MEMS accelerometer as inclinometer for electric parking brake systems

This works presents an approach for estimating the road uphill gradient of vehicles by means of a smart processing of the output signals of a 3-axis 2g/6g analog output linear MEMS accelerometer. The proposed approach allows an accurate estimation of the road uphill gradient both for motionless and in motion vehicles. The road gradient determination can be used in the control architecture of a prototypal EPB (Electric Parking Brake) in order to suitably adjust the clamping force transferred to the vehicle rear wheels. This means to transfer more or less clamping force to the vehicle rear wheels according to more or less noticeable road uphill gradient.