Abstract:
A driver prompting braking system includes a detection device adapted to sense at least one object in front of the vehicle; a detection system interfacing with the detection device, the detection system adapted to detect the at least one object; and a brake coaching system interfacing with the detection system, the brake coaching system adapted to determine a brake application timing for an operator of the vehicle to avoid the object and optimize fuel economy of the vehicle. A driver prompting braking method is also disclosed.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure relate to vehicle braking. More particularly, illustrative embodiments of the disclosure relate to a driver prompting braking system and method which prompts a driver of a vehicle as to the optimal time for brake application in slowing or stopping of the vehicle to enhance vehicle economy. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Operators of motor vehicles may compromise fuel economy due to later-than-optimal braking in the slowing or stopping of the vehicles. Earlier onset and gradual application of vehicle brakes may improve vehicle fuel economy or energy capture in the case of vehicles with regenerative braking capabilities. 
         [0003]    Accordingly, a driver prompting braking system and method which prompts a driver of a vehicle as to the optimal time for brake application in slowing or stopping of the vehicle to enhance vehicle economy may be desirable. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure are generally directed to a driver prompting braking system which prompts a driver of a vehicle as to the optimal time for brake application in slowing or stopping of the vehicle to enhance vehicle economy. An illustrative embodiment of the system includes a detection device adapted to sense at least one object in front of the vehicle; a detection system interfacing with the detection device, the detection system adapted to detect the at least one object; and a brake coaching system interfacing with the detection system, the brake coaching system adapted to determine a brake application timing for an operator of the vehicle to avoid the object and optimize fuel economy of the vehicle. 
         [0005]    Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure are further generally directed to a driver prompting braking method. An illustrative embodiment of the method includes calculating a required deceleration required for a vehicle to avoid an object, comparing the required deceleration to a deceleration threshold value and indicating an optimal brake application timing to an operator of the vehicle if the required deceleration exceeds the deceleration threshold value. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    Illustrative embodiments will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram which illustrates a vehicle equipped with an illustrative embodiment of the driver prompting braking system in exemplary implementation of the driver prompting braking method; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an exemplary brake timing indicator; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a flow diagram of an illustrative embodiment of the driver prompting braking method; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a line graph which illustrates an accelerator torque map in implementation of an illustrative embodiment of the driver prompting braking method. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable users skilled in the art to practice the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. Moreover, the illustrative embodiments described herein are not exhaustive and embodiments or implementations other than those which are described herein and which fall within the scope of the appended claims are possible. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. 
         [0012]    Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , a vehicle  100  equipped with an illustrative embodiment of the driver prompting braking system  101  in implementation of the driver prompting braking method is shown. The system  101  may include a detection device  102  which faces forwardly from the vehicle  100 . In some embodiments, the detection device  102  may include a camera. In some other embodiments, the detection device  102  may include a radar, a lidar, or Vehicle-To-Vehicle (V2V) or Vehicle-To-Infrastructure (V21) communications. A detection system  104  may interface with the camera  102 . The detection system  104  may be adapted to detect at least one object  118  which lies within the viewing field  103  of the camera  102  in front of the vehicle  100  and which the vehicle  100  approaches. 
         [0013]    A brake coaching system  106  may interface with the detection system  104 . A brake timing indicator  108  may interface with the brake coaching system  106 . The brake coaching system  106  may be adapted to calculate the deceleration which is required for the vehicle  100  to avoid the object  118  in front of the vehicle  100  as the vehicle  100  approaches the object  118 . The brake coaching system  106  may use the speed of the vehicle  100  and the distance between the vehicle  100  and the object  118  to calculate the required deceleration. 
         [0014]    The brake coaching system  106  may additionally be adapted to electronically store a predetermined deceleration threshold value and compare the required deceleration threshold to the predetermined deceleration threshold value. In the event that the required deceleration exceeds the deceleration threshold value, the brake coaching system  106  may be adapted to transmit a signal to the brake timing indicator  108 . The brake timing indicator  108  may be adapted to indicate the optimal brake application timing to the vehicle operator such that the vehicle operator will apply the vehicle brakes in a timely manner to avoid the object  118  and optimize fuel economy of the vehicle  100 , as will be hereinafter described. 
         [0015]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , in some embodiments, the brake timing indicator  108  of the system  101  may include at least one driver prompt  110 . The driver prompt  110  may communicate the optimal brake timing to the vehicle operator visually through an instrument cluster  111 , audibly through a voice prompt  112  and/or through operator seat vibration  113 . In some embodiments, the driver prompt  110  may communicate the optimal brake timing to the vehicle operator visually through a Head-Up Display. In some embodiments, the brake timing indicator  108  may change the accelerator torque map  114  at the optimal brake application timing such that the accelerator torque is less responsive than normal and may further coach the vehicle operator on the most fuel efficient driving behavior. In some embodiments, the driver prompt braking system  101  may be configured to be passive, in which the system  101  may use the information at the optimal brake application timing and further refine the brake coach score on a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV)  100 . 
         [0016]    In exemplary application of the system  101 , the camera  102  sights an object  118  in the path of the vehicle  100 . The object  118  may be a slowing or stopped vehicle, a bicycle or other object or a red light or stop sign which is in or near the path of the vehicle  100  and the vehicle operator must slow or stop the vehicle  100  to avoid the object  118 . The detection system  101  detects the object  118  and the brake coaching system  116  calculates the deceleration required to slow or stop the vehicle  100  and avoid the object  118 . The brake coaching system  116  compares the required deceleration to the predetermined threshold deceleration value. In the event that the required deceleration exceeds the threshold deceleration value, the brake timing indicator  108  communicates the optimal brake application timing to the vehicle operator via the instrument cluster  111  ( FIG. 2 ), the voice prompt  112  and/or the seat vibration  113 . In some embodiments, the brake coaching system  106  may change the accelerator torque map  114  at the optimal brake application timing to be less responsive than normal and may further coach the vehicle operator on the most fuel efficient driving behavior. In some embodiments, the driver prompt braking system  101  may be passive, in which the system  101  may use the information at the optimal brake application timing and further refine the brake coach score on a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV)  100 . 
         [0017]    Referring next to  FIG. 3 , a flow diagram  300  of an illustrative embodiment of the driver prompting braking method is shown. In  FIG. 4 , a line graph which illustrates an accelerator torque map in implementation of an illustrative embodiment of the driver prompting braking method is shown. The method begins at block  302  of  FIG. 3 . In block  304 , deceleration which is required to achieve an appropriate steady state following distance may be calculated. The calculation may be based on the proximity of the vehicle to the object (block  306 ) and the speed of the vehicle (block  308 ). In some embodiments, the calculation in block  304  may include calculation of deceleration which is required to achieve an appropriate stopping distance at an intersection in block  305  such as to avoid a slowing or stopped vehicle, a bicycle or other object or a red light or stop sign which is in or near the path of the vehicle. In block  310 , a determination may be made as to whether the required deceleration which was calculated in block  304  is greater than a predetermined deceleration threshold value. If the required deceleration is greater than the deceleration threshold value, then information may be provided to the operator of the vehicle to enable the vehicle operator to begin braking at the optimal brake application timing (block  312 ). If the required deceleration is not greater than the deceleration threshold value, the method may end at block  316 . In block  314 , in some embodiments, the powertrain torque of the vehicle may be modified to decrease acceleration, as shown in the graph in  FIG. 4 . The method may end at block  316 . 
         [0018]    Although the embodiments of this disclosure have been described with respect to certain exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the specific embodiments are for purposes of illustration and not limitation, as other variations will occur to those of skill in the art.