Brake system and related brake system control method

Abstract

A method of controlling a brake system (1) of a vehicle to release a parking brake force applied by the brake system (1) comprises the steps of: actuating a first actuator (2) of a first brake caliper (7) by an electronic processing unit (4) to release a first brake force (F1) and reduce a value of the first brake force (F1); detecting the value of the first brake force (F1) by a detection means while the first actuator (2) is being actuated; and, when it is detected that the first brake force (F1) has been reduced to a value substantially equal to zero, stopping the first actuator (2) by the electronic processing unit (4), releasing and reducing the second brake force (F2), and reducing the value of the second brake force (F2) to a value substantially equal to zero.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] FIELD OF THEINVENTION

[0002] The invention particularly relates to a method for controlling a braking system of a vehicle and to a braking system of a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0003] Background technology

[0004] Passenger cars, and generally any vehicle with two or more wheels intended for transporting passengers on roads, are equipped with a hand parking brake, the function of which is to lock the wheels to prevent the vehicle from moving when parked.

[0005] In modern braking systems, for example those equipped with Electronic Brake-by-Wire (BBW) technology, the hand parking brake is replaced by an Electric Parking Brake (EPB).

[0006] From every perspective, the EPB electric parking brake can be considered a subsystem of the electronic brake system with BBW technology used for the service brakes.

[0007] More specifically, the EPB subsystem allows the driver to activate the wheel locking mechanism through an appropriate button or other actuator, or through other automatic functions managed by the electronic processing unit, such as signal logic related to the ignition key, gear engagement, accelerator pedal, etc. When these devices are activated, a request to activate the parking brake is sent to the vehicle's electronic control unit, which electrically activates the brake pads to lock the brake discs and stop the vehicle from moving.

[0008] Conversely, upon restart, the driver activates the actuator, thereby sending a parking brake release request to the vehicle's electronic control unit, which then electrically activates the brake pads to unlock the brake discs and allow movement of the vehicle.

[0009] Furthermore, in addition to replacing the parking brake function traditionally performed by a manual parking brake, the EPB subsystem is configured to provide automatic functions to assist the driver, such as the so-called "auto-hold" function, i.e. the automatic locking of the wheels without driver request when the vehicle is stationary, e.g. on an uphill slope, and the unlocking as soon as the driver presses the vehicle's accelerator pedal.

[0010] The time interval between the moment the parking brake is requested to be released and the moment the vehicle can be restarted must be minimized.

[0011] Thus, such a time period elapses from the moment the vehicle's electronic control unit is requested to fully release the parking brake until there is no longer any residual braking torque acting on at least two brake discs of the vehicle caused by contact with the pads.

[0012] The absence of braking force acting on the brake discs can be determined directly or indirectly by a position sensor monitoring the position of the pads relative to the respective brake disc, or directly or indirectly by a current sensor configured to detect the force acting by the pads on the respective brake disc.

[0013] In a braking system including at least two brake calipers, fixed or floating, each fixed or floating brake caliper is associated with a respective wheel of the vehicle and comprises at least one pad facing a brake disc, the at least one pad being actuatable towards or away from the brake disc by actuating at least one actuator.

[0014] The actuators of each of the at least two brake calipers in the brake system are controlled by an electronic control unit.

[0015] The actuators of each of the at least two brake calipers can be controlled in parallel or selectively. If energy or structural constraints prevent the actuators from being controlled in parallel, i.e. simultaneously, the actuators of each of the at least two brake calipers are controlled selectively, i.e. sequentially. According to the latter control logic, the electronic control unit is configured to control the actuation, and thus the movement, of one or more actuators of one brake caliper only one at a time.

[0016] For each of the two brake calipers, the steps of releasing the parking brake can be divided into three consecutive steps:

[0017] Entry step Ph1 The entry step Ph1 is from the moment when the electronic control unit commands at least one actuator of each brake caliper to move to the moment when the at least one actuator starts to move, during which the braking force acting on the brake disc is constant.

[0018] Force release step Ph2. The force release step Ph2 is the step which elapses from the moment when the force acting on the brake disc by the at least one actuator starts to decrease to zero.

[0019] A separation step Ph3. In the separation step Ph3, the at least one actuator ensures a safe separation between the pad and the brake disc and lasts from the moment when the force with which the at least one actuator operates becomes zero, so as to ensure no residual braking force, until the moment when the at least one actuator completes the safe separation.

[0020] In known control logic, the electronic control unit is configured to actuate a full release of the parking brake by commanding a first brake caliper of the at least two brake calipers to perform steps Ph1, Ph2, Ph3 and then commanding a second brake caliper of the at least two brake calipers to perform steps Ph1, Ph2, Ph3. Summary of the Invention

[0021] solution

[0022] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide a method for controlling a brake system and a brake system which overcomes at least some of the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0023] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and a brake system which minimize the time that elapses between the moment when release of the parking brake is requested and the moment when the vehicle can be restarted, i.e., the moment when the braking force acting on the brake discs becomes zero.

[0024] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a control method and a braking system configured to implement the control method in a simplified manner and with reduced energy and structural constraints.

[0025] These and other objects are achieved by a method for controlling a braking system and a braking system according to the independent claims.

[0026] The dependent claims relate to preferred and advantageous embodiments of the invention. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] drawing

[0028] In order that the invention may be better understood and its advantages appreciated, non-limiting exemplary embodiments thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG.

[0029] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a braking system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the forces exerted by a brake caliper of a braking system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the forces exerted by at least two brake calipers of a prior art braking system.

[0032] [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the forces exerted by at least two brake calipers of a braking system according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] Description of Some Preferred Embodiments

[0034] Hereinafter, a method for controlling the vehicle brake system 1 for releasing the parking brake force applied by the brake system 1 will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0035] The braking system 1 is of the type comprising at least one first brake caliper 7 and one second brake caliper 8. The first brake caliper 7 can be associated with one wheel of the vehicle and the second brake caliper 8 can be associated with another wheel of the vehicle.

[0036] The first brake caliper 7 has the following configuration.

[0037] 1st brake disc 5;

[0038] at least one first pad facing the first brake disc 5;

[0039] at least one first actuator 2 configured to apply and release a first braking force F1 to at least one first pad, the at least one first actuator 2 configured to move the at least one first pad from an open position in which the at least one first pad is located at a maximum distance from the first brake disc 5 and does not apply a parking brake force, to a closed position in which the at least one first pad abuts the first brake disc 5 and applies a parking brake force, and from the closed position to the released position.

[0040] The second brake caliper 8 has the following configuration.

[0041] Second brake disc 6;

[0042] at least one second pad opposing the second brake disc;

[0043] at least one second actuator 2 configured to apply and release a second braking force F2 to the at least one second pad, the at least one second actuator 3 configured to move the at least one second pad from an open position in which the at least one second pad is located at a maximum distance from the second brake disc 6 and does not apply a parking brake force, to a closed position in which the at least one second pad abuts the second brake disc 6 and applies a parking brake force, and from the closed position to the released position.

[0044] The brake system 1 is of a type further comprising:

[0045] an electronic processing unit 4 configured to control the actuation of at least one first actuator 2 and at least one second actuator 3;

[0046] A detection means operatively connected to the electronic processing unit 4 and configured to directly or indirectly detect a value of a first braking force F1 applied by the at least one first actuator 2 to the at least one first pad, and to directly or indirectly detect a value of a second braking force F2 applied by the at least one second actuator 3 to the at least one second pad.

[0047] The method includes the following steps.

[0048] activating, by the electronic processing unit 4, the at least one first actuator 2 to release the first braking force F1 and to reduce the value of the first braking force F1;

[0049] detecting a value of the first braking force F1 by means of detection means during actuation of the at least one first actuator 2;

[0050] at a first time t1 when it is detected that the first braking force F1 has decreased to a value substantially equal to zero, stopping the at least one first actuator 2 and activating the at least one second actuator 3 to release the second braking force F2 and decrease the value of the second braking force F2;

[0051] Reducing the value of the second braking force F2 to a value substantially equal to zero.

[0052] Advantageously, the control method according to the invention minimises the time that elapses from the moment that deactivation of the parking brake is requested to the zero force time t0 at which the vehicle can be restarted, i.e. the time at which the braking forces acting on both the first and second brake discs are reduced to zero.

[0053] Indeed, as can be seen by comparing Figure 4 (showing the control method according to the present invention) with Figure 3 (showing the control method according to the prior art), the method according to the present invention reduces the time required to cancel the braking forces acting on both brake discs, i.e. minimizes the time until the forces exerted by the first and second brake calipers 7, 8 on the respective first and second brake discs 5, 6 at the zero force time t0 become substantially equal to zero and the vehicle can be restarted.

[0054] Advantageously, the first brake caliper 7 and the second brake caliper 8 are fixed or floating brake calipers.

[0055] Preferably, the first brake caliper 7 and the second brake caliper 8 are each associated with either the front or rear wheel pair of the vehicle.

[0056] Advantageously, the method according to the present invention is applicable to a brake system having a first and a second brake caliper. Both the first and the second brake caliper have two pads arranged facing a brake disc. The two facing pads of each brake caliper are actuatable against the brake disc by at least one actuator, preferably two respective actuators. Thus, in the present invention, the terms "first pad" and "second pad" are also understood as "first pair of facing pads" and "second pair of facing pads". Similarly, "at least one first actuator" means one or more actuators acting on the first pair of pads, and "at least one second actuator" means one or more actuators acting on the second pair of pads. Similarly, "first brake force F1" and "second brake force F2" also mean the force applied to the first set of facing pads of the first brake caliper 7 and the force applied to the second set of facing pads of the second brake caliper 8.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the method comprises, after a step of stopping at least one first actuator and activating at least one second actuator by the electronic processing unit 4 so as to release the second braking force F2 and reduce the value of the second braking force F2, the following steps:

[0058] Detecting the value of the second braking force F2 by means of detection means during actuation of the at least one second actuator 3.

[0059] When it is detected that the second braking force F2 has decreased to a value substantially equal to zero, continuing to operate the at least one second actuator 3, preferably without temporarily stopping the at least one second actuator 3, to move the at least one second pad away from the second brake disc 6 and towards an at least one second pad open position.

[0060] Detecting, directly or indirectly, the position of the at least one second pad by means of a detection means during actuation of the at least one second pad.

[0061] At a second time t2 when it is detected that the at least one second pad is substantially positioned in the released position, stopping the at least one second actuator 3 and activating the at least one first actuator 2 by the electronic processing unit 4 to move the at least one first pad away from the first brake disc 5 and move the at least one first pad towards the released position.

[0062] Optionally, the method comprises the steps of:

[0063] Detecting, directly or indirectly, the position of the at least one first pad by a detection means during actuation of the at least one first pad.

[0064] At a third time t3 when it is detected that the at least one first pad is positioned substantially in the open position, stopping the at least one first actuator 2.

[0065] According to an alternative embodiment, the method comprises the following steps, after the steps of stopping the at least one first actuator 2 and activating the at least one second actuator 3, to release the second braking force F2 and to reduce the value of the second braking force F2 by the electronic processing unit 4:

[0066] During operation of the at least one second pad, the value of the second braking force F2 is detected by the detection means.

[0067] When it is detected that the second braking force F2 has decreased to a value substantially equal to zero, the electronic processing unit 4 stops actuation of the at least one second actuator 3 and actuates the at least one first actuator 2 to move the at least one first pad away from the first brake disc 5 and towards the release position.

[0068] Detecting, directly or indirectly, the position of the at least one first pad by a detection means during actuation of the at least one first pad.

[0069] When it is detected that the at least one first pad is substantially positioned in the open position, stopping the at least one first actuator 2 and activating the at least one second actuator 3 by the electronic processing unit 4 to move the at least one second pad away from the second brake disc 6 and move the at least one second pad towards the open position.

[0070] Optionally, the method comprises the steps of:

[0071] Detecting, directly or indirectly, the position of the second pad by a detection means during actuation of the second pad.

[0072] Deactivating the at least one second actuator 3 when it is detected that the at least one second pad is positioned substantially in the open position.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the step of detecting the value of the first braking force F1 by means of detection means comprises the following steps.

[0074] Detecting the angular position of at least one first actuator 2 by means of detection means.

[0075] Calculating, by the electronic processing unit 4, a value of the first braking force F1 based on the angular position of the at least one first actuator 2.

[0076] Alternatively, the step of detecting the value of the second braking force F1 by the detection means includes the following steps.

[0077] Detecting the value of a first supply current i1 supplied to the at least one first actuator 2.

[0078] Calculating, by the electronic processing unit 4, a value of the first braking force F1 on the basis of the value of the first supply current i1 supplied to the at least one first actuator 2.

[0079] According to an embodiment, the step of detecting the value of the second braking force F2 by the detection means includes the following steps.

[0080] Detecting the angular position of at least one second actuator 3 by means of detection means.

[0081] Calculating, by the electronic processing unit 4, a value of the second braking force F1 based on the angular position of the at least one second actuator 3.

[0082] Alternatively, the step of detecting the value of the second braking force F2 by the detection means includes the following steps.

[0083] Detecting the value of a second supply current i2 supplied to the at least one second actuator 3.

[0084] Calculating, by the electronic processing unit 4, a value of the second braking force F1 based on the value of the second supply current i2 supplied to the at least one second actuator 3.

[0085] According to one embodiment, the step of detecting, directly or indirectly by a detection means, the position of the at least one second pad comprises the following steps.

[0086] Detecting the lapse of a predetermined time interval starting from the point in time when it is detected by the detection means that the second braking force F2 has decreased to a value substantially equal to zero.

[0087] Associating by the electronic processing unit 4 the position of the at least one second pad in the open position at the end of the predetermined time interval.

[0088] Alternatively, the step of detecting the position of the at least one second pad directly or indirectly by a detection means includes the following steps.

[0089] Detecting the angular position of at least one second actuator 3 by means of detection means.

[0090] Correlating, by the electronic processing unit 4, the positioning of the release position of the at least one second pad with a predefined angular position of the at least one second actuator 3.

[0091] According to one embodiment, the step of detecting the position of at least one first pad by a detection means, directly or indirectly, during the actuation of the first pad, comprises:

[0092] Detecting by the detection means the lapse of a predetermined time interval from the time when the at least one second actuator 3 is stopped.

[0093] At the end of the predetermined time interval, the location of the open position of the at least one first pad is correlated by the electronic processing unit 4 .

[0094] Alternatively, the step of detecting, directly or indirectly, the position of the at least one first pad by means of a detection means during the actuation of the at least one first pad comprises:

[0095] Detecting the angular position of at least one first actuator 2 by means of detection means.

[0096] Correlating, by the electronic processing unit 4, the positioning of the release position of the at least one first pad with a predefined angular position of the at least one first actuator 2.

[0097] According to one embodiment, the step of activating at least one first actuator 2 to release the first braking force F1 and reducing the value of the first braking force F1 by the electronic processing unit 4 is activated when the electronic processing unit 4 receives a parking brake force release request signal.

[0098] Furthermore, the parking brake force release request signal is transmitted by actuation of an actuation device operably connected to the electronic processing unit 4 upon actuation of the actuation device.

[0099] The actuator is operable by a user.

[0100] According to one embodiment, the method includes, after the step of stopping the at least one first actuator 2 when it is detected that the at least one first pad is positioned substantially in the open position, the following steps:

[0101] Transmitting a parking brake force release signal from the electronic processing unit 4 to a signaling device operatively connected to the electronic processing unit 4.

[0102] Additionally, the parking brake force release signal is optionally viewable to the user by a signaling device.

[0103] According to one embodiment, the method described above is applicable to a brake system 1 of the type comprising a first brake caliper 7 and a second brake caliper 8, the first brake caliper 7 being A pair of first pads arranged to face the first brake disc 5; at least a pair of first actuators 2 configured to apply and release a first braking force F1 to the pair of first pads to move the pair of first pads from an open position to a closed position and from the closed position to the open position, where in the open position, both first pads are positioned at a maximum distance from the first brake disc 5 and do not apply a parking brake force, and in the closed position, both first pads are pressed against the first brake disc 5 and apply a parking brake force; The second brake caliper A pair of second pads arranged to face the second brake disc 6; The vehicle brake system includes at least a pair of second actuators 3 configured to apply and release a second brake force F2 to the pair of second pads to move the pair of second pads from an open position to a closed position and from the closed position to the open position, where in the open position, both second pads are positioned at a maximum distance from the second brake disc 6 and do not apply a parking brake force, and in the closed position, both second pads are pressed against the second brake disc 6 and apply a parking brake force.

[0104] According to a further aspect of the invention, the vehicle brake system 1 is configured to apply and deactivate a parking brake force.

[0105] The braking system 1 comprises at least one first brake caliper 7 and one second brake caliper 8. The first brake caliper 7 can be associated with one wheel of the vehicle and the second brake caliper 8 can be associated with another wheel of the vehicle.

[0106] The first brake caliper 7 comprises:

[0107] First brake disc 5;

[0108] at least one first pad facing the first brake disc 5;

[0109] At least one first actuator 2 configured to apply a first braking force F1 to at least one first pad and to release the first braking force F1, the first actuator 2 configured to move the at least one first pad from an open position, where the at least one first pad is located at a maximum distance from the first brake disc 5 and does not apply a parking brake force, to a closed position, where the at least one first pad is pressed against the first brake disc 5 and applies the parking brake force, and from the closed position to the open position.

[0110] The second brake caliper 8 includes the following components.

[0111] Second brake disc 6;

[0112] at least one second pad arranged to face the second brake disc 6;

[0113] At least one second actuator 3 configured to apply a second braking force F2 to at least one second pad and to release the second braking force F2, the second actuator 3 configured to move the at least one second pad from an open position, at a maximum distance from the second brake disc 6 and not applying the parking brake force, to a closed position, pressed against the second brake disc 6, applying the parking brake force, and from the closed position to the open position.

[0114] Brake system 1 further comprises:

[0115] an electronic processing unit 4 configured to control the actuation of at least one first actuator 2 and at least one second actuator 3;

[0116] The vehicle has detection means operably connected to the electronic processing unit 4 and configured to directly or indirectly detect the value of a first braking force F1 applied by the at least one first actuator 2 to the at least one first pad, and to directly or indirectly detect the value of a second braking force F2 applied by the at least one second actuator 3 to the at least one second pad.

[0117] Furthermore, the brake system 1 is configured to release the parking brake force by implementing the method described above, which will not be repeated here to avoid redundancy.

[0118] Advantageously, the brake system 1 configured in this way makes it possible to minimize the time that elapses from the moment when release of the parking brake is requested to the moment when the vehicle can be restarted, i.e. the zero force time instant t0, at which the parking brake force applied by the brake system is reduced to zero.

[0119] Advantageously, the first brake caliper 7 and the second brake caliper 8 are fixed or floating brake calipers.

[0120] According to one embodiment, the detection means comprise an angular position detector, preferably an encoder, arranged to detect the angular position of the at least one first actuator 2 and / or the at least one second actuator 3 .

[0121] Alternatively or additionally, the detection means comprises a current detector, preferably an ammeter, configured to detect the value of the supply current i1, i2 supplied to the at least one first actuator 2 or the at least one second actuator 3.

[0122] The electronic processing unit 4 comprises a calculator configured to calculate values ​​of the first braking force F1 and / or the second braking force F2 based on the angular position of the at least one first actuator 2 or the at least one second actuator 3, respectively.

[0123] Alternatively, additionally, the calculator is configured to calculate values ​​of the first braking force F1 and / or the second braking force F2 based on values ​​of the supply currents i1, i2 supplied to the at least one first actuator 2 or the at least one second actuator 3, respectively.

[0124] According to one embodiment, the system 1 comprises an actuator operably connected to an electronic processing unit 4 .

[0125] Furthermore, the electronic processing unit 4 is configured to operate at least one first actuator 2 to release the first braking force F1 and reduce the value of the first braking force F1 when the electronic processing unit 4 receives a parking brake force release request signal.

[0126] The parking brake force release request signal is transmitted by the actuator upon actuation of the actuator.

[0127] The actuator is operable by a user.

[0128] Advantageously, the actuator can be located within the passenger compartment of the vehicle, close to the position occupied by a user.

[0129] The actuator may for example be a suitable button, an ignition key, a gear shift actuator, an accelerator pedal or another pedal, or a device connected to an automatic function managed by the electronic processing unit 4 or a suitable electronic processing unit.

[0130] According to one embodiment, the braking system 1 comprises a signaling device operatively connected to the electronic processing unit 4 .

[0131] Furthermore, the electronic processing unit 4 is configured to transmit a parking brake force release signal to a signaling device.

[0132] The parking brake force release signal is visible to the user by a signaling device.

[0133] The signaling device may for example be a warning light or a digital screen placed in the passenger compartment of the vehicle close to where the user is located.

[0134] According to one embodiment, the first brake caliper 7 comprises: A pair of first pads arranged to face the first brake disc 5;

[0135] The vehicle brake system includes at least one pair of first actuators 2 configured to apply a first braking force F1 to a pair of first pads and to release the first braking force F1, and configured to move the pair of first pads from an open position in which both first pads are located at a maximum distance from the first brake disc 5 and do not apply the parking brake force to a closed position in which both first pads are pressed against the first brake disc 5 and apply the parking brake force, and from the closed position to the open position.

[0136] Furthermore, the second brake caliper 8 is A pair of second pads arranged to face the second brake disc 6;

[0137] The vehicle has at least one pair of second actuators 3 configured to apply a second brake force F2 to a pair of second pads and to release the second brake force F2, and at least one pair of second actuators 2 configured to move the pair of second pads from an open position in which both second pads are located at a maximum distance from the second brake disc 6 and do not apply the parking brake force to a closed position in which both second pads are pressed against the second brake disc 6 and apply the parking brake force, and from the closed position to the open position.

[0138] It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the claims that follow. [Explanation of symbols]

[0139] 1. Brake system 2. First actuator 3. Second Actuator 4. Electronic Processing Unit 5. First brake disc 6. Second brake disc 7. First brake caliper 8. No. 2 brake caliper F1. First brake force F2. Second brake force i1. 1st supply current i2. 2nd supply current t0. Zero force time t1. Time 1 t2. The second time point t3. The third time point

Claims

1. A method for controlling a brake system (1) to release the parking brake force actuated by the vehicle's brake system (1), (A) The brake system (1) comprises at least, (a1) First brake caliper (7), First brake disc (5) and At least one first brake pad facing the first brake disc (5), A first brake caliper (7) having at least one first actuator (2) configured to apply a first braking force (F1) to at least one first brake pad and to release the first braking force (F), wherein the at least one first actuator (2) is configured to move the at least one first brake pad between an open position where the at least one first brake pad is at the maximum distance from the first brake disc (5) and no parking brake force is applied, and a closed position where the at least one first brake pad is pressed against the first brake disc (5) and a parking brake force is applied; (a2) Second brake caliper (8), The second brake disc (6) and At least one second brake pad facing the second brake disc (6), A second brake caliper (8) having at least one second actuator (3) configured to apply a second braking force (F2) to at least one second brake pad and to release the second braking force (F2), wherein the at least one second actuator (3) is configured to move the at least one second brake pad between an open position where the at least one second brake pad is at the maximum distance from the second brake disc (6) and no parking brake force is applied, and a closed position where the at least one second brake pad is pressed against the second brake disc (6) and a parking brake force is applied. (a3) An electronic processing unit (4) configured to control the operation of the at least one first actuator (2) of the first brake caliper (7) and the at least one second actuator (3) of the second brake caliper (8), (a4) A detection means operably connected to the electronic processing unit (4) and configured to directly or indirectly detect the value of the first braking force (F1) applied to the at least one first brake pad by the at least one first actuator (2), and to directly or indirectly detect the value of the second braking force (F2) applied to the at least one second brake pad by the at least one second actuator (3), (B) The above method is (b1) The electronic processing unit (4) activates at least one of the first actuators (2) of the first brake caliper (7) to release the first brake force (F1) and reduce the value of the first brake force (F1), (b2) While the at least one first actuator (2) is in operation, the detection means detects the value of the first braking force (F1), (b3) A method comprising, at a first time point (t1) in which it is detected that the first braking force (F1) has decreased to a value substantially equal to zero, the electronic processing unit (4) stopping the at least one first actuator (2) and activating the at least one second actuator (3) to release the second braking force (F2) and reduce the value of the second braking force (F2) to a value substantially equal to zero.

2. After stopping the at least one first actuator (2) and operating the at least one second actuator (3), the electronic processing unit (4) releases the second braking force (F2) and reduces the value of the second braking force (F2), (c1) While the at least one second actuator (3) is in operation, the detection means detects the value of the second braking force (F2), (c2) At a first time point (t1) in which it is detected that the second braking force (F2) has decreased to a value substantially equal to zero, the operation of the at least one second actuator (3) is continued to move the at least one second brake pad away from the second brake disc (6) and toward the release position. (c3) While the at least one second brake pad is in operation, the position of the at least one second brake pad is detected directly or indirectly by the detection means, (c4) At a second time point (t2) in which it is detected that at least one second brake pad is substantially positioned in the open position, the electronic processing unit (4) stops the at least one second actuator (3) and activates the at least one first actuator (2) to move the at least one first brake pad away from the first brake disc (5) and move the at least one first brake pad toward the open position. (c5) Directly or indirectly, while the at least one first brake pad is in operation, the position of the at least one first brake pad is detected directly or indirectly by the detection means, (c6) The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first actuator (2) is stopped at a third time point (t3) in which it is detected that the at least one first brake pad is substantially positioned in the open position.

3. After stopping the at least one first actuator (2) and operating the at least one second actuator (3), the electronic processing unit (4) releases the second braking force (F2) and reduces the value of the second braking force (F2), (d1) While the at least one second brake pad is in operation, the detection means detects the value of the second brake force (F2), (d2) When it is detected that the second braking force (F2) has decreased to a value substantially equal to zero, the electronic processing unit (4) stops the operation of the at least one second actuator (3), activates the at least one first actuator (2) to separate the at least one first brake pad from the first brake disc (5), and moves the at least one first brake pad toward the release position. (d3) While the at least one first brake pad is in operation, the position of the at least one first brake pad is detected directly or indirectly by the detection means, (d4) When it is detected that the at least one first brake pad is substantially positioned in the open position, the electronic processing unit (4) stops the at least one first actuator (2) and activates the at least one second actuator (3) to move the at least one second brake pad away from the second brake disc (6) and move the at least one second brake pad toward the open position. (d5) While the at least one second brake pad is in operation, the position of the at least second brake pad is detected directly or indirectly by the detection means, (d6) The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one second brake pad is stopped when it is detected that it is substantially positioned in the open position.

4. The detection means detects the value of the first braking force (F1), (e1) The detection means detects the angular position of the at least one first actuator (2), and the electronic processing unit (4) calculates the value of the first braking force (F1) based on the angular position of the at least one first actuator (2). or (e2) The value of the first supply current (i1) supplied to the at least one first actuator (2) is detected, and the value of the first braking force (F1) is calculated by the electronic processing unit (4) based on the value of the first supply current (i1) supplied to the at least one first actuator (2). and / or (e3) The detection means detects the value of the second braking force (F2), The detection means detects the angular position of the at least one second actuator (3), and the electronic processing unit (4) calculates the value of the second braking force (F1) based on the angular position of the at least one second actuator (3). Or, The method according to claim 1, wherein the value of the second supply current (i2) supplied to the at least one second actuator (3) is detected, and the electronic processing unit (4) calculates the value of the second braking force (F1) based on the value of the second supply current (i2) supplied to the at least one second actuator (3).

5. The detection means directly or indirectly detects the position of at least one second brake pad. (f1) The detection means detects the elapsed time interval starting from the point in time when it is detected that the second braking force (F2) has decreased to a value substantially equal to zero, and the electronic processing unit (4) associates the position of the at least one second brake pad in the open position with the end of the predetermined time interval. Or, (f2) The method according to claim 2, comprising detecting the angular position of the at least one second actuator (3) by the detection means, and relating the positioning of the at least one second brake pad in the open position to the angular position of the at least one second actuator (3) by the electronic processing unit (4).

6. During the operation of the at least one first brake pad, the detection means directly or indirectly detects the position of the at least one first brake pad. (g1) The detection means detects the elapsed time of a predetermined time interval starting from the time when the at least one second actuator (3) stops, and the electronic processing unit (4) associates the position of the at least one first brake pad in the open position with the end of the predetermined time interval. Or, (g2) The method according to claim 5, comprising detecting the angular position of the at least one first actuator (2) using the detection means, and relating the positioning of the at least one first brake pad in the open position to the angular position of the at least one first actuator (2) using the electronic processing unit (4).

7. (h1) The electronic processing unit (4) is activated to release the first brake force (F1) and reduce the first brake force (F1) by operating the at least one first actuator (2), which is activated when the electronic processing unit (4) receives a parking brake force release request signal. (h2) The parking brake force release request signal is transmitted when the actuator operably connected to the electronic processing unit (4) is activated. (h3) The method according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is operable by a user.

8. (i1) After stopping the at least one first actuator (2) when it is detected that the at least one first brake pad is substantially positioned in the open position, the electronic processing unit (4) transmits a parking brake force release signal to a signaling device operatively connected to the electronic processing unit (4), (i2) The method according to claim 2, wherein the parking brake force release signal is visible to the user by the signaling device.

9. A method according to claim 1 for controlling a brake system (1) of the type comprising a first brake caliper (7) and a second brake caliper (8), (J) The first brake caliper (7) is (j1) A pair of first brake pads arranged opposite to the first brake disc (5), (j2) At least one pair of first actuators (2) configured to apply a first braking force (F1) to the pair of first brake pads and to release the first braking force (F1), The system includes at least one pair of first actuators (2) that move the pair of first brake pads between an open position where the pair of first brake pads are at the maximum distance from the first brake disc (5) and no parking brake force is applied, and a closed position where the pair of first brake pads are pressed against the first brake disc (5) and a parking brake force is applied. (K) The second brake caliper (8) is (k1) A pair of second brake pads positioned opposite the second brake disc (6), (k2) A method comprising at least one pair of second actuators (3) configured to apply a second braking force (F2) to the pair of second brake pads and to release the second braking force (F2), the at least one pair of second actuators (3) to move the pair of second brake pads between an open position in which the pair of second brake pads are at the maximum distance from the second brake disc (6) and no parking brake force is applied, and a closed position in which the pair of second brake pads are pressed against the second brake disc (6) and a parking brake force is applied.

10. A vehicle brake system (1) configured to activate and release the parking brake, wherein the brake system (1) (l1) First brake caliper (7), First brake disc (5) and At least one first brake pad facing the first brake disc (5), A first brake caliper (7) having at least one first actuator (2) configured to apply a first braking force (F1) to and release the first braking force (F1) to at least one first brake pad, and moving the at least one first brake pad between an open position where the at least one first brake pad is at its maximum distance from the first brake disc (5) and no parking brake force is activated, and a closed position where the at least one first brake pad is pressed against the first brake disc (5) and a parking brake force is applied, (l2) Second brake caliper (8), The second brake disc (6) and At least one second brake pad facing the second brake disc (6), A second brake caliper (8) having at least one second actuator (3) configured to apply a second braking force (F2) to at least one second brake pad and to release the second braking force (F2), and having at least one second actuator (3) that moves the at least one second brake pad between an open position where the at least one second brake pad is at the maximum distance from the second brake disc (6) and no braking force is applied, and a closed position where the at least one second brake pad is pressed against the second brake disc (6) and a parking brake force is applied, (l3) An electronic processing unit (4) configured to control the operation of the at least one first actuator (2) of the first brake caliper (7) and the at least one second actuator (3) of the second brake caliper (8), (l4) The electronic processing unit (4) is operably connected to the detection means configured to directly or indirectly detect the value of the first brake force (F1) actuated by the at least one first brake pad by the at least one first actuator (2), and to directly or indirectly detect the value of the second brake force (F2) actuated by the at least one second brake pad by the at least one second actuator (3), (l5) Brake system (1) is configured to disable the parking brake force by performing the method described in claim 1.

11. (m1) comprising an actuator operatively connected to the electronic processing unit (4), (m2) The electronic processing unit (4) is configured to actuate the at least one first actuator (2) to release the first braking force (F1) and reduce the value of the first braking force (F1), (m3) The actuator is activated when the electronic processing unit (4) receives a parking brake force release request signal. (m4) The parking brake force release request signal is transmitted by the actuator when the actuator is activated, and the actuator is operable by the user. and / or, The brake system (1) according to claim 10, wherein the brake system (1) includes a signaling device operably connected to the electronic processing unit (4), the electronic processing unit (4) is configured to transmit the parking brake force release signal to the signaling device, and the parking brake force release signal is visible to the user by the signaling device.

12. (N) The first brake caliper (7) is (n1) A pair of first brake pads positioned opposite the first brake disc (5), (n2) At least one pair of first actuators (2) configured to apply the first braking force (F1) to the pair of first brake pads and to release the first braking force (F1), wherein the pair of first brake pads are moved between an open position in which the pair of first brake pads are at the maximum distance from the first brake disc (5) and no parking brake force is applied, and a closed position in which the pair of first brake pads are pressed against the first brake disc (5) and a parking brake force is applied, (O) The second brake caliper (8) is (o1) A pair of second brake pads positioned opposite the second brake disc (6), (o2) The brake system (1) according to claim 10, comprising at least one pair of second actuators (3) configured to apply the second braking force (F2) to the pair of second brake pads and to release the second braking force (F2), the at least one pair of second actuators (3) to move the pair of second brake pads between an open position in which the second brake pads are at the maximum distance from the second brake disc (6) and no parking brake force is applied, and a closed position in which the pair of second brake pads are pressed against the second brake disc (6) and a parking brake force is applied.

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