INTERFACE ELEMENT FOR A VEHICLE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an interface element for a commercial vehicle, with electronic components, a commercial vehicle, with at least one such interface element and a method for at least partially measuring and / or controlling and / or regulating or monitoring a commercial vehicle.

[0002] It is already known from the state of the art to provide centralized control and regulation as well as monitoring of the vehicle's driving status in vehicles, especially commercial vehicles, or to consolidate the intelligent evaluations into a few, larger control units. However, this usually fixes the vehicle electronics and control and / or regulation to the status quo at the time of the commercial vehicle's development. However, commercial vehicles have a comparatively long service life.

[0003] A plug connection is already known from WO 2002 / 33790 A1 in which an electronic plug connection is integrated into the end of a light guide together with an optoelectronic signal converter.

[0004] A connector with integrated electronics is also known from DE 10 2007 043 887 A1. This connector contains an electronic circuit board in the connector housing.

[0005] Another example of a connector with integrated electronics is DE 10 2005 060 798 A1, which has a connector with integrated electronics for electromagnetic signal transmission as well as contacts for energy transmission.

[0006] From DE 199 33 688 A1, a device for the electronic control of drive components for use in rail vehicles, in particular a rail vehicle drive component control system, is known.

[0007] The above examples do not come from the commercial vehicle sector.

[0008] EP 2 333 636 A1 discloses a mobile interface for controlling a plurality of vehicle functions via a control unit connected to the vehicle, comprising an input device, means for wireless data exchange and an energy storage device, as well as a system for mobile control of vehicle functions comprising a control unit and a mobile interface.

[0009] The above example comes from the commercial vehicle sector.

[0010] It is the object of the present invention to advantageously further develop an interface element, a commercial vehicle and a method for controlling and / or regulating a commercial vehicle, in particular to the effect that electronic systems for a commercial vehicle can be easily retrofitted, redundancies in the control and / or regulation in a commercial vehicle can be easily added and the control and / or regulation of a commercial vehicle can be improved overall.

[0011] This object is achieved according to the invention by an interface element for a commercial vehicle having the features of claim 1.

[0012] According to this, it is provided that an interface element for a commercial vehicle has electronic components, wherein the electronic components have at least one connection to at least one data interface of a commercial vehicle, wherein the connection is suitable and designed for the exchange of measurement data and / or control and / or regulation data for the measurement of operationally relevant data and / or control and / or regulation of electronic components, wherein the electronic components further have at least one integrated measurement and / or control and / or regulation unit.

[0013] The invention is based on the fundamental idea that, independent of the central control and / or regulation system and the associated signal lines and components of a commercial vehicle, decentralized control and / or regulation electronics can be installed at virtually any location on the commercial vehicle using an additional, intelligent interface element. This system can perform additional control and / or regulation tasks independent of the actual control and / or regulation system of the commercial vehicle. Furthermore, the interface element is capable of receiving measurement data and forwarding it accordingly. Processing of measurement data is also possible.

[0014] Based on this, the control and / or regulation can then be carried out by the interface element.

[0015] Thus, (additional) control and / or regulation intelligence is integrated into an interface element for a commercial vehicle, whereby this interface element can be mounted anywhere on the commercial vehicle, regardless of location.

[0016] According to the invention, sensors and / or actuators are not integrated into the interface element.

[0017] The interface element cannot therefore have a sensor.

[0018] In addition, the interface element may not have an actuator.

[0019] This enables a simple structure of the interface element.

[0020] It is also conceivable that the interface element has control elements such as output stages or the like, by means of which, for example, the electrical control signal required for an actuator can be generated.

[0021] It is also conceivable, however, that the data interface comprises a unidirectional data interface that enables data transmission in both directions. By integrating intelligent electronics into a plug-in element, additional control and regulation electronics can be added to the commercial vehicle regardless of the installation space available in the vehicle or the installation space available in connection with the central vehicle control and regulation. The installation space is de facto provided by the housing of the interface element or the cable of the interface element. Retrofitting control and / or regulation components for the commercial vehicle is thus simple and cost-effective. The construction of redundant systems is also made easier. The interface element makes it possible to add additional electronics at suitable locations and to set up redundant systems.

[0022] It is also conceivable, in particular, to form an intelligent interface element network from several interconnected interface elements. Such an interface element network can, to this extent or within the framework of the corresponding functional subsystem, completely eliminate the need for additional control units. The interface elements comprising the interface element network therefore do not necessarily have to be connected to the vehicle's central control unit.

[0023] Furthermore, the integrated control and / or regulation unit can be a microcontroller or comprise a microcontroller. The use of a microcontroller makes it easy to implement an integrated control and / or regulation unit.

[0024] The integrated measurement data and / or control and / or regulation unit may further comprise a processor and / or an integrated circuit and / or at least one data interface. This enables data exchange with other components of the vehicle. Furthermore, this also ensures that data can be received, processed, and forwarded.

[0025] The interface element can be designed as a plug-in element. This allows for easy installation. It also facilitates retrofitting the interface element in vehicles already in operation. It is conceivable that standardized slots according to a suitable industry standard could be selected as the plug-in option.

[0026] It is also conceivable for the interface element to be embodied in a cable or as a cable element, particularly a connecting cable. This design option also facilitates retrofitting of commercial vehicles already in operation. Decentralized, intelligent, additional networks consisting of multiple interface elements can thus be established.

[0027] The electronic components can be designed to be watertight. In particular, it is conceivable that the interface element, when installed, seals its electronic components in a watertight manner. In other words, the electronic components can be designed to be watertight. This enables a robust configuration of the interface element. This makes it possible to arrange the interface element at almost any location on the commercial vehicle, with almost any environmental requirements. This also includes locations on the commercial vehicle that are attached, for example, near the tires or underneath the driver's cab, or in connection with the superstructure of the commercial vehicle.

[0028] It is also possible that the interface element can be connected or is connected to a sensor.

[0029] In particular, it can be provided that the sensor is a wheel speed sensor.

[0030] The interface element can be connected to at least one sensor. This intelligent sensor evaluation allows certain values ​​that control the driving behavior of the commercial vehicle or describe its operating states to be further processed or verified for plausibility. In this context, evaluations of acceleration sensors, temperature sensors, vibration sensors, pressure sensors, wheel speed sensors, or the like are particularly conceivable.

[0031] The interface element is connectable or connected to an actuator.

[0032] The actuator can, for example, be control elements for valves or actuating elements or switching elements of any kind or the like.

[0033] It is therefore possible to read in setpoints via a data interface or output input values ​​via a data interface of the interface element. Actuators can also be controlled via at least one digital or analog output of the interface element. Reading in measured values ​​via such an analog or digital input is also conceivable.

[0034] One possible application of the interface element, if connected to a sensor, could be that only (e.g. analog) measurement signals are evaluated by the interface element and these are placed on a data bus in a standardized data format. This means that all control units, for example even two redundantly protected control units, can simultaneously access this single measurement signal in the data format with little additional effort, as both control units only need to be connected cost-effectively to the same data bus. One example would be the acquisition of wheel speed signals, which could be performed in the interface element. At the same time, the interface element could also monitor these signals for errors and place detected errors on the data bus for any number of control units using special values ​​of the digital measurement signal.In this way, the measurement signal for all connected control units becomes a duplicated, secured measurement signal via the interface element alone, which can be recognized by the central control units as a valid or implausible measurement value based solely on the data value, without any effort on the part of the central control units.

[0035] The smallest conceivable unit of the simplest interface elements would be the simple coupling of two interface elements at their data interface, with one interface element reading a sensor and the other controlling an actuator. Both interface elements could exchange control variables with each other via the data interface and, in a control loop, read measured values ​​on one side of the network and control actuators on the other side.

[0036] The connection to the at least one data interface of a vehicle may be a wired connection or may comprise a wired connection.

[0037] The connection can also be a radio connection or include a radio connection.

[0038] Furthermore, it can be provided that the connection is an optical connection or comprises an optical connection.

[0039] It is also conceivable that the connection is a magnetic connection or includes a magnetic connection.

[0040] The interface element is connectable or connected to an external power supply source.

[0041] Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the interface element can be connected or is connected to an internal energy supply source, in particular wherein the internal energy supply source is or comprises a battery.

[0042] The interface element can therefore be powered by another voltage source or by an integrated battery. A shutdown option can be provided in the interface element to save energy.

[0043] It is conceivable that under certain conditions, overvoltage protection in the interface element is unnecessary and therefore the interface element does not have overvoltage protection.

[0044] It should be noted that electronic components in the automotive sector generally need to be protected against overvoltage to prevent them from being damaged. Such voltage spikes can, for example, result from the switching operations of the alternator. If the interface element is powered directly by the vehicle's alternator / battery, integrated overvoltage protection would probably be necessary. However, this can be omitted if the interface element were powered via one or more redundant control units, which already absorb overvoltage with their own protective devices. The interface element would thus be protected by the protective devices of the external control unit(s) and the associated voltage source that supplies the respective control unit with voltage.

[0045] The control and / or regulation unit integrated in the interface element can, for example, comprise software or an algorithm for controlling an actuator or for processing a sensor signal. In particular, it is conceivable that software for detecting a rotational speed, in particular a wheel speed or its rotational speeds, of the commercial vehicle is present. Acceleration sensors are also conceivable in this context, for example, to be able to compare the wheel speed with the accelerations acting on the acceleration sensor.

[0046] The interface element can serve as a gateway between two data bus interfaces.

[0047] However, it is also conceivable that the interface element could be used as a controller, for example as a cascaded reference variable control that controls the actuator depending on a setpoint from the data bus.

[0048] In this context, it is also conceivable to integrate the interface element into existing vehicle structures in order to be able to carry out a cable replacement, for example.

[0049] It can also be provided that the interface element with its control and / or regulation unit has a memory unit, so that, for example, data can also be stored. In this case, it would be possible to design the control and / or regulation unit as a data logger or as a black box connector. Functions such as a look-up table and / or data conversion can also be provided.

[0050] Single-channel or multi-channel processing of sensors or control of actuators can be carried out.

[0051] It is also conceivable to use a half-shell housing with a sealing filling to achieve watertightness. It is also conceivable that watertightness could be achieved by fully or partially encapsulating the elements of the interface element. Alternatively, a fully overmolded connector or a one-piece connector design is also conceivable. It is also conceivable to enclose the electronic components in a watertight manner using a cable with sealed ends.

[0052] According to the invention, the interface element is used to control valves of the commercial vehicle's ABS system, the commercial vehicle's electronic braking system, the commercial vehicle's air suspension, an air treatment system of the commercial vehicle, or a pressure supply system of the commercial vehicle. It is also conceivable to use such interface elements in conjunction with the commercial vehicle's braking system.

[0053] The interface element can be supplied redundantly via at least two power supplies. It is conceivable that the interface element has an integrated energy storage device. It is also possible that the power supply can be alternatively and / or additionally connected to the commercial vehicle's power supply system.

[0054] The connection to the commercial vehicle's data interface can be a wired connection or include a wired connection. However, it is also conceivable that the connection to the commercial vehicle's data interface can be a wireless connection or include a wireless connection.

[0055] In principle, it can be provided that a wired or wireless data interface is available and established.

[0056] Furthermore, it can be provided that the interface element can be connected to the power supply network of the commercial vehicle and / or is connected to the power supply network of the commercial vehicle when installed. Furthermore, it can be provided that the interface element has an interface to a mobile device, in particular a smartphone and / or a tablet PC. This can, for example, establish a remote maintenance functionality.

[0057] It is also conceivable to be able to monitor the commercial vehicle online and thus to continuously monitor the driving and operating status of the commercial vehicle remotely.

[0058] It may also be possible to carry out online error monitoring of the commercial vehicle's operating systems.

[0059] Using the optional data logger function described above, it is also possible to simultaneously record the data obtained online.

[0060] It is therefore possible for the interface element to enable and implement a data logger function with simultaneous online monitoring.

[0061] The interface element and its electronic components can feature an encrypted communication protocol. This encrypted communication protocol makes it possible to protect against hacking and unauthorized data leakage, as well as against hostile remote takeover of the commercial vehicle's control systems.

[0062] The interface element can further comprise an evaluation unit by means of which measurement signals can be evaluated in the interface element, in particular measurement signals of the at least one sensor arranged in the plug-in element can be automatically evaluated.

[0063] Furthermore, it can be provided that the interface element has a monitoring unit by means of which continuously received measurement signals for monitoring the operating state of the commercial vehicle can be automatically monitored.

[0064] It can also be provided that the interface element has a signal adjustment unit by means of which control and / or regulation signals in the interface element and in the commercial vehicle can be adjusted.

[0065] The invention further relates to a commercial vehicle with at least one interface element as described above.

[0066] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for at least partial measurement and / or control and / or regulation and / or monitoring of a commercial vehicle, wherein the at least partial measurement and / or control and / or regulation and / or monitoring of the commercial vehicle is not carried out by central control units in the vehicle architecture, but decentrally by at least one interface element, in particular an interface element.

[0067] According to the invention, the interface element is used within the scope of the method to provide control of valves of the ABS system of the commercial vehicle, the electronic braking system of the commercial vehicle, the air suspension of the commercial vehicle or an air treatment system of the commercial vehicle or a pressure supply system of the commercial vehicle.

[0068] The interface element can be used to provide additional control and / or regulation to the existing control and / or regulation systems and components of the commercial vehicle.

[0069] It is also conceivable to use such interface elements in connection with the braking system of the commercial vehicle within the framework of the process.

[0070] The interface element can be supplied redundantly via at least two power supplies.

[0071] It is conceivable that the interface element's power supply could be autonomous and not connected to the commercial vehicle's central power supply. For this purpose, the interface element could have an integrated energy storage device.

[0072] However, it is also conceivable that the energy supply can be alternatively and / or additionally connected to the energy supply system of the commercial vehicle.

[0073] However, it is also conceivable that the energy supply can be alternatively and / or additionally connected to the energy supply system of the commercial vehicle.

[0074] Further details and advantages of the invention will now be explained with reference to an embodiment shown in more detail in the drawings.

[0075] It shows: Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a braking system with an air treatment unit and an exemplary embodiment of a plug-in element according to the invention for a commercial vehicle according to the invention for carrying out an exemplary embodiment of a method for partially controlling and / or regulating and / or monitoring a commercial vehicle; Fig. 2 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a plug-in element according to the invention; Fig. 3 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a plug-in element according to the invention; and Fig. 4 shows an example of a possible connection of the plug-in element to the vehicle architecture of the commercial vehicle.

[0076] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a brake system 1 for a commercial vehicle with an air treatment unit 2 and an exemplary embodiment according to the invention of a plug-in element 60 and 60' for a commercial vehicle N according to the invention for carrying out an exemplary embodiment according to the invention of a method for partially controlling and / or regulating and / or monitoring the commercial vehicle N.

[0077] In principle, the plug-in elements 60 and 60' can be used not only in connection with the Fig. 1 The exemplary embodiment shown can be used in conjunction with a braking system and air treatment unit of the commercial vehicle. Application in conjunction with all electronic systems of the commercial vehicle N is conceivable.

[0078] The air treatment unit 2 comprises a filter cartridge 6 connected to a compressor 4 for filtering and drying the compressed air provided by the compressor 4.

[0079] The filter cartridge 6 is arranged on a housing 8 of the air treatment unit 2 and is pneumatically connected to the housing 8 via a filter cartridge line 10.

[0080] A pressure valve 12 is arranged in the housing 8.

[0081] According to this embodiment, the pressurizing valve 12 is connected to the filter cartridge line 10 via a distributor unit 14.

[0082] The pressure valve 12 is arranged in the connecting line 16. For an advantageous function, the pressure tap can also be arranged upstream of the distribution unit 14.

[0083] According to one embodiment, it is important that the supply pressure for the pressurizing valve 12 is stable, i.e., does not fall to zero when the compressor delivery stops.

[0084] Thus, in this embodiment, the pressure tap can also be located between the distributor unit 14 and the check valve.

[0085] In a known form, the air treatment unit 2 is pneumatically coupled, for example, to two control valves 20, each of which is connected upstream of one of two front wheel brake cylinders 22 of a front axle of the commercial vehicle.

[0086] A trailer control module 18 is also supplied via the air treatment unit 2.

[0087] A control unit 24, which is also arranged in the housing 8, is designed to control the pressure valve 12 by outputting a corresponding control signal 26.

[0088] The control valves 20 are designed to change a respective brake pressure in the front wheel brake cylinders 22.

[0089] The control valves 20 are controlled by the air treatment unit 2, for example, in such a way that locking of the wheels during braking is prevented or the commercial vehicle is braked on one side.

[0090] According to this embodiment, the pressure valve 12 is designed to apply a target pressure to the control valve connection 18, which can be adjusted in stages between ambient pressure and operating pressure, wherein, for example, this target pressure can be taken partly directly from the solenoid valve and partly with air volume amplified from a relay valve.

[0091] Alternatively, the application valve 12 can be designed to apply a control pressure to the control valve connection 18 for pneumatically controlling a valve or valve module of the brake system 1, such as a relay valve, connected upstream of the two control valves 20 as the target pressure.

[0092] For example, the commercial vehicle is equipped with a total of four optional wheel speed sensors 28 for detecting the speed of one wheel each on the front and rear axle.

[0093] The wheel speed sensors 28 each send a wheel speed sensor signal 30 representing the respective speed of a wheel to the control unit 24, wherein the control unit 24 is designed to control the application valve 12 using the wheel speed sensor signals 30, ie as a function of the respective speed of the wheels.

[0094] Optionally, the control unit 24 uses the wheel speed sensor signals 30 to directly electrically control the two control valves 20 in addition to or as an alternative to the application valve 12, in particular in such a way that locking of the front wheels is avoided when braking the commercial vehicle or the commercial vehicle is additionally braked on one side.

[0095] The brake system 1 can be controlled in a known manner by means of the pressure valve 12.

[0096] A parking brake function is also implemented in a suitable manner, as known from the state of the art.

[0097] The two front wheel brake cylinders 22 are connected to a foot brake module 38 of the brake system 1 via a front axle valve module 36.

[0098] The two control valves 20 are arranged between the front wheel brake cylinders 22 and the front axle valve module 36.

[0099] The Fig. 1 The brake system 1 shown can be controlled, for example, by an EBS control unit 48 of an electronic braking system of the commercial vehicle.

[0100] For this purpose, the EBS control unit 48 is connected, for example, to the wheel speed sensors 28, the foot brake module 38 and the front axle valve module 36 for electrical signal transmission.

[0101] According to one embodiment, the control unit 24 of the air treatment unit 2 is designed to control the application valve 12 in the event of a failure of the electronic braking system, so that sufficient braking performance can continue to be ensured on the front axle of the commercial vehicle.

[0102] The foot brake module 38 is further connected via a rear axle valve module 50 to two rear wheel brake cylinders 52 of the rear axle of the commercial vehicle.

[0103] For example only, in contrast to the front axle, no ABS control valves are arranged between the rear axle valve module 50 and the rear wheel brake cylinders 52.

[0104] According to this embodiment, the two rear wheel brake cylinders 52 are designed to block the rear wheels of the commercial vehicle in the vented state by means of spring force.

[0105] The rear wheel brake cylinders 52 are therefore part of the parking brake function.

[0106] Fig. 2 shows a first embodiment of an interface element according to the invention in the form of a plug-in element 60.

[0107] The plug-in element 60 according to the invention in this embodiment is designed as a plug-in element with integrated sensor function evaluation logic and for connection to sensors, here a wheel speed sensor 28 with wheel speed sensor signal 30 and pressure sensors 64.

[0108] The plug element 60 is connected via a connection 62 directly or indirectly to the EBS control unit 48 as shown in Fig. 1 shown. A connection to the control unit 24 is also provided.

[0109] In Fig. 2 Electrical cables are designated with E, data signal cables with the reference symbol D, pneumatic cables with P and measuring signal cables with M.

[0110] The plug-in element 60 has two pressure sensors (pressure-voltage converters) 64, which can be connected to, for example, the rear wheel brake cylinders 52 with corresponding measuring signal lines 66.

[0111] Here, too, a corresponding plug connection for the measuring lines 66 is conceivable.

[0112] However, it is also conceivable that the layout of the interface element 60 shown is also designed as a cable element and not as a plug-in element.

[0113] Furthermore, the plug-in element 60 has connections to two batteries 68, by means of which, for example, accelerations or the wheel speed can be measured.

[0114] In addition, the plug-in element 60 has a microcontroller 70.

[0115] The microcontroller 70 can have an evaluation unit for forming an evaluation function, a monitoring unit for forming a monitoring function and a signal adjustment unit for forming a signal adjustment function.

[0116] The electronics of the plug-in element 60 are encapsulated in a watertight manner, here by designing the plug-in element 60 as a half-shell housing with a gel filling or potting compound to achieve watertightness.

[0117] Alternatively, the plug-in element 60 and the electronics contained in the plug-in element 60 can also be fully overmolded.

[0118] Fig. 3 shows a plug-in element 60' of essentially identical construction, which has all structural and functional features as well as the plug-in element 60 according to Fig. 2 has.

[0119] Accordingly, identical elements are designated in more detail only with a deleted reference symbol or identical reference symbols.

[0120] The plug-in element 60' additionally has an actuator function. An electrical control line 72' is provided here, by means of which a solenoid valve, here the control valve 20 (see Fig. 1 ) can be controlled.

[0121] As in Fig. 4 As shown, the vehicle architecture of the commercial vehicle can be adapted by means of the plug-in element 60 or 60', as in Fig. 1 represented by way of example, can be expanded by the braking system 1 of the commercial vehicle N. By connecting the plug-in element 60 or 60' to a data bus 80 of the commercial vehicle N, further control options for actuators A, represented here by way of example by a control valve 20, or sensor elements S, represented here by way of example by a pressure sensor 64, are made possible.

[0122] This also enables, for example, an advantageous distribution of functions across the entire commercial vehicle N with regard to autonomous driving. A non-redundant speed evaluation of the EBS system in the plug-in element 60 or 60' is conceivable. This also enables redundant ECU and EAC modularity, since access to this is possible via the plug-in element 60 or 60'.

[0123] It can be used with standard sensors.

[0124] Existing vehicle systems of a commercial vehicle N can be extended (see Fig. 4 ), for example, to provide higher-quality sensor information and functions. Intelligent electronics, in particular, can be retrofitted into existing vehicle systems.

[0125] A space-saving, variable and location-independent fixing of the plug-in element 60 or 60' can be carried out in places where there is installation space in order to integrate control functions and also corresponding hardware and control electronics into the plug-in element 60 or 60'.

[0126] A connection to the EBS system 48 or the control unit 24 or other control and / or regulation systems of the commercial vehicle N can be made either by cable or wirelessly, for example via radio.

[0127] Multiple control outputs can be provided on the plug-in element 60 or 60'. Analogous to a sensing plug-in element 60, it is also possible to provide a cascaded control system adapted to an actuator A (see Fig. 3 ).

[0128] It is conceivable to make the complete signal agreement available once for all redundant systems connected to the data bus.

[0129] The compact design and low weight of the plug-in element 60 or 60' also ensure vibration resistance.

[0130] For additional functions, it is also possible to perform an update without modifying the connected main device, for example, the EBS system 48 or EAC system. It is simply necessary to partially or completely replace the plug-in elements 60 or 60' or to update them accordingly.

[0131] It is also conceivable to connect a mobile communication interface, for example, via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or other wireless protocols. This interface allows connection to mobile devices, such as a smartphone or tablet PC, and / or even to a server on the Internet. Connection to an online monitoring system used for remote maintenance, data recording, remote control, or similar purposes is also conceivable.

[0132] An additional housing and a plug connection are saved altogether, since there is no need to integrate a separate additional central control and / or regulation device.

[0133] Instead, plug-in elements 60 or 60' are simply integrated into the system at suitable locations.

[0134] It is also conceivable to condition sensor signals, for example, by adapting the characteristic map. It is also conceivable to replace the sensor with a modified characteristic map without modifying the central control units of the braking system or commercial vehicle.

[0135] The plug-in elements 60 and 60' can have analog outputs. Several different sensors with different output signals can be provided in one plug-in element 60 and 60'.

[0136] Overall, this results in a significant reduction in inputs and outputs on the main control unit, for example, the EBS system 48 or the EAC system. In extreme cases, only a data bus connection relocation of control functions and hardware to the plug-in element 60 or 60' occurs (see also Fig. 2 , 3 and 4 ).

[0137] Several control outputs can be provided which, based on a setpoint from the data interface, control components of the commercial vehicle N accordingly, cf. Fig. 3 , here controlled via line 72 of control valve 20.

[0138] A cascaded control can be provided adapted to the actuator.

[0139] Even without modifying the central control units, a commercial vehicle N and its control system could be adapted to a new actuator by changing the requirements and functions in the plug-in element 60 or 60'.

[0140] This can be achieved, for example, simply by making a corresponding software change to the plug-in element.

[0141] A corresponding software update via the microcontroller 70 and corresponding storage options in the plug-in element 60 or 60' would be possible here.

[0142] Using the plug-in elements 60 and 60' and the intelligent electronics present there, it is also possible to monitor the sensor signals in the entire commercial vehicle N and thereby, for example, to detect cable breaks or other system errors and thereby to establish a fail-safe principle or a similar state.

[0143] Tap-proof communication of the sensor signal is also possible through encrypted transmission via data bus 80.

[0144] A possible application of interface elements 60, 60' can be analogous to the embodiment according to Fig. 4 It can be realized that only (e.g. analog) measurement signals are evaluated by means of the interface element 60 and these are placed in a standardized data format on a data bus 80, so that all control units, for example even two redundantly protected control units, can simultaneously access this single measurement signal in the data format with little additional effort, since both control units only have to be cost-effectively connected to the same data bus. One example would be the acquisition of the wheel speed signals, which could be performed in the interface element 60. At the same time, the interface element could also monitor these signals for errors and place detected errors on the data bus 80 for any number of control units using special values ​​of the digital measurement signal.In this way, the measurement signal for all connected control units becomes a duplicated, secured measurement signal via the interface element alone, which can be recognized by the central control units as a valid or implausible measurement value based solely on the data value, without any effort on the part of the central control units.

[0145] The smallest conceivable unit of simplest interface elements would be the simple coupling of two interface elements at their data interface, with one interface element 60 reading a sensor and the other interface element 60' controlling an actuator. Both interface elements 60, 60' can exchange control variables with each other via the data interface and, in a control loop, read measured values ​​on one side of the network and control actuators on the other side. In contrast to the Fig. 4 In the layout shown, the main control unit 24 or 48 can be omitted. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0146] 1 Brake system 2 Air treatment unit 4 Compressor 6 Filter cartridge 8 Housing 10 Filter cartridge line 12 Pressurization valve 14 Distributor unit 16 Connecting line 18 Trailer control module 20 Control valve 22 Wheel brake cylinder 24 Control unit 26 Control signal 28 Wheel speed sensors 30 Wheel speed sensor signal 36 Front axle valve module 38 Foot brake module 48 EBS control unit 50 Rear axle valve module 52 Wheel brake cylinder 60 Interface element 62 Connection 64 Pressure sensor 66 Measurement signal lines 68 Battery 70 Microcontroller 72 Line 80 Data bus A Actuators E Electrical lines D Data signal lines PP Pneumatic lines M Measurement signal lines N Commercial vehicle S Sensor elements 60 Interface element 62 Connection 64 Pressure sensor 66 Measurement signal lines 68 Battery 70 Microcontroller 72'electrical control cable

Claims

1. Interface element (60; 60') for a utility vehicle (N), comprising electronic components, wherein the electronic components have at least one connection (62; 62') to at least one data interface of a utility vehicle (N), wherein the connection (62; 62') is suitable and is provided for the exchange of measurement data and / or control and / or regulation data for the regulation of electronic components, wherein the electronic components further have at least one integrated measurement and / or control and / or regulation unit, wherein the interface element (60; 60') does not have a sensor and / or an actuator, characterized in that the interface element (60, 60') enables decentralized control and / or regulation electronics which are independent of central control units in the vehicle architecture, and wherein the interface element (60; 60') can be used to actuate valves of an ABS system of the utility vehicle, an electronic brake system of the utility vehicle, an air suspension system of the utility vehicle, an air treatment system of the utility vehicle or a pressure supply system of the utility vehicle.

2. Interface element (60; 60') according to claim 1, characterized in that the integrated measurement and / or control and / or regulation unit is a microcontroller (70; 70') or comprises a microcontroller (70; 70').

3. Interface element (60; 60') according to claim 2, characterized in that the integrated measurement and / or control and / or regulation unit further comprises a processor and / or an integrated circuit and / or or at least one data interface.

4. Interface element (60; 60') according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the interface element (60; 60') is in the form of a plug-in element.

5. Interface element (60; 60') according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the interface element (60; 60') is in a cable or is in the form of a cable element, in particular a connection cable.

6. Interface element (60; 60') according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic components are made with watertight protection.

7. Interface element (60; 60') according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the interface element (60; 60') is or can be connected to a sensor.

8. Interface element (60; 60') according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor is a wheel rotation speed sensor.

9. Interface element (60') according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the interface element (60') is or can be connected to an actuator.

10. Interface element (60; 60') according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection (62; 62') is or comprises a wired connection.

11. Interface element (60; 60') according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection (62; 62') is or comprises a radio connection.

12. Interface element (60; 60') according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection (62; 62') is or comprises an optical connection.

13. Interface element (60; 60') according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection (62; 62') is or comprises a magnetic connection.

14. Interface element (60; 60') according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the interface element (60; 60') is or can be connected to an external energy supply source.

15. Interface element (60; 60') according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the interface element (60; 60') is or can be connected to an internal energy supply source, in particular wherein the internal energy supply source is or comprises a battery.

16. Interface element (60; 60') according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the interface element (60; 60') has an interface to a fleet management system and / or a mobile terminal, in particular a smartphone and / or a tablet PC.

17. Interface element (60; 60') according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the interface element (60; 60') has an encrypted communication protocol system which is configured in such manner that by means of the communication protocol system, the interface element (60; 60') exchanges or can exchange data.

18. Interface element (60; 60') according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the interface element (60; 60') has a monitoring unit by means of which continuously received measurement signals (M) can be monitored automatically in order to monitor the operating condition of a vehicle.

19. Interface element (60; 60') according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the interface element (60; 60') has a signal comparison unit by means of which measurement and / or control and / or regulation signals in the interface element (60; 60') and in the vehicle (N) can be compared and / or their plausibility checked.

20. Utility vehicle with at least one interface element (60; 60') according to any of the preceding claims.

21. Method for the at least partial measurement and / or control and / or regulation and / or monitoring of a utility vehicle (N), wherein the at least partial measurement and / or control and / or regulation and / or monitoring of the utility vehicle (N) is performed not by central control units in the vehicle architecture, but in a decentralized manner by at least one interface element (60; 60') according to any of claims 1 to 19.