Electronic system for a motor vehicle

• US 20050127746A1
• Filed: 01/10/2005
• Published: 06/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Braschel, Volker
• Granted Patent: US 7,887,144 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 303/20
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/0195 characterised by the regulation being combined with other vehicle control systems conjoint control of vehicle sub-units including control of suspension systems B60W10/22
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/60 Load
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2401/16 GPS track data
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/202 using a remote, e.g. cordless, transmitter or receiver unit
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/70 Computer memory; Data storage, e.g. maps for adaptive control
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/85 Speed of regulation
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/70 Estimating or calculating vehicle parameters or state variables
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/85 System Prioritisation
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/91 Suspension Control
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/93 Skid or slide control [ASR]
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/94 Electronic Stability Program (ESP, i.e. ABS+ASC+EMS)
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/95 Automatic Traction or Slip Control [ATC]
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/96 ASC - Assisted or power Steering control
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/662 characterised by specified functions of the control system components
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0002 Automatic control, details of type of controller or control system architecture
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0297 Control Giving priority to different actuators or systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/065 by reducing the computational load on the digital processor of the control computer
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/18 Braking system
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/20 Steering systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/22 Suspension systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/06 : Improving the dynamic response of the control system, e.g. improving the speed of regulation or avoiding hunting or overshoot

Abstract

In order to improve an electronic system for a motor vehicle which comprises an electronic controller which is coupled via an electronic communication system to electronic controllers of other electronic systems of the vehicle in order to co-operate through data exchanges with the other electronic systems of the vehicle, wherein electronic sensor devices for controlling and/or regulating operating states of the vehicle detect quantities which are related to the operating states of the vehicle, so as to obtain cost and functional advantages, it is proposed that at least one of the electronic sensor devices'"'"' be accommodated in one of the electronic controllers.

Claims

1. An electronic system for a motor vehicle comprising:

an electronic communication system;

a plurality of electronic controllers for controlling operating states of the motor vehicle with at least one of said electronic controllers adapted to be disposed within an interior region or the vehicle, said electronic controllers coupled to said communication system and co-operating with one another to exchange data over said communication system; and

a plurality of electronic sensor devices for for detecting quantities which are related to operating states of the vehicle, said electronic sensor devices coupled to said electronic controllers with at least one of said electronic sensor devices being accommodated in said electronic controller that is adapted to be disposed within said interior region of the vehicle.

2. The electronic system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one electronic sensor device accommodated in said electronic controller detects one of the laterally dynamic behaviour of the vehicle and the longitudinally dynamic behaviour of the vehicle.

3. The electronic system according to claim 2, wherein said at least one electronic sensor device accommodated in said electronic controller detects both the laterally dynamic behaviour of the vehicle and the longitudinally dynamic behaviour of the vehicle.

4. Electronic system according to claim 3, wherein said electronic controller in which said at least one electronic sensor device is accommodated controls an electronic parking brake system of the motor vehicle.

5. Electronic system according to claim 3, wherein said electronic controller in which the at least one electronic sensor device is accommodated also co-operates with the electronic controller which controls an electronic service brake system.

7. Electronic system according to claim 1, wherein the electronic controller in which the at least one electronic sensor device is accommodated controls or regulates the electronic parking brake system of the motor vehicle.

8. Electronic system according to claim 1, wherein the electronic controller in which the at least one electronic sensor device is accommodated co-operates with the electronic controller which controls or regulates the electronic service brake system.

9. The electronic system according to claim 1 further including a plurality of electrical final control devices connected to said controllers with said final control devices responsive to signals received from said controllers to influence the operating states of the motor vehicle.

10. The electronic system according to claim 9 wherein at lease one of said sensor devices is connected to one of said controllers via said electronic communication system and further wherein at least one of said final control devices is connected to one of said controllers via said communication system.

11. The electronic system according to claim 9, wherein said at least one electronic sensor device accommodated in said electronic controller detects one of the laterally dynamic behaviour of the vehicle and the longitudinally dynamic behaviour of the vehicle.

12. The electronic system according to claim 11, wherein said at least one electronic sensor device accommodated in said electronic controller detects both the laterally dynamic behaviour of the vehicle and the longitudinally dynamic behaviour of the vehicle.

13. The electronic system according to claim 12, wherein said electronic communication system includes a Controller Area Network.

14. The electronic system according to claim 1 wherein at lease one of said sensor devices is connected to one of said controllers via said electronic communication system.

15. The electronic system according to claim 14, wherein said electronic communication system includes a Controller Area Network.

6. (canceled)