Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling a vehicle using a specific torque of a brake system. In one embodiment, a method of using a specific torque of a brake system for a vehicle includes: determining a brake pressure of the brake system during a braking operation; determining a deceleration of the vehicle during the braking operation; determining a vehicle mass and a wheel radius; estimating a specific torque of the brake system based on the brake pressure and the deceleration; and operating the vehicle based on the specific torque.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system including a brake pedal in communication with a wheel brake, a brake actuation system, a braking system controller, an on-board driver communication system, and a controller is described. Parameters associated with a braking request, a brake actuation command and vehicle operation are monitored during each braking event, and segmented the into parameters associated with a static portion of the braking event and parameters associated with a dynamic portion of each braking event, evaluate the parameters associated with the static portion of the braking event and evaluate the parameters associated with the dynamic portion of the braking event, and assess a state of health of the braking system based upon the evaluation of the parameters. The assessment of the state of health of the braking system is communicated to a vehicle driver via the on-board driver communication system.

Abstract: Systems and method are provided for controlling a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving, by a processor, at least one of state health and performance information associated with at least one vehicle actuator; processing, by the processor, the state of health and performance information to determine an acceleration value; and controlling the vehicle based on the acceleration value.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system including a brake pedal in communication with a wheel brake, a brake actuation system, a braking system controller, an on-board driver communication system, and a controller is described. Parameters associated with a braking request, a brake actuation command and vehicle operation are monitored during each braking event, and segmented the into parameters associated with a static portion of the braking event and parameters associated with a dynamic portion of each braking event, evaluate the parameters associated with the static portion of the braking event and evaluate the parameters associated with the dynamic portion of the braking event, and assess a state of health of the braking system based upon the evaluation of the parameters. The assessment of the state of health of the braking system is communicated to a vehicle driver via the on-board driver communication system.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided testing a vehicle braking system. The method includes determining a nominal brake system parameter of the brake system during a braking operation. A first testing brake operation is performed and a first brake system parameter is determined based on the first testing brake operation. A tested brake system parameter is determined based on the first testing system parameter and the tested brake system parameter is compared to the nominal brake system parameter. A brake system compliance suspicion value of the vehicle braking system is then set based on the comparison.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided testing a vehicle braking system. The method includes determining a nominal brake system parameter of the brake system during a braking operation. A first testing brake operation is performed and a first brake system parameter is determined based on the first testing brake operation. A tested brake system parameter is determined based on the first testing system parameter and the tested brake system parameter is compared to the nominal brake system parameter. A brake system compliance suspicion value of the vehicle braking system is then set based on the comparison.

Abstract: Systems and method are provided for controlling a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving, by a processor, at least one of state health and performance information associated with at least one vehicle actuator; processing, by the processor, the state of health and performance information to determine an acceleration value; and controlling the vehicle based on the acceleration value.

Abstract: A method for testing to determine a coefficient of friction between a vehicle wheel and a surface with which the vehicle wheel is in contact (“surface mu”) includes the steps of calculating a surface mu confidence level based upon an evaluation of a locale of interest, an evaluation of visual cues sensed by the vehicle at the locale of interest, and/or an evaluation of vehicle signals at the locale of interest and scheduling the vehicle to perform active dynamic testing at the locale of interest. The method further includes the steps of performing the active dynamic testing, wherein the testing comprises commanding the vehicle to perform one or more of propulsion torqueing, regenerative torqueing, or brake torqueing of at least one wheel of the vehicle, receiving a measured parameter from the at least one wheel during said testing, and calculating a surface mu value for the locale of interest.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling a vehicle using a specific torque of a brake system. In one embodiment, a method of using a specific torque of a brake system for a vehicle includes: determining a brake pressure of the brake system during a braking operation; determining a deceleration of the vehicle during the braking operation; determining a vehicle mass and a wheel radius; estimating a specific torque of the brake system based on the brake pressure and the deceleration; and operating the vehicle based on the specific torque.

Abstract: A brake pad monitoring sensor includes an erodible, electrically non-conductive body, and an electrical circuit disposed within the body. The electrical circuit includes a first wear indicating portion. Electrical continuity of the first wear indicating portion is broken when the body erodes, in response to abrasion against a brake rotor, beyond a first depth relative to a contact surface of the body, to sense a first degree of wear. The electrical circuit includes a first thermocouple that is operable to generate a temperature dependent voltage signal for sensing a temperature of the brake pad. The brake pad monitoring sensor may be used to determine both brake pad wear, and brake pad temperature.

Abstract: A brake pad monitoring sensor includes an erodible, electrically non-conductive body, and an electrical circuit disposed within the body. The electrical circuit includes a first wear indicating portion. Electrical continuity of the first wear indicating portion is broken when the body erodes, in response to abrasion against a brake rotor, beyond a first depth relative to a contact surface of the body, to sense a first degree of wear. The electrical circuit includes a first thermocouple that is operable to generate a temperature dependent voltage signal for sensing a temperature of the brake pad. The brake pad monitoring sensor may be used to determine both brake pad wear, and brake pad temperature.

Abstract: A method of selective, automatic application of one rear brake of a motor vehicle under appropriate vehicle operating conditions in response to intent of a driver to make a turn, whereby the rotational speed of the selected braked rear wheel is reduced so as to reduce the turn radius of the vehicle. Vehicle sensor outputs and calculated parameters in conjunction with vehicle systems such as, but not limited to, ESC, ABS, and traction control are used to determine if appropriate vehicle operating conditions exist to actuate the present invention. The method of the present invention is implemented via an algorithmic control, preferably within an ESC system.

Abstract: A method of selective, automatic application of one rear brake of a motor vehicle under appropriate vehicle operating conditions in response to intent of a driver to make a turn, whereby the rotational speed of the selected braked rear wheel is reduced so as to reduce the turn radius of the vehicle. Vehicle sensor outputs and calculated parameters in conjunction with vehicle systems such as, but not limited to, ESC, ABS, and traction control are used to determine if appropriate vehicle operating conditions exist to actuate the present invention. The method of the present invention is implemented via an algorithmic control, preferably within an ESC system.

Abstract: An algorithm residing in, for example the ECM of a motor vehicle, which predicts brake booster vacuum for vehicles using vacuum for brake pedal assist. The predicted brake booster vacuum is compared to a calibrated brake booster vacuum threshold to determine if adequate brake booster vacuum is available to meet vehicle braking requirements, whereupon engine operation can be modified, as necessary, to improve intake manifold vacuum such that brake booster vacuum requirements for vehicle braking are better satisfied.

Abstract: An algorithm residing in, for example the ECM of a motor vehicle, which predicts brake booster vacuum for vehicles using vacuum for brake pedal assist. The predicted brake booster vacuum is compared to a calibrated brake booster vacuum threshold to determine if adequate brake booster vacuum is available to meet vehicle braking requirements, whereupon engine operation can be modified, as necessary, to improve intake manifold vacuum such that brake booster vacuum requirements for vehicle braking are better satisfied.

Abstract: A brake proportioning valve is provided which can be modified to change the pressure at which the proportioning relationship of the valve initiates action. The valve utilizes the power steering system boost pressure to initiate such modifications of its proportioning function.