Method for automatically configuring the control unit of a control system and control system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a control unit for a control system, a method for automatically setting a wheel brake actuator for a brake system in a vehicle, and a control system capable of performing such a method. [Solution] The solution includes the step of transmitting a data signal to a plurality of control units 10-1, 10-2, 10-3, 10-4 via a plurality of redundant network interfaces N1, N2, N3, wherein each of the plurality of control units has at least two communication channels K1, K2 for exchanging data with the central control unit VCU via the plurality of redundant network interfaces, and each of the plurality of redundant network interfaces transmits a different data signal from the other network interfaces.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a control unit for a control system, in particular a method for automatically setting wheel brake actuators of a brake system for a vehicle, as well as a control system capable of carrying out such a method, in particular a brake system for a vehicle.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Brake systems with a maximum of two control units are known, in which case the two control units are encoded with different software. For example, brake systems such as electromechanical brakes (EMB) and methods for operating such brake systems are likewise known from the prior art. Brake systems of this type generally have a plurality of wheel brakes, each one of these wheel brakes being assigned to one of a plurality of wheels of the vehicle, whereby each wheel can be braked individually. The brake components of the wheel brakes are generally controlled individually by the control unit assigned to the wheel brakes. The control units of the wheel brakes are usually encoded with the same software. Such a brake system has at least one VCU (Vehicle Control Unit) and four wheel brake actuators.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a method for configuring network components of the same type, in which each network component is connected to a physical port of a network switch via a single network cable. Other network stations are similarly connected to the network switch. In this method, configuration information is transmitted to the network components from another network station. A key feature of this method is that the configuration information of each network component notifies the network component of which physical port of the network switch it is connected to. Therefore, the network components perform new configurations within the network that correspond to the connection to the physical port.

[0004] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 describes a method for adjusting a settings dataset within a vehicle's control unit. The settings dataset must be reliably installed within the control unit. The present invention is designed such that the energy requirements of all vehicle components necessary to adjust the settings dataset are predetermined, the actual residual energy that the vehicle's energy storage device can provide is calculated, and a trigger signal for adjusting the settings dataset is sent to the vehicle components only when the actual residual energy is greater than the predetermined energy requirement with the drive motor switched off during the vehicle's parking phase.

[0005] A known problem with brake systems is that the software within each control unit needs to be individually adapted, and the control units and software also need to be adapted to each other. Furthermore, this adaptation process is prone to defects, especially when multiple identical control units are included in the system. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] German Patent Publication No. 102017212256 [Patent Document 2] German Patent Publication No. 102015014049 [Overview of the project]

[0007] The present invention provides a control unit for a control system, particularly a method for automatically setting a wheel brake actuator for a brake system for a vehicle, having the features of claim 1, and a control system, particularly a brake system for a vehicle, having the features of claim 8.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for automatically setting a control unit of a control system, particularly a wheel brake actuator for a brake system of a vehicle. The method has the following steps: The system includes a step of transmitting data signals or allocation signals to multiple control units via multiple redundant network interfaces, wherein each of the multiple control units has at least two communication channels for exchanging data with a central control unit via the multiple redundant network interfaces. Each of the multiple redundant network interfaces transmits a different data signal than the other network interfaces. The process includes the step of assigning multiple control units to each predetermined structural group using pre-configured combinations of various data signals that are clearly assigned in relation to at least two communication channels of each control unit in each predetermined structural group. The process includes a step of reading the settings for each control unit, depending on the assignment of multiple control units to each predetermined group of structures.

[0009] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a control system, in particular a brake system for a vehicle, is provided. This control system enables the method according to the first aspect of the present invention. This control system has a central control unit with a plurality of redundant network interfaces. Furthermore, this control system has a plurality of control units that are electronically coupled to the central control unit via the plurality of redundant network interfaces. Each of the plurality of control units has at least two communication channels for exchanging data with the central control unit via the plurality of redundant network interfaces.

[0010] The fundamental idea of ​​this invention lies in the fact that automatic configuration of a control unit can be provided depending on the network configuration between the control unit and the central control unit. This means that the control system contains two different software programs, in this case the first software is installed on multiple similarly assembled control units. This control system can be automatically configured based on specific characteristics obtained via network communication, i.e., pre-configured combinations. In this case, the type of communication network used is not important.

[0011] The center or central control unit can send special patterns or data signals to a redundant network or network interface. In this case, the network architecture is selected so that each control unit can calculate which predetermined structure it is assigned to based on data or data signals associated with its multiple communication channels. Through a pre-configured combination of setup steps and appropriate network configuration, each control unit can calculate which predetermined structure it is assigned to.

[0012] Multiple control units are each designed to run the first software. For example, each control unit may have an arithmetic unit for running the first software and a memory device assigned to this arithmetic unit. The first software may be stored in this memory device.

[0013] A pre-configured combination of various data signals is, for example, a combination of a first data signal and a second data signal. In this case, the control unit identifies whether the first data signal arrives via a first communication channel of at least two communication channels or via a second communication channel of at least two communication channels. Correspondingly, the second data signal can arrive in the control unit via a second communication channel or a first communication channel. In this form, a first control unit configured such that the first data signal arrives via a first communication channel and the second data signal arrives via a second communication channel is clearly distinguished from a second control unit configured such that the first data signal arrives via a second communication channel and the second data signal arrives via a first communication channel. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] An advantage of the present invention is that the assignment of multiple control units to a predetermined group of structures can be performed without requiring any further steps and / or hardware modifications. The method according to the present invention can be used to assign the resulting redundant network to control units connected to this network.

[0015] Preferred embodiments and models are derived from the specification with reference to other dependent claims and several drawings.

[0016] According to embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of control units are assigned based on the data signals they receive and depending on at least two communication channels of their respective predetermined set of structures.

[0017] According to another embodiment of the present invention, one of the multiple redundant network interfaces exchanges data with each control unit. This allows the central control unit to communicate with all control units in a simple form and manner via a single network interface. Moreover, this reduces the number of redundant network interfaces to a minimum number across a given number of communication channels.

[0018] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the assignments of multiple control units are stored in a non-volatile storage medium of each control unit. This allows each control unit to sense which predetermined structural group it is assigned to, and thus this assignment can also be used for other software adaptations. The non-volatile storage medium can communicate with the storage device of the control unit.

[0019] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a central control unit initiates the transmission of data signals. This central control unit is designed to run second software, which is different from the first software. In this case, the second software is in its normal operating mode, i.e., already configured.

[0020] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the method further includes a step in which a central control unit detects invalid communication data from multiple control units before the data signal is transmitted. In this form, the multiple control units can be automatically configured in a fully automatic manner during the first startup of the control system, in particular the distributed brake system. Thus, in this step, it is detected that invalid communication data has been received by the receiving control unit.

[0021] According to another embodiment of the present invention, data signals are transmitted to four control units via three redundant network interfaces, each of which has two communication channels, so that a predetermined combination provides at least four distinct assignments. Thus, clear identifiability of multiple control units can be provided at a low hardware cost.

[0022] For example, in the first control unit, the first data signal can arrive via the first communication channel and the second data signal via the second communication channel; in the second control unit, the first data signal can arrive via the second communication channel and the third data signal can arrive via the first communication channel. Furthermore, in the third control unit, the first data signal can arrive via the first communication channel and the third data signal can arrive via the second communication channel; and in the fourth control unit, the first data signal can arrive via the second communication channel and the second data signal can arrive via the first communication channel. It is also possible to provide five or six distinct assignments using other pre-configured combinations.

[0023] According to another embodiment of the present invention, as the number of the plurality of control units increases, the number of the plurality of redundant network interfaces, or the number of communication channels of each control unit, or the number of both, increases such that a clear assignment can be made in relation to the number of communication channels of each control unit using a predefined combination of the plurality of redundant network interfaces.

[0024] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of redundant network interfaces comprise first, second and third network interfaces, the plurality of control units comprise first, second, third and fourth control units, the at least two communication channels comprise first and second communication channels, the first control unit is coupled to the first network interface via the first communication channel and is coupled to the second network interface via the second communication channel, the second control unit is coupled to the first network interface via the second communication channel and is coupled to the third network interface via the first communication channel, the third control unit is coupled to the first network interface via the first communication channel and is coupled to the third network interface via the second communication channel, and the fourth control unit is coupled to the first network interface via the second communication channel and is coupled to the second network interface via the first communication channel.

[0025] The central control device may be configured, for example, as a vehicle control unit. In this case, the central control device may have a single control element or a plurality of control elements. This control unit may be configured, for example, as a wheel brake actuator. In this case, each control unit may cooperate with or be connected to a respective structural group.

[0026] In the following, the concept of the present invention described above will be explained again supplemented with alternative expressions. Briefly speaking, this concept relates to a method that can be combined in an appropriate form: · The number of network interfaces of the central control unit, particularly the central control device, which is provided with the second software. This network interface is possibly necessary or advantageous for redundancy in some cases. · Physical wiring, particularly sequences, and the number of network sockets or communication channels in individual control units to which, for example, wheel brakes are assigned; · First software in the control unit that only receives its standard communication, which waits for a setting in which such one-to-one corresponding information can be obtained in advance, so as to obtain one-to-one corresponding information about which predefined structure group, particularly which wheel brake, this control unit belongs to when its setting is completed. Thereby, the setting of the control unit is performed fully automatically. [Brief Description of the Drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram of a brake system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a flowchart of a method for automatically setting a control unit of a control system according to another embodiment of the present invention, particularly a wheel brake actuator of a brake system for a vehicle. [Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0028] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the figures in the drawings.

[0029] Unless stated otherwise, the same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or functionally identical components. The numbering of method steps serves for clarity and generally does not imply a predetermined temporal sequence. In particular, a plurality of method steps may be executed simultaneously.

[0030] Description of the Examples Further advantages, features, and details of the present invention can be found in the following description, which details various embodiments with reference to the drawings.

[0031] Although the present invention is described below in relation to an electromechanical braking system, it is not limited to this use and may be similarly used in other systems or products comprising multiple control units.

[0032] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a brake system 1 for a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. This brake system 1 is configured and designed for use, for example, in a vehicle. The vehicle may have one front axle and one rear axle in a classical configuration.

[0033] The brake system 1 has one central control unit VCU and a plurality of control units 10-i, here for example, a first control unit 10-1, a second control unit 10-2, a third control unit 10-3, and a fourth control unit 10-4. The central control unit VCU has a plurality of redundant network interfaces, for example, a first network interface N1, a second network interface N2, and a third network interface N3. For example, each control unit 10 has a computing device (not shown) for executing first software and a memory device assigned to this computing device. The first software may be stored in the memory device. The central control unit VCU may be designed to execute second software different from the first software. In this case, the second software is in its normal operating mode, i.e., already configured.

[0034] The four control units 10-1, 10-2, 10-3, and 10-4 are electronically coupled to the central control unit VCU via three network interfaces N1, N2, and N3, and each of the four control units 10-1, 10-2, 10-3, and 10-4 has two communication channels K1 and K2 for exchanging data with the central control unit VCU via network interfaces N1, N2, and N3.

[0035] In Figure 1, control system 1 has, for example, four control units 10-1, 10-2, 10-3, and 10-4, three network interfaces N1, N2, and N3, and two communication channels K1 and K2. Of course, this control system 1 may have two or more control units 10-i, two or more network interfaces, and at least two communication channels. In this case, as the number of multiple control units 10-i increases, the number of multiple redundant network interfaces N1, N2, and N3, or the number of communication channels K1 and K2 for each control unit 10, or both, can be increased so that they can be clearly allocated in relation to the number of communication channels K1 and K2 for each control unit 10 using a pre-configured combination of multiple redundant network interfaces N1, N2, and N3.

[0036] For example, the first control unit 10-1 may be connected to the first network interface N1 via the first communication channel K1 and to the second network interface N2 via the second communication channel K2. Furthermore, the second control unit 10-2 may be connected to the first network interface N1 via the second communication channel K2 and to the third network interface N3 via the first communication channel K1. Furthermore, the third control unit 10-3 may be connected to the first network interface N1 via the first communication channel K1 and to the third network interface N3 via the second communication channel K2. Furthermore, the fourth control unit 10-4 may be connected to the first network interface N1 via the second communication channel K2 and to the second network interface N2 via the first communication channel K1. The above-described network configuration between the four control units 10-1, 10-2, 10-3, and 10-4 and the central control unit VCU is shown as an example in Figure 1. In particular, the first network interface N1 may be connected to four control units 10-1, 10-2, 10-3, and 10-4.

[0037] The central control unit (VCU) may be configured as, for example, a vehicle control unit. In this case, the central control unit (VCU) may have individual control elements or multiple control elements. The control unit 10 may be configured as, for example, a wheel brake actuator. In this case, each control unit 10 may cooperate with or be connected to its respective group of structures.

[0038] Brake system 1 is configured to perform a method for automatically setting the control unit of a control system, in particular the wheel brake actuator of a brake system for a vehicle. For example, this method has the features shown in the embodiment in Figure 2.

[0039] Figure 2 shows a flowchart of a control unit for a control system according to another embodiment of the present invention, particularly a method for automatically setting a wheel brake actuator for a brake system for a vehicle.

[0040] This method includes, for example, the steps of detection S1, transmission S2, assignment S3, storage S4, and reading S5.

[0041] In the optional step S1, invalid communication data from multiple control units 10-i is detected by the central control unit VCU before the data signal is transmitted. In this manner, multiple control units can be configured automatically by themselves during the initial startup of the control system, particularly the allocated brake system. Thus, in step S1, invalid communication data is detected by the receiving control unit 10.

[0042] In step S2, the data signal is transmitted to multiple control units 10-i via multiple redundant network interfaces N1, N2, N3. Each control unit 10 of the multiple control units 10-i has at least two communication channels K1, K2 for exchanging data with the central control unit VCU via the multiple redundant network interfaces N1, N2, N3. Each of the multiple redundant network interfaces N1, N2, N3 transmits a different data signal than the other network interfaces. Each of the multiple control units 10-i is designed to run first software. For example, each control unit 10 has an arithmetic unit for running first software and a memory device assigned to this arithmetic unit. The first software may be stored in this memory device.

[0043] Optionally, the central control unit (VCU) can initiate the transmission of data signals. The central control unit (VCU) may be designed to run a second software program different from the first software program. In this case, the second software program is in its normal operating mode, i.e., it is already configured.

[0044] For example, network interface N1, one of the multiple redundant network interfaces N1, N2, and N3, can exchange data with each control unit 10.

[0045] In step S3, the multiple control units 10-i are assigned to their respective predetermined structural groups using pre-configured combinations of various data signals, each explicitly assigned in relation to at least two communication channels K1, K2 of each control unit 10 in a predetermined structural group. The pre-configured combinations of various data signals include, for example, a combination of a first data signal and a second data signal. In this case, the control unit 10 identifies whether the first data signal arrives via the first communication channel K1 of the at least two communication channels or via the second communication channel K2 of the at least two communication channels. Correspondingly, conversely, in the control unit 10, the second data signal arrives via the second communication channel K2 or via the first communication channel K1. In this manner, a first control unit 10-1, in which the first data signal arrives via the first communication channel K1 and the second data signal arrives via the second communication channel K2, is distinguished from a second control unit 10-2, in which the first data signal arrives via the second communication channel K2 and the second data signal arrives via the first communication channel K1. For example, multiple control units 10-i may be assigned S3 based on the data signals they receive and depending on at least two communication channels K1 and K2 of their respective predetermined structural groups.

[0046] Optionally, data signals may be transmitted to four control units 10-1, 10-2, 10-3, and 10-4 via three redundant network interfaces N1, N2, and N3, in which case each of the four control units 10-1, 10-2, 10-3, and 10-4 has two communication channels K1 and K2, and thus a predetermined combination provides at least four distinct assignments. For example, in the first control unit 10-1, the first data signal can arrive via the first communication channel K1 and the second data signal can arrive via the second communication channel K2, and in the second control unit 10-2, the first data signal can arrive via the second communication channel K2 and the third data signal can arrive via the first communication channel K1. Furthermore, in the third control unit 10-3, the first data signal can arrive via the first communication channel K1 and the third data signal can arrive via the second communication channel K2. In this case, in the fourth control unit 10-4, the first data signal can arrive via the second communication channel K2 and the second data signal can also arrive via the first communication channel K1. Another pre-configured combination can be used to provide five or six distinct assignments.

[0047] Furthermore, the assignment S3 of multiple control units 10-i may be stored S4 in the non-volatile storage medium of each control unit 10. Therefore, since all control units 10 to which a predetermined set of structures has been assigned can be sensed, this assignment can also be used for other software adaptations. This non-volatile storage medium can communicate with the storage device of the control unit.

[0048] In step S5, settings for each control unit 10 are loaded, depending on the assignment of multiple control units 10-i to each predetermined group of structures.

[0049] Although the present invention has been specifically described using several embodiments as described above, it is not limited to these embodiments and can be modified in various ways. In particular, combinations of the above embodiments are also conceivable. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1. Brake system, control system 10 Control Units 10-i Control Unit 10-1 First Control Unit 10-2 Second Control Unit 10-3 Third Control Unit 10-4 Fourth Control Unit K1, K2 communication channels N1 First network interface N2 Second network interface N3 Third Network Interface S1 detection S2 transmission S3 allocation S4 memory S5 Loading VCU (Vehicle Control Unit)

Claims

1. A control unit (10) of a control system (1), in particular a method for automatically setting the wheel brake actuator of a brake system for a vehicle, The system includes a step (S2) of transmitting data signals to a plurality of control units (10-i) via a plurality of redundant network interfaces (N1, N2, N3), wherein each control unit (10) of the plurality of control units (10-i) is provided with at least two communication channels (K1, K2) for exchanging data with a central control unit (VCU) via the plurality of redundant network interfaces (N1, N2, N3), and each network interface of the plurality of redundant network interfaces (N1, N2, N3) transmits a different data signal from the other network interfaces; The method includes a step (S3) of assigning the plurality of control units (10-i) to each of the predetermined structural groups using a predetermined combination of various data signals that are clearly assigned in relation to at least two communication channels (K1, K2) of each control unit (10) of each predetermined structural group. The system includes a step (S5) of reading the settings for each of the control units (10) in accordance with the assignment of the plurality of control units (10-i) to each of the predetermined structural groups. A method for automatically configuring the control unit (10) of a control system (1).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of control units (10-i) are assigned based on the data signals they receive and depending on at least two communication channels (K1, K2) of the respective predetermined structural groups.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one of the plurality of redundant network interfaces (N1, N2, N3) is used to exchange data with each control unit (10).

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the assignment (S3) of the plurality of control units (10-i) is stored (S4) in a non-volatile storage medium of each control unit (10).

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the central control unit (VCU) initiates the transmission of data signals.

6. Furthermore, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising the step (S1) of detecting invalid communication data of the plurality of control units (10-i) by the central control unit (VCU) before the data signal is transmitted.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the data signal is transmitted to four control units (10-1, 10-2, 10-3, 10-4) via three redundant network interfaces (N1, N2, N3), wherein each of the four control units (10-1, 10-2, 10-3, 10-4) has two communication channels (K1, K2), so that the pre-configured combination provides at least four distinct assignments.

8. A control system (1) capable of performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in particular a brake system for a vehicle, It includes a central control unit (VCU) equipped with multiple redundant network interfaces (N1, N2, N3), The system includes a plurality of control units (10-i) that are electronically coupled to the central control unit (VCU) via the plurality of redundant network interfaces (N1, N2, N3), and each control unit (10) of the plurality of control units (10-i) has at least two communication channels (K1, K2) for exchanging data with the central control unit (VCU) via the plurality of redundant network interfaces (N1, N2, N3). Control system (1), in particular a braking system for a vehicle.

9. The control system (1) according to claim 8, wherein as the number of the plurality of control units (10-i) increases, the number of the plurality of redundant network interfaces (N1, N2, N3) or the number of the communication channels (K1, K2) of each control unit (10) or both increases so that they can be clearly assigned in relation to the number of the communication channels (K1, K2) of each control unit (10) using a pre-configured combination of the plurality of redundant network interfaces (N1, N2, N3).

10. The plurality of redundant network interfaces have a first (N1), a second (N2), and a third network interface (N3), the plurality of control units (10-i) have a first (10-1), a second (10-2), a third (10-3), and a fourth control unit (10-4), at least two of the communication channels have a first (K1) and a second communication channel (K2), the first control unit (10-1) is coupled to the first network interface (N1) via the first communication channel (K1) and the second network interface (N2) via the second communication channel (K2), and the second control unit (10-2) is coupled to the second communication channel (K2) The control system (1) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the control unit (10-3) is connected to the first network interface (N1) via a first communication channel (K1) and to the third network interface (N3) via a first communication channel (K2), the third control unit (10-3) is connected to the first network interface (N1) via a first communication channel (K1) and to the third network interface (N3) via a second communication channel (K2), and the fourth control unit (10-4) is connected to the first network interface (N1) via a second communication channel (K2) and to the second network interface (N2) via a first communication channel (K1).

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