Data processing: vehicles – navigation – and relative location – Vehicle control – guidance – operation – or indication – Vehicle diagnosis or maintenance indication
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-30
2001-04-10
Nguyen, Tan (Department: 3661)
Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location
Vehicle control, guidance, operation, or indication
Vehicle diagnosis or maintenance indication
C701S076000, C701S083000, C303S122000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06216067
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND INVENTION
The present invention relate to method and a device for generating an error signal in a motor vehicle respectively.
In modern vehicles, the brake lamps are generally controlled as a function of a brake pedal actuation. To this end, a brake lights switch is activated by the brake pedal operated by the driver. The position of this switch signals a brake actuation, and, apart from the brake light control, can also be utilized, for example, for controlling the engine and/or the transmission. A defect in such a brake lights switch must be detected as quickly and as reliably as possible, since a defective brake lights switch can signify that different vehicle functions are not being properly executed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to generate an error signal in a simple manner which will indicate a defect in such a brake lights switch.
As mentioned before, the present invention starts out from a method and a device for generating an error signal in a motor vehicle. In this context, the vehicle has a drive engine, as well as an actuating arrangement for activating a braking system. Further, a detecting arrangement are provided for recognizing an actuation of the actuating arrangement. According to the present invention a wheel drag torque quantity is determined which represents the drag torque produced by the engine at the vehicle wheels. Moreover, a deceleration quantity is ascertained which represents the vehicle's longitudinal deceleration. Also determined is a braking quantity which represents the operating state of the actuating arrangement. The error signal is then generated as a function of the determined drag torque quantity, the determined deceleration quantity, and of the determined braking quantity.
Thus, according to the present invention the monitoring of the brake lights switch is carried out on the basis of the interpretation of the longitudinal dynamics determined, for example, from the wheel speeds, the wheel drag torque determined, for example, with the assistance of the engine drag torque and the gear transmission ratio. The present invention enables diagnostics to be performed on the brake lights switch, which is relevant to safety, without requiring additional outlay for hardware.
In this context, as mentioned, the actuating arrangement can be designed as a brake pedal, and the detecting arrangement as a brake lights switch that is used to detect a brake pedal actuation.
It is particularly advantageous for the error signal to represent the proper or the improper condition of the detecting arrangement, and, furthermore, for an indicating arrangement to be provided which alter their operating state in response to the generated error signal.
One advantageous embodiment of the present invention provides for determining an engine drag torque quantity that represents the engine drag torque, and a gear transmission ratio quantity that represents the gear transmission ratio currently adjusted between the vehicle engine and the driven vehicle wheels. The wheel drag torque quantity is then determined as a function of the ascertained engine drag torque quantity and the ascertained gear transmission ratio quantity.
One particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention provides for the error signal to represent the proper or the improper condition of the detecting arrangement, and for the determined deceleration quantity to be compared to a first predefinable threshold value, and for the determined wheel drag torque quantity to be compared to a second predefinable threshold value. The error signal is then generated long the lines of an improper condition if
the determined deceleration quantity exceeds the first threshold value; and
the determined wheel drag torque quantity falls below the second threshold value; and
the determined braking quantity represents that operating state of the actuating arrangement in which no actuation of the actuating arrangement is detected.
To determine the deceleration quantity, preferably the wheel speeds of the vehicle wheels and/or the vehicle's longitudinal deceleration are detected.
To generate the error signal, it is also possible to consider a signal that represents the operating state of a clutch arranged in the power train of the vehicle. In particular, the error signal should only be generated when the clutch is closed.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5478293 (1995-12-01), Yonezawa
patent: 5542756 (1996-08-01), Luckevich et al.
patent: 4339570 (1995-05-01), None
patent: 19510522 (1996-09-01), None
patent: 19510525 (1996-09-01), None
Baeuerle Michael
Ries-Mueller Klaus
Kenyon & Kenyon
Nguyen Tan
Robert & Bosch GmbH
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