Drive-by-wire control system for motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a drive-by-wire control system (2) of a motor vehicle for controlling a main function of the motor vehicle and an auxiliary function of the motor vehicle, which auxiliary function is graded to be lower than the main function by a safety criterion to be met, the main function being implemented by means of a main function component (4) of the motor vehicle. The auxiliary function can be carried out by means of an auxiliary functional component (6) of the motor vehicle, which is spatially separate from the main functional component (4), and at least one sensor (8, 9) of the auxiliary functional component (6) is functionally assigned to the main function, characterized in that the sensor (8, 9) is arranged in the auxiliary functional component (6). The at least one sensor (8, 9) of the auxiliary functional component (6), which is associated with the main function, is only in an energy supply connection to the main functional component (4) on one hand in order to supply operating energy to the sensor (8, 9) and on the other hand is in a signal exchange connection.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a drive-by-wire control system for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1 . Background Art

[0002] Such drive-by-wire control systems for motor vehicles are already known from the prior art in a large number of implementation variants. The known drive-by-wire control systems for motor vehicles are used to control a main function of the motor vehicle and an auxiliary function of the motor vehicle, which is classified as lower than the main function in terms of the safety standards to be met, wherein the main function can be implemented by means of a main function component of the motor vehicle and the auxiliary function can be implemented by means of an auxiliary function component of the motor vehicle that is spatially separated from the main function component, and at least one sensor of the auxiliary function component is functionally associated with the main function.

[0003] This is where the present invention begins. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to improve a drive-by-wire control system for a motor vehicle.

[0005] The object is achieved by a drive-by-wire control system for a motor vehicle having the features of claim 1, characterized in that the at least one sensor of the auxiliary function component which is assigned to the main function is only connected to the main function component on the one hand for energy supply, in order to supply the sensor with operating energy, and on the other hand for signal exchange. The term "main function" here refers to a function of the motor vehicle which is essential for the motor vehicle, wherein in particular functions of the motor vehicle which are relevant to safety, such as the steering, drive or brake system of the motor vehicle, are to be understood. These main functions of the motor vehicle, such as the above-mentioned main functions, are implemented redundantly, for example, due to their safety relevance. This means that the redundantly implemented main function can also be reliably implemented in the event of a fault, for example in the event of a failure of a component of the main function component for implementing the main function, because this faulty component is automatically replaced by a corresponding redundant component which implements the main function in the event of a fault, or in a redundant structure operating in parallel, the faulty component is automatically deactivated, while the components which function in accordance with the provisions and are redundant for the faulty component continue to operate. The term "auxiliary function" here refers to a function of the motor vehicle according to the invention which is not relevant to safety in particular and therefore does not have to be implemented redundantly, for example. The dependent claims relate to advantageous refinements of the invention. In this case, “spatially separated” is to be understood to mean in particular a spatial separation of the main functional component and the auxiliary functional component, which does not allow any kind of structural combination of these components.

[0006] The main advantage of the drive-by-wire control system according to the invention is, in particular, that the drive-by-wire control system for a motor vehicle is improved. Therefore, the at least one sensor functionally assigned to the main function is, on the one hand, structurally assigned to the auxiliary function component and, on the other hand, also functionally assigned to the main function with regard to its energy supply and signal exchange. Due to the configuration of the drive-by-wire control system according to the invention, the complete functionality of the drive-by-wire control system is ensured, although the technical expenditure is reduced by means of system areas which are constructed separately from one another in terms of the degree of safety standards to be met. Furthermore, less construction space is required for the drive-by-wire control system according to the invention than for a functionally equivalent drive-by-wire control system according to the prior art, since, for example, significantly fewer components have to be implemented redundantly in the drive-by-wire control system according to the invention. For this purpose, see, for example, the prior art Figure 1 Together with the explanations related thereto. Thus, the drive-by-wire control system according to the invention can be realized more compactly and more cost-effectively than in the prior art. The networking of the individual components of the drive-by-wire control system according to the invention is also less complex and therefore less susceptible to faults, since, for example, the redundant functions and therefore the redundant components of the drive-by-wire control system according to the invention are only provided where they are absolutely required. As a result, the invention enables a significantly simplified mechanical and electronic arrangement that is functionally powerful but also significantly simplified compared to the prior art. This also applies to the electronic connection technology.

[0007] In principle, the drive-by-wire control system of the motor vehicle according to the invention can be freely selected within a wide range of suitable types, operating methods, materials and dimensions. This refers to motor vehicles designed as electric vehicles, for example. This is the case with the many different functions in modern motor vehicles and the challenges of drive-by-wire systems in general.

[0008] According to a particularly advantageous development of the wire control system of the invention, it is provided that the safety standards of the main function and the auxiliary function are designed as ASIL safety levels, wherein the ASIL safety level of the main function is designed as ASIL D, and the ASIL safety level of the auxiliary function is designed as lower than ASIL D, preferably lower than or equal to ASIL B. In this way, the most relevant safety standards for motor vehicles in the context of the invention are given. The abbreviation "ASIL" here stands for Automotive Safety Integrity Level. ASIL is currently divided into a total of four safety levels A to D, wherein safety level A is the lowest safety level and safety level D is the highest safety level. With the preferred embodiment of the development, a particularly advantageous configuration of the invention is given, because there are significant differences in the safety requirements for the auxiliary function compared to the main function, so that the auxiliary function can be realized with much less effort than the main function.

[0009] According to another advantageous development of the drive-by-wire control system of the invention, it is provided that the drive-by-wire control system is designed as a steering-by-wire control system, preferably as a steering system of a motor vehicle, wherein the controlled auxiliary function is designed as a steering wheel feedback function for mechanically acting on the driver of the motor vehicle by means of the steering wheel of the motor vehicle, and the controlled main function is designed as a wheel steering function for steering at least one wheel of the motor vehicle as a function of the steering angle of the steering wheel deflected by the driver. As a result, the invention can be used advantageously in areas that are particularly sensitive to safety technology for motor vehicles. This applies in particular to the preferred embodiment of the development. The drive-by-wire control system of the invention can be used particularly advantageously in a steering system of a motor vehicle, since there is no longer a mechanical connection between the steering wheel on the one hand and the at least one steerable wheel on the other hand.

[0010] An advantageous development of the above-mentioned development of the drive-by-wire control system according to the invention provides that the primary functional component is arranged in a force-transmitting manner on the at least one steerable wheel of the motor vehicle, preferably on a steering axle of the motor vehicle which is connected in a force-transmitting manner to the at least one steerable wheel. In this way, the required force-transmitting connection between the primary functional component on the one hand and the wheel to be steered of the motor vehicle on the other hand can be realized in a very simple manner in terms of construction and production technology. This applies in particular to the preferred embodiment of the development.

[0011] Analogously, one advantageous refinement of the two aforementioned refinements of the drive-by-wire control system according to the invention provides that the auxiliary function component is arranged on the steering wheel of the motor vehicle in a force-transmitting manner, preferably on a steering column of the motor vehicle which is connected to the steering wheel in a force-transmitting manner. This also enables the required force-transmitting connection between the auxiliary function component on the one hand and the steering wheel of the motor vehicle on the other hand to be realized in a very simple manner in terms of construction and production technology. This in turn applies in particular to the preferred embodiments of the refinements.

[0012] As an alternative to the inventive drive-by-wire control system designed as a steering-by-wire control system, another advantageous development of the inventive drive-by-wire control system according to claim 1 or 2 provides that the drive-by-wire control system is designed as a brake-by-wire control system, preferably the controlled main function being designed as a wheel braking function for braking at least one wheel of the motor vehicle by means of a brake actuator of the control system mentioned above in response to a braking command issued by the driver of the motor vehicle or generated automatically by means of the control system. The auxiliary functions controlled by means of the inventive drive-by-wire control system designed as a brake-by-wire control system can be, for example, auxiliary functions similar to the above-described embodiments of the inventive drive-by-wire control system designed as a steering-by-wire control system. Accordingly, reference is made here to the embodiments in the present application text that are relevant thereto.

[0013] According to another particularly advantageous development of the drive-by-wire control system according to the invention, it is provided that the main function component is designed redundantly, preferably having at least two control devices, each of which has at least one computing unit for evaluating an output signal of at least one sensor of the drive-by-wire control system corresponding to the main function, which is applied to the corresponding control device, and for actuating at least one power electronic component of an actuator of the drive-by-wire control system corresponding to the main function as a function of the above-mentioned output signal by means of a control signal in order to implement the main function of the motor vehicle. In this way, a high safety level of the safety standard used can be achieved in a very efficient manner, because a very high degree of fail-safety in the main function is ensured by the redundant configuration of the main function component. This applies in particular to the preferred embodiment of the development.

[0014] In contrast, according to another advantageous development of the drive-by-wire control system according to the invention, in the case of the auxiliary function component, only the at least one sensor of the auxiliary function component that is associated with the main function is designed redundantly, preferably a first sensor of the at least one sensor is in energy transmission connection and signal transmission connection with a first control device of the main function component and a second sensor of the at least one sensor that is different from the first sensor is in energy transmission connection and signal transmission connection with a second control device of the main function component, particularly preferably the auxiliary function component has only one control device with only one single computing unit for evaluating the output signal of the at least one sensor of the drive-by-wire control system that is associated with the auxiliary function and applied to the control device and for controlling the power electronics of the actuator of the drive-by-wire control system that is associated with the auxiliary function based on the above-mentioned output signal by means of a control signal in order to implement the auxiliary function of the motor vehicle. As a result, the complexity of the drive-by-wire control system according to the invention is minimized, while maintaining the high safety level required for the main function of the safety standard used. Accordingly, the redundancy is reduced to the components of the drive-by-wire control system according to the invention that are relevant for the main function. This applies in particular to the preferred embodiment of the development, in which the at least one sensor that is functionally associated with the main function, i.e. as the first sensor and the second sensor and its corresponding energy connection and signal connection to the main function component, is designed redundantly. In particular, in particularly preferred embodiments of this development, the structural, production and circuit complexity is minimized when implementing the auxiliary functions.

[0015] According to an advantageous development of the above-mentioned development of the drive-by-wire control system according to the invention, it is provided that the auxiliary function module additionally has at least one additional sensor, an additional power electronic device and an additional actuator corresponding thereto, corresponding to an additional function of the motor vehicle, and the above-mentioned computing unit is additionally designed to evaluate an output signal of the at least one additional sensor applied to the control device and to control the additional power electronic device of the additional actuator as a function of the above-mentioned output signal by means of a control signal in order to implement the additional function of the motor vehicle. In this way, the functionality of the auxiliary function module is increased, so that fewer components and therefore less installation space are required for the functional expansion of the drive-by-wire control system according to the invention.

[0016] In principle, the above-mentioned additional functions of the drive-by-wire control system according to the invention can also be freely selected within a wide range of suitability in terms of type, function, material and size. For example, the additional functions can be designed as additional auxiliary functions, such as air conditioning functions for the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle or the like. In this regard, see also the explanation of the auxiliary functions in the relevant context in the introduction to the description.

[0017] However, an advantageous development of the above-mentioned development of the drive-by-wire control system according to the invention provides that the further function is designed as a steering wheel adjustment function, which is preferably designed to be suitable for adjusting the inclination of the steering wheel and / or for transferring the steering wheel from a stowed position of the steering wheel into a use position of the steering wheel and vice versa. This results in a particularly advantageous combination of the auxiliary function component on the one hand and the further function on the other hand, since the steering wheel adjustment function acts on the steering wheel of the motor vehicle in a force-transmitting manner, similar to an auxiliary function, for example, which is designed as a steering wheel feedback function. This applies in particular to the preferred embodiment of the development.

[0018] Furthermore, according to another particularly advantageous development of the drive-by-wire control system according to the invention, it is provided that the main function component and / or the auxiliary function component each comprises a first structural unit and a second structural unit different from the first structural unit, wherein at least one sensor of the corresponding component, preferably all sensors of the corresponding component, are structurally integrated in the first structural unit, and the remaining parts of the corresponding component, which are different therefrom, are structurally integrated in the second structural unit. In this way, a very meaningful structural division of the main function component and / or the auxiliary function component is obtained, since the at least one sensor of the main function can be very well combined in a structural unit different from the remaining parts of the main function component corresponding thereto, for example as a sensor package with a plurality of sensors. The same applies to the auxiliary function component, in which not only the at least one sensor functionally associated with the main function but also the at least one sensor associated with the auxiliary function are combined in a structural unit different from the remaining parts of the auxiliary function component. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The present invention will be described in more detail below based on the attached rough schematic diagram. Figure 1 A method circuit diagram is used to illustrate a wire control system according to the prior art. Figure 2 With Figure 1 A similar method diagram shows an embodiment of a drive-by-wire control system according to the present invention, and Figure 3 A more detailed, local method diagram is shown according to Figure 2 Embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] exist Figure 2 and Figure 3 FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an exemplary embodiment of a drive-by-wire control system according to the present invention.

[0021] In order to demarcate the boundaries, first Figure 1 The prior art is shown in . As can be seen from this, a wire control system 2 known from the prior art of a motor vehicle, not shown in detail, is designed to be suitable for controlling a main function of the motor vehicle and an auxiliary function of the motor vehicle, wherein the auxiliary function is graded lower than the main function according to the safety standards to be met, wherein the main function can be implemented by means of a main function component 4 of the motor vehicle, and the auxiliary function can be implemented by means of an auxiliary function component 6 of the motor vehicle that is spatially separated from the main function component 4, and at least one sensor 8, 9 of the auxiliary function component 6 is functionally assigned to the main function. Figure 1 The remaining parts of the motor vehicle which differ from the drive-by-wire control system 2 are symbolized by reference numeral 10 .

[0022] In this case, the by-wire control system 2 is designed as a steering by-wire control system, wherein the steering by-wire control system is designed as a steering system of a motor vehicle and the controlled assistance function is designed as a steering wheel feedback function for controlling the steering of the motor vehicle by means of the steering wheel of the motor vehicle. Figure 1 A steering wheel (not shown) acts mechanically on a driver (not shown) of the motor vehicle, and the controlled main function is designed as a wheel steering function for steering at least one wheel (not shown) of the motor vehicle as a function of a steering angle of the steering wheel deflected by the driver.

[0023] In order to meet the safety level D of the safety standard designed as ASIL, the main function component 4 is designed in particular redundantly, wherein the main function component 4 has at least two redundant control devices 12, 14, each of which has at least one computing unit (not shown) for evaluating the output signal of at least one sensor 8, 9, 16, 18 of the known drive-by-wire control system 2 corresponding to the main function, which is applied to the corresponding control device 12, 14, and for controlling at least one power electronic component (not shown) of an actuator (also not shown) of the known drive-by-wire control system 2 corresponding to the main function and also not shown, based on the above-mentioned output signal by means of actuation signals, in order to implement the main function of the motor vehicle. The main function component 4 is also arranged in a force-transmitting manner on the at least one steerable wheel of the motor vehicle, wherein the main function component 4 is arranged in a force-transmitting manner on a steering axle (not shown) of the motor vehicle that is connected in a force-transmitting manner to the at least one steerable wheel.

[0024] The auxiliary function module 6 is also redundantly designed similarly to the main function module 4, that is, the auxiliary function module 6 has two redundant control devices 20, 22, each of which has at least one computing unit (not shown) for evaluating the known drive-by-wire control system 2 corresponding to the auxiliary function. Figure 11, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 60, 69, 61, 60, 67, 69, 60, 68, 69, 60, 69, 61, 61, 62, 64, 66, 67, 68, 69, 60, 69, 61, 62, 64, 67, 69, 60, 69, 61, 62, 64, 66, 68, 69, 60 ...3, 64, 65, 66, 68, 69, 60, 69, 60, 69, 60, 61,

[0025] If Figure 1 As can be seen, on the one hand the sensors 8 , 9 associated with the main functions are supplied with energy by means of the control devices 20 , 22 and on the other hand the output signals of the sensors 8 , 9 are forwarded indirectly to the main functional component 4 by means of the control devices 20 , 22 .

[0026] exist Figure 1 The embodiments according to the prior art shown in have various disadvantages. For this purpose, see the embodiments related to this in the introduction to the specification. This is remedied by means of the present invention according to this embodiment.

[0027] Then with the help of Figure 2 and Figure 3 The embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail. Figure 1 The same or functionally identical components (also referred to as parts) of the prior art are Figure 2 and Figure 3 The same reference numerals are used throughout.

[0028] Similar to Figure 1 The prior art, the wire control system 2 of the embodiment is used to control the main function of the motor vehicle and the auxiliary function of the motor vehicle, compared with the main function, the auxiliary function is graded into a lower safety standard to be met, wherein the main function can be implemented with the help of the main function component 4 of the motor vehicle, and the auxiliary function can be implemented with the help of the auxiliary function component 6 of the motor vehicle which is spatially separated from the main function component 4, and wherein at least one sensor 8, 9 of the auxiliary function component 6 is functionally assigned to the main function.

[0029] According to the invention, the at least one sensor 8, 9 of the auxiliary functional component 6 which is assigned to the main function is only connected to the main functional component 4 on the one hand for energy supply in order to supply the sensor 8, 9 with operating energy and on the other hand for signal exchange. Figure 2 .

[0030] The safety standards of the main functions and the auxiliary functions are also configured as ASIL safety levels, wherein the ASIL safety level of the main functions is configured as ASIL D and the ASIL safety level of the auxiliary functions is configured as lower than ASIL D, namely as ASILB.

[0031] In addition, according to this embodiment, the wire control system 2 is Figure 1 The prior art is similarly designed as a steer-by-wire control system, wherein the steer-by-wire control system is designed as a steering system of a motor vehicle, and wherein the controlled auxiliary function is designed as a steering wheel feedback function for controlling the steering of the vehicle only by means of a steering wheel. Figure 3 2 mechanically acts on a driver (not shown) of the motor vehicle, and the controlled main function is designed as a wheel steering function for steering at least one wheel (not shown) of the motor vehicle as a function of a steering angle of the steering wheel 24 deflected by the driver.

[0032] The main function component 4 is in turn arranged in a force-transmitting manner on the at least one steerable wheel of the motor vehicle, wherein the main function component 4 is arranged in a force-transmitting manner on a steering axle (not shown) of the motor vehicle which is connected in a force-transmitting manner to the at least one steerable wheel. In addition, the main function component 4 is also designed redundantly, i.e., the main function component 4 has two control devices 12, 14, each of which has at least one computing unit (not shown) for evaluating output signals of at least one sensor 8, 9, 16, 18 of the drive-by-wire control system 2 corresponding to the main function, which are applied to the corresponding control device 12, 14, and for controlling at least one power electronic component (not shown) of an actuator (also not shown) of the drive-by-wire control system 2 corresponding to the main function and also not shown, based on the above-mentioned output signals, in order to implement the main function of the motor vehicle.

[0033] The auxiliary function component 6 is in turn arranged on a steering wheel 24 of the motor vehicle in a force-transmitting manner, wherein the auxiliary function component 6 is arranged on a steering column 26 of the motor vehicle which is connected to the steering wheel 24 in a force-transmitting manner. Figure 3With respect to the auxiliary function component 6 according to the present embodiment of the invention, only the at least one sensor 8, 9 of the auxiliary function component 6 that is assigned to the main function is designed redundantly, i.e., a first sensor 8 of the at least one sensor 8, 9 is in energy transmission connection and signal transmission connection with a first control device 12 of the main function component 4, and a second sensor 9 of the at least one sensor 8, 9 that is different from the first sensor 8 is in energy transmission connection and signal transmission connection with a second control device 14 of the main function component 4. The auxiliary function component 6, unlike the main function component 4, has only one control device 20, which has only one single computing unit 30 for analyzing output signals of at least one sensor 32 of the drive-by-wire control system 2 that corresponds to the auxiliary function and is applied to the control device 20, and for controlling a power electronic device 34 of an actuator 36 of the drive-by-wire control system 2 that corresponds to the auxiliary function based on the above-mentioned output signals by means of a control signal, in order to implement the auxiliary function of the motor vehicle.

[0034] Furthermore, the auxiliary function component 6 may, as in the present embodiment, additionally have at least one additional sensor 38, another power electronic device 40 and another corresponding actuator 42 corresponding thereto, wherein the aforementioned computing unit 30 is additionally configured to analyze an output signal of the at least one additional sensor 38 applied to the control device 20 and to control the additional power electronic device 40 of the additional actuator 42 according to the aforementioned output signal by means of a control signal in order to implement the additional function of the motor vehicle. The additional function is configured here as a steering wheel adjustment function, wherein the steering wheel adjustment function is configured to be suitable for adjusting the inclination of the steering wheel 24 and / or for transferring the steering wheel 24 from the storage position of the steering wheel 24 to the use position of the steering wheel 24 and vice versa. Figure 3 The parts of the auxiliary function component 6 that correspond to the further functions are delimited by dashed lines. Of course, embodiments of the invention are also conceivable in which the auxiliary function component does not perform further functions.

[0035] The actuators 36, 42 shown and not shown are respectively electric motors; the sensors 8, 9, 16, 18, 32 are respectively so-called motor position sensors. The sensors 8, 9 on the one hand and the sensors 16, 18 on the other hand correspond to redundancy. In addition, the sensors can be at least partially multiple, i.e. redundant, in order to thus additionally increase the redundancy. In particular, the individual sensors 8, 9, 16, 18, 32, 38 can each be based on different physical measurement principles, so that an improvement in the fail-safety can be achieved on the one hand by this technical diversity of the sensors 8, 9, 16, 18, 32, 38 and on the other hand by the redundancy mentioned above. Similar to the components mentioned above, electrical lines and the like that connect these components to other components of the drive-by-wire control system 2 according to the invention in a manner that transmits energy and / or transmits signals can also be implemented redundantly in a manner known per se to a person skilled in the art.

[0036] Furthermore, the main functional component 4 and the auxiliary functional component 6 each include a first structural unit 44, 46 and a second structural unit 48, 50 different from the first structural unit 44, 46, wherein all sensors 16, 18 and 8, 9, 32, 38 of the corresponding component 4, 6 are structurally integrated in the first structural unit 44, 46, and the remaining parts of the corresponding component 4, 6 different from them are structurally integrated in the second structural unit 48, 50. For this purpose, see for an overview Figure 2 and Figure 3 .

[0037] The main function component 4 has an ASIL safety level D overall, while in the auxiliary function component 6 only the at least one sensor functionally associated with the main function, namely the sensor 8 and the sensor 9 configured redundantly therewith, are configured according to the ASIL safety level D. In contrast, the second component 50 and the sensors 32 and 38 associated with the auxiliary function and with the further function are configured only according to the ASIL safety level B.

[0038] Below with the help of Figure 2 and Figure 3 The working mode of the drive-by-wire control system according to the present invention according to this embodiment is explained in more detail.

[0039] By means of the steering wheel feedback function, sensor information is collected on the steering wheel 24 by means of the at least one sensor 8, 9, 32, so as to generate a feedback torque for the driver by means of the actuator 36 on the one hand and to provide the driver's steering desire to the wheel steering function on the other hand. By means of the wheel steering function, the steerable wheels of the motor vehicle are steered on the one hand, and the road conditions are transmitted to the steering wheel feedback function by means of the wheel steering function on the other hand. Thus, a continuous signal exchange and / or data exchange is generated between the above-mentioned two functions of the motor vehicle in the above-mentioned manner. In addition, by means of the additional steering wheel adjustment function, the steering wheel 24 can be adjusted in a desired manner in terms of its inclination and transferred from its use position to its storage position when not in use. If the steering wheel 24 is needed, the steering wheel 24 can be transferred from its storage position to its use position again by means of the actuator 42.

[0040] If the steering wheel 24 of the motor vehicle is turned about the steering column 26, for example, manually, this steering movement of the steering wheel 24 is detected in a manner known per se by means of the at least one sensor 8, 9, 32 functionally connected to the steering wheel 24 and forwarded as an output signal of the at least one sensor 8, 9 in a manner known per se to the respectively associated control device 12, 14 of the drive-by-wire control system 2. In order to be able to control the power electronics of the actuator corresponding to the main function in a prescribed manner, it is additionally necessary to know the current steering position of the at least one steerable wheel of the motor vehicle. The current steering position is also detected in a manner known per se by means of at least one sensor 16, 18 functionally cooperating with the above-mentioned actuator and forwarded in the form of output signals of the sensors 16, 18, similarly to the above-mentioned output signals, to the computing units of the two control units 12, 14 for evaluation. After the evaluation of all output signals, each computing unit of the control units 12, 14 generates a control signal that is correlated with these output signals, with which the power electronics of the actuator corresponding to the main function can be actuated. During proper functioning, ie, normal operation of control devices 12 , 14 , the above-mentioned control signals are essentially identical.

[0041] A similar situation applies to the steering wheel feedback function and the steering wheel adjustment function of the drive-by-wire control system 2 .

[0042] Due to the configuration according to the invention of the drive-by-wire control system 2, the complete functionality of the drive-by-wire control system 2 is ensured, although the technical complexity is reduced by means of system areas that are designed separately from one another in terms of the degree of safety standards to be met. In addition, less installation space is required for the drive-by-wire control system 2 than for a functionally equivalent drive-by-wire control system according to the prior art, since, for example, significantly fewer components must be implemented redundantly in the drive-by-wire control system 2 according to the invention. For this purpose, see, for example, the prior art Figure 1 Together with the explanations related thereto. Thus, the wire control system 2 according to the invention can be realized more compactly and more cost-effectively than in the prior art. The networking of the individual components of the wire control system 2 according to the invention is also less complex and therefore less susceptible to faults, since, for example, the redundant functions and therefore the redundant components of the wire control system 2 according to the invention are only provided where they are absolutely necessary. As a result, the invention enables a significantly simplified mechanical and electronic arrangement that is functionally powerful but also significantly simplified compared to the prior art. This also applies to the electronic connection technology.

[0043] The present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[0044] With regard to further alternative or optional features in embodiments of the invention which are alternatives to the present exemplary embodiment, reference is made in particular to the statements made in this regard in the introduction to the description and in the description of the specific exemplary embodiments.

[0045] Reference numerals list 2-wire control system 4 Main functional components 6 Accessibility Components 8 Sensors 9 Sensors 10 Other parts of the motor vehicle other than the drive-by-wire control system 12 Control Devices 14 Control Device 16 sensors 18 Sensors 20 Control device 22 Control device 24 Steering Wheel 26 Steering column 30 computing units 32 sensors 34 Power Electronics 36 Actuator 38 sensors 40 Power Electronics 42 Actuator 44 The first structural unit of the main functional component 46 The first structural unit of the auxiliary function component 48 Second structural unit of the main functional component 50 The second structural unit of the auxiliary function component

Claims

1. A drive-by-wire control system (2) for a motor vehicle, the drive-by-wire control system being used to control a main function of the motor vehicle and an auxiliary function of the motor vehicle, the auxiliary function being classified as having a lower safety standard to be met than the main function, wherein: The main function is implementable by means of a main function component (4) of the motor vehicle, and the auxiliary function is implementable by means of an auxiliary function component (6) of the motor vehicle which is spatially separated from the main function component (4), and at least one sensor (8, 9) of the auxiliary function component (6) is functionally assigned to the main function, The invention is characterized in that the at least one sensor (8, 9) of the auxiliary function component (6) assigned to the main function is only connected to the main function component (4) on the one hand for energy supply in order to supply the sensor (8, 9) with operating energy and on the other hand for signal exchange.

2. The drive-by-wire control system (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The safety standards of the main function and the auxiliary function are configured as ASIL safety levels, the ASIL safety level of the main function is configured as ASIL D, and the ASIL safety level of the auxiliary function is configured as lower than ASIL D, preferably lower than or equal to ASIL B.

3. The drive-by-wire control system (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The drive-by-wire control system (2) is configured as a steering-by-wire control system, preferably, the steering-by-wire control system is configured as a steering system of a motor vehicle, the auxiliary function to be controlled is configured as a steering wheel feedback function for mechanically acting on a driver of the motor vehicle by means of a steering wheel (24) of the motor vehicle, and the main function to be controlled is configured as a wheel steering function for steering at least one wheel of the motor vehicle according to a steering angle of the steering wheel (24) deflected by the driver.

4. The drive-by-wire control system (2) according to claim 3, characterized in that: The main functional component (4) is arranged in a force-transmitting manner on the at least one steerable wheel of the motor vehicle, preferably, the main functional component (4) is arranged in a force-transmitting manner on a steering axle of the motor vehicle which is connected to the at least one steerable wheel in a force-transmitting manner.

5. The drive-by-wire control system (2) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: The auxiliary function component (6) is arranged on the steering wheel (24) of the motor vehicle in a force-transmitting manner. Preferably, the auxiliary function component (6) is arranged on a steering column (26) of the motor vehicle which is connected to the steering wheel (24) in a force-transmitting manner.

6. The drive-by-wire control system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The drive-by-wire control system is constructed as a brake drive-by-wire control system, and preferably, the main function controlled is constructed as a wheel braking function, so as to brake at least one wheel of the motor vehicle by means of the brake actuator of the above-mentioned control system according to a braking command issued by the driver of the motor vehicle or automatically generated by means of the control system.

7. The drive-by-wire control system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The main function component (4) is redundantly constructed, preferably, the main function component (4) has at least two control devices (12, 14), each of which has at least one computing unit for analyzing an output signal of at least one sensor (8, 9, 16, 18) of the drive-by-wire control system (2) corresponding to the main function, applied to the corresponding control device (12, 14), and for controlling at least one power electronic device of an actuator of the drive-by-wire control system (2) corresponding to the main function based on the above-mentioned output signal with the help of a control signal, so as to implement the main function of the motor vehicle.

8. The drive-by-wire control system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: With respect to the auxiliary function component (6), only the at least one sensor (8, 9) of the auxiliary function component (6) which is assigned to the main function is designed redundantly, preferably, a first sensor (8) of the at least one sensor (8, 9) is in energy transmission connection and signal transmission connection with a first control device (12) of the main function component (4), and a second sensor (9) of the at least one sensor (8, 9) which is different from the first sensor (8) is in energy transmission connection and signal transmission connection with a second control device (14) of the main function component (4), particularly preferably, the auxiliary function component (6) has only one control device (20) with only one single computing unit (30) for evaluating an output signal of at least one sensor (32) of the drive-by-wire control system (2) which corresponds to the auxiliary function and which is applied to the control device (20) and for controlling a power electronic device (34) of an actuator (36) of the drive-by-wire control system (2) which corresponds to the auxiliary function based on the above-mentioned output signal by means of a control signal in order to implement the auxiliary function of the motor vehicle.

9. The drive-by-wire control system (2) according to claim 8, characterized in that: The auxiliary function component (6) additionally has at least one additional sensor (38), another power electronic device (40) and another corresponding actuator (42) corresponding to another function of the motor vehicle, and the above-mentioned computing unit (30) is additionally designed to analyze an output signal of the at least one additional sensor (38) applied to the control device (20) and to control the other power electronic device (40) of the other actuator (42) based on the above-mentioned output signal by means of a control signal, so as to implement the other function of the motor vehicle.

10. The drive-by-wire control system (2) according to claim 9, characterized in that: The further function is configured as a steering wheel adjustment function, preferably, the steering wheel adjustment function is configured to be suitable for adjusting the inclination of the steering wheel (24) and / or for transferring the steering wheel (24) from a storage position of the steering wheel (24) to a use position of the steering wheel (24) and vice versa.

11. The drive-by-wire control system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: The main functional component (4) and / or the auxiliary functional component (6) respectively comprises a first structural unit (44, 46) and a second structural unit (48, 50) different from the first structural unit (44, 46), in which at least one sensor (16, 18; 8, 9, 32, 38) of the corresponding component (4, 6) is structurally integrated, preferably all sensors (16, 18; 8, 9, 32, 38) of the corresponding component (4, 6) are structurally integrated, and in which the remaining parts of the corresponding component (4, 6) different from the first structural unit (48, 50) are structurally integrated.

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