Brake control system

Abstract

A brake control system (100) for issuing a warning of a failure of a brake (210) of a vehicle (50) is disclosed. The brake (210) is configured to receive a brake signal (70) and perform a braking process upon receiving the brake signal (70). The vehicle (50) comprises a sensor (220) configured to generate sensor data (225, 227) indicative of an actuation force of the brake (210). The brake control system (100) comprises a receiving module (110) configured to receive the brake signal (70) and the sensor data (225), and a processing module (120) configured to monitor the sensor data (225, 227) at a stage after a start of the braking process, to detect a potential failure of the brake (210) from the monitored sensor data (225, 227), and to issue a warning signal (130, 133, 135, 137, 138) upon detecting the potential failure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a braking control system and a method for issuing a warning of braking failure in a vehicle, and particularly to an optimized driver notification time for braking. Background Technology

[0002] In many vehicles, especially commercial vehicles, it is the driver's responsibility to ensure that the braking process has been successfully executed. This is particularly true for the application of the parking brake, in which case the driver plans to leave the vehicle after parking. Judging whether the parking brake has been successfully applied relies primarily on the driver's perception that the vehicle is stationary. This perception is usually supported by the red (P) light on the dashboard, although this light only indicates contact with the basic braking components, not sufficient braking force applied to the wheels by the brakes. The position of the parking brake hand control unit or handbrake lever can provide further support, and sometimes it can also be indicated by the pressure value measured in the parking brake's pressure chamber, which can also be displayed on the dashboard.

[0003] In earlier systems, braking was applied or initiated by the driver. More recent systems have incorporated additional parking assist features, such as various versions of functions that automatically apply the service brake to prevent rollback, or automatically apply the parking brake based on signals indicating the driver is about to leave the vehicle. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Although even in these traditional assistance situations, the driver needs to check whether the parking brake has been successfully applied before leaving the vehicle, experience shows that drivers are accustomed to the automatic functions and tend to leave the vehicle as quickly as possible, sometimes within a second. However, if the parking brake is not successfully applied and the driver does not check this and / or take any further action, an unexpected vehicle rollover may occur, which could affect the safety and integrity of the vehicle. The braking control system according to the invention, the braking unit according to the invention, the vehicle according to the invention, the method according to the invention, and the computer product according to the invention overcome at least some of the problems of the aforementioned conventional devices.

[0005] This invention relates to a braking control system for issuing a warning of brake malfunction in a vehicle. The brake is configured to receive a braking signal and, upon receiving the signal, to perform a braking process. The vehicle includes sensors configured to generate sensor data indicating the braking force, i.e., the force or pressure exerted by the brake on the wheels. The braking control system is characterized by having: a receiving module configured to receive the braking signal and sensor data; and a processing module configured to monitor the sensor data in a phase after the start of the braking process, detect potential brake malfunctions (or malfunctions or inadequacies in the braking process) based on the monitored sensor data, and issue a warning signal upon detection of a potential malfunction. This warning is particularly an indication of the progress of the braking process, i.e., that the braking process may not have been completed. The warning can indicate that successful completion is unlikely.

[0006] The brake may be part of a braking unit, which is a separate device that includes the brake and electronic and mechanical controls. The braking signal may be issued based on a driver's braking request, or it may be based on an automatic braking request from a system known in the art. The braking process is configured to apply braking during normal use. Sensor data can indirectly indicate the actuation force of the brake, which is based on the force or pressure actually applied to the wheels for braking. Thus, in embodiments, the sensor may measure the pressure in the brake cylinder pressure chamber, or the force acting on internal components such as the brake or the transmission mechanism of the braking unit, which may be proportional only to the force applied to the wheels. However, in some cases, the sensor may also be a force sensor that actually senses the actuation force, i.e., the force or pressure applied by the brake to the wheels. The receiving module includes means for acquiring sensor data and braking signals and may be configured to perform additional data communication with the braking unit (including the braking device and electrical and mechanical components for control) or other parts of the vehicle. The receiving module may, in particular, be implemented as an interface controlling all data streams from and flowing to the processing module.

[0007] In a simplified embodiment, the processing module is adapted to verify, upon receiving a braking signal, merely whether the sensor data indicates a brake response. Advantageously, the processing module is configured to pre-assess whether the braking process will be successful, i.e., whether the force ultimately intended to brake the wheel is actually applied to the wheel, given the initial brake response indicated by the sensor data. To this end, the processing module takes the sensor data into account in the corresponding early stages of the braking process, i.e., within the time period that begins after receiving the braking signal and ends well before the braking process is complete.

[0008] Therefore, the processing module can be configured to compare sensor data with a benchmark (or threshold) at one or more specific time intervals after receiving a braking signal (e.g., after 1, 2, and / or 3 seconds), and issue a warning signal if one or more of these benchmark tests fail. The processing module can also be configured to monitor from the sensor data whether the brake force has reached a predetermined value, and issue a warning signal if that value has not been reached before the predetermined time. The processing module can also be configured to extrapolate future sensor data from earlier stages to assess the success of the braking process. In all cases, the processing module can be configured to sample the sensor data at a high rate (e.g., in milliseconds depending on the sensor), which is particularly advantageous for obtaining sufficient data for extrapolating the sensor data.

[0009] The processing module can be configured to issue multiple warnings based on the stage of the braking process. In particular, the warnings can be incremental, meaning that the warning signal can change according to the probability of brake failure (or braking process failure), and / or subsequent warning signals can increase in intensity.

[0010] This embodiment includes a receiving module and a processing module, which are separate processing units, but they may also be included within the electronic control unit, wherein these two modules are partially or completely integrated with each other. These modules may share functions with each other, or with the braking unit and / or other components of the vehicle.

[0011] Advantageously, the proposed braking control system is applicable to parking brakes, i.e., those configured to keep the vehicle stationary during braking, rather than service brakes. Parking brakes are designed to brake the vehicle and bring it to a standstill. Such parking brake functions may require significantly more time than service brakes to reach a level of actuation that would be considered successful. The early indication provided by the proposed braking control system has the advantage of quickly confirming that the requested braking will actually take effect.

[0012] Alternatively, the brake is a pneumatic brake in the braking unit, which includes a brake cylinder with a pressure chamber, a pressure sensor, and sensor data indicating the pressure in the pressure chamber. Such pneumatic brakes are particularly common in commercial vehicles.

[0013] However, alternatively, the brake can be an electromechanical rather than a pneumatic brake. An electromechanical brake is characterized by having an electric motor as the actuator. In this case, the sensor can be a force sensor. The sensor data may also correspond only to the force on the wheel in an indirect sense; that is, the measured quantity may be a function of the actual force exerted by the brake on the wheel, such as the current consumption of the electric actuator, the strain or other forces of one or more components of the braking system, or a measurement of the motion of one or more components of the braking system. Similarly, an electromechanical brake can be, in particular, a brake for commercial vehicles.

[0014] Alternatively, the braking process is configured to keep the vehicle stationary when parked. In this case, the brake is implemented as the vehicle's parking brake, rather than the service brake. The parking brake is designed to brake the vehicle and bring it to a standstill. This parking brake function may require more time to achieve a successful braking effect. The early indication provided by the proposed braking control system has the advantage of quickly confirming that the requested braking will actually take effect.

[0015] Optionally, the processing module is configured to detect potential brake failures based on regression analysis, such as logistic regression, of the monitored sensor data. While other methods of extrapolating data can be used to assess the success or failure of the braking process, logistic regression advantageously provides probability values ​​for two mutually exclusive outcomes from the sensor data: the probability of successful braking or brake failure. In particular, logistic regression can be used as a binary classifier to predict the probability of brake failure from sensor data in the early stages of the braking process.

[0016] Optionally, the processing module is configured to detect potential brake malfunctions by comparing the evolution of sensor data (i.e., its temporal progression) with characteristics. Here, characteristics can refer to any set of data suitable for comparison with the sensor data. In particular, characteristics can include discrete data, such as thresholds or benchmarks at specific points in time or within specific time intervals, but they can also include one or more continuous lines or curves. Specifically, the processing module can be configured to match a specific set of functions, including unspecified coefficients, as characteristics with the sensor data. Advantageously, this occurs in the early stages of the braking process and is employed to extrapolate future sensor data in advance.

[0017] Optionally, the processing module is configured to store or record sensor data and update characteristics based on the stored sensor data. This update can lead to more successful detection of potential brake malfunctions. The update can be based on some criteria, such as stored sensor data from cases where the braking process was unsuccessful, or on past successful data, such as stored sensor data from cases where the braking process was successful. Similarly, the update can be based on stored sensor data from cases where the processing module issued warnings, and / or on cases where this was not the case. The update may also involve modifications to the method of fitting characteristics, such as adjusting the fitting parameters. For the update, a self-learning algorithm can be adopted and implemented in the processing module.

[0018] Optionally, the receiving module is configured to receive a signal indicating successful completion of the braking process, and the processing module is configured to store the development of sensor data and update the feature if the receiving module has received a signal indicating successful completion of the braking process.

[0019] Optionally, if the vehicle includes additional sensors configured to generate additional sensor data, the receiving module is configured to receive the additional sensor data, and the processing module is configured to detect potential faults based on the additional sensor data. Specifically, the additional sensors may be configured to generate additional sensor data by measuring the motion and / or movement of the brakes, wheel speed, and / or environmental conditions, such as temperature or road gradient. Generally, wheel speed sensors are mounted on the vehicle, and the brake control system may be configured to correlate sensor data indicating the force of the brakes on the wheels with the motion of the wheels. If the temperature around the brakes can be measured, the processing module may be configured to apply different characteristics adapted to the temperature to evaluate / detect potential brake faults.

[0020] Optionally, the processing module is configured to issue a warning signal to the driver, the vehicle's surroundings, and / or other components of the vehicle. This warning signal can be acoustic and / or optical. If the warning is directed at the driver, it can be combined in particular with other systems indicating the application of the parking brake, such as through a specific flashing state of a standard brake light signal inside the vehicle's cabin and / or on the dashboard. Other components of the vehicle can be, in particular, emergency systems of an automated vehicle. If the braking is the parking brake, the warning signal can be adjusted to trigger the automatic application of the service brake, for example, to ensure the vehicle remains stationary for at least a certain period of time.

[0021] Optionally, if a brake malfunction is detected, the processing module is configured to initiate another braking attempt. Specifically, if the braking process results in the application of the vehicle's parking brake, the processing module can be configured to send a braking signal to the brake again along with a warning about the brake malfunction to automatically activate the brake. The induced braking process can be repeated multiple times, for example, until a successful braking process is detected. If the sensor is a pressure sensor used to measure the pressure in the pressure chamber, the processing module can be configured to repeatedly or continuously activate the outlet valve of the pressure chamber. Advantageously, the processing module is configured to repeatedly check the sensor data to detect whether one of the first or subsequent braking processes has successfully ended.

[0022] This application also relates to a braking unit for braking the wheels of a vehicle. The braking unit includes a brake configured to receive a braking signal and, upon receiving the braking signal, perform a braking process. The braking unit also includes a sensor configured to generate sensor data indicating the braking force. The braking unit is characterized by having a braking control system as described above.

[0023] Optionally, the brake is a parking brake.

[0024] This application also relates to a vehicle characterized by including a braking unit having the aforementioned braking control system. It is understood that the sensor is a component of the vehicle and may be located within the braking unit.

[0025] This application also relates to a method for issuing a warning about a vehicle brake malfunction. The brake is configured to perform a braking process. The vehicle includes sensors configured to generate sensor data indicating the actuation force of the brake. The method includes the steps of: monitoring the sensor data in a phase after the start of the braking process; detecting a potential brake malfunction based on the monitored sensor data; and issuing a warning signal if a potential malfunction is detected.

[0026] This method can also be implemented using software or computer program products. Embodiments of the invention can be implemented in particular by software modules within software or electronic control units. Therefore, the invention also relates to computer programs with program code that, when executed on a processor, perform the described method.

[0027] The following summarizes some advantageous embodiments of the aforementioned braking control system. This braking control system is suitable for providing feedback on successful braking shortly after braking is triggered or requested. The signal triggering braking may be based on a conscious request from the driver, but may also depend on an automated system, particularly for autonomous or assisted driving. The braking control system will provide feedback to the driver that the braking process may not have been successful, or may not have been, based on direct or indirect measurements over time of the force applied to the wheels by the brakes. Advantageously, the braking control system corresponds to the characteristics of the brake in this example. Embodiments of the braking control system can provide feedback or issue a warning signal within, for example, one second after receiving the braking signal. Therefore, the driver has a particularly high chance of receiving feedback before leaving the vehicle.

[0028] While the proposed braking control system is advantageously applicable to electronic or pneumatic parking brakes, it can also be used with service brakes. The precise type of brake can significantly influence the implementation details of the braking control system. In embodiments configured for parking brakes that include a pressure chamber, a warning signal can be issued based on multiple predetermined fixed measurement points on a pressure-time graph, for example, if a predetermined pressure is not reached after a certain time. These measurement points, including their number, will depend on the pneumatic characteristics of the brake. They can be applicable to brakes with a linear pressure-time relationship, or to some other pressure drop criterion (such as monotonicity or power law).

[0029] The proposed braking control system (or processing module) examines the braking process based on predetermined thresholds, limits, or other parameters. These parameters can be changed and / or adjusted during operation, for example, through one or more self-learning functions. The braking control system can be configured to update these thresholds, limits, or other parameters based on previous parking characteristics to provide better and faster evaluation over time.

[0030] The braking control system can be configured to match one or more predetermined functions (including but not limited to linear descent, polynomial descent, and exponential descent) with predetermined parameters to sensor data. In this way, the braking control system can be configured to predict whether a stable parking pressure will be reached within a predetermined time and / or issue a warning signal to the driver or other vehicle components. The fitting parameters in the aforementioned function fitting can also be adjusted based on the system's performance during operation, for example, through a self-learning process.

[0031] If the pressure as a function of time includes more than one distinct characteristic region (e.g., a rapid initial pressure drop followed by a less steep pressure decay), different functions can be applied to different regions.

[0032] The processing module can be configured to perform regression analysis to predict the yes or no answer to the question of whether a warning signal should be issued.

[0033] Furthermore, the processing module can be configured to store sensor data and perform comparisons between the current sensor data and the stored sensor data. This may include previously successful braking events, where a successful braking event might be categorized as a pressure drop below a predetermined limit after a predetermined time. The comparison can also be performed against stored data from previously unsuccessful braking events. In particular, in this case, the comparison can be reinforced with additional environmental data. For example, for pneumatic brakes, an unsuccessful braking event may have one or more of the following characteristics: pressure begins to increase after a certain time; pressure levels off before reaching a predetermined parking pressure or pressure limit; and / or subsequent braking application is required.

[0034] Braking control systems can be configured to detect potential braking malfunctions based on other measurable characteristics that can indicate the quality of the braking process. These measurable characteristics can specifically include data from other sensors, allowing the detection of, for example, brake pad movement or wheel speed.

[0035] The braking control system can also be configured to detect potential braking failures in the service brakes, especially when the vehicle is held in place by the service brakes for an extended period of time.

[0036] As mentioned above, braking control systems can also be used in autonomous vehicles. In this case, the warning concept could include notifying people around the vehicle to prepare for the potential movement of the driverless vehicle. The safety benefit of this advance notification is that people around the vehicle have more time to prepare, react, or move away from the vehicle. Attached Figure Description

[0037] The following will describe some embodiments of the braking control system and methods for issuing braking fault warnings by way of example only and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0038] Figure 1 The braking control system according to the present invention is illustrated schematically;

[0039] Figure 2 A first example of sensor data and responses from one embodiment of a braking control system is shown;

[0040] Figure 3 A second example of sensor data and responses from one embodiment of a braking control system is shown;

[0041] Figure 4 A third example of sensor data and responses from one embodiment of a braking control system is shown;

[0042] Figure 5 A fourth embodiment of a braking control system is shown, illustrating sensor data and responses, particularly including extrapolation.

[0043] Figure 6 The steps for issuing a warning about brake failure are shown. Detailed Implementation

[0044] Figure 1 An embodiment of a braking control system according to the invention for issuing a warning 130 regarding a malfunction of the brake 210 of a vehicle 50 is schematically illustrated. A cross-section of the commercial vehicle 50 is shown, particularly the cross-section intersecting with the wheels 55 of the vehicle 50. In this embodiment, the braking control system 100 is integrated into the braking unit 200 of the wheel 55. The braking unit 200 includes a brake 210 configured to receive a braking signal 70 and, upon receiving the braking signal 70, perform a braking process. The vehicle 50 includes a sensor 220 configured to generate sensor data 225 indicating the actuation force of the brake 210. The braking control system 100 includes a receiving module 110 and a processing module 120. The receiving module 110 is configured to receive the braking signal 70 and the sensor data 225. The processing module 120 is configured to monitor the sensor data 225 in the initial stage after the start of the braking process, particularly in the early stage, and detect potential malfunctions of the brake 210 based on the monitored sensor data 225. If a potential fault is detected, the processing module 120 is also configured to issue a warning signal 130 to the driver or another component of the vehicle 50. Advantageously, the brake 210 is a parking brake.

[0045] Figure 2 A first example of sensor data 225 is shown, along with the response of one embodiment of the brake control system 100. In this embodiment, the brake 210 is a parking brake, and its brake cylinder includes a pressure chamber. This pressure chamber contains pressurized air, and the pressure is reduced by releasing the air from the pressure chamber to apply the parking brake. In particular, the brake 210 may include a spring for applying force to the wheel 55, wherein the spring is held behind the wheel 55 by the pressure in the pressure chamber.

[0046] The figure shows a graph of sensor data 225 measured by pressure sensor 220 in the pressure chamber, which is a function of time expressed in arbitrary units. Upon receiving signal 70, the pressure in the pressure chamber begins to decrease. Shortly after this decrease, information light 133 signals the driver to initiate the parking brake process. This may occur when the pressure reaches a threshold p1. Processing module 120 is configured to check at predetermined measurement points (times) t1, t2, and t3 whether the pressure based on sensor data 225 is below threshold 125. The lower limit of threshold 125 can be given by pressure value p2, which is slightly higher than pressure value p3. When the pressure is below pressure value p3, the braking process is considered safe and successful.

[0047] Figure 3 A second example of sensor data 225 is shown, along with the response of one embodiment of the brake control system 100. The brake 210 can be as follows: Figure 2 The aforementioned form.

[0048] The figure again shows a graph of sensor data 225 measured by pressure sensor 220 in the pressure chamber over time. Upon receiving signal 70, the pressure in the pressure chamber begins to decrease. Shortly after this decrease, indicator light 133 signals to the driver that the parking brake process has begun. Processing module 120 is configured to check at predetermined measurement points t1, t2, t3 whether the pressure, based on sensor data 225, is below a threshold 125. The test fails at the first measurement point t1. Therefore, processing module 120 issues a warning signal 130 to the driver, for example, in the form of dashboard information 135, along with an audible signal. Even if the pressure safely falls below the threshold 125 at the second measurement point t2, the warning signal 135 remains valid until the pressure drops below a value p3 indicating a successful braking process. This results in the cancellation of warning signal 135.

[0049] Figure 4 A third example of sensor data 225 is shown, along with the response of one embodiment of the brake control system 100. The brake 210 can be as follows: Figure 2 The aforementioned form.

[0050] and Figure 2 and Figure 3Similarly, this figure shows a graph of sensor data 225 measured by pressure sensor 220 in the pressure chamber as a function of time (expressed in arbitrary units). Upon receiving the braking signal 70, the pressure in the pressure chamber begins to decrease. Shortly after this decrease, the information indicator 133 signals to the driver that the parking brake process has begun. The processing module 120 is configured to check at predetermined measurement points t1, t2, and t3 whether the pressure based on sensor data 225 is below a threshold 125. In this figure, the test is barely met at the first measurement point t1, but fails at the second measurement point t2. Therefore, the processing module 120 issues a warning signal 130 to the driver, for example, in the form of instrument panel information 135 and an audible signal. At the third measurement point t3, the pressure based on sensor data 225 remains above the threshold 125, particularly above the pressure value p3 indicating a safe and successful braking process. This may prompt the continuation of the instrument panel information 135 and / or issue additional warning signals to the driver. If the pressure continues to be above the threshold 125, a parking timeout diagnostic fault code (DTC) may be activated, which may result in a declaration of brake 210 failure and / or the initiation of additional attempts to activate brake 210 or ensure that vehicle 50 remains stationary.

[0051] Figure 5 Two more examples of sensor data 225 and 227 are shown, along with corresponding responses in one embodiment of the brake control system 100. The brake 210 can be as follows: Figure 2 The aforementioned form.

[0052] This figure illustrates two scenarios of sensor data 225 and 227, measured by pressure sensor 220 in the pressure chamber, varying over time. In the first set of sensor data 225 and the second set of sensor data 227, the pressure in the pressure chamber begins to decrease after the braking unit 200 receives the braking signal 70. In this embodiment, the processing module 120 is configured to fit curve 127 to the sensor data (only the second sensor dataset 227 is shown here) and extrapolate curve 127 to estimate the pressure value in advance. For this purpose, the processing module is configured to sample the pressure data at a high rate, as shown in the figure, sampling 20 times per unit time, corresponding to a sampling rate of a fraction of a second. If the extrapolated curve 127 produces a pressure assessment value at a specific future time (here, t1, possibly one second after the brake receives the braking signal) that is higher than a threshold corresponding to that time t1, an audible warning signal 138 is issued. As in other embodiments, in this case, the processing module 120 can be configured to trigger an attempt to apply additional braking. For example, processing module 120 can be configured to first attempt to apply brake 210 a second and (if necessary) a third time. These attempts are characterized by extending the application of one or more outlet valves of the pressure chamber compared to the standard braking application of the initiating brake signal 70, with the aim of increasing the probability of successfully completing the braking process. If the third attempt fails to sufficiently reduce the pressure, processing module 120 can be configured to activate diagnostic fault codes. This may involve appropriate instructions to the driver, and / or keeping the outlet valves continuously activated as long as brake 210 receives power from the power source.

[0053] The processing module can be configured to update the parameters of curve 127 based on sensor data stored during past braking processes. This update can specifically take into account successfully completed braking processes. The update can also be based on additional sensor data, such as data related to temperature during the braking process.

[0054] Figure 6 The steps of a method for issuing a warning of a malfunction in the brake 210 of a vehicle 50 are shown. The brake 210 is configured to perform a braking process. This braking process can be triggered by a brake signal 70. The vehicle 50 includes a sensor 220 configured to generate sensor data 225 indicating the actuation force of the brake 210 on the wheels 55 of the vehicle 50.

[0055] The first step of this method involves monitoring S110 sensor data 225 after the start of the braking process. This may include discretely sampling the sensor data 225 at one or more time points t1, t2, t3 after the braking process is triggered or initiated, but advantageously, sampling at a high speed as well. Monitoring of the sensor data particularly covers the early stages of the braking process.

[0056] Another step of the method includes detecting a potential fault S120 in the brake 210 based on the monitored sensor data 225. This detection may involve comparing the sample value of the extrapolated value or the slope of the sensor data 225 with a corresponding threshold 225. It may also involve evaluating future sensor data 225, for example, through data fitting and / or regression methods.

[0057] Additional steps include issuing warning signals 130, 133, 135, and 138 (S130) if a potential fault is detected. Warning signals 130, 133, 135, and 138 may be suitable, for example, to warn the driver of vehicle 50, notify persons near vehicle 50 of a potential braking fault, or trigger activation of other components of vehicle 50.

[0058] This method can also be a computer-implemented method. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the steps of the above method can be performed by a programmed computer. This embodiment is also intended to cover program storage devices, such as digital data storage media, that are machine- or computer-readable and encode machine-executable or computer-executable instructions, wherein, when executed on a computer or processor, the instructions perform some or all of the actions of the above method.

[0059] The specification and accompanying drawings are merely illustrative of the principles of this disclosure. Therefore, it is understood that those skilled in the art will be able to design various arrangements, which, while not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of this disclosure and are included within its scope. Furthermore, while each embodiment may exist independently as a separate example, it should be noted that in other embodiments, the defined features may be combined in different ways; that is, a particular feature described in one embodiment may also be implemented in other embodiments. Unless it is stated that a particular combination is not intended, such combinations are covered herein.

[0060] List of reference numerals

[0061] 50 vehicles

[0062] 55 wheels

[0063] 70 Braking signal

[0064] 100 Braking Control System

[0065] 110 Receiver Module

[0066] 120 processing module

[0067] 125 threshold region

[0068] 127 Fitted Curve

[0069] 130 Warning Signs

[0070] 133 Information Display / Parking Brake Light

[0071] 135 Dashboard Information

[0072] 137 Parking Timeout Diagnostic Fault Code

[0073] 138 Audible Warning

[0074] 200 Braking Unit

[0075] 210 Brake

[0076] 220 sensor

[0077] 225 Sensor Data

[0078] 227 Sensor data indicating unsuccessful braking process

[0079] pressure values ​​p1, p2, p3

[0080] Steps of methods S110, S120, and S130

[0081] t1, t2, t3 time points

Claims

1. A braking control system (100) for issuing a warning for a malfunction of the brakes (210) of a vehicle (50), wherein, The brake (210) is configured to receive a braking signal (70) and perform a braking process upon receiving the braking signal (70), the vehicle (50) includes a sensor (220) configured to generate sensor data (225, 227) indicating the actuation force of the brake (210), characterized in that the braking control system (100) includes: A receiving module (110) is configured to receive the braking signal (70) and sensor data (225). Processing module (120), configured to: The sensor data (225, 227) are monitored during the phase after the start of the braking process. Based on monitored sensor data (225, 227), a potential fault in the brake (210) is detected before the braking process is complete; and Warning signals (130, 133, 135, 137, 138) are issued when a potential fault is detected to indicate that successful completion is impossible. If a braking process malfunction is detected, an additional braking process will be attempted.

2. The braking control system (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The brake (210) is a pneumatic brake with a brake cylinder including a pressure chamber, and the sensor (220) is a pressure sensor, the sensor data (225, 227) indicating the pressure of the pressure chamber.

3. The braking control system (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The brake (210) is an electromechanical brake, and the sensor (220) is a force sensor.

4. The braking control system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The processing module (120) is configured to detect potential faults in the brake (210) based on regression analysis of monitored sensor data (225, 227).

5. The braking control system (100) according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The processing module (120) is configured to detect potential faults in the brake (210) based on the development of the sensor data (225, 227) and a comparison with a characteristic.

6. The braking control system (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The processing module (120) is configured to store the sensor data (225, 227) and update the features based on the stored sensor data (225, 227).

7. The braking control system (100) according to any one of claims 1-3 and 6, wherein, The vehicle (50) includes additional sensors configured to generate additional sensor data, characterized in that, The receiving module (110) is configured to receive the additional sensor data, and the processing module (120) is configured to detect potential faults in the brake (210) based on the additional sensor data, wherein the additional sensor is configured to generate the additional sensor data by measuring at least one of the following: The movement and / or shift of the brake (210); Wheel speed; Environmental conditions; Road gradient.

8. The braking control system (100) according to any one of claims 1-3 and 6, characterized in that, The processing module (120) is configured to send the warning signals (130, 133, 135, 137, 138) to one or more of the following: Driver; The environment of the vehicle (50); Other components of the vehicle (50).

9. The braking control system (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The regression analysis mentioned is logistic regression analysis.

10. The braking control system (100) according to claim 7, wherein, The environmental conditions include temperature.

11. A braking unit (200) for braking a wheel (55) of a vehicle (50), the braking unit (200) comprising a brake (210) configured to receive a braking signal (70) and perform a braking process upon receiving the braking signal (70), and further comprising a sensor (220) configured to generate an actuation force indicative of the brake (210), characterized in that, The braking unit includes a braking control system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims.

12. The braking unit according to claim 11, characterized in that, The brake (210) is a parking brake.

13. A vehicle (50) comprising a braking unit (200) according to claim 11 or 12.

14. A method for issuing a warning of a malfunction in the brakes (210) of a vehicle (50), wherein, The brake (210) is configured to perform a braking process, the vehicle (50) includes sensors (220) configured to generate sensor data (225, 227) indicating the actuation force of the brake (210), characterized in that the method includes the following steps: The sensor data (225, 227) are monitored during the phase following the start of the braking process (S110). Based on monitored sensor data (225, 227), a potential fault in the brake (210) is detected (S120) before the braking process is completed; and If a potential fault is detected, a warning signal (S130, 133, 135, 137, 138) is issued to indicate that successful completion is impossible, and If a braking process malfunction is detected, an additional braking process will be attempted.

15. A computer program product storing program code, which, when executed on a computer or data processing unit, performs the method of claim 14.

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