Brake system and braking method for a rail vehicle

A rail vehicle having a brake system that includes:

• a brake controller having a first brake control unit configured to provide braking functions and to output a first force actuating variable;
• a first actuator control unit configured to provide functions for generating a frictional braking force based on the first force actuating variable and to output a first actuating variable;
• an actuator having a second brake control unit configured to provide braking functions and to output a second force actuating variable;
• a second actuator control unit configured to provide functions for generating a frictional braking force based on the second force actuating variable and to output a second actuating variable;
• a braking force unit configured to provide functions for generating a frictional braking force based on the first or second actuating variable;
• a first braking path which includes functions that are active between at least one control input of the brake system and the generation of braking force;
• and
• a second braking path which includes functions that are active between at least one control input of the brake system, or when predetermined brake system state variables are present, and the generation of braking force.

A braking method for a rail vehicle, the method comprising:

• providing braking functions by a first brake control unit in a brake controller;
• outputting a first force actuating variable by the first brake control unit;
• providing braking functions to generate a frictional braking force by a first actuator control unit in the brake controller, based on the first force actuating variable;
• outputting a first actuating variable by the first actuator control unit;
• providing braking functions by a second brake control unit in an actuator;
• outputting a second force actuating variable by the second brake control unit;
• providing braking functions to generate a frictional braking force by a second actuator control unit in the actuator, based on the second force actuating variable;
• outputting a second actuating variable by the second actuator control unit;
• providing braking functions to generate a frictional braking force by a braking force unit, based on the first or second actuating variable from the first actuator control unit or the second actuator control unit;
• providing a first braking path which comprises functions that are active between control inputs of the brake system and the generation of braking force;
• and
• providing a second braking path which comprises functions that are active between control inputs of the brake system and the generation of braking force.