METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A PEDAL LEVER OF A HYDRAULIC POWER BRAKE

Abstract

A method for controlling a pedal lever of a hydraulic power brake for an at least partially automated mobile platform. In the method, the pedal lever acts mechanically on a master brake cylinder, and the pedal lever is mechanically coupled to an actuator. The method includes: providing a first signal to a control unit for the power brake for the purpose of controlling the pedal lever so as to move same into a passive position; establishing a first hydraulic connection between the master brake cylinder and a compensating volume; and transferring a first hydraulic volume of the master brake cylinder into the compensating volume by means of the actuator acting on the pedal lever in order to control the pedal lever so as to move same into a passive position.

Claims

1-12. (canceled)

13. A method for controlling a pedal lever of a hydraulic power brake for an at least partially automated mobile platform, wherein the pedal lever acts mechanically on a master brake cylinder, and the pedal lever is mechanically coupled to an actuator, the method comprising the following steps: providing a first signal to a control unit for the power brake to control the pedal lever so as to move the pedal lever into a passive position; establishing a first hydraulic connection between the master brake cylinder and a compensating volume; and transferring a first hydraulic volume of the master brake cylinder into the compensating volume by the actuator acting on the pedal lever to control the pedal lever so as to move the pedal lever into the passive position.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the compensating volume is a hydraulic fluid reservoir of the power brake, and the method further comprises: opening at least a first hydraulic valve of the hydraulic power brake to establish the first hydraulic connection between the hydraulic fluid reservoir and the master brake cylinder.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the compensating volume is provided by a mechanical displacement of a piston of a plunger of the hydraulic power brake.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the piston of the plunger is controlled during the transfer of the first hydraulic volume of the master brake cylinder such that a minimum overpressure value is not exceeded in a hydraulic connection between the master brake cylinder and the plunger.

17. The method according to claim 14, wherein the pedal lever is subsequently controlled so as to move from the passive position into a manual actuating position, including: providing a second signal to the control unit for the power brake for controlling the pedal lever so as to move the pedal lever into the actuating position; establishing a second hydraulic connection between the master brake cylinder and the hydraulic fluid reservoir by at least a second hydraulic valve of the hydraulic power brake; and transferring a second hydraulic volume for the master brake cylinder from the hydraulic fluid reservoir by the actuator acting on the pedal lever, through the second hydraulic connection, to control the pedal lever so as to move the pedal lever into the actuating position.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the second hydraulic connection between the master brake cylinder and the hydraulic fluid reservoir has a check valve.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the check valve is in the form of a seal of the master brake cylinder.

20. The method according to claim 15, wherein the pedal lever is controlled so as to move from the passive position into the manual actuating position, including: providing the second signal to the control unit for the power brake for controlling the pedal lever so as to move the pedal lever into the actuating position; opening a third hydraulic connection between the master brake cylinder and the plunger using at least a third hydraulic valve of the hydraulic power brake; providing the second hydraulic volume for the master brake cylinder by a mechanical displacement of the piston of the plunger of the hydraulic power brake; transferring the second hydraulic volume to the master brake cylinder by the mechanical displacement of the piston of the plunger, and to the actuator acting on the pedal lever, to control the pedal lever so as to move the pedal lever from the passive position into the actuating position.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the displacement of the piston of the plunger, while providing the second hydraulic volume to the master brake cylinder, is controlled such that a minimum overpressure value is not exceeded in the third hydraulic connection between the master brake cylinder and the plunger.

22. The method according to claim 17, wherein the first signal for controlling the pedal lever so as to move the pedal lever into the passive position and the second signal for controlling the pedal lever so as to move the pedal lever into the actuating position are provided by a control device of a mobile platform.

23. A hydraulic power brake, comprising: an actuator; a plunger and/or a hydraulic reservoir; a control unit; at least a first hydraulic valve and/or second hydraulic valve; and a pressure sensor; wherein the control unit is configured to control a pedal lever of the hydraulic power brake for an at least partially automated mobile platform, wherein the pedal lever acts mechanically on a master brake cylinder, and the pedal lever is mechanically coupled to the actuator, the control unit configured to: provide a first signal to a control unit for the power brake to control the pedal lever so as to move the pedal lever into a passive position; establish a first hydraulic connection between the master brake cylinder and a compensating volume; and transfer a first hydraulic volume of the master brake cylinder into the compensating volume by the actuator acting on the pedal lever to control the pedal lever so as to move the pedal lever into the passive position.

24. The hydraulic power brake as recited in claim 23, wherein the hydraulic power brake is configured to brake at least one wheel of the mobile platform.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0046] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are illustrated with reference to the figures and are explained in more detail below.

[0047] FIG. 1A shows a power brake with the pedal lever in an actuating position.

[0048] FIG. 1B shows valve positions of the power brake to control the pedal lever so as to move same into a passive position.

[0049] FIG. 1C shows a position of the master brake cylinder in the passive position.

[0050] FIG. 1D shows valve positions of the power brake in the passive position.

[0051] FIG. 2A shows a power brake with the pedal lever in an actuating position.

[0052] FIG. 2B shows a changed position of the plunger.

[0053] FIG. 2C shows a master brake cylinder and a plunger in a passive position.

[0054] FIG. 2D shows valve positions of the power brake in the passive position.

[0055] FIG. 3A shows a power brake with the pedal lever in a passive position.

[0056] FIG. 3B shows valve positions to control the pedal lever so as to move same into an actuating position.

[0057] FIG. 3C shows a position of the master brake cylinder in the actuating position.

[0058] FIG. 3D shows the power brake with valve positions in the actuating position.

[0059] FIG. 4A shows a power brake with a pedal lever in a passive position.

[0060] FIG. 4B shows valve positions to control the pedal lever so as to move same into an actuating position.

[0061] FIG. 4C shows a position of the plunger after transition of the master brake cylinder into the actuating position.

[0062] FIG. 4D shows the power brake with valve positions in the actuating position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0063] FIG. 1A schematically shows a power brake 1000 coupled to a vehicle dynamics control system 1100 and with valve positions in an idle state. The power brake 1000 is hydraulically coupled to the vehicle dynamics control system 1100 by means of a first and a second coupling valve of the power brake PSV 1, 2 1021 and 1022, respectively, and a first and second coupling valve of the vehicle dynamics control system SCC 1111 and 1112.

[0064] Both the power brake 1000 and the vehicle dynamics control system 1100 have a dual-circuit design.

[0065] A master cylinder 1050 may be manually actuated by a pedal, or with a pedal lever, which is mechanically connected to the master cylinder 1050, in order to hydraulically act on brake cylinders 1101, 1102, or 1103 and 1104 by means of a first and a second circuit separation valve CSV 1, 2 1011 and 1012, respectively, by means of respective associated circuits of the vehicle dynamics control system 1100, in order to provide an emergency braking effect. In this case, the master brake cylinder 1050 is hydraulically connected to a reservoir for hydraulic fluid 1030 by means of two snifter bores.

[0066] In normal operation, the braking effect on the brake cylinders 1101, 1102, or 1103 and 1104 may be effected by means of a plunger 1060, in that the plunger 1060 displaces hydraulic volume into the two circuits of the vehicle dynamics control system via the coupling valves of the power brake PSV 1, 2 1021 and 1022, respectively. The plunger 1060 may be hydraulically coupled to the hydraulic reservoir RSV 1, 2 1030 via a valve POV 1061. The plunger 1060 is coupled to an electric motor in order to deliver or receive hydraulic volume by means of a piston.

[0067] The electric motor may be controlled by a controller coupled to a sensor system for determining the electric motor position RPS 1062. The pressure of the master cylinder 1050 may be determined by means of a pressure sensor 1053.

[0068] The dual-circuit master cylinder 1050 may be hydraulically coupled to a brake force simulator PFS 1052 via a valve SSV 1051, in order to simulate hydraulic pressure buildup for a driver actuating the brake pedal. In this case, the hydraulic volume is then provided in normal operation by means of the plunger 1060 for the vehicle dynamics control system 1100, in order to provide a braking effect at the brake cylinders 1101, 1102, or 1103 and 1104, which are hydraulically coupled to the vehicle dynamics control system 1100. A mechanical position of the brake pedal may be determined by a displacement transducer s/U mechanically coupled to the brake pedal, or pedal lever, in order to control the plunger 1060.

[0069] A second hydraulic pressure generated by the plunger 1060 may be determined by a plunger pressure sensor 1065. A first check valve BSV 1, 2 1041 or 1042, respectively, may be used to supply hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic system consisting of the power brake 1000 and the vehicle dynamics control system 1100.

[0070] The power brake 1000 is hydraulically coupled to a coupling valve of the vehicle dynamics control system SCC 1111 or 1112 via the coupling valve of the power brake PSV 1, 2 1021 or 1022, respectively, thus forming a hydraulic coupling between the power brake 1000 and the vehicle dynamics control system 1100.

[0071] FIG. 1A thus shows the operating position of the pedal lever and the master brake cylinder 1050 of the power brake 1000 in a manual mode, along with the corresponding valve positions and hydraulic volumes that a driver may displace the master cylinder 1050 when actuating the pedal lever, in order to actuate the brake force simulator PFS 1052 when the valve SSV 1051 is open.

[0072] For a transition to automatic operation of the power brake 1000, in this manual mode, a signal may be provided to the power brake 1000 to control the pedal lever so as to move same into a passive position by means of an actuator 1070.

[0073] FIG. 1B schematically shows changed valve positions to displace the hydraulic volume from the master brake cylinder 1050 into a reservoir for hydraulic fluid 1030.

[0074] For this purpose, the first and the second circuit separation valve CSV 1, 2 1011 and 1012, respectively, along with the first and the second coupling valve of the power brake PSV 1, 2 1021 and 1022, respectively, a coupling valve POV 1061 of the plunger 1060 with the hydraulic reservoir RSV 1, 2 1030 are opened and the valve SSV 1051 to the brake force simulator PFS 1052 is closed.

[0075] In this case, the vehicle dynamics control system (ESP system) 1100 remains passive.

[0076] FIG. 1C schematically shows how the actuator 1070 actuates the pedal lever to transfer hydraulic volumes MC1, MC2 from the master brake cylinder 1050 through the first and the second circuit separation valve CSV 1, 2 1011 and 1012, respectively, and the first and the second coupling valve PSV 1, 2 1021 and 1022, respectively, and the coupling valve POV 1061 into the reservoir for hydraulic fluid 1030. Thus, the actuator 1070 only needs to apply force to overcome a return spring of the master brake cylinder along with friction, since the master brake cylinder 1050 is decoupled from the brake force simulator PFS 1052.

[0077] FIG. 1D schematically shows the changed position of the tappets of the master brake cylinder 1050 in the passive position and the corresponding position of the pedal lever. The valve positions of the power brake 1000 correspond to the initial state as shown in FIG. 1A.

[0078] After reaching the pedal end position in the passive position, the request of the AD driving mode is sent to the power brake 1050:

[0079] The power brake 1050 is returned to the full system mode after the pedal lever is controlled so as to move into the passive position, but the valve SSV 1051 to the brake force simulator PFS 1052 remains closed in the highly automated driving (AD driving) mode, since the brake force simulation that can be performed with the brake force simulator PFS 1052 is not needed in highly automated driving.

[0080] FIG. 2A schematically shows a second exemplary embodiment of the method for controlling the pedal lever.

[0081] The starting point for the method is the operating position of the pedal lever and the master brake cylinder 1050 according to the method described by FIG. 1A.

[0082] For a transition to automatic operation of the power brake 1000, in this manual mode, the power brake may be given a signal to control the pedal lever so as to move same into a passive position.

[0083] FIG. 2B schematically shows changed valve positions to displace the hydraulic volume from the master brake cylinder 1050 into a reservoir for hydraulic fluid 1030.

[0084] For this purpose, the first and second circuit separation valves CSV 1, 2 1011 and 1012, respectively, along with the first and second coupling valves of the power brake PSV 1, 2 1021 and 1022, respectively, are opened, and the valve SSV 1051 to the brake force simulator PFS 1052 and the coupling valve POV 1061 of the plunger 1060 to the hydraulic reservoir RSV 1, 2 1030 are or remain closed.

[0085] In this case, the vehicle dynamics control system (ESP system) 1100 remains passive. In a preparatory step, the piston of the plunger 1060 is displaced such that the plunger 1060 may receive hydraulic volume of the master brake cylinder 1050. Any excess hydraulic volume of the plunger 1060 generated thereby is transferred to the reservoir for hydraulic fluid 1030 through the first and the second circuit separation valve CSV 1, 2 1011 and 1012, respectively, and the first and the second coupling valve PSV 1, 2 1021 and 1022, respectively, and respective snifter bores of the master brake cylinder 1050.

[0086] FIG. 2C schematically shows how the hydraulic volumes MC1, MC2 of the master brake cylinder 1050 are transferred through the opened first and second circuit separation valves CSV 1, 2 1011 and 1012, respectively, along with the first and second coupling valves of the power brake PSV 1, 2 1021 and 1022, respectively, into the plunger 1060, wherein the piston of the plunger 1060 is controlled such that a minimum overpressure value is not exceeded in the hydraulic connection between the master brake cylinder 1050 and the plunger 1060.

[0087] Corresponding to FIG. 1D, FIG. 2D schematically shows the changed position of the tappets of the master brake cylinder 1050 in the passive position and the corresponding position of the pedal lever. The valve positions of the power brake 1000 correspond to the initial state as shown in FIG. 2A.

[0088] After reaching the pedal end position in the passive position, the request of the AD driving mode is sent to the power brake 1050:

[0089] The power brake 1050 is returned to the full system mode after the pedal lever is controlled so as to move into the passive position, but the valve SSV 1051 to the brake force simulator PFS 1052 remains closed in the highly automated driving (AD driving) mode, since the brake force simulation that can be performed with the brake force simulator PFS 1052 is not needed in highly automated driving.

[0090] FIG. 3A schematically shows a third exemplary embodiment of the method for controlling the pedal lever.

[0091] The starting point for the method is a passive position of the pedal lever and the master brake cylinder 1050 of the power brake 1000, which can be achieved by the methods described above for FIGS. 1A-1D and FIGS. 2A-2D.

[0092] For a transition to the manual operation of the power brake 1000, the power brake may be given a signal to control the pedal lever so as move same into an actuating position in this automatic operation.

[0093] FIG. 3B schematically shows changed valve positions in order to transfer a required hydraulic volume into the master brake cylinder 1050 from the reservoir for hydraulic fluid 1030.

[0094] For this purpose, the first and second circuit separation valves CSV 1, 2 1011 and 1012, respectively, along with the first and second coupling valves of the power brake PSV 1, 2 1021 and 1022, respectively, are opened. The coupling valve POV 1061, which may hydraulically couple the plunger 1060 to the hydraulic reservoir RSV 1, 2 1030, and the valve SSV 1051 to the brake force simulator PFS 1052 are or remain closed.

[0095] In this case, the vehicle dynamics control system (ESP system) 1100 remains passive.

[0096] FIG. 3C schematically shows how the actuator 1070 actuates the pedal lever to transfer hydraulic volumes MC1, MC2 into the master brake cylinder 1050 through the first and second circuit separation valves CSV 1, 2 1011 and 1012, respectively, and the first and second check valves BSV 1, 2 1041 and 1042, respectively, into the reservoir for hydraulic fluid 1030. The actuator 1070 is supported by the return spring of the master brake cylinder.

[0097] FIG. 3D schematically shows the changed position of the tappets of the master brake cylinder 1050 in the actuating position and the corresponding position of the pedal lever. The valve positions of the power brake 1000 correspond to the initial state as shown in FIG. 3A.

[0098] After reaching the pedal end position in the actuating position, the request of the manual driving mode is sent to the power brake 1050:

[0099] The power brake 1050 is returned to the full system mode after the pedal lever is controlled so as to move into the actuating position, and the valve SSV 1051 to the brake force simulator PFS 1052 may be opened manual mode in order to simulate a hydraulic pressure build-up for the driver actuating the brake pedal.

[0100] FIG. 4A schematically shows a fourth exemplary embodiment of the method for controlling the pedal lever.

[0101] The starting point for the method is a passive position of the pedal lever and the master brake cylinder 1050 of the power brake 1000, which can be achieved by the methods described above for FIGS. 1A-1D and FIGS. 2A-2D.

[0102] For a transition to the manual operation of the power brake 1000, the power brake may be given a signal to control the pedal lever so as move same into an actuating position in this automatic operation.

[0103] FIG. 4B schematically shows changed valve positions in order to transfer a required hydraulic volume into the master brake cylinder 1050 from the reservoir for hydraulic fluid 1030.

[0104] For this purpose, the first and the second circuit separation valve CSV 1, 2 1011 and 1012, respectively, along with the first and the second coupling valve of the power brake PSV 1, 2 1021 and 1022, respectively, are opened. The coupling valve POV 1061, which may hydraulically couple the plunger 1060 to the hydraulic reservoir RSV 1, 2 1030, and the valve SSV 1051 to the brake force simulator PFS 1052 are or remain closed.

[0105] In this case, the vehicle dynamics control system (ESP system) 1100 remains passive.

[0106] FIG. 4C schematically shows how the actuator 1070 actuates the pedal lever to transfer required hydraulic volumes MC1, MC2 for the master brake cylinder 1050, through the first and the second circuit separation valve CSV 1, 2 1011 and 1012, respectively, along with the first and the second coupling valve of the power brake PSV 1, 2 1021 and 1022, respectively, with a hydraulic volume, from the hydraulic volume of the plunger 1060, in which the piston of the plunger 1060 is moved accordingly. In this case, the piston of the plunger 1060 is controlled such that a minimum overpressure value is not exceeded in the hydraulic connection between the master brake cylinder 1050 and the plunger 1060.

[0107] The actuator 1070 is assisted by the return spring of the master brake cylinder to control the relevant piston of the master brake cylinder 1050 so as to move same into the actuating position. The piston of the plunger 1060 is returned to an initial position for activating the brake, in which the required hydraulic volume is transferred from the reservoir for hydraulic fluid 1030 through the first and second circuit separation valves CSV 1, 2 1011 and 1012, respectively, along with the first and second coupling valves of the power brake PSV 1, 2 1021 and 1022, respectively, and the snifter bores of the master brake cylinder 1050, which are unblocked in the actuating position.

[0108] FIG. 4D schematically shows the changed position of the tappets of the master brake cylinder 1050 in the actuating position, and the corresponding position of the pedal lever. The valve positions of the power brake 1000 correspond to the initial state as shown in FIG. 4A.

[0109] After reaching the pedal end position in the actuating position, the request of the manual driving mode is sent to the power brake 1050.

[0110] The power brake 1050 is returned to the full system mode after the pedal lever is controlled so as to move into the actuating position, and the valve SSV 1051 to the brake force simulator PFS 1052 may be opened manual mode in order to simulate a hydraulic pressure build-up for the driver actuating the brake pedal.

[0111] The first hydraulic volume and/or the second hydraulic volume and/or the third hydraulic volume may be the same.