CHV´s brake discs temperature estimation: results in open road tests

CHV safety and performances are closely linked to their brake discs temperatures. First, the brake discs efficiency strongly decreases over a given temperature threshold. Lower temperature levels affect the speed of the brake linings wear. Estimation method is motivated by the difficulties to find and implement a sensor. Moreover, a model-based estimation approach also implies prediction possibilities. Our approach is a systemic one. It can be sum up as a global energetic balance applied to the whole vehicle longitudinal dynamic. The temperature is finally evaluated through a global energy repartition. It is done along the whole set of braking actuators available on the trucks. The main constraint for the design of the algorithm is the real-time application. In fact, this must be done according to the computing capacities embedded on the vehicle. The temperature estimation was implemented on a prototype vehicle: a Renault Trucks Magnum e-tech 440 dci. Validation tests have been done on normal operating conditions. They show that the global estimation algorithm gives acceptable results. Indeed, we present here the last test that has been done under real conditions on French roads. This illustrates the validation phase in the aim of carrying out a brake discs temperature prediction.