-mechanical actuator that is configured to adjust a brake force applied to a first wheel coupled to the first brake assembly. A second brake assembly excludes an actuator controller and has installed therein a second electro-mechanical actuator that is configured to adjust a brake force applied to a second wheel coupled to the second brake assembly. At least one electronic actuator driver unit is remotely located from the first and second brake assemblies, and is configured to output a high-power signal that drives the first and second electro-mechanical actuators in response to receiving a digital command signal from the first actuator controller.

Brake-by-wire system

A vehicle with a fault tolerant electronic brake-by-wire (BBW) system includes a plurality of brake assemblies that control braking of a respective wheel of the vehicle. The brake assemblies include a first brake assembly and a second brake assembly. The first brake assembly is integrated with at least one enhanced brake actuator assembly including a first electronic actuator driver circuit in signal communication with a first electro-mechanical actuator. The first brake assembly is configured to adjust a brake force applied to a first wheel of the vehicle. The second brake assembly is integrated with at least one enhanced smart brake actuator assembly including a first actuator controller in signal communication with a second electronic actuator driver circuit. The second electronic actuator driver circuit is in signal communication with a second electro-mechanical actuator that is configured to adjust a brake force applied to a second wheel of the vehicle.

A vehicle includes a plurality of brake assemblies and a plurality of electrical power circuits. Each brake assembly includes an electro-mechanical actuator configured to adjust a torque force applied to a wheel of the vehicle. The electrical power circuits are located remotely from one another. Each power circuit is configured to drive a respective actuator. The vehicle further includes a first electronic brake system (EBS) controller and a second EBS controller. The first EBS controller is configured to output a first data command signal to control a first group of power circuits among the plurality of power circuits. The second EBS controller is configured to output a second data command signal to control a second group of power circuits among the plurality of power circuits. The second group excludes the power circuits from the first group.

Systems and methods are provided for controlling a vehicle using a specific torque of a brake system. In one embodiment, a method of using a specific torque of a brake system for a vehicle includes: determining a brake pressure of the brake system during a braking operation; determining a deceleration of the vehicle during the braking operation; determining a vehicle mass and a wheel radius; estimating a specific torque of the brake system based on the brake pressure and the deceleration; and operating the vehicle based on the specific torque.

Methods of learning long term brake corner specific torque variation

A vehicle includes a fault-tolerant braking system that controls a brake assembly which is configured to adjust a braking force applied to one or more wheels. The fault-tolerant braking system further includes a brake-by-wire (BBW) system and a vehicle control module (VCM). The BBW system is configured to control the brake assembly in response to a braking request. The VCM is configured to detect a fault of at least one of the brake assembly and the BBW system. In response to detecting the fault, the VCM selectively operates the vehicle between a normal operating mode and at least one degraded driving mode that limits operation of at least one of the vehicle engine and the vehicle transmission compared to the normal operating mode.

Fault-tolerant automotive braking system

A brake pedal assembly of a brake-by-wire system of a vehicle includes a support structure, a brake pedal pivotally engaged to the support structure at a first pivot axis, and a brake pedal emulator assembly. The brake pedal emulator assembly extends between and is pivotally engaged to the brake pedal and the support structure at respective second and third pivot axis. The brake pedal emulator assembly includes a brake pedal emulator and an adjustment mechanism aligned along a centerline intersecting the second and third pivot axis. The brake pedal emulator is constructed and arranged to displace axially when the brake pedal is actuated, and the adjustment mechanism is constructed and arranged to adjust axial displacement.

Brake-by-wire system for a vehicle with an adjustable brake pedal emulator assembly

Systems and method are provided for controlling a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving, by a processor, at least one of state health and performance information associated with at least one vehicle actuator; processing, by the processor, the state of health and performance information to determine an acceleration value; and controlling the vehicle based on the acceleration value.

Methods and systems for autonomous vehicle performance capability

A vehicle includes a plurality of brake assemblies and a plurality of electronic brake system (EBS) controllers. The brake assemblies each include an electro-mechanical actuator configured to adjust a torque force applied to a wheel of the vehicle. The EBS controllers are located remotely from one another. Each EBS controller has integrated therein an electronic actuator driver unit that includes an electronic power circuit configured to drive at least one of the electro-mechanical actuators. A first EBS controller is configured to drive a first group of electro-mechanical actuators, and a second EBS controller is configured to drive a second group of electro-mechanical actuators that exclude the electro-mechanical actuators of the first group.

A brake pedal emulator for a brake-by-wire system of a vehicle extends and connects between a support structure and a brake pedal operatively engaged to the support structure. The brake pedal emulator includes a hydraulic cylinder having a magneto-rheological hydraulic fluid and an electrical element configured to carry an electrical current for controlling a viscosity of the magneto-rheological hydraulic fluid and thereby controlling a first force exerted by the hydraulic cylinder when actuated by the brake pedal.

Brake pedal emulator of a brake-by-wire system and method of operation

Systems and methods are provided testing a vehicle braking system. The method includes determining a nominal brake system parameter of the brake system during a braking operation. A first testing brake operation is performed and a first brake system parameter is determined based on the first testing brake operation. A tested brake system parameter is determined based on the first testing system parameter and the tested brake system parameter is compared to the nominal brake system parameter. A brake system compliance suspicion value of the vehicle braking system is then set based on the comparison.

Methods and systems of testing vehicle braking systems

A vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a vehicle system. The vehicle system includes a brake-by-wire portion, which also includes a controller. The controller can cause a forced coastdown of the vehicle. The forced coastdown includes performing analyzing conditions of the vehicle system to determine whether the vehicle is in a stable state and to determine an amount of energy available to the vehicle system and automatically applying the forced coastdown when the vehicle is not in the stable state and the amount of energy is less than or equal to a threshold for continued manual operation of the vehicle. The forced coastdown also includes utilizing brake pressure to reduce a speed of the vehicle.

Brake-by-wire system including coastdown mode

A brake pedal emulator extends and connects between a support structure and a brake pedal pivotally engaged to the support structure at an axis. The brake pedal emulator includes a rotational damping device operatively connected to the brake pedal for driven rotation as the brake pedal moves about the axis.

Brake pedal emulator of a brake-by-wire system for a vehicle

A vehicle brake system and method that are designed to improve the driver braking experience by compensating for the effects that humidity and temperature can have on brake performance. According to one embodiment, the method determines if a braking event is underway and, if so, it measures humidity and brake temperature. With this information, the method is able to compensate for anticipated changes in the coefficient of friction (&#x3bc;) of one or more brake components, such as brake pads or rotors, and to provide a modified brake command signal accordingly.

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Howell, MI, United States of America

Brandon C Pennala