DE102022208163A1 - Method and security element for checking a vehicle fuse - Google Patents

Abstract

Vehicle securing element for placing under a vehicle wheel, comprising a sensor unit, energy supply means and a transmitting/receiving unit, characterized in that the sensor unit has a position sensor through which at least one storage and one securing position can be detected.

Description

The present invention relates to a method and security element for checking a vehicle fuse of a vehicle. Furthermore, an arrangement for vehicle security and a computer program product are included. Appropriate safety measures should be taken to prevent the vehicle from rolling away unintentionally.

DE 10 2014 106 931 A1 discloses a wheel chock for placing under a commercial vehicle wheel as a means of securing stability, in particular against slipping, rolling away or driving away. The chock has signaling means for sending a positioning signal to a receiving means. The energy for the signaling means is generated wirelessly by drive means, in particular by a pressing movement when placing the wedge under the vehicle wheel.

DE 10 2019 207 560 A1 relates to a load securing system for an at least partially autonomous vehicle and a method for transporting a load in a loading space of an at least partially autonomous vehicle. A sensor unit includes at least one sensor that is set up to detect the state of at least one load securing device. The sensor is formed from an optical sensor, a photomixing detector, an RGB-D camera, a stereo camera and/or a lidar system, an ultrasonic sensor, a radar sensor, a mechanical sensor, an optical switch and/or a combination thereof. According to the invention, the load securing system determines whether it is necessary to secure the load using a load securing means (16), the load only being transported autonomously if the load has previously been determined to be secured by means of the load securing means or if the load has to be secured using the load securing means is not necessary.

The object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle security element using simple means, which enables an improved and simplified method for checking vehicle security.

The task is solved with the present invention. In particular, the vehicle securing element according to the invention provides a suitable securing means for placing under a vehicle wheel. The vehicle security element includes a sensor unit, energy supply means and a transmitter/receiver unit. The sensor unit consists of or has a position sensor, through which at least one storage and one securing position can be detected.

In a simple embodiment, the vehicle securing element is designed as a so-called wheel chock or wheel chock, which is placed in front of or under a wheel of a vehicle or a trailer and thus prevents it from rolling away unintentionally. Furthermore, a position sensor in the sense of the present invention describes a sensor for position and position determination. In particular, an angle of an object is measured in relation to gravity, in this case the position of the vehicle securing element. The sensor unit can also have a processor unit for processing or processing signals. Energy supply means can be designed in the simplest form as a battery, accumulator, capacitor or the like. In general, the intended design can be characterized by the fact that energy is provided for the sensor unit and the sense/receiver unit. The energy supply means can be rechargeable or equipped with an energy storage device for one-time use. Furthermore, it can be provided that the energy supply means can be replaced if necessary. An interface can also be provided on the energy supply means, by means of which energy is supplied. This interface can be connected contactless (e.g. inductively) or using suitable electrical lines and contact points and can provide or transmit electrical energy. The transmitting/receiving unit is designed to send signals and information to a decentralized receiving unit and sometimes to receive signals and information. In general, the transmitter/receiver unit is suitable for data exchange. The transmitter/receiver unit is advantageously designed to be wireless, so that it can send and receive information via radio signal. For example, Bluetooth, WLAN, RFID, NFC, GPRS, UMTS, LTE, NB-IoT, 868 MHz and the like are suitable as a standard for signal transmission. Priority should be given to using standards with low energy requirements, such as Bluetooth Low Energy.

In the present case, the storage position of the vehicle security element describes a position that differs significantly from the security position and can be clearly identified and differentiated using the position sensor. The securing position is to be understood in particular as meaning a position in which the securing element is placed on or under a wheel of a vehicle. In this position, the vehicle security element is positioned horizontally, i.e. typically on a road. On the other hand, vehicle security elements are activated while the vehicle in question is driving Storage position in which they are typically fixed vertically, i.e. rotated by 90 ° to the securing position, in a holding device. The holding device is often attached to a fender or a wheel guard or a wheel cover. It can also be attached to a body or vehicle frame. In the same way, vehicle security elements can be attached to a trailer.

With regard to the assignment of a position, tolerance ranges can be provided which allow a deviation from the 90° specification or the differentiation between securing and storage positions. In other words, it is intended to express that the securing position corresponds almost or essentially to a horizontal positioning and the storage position sometimes corresponds to an almost or essentially vertical positioning.

In a possible further development, the vehicle security element has a display device which is designed to output an information signal. In particular, an indication signal is output as to whether the vehicle security element was attached correctly and/or incorrectly. The correct attachment is characterized in particular by whether the corresponding vehicle security element has been moved from a storage position to a security position. Furthermore, an individual vehicle securing element can be assigned to an axle, so that the correct attachment includes, in addition to the presence of the securing position, also the attachment to the correct vehicle axle. In addition, the position sensor can be used to detect whether the vehicle is on a slope or an incline, so that correct attachment of the vehicle securing element is checked to see whether the vehicle securing element was attached in front of (slope) or behind (incline) the axle.

The relevant output of the information signal can be carried out by appropriate output means. The output can be optical (LED/lights, sometimes including color differentiation, an indication on a display), acoustic (signal tone) or tactile (vibration). The means of expenditure would have to be designed accordingly. Alternatively or additionally, a signal can be transmitted via the transmitter/receiver unit to a computing unit or an application on a smartphone, a tablet PC or a human-machine interface (input/display) in the vehicle, so that a message is output here .

According to a further aspect of the present invention, this relates to a method for checking a vehicle fuse. In this case, a storage and/or a securing position of a vehicle security element of the type described above can be detected, with a check being carried out at the start of a parking process by means of the detection of the storage and/or security position as to whether vehicle security elements are attached in a sufficient number and/or in the correct position are. In particular, based on vehicle-specific parameters (vehicle mass, load status, expected parking duration, work task during the parking process) and/or environmental parameters (slope, slope, level), a recommendation or specification can be issued as to which axle or how many vehicle safety elements are to be provided. If vehicle security elements have not been installed in sufficient numbers or in the correct position, a corresponding signal is issued.

In a further development of the method, a signal about the current position of the vehicle security element is cyclically sent out. This allows changes in relation to the vehicle security elements to be detected at an early stage, particularly if such a vehicle security element is removed without authorization. As a result, a corresponding information signal can then be issued. In addition, a status about the position of the vehicle security element can be kept up to date by sending the signal cyclically. Depending on your needs or requirement profile, the cycle can be designed in a range of seconds, minutes or even hours. In highly critical applications, a short cycle of seconds is sometimes suitable; to reduce energy consumption over a long service life, the cycle can sometimes be longer (minutes, hours, ...). In a further development it can be provided that the cyclic transmission of the signal takes place exclusively in the safety position. Accordingly, the cyclic transmission of the signal while the vehicle security element is in the storage position would be deactivated. A corresponding function could be activated/deactivated via the position sensor.

In addition to or as an alternative to the cyclic transmission of the signal, a signal about the current position can be sent out with every change in position of the vehicle security element.

In a further development, the signal about the current position is sent out with a time delay after a change in position of the vehicle security element. This makes it possible, for example, to avoid false triggering or incorrect information during handling of the vehicle security element.

In a further development of the method it is provided that a gradient or an incline of the route is compensated for. This is to be understood as meaning that a deviation from the horizontal or vertical alignment of the vehicle security element due to an incline or gradient is compensated for in such a way that a constant deviation is interpreted as an incline or gradient of the route. Accordingly, a resulting offset can be added to a horizontal or a vertical. In addition, a gradient or an incline in the route can also be compensated for by using an angle of the change in position to determine the position. As a result, the offset in a securing position and a storage position of the vehicle securing element are identical when the vehicle stops or parks on a slope or an incline. Therefore, the change in position is decisive.

Alternatively or in addition to this, it is provided that when a parking process is detected, a message about a number of vehicle security elements to be installed is issued, taking into account environmental and vehicle parameters. A parking process can be recognized by deactivating the vehicle's engine, activating a parking brake and/or by making a corresponding input. Environmental parameters describe in particular an incline or a gradient, which results in an increase in the number of vehicle security elements compared to a parking process on flat terrain. The vehicle parameters are primarily parameters that represent a loading condition and thus a total vehicle mass. The higher the total vehicle mass, i.e. the higher the load in particular, the more vehicle securing elements must sometimes be provided. A wheel load can also be taken into account, according to which the securing element is to be provided primarily on the wheel with the highest wheel load.

According to the invention, an arrangement for securing the vehicle is also provided. This includes a vehicle security element in the sense of the invention, a decentralized receiving unit and a computing unit, the computing unit being designed to output a signal about vehicle security elements to be attached, correctly and/or incorrectly attached vehicle security elements or missing vehicle security elements. In one embodiment, the decentralized receiving unit can be provided in the computing unit or designed as a separate element. The computing unit, like the decentralized receiving unit in a control unit of the vehicle, can be provided as a separate unit or as a remote unit. In particular, the remote unit can be executed remotely on a smartphone, a tablet PC or a decentralized computer.

In a further development according to the invention, an interface for energy transmission is provided on a receptacle for the vehicle security element, whereby energy is supplied to the energy supply means of the vehicle security element while it is stored in the receptacle. The interface can be connected contactless (e.g. inductively) or by means of suitable electrical lines and contact points and can provide or transmit electrical energy.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, this relates to a computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause it to carry out the method according to the invention. The computer can, for example, be the computing unit of the arrangement according to the invention. Alternatively, the computer can also be integrated into the transmitter/receiver unit. Furthermore, the computer program product can be executed remotely on a smartphone, a tablet PC or via a computer.

• 1: ein Fahrzeug mit einem Fahrzeugsicherungselement;
• 2a: ein Fahrzeugsicherungselement in einer Sicherungsposition;
• 2b: ein Fahrzeugsicherungselement in einer Aufbewahrungsposition;
• 3: die Anbringung eines Fahrzeugsicherungselements an einem Fahrzeug in der Sicherungsposition;
• 4: die Anbringung eines Fahrzeugsicherungselements in der Aufbewahrungsposition.

The present invention is explained in more detail using the following figures. Show it:

• 1 : a vehicle with a vehicle security element;
• 2a : a vehicle security element in a security position;
• 2 B : a vehicle security element in a storage position;
• 3 : the attachment of a vehicle security element to a vehicle in the security position;
• 4 : the installation of a vehicle security element in the storage position.

In 1 a vehicle 1 is shown with a vehicle security element 2. The vehicle 1 is designed as a commercial vehicle or truck with a front axle 3 and a rear axle 4. Wheels 5 are attached to the front and rear axles 3, 4 and stand on a track 6 or roll on it while the vehicle 1 is traveling. The vehicle securing element 2 is designed as a wheel chock and is attached with a receptacle 7 to a wheel guard 8 or fender of the rear axle 4 in a storage position 0. The vehicle security element 2 is arranged vertically, i.e. perpendicular to the route 6. Furthermore, in 1 a computing unit 14 is shown, which is connected to the vehicle Vehicle security element 2 or a transmitter/receiver unit 10 communicates wirelessly - i.e. exchanges data or signals.

2a shows a more detailed view of the vehicle security element 2. In addition to a sensor unit 9, the transmitting/receiving unit 10 and an energy supply means 11 are also shown schematically, with the sensor unit 9, the transmitting/receiving unit and the energy supply means being connected to one another in a signal and energy transmission manner. This is made clear by the connection using dashed lines. In the illustration shown here, the vehicle securing element 2 is in the securing position I. The vehicle securing element 2 is arranged horizontally, i.e. horizontally to the route 6, not shown here. The vehicle securing element 2 has a concavely curved contact area 12, which is intended for contact with the wheel 5 in question.

However, shows 2 B a more detailed view of the vehicle security element 2 according to the previous description, but now in storage position 0.

3 shows the attachment of the vehicle security element 2 in a parked state of the vehicle 1. However, only a section of the vehicle 1, in particular the rear axle 4 with the wheel 5, is shown. The vehicle securing element 2 is attached in front of the wheel 5 and rests on the wheel 5 with the contact area 12. The vehicle securing element 2 rests on the track 6 with a support surface 13. This prevents the vehicle 1 from rolling away in the direction of the vehicle securing element 2. Depending on the design, it can be provided that a further vehicle securing element 2 is provided on the opposite side of the wheel 5 in order to prevent rolling away in an opposite direction. The vehicle securing elements 2, which act in opposite directions, can also be attached to different wheels 5 of an axle 3, 4 or to wheels 5 of different axles 3, 4 instead of on one and the same wheel 5.

4 still shows the attachment of the vehicle securing element 2 in a driving state of the vehicle 1 or in a stopping state, which does not require any protection against unintentional rolling away. As before in 3 The entire vehicle 1 is not shown, but rather a section of the rear axle 4. In the present case, however, this is not as shown in 1 and 3 as a single rear axle 4, but as a double rear axle 4 or tandem axle with two wheels 5 on each side of the vehicle. In the illustration, the vehicle securing element is locked in the receptacle 7, with the vehicle securing element 2 therefore being in the storage position 0, i.e. in a vertical arrangement to the route 6.

Reference symbols

1

vehicle

2

Vehicle security element

3

Front axle

4

rear axle

5

wheel

6

route

7

Recording

8th

Wheel protection

9

Sensor unit

10

Transmitter/receiver unit

11

Energy supply means

12

Investment area

13

Support surface

14

Computing unit

I

Backup position

0

Storage position

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102014106931 A1 [0002]
• DE 102019207560 A1 [0003]

Claims (11)

Vehicle securing element (2) for placing under a vehicle wheel (5), comprising a sensor unit (9), energy supply means (11) and a transmitting/receiving unit (10), characterized in that the sensor unit (9) has a position sensor through which at least a storage (0) and a security position (I) can be detected. Vehicle security element (2). Claim 1 , characterized in that the vehicle security element (2) has a display device which is designed to output an information signal when it is correctly and/or incorrectly attached. Method for checking a vehicle security, characterized in that a storage (0) and a security position (I) can be detected with a vehicle security element (2) according to one of the preceding claims, with the start of a parking process by means of the detection of the storage (0) and/or securing position (I) a check is carried out as to whether vehicle securing elements (2) are attached in sufficient numbers and/or in the correct position (I, 0). Procedure according to Claim 3 , characterized in that a signal about the current position (I, 0) of the vehicle security element (2) is cyclically sent out. Procedure according to one of the Claims 3 or 4 , characterized in that a signal about the current position (I, 0) is sent out with every change in position of the vehicle security element (2). Procedure according to one of the Claims 3 until 5 , characterized in that after a change in position of the vehicle security element (2), a signal about the current position (I, 0) is sent out with a time delay. Procedure according to one of the Claims 3 until 6 , characterized in that a gradient or an incline of a route (6) is compensated. Procedure according to one of the Claims 3 until 7 , characterized in that when a parking process is detected, taking environmental and vehicle parameters into account, an indication of the number of vehicle security elements (2) to be installed is issued. Arrangement for vehicle security, comprising a vehicle security element (2) according to one of Claims 1 or 2 , a decentralized receiving unit and a computing unit (14), the computing unit (24) being designed to output a signal about vehicle security elements (2) to be attached, correctly and/or incorrectly attached vehicle security elements (2) or missing vehicle security elements (2). Arrangement for vehicle security Claim 9 , characterized in that an interface for energy transmission is provided on a receptacle (7) for the vehicle security element (2), whereby energy is supplied to the energy supply means (11) of the vehicle security element (2) during storage in the receptacle (7). Computer program product, comprising commands which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause it to carry out the method according to one of the Claims 3 until 8th to carry out.

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