DE102011117701A1 - Brake control system for avoiding rolling movement of vehicle, comprises input interface for coupling to sensor system for detecting state of vehicle component, and output interface for coupling to brake system - Google Patents

Abstract

The brake control system (2) comprises an input interface (30) for coupling to a sensor system (50) for detecting a state of a vehicle component, and an output interface (40) for coupling to a brake system (10) of a vehicle (1). A control unit (20) is provided, which controls the activation of the brake system by the output interface. The sensor system comprises a control element sensor for detecting the state of an operating element for vehicle guidance.

Description

The invention relates to a brake control system for avoiding a rolling movement of a vehicle, having an input interface for coupling to at least one sensor for detecting a state of at least one vehicle component, with an output interface for coupling to a brake system of the vehicle, with a control device, in dependence the detected state of the at least one vehicle component on a driverless state of the vehicle closes and controls an activation of the brake system but the output interface. The invention also relates to a vehicle with the brake control system.

Brake control devices are used to prevent unwanted rolling away of a vehicle in a driverless condition. In particular, in the case of an inadequate securing of the vehicle by the driver, the vehicle may start to move, for example in the case of a gradient or a gradient, so that a collision with an obstacle or a person may possibly occur.

The publication US Pat. No. 6,450,587 B1 , which is believed to be the closest prior art, proposes a vehicle brake assurance system that automatically actuates the brakes against a rolling condition of the vehicle at a potentially detected risk. To this end, the vehicle brake control system includes a brake mechanism that operates the brake, a controller with the logic that controls the operation of the brake, and sensors that are on the vehicle and provide feedback to the controller, whether a potential risk to the state of the rolling vehicle is present.

The invention has for its object to propose a brake control system which avoids an unwanted rolling movement of a vehicle. The invention is also based on the object to propose a vehicle with the brake control system.

These objects are achieved by a brake control system having the features of claim 1 and a vehicle having the features of claim 10. Preferred or advantageous embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the following description and the accompanying drawings.

In the context of the invention, a brake control system is thus proposed, which is suitable and / or designed for avoiding an unwanted rolling movement of a vehicle in a driverless state. The vehicle is, for example, a motor vehicle, preferably a passenger car or truck or bus. During the rolling movement, the vehicle is in a moved state. The avoidance of the rolling movement should, for example, occur when the vehicle assumes a standing state or a state change from a stationary to a rolling position. For example, the vehicle is in a driverless condition when the driver has stepped out of the vehicle or left his driver's seat.

The brake control system includes a sensor that is used to detect a state of at least one vehicle component. The vehicle component is understood to mean a component of the vehicle, preferably a component of the body, the chassis, the interior or the vehicle guidance. In particular, the detected state forms at least one indicator which makes it possible to draw conclusions about the driverless state.

Furthermore, the brake control system comprises an input interface, which is coupled to at least one sensor and is designed as a transmission element for the detected state of the sensor. The input interface may, for example, be in the form of a socket, network interface or radio link interface.

The brake control system has an output interface for coupling to a brake system of the vehicle. Like the input interface, the output interface may be formed, for example, as a socket, network interface or radio communication interface.

The brake system is understood in particular to be a parking brake and / or a vehicle brake (service brake). To avoid the unwanted rolling of the vehicle, it is advantageous to activate the parking brake and / or the vehicle brake of the brake system. The decision as to which of the brakes or whether both brakes are activated is to be determined, for example, based on the state of the vehicle engine. Thus, for the activation of the vehicle brake, a running vehicle engine is required, since brake pressure in the vehicle is available autonomously only during the baptism of the vehicle engine. The present brake pressure, which is supplied for example by overpressure, negative pressure or an electric actuator, thus enabling activation of the vehicle brake. It is preferred to activate the vehicle brake in order to avoid the unwanted rolling of the vehicle when the engine is running.

By contrast, in the case of a parked vehicle engine, no brake pressure is available. To be able to avoid unwanted rolling of the vehicle at a parked vehicle engine, an activation of the parking brake can be done. This is possible, for example, via an electric actuator, which is powered by an on-board voltage of the vehicle. It is advantageous that the on-board voltage is available both when the vehicle engine is parked and when it is running. Thus, as a further variant for the activation of the brake system in a running vehicle engine instead of the vehicle brake, the parking brake or the combination of the parking brake and vehicle brake is a conceivable solution.

Furthermore, the brake control system comprises a control device which evaluates the detected by the sensor state as supplied input. The control device, designed, for example, as a microcontroller, closes in dependence on the state detected by the sensor system from the at least one vehicle component to a driverless state of the vehicle. On the basis of the supplied input variables and the resulting results, the control device controls the activation of the brake system via the output interface.

In the context of the invention, it is proposed that the sensor system comprises at least one control element sensor for detecting the state of at least one control element for vehicle guidance, wherein the control device is designed as a function of the detected state of the at least one control element for vehicle guidance to a driverless state of the vehicle close. The operating element can be designed, for example, to control the vehicle direction, the acceleration or negative acceleration and / or to control the vehicle speed of the vehicle. The detected by the control element sensor state of the driver's guidance thus allows an indication of the state of the driverless state as an indicator.

By the brake control system according to the invention a meaningful safety function is realized, which reduces the risk of unwanted rolling away of the vehicle and possibly resulting from an accident.

The detection of the state of the vehicle guidance by means of the control element sensor supplies the indicator for the conclusion of the driverless state. It is particularly advantageous in this invention that there is no interference with the decision-making power of the driver to drive the vehicle. The activation of the brake system is made only in the absence of an intentional rolling of the vehicle by the driver due to lack of presence of the driver in the vehicle.

In a vehicle with today's technical standard, control element sensors are already present, for example, on the control elements described above. Another advantage is thus the use of already existing control sensors, which realize the implementation of the brake control system cost.

Optionally, the brake control system comprises the control element (s) and / or the sensor system.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the control element sensor is designed as a steering wheel sensor. In particular, the steering wheel sensor can be designed, for example, as a steering angle sensor for detecting a steering movement. In a vehicle with a vehicle dynamics control, u. a. Also known by the term ESP, the steering angle sensor is already present on the steering wheel, so that an integration of the brake control system can be realized inexpensively.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the control element sensor is designed as a pedal sensor for detecting a pedal operation of the driver. In particular, the pedal sensor is designed as an accelerator pedal sensor, in particular, the accelerator pedal sensor is designed as a potentiometer or inductive. Alternatively or optionally in addition, the pedal sensor is designed as a brake pedal sensor, as it is present, for example, for the brake light contact switch, and possibly in a regulated braking system for detecting the pedaling speed of the brake pedal. Likewise, the pedal sensor may be formed as a clutch pedal sensor, as it exists for example for the activation of an automatic start-stop system in the vehicle.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the control element sensor is designed as a shift transmission sensor for detecting a shift transmission operation by the driver. The manual transmission can be, for example, an automated or manual transmission.

It is also possible in the context of the invention that the sensors include a rolling motion sensor for detecting the rolling movement of the wheels of the vehicle, a seat occupancy sensor for detecting a seat occupancy of the driver's seat, a door opening sensor for detecting an open driver's door and / or a buckle sensor for detecting an open buckle of the driver's seat includes. For the vehicle components, as with the controls for the vehicle guidance, in a vehicle with today's technical standard, the sensors already provided and is additionally useful used in the context of the proposed safety function here.

In a preferred implementation of the invention, the control device is designed to detect a resting state of the vehicle from the rolling motion sensor and an idle state from the operating element sensor at the same time or in close proximity in order to conclude a driverless state and then activate the brake system.

Alternatively or optionally in addition, the control device is designed to detect a change of state of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle from a stationary state - also called idle state - goes to a rolling state, and at the same time or more timely, d. H. Approximately the same time, detection of the change of state and the idle state of the at least one operating element to close a driverless state and to activate the brake system.

Another possible embodiment of the invention provides that the control device is designed to activate the brake system at the same time or timely detection of the idle state of the controls, an open buckle and / or an unoccupied driver's seat.

It is also possible in the context of the invention that the control device is designed to activate the brake system at the same time or timely detection of the idle state of the controls, the open buckle and / or an open driver's door.

As a further alternative, the control device is designed to activate the brake system in the case of simultaneous or timely detection of the idle state of the operating elements, the open driver's door and / or the unoccupied driver's seat.

The proposed combinations of the detected states as indicators make it possible to draw conclusions about a vehicle in driverless condition. In summary, an inference to a vehicle in the driverless state preferably takes place when the pedal sensor and / or the steering wheel sensor detect a sleep state and at least one or two sensors from the group of the following sensors: buckle sensor, door opening sensor, seat occupancy sensor, assume a state that provides an indicator for forms a driverless state. It is also possible that, in addition, a chronological sequence is taken into account in the evaluation of the states. So it is possible, for example, that is promoted as a further alternative, that first detects the state of the driver's door open and within a short period of time z. B. 2 s, the state of the open buckle and / or the unoccupied driver's seat next to a rest state of the controls must be detected to close a driverless state.

The invention makes it possible that an automatic activation of the brake system takes place only when the driver does not active vehicle guidance of the vehicle. An advantage of the implementation of this invention is that at no time an intervention in the driver's active vehicle management takes place.

Another object of the invention relates to the vehicle with the brake control system, as described above.

Further features, advantages and effects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and the accompanying drawings. Showing:

1 a schematic block diagram of a brake control system;

2 a logic table, which shows the requirements for the activation of the brake system.

As a preferred embodiment, the 1 in a schematic block diagram, a brake control system 2 in a vehicle 1 which prevents accidental rolling of the vehicle 1 is trained. From the brake control system 2 are a control device 20 , Input interfaces 30 as well as an output interface 40 the control device 20 shown, with the input interfaces 30 to a sensor 50 and the output interface 40 to a brake system 10 of the vehicle 1 are coupled. The brake system 10 can be designed as a parking brake and / or as a vehicle brake.

The sensors 50 includes sensors that serve to detect a condition of vehicle components. In particular, the sensor system 50 two control sensors, each detecting the state of a control element. The first control element sensor is a steering wheel sensor 52 , which is designed to change the state of the steering wheel 60 capture. The steering wheel sensor differs here 52 between a resting state and a state of motion of the steering wheel 60 , The steering wheel 60 is set in the resting state by the driver in no steering movement, while in the state of motion, a steering movement of the steering wheel 60 is present.

The second control element sensor is a pedal sensor 53 Designed to be the state of one, two or three pedals 61 capture. The pedal sensor 53 distinguishes between a resting state, ie the pedals 61 are not actuated, so are actuation-free, and a state of motion, ie at least one pedal 61 is operated by the driver. In particular, the pedals 61 designed as a gas, brake and clutch pedal.

Furthermore, the sensors 50 a buckle sensor 54 for a buckle 62 a driver's seat 63 on, which is adapted to a closed and an open state of the buckle 62 capture. In the closed state is a belt of the buckle 62 engaged, while in the open state, the belt of the buckle 62 is released.

The sensors 50 also includes a seat occupancy sensor 55 designed to be between a occupied state and an unoccupied state of the driver's seat 63 to distinguish. In the occupied state is the driver's seat 63 occupied by the driver, while in the unoccupied state the driver's seat 63 not occupied by the driver.

The sensors 50 includes as a further sensor a door opening sensor 56 designed to be between an open state and a closed state of a driver's door 64 to distinguish.

The sensors 50 has a roll motion sensor as another sensor 57 for receiving a state of rest and rolling of the vehicle 1 on. For example, the roll motion sensor detects 57 the condition of the vehicle 1 by means of a rolling or standing wheel 65 ,

Via the input interfaces 30 is the sensor technology 50 to the controller 20 coupled, so that by the sensor 50 detected states of the vehicle components steering wheel 60 , Pedal 61 , Buckle 62 , Driver's seat 63 , Drivers door 64 and wheel or wheels 65 as input to the controller 20 be transmitted. The control device 20 , designed as a microcontroller, concludes on the basis of the transmitted input variables on the driverless state of the vehicle 1 and controls as a result of the activation of the brake system 10 , For activation of the brake system 10 is the output interface 40 to the controller 20 and the brake system 10 coupled.

2 shows schematically in a logic table four combination variants with those of the sensor 50 detected states from which a driverless state can be concluded and thus an activation of the brake system 10 results. In the case of the combination variants, it is assumed that the states recorded from the combination variants are present at the same time.

In a first simplest combination variant, a conclusion is drawn on the driver-less state and the activation of the brake system 10 when detecting the idle state of the steering wheel 60 through the steering wheel sensor 52 , the pedal or the pedals 61 through the pedal sensor 53 and the vehicle 1 through the roll motion sensor 57 , To prevent accidental false activation of the brake system 10 to avoid, the first combination variant for a certain period T between t ₀ and t _{1 must} be present, as in 3 is shown. The time period T is advantageous in order to ensure the driverless state of the vehicle 1 to be able to close. The beginning of the time measurement takes place at t ₀ , ie from the detection of the first combination variant by the control device 20 , The measurement of the time duration T is aborted as soon as the first combination variant is no longer present. If the first combination variant is present for longer than the time period T, a driverless state is concluded and the activation of the brake system 10 by the control device 20 controlled. For example, the time period T is between 1 and 30 seconds from the detection of the first combination variant.

As in 4 can be seen in the first combination variant instead of the detection of a resting state of the vehicle 1 a state change from the idle state to the rolling state of the vehicle 1 through the roll motion sensor 57 with simultaneous detection of the idle state of the steering wheel 60 through the steering wheel sensor 52 and the pedal or the pedals 61 through the pedal sensor 53 respectively. In this case too, an accidental false triggering of the activation of the brake system 10 to avoid, a time period T between t ₀ and t ₁ is required before the state change, in which the control device 20 a resting state of the steering wheel 60 through the steering wheel sensor 52 , a resting state of the pedal or the pedals 61 through the pedal sensor 53 and a resting state of the vehicle 1 is present. For example, the time period T is between 3 and 10 seconds from the detection of the first combination variant.

As a second combination variant for a conclusion on a driverless condition of the vehicle 1 and the activation of the brake system 10 captures the sensors 50 following states: The steering wheel sensor 52 as well as the pedal sensor 53 detect a resting state of the steering wheel 60 and the pedal or the pedals 61 , the belt lock sensor 54 captures the buckle 62 in the open state and the seat occupancy sensor 55 captures the driver's seat 63 in an unoccupied state.

In a third combination variant, a conclusion is drawn on a driverless state of the vehicle 1 and an activation of the brake system 10 provided that the door opening sensor 56 the driver's door 64 detected in an open state or an opening operation of the driver's door 64 detected at the driver's door 64 is moved from a closed state to an open state, and that with the driver's door open 64 or within a predetermined period of time after the opening of the driver's door 64 but at least until the driver's door closes again 64 the steering wheel sensor 52 and the pedal sensor 53 a resting state of the steering wheel 60 and the pedal or the pedals 61 as well as the seat occupancy sensor 55 the driver's seat 63 capture in an unoccupied state.

A fourth combination variant for a conclusion on a driverless condition of the vehicle 1 and the activation of the brake system requires that the door opening sensor 56 the driver's door 64 detected in an open state or an opening operation of the driver's door 64 detected at the driver's door 64 is moved from a closed state to an open state, and that with the driver's door open 64 , or within a specified period of time after the opening of the driver's door 64 but at least until the driver's door closes again 64 the steering wheel sensor 52 and the pedal sensor 53 a resting state of the steering wheel 60 and the pedal or the pedals 61 and the buckle sensor 54 the buckle 62 in the open state.

On vehicles where the driver can move within the vehicle and also on a door other than the driver's door 64 can get off, for example, in vans, RVs, buses, advantageously also the states of the other doors in the same way as the state of the driver's door 64 evaluated for a conclusion to a driverless condition.

The seat occupancy sensor 55 is usually designed as a weight sensor or switch, the load of the driver's seat 63 recorded and from this the occupancy state of the driver's seat 63 determined. The seat occupancy sensor 55 but can also be designed as a camera system, with one on the driver's seat 63 aligned camera, in particular with an infrared camera, by image processing detects whether the driver's seat is occupied. With such a seat occupancy sensor designed as a camera system 55 can also directly, ie without the additional consideration of the states of the steering wheel 60 and the pedals 61 and the door opening sensor 56 be closed to a driverless condition of the vehicle. With such a camera system can additionally be determined in cases where the driver's seat is occupied, by evaluating the line of sight of the driver, whether the driver of the vehicle 1 is distracted. If after a deceleration of the vehicle 1 in the stoppage it is determined that the vehicle 1 begins to roll and the driver is distracted so that he may not recognize the beginning of rolling, it is assumed that the roles of unintentional, and the brake system is activated to end the roles. In that regard, a condition in which the driver's seat 63 is occupied and in which the driver is distracted, a driverless condition vehicle 1 equated.

The brake control system 2 Taking into account the four combination variants, it is possible to draw conclusions about the driverless condition of the vehicle 1 , Thus, taking advantage of already existing sensors is an avoidance of unwanted rolling of the vehicle 1 has been realized inexpensively, and an unwanted interference with the driver's active vehicle guidance can be excluded.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

vehicle

2

Brake Warning System

10

braking system

20

control device

30

Input interface

40

Output interface

50

sensors

52

steering wheel sensor

53

pedal sensor

54

belt buckle sensor

55

Seat occupancy sensor

56

Door opening sensor

57

Rolling motion sensor

60

steering wheel

61

pedal

62

buckle

63

driver's seat

64

Drivers door

65

wheel

T

time

t ₀

Start of the time measurement

t ₁

End of the time measurement

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been 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.

Cited patent literature

• US 6450587 B1 [0003]

Claims (10)

Brake Control System ( 2 ) to prevent a rolling movement of a vehicle ( 1 ), with an input interface ( 30 ) for coupling to a sensor system ( 50 ) for detecting a condition of at least one vehicle component ( 62 . 63 . 64 . 65 ), with an output interface ( 40 ) for coupling to a brake system ( 10 ) of the vehicle ( 1 ), with a control device ( 20 ), which depend on the detected state of the at least one vehicle component ( 62 . 63 . 64 . 65 ) to a driverless condition of the vehicle ( 1 ) and activation of the brake system ( 10 ) via the output interface ( 40 ), characterized in that the sensors ( 50 ) at least one control element sensor ( 52 . 53 ) for detecting the state of at least one operating element ( 60 . 61 ) to the vehicle guidance, wherein the control device is designed, depending on the detected state of the at least one control element ( 60 . 61 ) to close the vehicle to a driverless state of the vehicle. Brake Control System ( 2 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the control element sensor as a steering wheel sensor ( 52 ) is trained. Brake control system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control element sensor as a pedal sensor ( 53 ) is trained. Brake Control System ( 2 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensors ( 50 ) a roll motion sensor ( 57 ), a seat occupancy sensor ( 55 ), a door opening sensor ( 56 ) and / or a buckle sensor ( 54 ). Brake Control System ( 2 ) according to claim 4, characterized in that the control device ( 20 ) is formed, at the same time or in temporal proximity a stationary state of the vehicle ( 1 ) from the roll motion sensor ( 57 ) and an idle state from the control element sensor to detect and the brake system ( 10 ) to activate. Brake Control System ( 2 ) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the control device ( 20 ), a state change from a stationary to a rolling state of the vehicle ( 1 ) from the roll motion sensor ( 57 ) and at simultaneous or timely detection of the state change and the idle state of the at least one control element ( 60 . 61 ) the brake system ( 10 ) to activate. Brake Control System ( 2 ) according to claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the control device ( 20 ) is formed, with simultaneous or timely detection of the idle state of the control element sensor ( 60 . 61 ), an open buckle ( 62 ) from the buckle sensor ( 54 ) and / or an unoccupied driver's seat ( 63 ) from the seat occupancy sensor ( 55 ) the brake system ( 10 ) to activate. Brake Control System ( 2 ) according to claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the control device ( 20 ) is formed, with simultaneous or timely detection of the idle state of the operating elements ( 60 . 61 ), the open buckle ( 62 ) from the buckle sensor ( 54 ) and / or an opened driver's door ( 64 ) from the door opening sensor ( 56 ) the brake system ( 10 ) to activate. Brake Control System ( 2 ) according to claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the control device ( 20 ) is formed, with simultaneous or timely detection of the idle state of the operating elements ( 60 . 61 ), the opened driver's door ( 64 ) from the door opening sensor ( 56 ) and / or the unoccupied driver's seat ( 63 ) from the seat occupancy sensor ( 55 ) the brake system ( 10 ) to activate. Vehicle ( 1 ) with a brake control system ( 2 ) according to one of the preceding claims.

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