Smart trailer

Abstract

A vehicle (300) configured to tow a trailer (200), the vehicle (300) comprising: a. a processor; b. a non-transitory storage device (304) connected to the processor; c. a first communication device (310) operatively connected to the processor and configured to receive a signal carrying operating parameter information relating to the trailer (200) from a trailer (200) physically attached to the vehicle (300), wherein the operating parameter information is generated by load cells (214) connected to the trailer (200), the load cells (214) measuring a total weight of a load (204) on the trailer (200) as well as the distribution of the total load or weight on the trailer (200), wherein the storage device (304) has executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to change operation of the vehicle (300) in response to the received operating parameter information, wherein the processor disables operation of the vehicle (300) in response to the received operating parameter information if the vehicle (300) is too small to safely pull the trailer (200) and its load (204).

Description

background

[0001] A trailer is a non-motorized or unpowered vehicle designed to be towed or pulled along a road or other surface by a motor-powered vehicle, such as an automobile or truck. Trailers are used to transport a virtually countless number of different things. For this reason, there are a large number of different types and sizes of trailers that can be attached to towing vehicles, which can include automobiles and all sizes and types of trucks.

[0002] US 2007 / 0 069 877 A1 discloses a tire pressure management system that uses externally mounted tire RFID tags and valve-mounted tire pressure sensors for a tractor / trailer system. A controller area network is used to transmit data between a body computer and a receiver of the tire pressure management system.

[0003] DE 10 2008 014 101 A1 describes a device for wireless communication with a vehicle, comprising a receiver mounted in or on the vehicle and adapted to receive data from a wireless transmitter. The data is intended to be received by all vehicles located within a predetermined wireless range and having microprocessors capable of processing a standard data format.

[0004] EP 0 565 099 A1 describes a communication system between several sensors and a central unit (1), particularly for checking tire pressure and / or tire temperature. When installed in commercial vehicles consisting of a tractor and a trailer, the trailer's configuration data can be stored in an electronic key (2) suitable for selective connection to the central unit of the system installed on the tractor.

[0005] US 2006 / 0 279 416 A1 discloses a tire pressure monitoring system with a tire pressure receiving device that includes an ID reader mounted on the rear of a tractor head of a vehicle. The ID reader requires a transponder of the tire pressure monitoring system to transmit wheel identification information from the wheels of the vehicle's trailer via radio when the vehicle is started.

[0006] US 2005 / 0 270 148 A1 describes a system and method for monitoring trailer tires. The trailer tire monitoring system includes tire sensor assemblies, each mounted in one of the trailer tires, each tire sensor assembly comprising a sensor device that monitors at least one tire operating parameter and a wireless transmitter device capable of wirelessly transmitting data related to the at least one tire operating parameter.

[0007] US 2007 / 0 194 896 A1 discloses a wireless tire pressure sensor configured to connect to a tire valve and detect the tire's air pressure. Preferably, the tire pressure sensor also includes a microcontroller and a transceiver so that the tire pressure sensor can send, receive, and process information. Also provided is a wireless tire status monitoring system comprising a wireless tire pressure transmitter and / or tire pressure transducer.

[0008] DE 10 2008 032 920 A1 describes the transmission of data messages for a tire pressure measurement system from a rear trailer module positioned on a rear trailer. The messages are received by the module from a front trailer module positioned on a front trailer. The messages are redirected from the module to a receiving module located on a traction machine, where additional information is added to the messages. The messages are received and evaluated, and the tire pressure information provided is uniquely assigned to one of the trailers attached to the engine.

[0009] Using a trailer, or towing, requires a vehicle that is mechanically capable of safely pulling a trailer. It also requires skill. Above all, towing something safely with a trailer requires knowledge of the trailer, its contents, and its capabilities, as well as knowledge of its operating characteristics. Short description of the drawings Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an intelligent towing system; Fig. 2 is a block diagram of components that make up a smart trailer; Fig. 3 is a block diagram of components that form a towing vehicle as part of the intelligent towing system; Fig. 4 is a process for use by a smart trailer; and Fig. 5 is a block diagram of an intelligent towing method for a towing vehicle. Detailed description

[0010] Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an intelligent towing system 100. The system 100 consists of an intelligent trailer 200 and a towing vehicle 300 intended to be used with an intelligent trailer 200.

[0011] The intelligent trailer 200 consists of a frame 202 that supports a load 204. The load 204 is in Fig. 1 as a boat, although other trailers with different frames are capable of carrying other types of loads. The frame 202 is mechanically connected to the tow vehicle 300 by a conventional trailer hitch 206, which receives a ball attached to the tow vehicle 300 through a conventional trailer hitch receiver.

[0012] The trailer frame 202 is mounted on and rolls on wheels 208. The wheels 208 rotate on wheel bearings that are not visible in the figures.

[0013] As used herein, the term sensor refers to a device that converts a physical stimulus, such as heat, light, sound, pressure, magnetism, tilt angle, or a specific movement, into an electrically measurable signal. Such a signal can be either analog or digital. The smart trailer 200 is equipped with various sensors mounted on the trailer 200, its frame 202, or its wheels 208, which provide electrically measurable signals representing a sensed physical stimulus.

[0014] In one embodiment, trailer 200 is equipped with temperature and operating sensors 210 for tires, wheels, wheel bearings (not shown), and wheel brakes. Such sensors generate one or more signals representative of wheel bearing temperature, brake temperature, brake application, brake wear, and tire pressure.

[0015] The trailer 200 may also be equipped with an accelerometer 212 for sensing whether the trailer frame 202 is level from front to back or from side to side. Load cells 214 are mounted on the front, rear, and both sides of the trailer 200 (one side in Fig. 1) detect whether the load 204 on the trailer 200 is properly positioned from front to rear as well as from side to side on the trailer 200. Light sensors 216 detect whether the trailer's indicator lights are operational. An adjacent vehicle detector 218, mounted on the rear 220 of the trailer 200, senses a distance from the rear 220 of the trailer to another vehicle behind it as well as a vehicle adjacent to the trailer 200. Regardless of the number and / or type of sensors used, they respond to physical stimuli and generate signals representing operating parameters of the smart trailer 200.

[0016] The towing vehicle 300 is provided with a conventional trailer hitch 222 and a conventional wiring harness 224 that supplies power to the trailer 200 and electronic components located on the trailer, which include the aforementioned sensors and electronic devices used in Fig. 2 are shown.

[0017] Fig. Figure 2 is a block diagram of the intelligent trailer 200. The various sensors 210, 212, 214, 216, and 218 described above are operably connected to a programmable computer 228 via a bus 230 that runs along the frame 202. The sensors are provided for sensing various trailer operating parameters. Such "operating parameters" include, but are not limited to, the conditions of the brakes with which the trailer may be equipped, including brake wear and brake temperature. Other sensors, which may be embodied as load cells, sense and measure a total weight of a load on the trailer 200, as well as the distribution of the total load or weight on the trailer 200. The trailer may also be equipped with still other sensors that detect objects adjacent to or behind the trailer optically or thermally, such as through acoustic waves, ultrasonic waves, or radio frequency waves.

[0018] As used herein, the term "bus" refers to a set of parallel conductors in a computer system that forms a signal transmission path. Bus 230, which connects sensors 210, 212, 214, 216, and 218 to computer 228, is a multi-conductor cable that extends around the frame of trailer 202 and is therefore external to computer 228.

[0019] The computer 228 is operatively connected to a two-way communication device 240 via the external bus 230. The communication device 240 generates signals that transmit to the towing vehicle 300 analog or digital data representing information-bearing signals generated by the sensors. The communication device 240 also receives signals containing signals that transmit information relevant to the operation of the trailer 200. Messages received by the communication device are processed using conventional methods to retrieve information therein. Retrieved information may then be provided to the computer 228 and appropriately processed or stored in the storage device 236 according to program instructions.

[0020] In one embodiment, the communication device 240 is a short-range radio communication device, such as a Bluetooth transceiver. Radio frequency signals generated by the communication device 240 are output from the antenna 234, which is attached to the trailer 200 but in Fig. 1 is not shown.

[0021] As described above and as in Fig. 2, the computer 228 is connected to the sensors and the communication device 240 through the bus 230 external to the computer. The computer 228 is also connected to the various sensors through the same bus 230. One of ordinary skill in the art will also recognize that the sensors and the communication device 240 are also interconnected, since both the sensors and the communication device 240 are connected to the bus 230. The computer 228 is thus capable of effecting control over the communication device 240 and the various sensors in part by executing program instructions stored in a storage device 236 that stores program instructions that cause the computer 228 to collect information-bearing signals from the sensors and to bundle or assemble the information-bearing signals into a format that is transmitted by the communication device 240.However, in an alternative embodiment, the communication device 240 is capable of obtaining sensor-generated information directly from the sensors, either through instructions issued by the computer 228 or through control exercised by the communication device 240 itself.

[0022] The memory 236, which stores the executable instructions, is a non-transitory storage device connected to the computer 228 via a conventional address / data / control bus 238. Examples of such a device include, but are not limited to, static and dynamic random access memory (RAM). The same storage device also stores information about the smart trailer 200, such as operating specifications and identifying information. The operating specifications include its external dimensions, load capacity, center of gravity, recommended tire pressure, and maintenance history and effort. The memory 236 may also store data related to the requirements of a tow vehicle to be used with the vehicle.

[0023] In one embodiment, the memory device 236 for storing instructions and the computer 228 are co-existing on the same silicon chip. Computer-executable program instructions in the memory are selected such that the Fig. 2 shown system of the intelligent trailer becomes operational and the Fig. 4 as long as power is applied to the trailer 200. The smart trailer 200 is powered by a conventional chassis harness connector 240 that electrically connects the trailer to the tow vehicle 300.

[0024] Fig. 3 is a block diagram of an implementation of a towing vehicle 300 for use with a smart trailer incorporated in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. A computer 302 located on the tow vehicle executes instructions stored in a memory device 304, to which the computer is connected by a conventional address / data / control bus 308. In addition to storing executable instructions, the memory device 304 also stores operating characteristics of the tow vehicle, such as its stopping distance with and without an attached trailer, its towing load, and information received from an attached trailer 200, such as the weight of the trailer with and / or without a load 204.

[0025] The computer 302 communicates with and controls a first communication device 310 via a second separate bus 312 external to the computer. The computer 302 also communicates with and controls a second communication device 314, preferably embodied as a wire area local area network or WLAN transceiver, and a driver display device 312 via the same external bus 308. Instructions executed by the computer 302 are stored in the memory device 304.

[0026] A display device 316 is connected to the computer 302 via the external bus 312. The display device is physically located on the dashboard or front portion 318 of the passenger compartment 320 of the tow vehicle 300 and is configured to be viewed by at least the tow vehicle operator. Informational messages are generated by the computer 302 and displayed on the display device 316 to alert the tow vehicle operator to conditions of the smart trailer 200. Warnings and alarms are also generated and displayed. In another embodiment, the display device 316 is embodied as an audio system that generates audible messages corresponding to visual messages.

[0027] The computer 302 is also connected to the main control computer of the towing vehicle, often referred to as the engine control unit or ECU 318. The ECU 318 controls, among other things, the operation of the towing vehicle engine and transmission, either by itself or in combination with other computers subordinate to the ECU 318 and in Fig. 3 are omitted for the sake of brevity and clarity.

[0028] Fig. 4 illustrates a method 400 for operating the smart trailer 200, including transferring smart trailer data from the smart trailer 200 to the tow vehicle 300. The method begins with step 402 when the trailer 200 is powered by the tow vehicle, ie, when the trailer harness connector 240 is electrically connected to the corresponding chassis harness connector 340 of the tow vehicle.

[0029] After power is applied to the smart trailer 200 in step 402, the computer 228 determines whether the smart trailer 200 is mechanically attached to a tow vehicle 300, that is, whether the trailer 200 is connected to the tow vehicle's trailer hitch. Determining that the smart trailer 200 is attached is important so that the smart trailer 200 knows whether it should transmit sensor information to compatible vehicles within signal range to which it could, but which should not receive information from the trailer 200. Determining whether the smart trailer 200 is mechanically attached to the tow vehicle 300 can be determined in several ways. One simple way to make such a determination would be to mechanically connect a switch to the trailer hitch ball lock.A more elaborate method would be to use a load cell in the trailer hitch to sense the force applied to it by the weight of the trailer's tongue on the tow ball. Yet another way to sense whether the smart trailer 200 is attached is to "pair" a portable Bluetooth communication device or "cellular phone" with a trailer-mounted communication device 240 embodied as a Bluetooth radio. Once the detected trailer-mounted communication device 240 is recognized and paired with a driver's cellular phone, data can be obtained from the trailer 200, and a determination can be made that it is attached to the tow vehicle.

[0030] If no tow vehicle is attached, the smart trailer method 400 remains in a loop at step 402 until the trailer 200 is mechanically attached to the tow vehicle 300.

[0031] In step 404, the computer 228 for the trailer 200 attempts to "pair" with the trailer's communication device 240, i.e., Bluetooth radio, with a compatible radio 306 on the towing vehicle 300. Bluetooth radio pairing is well known, but since communications between the vehicles 200 and 300 are required to transmit trailer sensor data from the trailer to the towing vehicle, the Fig. 4, the method continues to pair the radios. If the smart trailer communication device 240 does not pair with the tow vehicle communication device 306, the smart trailer 200 continues to attempt to pair the two radios by looping from step 402 through steps 406 and 402. Once the radios are paired, the method continues to step 408, where the smart trailer computer 228 begins reading the trailer sensors.

[0032] An important feature of the Fig. 4 is that it allows the number and type of sensors on the trailer 200 to be entered into the smart trailer's computer 228 at step 410. Such a feature allows the computer 228 to ignore or activate sensors that may not be available or useful, which occurs when the trailer 200 is operated empty or not fully loaded. The method thus continues reading the sensors at steps 412, 414, and 408 until all of the smart trailer's sensors selected by the computer 228 have been read by the computer 228. When all of the smart trailer's sensors have been read, the computer 228 formats a message to be transmitted by the smart trailer's communication device 240.

[0033] In one embodiment, the instructions in memory 236 cause computer 228 to generate a message for transmission containing information about a tow vehicle required by the trailer. With a properly configured tow vehicle 300, such a message can be used by the tow vehicle to disable its operation, which should occur if the tow vehicle is too small to safely pull the trailer and its load 204.

[0034] In step 418, the process repeats until power is removed from the smart fob 200.

[0035] Fig.5 illustrates the steps of a method 500 for towing a smart trailer by a compatible tow vehicle 300. Once the trailer is powered by attaching connectors 240 and 340 together, the tow vehicle method determines in step 502 whether a trailer is mechanically attached to the tow vehicle.

[0036] After the communications are paired in step 506, the first communication device in the tow vehicle uploads an available data message from the smart trailer communication device in step 508. The message received from the trailer 200 is classified in step 510 to determine whether the message can be recognized or parsed in step 512.

[0037] Due to the number and variety of trailers operable with a tow vehicle, it is important for the tow vehicle to be able to update information and capabilities that may be required for the tow vehicle to communicate and interact with a smart trailer. In steps 512 and 514, provision is made for the tow vehicle 300 to update its vehicle data using a second communication device 310. The second communication device 310 is preferably a WLAN-compatible data communication device, i.e., compatible with the communication standards commonly known as the IEEE 8012.11(a) / (b) / (g) / (n) standards, and derivatives thereof.

[0038] In step 516, the method determines whether data received from the smart trailer 200 requires or requires notification to an operator of the tow vehicle 300. The tow vehicle operator is provided with a visual or audible warning message when a safety-related data message is received. Examples of such a message include low tire pressure, elevated brake or wheel bearing temperature, locked brakes, and / or worn brake pads. Such messages are considered trailer-related messages herein and may also include messages warning of an activated anti-lock brake system or a deactivated anti-lock brake system and the deployment of a vehicle stability control system.

[0039] In step 518, a decision is made as to whether to modify or adjust the operation of the tow vehicle in response to the information received from the smart trailer 200. An example of modified vehicle operation includes, but is not limited to, downshifting the transmission in response to the weight of the smart trailer. Disabling vehicle stability control in response to rocking or side-to-side acceleration of the trailer is another example of modifying vehicle operation. Vehicle operating parameters are updated in step 520. In step 522, program control returns to step 502.

[0040] The smart trailer, tow vehicle, and related methodologies enable a tow vehicle operator to more safely operate a tow vehicle with an attached trailer. The foregoing description is for illustrative purposes. The true scope of the disclosure is set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

[1] A vehicle (300) configured to tow a trailer (200), the vehicle (300) comprising: a. a processor; b. a non-transitory storage device (304) connected to the processor; c. a first communication device (310) operatively connected to the processor and configured to receive a signal carrying operating parameter information relating to the trailer (200) from a trailer (200) physically attached to the vehicle (300), wherein the operating parameter information is generated by load cells (214) connected to the trailer (200), the load cells (214) measuring a total weight of a load (204) on the trailer (200) as well as the distribution of the total load or weight on the trailer (200), wherein the storage device (304) has executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to change operation of the vehicle (300) in response to the received operating parameter information, wherein the processor disables operation of the vehicle (300) in response to the received operating parameter information if the vehicle (300) is too small to safely pull the trailer (200) and its load (204). [2] The vehicle (300) of claim 1, wherein the storage device (304) contains information about at least the following: a. the vehicle (300); and / or b. an attached trailer (200). [3] Vehicle (300) according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle (300) has a second communication device (314), wherein the second communication device (314) is provided, - to receive information about at least: a. the vehicle (300); and / or b. a trailer (200); and - for supplying the processor with the received information, wherein the processor is provided for storing information from the second communication device (314) in the storage device (304). [4] The vehicle (300) of claim 1, wherein the storage device (304) includes executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive the operating parameter information. [5] The vehicle (300) of claim 1, wherein the storage device (304) includes executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to provide an operator of the vehicle (300) with a message regarding the received operating parameter information. [6] A method (400) for towing an intelligent trailer (200) by a compatible towing vehicle (300), comprising: - determining whether a trailer (200) is mechanically attached to a towing vehicle (300) when the trailer (200) is powered by attaching connectors (240, 304) to one another, - uploading an available data message from a communication device (240) of the intelligent trailer (200) by a first communication device (310) in the towing vehicle (300) after the communication devices (240, 310) are paired, - classifying the data message received from the tag (200) as to whether the data message can be recognized or parsed, - making provision for the towing vehicle (300) to update vehicle data thereof using a second communication device (314) of the towing vehicle (300), - deciding whether the data message received from the intelligent trailer (200) requires or requires notification to an operator of the towing vehicle (300), wherein the operator of the towing vehicle (300) is provided with a visual or audible warning message when a safety-related data message is received, - deciding whether to change or adjust the operation of the towing vehicle (300) in response to the data message received from the intelligent trailer (200), wherein the data message comprises information about a total weight of a load (204) on the trailer (200) and the distribution of the total load or weight on the trailer (200), wherein the operation of the towing vehicle (300) is inhibited in response to the data message if the vehicle (300) is too small to safely pull the trailer (200) and its load (204).

Images