Methods and system for verifying a brake system in a vehicle

1. A method for checking sets of components of a vehicle, the method comprising:

configuring a system control unit of a vehicle to perform a check of a first set of components and a second set of components of the vehicle, the first set of components being different from the second set of components;

automatically checking the first set of components using the system control unit; and

automatically checking the second set of components using the system control unit, wherein the system control unit is configured to perform a check of the second set of components automatically unless the check is disabled based upon a disable command provided to the system control unit,

wherein the second set of components comprises at least one service brake device of the vehicle,

wherein the checking of the at least one service brake device comprises:

predetermining a threshold value for a speed of a traction motor;

applying the at least one service brake device to the traction motor;

applying a predetermined force (torque) by the traction motor against the at least one service brake device; and

monitoring the speed of the traction motor while the predetermined force (torque) is applied.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:

providing a deactivation element to disable the check of the second set of components, the deactivation element comprising a hardware element.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the hardware element is a push button or switch activated by an operator.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:

providing a deactivation element to disable the check of the second set of components, wherein the deactivation element comprises a software element using the system control unit.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first set of components comprises at least one component of a drive system of the vehicle.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the checking of the at least one service brake device comprises:

applying the at least one service brake device to a traction motor;

applying a predetermined force (torque) by the traction motor;

monitoring movement of the traction motor while the predetermined force (torque) is applied; and

evaluating the movement of the traction motor, wherein drive mode of the vehicle is prohibited when movement of the traction motor is detected.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

prohibiting drive mode of the vehicle if a monitored speed of the traction motor is above the threshold value within a predetermined time interval after the predetermined force (torque) has been applied by the traction motor against the at least one service brake device; and

removing the predetermined force (torque).

8. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

permitting drive mode of the vehicle if the monitored speed of the traction motor is below the threshold value within a predetermined time interval after the predetermined force (torque) has been applied by the traction motor against the at least one service brake device, and if the check of the first set of components has passed.

9. The method as claimed in claim 7 further comprising:

recording and storing the monitored speed of the traction motor in a memory device of the system control unit.

10. The method as claimed in claim 7 further comprising:

issuing a warning message to the operator using the system control unit that the speed of the traction motor is above the predetermined threshold value.

11. A system for verifying different sets of components in a vehicle comprising:

a system control unit configured to perform a check of a first set of components and a second set of components of a vehicle, the first set of components being different from the second set of components;

at least one deactivation element operably connected to the system control unit to disable the check of the second set of components,

wherein the first set of components is automatically checked using the system control unit, and wherein the second set of components is automatically checked unless optionally disabled via the at least one deactivation element,

wherein the second set of components comprises at least one service brake device of the vehicle, wherein the checking of the at least one service brake device comprises:

predetermining a threshold value for a speed of a traction motor;

applying the at least one service brake device to the traction motor;

applying a predetermined force (torque) by the traction motor against the at least one service brake device; and

monitoring the speed of the traction motor while the predetermined force (torque) is applied.

12. The system as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the second set of components comprises a plurality of service brakes.

13. The system as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the vehicle is a mining haul truck.

14. The system as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the at least one deactivation element comprises a push button or switch operably connected to the system control unit.

15. A method for checking sets of components of a vehicle, the method comprising:

configuring a system control unit of a vehicle to perform a check of a first set of components and a second set of components of the vehicle, the first set of components being different from the second set of components;

automatically checking the first set of components using the system control unit;

issuing a test command by an operator to the system control unit to perform a check of the second set of components of the vehicle; and

checking the second set of components of the vehicle in response to the test command using the system control unit, wherein the second set of components comprises at least one service brake device of the vehicle, wherein the checking of the at least one service brake device comprises:

predetermining a threshold value for a speed of a traction motor;

applying the at least one service brake device to the traction motor;

applying a predetermined force (torque) by the traction motor against the at least one service brake device; and

monitoring the speed of the traction motor while the predetermined force (torque) is applied.

16. The method as claimed in claim 15 , further comprising:

prompting an operator of the vehicle to issue the test command to the system control unit to perform the check of the second set of components.

17. The method as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the first set of components comprises at least one component of a drive system of the vehicle.

18. The method as claimed in claim 15 , further comprising:

prohibiting drive mode of the vehicle if a monitored speed of the traction motor is above the threshold value within a predetermined time interval after the predetermined force (torque) has been applied by the traction motor against the at least one service brake device; and

removing the predetermined force (torque).

19. The method as claimed in claim 15 , further comprising:

permitting drive mode of the vehicle if the monitored speed of the traction motor is below the threshold value within a predetermined time interval after the predetermined force (torque) has been applied by the traction motor against the at least one service brake device, and if the check of the first set of components has passed.

20. The method as claimed in claim 18 , further comprising:

recording and storing the monitored speed of the traction motor in a memory device of the system control unit.