Turn signal controlled regenerative braking and decelerative loading

摘要

A vehicle executing a turn will most likely be slowed down before the turn and when a driver activates a turn signal to indicate the turn, a vehicle internal controller uses this information to engage regenerative braking for energy recapture while slowing down the vehicle for the pending turn. Since the turn signal is usually activated very early in the turn event, and turns are an ongoing, frequent part of driving, a greater overall vehicle efficiency can be realized without special effort from the driver. Implementation is relatively simple for the manufacturer and adds no cost since the controllers and sensors are already installed on nearly all roadworthy vehicles. Fuel mileage and vehicle driving ranges are improved on a large scale and brake system wear is reduced.

主权项

1. A regenerative braking system for a vehicle, comprising:
a) a drivetrain resistance load for providing regenerative braking, for recapturing vehicle forward motion kinetic energy; b) a driver's turn signal interface switch assembly configured to send a turn activation signal upon activation of a driver's turn signal switch; c) a computer configured with programming for performing an algorithm to modulate a magnitude of regenerative braking of the drivetrain resistance load in response to a dynamic status of the vehicle, and to increase the magnitude of regenerative braking in response to a combination of the driver's turn activation signal and a driver's throttle pedal input position at zero.