System for operating functions of a trailer vehicle

Abstract

In a system for operating functions of a trailer vehicle in a towing vehicle allocated to the trailer vehicle, the trailer vehicle has, for carrying out the functions, a control device or a plurality of control devices and actuators, sensors and actuation devices which can be addressed via the control device or control devices. Data is transmitted via a data interface between at least one control device of the trailer vehicle and at least one control device of the towing vehicle. For operating functions of the trailer vehicle, an operating device, which is provided in the towing vehicle and communicates with the control device of the towing vehicle, is provided which is designed to represent state-describing signals of the trailer vehicle and to input control commands for functions of the trailer vehicle.

Description

[0001] System for operating functions of a trailer vehicle

[0002] The invention relates to a system for operating functions of a trailer vehicle in a towing vehicle assigned to the trailer vehicle. The trailer vehicle has one or more control units for implementing the functions, as well as actuators or actuating devices and sensors that can be addressed via the latter, and data is transmitted via a data interface between at least one control unit of the trailer vehicle and at least one control unit of the towing vehicle. The invention also relates to a commercial vehicle combination whose towing vehicle has such an operating system, as well as to a computer program in the form of application software (app) for such an operating system.

[0003] The operation of commercial vehicles in the form of trailers connected to towing vehicles today requires comprehensive control and monitoring of all key vehicle functions, ideally in real time, and in such a way that necessary interventions can be carried out effortlessly from a central location / device. This applies both to the operating status during a journey and to stationary shunting and loading operations.

[0004] In trailer vehicles, electronic braking systems or electronically controlled air suspension systems are also among the important and generally load-dependent systems / functions that must be accessible for such control and monitoring. State-of-the-art solutions for this are available for stationary maneuvering and loading operations, as well as during driving.

[0005] For example, US 2003 / 0168908A1 discloses a brake control system for a towed vehicle (trailer) in which the control module is located in the towing vehicle so that it is easily operated by the driver. The control module can process various states of the trailer's brake control system. The control module also includes a display and a brake lever for manual braking.

[0006] DE 100 33 345 A1 discloses a commercial vehicle with a tractor and at least one trailer, in which the trailer has a control device operated via a radio link, which is connected to electrical functional devices in the trailer. The control device, in turn, is connected via a radio link to an actuating and / or monitoring device arranged in a tractor.

[0007] Also known are designs in which the devices / functions of trailer vehicles can be controlled, for example, via application software on mobile devices or via a remote control located in the driver's cab of a towing vehicle (trailer remote control).

[0008] The object of the invention was therefore to provide a further improved system for operating functions of a trailer vehicle in a towing vehicle assigned to the trailer vehicle, which system simplifies handling by the driver / vehicle operator and can be safely operated in an ergonomically improved form and integrated into the driver's cab / into the driver's environment.

[0009] This problem is solved by a system for operating functions of a trailer vehicle according to the features of the main claim. Further embodiments are covered by the subclaims. Also disclosed is a commercial vehicle combination with such a system and a computer program in the form of application software for such a system.

[0010] According to the invention, an operating device is provided in the towing vehicle and communicates with the control unit of the towing vehicle to operate functions of the trailer vehicle, which operating device is designed to display status-describing signals of the trailer vehicle and to input control commands for functions of the trailer vehicle.

[0011] Combining the display of status-descriptive signals with the option of inputting control commands within a single control device facilitates the driver's direct and immediate response to changes. This eliminates the frequently occurring separation of status-descriptive signals, such as the display of a signal via an indicator light, and the spatially separate actuation of a switch in response to the signal. This reduces operating errors and enables faster and safer response.

[0012] A further development of the invention consists in the control device being designed as a display provided in the towing vehicle, in particular as a display assigned to a vehicle driver. Such displays can be manufactured in various sizes and shapes and, for example, also allow for the alternating display of different signals or measured values ​​of the vehicle. In a further embodiment, the display provided in the towing vehicle for operating functions of a trailer vehicle is provided as an additional display alongside other displays or monitors for the functions of the towing vehicle.

[0013] A further development of the invention consists in the fact that an operating application for functions of the trailer vehicle can be run on the display. This operating application has event-driven representations of status-descriptive signals of the trailer vehicle that appear or can be accessed via touch-sensitive areas of the display using touch functions, and also has control commands for the trailer vehicle that can be entered via touch-sensitive areas of the display using touch functions. Such touch functions enable the retrieval of signals / information and the input of control commands by simply tapping touch-sensitive areas of a display and are therefore particularly easy to use for a driver.

[0014] In a further embodiment of the invention, control commands for the trailer vehicle are entered via control elements assigned to or located on the display, preferably via buttons or pushbuttons. This also results in simple and ergonomic operation for the driver. In a further embodiment of the invention, the display of the operating system is designed as a display of a mirror replacement system or is integrated within the display of an existing mirror replacement system. This means that the status-descriptive signals of the trailer vehicle (trailer information) and the associated operating options via control commands are always in the driver's field of vision.Particularly with the increasing use and acceptance of autonomous driving, such integration within a mirror replacement system represents a simple solution, because the driver then only needs to be able to manually intervene in controlling the trailer functions on the so-called “last mile” and / or during shunting operations.

[0015] A further embodiment of the invention is that data transmission takes place according to a standardized Ethernet protocol. Such a data transmission protocol is adapted for use in vehicles and allows for better and higher data transmission than, for example, is available with existing bus systems.

[0016] In a further embodiment of the invention, the display of status-descriptive signals of the trailer vehicle and the input of control commands for functions of the trailer vehicle relate to an electronic braking system and / or an electronically controlled air suspension system provided in the trailer vehicle. These two systems, which are extremely important for safety, rely on the processing of a large number of measured variables, which are processed by control units and converted into signals for the associated switching devices, thus creating particular relevance for information and, if necessary, intervention via an operating system.

[0017] The advantages of the system are particularly evident in a commercial vehicle combination comprising a towing vehicle and a trailer, in which the towing vehicle is equipped with a system according to the invention for operating functions of the trailer vehicle. The commercial vehicle combination can comprise only one trailer vehicle or multiple trailer vehicles.

[0018] The above-mentioned object is also achieved by a computer program in the form of application software (app) for an operating system according to the invention, wherein the computer program is designed in such a way that status-describing signals of a trailer vehicle transmitted by a control unit or several control units can be displayed on a display of a towing vehicle connected to the trailer vehicle, wherein the display can be called up via touch-sensitive fields on the display and / or is event-controlled, and wherein the computer program is further designed in such a way that output signals for controlling functions of the trailer vehicle, generated via touch-sensitive fields on the display or control elements assigned above the display, can be transmitted to a control unit.

[0019] The invention will be explained in more detail using an exemplary embodiment.

[0020] Fig. 1 shows in the form of a schematic diagram a commercial vehicle combination formed with a semi-trailer, comprising a towing vehicle and a trailer vehicle in the form of a semi-trailer, provided with a system according to the invention for operating functions of the trailer vehicle,

[0021] Fig. 2 shows the basic design of the system according to the invention for operating functions of the trailer vehicle in a simplified block diagram,

[0022] Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a driver’s cab as seen in

[0023] View of a driver looking forward.

[0024] In the figures, identical or similar elements are referenced with the same reference numerals. To clarify the invention, it is advantageous to view the figures together.

[0025] Fig. 1 shows, in the form of a schematic diagram, a commercial vehicle combination 1 configured with a semi-trailer, comprising a towing vehicle 2 and a trailer 3 (trailer) in the form of a semi-trailer. The towing vehicle 2 has a system 10 according to the invention for operating functions of the trailer 3, shown as a simple block diagram in Fig. 2. The trailer 3 has one or more control units for carrying out the functions, here a control unit 4.1 for controlling actuators 4.2 and processing the signals from sensors 4.3 of an electronic braking system 4 provided in the trailer 3, and a control unit 5.1 for controlling actuators 5.2 and processing the signals from sensors 5.3 of an electronically controlled air suspension system 5 provided in the trailer 3.

[0026] Data is transmitted between the control units 4.1, 5.1 of the trailer vehicle 3 and a control unit 7 of the towing vehicle 2 via data lines 6 and a data interface 7.1.

[0027] To operate functions of the electronic braking system 4 and the electronically controlled air suspension system 5 in the trailer vehicle 3, an operating device 9 is provided in the towing vehicle 2 and communicates with the control unit 7 of the towing vehicle 2 via a data line 8. This operating device 9 serves, on the one hand, to display signals transmitted via the corresponding control units 4.1 and 5.1 of the trailer vehicle 3 and the control unit 7 of the towing vehicle 2 and which describe the state of the electronic braking system 4 and the electronically controlled air suspension system 5 in the trailer vehicle 3. On the other hand, the operating device 9 is also designed to input control commands for functions of the electronic braking system 4 and the electronically controlled air suspension system 5 in the trailer vehicle 3, wherein the control commands are transmitted via the control unit 7 of the towing vehicle 2 and the corresponding control units 4.1 and 5.1 of the trailer vehicle 3 is activated and forwarded.

[0028] The operating device 9 is designed as a display 9.1 provided in the towing vehicle 2 and assigned to the driver.

[0029] The basic design of the system 10 according to the invention for operating functions of the trailer vehicle 3 is shown again in a simplified block diagram in Fig. 2.

[0030] Fig. 3 shows, in a schematic representation, a driver's cab 11 as viewed from the perspective of a vehicle driver looking forward. Visible are the instrument panel 12, the steering wheel 13, and an operating device 9 configured as a display 9.1 of a mirror replacement system assigned to the vehicle driver. Also visible are additional indicators and displays 14 arranged in the instrument panel 12.

[0031] An operating application for trailer vehicle functions (not described further here) can be run on the display 9.2 of the mirror replacement system. This application provides event-driven representations of status-descriptive signals from the trailer vehicle 3 that can be accessed via touch-sensitive areas 9.3 of the display 9.2 using touch functions. The touch-sensitive areas 9.3 are designed in such a way that control commands for the trailer vehicle 3 can also be entered using touch functions.

[0032] Reference symbol (part of the description)

[0033] 1 commercial vehicle train

[0034] 2 towing vehicle

[0035] 3 trailer vehicle

[0036] 4 Braking system in the trailer vehicle

[0037] 4.1 Brake system control unit 4

[0038] 4.2 Actuators of the braking system 4

[0039] 4.3 Brake system sensors 4

[0040] 5 electronically controlled air suspension system in the trailer vehicle

[0041] 5.1 Air suspension system control unit 5

[0042] 5.2 Actuators of the air suspension system 5

[0043] 5.3 Air suspension system sensors 5

[0044] 6 data line

[0045] 7 Control unit in the towing vehicle

[0046] 7.1 Interface, data interface

[0047] 8 data line

[0048] 9 Operating device

[0049] 9.1 Display / control panel

[0050] 9.2 Display of a mirror replacement system

[0051] 9.3 touch-sensitive area

[0052] 10 System for operating functions of the trailer vehicle

[0053] 11 Driver's cab

[0054] 12 Instrument panel

[0055] 13 Steering wheel

[0056] 14 Display, monitor

Claims

Patent claims 1 . System (10) for operating functions of a trailer vehicle (3) in a towing vehicle (2) assigned to the trailer vehicle (3), wherein the trailer vehicle (3) has a control unit (4.1, 5.1) or a plurality of control units (4.1, 5.1) for carrying out the functions, as well as actuators (4.2, 5.2) and sensors (4.3, 5.3) which can be addressed via the control unit (4.1, 5.1) or the control units (4.1, 5.1), wherein a data interface (7.1) is provided between a control unit (4.1, 5.1) and a towing vehicle (2).1) of the trailer vehicle (3) and a control unit (7) of the towing vehicle (2), data is transmitted, characterized in that for operating functions of the trailer vehicle (3) an operating device (9) is provided in the towing vehicle (2) and communicates with the control unit (7) of the towing vehicle (2), which operating device is designed to display status-describing signals of the trailer vehicle (3) and to input control commands for functions of the trailer vehicle (3).

2. System (10) for operating functions of a trailer vehicle (3) according to claim 1, wherein the operating device (9) is designed as a display (9.1, 9.2) provided in the towing vehicle, in particular as a display (9.1, 9.2) assigned to a vehicle driver.

3. System (10) for operating functions of a trailer vehicle (3) according to claim 2, in which an operating application for functions of the trailer vehicle (3) can be run on the display (9.1, 9.2), which has representations of status-describing signals of the trailer vehicle (3) that appear in an event-controlled manner or that can be called up via touch-sensitive areas (9.3) of the display (9.1, 9.2) using touch functions, and inputs of control commands for the trailer vehicle (3) that can be carried out via touch-sensitive areas (9.3) of the display (9.1, 9.2) using touch functions.

4. System (10) for operating functions of a trailer vehicle (3) according to claim 1 or 2, in which an operating application for functions of the trailer vehicle (3) can be run on the display (9.1, 9.2), which operating application displays event-controlled messages or touch-sensitive areas (9.3) of the display (9.1, 9.2) has representations of status-describing signals of the trailer vehicle (3) that can be called up by touch functions, wherein inputs of control commands for the trailer vehicle (3) are made via control elements assigned to the display (9.1, 9.2) or located on the display (9.1, 9.2), in particular via keys or push buttons.

5. System (10) for operating functions of a trailer vehicle (3) according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the display (9.1) is a display of a mirror replacement system (9.2).

6. System (10) for operating functions of a trailer vehicle (3) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the data transmission takes place according to a standardized Ethernet protocol.

7. System (10) for operating functions of a trailer vehicle (3) according to one of claims 2 to 6, in which the display (9.1, 9.2) provided for operating functions of a trailer vehicle in the towing vehicle is provided as an additional display alongside further displays (14) or monitors for the functions of the towing vehicle (2).

8. System (10) for operating functions of a trailer vehicle (3) according to one of claims 2 to 7, in which the display of status-describing signals of the trailer vehicle (3) and the input of control commands for functions of the trailer vehicle (3) relate to an electronic braking system (4) provided in the trailer vehicle (3) and / or an electronically controlled air suspension system (5).

9. Commercial vehicle train (1) with a towing vehicle (2) and a trailer vehicle (3), wherein the towing vehicle (2) has a system (10) for operating functions of the trailer vehicle (3) according to one of the preceding claims.

10. Computer program in the form of application software (app) for a system (10) for operating functions of a trailer vehicle (3) according to one of claims 1 to 8, with which state-describing signals of a trailer vehicle (3) transmitted by one or more control units (4.1, 5.1, 7) can be displayed on a display (9.1, 9.2) of a towing vehicle (2) connected to the trailer vehicle (3), wherein the display is carried out via touch-sensitive fields (9.3) on the display (9.1, 9.2) and / or is event-driven, and with which control elements assigned to the display (9.1, 9.2) or above the display (9.1, 9.2) are generated via touch-sensitive fields (9.3). Output signals for controlling functions of the trailer vehicle (3) can be transmitted to a control unit (7, 4.1, 5.1).

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