Methods for transitioning a braking system between primary and fallback modes are provided. A method in accordance with the present disclosure may include identifying a failure in the functionality of the primary braking system, and, upon identifying the failure, mitigating an abrupt increase in a pedal travel distance required to brake or otherwise decelerate the vehicle so as to provide smooth transition from a primary braking mode to a fallback braking mode. The mitigating the increase in the pedal travel distance may include initiating a transition to the fallback braking mode, activating at least one of a plurality of transition braking modes, and gradually increasing the pedal travel distance by deactivating at least one of the previously activated transition braking modes.

When a driving support electronic control unit (DSECU) determines that a driver of a vehicle is in an abnormal state where the driver loses an ability to drive the vehicle, the DSECU starts driving control under the abnormal state to decelerate the vehicle until the vehicle stops and to sound a horn. In this case, the DSECU measures an elapsed time since the horn starts sounding with a horn timer th, and sets a sounding pattern corresponding to the elapsed time measured. This sounding pattern is set in such a manner that a ratio of a sounding time of the horn per unit time decreases as the elapsed time since the horn starts sounding become longer. Thereby, it becomes possible to properly notify that the driver is in the abnormal state using the horn.

When a driving support electronic control unit (DSECU) determines that a driver of a vehicle is in an abnormal state where the driver loses an ability to drive the vehicle, the DSECU starts driving control under the abnormal state to decelerate the vehicle until the vehicle stops and to sound a horn. In this case, the DSECU measures an elapsed time since the horn starts sounding with a horn timer th, and sets a sounding pattern corresponding to the elapsed time measured. This sounding pattern is set in such a manner that a ratio of a sounding time of the horn per unit time decreases as the elapsed time since the horn starts sounding become longer. Thereby, it becomes possible to properly notify that the driver is in the abnormal state using the horn.

A system for braking a vehicle includes an operator interface that transmits a brake command signal when actuated by a vehicle operator. When the interface is not actuated and does not transmit the signal, a controller receives signals indicative of whether the vehicle is in an active or inactive state from two different sources and determines that the vehicle is in the inactive state if both of the signals indicate the vehicle is in the inactive state. The controller receives another signal indicative of a speed of the vehicle and determines whether the speed of the vehicle meets a predetermined condition relative to a predetermined speed of the vehicle. The controller generates a control signal to apply a wheel parking brake on the vehicle after determining that the vehicle is the inactive state and determining that the speed of the vehicle meets the predetermined condition relative to the predetermined speed.

A system for braking a vehicle includes an operator interface that transmits a brake command signal when actuated by a vehicle operator. When the interface is not actuated and does not transmit the signal, a controller receives signals indicative of whether the vehicle is in an active or inactive state from two different sources and determines that the vehicle is in the inactive state if both of the signals indicate the vehicle is in the inactive state. The controller receives another signal indicative of a speed of the vehicle and determines whether the speed of the vehicle meets a predetermined condition relative to a predetermined speed of the vehicle. The controller generates a control signal to apply a wheel parking brake on the vehicle after determining that the vehicle is the inactive state and determining that the speed of the vehicle meets the predetermined condition relative to the predetermined speed.

A hydraulic brake system, in particular a hydraulic brake system for a motor vehicle. The control of a master brake cylinder to build up the hydraulic pressure is effected exclusively by an electric drive. The setpoint specification for controlling the electromechanical drive can be received as an electrical signal. In the event of a fault, redundant brake pressure generation can be ensured by using a brake pressure generation device of a vehicle dynamics control system.

An electro-mechanical brake including: a wheel disc; a brake pad configured to press the wheel disc; a piston configured to press the brake pad; a motor configured to move the piston forward or backward when a current is applied; and a control unit configured to apply a current to the motor, detect a contact point on the basis of a position of the piston when forward movement of the piston due to the current ends, and estimate braking force corresponding to the position of the piston on the basis of the position of the piston, wherein the contact point is a position of the piston when the piston starts to move forward due to the motor and the piston and the brake pad start to come into contact with each other.

An electro-mechanical brake including: a wheel disc; a brake pad configured to press the wheel disc; a piston configured to press the brake pad; a motor configured to move the piston forward or backward when a current is applied; and a control unit configured to apply a current to the motor, detect a contact point on the basis of a position of the piston when forward movement of the piston due to the current ends, and estimate braking force corresponding to the position of the piston on the basis of the position of the piston, wherein the contact point is a position of the piston when the piston starts to move forward due to the motor and the piston and the brake pad start to come into contact with each other.

A system and method are arranged to provide recommendations to a user of a vehicle. In one aspect, the vehicle navigates in an autonomous mode and the sensors provide information that is based on the location of the vehicle and output from sensors directed to the environment surrounding the vehicle. In further aspects, both current and previous sensor data is used to make the recommendations, as well as data based on the sensors of other vehicles.

A system and method are arranged to provide recommendations to a user of a vehicle. In one aspect, the vehicle navigates in an autonomous mode and the sensors provide information that is based on the location of the vehicle and output from sensors directed to the environment surrounding the vehicle. In further aspects, both current and previous sensor data is used to make the recommendations, as well as data based on the sensors of other vehicles.