Testing device for functional testing of vehicle brake control systems

Abstract

The invention relates to a testing device for functional testing of a brake control system in a vehicle, in which a first parking brake system (EPBI) or a second parking brake system (DSE) can be installed, wherein the brake control system has a control device (16) with a first control module (22) for controlling the first parking brake system (EPBI) and a second control module (24) for controlling the second parking brake system (DSE), wherein the first control module (22) or the second control module (24) can be activated by means of a coding unit (29) to perform actuation of the corresponding parking brake system, while the inactivated control module remains inactive, and is characterized in that the brake control system has a testing unit (41) with which a confusion plausibility check can be performed, by means of which it can be checked whether the correct control module for the installed parking brake system is activated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a testing device for testing the functionality of a brake control system in a vehicle and to a method for carrying out such a functional test. Background Art

[0002] In a vehicle, the service brakes for the two rear wheels can each additionally have a parking brake system. Two types of parking brake systems are used in premium vehicles: The first type of parking brake system may have a combined brake caliper with an integrated parking brake actuator, which can be controlled by the control unit of the brake control system. Alternatively, the second type of parking brake system may have a parking brake drum with an integrated parking brake actuator, which can also be controlled by the control unit of the brake control system. The possible adjustment options for a parking brake actuator integrated into a parking brake drum are more limited than those for a parking brake actuator integrated into a combined brake caliper. Therefore, a parking brake actuator integrated into a parking brake drum is additionally equipped with a position sensor, such as a Hall effect sensor. This position sensor detects the current position of the parking brake actuator and provides a signal connection to the control unit of the brake control system.

[0003] A functional test of a brake control system in a vehicle is performed using a testing device of the type described above. The vehicle can be equipped with one of a first parking brake system (i.e., a combined caliper brake) and a second parking brake system (i.e., a drum brake). The brake control system includes a control device having a first control module for controlling the first parking brake system and a second control module for controlling the second parking brake system. Furthermore, the brake control system includes control logic for the hydraulically operated service brakes of the vehicle.

[0004] The control logic, the first control module, and the second control module are software components of the brake control system control unit. Depending on the type of parking brake system installed, they are coded at the vehicle manufacturer or in a workshop. During this coding, either the first or the second control module in the control unit is activated using a coding unit to ensure faultless control of the installed parking brake system, while the inactivated control modules remain inactive.

[0005] In the event of an incorrect coding, i.e., an unintentional confusion of the control modules, the situation arises whereby the incorrect coding, i.e., an accidental confusion of the control modules, may lead to damage to components of the installed parking brake system. In other words, the first and second control modules each control the respective parking brake system with different current / voltage levels.

[0006] A brake component replacement system is known from EP 2 955 405 B1. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a testing device for functional testing of a vehicle brake control system, wherein damage to components in the parking brake system due to incorrect coding can be avoided in a simple manner.

[0008] The present invention relates to a testing device for performing a functional test on a brake control system in a vehicle. A first parking brake system (i.e., a combined caliper brake) or a second parking brake system (i.e., a parking drum brake) can be installed in the vehicle. The brake control system has a control device with a first control module and a second control module. When the first parking brake system is actuated using the first control module, or alternatively, when the second parking brake system is actuated using the second control module, damage to components is avoided.

[0009] Depending on the type of parking brake system installed in the vehicle, encoding is performed at the vehicle manufacturer or workshop. During encoding, the encoding unit activates either the first control module or the second control module to ensure faultless operation of the installed parking brake system. Conversely, an inactivated control module cannot operate the installed parking brake system; in other words, the inactivated control module remains inactive. According to the present invention, the brake control system includes a verification unit that performs a confusion plausibility check to identify incorrect coding of the control modules. If such an incorrect coding occurs, the verification unit can generate a warning signal and / or disable the installed parking brake system, thereby preventing damage to components of the parking brake system. The confusion plausibility check according to the present invention verifies whether the correct control module for the installed parking brake system has been activated.

[0010] The verification unit evaluates the association between the first control module and the first parking brake system as credible. Similarly, the verification unit evaluates the association between the second control module and the second parking brake system as credible. Conversely, the verification unit evaluates the association between the second control module and the first parking brake system as untrustworthy, i.e., an error code. Similarly, the verification unit evaluates the association between the first control module and the second parking brake system as untrustworthy, i.e., an error code.

[0011] In a technical application, the test unit can include a detection unit for determining the active control module (via coding). Furthermore, the test unit can include a detection unit for determining the parking brake system installed in the vehicle. Based on these two detection units, the test unit can perform the confusion plausibility check according to the present invention.

[0012] After determining and recording the error code, preferably the manipulation of the parking brake is prevented. In this case, any control of the parking brake is prohibited to provide effective component protection.

[0013] During encoding, the encoding unit generates an encoding signal with which the brake control system can be actuated. Based on the encoding signal, one of two control modules is activated in the control device of the brake control system.

[0014] In a specific embodiment, the first parking brake system can include a combined brake caliper with an integrated parking brake actuator, which can be controlled by a brake control system control unit. Alternatively, the second parking brake system can include a parking brake drum in which the parking brake actuator and a position sensor are integrated. The position sensor can be used to detect the current position of the parking brake actuator. The position sensor is signal-connected to the second control module to transmit the current actuator position to the second control module.

[0015] The second control module may include a sensor diagnostic unit. In a second parking brake system installed in the vehicle, the position sensor of the second parking brake system may be signal-connected to the sensor diagnostic unit. The sensor diagnostic unit can detect flawless installation of the position sensor. In this case, the sensor diagnostic unit generates a corresponding installation signal. Similarly, the sensor diagnostic unit can also detect that the position sensor is not installed and generate a corresponding non-installation signal.

[0016] In a configuration that is simple in terms of signal technology, the checking unit can carry out the confusion plausibility check according to the invention based on the installed signal, the non-installed signal and the coded signal.

[0017] In this case, the verification unit can detect an error code when it detects a coded signal for activating the first parking brake system (operating without a position sensor) and detects an installation signal (i.e., the position sensor is connected to the control device). Similarly, the verification unit can detect an error code when it detects a coded signal for activating the second parking brake system (operating with a position sensor) and detects a non-installation signal (i.e., the position sensor is not connected to the control device). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0019] Figure 1 A rough schematic diagram of a vehicle and an EPBI parking brake system installed therein is shown.

[0020] Figure 2 A rough schematic diagram of a vehicle and a DSE parking brake system installed therein is shown.

[0021] Figure 3 Shown is the corresponding Figure 1 , in which an error code is shown.

[0022] Figure 4 Shown is the corresponding Figure 2 , in which an error code is shown.

[0023] Figure 5 Shown is a schematic diagram of the EPBI parking brake system.

[0024] Figure 6 Shown is a schematic diagram of the DSE parking brake system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Figure 1 The braking system of a two-track vehicle is described to the extent necessary for understanding the present invention. The braking system thus comprises a service brake B on each of the front wheels VR and the rear wheels HR, which are integrated into a hydraulic circuit in which a hydraulic chamber 1 of a pressure generator 3 implemented as a piston-cylinder unit is connected to a brake cylinder 9 ( Figure 5 ) is connected to the hydraulic chamber 7 of the brake cylinder 9. The brake cylinder 9 is integrated in the cast brake caliper 10. The stroke-adjustable brake pad 11 is arranged in the cast brake caliper 10, and the brake pad acts together with the brake disc 13 on the wheel side. The pressure generator 3 can be controlled by the control logic 15 of the brake regulation system control device 16. During driving operation, the control logic 15 generates a control signal y1 based on the deceleration input / deceleration request generated on the driver side through the brake pedal 17, and the pressure generator 3 can be controlled by this control signal. In the pressure generator 3, the brake cylinder piston 19 ( Figure 5 ) so that the brake pad 11 and the brake disc 13 engage in braking.

[0026] like Figure 1 As shown, the EPBI parking brake system (EPBI = integrated electric parking brake) is installed on the rear wheels HR of the vehicle. Here, the cast brake caliper 10 is used as a parking brake actuator with an integrated parking brake actuator 21 ( Figure 5 The parking brake actuator can be controlled by the first control module 22 of the control unit 16. The parking brake actuator 21 is Figure 5 The screw drive mechanism is composed of a rotary drive motor 23 with a screw 25, which together with a nut 27 forms a screw thread transmission mechanism. Figure 5 When the parking brake actuator 21 is operated, the nut 27 extends into the hydraulic chamber 7 of the brake cylinder 9. Figure 5The brake cylinder piston 19 is moved to the left, whereby the brake cylinder piston 19 together with the brake shoe 11 is pushed into braking engagement with the brake disc 13, in particular thereby building up a clamping force, with which the parking brake actuator 21 presses the brake shoe 11 against the brake disc 13 with the brake cylinder piston 19 in between.

[0027] In addition, Figure 1 As shown, in addition to the control logic 15 and the first control module 22, the control unit 16 also has a second control module 24 for controlling the DSE parking brake system described later. Before the vehicle is put into use, encoding is performed in the vehicle manufacturing plant or workshop. During encoding, the encoding signal K generated by the encoding unit 29 EPBI Present at the signal input of the input unit 30 of the control device 16. Based on the coded signal K EPBI , the input unit 30 generates an activation signal S T , using this activation signal, in Figure 1 In order to implement a faultless actuation of the EPBI parking system, the first control module 22 is activated. The second control module 24 of the control device 16 remains deactivated.

[0028] Instead, in Figure 2 In the , DSE parking brake system (DSE = Dual-Servo-Electric) is installed on the rear wheels HR of the vehicle. Figure 6 In the DSE parking brake system, a parking brake drum 31 is radially arranged inside the cast brake caliper 10 and interacts with a brake shoe 33. A parking brake actuator 35 is used to bring the brake shoe 33 into braking engagement with the inner circumference of the parking brake drum 31. The parking brake actuator 35 can be controlled by the second control module 24 of the control unit 16 via a control signal y3. Furthermore, a position sensor 37 (e.g., a Hall sensor) is associated with the parking brake actuator 35 to detect its current position. The position sensor 37 is signal-connected to the second control module 24.

[0029] As further apparent from the figures, the second control module 24 includes a sensor diagnostic unit 39. The sensor diagnostic unit 39 detects that the position sensor 37 is properly installed and generates a corresponding installation signal V. Alternatively, the sensor diagnostic unit 39 can also detect that the position sensor 37 is not installed. In this case, the sensor diagnostic unit 39 generates a corresponding non-installation signal V.

[0030] During encoding, according to Figure 2 , the coded signal K generated by the coding unit 29 DSE is present at the signal input of the input unit 30 of the control device 16. The input unit 30 is based on the coded signal K DSE Generate activation signal ST , using this activation signal, in Figure 2 The second control module 24 is activated, while the first control module 22 remains deactivated.

[0031] In order to record incorrect coding of the control modules 22, 24, the control unit 16 has a test unit 41 according to the present invention. With the aid of the test unit 41, a confusion plausibility check can be performed, according to which it is checked whether the correct control module is activated for the installed parking brake system. The test unit 41 is based on the installation signal V, the non-installation signal N and the coding signal K EPBI , K DSE Perform a confusion plausibility check. Upon detecting the coded signal K for activating the EPBI parking brake system (operating without the position sensor 37), EPBI When the installation signal V is detected (ie the position sensor 37 is installed), the checking unit 41 recognizes the error coding. DSE and the not installed signal N (ie, the position sensor 37 is not installed), the testing unit 41 recognizes the error code in the same way.

[0032] List of Reference Numerals

[0033] 1 hydraulic chamber

[0034] 3 Pressure generator

[0035] 5 hydraulic circuits

[0036] 7 hydraulic chambers

[0037] 9 brake cylinders

[0038] 10 cast brake calipers

[0039] 11 brake pads

[0040] 13 brake discs

[0041] 15 Control Logic

[0042] 16 control devices

[0043] 17Brake pedal

[0044] 19 brake cylinder piston

[0045] 21 Parking brake actuator

[0046] 22 First control module

[0047] 23 Rotary drive motor

[0048] 24 Second control module

[0049] 25 screw

[0050] 27 nuts

[0051] 29 coding units

[0052] 30 input units

[0053] 31 parking brake drum

[0054] 33 brake shoes

[0055] 35 parking brake actuator

[0056] 37 Position Sensor

[0057] 39 sensor diagnostic unit

[0058] 41 inspection units

[0059] y1, y2, y3 adjustment signals

[0060] B Service brake

[0061] EPBI first parking brake system

[0062] DSE second parking brake system

[0063] K EPBI first coded signal

[0064] K DSE The second coded signal

[0065] V installation signal

[0066] N signal not installed

[0067] S A Activation signal

[0068] niO error code

[0069] iO correct coding

[0070] VR front wheel

[0071] HR rear wheel

Claims

1. A testing device for functional testing of a brake control system in a vehicle in which a first parking brake system (EPBI) or a second parking brake system (DSE) can be installed, wherein: The brake control system has a control device (16) having a first control module (22) for controlling a first parking brake system (EPBI) and a second control module (24) for controlling a second parking brake system (DSE), wherein the first control module (22) or the second control module (24) can be activated by means of a coding unit (29) to perform the control of the corresponding parking brake system, while the inactivated control module remains inactive, and is characterized in that the brake control system has a verification unit (41) with which a confusion plausibility check can be performed, by means of which it can be checked whether the correct control module (22, 24) is activated for the installed parking brake system (EPBI, DSE).

2. The inspection device according to claim 1, characterized in that The verification unit (41) evaluates the correspondence between the first control module (22) and the first parking brake system (EPBI) or the correspondence between the second control module (24) and the second parking brake system (DSE) as credible; and / or, the verification unit (41) evaluates the correspondence between the second control module (24) and the first parking brake system (EPBI) as untrustworthy, and evaluates the correspondence between the first control module (22) and the second parking brake system (DSE) as untrustworthy, that is, evaluates it as an error code (niO), and effectively prevents the operation of the parking brake after the determination and recording of the error code (niO) is completed; and / or, prohibits any operation of the parking brake after the determination and recording of the error code (niO) is completed to provide effective component protection.

3. The inspection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The checking unit (41) has a first acquisition unit for determining an activated control module (22, 24) and a second acquisition unit for determining a parking brake system installed in a vehicle, and the checking unit (41) performs a confusion plausibility check based on the first and second acquisition units.

4. The inspection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: During encoding, the encoding unit (29) generates an encoding signal, with which a control device (16) of the brake control system can be actuated and based on which one of the control modules (22, 24) of the control device (16) can be activated.

5. The inspection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first parking brake system (EPBI) has a combined brake caliper (10) with an integrated first parking brake actuator (21), which can be controlled by a control device (16); and / or the second parking brake system (DSE) has a parking brake drum (31) with an integrated second parking brake actuator (35) and a position sensor (37) for obtaining the current position of the second parking brake actuator (35); and / or, in the installed state, the position sensor (37) is connected to the second control module (24) by signal.

6. The inspection device according to claim 5, characterized in that The second control module (24) has a sensor diagnostic unit. When a second parking brake system (DSE) is installed in the vehicle, the position sensor (37) is connected to the sensor diagnostic unit by signal; the sensor diagnostic unit recognizes that the position sensor (37) is installed without defects and generates a corresponding installation signal (V), or the sensor diagnostic unit recognizes that the position sensor (37) is not installed and generates a corresponding non-installation signal (N).

7. The testing device according to claim 6, characterized in that The confusion plausibility check is performed based on the installed signal (V), the not installed signal (N) and the coded signal.

8. The inspection device according to claim 7, characterized in that The testing unit (41) detects an error code (niO) when it detects a coding signal for activating a first parking brake system (EPBI) and when it detects an installation signal (V) indicating that the position sensor (37) is installed.

9. The inspection device according to claim 7, characterized in that The testing unit (41) detects an error code (niO) when it detects a coded signal for activating a second parking brake system (DSE) and a not installed signal (N), which indicates that the position sensor (37) is not installed.

10. A method for functional testing of a brake control system in a vehicle, in which a first parking brake system (EPBI) or a second parking brake system (DSE) can be installed, using a testing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, The brake control system comprises a control device (16) having a first control module (22) for actuating a first parking brake system (EPBI) and a second control module (24) for actuating a second parking brake system (DSE), wherein the first control module (22) or the second control module (24) is activated by means of a coding unit (29) to actuate the corresponding parking brake system, while the inactivated control module remains inactive, and is characterized in that A confusion plausibility check is performed in the brake control system, with the aid of which it is checked whether the correct control module is activated for the installed parking brake system.

Images