Communication device and method for exchanging information in a commercial vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a communication device (100) for exchanging information in a commercial vehicle (200), wherein the commercial vehicle (200) comprises a compressed air line (215). The communication device (100) has a signal exchange unit (110) which is designed to exchange the information via waves (50, 53, 56) through the compressed air line (215).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Communication device and method for exchanging information in a commercial vehicle

[0003] The present invention relates to a communication device and a method for exchanging information in a commercial vehicle, to a commercial vehicle with such a communication device, and in particular to communication via pneumatics.

[0004] Communication between electrical control units in a commercial vehicle, and in particular between the tractor unit and trailer, usually takes place via one or even just one of the following interfaces:

[0005] - a controller area network, CAN, and in particular CAN Trailer according to the ISO 11992 standard,

[0006] - predominantly in the USA a power line connection, PLC, especially according to the standard SAE-J2497.

[0007] If this interface fails, communication usually becomes impossible.

[0008] At the same time, vehicles must achieve a high level of reliability. This is particularly achieved by designing redundant devices and lines.

[0009] However, there remains a need to increase the reliability of communication between devices in commercial vehicles.

[0010] A contribution to this is made by a communication device for exchanging information in a commercial vehicle according to claim 1, a commercial vehicle according to

[0011] Claim 9, a method for exchanging information in a commercial vehicle according to claim 11, and a computer program product according to claim 13 are achieved. The dependent claims define further advantageous embodiments of the subject matter of the independent claims.

[0012] The present invention relates to a communication device for exchanging information in a vehicle, which may in particular be a commercial vehicle, wherein the commercial vehicle includes a compressed air line, and wherein the communication device includes a signal exchange device configured to exchange the information via waves through the compressed air line. The waves are thus used as the carriers of the information for its exchange.

[0013] The term "exchange" here and in the following shall mean sending and / or receiving.

[0014] The commercial vehicle can be, in particular, a truck with or without a trailer, a semi-trailer truck, or a tractor-trailer combination. The compressed air line is integrated into the commercial vehicle and is preferably part of the vehicle's braking system, but can also be part of a lifting system or another pneumatic system. The compressed air line is designed to supply air at pneumatic pressure to one or more actuators in the commercial vehicle. The compressed air can be generated in the commercial vehicle using a compressor and, for example, an air dryer, and regulated by a pressure control device. The pressurized air can be stored or held in a reservoir and supplied to the actuator(s) via valves and the pressure line. The compressed air can also be released in pulses. However, the exchange of information is independent of the method used.The system for supplying air to the actuators, or how the actuators are pressurized, is crucial. In particular, the design of the signal exchange device or the communication device for communication via waves through the compressed air line is independent of any design for changing the compressed air pressure to the actuators.

[0015] The compressed air line can comprise a pipe and / or a hose. In some embodiments, the compressed air line is part of a pneumatic system in the commercial vehicle. The compressed air line may have branches. In other embodiments, the compressed air line is connected between the communication device and another communication device of the type presented here by one or more pipes and / or hoses without branches. However, branches may also exist in some embodiments. In some embodiments, at least one valve may also be arranged between the communication device and the other communication device. In this case, waves of at least short duration and sufficient frequency can be exchanged during the opening times of the at least one valve.

[0016] The term "communication device" is intended to refer to a device or assembly in the commercial vehicle that is designed to communicate with other devices in the commercial vehicle, i.e., to exchange data in order to ensure a function within the commercial vehicle. The communication device should therefore not be understood as providing or regulating the pressure of the air in the compressed air line for its intended use (i.e., for operating actuators of a braking or lifting system). Accordingly, the communication device is not, or at least not necessarily, designed to provide the pressure in the compressed air line or to be used to exert a force or perform a mechanical movement. While in exemplary embodiments the communication device may also be designed to regulate the air pressure, or...to provide the pressure in the compressed air line, or to regulate the pressure and thereby control an actuator, but this is not necessarily the case.

[0017] The communication device can consist, for example, of one or more (electronic) control units or sensor devices, or it can comprise such control units and a (possibly shared) signal exchange device. The communication device can be part of the same system that also includes the compressed air line. In particular, the communication device can be part of a braking system or a lifting system. In exemplary embodiments, the communication device is, for example, a control unit in an anti-lock braking system (ABS) or in an electronic braking system (EBS). The information can be a control command, a request, a query, or a message that is exchanged, i.e., sent or received, by the control unit.

[0018] In the same or further embodiments, the communication device comprises a speed sensor, a force sensor, a temperature sensor, or an acceleration sensor. The information can be a measured value that the corresponding transmitter exchanges, in particular, sends.

[0019] In the same or other embodiments, the communication device is a central control unit or a cooling unit designed to exchange relevant information with other devices of the commercial vehicle.

[0020] In the same or further embodiments, the communication device is part of a warning system, and the information is a warning about a malfunction or critical condition in the commercial vehicle.

[0021] The signal exchange device can be a transceiver module or an interface of the communication device. In some embodiments, the signal exchange device is thus part of the communication device or contained within it. The communication device can, for example, be a control or sensor device into which the signal exchange device is integrated. In other embodiments, the signal exchange device can be physically separate from the communication device or parts thereof, but is then connected to the communication device for electronic communication. This can be the case, in particular, if the signal exchange device is not directly integrated into the communication device through a retrofit, but rather connected to a device or part of the communication device.For example, the signal exchange device may have been subsequently coupled to a control unit of a brake system, with the control unit being the communication device and programmed to exchange signals via the signal exchange device. The communication device may be configured to provide the information to the signal exchange device, particularly electronically, i.e., by means of an electrical signal, and the signal exchange device may be configured to convert the information thus provided into waves (or to encode it based on the waves) and thus transmit it through the compressed air line. Alternatively or additionally, the signal exchange device may be configured to receive waves by which the information is transmitted through the compressed air line and which reach the signal exchange device through the compressed air line, and to convert the information into an electronic or...to convert the electrical signal (or to decode it from the waves) in order to then provide this signal to the communication device.

[0022] Optionally, the waves can be sound waves, i.e., pressure waves in the air of the compressed air line of a high frequency compared to the intended pressure change frequencies, and / or electromagnetic waves, i.e., light.

[0023] In embodiments where the waves are sound waves, the amplitudes and / or frequencies of these waves are very different from the amplitudes or frequencies of pressure changes intended for the operation of actuators. For example, typical pressure values ​​in braking systems for operating actuators are between 1 and 10 bar, around 5 bar. Pressure changes usually occur monotonically over one or more bar, often in a short time (pulsed), and also in the form of pulses or through pulsed actuation with frequencies up to, for example, 2 or 3 Hertz. In contrast, sound waves can have frequencies in the range from 16 Hz upwards. The amplitudes of the sound waves, or the sound pressure of the waves, can reach up to 3 Pascals, which is about a factor of 10. 5 less than typical pressure changes during the intended use of the compressed air line.

[0024] The choice of frequencies and amplitudes of the sound waves can depend on the properties and geometry of the compressed air line. For example, compressed air lines in commercial vehicles can be made of steel or steel with a plastic coating. Compressed air lines made of copper-nickel-iron alloys are also known. Hoses are used, particularly in connection areas such as between the tractor unit and trailer of a commercial vehicle; these can be made of cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) or have layers of rubber and / or rayon. The inner diameter of compressed air pipes can range from a few millimeters, for example, around 2.5 mm, to larger values ​​such as 4, 6, 9, 11, or 15 mm. Advantageously, there are no valves in the compressed air line or in any section of the compressed air line through which the information is to be exchanged.

[0025] The frequencies and amplitudes of the sound waves can be adapted to the compressed air line depending on its material, length, and path, or selected based on the compressed air line itself. In particular, resonance frequencies and acoustic impedances of the compressed air line can be taken into account.

[0026] Analogous to the explanations regarding sound waves, the properties and geometry of the compressed air line can also be considered when selecting the characteristics of electromagnetic waves. In addition to impedances and resonance frequencies, the absorption properties of the compressed air line material can also be taken into account.

[0027] Optionally, the signal exchange device includes at least one of the following: an acoustic coupler, an LED and / or a laser source.

[0028] The acoustic coupler can be designed to exchange information in the form of sound waves through the compressed air line. For this purpose, the acoustic coupler can include a microphone and / or a loudspeaker and be configured to convert digital data from the communication device into sound waves in the compressed air line and vice versa.

[0029] The LED or laser source can be configured to transmit information via light or laser light through the compressed air line. The signal exchange device can include appropriate sensors for detecting the light. Optionally, the signal exchange device can be configured to exchange information via sound waves through the compressed air line, with the sound waves having frequencies in the audible range (16 Hz to 20 kHz).

[0030] Alternatively or additionally, the signal exchange device can be designed to exchange information via sound waves through the compressed air line, with the sound waves having frequencies in the ultrasound range (20 kHz to 1.6 GHz).

[0031] Optionally, the signal exchange device is designed to encode and / or decode the information according to a digital code.

[0032] The term digital code can be understood as a set of rules for representing information through a series of discrete states or symbols. A state corresponds to a wave (or a group of waves) with specific properties, such as a particular frequency, amplitude, duration, and / or sequence. One advantage of digital code compared to analog or non-discrete coding is the greater security of information transmission.

[0033] Advantageously, the rule stipulates that states are only selected from a specific, finite set of states (the "alphabet"). Thus, only a certain number of predefined states are available for encoding the information. However, the digital code is not necessarily binary; therefore, the finite number is not necessarily 2.

[0034] Optionally, the digital code includes at least a first and a second state, which are determined in at least one of the following ways:

[0035] - by a first frequency assigned to the first state and a second frequency assigned to the second state of the waves, i.e., in the case of sound waves, by a first pitch or a second pitch, and in the case of electromagnetic waves, by a first color or a second color;

[0036] - by a wave corresponding to the first state of a first duration and a wave corresponding to the second state of a second duration, wherein the first and second waves can each have a specific frequency and / or amplitude,

[0037] - by a wave corresponding to the first state with a first profile of a frequency and / or amplitude, and a wave corresponding to the second state with a second profile of a frequency and / or amplitude, so that the two states correspond, for example, to a noise increasing or decreasing in frequency (“chirp” signal) or to a noise increasing or decreasing in volume, and / or

[0038] - by a first sequence of waves with a specific frequency and / or duration assigned to the first state and by a second sequence of waves with a specific frequency and / or duration assigned to the second state.

[0039] These variants have proven advantageous under various conditions in commercial vehicles, among other reasons, because they are easy to produce and are easily recognizable in the operation of commercial vehicles, which is characterized by loud noises and high vibrations.

[0040] Optionally, the signal exchange device can also be configured to exchange information via an analog signal. In this case, the information can be encoded and exchanged based on frequency modulation or amplitude modulation.

[0041] Optionally, the commercial vehicle includes an additional signaling path, and the communication device is designed to exchange further information about this additional signaling path during regular operation.

[0042] The communication device is then designed to exchange information via waves through the compressed air line, depending on a condition based on the signal exchange device.

[0043] In some embodiments, the communication device is configured to communicate via the extended signal path during normal operation (for example, when the condition is not met). This extended information can also include information that the communication device can exchange via waves through the compressed air line. Conversely, the communication device can also be configured to exchange several or all of the extended information via waves through the compressed air line. In other examples, the information that the communication device exchanges via the compressed air line can differ from the extended information that the communication device normally exchanges via the extended signal path.

[0044] The secondary signal path can be, for example, a CAN bus or another signal transmission line within the commercial vehicle. The secondary signal path can also be a wireless connection for communication within the commercial vehicle. The condition can be a fault or failure in the communication device, in the secondary signal path, or in another device within the commercial vehicle, or the condition can imply such a fault or failure. In particular, the condition can be, or imply, that the exchange of information and / or further information via the secondary signal path is no longer possible or is only possible to a limited extent. The communication device is therefore designed to initiate the exchange of information via waves through the compressed air line in the event of a fault or failure. It does not necessarily have to terminate or interrupt the communication (of further information) via the secondary signal path.In exemplary embodiments, however, the communication device is designed to switch to exchanging information via the signal exchange device through the compressed air line if a certain condition, in particular in the event of a fault, is present.

[0045] In this way, redundancy for information exchange can be achieved. This makes the exchange of further information, or information within the commercial vehicle, more reliable. In exemplary embodiments, the communication device is designed to exchange information it normally exchanges via the secondary communication channel, alternatively or additionally, depending on the conditions, via waves through the compressed air line. In these or other exemplary embodiments, the communication device can also be designed to exchange information not covered by the secondary communication channel—such as a heartbeat, an operating status, or a warning—via waves through the compressed air line.

[0046] Examples of embodiments also refer to a commercial vehicle that includes a compressed air line and a communication device of the type described above.

[0047] The commercial vehicle can have only one such communication device. This can be the case, for example, if the commercial vehicle itself is only one component (a tractor unit or a trailer) of a vehicle combination. However, in addition to the communication device, the commercial vehicle can also have at least one further communication device of the type described above, whereby the communication device and the at least one further communication device can be configured to exchange information between them via waves through the compressed air line. If the commercial vehicle comprises several components (e.g., a tractor unit and a trailer), the communication device and one, several, or all of the at least one further communication device can be located on the same component (e.g., on the tractor unit or on the trailer).In exemplary embodiments, for example, the communication device can be arranged and designed in the rear of the vehicle (or component) in order to communicate with another communication device, which is designed at the front of the vehicle (or the same component), via the pneumatic lines.

[0048] Optionally, the commercial vehicle includes a tractor unit and a trailer, and the compressed air line is designed to connect the tractor unit and the trailer.

[0049] The tractor unit includes a communication device of the type described above, and the trailer includes another communication device of the type described above. The communication device and the other communication device are configured to exchange information via waves through the compressed air line. It is not necessary for both devices to be configured to both send and receive information via the compressed air line; for example, the communication device in the tractor unit may be configured only to receive, and the other communication device in the trailer may be configured only to send information via waves through the compressed air line.In advantageous embodiments, the communication device and the further communication device are also configured to exchange the information and / or further information via another signal path – for example, via a CAN bus or a wireless connection. In this case, redundancy as described above can be provided.

[0050] Exemplary embodiments also relate to a method for exchanging information in a commercial vehicle, wherein the commercial vehicle includes a compressed air line. The method comprises exchanging the information via waves through the compressed air line.

[0051] Optionally, the commercial vehicle includes an additional signaling path, and the procedure further includes a regular exchange of information via the additional signaling path, a determination of a condition, and, based on the determination of the condition, a triggering of the exchange of information via waves through the compressed air line.

[0052] As described above, redundancy and thus increased communication security in commercial vehicles can be achieved in this way.

[0053] Exemplary embodiments also relate to a computer program product with stored software code, which, when the software code is executed by a data processing machine, is designed to perform a method of the type described above. The computer program product can, for example, be a plug-in device for a communication device of the type described above, wherein the exchange of information via waves through the compressed air line is carried out according to the software code of the plug-in device. In particular, the computer program product can be the signal exchange device and the data processing machine the communication device of the type presented. Here, software or firmware code in the signal exchange device enables, if necessary,with a corresponding adaptation or training of the communication device, that the communication device carries out the exchange of information via waves through the compressed air line via the signal exchange device.

[0054] Important aspects of the communication device, the commercial vehicle, and the procedure can also be presented as follows.

[0055] Communication, especially between electrical control units, between the towing vehicle (truck) and trailer of a commercial vehicle, in particular a truck or tractor unit, usually takes place via a controller area network, CAN, and in particular CAN Trailer according to the ISO 11992 standard, and / or via a power line connection, PLC, in particular according to the SAE-J2497 standard.

[0056] The presented communication device, the commercial vehicle, and the method utilize existing pneumatic lines, particularly those of the braking systems between the tractor unit and trailer, to transmit information. The resulting connection can represent a redundant interface that can compensate for the failure described above. Furthermore, the communication link, the commercial vehicle, and the method offer the advantage that no new or novel communication installations are required within the commercial vehicle, thus avoiding additional costs and standardization requirements.

[0057] In exemplary embodiments, the communication device is designed to utilize these pneumatic lines by feeding an acoustic signal from the transmitter (e.g., trailer) via a coupled loudspeaker or similar actuator, and / or by acting as a receiver to receive and process the signal via a coupled microphone. Information is thus exchanged via waves, particularly sound waves, through the compressed air lines. It is understood that several communication devices can be installed in the commercial vehicle, which can then communicate with each other (also) via the compressed air lines.

[0058] Communication can also take place in the reverse direction from the towing vehicle to the trailer, provided that the appropriate transmitting and receiving equipment is available there.

[0059] The signal exchange device, i.e., the transmitting and receiving electronics, can be integrated into an ABS or EBS control unit as a communication device, for example. Alternatively, it can be retrofitted by using separate transmitting and receiving devices, either in parallel or by looping it into the existing communication interface. The latter has the advantage that existing systems can be upgraded regardless of the manufacturer. The signal exchange device can therefore be manufactured and configured separately for installation in the communication device. Installation can also be carried out as part of a retrofit process.

[0060] The signal exchange device or communication device can be configured to encode the information, particularly digitally. Information units of a digital code used for this purpose can be distinguished, for example, by different frequencies, frequency patterns, or tone lengths.

[0061] For example, a digital signal "0" could be represented by a first frequency, and a digital signal "1" by a second frequency different from the first.

[0062] However, by using different frequencies, more than two units of information can be represented.

[0063] However, a unit of information can also be represented by the duration of a signal of the same frequency, e.g. "0" = 1 millisecond, "1" = 15 milliseconds.

[0064] However, more than two units of information can be represented by using multiple different durations. Furthermore, frequency patterns (melodies) can also be represented as units of information to improve the differentiation of background noise, e.g., "0" = Tone - Tone 2 - Tone 3, and "1" = Tone 3 - Tone - Tone 2.

[0065] Here too, the information units can be expanded as desired through various tone combinations.

[0066] Various methods for defining information units can also be combined. These combinations can, for example, improve interference immunity or create separate communication channels. For instance, a communication device in the ABS of a trailer of a commercial vehicle could be configured to communicate with another communication device in the EBS of the towing vehicle via frequency modulation, and / or a cooling unit in the trailer could communicate with a central control unit in the towing vehicle via changes in tone length.

[0067] Alternatively or additionally, light signals (or electromagnetic waves) can also be fed in alongside acoustic signals (or sound waves).

[0068] The light signals can be fed in via an LED or a laser and guided to an optical receiver by reflections off the walls of the pneumatic lines. Using different colors or signal shapes, multiple channels can be generated or combined, analogous to the above description.

[0069] One application of the communication device is, in particular, communication between the tractor unit and trailer of a commercial vehicle.

[0070] Communication between truck and trailer typically occurs non-redundantly via CAN or PLC. Existing compressed air lines can be used as an acoustic or optical medium to generate redundancy. Acoustic couplers allow sound waves to be used for data transmission. Optically conductive compressed air pipes could use light as the medium. In this way, data transmission via the compressed air lines, for example for diagnostic purposes, can be implemented. Advantageously, existing compressed air lines in the commercial vehicle can be used as a redundant channel in parallel to CAN or PLC.

[0071] The embodiments of the present invention are better understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings of the different embodiments, which, however, should not be understood as limiting the disclosure to the specific embodiments, but merely serve for explanation and understanding.

[0072] Fig. 1 shows a communication device in a commercial vehicle according to the present invention.

[0073] Fig. 2 illustrates the exchange of information via sound waves through the compressed air line.

[0074] Fig. 3 illustrates an exchange of information via electromagnetic waves through the compressed air line.

[0075] Fig. 4 shows a commercial vehicle with a tractor unit and a trailer, and with a compressed air line running between the trailer and the tractor unit, with an embodiment of the communication device.

[0076] Fig. 5 shows a step in a method according to the present invention. Fig. 6 shows further details of such a method.

[0077] Fig. 1 shows a communication device 100 for exchanging, i.e., sending and / or receiving, information in a commercial vehicle 200, wherein the commercial vehicle 200 includes a compressed air line 215. The commercial vehicle 200 is a truck. The compressed air line 215 is part of a system of the commercial vehicle 200, and in particular a braking system 210. Compressed air in the compressed air line is supplied by a compressor 213. The compressed air line 215 can also be part of a lifting or other pneumatic system. The communication device 100 includes a signal exchange device 110, which is configured to exchange the information via waves 50 through the compressed air line 215. In the illustrated embodiment, the commercial vehicle 200 also includes a further communication device 100' with a further

[0078] Signal exchange device 110', which is also configured to exchange information about the waves 50 through the compressed air line 215. The further communication device 100' is specifically configured to exchange information about the waves 50 in the compressed air line 215 with the communication device 100 (each via the signal exchange device 110), so that the communication device 100 and the further communication device 100' are configured to communicate with each other via waves 50 through the compressed air line 215. Communication can take place in both directions, or only in one direction (for example, the further communication device 100' or thethe further signal exchange device 110' may be designed solely for transmitting the information via waves 50 through the compressed air line 215, and the communication device and / or the signal exchange device 100 may be designed solely for receiving the information).

[0079] In advantageous embodiments, the communication device 100 and the further communication device 100' are configured to exchange information and / or further information via an additional signal path during regular operation (e.g., normal, error-free ferry operation of the commercial vehicle 200). The communication device 100, the further communication device 100', the signal exchange device 110, the further signal exchange device 110', and / or another device in the commercial vehicle 200 may be configured to detect a condition or to determine the existence of a condition. For example, this may include monitoring the openness of the additional signal path, i.e., the possibility of communication via the additional signal path, or it may include detecting a fault that impairs or prevents the exchange of information and / or further information via the additional signal path.Based on the result of the determination, the communication device 100, the further communication device 100', the signal exchange device 110, and / or the further signal exchange device 110' can then trigger an exchange of information via waves 50 through the compressed air line 215. In this way, redundancy for communication via the further signal path can be provided, particularly for emergencies. In particular, it can be advantageous to use existing compressed air lines 215 of the commercial vehicle 200 as a redundant channel and / or in parallel for an exchange of information or further information via CAN or PLC.

[0080] In this embodiment, existing compressed air lines 215 are thus used as acoustic or optical signal lines or as a medium. In exemplary embodiments, this generates redundancy for a further signal path. The signal exchange device 110 and / or the further signal exchange device 110' can, for example, have an acoustic coupler, which enables them to use sound waves 50 as waves for transmitting data through the compressed air line 215. The signal exchange device 110 and / or the further signal exchange device 110' can also, for example, have a light-emitting diode or a laser source, which enables them to use electromagnetic waves (or light or laser beams) as waves 50 for transmitting data through the compressed air line 215, if the compressed air line 215 has optical conductivity.In this way, light can be used as a medium in optically conductive compressed air pipes.

[0081] The transfer of information or data transmission can be carried out for diagnostic purposes.

[0082] Fig. 2 shows the exchange of information via sound waves 53 through the compressed air line 215 in an embodiment of the communication device 100. The signal exchange device 110 (and / or the further signal exchange device 110') comprises a signal transmitter, for example a loudspeaker 112 and / or an acoustic coupler, to feed the sound waves 53 into the compressed air line 215. The loudspeaker 112 can be positioned in or on the compressed air line 215. For this purpose, the compressed air line 215 can have a bore, or the sound waves 53 can generate sound waves 53 in the compressed air line 215 via resonance or local mechanical excitation of the compressed air line 215 in order to transmit the information.

[0083] Conversely, the further signal exchange device 110' (and / or the signal exchange device 110') comprises, for example, a microphone 114 or a comparable device designed to receive the sound waves 53. The microphone 114 may be positioned in or on the compressed air line 215. Again, the compressed air line 215 may have a bore for positioning the microphone 114 within the compressed air line 215.

[0084] The communication device 100 and the further communication device 100' can be configured to transmit information based on a digital code of sound waves 53. States of the digital code or information units can be distinguished by different frequencies, amplitudes, frequency or amplitude patterns, or durations or tone lengths.

[0085] For example, a state "0" can be represented by a first frequency, and a state "1" by a second, different frequency. However, more than two states or units of information can also be represented by using multiple different frequencies.

[0086] However, a unit of information can also be represented by the duration of a signal or sound wave 53 with a fixed frequency; e.g., "0" by a wave 50, 53 with a duration of one millisecond, and "1" by a wave 50, 53 with a duration of 15 milliseconds. More than two states or units of information can also be represented by several different durations.

[0087] In exemplary implementations, it has proven advantageous to represent states or units of information by frequency patterns (i.e., melodies) to improve the differentiation of background noise, e.g., "0" by a sequence Tone 1 - Tone 2 - Tone 3 and "1" by a sequence Tone 3 - Tone 1 - Tone 2 (where Tone 1, Tone 2, and Tone 3 each represent a wave 50, 53 of a first, second, and third frequency, respectively). A different number of tones or frequencies can also be used for a state. Here, too, the units of information can be represented by various

[0088] Tone combinations may be expanded.

[0089] Various methods for defining information units can also be combined. These combinations can, for example, improve interference immunity or create separate communication channels. For instance, a trailer ABS could communicate with a towing vehicle's EBS via frequency modulation, and / or a refrigeration unit in a trailer could communicate with a central control unit in the towing vehicle via tone-length changes.

[0090] Fig. 3 shows an exchange of information via electromagnetic waves 56 (or light waves or light) through the compressed air line 215 in an embodiment of the communication device 100. The signal exchange device 110 (and / or the further signal exchange device 110') comprises, for example, a light-emitting diode 116 (LED) or a laser source (i.e., a laser device or a source for a laser beam) to feed the electromagnetic waves 56 into the compressed air line 215. For this purpose, the compressed air line 215 may have a bore.

[0091] Conversely, the further signal exchange device 110' (and / or the signal exchange device 110) comprises, for example, a photodiode 118 or a semiconductor detection device configured to receive the electromagnetic waves 56. Again, the compressed air line 215 may have a bore for positioning the photodiode 118 in the compressed air line 215.

[0092] The possibilities for encoding information shown in the description for Fig. 3 for sound waves 53 can also be transferred in a corresponding way to electromagnetic waves 56.

[0093] The communication device 100 or the signal exchange device 110 can be configured to exchange either sound waves 53 or electromagnetic waves 56, or both sound waves 53 and electromagnetic waves 56. Redundancy can also be achieved here. Different embodiments of the communication device 100 can also communicate in the same vehicle in different ways via waves 50, 53, 56 through one or more compressed air lines 215, or each exchange information.

[0094] Fig. 4 shows a commercial vehicle 200 with a compressed air line 215, which can in turn be part of the braking system 210, and with two embodiments of the communication device 100. The commercial vehicle 200 comprises a tractor unit 203 and a trailer 206, and the compressed air line 215 connects the tractor unit 203 and the trailer 206, or runs between the tractor unit 203 and the trailer 206. The tractor unit comprises a communication device 100 of the type shown, and the trailer 206 comprises a further communication device 100' of the type shown. The communication device 100 and the further communication device 100' are configured to exchange information between themselves via waves 50, 53, 56 through the compressed air line 215.

[0095] The compressed air line 215 can in particular be part of the brake system 210.

[0096] The commercial vehicle 200 includes an additional signal path 220 between the tractor unit 203 and the trailer 206. This additional signal path 220 can, in particular, be a CAN data line (especially of the CAN trailer); such a data line is installed on many conventional commercial vehicles 200. The communication device 100 and the additional communication device 100' can be configured to exchange information and / or further information with each other during normal operation via the CAN data line (especially of the CAN trailer) as the additional signal path 220. This can occur in parallel with an exchange of information via shafts 50, 53, 56 through the compressed air line 215.Alternatively or additionally, the communication device 100 and the further communication device 100' can be configured to exchange information via waves 50, 53, 56 through the compressed air line 215, depending on a condition, for example, in the event of a fault, an interruption of communication via the CAN data line, or upon a request. Fig. 5 shows one step of a method for exchanging information in a commercial vehicle 200, which includes a compressed air line 215. The step includes exchanging the information via waves 50, 53, 56 through the compressed air line 215.

[0097] Fig. 6 shows further details of a method as in Fig. 5. The commercial vehicle 200 here includes an additional signal path 220, and the method comprises a regular exchange of further information via the additional signal path 220, a determination of a condition, and, based on the determination of the condition or on the presence or absence of the condition, a triggering of the exchange of information via waves 50, 53, 56 through the compressed air line 215. As described above, redundancy for communication via the additional signal path 220 can be achieved or provided in this way.

[0098] The features of the invention disclosed in the description, claims and figures may be essential for the realization of the invention, either individually or in any combination.

[0099] REFERENCE MARK LIST

[0100] 50 waves

[0101] 53 Sound waves 56 Electromagnetic waves

[0102] 100 communication devices

[0103] 110 Signal exchange device

[0104] 112 speakers

[0105] 114 Microphone 116 Light-emitting diode

[0106] 118 Photodiode

[0107] 200 commercial vehicles

[0108] 203 tractor

[0109] 206 trailers 210 braking system

[0110] 213 Compressor

[0111] 215 Compressed air line

[0112] 220 further signal path

[0113] S110, S120, S130 Steps of a procedure

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. A communication device (100) for exchanging information in a commercial vehicle (200), wherein the commercial vehicle (200) comprises a compressed air line (215), characterized by a signal exchange device (110) configured to exchange the information via waves (50, 53, 56) through the compressed air line (215).

2. The communication device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the waves (50, 53, 56) are one of the following: - Sound waves (53), - electromagnetic waves (56).

3. The communication device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the signal exchange device (110) comprises at least one of the following: - an acoustic coupler, - an LED, - a laser source.

4. The communication device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the signal exchange device (110) is configured to exchange information via sound waves (53) through the compressed air line (215) and the sound waves (53) have frequencies in at least one of the following ranges: - Audible sound, - Ultrasound.

5. The communication device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the signal exchange device (110) is configured to encode and / or decode the information according to a digital code.

6. The communication device (100) according to claim 5, wherein the digital code comprises at least a first and a second state which are determined in at least one of the following ways: - by a first frequency assigned to the first state and a second frequency assigned to the second state of the waves (50, 53, 56), - by a wave (50, 53, 56) corresponding to the first state of a first duration and a wave (50, 53, 56) corresponding to the second state of a second duration with a specific frequency, - by a wave (50, 53, 56) corresponding to the first state with a first frequency and / or amplitude profile, and a wave (50, 53, 56) corresponding to the second state with a second frequency and / or amplitude profile, - by a first sequence of waves (50, 53, 56) with a specific frequency and / or duration assigned to the first state and by a second sequence of waves (50, 53, 56) with a specific frequency and / or duration assigned to the second state.

7. The communication device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the signal exchange device (110) is configured to exchange the information by means of an analog signal.

8. The communication device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the commercial vehicle (200) comprises a further signal path (220), and wherein the communication device (100) is configured to exchange further information about the further signal path (220) during regular operation, and to exchange the information based on the signal exchange device (110) via shafts (50, 53, 56) through the compressed air line (215) depending on a condition.

9. A commercial vehicle (200), wherein the commercial vehicle (200) comprises a compressed air line (215), characterized by a communication device (100) according to one of the preceding claims.

10. The commercial vehicle (200) according to claim 9, wherein the commercial vehicle (200) comprises a tractor unit and a trailer (206) and the compressed air line (215) connects the tractor unit and the trailer (206), wherein the tractor unit comprises the communication device (100) and the trailer (206) comprises a further communication device (100') according to any of the preceding claims, and wherein the communication device (100) and the further communication device (100') are configured to exchange information between them via the compressed air line (215).

11. A method for exchanging information in a commercial vehicle (200), wherein the vehicle comprises a compressed air line (215), characterized by: Exchange of information via waves (50, 53, 56) through the compressed air line (215).

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the commercial vehicle (200) comprises a further signal path (220), and wherein the method further comprises: regularly exchanging further information about the further signal path (220); Establishing a condition; Triggering, based on the detection of the condition, of the exchange of information via waves (50, 53, 56) through the compressed air line (215).

13. A computer program product with software code stored thereon, which, when the software code is executed by a data processing machine, is designed to perform a method according to one of claims 11 or 12.

Images