Abstract: A method of controlling operation of an all-wheel-drive vehicle having independent power-sources includes driving the vehicle via at least one of a first power-source through a first set of wheels and a second power-source through a second set of wheels. The method also includes determining a rotating speed of each of the first and second sets of wheels relative to a road surface. The method additionally includes determining a road speed of the vehicle and determining a longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle. The method also includes determining a slip of the vehicle relative to the road surface using the determined rotating speed of each of the first and second sets of wheels and the speed of the vehicle. Furthermore, the method includes controlling the vehicle slip via regulating a torque output of the first and/or second power-source.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for determining an effective brake pedal position for a vehicle. A determination is made as to whether automatic braking is occurring for a vehicle. If the automatic braking is occurring, a measure of braking is determined for the vehicle. The effective pedal position of the brake pedal is determined to be a position of the brake pedal that would be expected to be required to attain the measure of braking if automatic braking were not occurring.

Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle having a friction braking system and a regenerative braking system is presented here. The method determines a regenerative torque capacity, calculates a desired regenerative torque amount for the braking system, detects that the desired regenerative torque amount exceeds the regenerative torque capacity by at least a threshold amount, and controls actuation of the friction braking system in response to the detecting. Another operating method determines a coastdown torque capability of the vehicle, calculates a desired coastdown torque amount, detects that the desired coastdown torque amount exceeds the coastdown torque capability by at least a threshold amount, and controls actuation of the friction braking system in response to the detecting.

Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle having a friction braking system and a regenerative braking system is presented here. The method determines a regenerative torque capacity, calculates a desired regenerative torque amount for the braking system, detects that the desired regenerative torque amount exceeds the regenerative torque capacity by at least a threshold amount, and controls actuation of the friction braking system in response to the detecting. Another operating method determines a coastdown torque capability of the vehicle, calculates a desired coastdown torque amount, detects that the desired coastdown torque amount exceeds the coastdown torque capability by at least a threshold amount, and controls actuation of the friction braking system in response to the detecting.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for determining an effective brake pedal position for a vehicle. A determination is made as to whether. automatic braking is occurring for a vehicle. If the automatic braking is occurring, a measure of braking is determined for the vehicle. The effective pedal position of the brake pedal is determined to be a position of the brake pedal that would be expected to be required to attain the measure of braking if automatic braking were not occurring.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide braking systems and methods for a motor vehicle. One braking system includes a primary braking system, a speed sensor, a brake pedal, a parking brake, and a processor coupled to the parking brake and the primary braking system. The processor is configured to engage the primary braking system when the parking brake is activated and the motor vehicle is traveling at a speed at least equal to a pre-determined speed.

Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a cruise control module, an engine control module, and a brake control module. The cruise control module determines a cruise torque request based on at least one of a following distance of a vehicle and a rate at which the vehicle is approaching an object. The engine control module determines a negative torque capacity of a powertrain. The powertrain includes an engine and an electric motor. The brake control module applies a friction brake when the cruise torque request is less than the negative torque capacity of the powertrain.

Abstract: A method for adjusting braking in a vehicle having wheels and a regenerative braking system is provided. The method comprises the steps of providing regenerative braking torque for the vehicle via the regenerative braking system at a first level if a wheel slip of the vehicle is not present, and providing regenerative braking torque for the vehicle via the regenerative braking system at one of a plurality of modulated levels if the wheel slip is present. Each of the plurality of modulated levels is dependent on a magnitude, a location, or both, of the wheel slip. Each of the modulated levels is less than the first level.

Abstract: A vehicle brake system and method designed to maximize the contributions from a regenerative braking system, yet still provide adequate safety measures that address potential regenerative braking failure. According to one embodiment, the method determines both a requested deceleration from the driver and an actual deceleration experienced by the vehicle, and uses the difference between these two values to calculate a deceleration error that can be integrated over time and compared to an error threshold. If the integrated or accumulated deceleration error surpasses the error threshold, then the method may reduce or disable the regenerative braking system until it can confirm that it is operating properly.

Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle brake system during a wheel slip condition. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method involves receiving a requested brake torque, monitoring wheel slip, and if no wheel slip is detected then operating the vehicle brake system according to the requested brake torque. If, however, wheel slip is detected then the method may operate the vehicle brake system according to a modified brake torque that is less than the requested brake torque.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for vehicle control during braking for vehicles having a transmission gear movable between at least a drive position and a neutral position. A wheel speed sensor measures a wheel speed of the wheel. A controller is coupled to the wheel speed sensor. The controller calculates a parameter using the wheel speed, and shifts the transmission gear from the drive position to the neutral position if the parameter exceeds a predetermined threshold. The parameter is indicative of a load on a component of the vehicle.

Abstract: An exemplary method for operating a hybrid vehicle in the event that there is a problem with an auxiliary power source, such as an internal combustion engine or a fuel cell. According to one embodiment, the method provides a power management scheme for a variety of situations where an auxiliary power source experiences a problem; this may include situations where an internal combustion engine runs out of fuel, where there is a mechanical or electrical malfunction, or any other instance where the auxiliary power source is unable to generate and/or provide electrical energy for the hybrid vehicle. The power management scheme conserves the vehicle's primary power source, which is typically a battery, in order to provide the hybrid vehicle with an extended driving range.

Abstract: A method for assessing slippage of wheels in a vehicle includes the steps of measuring, via a sensor, an initial value of vehicle speed, determining, via a processor, at least one of a minimum vehicle speed and a maximum vehicle speed, and determining, via the processor, wheel slip using the initial value and the at least one of the minimum vehicle speed and the maximum vehicle speed.

Abstract: A vehicle brake system and method designed to maximize the contributions from a regenerative braking system, yet still provide adequate safety measures that address potential regenerative braking failure. According to one embodiment, the method determines both a requested deceleration from the driver and an actual deceleration experienced by the vehicle, and uses the difference between these two values to calculate a deceleration error that can be integrated over time and compared to an error threshold. If the integrated or accumulated deceleration error surpasses the error threshold, then the method may reduce or disable the regenerative braking system until it can confirm that it is operating properly.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a braking system of a vehicle having a brake pedal includes the steps of measuring, via a sensor, a speed of the vehicle, generating, via a processor, an optimized mapping relating a movement of the brake pedal and a deceleration of the vehicle based at least in part upon the speed of the vehicle, and calibrating, via the processor, a relationship between an engagement of the brake pedal and the deceleration of the vehicle using the optimized mapping.

Abstract: A method for controlling braking in a hybrid vehicle includes the steps of determining a value of a variable pertaining to operation of the hybrid vehicle and applying regenerative braking based at least in part on the value of the variable. The variable comprises a speed of the hybrid vehicle, a steering angle of the hybrid vehicle, or a rate of change of the steering angle.

Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle brake system having both frictional and regenerative braking capabilities. According to one embodiment, the method monitors wheel slip at a number of vehicle wheels, evaluates individual wheel slip at a single wheel as well as collective wheel slip involving multiple wheels, compares the wheel slips to one or more speed-based thresholds that are based on vehicle speed, and uses the comparisons to help distinguish between those situations that warrant disengagement of regenerative braking operations and those that do not.

Abstract: A method for reducing or mitigating the effects of vibration in a vehicle brake system, particularly those that can lead to brake groan or other unwanted noise. According to an exemplary embodiment, when the vehicle brake system detects certain vibratory conditions, it makes slight braking adjustments (e.g., adjustments to fluid pressure, brake force, brake torque, etc.) that are aimed to address the brake groan. The vehicle brake system can then determine the effectiveness of the braking adjustments and, if need be, make additional braking adjustments. The method is particularly well suited for use with brake-by-wire systems, but can be used with a number of different vehicle braking systems.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and program products for adjusting regenerative braking torque in a vehicle having wheels and a regenerative braking system providing the regenerative braking torque are provided. A deceleration of the vehicle is determined. A wheel slip of the wheels is determined. The regenerative braking torque is adjusted for the regenerative braking system using the deceleration and the wheel slip.

Abstract: A method of optimizing steering and stability performance of a vehicle includes measuring a set of inertial data during a regenerative braking event (RBE), calculating a set of vehicle performance data using the inertial data, and comparing the performance data to calibrated threshold data to determine a maximum regenerative braking torque (RBT). The maximum RBT is automatically applied during the active RBE. The vehicle includes a chassis, an electric motor/generator for applying an RBT, a frictional braking system, chassis inertial sensors for measuring a set of chassis inertial data, and a controller having an algorithm for calculating a set of vehicle performance data using the chassis inertial data. The controller determines the maximum RBT by comparing the vehicle performance data to corresponding threshold data. The chassis inertial sensors can include accelerometers, a yaw rate sensor, a steering rate sensor, speed sensors, and/or a braking input sensor.