A long head commercial vehicle engine bonnet automatic flip system

Abstract

This invention provides an automatic hood tilting system for long-nose commercial vehicles, comprising: a chassis controller, a millimeter-wave radar array, a camera, an electric tilting switch, a hood locking switch, a parking switch, a neutral switch, an onboard audible and visual alarm device, a tilting motor, a vehicle CAN network, and an instrument cluster controller. The chassis controller, based on information collected from the millimeter-wave radar array, electric tilting switch, hood locking switch, parking switch, and neutral switch at its input, controls the operating status of the tilting motor and the onboard audible and visual alarm device. Specifically, the chassis controller includes an information acquisition unit, a CAN transceiver unit, a storage unit, a decoder, a microprocessor unit, a diagnostic unit, and a drive unit. This invention is practical and can automatically tilt the hood, meeting customer needs. When the hood is not properly locked, the system can alert the driver through indicator lights on the instrument cluster and an audible and visual alarm, preventing potential safety hazards while driving.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of truck engine compartment cover technology, and particularly relates to an automatic flipping system for engine compartment covers of long-nose commercial vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] With the implementation of the new national standard, long-nose trucks are gradually appearing on the market. Compared with traditional cab-over trucks, long-nose trucks require the addition of an engine cover due to their unique front-mounted engine structure. At the same time, the engine cover, as a dynamic component, can effectively reduce air resistance during truck operation, which helps to reduce fuel consumption and improve truck safety. However, because the engine cover is heavy, it needs to be manually flipped up when servicing the engine, which is quite laborious. Therefore, the traditional method of manually flipping the engine cover can no longer meet the convenience needs of customers.

[0003] Accordingly, a new technical solution is needed in this field to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention aims to provide an automatic flipping system for the engine compartment cover of long-nose commercial vehicles, which solves the problem of inconvenient disassembly and assembly of the engine compartment cover of long-nose trucks and improves the convenience of use for customers.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] This invention provides an automatic hood tilting system for long-nose commercial vehicles, including a chassis controller, a millimeter-wave radar assembly, an electric tilting switch, a hood locking switch, and a tilting motor, wherein:

[0007] The millimeter-wave radar array is electrically connected to the input terminal of the chassis controller, and is used to detect whether the distance of the obstacle at the front of the hood meets the requirements for the hood to flip, and to feed back the detected distance signal of the obstacle at the front of the hood to the chassis controller;

[0008] The hood locking switch is electrically connected to the input terminal of the chassis controller. The hood locking switch is linked with the hood locking device. When the hood locking device is in the locked state, the hood locking switch is closed and energized. When the hood locking device is in the open state, the hood locking switch is opened and de-energized. The hood locking switch is used to detect whether the hood has returned to its original position and to feed back the detected return signal to the chassis controller.

[0009] The electric tilt switch is electrically connected to the input terminal of the chassis controller; the tilt motor is electrically connected to the output terminal of the chassis controller.

[0010] When the electric tilt switch is pressed, and the distance to the obstacle at the front of the hood meets the requirements for hood tilting, the chassis controller controls the tilt motor to rotate forward, the hood tilts, and after the hood is tilted, the hood locking switch is disabled; when the electric tilt switch is reset, the chassis controller controls the tilt motor to rotate in reverse, the hood returns to its original position; when the chassis controller determines that the hood has returned to its original position, it controls the tilt motor to stop rotating.

[0011] As a further explanation of the present invention, the automatic hood flipping system for long-nose commercial vehicles also includes a camera, which is electrically connected to the input terminal of the chassis controller and is used to detect the shape and distance of obstacles at the front end of the hood, and to feed back the detected shape and distance signals of the obstacles at the front end of the hood to the chassis controller.

[0012] As a further explanation of the present invention, the automatic hood flipping system for long-nose commercial vehicles also includes a parking switch and a neutral switch;

[0013] The parking switch is electrically connected to the input terminal of the chassis controller. The parking switch is linked to the parking device of the truck. When parking is effective, the parking switch is closed and energized; when parking is ineffective, the parking switch is open and de-energized.

[0014] The neutral switch is electrically connected to the input terminal of the chassis controller. The neutral switch is linked to the truck's gear shift device. When the gear shift device is in the neutral position, the neutral switch is closed and energized; when the gear shift device is not in the neutral position, the neutral switch is open and de-energized.

[0015] When the electric tilt switch is pressed, and the distance of the obstacle at the front of the hood meets the requirements for tilting the hood, and the parking switch and the neutral switch are simultaneously in the closed energized state, the chassis controller controls the tilt motor to rotate forward, and the hood tilts.

[0016] As a further explanation of the present invention, the automatic hood flipping system for long-nose commercial vehicles also includes an on-board audible and visual alarm device;

[0017] The vehicle-mounted audible and visual alarm device includes an electric horn and a hazard warning light, and the vehicle-mounted audible and visual alarm device is electrically connected to the output terminal of the chassis controller.

[0018] When the hood lock switch is invalid, and the chassis controller detects that the neutral switch and the parking switch are both in a power-off state, it will activate the vehicle-mounted audible and visual alarm device to issue an alarm.

[0019] As a further explanation of the present invention, when the vehicle is in a drivable state, if the hood locking switch is invalid, the chassis controller drives the vehicle-mounted audible and visual alarm device to issue an alarm prompt.

[0020] As a further explanation of the present invention, the automatic hood flipping system for long-nose commercial vehicles also includes an instrument controller and a vehicle CAN network;

[0021] The chassis controller, as a CAN node, is connected to the vehicle's CAN network, and the instrument controller, as a CAN node, is also connected to the vehicle's CAN network; the instrument controller obtains the hood locking information through the vehicle's CAN network.

[0022] As a further explanation of the present invention, the chassis controller sends an invalid signal of the hood lock switch on the vehicle CAN network, and after receiving the invalid signal of the hood lock switch, the instrument controller illuminates the hood flip indicator light.

[0023] As a further explanation of the present invention, the chassis controller includes a microprocessor unit, an information acquisition unit, a storage unit, a decoder, a CAN transceiver unit, and a drive unit; wherein:

[0024] The microprocessor unit is used to call the obstacle image ranging algorithm and the audible and visual alarm algorithm program pre-stored in the storage unit. After calculation by the microprocessor unit, it determines whether the distance between the hood and the front obstacle meets the flip condition. The microprocessor unit transmits the hood locking switch information to the CAN transceiver unit through the first signal path. The CAN transceiver unit forwards the locking switch information to the vehicle CAN network. The microprocessor unit collects information from the millimeter-wave radar and camera through the second signal path.

[0025] The information acquisition unit is connected at its input end to the electric tilt switch, the hood locking switch, the parking switch, the neutral switch, the millimeter-wave radar group, and the camera, and at its output end to the input end of the microprocessor unit; the microprocessor unit judges and controls the output of the drive unit based on the acquired information;

[0026] The storage module is used to store obstacle image ranging algorithm and sound and light alarm algorithm program; the decoder is used to parse the video stream information captured and transmitted by the camera.

[0027] The CAN transceiver unit is connected to the microprocessor unit at its input end and to the vehicle CAN network at its output end, and is used to forward the hood lock switch information to the vehicle CAN network.

[0028] The drive unit is connected to the microprocessor unit at its input end and to the flip motor at its output end via a third signal path to control the motor's operating state; it is also connected to the vehicle-mounted audible and visual alarm device via a fourth signal path for alarm notification.

[0029] As a further explanation of the present invention, when the vehicle is in a drivable state, if the hood lock switch is invalid, the microprocessor unit controls the drive unit to drive the vehicle-mounted audible and visual alarm device to provide an alarm prompt.

[0030] As a further explanation of the present invention, the chassis controller also includes a diagnostic unit;

[0031] The diagnostic unit is connected to the microprocessor unit at its output end, monitors the status of the millimeter-wave radar group and the camera at its input end, and feeds back the status of the millimeter-wave radar group and the camera to the microprocessor unit.

[0032] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial technical effects:

[0033] 1. Practical functions, low development cost, and easy to promote;

[0034] 2. Enables automatic flipping of the engine hood to meet customer needs;

[0035] 3. If the hood is not locked in place, the driver can be reminded by the indicator light on the instrument panel and the sound and light alarm, so as to avoid safety hazards while driving. Attached Figure Description

[0036] Figure 1 This is an overall block diagram of the automatic flip-up hood system for long-nose commercial vehicles provided by the present invention;

[0037] Figure 2 This is a structural block diagram of the chassis controller of the automatic hood flipping system for long-nose commercial vehicles provided by the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0038] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0039] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the invention.

[0040] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0041] In the description of this invention, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "set," "install," "connect," and "link" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0042] The technical solution of the present invention will be explained below with reference to specific embodiments.

[0043] like Figure 1 As shown, an automatic hood tilting system for a long-nose commercial vehicle is provided, including a chassis controller 101, a millimeter-wave radar group 106, an electric tilting switch 102, a hood locking switch 103, and a tilting motor 109, wherein:

[0044] The millimeter-wave radar group 106 is electrically connected to the input terminal of the chassis controller 101, and is used to detect whether the distance of the obstacle at the front of the hood meets the requirements for the hood to flip, and to feed back the detected distance signal of the obstacle at the front of the hood to the chassis controller 101.

[0045] The hood locking switch 103 is electrically connected to the input terminal of the chassis controller 101. The hood locking switch 103 is linked with the hood locking device. When the hood locking device is in the locked state, the hood locking switch 103 is closed and energized. When the hood locking device is in the open state, the hood locking switch 103 is opened and de-energized. The hood locking switch 103 is used to detect whether the hood has returned to its original position and to feed back the detected return signal to the chassis controller 101.

[0046] The electric flip switch 102 is electrically connected to the input terminal of the chassis controller 101; the flip motor 109 is electrically connected to the output terminal of the chassis controller 101.

[0047] When the electric tilt switch 102 is pressed, and the distance to the obstacle at the front of the hood meets the requirements for hood tilting, the chassis controller 101 controls the tilt motor 109 to rotate forward, tilting the hood. After the hood is tilted, the hood locking switch 103 is disabled. When the electric tilt switch 102 is reset, the chassis controller 101 controls the tilt motor 109 to rotate in reverse, returning the hood to its original position. When the chassis controller 101 determines that the hood has returned to its original position, it controls the tilt motor 109 to stop rotating. If the millimeter-wave radar 106 detects that the distance between the obstacle and the vehicle will interfere with the hood tilting, the chassis controller 101 disables the tilt motor 109.

[0048] The aforementioned electric tilt switch 102 is arranged on the dashboard. The electric tilt switch 102 is a rocker switch and is preferably arranged on the dashboard. The hood locking switch 103 is located at the connection between the hood and the cab. The millimeter-wave radar group 106 includes three millimeter-wave radars, which are respectively arranged on the front bumper.

[0049] Furthermore, the automatic hood-flipping system for long-nose commercial vehicles also includes a camera 107, which is electrically connected to the input terminal of the chassis controller 101. The camera 107 is used to detect the shape and distance of obstacles at the front of the hood and feeds back the detected shape and distance signals of the obstacles to the chassis controller 101. The camera is positioned at the windshield.

[0050] Furthermore, the automatic hood tilting system for long-nose commercial vehicles also includes a parking switch 104 and a neutral switch 105;

[0051] The parking switch 104 is electrically connected to the input terminal of the chassis controller 101. The parking switch 104 is linked to the parking device of the truck. When parking is effective, the parking switch 104 is closed and energized; when parking is ineffective, the parking switch 104 is open and de-energized.

[0052] The neutral switch 105 is electrically connected to the input terminal of the chassis controller 101. The neutral switch 105 is linked to the truck's gear shift device. When the gear shift device is in the neutral position, the neutral switch 105 is closed and energized; when the gear shift device is not in the neutral position, the neutral switch 105 is open and de-energized.

[0053] When the electric tilt switch 102 is pressed, and the distance of the obstacle at the front end of the hood meets the requirements for tilting the hood, and the parking switch 104 and the neutral switch 105 are simultaneously in the closed energized state, the chassis controller 101 controls the tilt motor 109 to rotate forward, and the hood tilts.

[0054] In one possible implementation, the automatic hood flipping system for long-nose commercial vehicles also includes an on-board audible and visual alarm device 108;

[0055] The vehicle-mounted audible and visual alarm device 108 includes an electric horn and a hazard warning light, and the vehicle-mounted audible and visual alarm device 108 is electrically connected to the output terminal of the chassis controller 101.

[0056] When the hood lock switch 103 is invalid, and the chassis controller 101 detects that the neutral switch 105 and the parking switch 104 are both in a de-energized state, it will activate the vehicle-mounted audible and visual alarm device 108 to issue an alarm.

[0057] Furthermore, when the vehicle is in a drivable state, if the hood lock switch 103 is invalid, the chassis controller 101 will drive the vehicle-mounted audible and visual alarm device 108 to issue an alarm.

[0058] In one possible implementation, the automatic hood flipping system for long-nose commercial vehicles also includes an instrument controller 110 and a vehicle CAN network 111;

[0059] The chassis controller 101 is connected to the vehicle CAN network 111 as a CAN node, and the instrument controller 110 is connected to the vehicle CAN network 111 as a CAN node; the instrument controller 110 obtains the hood locking information through the vehicle CAN network 111.

[0060] Furthermore, the chassis controller 101 sends an invalid signal of the hood lock switch 103 on the vehicle CAN network 111. After receiving the invalid signal of the hood lock switch 103, the instrument controller 110 illuminates the hood flip indicator light.

[0061] As can be seen from the above, the hood is allowed to flip only when the electric tilt switch 102, parking switch 104 and neutral switch 105 are all active at the same time, and the millimeter-wave radar group 106 and camera 107 determine that the distance between the obstacle in front and the vehicle will not interfere with the flipping of the hood. At this time, the hood locking switch 103 is off, and the instrument panel illuminates the hood flip indicator light. When the parking switch 104 and neutral switch 105 are both inactive, the chassis controller 101 drives the audible and visual alarm device 108 to automatically alarm.

[0062] like Figure 2 As shown, in one possible implementation, the chassis controller 101 specifically includes a microprocessor unit 200, an information acquisition unit 201, a storage unit 202, a decoder 204, a CAN transceiver unit 203, and a drive unit 205; wherein:

[0063] The microprocessor unit 200 is used to call the obstacle image ranging algorithm and the sound and light alarm algorithm program pre-stored in the storage unit 202. After the microprocessor unit 200 performs calculations, it determines whether the distance between the hood and the front obstacle meets the flip condition. The microprocessor unit 200 transmits the hood locking switch 103 information to the CAN transceiver unit 203 through the first signal path. The CAN transceiver unit 203 forwards the locking switch information to the vehicle CAN network 111. The microprocessor unit 200 collects information from the millimeter-wave radar and the camera 107 through the second signal path.

[0064] The information acquisition unit 201 is connected at its input end to the electric tilt switch 102, the hood locking switch 103, the parking switch 104, the neutral switch 105, the millimeter-wave radar group 106, and the camera 107, and at its output end to the input end of the microprocessor unit 200; the microprocessor unit 200 judges and controls the output of the drive unit 205 based on the acquired information;

[0065] The storage module is used to store obstacle image ranging algorithm and sound and light alarm algorithm program; the decoder 204 is used to parse the video stream information collected and transmitted by the camera 107.

[0066] The CAN transceiver unit 203 is connected to the microprocessor unit 200 at its input end and to the vehicle CAN network 111 at its output end, and is used to forward the information of the hood lock switch 103 to the vehicle CAN network 111.

[0067] The drive unit 205 is connected to the microprocessor unit 200 at its input end and to the flip motor 109 at its output end via a third signal path to control the motor's operating status; it is also connected to the vehicle-mounted audible and visual alarm device 108 via a fourth signal path for alarm notification.

[0068] Furthermore, when the vehicle is in a drivable state, if the hood lock switch 103 is invalid, the microprocessor unit 200 controls the drive unit 205 to drive the vehicle-mounted audible and visual alarm device 108 to issue an alarm. Here, the drivable state of the vehicle is defined as the engine being started, the transmission not in neutral, and the parking brake released.

[0069] As a further explanation of the present invention, the chassis controller 101 also includes a diagnostic unit 206;

[0070] The diagnostic unit 206 is connected to the microprocessor unit 200 at its output end, monitors the status of the millimeter-wave radar group 106 and the camera 107 at its input end, and feeds back the status of the millimeter-wave radar group 106 and the camera 107 to the microprocessor unit 200.

[0071] The embodiments given above are preferred examples for implementing the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Any non-essential additions or substitutions made by those skilled in the art based on the technical features of the present invention are within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A long-nose commercial vehicle engine compartment cover automatic flip system, characterized in that, The long-nose commercial vehicle engine hood automatic turnover system comprises a chassis controller, a millimeter wave radar group, an electric turnover switch, an engine hood locking switch and a turnover motor. The millimeter wave radar group is electrically connected with the input end of the chassis controller, and is used for detecting whether the distance of the front-end obstacle of the engine hood meets the requirement of engine hood turnover, and feeding back the distance signal of the front-end obstacle of the engine hood to the chassis controller. The engine hood locking switch is electrically connected with the input end of the chassis controller, and is linked with an engine hood locking device. The electric turnover switch is electrically connected with the input end of the chassis controller. When the electric turnover switch is pressed and the distance of the front-end obstacle of the engine hood meets the requirement of engine hood turnover, the chassis controller controls the turnover motor to rotate forward, the engine hood is turned over, and the engine hood locking switch is invalid after the engine hood is turned over.

2. The long nose commercial vehicle engine compartment cover automatic flip system of claim 1, wherein, The long-nose commercial vehicle engine hood automatic turnover system further comprises a camera, which is electrically connected with the input end of the chassis controller, and is used for detecting the shape and distance of the front-end obstacle of the engine hood, and feeding back the shape and distance signal of the front-end obstacle of the engine hood to the chassis controller.

3. The long nose commercial vehicle engine bay automatic flip system of claim 2, wherein, The long-nose commercial vehicle engine hood automatic turnover system further comprises a parking switch and a neutral switch. The parking switch is electrically connected with the input end of the chassis controller, and is linked with a parking device of the truck. The neutral switch is electrically connected with the input end of the chassis controller, and is linked with a gear device of the truck. When the electric turnover switch is pressed and the distance of the front-end obstacle of the engine hood meets the requirement of engine hood turnover, and the parking switch and the neutral switch are in the closed and powered-on state at the same time, the chassis controller controls the turnover motor to rotate forward, and the engine hood is turned over.

4. The long nose commercial vehicle engine bay automatic flip system of claim 3, wherein, The long-nose commercial vehicle engine hood automatic turnover system further comprises a vehicle-mounted sound and light alarm device. The vehicle-mounted sound and light alarm device comprises an electric horn and a danger warning light, and is electrically connected with the output end of the chassis controller. When the engine hood locking switch is invalid, and the chassis controller detects that the parking switch and the neutral switch are in the powered-off state at the same time, the vehicle-mounted sound and light alarm device is driven to alarm and prompt.

5. The long-nose commercial vehicle engine bay automatic flip system of claim 4, wherein, When the vehicle is in a drivable state, if the engine hood locking switch is invalid, the chassis controller drives the vehicle-mounted sound and light alarm device to alarm.

6. The long nose commercial vehicle engine compartment cover automatic flip system of claim 1, wherein, The long-nose commercial vehicle engine hood automatic turnover system further comprises an instrument controller and a whole vehicle CAN network. The chassis controller is connected to the whole vehicle CAN network as a CAN node, and the instrument controller is connected to the whole vehicle CAN network as a CAN node.

7. The long nose commercial vehicle engine bay automatic flip system of claim 6, wherein, The chassis controller sends an invalid signal of the engine hood locking switch on the whole vehicle CAN network, and the instrument controller lights up the engine hood turnover indicator lamp after receiving the invalid signal of the engine hood locking switch.

8. The long nose commercial vehicle engine compartment cover automatic flip system of claim 4, wherein, The chassis controller comprises a microprocessor unit, an information acquisition unit, a storage unit, a decoder, a CAN transceiver unit and a driving unit. The microprocessor unit is used to call the obstacle image ranging algorithm and the sound and light alarm algorithm program pre-stored in the storage unit, and judge whether the distance between the engine hood and the front obstacle meets the turnover condition through the operation of the microprocessor unit; the microprocessor unit transmits the engine hood locking switch information to the CAN transceiver unit through a first signal path, and the CAN transceiver unit forwards the locking switch information to the whole vehicle CAN network; the microprocessor unit acquires the information of the millimeter wave radar and the camera through a second signal path; The information acquisition unit is connected to the electric turnover switch, the engine hood locking switch, the parking switch, the neutral switch, the millimeter wave radar group and the camera at the input end, and connected to the input end of the microprocessor unit at the output end; the microprocessor unit judges and controls the output of the driving unit according to the collected information; The storage unit is used to store the obstacle image ranging algorithm and the sound and light alarm algorithm program; the decoder is used to analyze the video stream information collected and transmitted by the camera; The CAN transceiver unit is connected to the microprocessor unit at the input end and connected to the whole vehicle CAN network at the output end, and is used to forward the engine hood locking switch information to the whole vehicle CAN network; The driving unit is connected to the microprocessor unit at the input end and connected to the turnover motor through a third signal path at the output end to control the running state of the motor; and connected to the vehicle-mounted sound and light alarm device through a fourth signal path to alarm.

9. The long-nose commercial vehicle engine bay automatic flip system of claim 8, wherein, When the vehicle is in a drivable state, if the engine hood locking switch is invalid, the microprocessor unit controls the driving unit to drive the vehicle-mounted sound and light alarm device to alarm.

10. The long nose commercial vehicle engine compartment cover automatic flip system of claim 8, wherein, The chassis controller further comprises a diagnosis unit; the diagnosis unit is connected to the microprocessor unit at the output end, and monitors the state of the millimeter wave radar group and the camera at the input end, and feeds back the state of the millimeter wave radar group and the camera to the microprocessor unit.

Images