TRUCK COMPLYING WITH THE AGREEMENT CONCERNING THE INTERNATIONAL CARRIAGE OF DANGEROUS GOODS BY ROAD (ADR)

Abstract

A truck adapted to transport Dangerous Goods. The truck includes a chassis on which is arranged a battery; a cab mounted on the chassis, a solar panel for charging the battery, said solar panel being arranged on cab roof. A first relay is configured to disconnect the battery and a second relay, distinctive from the first relay, configured to disconnect the solar panel. At least one manual control element is located in the cab configured to simultaneously open the first and second relays. A crash sensor detects a crash situation and an electronic control unit is configured to disconnect the second relay, the electronic control unit being connected to the crash sensor so that the crash sensor sends a signal to the electronic control unit when a crash situation is detected.

Claims

1. A truck adapted to transport Dangerous Goods, the truck being characterized in that it comprises: a chassis on which is arranged a battery; a cab mounted on the chassis, a solar panel for charging the battery, said solar panel being arranged on cab roof; a first relay configured to disconnect the battery and a second relay, distinctive from the first relay, configured to disconnect the solar panel; at least one manual control element, located inside the cab, configured to simultaneously open the first and second relays, a crash sensor for detecting a crash situation; and an electronic control unit which is connected between the crash sensor and the second relay, said electronic control unit being configured to open second relay when it receives a signal from the crash sensor corresponding to a crash situation.

2. The truck according to claim 1, wherein the crash sensor is an accelerometer comprising a moving element, such as a ball, configured to close one electrical terminal of the second relay, so that, in a crash situation, the displacement of moving element opens said electrical terminal of second relay.

3. The truck according to claim 1, wherein the crash sensor is located inside the cab.

4. The truck according to claim 1, characterized in that the truck includes another manual control element located on the chassis configured to simultaneously open the first and second relays.

5. The truck according to claim 1, wherein the truck comprises a converter located between the solar panel and the battery.

6. The truck according to claim 1, wherein the solar panel is configured to match a cab deflector.

7. A method for the management of a truck according to claim 1, said method comprising the following steps: A. Detecting a crash situation while the truck is in motion using the crash sensor and sending a signal of the crash situation to the electronic control unit, B. Disconnecting the solar panel through the second relay using the electronic control unit, C. Manually disconnecting the battery through the first relay using at least one manual control element.

8. The method for the management of the truck according to claim 7, wherein step C) is performed before step B).

9. The method according for the management of the truck to claim 8, wherein in step C), the manual opening of the first relay leads to the opening of the second relay.

10. The method for the management of the truck according to claim 7, wherein in step B), the second relay is opened during a crash situation.

11. The method for the management of the truck according to claim 8, wherein in step B), the electronic control unit opens the second relay.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] With reference to the appended drawings, below follows a more detailed description of embodiments of the invention cited as examples.

[0036] In the drawings:

[0037] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a truck complying with ADR according to one embodiment,

[0038] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the truck complying with ADR according to one embodiment,

[0039] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the truck complying with ADR according to one embodiment and

[0040] FIG. 4 is top view of a truck complying with ADR according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0041] The present description is given in an X, Y, Z referential where X is defined as the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1, Y is defined as the transversal direction and Z is defined as the vertical direction of the vehicle 1.

[0042] FIG. 1 shows a truck 1 complying with ADR, which is preferably a Diesel truck or more generally a truck equipped with an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE). In a variant not shown, the truck can also be an electric (EV) or hybrid truck vehicle (HEV), i.e. a truck using at least partly electric energy as a source of power.

[0043] In the example, the truck 1 comprises front wheels W1.

[0044] The truck 1 further comprises a cab 2 suitably mounted on a chassis and including an interior space 21 delimited by a right side 22, a left side 23, a floor (not shown) and a roof 24. In this example, the solar panel 3 including solar cells 31 are provided on said roof 24.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the truck 1 also includes at least one battery 5 arranged on the chassis. Typically, battery 5 is a 12V or 24V Acid-Lead battery. Advantageously, the solar cells 31 enable to recharge the battery 5 even when the ICE is off, for example when the truck is parked. This allows supplementing the battery especially for the case in which the occupant/driver of the vehicles uses greedy electrical devices at night, such as HVAC, phone/tablet chargers, TV, fridge and so on. In variant, the battery 5 may also be a Lithiumion battery (for an electric truck).

[0046] The truck 1 comprises a crash sensor 4 for detecting a crash situation and sending a signal of a crash situation to the electronic control unit (not shown). The electronic control unit then disconnects the second relay in case of crash situation. The crash sensor 4 may be an accelerometer capable of detecting a steep deceleration characteristic of a crash.

[0047] For example, the truck comprises at least two airbags between the occupants and hard surfaces, for example the dashboard and/or the steering wheel, within the vehicle, which diffuse the energy of the crash across a wider area. Another crash sensor may trigger the inflation of the airbag upon rapid deceleration, and within seconds allows the airbag to deflate.

[0048] Alternatively, a unique crash sensor is used to detect a crash situation and to automatically disconnect the second relay in case of crash situation and to trigger the inflation of airbags.

[0049] A first relay 6, which is better known as “master switch”, is provided to disconnect the battery 5, i.e. electrically isolate the battery.

[0050] A second relay 7 is provided to disconnect the solar panel 3. The second relay 7 is distinctive from the first relay 6. According to the present invention, the terms “disconnect” and “isolate” refer to the action of isolating the battery 5 or solar panel 3 from the rest of the electrical network, in particular the bus CAN 8, of the vehicle.

[0051] For example, first and second relays 6 and 7 are electronically controlled, which means that the two relays 6, 7 are controlled as a function of a control signal, preferably a digital or binary signal, that is sent to the relay.

[0052] In this example, the crash sensor 4 comprises a moving element, such as a ball, configured to close one electrical terminal, typically the negative terminal (mass) of the second relay, so that, in a crash situation, the displacement of moving element opens the mass of second relay.

[0053] Another manual control element 11 can be provided on vehicle chassis. This manual control element 11 can be operated by the firemen, which induces firstly the disconnection of the battery 5 and secondly, almost simultaneously, the disconnection of the solar panel(s) 3.

[0054] A voltage converter 9 may be located between the solar panel 3 and the battery 5. The voltage converter 9 transforms the voltage generated by the solar panel 3, for example about 50V, into a lower voltage power, for example 12V or 24V, which is used to charge the battery 5.

[0055] Usually, in case of a vehicle accident, firemen manually disconnect the vehicle battery before starting rescue operations. However, there is no way to disconnect the solar panel(s) since it is rare to install solar panels on trucks. Thus, there is a risk of explosions and fires. The truck adapted to transport Dangerous Goods according to the invention solves this problem by providing a system that automatically disconnects the solar panel when a crash situation is detected.

[0056] According to the present invention, when a crash situation is detected by the crash sensor 4. The crash sensor 4 sends a signal of the crash situation to an Electronic Control Unit ECU (not shown). The electronic control unit then opens the second relay 7 by sending the appropriate control signal to relay 7. The second relay 7 is thus open, thereby disconnecting solar panel 3.

[0057] Firemen can disconnect the battery 5 by disconnecting the battery terminals. In variant, firemen can disconnect the battery 5 by operating a manual control element 12 (if any) provided on the chassis in close proximity to the battery 5. In this case, the operation of control element 12 leads to the opening of the first relay 6 which in turn, leads to battery disconnection.

[0058] In addition, and in order to comply with the regulation in respect of the transport of Dangerous Goods by road, the manual control element 11 provided inside the truck cab 2 allows the driver to disconnect simultaneously the battery 5 and solar panel 3. Thus, said manual control element 11 may be used by the driver when parking inside a risky site, also known as SEVESO site. Cutting off all electric sources of the vehicle enables to make sure that there is no static electricity remaining and accordingly it prevents the apparition of a spark that may lead to an explosion or a fire in case of gas leak coming from outside of the vehicle.

[0059] When another manual control element 12 is provided on vehicle chassis, it can be operated by the firemen, which induces firstly the disconnection of the battery 5 and secondly, almost simultaneously, the disconnection of the solar panel(s) 3. Indeed, both relays 6 and 7 are connected with each other through CAN bus 8, which means that, if for any reason, second relay 7 is still closed when firemen arrive on crash location, relay 7 subsequently to the opening of first relay 6. In detail, before starting rescue operations, firemen operate manual control element 12, which triggers the opening of first relay 6. In turn, this information is sent through the CAN bus 8, which involves the opening of second relay 7 (if still closed after crash). Obviously, a reaction time exists, which means that the terms “almost simultaneously” mean that second disconnection occurs a few milliseconds after first disconnection.

[0060] This is the advantage of having a manual control element 12 in close proximity to the battery 5. It allows the firemen to manually open both relays 6 and 7 and to ensure that all electrical sources are switched off before starting rescuing operations. However, manual control element 12 remains optional as, normally, second relay 7 is automatically opened after a crash has occurred, which means that firemen normally only need to disconnect the vehicle battery 5 associated to first relay 6.

[0061] According to the present invention, a method for the management of the truck 1 comprises a step A) wherein the crash sensor 4 detects a crash situation while the truck is in motion. The crash sensor 4 sends a signal of the crash situation to the electronic control unit.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 3, in case of emergency situation, in a step B), the electronic control unit disconnects the second relay 7. The second relay 7 disconnects the solar panel 3. In step C), the manual control 12 opens the first relay 6 to manually disconnect the battery 5.

[0063] In one embodiment, step C) is performed before step B). Preferably, in step C), the manual opening of the first relay 6 leads to the opening of the second relay 7.

[0064] Alternatively, in step B), the second relay 7 is opened during a crash situation. Preferably, the second relay 7 is opened during a crash situation.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 4, the solar panel 3 is configured to match the deflector outside surface. In particular, the shape of the solar panel 3 is adapted to match the shape of the deflector 25.

[0066] By the provision of the truck and the method for the management of said truck according to the present invention, the advantage is to significantly improve the safety of the driver of the driver, surrounding people and emergency services in case of emergency situation.

[0067] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments 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 appended claims.