Electronic parking brake controller, system and vehicle

Abstract

The invention discloses an electronic parking brake controller, a system and a vehicle. The electronic parking brake controller comprises a first ECU (Electronic Control Unit) and a second ECU, wherein the first ECU comprises a first control module and a first parking caliper control module; the second ECU comprises a second control module and a second parking caliper control module; the second control module monitors the state of the first control module in real time, and when the first ECU is in an abnormal state, the second parking caliper control module is triggered to control calipers of the vehicle, or a caliper control strategy is transmitted to an external third ECU through the communication interface, so that the third ECU controls the calipers of the vehicle. The complex EPB caliper control strategy is backed up in the second ECU, when the state of the first ECU is abnormal, the caliper control strategy can be sent to the third ECU of the third party, the development period and cost of the third party can be saved, the control complexity of the third party can be reduced, the current redundancy control method is optimized, and the usability of products is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of vehicle parking brakes, and particularly to an electronic parking brake controller, a system and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] With the continuous development of the automotive industry, the vehicle ownership is increasing day by day, and the resulting vehicle safety issues are becoming increasingly prominent. Especially in recent years, with the rapid development of automotive electronic control and automotive intelligence, the demand for safety redundancy of the braking system is getting higher and higher, especially for high-level intelligent driving vehicles, which require the vehicle parking system to have higher safety redundancy requirements. From the perspectives of space layout and cost control, canceling the transmission P gear locking mechanism that originally existed only in fuel vehicles will become a new trend. In this case, in order to meet the design requirements for parking brake P gear redundancy in the national standard GB21760 and also to meet the functional safety requirements for parking in ISO26262, it is necessary to design a redundant control architecture for the electronic parking brake system and a new strategy that can achieve safe redundancy switching. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide an electronic parking brake controller, a system and a vehicle, which can switch the caliper control strategy to an external ECU when the main control module fails, and realize the vehicle parking function through a new redundant control method.

[0004] According to the first aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, an electronic parking brake controller is provided, including: a first ECU and a second ECU that are communicatively connected to each other, and a communication interface connected to the second ECU; wherein,

[0005] The first ECU includes a first control module for controlling the caliper and a first parking caliper control module connected to the first control module;

[0006] The second ECU includes a second control module and a second parking caliper control module connected to the second control module;

[0007] Wherein, the second control module monitors the state of the first control module in real time, and when the first ECU is in an abnormal state, triggers the second parking caliper control module to control the vehicle caliper, or transmits the caliper control strategy to an external third ECU through the communication interface, so that the third ECU controls the vehicle caliper to clamp or release the brake disc.

[0008] A further improvement of the electronic parking brake controller of the present invention is that the electronic parking brake controller further includes a third ECU, and the third ECU is connected to the first ECU and the second ECU through the communication interface.

[0009] A further improvement of the electronic parking brake controller of the present invention lies in that the electronic parking brake controller further includes a caliper control switch, and the caliper control switch is connected between the first ECU and the caliper; wherein, when the first ECU is abnormal, the caliper control switch switches to be connected to the third ECU.

[0010] A further improvement of the electronic parking brake controller of the present invention lies in that the electronic parking brake controller further includes a caliper control interface for connecting the third ECU, and the caliper control interface is connected to the caliper control switch.

[0011] A further improvement of the electronic parking brake controller of the present invention lies in that the first ECU includes a first EPB driving module and a second EPB driving module connected to the first control module. The first EPB driving module is communicatively connected to the right caliper of the vehicle to control the right caliper of the vehicle, and the second EPB driving module is communicatively connected to the left caliper of the vehicle to control the left caliper of the vehicle.

[0012] A further improvement of the electronic parking brake controller of the present invention lies in that the caliper control switch is connected between the second EPB driving module and the left caliper.

[0013] A further improvement of the electronic parking brake controller of the present invention lies in that the third ECU includes a third control module and a third EPB driving module connected to the third control module, and the third EPB driving module is connected to the caliper control switch.

[0014] According to the second aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, an electronic parking brake control system is proposed, including: a CAN bus and the electronic parking brake controller as described in any one of the above. The electronic parking brake controller includes a first ECU and a second ECU communicatively connected to the CAN bus; wherein,

[0015] The first ECU includes a first control module for controlling the caliper and a first parking caliper control module connected to the first control module;

[0016] The second ECU includes a second control module and a second parking caliper control module connected to the second control module;

[0017] Wherein, in the normal mode, the first ECU controls the calipers on both sides of the vehicle according to the parking signal;

[0018] When the first ECU is in an abnormal state, the system enters a degradation mode, and the second control module triggers the second parking caliper control module to control the vehicle caliper, or transmits the caliper control strategy to an external third ECU through the communication interface, so that the third ECU controls the caliper of the vehicle to clamp or release the brake disc.

[0019] A further improvement of the electronic parking brake control system of the present invention lies in that the electronic parking brake control system further includes a third ECU connected to the CAN bus, and the third ECU is connected to the first ECU and the second ECU through the CAN bus and the communication interface.

[0020] According to a third aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle is proposed, including the electronic parking brake control system as described above.

[0021] According to an electronic parking brake controller, system and vehicle provided by the present invention, by backing up the complex EPB caliper control strategy in the second ECU and monitoring the monitoring state of the entire system through the second ECU, when the first ECU is in an abnormal state, the caliper control strategy can be sent to a third-party third ECU, so that the third ECU can implement a redundant control function. In this way, the development cycle and cost of the third party can be saved, the control complexity of the third party can be reduced, the current redundant control method can be optimized, and the usability of the product can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings via exemplary embodiments, where:

[0023] Figure 1 The block diagram of an electronic parking brake controller provided by an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0024] Figure 2 The block diagram of an electronic parking brake control system provided by an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0025] Figure 3 The block diagram of a vehicle provided by an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0026] The drawings are only schematic and not necessarily drawn to scale. In addition, they only show those parts necessary to illustrate the present invention, while other parts may be omitted or only briefly mentioned. That is, in addition to the components shown in the drawings, the present invention may also include other components. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0027] The following specific embodiments illustrate the implementation manners of the present invention, and those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the content disclosed in this specification. Although the description of the present invention will be introduced in conjunction with preferred embodiments, this does not mean that the features of this invention are limited to this implementation manner. On the contrary, the purpose of introducing the invention in conjunction with the implementation manner is to cover other alternatives or modifications that may be extended based on the claims of the present invention. In order to provide a deep understanding of the present invention, many specific details will be included in the following description. The present invention can also be implemented without using these details. In addition, in order to avoid confusing or obscuring the key points of the present invention, some specific details will be omitted in the description. It should be noted that, without conflict, the embodiments in the present invention and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0028] It should be noted that in this specification, similar reference numerals and letters denote similar items in the following drawings. Therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent drawings.

[0029] In the description of this embodiment, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by terms such as "upper", "inner", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship in which the invention product is usually placed during use. It is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation to the present invention.

[0030] Terms such as "first", "second", etc. are only used for distinguishing descriptions and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0031] In the description of this embodiment, it should also be noted that unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "set", "connected", "coupled" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection, an electrical connection; it can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the communication inside two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in this embodiment can be understood according to specific situations.

[0032] To make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present invention clearer, the implementation manners of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0033] Figure 1 The structural schematic diagram of an electronic parking brake controller provided by an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 2 The structural block diagram of an electronic parking brake control system provided by an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0034] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the electronic parking brake controller 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a substrate 4, and a first ECU 1, a second ECU 2 and a communication interface 41 disposed on the substrate 4. The first ECU 1 and the second ECU 2 are communicatively connected to each other, and the communication interface 41 is connected to the second ECU 2. In one embodiment, the first ECU 1 and the second ECU 2 are connected through a private CAN (Controller Area Network).

[0035] Among them, the first ECU 1 includes a first control module 11 for controlling the caliper, a first parking caliper control module 12 connected to the first control module 11, and a storage module for storing the caliper control strategy. The first control module 11 controls the caliper of the wheel to clamp or release the brake disc according to the stored caliper control strategy, and the caliper control strategy is a pre-designed control logic software.

[0036] The second ECU 2 includes a second control module 21 and a second parking caliper control module 22. In the present invention, the second ECU 2 has a redundant control function. Among them, the second control module 21 can obtain the caliper control strategy of the first ECU 1, so that the second ECU 2 has the same caliper control strategy as the first ECU 1, thereby enabling the second ECU 2 to have a redundant control function. In the present invention, the first control module 11 is the main control module, and the second control module 21 is the backup control module.

[0037] In this embodiment, the second control module 21 is used to trigger the second parking caliper control module 22 to control the vehicle caliper according to the abnormal state signal of the first ECU 1, so that the second parking caliper control module 22 controls the vehicle caliper to clamp or release the brake disc.

[0038] In another embodiment, the second control module 21 is further used to transmit the caliper control strategy to an external third ECU 3 through the communication interface 41 according to the abnormal state signal of the first ECU 1, so that the third ECU 3 controls the caliper of the vehicle to clamp or release the brake disc. The electronic parking brake controller 10 of the present invention can integrate a third-party controller, so that the electronic parking brake controller 10 of the present invention is adapted to the customer's controller (i.e., the third ECU 3), and there is no need to provide control software to the customer to integrate into the third ECU 3. This design method can optimize the current market solution, improve the usability of the product, and reduce the development cost and cycle of the vehicle factory.

[0039] The electronic parking brake controller 10 may further include a third ECU 3, which is connected to the first ECU 1 and the second ECU 2 through a communication interface 41. Wherein, the communication interface 41 may be a connector provided on the substrate 4. Similarly, the second ECU 2 has a redundant control function. When the first ECU 1 is in an abnormal state, it provides a caliper control strategy for the third ECU 3, so that the third ECU 3 controls the caliper of the wheel to clamp or release the brake disc according to the control instruction.

[0040] Further, the electronic parking brake controller 10 further includes a caliper control switch 15, and the caliper control switch 15 is connected between the first ECU 1 and the caliper. Wherein, when the first ECU 1 is abnormal, the caliper control switch 15 switches to be connected to the third ECU 3, so that the third ECU 3 performs redundant control to ensure the parking safety of the vehicle.

[0041] The electronic parking brake controller 10 further includes a caliper control interface 42 for connecting the third ECU 3, and the caliper control interface 42 is connected to the caliper control switch 15. The caliper control interface 42 is a connection port provided on the substrate 4, and the third ECU 3 is connected to the caliper control switch 15 by connecting to the connection port.

[0042] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first ECU 1 includes a first EPB driving module 13 and a second EPB driving module 14 connected to a first control module 11. The first EPB driving module 13 is communicatively connected to the right caliper of the vehicle to control the right caliper of the vehicle, and the second EPB driving module 14 is communicatively connected to the left caliper of the vehicle to control the left caliper of the vehicle. Specifically, the first EPB driving module 13 is communicatively connected to the right caliper through an H-bridge control circuit. Similarly, the second EPB driving module 14 is communicatively connected to the left caliper through an H-bridge control circuit.

[0043] In one embodiment, the caliper control switch 15 is connected between the second EPB driving module 14 and the left caliper. Of course, the caliper control switch 15 is not limited to being between the second EPB driving module 14 and the left caliper, and may also be connected between the first EPB driving module 13 and the right caliper, or caliper control switches 15 may be respectively connected between the first EPB driving module 13 and the right caliper and between the second EPB driving module 14 and the left caliper. It is specifically set according to the braking requirements and is not specifically limited herein.

[0044] Wherein, the third ECU 3 includes a third control module 31 and a third EPB driving module 32 connected to the third control module 31, and the third EPB driving module 32 is connected to the caliper control switch 15. Specifically, the third ECU 3 further includes an H-bridge control circuit, and the H-bridge control circuit is provided between the third EPB driving module 32 and the caliper control switch 15.

[0045] According to another aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, an electronic parking brake control system 100 is further provided. The electronic parking brake control system 100 includes a CAN bus and the electronic parking brake controller 10 as shown in the above various embodiments. The specific structure of the electronic parking brake controller 10 will not be described in detail herein.

[0046] The electronic parking brake controller 10 includes a first ECU1 and a second ECU2 communicatively connected to the CAN bus. Specifically, the first ECU1 and the second ECU2 are respectively connected to the CAN bus through CAN branches. The first ECU1 and the second ECU2 are communicatively connected to each other, and the communication interface 41 is connected to the second ECU2. In one embodiment, the first ECU1 and the second ECU2 are connected through a private CAN (Controller Area Network). Wherein, the first ECU1 includes a first control module 11 for controlling the caliper, a first parking caliper control module 12 connected to the first control module 11, and a storage module for storing the caliper control strategy. The first control module 11 controls the caliper of the wheel to clamp or release the brake disc according to the stored caliper control strategy, and the caliper control strategy is a pre-designed control logic software.

[0047] The second ECU2 includes a second control module 21 and a second caliper control module 22. In the present invention, the second ECU2 has a redundant control function. Wherein, the second control module 21 can obtain the caliper control strategy of the first ECU1, so that the second ECU2 has the same caliper control strategy as the first ECU1, thereby enabling the second ECU2 to have a redundant control function. In the present invention, the first control module 11 is the main control module, and the second control module 21 is the backup control module.

[0048] In the embodiments of the present invention, in the normal mode, that is, when the first ECU1 is in the normal working mode, the first ECU1 controls the calipers on both sides of the vehicle to clamp or release the brake disc according to the parking signal. When the first ECU1 is in an abnormal state, the system enters the degraded mode, that is, the second ECU2 is triggered, so that the second control module 21 can trigger the second parking caliper control module 22 to control the vehicle caliper, so that the second parking caliper control module 22 controls the vehicle caliper to clamp or release the brake disc. Or the caliper control strategy is transmitted to an external third ECU3 through the communication interface 41, so that the third ECU3 controls the vehicle caliper to clamp or release the brake disc.

[0049] Further, the electronic parking brake control system 100 further includes a third ECU 3 connected to the CAN bus. The third ECU 3 is connected to the first ECU 1 and the second ECU 2 through the CAN bus and the communication interface 41. In this embodiment, the communication interface 41 is assembled on the substrate 4 of the electronic parking brake controller 10, and the communication interface 41 is connected to the CAN bus through a CAN branch line. The third ECU 3 can be controlled by a third party of the customer, so that the electronic parking brake controller 10 of the present invention has strong scalability and can integrate a third-party controller, so that the electronic parking brake controller 10 of the present invention is adapted to the customer's controller (i.e., the third ECU 3), and there is no need to provide control software to the customer to integrate into the third ECU 3. This design method can optimize the current market solution, improve the usability of the product, and reduce the development cost and cycle of the vehicle factory.

[0050] As Figure 3 shown, according to another aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, a vehicle 200 is provided. The vehicle 200 includes the electronic parking brake control system 100 described in the above various embodiments. The present invention not only relates to redundant control, but can further integrate a third-party controller and provide a caliper control strategy for the third-party controller, so that the third party can also implement redundant control, which can save the development cycle and cost of the third party, and the control module, control circuit and switch are all integrated in the electronic parking brake controller of the present invention, reducing the complexity of the third-party controller and avoiding the activation of the redundant control function due to the misoperation of the third-party controller. Further, by the way of the third-party controller calling the caliper control strategy, the CAN communication load in the system can be reduced and the complexity of the system can be degraded.

[0051] Although the present invention has been illustrated and described by referring to some preferred embodiments of the present invention, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that the above content is a further detailed description of the present invention in combination with specific embodiments, and it cannot be determined that the specific implementation of the present invention is only limited to these descriptions. Those skilled in the art can make various changes in form and details, including making several simple deductions or substitutions, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electronic parking brake controller, characterized in that, Comprising: A first ECU and a second ECU that are communicatively connected to each other, and a communication interface connected to the second ECU; wherein, The first ECU includes a first control module for controlling the caliper and a first parking caliper control module connected to the first control module; The second ECU includes a second control module and a second parking caliper control module connected to the second control module; Wherein, the second control module monitors the status of the first control module in real time, and when the first ECU is in an abnormal state, triggers the second parking caliper control module to control the vehicle caliper, or transmits the caliper control strategy to an external third ECU through the communication interface, so that the third ECU controls the vehicle caliper to clamp or release the brake disc.

2. The electronic parking brake controller according to claim 1, wherein The electronic parking brake controller further includes a third ECU, and the third ECU is connected to the first ECU and the second ECU through the communication interface.

3. The electronic parking brake controller according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The electronic parking brake controller further includes a caliper control switch, and the caliper control switch is connected between the first ECU and the vehicle caliper; wherein, when the first ECU is abnormal, the caliper control switch switches to be connected to the third ECU.

4. The electronic parking brake controller according to claim 3, characterized in that, The electronic parking brake controller further includes a caliper control interface for connecting the third ECU, and the caliper control interface is connected to the caliper control switch.

5. The electronic parking brake controller according to claim 3, wherein, The first ECU includes a first EPB driving module and a second EPB driving module connected to the first control module. The first EPB driving module is communicatively connected to the right caliper of the vehicle to control the right caliper of the vehicle, and the second EPB driving module is communicatively connected to the left caliper of the vehicle to control the left caliper of the vehicle.

6. The electronic parking brake controller according to claim 5, wherein The caliper control switch is connected between the second EPB driving module and the left caliper.

7. The electronic parking brake controller according to claim 6, characterized in that, The third ECU includes a third control module and a third EPB driving module connected to the third control module, and the third EPB driving module is connected to the caliper control switch.

8. An electronic parking brake control system, characterized in that, Comprising: A CAN bus and the electronic parking brake controller according to any one of claims 1-7. The electronic parking brake controller includes a first ECU and a second ECU that are communicatively connected to the CAN bus; wherein, The first ECU includes a first control module for controlling the caliper and a first parking caliper control module connected to the first control module; The second ECU includes a second control module and a second parking caliper control module connected to the second control module; Wherein, in the normal mode, the first ECU controls the calipers on both sides of the vehicle according to the parking signal; When the first ECU is in an abnormal state, the system enters the degraded mode. The second control module triggers the second parking caliper control module to control the vehicle caliper, or transmits the caliper control strategy to an external third ECU through the communication interface, so that the third ECU controls the vehicle caliper to clamp or release the brake disc.

9. The electronic parking brake control system according to claim 8, wherein The electronic parking brake control system further includes a third ECU connected to the CAN bus, and the third ECU is connected to the first ECU and the second ECU through the CAN bus and the communication interface.

10. A vehicle, characterized in that, Comprising the electronic parking brake control system according to claim 8 or 9.

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