Method, system, vehicle and storage medium for releasing control of an electronic parking brake

Abstract

The application discloses a control method and system for releasing electronic parking brake, a vehicle and a storage medium. The control method comprises the following steps: when the vehicle is in a parking state, after the vehicle is powered on, the EPB control module is self-checked, if there is a fault in the self-checking, the fault and an operation prompt request are sent to the vehicle machine to request the vehicle machine to display a fault state and give a related operation prompt; after receiving a driving-off auxiliary function trigger signal or a P-gear linkage function trigger signal, the EPB control module controls the EPB caliper group to execute a parking release action, and judges whether the caliper is released; if the caliper is not released, when a special operation mode condition is met, the EPB control module controls the EPB caliper group to execute the parking release action again. By using the application, the electronic parking brake can be released in the internal fault state of the EPB control module, the vehicle can be moved, and the vehicle is prevented from being damaged due to improper towing, so that the vehicle maintenance cost is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of electronic parking brake control, and specifically relates to a control method, system, vehicle, and storage medium for releasing the electronic parking brake. Background Technology

[0002] Compared to traditional mechanical handbrakes, the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) function is simpler to install, requires less space, is easier for users to operate, and offers higher safety. With the continuous improvement of vehicle configurations, this function is being used more and more widely. EPB controllers typically fall into three categories: the first is a standalone EPB controller; the second is integrated EPB control with the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system, forming an integrated electronic parking brake system (EPBI); and the third is integrated EPB control with a brake-by-wire control system. All three are collectively referred to as the EPB control module. When an EPB control module malfunctions, its functionality is downgraded, limiting its use. If the EPB function fails, the vehicle will be unable to release the electronic parking brake. For temporary handling, after-sales service may choose to tow the vehicle, but this is costly, and improper towing can cause damage to the vehicle.

[0003] CN111845688A discloses a control method, device, vehicle key, and vehicle for the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB). This method allows control of the EPB via a key even when the EPB switch malfunctions, ensuring normal EPB functionality and improving its reliability. It effectively avoids the safety risk of the vehicle being unable to release the parking brake due to EPB failure. However, with the continuous improvement of vehicle configurations, functions such as Drive Away Release and Shift From Park Release have been added. If only the EPB switch malfunctions, it will not affect the triggering of Drive Away Release or Shift From Park Release, and the vehicle can still release the electronic parking brake. Existing EPB control methods can be covered by other functions, limiting their application scenarios. Furthermore, besides the EPB switch, if a fault occurs within the EPB control module, the function will be downgraded, restricting Drive Away Release and Shift From Park Release, making it impossible to release the electronic parking brake through these functions. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One objective of this invention is to provide a control method for releasing the electronic parking brake, so as to release the electronic parking brake in the event of an internal fault in the EPB control module. A second objective is to provide a control system for releasing the electronic parking brake. A third objective is to provide a vehicle. A fourth objective is to provide a storage medium.

[0005] In this invention, the internal fault of the EPB control module is defined as any fault of the EPB control module that does not affect the EPB control module's supply of current to the EPB caliper assembly.

[0006] The control method for releasing the electronic parking brake according to the present invention includes: When the vehicle is parked, after the vehicle is powered on, the EPB control module performs a self-test. If a fault is found during the self-test, it sends a fault and operation prompt request to the vehicle's infotainment system, requesting the system to display the fault status and provide relevant operation prompts.

[0007] Upon receiving a drive-away assist function trigger signal or a P gear linkage function trigger signal, the EPB control module controls the EPB caliper assembly to perform a parking release action and determines whether the calipers are released.

[0008] If the caliper is not released, the EPB control module will then control the EPB caliper assembly to perform a parking release action when the special operating mode conditions are met.

[0009] Preferably, when the special operating mode conditions are met, after the EPB control module controls the EPB caliper assembly to perform the parking release action, it will determine whether the caliper has been released. If the caliper is still not released (indicating that the EPB caliper assembly needs to be checked for faults), it will send an operation prompt request to the vehicle's infotainment system, requesting the system to display the message "Please check whether the EPB caliper assembly is faulty" on the screen.

[0010] Preferably, the vehicle system displays the fault status by illuminating the EPB fault light.

[0011] Preferably, the vehicle infotainment system provides the following operation prompts: The vehicle infotainment system displays the text "Please try using the drive-away assist function or the P gear linkage function first; if it still does not disengage, then press the brake pedal and accelerator pedal while the engine is not running, and press the EPB switch at the same time" on the large screen.

[0012] Preferably, upon receiving a drive-away assist function trigger signal or a P gear linkage function trigger signal, the EPB control module controls the EPB caliper assembly to perform a parking release action. If the caliper releases, it indicates that the fault is an EPB switch malfunction.

[0013] Preferably, if the engine is not running, the brake pedal is depressed, the accelerator pedal opening is greater than or equal to a preset opening threshold, and the EPB switch is pressed, then the special operating mode conditions are met.

[0014] Preferably, the preset opening threshold is 30%.

[0015] The control system for releasing the electronic parking brake according to the present invention includes an EPB control module, which is connected to the EPB switch and the EPB caliper assembly via hard wiring, and is also connected to the engine management system and the vehicle infotainment system via a CAN bus. The EPB control module is programmed to execute the steps of the control method for releasing the electronic parking brake described above.

[0016] The vehicle described in this invention includes the aforementioned control system for releasing the electronic parking brake.

[0017] The storage medium of the present invention stores a computer-readable program, which, when invoked, can execute the steps of the control method for releasing the electronic parking brake described above.

[0018] This invention enables the electronic parking brake to be released by the driver through special operation (i.e., pressing the brake pedal and accelerator pedal while simultaneously pressing the EPB switch) when an internal fault occurs in the EPB control module and the function is degraded. This allows the vehicle to be moved while ensuring vehicle safety, avoiding damage to the vehicle caused by improper towing, and thus reducing the overall vehicle maintenance cost. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a diagram of the control system architecture for releasing the electronic parking brake in this embodiment.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of the control method for releasing the electronic parking brake in this embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0021] like Figure 1As shown, the control system for releasing the electronic parking brake in this embodiment includes an EPB control module 1. The EPB control module 1 is connected to the engine management system 5 via a CAN bus. The engine management system 5 is connected to the brake pedal 6 via a hard wire to obtain a signal indicating whether the brake pedal is depressed (reflecting whether there is an intention to keep the vehicle stopped). The engine management system 5 is also connected to the accelerator pedal 7 via a hard wire to obtain a signal indicating the accelerator pedal opening (reflecting whether the driver intends to drive away). The engine management system 5 sends the engine operating status signal, the brake pedal depression signal, and the accelerator pedal opening signal to the CAN bus for the EPB control module 1 to obtain. The EPB control module 1 also obtains the gear position signal from the CAN bus. The EPB control module 1 is connected to the vehicle infotainment system 2 via a CAN bus to send fault and operation prompt requests to the vehicle infotainment system 2, requesting the vehicle infotainment system 2 to display fault status and provide relevant operation prompts. The EPB control module 1 is also connected to the EPB switch 4 via a hard wire. The EPB switch 4 is a mechanical switch that inputs a parking request or a parking release request to the EPB control module 1 through circuit opening and closing. EPB control module 1 is connected to EPB caliper assembly 3 via hard wiring. EPB caliper assembly 3 serves as the parking actuator, including a motor and calipers. In this embodiment, EPB control module 1 acts as a parking controller, determining whether the conditions for electronic parking brake or release are met based on relevant signals, and outputting corresponding current to control the motor rotation to drive the calipers to clamp or release (caliper clamping corresponds to electronic parking brake, caliper release corresponds to release of electronic parking brake); EPB control module 1 determines whether the calipers are released based on the motor operating current (corresponding to determining whether the calipers are in a clamped state or a released state).

[0022] like Figure 2 As shown, the control method for releasing the electronic parking brake in this embodiment is applied when the vehicle is in a parked state and is executed by the EPB control module 1. The vehicle has a departure assistance function and / or a P gear linkage function. The control method includes the following steps: S1. Power on the vehicle, then execute S2.

[0023] S2. Self-check to determine if there is a fault. If so, proceed to S5; otherwise (i.e., if there is no fault, the driver can perform normal operation), proceed to S3.

[0024] After powering on, the EPB control module performs a self-test. Faults such as those at the EPB switch, the wiring from the EPB switch to the EPB control module, faults in the EPB control module itself, and faults in the wiring from the EPB control module to the EPB caliper can all be reported by the EPB control module.

[0025] S3. Determine if a parking release request has been received. If yes, proceed to S4; otherwise, continue with S3.

[0026] S4. Control EPB caliper group 3 to perform the parking release action, the caliper is released, the electronic parking brake is released, and then the process ends.

[0027] S5. Send a fault and operation prompt request to vehicle infotainment system 2 to request vehicle infotainment system 2 to display the fault status and provide relevant operation prompts, and then execute S6.

[0028] The specific implementation method of vehicle system 2 for displaying fault status and related operation prompts is as follows: After receiving the fault and operation prompt request, vehicle system 2 illuminates the EPB fault light and displays the text "Please try using the drive-away assist function or the P gear linkage function first; if it still does not dissipate, press the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal while the engine is not running, and press the EPB switch at the same time" on the display screen.

[0029] After seeing the above text on the vehicle's infotainment system 2 display screen, the driver can use the drive-away assist function or the P gear linkage function.

[0030] S6. Determine whether a drive-away assist function trigger signal or a P gear linkage function trigger signal has been received. If so, execute S7; otherwise, continue executing S6.

[0031] S7. Control EPB caliper group 3 to perform the parking release action, and then execute S8.

[0032] S8. Determine if the caliper is released. If yes, end; otherwise, proceed to S9. If the caliper is released here, the fault is an EPB switch malfunction. Caliper release indicates the electronic parking brake has been released, and normal maintenance can proceed. If the caliper is not released here, the fault is not an EPB switch malfunction (it may be an internal fault in the EPB control module). The driver needs to follow the previous instructions, with the engine off, press the brake pedal and accelerator pedal, and simultaneously press the EPB switch to attempt to release the electronic parking brake again.

[0033] S9. Determine whether the special operation mode conditions are met. If yes, execute S10; otherwise, continue executing S9.

[0034] Specifically, if the engine is not running, the brake pedal is depressed, the accelerator pedal opening is greater than or equal to a preset opening threshold (in this embodiment, the preset opening threshold is 30%, obtained through offline calibration), and the EPB switch is pressed, then the special operating mode conditions are met; otherwise, the special operating mode conditions are not met. To ensure vehicle safety and prevent misoperation, all four conditions must be met simultaneously.

[0035] To ensure safety during operation, subsequent operations must be performed with the vehicle powered on but the engine off (turned off); therefore, it is necessary to determine whether the engine is running. Since the requirement is to release the electronic parking brake, the driver needs to press the brake pedal to prevent the vehicle from rolling during the release process; therefore, it is necessary to determine whether the brake pedal is pressed. The purpose of checking the accelerator pedal opening signal is to confirm that pressing the accelerator pedal is not a mistake, but rather an indication that the driver intends to move away. Normally, releasing the electronic parking brake requires pressing the EPB switch.

[0036] S10, control EPB caliper group 3 to perform parking release action, then execute S11.

[0037] S11. Determine if the caliper is released. If yes, end the process; otherwise, execute S12.

[0038] S12. Send an operation prompt request to vehicle infotainment system 2 to request vehicle infotainment system 2 to display the text "Please check if there is a fault in the EPB caliper assembly" on the display screen, and then end.

[0039] After receiving the operation prompt request, the vehicle's infotainment system 2 displays the message "Please check if there is a fault in the EPB caliper assembly" on the screen to facilitate the driver or maintenance personnel in troubleshooting the cause of the fault.

[0040] This embodiment also provides a vehicle that has a departure assistance function and / or a P gear linkage function, and includes the above-mentioned control system for releasing the electronic parking brake.

[0041] This embodiment also provides a storage medium storing a computer-readable program, which, when invoked, can execute the steps of the control method for releasing the electronic parking brake described above.

Claims

1. A control method for releasing the electronic parking brake, characterized in that, include: When the vehicle is in a parked state, after the vehicle is powered on, the EPB control module (1) performs a self-check. If a fault is found in the self-check, it sends a fault and operation prompt request to the vehicle unit (2) to request the vehicle unit (2) to display the fault status and provide relevant operation prompts. The vehicle unit (2) provides relevant operation prompts in the following way: The vehicle unit (2) displays the text "Please try using the drive-away assist function or the P gear linkage function first; if it is still not resolved, press the brake pedal and accelerator pedal while the engine is not running, and press the EPB switch at the same time" on the display screen. Upon receiving a drive-away assist function trigger signal or a P gear linkage function trigger signal, the EPB control module (1) controls the EPB caliper assembly (3) to perform a parking release action and determines whether the caliper is released. If the caliper is not released, the EPB control module (1) will control the EPB caliper group (3) to perform the parking release action when the special operation mode conditions are met; wherein, if the engine is not running, the brake pedal is pressed, the accelerator pedal opening is greater than or equal to the preset opening threshold, and the EPB switch is pressed, it indicates that the special operation mode conditions are met.

2. The control method for releasing the electronic parking brake according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the special operating mode conditions are met, the EPB control module (1) will control the EPB caliper group (3) to perform the parking release action, and then determine whether the caliper is released. If the caliper is still not released, it will send an operation prompt request to the vehicle unit (2) to request the vehicle unit (2) to display the text "Please check whether there is a fault in the EPB caliper group" on the display screen.

3. The control method for releasing the electronic parking brake according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vehicle system (2) displays the fault status by illuminating the EPB fault light.

4. The control method for releasing the electronic parking brake according to claim 1, characterized in that: Upon receiving a drive-away assist function trigger signal or a P gear linkage function trigger signal, the EPB control module (1) controls the EPB caliper assembly (3) to perform a parking release action. If the caliper is released, it indicates that the fault is an EPB switch fault.

5. The control method for releasing the electronic parking brake according to claim 1, characterized in that: The preset opening threshold is 30%.

6. A control system for releasing the electronic parking brake, comprising an EPB control module (1), wherein the EPB control module (1) is connected to the EPB switch (4) and the EPB caliper assembly (3) via hard wiring, and the EPB control module (1) is connected to the engine management system (5) and the vehicle infotainment system (2) via a CAN bus; characterized in that: The EPB control module (1) is programmed to perform the steps of the control method for releasing the electronic parking brake as described in any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A vehicle, characterized in that: Includes the control system for releasing the electronic parking brake as described in claim 6.

8. A storage medium, characterized in that: It contains a computer-readable program that, when invoked, performs the steps of the control method for releasing the electronic parking brake as described in any one of claims 1 to 5.

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