METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE DECELERATION OF A VEHICLE AND BRAKING SYSTEM THEREFOR

Abstract

The disclosure is directed to a method for controlling the deceleration of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes a central control unit, a first brake circuit for a rear axle and a second brake circuit for a front axle. In the method, in the event of an electronically requested deceleration request below a predefined deceleration threshold value, only the brake circuit for the axle, from the rear axle and the front axle, that allows the finest gradation in the pressure change for substantially continuous, jolt-free manipulation of the deceleration is activated by the central control unit and remains activated as long as the predefined deceleration threshold value is not exceeded by the deceleration request. The disclosure is also directed to a braking system and to a vehicle.

Claims

1. A method for controlling the deceleration of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes a central control unit, a first brake circuit (BK1) for a rear axle (HA) and a second brake circuit (BK2) for a front axle (VA); the method comprising the steps of: in response to an electronically requested deceleration request (a) below a predetermined deceleration threshold value (a.sub.1), activating only that one of the brake circuits (BK1, BK2) from the rear axle and the front axle that permits a finest gradation in a change of pressure (Δp) for substantially continuous, jolt-free manipulation of the deceleration via the central control unit; and, causing the activation of that one of the brake circuits (BK1, BK2) to be maintained as long as the predetermined deceleration threshold value (a.sub.1) is not exceeded.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the other one of the axles from the rear axle (HA) and the front axle (VA), whose brake circuit (BK1, BK2) is not connected in the event of the deceleration request (a) below the deceleration threshold value (a.sub.1), remains pressure-free.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the manipulation of the deceleration is controlled at one of the rear axle (HA) and the front axle (VA) via a brake force of an ABS architecture (ABS2a, ABS2b) and the other of the rear axle (HA) and the front axle (VA) is controlled via a brake force of an axle modulator; and, only the brake circuit (BK1; BK2) of the axle (HA; VA) whose brake force is controlled via the axle modulator is activated by the central control unit.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the axle (HA; VA) with the finer gradation (Δp) in the pressure change is activated by the central control unit when the deceleration request (a) lies in a range greater than 0, and in the event of a predefined or predefinable higher deceleration request (a), the brake circuit (BK1; BK2) for the hitherto unbraked axle (HA; VA) is automatically additionally activated by the central control unit.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the connection of the additional brake circuit (BK1, BK2) takes place in dependence on at least one of the deceleration threshold value (a.sub.1) and the pressure threshold value (p.sub.1) and the differential slip threshold value (s.sub.1).

6. The method of claim 4, wherein a pressure jump that occurs in the additionally activated brake circuit (BK1; BK2) is compensated for by reducing the pressure in the brake circuit (BK1; BK2) having finer gradation (Δp).

7. The method of claim 3, wherein the manipulation of the deceleration is effected by a brake force at the rear axle (HA) by the axle modulator.

8. A braking system for a vehicle comprising: a central control unit; an actuating element for the braking system having a brake valve (FBV); a first brake circuit (BK1) for a rear axle (HA); and, a second brake circuit (BK2) for a front axle (VA); said central control unit, in dependence upon at least one of the following: (i) a traveling speed of the vehicle; and, (ii) a deceleration request (a) by an electronic request for deceleration (XBR); being configured to activate and control only that one of said brake circuits (BK1, BK2) from said first and second brake circuits (BK1, BK2) that has a finest gradation in a change of pressure (Δp) for substantially continuous, jolt-fee manipulation of said deceleration (a).

9. The braking system of claim 8, wherein said first brake circuit (BK1) or said second brake circuit (BK2) comprises an ABS architecture (ABS2a, ABS2b) and the other brake circuit (BK2, BK1), comprises an axle modulator; and, said central control unit connects only the brake circuit (BK1, BK2) of the axle (HA; VA) whose deceleration is controllable via a brake force of the axle modulator.

10. The braking system of claim 8, wherein a maximum permissible deceleration request (a) in the event of which only the axle (HA; VA) with the finest pressure gradation (Δp) is activated lies in the range between 0 m/sec.sup.2 and 2 m/sec.sup.2; and, when the maximum permissible deceleration request (a) is exceeded, said central control unit automatically additionally activates the brake circuit (BK1; BK2) with the ABS architecture (ABS2a, ABS2b).

11. The braking system of claim 8, wherein said central control unit activates said first brake circuit (BK1) and said second brake circuit (BK2) at each deceleration request (a) when the traveling speed of the vehicle exceeds a predefined speed threshold value.

12. The braking system of claim 11, wherein said central control unit compensates for a pressure jump in the brake circuit (BK1, BK2) with the ABS architecture (ABS2a, ABS2b) by a pressure change (Δp) in the brake circuit (BK1, BK2) with the axle modulator.

13. The braking system of claim 8, wherein said brake valve (FBV) is a digital brake valve.

14. A vehicle comprising a braking system as set forth in claim 8.

15. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein said vehicle is a commercial vehicle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein:

[0035] FIG. 1: shows a schematic structure of a braking system;

[0036] FIG. 2: shows a first brake pressure profile;

[0037] FIG. 3: shows a second brake pressure profile;

[0038] FIG. 4: shows a third brake pressure profile;

[0039] FIG. 5: shows a fourth brake pressure profile;

[0040] FIG. 6: shows diagrams for the pressure threshold value, the differential slip threshold value and the deceleration threshold value over time in a first embodiment; and,

[0041] FIG. 7: shows diagrams for the pressure threshold value, the differential slip threshold value and the deceleration threshold value over time in a second embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0042] FIG. 1 shows, in a diagram, the structure of a braking system 206 for a vehicle 200 or commercial vehicle 202 having at least one front axle VA and at least one rear axle HA and optionally a trailer which is pulled by the commercial vehicle 202.

[0043] For this purpose, the braking system 206 of the embodiment includes a brake circuit BK1 for the rear axle HA, a brake circuit BK2 for the front axle VA and a brake circuit BK3 which can slow down a trailer connected to the commercial vehicle 202 and is associated with a parking brake for the commercial vehicle 202. The brake circuit BK3 will not be discussed in the following text since it is not important for the method and the braking system 206 adapted therefor.

[0044] The braking system 206 further includes an electronic control unit (ECU) 1 for activating and controlling the brake circuits BK1, BK2 and BK3.

[0045] The brake circuit BK1 for the rear axle HA includes a reservoir R1 for a compressed fluid, preferably compressed air, and a line system L1 which connects the reservoir R1 to the rear axle HA, or to an axle modulator 5 for applying a brake pressure to the brakes HAB1, HAB2 of the rear axle HA in order to generate a brake force. The line system L1 includes a first line section L11 which connects the reservoir R1 to a brake pedal 4, or to a foot brake valve FBV which is actuated directly or indirectly via the brake pedal 4. In the embodiment, the foot brake valve FBV is connected via a control line S1 to the control unit 1, so that the foot brake valve FBV can be read out electronically in the embodiment.

[0046] The foot brake valve FBV can connect the first line section L11 to a second line section L12 which leads directly to the axle modulator 5.

[0047] The axle modulator 5 can include various valves, for example relay valves 5V1 and/or ABS valves 5V2 and/or pulsed or continuous pressure control valves/pressure regulating valves 5V3, et cetera. Each of the valves 5V1, 5V2, 5V3 is connected to the control unit 1 via a control line S51, S52, S53. The valves 5V1, 5V2, 5V3 can be activated and controlled individually by the control unit 1. That is, for generating a brake pressure at the rear axle HA, only one of the valves 5V1, 5V2, 5V3 or a plurality of the valves 5V1, 5V2, 5V3 or all of the valves 5V1, 5V2, 5V3 can be active. Switching of the valves 5V1, 5V2, 5V3 by the control unit 1 can be determined, for example, in dependence on the current traveling speed of the commercial vehicle 202, actuation of the foot brake valve FBV (pressure and/or speed which act(s) on the brake pedal), which signals a magnitude of a deceleration request, for example full braking or only gentle deceleration such as, for example, in a line of traffic, and other parameters, such as outside temperature, total weight of the commercial vehicle, et cetera. From the axle modulator 5, the brake fluid is transmitted via a first third line section L13a to the brake HAB1 of the first rear wheel HR1 and via a second third line section L13b to the brake HAB2 of the second rear wheel HR2.

[0048] Via the axle modulator 5 with the combination of the different valves 5V1, 5V2, 5V3, in particular the brake force acting on the brakes HAB1, HAB2 of the rear axle HA can be manipulated, that is, increased, in small steps, so that the rear axle HA, depending on the deceleration request, can be slowed down by the control unit 1 substantially without jerking. This is advantageous for the ride comfort of the passengers and protects the equipment, such as the tires and suspension, for example, which leads to longer service lives and thus saves costs.

[0049] In the axle modulator 5, in the event of a deceleration request that is below a predefined limit value, the pressure coming from the electronic foot brake valve FBV and present at least at one of the valves 5V1, 5V2, 5V3 can be reduced by the control unit 1 and the reduced pressure can be guided via the first and second line sections L13a, L13b to the brake HAB1, HAB2 of the corresponding rear wheel HR1, HR2 in order to slow down the vehicle 200 gently under certain conditions.

[0050] In the braking system shown, a valve V1 which connects the first brake circuit BK1 to the third brake circuit BK3 for an optional trailer is provided in the first line system L1.

[0051] The second brake circuit BK2 for the front axle VA includes a reservoir R2 for a brake fluid, preferably compressed air. The second brake circuit BK2 includes a line system L2 having a first line section L21, which connects a reservoir R2 to the electronic foot brake valve FBV, and a second line section L22, which conveys the brake fluid from the foot brake valve FBV to a valve, in the braking system 206 shown to a solenoid valve MV2, and a third line section L23, which conveys the brake fluid from the solenoid valve MV2 to a relay valve RV2. From the relay valve RV2, the brake fluid is conveyed via a first fourth line section L24a to an ABS valve ABS2a for the brake VAB1a and via a second fourth line section L24b to an ABS valve ABS2b.

[0052] From the ABS valves ABS2a and ABS2b, the brake fluid is further conveyed via further line sections L24a 1 and L24b 1 to the brakes VAB1 and VAB2, respectively, whereby the wheels VR1 and VR2 of the front axle VA are slowed down.

[0053] In the braking system 206 shown, a valve V2 which connects the second brake circuit BK2 to a further third brake circuit BK3 is provided in the second line system L2. The further third brake circuit BK3 is irrelevant for the disclosure and therefore will not be described further.

[0054] In the event of a deceleration request via the brake pedal 4, the foot brake valve FBV can connect only the line sections L11 and L12 of the first brake circuit BK1 to one another or, in the event of a correspondingly greater deceleration request, it can connect the line sections L11 and L12 of the first brake circuit BK1 and the line sections L21 and L22 of the second brake circuit BK2 to one another. If only the first brake circuit BK1 of the rear axle HA is activated by the foot brake valve FBV, either one or more or all of the valves B1V, B2V, B3V can be activated in dependence on the deceleration request initially and in the course of the braking operation as a whole. The switching or connecting of the valves B1V, B2V, B3V is thereby so controlled by the control unit 1 that the commercial vehicle 202 is slowed down gently, in particular without jerking. The braking operation, for example when joining a slow-moving line of traffic, can last until the speed of the line has been reached and can then be carried out repeatedly while traveling in the line, or can end when the commercial vehicle 202 comes to a standstill.

[0055] If the deceleration that can be generated by the first brake circuit BK1 of the rear axle HA is not sufficient to slow down the commercial vehicle 202 gently over a remaining distance, the second brake circuit BK2 of the front axle VA is connected by corresponding actuation of the brake pedal 4 via the foot brake valve FBV, so that the wheels HR1, HR2 of the rear axle HA and the wheels VR1, VR2 of the front axle VA are then actively slowed down via the respective brake HAB1, HAB2 or VAB1, VAB2.

[0056] The solenoid valve MV2 is connected to the control unit 1 via a signal line SMV2, and the ABS valves ABS2a and ABS2b are each connected to the control unit 1 via a respective signal line SABS2a or SABS2b. The control unit 1 is a central control unit for the braking system 206 which, via corresponding signal lines, which are not labeled, can additionally receive signals from and/or transmit signals to all the wheels HR1, HR2, VR1, VR2, an electronic stability control system (ESC module) 8 and further functional parts of the braking system 206 in order to carry out a method of the disclosure, with which the vehicle 200 or commercial vehicle 202 can be slowed down gently and/or without jerking. The signals can be measurement signals, which represent a measured speed, temperature, et cetera, or switching or actuating signals, which control the opening and closing of the mentioned valves, for example. The signal lines can be physical lines, which are part of a cable harness, but they are preferably radio links which transmit the information wirelessly.

[0057] FIG. 2 shows a first brake pressure profile A in a diagram which shows a pressure change over time, wherein the time in seconds is plotted on the X-axis and the pressure is plotted on the Y-axis. The brake pressure profile A of FIG. 2 can be the brake pressure valve of a vehicle 200 or commercial vehicle 202 on a front axle VA or rear axle HA and can be generated, for example, by an ABS valve or an ABS architecture ABS2a, ABS2b.

[0058] FIG. 3 shows a second brake pressure profile B, likewise in the diagram view of FIG. 2. The brake pressure profile B is generated by valves which are switched in succession. Firstly, a first valve is switched, which generates the brake pressure partial profile B1 in which the brake pressure is increased gently so that substantially jerk-free deceleration can be produced. As soon as the brake pressure generated via the first valve reaches a predefined maximum value p1, the control unit 1 connects a second valve, for example, which can be of a different type to that of the first valve, so that the brake pressure partial profile B1 is then supplemented by the brake pressure partial profile B2, the two brake pressure partial profiles B1, B2 form the brake pressure profile B. The brake pressure profile B can be generated, for example, by an axle modulator 5 with more than one valve 5V1, 5V2, 5V3. The brake pressure profile of FIG. 3 can be, for example, the brake pressure profile of an axle, the rear axle HA or the front axle VA, of a vehicle 200 or commercial vehicle 202.

[0059] FIG. 4 shows a third brake pressure profile C, which is formed by overlaying a first brake pressure partial profile C1, as is generated, for example, by the ABS architecture ABS2a, ABS2b and is shown in FIG. 2, with a second brake pressure partial profile C2, for example an axle modulator 5, as is shown by way of example in FIG. 3. The commercial vehicle 202 is first slowed down in a first step substantially without jerking at only one axle from the rear axle HA and the front axle VA until the brake pressure has increased to a value p1. When this pressure p1 is reached, a current deceleration request is above a predefined deceleration threshold value, so that the other axle, from the rear axle HA and the front axle VA, is additionally activated in order to slow down the commercial vehicle 202 in accordance with the deceleration request. When the other axle is connected in this way, a pressure jump, which is not shown, that is, an increase in the pressure in the braking system 206 above a desired value for the deceleration request, can occur, which is compensated for by the central control unit 1 lowering a pressure in the brake circuit with the brake pressure partial profile C1 (see in this connection FIG. 6).

[0060] FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail view of a brake pressure profile D having a brake pressure partial profile D1 of a first valve and a brake pressure partial profile D2 of a second valve. Owing to a traveling speed of the commercial vehicle 202 and/or owing to a deceleration request of the commercial vehicle 202 that is above a predefined limit value or threshold value, braking is first carried out at the axle, from the rear axle HA and the front axle VA, that has the ABS structure ABS2a ABS2b. This initial braking or slowing down is shown in the brake pressure partial profile D1. Shortly thereafter, the further axle from the rear axle HA and the front axle VA is additionally slowed down. The first valve can be formed, for example, by an ABS architecture ABS2a, ABS2b, and the second valve can be formed by the axle modulator 5. As soon as the brake pressure p of the first brake pressure partial profile D1 reaches or exceeds the pressure threshold value p1, the second valve is connected in order thus to brake the other axle. This takes place at time t1.

[0061] FIG. 6 shows in diagram I) the change over time of a pressure build-up at the rear axle HA up to the pressure threshold value pi, at which the front axle VA is automatically connected in order to assist with the deceleration a of the vehicle 200.

[0062] The rear axle HA allows substantially continuous, jerk-free deceleration a of the vehicle 200, since the pressure build-up at the brakes HAB1, HAB2 takes place in small steps, that is, a large number of small pressure differences Δp occur, which are not perceived by the driver of the vehicle 200. When the pressure threshold p1 is reached in the brake circuit BK1, the second brake circuit BK2, which acts on the front axle VA of the vehicle 200, is automatically activated at time t1.

[0063] t.sub.0 on the time axis t indicates the time at which the driver of the vehicle 200 initiates the deceleration a by actuating the brake pedal 4, so that the vehicle is initially slowed down only via the rear axle HA. At time t.sub.1, the front axle VA is automatically activated for further slowing down of the vehicle 200, so that the vehicle 200 is then slowed down by the rear axle HA and the front axle VA.

[0064] In the variant shown here, not only is the front axle VA connected at time t.sub.1 but the pressure p at the rear axle HA is at the same time reduced by an amount which preferably corresponds approximately to the amount connected at the front axle VA. This is advantageous in order to avoid a pressure jump that is too pronounced and thus sudden slowing down that is too pronounced, since the vehicle is braked via both axles VA, HA from time t.sub.1. After time the pressure p at the rear axle HA can continuously be increased further if this is desired or necessary.

[0065] Diagram II) shows the differential slip s between the front axle VA and the rear axle HA. The differential slip s is a difference, based on the speed of the front axle VA, between the axle speeds v_VA, v_HA of the two vehicle axles VA, HA. The differential slip s can be determined by the formula s=(v_VA−v_HA)/v_VA, wherein v_VA is the speed of the front axle and v_HA is the speed of the rear axle.

[0066] The differential slip s increases in diagram II) from time to, at which the driver of the vehicle 200 initiates the deceleration a, from an actual value so measured at that time until it reaches a predefined differential slip threshold value s.sub.1. When the differential slip threshold value s.sub.1 is reached, the brake circuit BK2 of the front axle VA is automatically activated.

[0067] Diagram III) shows a deceleration a of the vehicle 200 over time t, from the start of the deceleration request to, at which the brakes HAB1, HAB2 of the first vehicle axle HA are activated in order to decelerate the vehicle 200. When a predefined deceleration threshold value a.sub.1 is reached at time t.sub.1, the second vehicle axle VA, or the brakes VAB1, VAB2 thereof, is/are automatically connected, so that the vehicle 200 is then slowed down at the front axle VA and at the rear axle HA.

[0068] FIG. 6 shows three possible criteria, namely the pressure threshold value p.sub.1, the differential slip threshold value s.sub.1 and the deceleration threshold value a.sub.1, which can be used to determine the time at which the VA is connected for the deceleration operation.

[0069] Each of these three criteria can be used on its own to determine the time at which, on deceleration of the vehicle 200, the front axle VA is activated in order to assist the rear axle HA, which was initially the only braking axle.

[0070] The time t.sub.1 at which the front axle VA is connected can, however, also be determined by a combination of the detection of the pressure threshold value p.sub.1 and the differential slip threshold value s.sub.1 or a combination of the detection of the pressure threshold value p.sub.1 with the deceleration threshold value a.sub.1 or a combination of the detection of the differential slip threshold value s.sub.1 with the deceleration threshold value a.sub.1.

[0071] Finally, the time t.sub.1 at which the front axle VA must automatically be activated in order to slow down the vehicle 200 can be determined from the deceleration threshold value a.sub.1 and the differential slip threshold value s.sub.1 and the pressure threshold value p.sub.1 in combination.

[0072] FIG. 7 is based on FIG. 6 but shows a variant thereof. It can best be seen in diagram I) of FIG. 7 that here, unlike in FIG. 6, the brake pressure at the rear axle HA is not reduced when the pressure threshold value p1 is reached. A pressure jump thus occurs. This can be advantageous if, for example, the jump at the front axle VA is only small or the deceleration request is high. This has the result that the deceleration does not reach the deceleration threshold value a1 in diagram III). However, since the differential slip threshold value s1 and the pressure threshold value p1 are reached, the front axle VA is connected.

[0073] It is understood that the foregoing description is that of the preferred embodiments of the invention and that various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE DESIGNATIONS (PART OF THE DESCRIPTION)

[0074] 1 control unit (ECU)

[0075] 4 brake pedal

[0076] 5 axle modulator

[0077] 5V1 valve, relay valve

[0078] 5V2 valve, ABS valve

[0079] 5V3 valve, solenoid valve

[0080] 8 electronic stability control system (ESC module)

[0081] 200 vehicle

[0082] 202 commercial vehicle

[0083] 206 braking system

[0084] a deceleration

[0085] a.sub.1 deceleration threshold value

[0086] p pressure

[0087] p.sub.1 pressure threshold value

[0088] Δp pressure difference

[0089] s differential slip

[0090] s.sub.1 differential slip threshold value

[0091] t time

[0092] t.sub.0 start of deceleration

[0093] t.sub.1 connection of VA

[0094] A brake pressure profile

[0095] ABS2a ABS valve, ABS architecture

[0096] ABS2b ABS valve, ABS architecture

[0097] B brake pressure profile

[0098] B1 brake pressure partial profile

[0099] B2 brake pressure partial profile

[0100] BK1 brake circuit

[0101] BK2 brake circuit

[0102] BK3 brake circuit

[0103] C brake pressure profile

[0104] C1 brake pressure partial profile

[0105] C2 brake pressure partial profile

[0106] D brake pressure profile

[0107] D1 brake pressure partial profile

[0108] D2 brake pressure partial profile

[0109] FBV foot brake valve P HA rear axle

[0110] HAB1 brake

[0111] HAB2 brake

[0112] HR1 rear wheel

[0113] HR2 rear wheel

[0114] L1 line system

[0115] L11 line section

[0116] L12 line section

[0117] L13a line section

[0118] L13b line section

[0119] L2 line system

[0120] L21 line section

[0121] L22 line section

[0122] L23 line section

[0123] L24a line section

[0124] L24a1 line section

[0125] L24b line section

[0126] L24b1 line section

[0127] MV2 solenoid valve

[0128] R1 reservoir

[0129] R2 reservoir

[0130] RV2 relay valve

[0131] S1 control line

[0132] S51 control line

[0133] S52 control line

[0134] S53 control line

[0135] SMV2 signal line

[0136] SABS2a signal line

[0137] SABS2b signal line

[0138] VA front axle

[0139] VAB1 brake

[0140] VAB2 brake

[0141] VR1 front wheel

[0142] VR2 front wheel

[0143] V1 valve