Measuring and testing – Specific gravity or density of liquid or solid – Hydrostatic pressure type
Patent
1994-07-21
1996-02-27
Williams, Hezron E.
Measuring and testing
Specific gravity or density of liquid or solid
Hydrostatic pressure type
73453, B60Q 100
Patent
active
054952255
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to the field of vehicle traction systems and, in particular, to such systems that respond to the detection of a loss of traction with a driver warning signal.
BACKGROUND
Most traction control systems are designed to limit either wheel skidding or wheel slipping. The systems that limit wheel skidding help to decelerate vehicles by preventing wheels from rotating slower than required for maintaining adhesion with a traction surface, and the systems that limit wheel slipping help to accelerate vehicles by preventing drive wheels from rotating faster than required for maintaining the same adhesion. However, some more complicated traction systems are designed to limit both wheel skidding and wheel slipping.
Such traction control technology has been available for many years, and the advantages of this technology are widely known. Nevertheless, most automobiles are manufactured without electronic traction control systems for limiting either wheel skidding or wheel slipping, and a much smaller percentage of automobiles are manufactured to limit both. One reason for this may be the high cost of manufacturing traction control systems to operate with a degree of reliability required to supersede driver control over a vehicle. For instance, systems for limiting wheel skidding periodically take control over vehicle brakes. Systems for limiting wheel slipping periodically take control over either engine output power or its distribution to the drive wheels.
Although drivers may not be capable of responding as rapidly or effectively as advanced traction control systems to changes in vehicle operating conditions, at least some improvement to driving performance may be possible by alerting drivers to the detection of an impending loss of traction. This information about an impending loss of traction is available from traction control technology at a small fraction of the cost of a complete traction control system, because the driver retains responsibility for taking remedial action.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The invention involves a warning system for alerting a driver about two different types of traction losses, namely, wheel skidding and wheel slipping. Once either of the two types of traction losses are detected, a warning device emits one of two sensorially distinguishable signals for eliciting different responses from the driver to the detection of wheel skidding or wheel slipping.
The correct driver response to the detection of wheel skidding is to at least partially release the vehicle brakes, whereas the correct response to the detection of wheel slipping is to at least partially release the vehicle throttle. The two signals emitted by the warning device are made distinguishable so that the driver can learn to make correct responses within a minimum of reaction time to avoid a more serious loss of traction that could involve a loss of control over the vehicle.
Preferably, the two warning signals are distinguishable by the driver without changing the driver's line of sight away from the traction surface over which the vehicle is being driven. For example, the signals can be presented in a holographic display or the signals can be composed of sound including speech. To further help elicit the correct response from the driver, one of the sounds can be suggestive of wheel skidding such as a screeching sound, and the other sound can be suggestive of wheel slipping such as a whining sound. However, neither sound should be especially alarming to avoid eliciting an inappropriate response.
A first sensing circuit monitors the vehicle drive train for a pronounced vibration that is known to accompany a loss of adhesion by a vehicle wheel with respect to a relatively moving traction surface. The pronounced vibration, which is generally within a range of between ten and fifteen hertz, accompanies both wheel skidding and wheel slipping. A second sensing circuit preferably monitors a brake light circuit to detect application of the vehicle brakes. A logic circuit combines outputs from both
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May Kenneth A.
Ostertag Steven E.
Oda Christine K.
Williams Hezron E.
Zexel Torsen Inc.
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