METHOD FOR OPERATING A BRAKING DEVICE

Abstract

A method for operating a braking device of a vehicle, including a main braking system, and a backup braking system. The braking device includes a main braking system control unit, and a backup braking system control unit. The method includes detecting an error of a brake function of the braking system, locating the error inside the braking device, classifying the error with regard to the corresponding brake function and the braking system, and transferring a brake function detected as erroneous for the main braking system to the backup braking system in the event that the error concerns solely the main braking system, so that the brake function may still be carried out with the aid of the backup braking system.

Claims

1-13 (canceled)

14. A method for operating a braking device of a vehicle, the braking device including a main braking system, and a backup braking system using which brake functions of the main braking system may be taken over, the braking device further including a main braking system control unit, via which brake functions of the main braking system may be activated or deactivated, and a backup braking system control unit, which is connected to the main braking system control unit and via which brake functions of the backup braking system may be activated or deactivated, the method comprising the following steps: detecting an error of a brake function of the braking system; locating the error inside the braking device; classifying the error with regard to the brake function and the braking system; and transferring the brake function detected as erroneous for the main braking system to the backup braking system when the error concerns solely the main braking system, so that the brake function may still be carried out using the backup braking system.

15. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the error is detected prior to a failure of the brake function of the braking system, when a measured parameter exceeds a threshold value defined therefor.

16. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the error is detected using a machine learning model trained for this purpose prior to a failure of the brake function of the braking system.

17. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the brake function is deactivated when the error concerns the main braking system and the backup braking system.

18. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein a warning is output to a driver prior to transferring the brake function to the backup braking system or deactivating the brake function.

19. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the classification takes place via a query of stored possible errors in a database.

20. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the error is ascertained based on electrical, and/or mechanical and/or hydraulic measured values.

21. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein additional or already present errors in the backup braking system are incorporated into the classification prior to the transfer to the backup braking system.

22. The method as recited in claim 21, wherein the brake function is deactivated in the event that during the transfer of the brake function, the additional error concerns a corresponding brake function in the backup braking system.

23. A control unit of a braking device configured to operate the braking device of a vehicle, the braking device including a main braking system, and a backup braking system using which brake functions of the main braking system may be taken over, the braking device further including a main braking system control unit, via which brake functions of the main braking system may be activated or deactivated, and a backup braking system control unit, which is connected to the main braking system control unit and via which brake functions of the backup braking system may be activated or deactivated, the control unit configured to: detect an error of a brake function of the braking system; locate the error inside the braking device; classify the error with regard to the brake function and the braking system; and transfer the brake function detected as erroneous for the main braking system to the backup braking system when the error concerns solely the main braking system, so that the brake function may still be carried out using the backup braking system.

24. The control unit as recited in claim 23, wherein the control unit is configured to monitor brake functions selected from a function group including: ABS, ESP, brake booster, TCS.

25. A non-transitory computer-readable medium on which is stored a computer program including program code for operating a braking device of a vehicle, the braking device including a main braking system, and a backup braking system using which brake functions of the main braking system may be taken over, the braking device further including a main braking system control unit, via which brake functions of the main braking system may be activated or deactivated, and a backup braking system control unit, which is connected to the main braking system control unit and via which brake functions of the backup braking system may be activated or deactivated, the program code, when executed by a control unit, causing the control unit to perform the following steps: detecting an error of a brake function of the braking system; locating the error inside the braking device; classifying the error with regard to the brake function and the braking system; and transferring the brake function detected as erroneous for the main braking system to the backup braking system when the error concerns solely the main braking system, so that the brake function may still be carried out using the backup braking system.

26. A vehicle, comprising: a control unit of a braking device of the vehicle configured to operate the braking device of a vehicle, the braking device including a main braking system, and a backup braking system using which brake functions of the main braking system may be taken over, the braking device further including a main braking system control unit, via which brake functions of the main braking system may be activated or deactivated, and a backup braking system control unit, which is connected to the main braking system control unit and via which brake functions of the backup braking system may be activated or deactivated, the control unit configured to: detect an error of a brake function of the braking system; locate the error inside the braking device; classify the error with regard to the brake function and the braking system; and transfer the brake function detected as erroneous for the main braking system to the backup braking system when the error concerns solely the main braking system, so that the brake function may still be carried out using the backup braking system.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] FIG. 1 shows a design of a possible braking device including various possible errors, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 2 shows one exemplary embodiment of a method according to the present invention for operating a braking device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0024] FIG. 1 shows a design of a possible braking device 10 including various possible errors K, S. Braking device 10 includes four wheel brakes 14 that may be braked via a hydraulic device 18. Braking device 10 further includes a first braking system 22, which represents a main braking system in this case. Main braking system 22 includes a main braking system control component I.sub.s that is hydraulically connected to wheel brakes 14 via a main braking system supply line terminal 26 and a main braking system return line terminal 30, so that a brake pressure may be generated and modulated.

[0025] Main braking system 22 additionally includes a main braking system control unit 32 that is situated in the area of main braking system control component I.sub.s in this exemplary embodiment. With the aid of main braking system control unit 32, the brake functions of main braking system 22 may be activated or deactivated.

[0026] Braking device 10 additionally includes a second braking system 34 that forms a backup braking system for main braking system 22 in this case. Similarly to main braking system 22, backup braking system 34 includes a backup braking system control component II.sub.s including a corresponding backup braking system supply line terminal 38 and a backup braking system return line terminal 42, via which these are hydraulically connected to wheel brakes 14, so that a brake pressure for braking wheel brakes 14 may also be generated and modulated via backup braking system 34.

[0027] Similarly to main braking system 22, backup braking system 34 also includes a backup braking system control unit 44 that is situated in the area of backup braking system control component II.sub.s in this exemplary embodiment. Backup braking system control unit 44 is connected to main braking system control unit 32 via a signal line 45, via which the two control units 32, 44 may communicate with each other.

[0028] For electrical supply of braking device 10, an energy source 46, which includes generator G or a DC/DC converter, for example, is further situated in the vehicle. Energy source 46 has a ground connection 50, via which energy source 46 is connected to ground. Energy source 46 is additionally connected to an energy store 54 in the form of a battery that may be charged with the aid of energy source 46, so that same may also take over part of the energy supply. Via energy source 46 and battery 54, various electrical consumers 58, which are connected to energy source 46 and battery 54, may be supplied with energy.

[0029] Main braking system 22 and backup braking system 34 are also electrically connected to battery 54 and energy source 46, so that main braking system 22 and backup braking system 34 may be supplied with energy. Main braking system 22 additionally includes a separate main braking system ground connection 62, via which main braking system 22 is electrically connected to ground. Backup braking system 34 is electrically connected to ground in the same manner via a separate backup braking system ground connection 66.

[0030] In FIG. 1, various possible errors S, K are additionally identified by way of example. These errors S, K are plotted at different spots inside braking device 10 and the electrical supply. An error K refers to an error that concerns solely one of braking systems 22, 34. Errors K are situated with regard to braking systems 22, 34 for example in a direct electrical supply line to braking system 22, 34, in a control component I.sub.s, II.sub.s, or in corresponding ground connection 62, 66.

[0031] Errors S, however, concern main braking system 22 as well as backup braking system 34. These errors S may occur, for example, in energy supply 46, 54 of both braking systems 22, 34 or in the hydraulic lines directly upstream from wheel brakes 14. During a transfer of the corresponding brake function, the same error S would therefore occur in backup braking system 34, so that no improvement is thus achieved.

[0032] Via main braking system control unit 32 and backup braking system control unit 44, a corresponding brake function of braking systems 22, 34 may be activated or deactivated. Via control units 32, 44, various electrical, mechanical and/or hydraulic measured values may be additionally ascertained, so that an error is detectable even prior to a failure of a brake function.

[0033] FIG. 2 shows one exemplary embodiment of a method according to the present invention for operating braking device 10. In a first step A.sub.H, A.sub.B, an error K, S of a brake function of main braking system 22 and of backup braking system 34 is detected based on the measured values, for example. In a second step B.sub.H, B.sub.B, error K, S is located inside braking device 10. This means that, for example based on the measured values, the position of error K, S or the corresponding erroneous component is ascertained. In this way, this error K, S may be classified in a third step C.sub.H, C.sub.B, so that it may be ascertained which braking systems 22, 34 are affected by this error K, S.

[0034] Classification C.sub.H, C.sub.B of error K, S may be ascertained either autonomously by particular control units 32, 44 or control units 32, 44 may ascertain this based on the local positioning of error K, S and the measured values via a database (not shown), in which a plurality of error values is stored. As a result of a query of the database, time may be saved for classification C.sub.H, C.sub.B. During classification C.sub.H, C.sub.B, already present additional errors K, S in braking device 10 may also be incorporated.

[0035] As a result of classified error K, S, it is subsequently checked in control units 32, 44, whether this error K, S concerns solely main braking system 22 or additionally backup braking system 34. It is established during the check whether this error K, S further concerns the brake function after the transfer. If backup braking system 34 is not concerned by error K, S, i.e., if error “K” is involved, the brake function of main braking system 22 is deactivated and this brake function is taken over by backup braking system 34 in a next step D1. Prior to the transfer of the brake function, a warning 74 may, however, be output, indicating that backup braking system 34 immediately takes over the brake function.

[0036] If, however, the check results in that error K, S concerns both braking systems 22, 34, i.e., if an error “S” is involved, the corresponding brake function is completely deactivated in an alternative step D2. Prior to this, a corresponding warning 78 is output, however, which indicates that the corresponding brake function is no longer available. Based on this information, various driving maneuvers on the vehicle system level may be limited or completely stopped from this moment on.

[0037] By checking prior to the transfer whether error K, S concerns both braking systems 22, 34, it is ensured that it is not established only after the transfer that backup braking system 34 does not work either. This results in a temporal advantage for the degradation, the safety is increased and an unnecessary transfer is avoided.