SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN A TOWING VEHICLE AND A TOWED VEHICLE, AND A METHOD THEREOF

Abstract

A system for providing communication between a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle is provided. The system comprises a first communication device configured to be arranged in a rear end of the towing vehicle, and a second communication device configured to be arranged in a front end of the towed vehicle. The towing vehicle is provided with a first power transmission device arranged to be physically connected to a second power transmission device provided in the towed vehicle. The first and second communication devices are arranged on the first and second power transmission devices, respectively, such that in a power transmission connected state (PCS) the first and second communication devices are placed at a power transmission connected state distance (PCSD) from each other, wherein the power transmission connected state distance (PCSD) is less than a wireless communication range (COM-RAN).

Claims

1. A system for providing communication between a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle, said system comprising: a first communication device configured to be arranged in a rear end of the towing vehicle and connected to a towing vehicle control unit, the first communication device comprising a first transceiver for communicating with a second transceiver of a second communication device, and the second communication device configured to be arranged in a front end of the towed vehicle and connected to a towed vehicle control unit, the second communication device comprising the second transceiver for communicating with the first transceiver of the first communication device, wherein the towing vehicle is provided with a first power transmission device arranged to be physically connected to a second power transmission device provided in the towed vehicle, wherein the first and second communication devices are physically connected to the first and second power transmission devices, respectively, such that in a power transmission connected state (PCS) the first and the second communication devices are placed at a power transmission connected state distance (PCSD) from each other, wherein the power transmission connected state distance (PCSD) is less than a wireless communication range (COM-RAN) of the first and second communication devices.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication range (COM-RAN) is less than 1 cm in open air.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first power transmission device forms part of a first general transmission device, and the second power transmission device forms part of a second general transmission device, wherein the first general transmission device further comprises first physical connectors, and the second general transmission device further comprises second physical connectors such that control data can be transmitted via wired communication from the towing vehicle control unit to the towed vehicle control unit.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the control data is transmitted via the wireless communication as well as the wired communication.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first power transmission device is formed as a plug socket and the second power transmission device is formed as a plug.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein a data communication failure indication is transmitted from the first communication device to the towing vehicle control unit in case no data is transmitted from the second communication device to the first communication device when in the power transmission connected state (PCS).

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first communication device is complemented by an additional first communication device, and the second communication device is complemented by an additional second communication device.

8. A towing vehicle arranged to be connected to a towed vehicle, said towing vehicle comprising: a towing vehicle control unit, a first communication device and a first power transmission device, wherein the towing vehicle is provided with a first power transmission device arranged to be physically connected to a second power transmission device provided in the towed vehicle, wherein the first and second communication devices are physically connected to the first and second power transmission devices, respectively, such that in a power transmission connected state (PCS) the first and the second communication devices are placed at a power transmission connected distance (PCSD) from each other, wherein the power transmission connected state (PCSD) is less than a wireless communication range (COM-RAN) of the first and second communication devices.

9. A method for operating a system for providing communication between a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle, said system comprising a first communication device configured to be arranged in a rear end of the towing vehicle and connected to a towing vehicle control unit, the first communication device comprising a first transceiver for communicating with a second transceiver of a second communication device, the second communication device being configured to be arranged in a front end of the towed vehicle and connected to a towed vehicle control unit, the second communication device comprising the second transceiver for communicating with the first transceiver of the first communication device, wherein the towing vehicle is provided with a first power transmission device arranged to be physically connected to a second power transmission device provided in the towed vehicle, wherein the first and second communication devices are physically connected to the first and second power transmission devices, respectively, such that in a power transmission connected state (PCS) the first and the second communication devices are placed at a power transmission connected state distance (PCSD) from each other, wherein the power transmission connected state distance (PCSD) is less than a wireless communication range (COM-RAN) of the first and second communication devices, said method comprising: identifying that the first and second power transmission devices are in the power transmission connected state (PCS), and providing wireless communication between the first and second communication devices.

10. The method according to claim 9, said method further comprising in case no data is transmitted from the second communication device to the first communication device, transmitting a data communication failure indication to the towing vehicle control unit.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein steps of the method are embodied as a computer program product comprising program code and are performed when executed by the system.

12. The method according to claim 9, wherein steps of the method are stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions, and when executed by the system, cause the towing vehicle control unit to perform the steps of the method.

13. The method according to claim 9, further comprising: mounting the first communication device in a rear end of the towing vehicle and/or the second communication device in a front end of the towed vehicle such that the first and second communication devices are placed at the power transmission connected state distance (PCSD) in the power connected state (PCS), and uploading instructions to the towing vehicle control unit to provide for wireless communication between the first and second communication devices upon identification of that the first and second communication devices are in the power transmission connected state (PCS).

14. The towing vehicle of claim 8 further comprising a first general transmission device configured to be arranged in a rear end of the towing vehicle and connected to a towing vehicle control unit, said first general transmission device comprising: a first power transmission device arranged to be physically connected with a second power transmission device of a second general transmission device configured to be arranged in a front end of a towed vehicle in a power transmission connected state (PCS), and a first communication device comprising a first transceiver for communicating with a second transceiver of a second communication device of the second general transmission device, wherein the first communication device is physically connected to the first power transmission device such that, in the power connected state (PCS), the first and the second communication devices are placed at a power transmission connected state distance (PCSD) from each other, wherein the power transmission connected state distance (PCSD) is less than a wireless communication range (COM-RAN) of the first and second communication devices.

15. The towing vehicle of claim 8 further comprising a second general transmission device configured to be arranged in a front end of a towed vehicle and connected to a towed vehicle control unit, said second general transmission device comprising: a second power transmission device arranged to be physically connected with a first power transmission device of a first general transmission device configured to be arranged in a rear end of a towing vehicle in a power transmission connected state (PCS), and a second communication device comprising a second transceiver for communicating with a first transceiver of a first communication device of the first general transmission device, wherein the second communication device is physically connected to the second power transmission device such that, in the power connected state (PCS), the first and the second communication devices are placed at a power transmission connected state distance (PCSD) from each other, wherein the power transmission connected state distance (PCSD) is less than a wireless communication range (COM-RAN) of the first and second communication devices.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] With reference to the appended drawings, below follows a more detailed description of aspects of the disclosure cited as examples.

[0037] FIG. 1 is an example of a towing vehicle connected to a towed vehicle via a system for providing communication between the two according to one example.

[0038] FIG. 2A is an example of a first general transmission device placed in a rear end of the towing vehicle.

[0039] FIG. 2B is an example of a second general transmission device placed in a front end of the towed vehicle.

[0040] FIG. 2C is an example of a first and a second general transmission device with a void space formed between the first and second communication device in a plugged in state.

[0041] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating the system illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0042] FIG. 4 is another flowchart illustrating a method for upgrading the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle with the system.

[0043] FIG. 5 is another view of FIG. 1, according to another example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] Aspects set forth below represent the necessary information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure.

[0045] The increased demand for data communication between a towing vehicle, such as a truck, and a towed vehicle, such as a trailer or a dolly, gives rise to a number of technical challenges. A first challenge is to provide sufficient bandwidth. Current communication standards between towing vehicles and towed vehicles are primarily focused on physical connectors, e.g. a plug and socket combination offering wired communication. In case, cameras or other two-dimensional sensors are to be arranged on the towed vehicle, the plug and socket combination commonly used today becomes a problem. In order to solve the bandwidth problem, it has been proposed to transmit image data and other sensor data between the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle via wireless communication. Even though the bandwidth bottleneck problem can be overcome, such approach comes with other challenges. One such challenge is how to assure that the communication is not disrupted, either by accident or willfully by using e.g. jamming devices. Another challenge is how to ensure that the data being sent between the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle is not tampered with. Even though this could be achieved by encrypting the data, the encryption comes with the costs of increased complexity, time losses and increased energy cost.

[0046] Different solutions to the above problems have been proposed. For instance, it has been suggested that communication devices can be shielded in different ways for reducing the risk of jamming. Even though many of the proposed solutions have proven useful, there is still a need for reliable and efficient data transmission technology for the specific situation with the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle.

[0047] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a towing vehicle 100, herein illustrated as a truck, connected to a towed vehicle 102, herein illustrated as a trailer. To provide power transmission as well as data communication between the two, a system 104 is provided. The system 104 can comprise a first communication device 106 linked to the towing vehicle 100, and a second communication device 108, linked to the towed vehicle 102. The first communication device 106 can be connected via wire to a towing vehicle control unit 110. This unit may be any device configured to receive and transmit data, process data and store data. In a similar manner, the second communication device 108 may be connected to a towed vehicle control unit 112. The two control units 110, 112 may be similar devices, but they may also be different. For instance, the vehicle control unit 110 may be configured to communicate with cloud services, which may not be the case for the towed vehicle control unit 112. The towing vehicle control unit 110 and the towed vehicle control unit 112 may be equipped to process the data on their own, in combination or they may each act as a gateway and transfer the data to e.g. a remote server for having the data processed externally.

[0048] In addition to the first and second communication devices 106, 108, a first power transmission device 114, linked to the towing vehicle 100, and a second power transmission device 116, linked to the towed vehicle 102, can be provided. The first power transmission device 114 may be formed as a power outlet and the second power transmission device 116 may be formed as a power inlet such that power can be transmitted from the towing vehicle 100 to the towed vehicle 102. Put differently, electronic equipment, such as lamps, of the towed vehicle 102 may be powered by a battery held in the towing vehicle 100. The power transmission may however also be in an opposite direction, i.e. from the towed vehicle 102 to the towing vehicle 100. Powering the towing vehicle 100 via a battery held in the towed vehicle 102 may be advantageous in a situation in which the battery of the towing vehicle is low.

[0049] The first communication device 106 may be equipped with a first transceiver 118 arranged for communicating with a second transceiver 120 comprised in the second communication device 108. The first communication device 106 may be covered by a first housing 122 such that the first communication device 106 is shielded from dirt, water or other external factors. In a similar manner, a second housing 124 may cover the second communication device 108.

[0050] Since communication between the towing vehicle 100 and the towed vehicle 102 may at times be critical. For instance, in case of heavy traffic and bad weather, image data from cameras placed on the towed vehicle 102 may be crucial for making reliable decisions on lane changes or other similar situations. To reduce the risk of machine failure, an additional first communication device 126 and an additional second communication device 128 can be provided. By having a pair of first communication devices and a pair of second communication devices, a back-up can be provided in case the ordinary for one reason or the other is down. In addition to increased safety, the additional first and second communication devices 126, 128 may allow longer service intervals for the system 104.

[0051] As illustrated, in a power transmission connected state PCS the first and second communication devices 106, 108 can be placed at a power transmission connected state distance PCSD from each other. The first and second communication devices 106, 108 can be mounted with respect to the first and second power transmission devices 114, 116 such that the power transmission connected state distance PCSD is equal or less than a wireless communication range COM-RAN of the first and second communication devices 106, 108. In the power transmission connected state PCS, a PCS plane 130 may be formed between the first and second power transmission devices 114, 116.

[0052] In case the system 104 is embodied as a plug and plug socket, as illustrated, the power transmission connected state PCS may be a plugged in state PIS. In such embodiment, in the power transmission connected state PCS, coinciding with the plugged in state PIS, the PCS plane 130 may be a plane formed by a surface of the first power transmission device 114 from which pins are protruding and by a surface of the second power transmission device 116 in which slots for receiving the pins are provided. In addition to the PCS plane 130, in the plug and socket embodiment, a socket front plane 132 may be provided. The socket front plane 132 may be a plane in which a socket opening for receiving the plug is provided.

[0053] The power transmission may be made in different ways. For instance, two pins and ground may be used. The size and shape, such as cross-sectional area, of the pins may depend on the voltage applied during the power transmission. The voltages that can be applied may include 12V, 24V and 48V.

[0054] FIG. 2A illustrates by way of example a first general transmission device 200 comprising the first power transmission device 114 and the first communication device 106. Even though illustrated as a device with a flat connection surface, the device may also be embodied as a socket in line with FIG. 1. In addition, even though not illustrated, a lid may be provided to cover the openings when not being in the power transmission connected state PCS.

[0055] In the example illustrated in FIG. 2A, the first power transmission device 114 is embodied as two receiving slots in a first connection surface 210. In this surface 210, first physical connectors 204 can also be provided in the form of receiving slots for pins. The physical connectors 204 may be arranged for providing wired communication for receiving and/or transmitting the control data.

[0056] In the example illustrated, the first communication device 106 can be attached to a side section of the first general transmission device 200 resulting in that the first communication device 106 is placed at a first distance D-1 from the first connection surface 210. The first distance D-1 between the first connection surface 210 and the first communication device 106 may be equal or less than the wireless communication range COM-RAN between the first and second communication devices 106, 108. In case the plug and socket embodiment is used, the first distance D-1 may instead be calculated from the socket front plane 132.

[0057] FIG. 2B illustrates by way of example a second general transmission device 202, being interrelated to the first general transmission device 200 illustrated in FIG. 2A. The second general transmission device 202 is provided with second physical connectors 206, in the form of pins, provided on a second connection surface 212. In addition to the second physical connectors 206, one or more guiding pins 208 may be provided for assuring that the first and second general transmission devices 200, 202 can be connected with low or no risk of damaging the first or second physical connectors 204, 206. In the power transmission connected state PCS, the second connection surface 212 may be placed in the PCS plane 130.

[0058] The second communication device 108 may be attached to a side section of the second general transmission device 202 such that this is placed at a second distance D-2 from the second connection surface 212. This second distance D-2 between the second connection surface 212 and the second communication device 108 may be equal or less than a wireless communication range COM-RAN between the first and second communication devices 106, 108. In case the plug and socket embodiment is used, the second distance D-2 may instead be calculated from the socket front plane 132 when the first and second general transmission devices 200, 202 are in the plugged in state PIS.

[0059] FIG. 2C illustrates another example of the first and the second general transmission devices 202, 204. Unlike the examples illustrated in FIG. 1, FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, the first and second communication devices 106, 108 are in this example integrated into the first and second general transmission devices 202, 204, respectively, such that these are shielded. In addition to being shielded by being integrated, the first and second communication devices 106, 108 may be shielded by first and second plastic molds 214, 216, respectively. Such plastic molds can also be used in the other examples even though not illustrated.

[0060] As illustrated, in the plugged in state PIS, the first and second connectors 204, 206 can be put in physical contact such that e.g. control data and/or power can be transmitted. To avoid the risk of damaging the first and the second communication devices 106, 108, the first and second general transmission devices 200, 202 can be designed such that in the plugged in state PIS, a void space 218 is formed between the second communication device 106 and the first general transmission device 200. By having this void space 218, the first and second communication devices 104, 106 can be integrated, and thereby protected, without risking, or at least reducing the risk, that the first or second communication devices 106, 108 are damaged during plugging or unplugging. Even though illustrated that the second communication device 106 is abutting the void space 218, it is also possible to have the first communication device 104 abutting the void space 218. Still an option is to have both the first and second communication device 106, 104 abutting the void space 218. In addition, both the first and second communication devices 106, 104 may be integrated into the first and second general transmission devices 200, 202. Even though not illustrated in FIG. 2C, one or several guiding pins 208, as illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B can be provided for facilitating plugging and unplugging, and thereby reducing the risk of damaging the first and second communication devices 106, 108. Even though not illustrated, both the plug and the plug socket may be provided with pins and receiving slots. Further, also not illustrated, the receiving slots may be provided with sleeve-shaped portions. The first and second communication devices 106, 108 may respectively be placed inside such sleeve-shaped portions. Connectors associated with the receiving slots may be removed and also the pins, interrelated to the receiving slots in which the first and second communication devices 106, 108 may be placed, can be removed to avoid damaging the first and second communication devices 106, 108. Thus, by having the first communication devices 106 in a sleeve-shaped portion of the plug or plug socket and the second communication device 108 in a sleeve-shaped portion of the interrelated plug socket or plug, communication between the two can be established when the plug and plug socket are in the plugged in state PIS.

[0061] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating the system 104 for providing communication between the towing vehicle 100 and the towed vehicle 102. The method comprises identifying 302 that the first and second power transmission devices 114, 116 are in the power transmission connected state PCS, and providing 304 wireless communication between the first and second communication devices 106, 108. Since the power transmission connected state PCS indicates that the first and second communication 106, 108 are placed within their communication range COM-RAN, the identification of power transmission may trigger the initiation, or re-initiation, of the wireless communication.

[0062] Optionally, the method may further comprise, in case no data is transmitted from the second communication device 108 to the first communication device 106, transmitting 306 a data communication failure indication to the towing vehicle control unit 110. Since the power transmission connected state PCS indicates that the first and second communication devices 106, 108 are within the communication range COM-RAN, a likelihood that failed data communication is caused by internal factors of the first and second communication devices 106, 108 may be higher compared to other solutions in which no such link between power transmission and the communication range COM-RAN is provided.

[0063] Optionally, the method may further comprise providing 308 the wired communication between the first physical connectors 204 provided on the towing vehicle 100 and the second physical connectors 206 provided on the towed vehicle 102 such that control data can be transmitted via the wired communication from the towing vehicle control unit 110 to the towed vehicle control unit 112.

[0064] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for upgrading the towing vehicle 100 and/or the towed vehicle 102 with the system 104. The method 400 may comprise mounting 402 the first communication device 106 in the rear end of the towing vehicle 100 and the second communication device 108 in the front end of the towed vehicle 102 such that the first and second communication devices 106, 108 are placed at the power transmission connected state distance PCSD in the power connected state PCS, and uploading 404 instructions to the towing vehicle control unit 110 to provide for wireless communication between the first and second communication devices 106, 108 upon identification of that the first and second communication devices 106, 108 are in the power transmission connected state PCS.

[0065] FIG. 5 is another view of FIG. 1, according to another example. In this figure it is disclosed the system 104 for providing communication between the towing vehicle 100 and the towed vehicle 102, said system 104 comprising the first communication device 106 that can be configured to be arranged in a rear end of the towing vehicle 100 and connected to a towing vehicle control unit 110, the first communication device 106 comprising the first transceiver 118 for communicating with the second transceiver 120 of the second communication device 108, and the second communication device 108 that can be configured to be arranged in the front end of the towed vehicle 102 and connected to the towed vehicle control unit 112, the second communication device 108 comprising the second transceiver 120 for communicating with the first transceiver 118 of the first communication device 106, wherein the towing vehicle 100 can be provided with the first power transmission device 114 arranged to be physically connected to the second power transmission device 116 provided in the towed vehicle 102, wherein the first and second communication devices 106, 108 can be arranged on the first and second power transmission devices 114, 116, respectively, such that in the power transmission connected state PCS the first and the second communication devices 106, 108 can be placed at the power transmission connected state distance PCSD from each other, wherein the power transmission connected state distance PCSD can be less than the wireless communication range COM-RAN between the first and second communication devices 106, 108.

[0066] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms a, an, and the are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the term and/or includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms comprises, comprising, includes, and/or including when used herein specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[0067] It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0068] Relative terms such as below or above or upper or lower or horizontal or vertical may be used herein to describe a relationship of one element to another element as illustrated in the Figures. It will be understood that these terms and those discussed above are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being connected or coupled to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element, or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being directly connected or directly coupled to another element, there are no intervening elements present.

[0069] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0070] It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the aspects described above and illustrated in the drawings; rather, the skilled person will recognize that many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present disclosure and appended claims. In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed aspects for purposes of illustration only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the inventive concepts being set forth in the following claims.