SE1550252A1

SE1550252A1 - A vehicle brake testing method and a vehicle brake testing module

Info

Publication number: SE1550252A1
Application number: SE1550252A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Kettunen Kim; Olsson Carl-Otto
Original assignee: Scania Cv Ab
Priority date: 2015-03-04
Filing date: 2015-03-04
Publication date: 2016-09-05
Also published as: WO2016140608A1

Abstract

A brake testing module (2) for a vehicle (4), configured to perform testing of brakes (6) of the vehicle according to a predetermined testing procedure, wherein the testing procedure includes the step to identify which brakes of the vehicle to be tested based upon a predetermined regulation. The testing module (2) comprises an activation member (8) adapted to receive an activation command (10) to start said testing procedure, and that during the testing procedure said brakes (6) to be tested are activated. Pressure sensors (12) are provided configured to measure at least one pressure value (14) related to a braking action of each of said activated brakes (6) during said brake activation time period; wherein said pressure sensors (12) are configured to make said pressure values (14) available at a communication network (16) of said vehicle (4). The brake testing module (2) is configured to receive said pressure values (14) from said communication network (16) and to relate said pressure values (14) to the respective activated brakes (6) of the vehicle (4), and also to compile test information (18) including said pressure values (14) and related brakes (6).(Figure 3)

Description

A vehicle brake testing method and a vehicle brake testing module Technical field The present disclosure relates to a vehicle brake testing method, and to a vehiclebrake testing module to perform the vehicle brake testing method. ln particular the disclosure relates to a method and a module to perform braketesting as prescribed in relevant regulations. The vehicle may be a bus, a cargovehicle, a car, or any other vehicle having a brake system that must comply withrequirements of the regulations.

BackgroundThe requirements (regulations) set up by the applicable authority often include detailed instructions defining which parameters that should be measured, andalso how these parameters should be measured. ln addition these instructions include information where a test panel should beprovided at the vehicle, e.g. to be fitted centrally on the left side of the vehicle.Among those parameters related to the brake system is the pressure of the ﬂuidused to perform the braking action, e.g. the air or hydraulic oil that establishes apressure within a pressure cylinder that in turn influences the brake, e.g. a discbrake. ln the following some prior art documents will be discussed that is generallyrelated to various solutions regarding diagnostic testing of vehicles, and inparticular of making diagnostic testing results available.

DE102009048617 relates to a diagnostic system for a motor vehicle. The systemis provided with a motor vehicle interface with a wireless local area networkmodule for wireless data transmission between on-board components and off-board components. The intention with system is to avoid manual steps ofconnecting cables for information transfer.

WO2007024273 relates to a diagnostic tool in a vehicle information librarygenerating method for e.g. automotive industry, and involves identifying 2 modifications that are made to diagnostic vehicle information, and storingmodifications in library of transformations. The diagnostic vehicle informationmight include information regarding the vehicle's engine, transmission, electricalsystems, braking system, or any other system. The diagnostic tool maycommunicate with the vehicle in a wireless way.

US2003036832 relates to a remote diagnosis unit for vehicles. The unit includesvehicle adapter and memory for local read-out of fault indications, with computerand remote information access. The unit is connected to the vehicle via a cable orwirelessly.

WO-2010/019771 discloses a portable diagnostic tool system for a vehicleincluding diagnostic tool receiving diagnostic data from a vehicle communicationinterface via a wired or wireless connection.

And finally, WO-2004/053767 relates to a data collecting and diagnosing systemfor a vehicle, provided with a USB control unit which collects vehicularinformation, reads vehicle-related data from the hard drive, and stores collected vehicular information in the hard drive.

The braking system, and specifically the fluid pressure system, in connection withthe brakes must be possible to monitor in order to establish the proper function.Today, in various countries, e.g. in Germany, the regulation stipulates that ameasurement panel is arranged at the side of the vehicle in order to be easyaccessible for a service person. Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a vehicleprovided with a vehicle measurement panel 3 according to the prior art.

The illustrated vehicle 2 has brakes 6 at the front wheels 7 and the rear wheels 9.

The illustrated vehicle is provided with a pneumatic brake system that conventionally comprises at least one pressure tank 11 containing pressurized air. ln the illustrated example three pressure tanks are provided, one for the frontbrakes, one for the rear brakes and one for the parking brake. The tank(s) is connected to the brakes via pipes 13 and connection points 15.

The measurement panel is connected to the brakes via measurement pipes 17 that are in direct contact to each of the brakes to be measured. l.e. one 3 measurement pipe 17 runs from each braking cylinder such that it establishes afluid connection between the braking cylinder and the measurement panel. ln themeasurement panel a pressure sensor is provided to measure the pressure of thefluid within the pipe at the end of each of the pipes in the measurement panel 3and thereby of the pressure in the respective braking cylinder. To fulfil the aboveregulation that the left and right front brakes and one rear wheel brake should betested, at least three pipes are arranged running from the different brakingcylinders to the measurement panel. The measurement is then performed by aservice person by running through a service or testing program for the brakes andat the same time monitoring and storing the pressure values from the respectivebraking cylinder and thereby receive a diagnostic measure of the status of thebraking system. Previously, the service person had to connect a measurementsensor directly to each of the braking cylinder, which sometimes was difficult inthat the braking cylinders were hard to access.

The solution used today, i.e. a measurement panel connected to the brakingcylinders, has the advantage that the testing is made easier in that it is notnecessary to connect the measurement sensor to each braking cylinder.However, mounting of the measurement pipes might be cumbersome and addson hardware and thus manufacturing costs. ln addition, as the pipes are directlyconnected to the braking fluid they are indirectly a part of the braking system,which adds on to the complexity of the system. Also, the measurement pipes,often made from plastic, have a length of up to several meters which mightinfluence the measurement accuracy and also the function of the braking system.

The object of the present invention is to remove, or at least mitigate, the above-mentioned drawbacks of the presently used diagnostic testing of the brakingsystem of a vehicle and to achieve an improved measurement method and testing tool.

SummaryThe above-mentioned object is achieved by the present invention according to the independent claims.

According to a first aspect the present invention re|ates to a brake testing methodas defined in the first independent claim.

According to a second aspect the present invention re|ates to a brake testingmodule as defined in the second independent claim.

Preferred embodiments are set forth in the dependent claims. ln vehicles of today the control of the braking system is normally made via thecommunication network of the vehicle, e.g. the CAN-bus. The present invention isbased upon the inventors' insight that the parameters required and measuredduring testing of the braking system already are available at the communicationnetwork of a vehicle. At least the following pressure values are normally availableat the CAN-bus: The pressure in the pressure tank containing the fluid, e.g. air;the pressure of the fluid in connection points, or the pressures of the fluid in thebraking cylinders. These pressure values are measured by conventional pressuresensors arranged in connection to each of the listed locations. ln particular, during the braking procedure the pressure values of the respectivebraking cylinder, or along the pipe from the connection point, are available at theCAN-bus. Pressure sensors are provided at the braking cylinder and/or along thepipe to achieve the control of the braking procedure.

The brake testing method and the brake testing module according to the presentinvention have at least the following advantages in comparison to the presentlyused technique. lt has an improved performance compared to the presently used testing systemas it is less complex. lt is a lighter system in that no measurement pipes to the test panel are required.lt comprises fewer parts which result in lower cost and easier installation. lt offers a better and easier testing environment for the testing person.

Brief description of the drawinqs Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a vehicle provided with a vehiclemeasurement panel according to the prior art.

Figure 2 is a flow diagram illustrating the method according to the presentinvenﬁon.

Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of a vehicle provided with a vehicle braketesting module according to the present invention.

Figure 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a vehicle brake testing module according to the present invention.

Detailed descriptionThe invention will now be described in detail with references to the appended figures. Throughout the figures like or similar items have the same referencesigns. The method and the module is in particular advantageous in pneumaticbrake systems, but may also be applied in hydraulic brake system. The invention will be described by referring to a pneumatic brake system.

First, with references to figure 2 a flow diagram of the brake testing method according to the present invention is illustrated.

A vehicle brake testing method is provided that comprises the following steps: A - Activating a testing procedure in a brake testing module, wherein the testingprocedure includes identifying which brakes of the vehicle to be tested basedupon a predetermined regulation. The regulation may e.g. require that the left andright front brakes, and the left rear brake, are tested. The test module is preferablyimplemented as a software module that e.g. is a part of a general control program of the vehicle.

B - Activating said brakes to be tested during a brake activation time period. Theperson that performs the test will now activate the brakes, e.g. by pressing downthe braking pedal(s) a predetermined amount, or pressing a button, etc. During 6 the test different brakes may be activated, e.g. the service brake and the parkingbraking. The brake activation time period is the time period during which thetesting module is ready to receive measurement values. The length of the timeperiod may be set in accordance to which brakes to be tested, and may be in the interval from 1 seconds up to some minutes.

C- Measuring at least one pressure value related to a braking action of each ofthe brakes being activated during the brake activation time period. The pressurevalue is preferably the pressure within a brake cylinder arranged close to thebrake or in a pipe connected to the brake cylinder. During braking action the airpressure within the brake cylinder is increased and e.g. a piston is moved that in turn urge brake members e.g. a brake blocks to perform the braking action.

D - Making the pressure values available at a communication network of thevehicle. The communication network is preferably the CAN-bus of the vehicle.CAN bus (for controller area network) is a vehicle bus standard designed to allowmicrocontrollers and devices to communicate with each other within a vehiclewithout a host computer. CAN bus is a message-based protocol, designedspecifically for automotive applications but is now also used in many otherapplications.

D - Receiving, in the brake testing module, the pressure values from thecommunication network. The brake testing module is connected to thecommunication network such that it is configured to receive the air pressurevalues, e.g. by gaining access to a storage location where the pressure values arestored.

E - Relating, in the test module, the air pressure values to the respective activated brakes of the vehicle. 7 F - Compiling test information including the pressure values and related brakes.The regulation requires that the test information, i.e. the brake testing result,comprises at least the pressure values and which brake each value relate to.

Preferably, the method further comprises transferring the test information to apresentation module. The presentation module may be a hand-held moduleprovided with a display e.g. a touchscreen for interaction with the module. Thepresentation module may also be an application program for a smartphone. Themethod comprises presenting the test information at said presentation module in apredefined presentation format, e.g. in compliance with the requirements set upby the authorities. The presented information may include measurement valuesfor each brake, time and date for the measurement, identification of the vehicle,and the name, or identification number, of the testing person. lt may also be possible to transfer the test information wirelessly from the testmodule to an external device, e.g. a monitoring computer of a test center. ln addition, it may be possible to make the test information available at thecommunication network of the vehicle, and then e.g. presented at the vehicleinformation display.

With references to the schematic figures 3 and 4 the brake testing module 2 forthe vehicle 4 will now be described in detail. The brake testing module 2 isconfigured to perform testing of brakes 6 of the vehicle according to apredetermined testing procedure which procedure has been described above.The testing procedure includes the step to identify which brakes of the vehicle tobe tested based upon a predetermined regulation.

The testing module 2 comprises an activation member 8 (see figure 4) adapted toreceive an activation command 10 to start said testing procedure. This ispreferably realized by pressing a button on a touchscreen. During the testingprocedure the brakes 6 to be tested are activated during a brake activation timeperiod as discussed above. Pressure sensors 12 are provided configured to 8 measure at least one pressure value 14 related to a braking action of each of theactivated brakes 6 during the brake activation time period.

Each of the pressure sensors 12 is mounted such that it measures the pressuredirectly influencing the braking action in connection to the brake. Preferably, eachof the pressure sensors 12 is configured to measure the pressure of braking ﬂuid,e.g. air, in a braking cylinder or in a pipe connected to the brake cylinder.

The pressure sensors 12 are configured to make the pressure values 14 available at a communication network 16, e.g. the CAN-bus, of the vehicle 4.

The brake testing module 2 is configured to receive the pressure values 14 fromthe communication network 16 and to relate the pressure values 14 to therespective activated brakes 6 of the vehicle 4. ln addition the module 2 isconfigured to compile test information including the pressure values 14 andrelated brakes 6.

Preferably the testing module is a software module. As an alternative it may berealized as a separate hand held module configured to communicate with the communication network 16 via a wire connection or wirelessly.

The testing module is configured to transfer the test information to a presentationmodule 18 that may be separate from the testing module or may be an integralpart of the testing module. The presentation module 18 is configured to presentthe test information in a predefined presentation format, in line with what isprescribed by the regulation. The test information may also be made available atthe communication network 16 of the vehicle 4 in order to be presented at avehicle information display.

The invention also relates to a computer program P (see figures 3 and 4) thatcomprises a computer program code to cause a vehicle brake testing module, ora computer connected to the vehicle brake testing module, to perform the methodwhich has been described above. Furthermore, the invention also comprises acomputer program product comprising a computer program code stored on a 9 computer-readable medium to perform the method as described above, when thecomputer program code is executed by a vehicle brake testing module or by acomputer connected to the vehicle brake testing module.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described preferredembodiments. Various alternatives, modifications and equivalents may be used.Therefore, the above embodiments should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appending claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle brake testing method comprising the following steps: - activating a testing procedure in a brake testing module, wherein the testingprocedure includes identifying which brakes of the vehicle to be tested basedupon a predetermined regulation; - activating said brakes to be tested during a brake activation time period; - measuring at least one pressure value related to a braking action of each of saidbrakes being activated during said brake activation time period; - making said pressure values available at a communication network of saidvehicle; - receiving in said brake testing module said pressure values from saidcommunication network; - relating, in said testing module, said pressure values to the respective activatedbrakes of the vehicle, and - compiling test information including said pressure values and related brakes.

2. The vehicle brake testing method according to claim 1, wherein themethod further comprises transferring said test information to a presentation module.

3. The vehicle brake testing method according to claim 2, wherein themethod comprises presenting said test information at said presentation module ina predefined presentation format.

4. The vehicle brake testing method according to any of claims 1-3,wherein the transferring of the test information is wireless.

5. The vehicle brake testing method according to any of claims 1-4,wherein the test information is made available at the communication network of the vehicle.

6. The vehicle brake testing method according to any of claims 1-5, ll wherein said test module is a software module.

7. A brake testing module (2) for a vehicle (4), configured to performtesting of brakes (6) of the vehicle according to a predetermined testingprocedure, wherein the testing procedure includes to identify which brakes of thevehicle to be tested based upon a predetermined regulation, said testing module (2) comprises an activation member (8) adapted to receive anactivation command (10) to start said testing procedure, and that during thetesting procedure said brakes (6) to be tested are activated during a brakeactivation time period, and that pressure sensors (12) are provided configured tomeasure at least one pressure value (14) related to a braking action of each ofsaid activated brakes (6) during said brake activation time period; wherein saidpressure sensors (12) are configured to make said pressure values (14) availableat a communication network (16) of said vehicle (4), c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the brake testing module (2) is configured toreceive said pressure values (14) from said communication network (16) and torelate said pressure values (14) to the respective activated brakes (6) of thevehicle (4), and also to compile test information (18) including said pressurevalues (14) and related brakes (6).

8. The vehicle brake testing module (2) according to claim 7, whereinthe testing module is configured to transfer said test information to a presentationmodule (20).

9. The vehicle brake testing module (2) according to claim 8, whereinthe said presentation module (20) is configured to present the test information in a predefined presentation format.

10. The vehicle brake testing module (2) according to any of claims 7-9,wherein the transferring of the test information is wireless.

11. The vehicle brake testing module (2) according to any of claims 7-10, 12 wherein the test information is made available at the communication network (16)of the vehicle (4).

12. The vehicle brake testing module (2) according to any of claims 7-11,wherein each of said pressure sensors (12) is mounted such that it measures thepressure directly inﬂuencing the braking action in connection to the brake.

13. The vehicle brake testing module (2) according to any of claims 7-12,wherein each of said pressure sensors (12) is configured to measure the pressureof braking fluid in a braking cylinder.

14. The vehicle brake testing module (2) according to any of claims 7-13,wherein said testing module is a software module.

15. A computer program P, wherein said computer program P comprisesa computer program code to cause a vehicle brake testing module, or a computerconnected to said vehicle brake testing module, to perform the method accordingto any of claims 1-6.

16. A computer program product comprising a computer program codestored on a computer-readable medium to perform the method according to any ofthe claims 1-6, when the computer program code is executed by a vehicle braketesting module or by a computer connected to the vehicle brake testing module.