SYSTEM AND METHOD PERTAINING TO BRAKING OF A VEHICLE COMBINATION WHICH COMPRISES A TRACTOR VEHICLE WITH A TOWED VEHICLE

Abstract

A method pertaining to braking of a vehicle combination (100) which combination comprises a tractor vehicle (110) with a towed vehicle (112), where both are configured to be braked. The tractor vehicle (110) is provided with a first control unit (200) having a function for regulation of coupling force between the tractor vehicle (110) and the towed vehicle (112). Regulation of coupling force includes adaptation data and the towed vehicle bears an ID specification. The method includes the steps of: transferring the ID specification from the towed vehicle (112) to the tractor vehicle (110); during a braking process, registering adaptation data associated with the braking process together with the ID specification. Also a computer program product includes program code (P) for a computer (200; 205) for implementing the method. Also a system pertaining to braking of a vehicle combination (100) and to a vehicle combination (100) is equipped with the system.

Claims

1. A method of braking a vehicle combination comprising a tractor vehicle and a towed vehicle, that are coupled together wherein both said tractor vehicle and said towed vehicle are configured to be braked and wherein said tractor vehicle is provided with a first control unit comprising a function for regulation of coupling force between said tractor vehicle and said towed vehicle that are coupled together, and wherein said regulation of said coupling force comprises using adaptation data associated with said braking process and wherein said towed vehicle bears an ID specification; the method comprising the steps of: transferring said ID specification from said coupled towed vehicle to said coupled tractor vehicle; and during a braking process, registering said adaptation data together with said ID specification of said towed vehicle.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of: providing said function for said regulation of said coupling force between said tractor vehicle and said towed vehicle using said registered adaptation data.

3. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: prior to said tractor vehicle and said towed vehicle being coupled, during said coupling of said tractor vehicle to said towed vehicle wherein said towed vehicle has its respective ID specification and said tractor vehicle has a first control unit; the method comprising the further steps of: determining whether said tractor vehicle first control unit has adaptation data already registered in it which pertain to the respective towed vehicle being coupled to the tractor vehicle; and using said already registered adaptation data as a basis for said function for regulation of coupling force between said tractor vehicle and said towed vehicle.

4. A method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of: for said tractor vehicle first control unit, continuously registering said adaptation data and said ID specifications for different ones of said towed vehicles coupled to said tractor vehicle.

5. A system for braking a vehicle combination, wherein said combination comprises a tractor vehicle coupled to a towed vehicle, and wherein both of said tractor vehicle and said towed vehicle are configured to be braked; said tractor vehicle having a first control unit comprising a function for regulation of a coupling force between said tractor vehicle and said towed vehicle, wherein said regulation of coupling force comprises using adaptation data associated with said braking process and wherein said towed vehicle bears an. ID specification; a transfer device configured for transferring said ID specification from said towed vehicle to said tractor vehicle; and a registering device configured so that during a braking process, said registering device registering said adaptation data together with said ID specification of said towed vehicle.

6. A system according to claim 5, further comprising: a device configured for providing said function for regulation of said coupling force between said tractor vehicle and said towed vehicle with said registered adaptation data.

7. A system according to claim 6, comprising: a determining device configured and operable such that during coupling of said tractor vehicle to a towed vehicle having certain ID specification, said determining device is configured to determine whether said tractor vehicle said first control unit has adaptation data already registered in it which pertains to said respective towed vehicle; and a device for function regulation configured for using the already registered adaptation data as a basis for said function regulation of coupling force between said tractor vehicle and said towed vehicle.

8. A system according to claim 5, further comprising: said registering device for said tractor vehicle first control unit, continuously registers said adaptation data and said ID specifications for respective different ones of said towed vehicles coupled to said tractor vehicle having said first control unit.

9. A system according to claim 5, wherein said towed vehicle has a second control unit arranged to bear its said ID specification.

10. A motor vehicle provided with a system according to claim 5.

11. A motor vehicle according to claim 10, in the form of a truck, timber carrier or forestry machine.

12. (canceled)

13. A computer program (P) pertaining to braking of a vehicle combination, said program comprising a program code stored on a non-volatile computer-readable medium for causing an electronic control unit or a computer connected to said electronic control unit to perform method steps according to claim 1, when said program code is run on an electronic control unit or a computer connected to the electronic control unit.

14. A method according to claim 1, wherein said tractor vehicle and said towed vehicle are configured and operative so that said vehicle will tow said towed vehicle.

15. A method of braking a vehicle combination comprising a tractor vehicle and a towed vehicle that are coupled together, wherein both said tractor vehicle and said towed vehicle are configured to be braked and wherein said tractor vehicle is provided with a first control unit comprising a function for regulation of coupling force between said tractor vehicle and said towed vehicle that are coupled together, and wherein said regulation of said coupling force comprises using adaptation data associated with said braking process and wherein said tractor vehicle is configured to receive an ID specification; the method comprising the steps of: transferring said ID specification from said coupled towed vehicle to said coupled tractor vehicle; and during a braking process, registering said adaptation data together with said ID specification of said towed vehicle.

16. A method according to claim 1, wherein said adaptation data comprises at least one of: first information about braking characteristics of the towed vehicle received by said tractor vehicle; second information as to how the towed vehicle is braked in particular circumstances of braking the towed vehicle; third information about a relationship between braking force and a prevailing brake pressure of the brakes of the towed vehicle; fourth information about respective weights of the tractor vehicle and the towed vehicle; fifth information about prevailing acceleration or retardation of the vehicle combination; sixth information about rotation speeds of wheels of the vehicle; and supplying at least one of the information to the first control unit for the regulation of coupling force.

17. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of: providing said function for said regulation of said coupling force between said tractor vehicle and said towed vehicle using said registered adaptation data and said ID specification.

18. A method according to claim 15, further comprising: prior to said tractor vehicle and said towed vehicle being coupled and during said coupling of said tractor vehicle to said towed vehicle, the towed vehicle has its respective ID specification and said tractor vehicle has a first control unit; the method comprising the further steps of: determining whether said tractor vehicle first control unit has adaptation data already registered in it which pertain to the respective towed vehicle being coupled to said tractor vehicle; and using said already registered adaptation data as a basis for said function for regulation of coupling force between said tractor vehicle and said towed vehicle.

19. A system according to claim 15, wherein said ID specification of said towed vehicle comprises a vehicle identification unique to the towed vehicle and said tractor vehicle has a function for distribution of braking force of the tractor vehicle.

20. A tractor vehicle for use in vehicle combination, which comprises; said tractor vehicle is configured to be coupled to a towed vehicle, wherein both of said tractor vehicle and the coupled towed vehicle are configured to be braked; said tractor vehicle having a first control unit configured to perform a function for regulation and distribution of a coupling force between said tractor vehicle and the towed vehicle, wherein said first control unit is configured to regulate coupling force by using adaptation data for the braking, said adaption data being in said tractor vehicle; said tractor vehicle being configured to receive an ID specification of that towed vehicle which is to be coupled to said tractor vehicle; and a registering device configured so that during a braking process, said registering device registers said adaptation data together with said ID specification of said towed vehicle.

21. A tractor vehicle according to claim 20, further comprising: a device configured for providing said registered adaptation data to function for regulation of said coupling force between said tractor vehicle and said towed vehicle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] For fuller understanding of the present invention and further objects and advantages of it, the detailed description set out below should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference notations are used for similar items in the various drawings, and in which:

[0049] FIG. 1 illustrates schematically a motor vehicle combination according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0050] FIG. 2 illustrates schematically a system pertaining to the vehicle depicted in FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0051] FIG. 3a illustrates schematically a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0052] FIG. 3b illustrates schematically a more detailed flowchart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention; and

[0053] FIG. 4 illustrates schematically a computer according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] FIG. 1 depicts a sideview of a motor vehicle combination 100. The vehicle combination exemplified comprises a tractor vehicle 110 and a towed vehicle 112. The vehicle combination may be a heavy vehicle, e.g. a truck with trailer.

[0055] Said towed vehicle 112 is detachably connected to said tractor vehicle 110, making it possible for said towed vehicle to be locked temporarily to said tractor vehicle. Said locking of the towed vehicle to the tractor vehicle also involves the connection of communication links and possibly other conduits such as compressed-air lines. An example of said communication links is described in more detail with reference to FIG. 2 below.

[0056] The term “link” refers herein to a communication link which may be a physical conduit, such as an opto-electronic communication line, or a non-physical conduit such as a wireless connection, e.g. a radio link or microwave link.

[0057] FIG. 2 depicts a system 299 pertaining to the vehicle combination 100.

[0058] The tractor vehicle 110 is provided with a first control unit 200 which may be a brake control unit of the vehicle combination 100. The first control unit comprises functionality for an electronic brake system of the vehicle combination. The first control unit comprises also a function for regulating the distribution of braking force of electronically activable brakes of the vehicle combination. Said brakes may be service brakes intended and arranged to friction-brake the vehicle combination. Said brakes may be of suitable kinds. They may comprise so-called supplementary brakes. Said regulation may comrpise continuously controlling the distribution of braking force between brake systems of said tractor vehicle and said towed vehicle.

[0059] The first control unit 200 is suited to communication with a second control unit 210 via a link L210 which may comprise a CAN bus. Said CAN bus may be associated with standard ISO 11992. The second control unit 210 may be a brake control unit pertaining to the towed vehicle 112. The second control unit 200 comprises a unique ID specification which may itself comprise a vehicle identifcation number (VIN). Said ID specification is associated with said towed vehicle. The second control unit 210 comprises also a function for regulating the distribution of braking force of electronically activable brakes of the towed vehicle. Said brakes may be service brakes intended and arranged for the friction-braking of wheels. Said braking force distribution is conducted by the second control unit 210 but depends on information comprising data about the total braking force to be applied to said towed vehicle. The first control unit 200 is arranged to control the braking force distribution on the tractor vehicle 110 and also to inform said second control unit 210 about appropriate brake action on said towed vehicle 112. To this end, the first control unit is arranged to continuously determine a braking force distribution of the vehicle combination in order to achieve so-called brake balance betwen the tractor vehicle and the towed vehicle. Said brakes of the vehicle combination are not depicted in this respect.

[0060] The first control unit 200 and the second control unit 210 are arranged to continuously determine adaptation data as a basis for said function for regulating the braking force distribution of the vehicle combination 100. The first control unit 200 is arranged to continuously save generated adaptation data concerning at least said towed vehicle in a memory therein. The first control unit is arranged to respond to coupling of said tractor vehicle 110 to said towed vehicle 112 by sending a signal S210a which conveys a demand to receive said ID specification from said second control unit via said link L210. The second control unit is arranged to respond to receiving said signal S210a by sending a signal S210b which conveys data about said ID specification to said first control unit via said link L210. The first control unit is arranged to save in a register said ID specification received. The first control unit is further arranged to continuously or intermittently save in said register generated adaptation data together with said ID specification. This may be done for a number of different towed vehicles, in which case said accumulating first control unit 200 may store information about adaptation data relating to unique towed vehicles.

[0061] Said adaptation data may comprise information about the towed vehicle's braking characteristics, which may comprise information about how the towed vehicle is braked in certain circumstances pertaining for example to the speed of the vehicle combination 100. Said adaptation data may comprise information about a relationship about braking force and prevailing brake pressure of the towed vehicle's brakes. Said adaptation data may comprise information such as the respective weights of the tractor vehicle and the towed vehicle, the prevailing acceleration or retardation of the vehicle combination or the rotation speeds of its wheels etc. Said adaptation data are used as a basis in said function for regulating the brake force of the vehicle combination. Said adaptation data may be generated by said second control unit 210 during braking processes of the vehicle combination.

[0062] The first control unit 200 is further arranged to respond to coupling of the tractor vehicle 110 and any towed vehicle by checking whether said specific towed vehicle has been previously coupled to the tractor vehicle 110, which is effected by determining whether an ID specification for the respective towed vehicle is stored in said register or not. In cases where said ID specification is stored in said register from before, the first control unit is arranged to provide corresponding saved adaptation data to said function for regulating the braking force distribution of the vehicle combination.

[0063] A third control unit 205 is arranged for communication with the first control unit 200 via a link L205. The third control unit may be detachably connected to the first control unit. The third control unit may be a control unit external to the tractor vehicle 100. The third control unit may be arranged to perform the method steps according to the invention. The third control unit may crossload program code to the first control unit 200, particularly program code for conducting the method according to the invention. The third control unit may alternatively be arranged for communication with the first control unit via an internal network of the vehicle. The third control unit may be arranged to perform substantially similar functions to those of the first control unit.

[0064] FIG. 3a is a schematic flowchart illustrating a method pertaining to braking of a vehicle combination which comprises a tractor vehicle with a towed vehicle where both said tractor vehicle and said towed vehicle are arranged to be braked and where said tractor vehicle is provided with a first control unit comprising a function for regulation of coupling force between said tractor vehicle and said towed vehicle, where said regulation of coupling force comprises adaptation data and where said towed vehicle bears an ID specification. The method comprises a first step s301 comprising the steps of: [0065] transferring said ID specification from said towed vehicle to said tractor vehicle; [0066] during a braking process, registering adaptation data associated with said braking process together with said ID specification.

[0067] The method ends after step s301.

[0068] FIG. 3b illustrates schematically a flowchart illustrating a method pertaining to braking of a vehicle combination which comprises a tractor vehicle with a towed vehicle where both said tractor vehicle and said towed vehicle are arranged to be braked and where said tractor vehicle is provided with a first control unit comprising a function for regulation of coupling force between said tractor vehicle and said towed vehicle, where said regulation of coupling force comprises so-called adaptation data and where said towed vehicle bears an ID specification. Said regulation of coupling force between said tractor vehicle and said towed vehicle may be effected by continuously controlling the distribution of braking force between brake systems of said tractor vehicle and said towed vehicle.

[0069] The method comprises a first step s310 comprising the step of coupling said tractor vehicle 112 to said towed vehicle 110. Said coupling comprises the step of setting up a linking connection for communication between said first control unit 200 and said second control unit 210, e.g. via the link L210. Step s310 is followed by a step s320.

[0070] Method step s320 may comprise the step of transfering said ID specification from said second control unit 210 to said first control unit 200, which may take place automatically. It may take place in response to a demand sent from said first control unit to said second control unit. Step s320 is followed by a step s330.

[0071] Method step s330 may comprise the step of responding to coupling of said tractor vehicle 110 to said towed vehicle 112 with a certain ID specification by determining whether said tractor vehicle's first control unit 200 has adaptation data already registered in it which pertain to the respective towed vehicle. If said tractor vehicle's first control unit has adaptation data already registered in it which pertain to the respective towed vehicle, i.e. “Yes”, a step s340 follows. If said tractor vehicle's first control unit does not have adaptation data already registered in it which pertain to the respective towed vehicle, i.e. “No”, a step s350 follows.

[0072] Method step s340 may comprise the step of providing said function for regulation of coupling force between said tractor vehicle 110 and said towed vehicle 112 with adaptation data thus registered. Step s340 may comprise the step of using these already registered adaptation data as a basis for said function for regulation of coupling force between said tractor vehicle and said towed vehicle. Step s340 is followed by a step s350.

[0073] Method step s350 comprises the step, during at least one braking process of the vehicle combination 100, of registering adaptation data associated with said braking process together with said ID specification in a memory of the first control unit 200. This registration takes place with advantage automatically, obviating any need for interaction with the driver of the vehicle.

[0074] The method ends after step s350.

[0075] FIG. 4 is a diagram of one version of a device 500. The control units 200, 205 and 210 described with reference to FIG. 2 may in one version comprise the device 500 which itself comprises a non-volatile memory 520, a data processing unit 510 and a read/write memory 550. The non-volatile memory 520 has a first memory element 530 in which a computer program, e.g. an operating system, is stored for controlling the function of the device 500. The device 500 further comprises a bus controller, a serial communication port, I/O means, an A/D converter, a time and date input and transfer unit, an event counter and an interruption controller (not depicted). The non-volatile memory 520 has also a second memory element 540.

[0076] A computer program P is proposed for control of braking of a vehicle combination which comprises a tractor vehicle with a towed vehicle where both said tractor vehicle and said towed vehicle are arranged to be braked and where said tractor vehicle is provided with a first control unit comprising a function for regulation of coupling force between said tractor vehicle and said towed vehicle, where said regulation of coupling force comprises so-called adaptation data and where said towed vehicle bears an ID specification.

[0077] Said ID specification may be stored in a non-volatile memory 520.

[0078] The computer program P may comprise routines for transfering said ID specification from said towed vehicle to said tractor vehicle, which may take place automatically. The program may comprise routines for registering, during a braking process, adaptation data associated with said braking process together with said ID specification.

[0079] The computer program P may comprise routines for providing said function for regulation of coupling force between said tractor vehicle and said towed vehicle with adaptation data thus registered. The program may comprise routines for responding to coupling of said tractor vehicle to a towed vehicle with a certain ID specification by determining whether said tractor vehicle's first control unit has adaptation data already registered in it which pertain to the respective towed vehicle. The program may comprise routines for using these already registered adaptation data as a basis for said function for regulation of coupling force between said tractor vehicle and said towed vehicle. The program may comprise routines for using said tractor vehicle's first control unit to continuously register adaptation data and ID specifications for different towed vehicles coupled to the tractor vehicle. This continuous registration takes place with advantage automatically.

[0080] The program P may be stored in an executable form or in compressed form in a memory 560 and/or in a read/write memory 550.

[0081] Where the data processing unit 510 is described as performing a certain function, it means that the data processing unit conducts a certain part of the program stored in the memory 560 or a certain part of the program stored in the read/write memory 550.

[0082] The data processing device 510 can communicate with a data port 599 via a data bus 515. The non-volatile memory 520 is intended for communication with the data processing unit 510 via a data bus 512. The separate memory 560 is intended to communicate with the data processing unit via a data bus 511. The read/write memory 550 is arranged to communicate with the data processing unit via a data bus 514. The links L205 and L210 for example may be connected to the data port (see FIG. 2).

[0083] When data are received on the data port 599, they are stored temporarily in the second memory element 540. When input data received have been temporarily stored, the data processing unit 510 will be prepared to conduct code execution as described above. In one version signals received on the data port contain information about a demand for an ID specification, said ID specification, adaptation data concerning said towed vehicle.

[0084] Parts of the methods herein described may be conducted by the device 500 by means of the data processing unit 510 which runs the program stored in the memory 560 or the read/write memory 550. When the device 500 runs the program, methods herein described are executed.

[0085] The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention has been provided to illustrate and describe the invention. It is not intended to be exhaustive, nor to restrict the invention to the variants described. Many modifications and variations will obviously suggest themselves to one skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order best to explain the principles of the invention and their practical applications and thereby make it possible for one skilled in the art to understand the invention for different embodiments and with the various modifications appropriate to the intended use.