Patent ID: 12221087

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG.1shows a basic design of a brake and the actuation thereof.

The exact illustration of all of the components has been omitted here. The drawing inFIG.1shows only a function principle.

The brake1is designed here as a friction brake that comprises brake pads2and a brake disc3that is able to rotate about an axis A. The brake pads are provided in a brake caliper4that straddles the brake disc3. The brake pads2and the brake disc3function as frictional elements that can be brought into contact with one another in a frictional manner in order to generate a deceleration variable.

An actuator5is provided to actuate the brake1. The actuator comprises an actuating element6that can be shifted to the left in a translational manner in the drawing.

A transmission mechanism7, which comprises an actuating lever8that is designed so as to be able to pivot in the plane of the drawing, is provided between the actuator5and the brake1. The transmission mechanism7is connected on one side to the actuator5so that a displacement of the actuating element6is introduced into the transmission mechanism7, as a result of which the actuating lever8is pivoted in the anti-clockwise direction. The transmission mechanism7is in contact on the other side with the brake1in order to introduce a displacement or force resulting from the displacement of the actuating element6into the brake1in order to make contact with the brake pads2by way of the brake disc3in order to generate the deceleration variable of the brake1.

In the case of a disc brake, the deceleration variable may be a brake torque that results from an application force, that is to say a force with which the brake pads2are pressed against the brake disc3, and an average friction radius.

The transmission mechanism7provides a transmission ratio that describes the transmission of an actuator force or the resulting displacement of the actuating element6to the application force.

In order to determine a deceleration variable that can be generated using the brake1in response to a control variable, a brake system model that takes these conditions into account can therefore be provided. In particular embodiments, a proportionality factor is provided here, which maps a conversion of the control variable to the deceleration variable. If an efficiency, for example of the entire arrangement shown or parts thereof, is known, a possible brake force can be calculated by a possible control variable being input into the brake system model:
MB=c*×i×Fz×η×RmMB: deceleration variablec*: proportionality factori: transmission ratioFz: actuator forceη: efficiencyRm: average friction radius

The actuator5is generally held here. In some embodiments, the actuator5is designed as a fluidically actuated, in particular pneumatically or hydraulically actuated, actuator. According to other embodiments, the actuator5is electrically actuated, that is to say a brake1that is actuated in such a way can be attributed to an electromechanical brake system. In the case of fluidic actuation, the actuator5may comprise a cylinder with pistons in order to displace the actuating element6by means of pressure. In the case of electrical actuation, the actuator5may comprise a linear motor or a rotatory electric motor, with the rotary movement thereof then preferably being converted to a translational movement by means of a corresponding mechanism in order to displace the actuating element6.

According to other embodiments, the transmission mechanism7may be omitted. It is therefore also possible for the actuator5or the actuating element6thereof to act directly on the brake1, that is to say without transmission, and there to cause the friction elements2,3to be pressed against one another.

The brake1can finally also be based on another technical or physical principle. For example, a drum brake or a friction brake that comes into contact with a friction element that is stationary in relation to the vehicle, such as for example in the case of a magnetic rail brake, is conceivable.

FIG.2shows a basic illustration of influencing parameters on the braking process of a vehicle.

Shown is a vehicle10that is travelling on an incline that has the gradient angle12. The gradient angle can be determined for example by slope measurement or digital map material. In addition to an inclination angle12, other suitable variables can also be used, such as a pitch, for example.

The vehicle10comprises a drive train11and brakes1. The brakes1can be designed correspondingly to the brakes inFIG.1. The drive train11, which is depicted here only schematically, may be a conventional, hybrid or electric drive train. For example, the drive train11influences the braking by way of electrical energy stores that are no longer capable of receiving energy, such that it is no longer possible to brake in generator operation.

A downward gradient force13is also shown. This depends on the gradient angle12and the weight of the vehicle, which can be defined or determined as described above.

The vehicle deceleration14is oriented counter to the downhill direction of travel. The vehicle deceleration can be determined given knowledge of the possible deceleration variable, that is to say for example a possible brake torque, of the brake1or the brakes1and vehicle parameters, such as a vehicle weight. If the vehicle deceleration is too low in comparison with a limit value that is stipulated for example by legislation, suitable countermeasures must be taken, such as a warning, maintenance or else termination of the driving operation.

FIG.3shows a schematic plan view of a vehicle.

The vehicle10comprises a towing vehicle20and a trailer21, which are connected to one another at a coupling point22such that the trailer21can be towed by the towing vehicle20in the direction of travel19. The towing vehicle20and the trailer21each have at least one brake (not illustrated). The towing vehicle20forms a first vehicle part that is connected in an articulated manner to a further vehicle part, the trailer21. The vehicle parts shown here are connected to one another in a releasable manner. However, it is also contemplated that this connection is not of releasable design, that is to say that both vehicle parts function not as a towing vehicle20and trailer21but, for example, form an articulated vehicle, such as an articulated bus.

The coupling point22is designed to ascertain a coupling force23between the vehicle parts, for example by means of a coupling force detection device, in particular by means of a coupling force sensor. In particular, it is possible to make a statement here about the braking effect of the vehicle parts.

If it is determined that the coupling force23during a braking process indicates sliding of the rear vehicle part, in this case the trailer21, it is thus possible to infer a greater braking or a greater braking effect of the front vehicle part when comparing both vehicle parts. In contrast, if it is determined that there is pulling at the coupling point22, this indicates a greater braking or a greater braking effect of the rear vehicle part.

If, for example, the deceleration variable of the at least one brake is able to be determined only in one vehicle part, that is to say only in the towing vehicle20or in the trailer21, the deceleration variable of the at least one brake of the vehicle part that cannot be detected by the brake system model can be inferred based on the coupling force23by determining the actual braking effect during braking as described above and inferring the deceleration variable of the at least one brake of said vehicle part from the coupling force23when the control variable is known or when the control variable value is known.

The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

1Brake2Brake pads3Brake disc4Brake caliper5Actuator6Actuating element7Transmission mechanism8Actuating lever9Actuating angle10Vehicle11Drive train12Gradient angle13Downward gradient force14Vehicle deceleration19Direction of travel20Towing vehicle21Trailer22Coupling point23Coupling forceA Axis