Sensor system and modular sensor assemblies for a trailer

Abstract

An example sensor system for a trailer includes a plurality of sensor assemblies disposed within a trailer of a commercial vehicle. Each of the sensor assemblies includes a plurality of sensors configured to sense properties of the trailer, and a sensor housing that at least partially contains the plurality of sensors. For each sensor assembly, the plurality of sensors includes at least two different types of sensors.

Description

SENSOR SYSTEM AND MODULAR SENSOR ASSEMBLIES FOR A TRAILERCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to United States Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 722010 filed November 18, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This disclosure relates to sensor systems and modular sensor assemblies for a trailer, which may be used as part of or in conjunction with a camera monitor system (CMS).BACKGROUND

[0003] Vehicle camera systems for mirror replacement or for supplementing mirror views are utilized in commercial vehicles to enhance the ability of a vehicle operator to see a surrounding environment of the commercial vehicle. These systems are known as “camera monitor systems” (CMS), and they utilize one or more cameras mounted to a tractor of a commercial vehicle to provide an enhanced field of view to a vehicle operator of an area surrounding a trailer of the commercial vehicle. CMS may also include cameras in locations not typically associated with a mirror, such as a rear camera (e.g., a trailer camera) that records images of an area behind a vehicle, a camera that records an area in front of a vehicle, etc.

[0004] While a basic CMS may include a camera and display for each of a “driver side” and a “passenger side” of a commercial vehicle, such displays have not been used to display images or other data relating to an interior of a trailer.SUMMARY

[0005] A sensor system for a trailer according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of sensor assemblies disposed within a trailer of a commercial vehicle. Each of the sensor assemblies includes a plurality of sensors configured to sense properties of the trailer, and a sensor housing that at least partially contains the plurality of sensors. For each sensor assembly, the plurality of sensors includes at least two different types of sensors.

[0006] In a further embodiment of the foregoing embodiment, the plurality of sensor assemblies are disposed along a ceiling of trailer, and are approximately laterally centered between opposing sidewalls of the trailer.

[0007] In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the sensor system includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells disposed on top of the trailer, and configured to provide power to the plurality of sensor assemblies.

[0008] In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, each of the sensor housings includes a plurality of fastener openings for mounting the sensor housing to an interior of the trailer. The plurality of fastener openings have the same relative locations to each other for each of the plurality of sensor housings.

[0009] In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, each of the plurality of sensor housings includes a mounting portion that includes the plurality of fastener openings; and a housing portion that is removably secured to the mounting portion through one or more attachment features. Each housing portion at least partially defines a cavity that at least partially contains said at least two different types of sensors, and includes at least one opening through which at least one of the sensors of the sensor assembly can sense a property of the trailer.

[0010] In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, each of the plurality of sensor assemblies includes an internal cavity accessible through a plurality of openings, and includes a plurality of plurality of sockets disposed within the cavity and aligned with the openings, such that sensors can be removably inserted into the sockets through the openings. The plurality of sensors are electrically connected to processing circuitry of the sensor assembly through the plurality of sockets.

[0011] In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, each of the sensor assemblies includes at least three different types of sensors.

[0012] In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, different ones of the sensor assemblies include different combinations of types of sensors.

[0013] In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, each of the sensor assemblies includes a respective transceiver, and respective processing circuitry configured to utilize the respective transceiver to wirelessly transmit data from the plurality of sensors of the sensor assembly to a destination.

[0001] In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, each of the plurality of sensor assemblies are connected to each other in a wired daisy-chainedconfiguration, and are configured to transmit their data to a destination through a respective wired daisy-chained connection.

[0015] In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, each of the plurality of sensor assemblies includes a camera having an optical axis and a respective optical angle at which the optical axis intersects a plane of a floor of the trailer, and for multiple ones of the sensor assemblies, the optical axis is approximately 90°.

[0016] In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, each of said multiple ones of the sensor assemblies also include that is visible to a human eye a light to illuminate an interior of the trailer for the camera of the sensor assembly.

[0017] In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, each of the plurality of sensor assemblies includes a camera having an optical axis and a respective optical angle at which the optical axis intersects a plane of a floor of the trailer. For a rearmost one of the sensor assemblies, a field of view of the sensor assembly is forward-facing and the optical angle of the sensor assembly is less than the optical angle of the cameras of other ones of the sensor assemblies.

[0018] In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, multiple ones of the sensor assemblies each include a camera and a motion detection sensor configured to detect objects within the trailer.

[0019] In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, in a first mode, the plurality of sensor assemblies are configured to be powered by a tractor to which the trailer is connected. In a second mode, the plurality of sensor assemblies are configured to be powered by one or more batteries of the trailer that are separate from the tractor.

[0020] In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the plurality of sensor assemblies are configured to enter the first mode when the trailer is electrically connected to the tractor, and enter the second mode when the trailer is electrically disconnected from the tractor.

[0021] In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the sensor system includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells disposed on top of the trailer, and configured to charge the one or more batteries, power the plurality of sensors, or both.

[0022] In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the sensor system includes processing circuitry, and the trailer is a refrigerated trailer. For at least one of the sensor assemblies, one of the plurality of sensors is a temperature sensor or a humidity sensor, and the processing circuitry is configured to determine if food safety requirements for the refrigerated trailer are met based on data from said temperature or humidity sensor.

[0023] In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, for multiple ones of the plurality of sensor assemblies, the plurality of sensors of the housing assembly includes an object detection sensor configured to detect motion within the trailer. The processing circuitry is configured to trigger an alarm based on the trailer being stationary and the object detection sensor detecting motion within the trailer, or based on the object detection sensor detecting motion of the trailer itself while the trailer is not connected to a tractor.

[0024] In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the sensor system includes processing circuitry. At least one of the sensors is a door sensor configured to detect when a rear door of the trailer is open. The processing circuitry is configured to trigger an alarm based on the trailer being stationary and the rear door of the trailer being opened.

[0025] The embodiments, examples, and alternatives of the claims, and / or the following description and drawings, including any of their various aspects or respective individual features, may be taken independently or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, unless such features are incompatible.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The disclosure can be further understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0027] Figure 1 is a schematic front view of a commercial truck with a camera mirror system (CMS) used to provide at least Class II and Class IV views.

[0028] Figure 2 is a schematic birds-eye view of the commercial truck of Figure 1 with a CMS providing Class II, Class IV, Class V, Class VI, and Class VIII views.

[0029] Figure 3 is a schematic top view of an example vehicle cabin interior, and also a camera monitor system and sensor system.

[0030] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the vehicle cabin interior of Figure 3.

[0031] Figure 5 is a birds-eye view of an example commercial vehicle with a trailer having a sensor system that includes a plurality of sensor assemblies.

[0032] Figure 6A is a first schematic side view of the sensor assembly configuration of Figure 5.

[0033] Figure 6B is a second schematic side view of the sensor assembly configuration of Figure 5.

[0034] Figure 7A schematically illustrates an example sensor assembly housing.

[0035] Figure 7B schematically illustrates another example sensor assembly housing.

[0036] Figure 70 schematically illustrates an example mounting portion of the sensor assembly of Figure 7B.

[0037] Figure 7D schematically illustrates an example housing portion of the sensor assembly of Figure 7B.

[0038] Figure 7E is a schematic view of the sensor assembly of Figure 7B taken along line A-A of Figure 7B.

[0039] Figure 7F is a schematic view of the sensor assembly of Figure 7E with a sensor received into a socket.

[0040] Figure 8 schematically illustrates a first example sensor assembly configuration.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Schematic views of a commercial vehicle 10 are illustrated in Figures 1-4. The commercial vehicle 10 includes a vehicle cab or “tractor” 12 for pulling a trailer 14, where the trailer 14 pivots with respect to the tractor 12 during turns. Although the commercial vehicle 10 is depicted as a commercial truck with a single trailer 14 in this disclosure, it is understood that other commercial vehicle configurations may be used (e.g., different types or quantities of trailers).

[0042] A pair of camera arms 16A-B include a respective base that is secured to, for example, the tractor 12. A pivoting arm is supported by the base and may articulate relative thereto. At least one rearward facing camera 20A-B is arranged respectively on or within the camera arms 16A-B. The exterior cameras 20A-B respectively provide an exterior field of view FOVEXI, FOVEXS that each include at least one of Class II and Class IV views (Fig. 2), which are legally prescribed views in the commercial trucking industry.

[0043] The Class II view on a given side of the commercial vehicle 10 is a subset of the class IV view of the same side of the commercial vehicle 10. Multiple cameras also may be used in each camera arm 16A-B to provide these views, if desired. Class II (narrow) and Class IV (wide angle) views are defined in European R46 legislation, for example, and the United States and other countries have similar drive visibility requirements for commercial trucks. Any reference to a “Class” view is not intended to be limiting, but is intended as an example of the type of view provided to a display from a particular camera.

[0044] Each camera arm 16A-16B may also provide a housing that encloses electronics, e.g., a controller, that are configured to provide various features of the CMS 15. The camera arms 16A-B may be mounted either at a roof-mount location over the cab door (as shown), or on a door-mounted bracket or station, for example.

[0045] If video of Class V and / or Class VI views is also desired, a camera housing 16C and camera 20C may be arranged at or near the front of the commercial vehicle 10 to provide those views (Figure 2).

[0046] A backup camera 20D may be provided which provides a field of view FOVEXS. The backup camera 20D may be mounted at a top / centerline of the trailer, at a bumper / bed level of the trailer, or at a top-corner of the back of the trailer, for example. Alternatively, or in addition to the rear trailer camera, a “fifth wheel camera” 20E may be provided that is mounted to a rear of the tractor 12 and that provides a field of view FOVEx4. The fifth wheel camera 20E may be mounted anywhere between the lateral plane of the fifth wheel fixture and the top / roof edge of the tractor, for example.

[0047] Figure 3 is a schematic top view of an example vehicle cabin interior 24, and also a camera monitor system (CMS) 15 and sensor system 50. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the vehicle cabin interior 24. Referring now to Figures 3-4 with continued reference to Figures 1-2, electronic displays 18A-E (e.g., which may be video displays, such as LCD displays) and cameras 20A-E are shown. The various electronic displays 18A-E and cameras 20A-E are part of the CMS 15, in which the cameras 20 record images of an environment surrounding the commercial vehicle 10, and the displays 18 are configured to display image feeds from the cameras 20.

[0048] The CMS 15 includes a CMS electronic control unit (ECU) 22 that acts as a controller and includes processing circuitry that supports operation of the CMS 15. The CMS ECU 22 is in communication with the various CMS cameras 20A-E and in some embodiments also a plurality of sensor assemblies 52A-N. The CMS ECU 22 is operatively connected to memory (which may include any one or combination of volatile memory elements (e.g., random access memory (RAM, such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, VRAM, etc.)) and / or nonvolatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, hard drive, tape, CD-ROM, etc.). The processing circuitry of the ECU 22 may include one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or the like.

[0049] The CMS displays 18A-B are arranged on each of the driver and passenger sides within the vehicle cab 12 on or near the A-pillars 19A-B to display Class II and Class IVviews on its respective side of the commercial vehicle 10, which provide rear facing side views along the commercial vehicle 10 that are captured by the exterior cameras 20A-B.

[0050] As discussed above, if video of Class V and Class VI views are also desired, the camera housing 16C and camera 20C may be arranged at or near the front of the commercial vehicle 10 to provide those views (Figure 2). In the example of Figure 3, additional displays 18C-E are provided. Display 18C is arranged in the vehicle cabin interior 24 near the top center of the windshield may be used to display the Class V and Class VI views, which are toward the front of the commercial vehicle 10, or a backup camera view (from camera 20D or 20E) to the driver. Display 18D is provided in a center console area of the vehicle cabin interior 24, and may be used for other purposes, such as navigation, infotainment, etc. Display 18E may be part of an instrument cluster, for example.

[0051] If video of Class VIII views is desired, camera housings can be disposed at the sides and rear of the commercial vehicle 10 to provide fields of view including some or all of the Class VIII zones of the commercial vehicle 10. In such examples, one of the displays 18C-E may include one or more frames displaying the Class VIII views. The displays 18A, 18B, 18C face a driver region within the vehicle cabin interior 24 where an operator is seated on a driver seat.

[0052] If desired, the camera arms 16A-B may include conventional mirrors integrated with them as well, although the CMS 15 may be used to entirely replace mirrors. In additional examples, each side can include multiple camera arms, with each arm housing one or more cameras and / or mirrors.

[0053] The sensor system 50 includes the plurality of sensor assemblies 52A-N, which are disposed within the trailer 14, and include a plurality of sensors 82 (see Figure 8) configured to sense properties of the trailer 14. The sensors 82 may include one or more, or any combination of, the following for example:- a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature within the trailer 14;- a humidity sensor configured to sense a humidity within the trailer 14;- a camera configured to record an image of an interior of the trailer 14;- a motion detection sensor (e.g., LIDAR, RADAR, ultrasonic, or some other motion sensor) configured to detect motion in the trailer 14 and / or to provide data for identifying which object has moved within the trailer;- a door sensor configured to detect whether a rear door 53 of the trailer 14 (see Figure 5) is opened or closed;- an accelerometer and / or gyroscope configured to detect movement of the trailer (e.g., crash detection).

[0054] Thus, many of these properties (e.g., temperature, humidity, motion detection, images of trailer interior) are properties of an interior of the trailer 14. Each of the sensor assemblies 52 includes a respective sensor housing 62 (see Figure 6A) that at least partially contains the plurality of sensors 82. In one or more embodiments, the accelerometer and / or gyroscope data is used as a data integrity check (e.g., if GPS indicates that the trailer is moving the but accelerometer and / or gyroscope data indicates that the trailer is stationary, or vice versa, that could indicate a lack of data integrity).

[0055] In one or more embodiments, the sensor assemblies 52A-N are connected to each other through a daisy-chained configuration through a series of respective daisy-chained connections 54 (see Figure 3), are powered through those connections 54, and also are configured to transmit sensor data to a destination (e.g., ECU 22 of the CMS 15) through the daisy-chained connections 54.

[0056] In one or more embodiments, communication between the sensor assemblies 52 and the ECU 22 occurs via tractor communication interface 56A of the tractor 12 (which is in communication with the ECU 22) and trailer communication interface 56B of the trailer 14. In one or more embodiments, the communication interfaces 56A-B are gateway devices connected to each other through a standardized trailer connector 57A (e.g., the US SAE J560 7 pin connector for a conventional trailer wiring harness and / or a separate connector 57B (e.g., an Ethernet connector). In one or more embodiments, if the standardized trailer connector 57A is used, data is transmitted onto the wiring harness by modulating data onto the wiring harness (e.g., as described in WO2022271940A1). The daisy chaining of sensors may utilize multiplexing and / or or multi-protocol solutions, and may yield reduced wiring as compared to a configuration in which each sensor assembly 52 had a separate connection to the communication interfaces 56A-B. Although the example of modulating data onto wiring harness that uses a SAE J560 connector is contemplated above, it is understood that this is a non-limiting example, and that the sensor assemblies 52 may use other data transmission configurations, such as using Ethernet and / or wireless data transmission (which is described in more detail below).

[0057] Figure 5 is a birds-eye view of commercial vehicle 10 with a trailer 14 having a sensor system 50 that includes plurality of sensor assemblies 52A-E, and Figures 6A-B provide side views of the same. As shown in Figures 5 and 6A, in one or more embodiments a plurality of solar panels 58A-D are provided on top of the trailer 14 that each include aplurality of photovoltaic cells for powering the plurality of sensor assemblies 52A-E and / or for charging energy storage devices (e.g., batteries) of the plurality of sensor assemblies 52A-E (e.g., when the trailer 14 is electrically disconnected from the tractor 12). As will be described below in greater detail, each of the sensor assemblies 52 includes at least two different types of sensors (and in some embodiments at least three different types of sensors) that are configured to sense properties of the trailer 14, and thereby act as integrated sensor sets through their integration into a single housing, and different ones of the sensor assemblies 52 may include different combinations of types of sensors. In the example of Figures 5 and SAIB, the sensor assemblies 52 are mounted to and are disposed along a ceiling 42 of the trailer 14, and are approximately laterally centered (e.g., completely centered, or within 1 foot of being centered) between opposing sidewalls 21 A-B of the trailer 14.

[0058] In the example of Figures 6A-B, each sensor assembly 52 includes a camera (not shown) having a field of view (shown as FOVTI, FOVT2, FOVT2, FOVTS, FOVT4, FOVTS) and which each have an associated optical axis A1-A5. Each optical axis intersects a plane of a floor 44 of the trailer 14 at a corresponding optical angle, shown as Oi-05. As shown in Figures 6A-B, the optical angles 0i-O4are approximately 90° (as used herein, “approximately 90°” means 80 - 100 degrees), whereas the optical angle 05 of rearmost interior camera 40E (which may be mounted at approximately the ceiling level of the trailer 14) is less than the other optical angles. This is because the field of view FOVTS of the camera of sensor assembly 52E is more forward-facing (i.e., if the trailer 14 is mounted to a tractor 12, the field of view faces towards the tractor 12 and a “kingpin” 60 that mounts the tractor 12 to the trailer 14) than the other sensor assemblies 52.

[0059] Figure 7A schematically illustrates a first example sensor housing (or “chassis”) 62 for the sensor assemblies 52. As shown, the sensor housing 62 has a plurality of fastener openings 64A-D for mounting the housing 62 to the trailer 14 (e.g., to ceiling 42 of the trailer 14). In one or more embodiments, each of the sensor assemblies 52 uses the same relative locations for the fastener openings 64 and / or uses the same housing 62. This provides for modularity between the sensor assemblies.

[0060] The sensor housing 62 also a plurality of sensor openings 66A-C through which at least one of the sensors of the sensor assembly 52 can sense a property of the trailer 14. For example, the sensor openings 66 may be used to provide access to the interior of the trailer 14 for a sensing device, such as a camera and / or motion detector, and / or may be used to provide access to sense a temperature or humidity of the trailer 14, for example. The sensor openings 68 may also be used to shine a light through to illuminate the interior of the trailer14. In this manner, the same housing 52 may be used for a plurality of different sensor assembly configurations.

[0061] In one or more other embodiments, not all sensor assemblies 40 use the same housing 50, but they still use the same fastener opening 64 locations (i.e., the fastener openings 64 are positioned the same relative location to each other) so that the sensor housings 62 can be interchangeably used with the same mounting holes in the trailer 14 without requiring drilling of new mounting holes in the trailer 14. Although three sensor openings 66A-C are shown, it is understood that other quantities and shapes of sensor openings could be used in different ones of the sensor housings 62.

[0062] In this disclosure, like reference numerals designate like elements where appropriate and reference numerals with the addition of one-hundred or multiples thereof designate modified elements that are understood to incorporate the same features and benefits of the corresponding elements.

[0063] Figure 7B schematically illustrates another example sensor assembly 152 having a housing 162 that includes a mounting portion 168 (shown in more detail in Figure 7C) that supports and / or surrounds a circuit board 79, and a housing portion 170 (shown in more detail in Figure 7D) that is removably secured to the mounting portion 168 through a plurality of mounting features 172 provided on the mounting portion 168 and corresponding mounting features 174 provided on the housing portion 170. The mounting features may include fasteners, magnets, hinges, latches, or any other form of attachment feature. A plurality of sockets 78, which are aligned with and accessible through the openings 166A-C, may optionally be provided for removable connecting sensors to the circuit board 79. The configuration of Figures 7B-D facilitates the convenient use of a plurality of different layouts / sizes for the openings 166A, because a same mounting portion 168 with a same layout of mounting holes 164 can be used with a plurality of different housing portion 170 architectures (e.g., different quantities, sizes, locations of openings 166), but the housing portion 170 can be conveniently changed without requiring re-mounting of the mounting portion 168. Use of a separate mounting portion 168 and may enable customers to choose different sensor configurations and swap them out as needed in a modular / “plug and play” manner.

[0064] Figure 7E is a schematic view of the sensor assembly 162 taken along line A-A of Figure 7B. As shown in Figure 7E, the mounting portion 168 and housing portion 170 at least partially define a cavity 76 that at least partially contains the sensors of the sensor assembly 152. Although the cavity 76 is only shown for the sensor assembly 162, it is understood that it could also be provided for the sensor assembly 62.

[0065] Figure 7F schematically shows the sensor assembly 162 of Figure 7E with a sensor 82 extending through the opening 166 into the cavity 176 and removably inserted into a socket 78 which is electrically connected (directly, as shown in Figure 7F, or through one or more intermediate components, such as a wiring harness connector) to a circuit board 79 to connect the sensor 82 to processing circuitry 80 (see Figure 8). Use of the socket 78 as a vehicle for connecting sensors 82 to the processing circuitry 80 contributes to the modular nature of the sensor assembly 162, and could provide for convenient replacement and / or reconfiguration of sensor assemblies.

[0066] Although only one socket 78 is shown, it is understood that multiple sockets could be provided in a given sensor assembly (e.g., 2, 3, or more) to facilitate convenient replacement and / or reconfiguration. Also, although the sockets 78A-C are only shown for the sensor assembly 162, it is understood that they may also be used for the sensor assembly 62 (which omits the mounting features 172, 174) to also facilitate removably securing sensors to socket connected to a circuit board, thereby electrically connecting the sensors to the circuit board.

[0067] Figure 8 schematically illustrates an example sensor assembly 52 configuration which includes processing circuitry 80 operatively connected to a plurality of sensors 82A-N, memory (not shown), a communication interface 84, a power circuit 86, and optionally also a visible light source 87, an actuator 88, and a sound emitter 92.

[0068] Like the CMS ECU 22, the processing circuitry 80 the processing circuitry may include one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or the like. The communication interface may provide an interface to one or more of the daisy-chained connections 54, or may include a wireless transceiver (e.g., WiFi, Bluetooth, or Cellular) for sending data from the sensors 82 to a destination (e.g., ECU 22 and / or a cloud server). In one or more embodiments, the sensor assemblies 52 can communicate with each other in an ad / hoc fashion and / or can create a mesh network of sensors to get a total view of the state of the trailer and extend connectivity range. In one or more embodiments, the processing circuitry 80 stores a record of sensor data of its sensors in nonvolatile memory of the sensor assembly 52, and then later uploads the sensor data as a batch upload. The wireless transceiver may be stored on an external surface of the sensor housing 52, for example. In one or more embodiments, use of the wireless transceiver could be used in addition to, or in place of, the daisy chained connections 54 and / or Ethernet connections (discussed above) for data transmission.

[0069] In the example of Figure 8, the power circuit 86 includes an energy storage device 89 (e.g., a battery), and an external power interface 90. In one or more embodiments, in a first mode, the plurality sensor assemblies 52 are configured to be powered by the tractor 12 to which the trailer 14 is connected and that happens through a connection 91 through external power interface 90, and in a second mode, the plurality of sensor assemblies 52 are configured to be powered by one or more batteries of the trailer 14 (e.g., the respective batteries of each sensor assembly 52) that are separate from the tractor 12 and / or by the photovoltaic cells of one or more of the solar panels 58. In one or more embodiments, the plurality of sensor assemblies 52 are configured to enter the first mode (powered by tractor 12) when the trailer 14 is electrically connected to the tractor 12 (e.g., though connector 57A), and enter the second mode (powered by one or more batteries) when the trailer 14 is electrically disconnected from the tractor 12. In one or more embodiments, the battery 89 charges during the first mode.

[0070] The communication interface 84 may utilize wired or wireless communication. In one or more embodiments, the communication interface 84 utilizes Ethernet (e.g., fast ethernet, T1 ethernet), LVDS (e.g., FPD-Link, GMSL), HDBaseT, and / or A-phy to transport video traffic in a daisy chained manor, where lower bandwidth signals (e.g., temp / humidity sensor) may or may not be communicated via separate CAN, LIN or Ethernet 10BASE-T1S channels. However, it is understood that these are non-limiting examples. Also, it shall be understood that the lower bandwidth data may be multiplexed with the video data where possible, for example HDbaseT, FPD-Link, A-phy.

[0071] The memory (not shown) which may include any one or combination of volatile memory elements (e.g., random access memory (RAM, such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, VRAM, etc.)) and / or nonvolatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, hard drive, tape, CD-ROM, etc.). The nonvolatile memory elements may be used for storing data from the sensors 82.

[0072] The sensors 82 may include any combination of the following, for example: - a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature within the trailer 14, - a humidity sensor configured to sense a humidity within the trailer 14,- a camera configured to obtain an image of an interior of the trailer 14,- an object detection sensor configured to detect presence of an object within the sensor (e.g., a LIDAR sensor, RADAR sensor, ultrasonic sensor, or any other type of motion sensor) configured to detect objects, such as cargo or intruders, within the trailer 14;- a trailer door sensor configured to detect whether the rear door 53 of the trailer 14 is opened or closed, etc.

[0073] In one or more embodiments, one of the sensors 82 is a camera configured to record images of an interior of the trailer 14 (e.g., for display on one of the CMS displays 18). The visible light source 87 (e.g., a LED light source), if included, may be configured to illuminate the interior of the trailer 14 for the camera. In one or more embodiments, the visible light source 87 is configured to automatically turn on when the trailer door 53 is opened.

[0074] The temperature and / or humidity sensor 82 may be a combined sensor that measures temperature and humidity, or may be a sensor that senses just one of temperature and humidity. In one or more embodiments, separate sensors are provided for detecting temperature and detecting humidity. In one or more embodiments, only one of temperature and humidity are detected.

[0075] In one or more embodiments, the trailer 14 is a refrigerated trailer (or “reefer”) and the detected temperature and / or humidity information may be used by the ECU 22 (or processing circuitry 80 of a sensor assembly 52 that detects the temperature and / or humidity information) to determine if food safety requirements for the refrigerated trailer 14 are met based on the temperature and / or humidity information. The features disclosed herein may be utilized to provide real time data to a driver of the commercial vehicle 10 of the cargo volume of the trailer 14.

[0076] In one or more embodiments, one of the sensors 82 is a door position sensor (e.g., a hall effect sensor) positioned and configured to detect whether the rear door 53 of the trailer 14 is open or closed. In one or more embodiments, one of the sensors 82 is a door lock sensor 70 is configured to detect whether the rear door 53 of the trailer 14 is locked or unlocked, and door actuator 88 is included which includes an actuation feature to perform locking or unlocking of the door 53.

[0077] In one non-limiting example, one or more of the sensor assemblies 52 includes sensors 82 in the form of a camera, object detection sensor, and temperature and / or humidity sensor, and the visible light source 87 (i.e., visible to the human eye) is provided for illuminating the field of view of the camera. This is useful for monitoring the interior of the trailer 14, and detecting motion within the trailer (e.g., of an intruder).

[0078] In one or more embodiments, the processing circuitry 80 of the sensor assembly 52 and / or the ECU 22 of the CMS 15 may trigger an alarm through sound emitter 92 (e.g., which may be a buzzer or a speaker, for example), which may include any one or more of the following, for example:- emitting sound through a buzzer (not shown) or speaker (not shown), such as playback of a sound that “the police are being called”;- transmitting a notification message to a recipient, such as a driver or fleet manager;(e.g., through a buzzer or speak, which are not shown;- through a notification sent as a message to a recipient such as a driver or fleet manager;- flashing a light of the trailer 14 and / or tractor 12.

[0079] The triggering of the alarm may be based on any one or more of the following, for example:- detection of motion within the trailer 14 (e.g., when the trailer 14 is stationary);- detection of motion of the trailer 14 itself (e.g., when the trailer 14 is expected to be stationary);- detection of the trailer door being opened (e.g., during a time when the driver has not unlocked the door).

[0080] In one or more embodiments, the trailer 14 has a “sentry mode” during which the trailer 14 sits in a location, such as a parking lot, and is not expected to be entered by anyone, and the alarms are provided based on one or more of the conditions above being detected while the trailer is in the sentry mode.

[0081] In one non-limiting example, one of the sensor assemblies 52 includes sensors 82 in the form of a camera, object detection sensor, and door sensor (configured to detect whether the trailer odor is opened or closed), and also includes the visible light source 87 and door lock actuator 88. In addition, or as an alternative to the visible light source 87, a non-visible light source (i.e. , not visible to the human eye) may be used.

[0082] As discussed above, the sensor assemblies 40 incorporate multiple sensors into one housing, and may be mounted at various locations, such as a rear of trailer 14 (see sensor assembly 52E), along the ceiling 42 of the trailer 14, and / or along a floor 44 of the trailer 14 (e.g., a weight sensor).

[0083] In one or more embodiments, the sensor assemblies 40 are designed so that, for example, one or more of the internal sensors (e.g., temperature and humidity sensor 66) may be removed without modifying the integrated sensor packaging (housing 50) and mount points (mounting holes 52), which may provide for convenient reconfiguration of a particular sensor assembly 52.

[0084] Data from the sensor assemblies 40 may enable a driver to rectify problems (e.g., food safety requirements not being met, intruder in trailer, cargo missing, etc.).

[0085] The sensor assemblies 40 may be modularly configured based on the unique customer needs. For example, an integrated sensors set may only contain an ultrasonic sensor and light, ultrasonic sensor along with temp / humidity sensor, etc.

[0086] Although example embodiments have been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of the claims. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine their true scope and content.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A sensor system for a trailer, comprising:a plurality of sensor assemblies disposed within a trailer of a commercial vehicle; wherein each of the sensor assemblies includes a plurality of sensors configured to sense properties of the trailer, and a sensor housing that at least partially contains the plurality of sensors; andwherein for each sensor assembly, the plurality of sensors includes at least two different types of sensors.

2. The sensor system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sensor assemblies are disposed along a ceiling of trailer, and are approximately laterally centered between opposing sidewalls of the trailer.

3. The sensor system of claim 1 , comprising:a plurality of photovoltaic cells disposed on top of the trailer, and configured to provide power to the plurality of sensor assemblies.

4. The sensor system of claim 1 , wherein:each of the sensor housings includes a plurality of fastener openings for mounting the sensor housing to an interior of the trailer; andthe plurality of fastener openings have the same relative locations to each other for each of the plurality of sensor housings.

5. The sensor system of claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of sensor housings includes:a mounting portion that includes the plurality of fastener openings, anda housing portion that is removably secured to the mounting portion through one or more attachment features, each housing portion at least partially defining a cavity that at least partially contains said at least two different types of sensors, and including at least one opening through which at least one of the sensors of the sensor assembly can sense a property of the trailer.

6. The sensor system of claim 1 , wherein:each of the plurality of sensor assemblies includes an internal cavity accessible through a plurality of openings, and includes a plurality of plurality of sockets disposed within the cavity and aligned with the openings, such that sensors can be removably inserted into the sockets through the openings; andthe plurality of sensors are electrically connected to processing circuitry of the sensor assembly through the plurality of sockets.

7. The sensor system of claim 1 , wherein each of the sensor assemblies includes at least three different types of sensors.

8. The sensor system of claim 1 , wherein different ones of the sensor assemblies include different combinations of types of sensors.

9. The sensor system of claim 1 , wherein each of the sensor assemblies includes: a respective transceiver; andrespective processing circuitry configured to utilize the respective transceiver to wirelessly transmit data from the plurality of sensors of the sensor assembly to a destination.

10. The sensor system of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of sensor assemblies are connected to each other in a wired daisy-chained configuration, and are configured to transmit their data to a destination through a respective wired daisy-chained connection.

11. The sensor system of claim 1 , wherein:each of the plurality of sensor assemblies includes a camera having an optical axis and a respective optical angle at which the optical axis intersects a plane of a floor of the trailer; andfor multiple ones of the sensor assemblies, the optical axis is approximately 90°.

12. The sensor system of claim 11 , wherein each of said multiple ones of the sensor assemblies also include a light that is visible to a human eye to illuminate an interior of the trailer for the camera of the sensor assembly.

13. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein:each of the plurality of sensor assemblies includes a camera having an optical axis and a respective optical angle at which the optical axis intersects a plane of a floor of the trailer; andfor a rearmost one of the sensor assemblies, a field of view of the sensor assembly is forward-facing and the optical angle of the sensor assembly is less than the optical angle of the cameras of other ones of the sensor assemblies.

14. The sensor system of claim 1 , wherein multiple ones of the sensor assemblies each include:a camera; anda motion detection sensor configured to detect objects within the trailer.

15. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein:in a first mode, the plurality of sensor assemblies are configured to be powered by a tractor to which the trailer is connected; andin a second mode, the plurality of sensor assemblies are configured to be powered by one or more batteries of the trailer that are separate from the tractor.

16. The sensor system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of sensor assemblies are configured to:enter the first mode when the trailer is electrically connected to the tractor; and enter the second mode when the trailer is electrically disconnected from the tractor.

17. The sensor system of claim 14, comprising:a plurality of photovoltaic cells disposed on top of the trailer, and configured to charge the one or more batteries, power the plurality of sensors, or both.

18. The sensor system of claim 1 , comprising:processing circuitry;wherein:the trailer is a refrigerated trailer;for at least one of the sensor assemblies, one of the plurality of sensors is a temperature sensor or a humidity sensor; andthe processing circuitry is configured to determine if food safety requirements for the refrigerated trailer are met based on data from said temperature or humidity sensor.

19. The sensor system of claim 1 , comprising:processing circuitry;wherein:for multiple ones of the plurality of sensor assemblies, the plurality of sensors of the housing assembly includes an object detection sensor configured to detect motion within the trailer; andthe processing circuitry is configured to trigger an alarm based on:the trailer being stationary and the object detection sensor detecting motion within the trailer; orthe object detection sensor detecting motion of the trailer itself while the trailer is not connected to a tractor.

20. The sensor system of claim 1 , comprising:processing circuitry;wherein:at least one of the sensors is a door sensor configured to detect when a rear door of the trailer is open; andthe processing circuitry is configured to trigger an alarm based on the trailer being stationary and the rear door of the trailer being opened.

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