IP Library Granted Patent US 12,534,066
Granted Patent B2
US 12,534,066 · App. 18/245,326 · Granted Jan 27, 2026

Method and system for automated parking of a vehicle

Inventors: Martin Brenn (Mainz, DE); Heinz-Anton Schneider (Niedernhausen, DE); Carsten Handel (Ginsheim-Gustavsburg, DE); Frank Sader (Königstein, DE)
Assignee: Continental Automotive Technologies GmbH
B60W30/06B60W10/182B60W10/20B60W2710/18B60W2756/10
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,534,066
App. No.
18/245,326
Granted
Jan 27, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for automated parking of a vehicle by means of a parking assistance system, comprises the parking assistance system requesting activation of a holding device in order to hold the vehicle stationary. For safety reasons, a vehicle monitoring system monitors a movement of the vehicle and, based on the movement established, decides whether the vehicle has been successfully held by means of the holding device, the vehicle being secured independently of the holding device and/or a warning signal being output if holding is not successful.

Claims (31)

1 . A method for automated parking of a vehicle comprising:

requesting activation of an electromechanical parking brake with a first control unit of a parking assistance system in order to hold the vehicle stationary;

activating the electromechanical parking brake using a second control unit;

monitoring a movement of the vehicle with a vehicle monitoring system using the second control unit; and,

deciding with the second control unit based on the monitored movement whether the vehicle has been successfully held by the electromechanical parking brake;

monitoring currents and voltages in a parking brake actuation unit with the second control unit when the electromechanical parking brake is applied to set a predetermined holding force; and

at least one of securing the vehicle independently of the holding device and outputting a warning signal with the second control unit when the holding is not successful.

2 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the monitoring further comprises monitoring the movement of the vehicle with at least one wheel speed sensor.

3 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the holding of the vehicle is successful when the movement of the vehicle does not exceed a first threshold.

4 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising activating the vehicle monitoring system by the parking assistance system with the request to activate the electromechanical parking brake.

5 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprises monitoring a vehicle movement with the parking brake actuation unit and applying the electromechanical parking brake again when a vehicle movement that is greater than a second threshold is established.

6 . The method as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the second threshold of the parking brake actuation unit for renewed application of the electromechanical parking brake is more sensitive than the first threshold of the vehicle monitoring system.

7 . The method as claimed in either of claim 5 , further comprising notifying the vehicle monitoring system from the parking brake actuation unit when the parking brake actuation unit applies the electromechanical parking brake again, the vehicle monitoring system then not intervening.

8 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising actuating a hydraulic service brake to secure the vehicle independently of the electromechanical parking brake.

9 . The method as claimed in claim 8 , further comprising holding a hydraulic pressure with hydraulic valves independently of supplying energy to a pressure application unit.

10 . The method as claimed in claim 8 , further comprising maintaining the pressure in the hydraulic service brake with a linear actuator, said linear actuator being operated in a mode in which the pressure is readjusted only when there is an increased deviation from a setpoint value compared to normal operation.

11 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising autonomously moving the vehicle to a position with a lower roadway incline to secure the vehicle independently of the electromechanical parking brake.

12 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising autonomously setting at least one of a maximum steering angle and opposite steering angles on a left-hand-side and a right-hand-side wheel of the vehicle in order to secure the vehicle independently of the electromechanical parking brake.

13 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising autonomously engaging a parking lock of a drive train to secure the vehicle independently of the electromechanical parking brake.

14 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising transmitting a request for the output of the warning signal to a superordinate vehicle control unit via at least one of one of an interface of the parking assistance system and a vehicle network.

15 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising outputting the warning signal via at least one of an ignition key, smartphone, horn and hazard warning light.

16 . A system for automated parking of a vehicle comprising:

parking assistance system, comprising a first control unit with instruction for requesting activation of the electromechanical parking brake in order to hold the vehicle stationary; and

a brake system comprising a second control unit designed to actuate the electromechanical parking brake at the request of the parking assistance system; and

a vehicle monitoring system with instructions for:

monitoring a movement of the vehicle with a vehicle monitoring system; and

deciding based on the monitored movement whether the vehicle has been successfully held by the electromechanical parking brake; and

at least one of securing the vehicle independently of the electromechanical parking brake and outputting a warning signal when the holding is not successful.

17 . The system as claimed in claim 16 , wherein the vehicle monitoring system is implemented in the second control unit of the brake system.

18 . The system as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the second control unit has a first control device for controlling a hydraulic service brake and a second control device for controlling the electromechanical parking brake, the vehicle monitoring system being implemented in the second control device.

19 . The system as claimed in claim 16 , wherein the vehicle monitoring system is implemented in an additional control device.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 12, 2024
From: BRENN, MARTIN; SCHNEIDER, HEINZ-ANTON; HANDEL, CARSTEN; SADER, FRANK
To: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
Reel/Frame 067709/0229 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2020 211 522.2 · Sep 14, 2020 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230398981A1 · Dec 14, 2023
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