Device for generating a brake signal for a vehicle

Abstract

Device (10) for generating a brake signal for a vehicle (1), comprising: - a detection component (20) for determining a deceleration of the vehicle (1), - a bearing component (30) for aligning the detection component (20) to compensate for a vehicle inclination when determining the deceleration, - a processing component (40) for generating the braking signal based on the determined deceleration, and - at least one interface component (45) for controlling a main brake light (110) of the vehicle (1) with the brake signal in order to switch on at least one brake light, characterized by that a fault detection device (50) is provided to issue a warning to a driver of the vehicle (1) in the event of a fault in the control of the main brake light (110) and / or the switching on of the brake light (120), and that the fault detection device (50) has a display device (51) for optically displaying the warning message, wherein the display device (51) is designed to be directed towards a rear-view mirror (3) of the vehicle (1).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for generating a brake signal for a vehicle. The invention further relates to a method for generating a brake signal for a vehicle.

[0002] A vehicle can experience deceleration due to various causes. These include, for example, air resistance, rolling resistance, and engine drag. This can result in decelerations of up to 0.7 g, depending on the vehicle's drag coefficient (Cd). In such cases, the brake lights typically do not activate.

[0003] Furthermore, the driver can actively initiate deceleration via the foot brake, and emergency braking can also occur while driving by activating a switch for the electric parking brake. These decelerations can reach up to 1.1 g and will cause the brake lights to activate. The brake lights can only be deactivated once the vehicle has come to a complete stop.

[0004] The deceleration of the vehicle via the foot brake is conventionally detected by a switch on the pedal assembly, which then activates the brake lights. The brake lights also switch on even when the deceleration is slight, for example, only 0.1 g. There are also brake systems where the brake lights are activated by exceeding a brake pressure threshold. In these systems, the brake light switch can serve to validate the brake pressure sensor. The brake light switch on the pedal assembly can be redundantly inverted, meaning it may consist of two switches, where pressing the brake pedal closes one switch and opens the other.

[0005] Furthermore, it is known that cruise control systems with active braking intervention also lead to the activation of the brake lights.

[0006] It is clear from the preceding description that conventional solutions for generating a brake signal often exhibit enormous technical complexity. Furthermore, there are additional requirements, such as those that must also be met when the ignition is switched off. For example, the brake lights often need to function when the foot brake is applied, even with the ignition off. It may also be necessary for deceleration using the electric parking brake, i.e., emergency braking, to function with the ignition off. Another potential problem is that a failure of the vehicle's bus communication prevents the reliable activation of the brake lights. Similarly, it can be problematic that the brake lights do not activate during deceleration caused by an incline.

[0007] Solutions of this type for generating a brake signal are known from German patent applications DE 10 2014 004 320 A1, DE 31 14 844 A1, DE 32 29 337 A1, and DE 81 014 74 U1. However, these are systems—mostly retrofittable—that serve to activate the vehicle's auxiliary brake lights. Another display device is known from German patent application DE 31 27 581 A1.

[0008] In summary, conventional solutions can result in insufficient availability of the main brake lights, e.g., when the vehicle decelerates due to driving resistance or inclines and / or when the vehicle bus communication fails.

[0009] It is therefore an object of the present invention to at least partially overcome the disadvantages described above. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved solution for outputting a braking signal.

[0010] The foregoing problem is solved by a device having the features of claim 1 and by a method having the features of claim 9. Further features and details of the invention will become apparent from the respective dependent claims, the description, and the drawings. Features and details described in connection with the device according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the method according to the invention, and vice versa, so that the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention is always, or can always be, mutually interdependent.

[0011] The problem is solved in particular by a device for generating and, especially, outputting a brake signal for a vehicle. The device can be designed as a single mounting unit, which may be retrofittable. Alternatively, the device can have several mounting parts, which are designed separately from one another. For example, the device includes at least two or three brake lights for the vehicle, which can be electrically connected to each other via at least one connecting element. The device can be designed to be mounted in a rear area of ​​the vehicle. For this purpose, the device can have at least one housing with mounting means.

[0012] It is also advantageous if the vehicle is designed as a motor vehicle, in particular a trackless land vehicle. For example, the vehicle can be designed as a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, a hybrid vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine and an electric motor for traction, or a (pure) electric vehicle. Preferably, the vehicle can be equipped with a high-voltage electrical system and / or an electric motor. The vehicle can also be designed as a fuel cell vehicle. Furthermore, the vehicle can be a passenger car or a truck. Preferably, in embodiments of electric vehicles, no internal combustion engine is provided; the vehicle is then powered exclusively by electrical energy.

[0013] The vehicle may be equipped with vehicle lighting that includes the lights necessary (legally required) for operation on public roads. This also includes the main brake lighting with at least two or three (main) brake lights. Optionally, at least one additional brake light may be provided, which, however, is then not part of the main brake lighting.

[0014] The arrangement according to the invention comprises in particular: - a detection component, in particular electronic or mechanical, for determining a deceleration of the vehicle, - a bearing component, in particular mechanical, for the (in particular mechanical) alignment of the detection component in order to compensate for a vehicle tilt when determining the deceleration, - a processing component for generating the brake signal based on the, in particular dependent on, the determined deceleration, e.g. depending on a deflection of a spring element of the detection component, and - (at least) an interface component, in particular in the form of an electrical interface and / or an electrical plug and / or an electrical conductor, for controlling a main brake light, in particular at least two or at least three main brake lights, of the vehicle with the brake signal in order to switch on at least one brake light, preferably by outputting the brake signal to the main brake lights.

[0015] This has the advantage that even when the vehicle decelerates due to driving resistance or inclines, and / or in the event of a vehicle bus communication failure, the brake lights of the main brake illumination can be reliably activated. The generation of the brake signal for this purpose can advantageously occur independently of brake pedal actuation, emergency braking, and / or brake pressure. This makes it possible to generate the brake signal even during deceleration not actively initiated by the driver and / or a driver assistance system. The generation of the brake signal results in the activation of the main brake illumination or brake lights, which can be perceived as a warning signal by following vehicles. The device can be designed as a self-contained unit that can generate the brake signal independently of the vehicle's bus system, such as a CAN bus system.The device's design as a self-contained unit is supported by the fact that it can itself include the detection component and the positioning component, and is therefore not dependent on another vehicle component detecting deceleration or vehicle tilt. For example, the device can (especially exclusively) have an interface for electrical connection to the vehicle's electrical system to supply power to the device, and an interface component for connection to the brake lights, particularly the main brake lights. The vehicle's electrical system enables connection to the vehicle battery.

[0016] Optionally, the device can be equipped with a connection interface to a bus system, in particular the vehicle's CAN (Controller Area Network) bus system. Alternatively, such a connection interface can be omitted, allowing the device to function as a self-contained unit.

[0017] The interface component can, for example, output the brake signal as an electrical signal to the main brake lights in order to electrically control at least one brake light of the main brake lighting system, i.e., to supply it with electrical energy so that the brake light switches on. This can also be possible, for example, when the vehicle's ignition is deactivated.

[0018] The device itself can include at least one brake light, in particular the main brake light. An electronic arrangement can be provided, comprising the detection component and / or the storage component and / or the processing component and / or the interface component. The electronic arrangement can be housed in a common casing with the at least one brake light. The at least one brake light in the common casing and / or at least one further brake light of the main brake light outside the casing can be controlled via the at least one interface component. The at least one brake light in the common casing can, for example, be configured as a third brake light, in particular a center brake light for the vehicle. The further brake lights can, for example, be...They may be designed as first and second brake lights, with the first being located on the left and the second on the right of the vehicle.

[0019] The detection component can be designed as a brake deceleration sensor to trigger the processing component once a predefined braking deceleration of the vehicle is reached. For example, a spring element in the detection component can be deflected by the braking deceleration, particularly by elastic deformation, and mechanically actuate the processing component, which acts as a switch. This actuation can result in the generation (switching) of the brake signal, which is then used electrically by the interface component to activate and / or power the brake lights.

[0020] Within the scope of this invention, the deflection of the spring element refers to both an extension and a shortening of the spring element, i.e., generally a change in the length and / or elastic deformation of the spring element.

[0021] To prevent the deceleration calculation by the detection component from being influenced by gravity or the force of gravity running downhill, in addition to braking acceleration, a mounting component can be provided. Since gravity or the force of gravity running downhill can fundamentally affect the deceleration calculation when the vehicle is tilted, for example, on an uneven road surface and / or an incline, the mounting component can, in other words, compensate for the vehicle's tilt when determining the deceleration. Mechanically, the mounting component can ensure that the detection component remains horizontal and / or in the same orientation relative to the horizontal, even with varying vehicle tilts. This prevents the tilt from significantly affecting the deceleration calculation.

[0022] The main brake lighting can include at least one brake light, in particular a main brake light, for emitting the at least one brake light. Therefore, at least two or at least three brake lights can also be provided, each for emitting a brake light, and these brake lights can be activated by the brake signal. The brake lights can be at least partially or completely part of the device according to the invention. The device can also be considered a distributed brake light system, wherein the brake lights can be at least partially connected to the electronic arrangement in the manner of a master unit via connecting means. The master unit can then determine the deceleration and generate the brake signal in order to control the connected brake lights as slave units.Unlike auxiliary brake lights, the main brake lights can be designed as the legally required brake lights. These are then part of the vehicle's lighting system, located at the rear of the vehicle and facing backwards. At least two brake lights must be provided, and new vehicles are legally required to have a third brake light. The third brake light can be a center and / or central brake light, mounted higher and in the middle of the vehicle, next to the two side (first and second) brake lights. At least the center brake light can incorporate an LED strip to emit the brake light.

[0023] The brake lights, and in particular the main brake lights of a vehicle, can primarily serve to inform following traffic that the vehicle ahead is decelerating, i.e., reducing its speed. For example, the brake lights can be designed to switch on whenever the deceleration exceeds a predefined deceleration threshold, such as 0.3 g. The deceleration threshold is thus an acceleration value (in the sense of the vehicle's braking), which can apply in any situation and can therefore be determined centrally within the vehicle. The device according to the invention can be at least partially integrated into a central brake light. For example, a spring element (of the detection component) can be provided which, when deceleration exceeds the deceleration threshold, is compressed to such an extent that a switch (of the processing component) is closed, which then switches on the brake lights.In particular, the spring element, especially the spring closing element, can be mounted by the bearing component in such a way that even on an incline or decline the force of gravity does not cause the switch to close.

[0024] Another component of the device according to the invention, in particular the brake light control, is a fault detection device in the form of a bulb failure indicator. This device uses an electrical connection to the brake lights to detect that the switch is closed but a brake light has not been switched on, indicating a fault. This fault can be indicated to the driver visually and / or audibly, so that the driver may recognize it not in the instrument cluster, but in the rearview mirror.

[0025] The device according to the invention can further offer the advantage that the brake light control function is significantly simpler to manufacture. Simple integration of the device or the brake light system into a vehicle is also possible. Fewer vehicle interfaces, and thus fewer dependencies on these interfaces and reduced technical complexity, are further advantages. Availability can increase because fewer vehicle components are involved in the brake light control. For example, a failure of the bus communication or the associated gateways does not lead to a brake light failure when requested by a driver assistance system.

[0026] A further advantage of the invention can be achieved if the detection component comprises at least one spring-mass system, preferably for determining the deceleration in the form of a braking acceleration. The spring-mass system can include an elastic component, i.e., a spring element, particularly in the form of a mechanical spring, such as a coil spring. Furthermore, a mass attached to, supported by, and / or in contact with the elastic component can be provided as a weight. The function of determining the deceleration can be achieved by compressing the elastic component at a predefined deceleration, i.e., a predefined braking acceleration, to such an extent that the mass enters an actuation range of a switching unit of the processing component.The mass can be attached to, supported by, or in contact with the elastic component in such a way that any elastic deformation of the component is transferred into movement of the mass. Depending on the distance traveled by the mass, it can then enter the activation zone. Within the activation zone, the movement of the mass can, for example, exert a mechanical force on the switching unit, thus actuating the switching unit and triggering the brake signal. The elastic component can be oriented horizontally and / or in the direction of travel of the vehicle with respect to its deflection direction, such that a force due to braking acceleration compresses the component. This orientation can be maintained by the mounting component even at different vehicle tilt angles. The mass and / or the component can be slidably mounted, for example, in a guide tube or similar structure.The arrangement of the actuation area can be defined in such a way that actuation only occurs when a predefined delay limit is exceeded.

[0027] Advantageously, the invention may provide that the processing component has a switching unit, and / or the detection component has a spring element, to actuate the switching unit depending on a braking acceleration acting on the spring element. The switching unit may be configured to initiate, in particular switch, an output of the brake signal to the main brake lighting via the interface component, depending on the actuation. The output of the brake signal can, for example, supply electrical power to the main brake lights, thus switching on the brake lights. The output of the brake signal can then continue, for example, until the deceleration of the vehicle or braking acceleration falls below a deceleration threshold, which results in the brake lights being switched off. The spring element can, for example,The spring element must be deflectable in a deceleration direction, particularly parallel to the direction of travel when horizontally oriented, in order to change its length under braking acceleration, specifically to be compressed. This change in the length of the spring element allows it to actuate the switching unit like a switching contact.

[0028] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the device can be designed to generate the brake signal and output it to the main brake lighting when a predefined deceleration limit is exceeded. For example, a switching unit of the processing component is located in an actuation area for the detection component, in particular a spring element of the detection component. The actuation area can be arranged with respect to its spatial position relative to the detection component or the spring element such that actuation of the switching unit by the detection component or by the spring element, or by an elastic deformation of the spring element, only occurs when the predefined deceleration limit is exceeded. The elastic deformation of the spring element or spring element is then carried out by the detection component or the spring element.Any other spatial change in the recognition component can be caused by the delay. A mass, which is slidably attached to the spring element, can be used as a weight for adjustment of the spring element.

[0029] Optionally, the mounting component may incorporate a rocker mechanism to keep the detection component horizontal at varying vehicle tilt angles. For example, the detection component and / or the processing component may be attached to the mounting component in such a way that, when the vehicle is horizontally oriented and a predefined deceleration threshold is exceeded, the braking signal is generated. To maintain this alignment, the mounting component can compensate for changes in the vehicle's tilt. This allows for easy maintenance of the alignment of the detection component and / or the processing component.

[0030] Preferably, a fault detection device may be provided to issue a warning (in particular visual and / or audible) to the driver of the vehicle in the event of a fault in the control of the main brake lights and / or the activation of the brake lights. For this purpose, the fault detection device may, for example, perform an electrical measurement, in particular a current measurement, at the interface component and / or at a connecting element to detect the fault. For example, the measurement verifies whether the brake signal is actually being issued and / or whether the brake lights are actually being powered when the brake signal is generated. If the brake signal and / or the power supply fails to materialize even though the brake signal has been generated, this indicates the fault that the brake lights have not been switched on. The connecting element connects, for example, the...as an electrical conductor, the interface component with at least one brake light of the main brake lighting, in order to transmit the brake signal, in particular an electric current for power supply, to the brake light.

[0031] Furthermore, the fault detection device includes a display device for the visual output of the warning message, the display device being designed to be aligned with a rearview mirror or with a driver's seat and a rearview mirror of the vehicle. For example, the display device is oriented in the direction of travel and / or located in the rear of the vehicle. The display device includes, for example, at least one light source such as a light-emitting diode or the like, to make the warning message visible to the driver via the rearview mirror.

[0032] Preferably, within the scope of the invention, the fault detection device is electrically connected to the interface component and / or at least one brake light of the main brake lighting system in order to detect a faulty activation of the brake light as the fault. For example, the fault detection device can check whether the brake signal is generated, but the control and / or power supply and / or activation of the brake light fails to occur.

[0033] The invention also relates to a method for generating a brake signal for a vehicle. It is provided that the following steps are carried out, preferably sequentially in the specified order or in any order, whereby individual and / or all steps can also be repeated and / or carried out in parallel: - Performing a determination of a vehicle's deceleration by means of a detection component of a device, in particular according to the invention, - Aligning the detection component by means of a bearing component of the device to compensate for a vehicle tilt when determining the deceleration, - Generating the braking signal based on the determined deceleration by a processing component of the device, and - Controlling the vehicle's main brake lighting with the brake signal via an interface component of the device to switch on at least one brake light.

[0034] The method according to the invention thus offers the same advantages as those described in detail with reference to a device according to the invention. Furthermore, the method may be suitable for operating a device according to the invention.

[0035] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description can each be essential to the invention individually or in any combination. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of parts of a device according to the invention, Fig. 2 a schematic side view of a vehicle with a device according to the invention, Fig. 3 a schematic top view of a vehicle with a device according to the invention, Fig. 4 a further schematic representation of parts of a device according to the invention.

[0036] In the following figures, identical reference numerals are used for the same technical features even for different embodiments.

[0037] In Fig. Figure 1 schematically illustrates a device 10 according to the invention for generating a braking signal for a vehicle 1. A detection component 20 is provided for determining the deceleration of the vehicle 1. The detection component 20 can be aligned by a bearing component 30 to compensate for any vehicle tilt during the deceleration determination. Furthermore, a processing component 40 can be provided for generating the braking signal based on the determined deceleration. For this purpose, the processing component 40 is located, for example, in an actuation area in a predefined spatial position relative to the detection component 20. Finally, an interface component 45 can be provided for controlling a main brake light 110 of the vehicle 1 with the braking signal in order to switch on at least one brake light 120.

[0038] The detection component 20 can have at least one spring-mass system 21 to determine the deceleration in the form of braking acceleration. For example, the spring-mass system 21 includes a spring element 22, which is deflected depending on the deceleration and can thereby actuate the processing component 40 in the actuation area. The processing component 40 can have a switching unit 41 to actuate the switching unit 41 depending on the braking acceleration acting on the spring element 22. The switching unit 41 can be configured to initiate an output of the brake signal via the interface component 45 to the main brake light 110, depending on the actuation. Depending on the arrangement of the actuation area and the design of the spring element 22, and possibly other factors, the following applies:Depending on other factors, the device 10 can be designed to generate the brake signal and output it to the main brake light 110 when a predefined deceleration limit is exceeded by the deceleration.

[0039] Furthermore, a fault detection device 50 may be provided to issue a warning to the driver of the vehicle 1 in the event of a fault in the control of the main brake light 110 and / or the activation of the brake light 120. The fault detection device 50 may include a display device 51 for the visual output of the warning.

[0040] The device 10 according to the invention can be used in accordance with Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 in the rear area, in particular at least partially in a Fig. The display device 51 of the device 10, as shown in Figure 3, can be arranged in the interior of the vehicle 1. In this way, the display device 51 of the device 10 can be configured to be directed towards a driver's seat 2 and / or a rearview mirror 3 of the vehicle 1, so that the warning message is visible to the driver in the rearview mirror 3. The fault detection device 50 can be electrically connected to the interface component 45 and / or at least one brake light 120 of the main brake lighting 110 and / or at least one connecting element 13 in order to detect a faulty activation of the brake light as the fault.

[0041] According to the Fig. 2 to 4, the main brake lighting 110 can have at least one brake light 120. Thus, a first brake light 121 can be located on the left side of the vehicle 1, a second brake light 122 on the right side of the vehicle 1, and a third brake light 123 in the center of the vehicle 1. Fig. Figure 3 shows the interior of the vehicle 1, in which the third brake light 123 is centrally located. The device 10 can, for example, be integrated into the third brake light 123 or comprise the first 121 to third brake light 123 as a distributed system. For example, the third brake light 123 can have an electronic arrangement 12 as a master to control the other brake lights 121, 122 as slaves to switch on the brake light. The electronic arrangement 12 includes, for example, the components shown in Fig. 1 shown components of the device 10. For control, a connecting means 13 can electrically connect the electronic arrangement 12 to the brake lights 121, 122.

[0042] The preceding explanation of the embodiments describes the present invention solely by way of examples. Naturally, individual features of the embodiments can be freely combined with one another, provided this is technically feasible, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Reference symbol list 1 vehicle 2 driver's seats 3 rearview mirrors 10 Device 12 Electronics assembly, Master 13 Connecting devices, electrical cable 20 Recognition component 21 Spring-mass system 22 Spring element 30 Storage component 40 Processing component 41 Switching unit 45 Interface component 50 Fault detection device 51 Display device 110 Main brake lights 120 brake light 121 first brake light, left brake light 122 second brake light, right brake light 123 third brake light, middle brake light

Claims

[1] Device (10) for generating a brake signal for a vehicle (1), comprising: - a detection component (20) for determining a deceleration of the vehicle (1), - a bearing component (30) for aligning the detection component (20) to compensate for a vehicle inclination when determining the deceleration, - a processing component (40) for generating the braking signal based on the determined deceleration, and - at least one interface component (45) for controlling a main brake light (110) of the vehicle (1) with the brake signal in order to switch on at least one brake light, characterized by , that a fault detection device (50) is provided to issue a warning to a driver of the vehicle (1) in the event of a fault in the control of the main brake light (110) and / or the switching on of the brake light (120), and that the fault detection device (50) has a display device (51) for optically displaying the warning message, wherein the display device (51) is designed to be directed towards a rear-view mirror (3) of the vehicle (1). [2] Device (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the detection component (20) has at least one spring-mass system (21) to determine the deceleration in the form of a braking acceleration. [3] Device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the processing component (40) has a switching unit (41), and the detection component (20) has a spring element (22) to actuate the switching unit (41) depending on a braking acceleration acting on the spring element (22), wherein the switching unit (41) is designed to initiate an output of the brake signal via the interface component (45) to the main brake light (110) depending on the actuation. [4] Device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the device (10) is designed to generate the brake signal and output it to the main brake light (110) when a predefined deceleration limit is exceeded by the deceleration. [5] Device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the bearing component (30) has a rocker to keep the detection component (20) horizontal at different tilt angles of the vehicle (1). [6] Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims , characterized by , that the fault detection device (50) is electrically connected to the interface component (45) and / or at least one brake light (120) of the main brake lighting (110) in order to detect a faulty activation of the brake light (120) as the fault. [7] Method for generating a braking signal for a vehicle (1) wherein the following steps are performed: - Performing a determination of a deceleration of the vehicle (1) by a detection component (20) of a device (10), - Aligning the detection component (20) by means of a bearing component (30) of the device (10) to compensate for a vehicle inclination when determining the deceleration, - Generating the brake signal based on the determined deceleration by a processing component (40) of the device (10), and - Controlling a main brake light (110) of the vehicle (1) with the brake signal by means of an interface component (45) of the device (10) in order to switch on at least one brake light (120), characterized by that the device (10) is designed as a device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6.

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