Fleet maintenance interval control for controlling loading platform lights

Abstract

The invention relates to a fleet maintenance interval control system for controlling loading platform lights, which includes a control unit that is designed, in particular together with other control units of other loading platform lights, in such a way that this control unit indicates, at predetermined or variably specified times, when a maintenance interval has been exhausted, taking into account the interval usage duration, the state of charge of the battery and / or the luminosity of a light source in the loading platform light.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a fleet maintenance interval control system for controlling on-board lights.

[0002] Inside at least one charging station light is a control unit which, for example, detects the charge level of a battery.

[0003] This control unit can then be interconnected with other control units for different tailgate lights in such a way that the corresponding tailgate lights of individual tailgates are replaced and / or repaired at predetermined or variably specified times. In essence, much like the maintenance system used by SCS TEC GmbH, the battery's state of charge is transmitted to a central control unit, which can be located within the company. This unit then indicates when and at what intervals a battery needs to be replaced.The technical challenge that had to be overcome is that virtually every charging station light has its own individual replacement interval, because, depending on where the charging station light was installed – either through permafrost or very hot areas – the battery ages at different rates and the charging capacity adjusts or changes at different rates.At certain replacement intervals, which can also be fixed, it was possible to ensure that not only those batteries with insufficient power output are replaced, but also, based on a forecasting unit, that it could be predicted, particularly depending on the information stored by the receiving unit of each charging station light about previous heat or cold loads, when a charging station light that actually still meets the specifications will no longer be able to reach the next fixed replacement interval, and thus must be replaced even though there is actually no need for it yet.This significantly increases safety measures, because in fact, the control unit can proactively replace, in advance, those charging station light batteries that, to put it simply, would still be "good".

[0004] According to the invention, the fleet maintenance interval control for controlling loading platform lights comprises a control unit which, in particular together with other control units of other loading platform lights, is designed in such a way that this control unit indicates at predetermined or variably specified times when a maintenance interval has been exhausted, taking into account the interval usage duration, the state of charge of the battery and / or the luminosity of a light source in the loading platform light.

[0005] For example, the battery's state of charge is transmitted to an externally positioned overall control unit, which then indicates when and at what times a battery needs to be replaced.

[0006] According to at least one embodiment, the fleet maintenance interval control comprises at least two tailgate lights, wherein at least one tailgate light comprises a control unit which, in particular together with other control units of other tailgate lights, is designed in such a way that this control unit indicates, at predetermined or variably specified times, when the charge level of a battery of the tailgate light needs to be recharged or replaced.

[0007] According to at least one embodiment, the present invention comprises a method for monitoring the state of charge of a loading platform light, comprising the steps of a control unit, which is designed in particular together with other control units of other loading platform lights, such that this control unit indicates at predetermined or variably specified times when the state of charge of a battery of the loading platform light needs to be recharged or replaced.

[0008] However, loading platform lights are already known from the prior art. At least, loading platform lights are known which – as described above – also emit light from their side surfaces.

[0009] However, existing on-board lights known from the state of the art exhibit, among other things, a particularly high energy consumption.

[0010] Therefore, in order to provide a cargo light with minimized power consumption, the present invention makes use, among other things, of the idea of ​​using a light source in the cargo light which has a power consumption of at most 3W and / or a current consumption of at most 300 mA at a supply voltage of at least 10 volts and at most 30 volts. For example, the light source has a current consumption of at least 100 mA and at most 125 mA at a supply voltage of 24 volts.

[0011] A lower current draw and therefore also a lower power consumption of the light source ensures that, on the one hand, the entire charging station light heats up less during operation and, on the other hand, has a minimized energy consumption.

[0012] According to at least one embodiment, the loading platform light comprises an electrically operated light source and a housing, wherein the electrically operated light source is at least partially detachably or permanently stowed in a storage compartment of the housing, wherein the housing has a top surface and a mounting surface, and the mounting surface is designed and intended to be detachably or permanently mounted on the loading platform, and the top surface is connected to the mounting surface via at least one side surface, wherein the side surface has at least one opening through which electromagnetic radiation emitted by the electrically operated light source can be at least partially discharged from the housing.

[0013] According to at least one embodiment, the light source has a power consumption of at most 3W and / or a current consumption of at most 300 mA at a supply voltage of at least 10 volts and at most 30 volts.

[0014] According to at least one embodiment, electromagnetic radiation escapes only through the opening in the housing, wherein the opening in the side surface comprises at least 20% of the total surface area of ​​the side surface and the light source is at least partially exposed through the opening. In other words, a user can visually identify, for example, a side surface of the light source and, in particular, also a light-emitting surface of the light source from the outside.

[0015] According to at least one embodiment, the housing is frustoconical in shape such that the top surface has a smaller area than the mounting surface, and preferably, one side surface is inclined at least 10° to a surface normal of the top surface and / or the mounting surface. This ensures that the projection of the side surface in the direction of the surface normal of the top surface is always large enough that a user looking at the loading platform light in the direction of the surface normal of the top surface and / or the mounting surface will still perceive the illumination of a light source. In other words, this inclination of the side surface to the surface normal of the top surface and / or the mounting surface ensures that such a projection area is large enough to be adequately perceived at all times by an observer standing behind the loading platform light.

[0016] According to at least one embodiment, the electrically operated light source comprises at least one planar light guide and at least one light source, preferably an LED, wherein the light source is arranged on the light guide such that electromagnetic radiation emitted by the light source is at least partially coupled into the planar light guide. For example, the light source, and in particular an emission surface of the light source, is arranged without a gap on the planar light guide. Alternatively, however, a gap, for example at least partially filled with an ambient medium (e.g., air), can also be formed between the LED and the light guide. The distance, and thus the gap dimension, between the LED and the light guide can be between 0.2 and 5 mm, preferably between 0.8 and 1.2 mm, for example 1 mm.Furthermore, a light-guiding and / or light-refracting medium can be placed in the gap between the LED and the light guide. The flat light guide can be a translucent and / or light-guiding plastic element.

[0017] According to at least one embodiment, the loading platform light described here comprises control and / or regulation electronics, which are at least partially integrated into the housing and are configured and intended to operate the light source. In this respect, these control and regulation electronics are "on-board" control and regulation electronics, which, instead of being located separately from the loading platform light, are installed particularly compactly within the loading platform light.

[0018] For example, the control electronics include a light / dark sensor which regulates the current and / or voltage supply to the light source depending on the ambient brightness. For instance, the sensor detects approaching darkness and therefore supplies the light source with more electrical energy (higher current and / or voltage) so that the light source shines brighter. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that, conversely, the sensor supplies the light source with more electrical energy the greater the sunlight on the cargo light, and thus on the sensor itself. This can ensure that the cargo light is always easily visible, even in bright daylight. This makes it particularly easy to ensure that the cargo light is always bright enough. Conversely, the light / dark sensor can also be used to dim the light source.

[0019] The control electronics can also include a memory element that stores the operating history of the light source. This memory element can include a read and / or read interface. Using the read interface, the operating history of the light source (usage duration, resistance, etc.) can be displayed to an evaluator via an external evaluation element.

[0020] The data input interface allows data to be fed into the control and / or regulation electronics using an external programming device, according to an externally selected or programmed operating program.

[0021] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the on-board light is not wired, but rather that the light source and / or the control and / or regulation electronics are supplied with electrical energy by means of a battery installed in or with the housing, for example with a rechargeable battery.

[0022] According to at least one embodiment, the electromagnetic radiation generated by the light source is coupled out of the cargo light only via at least one side surface of the planar light guide. This ensures that the electromagnetic radiation generated by the light source is guided out of the cargo light in a leak-free and targeted manner.

[0023] According to at least one embodiment, at least one seal is arranged between the flat optical fiber and an inner wall of the housing, either detachably or permanently, preferably on the flat optical fiber itself, wherein the seal provides a watertight seal for a cavity formed between the flat optical fiber and the inner wall of the housing. For example, the light source and / or the control and / or regulation electronics and / or the aforementioned sensors are arranged in this cavity.

[0024] Preferably, the seal is a circumferential seal that completely surrounds the flat optical fiber and is free of defects and interruptions. This effectively prevents water from penetrating between the inner wall of the housing and the flat optical fiber.

[0025] According to at least one embodiment, cavities between the housing, the planar light guide, and / or connection points for the power supply of the light source are preferably filled, at least partially, with a potting compound, preferably without bubbles. "Bubble-free" in this context means that, within the manufacturing tolerances, the potting compound has no bubbles in its cured state.

[0026] In particular, it is conceivable that a power supply cable is preferably only attached to connection points of the flat-designed light guide for the power supply of the light source by means of a screw mechanism instead of being mounted by means of a potting of an intermediate space between such a connection point of the flat-designed light guide and an end of the charging cable.

[0027] In other words, such a hardened potting material forms a sufficiently rigid and mechanical connection between the charging cable and such a connection point.

[0028] The following section describes the loading platform light in more detail using specific examples. Fig. Figure 1 shows the fleet maintenance interval control 200 for controlling loading platform lights 100, a control unit which, in particular together with other control units of other loading platform lights 100, is designed in such a way that this control unit indicates at predetermined or variably specified times when a maintenance interval has been exhausted, taking into account the interval usage duration, the state of charge of the battery and / or the luminosity of a light source in the loading platform light 100. In the Fig. 2A - 2D are schematic perspective views of individual elements of the loading platform light or the finished loading platform light (see Fig. 2C) shown in schematic figures.

[0029] In the figures, identical or equivalent components are each marked with the same reference symbols. The elements shown here are not to scale; rather, individual elements may be exaggerated for clarity.

[0030] In the Fig. Figure 2A shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a loading platform light 100 described here for mounting on a loading platform 1.

[0031] As from the Fig. 2A, the loading platform light 100 described therein comprises an electrically operated light source 2 and a preferably radiation-impermeable and further preferably metallic housing 3, wherein the electrically operated light source 2 is detachably stowed in a storage compartment 31 of the housing 3.

[0032] In particular, the housing 3 has a cover surface 32 and a mounting surface 33, wherein the mounting surface 33 is designed and intended to be detachably or indetachably mounted on the loading platform 1, and the cover surface 32 is connected to the mounting surface 33 via at least one side surface 34, wherein the side surface 34 has at least one opening 340 through which electromagnetic radiation emitted by the electrically operated light source 2 can be at least partially discharged from the housing 3.

[0033] Therefore, it can be easily seen that the electromagnetic radiation escapes only through the opening 340 in the housing 3.

[0034] Furthermore, the area of ​​the opening 340 in the side surface 34 is at least 20% of the total area of ​​the side surface 34, wherein the inclination of the side surface 34 to a surface normal N of the cover surface 32 and the mounting surface 33 is at least 10°.

[0035] In other words, a side surface 210 of the planar light guide 21 is at least partially visible from the outside and emits the electromagnetic radiation generated by a light source 22 of the light source 2 via its lateral light coupling surface.

[0036] In particular, the opening 340 in the housing 3 is formed into two separate openings separated from each other by a central web M340. The central web M340 is therefore part of the side surface 340 and extends continuously from the top surface 32 obliquely towards the mounting surface 33, thus dividing the opening 340 as seen in its entirety into the two partial openings.

[0037] The central web M340 therefore enables, in a particularly simple manner, both the protection of the side surface 210 of the planar light guide 21 and the possibility of extending the opening 340 to a particularly large area without compromising the mechanical stability of the housing 3. In this respect, an opening 340 designed in this way, subdivided only by a web M340 as described above, ensures that the side surface 34 is otherwise free of any further openings for the emission of electromagnetic radiation.

[0038] Furthermore, it should also be noted that both the cover surface 32 and the mounting surface 33 are likewise free of such openings through which electromagnetic radiation can pass.

[0039] In the Fig. Figure 2B shows a schematic view of an inner wall of the housing 3. The inner wall of the housing 3 therefore forms a cavity H within the housing 3, within which a control and / or regulation electronics 4 for operating the light source 22 of the planar optical fiber is arranged.

[0040] Furthermore, the cavity H is sufficiently large to accommodate at least part of the planar optical fiber 21. For example, the cavity H is essentially rectangular and has lateral dimensions of at least 45 mm and at most 65 mm.

[0041] Furthermore, it can be seen that the cavity H has further recesses A1 to A4, which extend from an inner edge H1 of the cavity H in a direction away from a center point M of the cavity H. These recesses A1 to A4 are therefore elongated and thus form depressions in the inner wall of the housing 3.

[0042] The Fig. 2C shows a corresponding front view of the one in the Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B shown housing 3. In the Fig. 2D are respective lateral sectional views of the objects in the Fig. Section lines shown in 2C.

[0043] In the Fig. Figure 2D shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of an electrically operated light source 2 described herein. The electrically operated light source 2 has a planar light guide 21 and a light source 22, which is in the form of an LED and whose light is coupled into the light guide 21. The light source 22 is supplied with electrical energy via a power cable 35.

[0044] According to the Fig. The cutouts shown in 2B, A1 to A4, show the Fig. 2C and the flat-shaped light guide 21 described therein, with projections V1 to V4 that fit precisely and can be uniquely assigned to the respective recesses A1 to A4, which can preferably be pressed into the respective recesses A1 to A4 of the housing 3 by hand or mounted in another way.

[0045] A seal 5 circumferentially runs along the edge of the flat light guide 21, thus creating a watertight connection between the flat light guide 21 and the inner wall of the housing 3 during the pressing of the projections V1 to V4 into the respective recesses A1 to A4.

[0046] The invention is not limited by the description of the exemplary embodiment. Rather, the invention encompasses every new feature as well as every combination of features, which also includes in particular every combination of the patent claims, even if this feature or this combination itself is not explicitly specified in the patent claims or in the exemplary embodiment. Reference symbol list A1 - A4 cutouts V1 - V4 Advantages H cavity H1 inner boundary 2 light bulbs 3 cases 4 Control electronics 5 Seal 6 connection points 21 fiber optic cables 22 Light source 31 storage space 32 Cover area 33 Mounting area 34 side surface 35 power cables 100 Loading platform light 200 Fleet maintenance interval control 210 side area 220 Central control 300 procedures 340 opening M340 Bridge

Claims

[1] Fleet maintenance interval control (200) for controlling loading platform lights (100), comprising a control unit which, in particular together with other control units of other loading platform lights, is designed in such a way that this control unit indicates at predetermined or variably specified times when a maintenance interval has been exhausted, characterized by , that based on a forecasting unit it can be predicted, in particular depending on the information stored by a recording unit of each loading platform light about previous heat or cold loads, when a loading platform light, which actually still meets the specifications, will actually no longer be able to meet the next fixed replacement date, and thus must be replaced, even though there is actually no need for it yet. [2] Fleet maintenance interval control (200) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the control unit of a loading platform light or a complete control unit of the loading platform light also replaces, in prognostic terms, those loading platform light batteries that would actually still be functional. [3] Fleet maintenance interval control (200) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that each charging station light is subject to an individual replacement interval, because depending on where the charging station light was installed, either through permafrost areas or through very hot areas, the battery ages at different rates and the charging capacity also adjusts at different rates. [4] Fleet maintenance interval control (200) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the indication of when a maintenance interval is exhausted is made taking into account the interval usage duration, the state of charge of the battery and / or the luminosity of a light source in the on-board light. [5] Fleet maintenance interval control (200) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the battery's state of charge is transmitted to a central control unit, which may be located within the company, indicating when and at what times a battery needs to be replaced. [6] Fleet maintenance interval control (200) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the battery's state of charge is transmitted to an externally positioned overall control unit, which indicates when and at what times a battery needs to be replaced. [7] Fleet maintenance interval control (200) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the control and / or regulation electronics include a storage element which stores an operating history of the light source, wherein the storage element includes a readout and / or data input interface by means of which the operating history of the light source can be displayed to an evaluator via an external evaluation element. [8] Method (300) for predictive monitoring of the charge status of a charging station light (100), comprising the steps: - Providing a control unit, which, in particular together with other control units of other loading platform lights (100), is designed in such a way that this control unit indicates, at predetermined or variably specified times, when a maintenance interval has been exhausted, and - Predicting, using a forecasting unit, in particular depending on the information stored by a recording unit of each loading platform light about previous heat or cold loads, when a loading platform light, which actually still meets the specifications, will predictably no longer meet the next fixed replacement date, and - Indications that the charging station light or its battery needs to be replaced, even though there is actually no need for this yet. [9] Method (300) according to claim 8, characterized by , that, from a prognostic point of view, even those charging station light batteries that would actually still be functional will be replaced. [10] Method (300) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by , that the battery's state of charge is transmitted to a central control unit, which indicates when and at what times a battery needs to be replaced.

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