Electronic control and power supply unit for a vehicle braking system

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic control and power supply unit (11) for a vehicle braking system, the unit comprising at least one electrically actuated brake comprising an electric actuator comprising an electric motor (41, 51), the control unit comprising a microcontroller (18) intended to control operation of the braking system and an inverter (22, 23) intended to supply power to the electric motor. The inverter supply voltage is higher than the microcontroller supply voltage. The inverter is intended to be supplied with power by a DC voltage source (8) delivering a DC voltage corresponding to the inverter supply voltage, and the microcontroller is intended to be supplied with power by the same DC voltage source after the DC voltage delivered by the DC voltage source has been lowered to the microcontroller supply voltage.

Description

Electronic control and power supply unit for a vehicle braking system

[0001] The invention relates to the field of vehicle braking systems, and more particularly to an electronic control and power supply unit for a braking system. The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising such a braking system. State of the art

[0002] A prior art electronic control and power supply unit for a vehicle braking system is known, comprising an electric actuator with an electric motor. This electronic control and power supply unit is powered by a DC voltage source, typically a vehicle battery, with all components of the unit having a supply voltage corresponding to the voltage provided by the vehicle battery. The control unit includes several types of components. These include low-power analog and digital electronic components for the electronic control of the braking system. Examples of such components include a microcontroller and various sensors.On the other hand, the electronic control and power supply unit includes high-power electronic components for managing the power supply to the electric motor of the braking system. Typically, the vehicle battery delivers a voltage of 12 V, and the components of the control unit, whether analog and digital electronic components or power electronic components, have a corresponding supply voltage of 12 V.

[0003] More and more vehicle manufacturers are looking to use 48V batteries to take advantage of their benefits, such as increased power output at constant current, reduced size, and easier battery temperature management. Using a 48V battery is therefore advantageous for power electronics components that require high power. However, analog and digital electronic components for electronic control and power supply units with a 48V supply voltage are rare, if not nonexistent, on the market, making the manufacture of a unit containing such components complex and expensive.

[0004] It has been proposed to use a DC-DC converter upstream of the electronic control and power supply unit of the braking system to reduce the voltage supplied by the vehicle's battery from 48 V to 12 V. However, this configuration has several drawbacks. The DC-DC converter must provide sufficient power for the electric braking system to function, approximately 1 kW. However, a DC-DC converter providing such power requires additional cooling to ensure safe operation and is also quite bulky. Furthermore, with this configuration, the electric motor of the braking system continues to be powered by 12 V and therefore does not benefit from the improved performance offered by a 48 V battery.

[0005] The invention aims in particular to provide an electronic control and power supply unit for a braking system comprising at least one electrically actuated brake, for which the operation of its various electronic components is optimized.

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to an electronic control and power supply unit for a vehicle braking system comprising at least one electrically actuated brake including an electric actuator comprising an electric motor, the control unit comprising a microcontroller for controlling the operation of the braking system and an inverter for powering the electric motor, characterized in that a supply voltage of the inverter is greater than a supply voltage of the microcontroller, in that the inverter is intended to be powered by at least one DC voltage source delivering a DC voltage corresponding to the supply voltage of the inverter, and in that the microcontroller is intended to be powered by the same DC voltage source, or by another DC voltage source delivering the same DC voltage,after the DC voltage delivered by the DC voltage source has been reduced to the microcontroller's supply voltage.

[0007] It is therefore understood that the electronic control and power supply unit is designed so that, from a predetermined DC voltage source, for example a 48 V battery, it delivers both a DC voltage corresponding to the inverter's supply voltage and a DC voltage corresponding to the microcontroller's supply voltage. It is understood that the inverter's supply voltage, for example 48 V, is higher than the microcontroller's supply voltage, for example 12 V. Of course, other voltage values ​​are considered, for example, the DC voltage source is a 36 V battery.

[0008] Thus, on the one hand, the inverter and, ultimately, the electric motor, benefit from a 48 V DC power supply, notably with higher power output at constant current and reduced system cooling requirements. On the other hand, the microcontroller, and possibly other low-power analog or digital electronic components of the electronic control and power supply unit, can continue to operate at a lower supply voltage, typically 12 V. This simplifies the control unit's manufacturing process, as such components operating at higher supply voltages and meeting required safety standards, such as a high ASIL (Automotive Safety Integrity Level) rating, are rare and expensive.

[0009] The term "electric actuator" refers to any actuator that uses electrical energy to provide a clamping force to a brake. Depending on the specific embodiment, an electric actuator may be, for example, an electrohydraulic actuator or an electromechanical actuator.

[0010] The invention may include one or more of the following optional features, taken alone or in combination.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the inverter supply voltage is 48 V and the microcontroller supply voltage is 12 V. This configuration allows, on the one hand, the use of microcontrollers that are easy to find on the market and inexpensive, and, on the other hand, the benefit of the advantageous performance of an electric motor supplied with a voltage of 48 V by the inverter.

[0012] Advantageously, the electronic control and power supply unit further includes at least one DC voltage converter operating as a step-down converter to reduce the DC voltage supplied by the DC power source to the microcontroller's supply voltage. This is a simple way to reduce the DC voltage supplied by the DC power source to the microcontroller's supply voltage. Advantageously, the DC voltage converter is provided with a power rating of less than 150 W, for example, less than 50 W, for example, approximately 10 W. A low-power DC voltage converter can be used because it is not intended to supply DC voltage to an electrically actuated brake motor. Since the DC voltage converter has a lower power rating, the size of the electronic control and power supply unit can be reduced.Furthermore, this reduces the cooling requirements of the DC voltage converter.

[0013] In one embodiment, the electronic control and power supply unit comprises at least two DC voltage converters operating as step-down converters, each DC voltage converter being designed to step down the DC voltage supplied by the DC voltage source to the microcontroller's supply voltage. Advantageously, redundancy between the two DC voltage converters can be provided so that if one of the DC voltage converters fails, the other DC voltage converter can continue to perform the step-down function.

[0014] Preferably, one of the DC voltage converters is designed to deliver less than 50 W of power, and a second DC voltage converter is designed to deliver more than 50 W of power. This allows the two DC voltage converters to be allocated to specific electronic components requiring different power levels. In one embodiment, the first DC voltage converter delivers between 10 W and 20 W of power, and the second DC voltage converter delivers between 50 W and 150 W of power. The 10-20 W DC voltage converter is particularly compact and requires little cooling. In another embodiment, the first DC voltage converter can be designed to take over from the second DC voltage converter in case of failure of the latter.For example, it can be foreseen that the DC voltage converter delivering a power greater than 50 W forms a backup DC voltage converter, capable of replacing the DC voltage converter delivering a power less than 50 W in the event of the latter's failure.

[0015] In one embodiment, the electronic control and power supply unit includes a first input for a DC voltage supplied by the DC voltage source corresponding to the inverter's supply voltage, and a second input for a DC voltage supplied by the DC voltage source that has been stepped down to the microcontroller's supply voltage. It is advantageous to have the voltage stepping down performed upstream of the electronic control and power supply unit, which can then be particularly compact. In one embodiment, for example, an external DC voltage converter—i.e., external to the electronic control and power supply unit—steps down the voltage supplied by the DC voltage source upstream of the electronic control and power supply unit.

[0016] Advantageously, the braking system comprising at least two electrically actuated brakes, the electronic control and power supply unit comprises two inverters intended to power the electric motors of the electrically actuated brakes respectively, each inverter being intended to be powered by the DC voltage source delivering a DC voltage corresponding to the supply voltage of the inverters.

[0017] In one embodiment, the first electrically actuated brake is an electromechanical brake, and the second is an electrohydraulic brake. In another embodiment, both electrically actuated brakes are electromechanical brakes. In yet another embodiment, both brakes are electro-hydraulic brakes. It is understood that the electromechanically actuated brake can also be electrohydraulically actuated. In this case, it is called a hybrid brake.

[0018] In one embodiment, the electronic control and power supply unit comprises a first input for a DC voltage supplied by the DC voltage source via a first power supply circuit intended to supply a first inverter, and a second input for a DC voltage supplied by the DC voltage source via a second power supply circuit intended to supply a second inverter. This embodiment is particularly advantageous when the electric motor supplied by the first inverter has a high power rating and the power cable length is significant. Indeed, a voltage drop can be generated in the first power supply circuit due to its internal resistance during the operation of the electric motor supplied by the first inverter, which, under certain conditions, can potentially disrupt the operation of the electric motor supplied by the second inverter.This is particularly advantageous when the second inverter powers an electric motor of an electromechanical actuator, as a stable voltage is necessary to maintain control and normal operation of this electric motor. Separating the power supply circuits upstream of the electronic control and power supply unit, between the DC voltage source and the two DC voltage inputs, reduces the risk of interference between the two electric motors powered by their respective inverters during simultaneous operation.

[0019] The invention also relates to a control device for a vehicle braking system, comprising: - a housing forming a container for an electronic control and power supply unit as defined above, and - a hydraulic block attached to the housing and intended to cooperate with a hydraulic pump for managing the hydraulic pressure of an electro-hydraulic actuated brake of the braking system, the hydraulic block comprising solenoid valves electronically controlled by the electronic control and power supply unit for managing the hydraulic pressure of the electro-hydraulic actuated brake.

[0020] The invention also relates to a vehicle braking system comprising at least one electronic control and power supply unit for the braking system as defined above.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the braking system comprises two electronic control and power supply units for the braking system and further comprises a primary communication means between the two electronic control and power supply units of the braking system and a backup communication means between the two electronic control and power supply units of the braking system. The redundancy of communication between the two electronic control and power supply units improves the safety of the vehicle's braking system.In particular, in the event of failure of the main means of communication, the emergency means of communication persist and allow each electronic control and power supply unit to be informed of the status of the other electronic control and power supply unit in order, for example, to put in place a degraded operating mode which nevertheless allows the safe use of the vehicle, for example while taking it to a repairer or parking the vehicle safely.

[0022] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising a braking system as described above. Brief description of the figures

[0023] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0024] This is a schematic representation of a motor vehicle comprising a braking system according to the invention.

[0025] This is a perspective view of a control and actuation device for an electro-hydraulic actuated braking system for a vehicle according to the invention.

[0026] This is an exploded perspective view of the control and actuation device of the.

[0027] This is a schematic representation of an electronic control and power supply unit according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0028] This is a schematic representation of an electronic control and power supply unit according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0029] This is a schematic representation of an electronic control and power supply unit according to a third embodiment of the invention.

[0030] This is a schematic representation of an electronic control and power supply unit according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

[0031] This is a schematic representation of an electronic control and power supply unit according to a fifth embodiment of the invention. Detailed description

[0032] In the various figures, identical or similar elements bear the same references. Therefore, the description of their structure and function is not systematically repeated.

[0033] We have represented on a motor vehicle 1 in which a braking system 2, according to the invention, is arranged on at least two, advantageously on each of the four wheels 3 of the motor vehicle 1.

[0034] It should be noted that the invention applies to all types of braking systems, particularly those intended for use on passenger cars, off-road vehicles, SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles), two- or three-wheeled vehicles (including motorcycles), aircraft, industrial vehicles (including vans), heavy goods vehicles (i.e., subways, buses, road transport vehicles such as trucks, tractors, and trailers), off-road vehicles such as agricultural or construction equipment, and other transport or handling vehicles. The invention also applies to non-motorized vehicles such as trailers, semi-trailers, and caravans.

[0035] First method of implementation

[0036] According to the first embodiment, the wheels 3 of the motor vehicle 1 are equipped with electro-hydraulic brakes 4, 5 (hereafter referred to as electro-hydraulic brakes), typically used as service brakes, two of which are "combination" brakes 5 that are also electrically actuated as parking and / or emergency brakes by an electromechanical actuator. An electro-hydraulic brake 4 is typically understood as a brake hydraulically actuated by an electro-hydraulic actuator 40 designed to generate hydraulic pressure in response to an electronic braking command, such as pressing a brake pedal, so as to move a brake clamping element to bring the motor vehicle to a stop. The electro-hydraulic actuator 40 typically includes a pump comprising an electric motor 41 for generating the hydraulic pressure.According to this embodiment, the electric motor 41 is a brushless DC electric motor (also called BLDC). Other embodiments provide for the use of different types of motors. The electro-hydraulic actuator 40 also typically includes a hydraulic block 42 cooperating with the hydraulic pump for managing the pressure and distribution of the hydraulic fluid for the electro-hydraulic brake 4. The hydraulic block 42 includes, in a manner known per se, regulating valves 43 for regulating the fluid pressure. Typically, the electro-hydraulic actuator 40 includes, in particular, fluid inlet valves, outlet valves, and safety valves. The electro-hydraulic actuator 40 also includes, in a manner known per se, electronically controlled solenoid valves 44 for real-time management of the hydraulic pressure.The electro-hydraulic actuator 40 also includes, in a manner known per se, pressure sensors 45 for measuring hydraulic pressure in order to modulate hydraulic pressure control.

[0037] According to the first embodiment, each rear wheel 3 of the motor vehicle 1 is equipped with a combined brake 5 which also includes an electromechanical actuator, for example, used for parking and / or emergency braking. Each combined brake 5 typically comprises, in addition to the previously mentioned electrohydraulic actuator 40, an electromechanical actuator 50 including an electric motor 51 for supplying the clamping force to a clamping element to achieve braking. Combined brakes 5 are known by the English acronyms "EPB" (for "Electrical Parking Brake") or "APB" (for Automatic Parking Brake), and will not be described in further detail here.

[0038] As illustrated in Figure 1, the motor vehicle 1 includes two control devices 10 for the braking system 2. Each control device 10 for the braking system 2 is capable of controlling the operation of one of the electro-hydraulic brakes 4 located at the front of the motor vehicle 1 and of the two mixed brakes 5 located at the rear of the motor vehicle 1. Typically, as illustrated in Figure 2, each control device 10 controls, on the one hand, the hydraulic part of the rear mixed brake 5 located on the opposite side to that of the front electro-hydraulic brake 4 which it controls (control shown in solid line in Figure 1), and on the other hand, the electrical part of the rear mixed brake 5 located on the same side as that of the front electro-hydraulic brake 4 which it controls (control shown in dashed line in Figure 1).

[0039] Figures 2 and 3 represent one of the control devices 10 of the braking system 2, the two control devices 10 of the braking system 2 being identical to each other in this case. The control device 10 comprises the electro-hydraulic actuator 40 of the electro-hydraulic brake 4 as described previously, an electronic control and power supply unit 11 of the braking system 2 including in particular an electronic board 21, a housing 12 forming a housing for the electronic control and power supply unit 11 of the braking system 2, means 13 for connection to a DC voltage source, means 14 for connection to the mixed brake 5 and housings 15 for the solenoid valves 44 of the electro-hydraulic actuator 40 of the electro-hydraulic brake 4.The electronic control and power supply unit 11 includes, in this case, an electronic circuit 16 for controlling the solenoid valves 44 and for managing wheel speed sensors 20, as well as electronically controlled MOSFET type switches 17 for controlling the solenoid valves 44.

[0040] According to this embodiment, each electronic control and power supply unit 11 is therefore intended to electronically control and electrically supply the two rear mixed brakes 5 and one of the front electro-hydraulic brakes 4 of the motor vehicle 1. This ensures redundancy of the electronic control and power supply of the rear mixed brakes 5, which notably provide parking braking. Each electronic control and power supply unit 11 includes means for communicating with the other electronic control and power supply unit 11, in particular to determine the operating status of the other unit 11.In this case, the communication means comprise a first and a second data bus 6, 7, for example, CAN data buses, independent of each other, each intended to enable communication between the two electronic control and power supply units 11. It can be envisaged that one of the data buses 6, 7 is designated as the primary bus and that the second of the data buses 6, 7 is designated as the backup bus. This ensures redundancy of communication between these two units 11 so that communication between the two units 11 is always possible in the event of a failure of one of the data buses 6, 7. This improves the safety of the motor vehicle 1.

[0041] Unit 11, the electronic control and power supply unit, comprises several types of components.

[0042] On the one hand, the electronic control and power supply unit 11 comprises low-power analog and digital electronic components, intended in particular for the electronic control of the braking system 2. In this case, it includes, in particular, a microcontroller 18, a power management integrated circuit 19 (also called a PMIC), a wheel speed sensor 20, various other sensors such as an angle sensor 27, the integrated circuit 16 for controlling the solenoid valves 44 and managing the wheel speed sensors 20, as well as the electronically controlled MOSFET switches 17. According to this embodiment, the supply voltage for the analog and digital electronic components of the electronic control and power supply unit 11 is 12 V.In other embodiments, the supply voltage of the analog and digital electronic components is different, for example less than or greater than 12 V.

[0043] Furthermore, the electronic control and power supply unit 11 includes high-power electronic components for managing the power supply to the electro-hydraulic actuators 40 of the electro-hydraulic and mixed brakes 4 and 5, in particular the power supply to the electric motor 41 of the electro-hydraulic actuators 40, and, in addition, the power supply to the electric motor 51 of the electro-mechanical actuator 50 of the mixed brake 5 of the braking system 2. The electronic control and power supply unit 11 includes a first inverter 22 and a second inverter 23 intended to power the electric motors 41 and 51 of the electro-hydraulic brake 4 and the mixed brake 5, respectively.As is known, the electronic control and power supply unit 11 includes other power electronics components useful for the operation of the braking system, such as pre-drivers to interface between the microcontroller 18 and the respective electric motors 41 and 51 of the electro-hydraulic brake 4 and the hybrid brake 5. The supply voltage of the high-power electronics components is higher than the supply voltage of the low-power analog and digital electronic components. More specifically, in this case, the supply voltage of the high-power components, particularly the first and second inverters 22 and 23, is 48 V for a power rating of approximately 400 to 600 W, and, as previously mentioned, the supply voltage of the low-power electronic components is 12 V.

[0044] The motor vehicle 1 includes a DC voltage source 8 for supplying electricity to the electronic control and power supply unit 11. In this case, the DC voltage source 8 is a vehicle battery that delivers a DC voltage corresponding to the supply voltage of the first and second inverters 22, 23. Thus, according to this embodiment, the vehicle battery is a battery delivering a DC voltage of 48 V. In variants not shown here, the voltage source 8 actually comprises several batteries or circuits, which can separately supply power to the different circuits operating at 48 V and those stepped down to 12 V.

[0045] According to the first embodiment, the electronic control and power supply unit 11 comprises two DC-DC converters 24, 25, each operating as a step-down converter. Each DC converter 24, 25 is designed to reduce the DC voltage supplied by the DC power source 8 to the supply voltage of low-power electronic components, such as the microcontroller 18, the electronic circuit 16 for controlling the solenoid valves 44 and managing the wheel speed sensors 20, and the electronically controlled switches 17. In this case, each DC converter 24, 25 is therefore designed to reduce the 48 V DC voltage supplied by the DC power source 8 to a DC voltage of 12 V.In this case, the first and second DC voltage converters 24, 25 are integrated into the electronic control and power supply unit 11, and are therefore referred to as internal. Thus, the electronic control and power supply unit 11 comprises a single input 26 for the 48V DC voltage supplied by the battery. This voltage is then supplied to the power electronics components, in particular the inverters 22, 23, without being stepped down, and to the analog and digital electronic components, referred to as low-power components, after being stepped down to their supply voltages, i.e., 12V, by one of the DC voltage converters 24, 25.Thus, on the one hand, the inverters 22, 23 and, ultimately, the electric motors 41, 51 of the electro-hydraulic and mixed brakes 4, 5 benefit from a 48 V DC power supply, notably with higher power output at constant supply current and reduced system cooling requirements. On the other hand, the microcontroller 18 and the other low-power analog or digital electronic components can continue to operate at a lower supply voltage, 12 V in this case, which simplifies the electronic control and power supply unit since such components operating at a higher supply voltage and meeting the required safety conditions, such as a high ASIL (Automotive Safety Integrity Level) classification, are rare and expensive.

[0046] Preferably, the first DC voltage converter 24 is designed to deliver a power output of less than 50 W, and the second DC voltage converter 25 is designed to deliver a power output of more than 50 W. In one particular embodiment, for example, the first DC voltage converter 24 is designed to deliver a power output of 10 to 20 W, and the second DC voltage converter 25 is designed to deliver a power output of between 50 and 150 W. According to the first embodiment, the first DC voltage converter 24 delivers a DC voltage reduced to 12 V to the power management integrated circuit 19, the microcontroller 18, and the integrated circuit 16 for controlling the solenoid valves 44 and managing the wheel speed sensors 20.The second DC voltage converter 25 delivers a reduced DC voltage of 12 V to the electronically controlled MOSFET switches 17, which supply power to the solenoid valves 44. In addition, the electronic control and power supply unit 11 includes a backup circuit 28 by which the second DC voltage converter 25 is able to deliver a DC voltage of 12 V to the microcontroller 18 in the event of a failure of the first DC voltage converter 24. This improves the safety of operation of the braking system 2.

[0047] Second embodiment

[0048] The second embodiment is described below by reference to the [reference to previous embodiment]. Only the differences between the first and second embodiments are described below. Thus, for elements not directly described below, reference should be made to the description given for the first embodiment.

[0049] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the electronic control and power supply unit 11 includes, in addition to the DC input 26, referred to as the first DC input 26, described previously, a second DC input 29 supplied by the DC voltage source 8, which has been stepped down to the supply voltage of the microcontroller 18. Thus, it is understood that the DC voltage supplied to the first DC input 26 corresponds to the DC voltage supplied by the DC voltage source 8, i.e., 48 V. As previously stated, this voltage corresponds to the supply voltage of the high-power electronic components of the electronic control and power supply unit 11.It is further understood that the DC voltage delivered to the second DC input 29 has been stepped down upstream of this second DC input 29. Thus, according to the second embodiment, an external DC voltage converter 30, for example of the DC-DC type, is arranged upstream of the electronic control and power supply unit 11 in order to step down the DC voltage delivered by the DC source 8 to the supply voltage of the analog and digital electronic components, referred to as low-power components, i.e., 12 V in this case. The external DC voltage converter 30 is, for example, capable of delivering a power between 50 W and 150 W. Thus, unlike the first embodiment, the electronic control and power supply unit 11 does not include an internal DC voltage converter.

[0050] The second embodiment is particularly advantageous when the motor vehicle 1 includes two DC voltage sources, one supplying power electronics components and the other supplying analog and digital electronic components. In this case, a DC voltage converter is not required to supply these different types of electronic components with their respective supply voltages.

[0051] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the fact that the electronic control and power supply unit 11 does not include an internal DC voltage converter improves the compactness of the electronic control and power supply unit 11 and reduces the cooling requirements of the system.

[0052] Third mode of implementation

[0053] The third embodiment is described below by reference to the [reference to previous embodiment]. Only the differences between the first and third embodiments are described below. Thus, for elements not directly described below, reference should be made to the description given for the first embodiment.

[0054] The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in that the electronic control and power supply unit 11 comprises only a first DC voltage converter 24. Using one less DC voltage converter compared to the first embodiment reduces the manufacturing cost of the electronic control and power supply unit 11.

[0055] Fourth mode of implementation

[0056] The fourth embodiment is described below by reference to the [reference to previous embodiment]. Only the differences between the first and fourth embodiments are described below. Thus, for elements not directly described below, reference should be made to the description given for the first embodiment.

[0057] The fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the electronic control and power supply unit 11 is intended to control only one or more electromechanically actuated brakes 5. Thus, the motor vehicle 1 does not include an electro-hydraulic or mixed brake as described previously. It is therefore understood that the components described for the first embodiment related to the electro-hydraulic actuated brakes 4 are not present in the fourth embodiment. In particular, the braking system control device 10 does not include solenoid valves 44, regulating valves 43, a hydraulic block 42, or the pump for the electro-hydraulic actuator 40 of the electro-hydraulic brake 4.Consequently, the electronic control and power supply unit 11 does not include an integrated electronic circuit 16 for controlling the solenoid valves 44 and managing the wheel speed sensors 20, or electronically controlled switches 17 for controlling the solenoid valves 44. It is therefore understood that the first and / or second DC voltage converters 24, 25 are not intended to supply a DC voltage to the integrated electronic circuit 16 for controlling the solenoid valves 44 and managing the wheel speed sensors 20, and to the electronically controlled switches 17 for controlling the solenoid valves 44. Thus, it is advantageously anticipated that the first and second DC voltage converters 24, 25 will deliver low power levels, for example, on the order of 10 to 20 W, which are sufficient to power the microcontroller 18 but would not have been sufficient for the electronic control of the solenoid valves 44.

[0058] Fifth mode of implementation

[0059] The fifth embodiment is described below by reference to the [reference to previous embodiment]. Only the differences between the first and fifth embodiments are described below. Thus, for elements not directly described below, reference should be made to the description given for the first embodiment.

[0060] The fifth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the electronic control and power supply unit 11 has several power supply circuits, two in this case, which are not connected to each other inside the electronic control and power supply unit 11 but outside of it, thus allowing their connection to be closer to the DC voltage source 8. A first power supply circuit 31 is connected to the first DC voltage input 26 and supplies the first inverter 22, which powers the electric motor 41 of the electro-hydraulic actuator 40, and the second DC voltage converter 25, which typically delivers a power output between 50 W and 150 W.A second power supply circuit 32 is connected to the second DC input 29 and supplies the second inverter 23, which in turn supplies the electric motor 51 of the electromechanical actuator 50 of the mixed brake 5 and the first DC voltage converter 24, which typically delivers a power output between 10 W and 20 W. This embodiment is particularly advantageous when the electric motor 41 of the electrohydraulic actuator 40 has a high power output and the cable length is significant.Indeed, a voltage drop can then be generated in the first power supply circuit 30 due to its internal resistance during the operation of the electric motor 41 of the electro-hydraulic actuator 40, which under certain conditions can potentially disrupt the operation of the electric motor 51 of the electro-mechanical actuator 50 of the mixed brake 5, a stable voltage being necessary to maintain control and normal operation of this electric motor 51. The separation into two distinct power supply circuits 30, 31 between the DC voltage source 8 and the two DC voltage inputs 26, 29 thus makes it possible to reduce the risks of interference between the two electric motors 41, 51 during common and simultaneous operation.

[0061] Figures 4 to 6 and 8 illustrate examples of embodiments applied to a braking system in which, on the one hand, the front brakes are actuated solely electro-hydraulically; and on the other hand, the rear brakes are actuated in a mixed manner, that is, electro-hydraulicly for the service brake and electromechanically for the parking and emergency brakes. It is understood, however, that these examples apply to any system comprising electro-hydraulic and electromechanical actuation, regardless of their distribution across the different wheels. For example, a system with electro-hydraulic actuation only at the front and electromechanical actuation only at the rear, or a system with electromechanical actuation only at the front and mixed actuation, electro-hydraulic and electromechanical, at the rear.

[0062] The invention is not limited to the embodiments presented, and other embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. In particular, it is possible to combine the features of different embodiments when they are compatible. List of references

[0063] 1: motor vehicle 2: braking system 3: wheel 4: electro-hydraulic brake 5: mixed or electromechanical brake 6: first data bus 7: second data bus 8: DC voltage source 10: braking system control device 11: electronic control and power supply unit 12: housing 13: means of connection to a DC voltage source 14: means of connection to the electromechanical brake 15: housings for solenoid valves 16: integrated electronic circuit for driving solenoid valves and managing wheel speed sensors 17: electronically controlled switch 18: microcontroller 19: integrated electronic circuit for power management 20: wheel speed sensor 21: electronic board 22: first inverter 23: second inverter 24: first DC voltage converter 25: second DC voltage converter 26: DC voltage inputsaid first DC voltage input27: angle sensor28: backup circuit29: second DC voltage input30: external DC voltage converter31: first power supply circuit32: second power supply circuit40: electro-hydraulic actuator of the electro-hydraulic brake - pressure generator41: electric motor of the pump of the electric actuator of the electro-hydraulic brake42: hydraulic block43: regulating valve44: solenoid valve45: pressure sensor50: electromechanical actuator51: electric motor of the mixed or electromechanical brake,

Claims

Electronic control and power supply unit (11) for a vehicle braking system (2) (1) comprising at least one electrically actuated brake (4, 5) comprising an electric actuator (40, 50) comprising an electric motor (41, 51), the electronic control and power supply unit (11) comprising a microcontroller (18) for controlling the operation of the braking system (2) and an inverter (22, 23) for supplying the electric motor (41, 51), characterized in that a supply voltage of the inverter (22, 23) is greater than a supply voltage of the microcontroller (18), in that the inverter (22, 23) is intended to be powered by at least one DC voltage source (8) delivering a DC voltage corresponding to the supply voltage of the inverter (22, 23), and in that the microcontroller (18) is intended to be powered by the same source (8) of direct current voltage,or by another DC voltage source (8) delivering the same DC voltage, after the DC voltage delivered by the same DC voltage source (8) or by the other DC voltage source has been reduced to the microcontroller (18) supply voltage. Electronic control and power supply unit (11) according to claim 1, wherein the supply voltage of the inverter (22, 23) is 48 V and the supply voltage of the microcontroller (18) is 12 V. Electronic control and power supply unit (11) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising at least one DC voltage converter (24, 25) operating as a step-down converter so as to step down the DC voltage delivered by the DC voltage source (8) to the supply voltage of the microcontroller (18). Electronic control and power supply unit (11) according to claim 3, comprising at least two DC voltage converters (24, 25) operating as step-down converters, each DC voltage converter (24, 25) being intended to step down the DC voltage delivered by the DC voltage source (8) to the supply voltage of the microcontroller (18). Electronic control and power supply unit (11) according to claim 4, wherein a first of the DC voltage converters (24, 25) is intended to deliver a power of less than 50 W and a second of the DC voltage converters (24, 25) is intended to deliver a power of more than 50 W. Electronic control and power supply unit (11) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electronic control and power supply unit (11) comprises a first input (26) for a DC voltage delivered by the DC voltage source (8) corresponding to the supply voltage of the inverter (22, 23) and a second input (29) for a DC voltage delivered by the DC voltage source (8) which has been lowered to the supply voltage of the microcontroller (18). Electronic control and power supply unit (11) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the braking system (2) comprises at least two electrically actuated brakes (4, 5), the electronic control and power supply unit (11) comprises two inverters (22, 23) intended to supply respectively the electric motors (41, 51) of the electrically actuated brakes (4, 5), each inverter (22, 23) being intended to be supplied by the DC voltage source (8) delivering a DC voltage corresponding to the supply voltage of the inverters (22, 23). Electronic control and power supply unit (11) according to claim 7, wherein a first of the electrically actuated brakes is an electromechanically actuated brake (5) and a second of the electrically actuated brakes is an electrohydraulically actuated brake (4). Electronic control and power supply unit (11) according to claim 7 or 8, comprising a first input (26) for a DC voltage delivered by the DC voltage source (8) via a first supply circuit (31) intended to supply a first inverter (22) and a second input (29) for a DC voltage delivered by the DC voltage source (8) via a second supply circuit (32) intended to supply a second inverter (23). Device (10) for controlling a braking system (2) for a vehicle (1), comprising: - an electronic control and power supply unit (11) according to any one of the preceding claims, - a housing (12) forming a housing for one of the electronic control and power supply units (11), and - a hydraulic block (42) attached to the housing (12) and intended to cooperate with a hydraulic pump for managing the hydraulic pressure of an electro-hydraulic actuated brake (4) of the braking system (2), the hydraulic block (42) comprising solenoid valves (44) electronically controlled by the electronic control and power supply unit (11) for managing the hydraulic pressure of the electro-hydraulic actuated brake (4). vehicle braking system (2) comprising at least one electronic control and power supply unit (11) for the braking system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9. Braking system (2) for vehicle (1) according to the preceding claim, comprising two electronic control and power supply units (11) for the braking system (2) and further comprising a main communication means (6, 7) between the two electronic control and power supply units (11) for the braking system and a backup communication means (6, 7) between the two control units (11) for the braking system (2). Vehicle (1) comprising a braking system (2) according to claim 11 or 12.

Images