Method and Control Unit for Regenerating a Brake Dust Filter

Abstract

A filter device collects and stores brake particles generated by a friction brake. The filter device can be regenerated. The filter device determines that at least one boundary condition that makes it possible and/or permits the execution of regeneration of the filter device is met. In response to the determination, brake particles stored in the filter device are to be removed from the filter device.

Claims

1.-10. (canceled)

11. A method for regeneration of a filter apparatus that is set up to collect and store brake particles produced by a friction brake, comprising: determining that there is at least one boundary condition that makes it possible and/or permissible to carry out a regeneration of the filter apparatus; and in response to the determining, causing brake particles stored in the filter apparatus to be removed from the filter apparatus.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the at least one boundary condition comprises a condition that relates to a current position of the filter apparatus.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the at least one boundary condition further comprises: a condition that an increased emission quantity of brake particles at one position when compared to a second position is permissible; and/or a condition that the filter apparatus is situated at a position that is suitable and/or provided for removal of brake particles from the filter apparatus; and/or a condition that the filter apparatus is situated in a car wash and/or a maintenance center.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the at least one boundary condition comprises: a condition that a surrounding area of the filter apparatus exceeds a threshold level of moisture for receiving brake particles from the filter apparatus; and/or a condition that it is raining in the surrounding area of the filter apparatus with a precipitation quantity that meets or exceeds a predefined precipitation threshold value.

15. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: determining there is no boundary condition that makes it possible and/or permissible to carry out a regeneration of the filter apparatus; and in response to the determining, operating the filter apparatus in an operating mode where receiving and storing of brake particles take place.

16. The method according to claim 11, wherein the filter apparatus further comprises collecting vessel for storing brake particles; and the step of causing brake particles stored in the filter apparatus to be removed further comprises: opening the collecting vessel to empty the collecting vessel at least partially; and/or flushing brake particles from the collecting vessel using a flushing medium.

17. A control unit for controlling operation of a filter apparatus to collect and to store brake particles produced by a friction brake, comprising: the control unit, which is configured to execute instructions to cause the filter apparatus to: determine at least one boundary condition that makes it possible and/or permissible to carry out a regeneration of the filter apparatus; and in response to the determining, cause brake particles stored in the filter apparatus to be removed from the filter apparatus.

18. The control unit according to claim 17, further being configured to execute instructions to: determine position data in relation to a position of the filter apparatus, wherein the determining of the at least one boundary condition further comprises determining, based on the position data, whether at least one boundary condition exists or not.

19. The control unit according to claim 18, wherein the position data is determined by a position sensor.

20. The control unit according to claim 19, wherein the position sensor is a GPS receiver.

21. A friction brake, comprising: a brake disk; a brake caliper that encloses the brake disk at least partially; a filter apparatus to filter brake particles from an air flow that comes from the brake disk and/or the brake caliper; and the control unit according to claim 7, further configured to execute instructions to cause the filter apparatus to: operate in an operating mode in which brake particles are received and stored; or operate in a regeneration mode in which brake particles stored in the filter apparatus are removed from the filter apparatus.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] FIG. 1a shows an example vehicle with a plurality of friction brakes.

[0023] FIG. 1b shows an example friction brake with a filter apparatus.

[0024] FIG. 2a shows an example filter apparatus in an operating state or in an operating mode.

[0025] FIG. 2b shows an example filter apparatus in a regeneration state or in a regeneration mode.

[0026] FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of an example method for the regeneration of the filter apparatus for filtering brake particles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] As stated at the outset, the present subject matter is concerned with the efficient maintenance of the degree of efficiency of a filter apparatus for filtering brake particles. In this context, FIG. 1a shows a vehicle 100 with a front axle 101 and a rear axle 102, the axles 101, 102 in each case having two wheels 103 with in each case one friction brake 110. By way of a friction brake 110, a brake torque can be brought about on the wheel 103 of the vehicle 100, and therefore slowing down of the vehicle 100 can be brought about. The friction brakes 110 of the vehicle 100 can be actuated mechanically (for example, hydraulically) and/or electrically by way of actuation of a brake pedal and/or a brake lever of the vehicle 100. FIG. 1a shows by way of example a control unit 105 for the actuation of the friction brakes 110. As an alternative or in addition, the control unit 105 can be set up to actuate one or more filter apparatuses of the friction brakes 110.

[0028] FIG. 1b shows an example construction of a friction brake 110. The friction brake 110 comprises a brake disk 111 and a brake caliper 112. Here, the brake caliper 112 is configured to press brake linings from both sides against the brake disk 111, in order to bring about a brake torque on the brake disk 111 and the wheel 103 which is connected fixedly to the latter. When the brake linings are pressed against the brake disk 111, abrasion of the brake linings and/or the brake disk 111 typically occurs in the form of brake particles of greater or smaller size.

[0029] In order to avoid that, for example, relatively small, respirable brake particles pass into the environment and therefore lead to particulate emissions of a vehicle 100, a friction brake 110 can have a filter apparatus 115 which is set up to separate brake dust which accrues or brake particles which accrue. Here, the brake particles can be sucked via an intake duct 113 away from the brake caliper 112 and/or the brake disk 111 to the filter apparatus 115. As an alternative or in addition, the filter apparatus 115 can enclose the brake disk 111 and/or the brake caliper 112 at least partially.

[0030] FIG. 2a shows an example filter apparatus 115 with a (particulate) filter 204. An air flow 211 can be brought about by way of a vacuum means 206 (for example, by way of a turbine), which air flow 211 is configured to suck brake particles which are produced by a friction brake 110 into the filter apparatus 115. For example, the air flow 211 can be sucked through a closable front wall 201 into the filter apparatus 115. The closable front wall 201 can be configured to enable an air flow 211 from the outside into the filter apparatus 115 (shown in FIG. 2a by way of the arrows). Secondly, the closable front wall 201 can be configured to prevent an air flow 211 in the opposite direction (out of the filter apparatus 115). For this purpose, for example, the front wall 201 can be configured as a check valve.

[0031] The air flow 211 which is brought about by way of the vacuum means 206 can be sucked through the filter 204, with the result that brake particles 212 are separated on the surface of the filter 204. The filtered air flow 213 which exits from the filter apparatus 115 therefore has a reduced quantity of brake particles 212 in comparison with the air flow 211. The brake particles 212 which have been filtered out can be collected in a filter chamber 203 (also called a collecting vessel in this document) which is formed by way of the front wall 211, by way of a side wall 202 and by way of the filter 204.

[0032] Furthermore, the filter apparatus 115 can have a closable rear wall 205. The closable rear wall 205 can be configured to enable an air flow 213 out of the filter apparatus 115 (shown in FIG. 2a by way of the arrows). Secondly, the closable rear wall 205 can be configured to prevent an air flow 213 in the opposite direction (into the filter apparatus 115). For this purpose, for example, the rear wall 205 can be configured as a check valve.

[0033] FIG. 2a shows the filter apparatus 115 in an operating state or in an operating mode, in the case of which an air flow 211 is sucked from a friction brake 110 through the filter apparatus 115, in order to filter brake particles 212 from the air flow 211. In the operating state, both the front wall 201 and the rear wall 205 are open, in order to enable the air flow 211 through the filter 204.

[0034] During operation, more and more brake particles 212 are deposited on the surface of the filter 204, as a result of which the efficacy of the filter 204 is gradually reduced. As an alternative or in addition, the pressure in the filter apparatus 115 can rise, which can lead to problems in the case of the operation of the filter apparatus 115. In order to increase the efficacy of the filter 204 and/or in order to avoid pressure problems, the brake particles 212 can be removed from the surface of the filter 204 and/or from the filter chamber 203.

[0035] FIG. 2b shows the filter apparatus 115 in a regeneration state or a regeneration mode which makes it possible to remove brake particles 212 from the filter chamber 203. For this purpose, the front wall 201 and the rear wall 205 can be closed. Furthermore, the one or more side walls 202 can be opened, in order to conduct a flushing flow 221 (for example, consisting of a liquid or gaseous flushing medium) through the filter chamber 203. For example, a first side wall 202 (for example, the side wall which is shown at the top in FIG. 2b) can be configured as a shut-off valve which can be opened for the regeneration of the filter apparatus 115. A second side wall 202 (for example, the side wall which is shown at the bottom in FIG. 2b) can be configured as a shut-off valve or as a flap 207 which can be opened for the regeneration of the filter apparatus 115.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 2b, the flushing flow 221 can be configured to release and/or to entrain the brake particles 212, with the result that a flushing flow 222 which is enriched with brake particles 212 is guided out of the filter chamber 203. In this way, a regeneration or cleaning of the filter 204 can be brought about using a flushing operation.

[0037] The vehicle 100 can comprise a position sensor 106 which is set up to determine position data in relation to the current position of the vehicle 100. The control unit 105 can be set up to determine on the basis of the position data whether the vehicle 100 is situated at a position which is suitable and/or permissible for the regeneration of the filter apparatus 115. Here, digital map information can be taken into consideration which indicates, for example, whether the current position of the vehicle 100 is a main road, a street in a town, a car wash, a maintenance center for the vehicle 100, etc.

[0038] The regeneration of the filter apparatus 115 can then be carried out in a manner which is dependent on the current position of the vehicle 100 and/or the filter apparatus 115. For example, a regeneration of the filter apparatus 115 can be carried out only when it has been determined that the filter apparatus 115 and/or the vehicle 100 are/is situated at a position which is suitable and/or permissible for the regeneration of the filter apparatus 115. Otherwise, a regeneration of the filter apparatus 115 can be prevented.

[0039] Therefore, a filter apparatus 115 is described which comprises a filter chamber 203, in which brake dust can be collected and stored. The filter apparatus 115 makes automated emptying of the collecting vessel or the filter chamber 203 possible (optionally even during travel of a vehicle 100). Using a position sensor 106 (for example, a GPS sensor), the position of the filter apparatus 115 can be determined. For example, it can be determined on the basis of the position data of a position sensor 106 whether the filter apparatus 115 is situated at a position which is suitable and/or permissible for the regeneration of the filter apparatus 115.

[0040] If it is detected that the filter apparatus 115 is situated at a position which is not suitable and/or not permissible for the regeneration of the filter apparatus 115 (for example, in an urban surrounding area), the filter apparatus 115 can be operated in the operating state or in the operating mode, in order to catch brake particles 212 and to collect them in a filter chamber 203. The emissions of brake dust can thus be reduced reliably. Here, the filter chamber 203 or the collecting vessel for brake particles 212 is closed.

[0041] If it is detected on the other hand that the filter apparatus 115 is situated at a position which is suitable and/or permissible for the regeneration of the filter apparatus 115 (for example, in a car wash and/or in a maintenance center), the filter apparatus 115 can be set into the regeneration mode, in order to empty the filter chamber 203, and therefore to increase the efficacy of the filter apparatus 115. Here, the emptying operation can take place automatically.

[0042] FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of an example method 300 for the regeneration of the filter apparatus 115 which is set up to collect and to store brake particles 212 which are produced by a friction brake 110.

[0043] The method 300 comprises determining 301 that there is at least one boundary condition which makes it possible and/or permissible to carry out a regeneration of the filter apparatus 115. The boundary condition can comprise or be a condition in relation to a current position of the filter apparatus 115. For example, the boundary condition can be a condition to the extent that the filter apparatus 115 is situated at a position, at which the regeneration of the filter apparatus 115 is permissible and/or possible (for example, at a position, at which an increased emissions quantity of brake dust is permissible). As an alternative or in addition, the boundary condition can be dependent on the air humidity and/or on precipitation in the direct surrounding area of the filter apparatus 115. For example, the regeneration of the filter apparatus 115 can be permissible and/or possible when there is a sufficiently high precipitation quantity in the direct surrounding area.

[0044] Moreover, the method 300 comprises, as a reaction to the fact that it has been determined that there is at least one boundary condition for carrying out the regeneration of the filter apparatus 115, causing 302 that brake particles 212 which are stored in the filter apparatus 115 are removed from the filter apparatus 115 (for example, flushed from the filter apparatus 115).

[0045] By way of the measures which are described in this document, the maintenance complexity for a filter apparatus 115 for filtering brake dust can be reduced. Furthermore, the required volume of the collecting vessel or the filter chamber 203 for storing brake particles 212 can be reduced by way of the repeated, automatic regeneration of the filter apparatus 115, with the result that the required installation space can be reduced.

[0046] The present subject matter is not restricted to the example embodiments which are shown. For example, it is to be noted that the description and the figures are intended to illustrate merely the principle of the proposed methods, apparatuses, and systems.