DE102019200608B4 - Device and method for providing an amount of energy required for a braking process of an automatic parking brake for a vehicle and braking system - Google Patents

Abstract

Device (103) for providing an amount of energy required for a braking operation of an automatic parking brake (101) for a vehicle (100), the device (103) having the following features: an interface (106) for supplying the required amount of energy to the automatic parking brake (101); a vehicle battery (108) for supplying an on-board electrical system of the vehicle (100), the vehicle battery (108) being connected to the interface (106) in order to provide the required amount of energy to the interface (106); a generator ( 112) for converting braking energy into electrical energy; and a recuperation memory (110) for storing the electrical energy converted by the generator (112), the recuperation memory (110) being connected to the interface (106) in order to provide the required amount of energy to the interface (106), characterized in that a storage capacity of the Recuperation memory (110) designed so that more electrical energy than for performing a single braking process, but less electrical energy than for performing three braking processes of the automatic parking brake (101) can be stored in the recuperation memory (110).

Description

State of the art

The invention is based on a device and a method for providing an amount of energy required for a braking process of an automatic parking brake for a vehicle and a braking system according to the preamble of the independent claims.

An automatic parking brake is used in vehicles to bring a vehicle into a safe state.

The DE 10 2016 215 564 A1 discloses a method for operating an electrical network of a motor vehicle, in which a value of a parameter relating to a current situation of a power supply of electrical components of the electrical network of the motor vehicle is determined and only those electrical components of the network that are not necessary for a predefined emergency operation of the motor vehicle are switched off depending on the determined value.

The DE 10 2007 043 578 A1 discloses a method for recovering kinetic energy of a moving vehicle, with at least one electric motor that can be operated as a generator being arranged in the drive train of at least one wheel of the vehicle. In the event of a malfunction in the normal energy supply of the vehicle, kinetic energy from the movement of the vehicle is transferred to the electric motor via the still rolling wheel and, by operating the electric motor in generator mode, it is used to perform at least some or all of the vehicle's safety-related functions with those in generator mode to supply electrical energy generated by the electric motor and to keep it in operation.

Disclosure of the invention

Against this background, with the approach presented here, an improved device and an improved method for providing the amount of energy required for a braking process of an automatic parking brake for a vehicle and an improved braking system according to the main claims are presented. The measures listed in the dependent claims enable advantageous developments and improvements of the device specified in the independent claim.

By using a recuperation store that can be charged by a generator in a vehicle, a solution can be created, particularly with regard to automated driving, in order to have sufficient energy for a braking operation of an automatic parking brake in the event of a fault in the vehicle. As a result, the vehicle can, for example, still be brought into a safe state even if a vehicle battery fails to supply an on-board electrical system of the vehicle.

• eine Schnittstelle zum Zuführen der benötigten Energiemenge an die automatische Parkbremse;
• eine Fahrzeugbatterie zum Versorgen eines elektrischen Bordnetzes des Fahrzeugs, wobei die Fahrzeugbatterie mit der Schnittstelle verbunden ist, um die benötigte Energiemenge an die Schnittstelle bereitzustellen;
• einen Generator zum Umwandeln verrichteter Bremsenergie in elektrische Energie; und
• einen Rekuperationsspeicher zum Speichern der vom Generator umgewandelten elektrischen Energie, wobei der Rekuperationsspeicher mit der Schnittstelle verbunden ist, um die benötigte Energiemenge an die Schnittstelle bereitzustellen.

A device is presented for providing the amount of energy required for a braking process of an automatic parking brake for a vehicle, the device having the following features:

• an interface for supplying the required amount of energy to the automatic parking brake;
• a vehicle battery for supplying an on-board electrical system of the vehicle, the vehicle battery being connected to the interface in order to provide the required amount of energy to the interface;
• a generator for converting braking energy into electrical energy; and
• a recuperation memory for storing the electrical energy converted by the generator, the recuperation memory being connected to the interface in order to provide the required amount of energy to the interface.

The vehicle can be a passenger vehicle or a truck. The automatic parking brake (APB) can also be referred to as an electric parking brake (EPB). The automatic parking brake can be operated with electrical energy and its function is to keep the vehicle safely at a standstill. The parking brake can also be used to bring the vehicle to a standstill. The interface for supplying the required amount of energy can be implemented, for example, as an electrical connection. The required amount of energy can provide a required current and a required voltage that is required for the braking process of the automatic parking brake. A vehicle battery can be understood to mean an energy store in the vehicle, via which various functional units of the vehicle are supplied with energy, such as an electric window lifter. The on-board electrical system can be understood to be an energy supply network for supplying electrical energy to all or at least a large part of the electrical components in the vehicle. The vehicle battery can be charged at least primarily by a converter driven by an internal combustion engine of the vehicle. The generator can be designed to convert braking energy into electrical energy to convert. This allows the braking energy to be stored, so that braking energy is not lost, but can be reused. The energy converted by the generator can be stored in the recuperation memory, which is designed, for example, as an additional battery. The recuperation storage is used for energy recovery or the storage of recovered energy. Advantageously, the use of the device, which is particularly suitable for internal combustion engines, can reduce fuel consumption, since it is not the fuel-operated engine of the vehicle that is used to generate energy to operate the parking brake, but the energy generated by braking from the generator converted and finally saved.

According to one embodiment, the interface to the automatic parking brake can be connected to the recuperation storage device via a first line and to the vehicle battery via a second line. Both the first line and the second line can each be implemented as copper wire, for example. The failure safety is increased by the separate lines.

According to one embodiment, the first line can have a first switch and the second line can have a second switch. Both the first switch and the second switch can, for example, each be designed in the form of a transistor or relay. The switches can be used to control whether the energy required for the parking brake is provided by the vehicle battery and additionally or alternatively by the recuperation storage device. In addition, the switches can be used to prevent a fault in a circuit supplied by the vehicle battery or in a circuit supplied by the recuperation storage device from affecting the function of the parking brake.

According to one embodiment, the device can have a control unit which is designed to control the first switch in response to an overvoltage on the first line. Additionally or alternatively, the control unit can be designed to control the second switch in response to a short circuit on the second line.

According to one embodiment, the control unit can be designed as a unit which can transmit and / or receive signals. According to this embodiment, the control unit can activate the first switch and the second switch when there is an overvoltage or a short circuit. According to one embodiment, the control unit can open the first switch or the second switch, depending on the fault, so that an interference caused by an overvoltage or a short circuit can advantageously be prevented from spreading to the parking brake.

According to one embodiment, a storage capacity of the recuperation store can be adapted to the amount of energy required for the one braking operation of the automatic parking brake. Storage capacity can be understood to mean a maximum amount of energy storage in the recuperation storage. This means that only so much energy can be absorbed by the recuperation store until the maximum amount of energy storage has been reached. Since the storage capacity is adapted to the amount of energy required for a single braking operation of the automatic parking brake according to one embodiment, a storage device that is smaller than that of the vehicle battery can advantageously be used. As a result, on the one hand, more space can be created for other vehicle elements, for example, and, on the other hand, savings in production costs can be made in this way, since less production material is used.

According to one embodiment, the device can have a charging device which is designed to start a charging process for charging the recuperation store with the electrical energy converted by the generator when the converted electrical energy is provided by the generator. Furthermore, the charging device can stop the charging process when the recuperation storage device is charged with the amount of energy required for a braking process. By starting and stopping the charging process, it can be ensured, for example, that the recuperation storage device is charged in any case, but is not overloaded.

In the present case, a device, for example a control unit or charging device, can be understood to mean an electrical device that processes sensor signals and outputs control and / or data signals as a function thereof. The device can have an interface which can be designed in terms of hardware and / or software. In the case of a hardware design, the interfaces can be part of a so-called system ASIC, for example, which contains a wide variety of functions of the device. However, it is also possible that the interfaces are separate, integrated circuits or at least partially consist of discrete components. In the case of a software-based design, the interfaces can be software modules that are present, for example, on a microcontroller in addition to other software modules.

A braking system for a vehicle can include a device for providing a have the amount of energy required for a braking operation of an automatic parking brake and the automatic parking brake, the automatic parking brake being coupled to the interface of the device.

The said device can advantageously be used for supplying energy to known parking brakes.

In the braking system, the automatic parking brake can, according to one embodiment, comprise a transmission pawl and / or a device for an electronic stability program and / or a vacuum-independent, electromechanical brake booster. Known parking brake units can thus be used.

• Umwandeln verrichteter Bremsenergie in elektrische Energie unter Verwendung eines Generators;
• Speichern der vom Generator umgewandelten elektrischen Energie unter Verwendung eines Rekuperationsspeichers; und
• Bereitstellen der benötigten Energiemenge aus dem Rekuperationsspeicher und/oder aus einer Fahrzeugbatterie zum Versorgen eines elektrischen Bordnetzes des Fahrzeugs an eine Schnittstelle zum Zuführen der benötigten Energiemenge an die automatische Parkbremse.

A method for providing an amount of energy required for a braking process of an automatic parking brake for a vehicle can comprise the following steps:

• Converting braking energy into electrical energy using a generator;
• Storing the electrical energy converted by the generator using a recuperation memory; and
• Provision of the required amount of energy from the recuperation memory and / or from a vehicle battery for supplying an on-board electrical system of the vehicle to an interface for supplying the required amount of energy to the automatic parking brake.

The features of the device can be implemented accordingly by the method.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung eines Fahrzeugs gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;
• 2 ein Schaltbild einer Vorrichtung gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel; und
• 3 ein Blockschaltbild eines Verfahrens gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel.

Embodiments of the approach presented here are shown in the drawings and explained in more detail in the description below. It shows:

• 1 a schematic representation of a vehicle according to an embodiment;
• 2 a circuit diagram of a device according to an embodiment; and
• 3 a block diagram of a method according to an embodiment.

In the following description of advantageous exemplary embodiments of the present invention, identical or similar reference numerals are used for the elements shown in the various figures and having a similar effect, a repeated description of these elements being dispensed with.

1 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle 100 according to an embodiment. The vehicle 100 is exemplarily designed to transport people. The vehicle 100 represents a partially automated or fully automated vehicle 100 represent. The vehicle 100 includes an automatic parking brake 101 that is used to at least one wheel 102 of the vehicle 100 when the vehicle is stationary 100 ascertain. The automatic parking brake is optional 101 used to the wheel 102 to brake the vehicle 100 to slow down. The automatic parking brake 101 can include a single brake unit or several brake units, for example on different wheels 102 of the vehicle 100 Act. To activate the automatic parking brake 101 according to this embodiment, electrical energy is required.

The vehicle 100 has a device 103 for providing one for a braking operation of the automatic parking brake 101 required amount of energy. The braking process can be understood to mean that the automatic parking brake 101 is activated. The device 103 has an interface 106 , a vehicle battery 108 , a recuperation storage 110 as well as a generator 112 on.

the interface 106 serves as a connecting element between the automatic parking brake 101 and the device 103 . In particular, the optional from the vehicle battery 108 and / or the recuperation storage 110 energy provided via the interface 106 to the automatic parking brake 101 provided.

The vehicle battery 108 is used to power a vehicle's electrical system 100 to provide with energy. This can be a conventional vehicle battery 108 act as it is used, for example, in vehicles with internal combustion engines. When the vehicle 100 has an internal combustion engine, the vehicle battery 108 mainly charged using a converter driven by the internal combustion engine. According to one exemplary embodiment, the is used to operate the automatic parking brake 101 required amount of energy from the vehicle battery 108 provided, if on the vehicle battery 108 or that of the vehicle battery 108 supplied on-board network, there is no fault, such as a short circuit. Alternatively, it is used to operate the automatic parking brake 101 required amount of energy from the vehicle battery 108 only provided if on the part of the recuperation storage 110 there is an error or the recuperation memory 110 insufficient energy to operate the automatic parking brake 101 can provide.

The generator 112 is designed to convert braking energy into electrical energy. To do this is the generator 112 with one wheel of the vehicle 100 coupled. The generator 112 is with the recuperation storage 110 connected to the recuperation storage 110 to charge using the generated electrical energy. In this way, the recuperation storage 110 for example, without loading the vehicle's internal combustion engine 100 to be charged.

The recuperation storage 110 is designed to be used by the generator 112 to store converted electrical energy and, if necessary, to the interface 106 provide the automatic parking brake 101 to supply the required energy.

According to one embodiment, the interface is 106 to the automatic parking brake 101 via a first line 114 with the recuperation storage 110 and a second line 118 with the vehicle battery 108 connected is. According to one embodiment, is in the first line 114 a first switch 116 as well as in the second line 118 a second switch 120 intended. In this case the device comprises 103 a control unit 122 that is designed to turn the switch 116 , 120 head for. Using the second switch 120 can the vehicle battery 108 from the interface 106 be decoupled, for example if there is a fault in the vehicle battery 108 is present. Using the first switch 116 can the recuperation storage 110 from the interface 106 be decoupled, for example if there is a fault in the area of the recuperation storage 110 is present.

According to one embodiment, the control unit is 122 coupled with a suitable sensor system to detect a fault in the vehicle battery 108 and additionally or alternatively in the area of the recuperation store 110 to recognize. The control unit is responsive to a detected fault 122 designed, for example, to open the first switch 116 a first switching signal 126 to the first switch 116 to provide and / or to open the second switch 120 a second switching signal 128 to the second switch 120 provide.

According to one embodiment, the control unit is 122 designed to respond to a requested activation of the automatic parking brake 101 the switching signals 126 , 128 provide such that at least one of the switches 116 , 120 is closed, so that the amount of energy required to operate the automatic parking brake 101 through the interface 106 to the automatic parking brake 101 provided. During normal driving, the control unit can 122 be designed to the switching signals 126 , 128 so provide that both switches 116 , 120 are open.

According to the embodiment shown, the control unit 122 for power supply via at least one other line 124 both with the vehicle battery 108 as well as with the recuperation storage 110 connected.

The automatic parking brake 101 comprises, according to an exemplary embodiment, a transmission pawl and / or a device for an electronic stability program (ESP) and / or a vacuum-independent, electromechanical brake booster.

2 shows a circuit diagram of a device 103 for providing an amount of energy required for a braking process of the automatic parking brake according to an exemplary embodiment. This can be an exemplary embodiment based on FIG 1 act described device.

The device 103 includes, as already stated, an interface 106 to the automatic parking brake, a vehicle battery 108 , a recuperation storage 110 , a generator 112 as well as a first line 114 with a first switch 116 and a second line 118 with a second switch 120 as well as a control unit 122 as they are already in 1 have already been shown and described. The vehicle battery 108 , the recuperation storage 110 and the generator 112 are connected to each other via a common ground.

According to one embodiment, the control unit is 122 trained to switch the second 120 to open when on the second line 118 for example a short circuit occurs or the vehicle battery 108 has an unexpected loss of energy. The control unit is reversed 122 formed according to an embodiment, the first switch 120 to open when on the first line 114 for example, an overvoltage occurs.

A storage capacity of the recuperation storage 110 is designed according to one embodiment so that the storable amount of energy for one of the automatic parking brake 101 performed braking of the vehicle 100 sufficient. For example, the storage capacity is designed so that more electrical energy than for performing a single braking process, but less electrical energy than for performing two or, alternatively, for performing three braking processes of the automatic parking brake 101 in the recuperation storage 110 is storable.

According to one embodiment, the device comprises 103 a charging device 230 , which is designed to perform a charging process for charging the recuperation storage device 110 with the one from the generator 112 to control converted electrical energy. For example, the charging device 230 designed to start charging when from the generator 112 electrical energy is provided and the recuperation storage 110 is not already fully loaded. According to one embodiment, the charging device is 230 designed to stop the charging process when the recuperation storage 110 is charged with the amount of energy required for one braking process. According to one embodiment, the charging device is 230 trained to be from the generator 112 Electrical energy provided for charging the vehicle battery 108 to be used if the recuperation storage 110 is fully charged.

3 shows a flow chart of a method 300 for providing an amount of energy required for a braking process of an automatic parking brake for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment. The procedure 300 can for example be used in connection with the device described with reference to the preceding figures.

The procedure 300 includes the steps of converting 302 Performed braking energy into electrical energy using a generator, the storage 304 the converted electrical energy in a recuperation storage and the provision 306 the required amount of energy from the recuperation memory and / or from a vehicle battery to an interface to the automatic parking brake.

According to one embodiment, it is the goal of the method 300 to bring the vehicle to a standstill in the event of a single fault that leads to a failure of the vehicle's braking system.

Since it is assumed, particularly with regard to automated parking, that there is no longer a driver in the vehicle, it is advantageous to pursue an additional safety goal in addition to the safety goal, which states that a brake may not brake if it is not requested. The additional safety goal states that the brake must brake when it is requested. It is therefore advantageous if, according to an exemplary embodiment, the vehicle is braked to a standstill using the automatic parking brake even in the event of a single fault. In order to bring the vehicle to a standstill, known braking concepts can be used for the automatic parking brake. As a solution that can bring the vehicle to a safe stop in the event of the failure of the existing brake system, concepts can also be used with regard to the automatic parking brake that deliver a required braking force and a required braking distance in a short time and at the same time have different operating principles than conventional braking systems or technologies in a vehicle, such as a pyrotechnic actuator, a self-energizing mechanical wedge brake, the use of the kinetic energy of the vehicle, or a wheel for braking, etc.

Since, according to one exemplary embodiment, these brake concepts can be dependent on electrical energy, it is advantageous to ensure the electrical supply of the brake system at least in the event of a fault using the recuperation memory described.

If an exemplary embodiment comprises an “and / or” link between a first feature and a second feature, this is to be read in such a way that the exemplary embodiment according to one embodiment includes both the first feature and the second feature and, according to a further embodiment, either only the has the first feature or only the second feature.

Claims (7)

Device (103) for providing an amount of energy required for a braking operation of an automatic parking brake (101) for a vehicle (100), the device (103) having the following features: an interface (106) for supplying the required amount of energy to the automatic parking brake (101); a vehicle battery (108) for supplying an on-board electrical system of the vehicle (100), the vehicle battery (108) being connected to the interface (106) in order to provide the required amount of energy to the interface (106); a generator (112) for converting braking energy into electrical energy; and a recuperation memory (110) for storing the electrical energy converted by the generator (112), the recuperation memory (110) being connected to the interface (106) in order to provide the required amount of energy to the interface (106), characterized in that a Storage capacity of the recuperation memory (110) designed so that more electrical energy than for performing a single braking process, but less electrical energy than for performing three braking processes of the automatic parking brake (101) can be stored in the recuperation memory (110). Device (103) according to Claim 1 wherein the interface (106) to the automatic parking brake (101) is connected to the recuperation memory (110) via a first line (114) and to the vehicle battery (108) via a second line (118). Device (103) according to Claim 2 wherein the first line (114) has a first switch (116) and the second line (118) has a second switch (120). Device (103) according to Claim 3 , wherein the device (103) has a control unit (122) which is designed to control the first switch (116) in response to an overvoltage on the first line (114) and / or to control the second switch (120) in response to a short circuit to be controlled on the second line (118). Device (103) according to one of the preceding claims, with a charging device (230) which is designed to start a charging process for charging the recuperation storage (110) with the electrical energy converted by the generator (112) when the generator (112 ) the converted electrical energy is provided, and to stop the charging process when the recuperation storage (110) is charged with the amount of energy required for a braking process. Brake system, with a device (103) according to one of the preceding claims and the automatic parking brake (101), the automatic parking brake (101) being coupled to the interface (106) of the device (103). Braking system according to Claim 6 , in which the automatic parking brake (101) comprises a transmission pawl and / or a device for an electronic stability program and / or a vacuum-independent, electromechanical brake booster.

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