Braking control system
A braking control system for an automotive vehicle having driven rear wheels which are coupled through a coupling arrangement to the front wheels of the vehicle so as to switch the vehicle between two-wheel drive mode and four-wheel drive mode, comprises an input for receiving a signal indicative of the nature of the terrain on which the vehicle is parked, wherein the nature of the terrain includes the incline of the terrain and one or more additional indicators of the nature of the terrain, and a processor configured to determine, depending on the signal, a braking force to be applied to the front wheels to brake the vehicle securely. The braking system comprises an output for providing a signal to the coupling arrangement to apply the determined braking force to the front wheels. The processor is also configured to receive a further signal indicative of whether the park brake of the vehicle is applied to the rear vehicle wheels, and is configured to disable the output in the event that the park brake is not applied.
1. A braking control system for an automotive vehicle having driven rear wheels which are coupled through a coupling arrangement to front wheels of the automotive vehicle so as to switch the automotive vehicle between a two-wheel drive mode and a four-wheel drive mode, the braking control system comprising:
an input for receiving a first signal indicative of a nature of a terrain on which the automotive vehicle is parked, wherein the nature of the terrain includes an incline of the terrain and at least one additional indicator of the nature of the terrain;
a processor configured to determine, depending on the first signal, a braking force to be applied to the front wheels of the automotive vehicle to brake the automotive vehicle securely; and
an output for providing an output signal to the coupling arrangement to apply the determined braking force to the front wheels of the automotive vehicle;
wherein the processor is configured to receive a second signal indicative of whether a park brake of the automotive vehicle is applied to the driven rear wheels, and is configured to disable the output in the event that the park brake is not applied.
2. The braking control system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the one or more additional indicators of the nature of the terrain includes one or both of a surface friction of the terrain and a type of the terrain.
3. The braking control system as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the processor is configured to receive a predetermined threshold representing an inclination of the terrain below which no braking force is required at the front wheels of the automotive vehicle to brake the automotive vehicle securely, and wherein the processor is configured to determine, depending on the first signal, that no braking force is required at the front wheels of the automotive vehicle in the event that the first signal indicates that the inclination of the terrain is less than the predetermined threshold.
4. The braking control system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the processor is configured to receive an input signal that includes data from a Hill Descent Control system of the automotive vehicle.
5. The braking control system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to receive an input signal that includes an output from a terrain response system of the automotive vehicle.
6. The braking control system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to receive an input signal that includes an output from a longitudinal acceleration sensor.
7. The braking control system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to receive an input signal that includes an output from a suspension height sensor of the automotive vehicle.
8. The braking control system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to determine a weight distribution for the automotive vehicle, and to further determine the braking force in dependence on the weight distribution.
9. The braking control system as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the weight distribution is determined from a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM).
10. The braking control system as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the processor is further configured to receive a trailer input signal from a trailer detection system to determine if a trailer is connected to the automotive vehicle.
11. The braking control system as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the weight distribution is based on the output from a suspension height sensor and a longitudinal acceleration sensor.
12. The braking control system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to determine the braking force in dependence on a coupling torque history of an associated driving cycle.
13. The braking control system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the coupling arrangement is a clutch mechanism.
14. The braking control system as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the processor is configured to receive an input from a range change unit of a vehicle drivetrain, and wherein the processor is configured to release the braking force when the range change unit indicates a range change.
15. The braking control system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the braking force to be applied to the front wheels of the automotive vehicle is applied through the coupling arrangement.
16. A vehicle comprising the braking control system as claimed in claim 1 .
17. A method of applying a braking force to front wheels of a vehicle having a coupling arrangement for coupling rear wheels of the vehicle to the front wheels of the vehicle, the method comprising:
receiving a first signal indicative of a nature of a terrain on which the vehicle is parked, wherein the nature of the terrain includes an incline of the terrain and one or more additional indicators of the nature of the terrain;
determining, dependent on the first signal, a braking force to be applied to the front wheels of the vehicle to brake the vehicle securely;
providing an output signal to the coupling arrangement to apply the determined braking force to the front wheels of the vehicle;
receiving a second signal indicative of whether a park brake of the vehicle is applied to the rear wheels of the vehicle; and
disabling the output signal to the coupling arrangement in the event that the park brake is not applied.
18. A non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium storing instructions thereon that, when executed by one or more electronic processors, causes the one or more electronic processors to carry out the method of claim 17 .
19. A controller for controlling a braking system of a vehicle, the controller comprising:
an electronic processor having an electrical input for receiving: a first signal indicative of a nature of a terrain on which the vehicle is parked, wherein the nature of the terrain includes an incline of the terrain and one or more additional indicators of the nature of the terrain;
an electronic memory device electrically coupled to the electronic processor and having instructions stored therein;
the electronic processor being configured to access the electronic memory device and execute the instructions stored therein such that the electronic processor is operable to:
control the braking system in response to receiving a second signal indicative of a terrain the vehicle is travelling on;
determine, depending on the second signal, a braking force to be applied to front wheels to brake the vehicle securely; and
provide an output signal to the coupling arrangement to apply the determined braking force to the front wheels;
wherein the electronic processor is configured to receive a third signal indicative of whether a park brake of the vehicle is applied to rear wheels of the vehicle and disable the output signal in the event that the park brake is not applied.