Brake system control unit and speed sensor arrangement
First Claim
1. A control unit for controlling a brake system of a vehicle, the control unit comprising a receiver circuit configured to process, using at least one data processor, a digital signal from an active rotational speed sensor, the digital signal including (i) rotational speed information of a pole wheel disposed in front of the active rotational speed sensor and spaced from the active rotational speed sensor by an air gap, the pole wheel being configured to rotate with a wheel of the vehicle, and (ii) an actual air gap value representing the air gap between the pole wheel and the active rotational speed sensor, the actual air gap value being digitized in a plurality of stages and including a plurality of bits;
- a comparator circuit configured to compare, using at least one data processor, the actual air gap value with a setpoint air gap value and to determine whether the actual air gap value exceeds the setpoint air gap value by more than a tolerance value; and
an information circuit configured to generate, using at least one data processor, pre-warning information when the comparator circuit determines that the actual air gap value exceeds the setpoint air gap value by more than the tolerance value, and output the pre-warning information to at least one of a brake controller and a warning light of the vehicle.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A control unit of a vehicle brake system has a receive circuit for tapping and processing a digital signal provided by an active speed sensor for speed measurement on a vehicle wheel. The signal includes information concerning the speed of a pole wheel, which is arranged in front of the sensor, spaced therefrom by an air gap, and which rotates along with the wheel. The signal also includes an actual air gap value digitized in stages and comprising several bits. The control unit also has a comparator circuit for comparing the actual air gap value to a reference air gap value and for determining whether the actual air gap value exceeds the reference value by more than a defined tolerance value. An information circuit of the control circuit generates early warning information when the comparator circuit determines that the actual air gap value exceeds the reference value by more than the tolerance value.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A control unit for controlling a brake system of a vehicle, the control unit comprising a receiver circuit configured to process, using at least one data processor, a digital signal from an active rotational speed sensor, the digital signal including (i) rotational speed information of a pole wheel disposed in front of the active rotational speed sensor and spaced from the active rotational speed sensor by an air gap, the pole wheel being configured to rotate with a wheel of the vehicle, and (ii) an actual air gap value representing the air gap between the pole wheel and the active rotational speed sensor, the actual air gap value being digitized in a plurality of stages and including a plurality of bits;
- a comparator circuit configured to compare, using at least one data processor, the actual air gap value with a setpoint air gap value and to determine whether the actual air gap value exceeds the setpoint air gap value by more than a tolerance value; and
an information circuit configured to generate, using at least one data processor, pre-warning information when the comparator circuit determines that the actual air gap value exceeds the setpoint air gap value by more than the tolerance value, and output the pre-warning information to at least one of a brake controller and a warning light of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 16, 17)
- a comparator circuit configured to compare, using at least one data processor, the actual air gap value with a setpoint air gap value and to determine whether the actual air gap value exceeds the setpoint air gap value by more than a tolerance value; and
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10. A method for sensing rotational speed at a wheel of a vehicle, the method comprising:
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a) using an active rotational speed sensor to sense rotation of a pole wheel disposed in front of the active rotational speed sensor and spaced from the active rotational speed sensor by an air gap; b) by the active rotational speed sensor, providing a digital signal via a data interface to a control unit, the digital signal including rotational speed information of the pole wheel and an actual air gap value representing the air gap between the pole wheel and the active rotational speed sensor, the actual air gap value being digitized in a plurality of stages and including a plurality of bits; c) using a receiver circuit of the control unit to process, by at least one data processor, the digital signal; d) monitoring the air gap using a comparator circuit of the control unit configured to compare, by at least one data processor, the actual air gap value with a setpoint air gap value and to determine whether the actual air gap value exceeds the setpoint air gap value by more than a tolerance value; and e) using an information circuit of the control unit to generate, by at least one data processor, pre-warning information when the comparator circuit determines that the actual air gap value exceeds the setpoint air gap value by more than the tolerance value, and output the pre-warning information to at least one of a brake controller and a warning light of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20)
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18. A vehicle brake system, comprising a rotational speed sensor system, the rotational speed sensor system including:
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a) an active rotational speed sensor configured to (i) actively sense rotation of a pole wheel disposed in front of the active rotational speed sensor and spaced from the active rotational speed sensor by an air gap and (ii) generate a digital signal including rotational speed information of the pole wheel and an actual air gap value representing the air gap between the pole wheel and the active rotational speed sensor, the actual air gap value being digitized in a plurality of stages and including a plurality of bits, b) a control unit including a receiver circuit configured to process the digital signal, a comparator circuit configured to compare the actual air gap value with a setpoint air gap value and to determine whether the actual air gap value exceeds the setpoint air gap value by more than a tolerance value, and an information circuit configured to generate pre-warning information when the comparator circuit determines that the actual air gap value exceeds the setpoint air gap value by more than the tolerance value, and output the pre-warning information to at least one of a brake controller and a warning light of a vehicle, and c) a data interface configured to transmit the digital signal from the active rotational speed sensor to the control unit. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification