Electric parking brake control and method
A method for controlling an electric parking brake for a motor vehicle including a brake actuator having an electric motor disposed directly on the brake caliper. When the parking brake is utilized as an additional service brake, depending on a brake pedal brake command, the electric motor is initially energized on detection of an imminent or commencing brake-pedal actuation however the electric motor generates no braking force until a predetermined or specific brake command is received. As a result, an overload of the vehicle voltage source is avoided if simultaneous utilization of multiple parking-brake actuators occurs.
1. A method of controlling a parking brake comprising:
providing an actuator including an electric motor, said actuator coupled to said parking brake to generate a parking brake force;
providing a service brake and a service brake pedal;
pre-energizing the actuator to a pre-energized state upon detection of service brake pedal activation wherein the actuator generates no parking braking force during the pre-energized state.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein pre-energizing the actuator to a pre-energized state includes providing a low current that while energizing the coil of the electric motor does not move the motor.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein pre-energizing the actuator to a pre-energized state includes a regulation of the voltage to the electric motor whereby it does not move the motor.
4. The method as claimed in claim 3 wherein regulation of the voltage includes pulse-width modulation.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein when the service brake is activated and a braking-force requirement remains unchanged, pre-energizing the electric motor does not change the parking braking force.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said parking brake includes at least two direct-current commutator motors wherein upon detection of service brake pedal actuation the motors are initially, simultaneously pre-energized.