In a method for providing the clamping force generated by a parking brake, the roadway incline is measured and in the case that the roadway incline exceeds a threshold value, a reengagement process is carried out after a defined time period has elapsed.

A method and the like for controlling a vehicle brake, the method and the like capable of reliably actuating a vehicle departure assistant system even with a particularly inexpensive component configuration.

In one instances, the method for controlling the vehicle brake includes: detecting a stop of a vehicle; determining whether a brake pressure applied to at least one wheel, whose brake pressure has been detected, through an operation by a driver is at least equal to an actuation pressure; activating a departure aid system when it is determined that the brake pressure is at least equal to the actuation pressure; determining whether brake pressure of a rear wheel, which is applied through the operation by the driver, is at least equal to a specified pressure that is required to stop the vehicle; and actuating the departure aid system to automatically retain the brake pressure in a state.

A brake device having an electric parking brake function, capable of appropriately performing stepwise increase control for a clamping force. A control unit including a computing circuit (20), a memory (21), and each motor drive circuit (23) of a parking brake control device (19) includes a stepwise increase control unit configured to increase the clamping force generated by brake pads (33) to a disc rotor (4) in a stepwise manner. When start of contact between the disc rotor (4) and the brake pads (33) caused by feeding of power from the parking brake control device (19) to an electric motor (43B) is detected based on a motor current from a current sensor unit (24), the stepwise increase control unit performs control for repeatedly feeding and stopping power to the electric motor (43B) to increase the clamping force in a stepwise manner in accordance with a predefined processing procedure.

Some embodiments relate to apparatus for enhancing vehicle performance along an inclined surface. The apparatus can include a brake modulator that is controllable to reduce or limit the vehicle speed. A controller can control the brake modulator to selectively operate in a hill start assist mode. In the hill start assist mode, the controller can control the brake modulator to hold the vehicle stationary after the vehicle is initially stopped while traveling along the inclined surface, until an acceleration input member is manually operated to control a power source to propel the vehicle. The controller can control the brake modulator to release fluid pressure at the friction members at a pressure release rate that is based on a current position of the acceleration input member.

A Hill Start Assist (HSA) system for an off-road type vehicle includes a brake system for producing a braking force sufficient to maintain the vehicle in a stopped condition, and a control unit in communication with the brake system for controlling a brake modulator of the brake system to maintain the braking force when a manual brake actuator of the brake system is in a released position. The HSA system is operable in a ready state where the brake modulator is in an open condition and the braking force is not maintained, an activated state and a hold state where the brake modulator is in a closed condition and the braking force is maintained. The HSA system is only in the ready state upon determination by the control unit that predetermined vehicle conditions are satisfied.

A method of managing torque at a vehicle standstill includes outputting torque from a powertrain to satisfy a driver torque demand. The method also includes, in response to a nonzero torque demand resulting in vehicle standstill, applying a friction brake to maintain the vehicle standstill and substantially reducing output torque of the powertrain during friction brake application. The method further includes satisfying driver torque demand using the powertrain and releasing the friction brake in response to the driver torque demand deviating from the nonzero torque demand by more than a predetermined amount.

The invention relates to a method of controlling a heavy-duty vehicle in a slope when the vehicle has come to a standstill due to service brakes of the vehicle having applied a service brake force, the method comprising determining a total brake force required for maintaining the vehicle at standstill, activating at least one park brake for providing a park brake force, gradually increasing the park brake force, and, while the park brake force is gradually increased, gradually reducing the service brake force while maintaining the sum of the service brake force and the park brake force at least equal to the determined total brake force.

An axle drive for a vehicle comprising at least one drivable vehicle axle comprises a drive shaft that extends along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, starting from a first side of the axle drive, to a second side of the axle drive and that is configured to receive drive power from an electric motor arranged at the first side and to output said drive power at the second side to a driven shaft that extends at the second side of the axle drive offset from the drive shaft and that is configured to output drive power to the vehicle axle via a bevel gear facing towards the first side. The axle drive further comprises a brake, in particular a parking brake, comprising a brake disk that is arranged at the second side of the axle drive, in a manner facing away from the first side, at the drive shaft or at the driven shaft.

Disclosed herein are an apparatus for controlling a vehicle and method thereof. An apparatus for controlling a vehicle, the apparatus includes an inputter configured to receive a start operation signal from a starter, receive an AVH mode operation signal from an Automatic Vehicle Hold(AVH), receive Wheel information, longitudinal acceleration information and AVH switch information from an Electronic Stability Control(ESC), and a determiner configured to determine whether the AVH mode operation signal is an ON operation signal when the start operation signal is an OFF operation signal, and determines whether the at least one of the wheel information, the longitudinal acceleration information and the AVH switch information is in a normal state when the AVH mode operation signal is the ON operation signal and a controller configured to control an Electronic Parking Brake(EPB) to perform parking in the EPB when the at least one of the wheel information, the longitudinal acceleration information, and the AVH switch information is in the normal state.

A motor vehicle automatic engaged stop system includes an automatic transmission driving at least one wheel and has at least one brake member preventing wheel rotation when engaged and allowing wheel rotation when disengaged. A controller communicates with each of: the brake member to control the brake member; the automatic transmission to control a condition of the automatic transmission, and with a signal device. A brake pedal in communication with the brake member engages the brake member when depressed by a vehicle operator. After the motor vehicle reaches a zero speed the controller energizes the signal device to notify the vehicle operator to release the brake pedal and maintains a vehicle stopped condition with the brake pedal in a released condition and when the motor vehicle is positioned anywhere between uphill and downhill orientation planes.