Method for controlling the opening of vehicle trailer flaps

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for controlling the opening of coupling hatches (20) of a vehicle, called the docked vehicle (12), by a vehicle, called the docking vehicle (10), the method comprising: a. the transmission of a pairing signal by a wireless communication unit of the docking vehicle (10), b. the pairing of the wireless communication unit of the docking vehicle (10) with a wireless communication unit of another vehicle, c. the reception, by a controller of the docking vehicle (10), of a command relating to the pairing carried out, so that when the command is a command for validating the pairing, the other vehicle is called the docked vehicle (12), and d. the transmission of a command for triggering the opening of the coupling hatches (20) of the docked vehicle (12).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for controlling the opening of coupling hatches of a vehicle. The present invention also relates to a set of vehicles each comprising a coupling device capable of implementing such a control method.

[0002] Vehicle coupling is the act of coupling one vehicle to another to form a multiple unit. The coupling is typically mechanical to ensure the connection between the two vehicles, pneumatic to ensure continuity between the two vehicles, and electrical to allow control from a single cockpit.

[0003] In the railway sector, the coupling elements are generally protected by coupling hatches located at the front of the vehicles (vehicle nose). Coupling vehicles therefore requires first opening the coupling hatches of the vehicles to be coupled.

[0004] Currently, the coupling hatches are opened by a platform agent by manipulating, on each of the berthing and berthing trains, a square key located at the nose of the train and protected by a hatch.

[0005] However, this intervention by a person outside the vehicle requires a complex organisation linked to the systematic availability of an operator who must be on the platform on time for the operation. It also harms efficiency due to the communication that must be established between the driver of the docking train and the platform agent.

[0006] There is therefore a need to save time and increase efficiency when coupling two vehicles, particularly rail vehicles.

[0007] For this purpose, the present description relates to a method for controlling the opening of coupling hatches of a vehicle, called a docked vehicle, by a vehicle, called a docking vehicle, with a view to coupling the docking vehicle to the docked vehicle, each vehicle comprising a coupling device comprising: coupling hatches, a coupler, a controller and a wireless communication unit, the coupling hatches of each vehicle being movable between a closed position in which the coupler of the vehicle is masked by the coupling hatches and an open position in which the coupler of the vehicle is suitable for being coupled to a coupler of another vehicle, the method comprising: the transmission of a pairing signal by the wireless communication unit of the docking vehicle, the pairing of the wireless communication unit of the docking vehicle to the wireless communication unit of another vehicle, following the reception, by the wireless communication unit of the docking vehicle, of a pairing response signal transmitted by the wireless communication unit of the other vehicle, the reception, by the controller of the docking vehicle, of a command relating to the pairing carried out, so that when the command is a pairing validation command, the other vehicle is said to be a docked vehicle, and the transmission of a command to trigger the opening of the coupling hatches of the docked vehicle by the wireless communication unit of the docking vehicle.

[0008] According to particular embodiments, the method comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in all technically possible combinations: the method comprises a step of receiving by the wireless communication unit of the docking vehicle, information relating to the position of the coupling hatches of the docked vehicle after receiving and implementing the command to trigger the opening of the coupling hatches by the docked vehicle; when the information received indicates that the coupling hatches of the docked vehicle are in the open position, the method comprises the advancement of the docking vehicle so as to couple the coupler of the docking vehicle to the coupler of the docked vehicle; each vehicle comprises an indicator capable of being activated when the wireless communication unit of the vehicle is paired with the wireless communication unit of a docking vehicle, the method comprising the activation of the indicator of the vehicle whose wireless communication unit is paired with the wireless communication unit of the docking vehicle, the validation command being a function of the activated indicator;the indicator of each vehicle is a light indicator, such as a light-emitting diode, the indicator being advantageously positioned on the windshield of the vehicle; the validation command is received only if the activated indicator belongs to a vehicle opposite the docking vehicle; when several pairing response signals are received by the wireless communication unit of the docking vehicle, the pairing of the wireless communication unit of the docking vehicle is carried out with the wireless communication unit transmitting the strongest pairing response signal; when the command relating to the pairing is a command for invalidating the pairing, the method comprises a step of deactivating the wireless communication unit of the other vehicle, and of repeating the transmission and pairing steps until a pairing validation command is received;Wireless communication units are capable of communicating using a Wi-Fi standard.

[0009] The present description also relates to a set of vehicles, each vehicle comprising a coupling device comprising coupling hatches, a coupler, a controller and a wireless communication unit, the coupling hatches of each vehicle being movable between a closed position in which the coupler of the vehicle is masked by the coupling hatches and an open position in which the coupler of the vehicle is suitable for being coupled to a coupler of another vehicle, the coupling device of a vehicle, called the docking vehicle, being suitable for implementing a method for controlling the opening of coupling hatches of a vehicle, called the docked vehicle, with a view to coupling the docking vehicle to the docked vehicle, the method being as described previously.

[0010] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following description of embodiments of the invention, given by way of example only and with reference to the drawings which are: [ Fig 1], Figure 1 , a schematic representation of an example of a docking vehicle and a docked vehicle intended to be coupled to each other, each of the docking and docked vehicle comprising a coupling device, [ Fig 2], Figure 2 , a schematic representation of an example of the coupling device of each vehicle of the figure 1 , And [ Fig 3], Figure 3 , a flowchart of an example of implementation of a method for controlling the opening of hitch hatches of a vehicle docked by a docking vehicle.

[0011] There figure 1 illustrates an example of two vehicles intended to be coupled to each other. One of the vehicles, for example the left vehicle, is suitable for being started to move forward and come into contact with the other vehicle for the purpose of coupling. The left vehicle is then said to be the approaching vehicle 10 and the right vehicle is said to be the approaching vehicle 12.

[0012] The vehicles 10, 12 considered are, for example, railway vehicles, such as trains, in particular locomotives. Alternatively, the vehicles are all types of land vehicles, in particular automobiles.

[0013] Each vehicle 10, 12 comprises a coupling device 14 capable of implementing a control method which will be described in the remainder of the description.

[0014] The coupling device 14 comprises hitch hatches 20, a coupler 22, a controller 24 and a wireless communication unit 26. Optionally, the coupling device 14 also comprises an indicator 28. These different elements are notably illustrated by the example of the figure 2 .

[0015] The hitch hatches 20 are generally located at the front of the vehicle 10, 12, at the nose 30 of the vehicle 10, 12, the associated coupler 22 being present in the nose 30 of the vehicle 10, 12.

[0016] The coupling hatches 20 are suitable for protecting the coupler 22 of the associated vehicle, in particular when the vehicle is not in a coupling situation.

[0017] The coupling hatches 20 are movable between a closed position in which the coupler 22 of the vehicle is hidden by the coupling hatches 20 and an open position in which the coupler 22 of the vehicle is suitable for being coupled to a coupler 22 of another vehicle. In the open position, the coupler 22 is thus visible and accessible from outside the vehicle 10, 12.

[0018] The coupler 22 is an element allowing effective coupling with another vehicle when such an element is brought into contact with a coupler 22 of another vehicle.

[0019] The coupler 22 is capable of providing at least one mechanical coupling to ensure the connection between the two vehicles. Advantageously, the coupler 22 is also capable of providing a pneumatic coupling to ensure continuity between the two vehicles, and / or an electrical coupling to enable control from a single cockpit.

[0020] The controller 24 is, for example, a computer interacting with a computer program product. The controller 24 comprises, for example, a processor comprising a data processing unit, memories, an information medium reader and a human-machine interface.

[0021] The computer program product comprises an information medium readable by the reader of the controller 24. The readable information medium of the computer program product is, for example, a medium suitable for storing electronic instructions and capable of being coupled to a bus of a computer system. For example, the readable information medium is a USB key, a floppy disk or a flexible disk (of the English name Floppy disk ) , an optical disc, a CD-ROM, a magneto-optical disc, a ROM memory, a RAM memory, any type of non-volatile memory (e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, FLASH, NVRAM) a magnetic card or an optical card.

[0022] A computer program comprising program instructions is stored on the readable information medium. The computer program can be loaded onto the processor and is adapted to cause the implementation of steps which will be described in the remainder of the description.

[0023] Alternatively, the controller 24 is of the hardware type (translated into French as matériel ) , such as a programmable logic circuit (abbreviated as FPGA which means in English Field Programmable Gate Array ) , or a dedicated integrated circuit, such as an ASIC (from the English Application-Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0024] The wireless communication unit 26 is capable of sending and receiving signals via a wireless communication protocol. For example, the wireless communication unit 26 is capable of communicating according to a WiFi standard, i.e. according to one of the standards of the 802.11 standard family, for example, the 802.11.g standard.

[0025] In an exemplary implementation, the wireless communication unit 26 comprises a Wifi modem 40 and a Wifi antenna 42. The Wifi modem 40 is, for example, arranged in the cockpit of the vehicle 10, 12. The antenna 42 is, for example, arranged in the nose of the vehicle 10, 12 so as to improve the directivity of the signal emitted by the antenna 42.

[0026] Alternatively, communication is carried out by another wireless communication protocol, for example, according to a Bluetooth standard, or free-field optical communication (LiFi 802.11BB standard, for example).

[0027] The indicator 28 of a vehicle is capable of being activated when the associated communication unit 26 is paired with the communication unit 26 of a docking vehicle 10. This allows identification, by the driver of the docking vehicle 10, of the vehicle that has just paired with the docking vehicle 10.

[0028] The indicator 28 is, for example, a light indicator. Preferably, the light indicator is positioned on the windshield of the vehicle so as to be visible to the driver of another vehicle opposite. The light indicator is, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED), a headlight or any other type of light device.

[0029] Alternatively, the indicator 28 is an audible indicator, for example, a loudspeaker or a headlight, or any other type of indicator allowing the driver of the docking vehicle 10 to identify the vehicle that has just paired with the docking vehicle 10.

[0030] The operation of the coupling devices 14 described above will now be described with reference to the figure 3 which illustrates an example of a method for controlling the opening of coupling hatches 20 of a vehicle, called docked, by a vehicle, called docking, with a view to coupling the docking vehicle 10 to the docked vehicle 12.

[0031] Before implementing the present method, the coupling device 14 of each vehicle 10, 12 is typically in a nominal operating state. In this nominal operating state, the communication units 26 of each vehicle are switched on, any indicators 28 are switched off and the coupling hatches 20 are closed. The present method aims to modify this nominal operating state.

[0032] In particular, the present method is implemented with a view to coupling a vehicle, called a docking vehicle, to a vehicle, called a docked vehicle. The docked vehicle 12 is generally positioned opposite the docking vehicle 10 so that once the coupling hatches 20 of the two vehicles are open, the docking vehicle 10 only has to move forward in the direction of the docked vehicle 12 until it comes into contact with the docked vehicle 12.

[0033] The present method is triggered by the docking vehicle 10, for example, following a command received by the computer 24 of the docking vehicle 10. The command is, for example, coming from the driver of the docking vehicle 10.

[0034] In one example, the opening of the coupling hatches 20 of the docking vehicle 10 is also triggered upon receipt of the command received by the computer 24 of the docking vehicle 10.

[0035] The control method comprises a step 100 of transmitting a pairing signal by the communication unit 26 of the docking vehicle 10. Step 100 makes it possible to initiate the control method.

[0036] In an exemplary implementation, during the transmission step 100, the communication unit 26 of the docking vehicle 10 operates in mobile access point mode. The mobile access point mode allows other communication units 26 to identify the communication unit 26 of the docking vehicle 10 in order to pair with the docking vehicle 10. In particular, when the communication is done by Wifi, it is the Wifi modem 40 which is put into mobile access point mode.

[0037] The control method comprises a step 110 of pairing the communication unit 26 of the docking vehicle 10 with the communication unit 26 of another vehicle following reception by the communication unit 26 of the docking vehicle 10 of a pairing response signal transmitted by the communication unit 26 of the other vehicle.

[0038] The pairing response signal is a signal by which a communication unit 26 requests to be paired with a communication unit 26 operating in mobile access point mode.

[0039] Preferably, the communication unit 26 of the docking vehicle 10 pairs with only one other communication unit 26. Thus, when several pairing response signals are received by the communication unit 26 of the docking vehicle 10, the pairing of the communication unit 26 of the docking vehicle 10 is preferably carried out with the communication unit 26 transmitting the strongest pairing response signal. This makes it possible to exclude interfering signals from vehicles other than the docked vehicle 12, the signals received from the docked vehicle 12 being a priori the strongest.

[0040] Optionally, the control method comprises a step 115 of activating the indicator 28 of the vehicle whose communication unit 26 is paired with the communication unit 26 of the docking vehicle 10. The activation step 115 is, for example, implemented in parallel or just after the pairing step 110.

[0041] Thus, when the indicator 28 is a light indicator, a light signal is emitted by the indicator 28. When the indicator 28 is an audible indicator, an audible signal is emitted by the indicator 28.

[0042] The control method comprises a step 120 of receiving, by the controller 24 of the docking vehicle 10, a command relating to the pairing carried out. The command is either a command to validate the pairing, in which case the other vehicle is said to be the docked vehicle 12, or a command to invalidate the pairing.

[0043] The command is typically from an operator (driver) of the docking vehicle 10. The command is a pairing validation command, when the operator considers that the vehicle paired with the docking vehicle 10 is the docked vehicle 12. The command is a pairing invalidation command, when the operator considers that the vehicle paired with the docking vehicle 10 is different from the docked vehicle 12.

[0044] Preferably, a validation command is received only if the activated indicator 28 belongs to a vehicle opposite the approaching vehicle 10.

[0045] In an exemplary implementation, the command received depends on whether the indicator 28 is activated. Thus, in this example, the validation command is received only if the indicator 28 of the approaching vehicle 10 is activated.

[0046] When the command relating to the pairing is a command to invalidate the pairing, the control method comprises an optional step 130 of deactivating the communication unit 26 of the other vehicle, which results in the unpairing of this communication unit 26 with respect to that of the docking vehicle 10. The transmission and pairing steps are then repeated until a command to validate the pairing is received. This thus makes it possible to suppress the parasitic signals coming from other vehicles.

[0047] Alternatively, instead of step 130, the method ends, and the opening of the coupling hatches 20 is, for example, carried out by a dock operator.

[0048] When the command relating to the pairing is a pairing validation command, the method comprises a step 135 of transmitting a command to trigger the opening of the coupling hatches 20 of the docked vehicle 12 by the communication unit 26 of the docking vehicle 10.

[0049] The command is received by the communication unit 26 of the docked vehicle 12 and the opening of the coupling hatches 20 of the docked vehicle 12 is controlled by the controller 24 of the docked vehicle 12.

[0050] Optionally, the control method comprises a step 140 of reception by the communication unit 26 of the docking vehicle 10 of information relating to the position of the coupling hatches 20 of the docked vehicle 12 after reception and implementation of the command to trigger the opening of the coupling hatches 20 by the docked vehicle 12. The information has, for example, been transmitted by the communication unit 26 of the docked vehicle 12. The information aims to inform the operator of the docking vehicle 10 of whether or not the coupling hatches 20 of the docked vehicle 12 have been opened correctly.

[0051] Optionally, when the information received indicates that the coupling hatches 20 of the docked vehicle 12 are in the open position, the control method comprises a step 150 of advancing the docking vehicle 10 so as to couple the coupler 22 of the docking vehicle 10 to the coupler 22 of the docked vehicle 12.

[0052] Thus, the present method makes it possible to remotely control, without the intervention of an external operator, the opening of the coupling hatches 20 of a docked vehicle 12 by a docking vehicle 10. This saves time and increases efficiency when coupling two vehicles, particularly rail vehicles.

[0053] Furthermore, when wireless communication is implemented by Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi has the advantage of being robust and simple to implement. In particular, Wi-Fi has selectivity capabilities that help to discriminate the docked vehicle from other vehicles, possible radio settings and also has security principles that limit the risks of cyberattack.

[0054] Those skilled in the art will understand that the previously described embodiments and variations may be combined to form new embodiments provided that they are technically compatible.

Claims

1. Method for controlling the opening of coupling hatches (20) of a vehicle, called docked (12), by a vehicle, called docking (10), for the purpose of coupling the docking vehicle (10) to the docked vehicle (12), each vehicle comprising a coupling device comprising: coupling hatches (20), a coupler (22), a controller (24) and a wireless communication unit (26), the coupling hatches (20) of each vehicle being movable between a closed position in which the coupler (22) of the vehicle is masked by the coupling hatches (20) and an open position in which the coupler (22) of the vehicle is suitable for being coupled to a coupler (22) of another vehicle, the method comprising: a. the transmission of a pairing signal by the wireless communication unit (26) of the docking vehicle (10), b.pairing the wireless communication unit (26) of the docking vehicle (10) to the wireless communication unit (26) of another vehicle, following reception, by the wireless communication unit (26) of the docking vehicle (10), of a pairing response signal transmitted by the wireless communication unit (26) of the other vehicle, c. reception, by the controller (24) of the docking vehicle (10), of a command relating to the pairing carried out, so that when the command is a pairing validation command, the other vehicle is said to be the docked vehicle (12), and d. transmission of a command to trigger the opening of the coupling hatches (20) of the docked vehicle (12) by the wireless communication unit (26) of the docking vehicle (10).

2. Method according to claim 1, in which the method comprises a step of reception by the wireless communication unit (26) of the docking vehicle (10), of information relating to the position of the coupling hatches (20) of the docked vehicle (12) after reception and implementation of the command to trigger the opening of the coupling hatches (20) by the docked vehicle (12).

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein when the received information indicates that the coupling hatches (20) of the docked vehicle (12) are in the open position, the method comprises advancing the docking vehicle (10) so as to couple the coupler (22) of the docking vehicle (10) to the coupler (22) of the docked vehicle (12).

4. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which each vehicle comprises an indicator (28) adapted to be activated when the wireless communication unit (26) of the vehicle is paired with the wireless communication unit (26) of a docking vehicle (10), the method comprising the activation of the indicator (28) of the vehicle whose wireless communication unit (26) is paired with the wireless communication unit (26) of the docking vehicle (10), the validation command being a function of the activated indicator (28).

5. Method according to claim 4, wherein the indicator (28) of each vehicle is a light indicator, such as a light-emitting diode, the indicator (28) being advantageously positioned on the windshield of the vehicle.

6. Method according to claim 4 or 5, in which the validation command is received only if the activated indicator (28) belongs to a vehicle opposite the approaching vehicle (10).

7. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein when several pairing response signals are received by the wireless communication unit (26) of the docking vehicle (10), the pairing of the wireless communication unit (26) of the docking vehicle (10) is performed with the wireless communication unit (26) transmitting the strongest pairing response signal.

8. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein when the command relating to pairing is a command to invalidate the pairing, the method comprises a step of deactivating the wireless communication unit (26) of the other vehicle, and of repeating the transmission and pairing steps until a command to validate the pairing is received.

9. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, in which the wireless communication units are capable of communicating according to a Wifi standard.

10. A set of vehicles, each vehicle comprising a coupling device comprising coupling hatches (20), a coupler (22), a controller (24) and a wireless communication unit (26), the coupling hatches (20) of each vehicle being movable between a closed position in which the coupler (22) of the vehicle is masked by the coupling hatches (20) and an open position in which the coupler (22) of the vehicle is suitable for being coupled to a coupler (22) of another vehicle, the coupling device of a vehicle, called the docking vehicle, being suitable for implementing a method for controlling the opening of coupling hatches (20) of a vehicle, called the docked vehicle, with a view to coupling the docking vehicle (10) to the docked vehicle (12), the method being according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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