Method and apparatus for automatic actuation of a vehicle component

1. A method for automatic actuation of a brake of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes a brake pedal and the brake acts on at least one first wheel of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle has an engine that is operatively connected to at least one second wheel via a drive train including a clutch and a gearbox for transmitting a drive torque from the engine to the at least one second wheel, wherein the gearbox has at least one forward gear and a reverse gear, the method comprising the steps of:

automatically actuating the brake of the vehicle by means of an external force applied independently of driver actuation of the brake pedal when the engine is operating and when at least one condition selected from the group consisting of a first condition, a second condition, a third condition, and a fourth condition is fulfilled;

wherein the first condition is fulfilled by actuating the clutch such that the transmission of drive torque from the engine to the at least one second wheel is not completely interrupted, the at least one forward gear is engaged in the gearbox, and the speed of the vehicle is substantially zero;

wherein the second condition is fulfilled by actuating the clutch such that transmission of drive torque from the engine to the at least one second wheel is not completely interrupted, the at least one forward gear is engaged in the gearbox, and the vehicle is moving backward;

wherein the third condition is fulfilled by actuating the clutch such that the transmission of drive torque from the engine to the at least one second wheel is not completely interrupted, the reverse gear is engaged in the gearbox, and the speed of the vehicle is substantially zero; and

wherein the fourth condition is fulfilled by actuating the clutch such that the transmission of drive torque from the engine to the at least one second wheel is not completely interrupted, the reverse gear is engaged in the gearbox, and the vehicle is moving forward.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the external force is provided by an actuator that is operable independently of the brake pedal of the vehicle.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1 , including the step of actuating the clutch by the external force in response to predetermined operating parameters of the drive train.

4. A method in accordance with claim 3 , including the step of completely disengaging the clutch when the vehicle brake is actuated by the external force.

5. A method in accordance with claim 4 , including the step of shifting the gearbox into neutral when the vehicle brake is actuated by the external force and the clutch is completely disengaged.

6. A method in accordance with claim 3 , including the step of shutting off the engine when the vehicle brake is actuated by the external force.

7. A method for automatic actuation of a brake of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle has an engine that is operatively connected to at least one wheel via a clutch and a gearbox such that a drive torque can be transmitted from the engine to the at least one wheel, wherein the gearbox has at least one forward gear and a reverse gear, the method comprising the steps of:

determining whether the transmission of drive torque from the engine to the at least one wheel is not completely interrupted;

determining an operating state of the engine;

determining whether at least one forward gear or a reverse gear is engaged in the gearbox;

determining at least one of a speed of the vehicle and a direction of travel of the vehicle;

automatically actuating the brake of the vehicle by an actuator that is independent of a driver-operated brake pedal when the transmission of the drive torque from the engine to the at least one wheel is not completely interrupted, the engine is operating, the at least one forward gear is engaged in the gearbox, and the speed of the vehicle is substantially zero;

automatically actuating the brake of the vehicle by the actuator when the transmission of drive torque from the engine to the at least one wheel is not completely interrupted, the engine is operating, the at least one forward gear is engaged in the gearbox, and the direction of travel of the vehicle is backward;

automatically actuating the brake of the vehicle by the actuator when the transmission of drive torque from the engine to the at least one wheel is not completely interrupted, the engine is operating, the reverse gear is engaged in the gearbox, and the speed of the vehicle is substantially zero;

automatically actuating the brake of the vehicle by the actuator when the transmission of drive torque from the engine to the at least one wheel is not completely interrupted, the engine is operating, the reverse gear is engaged in the gearbox, and the direction of travel of the vehicle is forward.

8. An actuating arrangement for a brake of a vehicle, the brake acting on at least one first wheel of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle has an engine that is operatively connected to at least one second wheel via a drive train including a clutch and a gearbox such that a drive torque can be transmitted from the engine to the at least one second wheel, wherein the gearbox has at least one forward gear and a reverse gear, the actuating arrangement comprising:

a speed sensor for detecting vehicle speed;

a brake actuator for actuating the brake by means of an external force independently of driver actuation of a brake pedal of the vehicle; and

a control unit for controlling the brake actuator when the engine is operating, wherein the control unit is operable to automatically initiate a braking action of a brake on the vehicle independently of driver actuation of the brake pedal when at least one condition selected from the group consisting of a first condition, a second condition, a third condition, and a fourth condition is fulfilled;

wherein the first condition is fulfilled when the at least one forward gear is engaged in the gearbox and the speed of the vehicle is substantially zero;

wherein the second condition is fulfilled when the at least one forward gear is engaged in the gearbox and the vehicle is moving backward;

wherein the third condition is fulfilled when the reverse gear is engaged in the gearbox and the speed of the vehicle is substantially zero; and

wherein the fourth condition is fulfilled when the reverse gear is engaged in the gearbox and the vehicle is moving forward.

9. An actuating arrangement in accordance with claim 8 , including a clutch actuator for actuating the clutch, wherein the clutch actuator is operatively connected to the control unit.

10. An actuating arrangement in accordance with claim 9 , wherein when the brake is actuated by the brake actuator by the external force and an accelerator is actuated, the control unit operates the brake actuator such that the brake is disengaged and the drive train transmits drive torque from the engine to the at least one second wheel.

11. An actuating arrangement for a brake of a vehicle, the brake acting on at least one first wheel of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle has an engine that is operatively connected to at least one second wheel via a drive train including a clutch and a gearbox such that a drive torque can be transmitted from the engine to the at least one second wheel, wherein the gearbox has at least one forward gear and a reverse gear, the actuating arrangement comprising:

a speed sensor for detecting vehicle speed:

a brake actuator for actuating the brake by means of an external force independently of an actuation of a brake pedal of the vehicle; and

a control unit for controlling the brake actuator when the engine is operating, such that the brake is automatically actuated by the external force provided by the brake actuator when at least one condition selected from the group consisting of a first condition, a second condition, a third condition, and a fourth condition is fulfilled;

wherein the first condition is fulfilled when the at least one forward gear is engaged in the gearbox and the speed of the vehicle is substantially zero:

wherein the second condition is fulfilled when the at least one forward gear is engaged in the gearbox and the vehicle is moving backward;

wherein the third condition is fulfilled when the reverse gear is engaged in the gearbox and the speed of the vehicle is substantially zero;

wherein the fourth condition is fulfilled when the reverse sear is engaged in the gearbox and the vehicle is moving forward; and

wherein the brake actuator is not directly connected to a brake pedal of the vehicle.

12. An actuating arrangement for a brake of a vehicle, the brake acting on at least one first wheel of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle has an engine that is operatively connected to at least one second wheel via a drive train including a clutch and a gearbox such that a drive torque can be transmitted from the engine to the at least one second wheel, wherein the gearbox has at least one forward gear and a reverse gear, the actuating arrangement comprising:

a speed sensor for detecting vehicle speed:

a clutch actuator for actuating the clutch, wherein the clutch actuator is operatively connected to the control unit;

a brake actuator for actuating the brake by means of an external force independently of an actuation of a brake pedal of the vehicle; and

a control unit for controlling the brake actuator when the engine is operating, such that the brake is automatically actuated by the external force provided by the brake actuator when at least one condition selected from the group consisting of a first condition, a second condition, a third condition, and a fourth condition is fulfilled;

wherein the first condition is fulfilled when the at least one forward gear is engaged in the gearbox and the speed of the vehicle is substantially zero;

wherein the second condition is fulfilled when the at least one forward gear is engaged in the gearbox and the vehicle is moving backward;

wherein the third condition is fulfilled when the reverse gear is engaged in the gearbox and the speed of the vehicle is substantially zero;

wherein the fourth condition is fulfilled when the reverse gear is engaged in the gearbox and the vehicle is moving forward; and

wherein when the brake is actuated by the brake actuator by the external force, the control unit operates the clutch actuator to completely disengage the clutch.

13. An actuating arrangement in accordance with claim 12 , wherein when the brake is actuated by the brake actuator by the external force and the clutch is completely disengaged, the control unit operates the gearbox to shift it into neutral.

14. An actuating arrangement for a brake of a vehicle, the brake acting on at least one first wheel of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle has an engine that is operatively connected to at least one second wheel via a drive train including a clutch and a gearbox such that a drive torque can be transmitted from the engine to the at least one second wheel, wherein the gearbox has at least one forward gear and a reverse gear, the actuating arrangement comprising:

a speed sensor for detecting vehicle speed;

a clutch actuator for actuating the clutch, wherein the clutch actuator is operatively connected to the control unit;

a brake actuator for actuating the brake by means of an external force independently of an actuation of a brake pedal of the vehicle; and

a control unit for controlling the brake actuator when the engine is operating, such that the brake is automatically actuated by the external force provided by the brake actuator when at least one condition selected from the group consisting of a first condition, a second condition, a third condition, and a fourth condition is fulfilled;

wherein the first condition is fulfilled when the at least one forward gear is engaged in the gearbox and the speed of the vehicle is substantially zero;

wherein the second condition is fulfilled when the at least one forward gear is engaged in the gearbox and the vehicle is moving backward;

wherein the third condition is fulfilled when the reverse gear is engaged in the gearbox and the speed of the vehicle is substantially zero;

wherein the fourth condition is fulfilled when the reverse gear is engaged in the gearbox and the vehicle is moving forward; and wherein the control unit shuts the engine off when the brake is actuated by the brake actuator by the external force and starts the engine when an accelerator is actuated subsequently.

15. An actuating arrangement for a brake of a vehicle, the brake acting on at least one first wheel of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle has an engine that is operatively connected to at least one second wheel via a drive train including a clutch and a gearbox such that a drive torque can be transmitted from the engine to the at least one second wheel, wherein the gearbox has at least one forward gear and a reverse gear, the actuating arrangement comprising:

a speed sensor for detecting vehicle speed;

a brake actuator for actuating the brake by means of an external force independently of driver actuation of a brake pedal of the vehicle; and

a control unit for controlling the brake actuator when the engine is operating, wherein the control unit is operable to automatically initiate a braking action of a brake on the vehicle independently of driver actuation of the brake pedal when at least one condition selected from the group consisting of a first condition, a second condition, and a third condition is fulfilled;

wherein the first condition is fulfilled when the vehicle speed is substantially zero;

wherein the second condition is fulfilled when the at least one forward gear is engaged in the gearbox and the vehicle is moving backward; and

wherein the third condition is fulfilled when the reverse gear is engaged in the gearbox and the vehicle is moving forward.

16. A motor vehicle including an actuation arrangement for actuating a brake of the vehicle, wherein the brake acts on at least one first wheel of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle has an engine that is operatively connected to at least one second wheel via a drive train including a clutch and a gearbox such that a drive torque can be transmitted from the engine to the at least one second wheel, wherein the gearbox has at least one forward gear and a reverse gear, the actuation arrangement comprising:

a speed sensor for detecting vehicle speed;

a brake actuator for actuating the brake by means of an external force independently of driver actuation of a brake pedal of the vehicle; and

a control unit for controlling the brake actuator when the engine is operating, wherein the control unit is operable to automatically initiate a braking action of a brake on the vehicle independently of driver actuation of the brake pedal when at least one condition selected from the group consisting of a first condition, a second condition, a third condition, and a fourth condition is fulfilled;

wherein the first condition is fulfilled when the at least one forward gear is engaged in the gearbox and the speed of the vehicle is substantially zero;

wherein the second condition is fulfilled when the at least one forward gear is engaged in the gearbox and the vehicle is moving backward;

wherein the third condition is fulfilled when the reverse gear is engaged in the gearbox and the speed of the vehicle is substantially zero; and

wherein the fourth condition is fulfilled when the reverse gear is engaged in the gearbox and the vehicle is moving forward.

17. A method for maintaining a motor vehicle at rest on an incline, wherein the motor vehicle has a braking system and a drive train that includes an engine operatively coupled with a drive wheel through an intervening driver-actuated clutch connected with a gearbox having a forward gear and a reverse gear, said method comprising:

a) sensing whether one of the following operating conditions exists at a time the engine is in operation and the clutch is operated to transfer a partial engine torque to the drive wheel:

1) a forward gear of the gearbox is engaged and the vehicle speed is substantially zero;

2) a forward gear of the gearbox is engaged and the vehicle is rolling backward;

3) a reverse gear of the gearbox is engaged and the vehicle speed is substantially zero;

4) a reverse gear of the gearbox is engaged and the vehicle is rolling forward;

b) when one of the sensed operating conditions exists, automatically operating the vehicle braking system to engage a brake without driver intervention.

18. A method for automatically operating a motor vehicle brake, wherein the motor vehicle has a drive train that includes an engine operatively coupled with a drive wheel through an intervening driver-actuated clutch connected with a gearbox having a forward gear and a reverse gear, said method comprising:

a) sensing whether one of the following operating conditions exists at a time the engine is in operation and the clutch is operated by a driver to transfer a partial engine torque to the drive wheel:

1) a forward gear of the gearbox is engaged and the vehicle speed is substantially zero;

2) a forward gear of the gearbox is engaged and the vehicle is rolling backward;

3) a reverse gear of the gearbox is engaged and the vehicle speed is substantially zero;

4) a reverse gear of the gearbox is engaged and the vehicle is rolling forward;

b) when one of the sensed operating conditions exists, automatically engaging the brake without driver intervention.