System and method for operating autonomous cruise control in lowered traction and visibility mode
An autonomous cruise control (ACC) system that implements a corrective action strategy based on driving conditions for a vehicle is provided. The ACC system includes a drive unit, vehicle sensors and a controller. The controller: receives at least signal from at least one vehicle sensor indicative of a driving condition; determines, based on the signal, whether the at least one signal satisfies a threshold indicative of an unsafe driving condition; and performs the corrective action strategy based on the determination that at least one signal satisfies an unsafe driving condition. The corrective action strategy comprises at least one of: (i) increasing a preset distance to a target vehicle; (ii) communicating a message to a human machine interface indicative of an unsafe driving condition; (iii) communicating a signal to vehicle brakes to initiate a braking event; and (iv) communicating a signal to a traction control system to alter an acceleration setting.
1 . An autonomous cruise control (ACC) system that implements a corrective action strategy based on one of low traction and low visibility driving conditions for a vehicle, the ACC system comprising:
a drive unit that provides drive torque to at least one wheel of the vehicle wheels for propelling the vehicle;
vehicle sensors that sense vehicle driving conditions;
vehicle brakes that actuate at a first time and a first intensity to slow the vehicle down during a braking event;
an anti-lock braking system that intervenes with vehicle brake actuation upon detection of an imminent brake locking condition; and
a controller that implements the corrective action strategy, wherein the controller:
receives at least one signal from at least one vehicle sensor indicative of a driving condition;
determines, based on the at least one signal, whether the at least one signal satisfies a threshold indicative of an unsafe driving condition consistent with one of low traction and low visibility driving conditions; and
performs the corrective action strategy based on the determination that at least one signal satisfies an unsafe driving condition, wherein the corrective action strategy comprises:
(i) increasing a preset distance to a target vehicle;
(ii) communicating a message to a human machine interface (HMI) in the vehicle indicative of an unsafe driving condition;
(iii) communicating a signal to the vehicle brakes of the vehicle to initiate the braking event; and
(iv) communicating a signal to a traction control system to alter an acceleration setting:
wherein the vehicle brakes, in response to the communicated signal from the controller, are initiated at a second time, the second time being earlier than the first time and a second intensity, the second intensity being reduced compared to the first intensity, to slow the vehicle down and avoid intervention of the anti-lock braking system.
2 . The ACC system of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle sensors comprise:
an ambient temperature sensor that communicates a temperature signal to the controller, and wherein the controller determines whether an unsafe driving condition exists based on comparing the temperature signal to a threshold temperature.
3 . The ACC system of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle sensors comprise:
a tire pressure sensor that communicates a tire pressure signal to the controller, and wherein the controller determines whether an unsafe driving condition exists based on comparing the tire pressure signal to a threshold tire pressure.
4 . The ACC system of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle sensors comprise:
a windshield wiper sensor that communicates a windshield wiper signal to the controller, and wherein the controller determines whether an unsafe driving condition exists based on the windshield wiper signal.
5 . The ACC system of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle sensors comprise:
a headlight sensor that communicates a headlight sensor signal to the controller, and wherein the controller determines whether an unsafe driving condition exists based on the headlight sensor signal.
6 . The ACC system of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle sensors comprise:
one of a haptic lane and driver assist sensor that communicates a haptic lane and driver assist signal to the controller, and wherein the controller determines whether an unsafe driving condition exists based on the haptic lane and driver assist signal.
7 . The ACC system of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle sensors comprise:
a wheel speed sensor that communicates a wheel speed signal to the controller, and wherein the controller determines whether an unsafe driving condition exists based on the wheels speed signal.
8 . The ACC system of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle sensors comprise:
a blind spot monitoring sensor that communicates a blind spot monitoring signal to the controller, and wherein the controller determines whether an unsafe driving condition exists based on the blind spot monitoring signal.
9 . The ACC system of claim 1 , wherein the controller further determines whether an unsafe driving condition exists based on a driver ACC request enable signal and a driver request snow enable signal.
10 . A method for implementing a corrective action autonomous cruise control (ACC) system strategy for a vehicle based on one of low traction and low visibility driving conditions for a vehicle, the vehicle having vehicle brakes that actuate at a first time and a first intensity to slow the vehicle down during a braking event, and an anti-lock braking system that intervenes with vehicle brake actuation upon detection of an imminent brake locking condition, the method comprising:
receiving, at a controller, at least signal from at least one vehicle sensor indicative of a driving condition;
determining, at the controller, based on the signal, whether the at least one signal satisfies a threshold indicative of an unsafe driving condition consistent with one of low traction and low visibility;
performing, at the controller, the corrective action strategy based on the determination that at least one signal satisfies an unsafe driving condition, wherein the corrective action strategy comprises:
(i) increasing a preset distance to a target vehicle;
(ii) communicating a message to a human machine interface (HMI) in the vehicle indicative of an unsafe driving condition;
(iii) communicating a signal to the vehicle brakes of the vehicle to initiate a braking event; and
(iv) communicating a signal to a traction control system to alter an acceleration setting;
initiating actuation of the vehicle brakes, in response to the communicated signal from the controller, at a second time, the second time being earlier than the first time and a second intensity, the second intensity being reduced compared to the first intensity, to slow the vehicle down and avoid intervention of the anti-lock braking system.
11 . The method of claim 10 wherein the vehicle sensors comprise:
an ambient temperature sensor that communicates a temperature signal to the controller, and wherein the controller determines whether an unsafe driving condition exists based on comparing the temperature signal to a threshold temperature.
12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the vehicle sensors comprise:
a tire pressure sensor that communicates a tire pressure signal to the controller, and wherein the controller determines whether an unsafe driving condition exists based on comparing the tire pressure signal to a threshold tire pressure.
13 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the vehicle sensors comprise:
a windshield wiper sensor that communicates a windshield wiper signal to the controller, and wherein the controller determines whether an unsafe driving condition exists based on the windshield wiper signal.
14 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the vehicle sensors comprise:
a headlight sensor that communicates a headlight sensor signal to the controller, and wherein the controller determines whether an unsafe driving condition exists based on the headlight sensor signal.
15 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the vehicle sensors comprise:
one of a haptic lane and driver assist sensor that communicates a haptic lane and driver assist signal to the controller, and wherein the controller determines whether an unsafe driving condition exists based on the haptic lane and driver assist signal.
16 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the vehicle sensors comprise:
a wheel speed sensor that communicates a wheel speed signal to the controller, and wherein the controller determines whether an unsafe driving condition exists based on the wheels speed signal.
17 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the vehicle sensors comprise:
a blind spot monitoring sensor that communicates a blind spot monitoring signal to the controller, and wherein the controller determines whether an unsafe driving condition exists based on the blind spot monitoring signal.
18 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the controller further determines whether an unsafe driving condition exists based on a driver ACC request enable signal and a driver request snow enable signal.