Electronic brake system, trailer vehicle, and brake control device

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic brake system (14) for a trailer vehicle (12), having a brake control device (16). The electronic brake system (14) additionally has a first electric interface (17) for connecting to a towing vehicle (11) and a first voltage supply for specified electric loads (21) in the trailer vehicle (12). The electronic brake system (14) additionally has a high-speed data interface (26) for connecting to the towing vehicle (11) and to a second voltage supply. In the process, the brake control device (16) is connected to the second voltage supply.

Description

[0001] Electronic braking system, trailer and brake control unit

[0002] The invention relates to an electronic braking system. Furthermore, the invention relates to a trailer vehicle with an electronic braking system and a brake control unit for an electronic braking system in a trailer vehicle.

[0003] Conventional trailers for commercial vehicles, in conjunction with a pneumatic braking system, also have an electronic braking system with a brake control unit. The brake control unit is continuously supplied with power via a towing vehicle-trailer interface in accordance with ISO 7638-1:2018 or ISO 1807638-2:2018. In addition, the trailer preferably has a towing vehicle-trailer interface in accordance with 18012098:2020, via which a lighting system of the trailer, in particular brake lights, is supplied with power. An auxiliary power supply for the brake control unit via the power supply of the brake lights, i.e., in particular, via the interface in accordance with 18012098:2020, is already known. The disadvantage of this is that the auxiliary power supply only occurs during braking, since only then do the brake lights receive power.

[0004] In addition to the brake control unit, the trailer vehicle may have other devices that provide or process large amounts of data. In particular, sensors / cameras associated with driver assistance systems or autonomous driving may provide data that must be forwarded to the towing vehicle. The data can initially be fed to an electronic control unit and from there forwarded to a towing vehicle-trailer interface. For this purpose, the latter interface should be a high-speed data interface. In particular, data should be transmitted at up to 1 Gbit / s or more. A data connector for such a high-speed interface already exists (see, for example, https: / / www.erich-jaeger.com / de / produkte / liste / product-innovations / event / high-speed-datenuebertragung-fuer-anbaugeraete-und-anhaenger).The data connector contains two high-speed data lines and two power contacts suitable for power supply. The interface enables data transmission to the towing vehicle as well as power supply to consumers in the trailer.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a permanent voltage supply for the brake control unit in the electronic braking system of a trailer vehicle, independent of the otherwise usual electrical interface.

[0006] To achieve the object, the electronic braking system has the features of claim 1. The electronic braking system for a trailer vehicle is provided with a brake control unit, a first electrical interface for connection to a towing vehicle and with a first voltage supply for certain electrical consumers in the trailer vehicle and a high-speed data interface for connection to the towing vehicle and with a second voltage supply.

[0007] The brake control unit is connected to the second power supply.

[0008] The first electrical interface can be an interface compliant with ISO7638-1:2018 or ISO7638-2:2018. However, other electrical interfaces with a permanent power supply for the trailer's electrical consumers are also suitable. For certain applications and / or in regions outside the EU, other electrical interfaces with a permanent power supply may be provided anyway.

[0009] The second power supply is integrated into the high-speed data interface and is at least indirectly connected to a power source in the towing vehicle, provided that a connection from the trailer to the towing vehicle exists via the high-speed data interface. According to the invention, the brake control unit in the trailer is supplied with power via the high-speed data interface. Furthermore, it is possible for the high-speed data interface to transmit data at up to 1 Gbit / s or more, at least from the trailer to the towing vehicle, via a data connection. A connection with two contacts can be provided for the power supply, as well as for the data connection. All contacts are arranged, in particular, within the high-speed data interface. The data connection can additionally have shielding.

[0010] According to a further concept of the invention, the brake control unit can also be connected to the first power supply. In this way, two power supplies are connected to the brake control unit. In particular, the first power supply can be provided for the uninterrupted operation of the brake control unit. If this power supply fails, for example due to a cable break or a loose connection, the second power supply is available as a backup solution, preventing a power outage. Alternatively, the second power supply can be the preferred power supply for the brake control unit, while the first power supply serves as a backup solution.

[0011] According to a further concept of the invention, the brake control unit can be connected to the second power supply via an electrical connection and an electronic control unit. The electrical control unit can, in particular, be a control unit to which sensors or other signal generators of the trailer vehicle are connected. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the electronic control unit is connected to the second power supply and, in particular, to the high-speed data interface. The electronic control unit then has at least one voltage-carrying output to which the brake control unit is connected via the electrical connection. In this way, the brake control unit is indirectly connected to the second power supply.According to a further concept of the invention, the electrical connection between the brake control unit and the electronic control unit can be bidirectional, so that the brake control unit is connected to the second power supply via the electrical connection and the electronic control unit, and the electronic control unit is connected to the first power supply via the electrical connection and the brake control unit. In this way, backup solutions for the power supply exist for both the brake control unit and the electronic control unit. In both control units, the outgoing electrical connection can always be open, while the incoming connection is only open, in particular, if the respective power supply fails.

[0012] According to a further aspect of the invention, the electronic control unit can provide data from at least one sensor of the trailer to the towing vehicle via the high-speed data interface. One or more cameras can be provided as sensors, the data from which are transmitted to the towing vehicle via the high-speed data interface and processed there. This is particularly relevant in connection with autonomous driving and / or driver assistance systems.

[0013] According to a further aspect of the invention, the brake control unit can be connected to the first power supply via an electrical connection and an electronic control unit. In this case, the electronic control unit is connected to the first power supply and indirectly supplies the brake control unit with power. The electronic control unit can also be connected to the second power supply.

[0014] According to the invention, the first electrical interface can be designed according to ISO7638-1:2018 or ISO7638-2:2018. However, other interfaces with a power supply can also be provided, in particular interfaces already present in the commercial vehicle sector. According to the invention, the high-speed data interface can also comprise two data connections and two or more power supply connections. In this case, at least four plus four contacts are preferably arranged within the high-speed data interface. This further increases reliability.

[0015] According to the invention, the brake control unit can be connected to a third power supply, with the third power supply being part of a further electrical interface for connection to the towing vehicle. This further increases reliability.

[0016] According to the invention, the further electrical interface can be designed in accordance with ISO 12098:2020. However, other interfaces with a power supply can also be provided, in particular with voltage for a brake light, especially interfaces that are already present in the commercial vehicle sector.

[0017] The invention also relates to a trailer with an electronic braking system according to claim 1 or one of the further claims. The trailer can, in particular, be a trailer for commercial vehicles with an electronic braking system. Commercial vehicles in this sense are, in particular, those intended for freight transport, local transport, long-distance transport, or on construction sites.

[0018] According to the invention, the trailer vehicle can be a semi-trailer. The towing commercial vehicle is then a tractor with a semi-trailer.

[0019] According to the invention, the trailer can be a trailer of vehicle class 03 or 04. The vehicle classes are summarized in EU Regulation 2018 / 858 of May 30, 2018.

[0020] The invention also relates to a brake control unit for an electronic braking system in a trailer vehicle and according to claim 1 or one of the further claims, with an electrical connection to an electronic control unit for the trailer vehicle and with a voltage supply according to at least one of the following options:

[0021] When the brake control unit is connected to a first voltage supply, the electronic control unit can be supplied with voltage at least via the electrical connection and the brake control unit.

[0022] When the electronic control unit is connected to a second power supply, the brake control unit can be supplied with power at least via the electrical connection and the electronic control unit.

[0023] The brake control unit and the electronic control unit are electrically connected to supply power to each other. This allows for backup power solutions or eliminates the need for additional, separate power supplies.

[0024] Further features of the invention will become apparent from the description and the claims. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. They show:

[0025] Fig. 1 shows a vehicle combination of tractor and trailer, each with electronic braking system, in a first embodiment,

[0026] Fig. 2 the trailer vehicle according to Fig. 1 in a slightly enlarged view,

[0027] Fig. 3 the trailer according to Fig. 2 with an electronic

[0028] Braking system as a second embodiment,

[0029] Fig. 4 shows the semi-trailer according to Fig. 2 with an electronic braking system as a third embodiment, Fig. 5 shows the semi-trailer according to Fig. 2 with an electronic braking system as a fourth embodiment,

[0030] Fig. 6a shows a first connector as part of a first electrical interface with power supply,

[0031] Fig. 6b a second connector as part of a second electrical interface with power supply,

[0032] Fig. 6c a third connector as part of a third electrical interface with power supply.

[0033] In this exemplary embodiment, a vehicle combination 10 consists of a tractor 11 and a trailer 12. The tractor 11 and the trailer 12 each have an electronic braking system 13, 14. Each of the two electronic braking systems has its own brake control unit 15, 16. The brake control units 15, 16 control further components of the braking systems 13, 14, triggered by driver activities, signals from sensors, or other control units.

[0034] Standardized electrical interfaces 17, 18 with associated connectors 19, 20 are provided for the electrical connections between the tractor unit 11 and the trailer 12, and for connecting the two braking systems 13, 14 to each other. Interface 17 and connector 19 are preferably designed according to ISO 12098:2020, while interface 18 and connector 20 comply with ISO 7638-1:2018 or 7638-2:2018.

[0035] On the trailer 12 side, only a brake light 21 is shown as the electrical consumer connected to the interface 17. In fact, other electrical consumers not shown are also connected, such as reversing lights and marker lights. The brake control unit 16 in the trailer 12 is supplied with voltage and signals from the towing vehicle 11 via the interface 18 with the electrical connection 35. In addition, the interface 18 can contain additional functionalities.

[0036] The connection of the interfaces 17, 18 on the tractor 11 and the brake control unit 15 is known and therefore not shown in detail here. The tractor 11 may also have additional electronic control units whose arrangement and function are known, such as an engine control unit.

[0037] The trailer 12 has a sensor 22, which is preferably arranged facing backwards and / or is a camera. Signals from the sensor 22 are forwarded via an electrical connection 23 to an electronic control unit 24, where they are processed and transmitted from there to the tractor 11. For this purpose, an electrical connection 25 leads from the control unit 24 to a further interface 26 with a connector 27.

[0038] The interface 26 between the towing vehicle 11 and the trailer 12 is provided as a high-speed data interface with a power supply. For this purpose, the interface 26 comprises at least one data connection for up to 1 Gbit / s and a power supply. As shown in Figure 6b, the associated cables and contacts can be duplicated, so that at least two data connections and two power supply connections are present. The connector 27 has a corresponding number of connection contacts: four contacts for the data connections and four contacts for the power supply.

[0039] Two of the contacts for the power supply are designated 26a and 26b in Fig. 6b, and two contacts for data connections are designated 26c and 26d. A simple connector, in contrast, is disclosed, for example, at www.erich-jaeger.com (see https: / / www.erich-jaeger.com / de / produkte / liste / product-innovations / event / high-speed-datenuebertragung-fuer-anbaugeraete-und-anhaenger). The simple connector can also be provided at this location. A different type of high-speed data interface—with a power supply—can also be provided at this location.

[0040] On the tractor 11 side, an electrical connection 28, which also includes a data connection, leads from the interface 26 to the brake control unit 15 and / or another electronic control unit. The signals from the sensor 22 can be received and processed in the brake control unit 15 and / or another control unit.

[0041] A permanent and reliable power supply is particularly important for the brake control unit 16. To increase reliability, an electrical connection 29 can be provided as a backup solution between the interface 17 and the brake control unit 16. Specifically, the electrical connection 29 can be connected to a live electrical connection 30 between the connector 19 and the brake light 21. The electrical connection 30 is only supplied with power when the brake light 21 is also supposed to illuminate. Accordingly, if the interface 20 fails, the brake control unit 16 only receives the desired voltage via the electrical connection 29 during a braking operation.

[0042] In parallel to the electrical connection 30, further electrical connections are connected to the interface 17, in particular for supplying further components of a lighting system of the trailer 12. However, the further electrical connections are not shown here for reasons of clarity.

[0043] To increase the reliability of the brake control unit 16, the first exemplary embodiment in Fig. 2 provides an electrical connection 31 between the brake control unit 16 and the electronic control unit 24 as a backup solution. The latter is connected to the interface 26, so that the brake control unit 16 can be supplied with power via the interface 26 and the electronic control unit 24. The electrical connection 31 is preferably bidirectional, so that a backup solution for the power supply for the electronic control unit 24 is also provided, namely via the brake control unit 16 and the interface 18.

[0044] A second embodiment is shown in Fig. 3. The electrical connections 25, 35 here lead to the electronic control unit 24. The brake control unit 16 is supplied with power exclusively via the electronic control unit 24. Although there is no redundancy in this respect, the power supply to the brake control unit 16 is relatively reliable because the power supply is duplicated via the exposed interfaces 18, 26 and the electrical connection 31 is preferably a short cable that cannot be disconnected during operation.

[0045] Interface 17 with electrical connection 30 and brake light 21 is not shown in Fig. 3 for the sake of simplicity, but may nevertheless be present.

[0046] Fig. 4 shows the third embodiment, namely a modification of the first embodiment, but without the electronic control unit 24. The electrical connection 31 is interconnected with the electrical connections 23, 25 in the region of a node 32. The signals from the sensor 22 are processed either in the sensor 22 itself or in a control unit of the tractor 11 or at another location not shown, if necessary. As shown in Fig. 4, the electrical connection 31 can be unidirectional, i.e., for supplying power to the brake control unit 16, in addition to the power supply via the electrical connection 35.

[0047] Fig. 5 shows a fourth embodiment. For simplicity, interface 17 with electrical connection 30 and brake light 21 is again not shown, but may be present. Brake control unit 16 and electronic control unit 24 are both connected to the two electrical connections 25, 35 to interfaces 18, 26. For this purpose, brake control unit 16 has two stub lines 33, 34. Both control units 16, 24 thus each have a redundant power supply.

[0048] The aforementioned electrical connections and stub lines 23, 25, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 34, 35 contain at least lines suitable for a voltage supply, optionally in connection with data lines and / or other electrical lines.

[0049] Fig. 6a, 6b, 6c show the connectors 20, 27, 19 of the interfaces 18, 26, 17. Each interface 18, 26, 17 has electrical conductors (not shown) for a power supply. Accordingly, the connectors 20, 27, 19 are provided with contacts 18a, 18b, 26a, 26b, and 17a, 17b connected to the electrical conductors for power supply. Depending on the configuration, the voltage supply of the brake control unit 16 runs via one of the three interfaces 18, 26, 17 and thus via two associated contacts 18a, 18b, 26a, 26b and 17a, 17b, alternatively via two other contacts 18a, 18b, 26a, 26b or 17a, 17b of one of the other three interfaces 18, 26, 17. The same applies to the voltage supply of the electrical control unit 24.

[0050] The connectors 20, 27, 19 have additional contacts according to their function, including for data transmission, see contacts 18c, 18d in Fig. 6a, contacts 26c, 26d in Fig. 6b and contacts 17c, 17d in Fig. 6c.

[0051] List of reference symbols as part of the description:

[0052] 10 vehicle combination

[0053] 11 tractor

[0054] 12 trailers

[0055] 13 electronic braking system

[0056] 14 electronic braking system

[0057] 15 Brake control unit

[0058] 16 Brake control unit

[0059] 17 Interface

[0060] 17a Contact

[0061] 17b Contact

[0062] 17c Contact

[0063] 17d Contact

[0064] 18 Interface

[0065] 18a Contact

[0066] 18a Contact

[0067] 18c Contact

[0068] 18d Contact

[0069] 19 connectors

[0070] 20 connectors

[0071] 21 Brake light

[0072] 22 Sensor

[0073] 23 electrical connection

[0074] 24 electronic control unit

[0075] 25 electrical connection

[0076] 26 Interface

[0077] 26a Contact

[0078] 26b Contact

[0079] 26c Contact

[0080] 26d Contact

[0081] 27 Connector electrical connection electrical connection electrical connection electrical connection node spur line spur line electrical connection

Claims

Patent claims:

1. Electronic braking system (14) for a trailer vehicle (12), with - a brake control unit (16), - a first electrical interface (18) for connection to a towing vehicle (11) and to a first voltage supply (18a, 18b) for certain electrical consumers in the trailer vehicle (12), - a high-speed data interface (26) for connection to the towing vehicle (11) and to a second voltage supply (26a, 26b), wherein the brake control unit (16) is connected to the second voltage supply (26a, 26b).

2. Electronic braking system (14) according to claim 1, characterized in that the brake control unit (16) is also connected to the first voltage supply (18a, 18b).

3. Electronic braking system (14) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the brake control unit (16) is connected to the second voltage supply (26a, 26b) via an electrical connection (31) and an electronic control unit (24).

4. Electronic braking system (14) according to claim 3, characterized in that the electrical connection (31) between the brake control unit (16) and the electronic control unit (24) is bidirectional, so that the brake control unit (16) is connected to the second voltage supply (26a, 26b) via the electrical connection (31) and the electronic control unit (24) and the electronic control unit (24) is connected to the first voltage supply (18a, 18b) via the electrical connection (31) and the brake control unit (16).

5. Electronic braking system (14) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that an electronic control unit (24) via the High-speed data interface (26) provides data from at least one sensor (22) of the trailer vehicle (12) to the towing vehicle (11).

6. Electronic braking system (14) according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the brake control unit (16) is connected to the first voltage supply (18a, 18b) via an electrical connection (31) and an electronic control unit (24).

7. Electronic braking system (14) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the first electrical interface (18) is designed according to ISO 7638-1 / -2:2018.

8. Electronic braking system (14) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the high-speed data interface (26) comprises at least two data connections and two connections to the voltage supply.

9. Electronic brake system (14) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the brake control unit (16) is connected to a third voltage supply (17a, 17b), wherein the third voltage supply (17a, 17b) is a component of a further electrical interface (17) for connection to the towing vehicle (11).

10. Electronic braking system (14) according to claim 9, characterized in that the further electrical interface (17) is designed according to ISO 12098:2020.

11. Trailer vehicle (12) with an electronic braking system (14) according to one of claims 1-10.

12. Trailer vehicle (12) according to claim 11, characterized in that the trailer vehicle (12) is a semi-trailer.

13. Trailer vehicle (12) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized by belonging to a vehicle class 03 or 04.

14. Brake control unit (16) for an electronic braking system (14) in a trailer vehicle (12) and according to one of claims 1-10, with an electrical connection (31) to an electronic control unit (24) for the trailer vehicle (12) and with a voltage supply according to at least one of the following options: - when the brake control unit (16) is connected to a first voltage supply (18a, 18b), the electronic control unit (24) can be supplied with voltage at least via the electrical connection (31) and the brake control unit (16), - when the electronic control unit (24) is connected to a second voltage supply (26a, 26b), the brake control unit (16) can be supplied with voltage at least via the electrical connection (31) and the electronic control unit (24).

Images