Process for Controlling a Start-Stop Operation of a Vehicle Having a Hybrid Drive, and a Corresponding Vehicle

• US 20140249730A1
• Filed: 05/08/2014
• Published: 09/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme Fur Nutzfahrzeuge GMBH (Estate of Heinz Hermann Thiele)
• Original Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme Fur Nutzfahrzeuge GMBH (Estate of Heinz Hermann Thiele)
• Inventors: Hilberer, Eduard
• Granted Patent: US 9,604,625 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/70
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/746 and mechanical transmission of the braking action
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2270/402 Back-up
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2270/403 Brake circuit failure
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/122 for locking of reverse movement
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/17616 Microprocessor-based systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/885 using electrical circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/182 including control of parking brakes
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/184 with wheel brakes
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18018 Start-stop drive, e.g. in a traffic jam
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18027 Drive off, accelerating from standstill
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/93 Conjoint control of different elements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/947 Characterized by control of braking, e.g. blending of regeneration, friction braking

Abstract

A process for controlling a vehicle start-stop operation having a hybrid drive with an internal-combustion engine and an electric motor, a service brake with an ABS and an electric parking brake, includes: determining, monitoring and analyzing performance parameters of the vehicle, the internal-combustion engine, the electric motor, the service brake and the parking brake; automatically releasing the parking brake in the case of a starting prompt because of determined performance parameters; driving the vehicle by the electric motor for the start; starting the engine by the electric motor if the engine is switched off; driving the vehicle by the electric motor and the engine; activating a generator operation of the electric motor in the case of a braking prompt because of determined performance parameters; activating the service brake; and automatically locking the electric parking brake when the vehicle is stopped after a previously definable deceleration time.

Claims

1. A parking brake control unit for a hybrid drive vehicle having an internal-combustion engine and an electric motor, a service brake with an ABS control unit, an electric parking brake with a parking brake control and a parking brake lever, at least one clutch for coupling the internal-combustion engine and the electric motor with wheels of the vehicle, a hybrid drive control unit, and a bus for connecting control units, actuators and sensors of the vehicle, comprising:

a bus input, the bus connecting the parking brake control unit to the hybrid drive control unit, the bus input capable of receiving control signals for an automatic controllability in previously definable operating conditions of the vehicle, a start-stop operation of the hybrid drive control unit and a starting prompt; and

an output capable of controlling an automatic release and an automatic locking of the electric parking brake, the automatic release and automatic locking of the electric parking brake actuator coordinated with;

the start-stop operation of the hybrid drive in case of the starting prompt because of determined vehicle performance parameters;

the vehicle stopped after a previously definable deceleration time; and

an emergency running function when at least one of a circuit defect of the service brake and a defective service brake pedal is determined when the vehicle is driving and a braking prompt takes place by at least one of the service brake pedal and the parking brake lever, the process of the emergency running function further comprising the acts of;

activating a generator operation of the electric motor;

activating the electric parking brake; and

automatically locking the electric parking brake when the vehicle is stopped after a previously definable deceleration time, wherein the electric parking brake has a stepping capability with previously definable steps.

2. The parking brake control unit according to claim 1, wherein the electric parking brake is equipped with an actuator constructed as at least one of a spring-type servo-cylinder, electromotive actuator, and electromechanical actuator.

3. The parking brake control unit according to claim 1, wherein a pulse width modulation of a triggering of the electric parking brake is provided in the range of the stepping capability.

4. The parking brake control unit according to claim 1, wherein the electric parking brake has a bistable behavior in a parked condition, whereby, when an electric supply fails, the electric parking brake is locked or released corresponding to a predetermination by the hybrid drive control unit or a driver'"'"'s intention.

5. The parking brake control unit according to claim 1, wherein the previously definable operating conditions of the vehicle are at least one of a start-stop operation, an emergency running function in an event of a circuit defect of the service brake, and an emergency running function in an event of a defective service brake pedal.

6. A parking brake control unit for a hybrid drive vehicle with an electric parking brake system comprising:

a bus input configured to receive a starting prompt from a hybrid drive control unit;

a braking prompt input configured to receive a braking prompt signal; and

an output for controlling an associated electric parking brake actuator, wherein the parking brake control unit automatically releases the electric parking brake actuator in response to receiving the starting prompt and automatically locks the electric parking brake actuator in response to the braking prompt.

7. The parking brake control unit as in claim 6, wherein the control unit applies and locks the electric parking brake actuator in response to the braking prompt signal and the hybrid vehicle being stationary for a previously definable period of time.

8. The parking brake control unit as in claim 6, further comprising a performance parameter input configured to receive at least one performance parameter of the hybrid vehicle, wherein the parking brake control unit automatically releases the electric parking brake actuator in response to receiving the starting prompt and a performance parameter indicating normal operation of the hybrid vehicle.

9. The parking brake control unit as in claim 8, wherein the at least one performance parameter comprises at least one of a vehicle speed, a rotational wheel speed, a condition of a service brake pedal, a condition of a parking brake pedal and a condition of an accelerator pedal.

10. The parking brake control unit as in claim 6, wherein the control unit applies the electric parking brake actuator in a stepped manner in response to receiving a braking prompt and a performance parameter indicating a defect in at least one performance parameter.

11. The parking brake control unit as in claim 10, wherein the control unit locks the electric parking brake actuator in response to the electric parking brake actuator being applied and the hybrid vehicle being stationary for a previously definable period of time.

12. The parking brake control unit as in claim 10, wherein the at least one performance parameter comprises at least one of a vehicle speed, a rotational wheel speed, a condition of a service brake pedal, a condition of a parking brake pedal and a condition of an accelerator pedal.

13. The parking brake control unit as in claim 6, wherein the braking prompt is generated by a service brake pedal.

14. The parking brake control unit as in claim 6, wherein the braking prompt is generated by a parking brake lever.

15. The parking brake control unit as in claim 6, wherein the braking prompt is received at the bus input.