METHOD AND CONTROL UNIT FOR BRAKING A VEHICLE AND SWITCH DEVICE FOR A VEHICLE

A method may include at least a step for inputting a parking position signal and a step for issuing a braking signal. In the step for inputting a parking position signal, at least one parking position signal is input that represents a movement of a gearshift lever of an automatic shifting device in the vehicle toward a gearshift lever parking position (P) by a driver of the vehicle via at least one intermediate position (Z). In the step for issuing a braking signal, at least one braking signal is issued for executing a braking procedure to reduce the speed of the vehicle using the parking position signal when the speed of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined minimum speed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method and a control unit for braking a vehicle, and a shifting device for a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Shifting devices for controlling automatic transmissions in vehicles normally have the positions P, R, N, and D. Gearshift levers are known for setting the positions, that have an additional gearshift lever position B. When this gearshift lever position B is selected, the vehicle is braked.

Based on this background, the present invention results in an improved method for and an improved control unit for braking a vehicle, as well as an improved shifting device for a vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A braking of a vehicle and the engagement of a transmission parking position in an automatic transmission of the vehicle is advantageously enabled, by moving a gearshift lever of a shifting device to, or in at least the direction of, a single gearshift lever parking position, by the invention presented herein.

A method for braking a vehicle comprises at least a step for inputting a parking position signal and a step for issuing a braking signal. In the step for inputting a parking position signal, at least one parking position signal is input that represents a movement of a gearshift lever in an automatic shifting device of the vehicle by a driver of the vehicle toward a gearshift lever parking position via at least one intermediate position. In the step for issuing a braking signal, at least one braking signal is issued for executing a braking procedure in order to reduce the speed of the vehicle through the use of the parking position signal, if a speed signal indicates that the speed of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined minimum speed.

The vehicle can be braked with this method when the gearshift lever is moved at least toward the gearshift lever parking position, and the vehicle is still moving too fast to fully engage the transmission parking position. As soon as the predetermined minimum speed of the vehicle has been reached after the braking procedure, or the vehicle is moving slower than the minimum speed, the transmission parking position can then be engaged. The minimum speed can represent a speed of 10 km/h to 1 km/h. Advantageously, both a braking as well as a parking of the vehicle, i.e. an engagement of a transmission parking position in a transmission in the vehicle, can be obtained through a single movement of the gearshift lever that is intuitive for the driver, and can be easily executed.

If the method also comprises a step for generating a resistance acting on the gearshift lever, if the gearshift lever is moved into the at least one intermediate position and/or toward the gearshift lever parking position, and this resistance can generate a haptic feedback for the driver when moving the gearshift lever. This feedback can be used, for example, to inform the driver regarding the force of the braking procedure such that it can be felt. The braking signal can be engineered, for example, to increase the force of the braking procedure based on a length of a path traveled by the gearshift lever through the intermediate position to the gearshift lever parking position. Accordingly, the resistance to movement toward the intended gearshift lever parking position can also be increased. The resistance can also be dependent on a speed of the vehicle, in order to prevent a too strong braking of the vehicle.

According to one embodiment, the method presented herein can advantageously comprise a step for determining a force, in which the force with which the gearshift lever is moved by the driver to the intermediate position and/or the gearshift lever parking position is determined. In the step for issuing the braking signal, the braking signal can then be issued, which can be configured to define a force of the braking procedure based on the applied force. The force of the braking procedure can be increased, for example, in accordance with the increase in the force that is applied.

For a practical implementation of the braking procedure, the method can comprise a step for actuating at least one electronic parking brake in response to the braking signal.

If the method also comprises a step for outputting a vibration signal, which results in a vibration of the gearshift lever and/or another component of the shifting device if the vehicle is moving at a speed of 0 km/h, and the parking brake is not engaged, this can remind the driver of the vehicle to engage the parking brake hapticly.

The method can alternatively or additionally also comprise a step for engaging a parking brake in which a parking brake signal to engage the parking brake is output when the speed signal indicates that vehicle is moving at 0 km/h, within a tolerance range. The tolerance range can comprise, e.g., a speed of less than 1 km/h or less than 5 km/h. As a result, the engagement of the parking brake can also be automated.

It is also advantageous when the method comprises a step for outputting an acoustic signal that is designed to generate an acoustic sound in response to the engagement of the parking brake. This sound can be used to confirm the engagement of the parking brake to the driver acoustically, in order to quickly inform the driver in a simple manner that the vehicle is secured against rolling off. The acoustic signal can be configured to generate a clicking sound, for example.

The method can also comprise a step for receiving an actuation signal that represents an actuation of an actuator by a driver of the vehicle, wherein the step for issuing the braking signal can be executed in response to receiving the actuation signal and the inputting of the parking position signal when the speed signal indicates that the speed of the vehicle exceeds the predetermined minimum speed. As a result, the braking function can first be enabled by the gearshift lever through the actuation of the actuator, in a manner that is clear to the driver.

When the parking position signal is input in the step for inputting the parking position signal, in which the gearshift lever is moved by the driver of the vehicle to at least the intermediate position, and/or toward the gearshift lever parking position, by rotating the gearshift lever designed as a rotational gearshift lever, the method can advantageously be carried out by a shifting device that has a modern rotating gearshift lever.

A control unit for braking a vehicle is configured to execute and/or actuate the steps of the method presented herein in corresponding units, in one of the variations described herein.

The control unit can be an electric device that processes electrical signals, e.g. sensor signals, and outputs control signals on the basis thereof. The control unit can have one or more interfaces, in the form of either hardware or software. A hardware interface can be part of an integrated circuit in which the functions of the control unit are implemented. The interfaces can also be separate integrated circuits, or at least composed in part of discrete components. Software interfaces can be software modules, e.g., on a microcontroller, along with other software modules.

A shifting device for a vehicle contains at least a gearshift lever and the control unit. Such a shifting device can replace known shifting devices, wherein the shifting device presented herein can advantageously execute or implement the method presented above.

A computer program product is also advantageous that contains program code that can be stored on a machine readable medium, such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk memory, or an optical memory, and is used for executing the method according to any of the embodiments described above when the program is run on a computer or control unit.

In the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the same or similar reference symbols are used for elements depicted in the various figures that have similar functions, wherein the descriptions of these elements shall not be repeated.

FIG. 1shows a schematic illustration of a shifting device100that has a control unit105for braking a vehicle110according to an exemplary embodiment. According to this exemplary embodiment, the shifting device100is located in the vehicle110.

The shifting device100is in the form of an automatic shifting device100, and contains at least the control unit105and a gearshift lever115. The gearshift lever115is received in a gearshift lever unit120according to this exemplary embodiment, and can move in the gearshift lever unit120to at least the positions R, Z, P shown in the figure.

Optionally, the shifting device100according to this exemplary embodiment also has a braking device125, a speed detection device130, and a transmission135.

The control unit105is configured to input a parking position signal140that represents a movement of the gearshift lever115of the shifting device100by a driver of the vehicle110toward a gearshift lever parking position P via at least one intermediate position Z. The control unit105is configured to use the input parking position signal140to issue a braking signal145that is configured to initiate a braking procedure to reduce the speed of the vehicle110if the speed of the vehicle110exceeds a predetermined minimum speed. According to this exemplary embodiment, at least one electronic parking brake is actuated in the braking device125with the braking signal145in order to brake the vehicle110.

In order to determine the speed of the vehicle110, the control unit105according to this exemplary embodiment is configured to input a speed signal150from the speed detection device130in response to the input of the parking position signal140, wherein the speed signal150represent a current speed of the vehicle110. The speed is then compared with the predetermined minimum speed using the control unit105.

According to this exemplary embodiment, the gearshift lever unit120contains a spring mechanism, e.g. in the form of a spring155here, which is configured to generate a resistance on the gearshift lever115when the gearshift lever115, as shown here, is at least located in the intermediate position Z, and/or is moved further toward the gearshift lever parking position P according to an alternative exemplary embodiment. The spring155is positioned such that the resistance that the driver feels in the gearshift lever114increases as the gearshift lever is moved further toward the gearshift lever parking position P. According to an alternative exemplary embodiment, the gearshift lever unit120does not have a spring, and instead has another resistance mechanism, e.g. in the form of an elastic element. The control unit105can also be configured to output a resistance signal158in response to the parking position signal140and the speed signal150that generates or adjusts the resistance to the gearshift lever115based on the input speed of the vehicle110.

Optionally, the control unit105according to this exemplary embodiment is configured to output a parking signal160using the position signal140, resulting in an engagement of a transmission parking position in the transmission135in order to park the vehicle110when the speed of the vehicle110is at or lower than the predetermined minimum speed.

Optionally, the control unit105according to this exemplary embodiment is configured to output a parking brake signal165using the position signal140that engages a parking brake170in the vehicle110when the vehicle110is moving at a speed of 0 km/h, within a tolerance range.

Details of the shifting device100shall be comprehensively described below:

In differing from shifting devices, which can also be referred to as shifting actuators, which only execute a corresponding transmission parking position in an automatic transmission of the vehicle by an actuation of a position P, if this transmission parking position is possible due to the current speed of the vehicle, and which dismiss the intention of the driver at excessive speeds, the shifting device100presented herein brakes the vehicle110, until reaching the predetermined minimum speed, which corresponds to a suitable speed for engaging the transmission parking position of the transmission135.

The vehicle110is braked by the control unit105when the gearshift lever parking position P has been selected, and the transmission parking position of the transmission135is first engaged when this is allowed by the speed. The electronic parking brake is actuated by the selection of the gearshift lever parking position P according to this exemplary embodiment in order to brake the vehicle110. The parking brake170is also engaged, as a redundant system, when the vehicle is at a standstill, according to this exemplary embodiment.

The control unit105presented herein advantageously enables a braking at high speeds without an additional control element, and also increases the comfort for the driver when parking, because there is no shuddering, and increases safety through the so-called force feedback function of the shifting device100generated by the resistance.

An advantage of the invention presented herein is a direct feedback to the driver by the resistance that is generated, depicted here in the form of the spring155, during the braking procedure. The stronger the gearshift lever115is pushed toward the gearshift lever parking position P, the more force the driver must use to move the gearshift lever115toward the gearshift lever parking position P. The direct feedback to the driver is advantageous. Moreover, this avoids an unpleasant engagement resulting from the braking procedure, and the vehicle does not shudder when the vehicle110is braked hard.

According to an alternative exemplary embodiment, the driver is informed of the engagement of the parking brake170when the vehicle110is close to a standstill by one or more acoustic clicking signals. The driver thus knows that, e.g., the parking brake170is engaged, or that the locking brake system in the vehicle110is locked. The driver thus receives the direct acoustic feedback, in addition to the feedback from the gearshift lever115, that the vehicle110is secured against rolling off. According to another alternative exemplary embodiment, a vibration signal is output by the control unit105that results in a vibration of the gearshift lever if the vehicle110is at a standstill but cannot be secured in place, e.g. when no parking brake170is detected. The control unit105, and/or the shifting device100presented herein are intended for automatic transmissions, both with and without parking brakes170.

FIG. 2shows a schematic illustration of a gearshift lever in a gearshift lever unit120of a shifting device according to an exemplary embodiment. This can be the shifting device described in reference toFIG. 1.

The gearshift lever can be placed according to this exemplary embodiment in three forward positions V, VV, VVV, and three rear positions R, RR, RRR in the gearshift lever unit120. The gearshift lever parking position P corresponds to a foremost position VVV in this exemplary embodiment, in which there are four intermediate positions Z between the position VVV and the position VV. The force feedback, thus the resistance, increases according to this exemplary embodiment when the gearshift lever is pushed forward from the position VV toward the position VVV. This corresponds to the braking force in the braking procedure according to this exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3shows a schematic illustration of a shifting pattern for a gearshift lever in a gearshift unit120of a shifting device according to an exemplary embodiment. This can be the gearshift lever unit120described in reference toFIG. 2, and the shifting device described in reference toFIG. 1, with the difference that the gearshift lever unit120contains an actuator300.

The gearshift lever according to this exemplary embodiment can only be moved to two forward positions V, VV, and two rear positions R, RR in the gearshift lever unit120. The gearshift lever parking position P corresponds to a foremost gearshift lever position VV according to this exemplary embodiment, wherein there are four intermediate positions Z located between the position V and the position VV. The force feedback, thus the resistance, increases according to this exemplary embodiment as the gearshift lever is pushed forward from the position V toward the position VV. This corresponds to the braking force in the braking procedure according to this exemplary embodiment. In addition, a further gearshift lever P corresponds to the rearmost position RR in this exemplary embodiment, wherein there are four further intermediate positions Z between the position R and the position RR. The force feedback, thus the resistance, also increases as the gearshift lever is pulled backward from the position R toward the position RR. This corresponds to the braking force in the braking procedure according to this exemplary embodiment.

The actuator300is configured to issue an actuation signal for the control unit in response to an actuation by the driver, wherein the braking signal according to this exemplary embodiment is first issued by the control unit in response to receiving the actuation signal and inputting the parking position signal, when the speed of the vehicle exceeds the predetermined minimum speed.

FIG. 4shows a schematic illustration of a shifting pattern for a gearshift lever in a gearshift lever unit120of a shifting device according to an exemplary embodiment. This can be the gearshift lever unit120of the shifting device, described in reference toFIG. 1, with the difference that the gearshift lever according to this exemplary embodiment is a circular rotating gearshift lever400, also referred to as a rotary shifter, which can be rotated to the positions P, Z, Z, Z, R, N, D, S. There are three intermediate positions Z between the gearshift lever position P and a gearshift lever position R. The force feedback is triggered according to this exemplary embodiment by pushing past the gearshift lever parking position P. A braking force of the braking procedure is increased according to this exemplary embodiment by moving the rotary shifter400from the gearshift lever position R toward the gearshift lever parking position P via the three positions Z, Z, Z.

FIG. 5shows a method500for braking a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment. This can be a method500that can be executed by the control unit described in reference toFIG. 1.

The method comprises at least a step505for inputting a parking position signal and a step510for issuing a braking signal. In the step505for inputting a parking position signal, at least one parking position signal is input that represents a movement of a gearshift lever in an automatic shifting device of the vehicle by a driver of the vehicle toward a gearshift lever parking position via at least one intermediate position. In the step510for issuing a braking signal, at least one braking signal is issued for executing a braking procedure in order to reduce the speed of vehicle using the parking position signal, if it is indicated by an input speed signal, for example, that the speed of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined minimum speed.

Optionally, the parking position signal is input according to this exemplary embodiment in the step505for inputting the parking position signal, in that the movement of the gearshift lever by the driver of the vehicle into at least the intermediate position and/or toward the gearshift lever parking position is carried out by rotating the gearshift lever in the form of a rotary shifter.

Optionally, the method500according to this exemplary embodiment also comprises a step512for receiving an actuation signal, a step515for determining a force, a step520for generating resistance, a step525for issuing a parking signal, an actuating step530, a step535for engaging a parking brake, an output step540, and a step545for emitting an acoustic signal.

In the step512for receiving an actuation signal, an actuation signal is received, wherein according to this exemplary embodiment, the step510for issuing the braking signal is executed in response to the step512for receiving the actuation signal and the step505for inputting the parking position signal, if the speed of the vehicle exceeds the predetermined minimum speed.

In the step515for determining a force, a force is determined, with which the gearshift lever is moved by the driver into the intermediate position and/or the gearshift lever parking position. In the step510for issuing the braking signal, a force of the braking procedure is then defined on the basis of the force that is applied in response to the step515for determining a force according to this exemplary embodiment.

In the step520for generating a resistance, a resistance acting on the gearshift lever is generated when the gearshift lever is in the at least one intermediate position and/or the gearshift lever parking position.

In the step525for issuing a parking signal, a parking signal for parking the vehicle is issued when the speed of the vehicle is moving at or below the predetermined minimum speed.

In the actuation step530, at least one electronic parking brake is actuated by the braking signal.

In the step535for engaging a parking brake, a parking brake is engaged when the vehicle is moving at a speed of 0 km/h, within a tolerance range.

In the output step540, a vibration signal is output that causes a vibrating of the gearshift lever when the vehicle is moving at a speed of 0 km/h, and the parking brake in the vehicle is not engaged.

In the step545for emitting an acoustic signal, an acoustic signal is emitted that is configured to generate an acoustic sound in response to the engagement of the parking brake.

If an exemplary embodiment comprise an “and/or” conjunction between a first feature and a second feature, this can be read to mean that the exemplary embodiment according to one embodiment contains both the first feature and the second feature, and according to another embodiment, contains either just the first feature or just the second feature.

REFERENCE SYMBOLS

100shifting device105control unit110vehicle115gearshift lever120gearshift lever unit125braking device130speed detection device135transmission140parking position signal145braking signal150speed signal155spring158resistance signal160parking signal165parking brake signal170parking brake300actuator400rotary shifter500method for braking a vehicle505step for inputting a parking position signal510step for issuing a braking signal512step for receiving an actuation signal515step for determining a force520step for generating a resistance525step for issuing a parking signal530actuation step535step for engaging a parking brake540output step545step for emitting an acoustic signalD gearshift lever positionN gearshift lever positionP gearshift lever parking positionR gearshift lever positionS gearshift lever positionZ intermediate position