Braking control device

The braking control device in vehicles with cross-connected systems uses wheel speed and yaw rate detection to accurately identify and compensate for a single-system failure, improving stability by adjusting braking forces.

JP7793964B2Active Publication Date: 2026-01-06ADVICS CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2021200228
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2021-12-09
Publication Date
2026-01-06
Estimated Expiration
2041-12-09

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

In vehicles with cross-connected braking systems, a failure in one braking system leads to a difference in braking force between the left and right wheels, causing a yaw moment and instability during braking, with existing detection methods being inaccurate due to variations from vehicle sway and road surface inclination.

Method used

The braking control device uses wheel speed and yaw rate detection to determine a one-system failure by analyzing the magnitude relationship between wheel speeds and yaw rate, accurately identifying the failed system.

Benefits of technology

This method allows for precise determination of a single-system failure, stabilizing vehicle behavior by adjusting braking forces through compensation control, thereby enhancing straight-line stability.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To provide a braking control device of a vehicle provided with a braking device of cross wiring, which can determine that one braking system is in a failure state with good accuracy.SOLUTION: A braking control device 10 is applied to a braking device 80 of a vehicle 90 which has a first braking system 71 that adjusts braking force to be applied to a right front wheel 91fr and a left rear wheel 91rl and a second braking system 72 that adjusts braking force to be applied to a left front wheel 91fl and a right rear wheel 91rr. The braking control device 10 comprises an obtaining part 11 as a yaw rate detecting part that detects a yaw rate actually acting on the vehicle 90. The braking control device 10 comprises a failure diagnosing part 13 as a failure determining part. In braking the vehicle 90, the failure diagnosing part 13 diagnoses whether either one of the first braking system 71 and the second braking system 72 is in a failure state or not, on the basis of a wheel speed and the yaw rate, and determines that one system is in a failure state when the either braking system is in the failure state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a braking control device for a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, a vehicle is known that is equipped with a braking system that has separate braking systems, one for adjusting the braking force of the right front wheel and the left rear wheel, and the other for adjusting the braking force of the left front wheel and the right rear wheel. Hereinafter, such a braking system may also be referred to as a "brake system having cross-connected braking systems." Furthermore, a vehicle equipped with a braking system having cross-connected braking systems may also be referred to as a "vehicle equipped with a cross-connected braking system."

[0003] The braking control device disclosed in Patent Document 1 can determine whether one of the braking systems in a braking system having cross-connected braking systems has failed. The failure determination is made by detecting hydraulic fluid leakage in the braking system. Specifically, the braking control device disclosed in Patent Document 1 determines that a failure has occurred if it detects a drop in the fluid level in the reservoir tank when the brake pedal is not depressed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-138657 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a vehicle equipped with a cross-connected braking system, if one of the braking systems fails, a difference in braking force occurs between the left and right wheels during braking, generating a yaw moment in the vehicle. Therefore, in a vehicle equipped with a cross-connected braking system, a one-system failure affects the vehicle's straight-line stability.

[0006] When detecting the fluid level in a reservoir tank as in the braking control device disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is thought that the accuracy of detecting the fluid level will vary depending on the vehicle sway, the inclination of the road surface, etc. The variation in the accuracy of detecting the fluid level may reduce the accuracy of determining a one-system failure state.

[0007] There is a demand for a more accurate determination of a single-system failure state, which can cause the behavior of a vehicle equipped with a cross-connected braking system to become unstable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The braking control device for solving the above problem is a braking control device applied to a braking device of a vehicle having a first braking system that adjusts the braking force applied to the right front wheel and the left rear wheel among the wheels, and a second braking system that adjusts the braking force applied to the left front wheel and the right rear wheel among the wheels, and is equipped with a wheel speed detection unit that detects the speed of each wheel as the wheel speed, a yaw rate detection unit that detects the yaw rate actually acting on the vehicle as a yaw rate detection value, and a failure determination unit that, when braking the vehicle, determines whether either one of the first braking system and the second braking system is in a failure state based on the wheel speed and the yaw rate detection value, and determines that a one-system failure state exists if either one of the first braking system and the second braking system is in a failure state.

[0009] When a vehicle equipped with a braking device having the above-mentioned first and second braking systems experiences a one-system failure, it is believed that a magnitude relationship will arise between the left and right wheel speeds during braking because the first and second braking systems are independent. Therefore, the behavior of a vehicle experiencing a one-system failure can be captured by using the wheel speeds and the yaw rate actually acting on the vehicle.

[0010] According to the above configuration, it is possible to determine whether or not a single system failure has occurred using the wheel speed and the detected yaw rate. That is, by using the wheel speed and the detected yaw rate, it is possible to grasp the change in behavior of a vehicle in a single system failure state and accurately determine whether or not a single system failure has occurred. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a braking control device, a braking device that is an object to be controlled by the braking control device, and a vehicle equipped with the braking device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of the malfunction determination process executed by the brake control device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle in a one-system failure state. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the wheel speed and the detected yaw rate when braking a vehicle in a one-system failure state. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when the brake control device performs rear lift suppression control. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the compensation control process executed by the braking control device. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the transition of the braking force adjusted by the compensation control. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the transition of the braking force adjusted by the compensation control. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] An embodiment of a braking control device will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows a braking control device 10 and a vehicle 90 to which the braking control device 10 is applied. The vehicle 90 is, for example, a four-wheel vehicle, and is provided with a right front wheel 91fr, a left rear wheel 91rl, a left front wheel 91fl, and a right rear wheel 91rr.

[0013] The vehicle 90 is equipped with a braking device 80. The vehicle 90 is equipped with a brake operating member 92 that can be operated by the driver of the vehicle 90. For example, the brake operating member 92 is a brake pedal. By operating the brake operating member 92, the driver can generate a braking force via the braking device 80 and brake the vehicle 90.

[0014] The vehicle 90 may be equipped with an alarm device 93. The alarm device 93 is a device intended to notify the driver or the like of the state of the vehicle 90. Examples of the alarm device 93 include a warning light, a display device, a speaker device, and the like.

[0015] <Brake device> An example of the braking device 80 is a friction braking device. Figure 1 shows a hydraulic braking device as an example of a friction braking device.

[0016] The braking device 80 has a first braking system 71 that adjusts the braking force applied to the right front wheel 91fr and the left rear wheel 91rl, and a second braking system 72 that adjusts the braking force applied to the left front wheel 91fl and the right rear wheel 91rr. The first braking system 71 and the second braking system 72 are independent braking systems. In other words, the braking device 80 is a so-called cross-piped braking system. Cross-piping is also called X-piping or diagonal piping. The braking device 80 is an example of a braking system having cross-connected braking systems. The vehicle 90 is an example of a vehicle equipped with a cross-connected braking system.

[0017] The braking device 80 includes a hydraulic pressure generating device 81. The braking device 80 includes a brake actuator 70. The braking device 80 includes a braking mechanism corresponding to each wheel. The first brake mechanism 84a, second brake mechanism 84b, third brake mechanism 84c, and fourth brake mechanism 84d shown in FIG. 1 correspond to the right front wheel 91fr, left rear wheel 91rl, left front wheel 91fl, and right rear wheel 91rr, respectively. Each brake mechanism can apply a braking force to the corresponding wheel. Each brake mechanism is composed of a wheel cylinder, a rotating body that rotates integrally with the wheel, and a friction material that can be pressed against the rotating body. An example of a brake mechanism is a disc brake. The brake mechanism may also be a drum brake. Each brake mechanism can generate a friction braking force on the corresponding wheel in response to the hydraulic pressure in the wheel cylinder. Each brake mechanism is configured so that the force that presses the friction material against the rotating body increases as the hydraulic pressure in the wheel cylinder increases. In other words, each brake mechanism can apply a greater braking force to the wheel as the hydraulic pressure in the wheel cylinder increases.

[0018] The hydraulic pressure generating device 81 includes a booster 82 and a master cylinder 83. The booster 82 assists the operation of the brake operating member 92 and transmits the assisted operating force to the master cylinder 83. A vacuum booster, hydraulic booster, electric booster, or the like can be used as the booster 82. The master cylinder 83 generates hydraulic pressure in response to the operation of the brake operating member 92. The hydraulic pressure generated by the master cylinder 83 is referred to as the MC pressure Pmc. The master cylinder 83 is a tandem master cylinder. The master cylinder 83 pressure-feeds hydraulic fluid in an amount corresponding to the MC pressure Pmc from one port to the first brake system 71. The master cylinder 83 pressure-feeds hydraulic fluid in an amount corresponding to the MC pressure Pmc from the other port to the second brake system 72.

[0019] Brake actuator 70 is disposed between master cylinder 83 and wheel cylinders. Brake actuator 70 includes a first hydraulic circuit 61 and a second hydraulic circuit 62 as flow paths for hydraulic fluid. Brake actuator 70 includes multiple solenoid valves, a drive motor 77, a first pump 73 and a second pump 74 operated by drive motor 77, a first reservoir 75 and a second reservoir 76.

[0020] The first hydraulic pressure circuit 61 will now be described. The first hydraulic pressure circuit 61 constitutes the first braking system 71. The first hydraulic pressure circuit 61 includes a first path 63a connected to the first braking mechanism 84a. The first hydraulic pressure circuit 61 includes a second path 63b connected to the second braking mechanism 84b.

[0021] A normally open first pressure increase valve 64a and a normally closed first pressure reduction valve 65a are arranged in the first path 63a. The wheel cylinder of the first braking mechanism 84a is connected between the first pressure increase valve 64a and the first pressure reduction valve 65a.

[0022] A normally open second pressure increase valve 64b and a normally closed second pressure reduction valve 65b are arranged in the second path 63b. The wheel cylinder of the second braking mechanism 84b is connected between the second pressure increase valve 64b and the second pressure reduction valve 65b.

[0023] The first reservoir 75 temporarily stores the hydraulic fluid that flows out through the first pressure reducing valve 65a and the hydraulic fluid that flows out through the second pressure reducing valve 65b. The first pump 73 draws hydraulic fluid that is temporarily stored in the first reservoir 75 and discharges it between the first pressure increase valve 64 a and the second pressure increase valve 64 b in the first hydraulic circuit 61 and the master cylinder 83 .

[0024] An MC pressure sensor SE7 that detects the hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic fluid pressure-fed from the master cylinder 83 is connected to the first hydraulic circuit 61 in the first braking system 71. A detection signal from the MC pressure sensor SE7 is input to the braking control device 10. Based on the detection signal from the MC pressure sensor SE7, the braking control device 10 obtains the MC pressure Pmc. The MC pressure sensor SE7 is an example of a hydraulic pressure detection device that can detect the hydraulic pressure generated by the master cylinder 83, i.e., the MC pressure Pmc. The first braking system 71 that is equipped with the MC pressure sensor SE7 is a braking system that can detect the MC pressure Pmc.

[0025] The second hydraulic pressure circuit 62 will now be described. The second hydraulic pressure circuit 62 constitutes the second braking system 72. Unlike the first hydraulic pressure circuit 61, the second hydraulic pressure circuit 62 does not include an MC pressure sensor SE7. The second hydraulic pressure circuit 62 includes a third path 63c connected to the third braking mechanism 84c. The second hydraulic pressure circuit 62 includes a fourth path 63d connected to the fourth braking mechanism 84d.

[0026] A normally open third pressure increase valve 64c and a normally closed third pressure reduction valve 65c are arranged in the third path 63c. The wheel cylinder of the third braking mechanism 84c is connected between the third pressure increase valve 64c and the third pressure reduction valve 65c.

[0027] A normally open fourth pressure increase valve 64d and a normally closed fourth pressure reduction valve 65d are arranged in the fourth path 63d. The wheel cylinder of the fourth braking mechanism 84d is connected between the fourth pressure increase valve 64d and the fourth pressure reduction valve 65d.

[0028] The second reservoir 76 temporarily stores the hydraulic fluid that has flowed out through the third pressure reducing valve 65c and the hydraulic fluid that has flowed out through the fourth pressure reducing valve 65d. The second pump 74 draws hydraulic fluid that is temporarily stored in the second reservoir 76 and discharges it to a position in the second hydraulic circuit 62 between the master cylinder 83 and the third and fourth pressure increase valves 64c and 64d.

[0029] Hydraulic fluid is supplied from the master cylinder 83 to the wheel cylinders via the brake actuator 70. The braking device 80 is configured such that, with respect to the braking force applied to the wheels in accordance with the MC pressure Pmc generated by the master cylinder 83, the braking force applied to the front wheels is greater than the braking force applied to the rear wheels.

[0030] By controlling the first pressure increase valve 64a and the first pressure reduction valve 65a, the hydraulic pressure in the wheel cylinder of the first brake mechanism 84a can be adjusted separately from the hydraulic pressure in the other wheel cylinders. Similarly, by controlling the respective pressure increase valves and pressure reduction valves, the hydraulic pressure in the wheel cylinders of the second brake mechanism 84b, the third brake mechanism 84c, and the fourth brake mechanism 84d can be adjusted separately from the hydraulic pressure in the other wheel cylinders.

[0031] Sensor The vehicle 90 is equipped with various sensors. Illustrated in Fig. 1 as examples of the various sensors are a first wheel speed sensor SE1, a second wheel speed sensor SE2, a third wheel speed sensor SE3, a fourth wheel speed sensor SE4, a yaw rate sensor SE5, and a G sensor SE6. Detection signals from the various sensors are input to the braking control device 10.

[0032] The first to fourth wheel speed sensors SE1 to SE4 are sensors that detect the speeds of the respective wheels. The first wheel speed sensor SE1, the second wheel speed sensor SE2, the third wheel speed sensor SE3, and the fourth wheel speed sensor SE4 correspond to the right front wheel 91fr, the left rear wheel 91rl, the left front wheel 91fl, and the right rear wheel 91rr, respectively. The braking control device 10 can obtain the wheel speeds based on the detection signals from the first to fourth wheel speed sensors SE1 to SE4.

[0033] The yaw rate sensor SE5 is a sensor that detects the yaw rate of the vehicle 90. Based on the detection signal from the yaw rate sensor SE5, the braking control device 10 can acquire a yaw rate detection value Yrs. The yaw rate detection value Yrs is set to take a positive value when the vehicle 90 is turning left, that is, when the vehicle 90 is turning counterclockwise when viewed from above. On the other hand, when the vehicle 90 is turning right, that is, when the vehicle 90 is turning clockwise when viewed from above, the yaw rate detection value Yrs is set to take a negative value.

[0034] The G sensor SE6 is a sensor that detects acceleration in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 90. Based on the detection signal from the G sensor SE6, the braking control device 10 can calculate the vehicle body deceleration G. The vehicle body deceleration G takes on a larger value as the speed of the vehicle 90 changes in the deceleration direction.

[0035] <Brake control device> The braking control device 10 is a processing circuit configured with multiple functional units that execute various types of control. Fig. 1 shows, as examples of the functional units, an acquisition unit 11, a calculation unit 12, an inter-system wheel speed difference determination unit 13, a malfunction diagnosis unit 14, and a braking control unit 15. The functional units included in the braking control device 10 can send and receive information to and from each other.

[0036] The acquisition unit 11 will be described. The acquisition unit 11 can acquire a yaw rate detection value Yrs. The acquisition unit 11 is an example of a yaw rate detection unit. The acquisition unit 11 can acquire the wheel speed of each wheel. The acquisition unit 11 is an example of a wheel speed detection unit.

[0037] The calculation unit 12 will now be described. The calculation unit 12 is capable of calculating the vehicle deceleration G. The calculation unit 12 is capable of calculating the vehicle speed VS based on the wheel speed of each wheel. The calculation unit 12 can calculate an estimated yaw rate based on the wheel speeds based on the difference between the left and right wheel speeds. For example, the calculation unit 12 can calculate a yaw rate calculation value Yrw based on the difference between the wheel speed VWrl of the left rear wheel 91rl and the wheel speed VWrr of the right rear wheel 91rr. The calculation unit 12 is an example of a yaw rate calculation unit.

[0038] The inter-system wheel speed difference determination unit 13 can select one of the first braking system 71 and the second braking system 72 of the vehicle 90 and determine whether the selected braking system is in an inter-system wheel speed difference state. Hereinafter, the selected one braking system may be referred to as the target system. The other braking system that is not the target system may be referred to as the non-target system.

[0039] The state where there is a wheel speed difference between the systems will now be described. The state where there is a wheel speed difference between the systems is a state where there is a predetermined wheel speed difference between the wheel speed of the front wheels belonging to the target system and the wheel speed of the front wheels belonging to the non-target system, and a state where there is a predetermined wheel speed difference between the wheel speed of the rear wheels belonging to the target system and the wheel speed of the rear wheels belonging to the non-target system.

[0040] A state in which a predetermined wheel speed difference exists refers to a state in which there is a predetermined deviation between the wheel speeds in the target system and the wheel speeds in the non-target system, and the magnitude relationship between the wheel speeds in the target system and the wheel speeds in the non-target system is also in a predetermined state. In this embodiment, a state in which a predetermined wheel speed difference exists refers to a state in which, for example, with respect to the front wheels, the wheel speed of the front wheels to which braking force is applied by the target system is lower than the wheel speed of the front wheels to which braking force is applied by the non-target system. For example, with respect to the rear wheels, a state in which a predetermined wheel speed difference exists refers to a state in which the wheel speed of the rear wheels to which braking force is applied by the target system is lower than the wheel speed of the rear wheels to which braking force is applied by the non-target system.

[0041] A specific example of the determination by the inter-system wheel speed difference determiner 13 will be described below. For example, when the first braking system 71 is selected as the target system, the inter-system wheel speed difference determiner 13 determines that the first braking system 71 is in a state where an inter-system wheel speed difference exists if the wheel speed of the left front wheel 91fl, to which braking force is applied by the second braking system 72, is greater than the sum of the wheel speed of the right front wheel 91fr, to which braking force is applied by the first braking system 71, and a predetermined front wheel speed difference threshold, and the wheel speed of the right rear wheel 91rr, to which braking force is applied by the second braking system 72, is greater than the sum of the wheel speed of the left rear wheel 91rl, to which braking force is applied by the first braking system 71, and a predetermined rear wheel speed difference threshold.

[0042] Furthermore, for example, when the inter-system wheel speed difference determination unit 13 selects the second braking system 72 as the target system, it determines that the second braking system 72 is in a state where there is an inter-system wheel speed difference if the wheel speed of the right front wheel 91fr, which is the target to which braking force is applied by the first braking system 71, is greater than the value obtained by adding a predetermined front wheel speed difference threshold to the wheel speed of the left front wheel 91fl, which is the target to which braking force is applied by the second braking system 72, and if the wheel speed of the left rear wheel 91rl, which is the target to which braking force is applied by the first braking system 71, is greater than the value obtained by adding a predetermined rear wheel speed difference threshold to the wheel speed of the right rear wheel 91rr, which is the target to which braking force is applied by the second braking system 72.

[0043] The front wheel speed difference threshold value and the rear wheel speed difference threshold value can be set as appropriate. The front wheel speed difference threshold value and the rear wheel speed difference threshold value can be set to values ​​equal to or greater than "0." The front wheel speed difference threshold value and the rear wheel speed difference threshold value can be set to different values ​​or the same value.

[0044] The malfunction diagnosis unit 14 will be described. The malfunction diagnosis unit 14 has a function of diagnosing whether the first braking system 71 and the second braking system 72 of the braking device 80 are in a malfunction state. A malfunction state is a state in which the function of applying braking force to the wheels cannot be performed due to an abnormality occurring in at least one component from the hydraulic line connected to the port of the master cylinder 83 to the braking mechanism. The malfunction diagnosis unit 14 executes a malfunction determination process to determine whether the braking system is in a malfunction state. The malfunction diagnosis unit 14 is an example of a malfunction determination unit that determines whether either one of the first braking system 71 and the second braking system 72 is in a malfunction state. The malfunction diagnosis unit 14 is an example of a malfunction determination unit that determines whether either one of the first braking system 71 and the second braking system 72 is in a malfunction state. When either one of the first braking system 71 and the second braking system 72 is in a malfunction state, the malfunction diagnosis unit 14 is an example of a malfunction determination unit that determines that a single-system malfunction state exists.

[0045] The failure diagnosis unit 14 can also identify as the failed system one of the first braking system 71 and the second braking system 72 that is in a failed state. The failure diagnosis unit 14 can also identify as the remaining system one of the first braking system 71 and the second braking system 72 that is not in a failed state. The failure diagnosis unit 14 also serves as an identification unit that identifies the failed system and the remaining system.

[0046] The braking control unit 15 has a function of controlling the braking device 80. For example, by controlling the solenoid valves of the brake actuator 70, the braking force of each wheel can be adjusted separately. Examples of controls executed by the braking control unit 15 include antilock brake control, rear lift suppression control, and compensation control.

[0047] Antilock brake control is a control that prevents wheels from locking while braking the vehicle 90. Hereinafter, antilock brake control will be referred to as ABS control. The braking control unit 15 starts ABS control when an ABS start condition is met. The ABS start condition is determined to be met, for example, when the wheel speed drops relative to the vehicle speed and the amount of wheel slip is equal to or greater than a threshold value.

[0048] The rear lift suppression control is a control for suppressing the occurrence of rear lift. Rear lift is a phenomenon in which the rear wheels of the vehicle 90 lift up from the road surface when the load on the rear wheels decreases due to a pitching moment while the vehicle 90 is braking. In the rear lift suppression control, a target deceleration GT is set as a target value for the vehicle body deceleration G. The braking control unit 15 suppresses the braking force when the vehicle body deceleration G is greater than the target deceleration GT.

[0049] The compensation control is executed to compensate for a one-system failure state. When a one-system failure state occurs, the braking control unit 15 stabilizes the vehicle 90 by performing compensation control corresponding to the remaining system depending on which of the first braking system 71 and the second braking system 72 is the remaining system. The compensation control is, for example, control to adjust the braking force of the front wheels in the remaining system. As will be described in detail later, the braking control unit 15 performs first compensation control when the first braking system 71 is the remaining system, and performs second compensation control different from the first compensation control when the second braking system 72 is the remaining system. The braking control unit 15 is an example of a compensation control unit.

[0050] <Failure determination process> An example of the malfunction determination process executed by the malfunction diagnosis unit 14 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. This processing routine is repeatedly executed at predetermined intervals.

[0051] When this processing routine starts, first, in step S101, the malfunction diagnosis unit 14 determines whether or not the judgment start condition is met. For example, the malfunction diagnosis unit 14 determines that the judgment start condition is met when the following (Condition 1), (Condition 2), and (Condition 3) are all met. (Condition 1) The vehicle 90 is being braked by the driver operating the brake operating member 92. (Condition 2) The vehicle speed VS is greater than the specified judgment vehicle speed. (Condition 3) The vehicle deceleration G is greater than the specified judgment deceleration.

[0052] If the judgment start condition is not met (S101: NO), the malfunction diagnosis unit 14 temporarily ends this processing routine. If the judgment start condition is met (S101: YES), the malfunction diagnosis unit 14 proceeds to step S102.

[0053] In step S102, the malfunction diagnosis unit 14 determines whether the turning direction of the vehicle 90 indicated by the detected yaw rate value Yrs is opposite to the turning direction of the vehicle 90 indicated by the calculated yaw rate value Yrw. Specifically, it determines whether the detected yaw rate value Yrs is greater than "0", i.e., a positive value, and the calculated yaw rate value Yrw is less than "0", i.e., a negative value.

[0054] In the process of step S102, if the detected yaw rate value Yrs is greater than "0" and the calculated yaw rate value Yrw is less than "0" (S102: YES), the malfunction diagnosis unit 14 proceeds to step S103. On the other hand, if the situation is different from the situation where the detected yaw rate value Yrs is greater than "0" and the calculated yaw rate value Yrw is less than "0" (S102: NO), the malfunction diagnosis unit 14 proceeds to step S107.

[0055] In step S103, the malfunction diagnosis unit 14 determines whether or not there is an inter-system wheel speed difference in the second braking system 72. That is, in step S103, the malfunction diagnosis unit 14 selects the second braking system 72 as the target system using the inter-system wheel speed difference determination unit 13. The inter-system wheel speed difference determination unit 13 determines whether or not a predetermined wheel speed difference occurs between the wheel speeds of the wheels belonging to the second braking system 72 selected as the target system and the wheel speeds of the wheels belonging to the first braking system 71, which is the non-target system, for both the front wheels and the rear wheels.

[0056] As an example, the inter-system wheel speed difference determination unit 13 determines that the second braking system 72 is in an inter-system wheel speed difference state when the wheel speed of the right front wheel 91fr belonging to the first braking system 71 is greater than the value obtained by adding the wheel speed of the left front wheel 91fl belonging to the second braking system 72 to the front wheel speed difference threshold, and the wheel speed of the left rear wheel 91rl belonging to the first braking system 71 is greater than the value obtained by adding the wheel speed of the right rear wheel 91rr belonging to the second braking system 72 to the rear wheel speed difference threshold.

[0057] The inter-system wheel speed difference determination unit 13 does not determine that an inter-system wheel speed difference exists when there is no predetermined wheel speed difference between the wheel speed of the front wheel belonging to the target system and the wheel speed of the front wheel belonging to the non-target system. Therefore, when the wheel speed of the right front wheel 91fr belonging to the first braking system 71 is equal to or less than the sum of the wheel speed of the left front wheel 91fl belonging to the second braking system 72 and the front wheel speed difference threshold, it does not determine that an inter-system wheel speed difference exists. The inter-system wheel speed difference determination unit 13 does not determine that an inter-system wheel speed difference exists when there is no predetermined wheel speed difference between the wheel speed of the rear wheel belonging to the target system and the rear wheel belonging to the non-target system. Therefore, when the wheel speed of the left rear wheel 91rl belonging to the first braking system 71 is equal to or less than the sum of the wheel speed of the right rear wheel 91rr belonging to the second braking system 72 and the rear wheel speed difference threshold, it does not determine that an inter-system wheel speed difference exists.

[0058] If the second braking system 72 is in a state where there is an inter-system wheel speed difference (S103: YES), the malfunction diagnosis unit 14 proceeds to step S104. On the other hand, if the second braking system 72 is not in a state where there is an inter-system wheel speed difference (S103: NO), the malfunction diagnosis unit 14 proceeds to step S107.

[0059] In step S104, the malfunction diagnosing unit 14 determines whether the MC pressure Pmc is smaller than a first determination value KP1. The MC pressure Pmc and the first determination value KP1 will be described. If the first braking system 71 fails, the MC pressure Pmc acquired based on the detection signal from the MC pressure sensor SE7 included in the first braking system 71 will be a value different from the hydraulic pressure actually generated by the master cylinder 83. For example, even if the master cylinder 83 is generating hydraulic pressure during braking, the MC pressure Pmc will be acquired as "0." In other words, if the first braking system 71 fails, the MC pressure Pmc will be smaller than when the first braking system 71 is not failed. The first determination value KP1 is set as a threshold value for determining whether the hydraulic pressure can be detected as the MC pressure Pmc when the master cylinder 83 is generating hydraulic pressure. The first determination value KP1 is a value calculated in advance through experiments or the like. In other words, the first determination value KP1 is set as a value that indicates the possibility of a failure in the first braking system 71 when the MC pressure Pmc is smaller than the first determination value KP1. As an example, the first determination value KP1 is a value slightly larger than "0".

[0060] In step S104, if the MC pressure Pmc is smaller than the first determination value KP1 (S104: YES), the malfunction diagnosis unit 14 proceeds to step S105. On the other hand, if the MC pressure Pmc is equal to or greater than the first determination value KP1 (S104: NO), the malfunction diagnosis unit 14 proceeds to step S107.

[0061] In step S105, the malfunction diagnosis unit 14 determines whether the detected yaw rate value Yrs is greater than a first Yr threshold value KY1. The first Yr threshold value KY1 is a positive value. The first Yr threshold value KY1 is set as a threshold value for determining whether the detected yaw rate value Yrs indicates that the vehicle 90 is turning left. That is, the fact that the detected yaw rate value Yrs is greater than the first Yr threshold value KY1 indicates that the vehicle 90 is turning left. If the detected yaw rate value Yrs is greater than the first Yr threshold value KY1 (S105: YES), the malfunction diagnosis unit 14 proceeds to step S106. On the other hand, if the detected yaw rate value Yrs is equal to or less than the first Yr threshold value KY1 (S105: NO), the malfunction diagnosis unit 14 proceeds to step S107.

[0062] Here, the behavior of the vehicle 90 in a state where one system fails will be described using Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 illustrates an example of a vehicle 90 in a state where the first braking system 71 is the failed system and the second braking system 72 is the remaining system. Figure 4(a) shows the transition of the wheel speed of the vehicle 90 in the state illustrated in Figure 3. Figure 4(b) shows the transition of the detected yaw rate value Yrs of the vehicle 90 in the state illustrated in Figure 3. Figure 4 illustrates an example where braking begins at timing t1.

[0063] Because the first braking system 71 is in a failed state, even if braking of the vehicle 90 is initiated, no braking force is applied to the right front wheel 91fr and the left rear wheel 91rl, as shown in FIG. 3. On the other hand, braking force is applied to the left front wheel 91fl and the right rear wheel 91rr by the second braking system 72. The left front wheel braking force BFfl shown in FIG. 3 indicates the magnitude of the braking force applied to the left front wheel 91fl. The right rear wheel braking force BFrr shown in FIG. 3 indicates the magnitude of the braking force applied to the right rear wheel 91rr. Note that because the first braking system 71 is in a failed state, it is difficult for the MC pressure sensor SE7 to accurately detect the hydraulic pressure actually generated by the master cylinder 83.

[0064] The detected yaw rate Yrs of the vehicle 90 shown in Fig. 3 will now be described. Because the left front wheel braking force BFfl is greater than the right rear wheel braking force BFrr, the yaw rate actually acting on the vehicle 90 indicates a turn to the left, i.e., a counterclockwise turn, as indicated by the solid arrow in Fig. 3, which indicates that the vehicle 90 is deviating to the left.

[0065] The yaw rate calculation value Yrw of the vehicle 90 illustrated in FIG. 3 will be described. As described above, a braking force is applied to the right rear wheel 91rr, while no braking force is applied to the left rear wheel 91rl. Therefore, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 4(a), the wheel speed VWrr of the right rear wheel 91rr is smaller than the wheel speed VWrl of the left rear wheel 91rl, as shown by the dashed line. That is, a magnitude relationship exists between the wheel speed VWrr of the right rear wheel 91rr and the wheel speed VWrl of the left rear wheel 91rl. The yaw rate calculation value Yrw calculated based on the difference between the wheel speed VWrr of the right rear wheel 91rr and the wheel speed VWrl of the left rear wheel 91rl is a value indicating a turn to the right, i.e., a negative value, as indicated by the two-dot chain arrow in FIG. 3. On the other hand, the detected yaw rate value Yrs is a positive value indicating a turn to the left, as shown in FIG. 4(b).

[0066] Also, at this time, the wheel speed VWrr of the right rear wheel 91rr is smaller than the wheel speed VWrl of the left rear wheel 91rl. Furthermore, the wheel speed of the left front wheel 91fl is smaller than the wheel speed of the right front wheel 91fr. Based on this wheel speed difference, the inter-system wheel speed difference determination unit 13 determines that a predetermined wheel speed difference exists between the wheel speeds of the front and rear wheels belonging to the second braking system 72 and the wheel speeds of the front and rear wheels belonging to the first braking system 71. In other words, the inter-system wheel speed difference determination unit 13 determines that the second braking system 72, to which the right rear wheel 91rr and the left front wheel 91fl belong, is in an inter-system wheel speed difference state. The situation in which the second braking system 72 is determined to be in an inter-system wheel speed difference state occurs when braking force is applied only to both wheels belonging to the second braking system 72 among the wheels of the vehicle 90, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0067] Returning to FIG. 2, in step S106, the failure diagnosis unit 14 turns on the first system failure flag F1. The initial value of the first system failure flag F1 is OFF. When the first system failure flag F1 is ON, the first system failure flag F1 is a flag indicating that the first braking system 71, which includes the MC pressure sensor SE7, is in a failed state. That is, the failure diagnosis unit 14 identifies the first braking system 71 as the failed system and turns on the first system failure flag F1. This is because, when the vehicle 90 exhibits behavior that would occur if the first braking system 71 were in a failed state, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a positive determination is made in the processing of steps S102 to S105, and the processing proceeds to step S106. Note that when the first system failure flag F1 is turned on, it can be said that the failure diagnosis unit 14 has identified the second braking system 72 as the remaining system. When the failure diagnosis unit 14 turns on the first system failure flag F1, it ends this processing routine.

[0068] In step S107, the malfunction diagnosis unit 14 determines whether the turning direction of the vehicle 90 indicated by the detected yaw rate value Yrs is opposite to the turning direction of the vehicle 90 indicated by the calculated yaw rate value Yrw. Specifically, it determines whether the detected yaw rate value Yrs is smaller than "0", i.e., a negative value, and the calculated yaw rate value Yrw is larger than "0", i.e., a positive value.

[0069] In the process of step S107, if the detected yaw rate value Yrs is smaller than "0" and the calculated yaw rate value Yrw is larger than "0" (S107: YES), the malfunction diagnosis unit 14 shifts the process to step S108. On the other hand, if the situation is different from the situation where the detected yaw rate value Yrs is smaller than "0" and the calculated yaw rate value Yrw is larger than "0" (S107: NO), the malfunction diagnosis unit 14 shifts the process to step S112.

[0070] When the process moves from step S102 to step S107, the process moves to step S112 in the following cases. That is, after a negative determination is made in step S102, a negative determination is also made in step S107. One example is when either the value of the detected yaw rate value Yrs or the calculated yaw rate value Yrw is "0." Another example is when the turning direction of the vehicle 90 indicated by the detected yaw rate value Yrs and the turning direction of the vehicle 90 indicated by the calculated yaw rate value Yrw are the same.

[0071] In step S108, the malfunction diagnosis unit 14 determines whether or not there is an inter-system wheel speed difference in the first braking system 71. That is, in step S108, the malfunction diagnosis unit 14 selects the first braking system 71 as the target system using the inter-system wheel speed difference determination unit 13. The inter-system wheel speed difference determination unit 13 determines whether or not a predetermined wheel speed difference occurs between the wheel speeds of the wheels belonging to the first braking system 71 selected as the target system and the wheel speeds of the wheels belonging to the second braking system 72, which is the non-target system, for both the front wheels and the rear wheels.

[0072] As an example, the inter-system wheel speed difference determination unit 13 determines that the first braking system 71 is in an inter-system wheel speed difference state when the wheel speed of the left front wheel 91fl belonging to the second braking system 72 is greater than the value obtained by adding the wheel speed of the right front wheel 91fr belonging to the first braking system 71 to the front wheel speed difference threshold, and the wheel speed of the right rear wheel 91rr belonging to the second braking system 72 is greater than the value obtained by adding the wheel speed of the left rear wheel 91rl belonging to the first braking system 71 to the rear wheel speed difference threshold.

[0073] The inter-system wheel speed difference determination unit 13 does not determine that an inter-system wheel speed difference exists when there is no predetermined wheel speed difference between the wheel speed of the front wheel belonging to the target system and the wheel speed of the front wheel belonging to the non-target system. Therefore, when the wheel speed of the left front wheel 91fl belonging to the second braking system 72 is equal to or less than the sum of the wheel speed of the right front wheel 91fr belonging to the first braking system 71 and the front wheel speed difference threshold, it does not determine that an inter-system wheel speed difference exists. The inter-system wheel speed difference determination unit 13 does not determine that an inter-system wheel speed difference exists when there is no predetermined wheel speed difference between the wheel speed of the rear wheel belonging to the target system and the rear wheel belonging to the non-target system. Therefore, when the wheel speed of the right rear wheel 91rr belonging to the second braking system 72 is equal to or less than the sum of the wheel speed of the left rear wheel 91rl belonging to the first braking system 71 and the rear wheel speed difference threshold, it does not determine that an inter-system wheel speed difference exists.

[0074] If the first braking system 71 is in a state where there is an inter-system wheel speed difference (S108: YES), the malfunction diagnosis unit 14 proceeds to step S109. On the other hand, if the first braking system 71 is not in a state where there is an inter-system wheel speed difference (S108: NO), the malfunction diagnosis unit 14 proceeds to step S112.

[0075] In step S109, the malfunction diagnosis unit 14 determines whether the characteristic value PG is smaller than the second determination value KP2. The characteristic value PG and the second determination value KP2 will be described. The characteristic value PG is a value that indicates the relationship between the vehicle deceleration G and the total braking force of the vehicle 90. The characteristic value PG can be calculated by dividing the vehicle deceleration G by the MC pressure Pmc. If the second braking system 72 has failed, the vehicle deceleration G will be smaller than the vehicle deceleration G when the second braking system 72 is not failing, assuming that the MC pressure Pmc is the same value. In other words, if the second braking system 72 has failed, the characteristic value PG will be smaller than when the second braking system 72 is not failing. The second determination value KP2 is set as a value that indicates the possibility of a failure in the second braking system 72 when the characteristic value PG is smaller than the second determination value KP2. The second determination value KP2 is a value that is calculated in advance by experiments, etc.

[0076] In step S109, if the characteristic value PG is smaller than the second determination value KP2 (S109: YES), the malfunction diagnosis unit 14 proceeds to step S110. On the other hand, if the characteristic value PG is equal to or larger than the second determination value KP2 (S109: NO), the malfunction diagnosis unit 14 proceeds to step S112.

[0077] In step S110, the malfunction diagnosis unit 14 determines whether the detected yaw rate value Yrs is smaller than a second Yr threshold value KY2. The second Yr threshold value KY2 is a negative value. The second Yr threshold value KY2 is set as a threshold value for determining whether the detected yaw rate value Yrs indicates that the vehicle 90 is turning right. In other words, the fact that the detected yaw rate value Yrs is smaller than the second Yr threshold value KY2 indicates that the vehicle 90 is turning right. If the detected yaw rate value Yrs is smaller than the second Yr threshold value KY2 (S110: YES), the malfunction diagnosis unit 14 proceeds to step S111. On the other hand, if the detected yaw rate value Yrs is equal to or greater than the second Yr threshold value KY2 (S110: NO), the malfunction diagnosis unit 14 proceeds to step S112.

[0078] Here, a description will be given of a vehicle 90 in a state where the first braking system 71 is the remaining system and the second braking system 72 is the failed system, unlike the example shown in FIG. 3 . In the vehicle 90 in this state, the relationship between the detected yaw rate Yrs and the calculated yaw rate Yrw is as follows: The detected yaw rate Yrs is a negative value indicating a turn to the right, i.e., a clockwise turn, while the calculated yaw rate Yrw is a positive value indicating a turn to the left. In addition, the wheel speeds of the left rear wheel 91rl and the right front wheel 91fr decrease. As a result, the first braking system 71, to which the left rear wheel 91rl and the right front wheel 91fr belong, is determined to be in a state where there is a wheel speed difference between the systems. This state is caused by braking force being applied only to both wheels of the vehicle 90 that belong to the first braking system 71. The characteristic value PG is therefore smaller than when there is no single-system failure.

[0079] Returning to FIG. 2, in step S111, the failure diagnosis unit 14 turns on the second system failure flag F2. The second system failure flag F2 has an OFF initial value. The second system failure flag F2 is a flag indicating that the second braking system 72 is in a failed state when the second system failure flag F2 is ON. That is, the failure diagnosis unit 14 identifies the second braking system 72 as the failed system and turns on the second system failure flag F2. This is because, when the vehicle 90 exhibits behavior that would occur if the second braking system 72 were in a failed state, as described above, a positive determination is made in the processing of steps S107 to S110, and the processing proceeds to step S111. Note that when the second system failure flag F2 is turned on, it can be said that the failure diagnosis unit 14 has identified the first braking system 71 as the remaining system. After turning on the second system failure flag F2, the failure diagnosis unit 14 ends this processing routine.

[0080] In step S112, the failure diagnosis unit 14 leaves the first system failure flag F1 and the second system failure flag F2 at their initial values ​​of OFF, and then ends this processing routine.

[0081] The relationship between the first Yr threshold value KY1 and the second Yr threshold value KY2 will now be described. As an example, the first Yr threshold value KY1 and the second Yr threshold value KY2 can be set so that the absolute value of the first Yr threshold value KY1 is smaller than the absolute value of the second Yr threshold value KY2. In this case, comparing the processing of step S105 with the processing of step S110, a positive determination is more likely to be made in step S105 even when the yaw rate detection value Yrs is close to "0." That is, the processing of step S105 has a higher sensitivity for determining whether the vehicle 90 is turning than the processing of step S110. As a result, the sensitivity for determining that the first braking system 71 is in a malfunction state is higher. As another example, the absolute value of the first Yr threshold value KY1 and the absolute value of the second Yr threshold value KY2 may be equal.

[0082] In the above example, the malfunction diagnosis unit 14 causes the inter-system wheel speed difference determination unit 13 to select, as the target system, the braking system to which the inner rear wheels belong when it is assumed that the vehicle 90 is turning in the turning direction indicated by the yaw rate calculation value Yrw. In other words, the malfunction diagnosis unit 14 causes the inter-system wheel speed difference determination unit 13 to select, as the target system, the braking system to which the inner front wheels belong when it is assumed that the vehicle 90 is turning in the turning direction indicated by the yaw rate detection value Yrs. Therefore, in the processing of step S103, the second braking system 72 is selected as the target system as described above. In the processing of step S108, the first braking system 71 is selected as the target system as described above.

[0083] The failure diagnosis unit 14 may control the notification device 93 when the first system failure flag F1 or the second system failure flag F2 is ON. That is, the failure diagnosis unit 14 may control the notification device 93 when one system is in a failure state to notify the driver or the like that a braking system has failed.

[0084] <Compensation Control> The compensation control executed by the braking control unit 15 in the case of a one-system failure will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0085] Fig. 5 shows an example of processing when the brake control unit 15 performs rear lift suppression control. The processing flow shown in Fig. 5 is an example of a specific first compensation control when the first braking system 71 is the remaining system. This processing routine is repeatedly executed at predetermined intervals until the vehicle 90 stops.

[0086] When this processing routine starts, first, in step S201, the braking control unit 15 determines whether or not the start condition for the rear lift suppression control is satisfied. For example, the braking control unit 15 determines that the start condition for the rear lift suppression control is satisfied when the MC pressure Pmc is greater than a third determination value KP3. The third determination value KP3 can be a value calculated in advance by experiments or the like as a value at which rear lift is likely to occur when the MC pressure Pmc is greater than the third determination value KP3.

[0087] If the start condition for the rear lift suppression control is not satisfied (S201: NO), the braking control unit 15 temporarily ends this processing routine. On the other hand, if the start condition for the rear lift suppression control is satisfied (S201: YES), the braking control unit 15 proceeds to step S202.

[0088] In step S202, the braking control unit 15 determines whether the second system failure flag F2 is ON. If the second system failure flag F2 is ON, that is, if the first braking system 71 is the remaining system and the second braking system 72 is the failed system (S202: YES), the braking control unit 15 proceeds to step S203. In step S203, the braking control unit 15 sets the second increase amount KF2b as the increase amount KF2. Thereafter, the braking control unit 15 proceeds to step S204.

[0089] On the other hand, in the process of step S202, if the second system failure flag F2 is OFF (S202: NO), the braking control unit 15 proceeds to step S206. In step S203, the braking control unit 15 sets the first increase amount KF2a as the increase amount KF2. That is, the first increase amount KF2a is set as the increase amount KF2 when the second braking system 72 is not in a failure state. After setting the increase amount KF2, the braking control unit 15 proceeds to step S207.

[0090] The increase amount KF2 is a value that sets the magnitude of the increase in braking force per unit time when increasing the braking force in the rear lift suppression control. For example, the second increase amount KF2b is a value smaller than the first increase amount KF2a. In this case, when the second braking system 72 is in a failure state, the increase amount KF2 is made smaller than when the second braking system 72 is not in a failure state. As a result, the increase in braking force is suppressed when one system is in a failure state.

[0091] In step S204, the braking control unit 15 determines whether the processing of step S204 is being performed for the first time after the malfunction determination. If the processing of step S204 is being performed for the first time after the second system malfunction flag F2 is turned ON, the braking control unit 15 determines that this is the first processing after the malfunction determination.

[0092] If this is the initial process after the malfunction determination (S204: YES), the braking control unit 15 proceeds to step S205. In step S205, the braking control unit 15 reduces the front wheel target braking force BFfT by the initial reduction amount KF1. As a result, the braking force applied to the front wheels by the braking device 80 is reduced. Specifically, the braking force applied to the right front wheel 91fr, which is the wheel targeted by the first braking system 71, which is the remaining system, is reduced at this time.

[0093] The initial decrease amount KF1 may be set, for example, so that decreasing the front wheel target braking force BFfT by the initial decrease amount KF1 reduces the vehicle body deceleration G of the vehicle 90 by a specified percentage compared to before the front wheel target braking force BFfT was decreased. The specified percentage can be about 60%. The upper limit of the specified percentage is, for example, 70%. The lower limit of the specified percentage is, for example, 50%. The braking control unit 15 can calculate the initial decrease amount KF1. As another example, the initial decrease amount KF1 may be a fixed value calculated in advance by experiments or the like.

[0094] The braking control unit 15 reduces the front wheel target braking force BFfT by the initial reduction amount KF1, and then ends this processing routine. If the process in step S204 is not the first process after the malfunction determination, that is, if it is the second or subsequent process after the malfunction determination (S204: NO), the braking control unit 15 proceeds to step S207.

[0095] In step S207, the braking control unit 15 determines whether the vehicle body deceleration G is smaller than the value obtained by subtracting the sensitivity KG from the target deceleration GT. The target deceleration GT is a target value of the vehicle body deceleration G calculated to suppress the occurrence of rear lift. The sensitivity KG is a value that sets a hysteresis width. The sensitivity KG is set so that, when the vehicle body deceleration G is controlled to follow the target deceleration GT, the braking force does not increase and decrease more than necessary when the vehicle body deceleration G is near the target deceleration GT. The sensitivity KG is, for example, a value calculated in advance. The sensitivity KG can also be calculated to be a larger value as the target deceleration GT increases.

[0096] If the vehicle body deceleration G is smaller than the value obtained by subtracting the sensitivity KG from the target deceleration GT (S207: YES), the braking control unit 15 proceeds to step S208. In step S208, the braking control unit 15 increases the front wheel target braking force BFfT by the increase amount KF2 using the increase amount KF2 set in step S203 or step S206. As a result, the braking force applied to the front wheels by the braking device 80 is increased. Specifically, the braking force of the right front wheel 91fr, which is the wheel controlled by the first braking system 71, which is the remaining system, is increased at this time. After increasing the front wheel target braking force BFfT by the increase amount KF2, the braking control unit 15 ends this processing routine.

[0097] On the other hand, in the process of step S207, if the vehicle body deceleration G is equal to or greater than the value obtained by subtracting the sensitivity KG from the target deceleration GT (S207: NO), the braking control unit 15 proceeds to step S209. In step S209, the braking control unit 15 determines whether the vehicle body deceleration G is greater than the target deceleration GT.

[0098] If the vehicle body deceleration G is greater than the target deceleration GT (S209: YES), the braking control unit 15 proceeds to step S210. In step S210, the braking control unit 15 reduces the front wheel target braking force BFfT by the reduction amount KF3. As a result, the braking force applied to the front wheels by the braking device 80 is reduced. Specifically, the braking force of the right front wheel 91fr, which is the wheel targeted by the first braking system 71, which is the remaining system, is reduced at this time. After reducing the front wheel target braking force BFfT by the reduction amount KF3, the braking control unit 15 ends this processing routine.

[0099] If the vehicle body deceleration G is equal to or less than the target deceleration GT (S209: NO), the braking control unit 15 proceeds to step S211. In step S211, the braking control unit 15 maintains the front wheel target braking force BFfT without increasing or decreasing it. That is, if the vehicle body deceleration G is equal to or greater than the value obtained by subtracting the sensitivity KG from the target deceleration GT and the vehicle body deceleration G is equal to or less than the target deceleration GT, the braking control unit 15 maintains the front wheel target braking force BFfT. Thereafter, the braking control unit 15 ends this processing routine.

[0100] 6 is an example of a specific implementation of the second compensation control when the second braking system 72 is the remaining system. This processing routine is repeatedly executed at predetermined intervals until the vehicle 90 stops.

[0101] When this processing routine is started, first, in step S301, the braking control unit 15 determines whether the first system failure flag F1 is ON. If the first system failure flag F1 is OFF (S301: NO), the braking control unit 15 temporarily ends this processing routine.

[0102] On the other hand, if the first system failure flag F1 is ON, that is, if the first braking system 71 is the failed system and the second braking system 72 is the remaining system (S301: YES), the braking control unit 15 proceeds to step S302.

[0103] In step S302, the braking control unit 15 determines whether ABS control is being performed. If ABS control is not being performed (S302: NO), the braking control unit 15 proceeds to step S304. In step S304, the braking control unit 15 performs constant pressure increase control. Thereafter, the braking control unit 15 ends this processing routine.

[0104] The constant pressure increase control will now be described. The constant pressure increase control limits the rate of increase in the braking force on the left front wheel 91fl, which is the wheel controlled by the second brake system 72 (the remaining system), to a specified gradient. In the constant pressure increase control, the brake controller 15 controls the brake device 80 so that the braking force on the left front wheel 91fl continues to increase at a constant increase gradient. The braking force on the left front wheel 91fl can be adjusted by controlling the third pressure increase valve 64c and the third pressure reduction valve 65c. For example, in the constant pressure increase control, the brake controller 15 repeatedly holds the third pressure increase valve 64c in an open state for a predetermined valve opening time and then holds the third pressure increase valve 64c in a closed state for a predetermined holding time. The increase gradient is set to prevent the braking force from becoming excessively large. The increase gradient is preferably large enough to minimize the yaw moment of the vehicle 90 in a one-system failure state when the driver steers the vehicle 90, whose braking force is increased by the constant pressure increase control.

[0105] In the process of step S302, if ABS control is being performed (S302: YES), the braking control unit 15 proceeds to step S303. In step S303, the braking control unit 15 ends the constant pressure increase control. Thereafter, the braking control unit 15 ends this processing routine. In other words, if ABS control is started while constant pressure increase control is being performed, the braking control unit 15 ends the constant pressure increase control.

[0106] In the process of step S302, the braking control unit 15 may determine whether or not a condition for starting ABS control is satisfied. In this case, if the condition for starting ABS control is satisfied, the process may proceed to step S303, whereas if the condition for starting ABS control is not satisfied, the process may proceed to step S304.

[0107] <Action and Effects> The operation and effects of this embodiment will be described. According to the braking control device 10, it is possible to determine whether the turning direction indicated by the detected yaw rate value Yrs is opposite to the turning direction indicated by the calculated yaw rate value Yrw, thereby determining whether the vehicle 90 is in a one-system failure state. That is, it is possible to accurately determine whether the vehicle 90 is in a one-system failure state by capturing the change in behavior that the vehicle 90 exhibits when the vehicle 90 is in a one-system failure state.

[0108] The brake control device 10 selects one of the first brake system 71 and the second brake system 72 as the target system. The condition for determining that a single system has failed is a state in which there is a wheel speed difference between the front and rear wheels belonging to the target system and the front and rear wheels belonging to the non-target system, where a predetermined wheel speed difference occurs between the front wheels and the rear wheels. This improves the accuracy of determining whether a single system has failed. In other words, it is possible to prevent a single system from being erroneously determined to be in a single system failure state when it is not.

[0109] The first braking system 71 is a braking system capable of detecting the MC pressure Pmc. Therefore, by determining whether the MC pressure Pmc is detected as in the process of step S104, it is possible to ensure accuracy in determining whether a single-system failure has occurred. Therefore, in the braking control device 10, the first Yr threshold value KY1 and the second Yr threshold value KY2 are set so that the absolute value of the first Yr threshold value KY1 is smaller than the absolute value of the second Yr threshold value KY2. This increases the sensitivity with which it is determined that the first braking system 71 has a failure. In other words, if the first braking system 71 fails, it becomes possible to identify the failed system more quickly.

[0110] The brake control device 10, which can identify the faulty system in a vehicle equipped with a cross-connected brake system, is particularly useful when applied to vehicles with a short wheelbase, such as small trucks, which are prone to poor straight-line stability.

[0111] The brake control device 10 can identify whether the failed system is a brake system capable of detecting the MC pressure Pmc, thereby executing compensation control according to the remaining system. 7 shows an example in which the rear lift suppression control is executed when the first braking system 71 is the remaining system. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the rear lift suppression control is started at timing t11. At timing t12, it is determined that one system is in a failure state, and furthermore, the second braking system 72 is identified as the failed system.

[0112] In Fig. 7(a), the target deceleration GT is shown by a broken line, and the vehicle body deceleration G is shown by a solid line. In (b) of Figure 7, the braking force requested by the driver of the vehicle 90 is shown by a dashed line. The dashed line corresponds to the MC pressure Pmc. In (b) of Figure 7, the front wheel target braking force BFfT is shown by a solid line.

[0113] In the example shown in Figure 7, during the period from timing t11 to timing t12 before it is determined that one system is in a failure state, the front wheel target braking force BFfT is controlled so that the vehicle deceleration G shown by the solid line follows the target deceleration GT.

[0114] Since the second braking system 72 is the failed system, the processing of steps S203 to S205 shown in FIG. 5 is executed. When the second braking system 72 is identified as the failed system at timing t12, the front wheel target braking force BFfT is reduced by the initial reduction amount KF1 (S205). Therefore, after timing t12, the front wheel target braking force BFfT is reduced significantly as shown in FIG. 7(b). The reduction in the front wheel braking force reduces the vehicle body deceleration G as shown in FIG. 7(a). This makes it possible to prevent the yaw moment from increasing due to the application of a large braking force in a one-system failure state. Thereafter, the processing of steps S207 to S211 is executed, and the front wheel target braking force BFfT is adjusted in accordance with the target deceleration GT and the vehicle body deceleration G. This makes it possible to ensure braking force while preventing a decrease in the stability of the vehicle 90.

[0115] The second increment KF2b, which is set as the increment KF when one system fails, is smaller than the first increment KF2a (S203). As a result, in the rear lift suppression control when one system fails, an increase in the front wheel braking force is suppressed. In other words, a sudden increase in the front wheel braking force is suppressed.

[0116] According to the brake control device 10, when one system fails, the remaining system can be controlled using the MC pressure Pmc. Therefore, the braking force can be adjusted while grasping the absolute magnitude of the braking force applied to the wheels. For example, the front wheel braking force can be not only increased, but also decreased.

[0117] 8 shows an example in which constant pressure increase control is performed when the second brake system 72 is the remaining system. In the example shown in FIG. 8, at timing t21, it is determined that one system is in a failure state, and furthermore, the first brake system 71 is identified as the failed system. That is, constant pressure increase control is started at timing t21. Furthermore, at timing t22, the ABS start condition is satisfied, and ABS control is performed from timing t22 onwards.

[0118] In (a) of Figure 8, the braking force requested by the driver of the vehicle 90 is shown by a dashed line. The dashed line corresponds to the MC pressure Pmc. In (a) of Figure 8, the front wheel target braking force BFfT is shown by a solid line.

[0119] In the example shown in FIG. 8, the first braking system 71 is the failed system, and therefore, as shown in FIG. 8(b), the MC pressure Pmc cannot be detected even though braking is in progress. Constant pressure increase control is performed during the period from timing t21 when the second compensation control is started to timing t22 when the ABS control is started. That is, the increase gradient of the front wheel target braking force BFfT is limited. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8(a), the increase rate of the front wheel target braking force BFfT is controlled to be constant. This makes it possible to gradually increase the front wheel braking force while preventing the front wheel braking force from becoming excessively large, even in a state where the MC pressure Pmc cannot be detected. That is, it is possible to ensure braking force while preventing a decrease in the stability of the vehicle 90.

[0120] 7 and 8, according to the brake control device 10, when one system fails, the increase in braking force is suppressed by compensation control. Therefore, when the driver of the vehicle 90 in the one system failure state performs a steering operation, the vehicle 90 can be easily stabilized.

[0121] (Example of change) This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0122] When one system fails, the braking control unit 15 may control the booster valve in the failed system to close. This blocks the hydraulic fluid flow path. For example, if a failure occurs in the flow path near the wheel cylinder, hydraulic fluid may leak out. Closing the booster valve blocks the flow path of the failed system, preventing hydraulic fluid from leaking out.

[0123] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the turning direction of the vehicle 90 indicated by the detected yaw rate value Yrs was identified in steps S105 and S110, and the faulty system was identified based on the turning direction. Specifically, when the turning direction of the vehicle 90 indicated by the detected yaw rate value Yrs is leftward, the first brake system 71 was identified as the faulty system and the second brake system 72 was identified as the remaining system. Furthermore, when the turning direction of the vehicle 90 indicated by the detected yaw rate value Yrs is rightward, the first brake system 71 was identified as the remaining system and the second brake system 72 was identified as the faulty system.

[0124] Alternatively, the failed system can be identified based on the turning direction of the vehicle 90 indicated by the calculated yaw rate value Yrw. In this case, the failed system is identified taking into consideration that, in the one-system failure state as described above, the turning direction indicated by the detected yaw rate value Yrs and the turning direction indicated by the calculated yaw rate value Yrw are opposite directions. That is, if the turning direction indicated by the calculated yaw rate value Yrw is leftward, the second braking system 72 is identified as the failed system. In this case, the first braking system 71 is also identified as the remaining system. If the turning direction indicated by the calculated yaw rate value Yrw is rightward, the first braking system 71 is identified as the failed system. In this case, the second braking system 72 is also identified as the remaining system.

[0125] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the calculated yaw rate value Yrw was calculated and used in the malfunction determination process. However, calculating the calculated yaw rate value Yrw is not essential. In the malfunction determination process, instead of making a determination based on the turning direction of the vehicle 90 indicated by the calculated yaw rate value Yrw, a determination may be made based on the turning direction of the vehicle 90 estimated from the wheel speed. For example, the turning direction of the vehicle 90 may be estimated based on the magnitude relationship between the wheel speed VWrr of the right rear wheel 91rr and the wheel speed VWrl of the left rear wheel 91rl. Specifically, if the wheel speed VWrr of the right rear wheel 91rr is smaller than the wheel speed VWrl of the left rear wheel 91rl, the turning direction of the vehicle 90 estimated from the wheel speeds is rightward. If the wheel speed VWrr of the right rear wheel 91rr is greater than the wheel speed VWrl of the left rear wheel 91rl, the turning direction of the vehicle 90 estimated from the wheel speeds is leftward.

[0126] The malfunction determination process shown in Fig. 2 is an example. For example, one or more of steps S103 to S105 and steps S108 to S110 in Fig. 2 may be omitted. For example, in a vehicle 90 in a one-system malfunction state, the turning direction indicated by the detected yaw rate value Yrs is opposite to the turning direction indicated by the calculated yaw rate value Yrw. When the turning direction indicated by the detected yaw rate value Yrs is opposite to the turning direction indicated by the calculated yaw rate value Yrw, it can be determined that the vehicle 90 is in a one-system malfunction state.

[0127] In the above embodiment, an example of identifying a failed system is shown. However, identifying a failed system is not essential. The failure diagnosis unit 14 may perform processing to determine whether or not a single system has failed. For example, the failure diagnosis unit 14 may perform processing to determine that a single system has failed when the turning direction indicated by the detected yaw rate value Yrs and the turning direction indicated by the calculated yaw rate value Yrw are opposite directions.

[0128] The front wheel speed difference threshold in the above embodiment may be a different value depending on whether the front wheels are drive wheels or driven wheels. As an example, the front wheel speed difference threshold when the front wheels are drive wheels may be set to a larger value than the front wheel speed difference threshold when the front wheels are driven wheels. The wheel speed of the drive wheels is affected by engine braking, regenerative braking, etc. According to the above configuration, it is possible to suppress erroneous determinations caused by the influence of engine braking, regenerative braking, etc. In other words, it is possible to suppress erroneous determinations of whether a predetermined wheel speed difference has occurred. As with the front wheel speed difference threshold, a different value may be used for the rear wheel speed difference threshold depending on whether the rear wheels are drive wheels or driven wheels.

[0129] The braking control device 10, which is a processing circuit, may have any of the following configurations [a] to [c]. [a] A circuit having one or more processors that execute various processes according to a computer program. The processor includes a processing device. Examples of the processing device include a CPU, a DSP, and a GPU. The processor includes a memory. Examples of the memory include a RAM, a ROM, and a flash memory. The memory stores program code or instructions configured to cause the processing device to execute a process. The memory, i.e., a computer-readable medium, includes any available medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer. [b] A circuit having one or more hardware circuits that execute various processes. Examples of hardware circuits include an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device), and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). [c] A circuit having a processor that executes some of the various processes according to a computer program and a hardware circuit that executes the remaining processes.

[0130] Some of the functions implemented by the braking control device 10 may be implemented by another processing circuit connected to the braking control device 10. In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the MC pressure sensor SE7 was provided in the first brake system 71. The MC pressure sensor SE7 may also be provided in the second brake system 72. Furthermore, the brake system equipped with the MC pressure sensor SE7 is not limited to only one of the brake systems. There is no limitation on providing the MC pressure sensor SE7 in both the first brake system 71 and the second brake system 72.

[0131] In the above embodiment, a hydraulic braking device was used as an example of the braking device 80. However, the braking device to which the brake control device 10 is applied is not limited to a hydraulic braking device, and may be any braking device having cross-connected braking systems. For example, the braking device may be a mechanical friction braking device that presses a friction material against a rotating body by mechanically transmitting the drive force of an electric motor. Specifically, it is sufficient that the circuit that supplies power to the braking mechanism that adjusts the braking force applied to the right front wheel 91fr and the left rear wheel 91rl and the circuit that supplies power to the braking mechanism that adjusts the braking force applied to the left front wheel 91fl and the right rear wheel 91rr are independent. A braking device configured in this manner can also be considered a braking device having cross-connected braking systems.

[0132] (technical thought) The technical ideas that can be understood from the above-described embodiment and modified examples will be described. [A] A braking control device applied to a braking device of a vehicle having a first braking system that adjusts braking forces applied to a right front wheel and a left rear wheel among the wheels, and a second braking system that adjusts braking forces applied to a left front wheel and a right rear wheel among the wheels, a wheel speed detection unit that detects the speed of each wheel as a wheel speed; an inter-system wheel speed difference determination unit that selects one of the first and second braking systems as a target system, determines whether the target system is in an inter-system wheel speed difference state when a predetermined wheel speed difference occurs between the wheel speeds of the front and rear wheels belonging to the target system and the wheel speeds of the front and rear wheels belonging to a braking system other than the target system; and a failure determination unit that determines whether or not one of the first braking system and the second braking system is in a failure state when braking the vehicle, and determines that a single system failure state exists when one of the first braking system and the second braking system is in a failure state; The failure determination unit determines that one system is in a failure state when the target system is in the state where there is a wheel speed difference between the systems.

[0133] [B] an identification unit that, when the one-system failure state occurs, identifies one of the first braking system and the second braking system that is in a failed state as a failed system, and identifies one of the first braking system and the second braking system that is not in a failed state as a remaining system; The identification unit A braking control device as described in [A], in which when the target system is in a state where there is a wheel speed difference between the systems, the target system is the remaining system, and a braking system other than the target system is identified as the failed system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0134] 10...Brake control device 11…Acquisition part 12...Calculation section 13... Inter-system wheel speed difference determination section 14...Fault Diagnosis Department 15...Braking control unit 61...First hydraulic circuit 62...Second hydraulic circuit 70...Brake actuator 71...1st braking system 72…Second braking system 80...braking device 81...Liquid pressure generator 83...Master cylinder 84a~84d...1st~4th braking mechanism 90...Vehicle 91fl…Left front wheel 91fr...Right front wheel 91rl…Left rear wheel 91rr…Right rear wheel SE1 to SE4: 1st to 4th wheel speed sensors SE5...Yaw rate sensor SE6...G sensor SE7...MC pressure sensor

Claims

1. A braking control device applied to a braking device of a vehicle having a first braking system that adjusts braking forces applied to a right front wheel and a left rear wheel among the wheels, and a second braking system that adjusts braking forces applied to a left front wheel and a right rear wheel among the wheels, a wheel speed detection unit that detects the speed of each wheel as a wheel speed; a yaw rate detection unit that detects a yaw rate that actually acts on the vehicle as a yaw rate detection value; a failure determination unit that determines whether or not one of the first braking system and the second braking system is in a failure state based on the wheel speed and the detected yaw rate when braking the vehicle, and determines that a single system failure has occurred when one of the first braking system and the second braking system is in a failure state; a yaw rate calculation unit that calculates, as a yaw rate calculation value, a yaw rate based on a speed difference between the wheel speed of the left rear wheel and the wheel speed of the right rear wheel, based on the wheel speed of the left rear wheel and the wheel speed of the right rear wheel, The failure determination unit determines that the one-system failure has occurred when the turning direction of the vehicle indicated by the yaw rate detection value is different from the turning direction of the vehicle indicated by the yaw rate calculation value. Braking control device.

2. The conditions under which the failure determination unit determines that the one-system failure state exists include a state in which the wheel speed of a front wheel to which a braking force is applied by one of the first and second braking systems is lower than the wheel speed of a front wheel to which a braking force is applied by the other braking system, and a state in which the wheel speed of a rear wheel to which a braking force is applied by one of the first and second braking systems is lower than the wheel speed of a rear wheel to which a braking force is applied by the other braking system. The braking control device according to claim 1 .

3. an identification unit that, when the one-system failure state occurs, identifies one of the first brake system and the second brake system that is in a failed state as a failed system, and identifies one of the first brake system and the second brake system that is not in a failed state as a remaining system; The identification unit When the turning direction of the vehicle indicated by the yaw rate detection value is a leftward direction, the first braking system is identified as the failed system and the second braking system is identified as the remaining system, When the turning direction of the vehicle indicated by the yaw rate detection value is to the right, the first braking system is identified as the remaining system and the second braking system is identified as the failed system. The braking control device according to claim 1 .

4. an identification unit that, when the one-system failure state occurs, identifies one of the first brake system and the second brake system that is in a failed state as a failed system, and identifies one of the first brake system and the second brake system that is not in a failed state as a remaining system; The identification unit When the turning direction of the vehicle indicated by the calculated yaw rate is a leftward direction, the first braking system is identified as the remaining system and the second braking system is identified as the failed system, When the turning direction of the vehicle indicated by the calculated yaw rate is to the right, the first braking system is identified as the failed system and the second braking system is identified as the remaining system. The braking control device according to claim 1 .

5. an identification unit that, when the one-system failure state occurs, identifies one of the first brake system and the second brake system that is in a failed state as a failed system, and identifies one of the first brake system and the second brake system that is not in a failed state as a remaining system; a compensation control unit that, when the one-system failure state occurs, stabilizes the vehicle by performing control corresponding to the remaining system depending on which of the first brake system and the second brake system is the remaining system. The braking control device according to claim 1 .

6. the braking device is a hydraulic braking device that has a hydraulic pressure generating device and applies braking force in accordance with the hydraulic pressure generated by the hydraulic pressure generating device, and a hydraulic pressure detecting device capable of detecting the hydraulic pressure is provided in only one of the first braking system and the second braking system, The identifying unit identifies whether the brake system capable of detecting the hydraulic pressure is the failed system or the remaining system.

4. The braking control device according to claim 3.

7. When the brake system capable of detecting the hydraulic pressure is not the remaining system, the brake system is controlled to increase the braking force by limiting the increase rate of the braking force to a specified gradient, thereby suppressing the increase in braking force.

7. The braking control device according to claim 6.

8. When the brake system capable of detecting the hydraulic pressure is the remaining system, a target deceleration is set as a target value of vehicle body deceleration based on the hydraulic pressure, and the remaining system is controlled based on the target deceleration and the vehicle body deceleration, thereby suppressing an increase in braking force.

7. The braking control device according to claim 6.

Citation Information

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