X-by-wire control system for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to an X-by-wire control system (2) of a motor vehicle for controlling a main function of the motor vehicle and a secondary function of the motor vehicle which is classified as having a lower safety standard compared to the main function, wherein the main function can be carried out by means of a main function assembly (4) of the motor vehicle and the secondary function can be carried out by means of a secondary function assembly (6) of the motor vehicle which is spatially separated from the main function assembly (4), and wherein at least one sensor (8, 9) of the secondary function assembly (6) is functionally assigned to the main function. characterized by that this sensor (8, 9) of the secondary function assembly (6), which is assigned at least one of the main functions, is connected to the main function assembly (4) on the one hand by power supply connection to supply this sensor (8, 9) with operating energy and on the other hand by signal exchange connection.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an X-by-wire control system for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Such X-by-wire control systems for motor vehicles are already known in numerous design variants from the prior art. The known X-by-wire control systems for motor vehicles serve to control a main function of the motor vehicle and a secondary function of the motor vehicle that has a lower safety standard than the main function. The main function can be performed by a main function assembly of the motor vehicle and the secondary function can be performed by a secondary function assembly of the motor vehicle that is spatially separate from the main function assembly, and at least one sensor of the secondary function assembly is functionally assigned to the main function.

[0003] This is where the present invention comes in.

[0004] The present invention is based on the object of improving an X-by-wire control system for a motor vehicle.

[0005] This object is achieved by an X-by-wire control system for a motor vehicle with the features of claim 1, which is characterized in that this at least one sensor of the secondary function module assigned to the main function is only connected to the main function module on the one hand in a power supply connection for supplying this sensor with operating power and on the other hand in a signal exchange connection. The term "main function" here refers to functions of the motor vehicle that are elementary for the motor vehicle, whereby this is to be understood in particular as safety-relevant functions of the motor vehicle, such as the steering, the drive or the braking system of the motor vehicle. These main functions of the motor vehicle, for example the aforementioned main functions, are to be implemented redundantly, for example, due to their safety relevance.This means that the redundantly implemented main function can be safely executed even in the event of a fault, for example a failure of a component of the main function assembly for executing this main function, because this faulty component is automatically replaced by a corresponding redundant component for executing the main function in the event of a fault or, in the case of redundant structures operating in parallel, that the faulty component is automatically deactivated, while the properly functioning component redundant to the faulty component continues to operate. The term "secondary function" here refers to functions of the motor vehicle according to the invention that are in particular not safety-relevant and therefore, for example, do not have to be implemented redundantly. The subclaims relate to advantageous developments of the invention.Spatial separation is understood here to mean, in particular, such a spatial separation of the main functional assembly and the secondary functional assembly that does not allow any kind of structural combination of these assemblies.

[0006] A significant advantage of the X-by-wire control system according to the invention lies in the fact that it is an improved X-by-wire control system for a motor vehicle. The at least one sensor functionally assigned to the main function is thus, on the one hand, structurally assigned to the secondary function assembly and, on the other hand, functionally assigned to the main function, including its power supply and signal exchange. Due to the inventive design of the X-by-wire control system, full functionality of the X-by-wire control system is ensured, despite reduced technical complexity, by system areas that are constructed separately from one another with regard to the level of safety standards to be met.Furthermore, less installation space is required for the X-by-wire control system according to the invention compared to functionally equivalent X-by-wire control systems from the prior art, since, for example, significantly fewer components need to be implemented redundantly in the X-by-wire control system according to the invention. See, for example, the prior art document. Fig. 1 along with the relevant explanations. Thus, the X-by-wire control system according to the invention can be implemented more compactly and cost-effectively than the prior art. Furthermore, the networking of the individual components of the X-by-wire control system according to the invention is less complex and thus far less susceptible to failure, since, for example, redundant functions and thus redundant components of the X-by-wire control system according to the invention are only provided where absolutely necessary. As a result, the invention realizes a mechanical and electronic arrangement that is functionally just as powerful as the prior art, but significantly simplified. This also applies to the electronic connection technology.

[0007] In principle, the X-by-wire control system of a motor vehicle according to the invention can be freely selected within wide, suitable limits in terms of type, functionality, material, and dimensions. For example, reference is made here to motor vehicles designed as electric vehicles. In this regard, consider the multitude of different functions in modern motor vehicles and the challenges of X-by-wire systems in general.

[0008] A particularly advantageous development of the X-by-wire control system according to the invention provides that the safety standard of the main function and the secondary function is designed as an ASIL safety level, wherein the ASIL safety level of the main function is designed as ASIL D and the ASIL safety level of the secondary function is lower than ASIL D, preferably lower than or equal to ASIL B. In this way, the most relevant safety standard for motor vehicles in the context of the invention is specified. The abbreviation "ASIL" stands for Automotive Safety Integrity Level. ASIL is currently divided into a total of four safety levels A to D, with safety level A being the lowest safety level and safety level D being the highest.By means of the preferred embodiment of this further development, a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention is specified, since there is a considerable difference in the safety requirements for the secondary function compared to the main function, so that the secondary function can be implemented with much less effort than the main function.

[0009] A further advantageous development of the X-by-wire control system according to the invention provides that the X-by-wire control system is designed as a steer-by-wire control system, preferably that the steer-by-wire control system is designed as a steering system of the motor vehicle, wherein the controlled secondary function is designed as a steering wheel feedback function for mechanically influencing a driver of the motor vehicle by means of a steering wheel of the motor vehicle, and the controlled primary function is designed as a wheel steering function for steering at least one wheel of the motor vehicle depending on a steering angle of the steering wheel set by the driver. This allows the invention to be advantageously used in a field that is particularly sensitive in terms of motor vehicle safety. This applies particularly to the preferred embodiment of this development.The X-by-wire control system according to the invention can be used particularly advantageously in steering systems of motor vehicles, since there is no longer any mechanical connection between the steering wheel on the one side and the at least one steerable wheel on the other side.

[0010] An advantageous refinement of the aforementioned development of the X-by-wire control system according to the invention provides that the main functional assembly is arranged in a force-transmitting manner on the at least one steerable wheel of the motor vehicle, preferably that the main functional assembly is arranged in a force-transmitting manner on a steering axle of the motor vehicle that is force-transmittingly connected to the at least one steerable wheel. In this way, the required force-transmitting connection between the main functional assembly on the one hand and the wheel of the motor vehicle to be steered on the other hand can be implemented in a very simple manner in terms of design and manufacturing technology. This applies in particular to the preferred embodiment of this refinement.

[0011] Analogously, an advantageous development of the last two embodiments of the X-by-wire control system according to the invention provides that the auxiliary function assembly is arranged on the steering wheel of the motor vehicle in a force-transmitting manner, preferably that the auxiliary function assembly is arranged on a steering column of the motor vehicle that is connected to the steering wheel in a force-transmitting manner. This also allows the required force-transmitting connection between the auxiliary function assembly on the one side and the steering wheel of the motor vehicle on the other side to be implemented in a very simple manner in terms of design and manufacturing technology. This again applies in particular to the preferred embodiment of this development.

[0012] As an alternative to an X-by-wire control system according to the invention designed as a steer-by-wire control system, a further advantageous development of the X-by-wire control system according to claim 1 or 2 provides that the X-by-wire control system is designed as a brake-by-wire control system, preferably that the controlled main function is designed as a wheel brake function for braking at least one wheel of the motor vehicle by means of a brake actuator of the aforementioned control system as a function of a brake command issued by a driver of the motor vehicle or automatically generated by the control system. The secondary function controlled by means of the X-by-wire control system according to the invention designed as a brake-by-wire control system can, for example, be a secondary function analogous to the above statements regarding an X-by-wire control system according to the invention designed as a steer-by-wire control system.Accordingly, reference can be made here to the relevant statements in the present application text.

[0013] Another particularly advantageous development of the X-by-wire control system according to the invention provides that the main function module is designed redundantly, preferably that the main function module has at least two control units, each with at least one computing unit for evaluating output signals applied to the respective control unit from at least one sensor of the X-by-wire control system corresponding to the main function and for controlling at least one power electronics unit of an actuator of the X-by-wire control system corresponding to the main function by means of control signals depending on the aforementioned output signals for executing this main function of the motor vehicle.In this way, a high level of safety of the applied safety standard can be implemented very effectively, since the redundant design of the main functional module ensures a very high degree of fail-safe operation of the main function. This applies particularly to the preferred embodiment of this further development.

[0014] In contrast, a further advantageous development of the X-by-wire control system according to the invention provides that with regard to the secondary function module, only the at least one sensor of the secondary function module assigned to the main function is designed redundantly, preferably that a first sensor of this at least one sensor is in energy transmission connection and signal transmission connection with a first control unit of the main function module and a second sensor of this at least one sensor, different from the first sensor, is in energy transmission connection and signal transmission connection with a second control unit of the main function module, particularly preferably,that the secondary function assembly comprises only one control unit with a single processing unit for evaluating output signals applied to this control unit from at least one sensor of the X-by-wire control system corresponding to the secondary function, and for controlling the power electronics of an actuator of the X-by-wire control system corresponding to the secondary function by means of control signals dependent on the aforementioned output signals for executing this secondary function of the motor vehicle. As a result, the complexity of the X-by-wire control system according to the invention is minimized, despite maintaining the high safety level of the safety standard used for the main function. Accordingly, the redundancy is reduced to the components of the X-by-wire control system according to the invention relevant to the main function. This applies particularly to the preferred embodiment of this development,in which the at least one sensor functionally assigned to the main function, namely the first and second sensors, as well as their respective energy and signaling connections to the main functional assembly, is designed redundantly. In particular, in the particularly preferred embodiment of this development, the design, manufacturing, and circuitry complexity involved in implementing the secondary function is minimized.

[0015] An advantageous development of the aforementioned development of the X-by-wire control system according to the invention provides that the auxiliary function module, corresponding to a further function of the motor vehicle, additionally has at least one further sensor, further power electronics, and a corresponding further actuator, and the aforementioned computing unit is designed to additionally evaluate output signals applied to this control unit from the at least one further sensor and to control the further power electronics of the further actuator by means of control signals depending on the aforementioned output signals to execute this further function of the motor vehicle. In this way, the functionality of the auxiliary function module is increased, so that fewer components and thus less installation space are required for a functional expansion of the X-by-wire control system according to the invention.

[0016] In principle, the aforementioned additional function of the X-by-wire control system according to the invention can also be freely selected within wide, suitable limits in terms of type, mode of operation, material, and dimensions. For example, the additional function can be embodied as another secondary function, such as an air conditioning function for a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle or the like. See also the explanations of secondary functions in the relevant context in the introduction to the description.

[0017] However, an advantageous development of the latter development of the X-by-wire control system according to the invention provides that the additional function is designed as a steering wheel adjustment function, preferably that the steering wheel adjustment function is designed to adjust the inclination of the steering wheel and / or to transfer the steering wheel from a stowed position of the steering wheel to a use position of the steering wheel and vice versa. This provides a particularly advantageous combination of the secondary function assembly on the one hand and the additional function on the other hand, since the steering wheel adjustment function, similar to the secondary function designed, for example, as a steering wheel feedback function, acts on the steering wheel of the motor vehicle in a force-transmitting manner. This applies in particular to the preferred embodiment of this development.

[0018] Furthermore, another particularly advantageous development of the X-by-wire control system according to the invention provides that the main function module and / or the secondary function module each comprise / comprises a first module and a second module different from the first module, wherein at least one sensor of the respective module, preferably all sensors of the respective module, is structurally integrated in the first module, and a different remainder of the respective module is structurally integrated in the second module. In this way, a very useful structural subdivision of the main function module and / or the secondary function module is specified, since the at least one sensor of the main function can be very well combined in a module different from a remainder of the corresponding main function module, for example as a sensor package with a plurality of sensors.The same applies to the secondary function assembly, in which both the at least one sensor functionally assigned to the main function and at least one sensor assigned to the secondary function are combined in a unit different from the rest of the secondary function assembly.

[0019] The invention is explained in more detail below using the attached, roughly schematic drawing. It shows: Fig. 1 shows an X-by-wire control system according to the state of the art in a process diagram, Fig. 2 an embodiment of the X-by-wire control system according to the invention in a Fig. 1 analog process diagram and Fig. 3 the embodiment according to Fig. 2 in a more detailed, partial process diagram.

[0020] In the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the X-by-wire control system according to the invention purely by way of example.

[0021] For the purpose of definition, the state of the art is first of all Fig. 1. As can be seen therefrom, the X-by-wire control system 2 of a motor vehicle (not shown in detail) known from the prior art is suitably designed to control a main function of the motor vehicle and a secondary function of the motor vehicle which, in terms of the safety standard to be met, is classified lower than the main function, wherein the main function can be carried out by means of a main function assembly 4 of the motor vehicle and the secondary function can be carried out by means of a secondary function assembly 6 of the motor vehicle which is spatially separated from the main function assembly 4, and wherein at least one sensor 8, 9 of the secondary function assembly 6 is functionally assigned to the main function. A remainder of the motor vehicle which is different from the X-by-wire control system 2 is shown in the Fig. 1 is symbolized by the reference number 10.

[0022] The X-by-wire control system 2 is designed here as a steer-by-wire control system, wherein the steer-by-wire control system is designed as a steering system of the motor vehicle, and wherein the controlled secondary function is designed as a steering wheel feedback function for mechanical action by means of a Fig. 1 not shown steering wheel of the motor vehicle to a not shown driver of the motor vehicle and the controlled main function is designed as a wheel steering function for steering at least one not shown wheel of the motor vehicle depending on a steering angle of the steering wheel turned by the driver.

[0023] The main function module 4 is, among other things, redundant in order to meet safety level D of a safety standard designed as ASIL, wherein the main function module 4 has at least two redundant control units 12, 14, each with at least one computing unit (not shown) for evaluating output signals applied to the respective control unit 12, 14 from at least one sensor 8, 9, 16, 18 of the known X-by-wire control system 2 corresponding to the main function and for controlling at least one power electronics unit (not shown) of an actuator (likewise not shown) of the known X-by-wire control system 2 corresponding to the main function by means of control signals depending on the aforementioned output signals for executing this main function of the motor vehicle.The main functional assembly 4 is further arranged in a force-transmitting manner on the at least one steerable wheel of the motor vehicle, wherein the main functional assembly 4 is arranged in a force-transmitting manner on a steering axle of the motor vehicle, which is likewise not shown and is connected in a force-transmitting manner to the at least one steerable wheel.

[0024] The secondary function module 6 is, analogous to the main function module 4, also designed redundantly, namely in such a way that the secondary function module 6 here comprises two redundant control units 20, 22, each with at least one computing unit (not shown) for evaluating output signals applied to the respective control unit 20, 22 of at least one corresponding to the secondary function, in the Fig. 1, of the known X-by-wire control system 2, and for controlling at least one power electronics unit (not shown) of an actuator (also not shown) of the known X-by-wire control system 2, corresponding to the secondary function and also not shown, by means of control signals as a function of the aforementioned output signals for executing this secondary function of the motor vehicle. The likewise redundant design of the secondary function assembly 6 is required according to the prior art in order to ensure the above-mentioned safety level D for the main function, since the sensors 8, 9, in addition to the sensors 16, 18, are also functionally assigned to the main function. The secondary function assembly 6 is further arranged in a force-transmitting manner on the steering wheel of the motor vehicle, wherein the secondary function assembly 6 is arranged on a steering column of the motor vehicle, also not shown, which is connected to the steering wheel in a force-transmitting manner.

[0025] As from the Fig. 1, the sensors 8, 9 assigned to the main function are supplied with energy by means of the control units 20, 22 on the one hand and, on the other hand, output signals of the sensors 8, 9 are indirectly forwarded to the main function module 4 by means of the control units 20, 22.

[0026] The Fig. The prior art embodiment shown in Figure 1 has various disadvantages. See the relevant comments in the introduction to the description. This is remedied by the invention according to the present embodiment.

[0027] In the following, the embodiment of the invention is explained with reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. The state of the art according to Fig. 1 Identical or equivalent components are listed in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0028] Analogous to the state of the art according to the Fig. 1, the X-by-wire control system 2 of the exemplary embodiment serves to control a main function of the motor vehicle and a secondary function of the motor vehicle which is classified lower in terms of the safety standard to be met than the main function, wherein the main function can be carried out by means of a main function assembly 4 of the motor vehicle and the secondary function can be carried out by means of a secondary function assembly 6 of the motor vehicle which is spatially separated from the main function assembly 4, and wherein at least one sensor 8, 9 of the secondary function assembly 6 is functionally assigned to the main function.

[0029] According to the invention, this at least one sensor 8, 9 of the secondary function assembly 6 assigned to the main function is only connected to the main function assembly 4, on the one hand, in a power supply connection for supplying this sensor 8, 9 with operating energy and, on the other hand, in a signal exchange connection. See the Fig. 2.

[0030] The safety standard of the main function and the secondary function is also designed as an ASIL safety level, whereby the ASIL safety level of the main function is ASIL D and the ASIL safety level of the secondary function is lower than ASIL D, namely ASIL B.

[0031] Furthermore, the X-by-wire control system 2 according to the present embodiment is analogous to the prior art according to the Fig. 1, designed as a steer-by-wire control system, wherein the steer-by-wire control system is designed as a steering system of the motor vehicle, and wherein the controlled secondary function is designed as a steering wheel feedback function for mechanical action by means of a merely in the Fig. 3 illustrated steering wheel 24 of the motor vehicle to a driver of the motor vehicle (not illustrated) and the controlled main function is designed as a wheel steering function for steering at least one wheel of the motor vehicle (not illustrated) as a function of a steering angle of the steering wheel 24 set by the driver.

[0032] The main functional assembly 4 is in turn arranged in a force-transmitting manner on the at least one steerable wheel of the motor vehicle, wherein the main functional assembly 4 is arranged in a force-transmitting manner on a steering axle of the motor vehicle (not shown) which is connected in a force-transmitting manner to the at least one steerable wheel.Furthermore, the main function module 4 is also designed redundantly, namely in such a way that the main function module 4 has two control units 12, 14, each with at least one computing unit (not shown) for evaluating output signals applied to the respective control unit 12, 14 from at least one sensor 8, 9, 16, 18 of the X-by-wire control system 2 corresponding to the main function and for controlling at least one power electronics unit (not shown) of an actuator of the X-by-wire control system 2 corresponding to the main function and also not shown, by means of control signals depending on the aforementioned output signals for executing this main function of the motor vehicle.

[0033] The auxiliary function assembly 6 is in turn arranged to transmit force to the steering wheel 24 of the motor vehicle, wherein the auxiliary function assembly 6 is arranged to transmit force to a steering column 26 of the motor vehicle, which is connected to the steering wheel 24 in a force-transmitting manner. See the Fig. 3. With regard to the secondary function module 6 according to the present exemplary embodiment of the invention, only the at least one sensor 8, 9 of the secondary function module 6 assigned to the main function is designed redundantly, namely in such a way that a first sensor 8 of this at least one sensor 8, 9 is in energy transmission connection and signal transmission connection with the first control unit 12 of the main function module 4 and a second sensor 9 of this at least one sensor 8, 9, which is different from the first sensor 8, is in energy transmission connection and signal transmission connection with the second control unit 14 of the main function module 4.In contrast to the main function module 4, the secondary function module 6 has only one control unit 20 with only a single computing unit 30 for evaluating output signals applied to this control unit 20 from at least one sensor 32 of the X-by-wire control system 2 corresponding to the secondary function and for controlling a power electronics unit 34 of an actuator 36 of the X-by-wire control system 2 corresponding to the secondary function by means of control signals depending on the aforementioned output signals for executing this secondary function of the motor vehicle.

[0034] Furthermore, as in the present exemplary embodiment, the secondary function assembly 6 can additionally have at least one further sensor 38, further power electronics 40, and a corresponding further actuator 42 corresponding to a further function of the motor vehicle, wherein the aforementioned computing unit 30 is designed to additionally evaluate output signals of the at least one further sensor 38 applied to this control unit 20 and to control the further power electronics 40 of the further actuator 42 by means of control signals depending on the aforementioned output signals in order to execute this further function of the motor vehicle. The further function is designed here as a steering wheel adjustment function, wherein the steering wheel adjustment function is designed to adjust an inclination of the steering wheel 24 and to transfer the steering wheel 24 from a stowed position of the steering wheel 24 to a use position of the steering wheel 24 and vice versa.The components of the auxiliary function module 6 corresponding to the additional function are shown in the . Fig. 3 is delimited by a dashed line. Of course, embodiments of the invention are also conceivable in which the secondary function assembly performs no further function.

[0035] The actuators 36, 42, shown and not shown, each represent an electric motor; the sensors 8, 9, 16, 18, 32 are each so-called motor position sensors. The sensors 8, 9 on the one hand and 16, 18 on the other hand each correspond to a redundancy. The sensors can also be designed at least partially multiple, i.e. redundant, in order to further increase the redundancy. In particular, the individual sensors 8, 9, 16, 18, 32, 38 can each be based on different physical measuring principles, so that this improves the reliability on the one hand through this technological diversity of the sensors 8, 9, 16, 18, 32, 38 and on the other hand through the aforementioned redundancies.Analogous to the aforementioned components, the electrical lines and the like connecting these components to other components of the X-by-wire control system 2 according to the invention in an energy-transmitting and / or signal-transmitting manner can also be designed redundantly in a manner known per se to those skilled in the art.

[0036] In addition, the main function assembly 4 and the secondary function assembly 6 each comprise a first assembly unit 44, 46 and a second assembly unit 48, 50 different from the first assembly unit 44, 46, wherein all sensors 16, 18 and 8, 9, 32, 38 of the respective assembly 4, 6 are structurally integrated in the first assembly unit 44, 46, and a different remainder of the respective assembly 4, 6 is structurally integrated in the second assembly unit 48, 50. See the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 in a summary.

[0037] While the main function module 4 as a whole has ASIL safety level D, in the secondary function module 6 only the at least one sensor functionally assigned to the main function, namely the sensor 8 and the redundant sensor 9, is designed according to ASIL safety level D. In contrast, the second module 50 and the sensors 32 and 38 corresponding to the secondary function and the additional function are designed only according to ASIL safety level B.

[0038] In the following, the functioning of the X-by-wire control system according to the invention according to the present embodiment is explained with reference to the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 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 at least one sensor 8, 9, 32 in order to, on the one hand, generate a feedback torque for the driver by means of the actuator 36 and, on the other hand, to make the driver's steering inputs available to the wheel steering function. By means of the wheel steering function, on the one hand, the steerable vehicle wheels of the motor vehicle are steered and, on the other hand, road conditions are transmitted to the steering wheel feedback function by means of the wheel steering function. Thus, in the aforementioned manner, a constant signal exchange and / or data exchange occurs between the two aforementioned functions of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, by means of the additional steering wheel adjustment function, it is possible to adjust the inclination of the steering wheel 24 as desired and to transfer it from its use position to its stowed position when not in use.If the steering wheel 24 is needed, the steering wheel 24 can then be moved from its stowed position to its use position again by means of the actuator 42.

[0040] If, for example, the steering wheel 24 of the motor vehicle is manually rotated about the steering column 26, 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 output signals of this at least one sensor 8, 9 in a manner known per se to the respective corresponding control unit 12, 14 of the X-by-wire control system 2. In order to be able to properly control the power electronics of the actuator corresponding to the main function, it is additionally necessary that the current steering position of the at least one steerable wheel of the motor vehicle is known.This current steering position is detected by at least one sensor 16, 18, which functionally interacts with the aforementioned actuator, in a manner known per se to those skilled in the art. The signals are forwarded in the form of output signals from the sensor 16, 18, analogous to the aforementioned output signals, to the computing units of the two control units 12, 14 for evaluation. After evaluating all output signals, each of the computing units of the control units 12, 14 generates a control signal correlating to these output signals, which can be used to control the power electronics of the actuator corresponding to the main function. When functioning properly, i.e., during normal operation of the control units 12, 14, the aforementioned control signals are essentially identical.

[0041] The same applies to the steering wheel feedback function and the steering wheel adjustment function of the X-by-wire control system 2.

[0042] Due to the inventive design of the X-by-wire control system 2, full functionality of the X-by-wire control system 2 is ensured, despite reduced technical complexity due to system areas that are constructed separately from one another with regard to the level of safety standards to be met. Furthermore, less installation space is required for the X-by-wire control system 2 compared to functionally equivalent X-by-wire control systems from the prior art, since, for example, significantly fewer components need to be implemented redundantly in the X-by-wire control system 2 according to the invention. See, for example, the prior art Fig.1 along with the relevant explanations. Thus, the X-by-wire control system 2 according to the invention can be implemented more compactly and cost-effectively than the prior art. Furthermore, the networking of the individual components of the X-by-wire control system 2 according to the invention is less complex and thus far less susceptible to failure, since, for example, redundant functions and thus redundant components of the X-by-wire control system 2 according to the invention are only provided where absolutely necessary. As a result, the invention realizes a mechanical and electronic arrangement that is functionally just as powerful as the prior art, but significantly simplified. This also applies to the electronic connection technology.

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

[0044] For further alternative or optional features in embodiments of the invention that are alternative to the present embodiment, reference is made in particular to the relevant statements in the introduction to the description and in the description of the specific embodiment. List of reference symbols 2 X-by-wire control system 4 Main functional assembly 6 Auxiliary function assembly 8 Sensor 9 Sensor 10 A remainder of the motor vehicle other than the X-by-wire control system 12 Control unit 14 Control unit 16 Sensor 18 Sensor 20 Control unit 22 Control unit 24 steering wheel 26 Steering column 30 computing units 32 sensors 34 Power electronics 36 Actuator 38 Sensor 40 Power electronics 42 Actuator 44 First unit of the main functional assembly 46 First unit of the auxiliary function assembly 48 Second unit of the main functional assembly 50 Second unit of the auxiliary function assembly

Claims

[1] X-by-wire control system (2) of a motor vehicle for controlling a main function of the motor vehicle and a secondary function of the motor vehicle which is classified lower in terms of the safety standard to be met than the main function, wherein the main function can be carried out by means of a main function assembly (4) of the motor vehicle and the secondary function can be carried out by means of a secondary function assembly (6) of the motor vehicle which is spatially separated from the main function assembly (4), and wherein at least one sensor (8, 9) of the secondary function assembly (6) is functionally assigned to the main function, characterized by that this at least one sensor (8, 9) of the secondary function assembly (6) assigned to the main function is only connected to the main function assembly (4) on the one hand in energy supply connection for supplying this sensor (8, 9) with operating energy and on the other hand in signal exchange connection. [2] X-by-wire control system (2) according to claim 1, characterized by that the safety standard of the main function and the secondary function is designed as an ASIL safety level, whereby the ASIL safety level of the main function is ASIL D and the ASIL safety level of the secondary function is lower than ASIL D, preferably lower than or equal to ASIL B. [3] X-by-wire control system (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the X-by-wire control system (2) is designed as a steer-by-wire control system, preferably that the steer-by-wire control system is designed as a steering system of the motor vehicle, wherein the controlled secondary function is designed 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 controlled main function is designed as a wheel steering function for steering at least one wheel of the motor vehicle depending on a steering angle of the steering wheel (24) turned by the driver. [4] X-by-wire control system (2) according to claim 3, characterized by that the main functional assembly (4) is arranged in a force-transmitting manner on the at least one steerable wheel of the motor vehicle, preferably that the main functional assembly (4) is arranged in a force-transmitting manner on a steering axle of the motor vehicle which is connected in a force-transmitting manner to the at least one steerable wheel. [5] X-by-wire control system (2) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by that the secondary function assembly (6) is arranged on the steering wheel (24) of the motor vehicle in a force-transmitting manner, preferably that the secondary function assembly (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] X-by-wire control system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the X-by-wire control system is designed as a brake-by-wire control system, preferably that the controlled main function is designed as a wheel brake function for braking at least one wheel of the motor vehicle by means of a brake actuator of the aforementioned control system as a function of a brake command issued by a driver of the motor vehicle or automatically generated by means of the control system. [7] X-by-wire control system (2) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized bythat the main function module (4) is designed redundantly, preferably that the main function module (4) has at least two control units (12, 14), each with at least one computing unit for evaluating output signals applied to the respective control unit (12, 14) of at least one sensor (8, 9, 16, 18) of the X-by-wire control system (2) corresponding to the main function and for controlling at least one power electronics unit of an actuator of the X-by-wire control system (2) corresponding to the main function by means of control signals depending on the aforementioned output signals for carrying out this main function of the motor vehicle. [8] X-by-wire control system (2) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized bythat with regard to the secondary function module (6), only the at least one sensor (8, 9) of the secondary function module (6) assigned to the main function is designed to be redundant, preferably that a first sensor (8) of this at least one sensor (8, 9) is connected to a first control unit (12) of the main function module (4) and a second sensor (9) of this at least one sensor (8, 9), different from the first sensor (8), is connected to a second control unit (14) of the main function module (4) for energy transmission and signal transmission, particularly preferably,that the secondary function module (6) has only one control unit (20) with only a single computing unit (30) for evaluating output signals applied to this control unit (20) of at least one sensor (32) of the X-by-wire control system (2) corresponding to the secondary function and for controlling a power electronics unit (34) of an actuator (36) of the X-by-wire control system (2) corresponding to the secondary function by means of control signals depending on the aforementioned output signals for executing this secondary function of the motor vehicle. [9] X-by-wire control system (2) according to claim 8, characterized bythat the secondary function module (6), corresponding to a further function of the motor vehicle, additionally has at least one further sensor (38), further power electronics (40) and a further actuator (42) corresponding thereto, and the aforementioned computing unit (30) is designed additionally to evaluate output signals of the at least one further sensor (38) present at this control unit (20) and to control the further power electronics (40) of the further actuator (42) by means of control signals depending on the aforementioned output signals in order to carry out this further function of the motor vehicle. [10] X-by-wire control system (2) according to claim 9, characterized bythat the further function is designed as a steering wheel adjustment function, preferably that the steering wheel adjustment function is designed to adjust an inclination of the steering wheel (24) and / or to transfer the steering wheel (24) from a stowed position of the steering wheel (24) into a use position of the steering wheel (24) and vice versa. [11] X-by-wire control system (2) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by that the main function assembly (4) and / or the secondary function assembly (6) each comprise / comprises a first structural unit (44, 46) and a second structural unit (48, 50) different from the first structural unit (44, 46), wherein at least one sensor (16, 18; 8, 9, 32, 38) of the respective assembly (4, 6), preferably all sensors (16, 18; 8, 9, 32, 38) of the respective assembly (4, 6), is structurally integrated in the first structural unit (44, 46), and a different remainder of the respective assembly (4, 6) is structurally integrated in the second structural unit (48, 50).

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