METHOD FOR ACTUATING A PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM IN A COMMERCIAL VEHICLE, PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM FOR A COMMERCIAL VEHICLE AND COMMERCIAL VEHICLE WITH THE PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for actuating a parking brake system in a utility vehicle. In an example, the parking brake system includes an operational actuator for actuating a parking brake and a control unit for controlling the operational actuator. When the utility vehicle is stopped, a stored brake-application characteristic is selected for the parking brake as a function of a current vehicle condition of the utility vehicle. Based on the selected application characteristic, the operational actuator is activated by the control unit in order to apply the parking brake. In addition, or alternately, when the utility vehicle is started, a stored brake-release characteristic is selected for the parking brake as a function of a current vehicle condition of the utility vehicle. Based on the selected brake-release characteristic, the operational actuator is activated by the control unit in order to release the parking brake.

Claims

1-14. (canceled)

15. A method for actuating a parking brake system in a utility vehicle, wherein the parking brake system comprises an operational actuator for actuating a parking brake and wherein the parking brake system comprises a control unit for controlling the operational actuator, the method comprising: selecting, when the utility vehicle is stopped, a brake-application characteristic (K4, K5) stored in the control unit for the parking brake, the brake-application characteristic selected as a function of a current vehicle condition of the utility vehicle; and actuating the operational actuator, by the control unit, based on the brake-application characteristic (K4, K5) in order to apply the parking brake; and/or selecting, when the utility vehicle is started off, a brake-release characteristic (K1, K2, K3) stored in the control unit for the parking brake, the brake-release characteristic (K1, K2, K3) selected as a function of a current vehicle condition of the utility vehicle; and actuating the operational actuator, by the control unit, on the basis of the brake-release characteristic (K4, K5) in order to release the parking brake.

16. The method according to claim 15, comprising adjusting a travel path (x) of the operational actuator as a function of time (t) based on the brake-application and/or the brake-release characteristics (K1, K2, K3, K4; K5).

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the current vehicle condition corresponds to one or more of an unloaded operation, a trailer operation, or a loaded operation of the utility vehicle, and the method further comprising: moving the operational actuator within a first time range (B1) from a brake-application position (E) to a brake-release position (A), based on the brake-release characteristics (K1, K2, K3), wherein for each vehicle condition a respective associated brake-release characteristic (K1, K2, K3) is stored in the control unit; and/or moving the operational actuator within the first time range (B1) from the brake-release position to the brake-application, based on the brake-application characteristics (K4, K5), wherein for the respective current vehicle condition in each case an associated brake-application characteristic (K4, K5) is stored in the control unit.

18. The method according to claim 17, comprising: releasing the parking brake based on the unloaded-operation brake-release characteristic (K1), wherein the unloaded-operation brake-release characteristic (K1) is stored, such that in the first time range (B1) the unloaded-operation brake-release characteristic (K1) follows a strictly monotonically falling course, and/or applying progressively the parking brake based on the unloaded-operation brake-application characteristic (K2), wherein for unloaded operation the unloaded-operation brake-application characteristic (K2) is stored, such that in the first time range (B1) the unloaded-operation brake-application characteristic follows a strictly monotonically rising course.

19. The method according to claim 17, comprising: not releasing the parking brake any farther during a waiting section (W1, W2), based on a trailer-operation brake-release characteristic (K2), wherein for the trailer operation the trailer-operation the brake-release characteristic (K2) is stored, such that in the first time range (B1) the trailer-operation brake-release characteristic (K2) includes at least one waiting section (W1, W2), and/or not applying the parking brake any farther during the waiting section (W1, W2) based on a trailer-operation brake-application characteristic (K4), wherein for the trailer operation the trailer-operation brake-application characteristic (K4) is stored, such that in the first time range (B1) the trailer-operation brake-application characteristic (K4) includes at least one waiting section (W1, W2).

20. The method according to claim 17, comprising: applying the parking brake based on a loaded-operation brake-application characteristic (K5) such that the parking brake is applied more rapidly for the loaded operation than during the unloaded operation and/or during the trailer operation, wherein for the loaded operation a loaded-operation brake-application characteristic (K5) is stored, such that in the first time range (B1) the loaded-operation brake-application characteristic (K5) follows a strictly monotonically rising course, wherein during the first time range (B1) the loaded-operation brake-release characteristic (K5) has a steeper slope than the unloaded-operation brake-application characteristic (K2) and/or the trailer-operation brake-application characteristic (K4), so that on the basis of the

21. The method according to claim 14, wherein for loaded operation a loaded-operation brake-release characteristic (K3) is stored, such that during the first time range (B1) the loaded-operation brake-release characteristic (K3) includes a plurality of pause sections (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5), so that on the basis of the loaded-operation brake-release characteristic (K3) the parking brake is released in steps between the individual pause sections (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5).

22. The method according to claim 17, wherein for loaded operation a loaded-operation brake-release characteristic (K3) is stored, such that during the first time range (B1) the loaded-operation brake-release characteristic (K3) includes a plurality of pause sections (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5), so that on the basis of the loaded-operation brake-release characteristic (K3) the parking brake is released in steps between the individual pause sections (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5).

23. The method according to claim 18, wherein for loaded operation a loaded-operation brake-release characteristic (K3) is stored, such that during the first time range (B1) the loaded-operation brake-release characteristic (K3) includes a plurality of pause sections (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5), so that on the basis of the loaded-operation brake-release characteristic (K3) the parking brake is released in steps between the individual pause sections (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5).

24. The method according to claim 19, wherein for loaded operation a loaded-operation brake-release characteristic (K3) is stored, such that during the first time range (B1) the loaded-operation brake-release characteristic (K3) includes a plurality of pause sections (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5), so that on the basis of the loaded-operation brake-release characteristic (K3) the parking brake is released in steps between the individual pause sections (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5).

25. The method according to claim 20, wherein for loaded operation a loaded-operation brake-release characteristic (K3) is stored, such that during the first time range (B1) the loaded-operation brake-release characteristic (K3) includes a plurality of pause sections (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5), so that on the basis of the loaded-operation brake-release characteristic (K3) the parking brake is released in steps between the individual pause sections (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5).

26. The method according to claim 14, comprising: recognizing automatically the current vehicle condition; and selecting, based on recognizing the current vehicle condition, a brake-release characteristic (K1, K2, K3) when starting off; and/or selecting, based on recognizing the current vehicle condition, a brake-application characteristic (K4, K5) when stopping.

27. The method according to claim 14, comprising: manually selecting the brake-application and/or brake-release characteristics (K1, K2, K3, K4, K5) based on the current vehicle condition.

28. The method according to claim 14, comprising: automatically selecting the brake-application and/or brake-release characteristics (K1, K2, K3, K4, K5) based on the current vehicle condition.

29. A parking brake system for a utility vehicle, comprising: an operational actuator for actuating a parking brake, wherein to transmit a braking force to at least one wheel brake cylinder the operational actuator can be moved along a travel path between a brake-application position and a brake-release position; a control unit for controlling the operational actuator, wherein the control unit comprises a control module configured to control the operational actuator when the utility vehicle is staring up and/or stopping; and wherein the control unit comprises a selector module configured, on the basis of a vehicle condition, to select a brake-application and/or brake-release characteristic (K1, K2, K3, K4, K5) stored in the control unit for the parking brake, and the control module is configured to activate the operational actuator on the basis of the brake-application and/or brake-release characteristic (K1, K2, K3, K4, K5) selected.

30. The parking brake system according to claim 29, further comprising an input device configured for manual selection of the brake-application and/or brake-release characteristic (K1, K2, K3, K4, K5), wherein the selector module is configured, on the basis of a selection command from the input device, to select a corresponding brake-application and/or brake-release characteristic (K1, K2, K3, K4, K5).

31. The parking brake system according to claim 29, wherein the selector module is configured, on the basis of the current vehicle condition, to select an associated brake-application and/or brake-release characteristic (K1, K2, K3, K4, K5) automatically.

32. The parking brake system according to claim 29, wherein the control unit comprises a memory module, such that in the memory module at least one brake-application and/or brake-release characteristic (K1, K2, K3, K4, K5) for unloaded operation and/or for loaded operation and/or for trailer operation is stored.

33. A utility vehicle comprising the parking brake system of claim 29.

34. The utility vehicle of claim 33, wherein the utility vehicle is a tractor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Further features, advantages and effects of the invention emerge from the following description of preferred example embodiments of the invention. The attached figures show:

[0034] FIG. 1: A very schematic representation of a vehicle with a parking brake system, as an example embodiment of the invention;

[0035] FIG. 2: An unloaded-operation brake-release characteristic for the parking brake system of FIG. 1;

[0036] FIG. 3: A trailer-operation brake-release characteristic for the parking brake system of FIG. 1;

[0037] FIG. 4: A loaded-operation brake-release characteristic for the parking brake system of FIG. 1;

[0038] FIG. 5: A trailer-operation brake-application characteristic for the parking brake system of FIG. 1;

[0039] FIG. 6: A loaded-operation brake-application characteristic for the parking brake system of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] FIG. 1 shows a very schematic representation of a vehicle 1 with a parking brake system 2, as an example embodiment of the invention. The parking brake system 2 has the function of braking and/or locking one or more wheels, in particular the wheels of the rear axle (not shown) of the vehicle 1 as a function of an operating condition of the vehicle. The said vehicle 1 is in particular an agricultural utility vehicle, such as a tractor.

[0041] The parking brake system 2 comprises an operational actuator 3, which for the actuation of a parking brake transmits a first braking force F1 to one or more wheel brake cylinders 4 of the vehicle 1. The operational actuator 3 has in particular the function of locking the vehicle wheels when the vehicle 1 is at rest and/or is parked. For example, the operational actuator 3 can be in the form of an electric and/or a mechanical and/or a hydraulic and/or a pneumatic actuator. For example, the operational actuator 3 can be operated manually by the driver, or automatically, for example when the driver leaves the driving seat.

[0042] The vehicle 1 also comprises a brake actuator 5, which in order to actuate a service brake transmits a second braking force F2 to the wheel brake cylinder 4 of the vehicle 1. In particular the brake actuator 5 has the function of braking the vehicle wheels during driving operation, in order to slow down the vehicle 1. In particular, the operational actuator 3 and the brake actuator 5 can be actuated independently of one another.

[0043] The vehicle 1 comprises a control unit 6 that serves to control the operational actuator 3. For this, the operational actuator 3 is for example connected for signal exchange and/or electrically with the control unit 6. For example, the control unit 6 can be in the form of a control device of the vehicle 1.

[0044] The control unit 6 comprises a control module 7, a selector module 8 and a memory module 9. In the memory module 9 are stored a plurality of brake-application and/or brake-release characteristics, which on the basis of a selection criterion can be selected by the selector module 8 and sent to the control module 7. The control module 7 is designed to activate the operational actuator 3 on the basis of the brake-application and/or brake-release characteristics supplied to it.

[0045] For that purpose, for different vehicle conditions different brake-release or brake-application characteristics can be stored in the memory module 9. For example, a first vehicle condition is defined by unloaded operation (“Vehicle unloaded”), a second vehicle condition by loaded operation (“Vehicle loaded”) and a third vehicle condition by trailer operation (“Vehicle with an attachment or trailer”). In that case, for the unloaded operation an unloaded-operation brake-application characteristic and an unloaded-operation brake-release characteristic K1, for the loaded operation a loaded-operation brake-application characteristic K5 and a loaded-operation brake-release characteristic K3, and for trailer operation a trailer-operation brake-application characteristic K4 and a trailer-operation brake-release characteristic K2 can be stored in the memory module 9. The brake-application and brake-release characteristics K1 to K5 can optionally be chosen manually by a user and/or automatically by the selector module 8 on the basis of a selection criterion.

[0046] For manual selection the vehicle 1 has an input device 10 inside the vehicle 1, which is connected for signal exchange to the selector module 8. Depending on the current vehicle condition, by means of the input device 10 the user can select an appropriate brake-application characteristic K4, K5 when stopping the vehicle 1 and an appropriate brake-release characteristic K1, K2, K3 when starting up the vehicle 1. During this a selection command is sent to the selector module 8, and on the basis of the selection command the selector module 8 sends the chosen brake-application or brake-release characteristic to the control module 7.

[0047] For automatic selection, on the basis of the current vehicle condition and having regard to the selection criterion, an appropriate brake-application or brake-release characteristic is chosen. For example, the selection criterion can be implemented by a selection logic, a comparison, or the like. For this, the current vehicle condition is communicated to the selector module 8, and on the basis of the vehicle condition the selector module 8 chooses a suitable brake-application or brake-release characteristic K1 to K5. In this case a brake-application characteristic K4, K5 is chosen when the parking brake is applied manually by the user or automatically, and a brake-release characteristic K1, K2, K3 is chosen when the parking brake is released manually by the user or automatically. For example, the vehicle condition can be specified manually by the user by way of the input device 10. Alternatively, the control unit 7 comprises a recognition module 11 which is designed to recognize the current condition of the vehicle 1. For that, the vehicle 1 can be equipped with one or more sensors 12, and the recognition module 11 is designed to determine the current vehicle condition on the basis of the sensor data.

[0048] FIGS. 2 to 6 shows in each case a brake-application or brake-release characteristic K1 to K5 as a movement-time graph, such that in each case the time t is plotted along the horizontal axis of the graph and a movement x of the operational actuator 3 is plotted along the vertical axis of the graph. Here, on the basis of the brake-release characteristics K1, K2, K3 the operational actuator 3 basically moves in a first time range B1 from a brake-application position E to a brake-release position A and then, in a second time range B2, it is held in the brake-release position A. On the basis of the brake-application characteristics K4, K5, the operational actuator 3 is basically moved in the first time range B1 from the brake-release position A to the brake-application position E and is then held in the second time range 2 in the brake-application position E.

[0049] FIG. 2 shows an unloaded-operation brake-release characteristic K1, such that during the first time range B1 the unloaded-operation brake-release characteristic K1 falls in a strictly monotonic manner from the brake-application position E in the direction toward the brake-release position A. Thus, on the basis of the unloaded-operation brake-release characteristic K1 the operational actuator 3 moves constantly or continuously from the brake-application position E to the brake-release position A.

[0050] FIG. 3 shows a trailer-operation brake-release characteristic K2, such that during the first time range B1 the trailer-operation brake-release characteristic K2 falls monotonically from the brake-application position E toward the brake-release position A. In this case, in the first time range B1 a first waiting period and a second waiting period W1, W2 are provided, such that in the waiting time periods W1, W2 the trailer-operation brake-release characteristic K2 follows a constant course. Thus, on the basis of the trailer-operation brake-release characteristic K2 the operational actuator 3 moves from the brake-application position E to the brake-release position A with pauses in the waiting periods W1, W2, such that during those waiting periods W1, W2 the parking brake is not released any farther. Since compared with the vehicle brakes, the trailer brakes as a rule react more slowly or after some delay, it is in this way ensured that during the pauses defined by the waiting periods W1, W2 the trailer brakes can be released.

[0051] FIG. 4 shows a loaded-operation brake-release characteristic K3, such that during the first time range B1 the loaded-operation brake-release characteristic K3 falls monotonically from the brake-application position E toward the brake-release position A. In this case, during the first time range B1 a plurality of pauses P1 to P5 are provided, preferably all of equal duration, such that in the said pause ranges P1 to P5 the trailer-operation characteristic K2 remains constant. Thus, on the basis of the trailer-operation characteristic K2 the operational actuator 3 moves from the brake-application position E to the brake-release position A in steps. Due to this step-wise release of the parking brake, a clutch modulation is made possible, so that starting off under heavy loads, especially on steeply inclined surfaces, is assisted by the parking brake and rolling back of the vehicle 1 is prevented.

[0052] FIG. 5 shows a trailer-operation brake-application characteristic K4, such that during the first time range B1 the trailer-operation brake-application characteristic K4 rises monotonically from the brake-release position A toward the brake-application position E. In this case, during the first time range B1 a waiting period W1 is provided, such that during the said waiting period W1 the trailer-operation brake-application characteristic K4 remains constant. Thus, on the basis of the trailer-operation brake-application characteristic K4 the operational actuator (3) moves from the brake-release position A toward the brake-application position E with a pause during the waiting period W1, such that during the said waiting period W1 the parking brake is not applied any farther, so that during this pause the trailer brakes can be activated.

[0053] FIG. 6 shows a loaded-operation brake-application characteristic K5, such that in the first time rage B1 the loaded-operation brake-application characteristic K5 rises strictly monotonically from the brake-release position A toward the brake-application position E. Thus, on the basis of the loaded-operation brake-application characteristic K5 the operational actuator 3 moves progressively or continuously from the brake-release position A to the brake-application position E. The slope of the characteristics K1 to K5 shown in the graphs corresponds in these cases to the value of the actuation speed. Here, compared with the characteristics K1 to K4 the characteristic K5 follows a substantially steeper course, so that on the basis of the loaded-operation brake-application characteristic K5 the operational actuator 3 moves at a substantially higher speed. In that way, during loaded operation the parking brake can be applied much more quickly, in order to prevent the vehicle 1 from rolling while at rest or rolling on when stopped.

INDEXES

[0054] 1 Vehicle [0055] 2 Parking brake system [0056] 3 Operational actuator [0057] 4 Wheel brake cylinder [0058] 5 Brake actuator [0059] 6 Control unit [0060] 7 Control module [0061] 8 Selector module [0062] 9 Memory module [0063] 10 Input device [0064] 11 Recognition module [0065] 12 Sensors [0066] A Brake-release position [0067] B1, B2 Time ranges [0068] E Brake-application position [0069] F1 First braking force [0070] F2 Second braking force [0071] K1 to K5 Brake-application and brake-release characteristics [0072] P1, P2 Pause sections [0073] W1, W2 Waiting periods [0074] t Time [0075] x Travel path