Pedalless electronically controlled hydraulic braking system with redundant pump

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016009267-A1
Application number	US-201514796257-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 10, 2015
Priority date	Jul 10, 2014
Publication date	Jan 14, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A braking system for an autonomous vehicle includes a brake device that is configured to brake a vehicle wheel. A first control system includes a first pump fluidly connected to the brake device via a hydraulic circuit. A second control system includes a second pump fluidly connected to the brake device via the hydraulic circuit. The second pump is fluidly connected in parallel with the first pump. A controller is in communication with the first and second control systems. The controller is configured to detect a fault in the first control system. The controller is configured to command the second pump to pressurize the hydraulic circuit in response to the failure.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A braking system for an autonomous vehicle comprising:
a brake device configured to brake a vehicle wheel; a first control system including a first pump fluidly connected to the brake device via a hydraulic circuit; a second control system including a second pump fluidly connected to the brake device via the hydraulic circuit, the second pump fluidly connected in parallel with the first pump; and a controller in communication with the first and second control systems, the controller configured to detect a fault in the first control system, and the controller configured to command the second pump to pressurize the hydraulic circuit in response to the failure.

2 . The braking system according to claim 1 , wherein the first control system includes a first motor coupled to the first pump, and a first electronic control unit in communication with the motor to drive the pump.

3 . The braking system according to claim 2 , wherein the fault relates to the first pump.

4 . The braking system according to claim 3 , wherein the controller is configured to command the first electronic control unit to activate the second pump in response to the fault.

5 . The braking system according to claim 2 , wherein the fault relates to the first motor.

6 . The braking system according to claim 5 , wherein the controller is configured to command the first electronic control unit to activate the second pump in response to the fault.

7 . The braking system according to claim 2 , wherein the fault relates to the first electronic control unit.

8 . The braking system according to claim 7 , wherein the second control system includes a second electronic control unit, and the controller is configured to command the second electronic control unit in response to the fault.

9 . The braking system according to claim 1 , comprising a pressure sensor in communication with the hydraulic circuit, the fault associated with a low pressure detected by the pressure sensor.

10 . The braking system according to claim 1 , comprising four braking devices, the first and second pumps each in fluid communication with all of the four braking devices.

11 . The braking system according to claim 10 , wherein at least one valve is arranged upstream from each of the braking devices, and the controller is in communication with the valves and configured to regulate fluid through the valves to selectively control braking of each of the braking devices.

12 . The braking system according to claim 11 , wherein the at least one valve includes a control valve, a check valve, a relief valve and a cut valve.

13 . The braking system according to claim 1 , wherein the second pump is arranged in a fluid loop, and an accumulator is fluidly connected to the fluid loop between an inlet and an outlet of the second pump.

14 . The braking system according to claim 1 , wherein the braking system does not have a manually operated brake pedal.

15 . A method controlling a brake system comprising the steps of:
operating a brake circuit with a first control system to pressurize a brake circuit; detecting a fault with the operating step relating to an undesired pressure in the brake circuit; and activating a second control system to pressurize the brake circuit in response to the detected fault.

16 . The method according to claim 15 , wherein the undesired pressure is a low pressure.

17 . The method according to claim 15 , wherein the operating step includes driving a pump with a motor to pressurize the brake circuit, and the fault relates to at least one of the pump and the motor.

18 . The method according to claim 17 , wherein the activating step includes activating a second pump in the second control system.

19 . The method according to claim 15 , wherein the operating step includes commanding a pump with an electronic control unit, and the fault relates to the electronic control unit.

20 . The method according to claim 19 , wherein the activating step includes activating a second electronic control unit.

Assignees

• Continental Automotive Systems

Inventors

• Lesinski Jr Roger John

Classifications

• B60T8/885

  using electrical circuitry · CPC title

• B60T2270/402

  Back-up · CPC title

• B60T8/4081

  Systems with stroke simulating devices for driver input (B60T8/4077 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B60T8/326

  Hydraulic systems · CPC title

• B60T7/12

  for automatic initiation; for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger {(limiting speed of vehicles other than rail vehicles B60K31/00)} · CPC title