WO2003016737A1 - Safety system for motor vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a safety system for motor vehicles, which monitors operational situations of the vehicle or its components, to identify safety-critical operational situations beforehand. Said system comprises a clutch device located in a drive train, in addition to a gearbox device also located in said drive train. At least two actuators, which each have an electric motor (40) are also provided and are used to actuate at least one of said devices. In addition, at least one of said devices is controlled by an electronic control unit and the electric motors (40) are connected to an end stage (42). The invention also relates to a method for deactivating different end stages (42), which are allocated to different actuators in the same motor vehicle.

Description

 Security system for motor vehicles

The invention relates to a safety system for motor vehicles, a method for operating a safety system and a method for switching off various output stages which are assigned to different actuators of the same motor vehicle.

Security systems for motor vehicles and methods for operating security systems are already known.

The invention is based on the object of providing a differently designed security system, a differently designed method for operating a security system and a method for switching off various output stages, that is to say such a security system or such a method which differs in at least one feature from known designs, so that it is new compared to known designs in the sense of patent law.

The object is achieved by a security system which has at least one feature of the features which are described in the following description or the claims or which are shown in the figures.

The object is achieved by a method which has at least one feature of the features which are described in the following description or the claims or which are shown in the figures.

The object is achieved in particular by a safety system for motor vehicles according to claim 1.

The object is further achieved in particular by a method according to claim 16 or according to claim 17.

Preferred designs of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to the invention, a safety system for motor vehicles is provided in particular, which monitors operating situations of the motor vehicle and its components in order to identify safety-critical operating situations in advance.

The "detection of safety-critical operating situations in advance" is to be understood in particular to mean that a possibly critical safety-critical situation is recognized before it actually exists and possibly endangers safety.

The motor vehicle has a clutch device arranged in the drive train and a transmission device arranged in this drive train.

Furthermore, at least two actuators are provided according to the invention, each of which has an electric motor. These actuators can be used to actuate at least one of the devices mentioned, that is to say the clutch device and / or the transmission device. According to the invention, it is also provided in particular that at least one of these devices, that is to say the transmission device and / or the coupling device, is controlled by an electronic control unit.

These actuators or these electric motors are each connected to a respective output stage.

A connection is provided between one of these electric motors and an output stage assigned to this electric motor, which is designed at least in sections as a wired connection and in which at least one cable section is exposed outside the control device.

The connection between another of these electric motors and the output stage assigned to this other electric motor is designed in such a way that no exposed cable section is provided in the connection outside of a control device or the control device.

The connection between a respective electric motor and the associated output stage is in particular designed such that energy and / or electrical via this connection Electricity can be transmitted. The connection is preferably an electrical connection. The connecting cable can be cable-like in the actual sense or be designed differently. In particular, the connecting cable can be an electrical conductor.

The safety system causes the output stages to be switched off when an impending safety-critical situation is recognized.

According to the invention, it is provided in particular that the output stage, which is connected to an electric motor or an actuator via an exposed cable connection that is at least partially arranged outside the control unit, is switched to a first switching state for switching off this output stage.

The output stage, which is connected to another of the electric motors in such a way that there is no exposed cable section arranged outside of a control unit in this connection, is switched to a second switching state in order to switch off this output stage.

According to the invention, it is particularly provided that the first switching state and the second switching state are designed differently.

In a preferred embodiment, the coupling device is an automated coupling device. An exemplary automated clutch device can be designed such as clutch devices which are sold by the applicant under the name "electronic clutch management (EKM)".

However, other coupling devices are also preferred.

In a preferred embodiment, the transmission device is designed as an automated manual transmission (ASG). According to the invention, however, other transmission devices are also preferred.

It is particularly preferably provided that a clutch control device is provided for controlling the clutch device. It is further preferred that an electronic transmission control device is provided for controlling the transmission device.

It is further preferred that a master control device is provided which takes over a multitude of control functionalities.

In a preferred embodiment, the final stages of the actuators or electric motors are designed as H-bridges. It is particularly preferably provided that these H-bridges each have four transistors. An electric motor is preferably arranged in the connecting web of this H arrangement.

The first switching state, into which an output stage is switched for switching off, is preferably designed such that this output stage is switched with high resistance. In this configuration, it is particularly preferably provided that the transistors of the output stage, in particular the four transistors of the output stage, are opened.

In this preferred embodiment, it is particularly preferably provided that the energy stored in the coil of the electric motor at the time of switching off is consumed or destroyed in the actuator itself. In particular, this can be such that the actuator continues to rotate for a predetermined time after the power stage has been switched off until this energy has been used up.

It is preferably provided that the second switching state, into which an output stage is switched for switching off, is designed such that the output stage is short-circuited.

This short circuit can in particular be such that it is short-circuited to ground, or such that it is short-circuited to the voltage of a voltage source, in particular battery voltage. In a preferred embodiment, two transistors are closed and two transistors are opened, particularly in the case of an arrangement according to the aforementioned H-bridge with four transistors.

This is preferably designed such that the two transistors facing the positive pole in the H-bridge are open, and the two transistors facing the ground of the H-bridge sistors are closed.

A configuration is also preferred which is such that the two transistors facing the positive pole of a voltage source are closed and the two transistors facing the ground are open. However, this should not be restricted to a specific design, in particular the output stage.

It is preferably provided that this short circuit is designed such that a closed circuit is generated between the positive pole of the voltage source, a transistor, an electric motor, another transistor and the positive pole of the voltage source, while a circuit between the ground, a transistor, the electric motor, Another transistor and the ground is opened so that the two transistors mentioned are in an open switching state. It is particularly preferably provided that the electrical connection between the positive pole and the ground is interrupted.

It is further preferred that the short circuit is designed so that there is a closed circuit between the ground, a transistor, an electric motor, another transistor and the ground, while the connection between the ground and the positive pole of a voltage source is interrupted and a circuit between the positive pole of the voltage source, a transistor, an electric motor, another transistor and the positive pole is open. For this purpose, the last two transistors in particular are in an open position.

It is preferably provided that two transistors are open and two transistors are closed for operating the electric motor in such a configuration, so that a connection is generated between the positive pole of a transistor, an electric motor, a further transistor and the ground. By switching these open transistors into a closed position and correspondingly switching the transistors closed in the aforementioned configuration into an open position, the direction of rotation of the motor can preferably be changed.

In a preferred embodiment, a first actuator with a first electric motor is provided, by means of which the coupling device can be actuated. Furthermore, a second actuator with a second electric motor and a third actuator with a third electric motor are preferably provided.

This second actuator with a second electric motor and third actuator with a third electric motor are preferably intended for actuating the gear device. The second actuator with a second electric motor can actuate the transmission device in the selection direction and the third actuator with a third electric motor can actuate this transmission device in the aisle direction.

The transmission device is particularly preferably designed in the form of an H circuit diagram. It is preferably provided that a plurality of aisles branch off from a selection alley. When shifting a shifting element into these aisles, corresponding gears can be engaged, while the neutral position of the transmission device is arranged in the area of the selector aisle.

In a preferred design according to the invention, the output stages are each arranged in an electronic control unit.

The output stages are particularly preferably arranged in a housing, such as the housing of an electronic control unit.

It is preferably provided that the clutch actuator is at least partially arranged in an electronic clutch control device or in its housing. The clutch actuator can also be arranged completely in this electronic control unit or its housing.

In a preferred embodiment, the clutch actuator and / or the electric motor of the clutch actuator is arranged at least partially or completely in an electronic clutch control device, the connection, in particular the electrical connection, between this clutch actuator, or its electric motor, and the associated output stage being arranged within this clutch control device ,

It is further preferred that the gear actuators, or their electric motors, at least partially or completely outside an electronic control unit, or its housing, are arranged.

It is particularly preferably provided that the transmission actuators are partially or completely arranged outside an electronic control unit, the connection between this respective transmission actuator or electric motor and the respectively associated output stages having a cable section which is exposed and arranged outside of this transmission control unit.

It should be noted that “exposed” is to be understood in particular to mean that the cable section is not protected in such a way that a short circuit is prevented, which could occur, for example, if the insulation is damaged and contact with corresponding components.

In a preferred embodiment, it is rated as a safety-critical situation if the coupling device is closed in a substantially stationary vehicle with the drive device running and the gear engaged without the driver requesting a start or crawling.

The gear is particularly engaged in the transmission device.

The drive device is preferably an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle.

In a preferred embodiment, a starting request is recognized, or the starting request is given when the accelerator pedal of the motor vehicle is actuated, in particular when the vehicle is essentially stationary, with the drive device running and when the gear is engaged.

A crawl request is preferably given when the brake device of the motor vehicle is relieved, it being provided in particular that this takes place with the engine running, such as an internal combustion engine, with the vehicle essentially stationary and with the gear engaged. The braking device is preferably a service brake. The control unit particularly preferably has a processor. The security system preferably has a redundant processor.

The object is further achieved by a method according to claim 16.

The object is further achieved by a method according to claim 17.

According to the invention, in particular a method for switching off different output stages is provided, with different output stages for switching off being switched differently in these different output stages. The output stages are preferably those which are assigned to actuators or electric motors of a motor vehicle. It is particularly preferably provided that at least one of these output stages is switched off by short-circuiting this output stage and at least one other of these output stages is switched off by switching this output stage to high impedance.

The term “taxes” in the sense of the present invention is to be understood in particular as “rules” and / or “taxes” in the sense of DIN. The same applies to terms derived from the term "taxes".

The patent claims submitted with the application are proposals for formulation without prejudice for the achievement of further patent protection. The applicant reserves the right to claim further combinations of features previously only disclosed in the description and / or drawings.

Back-references used in subclaims indicate the further development of the subject matter of the main claim by the features of the respective subclaim; they are not to be understood as a waiver of the achievement of independent, objective protection for the combinations of features of the related subclaims.

Since the subjects of the subclaims can form their own and independent inventions with regard to the prior art on the priority date, the applicant reserves the right to make them the subject of independent claims or declarations of division. They can furthermore also contain independent inventions which have a design which is independent of the objects of the preceding subclaims.

The exemplary embodiments are not to be understood as a restriction of the invention. Rather, numerous changes and modifications are possible within the scope of the present disclosure, in particular such variants, elements and combinations and / or materials, which, for example, by combining or modifying individual ones in conjunction with and described in and in the general description and embodiments and the claims Features or elements or process steps contained in the drawings can be removed by the person skilled in the art with regard to the solution of the task and, by means of combinable features, lead to a new object or to new process steps or process step sequences, also insofar as they relate to manufacturing, testing and working processes.

In the following, preferred aspects of the invention will now be explained with reference to the figure, whereby the invention should not be restricted.

It shows:

1 shows a first exemplary switching position of an output stage of an actuator or electric motor; and

Fig. 2 shows a second exemplary switching position of an output stage of an actuator or electric motor.

1 shows an electric motor 10 of a gear actuator, which is connected to an output stage 12. The output stage 12 is connected to the positive pole 14 of a voltage supply source and to ground 16.

The output stage 12 has four transistors 18, 20, 22, 24, which are connected in an H-bridge.

The electric motor 10 is arranged in the connecting web 26 of this H-bridge. The connection to this electric motor 10 has connecting line sections 28, 30 which are arranged exposed outside of a control device.

Clamps 32, 34 are also provided.

The transistor 18 is arranged between the electric motor 10 and the positive pole 14.

The transistor 20 is also arranged, however in a different line section, between the electric motor 10 and the positive pole.

The transistors 22, 24 are arranged in different line sections and between the electric motor 10 and the ground 16.

Fig. 1 shows the output stage 12 in a switched-off switching position. In this switched-off switching position, the transistors 18, 20, 22, 24 are switched to high resistance or in an open position.

2 shows an electric motor 40 of a clutch actuator and an output stage 42 for this electric motor 40.

The output stage 42 is connected to the positive pole 14 of a voltage source and to ground 16. The output stage 42, like the output stage 12 according to FIG. 1, is arranged in an electronic control unit.

This electronic control unit, which is an electronic transmission control unit in the configuration according to FIG. 1, is an electronic clutch control unit in the configuration according to FIG. 2.

The electric motor 40 and the electrical connection 44, 46 are arranged in the electronic clutch control device or in its housing.

Otherwise, the output stage 42 according to FIG. 2 essentially has the structure that was described for the output stage 12 with reference to FIG. 1. 2 shows such an output stage 42 in a second switching position, in which this output stage 42 is switched off.

2 is switched off in such a way that the transistors 48 and 50, which are arranged in different connections between the electric motor 40 and the positive pole 14 of the voltage source, are in an open position. In the switched-off switching position according to FIG. 2, the transistors 52, 54 are each arranged in different line sections between the electric motor 40 and the ground 16. When the output stage of the electric motor 40 of the clutch is switched off, these output stages 52, 54 are in a closed switching position, so that the ground 16 is connected in a closed circuit via the transistor 52, the electric motor 40, the transistor 54 and the ground 16. The circuit formed by the positive pole 14, the transistor 48, the electric motor 40, the transistor 50 and the positive pole 14 is opened in the configuration according to FIG. 2, the transistors 48, 50 being open.

1 and 2, the electric motor 10 or 40 can be operated in different directions of rotation if it is not switched off or the output stages 12 or 42 are not switched off.

A first direction of rotation of the electric motor 10, 40 is brought about when the transistors 18 and 24 or 48 and 54 are closed and the transistors 20 and 22 or 50 and 52 are open.

Switching in the opposite direction of rotation of the electric motor 10, 40 can be done by opening the transistors 18, 24 or 48, 54 and closing the transistors 20, 22 or 50, 52.

Claims

claims 1. Safety system for motor vehicles, which monitors operating situations of the motor vehicle or predetermined motor vehicle components in order to identify safety-critical operating situations in advance, wherein - A clutch device arranged in a drive train is provided as well as a transmission device arranged in this drive train; - At least two actuators are provided, each having an electric motor and by means of which at least one of these devices can be actuated; - At least one of these devices is controlled by an electronic control unit; - These electric motors are connected to an output stage, at least one of these connections being designed as a wired connection in which at least one cable section is exposed outside the electronic control unit, and at least one of these connections is designed such that no exposed cable section of this connection is outside the electronic control unit is provided; - The safety system causes the output stages to be switched off when an impending safety-critical operating situation is detected; - The output stage, which is coupled via a cable connection to one of the electric motors, which is exposed at least in sections outside the electronic control unit, is switched to a first switching state for switching off the output stage; - The output stage, which is connected to one of the electric motors in such a way that there is no cable section in this connection, which is exposed outside the electronic control unit, is switched to a second switching state for switching off this output stage; and - The first switching state is designed differently than the second switching state. 2. Security system, in particular according to claim 1, characterized in that the final stages of the actuators are designed as H-bridges, each with four transistors. 3. Security system, in particular according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first switching state, in which an output stage is switched for switching off, is designed such that the output stage is switched to high resistance. 4. Security system, in particular according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second switching state, in which an output stage is switched for switching off, is designed such that the output stage is short-circuited. 5. Security system, in particular according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling device is actuated by means of a first actuator. 6. Security system, in particular according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a second actuator is provided, by means of which the gear device can be actuated in the selection direction, and a third actuator, by means of which the gear device can be actuated in the aisle direction. 7. Security system, in particular according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the output stages are each arranged in an electronic control unit. 8. Safety system, in particular according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clutch actuator is at least partially arranged in an electronic clutch control device. 9. Safety system, in particular according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clutch actuator is at least partially arranged in the electronic clutch control unit and the connection between this clutch actuator and the associated output stage is arranged within this clutch control unit. 10. Security system, in particular according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transmission actuators are at least partially arranged outside an electronic transmission control unit. 11. Safety system, in particular according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transmission actuators are at least partially arranged outside the electronic transmission control unit and the respective connection between these transmission actuators and the respectively associated output stages has a cable section which is exposed and arranged outside of this transmission control unit , 12. Safety system, in particular according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is rated as a safety-critical operating situation when the coupling device is closed in a substantially stationary motor vehicle with a running drive device, such as an internal combustion engine, and in gear engaged in the transmission device, without a start request or a crawl request. 13. Security system, in particular according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a starting request is displayed by actuating the accelerator pedal of the motor vehicle, in particular when the motor vehicle is essentially stationary, with the drive device running and with the gear engaged in the transmission device. 14. Safety system, in particular according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a crawl request is indicated by the fact that the braking device of the motor vehicle, in particular the service braking device of the motor vehicle, is relieved, in particular when the motor vehicle is essentially stationary, with the drive device running and also with a gear engaged in the transmission device. 15. Security system, in particular according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic control device has a processor and the security system has a redundant processor. 16. A method for operating a security system according to one of the preceding claims. 17. A method for switching off different output stages, which are assigned to different actuators in the same motor vehicle, these actuators each having an electric motor, characterized in that one of these output stages is switched off by short-circuiting this output stage, and another of these output stages is switched off is switched by switching this other output stage to high resistance. 18. The method according to claim 16 and claim 17.