Diagnostic method and braking system including a unit for performing the diagnostic method

1 . A diagnostic method for performing a self-diagnosis of an electronically controllable pneumatic braking system for a commercial vehicle, the diagnostic method comprising:

receiving a learning signal about the braking system;

in response to receiving the learning signal, putting the braking system into a learning mode and performing the steps:

performing a predetermined first activity of the braking system with the commercial vehicle stationary or moving;

via a first sensor arrangement, detecting a first learning system reaction of the braking system in response to executing the first activity; and,

storing the detected first learning system reaction as a first target system reaction in a first memory;

performing a first system check with the steps:

carrying out the predetermined first activity of the braking system with the commercial vehicle stationary or moving;

detecting, via the first sensor arrangement, a first diagnostic system reaction of the braking system in response to the execution of the predetermined first activity;

comparing the first diagnostic system reaction in a first comparator with the previously stored first target system reaction; and,

in the event of a deviation between the first target system reaction and the first diagnostic system reaction, outputting a first fault signal.

2 . The diagnostic method of claim 1 , further comprising: outputting the first fault signal including at least partial prevention of an automated mode of the commercial vehicle.

3 . The diagnostic method of claim 1 , wherein the comparison step is carried out in the first comparator taking into account at least one parameter selected from: an ambient temperature, a supply pressure, a static supply pressure before a start of the diagnostic method or a dynamic supply pressure curve during the diagnostic method, an electrical supply voltage level in the braking system or one or more parts thereof, an electrical power consumption in the braking system or one or more parts of the braking system.

4 . The diagnostic method of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined first activity includes a step signal to a brake force modulator.

5 . The diagnostic method of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined first activity includes the actuation of one or more friction brakes via modulation of a brake pressure on one or more axles of the commercial vehicle with a predetermined braking force in the moving commercial vehicle.

6 . The diagnostic method of claim 5 , wherein the first sensor arrangement contains a deceleration sensor for detecting a deceleration of the commercial vehicle.

7 . A diagnostic method for performing a self-diagnosis of an electronically controllable pneumatic braking system for a commercial vehicle, the diagnostic method comprising:

receiving a learning signal about the braking system;

in response to receiving the learning signal, putting the braking system into a learning mode and performing the steps:

performing a predetermined first activity of the braking system with the commercial vehicle stationary or moving;

via a first sensor arrangement, detecting a first learning system reaction of the braking system in response to executing the first activity;

storing the detected first learning system reaction as the first target system reaction in a first memory; and,

wherein the predetermined first activity relates only to a first subsystem of the braking system.

8 . A diagnostic method for performing a self-diagnosis of an electronically controllable pneumatic braking system for a commercial vehicle, the diagnostic method comprising:

receiving a learning signal about the braking system;

in response to receiving the learning signal, putting the braking system into a learning mode and performing the steps:

performing a predetermined first activity of the braking system with the commercial vehicle stationary or moving;

via a first sensor arrangement, detecting a first learning system reaction of the braking system in response to executing the first activity;

storing the detected first learning system reaction as the first target system reaction in a first memory;

performing, in the learning mode, a predetermined second activity of the braking system with the commercial vehicle stationary or moving;

detecting, in the learning mode, via a second sensor arrangement or the first sensor arrangement a second learning system reaction of the braking system in response to said performing the second activity; and,

storing, in the learning mode, the detected second learning system reaction as a second target system reaction in a second memory or the first memory.

9 . The diagnostic method of claim 8 , further comprising the steps:

performing a second system diagnosis with the steps:

performing the predetermined second activity of the braking system with the commercial vehicle stationary or moving;

detecting via the second sensor arrangement a second diagnostic system reaction of the braking system in response to the execution of the second activity;

comparing the second diagnostic system reaction in a second comparator or the first comparator with the previously stored second target system reaction; and,

in the event of a deviation between the second target system reaction and the second diagnostic system reaction, outputting a second fault signal.

10 . The diagnostic method of claim 9 , wherein the predetermined second activity concerns only a second subsystem of the braking system.

11 . The diagnostic method of claim 9 , wherein the first fault signal or the second fault signal is output to a safety driver, an external operator and/or a higher-level automation system.

12 . The diagnostic method of claim 9 , wherein: in response to the first fault signal and/or the second fault signal, a driver of the commercial vehicle is asked to enable an automated mode of the commercial vehicle.

13 . A diagnostic method for performing a self-diagnosis of an electronically controllable pneumatic braking system for a commercial vehicle, the diagnostic method comprising:

receiving a learning signal about the braking system;

in response to receiving the learning signal, putting the braking system into a learning mode and performing the steps:

performing a predetermined first activity of the braking system with the commercial vehicle stationary or moving;

via a first sensor arrangement, detecting a first learning system reaction of the braking system in response to executing the first activity;

storing the detected first learning system reaction as the first target system reaction in a first memory; and,

wherein the first sensor arrangement contains at least one pressure sensor.

14 . The diagnostic method of claim 13 , wherein the first sensor arrangement contains a measuring unit for detecting a volume flow or a mass flow and/or a noise sensor.

15 . The diagnostic method of claim 14 , wherein the first sensor arrangement is a unit for olfactory sensing and/or a gas sensor for detecting an aromatic substance, a messenger substance and/or a gas.

16 . An electronically controllable pneumatic braking system for a commercial vehicle; the electronically controllable pneumatic braking system comprising:

first and second compressed air supplies;

a first brake circuit supplied by said first compressed air supply;

a second brake circuit supplied by said second compressed air supply;

at least one front axle brake pressure valve for controlling a front axle brake pressure on a front axle of the commercial vehicle;

at least one rear axle brake pressure valve for controlling a rear axle brake pressure on at least one rear axle of the commercial vehicle;

a central control unit for controlling the braking system; and,

a diagnostic control unit suitable for carrying out a diagnostic method including the steps:

receiving a learning signal about the braking system;

in response to receiving the learning signal, putting the braking system into a learning mode and performing the steps:

performing a predetermined first activity of the braking system with the commercial vehicle stationary or moving;

via a sensor arrangement, detecting a first learning system reaction of the braking system in response to executing the first activity;

storing the detected first learning system reaction as the first target system reaction in a first memory;

performing a first system check with the steps:

carrying out the predetermined first activity of the braking system with the commercial vehicle stationary or moving;

detecting, via the first sensor arrangement, a first diagnostic system reaction of the braking system in response to the execution of the predetermined first activity;

comparing the first diagnostic system reaction in a first comparator with the previously stored first target system reaction; and,

in the event of a deviation between the first target system reaction and the first diagnostic system reaction, outputting a first fault signal.

17 . The electronically controllable pneumatic braking system of claim 16 , wherein the diagnostic control unit is part of the central control unit or is integrated therewith to form a module.

18 . The electronically controllable pneumatic braking system of claim 16 , wherein the diagnostic control unit is in the form of a stand-alone module having a voltage connection and a connection for a BUS system.

19 . A computer program product comprising:

program code for a braking system stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium; the braking system including first and second compressed air supplies; a first brake circuit supplied by said first compressed air supply; a second brake circuit supplied by said second compressed air supply; at least one front axle brake pressure valve for controlling a front axle brake pressure on a front axle of the commercial vehicle; at least one rear axle brake pressure valve for controlling a rear axle brake pressure on at least one rear axle of a commercial vehicle; a central control unit for controlling the braking system; and, a diagnostic control unit suitable for carrying out a diagnostic method; said program code being configured, when executed by a processor, to cause the braking system to carry out the diagnostic method of the braking system including:

receiving a learning signal about the braking system;

in response to receiving the learning signal, putting the braking system into a learning mode and performing the steps:

performing a predetermined first activity of the braking system with the commercial vehicle stationary or moving;

via a sensor arrangement, detecting a first learning system reaction of the braking system in response to executing the first activity;

storing the detected first learning system reaction as the first target system reaction in a first memory;

performing a first system check with the steps:

carrying out the predetermined first activity of the braking system with the commercial vehicle stationary or moving;

detecting, via the first sensor arrangement, a first diagnostic system reaction of the braking system in response to the execution of the predetermined first activity;

comparing the first diagnostic system reaction in a first comparator with the previously stored first target system reaction; and,

in the event of a deviation between the first target system reaction and the first diagnostic system reaction, outputting a first fault signal.