Brake control device for a vehicle, and method for operating the brake control device.

Abstract

The present invention provides a brake control device for a vehicle (F), comprising a control device (SE) connectable to a brake booster device (BV) and an electric machine (EM) of the vehicle, and to a driving stability system (ESP), and a pedal sensor device (PS) connected to the control device (SE), the control device (SE) being set up to infer a braking request by a driver from operation of the brake pedal and / or accelerator pedal, to recognize a malfunction or inoperability of the brake booster device (BV), and to control the braking action via the driving stability system (ESP) when and / or after a braking request is made under a recognized malfunction or inoperability of the brake booster device (BV).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a brake control device for a vehicle and to a method of operating the brake control device.

Background Art

[0002] In a vehicle operating electrically, the normal drive concept can utilize an electromechanical braking action. For this purpose, brake force generators or brake boosters that can be electronically controlled when a braking operation is required are known. At this time, it is conceivable that the brake booster may malfunction or its operation may be restricted.

[0003] An electromechanical brake booster and an ESP system can jointly form a braking system. The action of the regenerative brake and / or the hydraulic brake can be performed through the braking pedal operation measured by an electronic brake booster. When the electronic brake booster malfunctions, brake force amplification can be generated by the ESP through a control function HBC as so-called hydraulic boost failure compensation. However, in this case, since there is a lack of adjustment commands from the braking pedal for decelerating the vehicle, the generator may remain deactivated.

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes a method of operating a composite braking facility for an automobile.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention provides a brake control device for a vehicle as described in claim 1, and a method for operating the brake control device as described in claim 8.

[0007] A preferred development example is the subject of a dependent claim.

[0008] The underlying idea of ​​this invention is to provide a brake control device for a vehicle, and a method for operating the brake control device, which can improve the braking action in a vehicle where the brake booster device is malfunctioning or has failed to operate.

[0009] At this time, there is the advantage that the current capacity of the electromechanical generator can be considered in relation to its operating capability. This can be utilized when generating the overall braking torque using the electromechanical generator and the hydraulic braking system.

[0010] The brake control device and method described above can improve robustness against dual failures, such as a malfunction in the brake booster device and a malfunction in the driving stability system. Onboard power supply can be provided in the event of a malfunction.

[0011] Consistent use of the generator can provide robustness against dual failures of the brake booster and ESP, even at fallback levels.

[0012] Improved distribution of brake torque can lead to improved NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) during electric vehicle operation. Lower performance requirements can reduce the load on the ESP pump, resulting in improved NVH. Increased use of the generator can allocate even less load to the ESP.

[0013] Furthermore, even greater efficiency can be achieved in generating braking force and electric drive force. Greater efficiency can be achieved in energy recovery because regeneration can continue to be used even after the brake booster fails. Generating brake torque proportionally has the advantage of reducing the generation of brake dust, for example, in friction brakes.

[0014] According to the present invention, a brake control device for a vehicle capable of controlling the brake action of the vehicle includes a control device connected to, or connectable to, a brake booster device and electromechanism of the vehicle and a vehicle driving stability system, and a pedal sensor device connected to the control device and set up to determine the operation of the brake pedal and / or accelerator pedal in the vehicle, wherein the control device estimates a brake request by the driver from the operation of the brake pedal and / or accelerator pedal, recognizes a failure or malfunction of the brake booster device, and is set up to control a brake action through the driving stability system when a brake request is made under a recognized failure or malfunction of the brake booster device, and / or thereafter.

[0015] When the electronic brake booster fails or its performance deteriorates, the HBC adjustment command from the ESP (Electronic Stability Program) can be used, which has the advantage of controlling the operation of the electromechanical generator in brake mode through the measured brake pressure of the pedal. For this purpose, the HBC signal can also be transmitted from the brake booster device itself to the electromechanical generator, and for example, in combination with the HBC signal from the ESP, or as an alternative, the generation of brake torque by the generator can be released, in which case the brake booster device or its control unit can still issue its own HBC signal.

[0016] Generally, a failure of the electric brake booster can be detected by the ESP and / or control system, in which case the driver's brake request is measured via the ESP's pressure sensor. Furthermore, the driver's brake request can be transmitted from the brake booster to the ESP via an HBC signal (hydraulic boost failure compensation). Depending on the measured pressure on the pedal, adjustment commands can be transmitted from the ESP to the generator. The generator can then decelerate the vehicle, thereby assisting the driver with its mechanical braking force.

[0017] If generator deceleration is limited (for example, due to its dependence on speed), additional hydraulic brake pressure can be generated by an ESP pump.

[0018] Direct use of the generator based on the HBC signal from the ESP or the brake booster unit is possible. The brake booster can optionally signal its unavailability to, for example, the ESP and / or electromechanical unit (if still possible). This can also be directly used by the generator to generate brake torque, insofar as the generator coordinates with the ESP regarding its contribution to the overall brake torque through its internal functions.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the brake control device, the control device is set up to generate generator brake torque electromechanically in the event of a recognized failure or malfunction of the brake booster device.

[0020] Generator braking torque can be generated from regenerative braking in electromechanical systems.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the brake control device, the control device is set up to transmit commands to the electromachine regarding brake action by the driving stability system, thereby requesting the electromachine to generate a generator brake torque.

[0022] The running stability system can generate signals for an electromechanical machine in order to assist conventional braking with generator braking torque.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment of the brake control device, the control device is set up to transfer commands about the brake action by the brake booster device to the electromechanical machine and thereby request it to generate generator braking torque.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the brake control device, the brake control device is connected to and / or includes a control device for hydraulic brake action, and commands about the brake action by the running stability system and / or the brake booster device can be controlled via the control device for hydraulic brake action.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment of the brake control device, the pedal sensor device is connected to the running stability system and / or the brake booster device, and the driver's brake request can be recognized by the running stability system and / or the brake booster device via the pedal sensor device by the control device, and the generation of generator braking torque can thereby be controlled.

[0026] There is an advantage that the driver's request can be controlled by the recognized actions on the accelerator pedal and / or the brake pedal.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment of the brake control device, the pedal sensor device is set up to recognize the pressure and / or position of the brake pedal and / or the accelerator pedal, and the control device is set up to infer the degree of the brake request from the pressure and / or position of the brake pedal and / or the accelerator pedal and generate this at least partially with the electromechanical machine.

[0028] The required or desired braking action can be estimated according to the degree, and this can be considered for the generation of the generator braking torque and / or the overall braking torque.

[0029] According to the present invention, in a method of operating a brake control device for a vehicle to control the braking action of the vehicle, a recognition of the necessity for performing the braking action by the brake control device according to the present invention is made. At this time, the operation of the brake pedal and / or the accelerator pedal in the vehicle is recognized by the pedal sensor device, and the presence of a braking request by the driver is estimated. A recognition of an operational defect or malfunction of the brake booster device is made. When and / or after the operational defect or malfunction of the brake booster device is recognized, the generation of the braking torque and / or the performance of the braking action are performed by the vehicle's running stability system and / or by the running stability system.

[0030] The braking action may be, for example, a braking process in the vehicle for reducing the rotation speed of the wheel by some kind of braking force such as frictional braking torque and / or generator braking torque and / or other means for the vehicle.

[0031] At this time, deceleration can be sustained according to the settings in the vehicle, and the settings may be arbitrarily selected lower or higher (stronger) by the user. The brake actuator device to be operationally controlled may be various friction brakes or any other conventional or other non-generator type brakes in some other way.

[0032] At this time, the operating state of the electromechanism as a generator can be determined, which may correspond to the extent to which the electromechanism can apply generator braking torque at that moment or in general, for example, over an intended speed range, under specific driving power, under specific temperature, under available and estimable battery charge / battery output, and under other operation-specific parameters of the electric vehicle. Depending on the knowledge of the electromechanism's capabilities as a generator, i.e., as a device that generates generator braking torque, the (first) generator braking torque can be increased and / or decreased, for example, adaptively adaptable and dynamically over time, so that a minimum braking torque can be set, which may be the sum of a first braking torque that can be constantly recalled for the vehicle, and another (second) hydraulic braking torque, for example, or one of them alone.

[0033] By considering the generator ratio in this way, the requirements related to the minimum operating mode of the brake actuator can be reduced. In this case, it may be necessary for the brake actuator to know the current capacity of the generator.

[0034] The vehicle may be a passenger car having a drive unit that may include an electric machine.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment of this method, the required amount of total brake torque is determined, and the brake device is required to generate a sufficient total brake torque that satisfies the set value, including the generator brake torque of the electromechanical unit and the brake torque of the driving stability system.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment of this method, a command for braking action by the driving stability system is transmitted to an electromachine, which is then requested to generate a generator braking torque.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment of this method, a command for brake action by a brake booster device is transmitted to an electromachine, which is then requested to generate a generator brake torque.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment of this method, a pedal sensor device recognizes the pressure and / or position of the brake pedal and / or accelerator pedal, the degree of the brake request is estimated from the pressure and / or position of the brake pedal and / or accelerator pedal, and a corresponding brake torque is generated electromechanically, at least partially in a generator-like manner.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment of this method, the generator brake torque currently available to be generated by the electromechanism is determined, compared with the brake request, and the total brake torque is either applied solely by the electromechanism or generated with the assistance of the vehicle's braking system.

[0040] The braking system may be a hydraulic brake system, or any other type of brake system for the vehicle.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment of this method, the operating state of the electromachine and the generator braking torque that can be generated from the electromachine are determined continuously or at predetermined time intervals.

[0042] The brake control device can also be characterized by the constituent elements and advantages listed in relation to this method, and vice versa.

[0043] Other constituent elements and advantages of each embodiment of the present invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0044] Next, the present invention will be described in detail based on the embodiments shown in the schematic diagrams of the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0045] [Figure 1]This is a schematic diagram showing a brake control device based on one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the control progress of a brake request in a brake control device based on one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing each step of a method for operating a brake control device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0046] In the diagram, the same symbol represents the same component or component with the same function.

[0047] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a brake control device based on one embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] A brake control device 10 for a vehicle F, capable of controlling the brake action of the vehicle, includes a control device SE connected to, or connectable to, a brake booster device BV, the vehicle's electromechanical EM, and the vehicle's driving stability system ESP, and a pedal sensor device PS connected to the control device SE and set up to determine the operation of the brake pedal and / or accelerator pedal in the vehicle, wherein the control device SE is set up to estimate a brake request by the driver from the operation of the brake pedal and / or accelerator pedal, recognize a failure or malfunction of the brake booster device, and control the brake action through the driving stability system ESP when a brake request is made under the recognized failure or malfunction of the brake booster device BV, and / or thereafter.

[0049] The control unit SE may be set up to transfer commands for brake action by the ESP system to the electromechanical EM, thereby requesting it to generate generator brake torque, and / or transfer commands for brake action by the brake booster unit BV to the electromechanical EM, thereby requesting it to generate generator brake torque.

[0050] The pedal sensor device PS may be connected to the driving stability system and / or brake booster device BV, and the driver's brake request may be recognized by the control device SE through the pedal sensor device PS to the driving stability system and / or brake booster device BV, thereby enabling control of the generation of generator brake torque.

[0051] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the control process for brake requests in a brake control device based on an embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] The diagram in Figure 2 is similar to that in Figure 1, and schematically shows additional control actions that are known from Figure 1.

[0053] The brake booster unit BV may be connected to the vehicle stability system ESP via hydraulic piping HL. The vehicle stability system ESP may be connected to the brake unit BR via hydraulic piping HL. For example, for signal transmission regarding brake requests and / or malfunctions of the brake booster unit BV, the brake booster unit BV may be connected to the vehicle stability system ESP and / or the electromechanical EM via a signal line, and can transmit a direct request for generator brake torque (HBC-BV) to the electromechanical EM if the brake booster unit BV is still capable of performing that function, and can also transmit information about the presence of a malfunction to the electromechanical EM, which can then generate a higher generator brake torque, or generally some generator brake torque GM. As an addition or alternative, this signal HBC-BV regarding a malfunction and / or failure may be transmitted from the brake booster unit BV to the vehicle stability system ESP if still possible, thereby informing the vehicle stability system ESP of the malfunction. The ESP (Electronic Stability Program) can then, via its own signal SG, request the electromechanical unit to generate a generator brake torque GM. In addition, the ESP can activate the brake unit BR to request a conventional brake torque (e.g., friction or hydraulic brake torque HM). From both brake torques GM and HM, the overall brake torque GES can be generated. In this way, when a malfunction or failure occurs in the brake booster unit BV, the operation of the electromechanical unit can be used for the mechanical fallback level. The ESP can calculate the maximum generator brake torque that can be generated and take this into consideration, for example, when the overall brake torque should be generated under the level of the conventional brake torque HM.

[0054] The braking system BR may include, for example, a brake caliper.

[0055] Figure 3 shows a block diagram of each method step of a method for operating a brake control device, based on one embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] In a method for activating a brake control device for a vehicle to control the vehicle's braking action, the brake control device according to the present invention recognizes the need to perform a brake action S1, at which point the operation of the brake pedal and / or accelerator pedal in the vehicle is recognized by a pedal sensor device, the existence of a brake request by the driver is estimated, the malfunction or failure of the brake booster device is recognized S2, brake torque is generated S3, and / or, when the malfunction or failure of the brake booster device is recognized and / or after it is recognized, the vehicle's driving stability system and / or the driving stability system perform the brake action.

[0057] Although the present invention has been described in full above based on preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto and can be modified in a variety of ways. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 10 Brake control device BV Brake Booster System EM Electrical Machinery ESP (Electronic Stability Program) F Vehicle PS pedal sensor device SE control unit

Claims

1. In a brake control device (10) for a vehicle (F) that can control the braking action of the vehicle, The vehicle's brake booster system (BV) and electromechanical system (EM), and the vehicle's running stability system (ESP), and connected or connectable control devices (SE), The control device (SE) is connected to a pedal sensor device (PS) set up to determine the operation of the brake pedal and / or accelerator pedal in the vehicle, and the control device (SE) is The driver's request to brake is estimated from the operation of the brake pedal and / or accelerator pedal. Upon recognizing the failure or malfunction of the aforementioned brake booster device (BV), When a brake request is made under the condition of a recognized failure or malfunction of the brake booster device (BV), and / or thereafter, the system is set up to control the brake action through the vehicle stability system (ESP). The control device (SE) is set up to generate generator brake torque in the electromechanical unit (EM) in the event of a recognized failure or malfunction of the brake booster unit (BV). A brake control device, wherein the control device (SE) is set up to transfer commands for brake action by the running stability system (ESP) to the electromachine (EM), thereby requesting the electromachine to generate a generator brake torque.

2. In a brake control device (10) for a vehicle (F) that can control the braking action of the vehicle, The vehicle's brake booster system (BV) and electromechanical system (EM), and the vehicle's running stability system (ESP), and connected or connectable control devices (SE), The control device (SE) is connected to a pedal sensor device (PS) set up to determine the operation of the brake pedal and / or accelerator pedal in the vehicle, and the control device (SE) is The driver's request to brake is estimated from the operation of the brake pedal and / or accelerator pedal. Upon recognizing the failure or malfunction of the aforementioned brake booster device (BV), When a brake request is made under the condition of a recognized failure or malfunction of the brake booster device (BV), and / or thereafter, the system is set up to control the brake action through the vehicle stability system (ESP). The control device (SE) is set up to generate generator brake torque in the electromechanical unit (EM) in the event of a recognized failure or malfunction of the brake booster unit (BV). Brake control device (10), the control device (SE) is set up to transfer commands for brake action by the brake booster device (BV) to the electromachine (EM), thereby requesting the electromachine to generate generator brake torque.

3. In a brake control device (10) for a vehicle (F) that can control the braking action of the vehicle, The vehicle's brake booster system (BV) and electromechanical system (EM), and the vehicle's running stability system (ESP), and connected or connectable control devices (SE), The control device (SE) is connected to a pedal sensor device (PS) set up to determine the operation of the brake pedal and / or accelerator pedal in the vehicle, and the control device (SE) is The driver's request to brake is estimated from the operation of the brake pedal and / or accelerator pedal. Upon recognizing the failure or malfunction of the aforementioned brake booster device (BV), When a brake request is made under the condition of a recognized failure or malfunction of the brake booster device (BV), and / or thereafter, the system is set up to control the brake action through the vehicle stability system (ESP). The pedal sensor device (PS) is connected to the driving stability system and / or the brake booster device (BV), and the driver's brake request can be recognized by the control device (SE) via the pedal sensor device (PS) to the driving stability system and / or the brake booster device (BV), thereby enabling control of the generation of generator brake torque, in a brake control device (10).

4. A brake control device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is connected to a control device for hydraulic brake action and is capable of controlling commands for brake action by the driving stability system and / or the brake booster device (BV) through the control device.

5. The brake control device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the pedal sensor device (PS) is set up to recognize the pressure and / or position of the brake pedal and / or accelerator pedal, and the control device (SE) is set up to estimate the degree of brake request from the pressure and / or position of the brake pedal and / or accelerator pedal and generate it at least partially electromechanically.

6. A method for operating a brake control device (10) for a vehicle (F) in order to control the braking action of the vehicle, comprising the following steps: The brake control device (10) described in claim 1 recognizes the need to perform a brake action (S1), and at this time, the operation of the brake pedal and / or accelerator pedal in the vehicle is recognized by the pedal sensor device (PS), and the existence of a brake request by the driver is estimated. If a malfunction or failure of the brake booster device (BV) is detected (S2), When a malfunction or failure of the brake booster device (BV) is detected, and / or after such detection, the vehicle's driving stability system (ESP) and / or the driving stability system generate brake torque (S3) and / or perform a brake action. The required amount of overall braking torque is determined, and the braking torque of the electromechanical generator and the braking torque of the running stability system (ESP) are required and generated by the braking device such that a sufficient overall braking torque is generated to satisfy the set value. A method wherein a command for brake action by the aforementioned driving stability system (ESP) is transmitted to the electromechanical unit (EM), which is then requested to generate a generator brake torque.

7. A method for operating a brake control device (10) for a vehicle (F) in order to control the braking action of the vehicle, comprising the following steps: The brake control device (10) described in claim 2 recognizes the need to perform a brake action (S1), and at this time, the operation of the brake pedal and / or accelerator pedal in the vehicle is recognized by the pedal sensor device (PS), and the existence of a brake request by the driver is estimated. If a malfunction or failure of the brake booster device (BV) is detected (S2), When a malfunction or failure of the brake booster device (BV) is detected, and / or after such detection, the vehicle's driving stability system (ESP) and / or the driving stability system generate brake torque (S3) and / or perform a brake action. The required amount of overall braking torque is determined, and the braking device requires the generator braking torque of the electromechanical unit and the braking torque of the running stability system (ESP) to generate a sufficient overall braking torque that satisfies the set value. A method wherein a command for brake action by the brake booster device (BV) is transmitted to the electromechanical device (EM), which is then requested to generate a generator brake torque.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the pedal sensor device (PS) recognizes the pressure and / or position of the brake pedal and / or accelerator pedal, the degree of brake request is estimated from the pressure and / or position of the brake pedal and / or accelerator pedal, and a corresponding brake torque is generated by the electromechanical device at least partially in a generator-like manner.

9. The method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the generator brake torque currently available to be generated by the electric machine is determined, compared with a brake request, and the total brake torque is applied solely by the electric machine or generated with the assistance of the vehicle's hydraulic brake system.

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