DE102021213998A1 - Brake control device for a vehicle and method for operating a brake control device for a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention creates a brake control device (10) for a vehicle (F), comprising a control device (SE) which can be connected to a friction brake (RB) in the vehicle (F) and to a guideway device (FE) of the vehicle (F). , wherein the control device (SE) is set up to operate the friction brake (RB) according to a specified operating scenario for the friction brake and the specified operating scenario relates to a reduction in rust or corrosion of the friction brake and the friction brake on a specific axle and/or on a specific The wheel of the vehicle (F) can be operated for a specified period of time and with a specified braking power and as a result corrosion and/or rust can be reduced or prevented on at least one brake element of the friction brake, the specified operating scenario being based on a signal or on data from the guideway device (FE) can be determined or set up, the predetermined operating scenario being applicable outside of a need for braking intervention or in support of a need for braking intervention.

Description

The present invention relates to a brake control device for a vehicle and a method for operating a brake control device for a vehicle.

State of the art

In vehicle braking units, rust or some form of corrosion can form on the friction elements. Brake discs on motor vehicles can corrode due to external influences, for example humidity, moisture, salt, snow or other influencing factors. For example, the formation of rust or corrosion can be favored with longer service lives and inactive phases of the friction element. If rust or corrosion is present, braking forces or a braking torque to be generated can be reduced compared to a rust-free or corrosion-free state of the friction element, for example if an equal pressure is generated between the brake lining and brake discs.

For example, for a defined deceleration (about 4 m/s ² ) in the case of rust and/or corrosion, a higher pedal force may be necessary than without rust or corrosion. Since corrosion does not always show up in the same way on all wheels, this can also lead to the vehicle pulling to one side when braking, or at least the likelihood of this is increased.

In the DE 10 2012 222 349 A1 discloses a method of preventing unwanted rust growth on vehicle brake discs.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention provides a brake control device for a vehicle according to claim 1 and a method of operating a brake control device for a vehicle according to claim 6.

Preferred developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

Advantages of the Invention

The idea on which the present invention is based is to specify a brake control device for a vehicle and a method for operating a brake control device for a vehicle, wherein a braking action can be carried out on a friction brake of a vehicle, by means of which rust and/or corrosion can be specifically prevented on a brake element of the vehicle Friction brake is removable.

According to the invention, the brake control device for a vehicle comprises a control device which can be connected to a friction brake in the vehicle and to a guideway device of the vehicle, the control device being set up to operate the friction brake according to a predefined operating scenario for the friction brake and the predefined operating scenario being a grid - or corrosion reduction of the friction brake is concerned and the friction brake can be operated on a specific axle and/or on a specific wheel of the vehicle for a specified period of time and with a specified braking power and as a result corrosion and/or rust can be reduced or prevented on at least one brake element of the friction brake is, wherein the predefined operating scenario can be determined or set up based on a signal or on data from the guideway device, wherein the predefined operating scenario can be used outside of a need for a braking intervention or in support of a need for a braking intervention.

The control device can be present separately in the vehicle and provided specifically for the brake control device, or a control device of a system present in the vehicle or used by the vehicle can (likewise) be used to operate the friction brake. The friction brake can include any type of friction brake, such as one or more brake discs with one or more brake pads. The predefined operating scenario can be designed to generate a specific braking pressure on a specific wheel after a predefined period of inactivity of the friction brake. The brake pressure may be adjusted for a period of inactivity or an estimated amount of rust or corrosion. Thus, in the case of prolonged inactivity and/or at the same time damp ambient conditions are known (and knowledge of them), a brake pressure can be increased compared to a short and/or dry inactive phase.

The guideway device can be designed to determine or estimate an environmental condition of the friction brake in the past, present and/or future and thus to estimate a degree of rust and/or corrosion formation in the present and/or future.

By operating the friction brake for rust and/or corrosion reduction outside of, or in support of, a need for braking intervention, the friction brake may advantageously operate the function of rust and/or corrosion reduction outside of a major braking period for the vehicle.

The brake control device can be used, for example, in two-axle or multi-axle motor vehicles with a brake control system (eg ESP, IPB, etc.).

Since the specified operating scenario can be used outside of a need for a brake intervention or in support of a need for a brake intervention, it can be carried out in vehicle states that are not critical in terms of driving dynamics, for example when driving straight ahead, dry road, slight deceleration, or the like. For example, the ESP system can free the brake disc as a friction element by braking the respective vehicle axle in a targeted manner, in other words, at least partially loosen the rust or corrosion on this friction element. For example, the axes can be braked one after the other or simultaneously for their individually specified operating scenarios. By braking axle by axle, a higher brake pressure can be generated on the axle in question, which can promote the process of braking free/rust loosening, also for one or more wheels. The overall braking effect on the vehicle can still meet a specification and/or remain constant.

According to a preferred embodiment of the brake control device, the control device and/or the friction brake is connected to a driving stability system and can be operated by it, and targeted braking of a respective vehicle axle or one or more respective wheels can be carried out during the specified operating scenario.

The driving stability system can be an ESP system that can be suitable for braking individual wheels. In this way, the rust and/or corrosion can be at least partially removed in a targeted manner on axles or wheels.

According to a preferred embodiment of the brake control device, the route device includes a position system and the control device is set up to receive position data of the vehicle from the position system and to apply the predefined operating scenario taking the position data into account, with the position data indicating a course of the road, a driving condition and/or humidity of the friction brake can be estimated.

According to a preferred embodiment of the brake control device, the route device includes a weather data server or is connected to one and the control device is set up to apply the specified operating scenario taking into account the weather data, with a driving condition and/or moisture on the friction brake being able to be estimated from the weather data.

With the course of the road, the driving conditions and the associated weather conditions, it is advantageously possible to estimate the degree of rust or corrosion formation on the friction brakes, particularly if a period of previous inactivity of the friction brake is also known.

According to a preferred embodiment of the brake control device, the formation of rust or corrosion on a respective friction brake can be determined by the guideway device and a brake pressure can be generated for a predetermined abrasion on the friction brake.

Depending on the determined or estimated degree of rust and/or corrosion, a correspondingly sufficient braking pressure can be generated in order to achieve at least the expected abrasion of the rust and/or corrosion.

According to the invention, in the method for operating a brake control device for a vehicle, a brake control device according to the invention is provided; detecting a need to activate the friction brake according to a predetermined operating scenario for the friction brake; and actuating the friction brake according to a predetermined operating scenario for the friction brake and at a predetermined axle and/or wheel of the vehicle, the predetermined operating scenario being applied outside of a need for braking intervention or in support of a need for braking intervention.

The brake control device can also be distinguished by the features mentioned in connection with the method and its advantages, and vice versa.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method, the specified operating scenario relates to a reduction in rust or corrosion of the friction brake, and the friction brake is operated for a specified period of time and with a specified braking power, thereby reducing or preventing corrosion and/or rust on at least one brake element of the friction brake.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method, the friction brake is activated at a predetermined operating condition, which weather data and/or operating times and/or an operating location of the vehicle and/or a typical driving behavior of a driver of the vehicle is taken into account.

Typical driving and braking patterns of the driver can also be taken into account if the existing degree of rust or corrosion on the friction brakes is to be inferred at a given point in time or it is also to be determined for a future point in time how much the driver should prevent or removal of the rust and/or corrosion. For example, over a certain period of time it can be determined, for example by the control device, which brake pressure the driver typically builds up in which situation, and to what extent the corresponding brakes are then used and, combined with times when the brakes are inactive, what degree of rust and /or corrosion may be present.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method, humidity at the location of the vehicle is taken into account and the friction brake is activated when the humidity exceeds a predetermined value or the friction brake on a specific wheel and/or axle exceeds a predetermined inactive period of time.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method, the friction brake is activated as a function of a local position of the vehicle.

It can be taken into account, for example, whether the vehicle is in damp or dry places, in tunnels, houses, garages or outdoor parking spaces and whether rust or corrosion may be favored and to what extent.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method, a braking pressure of the friction brake is increased on a first wheel or a first axle and simultaneously reduced on a second wheel or a second axle, so that an overall braking effect on the vehicle is kept constant.

In general, the braking performance (ratio of vehicle deceleration to the braking force applied) and the vehicle stability when braking after the motor vehicle has been parked for a long time can be improved and the friction brake function can thus be improved.

The route device, such as an ESP system, can use information about the idle time and the environmental conditions, such as a rain sensor, temperature, GPS coordinates, or other data about a motor vehicle, and determine the likelihood of rust forming on the brake discs or other components of the friction brake.

If rust formation is assumed, the brake pressure on the respective axles or wheels can be influenced when braking. If rust is loosened on the front axle, the brake pressure on the rear axle can be limited/reduced in order to obtain higher brake pressure on the front axle with the same deceleration. The reverse procedure can be used to loosen rust on the rear axle. This can take place in a vehicle state that is not critical in terms of driving dynamics, for example when driving straight ahead, on a dry road surface, with slight deceleration, vehicle speed < a predetermined value in km/h. The brake pressure for rust loosening can be applied to a small extent, i.e. less than a specified limit value, so that the brake balance of the vehicle is not significantly affected and the brake pressure adjustment is not noticeable to the driver. Due to the greater importance of the rear axle for driving stability compared to the front axle, the parameters for determining the non-critical driving condition in terms of driving dynamics may have to be selected more sensitively if the brake pressure on the front axle is limited/reduced.

Further features and advantages of embodiments of the invention result from the following description with reference to the attached drawings.

character list

The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments given in the schematic figures of the drawing.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung einer Bremssteuerungseinrichtung für ein Fahrzeug gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Erfindung;
• 2 eine schematische Darstellung einer Regellogik für einen Betrieb einer Bremssteuerungseinrichtung für ein Fahrzeug gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Erfindung;
• 3 eine Blockdarstellung von Verfahrensschritten des Verfahrens zum Betreiben einer Bremssteuerungseinrichtung für ein Fahrzeug gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Erfindung.

Show it:

• 1 a schematic representation of a brake control device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention;
• 2 a schematic representation of a control logic for an operation of a brake control device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention;
• 3 a block diagram of method steps of the method for operating a brake control device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figures, the same reference symbols denote the same elements or elements with the same function.

1 12 is a schematic representation of a brake control device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The brake control device 10 for a vehicle F comprises a control device SE, which can be connected to one or more friction brakes RB in the vehicle F and to a roadway device FE of the vehicle F, the control device SE being set up to activate the friction brake RB according to a predefined operating scenario to operate the friction brake and the specified operating scenario relates to a reduction in rust or corrosion of the friction brake and the friction brake can be operated on a specific axle and/or on a specific wheel of the vehicle F for a specified period of time and with a specified braking power and thereby on at least one Corrosion and/or rust can be reduced or prevented in the brake element of the friction brake, the specified operating scenario being able to be determined or set up based on a signal or data from the guideway device FE, the specified operating scenario being outside of a need for a braking intervention or in support of a need can be used for a braking intervention. The control device SE and/or the friction brakes RB can be connected to a driving stability system ESP, which can represent the guideway device FE or the control device SE itself or which can be present separately in the vehicle, and can be operated by it and allow targeted braking of a respective vehicle axle or one or more respective wheels may be practicable during the given operating scenario.

Furthermore, the route device FE can include a GPS position system and the control device SE can be set up to receive position data of the vehicle from the GPS position system and to apply the specified operating scenario taking the position data into account, with the position data determining a course of the roadway, a driving condition and/or humidity can be estimated at the friction brake. The formation of rust or corrosion on a respective friction brake can be determined by the guideway device FE or control device SE and a braking pressure can be generated for a predetermined abrasion on the friction brake.

2 shows a schematic representation of a control logic for an operation of a brake control device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

A control logic for a rust and/or corrosion dissolving process can be applied, advantageously by the brake control device, for example by the control device, with initial conditions A and/or B being able to be determined.

In a step A, specific information about the whereabouts of the motor vehicle can be determined via sensors or by the route device, also including a standstill time of the motor vehicle and environmental conditions. For this purpose, information from a rain sensor when parking, a temperature sensor and/or GPS coordinates and/or other data relating to the vehicle and the environment can be determined or estimated, at a current time, in the past or estimated for the future.

Furthermore, in a step B, certain control signals for the vehicle can be recognized and taken into account, such as ESP signals, a steering angle, a yaw rate, a coefficient of friction utilization, a vehicle speed, a brake pressure from the driver or others. This data can then be used and taken into account for the extent of braking action to loosen rust or corrosion. The concept of the utilization of the coefficient of friction can refer to a momentary or overall minimum available coefficient of friction between the tires and the road surface, which can be calculated, for example, on the basis of the braking force applied.

In step C, the data from step A can then be used to determine the probability of rust or corrosion formation on the brake disks, in particular whether this is high (relative to a predefined value) or not. If the probability of the formation of rust or corrosion can be identified as high, compared to a predetermined orientation value as the degree of rust or corrosion present can be identified as correct (j), then a further step D can follow, with a determination of a dynamically non-critical driving state can take place, i.e. when this is available. If the probability of rust or corrosion formation can be determined to be low, against a predetermined orientation value as the degree of rust or corrosion present can be determined to be not applicable (n), then a step or condition E can occur, which does not interfere with the Braking force distribution can correspond.

Step D can then be carried out directly from the data of step B.

If step D takes place, in the presence (j) of a driving condition that is not critical in terms of driving dynamics, in the next step F, a limitation or reduction of the brake pressure on an axle/wheel and thus higher braking pressure on the other axle/wheel for the rust or corrosion loosening process.

A calculation of the non-critical state in terms of driving dynamics can have different limit values for braking pressure limitation or reduction on the front axle and rear axle and these can be specified. The non-critical state in terms of driving dynamics can be determined from sensors relating to acceleration and/or driving obstacles or other vehicles, the course of the journey (estimated from GPS data) or from map data or other information.

3 shows a block diagram of method steps of the method for operating a brake control device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the method for operating a brake control device for a vehicle, a brake control device according to the invention is provided S1; a detection S2 of a need to activate the friction brake according to a predefined operating scenario for the friction brake; and actuating S3 the friction brake according to a predefined operating scenario for the friction brake and on a predefined axle and/or wheel of the vehicle, the predefined operating scenario being used outside of a need for a braking intervention or in support of a need for a braking intervention.

Although the present invention has been fully described above with reference to the preferred exemplary embodiment, it is not restricted thereto but can be modified in a variety of ways.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 102012222349 A1 [0004]

Claims (11)

Brake control device (10) for a vehicle (F), comprising: - A control device (SE) which can be connected to a friction brake (RB) in the vehicle (F) and to a guideway device (FE) of the vehicle (F), the control device (SE) being set up to use the friction brake (RB) to operate according to a specified operating scenario for the friction brake and the specified operating scenario relates to a reduction in rust or corrosion of the friction brake and the friction brake can be operated on a specific axle and/or on a specific wheel of the vehicle (F) for a specified period of time and with a specified braking power and as a result corrosion and/or rust can be reduced or prevented on at least one brake element of the friction brake, with the specified operating scenario being able to be determined or set up based on a signal or on data from the guideway device (FE), the specified operating scenario being outside of a need for brake intervention or in support of a need for brake intervention. Brake control device (10) after claim 1 , in which the control device (SE) and/or the friction brake (RB) is connected to a driving stability system (ESP) and can be operated by it, and targeted braking of a respective vehicle axle or one or more respective wheels during the specified operating scenario can be carried out. Brake control device (10) after claim 1 or 2 , In which the route device (FE) includes a position system (GPS) and the control device (SE) is set up to receive position data of the vehicle from the position system (GPS) and to apply the specified operating scenario taking into account the position data, with the position data a roadway , a driving condition and/or moisture on the friction brake can be estimated. Brake control device (10) according to one of Claims 1 until 3 , In which the guideway device (FE) includes a weather data server or is connected to one and the control device (SE) is set up to apply the specified operating scenario taking into account the weather data, with the weather data determining a driving condition and/or moisture on the friction brake can be estimated. Brake control device (10) according to one of Claims 1 until 4 , in which a formation of rust or corrosion on a respective friction brake can be determined by the guideway device (FE) and a braking pressure for a predetermined abrasion on the friction brake can be generated. Method for operating a brake control device (10) for a vehicle (F), comprising the steps: - Providing (S1) a brake control device (10) according to one of Claims 1 until 5 ; - Recognize (S2) a need to activate the friction brake (RB) according to a predetermined operating scenario for the friction brake; - Actuate (S3) the friction brake (RB) according to a predefined operating scenario for the friction brake and on a predefined axle and/or wheel of the vehicle, the predefined operating scenario being applied outside of a need for a braking intervention or in support of a need for a braking intervention . procedure after claim 6 , in which the specified operating scenario relates to a reduction in rust or corrosion in the friction brake and the friction brake is operated for a specified period of time and with a specified braking power, thereby reducing or preventing corrosion and/or rust on at least one brake element of the friction brake. procedure after claim 6 or 7 , In which the activation of the friction brake to a predetermined operating condition, which weather data and / or operating times and / or an operating location of the vehicle (F) and / or a typical driving behavior of a driver of the vehicle (F) takes into account. Procedure according to one of Claims 6 until 8th , in which humidity at the location of the vehicle (F) is taken into account and the friction brake is activated if the humidity exceeds a predetermined value or if the friction brake on a specific wheel and/or axle exceeds a predetermined inactive period of time. Procedure according to one of Claims 6 until 9 , in which the activation of the friction brake takes place depending on a local position of the vehicle. Procedure according to one of Claims 6 until 10 , in which a braking pressure of the friction brake is increased at a first wheel or a first axle and at the same time is reduced at a second wheel or a second axle, so that an overall braking effect on the vehicle is kept constant.

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