Patent ID: 6875153
Filing Date: 2005-04-05
Classification: B60T,B60W,Y02T,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for automatic actuation of a brake of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes a brake pedal and the brake acts on at least one first wheel of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle has an engine that is operatively connected to at least one second wheel via a drive train including a clutch and a gearbox for transmitting a drive torque from the engine to the at least one second wheel, wherein the gearbox has at least one forward gear and a reverse gear, the method comprising the steps of: automatically actuating the brake of the vehicle by means of an external force applied independently of driver actuation of the brake pedal when the engine is operating and when at least one condition selected from the group consisting of a first condition, a second condition, a third condition, and a fourth condition is fulfilled; wherein the first condition is fulfilled by actuating the clutch such that the transmission of drive torque from the engine to the at least one second wheel is not completely interrupted, the at least one forward gear is engaged in the gearbox, and the speed of the vehicle is substantially zero; wherein the second condition is fulfilled by actuating the clutch such that transmission of drive torque from the engine to the at least one second wheel is not completely interrupted, the at least one forward gear is engaged in the gearbox, and the vehicle is moving backward; wherein the third condition is fulfilled by actuating the clutch such that the transmission of drive torque from the engine to the at least one second wheel is not completely interrupted, the reverse gear is engaged in the gearbox, and the speed of the vehicle is substantially zero; and wherein the fourth condition is fulfilled by actuating the clutch such that the transmission of drive torque from the engine to the at least one second wheel is not completely interrupted, the reverse gear is engaged in the gearbox, and the vehicle is moving forward.