Patent Publication Number: US-2017361838-A1

Title: Autonomous emergency braking with mechanical transmission

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application Ser. No. 62/351,623 filed Jun. 17, 2016. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The field to which the disclosure generally relates to includes autonomous emergency braking. 
     SUMMARY OF ILLUSTRATIVE VARIATIONS 
     A number of variations may include an autonomous emergency braking system including a device for automatically opening a clutch of a transmission without driver action required. 
     A number of variations may include a method comprising providing an autonomous emergency braking system including a device for automatically opening a clutch of a transmission without driver action required, using a sensor to detect a potential collision, and activating the device when a collision is detected to automatically open a clutch of a transmission without driver action or input. 
     Other illustrative variations within the scope of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while disclosing variations within the scope of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Select examples of variations within the scope of the invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a system according to a number of variations; and 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a system according to a number of variations; and 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a system according to a number of variations. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE VARIATIONS 
     The following description of the variations is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention, its application, or uses. 
     A number of variations may include an autonomous emergency braking system including a device for automatically opening a clutch of a transmission without drive action required. Opening the clutch or clutches allows the engine to be decoupled from the driveline, effectively removing a significant rotational inertia/mass from the vehicle, enabling shorter stopping distances, while still allowing the engine to spin and provide safety critical power features which may include vacuum, electrical, and hydraulic systems. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , in a number of variations a vehicle  10  may include sensing technology  14 , such as radar sensors, vision sensors, and the like, as well as a controller  17 , such as a computer of an electronic control module, which may include software including an autonomous braking algorithm or method to cause a vehicle to aggressively brake in the event of a determined pending collision with another vehicle or object  12  by activating an automatic actuator  18  to apply brakes  16  to a disk or drum  11  connected to a wheel of the vehicle  10 . In a number of variations a hydraulic device or module  22  may be provided including an e-motor, pump, hydraulics and control mechanism, such as an algorithm and computing device, to supply hydraulic fluid to the clutch  20  to open the same. In a number of variations the system may include a clutch pedal  24  connected to a master cylinder  26  and a slave cylinder  28  connected to the clutch  20 . In a number of variations the hydraulic device or module  22  may be interposed between the master cylinder  26  and the slave cylinder  28 . When a pending collision is detected the controller  17  may signal or cause the hydraulic device or module  22  to activate to provide hydraulic fluid to the clutch  20  of a transmission to rapidly open the same without action or input from the driver of the vehicle  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , in a number of variations an electric device  30  may be provided and may include a motor operatively connected to the clutch  20 . When a pending collision is detected the controller  17  may signal or cause the hydraulic device or module  22  to activate to move the clutch plate away from each other to rapidly open the clutch  20  without action or input from the driver of the vehicle  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a number of variations may include a stored energy device  34 ,  34 ′ that may be activated to rapidly open the clutch  20  without action or input from the driver of the vehicle  10 . In a number of variations, the stored energy device  34 ′ may be a preloaded spring  35  or accumulator that may be automatically released to open the clutch  20  directly or to cause hydraulic fluid to rapidly open the clutch without action or input from the driver of the vehicle  10 . In a number of variations, the stored energy device  34  may include a pyrotechnic device, the activation of which may open the clutch directly or to cause hydraulic fluid to rapidly open the clutch  20  without action or input from the driver of the vehicle  10 . 
     A number of variations may include a device that is capable of automatically controlling the clutch in a transmission without driver action or input. 
     According to a first variation, a product may comprise an autonomous emergency braking system comprising a device for automatically opening a clutch of a transmission without driver action or input. 
     A second variation may include a product as set forth in the first variation wherein the system may comprise an e-motor and pump connected to a hydraulic system constructed and arranged to pump hydraulic fluid into the clutch to open the clutch. 
     A third variation may include a product as set forth in the first and second variations wherein the system comprises an electric device constructed and arranged to open the clutch directly. 
     A fourth variation may include a product as set forth in the first through third variation further comprising a stored energy device constructed and arranged to open the clutch directly or indirectly. 
     A fifth variation may include a product as set forth in the fourth variation wherein the stored energy device comprises a spring. 
     A sixth variation may include a product as set forth in the fourth variation wherein the stored energy device comprises an accumulator. 
     A seventh variation may include a product as set forth in the fourth variation wherein the stored energy device comprises a pyrotechnic device. 
     An eighth variation may include a product that may include a vehicle comprising an autonomous emergency braking system comprising at least one sensor and a device for automatically opening a clutch of a transmission without drive action or input. 
     A ninth variation may include a method that may include providing a vehicle comprising an autonomous emergency braking system comprising at least one brake and at least one sensor and a device for automatically activating a clutch of a transmission; sensing an impending collision via the at least one sensor; and activating the device for automatically activating a clutch of a transmission comprising opening the clutch of a transmission. 
     A tenth variation may include a method as set forth in the ninth variation wherein activating the autonomous emergency braking system further comprises activating the at least one brake. 
     An eleventh variation may include a method as set forth in the ninth or tenth variations wherein the autonomous emergency braking system comprises an e-motor and pump connected to a hydraulic system constructed and arranged to pump hydraulic fluid into the clutch to open the clutch. 
     A twelfth variation may include a method as set forth in the ninth through eleventh variations wherein the autonomous emergency braking system comprises an electric device constructed and arranged to open the clutch. 
     A thirteenth variation may include a method as set forth in the ninth through twelfth variations wherein the autonomous emergency braking system comprises a stored energy device constructed and arranged to open the clutch directly or indirectly. 
     A fourteenth variation may include a method as set forth in the thirteenth variation wherein the stored energy device comprises a spring. 
     A fifteenth variation may include a method as set forth in the thirteenth variation wherein the stored energy device comprises an accumulator. 
     A sixteenth variation may include a method as set forth in the thirteenth variation wherein the stored energy device comprises a pyrotechnic device. 
     A seventeenth variation may include a method that may include a vehicle comprising an autonomous emergency braking system comprising a device for automatically opening a clutch of a transmission; at least one sensor constructed and arranged to detect impending collisions with the vehicle; and a motor and pump connected to a hydraulic system constructed and arranged to pump hydraulic fluid into the clutch to open the clutch when the at least one sensor detects an impending collision. 
     The above description of select variations within the scope of the invention is merely illustrative in nature and, thus, variations or variants thereof are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.