EP2024210A1

EP2024210A1 - Method and control arrangement for the controlled release of at least one electric parking brake of a vehicle

Info

Publication number: EP2024210A1
Application number: EP07728339A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Johannes Bentner; Alexander Kalbeck
Original assignee: Siemens AG
Current assignee: Siemens AG
Priority date: 2006-06-08
Filing date: 2007-04-20
Publication date: 2009-02-18
Also published as: WO2007141085A1; DE102006026736A1; JP2009539665A; CN101460348A; RU2008152783A

Abstract

The release of the electric parking brake of a vehicle takes place as a function of the manual actuation of at least one first operating element (BE1) which is provided in the vehicle. For the controlled release, after a manual actuation of the first operating element (BE1), the manual actuation of at least one further operating element (BE2, BE3) is additionally monitored, and the electric parking brake (EPB) is at least partially released as a function of a detection of at least one manual actuation of the further operating element (BE2, BE3).

Description

description

Method and control arrangement for the controlled release of at least one electric parking brake of a vehicle

The invention relates to a method and control arrangement for the controlled release of at least one electric parking brake of a vehicle according to the preamble of patent claims 1 and 16.

Conventional parking brakes, such as disc, Trom ^¬ MEL or "Drum-in-Hat" braking system and are sufficiently known from the prior art. The braking force generated by a brake mechanism is set in this case, for example, manually via a provided in the vehicle brake lever, namely is produced a restoring force on this, acting on the brake mechanism for generating the brake force. the brake force generated by the brake mechanism is proporti ^¬ onal to that produced via the shift lever force. specially when starting a vehicle on an incline, the reduction of the braking force via a corresponding adjustment of the brake lever ^¬ force controlled by a gradual manual release. the driver releases the parking brake in particular at the time at which the full traction torque is already established, which is necessary for holding the unbraked vehicle on the slope.

Furthermore, electric parking brakes are known in which the electric parking brake is applied or released by actuating a control element, for example a touch, rocker or switching module. Here is generated for setting the braking force ^¬ required actuating force by means of an electric motor gear unit which is controlled via a control system is ^¬. In technically simple trained electric parking brakes see the operation is reduced to a simple loosening or tightening the electric parking brake by pressing a provided inside the vehicle control. If, for example, as a control element a touch module for Tightening or loosening of the electronic parking brake, the release of the electric parking brake takes place immediately after pressing or releasing the push-button module, regardless of the prevailing vehicle and ambient conditions. The driver thus has to contribute to a vehicle located at a slope ensure that the already on the slope it is constructed ^¬ ford movable vehicle moment immediately before or during actuation of the push-button module for holding the vehicle. This requires a special coordination ability of the driver, in particular due to the almost simultaneous operation of the Bedienele ^¬ Mentes and the brake and clutch pedal or gas and Kupp ^¬ ment pedal.

Further, electric parking brake systems with an automatic specific ^¬ driveaway assistance are known. The actuating force generated by the electric parking brake is controlled in such systems depending on the particular inclination of the vehicle, in such a way that a rolling back of the vehicle is avoided. The realization of such automated

Starting functions is technically complicated, since the regulation of the actuating force must be adapted to the different types of vehicle or the vehicle torque generated by it. In particular, a tilt sensor unit is required for such an automated start-up assistance in order to determine the vehicle torque required to hold the vehicle on a slope.

Object of the present invention is to provide a method and a control arrangement for the controlled release of at least one electric parking brake of a vehicle, which allows a simple and user-friendly release of the electronic parking brake when approaching on a slope without the previously described technically complex and costly automatic functions. The object is solved by the dependent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the further dependent claims.

An essential aspect of the inventive method lies in the fact that after a manual actuation of the first operating member in addition, the manual operation is controlled, at least one further operating element and depen ^¬ gig by a detection of at least one manual actuation of the further operating element, the electric parking brake to ^¬ least partially is solved. Advantageously, the electrical ^¬ specific parking brake released immediately after actuation of the ring zugehö ^¬ first operating member, but only after Before ^¬ are an actuation of additional control elements provided in the vehicle, in particular of the accelerator pedal. As a result, an abrupt release of the electric parking brake is avoided, ie, the driver has enough time to build up the required for starting on a slope vehicle torque on time ^¬ .

The manual operation is monitored of a second drit ^¬ th and / or fourth control element with advantage, the presence of a predetermined operating position is judged as the first to fourth control element actuation. Depending on the presence of at least one predetermined operating position of the first to fourth control element, the electric parking brake ^{¬ is} released.

Particularly advantageously, the currently present Bedienpo- sition is the first indicated to fourth control element via a first through fourth state signal which are evaluated by a control system ^¬.

In a preferred embodiment, the electric parking brake is released with a time delay. Here, the release of the electric parking brake starting from a detection of the first operating element by a predetermined delay time permanently delayed. Alternatively, the release speed of the electric parking brake can be reduced.

As a second control element, the actuation of an accelerator pedal provided in the vehicle, as the third control element, the actuation of a brake pedal, and as a fourth operating element, the operation is a provided in the vehicle Gangsschalthe ^¬ bels or gear selector lever is monitored.

In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an exemplary embodiment with reference to drawings. Show it:

1 shows by way of example a block diagram of a control system or a control device for the controlled release of an electric parking brake;

2 shows by way of example a first flowchart of a control routine for releasing an electric parking brake,

3 shows an example of a flowchart of an alternative

Embodiment of the control routine of FIG. 2, Fig. 4 shows an example of a flowchart of another alternative control routine and

5 shows an example of a flowchart of a further first and second control routine.

In Fig. 1 an electric parking brake EPB is shown with a integ ^¬ alumi- control system SS by way of example in a schematic block diagram showing a control unit CU, and a memory unit MU associated with this. In an alternative embodiment, the control system SS may be arranged spatially separated from the electric parking brake EPB or integrated into an already existing control device of a vehicle (not shown in FIG. 1).

Further, the electric parking brake EPB to produce ei ^¬ ner force F to an electric motor-gear unit EGE. The actuating force F is transmitted from the electric motor transmission unit EGE, for example directly or indirectly to a brake mechanism. nikeinheit BMU transmit, which stands for this example, a cable system SZS with the electric motor gear unit EGE in operative connection. Depending on the voltage applied to the brake mechanism unit BMU force F a braking force is generated and the at least one wheel R of the vehicle brakes ge ^¬.

To the control system SS, for example, a first to fourth control BEI - BE4 is connected, depending on the respective operating position, the release of the electrical

Parking brake EPB is controlled. Through the first to fourth Be ^¬ serving element BEI - BE4 respectively present operating position ^¬ be indicative of first to fourth status signals sl - s4 generated and transmitted in each case via a wireless or wired interface to the control system SS.

The first control element BEI is provided for releasing and / or tightening the electric parking brake EPB and designed, for example, as a touch, rocker or switching module. In a preferred embodiment, the first control element BEI is arranged in the vehicle interior, preferably in the cockpit area of the vehicle.

The second control element BE2 is formed for example by the accelerator pedal and the third control element BE3 by the Bremspe ^¬ dal a vehicle. The fourth control element BE4 relates to the gear lever of a gearbox or the speed selector lever of an automatic transmission.

Furthermore, a control and monitoring routine SUR executed in the control unit CU is provided for the controlled release of the electric parking brake EPB. The control and monitoring routine SUR monitors the actuation of the first to fourth operating elements BEI to BE4 and possibly further vehicle and environmental parameters and, in particular, ^depends on the detection of actuation of the first and second operating elements BEI, BE2 the control and monitoring routine SUR at least one control signal ss for driving generating the electric motor gear unit EGE generated. The STEU ^¬ ersignal ss is transmitted to the electric motor-gear unit EGE Ü, via which depending on, for example, the amplitude of each control signal applied ss a force F to control the mechanical brake system BMU is generated.

In Figures 2 to 5 in different flow charts various control options for the controlled release of the electric parking brake EPB can be exemplified, optionally Viable control steps are illustrated in the different ^¬ union flowcharts each dashed lines.

The starting point of the different control variants shown in the flow charts is in each case an attracted electric parking brake EPB. To release the applied electric parking brake EPB, an actuation, i. pressing, pulling and / or releasing the first control element BEI monitored by the control and monitoring routine SUR.

Will be actuated by the driver of the vehicle, the first Bedienele ^¬ ment BEI, ie pushed, pulled and / or losgelas ^¬ sen, so the operation of a second operating BE2, and that the accelerator pedal is exceeded checks via the control system SS. If the second control element BE2, that is, the accelerator pedal depressed by the driver is actuated, is controlled by the control and monitoring routine SUR a corresponding ^¬ of the control signal SS to release the electric parking brake EPB generated. In this case, depending on the generated control signal ss, the electric parking brake EPB is at least partially released, ie the electric power generated by the electric motor gear unit EGE depending on the control signal ss restoring force F such redu ^¬ ed that the braking force generated by the brake mechanism module BMU is lower.

In Fig. 3 is shown in a further flowchart an alternative embodiment of the method for the controlled release of the electric parking brake EPB. Unlike the variant shown in Figure 2, the operation of the first and third control BEI, BE3, namely the brake pedal is monitored, ie by a simultaneous or slightly staggered operation of the first and third controls BEI, BE3 by the driver is the monitoring of Actuation of the second control element BE2 initiated. Now actuated, for example, the driver so ^¬ well for release of the electric parking brake EPB vorgesehe- ne first operating member BEI and the brake pedal ( "third Be ^¬ serving element BE3"), it is checked by the control and surveil ^¬ monitoring routine SUR whether an operation of the accelerator pedal ("second control element BE2") by the driver.

Optionally, the existence of the actuation of the third control element BE3 can be monitored, ie by the control and monitoring unit SUR it is checked whether the brake pedal is still pressed by the driver. Only after a release of the third control element BE3, ie a release of the brake pedal is checked by the control and monitoring routine SUR, if at least one operation of the second Be ^¬ dienelementes BE2 is present. In a preferred execution ^¬ will form the operating state of the first and third operating element BEI determined, displayed show unit BE3 to the driver by means of a check. A simultaneous actuation of the second and third control element BE2, BE3 is auszuschlie ^¬ Shen, ie the monitoring of the operation of the second and third control element BE2, BE3 takes place independently of each other. A structure of the required torque for starting vehicle is mentes only by operating the second Bedienele ^¬ BE2, namely the accelerator possible.

If there is no actuation of the brake pedal and the second Be ^¬ serving element BE2 longer present, is controlled over the tax dissolved SS ersystem the electric parking brake EPB and thus enables starting of the vehicle. The control variant described offers the driver the possibility already during the operation of the first control element BEI Press the brake pedal and, if necessary, build up the vehicle torque under constant pressure on the first control element BEI.

In addition, in addition to the monitoring of the second control element BE2, an actuation of the fourth control element BE4, namely of the gearshift lever or the speed selector lever (see FIG. 3), can also be checked. Such a check can be done, for example, together with the monitoring of the operation of the second control element BE2. After the presence or occurrence of an actuation of the second operating element BE2, possibly with a simultaneous actuation of the fourth operating element BE4, a release of the electric parking brake EPB is carried out in the manner described above.

Optionally, the second operating BE2 is predetermined a-assured in the memory unit MU vomit ^¬ time period Tout (BE2), the flow also monitored by the control and monitoring routine SUR and thereby a "timeout" feature is implemented for checking the operation. After the monitoring of the second and possibly of the fourth control element BE2, BE4 is aborted and the method is automatically reset, ie the presence of an actuation of the first and third control element BEI, BE3 is monitored again EPB despite a detected actuation of the first operating BEI does not take place. a on the optionally provided display unit shown betae ^¬ actuating condition is possibly updated accordingly. in an alternative embodiment (not shown in Figure 3) after the predetermined time period Tout (BE2) also a release of the ele ctric parking brake EPB done.

According to another alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, in addition to the control variant depicted in FIG. 3, the sequence of a time period Tout (BE3) provided for monitoring the actuation of the third control element BE3 is executed by the control and monitoring routine SUR checks, after which the monitoring is aborted and the procedure is automatically reset to the beginning. Thus, a "timeout" functionality is also provided for the monitoring of the actuation of the third operating element BE3.

Furthermore, in the variant illustrated in FIG. 4, in addition to monitoring an actuation of the second and fourth operating elements BE2, BE4, it is checked by the control and monitoring routine SUR whether the engine is switched on.

According to an embodiment variant shown in FIG. 5, a distinction is made between the two operating positions "pressing" and "releasing" the first operating element BEI, and the presence of the operating position "pressing" and the operating position "releasing" of the first operating element are evaluated separately.

Furthermore, in the variant illustrated in FIG. 5, two control procedures are provided parallel to one another, which lead, almost independently of one another, in each case to a release of the electric parking brake EPB controlled via the control system SS.

According to the first control procedure of the operation of the third parties th control element BE3 is monitored, and depending checked via ^¬ whether the first operating element in which the operating position "pressing". If the presence of the operating position "press" of the first operating IN by the control and Monitoring routine SUR detected, then the operation of the fourth control element BE4 is monitored when the engine is turned on. If the engine is switched on and there is an actuation of the shift lever or speed selector lever, a time-delayed generation and / or transmission of the control signal ss provided for generating the actuating force F is carried out. After expiration of a saved in the SpeI ^¬ chereinheit MU of the control system SS tarry ^¬ approximately period Tver the control signal ss to the electrical motor gear unit EGE for generating a force F to release the electric parking brake EPB transferred.

In this case, the electronic parking brake EPB is released after the actuation of at least the first control element BEI, in particular its "push." In an alternative embodiment, the release speed is reduced irrespective of the actuation of the further operating elements BE2 - BE4, but after a predetermined delay time has elapsed.

According to the second control procedure, the presence of the operating position "pressing" of the first operating element BEI is optionally monitored and, after a detection of the operating position "pressing", the actuation of the second operating element BE2, namely of the accelerator pedal, is checked. Is an operation of the gas before ^¬ pedals, so the presence of the operating position "pressing" is again determined of the first operating BEI and monitors a "release" of the first operating BEI after its detection. After the "release" of the first control element BEI a release of the electric parking brake by the control unit CU is initiated.

The illustrated in Figure 5 first and second control procedure enables the driver of the vehicle an immediate release of the electric parking brake EPB one at a gradient be ^¬-sensitive vehicle by releasing the brake pedal as well as the structure of a vehicle torque in the case of a vehicle located on a slope.

By way of an inclination sensor unit provided in the vehicle, it is additionally possible, for example, to ascertain the current inclination of the vehicle, which is evaluated by the control system SS. Depending on the inclination of the vehicle determined by means of the inclination sensor unit, it is possible, for example, for one of the different flowcharts (FIGS. 5) variants of the control can be selected via the control and evaluation routine SUR.

For safety reasons, in a preferred embodiment, after actuation of the first operating element BEI, a safety check of the first state signal sl produced thereby is carried out in order to avoid an evaluation of a first state signal sl erroneously generated.

By means of the control system SS described complex and expensive automatic functions of an electric parking brake EPB can be saved. The traction help realized by the control system SS by evaluating the operating positions of different operating elements BEI-BE4 ensures a timely build-up of the vehicle torque required for approaching on an incline.

The invention has been described above by means of an embodiment. It is understood that numerous changes and modifications are possible without departing from the idea underlying the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

BMU brake mechanism unit

CU control unit

AT first control

BE2 second operating element

BE3 third control element

BE4 fourth control element

EBP electric parking brake

F power

MU storage unit

R wheels

SUR control and monitoring routine

SS control system

SZS cable system

Tout (x; given time period

Tver delay time duration

SS control signal sl first state signal s2 second state signal s3 third state signal s4 fourth state signal

Claims

claims

1. A method for controlled release of at least one electric parking brake (EPB) of a vehicle, in which the release of the electric parking brake (EPB) depending on the manual operation of at least one provided in the vehicle first control element (BE) is controlled, characterized in that after a manual operation of the first operating member (BEI) in addition, the manual operation of at least one further operator control element (BE2, BE3) is monitored and depen ^¬ gig by a detection of at least one manual actuation of the further operating element (BE2, BE3), the electric parking ^¬ brake ( EPB) is at least partially solved.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the manual actuation of at least one second, third and / or fourth control element (BE2, BE3, BE4) is monitored.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that as the operation of the first to fourth control element (BEI, BE2, BE3, BE4), the presence of a predetermined operating position of the first to fourth control element (BEI, BE2, BE3, BE4) is monitored.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that depending on the presence of at least one predetermined operating position of the first to fourth control element (BEI, BE2, BE3, BE4), the electric parking brake (EPB) is released.

5. Method according to one claim 1 to 4, characterized the current operating position of the first to fourth operating elements (BEI, BE2, BE3, BE4) is displayed via a first to fourth status signal (sl - s4).

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the first to fourth state signal (sl - s4) via a

Control system (SS) are evaluated.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized gekennz ei seframe that the electrical parking brake (EPB) delayed ge ^¬ is solved and / or the dissolution speed of the electric parking brake (EPB) is reduced.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that by the electronic parking brake (EPB) a force (F) for controlling a brake mechanism unit (BMU) is generated, wherein the amount of generated force (F) depends on a by the control system (SS) generated control signal (ss) is.

9. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that as the second control element (BE2), the operation of an accelerator pedal provided in the vehicle is monitored.

10. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized gekennz egg chnet, that as a third operating element (BE3) the operation of a brake pedal provided in the vehicle is monitored.

11. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 10, characterized gekennz egg chnet that as the fourth control element (BE4), the operation of a provided in the vehicle gear shift lever or speed selector lever is monitored.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that for at least partial release of the electric parking brake (EPB) generated actuating force (F) is at least partially reduced.

13. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 12, characterized in that in the presence of an actuation of the second and fourth operating element (BE2, BE4), the electric parking brake (EPB) is released.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that in addition the operating state of the engine and / or the inclination of the vehicle by the control system (SS) are evaluated.

15. Method according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the operating state of the first and each further Be ^¬ dienelementes (BEI - BE4) and / or the operating state of the electric parking brake (EPB) is displayed to the driver of the vehicle.

16. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that for checking the actuation of the further control element (BE2, BE3, BE4) a period of time (Tout) is specified, after which the monitoring of the operation of the further control element ( BE2, BE3, BE4) is canceled o- the electric parking brake (EPB) is released.

17. Control arrangement with a control system (SS) for the controlled release of at least one electronic parking brake (EPB) of a vehicle, in which the release of the parking brake (EPB) depends. is controlled by the manual actuation of a first operating element (BEI) provided in the vehicle, characterized in that the control system (SS) for monitoring a manual actuation of at least one further operating element (BE2,

BE3) is arranged, wherein, depending on a detection to ^¬ least a manual actuation of the further operating element (BE2, BE3) which is dissolved at least an electric parking brake (EPB) at least partially.

18. Control arrangement according to claim 17, characterized in that the first and a second to fourth operating element (BEI - BE4) are connected to a control unit (SS) provided in the control unit (CU).

19. Control arrangement according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the first operating element (BEI) is designed as a touch, rocker or switching module.

20. Control arrangement according to one of claims 18 to 19, characterized in that the accelerator pedal forms the second operating element (BE2).

21. Control arrangement according to one of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that the brake pedal forms the third operating element (BE3).

22. Control arrangement according to one of claims 18 to 21, characterized egg egg chnet that the gearshift lever or the speed selector lever form the fourth control element (BE4).

23. Control arrangement according to one of claims 18 to 22, characterized gekennz egg chnet, that in the control unit (CU) running control and monitoring routine (SUR) is provided.