Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Patrick J Monsere

Eric Edward Krueger

Brandon C Pennala

Kevin S Kidston

Alan J Houtman

Danny Y Mui

Michael C Roberts

Mark T Riefe

Steven J Weber

Edward T Heil

Brent D Lowe

Paul A Kilmurray

Christopher C Chappell

David B Antanaitis

Robert L Nisonger

Jon K Logan

Margaret C Richards

Mohan Sundar

Constandi J Shami

Bakhtiar Brian Litkouhi

Nikolai K Moshchuk

Shih-Ken Chen

SeyedAlireza Kasaiezadeh Mahabadi

Joshua R Auden

Jason D Fahland

Omar S Dessouki

Alexander K Rustoni

Adam Busack

Jonathan King

Douglas R Koons

Valarie V Boatman

Chong H Sin

A method and system for controlling a vehicle to improve vehicle dynamics are provided. The method includes receiving data from a plurality of sensors which monitor vehicle dynamics by monitoring at least wheel and steering movements associated with a vehicle system used in controlling vehicle dynamics by control outputs from a holistic vehicle control system. Then, estimating states of the vehicle from computations of longitudinal and latitudinal velocities, tire slip ratios, clutch torque, axle torque, brake torque, and slip angles derived from the data sensed by the sensors from the wheel and steering movements. Finally, formulating a model of vehicle dynamics by using estimations of vehicle states with a target function to provide analytical data to enable the model of vehicle dynamics to be optimized and for using the data associated with the model which has been optimized to change control outputs to improve in real-time the vehicle dynamics.

Systems and methods for holistic vehicle control with collaborative steering, electronic limited slip differential (ELSD), powertrain and braking

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

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.

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 method that compensates for fluid pressure variations in a vehicle brake system so that the fluid pressure, brake torque and/or brake force at the wheel more accurately reflects that requested by the driver. In an exemplary embodiment, the method determines the braking intent of the driver, determines a current stage of the braking event (e.g., an apply stage, release stage, etc.), uses the braking event stage and the driver braking intent to select a pressure compensation, and uses the pressure compensation to generate compensated brake command signals for operating the vehicle brake system. This method is well suited for use with brake-by-wire systems, such as an electrohydraulic braking (EHB) system.

Method for operating a vehicle brake system

An exemplary embodiment includes an automotive brake component, such as a brake drum or a brake rotor, and an inlay coupled to the automotive brake component. The inlay constituting at least a portion of a braking surface that is acted upon during a braking event. The inlay damping vibrations in the automotive brake component when the component is vibrated.

Component with inlay for damping vibrations

A system and method for controlling creep torque in a vehicle with an electric powertrain, like a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). The method uses a combination of driver braking intent and other vehicle conditions, such as vehicle speed, to determine when creep torque is not needed and to reduce and/or cancel it accordingly. By reducing and/or cancelling the creep torque during periods where energy is being unnecessarily expended by the electric powertrain in order to work against the brakes, the present method is able to improve the overall efficiency of the vehicle.

System and method for controlling vehicle creep torque

A friction damped brake drum for reducing vibrations in a brake drum.

Friction damped brake drum

Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for calibrating a braking system of a vehicle. The braking system has an electric motor, a pump, and a hydraulic accumulator. A speed of the vehicle is obtained, and a pressure within the hydraulic accumulator is measured. The pump is operated via an electric motor to provide hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic accumulator based on the speed of the vehicle and the measure of pressure of the hydraulic accumulator.

Braking calibration for vehicles

A method for controlling braking of a vehicle includes the steps of calculating a first pressure based on a driver request, and providing pressure that does not exceed a predetermined pressure threshold if the vehicle is stationary and the first pressure is less than the predetermined pressure threshold.

Methods and systems for controlling braking of a vehicle when the vehicle is stationary

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.

Growing community of inventors

Highland, MI, United States of America

Patrick J Monsere