Electronic control unit for a brake control system

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic control unit (12) of a braking control system (10) for a vehicle (1), the braking control system comprising a control handle (11), said electronic control unit (12) and an electronic signal communication network (13), the control handle (11) being configured to rotate in a reverse direction about a longitudinal axis (X) in order to generate a braking command, the electronic control unit (12) being configured to detect the direction of rotation in which the control handle (11) is actuated, and, when the electronic control unit (12) detects that the control handle (11) is rotating in a reverse direction of rotation, to measure the duration of rotation of the control handle (11) in said reverse direction, to generate a braking command as a function of said measured duration, and to send said braking command to an electric machine (20) of the vehicle (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of motorized two-wheeled vehicles, and more particularly to a braking system. Background Technology

[0002] Due to various regulations concerning vehicle emissions and fuel consumption, the transportation vehicle industry has been developing more and more electric vehicle models that produce less pollution.

[0003] However, the full electrification of certain types of vehicles (especially motorized two-wheeled vehicles) still faces technical difficulties that make these vehicles very expensive while maintaining their performance.

[0004] To address this problem, hybrid vehicles have been developed that can operate purely electric in certain situations (especially in speed-limited built-up areas), or can operate purely using a conventional internal combustion engine, or a combination of both.

[0005] However, hybrid motorized two-wheeled vehicles are still not well developed, and the adaptation of functions that are essential for riding / driving (such as braking on hybrid vehicles) is not a very common technology.

[0006] For safety reasons in particular, hybrid two-wheeled vehicles still use conventional braking systems, or in other words, the braking systems used by internal combustion engine two-wheeled vehicles.

[0007] The actuator of the braking system can specifically correspond to the brake lever mounted on the rider's handlebars on the handlebars of the vehicle.

[0008] More specifically, the brake lever is connected via a set of cables to a braking device, such as a disc brake or drum brake, mounted on at least one of the wheels of a two-wheeled vehicle. When the rider / driver actuates the brake lever, the braking device slows the rotation of the wheel through friction.

[0009] To propose an electric alternative to this internal combustion engine braking system, one solution could be to use the electric motor of a hybrid two-wheeled vehicle to provide braking. This would require converting at least some of the mechanical information about the pressure on the brake lever into electronic signals and sending them to the motor.

[0010] Braking is applied directly to the motor to slow the rotation of the wheel drive, thereby reducing vehicle speed. For example, braking can be achieved by mechanically blocking the drive shaft or by reversing the current supplied to the motor.

[0011] However, this solution requires relatively precise conversion of the pressure on the handlebars into electronic signals. Calibration issues can then significantly impact vehicle performance, riding / driving comfort, and safety, especially during emergency braking by the rider / driver. There is also the possibility of detecting incorrect braking demands.

[0012] Therefore, a simple and effective solution is needed that can at least partially compensate for these shortcomings. Summary of the Invention

[0013] Therefore, the present invention first relates to an electronic control unit for a braking control system of an electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle, particularly a two-wheeled or three-wheeled vehicle, the vehicle including a motor, the braking control system including a control handle, the electronic control unit, and an electronic signal communication network, the control handle extending along a longitudinal axis and configured to: rotate about the longitudinal axis in a positive direction to generate a command signal indicating an instruction for accelerating at least one power unit of the vehicle during operation; and rotate about the longitudinal axis in a reverse direction to generate a command signal indicating an instruction for braking at least one power unit of the vehicle during operation, the control handle being configured to send the generated command signal to the electronic control unit via the communication network, the electronic control unit being characterized in that it is configured to detect the rotational direction in which the control handle is actuated, and when the electronic control unit detects that the control handle is rotating in the reverse direction, measure the duration of the rotation of the control handle in the reverse direction, generate a braking command as a function of the measured duration, and send the braking command to the vehicle's motor.

[0014] The electronic control unit according to the invention in the braking control system allows the user of a vehicle to easily brake by rotating the control lever in the opposite direction while riding / driving the vehicle. Since the control lever is also used for acceleration, the user does not need to change their grip on the control lever to brake. Furthermore, braking depends only on the duration of rotation in the opposite direction, rather than on the angular position, which avoids the impact of lever position detection errors on braking and vehicle behavior, especially in terms of comfort and safety. Additionally, because the braking intensity is related to the time of rotation of the control lever in the opposite direction, the user can easily adapt and adjust the braking during riding / driving.

[0015] In one embodiment, the electronic control unit is configured to generate a braking command that linearly depends on the duration of rotation of the control lever in the opposite direction. Therefore, the electronic control unit only needs to store a proportional coefficient in memory, making it easier to configure.

[0016] In another embodiment, the electronic control unit is configured to generate a braking command that depends non-linearly on the duration of rotation of the control lever in the opposite direction. Therefore, braking can be adjusted in different ways, particularly depending on the vehicle, the user's habits, and external conditions. Depending on the situation, it may be preferable to apply strong braking quickly, followed by a small increase in braking intensity, or to apply relatively gentle braking initially, with the braking intensity increasing sharply over time.

[0017] Advantageously, the electronic control unit (ECU) stores one or more rotation duration levels in its memory, each level associated with a specific braking command, and is configured to send a specific braking command associated with the corresponding level once the measured duration of the control lever's rotation in the opposite direction reaches or exceeds a certain level. This type of embodiment allows the ECU to avoid calculating changes in braking commands in real time while still maintaining various different settings for braking.

[0018] Preferably, the electronic control unit stores a minimum rotation time in its memory and is configured to send a braking command to the motor once the duration of the measured rotation of the control handle in the reverse direction reaches or exceeds the stored minimum rotation time. This feature prevents the braking from being triggered immediately by, for example, an unexpected brief rotation in the reverse direction or a sudden action by the user, as this would be detrimental to riding / driving comfort and safety.

[0019] Advantageously, the braking control system further includes a vehicle speed measurement module, and the proposed electronic control unit is configured to receive a measured value of the vehicle speed. This measured value enables the electronic control unit to take the vehicle speed into account.

[0020] Furthermore, the electronic control unit is configured to send a reversing command instead of a braking command when it detects that the throttle lever is being rotated in the opposite direction and simultaneously receives information from the vehicle speed measurement module that the speed is essentially zero. This allows the user to easily reverse for maneuvering simply by rotating the control lever while stationary, especially when parking.

[0021] Furthermore, the electronic control unit is configured to send braking commands that depend on the speed value measured by the vehicle speed measurement module. This feature allows braking to adapt to the vehicle's speed, and thus enables more adaptive and safer braking.

[0022] The present invention also relates to a braking control system for a vehicle, particularly for a two-wheeled or three-wheeled vehicle, the vehicle including an electric motor, the braking control system including a control handle, an electronic control unit as described above, and a communication network, the control handle extending along a longitudinal axis and configured to: rotate in a positive direction about the axis to generate a command signal indicating an instruction for accelerating at least one power unit of the vehicle during operation; and rotate in a negative direction about the axis to generate a command signal indicating an instruction for braking at least one power unit of the vehicle during operation; and transmit the generated command signal to the electronic control unit via the communication network.

[0023] The present invention also relates to a vehicle, particularly a motorized two-wheeled vehicle, which includes the electronic control unit as described above or the braking control system as described above.

[0024] The present invention also relates to a braking control method implemented by the braking control system described above, the braking control method comprising the following steps: - Rotate the control handle in the opposite direction. - A reverse rotation signal is sent by the control handle. The electronic control unit receives the reverse rotation signal. -The duration of rotation in the opposite direction is measured by the electronic control unit. The electronic control unit generates a braking command, the value of which is calculated based on a measurement of the duration of rotation in the opposite direction. The electronic control unit sends the braking command to the motor. - The motor performs braking in accordance with the received braking command. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Other features and advantages of the invention will become clear upon reading the following description. This description is purely illustrative and should be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [ Figure 1 ] Figure 1 A vehicle including a braking control system and an electric motor according to the present invention is illustrated schematically.

[0026] [ Figure 2 ] Figure 2 The control handle is schematically shown as an embodiment of the braking control system according to the present invention.

[0027] [ Figure 3 ] Figure 3 The steps of a method for generating braking commands according to the present invention are illustrated schematically. Detailed Implementation

[0028] exist Figure 1 The text describes a hybrid vehicle 1.

[0029] Vehicle 1 Vehicle 1 is a motorized two-wheeled vehicle. Vehicle 1 includes a braking control system 10, a motor 20, and a speed measurement module 14.

[0030] Vehicle 1 may be a hybrid vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine in addition to the electric motor 20, or it may be an electric vehicle that includes only the electric motor 20.

[0031] Braking control system 10 The braking control system 10 includes a control handle 11, an electronic control unit 12, and a communication network 13.

[0032] like Figure 2 The control handle 11 depicted includes a handle 111 extending along the longitudinal axis X and a grip portion 112 fitted onto the handle 111 and capable of rotating about the longitudinal axis X in two directions.

[0033] The control handle 11 is configured to generate a command signal indicating an instruction when the user rotates the grip 112 about the longitudinal axis X in a direction referred to as the positive direction. This instruction is used to accelerate the motor 20 of the vehicle 1 during its operation. The generated command signal is then sent to the electronic control unit 12 via the communication network 13.

[0034] For example, the positive direction can correspond to the counterclockwise direction relative to the longitudinal axis X.

[0035] When the vehicle also includes an internal combustion engine, the acceleration command also applies to the internal combustion engine.

[0036] The control handle 11 is configured to generate a command signal indicating an instruction when the user rotates the grip 112 about the longitudinal axis X in a direction referred to as the reverse direction. This instruction is used to brake the motor 20 of the vehicle 1 during its operation. The generated command signal is then sent to the electronic control unit 12 via the communication network 13.

[0037] For example, when the positive direction is defined as the clockwise direction relative to the longitudinal axis X, the negative direction is defined as the counterclockwise direction relative to the longitudinal axis X.

[0038] The electronic control unit 12 is configured to receive command signals from the control handle 11 and determine whether the control handle 11 is actuated in the forward or reverse direction.

[0039] The electronic control unit 12 is configured to measure the duration for which the control handle 11 is actuated in the opposite direction.

[0040] The electronic control unit 12 is configured to store in memory the minimum rotation time in the reverse direction.

[0041] The electronic control unit 12 is configured to contain multiple time intervals of reverse rotation in a memory. Each time interval is associated with a specific braking command.

[0042] For example, a braking command could be a percentage of the total braking capacity of motor 20.

[0043] The electronic control unit 12 is configured to send a braking command to the motor 20, which is a function of the measured time of rotation in the opposite direction.

[0044] The electronic control unit 12 is configured to receive information about the speed of the vehicle 1 from the speed measurement module 14 via the communication network 13.

[0045] The communication network 13 connects the control handle 11 to the electronic control unit 12. This network can be a wired network of the CAN (Controller Area Network) type.

[0046] The communication network 13 connects the braking control system 10 to the motor 20 and the speed measurement module 30. This network can be a wired network of the CAN (Controller Area Network) type.

[0047] Motor 20 The motor 20 is configured to supply rotational torque to at least one of the wheels of the vehicle 1 so as to cause the vehicle to move forward in a forward direction or backward in a reverse direction.

[0048] The motor 20 is configured to apply braking force to at least one wheel of the vehicle when it receives a braking command from the braking control system 10 via the communication network 13.

[0049] Speed ​​measurement module 14 The speed measurement module 14 is configured to measure the speed of the vehicle 1 and send the measured value to the electronic control unit 12.

[0050] The speed measurement module 14 may be included in the braking control system 10.

[0051] Example of an embodiment The braking control system 10 enables the user to generate braking commands when the vehicle 1 is in operation.

[0052] In step E1, the user actuates the grip portion 112 of the control handle 11, causing it to rotate in the opposite direction.

[0053] In step E2, the control handle 11 sends a signal via the communication network 13, which indicates rotation in the opposite direction.

[0054] In step E3, the electronic control unit 12 receives the transmitted signal via the communication network 13.

[0055] In step E4, the electronic control unit 12 measures the duration for which the signal indicating reverse rotation is received. In other words, the electronic control unit 12 measures the duration for which the user actuates the control handle 11 in the reverse direction.

[0056] The electronic control unit 12 will not generate a braking command as long as the measured duration is shorter than the minimum reverse rotation time stored in the memory.

[0057] When the measured duration exceeds the minimum reverse rotation time stored in the memory, in step E5, the electronic control unit 12 generates a braking command corresponding to the first level. Initially, this braking command corresponds to a specific braking command for a first reverse rotation time interval already stored in the memory of the electronic control unit 12.

[0058] If the duration for which the reverse rotation signal is received exceeds the first reverse rotation time interval, the electronic control unit 12 generates a braking command corresponding to a specific braking command for a second reverse rotation time interval that the electronic control unit 12 has stored in its memory.

[0059] If the measured duration exceeds the second interval and subsequent intervals, the same procedure is followed.

[0060] In step E6, the electronic control unit 12 sends the generated braking command via the communication network 13.

[0061] In step E7, motor 20 receives the generated command and executes a braking command to decelerate vehicle 1.

[0062] Therefore, vehicle 1 is in a braking state after the process of generating a braking command implemented by the braking control system 10.

[0063] The electronic control unit 12 receives the speed value of vehicle 1 from the speed measurement module 14. The braking command generated in step E5 depends on the received speed value.

[0064] The user of vehicle 1 can also use the brake control system 10 to reverse vehicle 1.

[0065] This reversing operation occurs when vehicle 1 is stationary, that is, when the speed measurement module 14 determines that the speed of vehicle 1 is zero or included in a narrow range defined by zero speed.

[0066] Similar to braking, the user actuates the grip portion 112 of the control handle 11, causing it to rotate in the opposite direction.

[0067] The control handle 11 sends a signal via the communication network 13, which indicates rotation in the opposite direction, and the electronic control unit 12 receives the transmitted signal via the communication network 13.

[0068] If the electronic control unit 12 receives a speed value of zero from the speed measurement module 14, or if the speed value of the vehicle 1 is included in a narrow range defined by zero speed, then the electronic control unit 12 considers the vehicle 1 to be stationary.

[0069] In this situation, the electronic control unit 12 generates and sends a reversing command instead of a braking command via the communication network 13.

[0070] The reversing command is sent to motor 20, which causes vehicle 1 to reverse. Therefore, once the reversing operation provided by motor 20 is received, motor 20 is reversed, thereby allowing vehicle 1 to move backward.

[0071] Therefore, reversing is provided by motor 20, and it allows the user to operate vehicle 1 when stationary.

Claims

1. An electronic control unit (12) for a braking control system (10) of an electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle (1), particularly a two-wheeled or three-wheeled vehicle (1), the vehicle (1) including a motor (20), the braking control system (10) including a control handle (11), the electronic control unit (12) and an electronic signal communication network (13), the control handle (11) extending along a longitudinal axis (X) and configured to: rotate about the longitudinal axis (X) in a positive direction to generate a command signal indicating an instruction that causes at least one power unit of the vehicle (1) to accelerate during its operation; and rotate about the longitudinal axis (X) in a negative direction to generate a command signal indicating an instruction that causes at least one power unit of the vehicle (1) to brake during its operation, the control handle (11) being configured to send the generated command signal to the electronic control unit (12) via the communication network (13), the electronic control unit (12) containing one or more rotation duration levels in a memory, each level associated with a specific braking command, characterized in that, The electronic control unit is configured to detect the rotation direction of the control handle (11) being actuated, and when the electronic control unit (12) detects that the control handle (11) is rotating in the opposite rotation direction, it measures the duration of the rotation of the control handle (11) in the opposite direction, and once the measured duration of the rotation of the control handle (11) in the opposite direction reaches or exceeds a certain level, it generates a braking command as a function of the measured duration by selecting a specific braking command associated with the corresponding level, and sends the braking command to the motor (20) of the vehicle (1).

2. The electronic control unit (12) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic control unit (12) is configured to generate a braking command that linearly depends on the duration of rotation of the control handle (11) in the opposite direction.

3. The electronic control unit (12) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic control unit (12) is configured to generate a braking command that is non-linearly dependent on the duration of rotation of the control handle (11) in the opposite direction.

4. The electronic control unit (12) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic control unit (12) contains a minimum rotation time in a memory and is configured to send a braking command to the motor (20) once the measured duration of rotation of the control handle (11) in the opposite direction reaches or exceeds the stored minimum rotation time.

5. The electronic control unit (12) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic control unit (12) is configured to receive a measurement of the speed value of the vehicle (1).

6. The electronic control unit (12) as described in any of the preceding claims, wherein, The braking control system (10) further includes a vehicle speed measurement module (14), and the electronic control unit (12) is configured to send reversing information instead of a braking command when it detects that the throttle lever (11) is rotating in the opposite direction and at the same time the electronic control unit receives information from the vehicle speed measurement module (14) that the speed is substantially zero.

7. The electronic control unit (12) as claimed in any one of claims 5 or 6, wherein, The braking control system (10) further includes a vehicle speed measurement module (14) configured to send a braking command that depends on the speed value measured by the speed measurement module (14).

8. A braking control system (10) for a vehicle (1), particularly for a two-wheeled or three-wheeled vehicle (1), the vehicle including an electric motor (20), the braking control system (10) including a control handle (11), an electronic control unit (12) as described in any of the preceding claims, and a communication network (13), the control handle (11) extending along a longitudinal axis (X) and configured to: rotate in a positive direction about the longitudinal axis (X) to generate a command signal indicating an instruction for accelerating at least one power unit of the vehicle (1) during its operation; and rotate in a negative direction about the longitudinal axis (X) to generate a command signal indicating an instruction for braking at least one power unit of the vehicle (1) during its operation; and transmit the generated command signal to the electronic control unit (12) via the communication network (13).

9. A vehicle (1), particularly a motorized two-wheeled vehicle, comprising an electronic control unit (12) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 or a braking control system (10) as claimed in claim 8, and an electric motor (20).

10. A braking control method implemented by the braking control system (10) of the vehicle (1) as described in claim 9, the method comprising the following steps: - Rotate the control handle (11) in the opposite direction (E1). - The control handle (11) sends a reverse rotation signal (E2). - The electronic control unit (12) receives the reverse rotation signal (E3). - The duration of rotation (E4) in the opposite direction is measured by the electronic control unit (12). - The electronic control unit (12) generates a braking command (E5), the value of which is calculated based on a measurement of the duration of rotation in the opposite direction. - The electronic control unit (12) sends the braking command (E6) to the motor (20). - The motor (20) performs (E7) braking corresponding to the received braking command.

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