SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- MX · MX
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS LLC
- Filing Date
- 2021-11-17
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-12
Smart Images
Figure MX435097B0
Abstract
Description
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to vehicle parking systems. It finds particular application in conjunction with an electronic parking brake apparatus and method thereof, such as for a parking system of a commercial truck, and will be described with particular reference to this. It will be described, however, that the invention is also susceptible to other applications.
[0002] Vehicle parking systems for commercial trucks are known. One type of vehicle parking system for trucks is an electronic parking system (e.g., an electronic parking brake). In some electronic parking systems, the parking brake is applied automatically, for example, when the truck driver is detected to have left the driver's seat, the vehicle door is not fully closed, and / or the truck is partially or fully disabled. If a driver is not in the driver's seat, a vehicle door is not fully closed, and / or the truck is disabled, the electronic parking system may apply the parking brake while limiting the use of diagnostic tools and / or interfering with vehicle maintenance or towing.Therefore, it is desirable to include special operating modes of the electronic parking system to address these and other problems.
[0003] The present invention provides a new and improved apparatus and method which addresses the problems referenced above. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] A system that controls an electronic parking brake of a vehicle includes an input device that receives an input pattern from an operator and a parking brake controller that receives the input pattern from the input device. The parking brake controller determines whether the input pattern is a respective default pattern for sending the electronic parking brake to one of a primary mode and one of a secondary mode. If the parking brake controller determines that the input pattern is the default pattern for sending the electronic parking brake to the secondary mode, the parking brake controller transmits an electronic control signal to release the electronic parking brake until a subsequent input pattern received by the input device is the default pattern for sending the electronic parking brake to the primary mode. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0005] In the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in, and constitute a part of, the specification, embodiments of the invention are illustrated, which, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description provided below, serve to exemplify embodiments of this invention.
[0006] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic block diagram showing an electronic parking apparatus constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0007] Figure 2 is an exemplary methodology for controlling the electronic parking apparatus in accordance with a modality that illustrates the principles of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0008] With reference to Figure 1, a simplified component diagram of an exemplary electronic parking system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The electronic parking system 10 is provided for use on a heavy vehicle 11 (e.g., a truck or bus). In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical line connections of the electronic parking system 10 are shown as solid lines, and the pneumatic line connections are shown as dashed lines.
[0009] The electronic parking system 10 is intended to operate in two (2) modes. The first mode is a primary operating mode (e.g., standard or normal), and the second mode is a secondary mode (e.g., maintenance or emergency operation).
[0010] A device 12 (for example, an input device) is operable by an operator (for example, a driver) of vehicle 11. When manually operated by the vehicle driver, the device 12 provides at least one signal on an electrical line 14 indicative of the vehicle driver's attempt to set system 10 to either the first or second mode. In one mode, the vehicle driver operates the device 12 to set system 10 to the first mode so that the parking brakes of vehicle 11 can be manually and / or automatically applied (for example, engaged) and released (for example, disengaged).Conversely, the vehicle driver operates device 12 to adjust system 10 to the second mode so that the vehicle 11's parking brakes are not applied (e.g., released) and remain disengaged to facilitate, for example, using diagnostic tools on vehicle 11, performing maintenance on vehicle 11, towing vehicle 11, servicing vehicle 11, offline testing vehicle 11 in, for example, an assembly plant, and / or emergency operation. Also, there are times when, for example, a lock switch malfunctions and indicates that a vehicle 11 door is open when the door is actually fully and securely closed. Such a malfunctioning lock switch can cause the vehicle 11's parking brakes to disengage when they are not currently required.Adjusting system 10 to the second mode may be desirable in any of these situations.
[0011] It is contemplated to adjust system 10 to the second mode when it is desirable to ensure that the parking brakes of vehicle 11 are not inadvertently applied. For example, it is desirable to ensure that the parking brakes of vehicle 11 are not inadvertently applied when using certain diagnostic tools on vehicle 11, performing maintenance on vehicle 11, and / or towing vehicle 11. More specifically, it could be dangerous for a technician servicing and / or maintaining the parking brakes on vehicle 11 if the parking brakes are applied while, for example, the technician's hands are on or near the parking brakes. Also, normal jolting of vehicle 11 that occurs while it is being towed can increase the risk of the parking brakes being inadvertently applied.
[0012] Device 12 may comprise one or more switches 18 of, for example, an integrated switch module mounted on a vehicle instrument panel 11. Device 12 may comprise any electrical, pneumatic, or electro-pneumatic device (for example, one or more switches 18) that can be operated by an operator such as the vehicle driver.
[0013] A parking brake controller 20 monitors for signals on line 14 from device 12 (for example, from one or more switches 18) indicating the driver's attempt to adjust system 10 to either first or second mode and, if system 10 is in first mode, to apply or release the vehicle's parking brakes 11. The parking brake controller 20 provides one or more control signals on an electrical line 22 to control the operation of the vehicle's parking brakes 11. More specifically, based on the signals on line 14, the parking brake controller 20 provides signals on line 22 to control the operation of the parking brake valves 30. The parking brake controller 20 also provides one or more control signals on an electrical line 34 to control the operation of an anti-lock braking system (ABS) controller 60.The ABS controller 60 provides one or more electrical control signals on an electrical line 36 to control the respective operations of an electronic air control system 58 and a compressed air supply system 50.
[0014] The compressed air supply 50 provides a source of compressed air in a pneumatic line 52 to the parking brake valves 30. The parking brake valves 30 are controlled by the parking brake controller 20 to vary the pneumatic pressure in a pneumatic line 32 to one or more chambers of the spring brake chambers 40.
[0015] When the driver attempts to set system 10 to first mode or second mode, the driver operates device 12 in a predefined manner to set system 10 to first mode. For example, the driver operates one or more switches 18 of device 12 in a predefined pattern to set system 10 to first mode. In one mode, the predefined pattern is moving a single switch 18 to a first position to set system 10 to first mode. In this mode, it is envisaged that switch 18 may be a two-position switch, a three-position switch, or a switch with another number of multiple positions. For example, if switch 18 is a two-position switch, the predefined pattern may involve the driver moving switch 18 between a first position, which sets system 10 to first mode, and a second position, which sets system 10 to second mode.Another configuration involves the default pattern of moving switch 18 back and forth between the first and second positions within a predetermined time before finally setting switch 18 to the first position to set system 10 to the first mode, or to the second position to set system 10 to the second mode. In yet another configuration, switch 18 is a three-position switch that, for example, includes a neutral position between the first and second positions. In this configuration, the default pattern involves moving switch 18 through the three positions to select the first or second mode. In still other configurations, multiple-position switches 18 are used in conjunction with a default pattern(s) to set system 10 to the first or second mode.
[0016] As discussed above, the driver adjusts system 10 to the first mode when the vehicle driver intends for the vehicle parking brakes 11 to be manually and / or automatically applied and released.
[0017] When the vehicle driver wishes to manually apply the vehicle's parking brakes 11, the driver operates device 12 (for example, switch(s) 18) of device 12) in accordance with a first predefined pattern to set system 10 to the first mode. Once system 10 is set to the first mode, the driver operates device 12 (for example, switch(s) 18 of device 12) in accordance with i) applying a predefined pattern to apply the parking brakes to the vehicle, or ii) a predefined pattern released to release the vehicle's parking brakes.
[0018] If system 10 is in the first mode and the driver operates switch(s) 18 in accordance with the predefined pattern for applying the vehicle's parking brakes, the parking brake controller 20 provides signals on line 22 in response to receiving the signal on line 14 indicating the driver's attempt to apply the vehicle's parking brakes. The signals on line 22 are applied to the parking brake valve 30 to expel air into one or more of the spring brake chambers 40, which are operatively coupled in a manner known to ML / a / ZUZ 1 / υΊ 41 UO parking brake springs 42. When the air in the spring brake chambers 40 is exhausted and / or the system air pressure drops below approximately 3.16 kgf / cm2 (45 psi) to 4.21 kgf / cm2 (60 psi), the parking brake springs 42 are automatically applied without any human intervention to apply the vehicle's parking brakes, as is known. The structure and operation of the parking brake controller 20 and parking brake valves 30 for controlling the operation of the spring brake chambers 40 and parking brake springs 42 for parking the vehicle 11 are conventional and, therefore, will not be described further.
[0019] The parking brake controller 20 also applies one or more signals on an electrical line 24 to the electronic air control system 58, which is connected via a pneumatic line 56 to the compressed air supply 50. The parking brake controller 20 provides one or more signals on line 24 to control a governing device (not shown) for the compressed air supply 50 and / or the electronic air control system 58, such that the air pressure is not rebuilt until after a vehicle failure condition and any diagnostic trouble codes are cleared. The structure and operation of the electronic air control systems and compressed air supplies are known and therefore will not be described.
[0020] The ABS controller 60 communicates with the parking brake controller 20 via electrical line 34. The ABS controller 60 can also be used in stability or traction control systems. The ABS controller 60 applies one or more signals on an electrical line 62 to control the operation of the vehicle's holding brakes 11. More specifically, the ABS controller 60 provides signals on line 62 to control the operation of the traction control valves 70 and signals on an electrical line 64 to control the operation of the ABS modulators 80 in response to one or more signals from the wheel speed sensors (not shown), as known.
[0021] The ABS controller 60 also applies one or more signals on the electrical line 36 to the electronic air control system 58 and / or a governing device (not shown) for the compressed air supply 50. The compressed air supply 50 provides a source of compressed air on a pneumatic line 54 to the traction valves 70. The traction valves 70 are controlled by the ABS controller 60 to vary the pneumatic pressure on a pneumatic line 72 to one or more ABS modulators 80. The ABS controller 60 also applies one or more signals on line 64 to the ABS modulators 80.
[0022] In response to one or more signals on line 72 and one or more signals on line 64, the ABS modulators 80 are controlled by the ABS controller 60 to vary the pneumatic pressure in a pneumatic line 82 to one or more chambers of the service brake chambers 90. The service brake chambers 90 and the spring brake chambers 40 may comprise an all-in-one brake actuator. As an example, the brake actuator may comprise EverSure™ spring brakes available from Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC located in Elyria, Ohio. The ABS controller 60, the traction valves 70, and the ABS modulators 80 comprise part of a conventional ABS system, as known. The structure and operation of ABS systems for controlling service brakes are known and will therefore not be described.
[0023] In one mode, the ABS controller 60 receives a signal on line 34 from the parking brake controller 20. In one mode, the signal on line 34 from the parking brake controller 20 indicates the vehicle driver's attempt to set system 10 to either the first or second mode. If system 10 is already set to the first mode, the ABS controller 60 receives a signal on line 34 from the parking brake controller 20 indicating the vehicle driver's attempt to apply or release the vehicle's parking brakes 11.
[0024] The ABS controller 60 and the parking brake controller 20 also receive a combination of one or more signals from an electrical line 16. The combination of one or more signals from line 16 is indicative of a vehicle fault condition. Examples of fault conditions include loss of electrical communication with parking brake valves 30, a short or open circuit anywhere in the brake control circuit, and loss of actuation means to parking brake valves 30 such that the valves stop working. Of course, the fault conditions noted here are only examples, and other fault conditions are possible.
[0025] If, in the predetermined pattern, the driver sets the system inputs 10 to the second mode, the parking brake controller 20 transmits signal(s) to the parking brake valves 30 to cause pneumatic pressure in pneumatic line 32 to be maintained in one or more of the spring brake chambers 40. Maintaining pneumatic pressure in line 32 and one or more of the spring brake chambers 40 causes the parking brakes to be disengaged (e.g., released) and remain disengaged. In one mode, system 10 remains in the second mode until an operator manually enters a predetermined pattern using device 12 to indicate an operator attempt to set system 10 to the first mode.
[0026] As discussed above, the ABS controller 60 also receives a combination of one or more signals from line 34. In one mode, the combination of one or more signals from line 34 indicates that a command must be manually entered to place system 10 into a secondary operating mode (e.g., a maintenance operating mode). While in the secondary operating mode, system 10 disengages the parking brakes of vehicle 11. In one mode, the parking brakes of vehicle 11 remain disengaged until the parking brake controller 20 receives a subsequent predetermined pattern, at which point the operator enters a command to set system 10 back to the primary mode.
[0027] With reference to Figure 2, an exemplary methodology for adjusting the system shown in Figure 1 between the first and second modes is illustrated. As illustrated, the blocks represent functions, actions, and / or events performed within them. It will be appreciated that electronic systems and software involve flexible and dynamic processes, so the illustrated blocks and described sequences can be implemented in different sequences. It will also be appreciated by someone of ordinary technical skill that the integrated software elements can be implemented using various programming procedures such as machine language, procedural techniques, object-oriented programming, or artificial intelligence. It will further be appreciated that, if desired and appropriate, some or all of the software can be integrated as part of a device operating system.
[0028] With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the method begins at step 212. Then, at step 214, system 10 is initially set to the first mode (e.g., normal). At step 216, the operator operates one or more switches 18 of device 12 to input a pattern. At step 220, a determination is made as to whether the pattern input at step 216 matches any of the predetermined patterns for setting the mode of system 10 or engaging / disengaging the parking brakes of vehicle 11. If it is determined at step 220 that the pattern does not match any of the predetermined patterns for setting the mode of system 10 or engaging / disengaging the parking brakes of vehicle 11, control returns to step 216.If, on the other hand, it is determined in step 220 that the pattern matches one of the predetermined patterns for adjusting the system mode 10 or engaging / disengaging the vehicle parking brakes 11, the control proceeds to step 222.
[0029] In step 222, a determination is made as to whether the pattern input in step 216 matches either the default pattern for setting system mode 10 to either the first mode (for example, normal) or the second mode (for example, maintenance). If it is determined in step 222 that the pattern input in step 216 matches the default pattern for setting system 10 to either the first or second mode, control passes to step 224. Otherwise, control passes to step 226.
[0030] In step 224, a determination is made as to whether the pattern input in step 216 matches the default pattern for setting system mode 10 to the first mode (e.g., normal). If it is determined in step 224 that the pattern input in step 216 matches the default pattern for setting system mode 10 to the first mode (e.g., normal), control proceeds to step 230 to set system mode 10 to the first mode (e.g., normal). Control returns to step 216 to await further operator input. Otherwise, if it is determined in step 224 that the pattern input in step 216 does not match the default pattern for setting system mode 10 to the first mode (e.g., normal), it is assumed that the pattern input in step 216 matches the default pattern for setting system mode 10 to the second mode (e.g., maintenance).Therefore, if it is determined in step 224 that the pattern input in step 216 does not match the default pattern for setting system mode 10 to the first mode (e.g., normal), the control proceeds to step 232 to set system mode 10 to the second mode (e.g., maintenance) before returning to step 216 to wait for another input from the operator.
[0031] As stated above, if it is determined in step 222 that the pattern entry in step 216 does not match the default pattern for setting system 10 to either the first or second mode, control proceeds to step 226. In step 226, a determination is made as to whether the pattern entry in step 216 matches either the default pattern for setting the parking brake of vehicle 11 to either engaged (e.g., parked) or disengaged (e.g., not parked). If it is determined in step 226 that the pattern entry in step 216 does not match either the default pattern for setting the parking brake of vehicle 11 to either disengaged (e.g., parked) or disengaged (e.g., not parked), control returns to step 216 to await another pattern entry. ML / a / ZUZ 1 / υΊ 4Ί UO from the operator. Otherwise, control passes to step 234.
[0032] In step 234, a determination is made whether the pattern input in step 216 matches the default pattern for setting the parking brakes to engage. If it is determined in step 234 that the pattern input in step 216 matches the default pattern for setting the parking brakes to engage, the control proceeds to step 236 to engage the parking brakes. The control then returns to step 216 to await further input from the operator.
[0033] Otherwise, if it is determined in step 234 that the pattern input in step 216 does not match the predetermined pattern for setting the parking brakes to be engaged, the control proceeds to step 240 to disengage the parking brakes. The control then returns to step 216 to await further input from the operator.
[0034] While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the applicants' intention to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. The additional advantages and modifications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention, in its broadest aspects, is not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus, and illustrative examples shown and described. Consequently, sections may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant's general inventive concept.
Claims
CLAIMS 1. A system for controlling an electronic parking brake of a vehicle, the system comprising: an input device receiving an input pattern from an operator; a parking brake controller receiving the input pattern from the input device; the parking brake controller determining whether the input pattern is a respective default pattern for sending the electronic parking brake to one of a primary mode and one of a secondary mode; and wherein if the parking brake controller determines that the input pattern is the default pattern for sending the electronic parking brake to the secondary mode, transmitting an electronic control signal to release the electronic parking brake until a subsequent input pattern received by the input device is the default pattern for sending the electronic parking brake to the primary mode.
2. The system controlling an electronic parking brake of a vehicle as set forth in claim 1, wherein: the input device includes a switch moved between positions to create the input pattern.
3. The system controlling an electronic parking brake of a vehicle as set forth in claim 1, wherein: the parking brake controller determines whether the input pattern is a respective predetermined pattern to send the electronic parking brake to one of a parked position and one unparked position.
4. The system controlling an electronic parking brake of a vehicle as set forth in claim 3, wherein: if the electronic parking brake is in the primary mode, the parking brake controller transmits a parking brake signal to send the electronic parking brake to one of the parked and unparked positions.
5. The system controlling an electronic parking brake of a vehicle as set forth in claim 4, wherein: if the electronic parking brake is in secondary mode, the parking brake controller does not transmit the parking brake signal to send the electronic parking brake to one of the parked and unparked positions.
6. The system controlling an electronic parking brake of a vehicle as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: a service brake controller receiving the input pattern from the input device, the service brake controller determining whether the input pattern is a respective default pattern for sending the electronic parking brake to one of a primary mode and a secondary mode, and wherein if the service brake controller determines that the input pattern is the default pattern for sending the electronic parking brake to the secondary mode, transmitting an electronic control signal to release the electronic parking brake until a subsequent input pattern received by the input device is the default pattern for sending the electronic parking brake to the primary mode.
7. The system controlling an electronic parking brake of a vehicle as set forth in claim 6, wherein: if the electronic parking brake is in the primary mode, the service brake controller transmits a service brake signal to send the electronic parking brake to one of the parked and unparked positions.
8. The system controlling an electronic parking brake of a vehicle as set forth in claim 6, wherein: if the electronic parking brake is in secondary mode, the service brake controller does not transmit the service brake signal to send the electronic parking brake to one of the parked and unparked positions.
9. A method for controlling an electronic parking brake of a vehicle, the method comprising: receiving an input pattern from an operator; determining whether the input pattern is a respective default pattern for sending the electronic parking brake to one of a primary mode and one of a secondary mode, and if the input pattern is the default pattern for sending the electronic parking brake to the secondary mode, transmitting an electronic control signal to release the electronic parking brake until a subsequent input pattern received by the input device is the default pattern for sending the electronic parking brake to the primary mode.
10. The method for controlling an electronic parking brake of a vehicle as set forth in claim 9, further comprising: moving a switch between positions to create the input pattern.
11. The method for controlling an electronic parking brake of a vehicle as set forth in claim 9, further including: determining whether the input pattern is a respective predetermined pattern to send the electronic parking brake to one of a parked position and one unparked position.
12. The method for controlling an electronic parking brake of a vehicle as set forth in claim 11, further comprising: if the electronic parking brake is in the primary mode, transmitting a parking brake signal to send the electronic parking brake to one of the parked and unparked positions.
13. The method for controlling an electronic parking brake of a vehicle as set forth in claim 12, further including: if the electronic parking brake is in secondary mode, not transmitting the parking brake signal to send the electronic parking brake to one of the parked and unparked positions.
14. The method for controlling an electronic parking brake of a vehicle as set forth in claim 9, further comprising: receiving the input pattern from the input device in a parking brake controller; and if the parking brake controller determines that the input pattern is the default pattern for sending the electronic parking brake to secondary mode, transmitting an electronic control signal to release the electronic parking brake until a subsequent input pattern received by the input device is the default pattern for sending the electronic parking brake to primary mode.
15. The method for controlling an electronic parking brake of a vehicle as set forth in claim 9, further comprising: receiving the input pattern from the input device in a service brake controller; and if the service brake controller determines that the input pattern is the default pattern for sending the electronic parking brake to secondary mode, transmitting an electronic control signal to release the electronic parking brake until a subsequent input pattern received by the input device is the default pattern for sending the electronic parking brake to primary mode.