Motor vehicle electric park brake system and haptic resistance actuator for same
A controller for a motor vehicle electric park brake comprises a park brake actuator mounted for movement by human hand operation to and from a range of actuator positions between a park brake full apply position and a park brake full release position. Movement of the actuator applies a corresponding range of park brake force levels from a full force level to a no force level, respectively. An electronic sensor is operably associated with the park brake actuator and is operative to generate park brake actuation signals corresponding to respective actuator positions. A haptic resistance applier is operatively associated with the park brake actuator and is operative to apply a range of actuator movement resistance force levels against movement of the park brake actuator by human hand operation toward the park brake full apply position. The actuator movement resistance force level applied by the haptic resistance applier increases, e.g., proportionately, with distance of the park brake actuator toward the park brake full apply position.
1 . A controller for a motor vehicle electric park brake, comprising, in combination:
a. a park brake actuator mounted for movement by human hand operation to and from a range of actuator positions between a park brake full apply position and a park brake full release position to apply a corresponding range of park brake force levels from a full force level to a no force level, respectively;
b. an electronic sensor operably associated with the park brake actuator and operative at least to generate park brake actuation signals corresponding to respective actuator positions; and
c. a haptic resistance applier operatively associated with the park brake actuator and operative at least to apply a range of actuator movement resistance force levels against movement of the park brake actuator by human hand operation toward the park brake full apply position, wherein the actuator movement resistance force level applied by the haptic resistance applier increases with distance of the park brake actuator toward the park brake full apply position.
2 . The controller for a motor vehicle electric park brake of claim 1 wherein the actuator movement resistance force level applied by the haptic resistance applier is directly proportional to the position of the park brake actuator between the park brake full apply position and a park brake full release position.
3 . The controller for a motor vehicle electric park brake of claim 1 wherein the actuator movement resistance force level applied by the haptic resistance applier is linearly proportional to the position of the park brake actuator between the park brake full apply position and a park brake full release position.
4 . The controller for a motor vehicle electric park brake of claim 1 further comprising a lock-out switch operative to be switched by human hand operation between a park brake enable condition and a park brake disable condition, the park brake actuator being disabled when the lock out switch is in the park brake disable condition.
5 . The controller for a motor vehicle electric park brake of claim 1 wherein the park brake actuator comprises a pivotally mounted park brake apply lever for human hand operation to and from the range of actuator positions between the park brake full apply position and the park brake full release position.
6 . The controller for a motor vehicle electric park brake of claim 5 wherein the park brake actuator further comprises a ratchet operative to releasably hold the pivotally mounted park brake apply lever in any of multiple actuator positions between the park brake full apply position and the park brake full release position.
7 . The controller for a motor vehicle electric park brake of claim 6 further comprising a release button mounted on the park brake apply lever, operable by human hand, and operative to release the ratchet to permit return of the park brake apply lever toward the park brake full release position.
8 . The controller for a motor vehicle electric park brake of claim 6 wherein the haptic resistance applier comprises a spring operative to apply increasing resistance against movement of the park brake apply lever toward the park brake full apply position.
9 . The controller for a motor vehicle electric park brake of claim 6 wherein the spring is a coil spring.
10 . The controller for a motor vehicle electric park brake of claim 6 wherein the haptic resistance applier comprises an electromagnet comprising an output member operative upon energizing the electromagnet at a selected power lever to apply a corresponding level of resistance against movement of the park brake apply lever.
11 . The controller for a motor vehicle electric park brake of claim 6 wherein the haptic resistance applier comprises a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder comprising an output member operative to apply resistance against movement of the park brake apply lever toward the park brake full apply position, which resistance increases with distance toward the park brake full apply position.
12 . The controller for a motor vehicle electric park brake of claim 1 wherein the electronic sensor is operative to detect movements of the park brake actuator.
13 . The controller for a motor vehicle electric park brake of claim 1 wherein the electronic sensor is operative to detect positions of the park brake actuator.
14 . A motor vehicle electric park brake, comprising, in combination:
a. a brake mechanism comprising a friction element mounted for controlled movement into and out of braking contact with a moving component associated with at least one road wheel of the motor vehicle;
b. an electrically powered brake activating assembly operative to apply the park brake by moving the friction element into engagement with the moving component;
c. an electronic control circuit operative to control the electrically powered motor to apply a selected level of braking force in response to receipt of corresponding brake actuation signals;
d. a park brake actuation lever mounted for movement by human hand operation to and from a range of lever positions between a park brake full apply position and a park brake full release position to apply a corresponding range of park brake force levels from a full force level to a no force level, respectively;
e. an electronic sensor operably associated with the park brake actuation lever and operative at least to generate park brake actuation signals corresponding to respective lever positions; and
f. proportional haptic feedback means operative to provide resistance force against movement of the park brake actuation lever toward the park brake full apply position, which resistance force increases with the level of braking force applied.
15 . The motor vehicle electric park brake of claim 14 wherein the electronic control circuit comprises a microprocessor in communication with the electronic sensor to receive park brake actuation signals generated by the electronic sensor corresponding to the position of the park brake actuation lever between the park brake full apply position and the park brake full release position and to generate in response thereto
a. brake mechanism control signals to energize the brake mechanism to apply a corresponding park brake force level, and
b. haptic feedback means control signals to energize the proportional haptic feedback means to provide a corresponding level of resistance force against movement of the park brake actuation lever toward the park brake full apply position.
16 . The motor vehicle electric park brake of claim 14 wherein the electronic control circuit is further operative to control movement of the friction element to apply braking force in response to automatic brake system control signals generated by an on-board micro-processor in response to at least one vehicle condition independent of the park brake actuation lever.
17 . The motor vehicle electric park brake of claim 14 wherein the electrically powered brake activating assembly comprises an electric motor and a clutch.