Electronic control unit for a braking control system

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic control unit (12) for a braking control system (10) of a vehicle (1) comprising a control handle (11), the electronic control unit (12) and a communication network (13) for electronic signals, the control handle (11) being configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis (X) in a reverse direction in order to generate a braking order, the electronic control unit (12) being configured to detect the direction of rotation in which the control handle (11) is actuated and, when the electronic control unit (12) detects a rotation of the control handle (11) in the opposite direction, to measure the duration of rotation of the control handle (11) in the reverse direction, to generate a braking command according to the measured duration and to send the braking command to the electric machine (20) of the vehicle (1).

Description

Electronic control unit for brake control system DESCRIPTION [Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of motorized two-wheeled vehicles and relates more particularly to a braking system. [State of the prior art]

[0002] Due to the various regulations regarding vehicle emissions and fuel consumption, the transport vehicle industry is increasingly developing less polluting electric models.

[0003] However, the complete electrification of certain types of vehicles, particularly motorized two-wheeled vehicles, still faces technical difficulties which make these vehicles very expensive given their performance.

[0004] To solve this problem, hybrid vehicles are being developed, which can operate either solely on electric power in certain situations, particularly in built-up areas at limited speeds, or solely on conventional thermal power, or in a combination of the two modes.

[0005] However, hybrid two-wheeled motor vehicles are still underdeveloped today, and adapting essential driving functions such as braking to a hybrid vehicle is not a widely used technology.

[0006] On a hybrid two-wheeled vehicle, the conventional braking system, in other words the braking system of a thermal two-wheeler, is retained, particularly for safety reasons.

[0007] The actuator of the braking system may in particular correspond to a braking lever mounted on the driver's handle located on the vehicle's handlebars.

[0008] More specifically, the brake lever is connected by a set of cables to the braking device, for example a disc or drum brake, mounted on at least one of the wheels of the two-wheeled vehicle. When the driver operates the brake lever, the braking device will slow the rotation of the wheel by friction.

[0009] To offer an electric alternative to this thermal braking system, a first solution would be to use the hybrid two-wheeler's electric machine to provide braking for the vehicle. To do this, it would be necessary to convert at least part of the mechanical information from the pressure on the brake lever into an electronic signal to send it to the electric machine.

[0010] Braking is implemented directly within the electric machine to slow the rotation of the wheel drive, thus allowing the vehicle to slow down. For example, braking can be caused by mechanically locking the motor shaft or by reversing the current supplying the electric machine.

[0011] However, this solution requires relatively precise conversion of the pressure on the handle into an electronic signal. A calibration problem can then have significant consequences for vehicle performance, driving comfort, and safety, especially in the event of sudden braking by the driver. False braking requests may also be detected.

[0012] There is therefore a need for a simple and effective solution to at least partially overcome these drawbacks. [Statement of the invention]

[0013] To this end, the invention firstly relates to an electronic control unit for a braking control system of a hybrid or electric vehicle, in particular for a two- or three-wheeled vehicle, said vehicle comprising an electric machine, said braking control system comprising a control handle, said electronic control unit and an electronic signal communication network, said control handle extending along a longitudinal axis and being configured to rotate around said axis in a forward direction in order to generate control signals representative of an acceleration setpoint of at least one of the motors of the vehicle during its operation and to rotate around said axis in a reverse direction in order to generate control signals representative of a braking setpoint of at least one of the motors of the vehicle during its operation,said control handle being configured to send said generated control signals to the electronic control unit via said communication network, said electronic control unit being characterized in that it is configured to detect the direction of rotation in which the control handle is actuated and to, when the electronic control unit detects a rotation of the control handle in the opposite direction, measure the duration of rotation of the control handle in said opposite direction, generate, a braking command based on said measured duration and sending said braking command to the vehicle's electrical machine.

[0014] The electronic control unit according to the invention in the brake control system allows the vehicle user to brake simply while driving the vehicle by turning the control handle in the opposite direction. Since the control handle is also used for acceleration, the user does not have to change his grip on the control handle for braking. In addition, braking depends only on the duration of the rotation in the opposite direction and not on its angular position, which prevents errors in detecting the position of the handle from affecting the braking and driving of the vehicle, in particular in terms of comfort and safety. In addition, since the intensity of braking is linked to the time during which the control handle is turned in the opposite direction, the user can simply adapt and modulate the braking while driving.

[0015] In one embodiment, the electronic control unit is configured to generate a braking command linearly dependent on the duration of rotation of the control handle in the opposite direction. Thus, the electronic control unit only has to have the proportionality coefficient in memory, which simplifies its configuration.

[0016] In another embodiment, the electronic control unit is configured to generate a braking command that is non-linearly dependent on the duration of rotation of the control handle in the opposite direction. Thus, the braking can be adjusted in different ways, in particular depending on the vehicle, the user's habits, external conditions. It may be preferable, depending on the case, to apply significant braking quickly and increase it slightly thereafter, or to have relatively weak braking at the start that increases rapidly with the braking time.

[0017] Advantageously, the electronic control unit has in memory one or more rotation duration levels, each level being associated with a specific braking command, and is configured to send the specific braking command associated with a level from the moment when the measured duration of rotation of the control handle in the opposite direction is greater than or equal to the corresponding level. This embodiment allows the electronic control unit not to have to calculate the variation of the braking command in real time while maintaining a variety of different braking settings.

[0018] Preferably, the electronic control unit has a minimum rotation time in memory and is configured to send the braking command to the electric machine from the moment when the measured duration of rotation in the opposite direction of the control handle is greater than or equal to the said minimum rotation time stored. This functionality prevents, for example, a short accidental rotation in the opposite direction or a sudden movement by the user from immediately triggering braking, which could degrade driving comfort and safety.

[0019] Advantageously, the braking control system further comprises a vehicle speed measurement module, and the electronic control unit as presented is configured to receive a measurement of the value of the vehicle speed. This measurement makes it possible to take into account the speed of the vehicle by the electronic control unit.

[0020] Advantageously, the electronic control unit is configured to send reverse gear information instead of a braking command when it detects rotation in the opposite direction of the accelerator handle while it receives from the vehicle speed measurement module substantially zero speed information. The user can then simply shift into reverse gear to maneuver, in particular to park the vehicle, just by turning the control handle when stationary.

[0021] Advantageously, the electronic control unit is configured to send a braking command that depends on the speed value measured by the vehicle's speed measurement module. This feature allows braking to be adapted to the vehicle's speed and thus allows for more adaptive and safer braking.

[0022] The invention also relates to a braking control system for a vehicle comprising an electric machine, in particular for a two- or three-wheeled vehicle, said braking control system comprising a control handle, an electronic control unit as presented above and a communication network, said control handle extending along a longitudinal axis and being configured to rotate around said axis in a forward direction in order to generate control signals representative of an acceleration setpoint of at least one of the motors of the vehicle during its operation and to rotate around said axis in a reverse direction in order to generate control signals representative of a braking setpoint of at least one of the motors of the vehicle during its operation, and to send said generated control signals to the electronic control unit via said communication network.

[0023] The invention also relates to a vehicle, in particular a motorized two-wheeled vehicle, comprising an electronic control unit as presented above or a braking system as presented above.

[0024] The invention also relates to a method of a braking control implemented by a braking control system as presented above, comprising the steps of: rotation in the opposite direction of the control handle, sending, by the control handle, of a reverse rotation signal, reception, by the electronic control unit, of the reverse rotation signal, measurement, by the electronic control unit, of the duration of the reverse rotation, generation by the electronic control unit, of a braking command whose value is calculated as a function of the measurement of the duration of the reverse rotation, sending, by the electronic control unit, of the braking command to the electric machine, implementation, by the electric machine, of braking corresponding to the received braking command. [Description of the drawings]

[0025] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from reading the description which follows. This description is purely illustrative and must be read in conjunction with the appended drawings in which:

[0026] [Fig 1] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a vehicle comprising a braking control system according to the invention and an electric machine.

[0027] [Fig 2] Figure 2 schematically illustrates the control handle of one embodiment of the braking control system according to the invention.

[0028] [Fig 3] Figure 3 schematically illustrates the steps of the method for generating a braking command according to the invention. [Description of embodiments]

[0029] The hybrid vehicle 1 is shown in Figure 1.

[0030] Vehicle 1

[0031] The vehicle 1 is a motorized two-wheeled vehicle. The vehicle 1 comprises a braking control system 10, an electric machine 20, a speed measurement module 14.

[0032] The vehicle 1 may be a hybrid vehicle comprising a thermal engine in addition to the electric machine 20, or an electric vehicle comprising only the electric machine 20.

[0033] Brake control system 10

[0034] The brake control system 10 comprises the control handle 11, the electronic control unit 12 and a communication network 13.

[0035] As shown in Figure 2, the control handle 11 comprises a handle 111 which extends in a longitudinal axis X and a wheel 112 fitted on the handle 111 which can rotate in both directions around the longitudinal axis X.

[0036] The control handle 11 is configured to generate control signals representative of an acceleration instruction of the electric machine 20 of the vehicle 1 during its operation when a user turns the wheel 112 in a so-called direct direction around the longitudinal axis X and to send said generated control signals to the electronic control unit 12 via the communication network 13.

[0037] For example, the direct direction can correspond to the anti-trigonometric direction with respect to the direction of the longitudinal axis X.

[0038] When the vehicle also includes a thermal engine, the acceleration instruction also applies to the thermal engine.

[0039] The control handle 11 is configured to generate control signals representative of a braking instruction of the electric machine 20 of the vehicle 1 during its operation when a user turns the wheel 112 in a so-called reverse direction around the longitudinal axis X and to send said generated control signals to the electronic control unit 12 via the communication network 13.

[0040] For example, when forward direction is defined as clockwise relative to the direction of the longitudinal X axis, reverse direction is defined as counterclockwise relative to the direction of the longitudinal X axis.

[0041] The electronic control unit 12 is configured to receive the control signals from the control handle 11 and determine whether the control handle 11 is actuated in the forward direction or in the reverse direction.

[0042] The electronic control unit 12 is configured to measure the duration during which the control handle 11 is actuated in the reverse direction.

[0043] The electronic control unit 12 is configured to have in memory a minimum time of rotation in the reverse direction.

[0044] The electronic control unit 12 is configured to have in memory a plurality of reverse rotation time intervals. Each time interval is associated with a specific braking command.

[0045] For example, a braking command may be a percentage of the total braking capacity of the electric machine 20.

[0046] The electronic control unit 12 is configured to send a braking command to the electric machine 20 as a function of the measured reverse rotation time.

[0047] The electronic control unit 12 is configured to receive information on the speed of the vehicle 1 from the speed measurement module 14 via the communication network 13.

[0048] The communication network 13 connects the control handle 11 to the electronic control unit 12. This network can be a wired network of the CAN (“Controller Area Network” type in English).

[0049] The communication network 13 connects the braking control system 10 to the electric machine 20 and to the speed measurement module 30. This network can be a wired network of the CAN type (“Controller Area Network” in English).

[0050] Electric machine 20

[0051] The electric machine 20 is configured to provide a rotational torque to at least one of the wheels of the vehicle 1 to move said vehicle forward in a direction of travel or to move it backward in a reverse direction.

[0052] The electric machine 20 is configured to apply braking to the torque supplied to at least one wheel of the vehicle when a braking command is received from the braking control system 10 via the communication network 13.

[0053] Speed measuring module 14

[0054] The speed measuring module 14 is configured to measure the travel speed of the vehicle 1 and to send the measured value to the electronic control unit 12.

[0055] The speed measuring module 14 may be included in the brake control system 10.

[0056] Example of implementation

[0057] The brake control system 10 allows a user to generate a brake command during operation of the vehicle 1.

[0058] In a step E1, the user operates the wheel 112 of the control handle 11 by rotating it in the opposite direction.

[0059] In a step E2, the control handle 11 sends a signal via the communication network 13, a signal representative of rotation in the opposite direction.

[0060] In a step E3, the electronic control unit 12 receives the transmitted signal via the communication network 13.

[0061] In a step E4, the electronic control unit 12 measures the duration during which the reverse rotation signal is received. In other words, the electronic control unit 12 measures the duration during which the user operates the control handle 11 in the reverse direction.

[0062] As long as the measured duration is less than the minimum reverse rotation time stored, the electronic control unit 12 does not generate a braking command.

[0063] When the measured duration is greater than the stored minimum reverse rotation time, the electronic control unit 12 generates a braking command corresponding to the first level in a step E5. Initially, this braking command corresponds to the specific braking command of the first reverse rotation time interval that the electronic control unit 12 has in memory.

[0064] If the duration during which the reverse rotation signal is received exceeds the first reverse rotation time interval, the electronic control unit 12 then generates a braking command corresponding to the specific braking command of the second reverse rotation time interval that the electronic control unit 12 has in memory.

[0065] The same applies if the measured duration exceeds the second and subsequent intervals.

[0066] In a step E6, the electronic control unit 12 sends the generated braking command via the communication network 13.

[0067] In a step E7, the electric machine 20 receives the generated command and implements the generated braking command by slowing down the vehicle 1.

[0068] The vehicle 1 is therefore braking following the process of generating a braking command implemented by the braking control system 10.

[0069] The electronic control unit 12 receives from the speed measurement module 14 a value of the speed of the vehicle 1. The braking command generated in step E5 depends on the value of the speed received.

[0070] The user of the vehicle 1 can also use the brake control system 10 to activate reverse gear on the vehicle 1.

[0071] This activation of reverse gear is done when the vehicle 1 is stationary, that is to say when the speed measurement module 14 has a value of the speed of the vehicle 1 which is zero or within a restricted interval bounded by a zero speed.

[0072] As for braking, the user operates the wheel 112 of the control handle 11 by turning it in the opposite direction.

[0073] The control handle 11 sends a signal via the communication network 13 representing the rotation in the opposite direction, and the electronic control unit 12 receives the transmitted signal via the communication network 13.

[0074] If the electronic control unit 12 receives from the speed measurement module 14 a value of the speed of the vehicle 1 which is zero or within a restricted interval bounded by a zero speed, the electronic control unit 12 therefore considers that the vehicle 1 is stationary.

[0075] In this case, the electronic control unit 12 generates and sends a reverse command via the communication network 13 instead of the braking command.

[0076] This reverse gear command is sent to the electric machine 20 which engages the reverse gear of the vehicle 1. The reverse gear thus ensured by the electric machine 20 once received by the electric machine 20, causes the electric machine 20 to operate in reverse which allows the vehicle 1 to move backward.

[0077] Reversing is therefore provided by the electric machine 20 and can allow the user to maneuver the vehicle 1 when stationary.

Claims

Claims

1. Electronic control unit (12) for a braking control system (10) of a hybrid or electric vehicle (1), in particular for a two- or three-wheeled vehicle (1), said vehicle (1) comprising an electric machine (20), said braking control system (10) comprising a control handle (11), said electronic control unit (12) and a communication network (13) of electronic signals, said control handle (11) extending along a longitudinal axis (X), and being configured to rotate about said longitudinal axis (X) in a forward direction in order to generate control signals representative of an acceleration setpoint of at least one of the motors of the vehicle (1) during its operation and to rotate about said longitudinal axis (X) in a reverse direction in order to generate control signals representative of a braking setpoint of at least one of the motors of the vehicle (1) during its operation,said control handle (11) being configured to send said generated control signals to the electronic control unit (12) via said communication network (13), said electronic control unit (12), having in memory one or more rotation duration levels, each level being associated with a specific braking command, being characterized in that it is configured to detect the direction of rotation in which the control handle (11) is actuated and to, when the electronic control unit (12) detects a rotation of the control handle (11) in the opposite direction, measure the duration of rotation of the control handle (11) in said opposite direction,generating a braking command as a function of said measured duration by selecting the specific braking command associated with a level from the moment when the duration of rotation of the control handle (11) in the measured reverse direction is greater than or equal to the corresponding level and sending said braking command to the electric machine (20) of the vehicle (1).,

2. Electronic control unit (12) according to claim 1, said electronic control unit (12) being configured to generate a braking command linearly dependent on the duration of rotation of the control handle (11) in the opposite direction.

3. Electronic control unit (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, said electronic control unit (12) being configured to generate a braking command dependent in a non-linear manner on the duration of rotation of the control handle (11) in the opposite direction.

4. Electronic control unit (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, said electronic control unit (12) having in memory a minimum rotation time and being configured to send the braking command to the electric machine (20) from the moment when the measured duration of rotation in the opposite direction of the control handle (11) is greater than or equal to said stored minimum rotation time.

5. Electronic control unit (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, said electronic control unit (12) being configured to receive a measurement of the value of the speed of the vehicle (1).

6. Electronic control unit (12) according to the preceding claim, wherein the braking control system (10) further comprises a vehicle speed measurement module (14), the electronic control unit (12) being configured to send reverse gear information instead of a braking command when it detects a rotation in the opposite direction of the accelerator handle (11) while it receives from said vehicle speed measurement module (14) substantially zero speed information.

7. Electronic control unit (12) according to any one of claims 5 or 6, wherein the braking control system (10) further comprises a vehicle speed measurement module (14), configured to send a braking command which depends on the value of the speed measured by the speed measurement module (14).

8. Braking control system (10) for a vehicle (1) comprising an electric machine (20), in particular for a two- or three-wheeled vehicle (1), said braking control system (10) comprising a control handle (11), an electronic control unit (12) according to any one of the preceding claims and a communication network (13), said control handle (11) extending along a longitudinal axis (X) and being configured to rotate about said longitudinal axis (X) in a forward direction in order to generate control signals representative of an acceleration setpoint of at least one of the motors of the vehicle (1) during its operation and to rotate about said longitudinal axis (X) in a reverse direction in order to generate control signals representative of a braking setpoint of at least one of the motors of the vehicle (1) during its operation,and to send said generated control signals to the electronic control unit (12) via said communication network (13).,

9. Vehicle (1), in particular a motorized two-wheeled vehicle, comprising an electronic control unit (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 or a braking control system (10) according to claim 8 and an electric machine (20).

10. A method of braking control implemented by a braking control system (10) of a vehicle (1) according to claim 9, comprising the steps of: - rotation (E1) in the opposite direction of the control handle (11), - sending (E2), by the control handle (11), of a reverse rotation signal, - reception (E3), by the electronic control unit (12), of the reverse rotation signal, - measurement (E4), by the electronic control unit (12), of the duration of rotation in the opposite direction, - generation (E5), by the electronic control unit (12), of a braking command whose value is calculated as a function of the measurement of the duration of rotation in the opposite direction, - sending (E6), by the electronic control unit (12), of the braking command to the electric machine (20), - implementation (E7), by the electric machine (20), of braking corresponding to the braking command received.

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