US 12,168,425 B2
Braking arrangement, vehicle comprising such a braking arrangement, and method of controlling the braking arrangement
Fredrik Rahm, Hörby (SE); Tove Audhav, Landvetter (SE); and Vijai Shankar Bhavani Shankar, Mölndal (SE)
Assigned to Volvo Truck Corporation, Gothenburg (SE)
Filed by Volvo Truck Corporation, Gothenburg (SE)
Filed on May 11, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/741,520.
Claims priority of application No. 21175347 (EP), filed on May 21, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0371566 A1, Nov. 24, 2022
Int. Cl. B60T 13/68 (2006.01); B60T 13/26 (2006.01); B60T 13/74 (2006.01); B60T 17/00 (2006.01)
CPC B60T 13/683 (2013.01) [B60T 13/268 (2013.01); B60T 13/741 (2013.01); B60T 17/002 (2013.01); B60T 2250/04 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A braking arrangement for a vehicle comprising:
an electric machine electrically connectable to an electric power source,
a brake compressor positioned in an air flow conduit, the brake compressor being configured to pressurize a flow of air and to exhaust the pressurized flow of air, and
a compressor shaft mechanically connecting the electric machine and the brake compressor to each other,
wherein the electric machine is configured to generate a torque on the compressor shaft for operating the brake compressor to pressurize the flow of air,
the braking arrangement further comprising:
an air bearing arrangement, the air bearing arrangement being fluidly connectable to a pressurized brake air tank of the vehicle via an air bearing conduit,
wherein the air bearing arrangement is suspending the compressor shaft to at least one of the electric machine and the brake compressor,
an air bearing valve positioned in the air bearing conduit for controllable supply of a flow of pressurized air to the air bearing arrangement, and
a control unit connected to the air bearing valve, the control unit being configured to control the air bearing valve between a first state in which the air bearing valve is closed and pressurized air is prevented from reaching the air bearing arrangement, and a second state in which the air bearing valve is open and pressurized air from pressurized brake air tank is supplied to the air bearing arrangement,
wherein the control unit is further configured to:
receive a signal indicative of an upcoming driving condition for the vehicle,
determine a vehicle braking requirement for operating the vehicle during the upcoming driving condition,
compare the vehicle braking requirement with a predetermined threshold limit, and
control the air bearing valve to assume the second state throughout the upcoming driving condition when the vehicle braking requirement exceeds the predetermined threshold limit.