Sidelink Wireless Coupling for Vehicle Combinations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wired connectivity in vehicle combinations is limited by the need for physical connectors that are prone to aging, wear, and tampering, and requires redundancy for safety, which increases complexity and cost, and does not establish a network until coupling is complete.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a sidelink wireless infrastructure between vehicle units that allows the formation of a combination-wide network before physical coupling, using transceivers to establish a radio connection that provides real-time operational data support and fallback connectivity, with the option for independent addressing and automatic coupling procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wired infrastructure with physical connectors is used, then reliability of control signalling is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to required redundancy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wired connector system with a wireless communication system. The wireless system eliminates physical plugs and sockets that are exposed to wear and tampering, while providing equivalent or superior reliability through redundant communication paths and protocol-level error handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless communication system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides control signalling, exchange of operational data, maintenance records, tachograph data, and media/entertainment content. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated wired connections for each function.
2Power
If wired infrastructure is used, then control signalling bandwidth is improved, but network availability is worsened because the network does not come into existence before coupling completion
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless communication system is established before the physical coupling of vehicle units is completed. The transceivers are activated and communication channels are set up in advance, allowing data exchange to begin during the coupling procedure itself rather than waiting for its completion.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless communication system acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap during the coupling procedure. It provides a temporary but functional communication path that operates alongside or before the wired connection is fully established, ensuring continuous network availability.
3Reliability
If physical connectors are used, then wired infrastructure reliability is improved, but durability is worsened due to exposure to aging, wear, and tampering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the mechanical connector system entirely by replacing it with wireless transceivers. This substitution removes the physical components that are subject to aging, wear, and tampering, while maintaining or improving connection reliability through electronic communication protocols and redundant pathways.
Data Source
AI summary
A first vehicle unit is couplable a second vehicle unit, so that a vehicle combination is formed, wherein the first vehicle unit comprises a transceiver configured to establish a sidelink to a transceiver of the second vehicle unit. In one embodiment, the first vehicle unit is configured to perform an automatic coupling procedure for coupling itself to the second vehicle unit, wherein the sidelink is established prior to completion of the coupling procedure. In another embodiment, the sidelink adds redundancy to wired communication link between respective vehicle unit computers. In yet another embodiment, the transceivers of the vehicle units remain independently addressable even after the vehicle combination has been formed.