Fluid-pressure and analogous brake systems – Speed-controlled – Odd condition or device detection
Patent
1996-03-21
1999-07-13
Poon, Peter M.
Fluid-pressure and analogous brake systems
Speed-controlled
Odd condition or device detection
180271, B60D 128
Patent
active
059216417
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The instant invention relates to a device for braking, and more particularly to a vehicle braking device with a brake control system having a detection device with a first sensor device associated with the gas pedal of the vehicle to supply a first signal to the detection device to signal a rapid reflex-like change of the position of the right foot of the driver relative to the gas pedal and to actuate an automatic triggering of vehicle braking.
In conventionally designed brakes for vehicles, in particular for passenger cars, buses or trucks, wherein the braking process is triggered by actuating the brake pedal with the foot, the braking time is composed of a reflex time, a reaction time, a brake response time and the actual braking time. Within the scope of the instant invention, the time required by the driver to mentally comprehend that braking is necessary is understood to be the reflex time. The reaction time represents that time required to take the right foot of the driver off the gas pedal and to move it in the direction of the brake pedal. This is followed by the brake response time which is a result of the fact that the mechanical and/or hydraulic actions which occur when the brake is pushed require a definite time until the actual braking operation is initiated. The time elapsing between the first contact of the brake with the wheel and the stop of the vehicle is understood to be the braking time.
Depending on the respective condition of the driver and the technical structure of the brake system, the reflex time, the reaction time and the brake response time require approximately 15 to approximately 50 percent of the entire braking time, which can lead to considerable problems in many braking situations in view of the present-day traffic density.
A device for braking a vehicle with a brake control system of the species mentioned at the outset is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,146,108. A detection device for determining the position of the foot of the driver normally actuating the gas and brake pedal is associated with the brake control system in such a way that during a reflex-like change of the position of the foot on the gas pedal from a first position into a second position the detection device provides a switch with a signal, which automatically triggers the braking process. It is disadvantageous in this prior art that unintended braking is triggered if a rapid foot movement is accidentally performed (for example because the vehicle is just passing through a hole in the road).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of the invention to additionally assure in connection with a vehicle braking device utilizing a brake control system with a first sensor device having a first sensor associated with the vehicle gas pedal, that automatic braking is already triggered in case of a reflex-like return of the gas pedal indicated by a first signal of the first sensor, although the foot of the driver may neither move away from the gas pedal at all nor move in the direction toward the brake pedal. This object is attained in accordance with the invention by providing the first sensor device of such a vehicle braking device with another sensor associated with the gas pedal which supplies a second signal to the detection device when the right foot of the driver is removed from the gas pedal, and by arranging the detection device to suppress the first signal of the first sensor until such time that the other sensor indicates by means of a second signal that the foot of the driver is released from the surface of the gas pedal. The present invention further contemplates the provision of the detection device with a second sensor device comprising a third sensor positioned between the gas pedal and the brake pedal of the vehicle for generating a third signal to the detection device caused by movement of the right foot of the driver into a position at the brake pedal, with the detection device being set up to trigger the braking process only as a function of the appearance of the thir
REFERENCES:
patent: 3726369 (1973-04-01), Esteves
patent: 4146108 (1979-03-01), Sato
patent: 4632208 (1986-12-01), Takayama et al.
patent: 5115162 (1992-05-01), Leonard et al.
Lupges Peter
Wagels Dieter
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