US5343396A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sensor malfunction detection
Assignee: Mid-America Commercialization Corp
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Filing: 1992-04-29
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Granted: 1994-08-30
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Expires: 2012-04-29
Abstract
Abstract A method for checking and controlling the quality of output signals from wheel speed sensors installed on wheels of vehicles equipped with an automatic braking system includes determining from sensed wheel speeds the deceleration of a wheel, timing any period of deceleration the level of which is above a predetermined level, defining any wheel speed sensor associated with a wheel having an indicated deceleration above the predetermined level for a time exceeding a predetermined period as being malfunctioning, excluding the output signals from the malfunctioning wheel speed sensor, and replacing the excluded output signals with output signals from a wheel speed sensor installed on an alternate wheel.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard J. Youngblood
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 05:53
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60T; B60T17/00; B60T17/18; B60T17/22; B60T17/221; B60T8/00; B60T8/32; B60T8/88; B60G; B60G2400/00; B60G2400/20; B60G2400/208; B60G2600/00; B60G2600/08; B60G2800/00; B60G2800/80; B60G2800/802; B60T2270/00; B60T2270/40; B60T2270/416
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
250 words
A method for checking and controlling the quality of sensor output signals generated by wheel speed sensors of vehicles equipped with an automatic braking system, the method comprising the steps of: (a) defining wheel deceleration above a specific level as being an automatic braking system condition; (b) defining a maximum period after which a continuously received sensor output signal from a wheel speed sensor indicating that the automatic braking system condition exists is defined as indicating that the wheel speed sensor is malfunctioning; (c) sensing the speed of each of a plurality of vehicle wheels at predetermined and periodic intervals and generating a sensor output signal representative thereof; (d) calculating from successive sensor output signals the level of any deceleration of each wheel; (e) comparing the calculated level of deceleration of each wheel with the level defining the automatic braking system condition and generating an automatic braking system condition signal if such a condition exists; (f) timing any period during which the automatic braking system condition signal is being generated; (g) comparing the period during which the automatic braking system condition signal is being generated with the period defining a wheel speed sensor malfunction and generating a sensor malfunction signal if the former period exceeds the latter period; (h) excluding the sensor output signal from any wheel speed sensor responsible for the generation of the sensor malfunction signal; and (i) replacing the excluded sensor output signal with an output signal from a wheel speed sensor associated with an alternate wheel.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
250 words
A method for checking and controlling the quality of sensor output signals generated by wheel speed sensors of vehicles equipped with an automatic braking system, the method comprising the steps of: (a) defining wheel deceleration above a specific level as being an automatic braking system condition; (b) defining a maximum period after which a continuously received sensor output signal from a wheel speed sensor indicating that the automatic braking system condition exists is defined as indicating that the wheel speed sensor is malfunctioning; (c) sensing the speed of each of a plurality of vehicle wheels at predetermined and periodic intervals and generating a sensor output signal representative thereof; (d) calculating from successive sensor output signals the level of any deceleration of each wheel; (e) comparing the calculated level of deceleration of each wheel with the level defining the automatic braking system condition and generating an automatic braking system condition signal if such a condition exists; (f) timing any period during which the automatic braking system condition signal is being generated; (g) comparing the period during which the automatic braking system condition signal is being generated with the period defining a wheel speed sensor malfunction and generating a sensor malfunction signal if the former period exceeds the latter period; (h) excluding the sensor output signal from any wheel speed sensor responsible for the generation of the sensor malfunction signal; and (i) replacing the excluded sensor output signal with an output signal from a wheel speed sensor associated with an alternate wheel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as defined by claim 1, further comprising an additional step (j), the step including activating a driver alerting device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as defined by claim 2, wherein the length of the maximum period of step (b) ranges between 0.5 and 3 minutes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as defined by claim 3, wherein the length of the predetermined and periodic intervals of step (c) ranges between 5 to 15 milliseconds.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
256 words
A system for checking and controlling the quality of sensor output signals generated by wheel speed sensors of vehicles equipped with an automatic braking system, the system comprising: means for defining wheel deceleration above a specific level as being an automatic braking system condition; means for defining a maximum period after which a continuously received sensor output signal from a wheel speed sensor indicating that the automatic braking system condition exists is defined as indicating that the wheel speed sensor is malfunctioning; means for sensing the speed of each of a plurality of vehicle wheels at predetermined and periodic intervals and generating a sensor output signal representative thereof; means for calculating from successive sensor output signals the level of any deceleration of each wheel; means for comparing the calculated level of deceleration of each wheel with the level defining the automatic braking system condition and generating an automatic braking system condition signal if such a condition exists; means for timing any period during which the automatic braking system condition signal is being generated; means for comparing the period during which the automatic braking system condition signal is being generated with the period defining a wheel speed sensor malfunction and generating a sensor malfunction signal if the former period exceeds the latter period; means for excluding the sensor output signal from any wheel speed sensor responsible for the generation of the sensor malfunction signal; and means for replacing the excluded sensor output signal with an output signal from a wheel speed sensor associated with an alternate wheel.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
256 words
A system for checking and controlling the quality of sensor output signals generated by wheel speed sensors of vehicles equipped with an automatic braking system, the system comprising: means for defining wheel deceleration above a specific level as being an automatic braking system condition; means for defining a maximum period after which a continuously received sensor output signal from a wheel speed sensor indicating that the automatic braking system condition exists is defined as indicating that the wheel speed sensor is malfunctioning; means for sensing the speed of each of a plurality of vehicle wheels at predetermined and periodic intervals and generating a sensor output signal representative thereof; means for calculating from successive sensor output signals the level of any deceleration of each wheel; means for comparing the calculated level of deceleration of each wheel with the level defining the automatic braking system condition and generating an automatic braking system condition signal if such a condition exists; means for timing any period during which the automatic braking system condition signal is being generated; means for comparing the period during which the automatic braking system condition signal is being generated with the period defining a wheel speed sensor malfunction and generating a sensor malfunction signal if the former period exceeds the latter period; means for excluding the sensor output signal from any wheel speed sensor responsible for the generation of the sensor malfunction signal; and means for replacing the excluded sensor output signal with an output signal from a wheel speed sensor associated with an alternate wheel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system as defined by claim 5, further comprising: a driver altering device; and means for activating the driver warning device when the sensor output signal from any wheel speed sensor responsible for the generation of the sensor malfunction signal has been excluded.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system as defined by claim 6, wherein the driver alerting device is an illuminated display.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system as defined by claim 7, wherein the length of the maximum period after which a continuously received sensor output signal from a wheel speed sensor indicating that an automatic braking system condition exists is defined as indicating that a wheel speed sensor is malfunctioning ranges between 0.5 and 3 minutes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system defined by claim 8, wherein the length of the predetermined and periodic intervals at which the speed of each of a plurality of vehicle wheels is sensed ranges between 5 to 15 milliseconds.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-08-29 | 1998-02-28 | 1998-08-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-08-29 | 2002-02-28 | 2002-08-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-08-29 | 2006-02-28 | 2006-08-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |