Brake module for an electromechanical brake of a vehicle with an electric drive, as well as vehicle and method for it

Abstract

The invention relates to a brake module (36) for an electromechanical brake (16) of a vehicle (10), comprising a brake module control unit (42) with a monitoring circuit (44) for detecting a connection fault in at least one electrical line between a brake control unit (32) and / or an energy storage device (18) and the electromechanical brake (16), and an emergency braking circuit (48) for generating and sending an error signal (50) to a control unit, in particular a drive control unit (22) of an electric drive (14), upon detection of a connection fault. The brake module (36) further comprises a bypass circuit (40) configured to provide energy supplied by the electric drive (14) in generator mode to the electromechanical brake (16) for emergency braking in the event of a detected connection fault. The invention further relates to a system (38) with a brake module (36) as well as an electromechanical brake (16) and an electric drive (14), a vehicle (10), in particular a towing vehicle or trailer vehicle, with several brake modules (36) and / or a system (38) as well as a method for a brake module (36) or a system (38), in particular in a vehicle (10).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the field of vehicles that are electrically powered, i.e., purely electrically powered, or hybrid. In particular, such vehicles include commercial vehicles, such as trucks or passenger cars. Commercial vehicles include tractors and trailers, such as semi-trailers and semi-trailers.

[0002] Electric vehicles, including commercial vehicles, are already well known. Such vehicles are often hybrid vehicles with an internal combustion engine that have been further developed by adding an electric drive, or vehicles in which the internal combustion engine has been replaced by an electric drive in a further development, or vehicles that are completely designed for the use of electric drives as part of a new development.

[0003] The invention further relates to vehicles which, in addition to an electric drive, also have electromechanically actuated brakes, also known as electromechanical brakes or EMB. To date, pneumatically actuated friction brakes have predominantly been used in commercial vehicles. In pneumatically actuated friction brakes, a pneumatic cylinder is moved against a spring under the action of compressed air to freewheel the friction brake. When the pneumatic cylinder is vented, the pneumatic cylinder moves in the opposite direction due to the force of the spring, and the friction brake is braked. When the brake is vented, for example when a pressure line breaks, the spring causes the pneumatic cylinder to press brake pads onto brake discs firmly connected to the wheel axle via a lever to generate braking force. In the event of a fault, emergency braking is therefore initiated automatically.

[0004] Such a mechanical failure function is not provided for electromechanical brakes. If the power supply or communication to the electromechanical brake fails, a brake actuator of the electromechanical brake remains in its previous position, so that no emergency braking is performed. Instead, the actuator remains in its previous position. For electromechanically actuated brakes, it is therefore common practice to provide redundant power and communication lines to ensure fallback in the event of a damaged power or communication line.

[0005] However, providing redundant power and communication lines significantly increases the cabling effort, as each wheel of a vehicle is typically equipped with a separate electromechanical brake, and each of these brakes must be connected multiple times to a central control unit, such as a brake control unit. Furthermore, it is preferable to ensure that the redundant lines are routed at a distance from the primary lines in the vehicle to prevent the risk of mechanical damage to the primary line, for example, caused by a foreign object, from also affecting the redundant line.

[0006] The object of the present invention is therefore to address the problems of the prior art. In particular, a failure function for an electromechanical brake similar to that of a pneumatic brake is to be found. Furthermore, the object of the invention is to find at least one alternative to what is known from the prior art.

[0007] For this purpose, the invention proposes a brake module for an electromechanical brake of a vehicle according to claim 1.

[0008] Accordingly, a brake module for an electromechanical brake of a vehicle is proposed. The brake module comprises a brake module control and a bypass circuit. The brake module control comprises a monitoring circuit and an emergency brake circuit. The monitoring circuit is configured to detect a connection fault in an electrical line between a brake control unit and the electromechanical brake and / or a connection fault in an electrical line between an energy storage device and the electromechanical brake. The electrical line comprises a control line and / or a power supply line.

[0009] Accordingly, one or more electrical lines are arranged for each electromechanical brake in a vehicle. The electromechanical brake is controlled by the brake control unit using the electrical line(s), preferably in response to a braking request from a driver or assistance system, in order to exert a braking force on a wheel or allow the wheel to freewheel. According to a first alternative, an electromechanical brake comprises an actuator that is directly connected to the brake control unit via an electrical power supply line. The brake control unit specifies a current and a voltage via the electrical line such that the actuator either generates a braking force with the friction brake or enables freewheeling. The individual electrical line, which is essentially a power supply line, thus also corresponds to a control line.

[0010] According to an alternative, the brake control unit is connected to the electromechanical brake via a control line and a separate power supply line. The power supply line supplies the electromechanical brake, which here additionally has a control unit, with power, preferably with a substantially constant voltage. A control line transmits control commands from the brake control unit to the electromechanical brake, namely in particular the control unit of the electromechanical brake. The control unit of the electromechanical brake then triggers a movement of the actuator of the electromechanical brake within the electromechanical brake by connecting the power from the power supply line.

[0011] The monitoring circuit is used to monitor this electrical line or lines and detect whether a connection fault exists. A connection fault occurs, for example, when data or signals sent by the brake control unit can no longer be interpreted by a control unit of the electromechanical brake. A connection fault also occurs, for example, when insufficient energy is transmitted to the electromechanical brake to operate the actuator.

[0012] The brake module controller further includes an emergency brake circuit. The emergency brake circuit serves to generate an error signal in the event of a connection fault detected by the monitoring circuit. Furthermore, the emergency brake circuit serves to send the error signal to a controller, which is preferably a drive controller of an electric drive. The electric drive comprises at least one electric machine, a drive controller, and a speed sensor. An electric machine is also understood to mean an electric motor. The drive controller can include power electronics. The error signal is preferably also sent to the control unit of the electromechanical brake.

[0013] The drive control preferably comprises a converter of an electric drive which, in traction mode, converts energy supplied from an energy storage device in the form of direct voltage into an alternating voltage, in particular three-phase alternating voltage, which is dependent on an acceleration request of a driver or assistance system, for controlling an electric machine of the electric drive.

[0014] The drive control, in particular the converter, is also configured to control the electric motor so that it operates in generator mode, also known as recuperation mode or simply recuperation. In generator mode, the electric motor exerts a braking torque on the wheel driven by the electric drive, while electrical energy is output in the form of an alternating voltage from the electric motor and converted by the drive control into a direct voltage for feeding into the energy storage device. This mode can also be set by the drive control, preferably depending on a braking request, namely a negative acceleration request.

[0015] Preferably, the drive control is configured to receive the error signal of the emergency brake circuit.

[0016] The brake module also includes a bypass circuit to provide energy supplied by the electric drive in generator mode to the electromechanical brake in the event of a detected connection fault, enabling it to execute emergency braking. Emergency braking operation includes, for example, operating the actuator of the electromechanical brake in such a way that a friction brake connected to it brakes to its maximum. Alternatively, a predefined braking torque can be set, which is stored, for example, in the operating module and transmitted with the error signal.

[0017] The brake module is thus preferably designed to be arranged in the region of a wheel driven by an electric drive and having an electromechanical brake, in order to detect a connection fault in the event of a faulty or damaged electrical line for actuating the electromechanical brake and to generate energy for this purpose using an electric drive. Without the brake module according to the invention, actuation of the electromechanical brake would no longer be possible in such a case. The monitoring circuit therefore detects a connection fault and generates a corresponding error signal with the emergency brake circuit for the electric drive. The error signal indicates to a controller, such as the drive control of an electric drive, that the electric machine of the electric drive must be operated in generator mode in order to generate electrical energy.With the help of the bypass circuit, the electrical energy from the electric drive can be used to carry out an emergency braking operation with the electromechanical brake in the event of a detected connection fault.

[0018] It is thus possible to independently perform emergency braking using the brake module, even if the communication or power lines to an electromechanical brake are defective or damaged. The energy required for this is preferably provided by the electric drive in the area of ​​a wheel. The brake module is particularly preferably integrated, for example, into the electric drive or the drive control system. The probability of a defective communication or power connection between the electric drive and the electromechanical brake on one and the same wheel is very low, since these can be closely spaced or even implemented as a single system module, for example, in a single housing.Even if an electrical line between the electric drive and a central control unit or an energy storage unit of the electric drive is no longer functional, the functional unit consisting of the electromechanical brake, electric drive and brake module can carry out emergency braking on the wheel.

[0019] Thanks to the brake module, a vehicle can be brought into a safe state in the event of a connection fault in the electrical cables.

[0020] According to a first embodiment, the brake module comprises a DC intermediate circuit. The DC intermediate circuit is connectable to the electric drive. The DC intermediate circuit is configured to store energy provided by the electric drive in generator mode. The DC intermediate circuit is preferably part of the bypass circuit and is thus also configured to deliver the stored electrical energy to the electromechanical brake.

[0021] The DC link makes it possible to provide sufficient energy to activate the electromechanical brake for emergency braking even at low speeds of the electric machine.

[0022] According to a further embodiment, a voltage converter is provided, which is preferably a component of the bypass circuit. The voltage converter serves to adapt, in particular increase, the energy provided by the electric drive in generator mode, i.e., preferably stored in the DC link, for operating the electromechanical brake.

[0023] If the electric drive is operating in generator mode at a very low speed, there is a possibility that very little energy is stored in the DC link, resulting in insufficient voltage to operate the electromechanical brake. The voltage converter ensures that an operating voltage for the electromechanical brake is available.

[0024] According to a further embodiment, the brake module comprises a further voltage converter, which is preferably a component of the bypass circuit. The voltage converter is preferably electrically connected to the DC intermediate circuit. The voltage converter is configured to convert, in particular reduce, a voltage of the energy provided by the electric drive in generator mode in order to supply the brake module control of the brake module and / or a control unit of the electromechanical brake. This ensures that the monitoring circuit and the emergency brake circuit, as well as preferably a control unit of the electromechanical brake, can be operated safely even without electrical energy from an electrical line from the brake control unit or an energy storage device.

[0025] According to a further, particularly alternative, embodiment, the brake module has an emergency brake converter circuit with an emergency control and an emergency AC converter. The emergency AC converter is preferably an AC / AC converter. The emergency AC converter is part of the bypass circuit and can be connected or is connected with its input to a three-phase AC connection of the electrical machine and with its output to a three-phase AC connection of the electromechanical brake. The emergency AC converter is preferably an active AC-AC converter and comprises a plurality of switches, which are particularly designed as semiconductor switches, such as thyristors. The switches can be controlled by the emergency control in such a way as to operate the electrical machine in generator mode and to provide the electrical energy generated thereby to actuate the electromechanical brake in emergency braking mode.Preferably, the emergency control system controls the emergency AC converter during normal operation, i.e. as long as no fault signal is received, in such a way that the three-phase AC connections of the electrical machine and the electromechanical brake are non-conductively connected to one another.

[0026] If the emergency control receives the error signal from the emergency brake circuit of the brake module's control unit, emergency braking can be executed. As long as no error signal is received, the emergency AC converter has no influence on the energy flow between the electric motor and the electromechanical brake.

[0027] The provision of the emergency brake converter circuit makes it possible, as an alternative embodiment, to dispense with a DC intermediate circuit and to use an inverter of the electric drive and thus represents a particularly easy-to-implement alternative. This takes into account the fact that, due to the lack of energy storage in the DC intermediate circuit, comparatively abrupt braking occurs when the energy generated by the electric drive is very high due to the current driving situation.

[0028] According to a further embodiment, the brake module comprises a controllable or adjustable brake resistor. The adjustable brake resistor is preferably part of the bypass circuit. The brake resistor is configured to control or adjust an operating voltage of the brake module. The adjustable brake resistor is preferably controlled or adjusted by the brake module controller. The brake resistor is preferably connected between the poles of the DC voltage circuit.

[0029] In the event that the voltage of the DC link is too high for the electromechanical brake, the adjustable braking resistor is used to adjust the voltage of the DC link to a required operating voltage for the electromechanical brake.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the brake module controller is part of an existing control unit of the vehicle, such as a vehicle control unit or a brake control unit. The error signal is then output via a vehicle bus, to which the controller, namely in particular the drive control unit or the emergency control unit, is also connected in order to receive the error signal and execute the emergency braking operation.

[0031] The invention further relates to a system comprising the brake module according to one of the aforementioned embodiments. The system further comprises an electromechanical brake and an electric drive. The brake module, the electric drive, or parts thereof, such as the drive control unit, and the electromechanical brake, or parts thereof, are preferably designed as a system assembly and / or arranged in a single housing.

[0032] The electric drive is configured to receive an error signal and, in the event of a received error signal, to operate an electric motor of the electric drive in generator mode or to switch over. Alternatively to configuring the electric drive to receive an error signal, an emergency brake converter circuit is configured to receive the error signal and, in the event of a received error signal, to operate the electric motor of the electric drive in generator mode or to switch over.

[0033] Furthermore, the electric drive is connected to the bypass circuit to provide energy provided during generator operation via the bypass circuit. The bypass circuit is also connected to the electromechanical brake to use the energy provided by the electric drive to operate the electromechanical brake. Furthermore, the electromechanical brake is configured to perform emergency braking using the energy from the bypass circuit, particularly when the electromechanical brake receives the error signal from the emergency braking circuit of the brake module.

[0034] Emergency braking operation preferably describes the provision of a predefined braking force to a wheel that can be braked by the electromechanical brake. This braking force is preferably predefined by a predefined torque that can be provided by the electric actuator of the electromechanical brake.

[0035] According to a first embodiment of the system, the system comprises a central control unit. The central control unit is configured to specify a target operating mode, for example, by specifying a target speed or a target torque for the electric motor of the electric drive. The electric drive is then operated according to the target operating mode. Furthermore, the central control unit is configured to detect an actual operating mode of the electric drive that deviates from the target operating mode. An actual operating mode that deviates from the target operating mode can thus be detected by the central control unit.

[0036] In the event that the electric drive or the emergency brake converter circuit switches to generator mode due to the receipt of an error signal, such a state can be detected by the central control unit at least when a drive torque, i.e. positive acceleration, is requested from the electric drive by the central control unit and the drive does not implement this target operating mode. The deviation of the actual operation or actual operating mode from the target operation or target operating mode is thus detected. To prevent another electric drive from operating in the opposite direction, the other electric drive, which is also connected to the central control unit, is operated in such a way that the torque it generates is either reduced to zero or the other electric drive is operated in generator mode. This ensures that a vehicle remains controllable when emergency braking is carried out.

[0037] According to a further embodiment, the central control unit is configured to detect the deviation of the actual operating mode of the electric drive from a target operating mode by detecting the absence of a survival signal that is regularly sent by the electric drive to the central control unit. Alternatively or additionally, an actual speed of a wheel driven by the electric drive is compared with a target speed, and if the actual speed deviates from a target speed, it is assumed that the actual operating mode deviates from the target operating mode. The actual speed is preferably determined using a wheel rotation sensor. Additionally or alternatively, the central control unit detects a lack of energy consumption or current consumption of the electric drive, which deviates, for example, from an energy consumption corresponding to the target operating mode.Alternatively or additionally, a communication failure between the electric drive and the central control unit is generally detected.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the system, the electric drive is configured to switch the electric drive between a short circuit, a freewheel and a generator operation with the aid of the drive control of the electric drive in order to regulate the energy fed into the bypass circuit.

[0039] Active control of the energy fed into the bypass circuit by the electric drive is thus possible using the drive control system. A predefined target voltage for the voltage to be provided in a DC link of the brake module can be specified for the electric drive, which can then regulate the DC link to this voltage. A voltage suitable for the electromechanical brake can thus be provided.

[0040] Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle with a plurality of brake modules according to one of the aforementioned embodiments or a plurality of systems according to one of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the vehicle, the vehicle comprises a plurality of brake modules and a plurality of wheels driven by an electric drive. According to a first alternative, one brake module is provided for each driven wheel. Alternatively or additionally, at least one brake module is provided for a wheel driven by an electric drive and a non-driven wheel.

[0042] The invention further comprises a method for a brake module according to one of the aforementioned embodiments, for a system according to one of the aforementioned embodiments, or for a vehicle according to one of the aforementioned embodiments. According to the method, a monitoring circuit of the brake module detects a connection fault in an electrical line between a brake control unit and / or an energy storage device and an electromechanical brake. If a connection fault is detected, an error signal is generated and sent to an electric drive or an emergency control of an emergency brake converter circuit. The error signal is generated using an emergency brake circuit. Depending on the received error signal, the electric drive switches to generator mode or is operated in generator mode, so that the electric machine of the electric drive generates electrical energy from kinetic energy.The electrical energy is provided in a bypass circuit. Furthermore, the electromechanical brake is supplied by the brake module with electrical energy from the bypass circuit to execute emergency braking, and / or the fault signal is sent to the electromechanical brake to execute emergency braking using energy from the bypass circuit.

[0043] According to a further embodiment, a voltage converter is used to convert a voltage of the energy in the bypass circuit, in particular the DC voltage intermediate circuit, to operate the electromechanical brake.

[0044] According to a further embodiment, an alternating voltage, in particular a three-phase alternating voltage, of the electrical energy of the electrical machine is provided into a three-phase alternating voltage for operating the electromechanical brake by means of an emergency alternating current converter of an emergency brake converter circuit of the bypass circuit by controlling the emergency alternating current converter with an emergency control of the emergency brake converter circuit.

[0045] According to a further embodiment, a further voltage converter is used to convert a voltage of the energy provided in the bypass circuit by the electric drive to supply the brake module control or the control unit of the electromechanical brake.

[0046] According to a further embodiment, a central control unit detects the execution of emergency braking of a wheel and / or generator operation of the electric drive, in particular by detecting a deviating actual operating mode of the electric drive from a target operating mode of the electric drive. If the central control unit detects emergency braking or a deviating actual operating mode, at least one additional electric drive of the vehicle is switched to a mode in which the additional electric drive generates no drive torque, i.e., zero torque, or is operated in generator mode.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the method, the electrical energy fed from the electrical drive into the bypass circuit, in particular a DC voltage intermediate circuit of the bypass circuit, is controlled by the electrical drive by switching the electrical machine of the electrical drive with the drive control of the electrical drive between a plurality of operating modes, preferably comprising a short circuit of the electrical machine, a freewheeling of the electrical machine or a generator operation of the electrical machine.

[0048] Further embodiments are illustrated in the figures, which show: Fig. 1 a vehicle according to an embodiment with a system according to an embodiment comprising a brake module according to an embodiment, Fig. 2 an alternative embodiment of the brake module, Fig. 3 another embodiment of the brake module and Fig. 4 the steps of a method according to an embodiment.

[0049] Fig. Figure 1 shows a vehicle 10, of which only a section is shown for exemplary purposes. The section of the vehicle 10 includes a wheel 12 that can be driven by an electric drive 14. Furthermore, the wheel 12 can be braked by an electromechanical brake 16.

[0050] To drive the wheel 12, the electric drive 14 is supplied with energy from an energy storage device 18 in traction mode to generate a desired acceleration. The electric drive 14 can also feed energy into the energy storage device 18, for example, an accumulator such as a vehicle battery, in generator mode, in which the wheel 12 is braked. For this purpose, an electric machine 20 of the electric drive 14 is operated either in traction mode or in generator mode via a drive control 22, which has a converter. Generator mode is also referred to as recuperation mode. A central control unit 24 issues commands corresponding to an acceleration request to the electric drive 14 via a drive control line 26.

[0051] The electromechanical brake 16 serves to additionally brake the wheel 12, especially when the braking torque of the electric drive 14 in generator mode is not sufficient to fulfill a braking request. The electromechanical brake 16 serves to actuate a friction brake, which in Fig. 1 is not shown for clarity. The electromechanical brake 16 comprises an actuator 28 and a control unit 30. The actuator 28 serves to actuate the friction brake and is controlled for this purpose by the control unit 30. The control unit 30 also includes a converter, which is not shown, to provide energy for the actuator 28. For this purpose, the control unit 30 is also connected to the energy storage device 18.

[0052] In Fig. 1 shows a single energy storage device 18 for the electric drive 14 and for the electromechanical brake 16, wherein, according to a further embodiment not shown here, separate energy storage devices 18 are provided for the electric drive 14 and the electromechanical brake 16.

[0053] A brake control unit 32 is used to send a braking request via a brake control line 34 to the electromechanical brake 16.

[0054] Also shown is a brake module 36 according to an embodiment of the invention. The brake module 36, the electromechanical brake 16, and the electric drive 14 constitute a system 38 according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0055] The brake module 36 comprises a bypass circuit 40 and a brake module control 42. The brake module control 42 comprises a monitoring circuit 44 for monitoring electrical lines 46. The electrical lines 46 comprise the brake control line 34 between the brake control unit 32 and the electromechanical brake 16 as well as the power supply lines between the energy storage device 18 and the electromechanical brake 16. If a connection fault in the electrical lines 46 is detected, an emergency brake circuit 48 of the brake module control 42 sends an error signal 50 to the electromechanical brake 16 and the electric drive 14. In addition, two previously open switches 52, 54 are closed, so that a bypass circuit 40 connects the power supply lines from the electric drive 14 via the bypass circuit 40 to the power supply lines of the electromechanical brake 16.The switches 52, 54 are optional and, according to another embodiment, are not provided. In the other embodiment without switches 52, 54, the bypass circuit 40, in particular the DC link 54, is permanently connected to the power supply lines. This will also be illustrated later by way of example in FIG. Fig. 3 shown.

[0056] The bypass circuit 40 has a DC intermediate circuit 56 for temporarily storing energy and a voltage converter 58 for converting the voltage of energy stored in the DC intermediate circuit 56 to a voltage for operating the electromechanical brake 16.

[0057] The error signal 50 switches the electric drive 14 to generator mode, so that energy from the electric drive is fed into the DC link 56. Furthermore, the error signal 50 switches the electromechanical brake 16 to emergency braking mode, so that friction brakes are activated by the electromechanical brake 16 using the energy from the DC link 56 to apply a braking torque to the wheel 12 using the friction brake.

[0058] Furthermore, the central control unit 24 is configured to detect that the error signal 50 was sent to the electric drive 14 by the brake module 36 and / or that the electric drive is in an actual operating mode corresponding to generator operation. For this purpose, the central control unit 24 preferably monitors the energy supply lines for the electric drive 14 using a current or voltage sensor 60. If the central control unit 24 has specified, for example, a target torque 62 for the electric drive 14 via the drive control line 26 and the energy consumption of the electric drive 14 does not match the energy corresponding to the target specification, it can be assumed that an error signal 50 has been received.Alternatively, a survival signal 64 can be received periodically or continuously by the central control unit 24 from the electric drive 14, wherein the survival signal 64, if absent, indicates a received error signal 50 or a fault in the electrical lines 46 between the electric drive 14 and the central control unit 24. Alternatively, an actual speed 66 is recorded by a speed sensor 67 from the wheel 12 and compared with a target speed 68. If the speeds 66, 68 do not match or deviate from each other by more than a predefined threshold value, it can also be assumed that an error signal 50 has been received. Furthermore, the central control unit 24 can also evaluate a faulty communication with the electric drive 14 via the drive control line 26 as an indicator that the error signal 50 was transmitted to the electric drive 14.

[0059] In this case, if the central control unit 24 detects a deviation between the actual operating state of the electric drive 14 and a target operating state, the central control unit 24 sends a signal to at least one further electric drive 70, which is then also switched to a suitable operating mode, for example, a braking mode, i.e., generator operation. Furthermore, the brake module 36 comprises a further voltage converter 72 to supply the brake module control 42 with energy from the DC voltage intermediate circuit 56. If the switches 52, 54 are present, as shown here, the brake module control 42 is supplied via a separate electrical line during normal operation when the switches 52, 54 are open.

[0060] Fig. 2 shows an alternative embodiment to Fig. 1. However, the same reference numerals denote the same features. In the embodiment of the Fig. 2, a DC intermediate circuit 56 is omitted. Instead, the brake module 36 has an emergency brake converter circuit 75 with an emergency control 76 and an emergency AC converter 77. The emergency AC converter 77 is part of the bypass circuit 40 and is connected between a three-phase AC connection 79 of the electric machine 20 and a three-phase AC connection 78 of the electromechanical brake 16.

[0061] If the error signal 50 is received by the emergency control 76, it controls the emergency brake converter circuit 75 such that the electric machine 20 is operated in generator mode and the emergency braking operation is executed. Accordingly, the electromechanical brake 16 is supplied with energy from the electric machine 20 in response to a control by the emergency control 76 in order to execute braking.

[0062] Fig. 3 shows a further embodiment of the brake module 36. In this case, no voltage converter 58 is provided, and the bypass circuit 40 accordingly comprises only a DC intermediate circuit 56. The voltage in the DC intermediate circuit 56 is kept substantially constant by the drive controller 22 of the electric drive 14 switching between different operating modes of the electric machine 20, so that a sufficient or predefined voltage, which is kept substantially constant, is maintained in the DC intermediate circuit 56. Preferably, a resistor 74 is also provided, which is controllable by the brake module controller 42 and can thus reduce an excessively high voltage in the DC intermediate circuit 56.

[0063] Fig.4 shows the steps of a method for the brake module 36, the system 38, or the vehicle 10, wherein, in a step 80, electrical lines 46 between a brake control unit 32 and an electromechanical brake 16 or between an energy storage device 18 and an electromechanical brake 16 are monitored. In step 82, a connection fault in the electrical lines 46 is detected, and in step 84, an error signal 50 is generated. In step 86, the error signal 50 is sent to the electromechanical brake 16 and the electric drive 14. In step 88, two switches 52, 54 of the brake module 36 are closed in order to connect the power supply lines of the electromechanical brake 16 and the electric drive 14 to one another via a bypass circuit 40 in step 90.

[0064] In step 92, the electric drive 14 receives the error signal 50 and transfers the electric drive 14 to generator mode. In step 94, the electric drive 14 supplies energy to the bypass circuit 40, in particular to a DC voltage intermediate circuit 56. In a step 96, the electromechanical brake 16 receives the error signal 50 and executes an emergency braking operation using energy from the bypass circuit 40, in particular the DC voltage intermediate circuit 56 of the bypass circuit 40.

[0065] In step 98, a central control unit 24 detects the operating mode of the electric drive 14 that deviates from a target operating mode and switches at least one further electric drive 70 in step 100 into a corresponding mode, for example also a generator mode or an operation in which at least no acceleration is exerted by the further drive 70 on the wheel connected to the further drive 70. Reference symbol (part of the description) 10 vehicles 12 wheels 14 electric drive 16 electromechanical brake 18 energy storage 20 electric machine 22 Drive control 24 Central control unit 26 Drive control line 28 Actuator 30 Electromechanical brake control unit 32 Brake control unit 34 Brake control line 36 Brake module 38 systems 40 Bypass circuit 42 Brake module control 44 Monitoring circuit 46 electrical cables 48 Emergency brake circuit 50 error signal 52 switches 54 switches 56 DC link 58 voltage converters 60 voltage sensor 62 Target torque 64 Survival signal 66 Actual speed 67 Speed ​​sensor 68 Target speed 70 additional electric drives 72 additional voltage converters 74 Resistance 75 Emergency brake converter circuit 76 Emergency control 77 emergency AC converters 78 Three-phase AC connection 79 Three-phase AC connection 80 Monitor electrical lines 82 Detect connection failure 84 Generate error signal 86 Send error signal 88 Close Switch 90 Connect power supply lines 92 Receive error signal 94 Providing energy 96 Receive error signal 98 Detect operating mode 100 Switch Mode

Claims

[1] Brake module (36) for an electromechanical brake (16) of a vehicle (10), comprising: - a brake module control (42) with: - a monitoring circuit (44) for detecting a connection fault in at least one electrical line between a brake control unit (32) and / or an energy store (18) and the electromechanical brake, wherein the electrical line comprises a control line and / or a power supply line, - an emergency brake circuit (48) for generating and sending an error signal (50) in the event of a detected connection fault to a controller, in particular a drive controller (22) of an electric drive (14) or an emergency controller (77) of an emergency brake converter circuit (76), in order to cause an electric machine (20) of the electric drive (14) to operate the electric machine (20) in a generator mode, and - a bypass circuit (40) which is designed to provide energy provided by the electric drive (14) in generator mode for the electromechanical brake (16) in order to carry out an emergency braking operation in the event of a detected connection fault. [2] Brake module (36) according to claim 1, further comprising a DC intermediate circuit (56), in particular with an energy storage device (18), such as a capacitor, wherein the DC intermediate circuit (56) is connectable to the electric drive (14) in order to store energy provided by the electric drive (14) in generator mode. [3] Brake module (36) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a voltage converter (58) is provided, which is preferably connected to the DC voltage intermediate circuit (56) in order to increase a voltage of an energy provided by the electric drive (14) for operating the electromechanical brake (16). [4] Brake module (36) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the brake module (36) has a further voltage converter (72), which is preferably electrically connected to the DC voltage intermediate circuit (56), in order to convert a voltage of an energy provided by the electric drive (14) into a supply voltage and to provide the supply voltage for operating the brake module control (42) and / or a control device (30) of the electromechanical brake (16). [5] Brake module according to claim 1, further comprising an emergency brake converter circuit (75) with an emergency control (76) and an emergency AC converter (77), wherein the emergency AC converter (77) as a component of the bypass circuit (40) can be switched between a three-phase AC connection (79) of the electrical machine (20) and a three-phase AC connection (78) of the electromechanical brake (16) and is designed to operate the electrical machine (20) in generator mode and to carry out the emergency braking operation of the electromechanical brake (16) with energy from the electrical machine (20) in dependence on a control by the emergency control (76). [6] Brake module (36) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a controllable or adjustable braking resistor, wherein the braking resistor is configured to reduce or keep constant a voltage in the DC voltage intermediate circuit (56). [7] System (38) with a brake module (36) according to one of the preceding claims and with an electromechanical brake (16) and an electric drive (14), wherein the electric drive (14) or an emergency brake converter circuit (75) is configured, upon receipt of an error signal (50) from an emergency brake circuit (48) of the brake module (36), to operate an electric machine (20) of the electric drive (14) in generator mode and to provide energy via a bypass circuit (40) for the electromechanical brake (16), and wherein the electromechanical brake (16) is configured to carry out an emergency braking operation with energy from the bypass circuit (40), in particular upon receipt of the error signal (50), wherein preferably the brake module (36), the electromechanical brake (16) or parts thereof and the electric drive (14) or parts thereof form a system assembly and / or are arranged in a single housing. [8] System (38) according to claim 7, further comprising a central control unit (24), wherein the central control unit (24) is configured to predetermine a target operating state of the electric drive (14), wherein the central control unit (24) is configured to detect an actual operating state of the electric drive (14) which deviates from the target operating state, in particular generated by an error signal (50), and which deviates from the target operation, and in the case of a deviating actual operating state, to control at least one further electric drive (70) in such a way as to reduce a drive torque of an electric machine (20) of the further electric drive (70) or to operate the electric machine (20) of the further electric drive (70) in generator mode. [9] System (38) according to claim 8, wherein the central control unit (24) is configured to detect a deviation of the actual operating state from the target operating state of the electric drive (14) by: - absence of a survival signal (64) transmitted by the electric drive (14), - an actual speed (66) of a wheel (12) driven by the electric drive (14) which deviates from a target speed (68), - a faulty communication with the electric drive (14) or - a lack of energy absorption of the electric drive (14) by means of a current and / or voltage sensor (60). [10] System (38) according to one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the electric drive (14) is configured to regulate the electrical energy fed into the bypass circuit (40) by switching between a plurality of operating modes, preferably comprising a short circuit of the electric machine (20), a freewheel and a generator operation of the electric machine (20). [11] Vehicle (10), in particular a towing vehicle or trailer vehicle, with a plurality of brake modules (36) according to one of claims 1 to 6 and / or a plurality of systems (38) according to one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the vehicle (10) in particular has a plurality of electric drives (14), wherein preferably one brake module (36) is provided for each driven wheel (12) or one brake module (36) is provided for at least one wheel (12) driven by an electric drive (14) and one further non-driven wheel. [12] Method for a brake module (36) according to one of claims 1 to 6 or a system (38) according to one of claims 7 to 10, in particular in a vehicle (10) according to claim 11, comprising the steps: - monitoring a connection fault of an electrical line (46) between a brake control unit (32) and / or an energy store (18) and an electromechanical brake (16), - generating an error signal (50) in the event of a detected connection fault of the electrical line (46), - sending the error signal (50) to a controller, in particular a drive controller (22) of an electric drive (14) or an emergency controller (76) of an emergency brake converter circuit (75), - switching the electric drive (14) into generator mode after receiving the error signal (50), - Providing electrical energy to the electrical machine (20) with a bypass circuit (40) and - Carrying out an emergency braking operation with the electromechanical brake (16) using the energy provided in the bypass circuit (40). [13] The method of claim 12, wherein - a voltage converter (58) and a DC voltage intermediate circuit of the bypass circuit (40) are used to convert a DC voltage of the electrical energy of the electric drive into a DC voltage for operating the electromechanical brake, or - with an emergency AC converter (77) of an emergency brake converter circuit (75) of the bypass circuit (40) by controlling the emergency AC converter (77) with an emergency control (77) of the emergency brake converter circuit (75) an AC voltage, in particular a three-phase AC voltage, of the electrical energy of the electrical machine (20) is provided into an AC voltage, in particular a three-phase AC voltage, for operating the electromechanical brake (16). [14] Method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein a further voltage converter (72) is used to provide a voltage of the energy provided in the bypass circuit (40) for supplying the brake module control (42) or the control unit (30) of the electromechanical brake (16). [15] Method according to one of claims 12 to 14, wherein an emergency braking operation or an actual operation of the electric drive (14) deviating from the target operation, namely preferably the generator mode, is detected by a central control unit (24) and in the case of the detected emergency braking operation and / or the actual operation deviating from the target operation, at least one further drive of the vehicle (10) is operated in such a way that the further electric drive does not generate any drive torque or is operated in generator mode.

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