Vehicle operator advisor system and method

US6498976B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Freightliner LLC · US

Inventors

• James M. Ehlbeck · Cle Elum, US
• Christopher Kirn · Campbell, US
• Thomas Lenz · Laatzen, DE
• Joerg Moellenhoff · Wilmington, US
• Gerd Roters · Wunstorf, DE
• Gerhard Ruhnau · Hannover, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 1, 2000
• Grant date: Dec 24, 2002
• Expiry date: Nov 1, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60T2230/03
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An automatic deceleration control apparatus for a vehicle operates so as to secure appropriate tire grip performance, depending on the conditions of a road surface on which the vehicle runs turning, and restrain excessive rolling of the vehicle body, there by stabilizing the turning behavior of the vehicle at all times. While the vehicle is turning on a high-friction road surface without undergoing haw moment control, a safe vehicle speed is computed within the rollover limit of the vehicle. While the vehicle is turning on a low-friction road surface under haw moment control, on the other hand, a safe vehicle speed that ensures satisfactory tire grip performance is computed in accordance with an estimated road friction coefficient. When the vehicle is about to exceed its safe speed as it turns, it is automatically decelerated to the safe speed or below. Thus, the vehicle can be prevented from spinning, drifting out, or rolling over.