ELECTRONIC BRAKE SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

Disclosed is an electronic brake system for a vehicle, the electronic brake system including one or more electronic components, with at least one electronic control unit. The electronic brake system also includes one or more devices for establishing wireless communications. In the electronic brake system, at least one of the devices for establishing wireless communications is integrated within one of the electronic components or in a unit that contains one of the electronic components.

Claims

1. An electronic brake system for a vehicle, the electronic brake system comprising one or more electronic components with at least one electronic control unit, and one or more devices for establishing wireless communications, wherein at least one of the devices for establishing wireless communications is integrated within one of the electronic components or in a unit that contains one of the electronic components.

2. The electronic brake system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic control unit is part of a modulator for the brake system and that at least one of the devices for establishing the wireless communications is integrated within the modulator.

3. The electronic brake system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a display and operating unit is provided as electronic components and that at least one of the devices for establishing the wireless communications is integrated within the display and operating unit.

4. The electronic brake system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a nosebox is provided as electronic components and that at least one of the devices for establishing the wireless communications is integrated within the nosebox.

5. The electronic brake system as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the following devices is provided as a device for establishing the wireless communications: a) a WLAN module, b) a telematics module with a navigation function and a mobile radio function, c) a tire pressure monitoring module, and d) a Bluetooth module.

6. The electronic brake system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the telematics module is integrated within a modulator for the electronic brake system.

7. The electronic brake system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the WLAN module is integrated within a modulator for the electronic brake system.

8. The electronic brake system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the tire pressure monitoring module is integrated within a modulator for the electronic brake system.

9. The electronic brake system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the telematics module is integrated within a nosebox.

10. The electronic brake system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the WLAN module is integrated within a nosebox.

11. The electronic brake system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the WLAN module is integrated within a display and operating unit.

12. The electronic brake system as claimed in claim 1, wherein vehicle data can be read out and/or vehicle functions can be controlled via the wireless interface.

13. A vehicle with an electronic brake system as claimed in claim 1.

14. A system, comprising: at least one of a modulator, a display and operating unit, and a nosebox for a trailer vehicle, each being for an electronic brake system with an electronic control unit, wherein at least one of the following devices is integrated within the at least one of the modulator, the display and operating unit, and the nosebox: a) a WLAN module, b) a telematics module, in particular with a navigation function and a mobile radio function, c) a tire pressure monitoring module, and d) a Bluetooth module.

15. (canceled)

16. (canceled)

17. The system of claim 14, comprising the modulator.

18. The system of claim 14, comprising the display and operating unit.

19. the system of claim 14, comprising the nosebox.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0043] The invention is described in greater detail below with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0044] FIG. 1 shows a representation of the prior art, namely a three-axle semitrailer with a nosebox and selected components of an electronic brake system (EBS),

[0045] FIG. 2 shows a representation similar to FIG. 1, but with a first exemplary embodiment according to the invention,

[0046] FIG. 3 shows a second exemplary embodiment according to the invention,

[0047] FIG. 4 shows a third exemplary embodiment according to the invention, and

[0048] FIG. 5 shows a fourth exemplary embodiment according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, a semitrailer is generally shown at 10.

[0050] FIG. 1 is prior art and shows a semitrailer 10 with a nosebox 11 equipped with an electronic brake system (EBS) and a modulator 12. The nosebox 11 and the modulator 12 are connected together via a cable 13 according to ISO 11992. Connectors for connection to corresponding connectors of a towing vehicle that is not shown are disposed in the nosebox 11.

[0051] The modulator 12 is connected via a CAN bus 14 to different devices for establishing wireless communications, namely to a tire pressure monitoring module 15, a telematics module 16, a WLAN module 17 and a display and operating unit 18. The operation of the latter can be carried out via operating buttons, operating knobs and/or a touch sensitive display screen. The modules 15 through 17 mentioned need their own housing, interfaces and controller.

[0052] In the four exemplary embodiments according to the invention of FIGS. 2 through 5, the same reference numbers are given as in FIG. 1. In each case the semitrailer 10 is provided with a nosebox 11, a modulator 12 and a cable 13 according to ISO 11992. The further components of the system shown in FIG. 1 are not always marked in FIGS. 2 through 5, but can nevertheless be present. In particular, at least one CAN bus is generally present.

[0053] According to the first exemplary embodiment according to the invention (FIG. 2), the telematics module 16 and the WLAN module 17 are integrated within the modulator 12. As a result, the housing, interfaces and controller can be saved compared to the prior art, with a corresponding reduction in the total cost.

[0054] Alternatively, only one of the modules 16, 17 can also be integrated within the modulator 12.

[0055] The second exemplary embodiment according to the invention (FIG. 3) is very similar to the first exemplary embodiment. The tire pressure monitoring module 15 and the WLAN module 17 are integrated within the modulator 12. Alternatively, only one of the two modules 15, 17 can also be integrated within the modulator 12.

[0056] In the third exemplary embodiment according to the invention (FIG. 4), the nosebox 11 is expanded to accommodate the integrated telematics module 16 and the likewise integrated WLAN module 17. In this case, the two modules 16, 17 are connected to the cable 13, via which data can also be transferred. Alternatively, only one of the modules 16, 17 is integrated within the nosebox 11.

[0057] According to the fourth exemplary embodiment according to the invention (FIG. 5), the WLAN module 17 is integrated within the display and operating unit 18. The latter is connected to the CAN bus 14, as are modules 15 and 16.

[0058] The parts with the reference numbers 11, 12 and 18 are electronic components of the electronic brake system for the purposes of the invention, whereas modules 15, 16 and 17 are provided as devices for establishing wireless communications. In addition or alternatively, other modules with other wireless transmission technology can be provided, for example modules with Bluetooth radio technology. The tire pressure monitoring module 15 operates typically as a receiver for signals of tire pressure sensors at the frequency 433 MHz.

[0059] The exemplary embodiments according to the invention that are shown using FIGS. 2 through 5 are not exhaustive. The modules 15, 16 and 17 or others can be integrated within the electronic components 11, 12, 18 individually or jointly with other modules. Distribution is also possible in such a way that different modules are integrated within different electronic components.