Vehicle inspection device

Abstract

To provide a vehicle inspection device that can improve reliability of a redundant air brake system and easily inspect the air brake system.SOLUTION: A vehicle inspection device 1 comprises: an electronic brake system 3 which activates a brake of a vehicle through an electric signal; an air brake system 4 which activates the brake through air pressure when an abnormality occurs in the electronic brake system 3; and an inspection processing unit 23 and an inspection processing unit 24 which perform inspection processing to inspect the air brake system 4. The air brake system 4 includes an electromagnetic valve 42 which opens and closes an air passage 41 for activation of the brake. The inspection processing unit 23 and the inspection processing unit 24 activate the electromagnetic valve 42 as inspection processing to determine any abnormality of the air brake system 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle inspection device. [Background technology]

[0002] Autonomous vehicles, such as trucks, are equipped with an electronic brake system (EBS) that activates the brakes using electronic signals. To provide brake redundancy, an air brake system that activates when an abnormality occurs in the electronic brake system may also be installed separately from the electronic brake system (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The electronic brake system is the primary brake system, and the air brake system is the secondary brake system. In an air brake system, the brakes are activated by opening and closing an air passage using a solenoid valve. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-119077 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The secondary air brake system operates less frequently than the primary electronic brake system. This means that the air brake system may not operate for long periods of time. If the air brake system does not operate for a long period of time, the solenoid valve may become stuck and may not function properly. Furthermore, inspecting the solenoid valve requires disassembly and maintenance of the vehicle and brake circuit, which is not an easy task.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle inspection device that can increase the reliability of a redundant air brake system and that can easily inspect the air brake system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] [1] The vehicle inspection device of the present invention comprises an electronic brake system that activates the brakes of a vehicle using an electric signal, an air brake system that activates the brakes using air pressure when an abnormality occurs in the electronic brake system, and an inspection processing unit that performs an inspection process to inspect the air brake system, wherein the air brake system has an electromagnetic valve that opens and closes an air passage for activating the brakes, and the inspection processing unit determines an abnormality in the air brake system by operating the electromagnetic valve as part of the inspection process.

[0007] This vehicle inspection device is equipped with an inspection processing unit that performs inspection processing to inspect the air brake system, so it is possible to reduce the possibility that the air brake system will malfunction even if the air brake system is not operated for a long period of time. Moreover, the inspection processing unit determines whether there is an abnormality in the air brake system by activating the solenoid valve of the air brake system as part of the inspection processing, so it is possible to determine whether there is an abnormality in the air brake system without having to disassemble and maintain the vehicle. This increases the reliability of the redundant air brake system and makes it easy to inspect the air brake system.

[0008] [2] In the vehicle inspection device described in [1], the inspection processing unit may perform the inspection process when the vehicle is stopped. In this vehicle inspection device, the inspection processing unit performs the inspection process when the vehicle is stopped, so that it can determine an abnormality in the air brake system without interfering with the running of the vehicle.

[0009] [3] In the vehicle inspection device described in [1] or [2], the inspection processing unit may automatically perform the inspection process. In this vehicle inspection device, the inspection processing unit automatically performs the inspection process when the vehicle is stopped, so that the air brake system can be inspected reliably.

[0010] [4] In the vehicle inspection device of any one of [1] to [3], the inspection processing unit may perform the inspection process based on remote control. In this vehicle inspection device, the inspection processing unit performs the inspection process based on remote control, so that the air brake system can be inspected at any timing when the vehicle is stopped.

[0011] [5] The vehicle inspection device of any one of [1] to [4] may further include a pressure sensor that measures the pressure of air output from the solenoid valve, and the inspection processing unit may determine, in the inspection process, that the air brake system is abnormal if the measurement value of the pressure sensor when the solenoid valve is operated is smaller than a threshold value. This vehicle inspection device includes a pressure sensor that measures the pressure of air output from the solenoid valve, and the inspection processing unit determines, in the inspection process, that the air brake system is abnormal if the measurement value of the pressure sensor when the solenoid valve is operated is equal to or smaller than the threshold value. This makes it possible to appropriately determine an abnormality in the air brake system due to a stuck solenoid valve. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the reliability of a redundant air brake system and to easily inspect the air brake system. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a vehicle inspection device according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a solenoid valve in a non-operated state. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a solenoid valve in an actuated state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same or equivalent elements will be designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a vehicle inspection device according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle inspection device 1 according to this embodiment is mounted on a vehicle 100. The vehicle 100 is, for example, an electric vehicle. The electric vehicle may be, for example, a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), or an electric vehicle (BEV). The vehicle inspection device 1 includes an automatic driving control device 2, an electronic brake system 3, an air brake system 4, an axle modulator 5, a brake chamber 6, an air tank 7, and a pressure sensor 8.

[0016] The automatic driving control device 2 is a device that performs automatic driving control of the vehicle 100. The automatic driving control device 2 is configured for redundancy and includes a main automatic driving control device 21 and a sub automatic driving control device 22. The main automatic driving control device 21 is an automatic driving control device of the main system, and performs automatic driving control of the vehicle 100 under normal circumstances. The sub automatic driving control device 22 is an automatic driving control device of the sub system, and performs automatic driving control of the vehicle 100 in place of the main automatic driving control device 21 in the event of an abnormality in the main automatic driving control device 21.

[0017] Each of the main automatic driving control device 21 and the sub automatic driving control device 22 is an electronic control unit (ECU) having, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. Each of the main automatic driving control device 21 and the sub automatic driving control device 22 performs various controls, for example, by loading a program stored in the ROM into the RAM and executing it on the CPU. Each of the main automatic driving control device 21 and the sub automatic driving control device 22 may be configured by a single electronic control unit or multiple electronic control units.

[0018] The main automatic driving control device 21 transmits the required braking force for braking the vehicle 100 to the electronic brake system 3. When an abnormality occurs in the main automatic driving control device 21, the sub automatic driving control device 22 transmits the required braking force for braking the vehicle 100 to the electronic brake system 3 on behalf of the main automatic driving control device 21. Furthermore, when an abnormality occurs in the electronic brake system 3, the sub automatic driving control device 22 transmits the required braking force for braking the vehicle 100 to the air brake system 4. Note that the main automatic driving control device 21 and the sub automatic driving control device 22 each have a function to determine their own abnormalities. Furthermore, the main automatic driving control device 21 and the sub automatic driving control device 22 transmit and receive control values ​​to and from each other, and also have a function to determine each other's abnormalities.

[0019] The electronic brake system 3 is an electronic control unit (ECU) having a central processing unit (CPU), read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), etc. In the electronic brake system 3, for example, a program stored in the ROM is loaded into the RAM and executed by the CPU, thereby performing various controls. The electronic brake system 3 may be configured with a single electronic control unit or multiple electronic control units. The electronic brake system 3 transmits an electrical signal corresponding to the required braking force output from the main automatic driving control device 21 or the sub automatic driving control device 22 to the axle modulator 5.

[0020] The air brake system 4 sends air from the air tank 7 to the axle modulator 5 at an air pressure corresponding to the required braking force output from the sub automatic driving control device 22. The air brake system 4 is provided with an air passage 41 through which air from the air tank 7 flows, a solenoid valve 42 that opens and closes the air passage 41, and a pressure sensor 43 that measures the pressure of the air output from the solenoid valve 42 (air pressure). The pressure sensor 43 may be provided in the solenoid valve 42, or may be provided in the air passage 41 located downstream of the solenoid valve 42.

[0021] Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the solenoid valve in a non-operated state. Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the solenoid valve in an operated state. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the solenoid valve 42 in an operated state that opens and closes the air passage 41 includes a plunger 42a and a solenoid coil 42b. As shown in Fig. 2, in the non-operated solenoid valve 42, the plunger 42a is pressed by a coil spring or the like to close the air passage 41. Then, as shown in Fig. 3, when electricity is supplied to the solenoid coil 42b, the plunger 42a is attracted by a magnetic force generated in the solenoid coil 42b, thereby opening the air passage 41.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 1, the axle modulator 5 sends air from an air tank 7 as signal pressure to a brake chamber 6 based on an electrical signal from the electronic brake system 3. The axle modulator 5 also sends air pressure from the air brake system 4 to the brake chamber 6. The brake chamber 6 activates the brakes (not shown) in response to the air pressure.

[0023] The main automatic driving control device 21 further includes an inspection processing unit 23, and the sub automatic driving control device 22 further includes an inspection processing unit 24. The inspection processing unit 23 and the inspection processing unit 24 perform an inspection process to inspect the air brake system 4. As part of the inspection process, the inspection processing unit 23 and the inspection processing unit 24 operate the solenoid valve 42 to determine whether there is an abnormality in the air brake system 4. In the inspection process, the inspection processing unit 23 and the inspection processing unit 24 compare the measurement value of the pressure sensor 43 when the solenoid valve 42 is operated with a threshold value to determine whether there is an abnormality in the air brake system 4. That is, if the measurement value of the pressure sensor 43 when the solenoid valve 42 is operated is greater than the threshold value, the air brake system 4 is determined to be normal, and if the measurement value of the pressure sensor 43 when the solenoid valve 42 is operated is less than the threshold value, the air brake system 4 is determined to be abnormal. The threshold value can be, for example, a value smaller than the minimum value measured when the air brake system 4 is normal and greater than the maximum value measured when the air brake system 4 is abnormal due to the solenoid valve 42 being stuck.

[0024] The inspection process may be performed by both the inspection processing unit 23 and the inspection processing unit 24, or by either the inspection processing unit 23 or the inspection processing unit 24. If the inspection process determines that there is an abnormality in the air brake system 4, the main automatic driving control device 21, for example, decelerates and stops the vehicle 100.

[0025] The inspection processing unit 23 and the inspection processing unit 24 may perform the inspection process at any timing, but it is preferable to perform the inspection process when the vehicle 100 is stopped. Note that, as long as it does not significantly impede the traveling of the vehicle 100, the inspection processing unit 23 and the inspection processing unit 24 may perform the inspection process when the vehicle 100 is traveling.

[0026] In addition, the inspection processing unit 23 and the inspection processing unit 24 may perform the inspection processing automatically, or may perform the inspection processing based on remote control via wireless communication from a remote control, a remote monitoring device, etc., or may perform the inspection processing based on operation of a switch provided on the vehicle 100 by the driver, etc.

[0027] As described above, the vehicle inspection device 1 according to this embodiment is equipped with the inspection processing unit 23 and the inspection processing unit 24 that perform the inspection process to inspect the air brake system 4, and therefore can reduce the possibility that the air brake system 4 will not operate normally even if the air brake system 4 remains in an inoperative state for a long period of time. Moreover, the inspection processing unit 23 and the inspection processing unit 24 determine an abnormality in the air brake system 4 by operating the solenoid valve 42 of the air brake system 4 as the inspection process, and therefore can determine an abnormality in the air brake system 4 without having to disassemble and maintain the vehicle 100. This can increase the reliability of the redundant air brake system 4 and make it easy to inspect the air brake system 4.

[0028] In addition, in this vehicle inspection device 1, the inspection processing unit 23 and the inspection processing unit 24 perform inspection processing when the vehicle 100 is stopped, thereby making it possible to determine abnormalities in the air brake system 4 without interfering with the driving of the vehicle 100.

[0029] Furthermore, in this vehicle inspection device 1, the inspection processing unit 23 and the inspection processing unit 24 automatically perform the inspection process when the vehicle 100 is stopped, thereby enabling the inspection of the air brake system 4 to be carried out reliably.

[0030] Furthermore, in this vehicle inspection device 1, the inspection processing unit 23 and the inspection processing unit 24 perform inspection processing based on remote control, so that inspection of the air brake system 4 can be performed at any timing while the vehicle is stopped.

[0031] Furthermore, the vehicle inspection device 1 is provided with a pressure sensor 43 that measures the pressure of the air output from the solenoid valve 42, and the inspection processing unit 23 and the inspection processing unit 24 determine, as an inspection process, that there is an abnormality in the air brake system if the measurement value of the pressure sensor 43 when the solenoid valve 42 is operated is smaller than a threshold value. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately determine whether there is an abnormality in the air brake system 4 due to the sticking of the solenoid valve 42.

[0032] The above describes an embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be modified or applied to other things within the scope that does not change the gist described in each claim. [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] 1...vehicle inspection device, 2...automatic driving control device, 3...electronic brake system, 4...air brake system, 5...axle modulator, 6...brake chamber, 7...air tank, 8...pressure sensor, 21...main automatic driving control device, 22...sub automatic driving control device, 23...inspection processing unit, 24...inspection processing unit, 41...air passage, 42...solenoid valve, 42a...plunger, 42b...solenoid coil, 43...pressure sensor, 100...vehicle

Claims

1. an electronic brake system that activates the vehicle brakes using an electrical signal; an air brake system that activates the brakes using air pressure when an abnormality occurs in the electronic brake system; an inspection processing unit that performs an inspection process to inspect the air brake system, The air brake system has an electromagnetic valve that opens and closes an air passage for actuating the brakes, The inspection processing unit determines an abnormality in the air brake system by operating the solenoid valve as the inspection processing. Vehicle inspection device.

2. the inspection processing unit performs the inspection process when the vehicle is stopped. The vehicle inspection device according to claim 1.

3. The inspection processing unit automatically performs the inspection process.

3. A vehicle inspection device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The inspection processing unit performs the inspection process based on remote control.

3. A vehicle inspection device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of the air output from the solenoid valve; the inspection processing unit determines that the air brake system is abnormal if the measurement value of the pressure sensor when the solenoid valve is operated is smaller than a threshold value during the inspection process.

3. A vehicle inspection device according to claim 1 or 2.

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