Control arrangement and control method for a lighting system of a trailer vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a control arrangement (22.1) for controlling a lighting system (12) of a trailer vehicle (2), having a central electronic control unit (24), which, when the trailer vehicle is coupled to a towing vehicle, is connected via a data bus cable (32) and a plug connection (30) to a voltage source and to an electronic control unit of the towing vehicle, and having at least one electronic lighting control unit (28) which is connected via a data bus cable (42) to the central control unit (24) and via a connection cable (48) or connection contacts to illumination units (14a, 14b, 16a, 16b, 18a, 18b) of the lighting system, wherein data bus lines of the data bus cable (32) and allocated plug contacts of the plug connection (30) form a first communication channel, and voltage supply lines of the data bus cables (32, 42) and allocated plug contacts of the plug connection (30) form a first voltage supply channel. To increase the operational reliability of the lighting system (12) and the road safety of the trailer vehicle, the invention proposes that the central control unit (24) of the trailer vehicle can be connected via a redundant second communication channel to the control unit of the towing vehicle, and that the second communication channel comprises at least two data bus lines and allocated plug contacts which are part of the data bus cable (32) and the plug connection (30) between the control unit of the towing vehicle and the central control unit (24) of the trailer vehicle.

Description

[0001] Control arrangement and control method of a lighting system of a trailer vehicle

[0002] The invention relates to a control arrangement for controlling a lighting system of a trailer vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle trailer, with a central electronic control unit which, when the trailer vehicle is coupled to a towing vehicle, is connected to a voltage source and an electronic control unit of the towing vehicle via a data bus cable and a plug connection, and with at least one electronic light control unit which is connected to the central control unit via a data bus cable and to light units of the lighting system via a connecting cable or connecting contacts, wherein data bus lines of the data bus cable and associated plug contacts of the plug connection form a first communication channel and voltage supply lines of the data bus cable and associated plug contacts of the plug connection form a first voltage supply channel.The invention also relates to a control method of a lighting system of a commercial vehicle trailer for operating such a control arrangement.

[0003] The lighting system of a commercial vehicle trailer typically includes taillights, brake lights, parking lights, indicators, rear fog lights, reversing lights, license plate lights, and side marker lights located at the rear of the vehicle. Additionally, side marker lights may be located at the front of the trailer and side marker lights on the sides. At least the taillights, brake lights, parking lights, and indicator lights are usually combined in multi-chamber combination lights.

[0004] In conventional lighting systems on commercial vehicle trailers, such as drawbar trailers and semi-trailers, the lighting units are switched on and off from the assigned towing vehicle. For this purpose, cables routed from the towing vehicle to the aforementioned lighting units on the trailer in a multi-core wiring harness are connected to or disconnected from an electrical voltage source via relays or electronic transistor circuits. These cables are designed as at least one flexible connecting cable with plug connectors at the ends. Lights that can be switched on and off, such as taillights, license plate lights, and marker lights located at the rear of the vehicle, are usually connected to a common cable in the wiring harness on each side.The periodic activation of the indicator lights in the functions of direction indicator, hazard warning indicator, locking status indicator and alarm system status indicator can be controlled by means of flasher relays or electronic flasher circuits in the towing vehicle.

[0005] Due to the increasing number of installed electronic control units, electrical actuators, solenoid valves, and sensors, wiring harnesses are becoming increasingly extensive and complex, requiring a large number of copper wires and making wiring harness installation and troubleshooting in the event of malfunctions more difficult. As a result, commercial vehicles and their trailers are increasingly being switched to control systems using electronic control units. This also applies to the lighting systems of commercial vehicle trailers, where the functions of the lights—i.e., switching the lights on and off, as well as the flashing patterns of certain lights—are controlled by at least one electronic light control unit (LCU). This light control unit receives control signals, provided with an address code, via a data bus from a control unit located on the towing vehicle.

[0006] For example, DE 10 2008 054 349 A1 discloses several embodiments of a control arrangement on a trailer vehicle, in which the braking system and the lighting system of the trailer vehicle can be controlled via data bus cables, an electronic brake control unit (BCU), and partially via an electronic lighting control unit (LCU). In a first embodiment of the control arrangement according to Fig. 1 therein, a data bus cable containing supply lines and CAN bus data lines (Controller Area Network) is routed from a socket on the front of the trailer vehicle to the brake control unit. A branched wiring harness with individual lines or a branched data bus cable runs from the brake control unit to the lighting units of the trailer vehicle. In this embodiment, the brake control unit thus also fulfills the function of a lighting control unit or a gateway for controlling the lighting system of the trailer vehicle.Simply put, a gateway function enables communication between different data networks. In a second embodiment of the control arrangement according to Fig. 2 therein, a separate electronic light control unit is provided to control the trailer's lighting system. This unit is connected to the brake control unit via a second data bus cable and to the trailer's lighting units via another data bus cable or a cable harness with individual lines. The brake control unit thus also fulfills the function of a gateway for the light control unit.

[0007] In a third embodiment of the control arrangement according to Fig. 3 of this document, the brake control unit and the light control unit are connected to the aforementioned front-side socket via a common data bus cable, so that a gateway function of the brake control unit is not present in this case. In a fourth embodiment of the control arrangement according to Fig. 4 therein, the light control unit is connected directly to the front-side socket via a first data bus cable, and the brake control unit is connected to the light control unit via a second data bus cable, so that the light control unit here fulfills the function of a gateway for the brake control unit.

[0008] In addition, this document proposes an adapter with which the voltage supply as well as control data or control signals for controlling the braking system of the trailer, which are available from the towing vehicle via a cable connector in accordance with ISO 7638, and for controlling the lighting system of the trailer, which are available from the towing vehicle via a cable connector in accordance with ISO 12098, are converted and transferred into the plug format of the socket of the trailer.

[0009] DE 10 2010 018 127 A1 proposes a connecting device permanently arranged on the front of a trailer vehicle, with which the voltage supply as well as control data or control signals for controlling the trailer vehicle's braking system, which are present at a socket according to ISO 7638, and for controlling the trailer vehicle's lighting system, which are present at a socket according to ISO 12098, are converted into the line formats of data bus cables, which are routed to a brake control unit and to lighting units of the trailer vehicle. In a first embodiment of this control arrangement according to Fig. 1 therein, a first data bus cable is routed from the connecting device to the brake control unit and two further data bus cables are routed side by side to the lighting units of the trailer vehicle, so that the connecting device here fulfills the function of a lighting control unit in addition to the gateway function.In a second embodiment of the control device according to Fig. 2 there, only one data bus cable is led from the connecting device to the brake control unit, and the lighting units are connected to the brake control unit via a further, branched data bus cable, so that here the brake control unit additionally fulfills the function of a light control unit.

[0010] DE 10 2018 007 092 A1 describes a rear light module designed for installation on the rear of a trailer. The rear light module has side-mounted rear lights with two tail lights, two brake lights, and two indicator lights, as well as an electronic light control unit and a battery. The light control unit can be controlled by the towing vehicle via a connecting cable via a wired interface or wirelessly via a wireless interface, or can communicate via these. If the wired communication fails, a warning message is generated and sent wirelessly, i.e., via radio, to the towing vehicle. If the wireless communication also fails, a warning light function, for example, in the form of hazard warning lights, is to be activated.

[0011] From US2019217831 A1 an intelligent control unit for a trailer vehicle is known, which can also have gateway functionality.

[0012] Against this background, the invention is based on the object of presenting a control arrangement for controlling a lighting system of a vehicle of the type mentioned above, which has further increased operational reliability. Furthermore, a control method for controlling a lighting system of a commercial vehicle trailer with such a control arrangement is to be described, by means of which operation a higher operational reliability of the lighting system and increased road safety of the commercial vehicle trailer or of a vehicle combination formed by a towing vehicle and the commercial vehicle trailer is achieved.

[0013] The device-related problem is solved by a control arrangement having the features of claim 1. The problem concerning the control method is defined in an independent method claim. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are mentioned in the respective associated dependent claims.The invention therefore initially relates to a control arrangement for controlling a lighting system of a trailer vehicle, with a central electronic control unit which, when the trailer is coupled to a towing vehicle, is connected to a voltage source and an electronic control unit of the towing vehicle via a data bus cable and a plug connection, and with at least one electronic light control unit which is connected to the trailer-side central control unit via a data bus cable and to light units of the lighting system via a connecting cable or connecting contacts, wherein data bus lines of the data bus cable and associated plug contacts of the plug connection form a first communication channel, and voltage supply lines of the data bus cable and associated plug contacts of the plug connection form a first voltage supply channel.

[0014] To achieve the device-related task, this control arrangement further provides that the central control unit of the trailer vehicle can be connected to the control unit of the towing vehicle via a redundant second communication channel, and that the second communication channel comprises at least two data bus lines and associated plug contacts, which are part of the data bus cable and the plug connection between the control unit of the towing vehicle and the central control unit of the trailer vehicle.

[0015] The redundant second communication channel increases the operational reliability of the trailer vehicle's lighting system and thus the road safety of the vehicle combination consisting of a towing vehicle and the trailer vehicle. This is because the communication path between the towing vehicle's control unit and the trailer vehicle's central control unit can be switched to the second communication channel if the first communication channel fails. This means that the trailer vehicle's lighting system can still be controlled using the towing vehicle's control unit. Since the data bus lines and associated plug contacts of the second communication channel are integrated into the data bus cable and the plug connections between the towing vehicle's control unit and the trailer vehicle's central control unit, the additional equipment required for the second communication channel is comparatively low.

[0016] To further improve the operational reliability of the trailer's lighting system, it can also be provided that the trailer's lighting control unit can be connected to a voltage source of the towing vehicle or to a voltage source of the trailer via a redundant second voltage supply channel. Thus, the voltage supply of the lighting control unit and thus the entire trailer's lighting system can be switched to the second voltage supply channel after a failure of the first voltage supply channel, thereby ensuring at least a limited range of functions of the trailer's lighting system.

[0017] In this case, it can be provided that the second voltage supply channel comprises at least two supply lines and plug contacts, which are part of the data bus cable and the plug connection between the control unit of the towing vehicle and the central control unit of the trailer, as well as a data bus cable between the central control unit and the lighting control unit of the trailer. In this embodiment of the second voltage supply channel, the voltage supply to the lighting system of the trailer is thus provided via at least two supply lines and plug contacts from a voltage source of the towing vehicle, whereby the additional equipment required by the two additional supply lines and plug contacts is comparatively low.

[0018] The mentioned supply lines of the second voltage supply channel can have smaller line cross-sections than the supply lines of the first voltage supply channel because the probability of failure of the first voltage supply channel is relatively low and the range of functions of the lighting system can be limited when the second voltage supply channel is activated, which causes a lower electrical current flow through the supply lines.

[0019] According to an alternative second embodiment, the second power supply channel can comprise at least two supply lines, which are part of a conventional connecting cable and a plug connection between the control unit of the towing vehicle and the lighting control unit of the trailer. In this embodiment of the second power supply channel, the power supply to the lighting system of the trailer also comes from a voltage source of the towing vehicle, but via a different line path.

[0020] This conventional connecting cable and the associated plug connection can comply with the ISO 12098 standard, which is widely used for controlling the lighting system of trailers, and can also be used as a backup for the communication channel between the control unit of the towing vehicle and the lighting control unit of the trailer.

[0021] According to an alternative third embodiment of the control arrangement, it can be provided that the second voltage supply channel comprises at least two supply lines, which are part of a charging and supply cable arranged between an on-board electric battery of the trailer vehicle and the central control unit of the trailer vehicle, as well as a data bus cable between the central control unit and the lighting control unit. In this embodiment of the second voltage supply channel, the voltage supply of the lighting system of the trailer vehicle comes from the electric battery of the trailer vehicle, which acts as a voltage source and can be charged via the aforementioned charging and supply cable and the central control unit when the first voltage supply channel is intact, and can be used to supply voltage to the lighting system when the first voltage supply channel fails.

[0022] In order to enable a voltage supply of the lighting system independent of the central control unit of the trailer vehicle in this variant, an additional voltage supply channel with at least two supply lines can be provided, which are part of a separate supply cable between the electric battery and the lighting control unit.

[0023] The light control unit of the trailer vehicle is preferably designed such that, when at least one voltage supply channel is available and no communication channel is available, it effects emergency operation of the lighting system, which provides at least continuous operation of the rear lights. This control function can be implemented by interconnecting electronic components of an electronic circuit or be part of the control program of the light control unit. Furthermore, the light control unit of the trailer vehicle is preferably designed such that, when the voltage is supplied via the second voltage supply channel from an on-board battery and no communication channel is available, it effects energy-saving operation of the lighting system, which provides at least continuous operation of the parking lights.This control function can be specified by a control program of the lighting control unit or can be effected by an electronic circuit in the lighting control unit, which is activated in the event of a failure of the first power supply channel.

[0024] The data bus cable and the associated plug connection between the control unit of the towing vehicle and the central control unit of the trailer vehicle as well as the data bus cable between the central control unit and the light control unit of the trailer vehicle are preferably designed as Ethernet cables which comply with the ISO 23870 standard, thereby ensuring a high bandwidth and a high data rate of the data communication.

[0025] According to the invention, the method-related problem is solved by a control method containing the features of the independent method claim. Advantageous developments of this control method are defined in dependent method claims.

[0026] Accordingly, the invention relates to a method for controlling a lighting system of a trailer vehicle, with a control arrangement for controlling a lighting system, which has a central electronic control unit which, when the trailer vehicle is coupled to a towing vehicle, is connected to a voltage source and an electronic control unit of the towing vehicle via a data bus cable and an associated plug connection, and which has at least one electronic light control unit which is connected to the central control unit via a data bus cable and to light units of the lighting system via a connecting cable or connecting contacts, wherein data bus lines of the data bus cable and the associated plug contacts of the plug connection form a first communication channel, and voltage supply lines of the data bus cable and the associated plug contacts of the plug connection form a first voltage supply channel.To solve the method-related problem, this control method provides that the communication between the control unit of the towing vehicle and the central control unit of the trailer vehicle is switched to a redundant second communication channel in the event of a failure of the first communication channel, and that in this case an error message is sent from the central control unit to the control unit of the towing vehicle and normal operation of the lighting system is continued.

[0027] By switching the communication between the control unit of the towing vehicle and the at least one control unit of the trailer vehicle from the first communication channel to the second communication channel, the controllability of the lighting system of the trailer vehicle by the control unit of the towing vehicle is maintained, thereby increasing the road safety of the vehicle combination formed by the towing vehicle and the trailer vehicle.

[0028] To further improve the operational reliability of the trailer vehicle's lighting system, it can also be provided that the voltage supply of the lighting control unit is switched to a redundant second voltage supply channel in the event of a failure of the first voltage supply channel, and that in this case an error message is sent from the lighting control unit to the control unit of the towing vehicle.

[0029] If a power supply is available for the lighting control unit, in the event of a failure of the available communication channel, a warning light function of the lighting system is activated for a limited period of time, followed by emergency operation of the lighting system. This allows a warning light function to be activated and emergency operation of the lighting system to be performed even if communication with the central control unit of the towing vehicle is interrupted.

[0030] Furthermore, it can be provided that, if the lighting control unit is supplied with power via the second power supply channel from an on-board electric battery, a warning light function of the lighting system is activated for a limited period of time after a failure of the available communication channel from an on-board electric battery, and then the lighting system is put into energy-saving mode. Accordingly, even if the power supply from the towing vehicle is completely interrupted, a warning light function and energy-saving mode of the lighting system can be implemented using the battery located on the trailer vehicle. The warning light function of the lighting system provides at least for the trailer vehicle's turn signals to flash, which warns other road users.Emergency operation of the lighting system provides at least continuous operation of the trailer's rear lights, which ensures sufficient illumination of the trailer and thus the road safety of the vehicle combination. Energy-saving operation of the trailer's lighting system provides at least continuous operation of the parking lights, which ensures the longest possible minimum illumination of the trailer when uncoupled or towed.

[0031] According to another development of the control method, it can be provided that the receipt of an error message from the central control unit or from the light control unit of the trailer in the control unit of the towing vehicle triggers the output of an acoustic or optical warning signal and / or the display of a warning text or a warning pictogram in a display and / or the storage of a corresponding error message in an error memory.

[0032] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to several embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0033] Fig. 1 shows a commercial vehicle trailer with a first embodiment of a control arrangement according to the invention in a schematic view,

[0034] Fig. 2 shows a commercial vehicle trailer with a second embodiment of a control arrangement according to the invention in a schematic view,

[0035] Fig. 3 shows a commercial vehicle trailer with a third embodiment of a control arrangement according to the invention in a schematic view,

[0036] Fig. 4 shows a commercial vehicle trailer with a fourth embodiment of a control arrangement according to the invention in a schematic view,

[0037] Fig. 5 Control functions of the control method according to the invention in the form of a table,

[0038] Fig. 6 Control sequences of the control method according to the invention in the form of a flow chart,

[0039] Fig. 7 further control sequences of the control method according to the invention in the form of a flow chart, and Fig. 8 further control sequences of the control method according to the invention in the form of a flow chart.

[0040] Accordingly, Fig. 1 schematically depicts a commercial vehicle trailer 2 with a lighting system 12 and a control arrangement 22.1. The trailer 2 is, in this example, a semi-trailer with three vehicle axles 4, 4', 4" and a fifth wheel coupling 8. In simplified form, the vehicle axles 4, 4', 4" are represented by their wheels 6a, 6b; 6a', 6b'; 6a", 6b", and the fifth wheel coupling 8 by its kingpin 10.

[0041] The lighting system 12 comprises combination lights 14a, 14b, side marker lights 16a, 16b, and license plate lights 18a, 18b arranged on both sides of the rear of the trailer 2. The combination lights 14a, 14b are designed as multi-chamber lights and each have a tail light, a brake light, a parking light, a turn signal light, a rear fog light, and a reversing light. In addition, an electronic camera 20a, 20b is arranged on each of the longitudinal sides of the trailer 2. These cameras record the surroundings of the trailer 2 and can be part of a parking assistance system or a turning assistance system.

[0042] The control arrangement 22.1 shown in Fig. 1 comprises, as an embodiment, a central electronic control unit (VCU) 24, an electronic brake control unit (BCU) 26, and an electronic light control unit (LCU) 28. When the trailer 2 is coupled and electrically connected to a towing vehicle (not shown), the central control unit 24 is connected to an electronic control unit and a voltage source of the towing vehicle via a first plug socket 30 and a first data bus cable 32. The first plug socket 30 and the first data bus cable 32 contain at least two plug contacts or at least two data bus lines, which are part of a first communication channel between the control unit of the towing vehicle and the central control unit 24 of the trailer 2.In addition, the first plug socket 30 and the first data bus cable 32 contain at least two plug contacts or two power supply lines, which are part of a power supply channel between the power source of the towing vehicle and the central control unit 24 of the trailer vehicle 2. The data bus lines of the first data bus cable 32 are, for example, those of a high-speed Ethernet data bus according to ISO 23870. According to the invention, the first plug socket 30 and the first data bus cable 32 have at least two further plug contacts or two further data bus lines, which are part of a second communication channel between the control unit of the towing vehicle and the central control unit 24 of the trailer vehicle 2.Thus, in the event of a failure of the first communication channel, the communication between the control unit of the towing vehicle and the central control unit 24 of the trailer vehicle can be switched to the second communication channel, thereby increasing the operational reliability of the lighting system 12 and thus the road safety of the vehicle combination formed by the towing vehicle and the trailer vehicle.

[0043] The brake control unit 26 is connected to a towing vehicle-side electronic brake control unit and a towing vehicle voltage source via a second connector socket 34 and a second data bus cable 36. The second connector socket 34 and the second data bus cable 36 can comply with the ISO 7638 standard, which is widely used for controlling an electronic braking system of a trailer. Furthermore, the brake control unit 26 is connected to the central control unit 24 of the trailer vehicle 2 via a third data bus cable 38, enabling a direct exchange of sensor and control data between the central control unit 24 of the trailer vehicle 2 and the brake control unit 26.

[0044] The cameras 20a, 20b are also each connected to the central control unit 24 via a data bus cable, namely a fourth data bus cable 40a and a fifth data bus cable 40b, respectively. The data lines of the last two data bus cables 40a, 40b can be LIN bus lines (LIN = Local Interconnect Network), since the LIN data bus is particularly suitable for the transmission of audio and video signals.

[0045] The light control unit 28 is connected to the central control unit 24 via a sixth data bus cable 42, which preferably conforms to a high-speed Ethernet data bus according to ISO 23870. The data bus lines of the first data bus cable 32 and the sixth data bus cable 42 are thus part of a communication channel between the control unit of the towing vehicle 2 and the light control unit 28. Furthermore, the light control unit 28 is connected to the electronic control unit of the towing vehicle and a voltage source of the towing vehicle via a plug socket 44 and a seventh data bus cable 46 of conventional design. The voltage supply lines of the first data bus cable 32 and the sixth data bus cable 42 are part of a first voltage supply channel between the voltage source of the towing vehicle and the light control unit 28.In addition, the voltage supply lines of the seventh data bus cable 46 are components of a second voltage supply channel between the voltage source of the towing vehicle and the light control unit 28.

[0046] The plug socket 44 and the associated seventh data bus cable 46 can be designed according to the ISO 12098 standard, which is widely used for controlling the lighting systems of commercial vehicle trailers, in which the seventh data bus cable 46 contains three CAN bus lines (CAN-high, CAN-low, CAN-ground) in addition to two voltage supply lines.

[0047] As already mentioned, the voltage supply lines of the seventh data bus cable 46 and the plug contacts of the associated plug socket 44 are part of a second voltage supply channel between the voltage source of the towing vehicle and the light control unit 28. Thus, in the event of a failure of the first voltage supply channel (first data bus cable 32, sixth data bus cable 42), the voltage supply of the light control unit 28 can be switched to the second voltage supply channel (seventh data bus cable 46), thereby increasing the operational reliability of the lighting system 12 and thus the road safety of the vehicle combination.

[0048] Furthermore, the direct power supply to the light control unit 28 via the seventh data bus cable 46 ensures that, in the event of a defect in the sixth data bus cable 42, which also communicatively connects the light control unit 28 and the central control unit 24 of the trailer vehicle 2, the combination lights 14a, 14b of the trailer vehicle 2 are supplied with a supply voltage enabling emergency or warning operation and are also operated accordingly. For this purpose, the electronic circuit of the light control unit 28 is designed such that, in the event of a defective sixth data bus cable 42, the light control unit 28 still enables a power supply to the combination lights 14a, 14b of the trailer vehicle 2.If the light control unit 28 is correctly supplied with voltage via the sixth data bus cable 42 and if the light control unit 28 communicates with the central control unit 24 of the trailer vehicle 2, the light control unit 28 actively switches off the emergency function just described and takes over the normal operation of the lighting system 12.

[0049] The combination lights 14a, 14b, to which the adjacent side marker and license plate lights 16a, 18a; 16b, 18b are also electrically connected, are connected to the light control unit 28 via a multi-core, end-branched connecting cable 48, by means of which the switching on and off of the individual lights as well as certain flashing patterns of some lights can be controlled.

[0050] The second embodiment of a control arrangement 22.2 according to the invention, shown in Fig. 2, differs from the first embodiment of the control arrangement 22.1 according to Fig. 1 in that two electronic light control units 28a, 28b are now present, each of which is arranged directly on the rear combination lights 14a, 14b. These two light control units 28a, 28b are connected to the central control unit 24 via an eighth data bus cable 42' branched at the end, which is preferably designed as a high-speed Ethernet data bus according to ISO 23870. Furthermore, in this embodiment, no direct connection of the two light control units 28a, 28b via a plug socket and a data bus cable of conventional design to the electronic control unit and a voltage source of the towing vehicle is provided.In this embodiment, a second voltage supply channel for the two light control units 28a, 28b is formed by at least two additional plug contacts in the plug socket 30 and two additional voltage supply lines in the two data bus cables 32, 42'.

[0051] The third embodiment of the control arrangement 22.3 shown in Fig. 3 differs from the second embodiment of the control arrangement 22.2 according to Fig. 2 in that the light control unit 28b on the left in the direction of travel is directly connected to the central control unit 24 via a ninth data bus cable 42". The light control unit 28a on the right in the direction of travel is connected via a tenth data bus cable 50 to the left light control unit 28b, which fulfills a gateway function for the right light control unit 28a, i.e., switches the power supply to the right light control unit 28a and forwards the control data to it. Accordingly, both light control units 28a, 28b are connected to a first and only power supply channel. The fourth embodiment of the control arrangement 22.4 shown in Fig. 4 differs from the first embodiment of the control arrangement 22.1 according to Fig.1 in that an on-board electric battery 52 is now arranged on the trailer vehicle 2, which is connected to the central control unit 24 via a charging and supply cable 54. If the first voltage supply channel is available, the battery 52 can be charged via the central control unit 24 and the charging and supply cable 54. If the first voltage supply channel fails, i.e. is defective, and the battery 52 is charged, the voltage supply to the light control unit 28 can be provided via the charging and supply cable 54 and via the sixth data bus cable 42 led from the central control unit 24 to the light control unit 28, which thus form a second voltage supply channel. In order to enable a voltage supply to the lighting system 12 that is independent of the central control unit 24, the battery 52 is optionally connected directly to the light control unit 28 via a supply cable 56.By means of the supply cable 56, a further voltage supply channel is thus created, on which the voltage supply of the light control unit 28 and the lighting system 12 can be switched as required.

[0052] The table in Fig. 5 summarizes the most important control functions of the control method according to the invention for certain operating situations A to H, with applicable features being marked with a “yes” and non-applicable features being marked with a “no”.

[0053] When control data signals are available, i.e. when data communication is functioning between the control unit of the towing vehicle and the light control unit 28 of the trailer vehicle 2, and both voltage supply channels are functioning (operating situation A), the light control unit 28 is activated and the lighting system 12 operates normally during ferry operation.

[0054] If data communication fails but power supply channels are available (operating situation B), the lighting control unit 28 remains activated and triggers emergency operation of the lighting system 12 with a warning light function effective for a limited period and a permanent emergency operation. The warning light function of the lighting system 12 provides at least flashing operation of the turn signals, and the emergency operation of the lighting system 12 provides at least continuous operation of the tail lights. In this case, an error message can also be output, which is stored in an error memory of the central control unit 24 or the lighting control unit 28.

[0055] If data communication and the first voltage supply channel fail, but voltage supply from an on-board battery 52 of the trailer vehicle 2 is available (operating situation C), the light control unit 28 is switched off and in this state causes an energy-saving operation of the lighting system 12, which provides at least a continuous operation of the parking lights or the license plate lights 18a, 18b or the position lights 16a, 16b.

[0056] If data communication and the first voltage supply channel are available, but the second voltage supply channel has failed (operating situation D), the active light control unit 28 sends an error message to the control unit of the towing vehicle and the lighting system 12 of the trailer vehicle 2 continues to operate in normal mode.

[0057] If both power supply channels fail in an operating situation E, operation of the lighting control unit 28 and the lighting system 12 would not be possible even if data communication was available. The system is therefore shut down.

[0058] If data communication fails and the second power supply channel fails, but the first power supply channel is available (operating situation F), the light control unit 28 is activated and triggers an emergency operation of the lighting system 12 with a warning light function effective for a limited period of time and a permanent emergency operation.

[0059] If data communication and a second voltage supply channel are available, but the first voltage supply channel has failed (operating situation G), the active light control unit 28 sends an error message to the control unit of the towing vehicle and the lighting system 12 of the trailer vehicle 2 continues to operate in normal mode.

[0060] If both the data communication and both power supply channels have failed, operation of the lighting control unit 28 and the lighting system 12 is not possible (operating situation H). According to the flow chart of the control method shown in Fig. 6, after the central control unit 24 has been switched on SO, the primary first power supply (first power supply channel) of the lighting control unit 28 is switched on in a first method step S1, so that data communication between the lighting control unit 28 and the central control unit 24 begins. Alternatively, the second power supply (second power supply channel) can be switched on. The lighting control unit 28 then checks whether data communication is functioning (method step S2). If the test result is positive, the optionally switched on second power supply is switched off (method step S3) and the process branches back to before the test query (S2).If the test query is negative, an error message is sent from the light control unit 28 to the control unit of the towing vehicle (process step S4), and the second power supply is switched on (process step S5), provided it has not already been switched on. The program then branches back to the test query (S2). The test query (S2) and the result-dependent program loops (S3 or S4, S5) are executed at a specified time interval while the light control unit 28 is switched on.

[0061] According to the flowchart of the control method shown in Fig. 7, after the lighting control unit 28 (S0') is switched on, a default state is first established (method step S1'), which provides for switched-on emergency lighting (emergency operation of the lighting system 12), a power supply to the lighting control unit 28 via the primary first power supply (first power supply channel), and possible support via the redundant second power supply (second power supply channel). A self-test is then performed (method step S2'), followed by a check to determine whether data communication is functioning and whether the self-test has produced a positive result (method step S3'). If the test result is positive, the emergency lighting is switched off (method step S4') and the system branches back to the test query (S3').If the test result is negative, an error message is sent from the lighting control unit 28 to the control unit of the towing vehicle and stored in an error memory (method step S5'). The emergency lighting then remains switched on (method step S6') and the program branches back to before the self-test (S2'). The self-test (S2') and / or the test query (S3') as well as the result-dependent program loops (S4' or S5', S6') are run through at a specified time interval when the lighting control unit (LCU) 28 is switched on. According to the flow diagram of the control method shown in Fig. 8, after switching on SO" of the lighting control unit 28, a default state is first established (method step S1"), which, with regard to the hardware HW, provides for switched-on parking lights (energy-saving mode of the lighting system 12), a switched-off lighting control unit 28 and a power supply via the redundant second power supply (second power supply channel).With regard to the software SW, this standard state provides for the emergency lighting to be switched on (emergency operation of the lighting system 12) and a power supply to the lighting control unit 28 via the primary first power supply (first power supply channel). Subsequently, in a process step S2, it is checked whether the first power supply is available.

[0062] If the test result is positive, a check is carried out to determine whether the data communication is functioning and whether a previously performed self-test has a positive result (process step S3). If the test result is positive, a normal lighting function (normal operation of the lighting system 12) is carried out (process step S4). If the test result is negative, the emergency lighting (emergency operation of the lighting system 12) is switched on and an error message is sent from the lighting control unit 28 to the control unit of the towing vehicle (process step S5).

[0063] If the test result of the first test query S2 is negative, a check is then carried out to determine whether the second power supply (second power supply channel) is available (process step S6). If the test result is positive, the parking lights are switched on (energy-saving mode of the lighting system 12) and the light control unit 28 is switched off (process step S7). If the test result is negative, the entire lighting system 12 and the light control unit 28 are switched off (process step S8).

[0064] List of reference symbols (part of the description)

[0065] 2 commercial vehicle trailers, trailer vehicle

[0066] 4, 4', 4" vehicle axles

[0067] 6a, 6b wheels

[0068] 6a', 6b' wheels

[0069] 6a“, 6b“ wheels

[0070] 8 fifth wheel coupling

[0071] 10 kingpins

[0072] 12 lighting system

[0073] 14a, 14b Combination luminaires, multi-chamber luminaires, lighting units

[0074] 16a, 16b Marker lights, lighting units

[0075] 18a, 18b License plate lights, lighting units

[0076] 20a, 20b cameras

[0077] 22.1 Control arrangement (first embodiment)

[0078] 22.2 Control arrangement (second embodiment)

[0079] 22.3 Control arrangement (third embodiment)

[0080] 22.4 Control arrangement (fourth embodiment)

[0081] 24 Central Control Unit, VCU

[0082] 26 Brake control unit, BCU

[0083] 28 Lighting control unit, LCU

[0084] 28a, 28b Rear light control units

[0085] 30 socket

[0086] 32 First data bus cable

[0087] 34 socket

[0088] 36 Second data bus cable

[0089] 38 Third data bus cable

[0090] 40a Fourth data bus cable

[0091] 40b Fifth data bus cable

[0092] 42 Sixth data bus cable

[0093] 42" Eighth data bus cable

[0094] 42" Ninth data bus cable

[0095] 44 socket

[0096] 46 Seventh data bus cable

[0097] 48 Connection cable 50 Tenth data bus cable

[0098] 52 Battery

[0099] 54 charging and supply cables

[0100] 56 supply cables

[0101] A to H Different operating situations

[0102] BCU Brake Control Unit, brake control unit

[0103] HW Hardware

[0104] LCU Light Control Unit

[0105] S0 - S5 process steps

[0106] S0' - S6' process steps

[0107] SO" - S8" process steps

[0108] SW Software

[0109] VCU Vehicle Control Unit, central control unit

Claims

Patent claims 1. Control arrangement (22.1, 22.2, 22.3, 22.4) for controlling a lighting system (12) of a trailer vehicle (2), with a central electronic control unit (24) which, when the trailer vehicle (2) is coupled to a towing vehicle, is connected to a voltage source and an electronic control unit of the towing vehicle via a data bus cable (32) and a plug connection (30), and with at least one electronic light control unit (28) which is connected to the central control unit (24) via a data bus cable (42, 42', 42") and to the lighting units (14a, 14b, 16a, 16b, 18a, 18b) of the lighting system (12) via a connecting cable (48) or connecting contacts, wherein data bus lines of the data bus cable (32) and associated plug contacts of the plug connection (30) form a first communication channel and voltage supply lines of the Data bus cable (32, 42, 42',42") and associated plug contacts of the plug connection (30) form a first voltage supply channel, characterized in that the central control unit (24) of the trailer vehicle (2) can be connected to the control unit of the towing vehicle via a redundant second communication channel, and in that the second communication channel comprises at least two data bus lines and associated plug contacts, which are part of the data bus cable (32) and the plug connection (30) between the control unit of the towing vehicle and the central control unit (24) of the trailer vehicle (2).

2. Control arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the light control unit (28) of the trailer vehicle (2) can be connected to a voltage source of the towing vehicle or to a voltage source (52) of the trailer vehicle (2) via a redundant second voltage supply channel.

3. Control arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that the second voltage supply channel comprises at least two supply lines and plug contacts, which are part of the data bus cable (32) and the plug connection (30) between the control unit of the towing vehicle and the central control unit (24) of the trailer vehicle (2) as well as a data bus cable (42', 42") between the central control unit (24) and the light control unit (28a, 28b) of the trailer vehicle (2).

4. Control arrangement according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the supply lines of the second voltage supply channel have smaller line cross-sections than the supply lines of the first voltage supply channel.

5. Control arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that the second voltage supply channel comprises at least two supply lines which are part of a conventional connecting cable (46) and a plug connection (44) between the control unit of the towing vehicle and the light control unit (28) of the trailer vehicle (2).

6. Control arrangement according to claim 5, characterized in that the conventional connecting cable (46) and the associated plug connection (44) between the control unit of the towing vehicle and the light control unit (28) of the trailer vehicle (2) correspond to the standard ISO 12098.

7. Control arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that the second voltage supply channel comprises at least two supply lines which are part of a charging and supply cable (54) arranged between an on-board battery (52) of the trailer vehicle (2) and the central control unit (24) of the trailer vehicle (2) and of a data bus cable (42) between the central control unit (24) and the light control unit (28).

8. Control arrangement according to claim 7, characterized in that a further voltage supply channel with at least two supply lines is provided, which are part of a separate supply cable (56) between the battery (52) and the light control unit (28).

9. Control arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the light control unit (28) of the trailer vehicle (2) is designed such that, with at least one available voltage supply channel and without an available communication channel, it effects an emergency operation of the lighting system (12), which provides at least a continuous operation of the rear lights.

10. Control arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the light control unit (28) of the trailer vehicle (2) is designed such that, when the voltage is supplied via the second voltage supply channel from an on-board battery (52) without an available communication channel, it effects an energy-saving operation of the lighting system (12), which provides at least a continuous operation of the parking lights.

11. Control arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the data bus cable (32) and the associated plug connection (30) between the control unit of the towing vehicle and the central control unit (24) of the trailer vehicle (2) as well as the data bus cable (42, 42', 42") between the central control unit (24) and the light control unit (28, 28a, 28b) of the trailer vehicle (2) are designed as Ethernet cables which correspond to the ISO 23870 standard.

12. Method for controlling a lighting system (12) of a trailer vehicle (2), with a control arrangement (22.1, 22.2, 22.3, 22.4) for controlling the lighting system (12), which has a central electronic control unit (24) which, when the trailer vehicle (2) is coupled to a towing vehicle, is connected to a voltage source and an electronic control unit of the towing vehicle via a data bus cable (32) and an associated plug connection (30), and which has at least one electronic light control unit (28) which is connected to the central control unit (24) via a data bus cable and to light units (14a, 14b, 16a, 16b, 18a, 18b) of the lighting system (12) via a connecting cable (48) or connecting contacts, wherein data bus lines of the data bus cable (32) and associated plug contacts of the plug connection (30) form a first communication channel and Power supply lines of the data bus cables (32, 42, 42',42") and associated plug contacts of the plug connection (30) form a first voltage supply channel, characterized in that the communication between the control unit of the towing vehicle and the central control unit (24) of the trailer vehicle (2) is switched to a redundant second communication channel in the event of a failure of the first communication channel, and that in this case an error message is sent from the central control unit (24) to the control unit of the towing vehicle and normal operation of the lighting system (12) is continued., 13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the voltage supply of the light control unit (28) in the event of a failure of the first voltage supply cable nals is switched to a redundant second voltage supply channel, and that in this case an error message is sent from the light control unit (28) to the control unit of the towing vehicle.

14. Method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, when the voltage supply of the light control unit (28) is available, after a failure of the available communication channel, a warning light function of the lighting system (12) is carried out for a limited period of time and then an emergency operation of the lighting system (12) is carried out.

15. Method according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that when the light control unit (28) is supplied with voltage via the second voltage supply channel after a failure of the available communication channel from an on-board battery (52) for a limited period of time, a warning light function of the lighting system (12) is carried out and then an energy-saving operation of the lighting system (12) is carried out.

16. Method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the warning light function of the lighting system (12) provides at least one flashing operation of the indicator lights, that the emergency operation of the lighting system (12) provides at least one continuous operation of the rear lights, and that the energy-saving operation of the lighting system (12) provides at least one continuous operation of the parking lights.

17. Method according to one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that the receipt of an error message from the central control unit (24) or from the light control unit (28) of the trailer vehicle (2) in the control unit of the towing vehicle triggers the output of an acoustic or optical warning signal and / or the display of a warning text or a warning pictogram in a display and / or the storage of a corresponding error message in an error memory.

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