Method for monitoring a motor vehicle braking system

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for monitoring (1) a braking system of a motor vehicle, the monitoring method (1) comprising a step of recording (11) a plurality of data relating to the use of the motor vehicle and a step of determining (12) the wear status of at least a part of the braking system. The data here are digital data available on an on-board network of the motor vehicle and are not directly linked to a sensor measuring, for example, the wear level of a brake lining of the braking system. Rather, the data here are data relating to the driving of the motor vehicle and the use of its braking system. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Method for monitoring a braking system of a motor vehicle

[0001] The technical context of the present invention is that of motor vehicle safety systems, and in particular those relating to braking systems. More particularly, the invention relates to a method for monitoring a braking system.

[0002] In the state of the art, numerous devices are known for monitoring the wear of brake linings in motor vehicles. For example, document EPI307375 is known, which describes the monitoring of a brake lining using a temperature sensor arranged in or on the brake lining. This sensor provides a computer of the motor vehicle with data relating to the temperature of the lining, when the braking system is actuated. The computer analyzes this data so as to distinguish between braking actuations that generate wear of the lining and those that do not.

[0003] Document EP2057386 is also known, which describes the monitoring of a brake lining by using two electrical conductors insulated from each other and arranged in the brake lining, so that during braking, the brake lining rubs against a brake body, said brake body being electrically coupled to the two conductors to form a thermo-element. Consequently, the computer of the motor vehicle comprises means for detecting a temperature and / or a degree of wear of the brake linings, in order to allow said computer to regulate or adjust the maximum admissible braking pressure.

[0004] Finally, document DE10029238 A1 is known, which describes the determination of brake lining wear by an analytical model linking macroscopic measurements such as brake temperature, disc rotation speed and braking pressure. These analytical models are established from experimental wear maps and allow the motor vehicle computer to determine a brake lining wear condition.

[0005] These state-of-the-art documents make it possible to visualize the state of wear of the braking system using wear indicators integrated within the friction material of the brake pad, coupled with warning lights which light up on the dashboard. Such monitoring systems thus make it possible to alert the driver to the abnormal state of wear of the brake lining.

[0006] A common drawback to all these monitoring systems is that only the wear condition of the brake lining is measured and monitored, the wear condition being determined through metrics exclusively associated directly with the pad. brake or the brake lining itself. Thus, such monitoring systems are not very refined and do not allow for the anticipation of imminent wear of the braking system.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to propose a new method for monitoring a braking system for a motor vehicle in order to address at least a large part of the preceding problems and to further lead to other advantages.

[0008] Another aim of the invention is to better detect the wear of a braking system.

[0009] Another aim of the invention is to be able to anticipate an upcoming state of wear of the braking system.

[0010] According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with a method for monitoring a braking system of a motor vehicle, the monitoring method comprising a step of recording a plurality of data relating to the use of the motor vehicle and a step of determining a state of wear of at least one part of the braking system.

[0011] The monitoring method is implemented by a control unit of the motor vehicle. In the context of the present invention, the control unit comprises a microcontroller and / or a printed circuit and / or a microprocessor. By way of non-limiting example, the control unit is for example one of the computers of the motor vehicle.

[0012] In the context of the present invention, the recording step takes the form of a step of recording on an internal memory of the control module the data relating to the use of the motor vehicle. Optionally, the recording step comprises a step of measuring the data relating to the use of the motor vehicle and / or a step of reading said data relating to the use of the motor vehicle on an on-board network of the motor vehicle.

[0013] In the context of the present invention, the data relating to the use of the motor vehicle are data measured by sensors on board the motor vehicle or data calculated by the control unit from data already available on the on-board network of the motor vehicle. The data relating to the use of the motor vehicle include, for example, functional parameters of the motor vehicle, such as, for example, operating parameters of the engine or the powertrain of the motor vehicle. By "use of the motor vehicle", it is preferably understood that the motor vehicle is being driven, and that at least its engine - thermal, hybrid or electric - is on and running.

[0014] In the context of the present invention, the state of wear corresponds to a level of use and availability of the braking system. If the state of wear of the braking system is low, then the braking system is functional. Conversely, if the state If the wear level is high, then the braking system is malfunctioning or will soon be, so that normal operating conditions are no longer met.

[0015] In the context of the present invention, the step of determining the state of wear comprises, for example, a step of calculating the state of wear. By calculation, we understand here modeling, calculation or determination in the broad sense, for example by means of reference tables or charts.

[0016] In the context of the present invention, the braking system comprises all the components of the motor vehicle which contribute to obtaining braking - mechanical, engine, electrical - of said motor vehicle. The invention according to its first aspect makes it possible to set up a scanning of a large number of functional and structural parameters of the motor vehicle, representative of its use and more particularly of the use of its braking system. This scanning leads to the determination of the state of wear of the braking system, by modeling and / or by calculation and / or by comparison and / or by reference.

[0017] Thus, the monitoring method according to the first aspect of the invention makes it possible to provide more complete and more analytical monitoring of the braking system, taking into account metrics further away than just the brake lining.

[0018] The monitoring method according to the first aspect of the invention advantageously comprises at least one of the improvements below, the technical characteristics forming these improvements being able to be taken alone or in combination:

[0019] - the recording step comprises a step of recording a number of braking of the motor vehicle. The step of determining the state of wear is then carried out based on the number of times the motor vehicle brakes;

[0020] - the recording step comprises a recording step of a duration of braking of the motor vehicle. The step of determining the state of wear is then carried out based on the cumulative braking time carried out by the motor vehicle;

[0021] - the recording step comprises a step of recording an intensity of braking of the motor vehicle. The step of determining the state of wear is then carried out from an average value and / or a maximum value and / or a cumulative value of the braking intensities carried out by the motor vehicle;

[0022] - the recording step comprises a step of recording a speed during the braking of the motor vehicle. The step of determining the state of wear is then carried out from an average value and / or a maximum value and / or a cumulative value of the speeds of the motor vehicle during the braking operations carried out;

[0023] - the recording step comprises a step of recording a type of road borrowed by the motor vehicle. The step of determining the state of wear is then carried out based on the types of road used by the motor vehicle. In the context of the present invention, the type of road taken by the motor vehicle is determined in particular and for example from positioning coordinates of the motor vehicle, obtained for example using a satellite positioning system;

[0024] - the recording step comprises a step of recording a condition me weather conditions experienced by the motor vehicle. The weather condition includes, for example, a humidity indicator and / or a sunshine indicator and / or an outside temperature indicator and / or a humidity indicator for the road on which the motor vehicle is traveling. In the context of the present invention, the weather conditions are regularly recorded in order to be able to estimate the state of wear based on all or part of the weather conditions which have been successively recorded by the motor vehicle;

[0025] - the recording step comprises a step of recording a condition of road traffic experienced by the motor vehicle. The road traffic condition includes, for example, a representative traffic jam indicator and / or an average speed and / or a ratio between the average speed and a travel distance. In the context of the present invention, the road traffic conditions are regularly recorded in order to be able to estimate the state of wear based on all or part of the road traffic conditions which have been successively recorded by the motor vehicle;

[0026] - the monitoring method comprises a step of displaying the state of wear. In part In particular, the monitoring method comprises a step of displaying the state of wear on an indicator of a dashboard of the motor vehicle;

[0027] - the monitoring method comprises a step of comparing the state of wear with at least one reference value. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to associate with the state of wear a level of criticality which depends on the comparison of said state of wear with the at least one reference value, in order to inform the driver of the motor vehicle;

[0028] - the monitoring method comprises a step of displaying an alert message if the state of wear exceeds at least one reference value. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to better inform the driver of the motor vehicle of the state of wear of his motor vehicle;

[0029] - in particular, the monitoring method comprises a step of limiting a speed of the motor vehicle as a function of the state of wear, and in particular if the state of wear exceeds a first reference value. Additionally or alternatively, the monitoring method comprises a step of immobilizing the motor vehicle as a function of the state of wear, and in particular if the state of wear exceeds a second reference value.

[0030] According to a second aspect of the invention, a motor vehicle is provided comprising a control unit configured to implement the monitoring method according to the first aspect of the invention or according to any of its improvements.

[0031] Various embodiments of the invention are provided, integrating according to all of their possible combinations the different optional characteristics set out here.

[0032] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from several exemplary embodiments given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the attached schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0033] [Fig-1] illustrates a synoptic view of the monitoring method in accordance with the first aspect of the invention;

[0034] [Fig.2] illustrates a schematic view of the motor vehicle equipped with a module of control implementing the monitoring method according to the invention.

[0035] Of course, the features, variants and different embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other, in various combinations, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be imagined comprising only a selection of features described below in isolation from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0036] In particular, all the variants and all the embodiments described can be combined with each other if nothing prevents this combination from a technical point of view.

[0037] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0038] With reference to [Fig.l], the invention addresses a method 1 for monitoring a braking system of a motor vehicle 2, the monitoring method 1 comprising a step 11 of recording a plurality of data relating to the use of the motor vehicle 2 and a step 12 of determining a state of wear of at least one part of the braking system.

[0039] As can be seen schematically in [Fig. 2], the monitoring method 1 is implemented by a control unit 21 of the motor vehicle 2. The control unit 21 is advantageously one of the computers of the motor vehicle 2.

[0040] The recording step 11 makes it possible to record on an internal memory of the control module the data relating to the use of the motor vehicle 2. In general, the recording step 11 comprises a step of measuring the data relating to the use of the motor vehicle 2 by means of one or several sensors on board the motor vehicle 2, and / or a step of reading said data relating to the use of the motor vehicle 2 on an on-board network of the motor vehicle 2.

[0041] The state of wear corresponds to a level of use and availability of the braking system. If the state of wear of the braking system is low, then the braking system is functional. Conversely, if the state of wear is high, then the braking system is dysfunctional or will soon be, so that normal conditions of use are no longer met. Consequently, the step 12 of determining the state of wear comprises, for example, a step of calculating the state of wear. By calculation, we understand here modeling, calculation or determination in the broad sense, for example by means of reference tables or charts.

[0042] The data relating to the use of the motor vehicle 2 are data measured by sensors on board the motor vehicle 2 or data calculated by the control unit 21 from data already available on the on-board network of the motor vehicle 2. The data relating to the use of the motor vehicle 2 comprise, for example, functional parameters of the motor vehicle 2, such as, for example, operating parameters of the engine or the powertrain of the motor vehicle 2. By "use of the motor vehicle 2", it is preferably understood that the motor vehicle 2 is being driven, and that at the very least its engine - thermal, hybrid or electric - is on and running.Thus, unlike known monitoring methods, the monitoring method 1 according to the first aspect of the invention takes into account a very large number of data which were not previously considered, for the determination of the state of wear of the brake system, leading to better consideration of the operation of the motor vehicle 2 and its use for the determination of said state of wear.

[0043] In particular, for this purpose, the recording step 11 advantageously comprises:

[0044] - a step of recording a number of braking operations 111 of the motor vehicle 2, the step 12 of determining the state of wear then being carried out from the number of braking operations 111 carried out by the motor vehicle 2; and / or

[0045] - a step of recording a braking duration 112 of the motor vehicle 2, the step 12 of determining the state of wear then being carried out from the cumulative braking duration 112 carried out by the motor vehicle 2; and / or

[0046] - a step of recording a braking intensity 113 of the motor vehicle 2, the step 12 of determining the state of wear then being carried out from an average value and / or a maximum value and / or a cumulative value of the braking intensities carried out by the motor vehicle 2; and / or

[0047] - a step of recording a speed during braking 114 of the vehicle au- car 2, the step 12 of determining the state of wear then being carried out from an average value and / or a maximum value and / or a cumulative value of the speeds of the motor vehicle 2 during the braking operations carried out; and / or

[0048] - a step of recording a type of road 115 taken by the vehicle at motor vehicle 2, the step 12 of determining the state of wear then being carried out from the types of road taken by the motor vehicle 2. The type of road 115 taken by the motor vehicle 2 is determined in particular and for example from positioning coordinates of the motor vehicle 2, obtained for example using a satellite positioning system; and / or

[0049] - a step of recording a meteorological condition 116 experienced by the motor vehicle 2, the meteorological condition 116 being regularly recorded in order to be able to estimate the state of wear during the determination step 12 based on all or part of the meteorological conditions 116 which will have been successively recorded by the motor vehicle 2; and / or

[0050] - a step of recording a road traffic condition 117 experienced by the vehicle automobile 2, the road traffic condition 117 being regularly recorded in order to be able to estimate the state of wear during the determination step 12 based on all or part of the road traffic conditions 117 which will have been successively recorded by the motor vehicle 2.

[0051] The monitoring method 1 comprises a step 13 of displaying the state of wear. In particular, the monitoring method 1 comprises a step 13 of displaying the state of wear on an indicator of a dashboard of the motor vehicle 2.

[0052] Consequently, the monitoring method 1 may optionally include a step of making an appointment with a garage, the appointment-making step including a telecommunication step between the motor vehicle 2 and the selected garage, via telecommunication means on board the motor vehicle 2. Call coordinates of the garage may be recorded in a memory area of ​​the control unit 21, or selected from a list displayed on the dashboard. The selection may be manual or automatic, in particular as a function of geolocation coordinates of the motor vehicle 2.

[0053] Optionally, the display step 13 can be implemented on a remote telecommunications device - for example a mobile phone or a tablet, via an on-board mobile application, by means of the telecommunications means on-board the motor vehicle 2. In this case, the display step 13 takes the form of a pre-alert message sent to the smartphone application.

[0054] The monitoring method 1 comprises a step 14 of comparing the state of wear with at least one reference value. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to associate with the state of wear a level of criticality which depends on the comparison of said state of wear with at least one reference value, in order to inform the driver of the motor vehicle 2.

[0055] Consequently, the monitoring method 1 comprises a step 15 of limiting a speed of the motor vehicle 2 as a function of the state of wear, and in particular if the state of wear exceeds a first reference value. Indeed, in the case where the state of wear determined during the determination step 12 is too significant, it is appropriate to restrict the use of the motor vehicle 2 in order not to endanger its occupants. Additionally or alternatively, the monitoring method 1 comprises a step 16 of immobilizing the motor vehicle 2 as a function of the state of wear, and in particular if the state of wear exceeds a second reference value.

[0056] In summary, the invention relates to a method 1 for monitoring a braking system of a motor vehicle 2, the monitoring method 1 comprising a step 11 of recording a plurality of data relating to the use of the motor vehicle 2 and a step 12 of determining a state of wear of at least one part of the braking system. The data here are digital data available on an on-board network of the motor vehicle 2, and are not directly linked to a sensor measuring, for example, a level of wear of a brake lining of the braking system. Conversely, the data here are data relating to the running of the motor vehicle 2 and the use of its braking system.

[0057] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the different characteristics, forms, variants and embodiments of the invention can be associated with each other in various combinations insofar as they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, all the variants and embodiments described above can be combined with each other.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for monitoring (1) a braking system of a motor vehicle (2), the monitoring method (1) comprising a step of recording (11) a plurality of data relating to the use of the motor vehicle (2) and a step of determining (12) a state of wear of at least one part of the braking system.

2. Monitoring method (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the recording step (11) comprises a step of recording (11) a number of braking operations (111) of the motor vehicle (2).

3. Monitoring method (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recording step (11) comprises a step of recording (11) a braking duration (112) of the motor vehicle (2).

4. Monitoring method (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recording step (11) comprises a step of recording (11) a braking intensity (113) of the motor vehicle (2).

5. Monitoring method (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recording step (11) comprises a step of recording (11) a speed during braking (114) of the motor vehicle (2).

6. Monitoring method (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recording step (11) comprises a step of recording (11) a type of road (115) taken by the motor vehicle (2).

7. Monitoring method (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the monitoring method (1) comprises a step of comparing (14) the state of wear with at least one reference value.

8. Monitoring method (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the monitoring method (1) comprises a step of limiting (15) a speed of the motor vehicle (2) as a function of the state of wear, and in particular if the state of wear exceeds a first reference value.

9. A monitoring method (1) according to any one of claims 7 or 8, wherein the monitoring method (1) comprises a step immobilization (16) of the motor vehicle (2) depending on the state of wear, and in particular if the state of wear exceeds a second reference value

10. Motor vehicle (2) comprising a control unit (21) configured to implement the monitoring method (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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