GB2476060A - Trailer proximity sensing system - Google Patents

Trailer proximity sensing system Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2476060A
GB2476060A GB0921533A GB0921533A GB2476060A GB 2476060 A GB2476060 A GB 2476060A GB 0921533 A GB0921533 A GB 0921533A GB 0921533 A GB0921533 A GB 0921533A GB 2476060 A GB2476060 A GB 2476060A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
cabin
trailer
units
sensor
controller
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0921533A
Other versions
GB0921533D0 (en
Inventor
Luke Malpass
James Philip Atherton
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB0921533A priority Critical patent/GB2476060A/en
Publication of GB0921533D0 publication Critical patent/GB0921533D0/en
Publication of GB2476060A publication Critical patent/GB2476060A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K35/00—Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D15/00—Steering not otherwise provided for
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D63/00—Motor vehicles or trailers not otherwise provided for
    • B62D63/06—Trailers
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S15/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of acoustic waves, e.g. sonar systems
    • G01S15/88—Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications
    • G01S15/93—Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes
    • G01S15/931—Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes of land vehicles
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S15/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of acoustic waves, e.g. sonar systems
    • G01S15/88—Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications
    • G01S15/93—Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes
    • G01S15/931—Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes of land vehicles
    • G01S2015/937—Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes of land vehicles sensor installation details
    • G01S2015/938—Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes of land vehicles sensor installation details in the bumper area

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Traffic Control Systems (AREA)

Abstract

There is provided a proximity awareness system for a cabin 1-trailer 2 combination comprising sensor arrangements mounted around the trailer 2 and/or cab1. The sensor units 4 comprise of a measurement device to determine the distance between the sensor unit 4 and obstacles within its path, and an intelligent device to interpret this information and communicate wired or wirelessly to the controller units 6, 7. The trailer control unit 7 receives data from the sensor units 4, processes the information and transmits the data to the cabin controller units 6 via wired or wireless signal. The cabin controller units 6 receives data from the sensor units 4, as well as receiving the sensor data from the trailer controller unit 7, and displays this information on its audio-visual display, located in the cabin 1.

Description

Description:
Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a proximity awareness system alerting of any obstacles within 360 degree proximity of a vehicle comprising a cabin-trailer combination. This invention is particular but not exclusively applicable to vehicles such as heavy goods vehicles, Wagons and Lorries.
Background of the Invention
In 2008, HGV's made up only 8% of traffic yet were involved in 40% of road accidents in that year alone, 31% involving death. The majority cause of these incidents were due to the HGV driver not being able to see what obstructions, including other vehicles, were around the proximity of their vehicle, in specific well known blind spots on the sides of the vehicle. There is therefore a clear need for an indication system for the HGV driver to be constantly and immediately alerted if any obstructions are within the proximity of their vehicle.
Objects and Summary of the Invention
It is an object of the present invention to provide proximity sensing devices that detect any obstacles within their range and transmit, in the form of wired or wireless signals, information related to the detected objects to a controller unit mounted in the cabin or trailer.
It is another object of the present invention to provide any number of controller units mounted on the trailer to receive information from a number of proximity sensing devices, and to transmit this information to any number of controllers mounted in the cabin via wired or wireless signals.
It is another object of the present invention to provide any number of controller units mounted on or inside the cabin to receive information from a number of proximity sensing devices, and data transmitted from any controllers mounted on the trailer, and display the information on an audiovisual display unit, typically but not limited to an LED display.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an audio warning in relation to any proximity information received from any controller unit that is determined to be within a critical range.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a pairing means between any wireless information exchange between controllers mounted on the cabin (1) -trailer(2) combination, so that no cross-contamination can occur between neighbouring controllers mounted on other cabins or trailers.
In summary, the present invention provides a proximity awareness system capable of detecting any obstacles within a specified distance up to 360 degrees around the cabin-trailer combination and display the distance information via audiovisual means inside the cabin. The proximity sensor units and controller units are powered directly from the available cabin and/or trailer power supply lines therefore being permanently on and as such a passive system, automatically energized when the cabin ignition system is energized, advantageous to the driver by not having to ever activate the device.
These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description.
Brief descriptions of the Drawings
Fig. 1 is a side view of a cabin-trailer combination showing all objects of the present invention and their possible locations, but not limited to position, quantity or arrangement.
Fig. 2 is a top-down view of a cabin-trailer combination showing all objects of the present invention and their possible locations, but not limited to position, quantity or arrangement.
Detailed Description of the invention
A HGV (3) includes a cabin (1) and a trailer (2). The cabin (1) is where the driver sits when driving.
Inside the cabin (1) is a display -in this embodiment the display is in the form of a cabin controller unit (6) with an embedded LED screen. The display (6) is mounted in the cabin (1) such that it is in a convenient view for the driver to easily see while driving. Advantageously all received distance and location information is capable of being accurately displayed on the cabin controller unit display (6) without the need for continual audio signals that are known by existing systems to interfere or otherwise distract the driver and reduce awareness instead of increasing it. Audio signals are typically used at very close distances or other situations where a higher profile warning is justifiable.
Proximity sensor units (4) are mounted around the trailer (2) both sides and the rear, and the cabin (1) both sides and front. Advantageously for easier installation, the proximity sensor arrangement may be reduced to having sensor on both sides of the trailer (2), or both sides of the cabin (1) or a combination of both, omitting any front and rear mounted sensors. Connection between sensor units (4) and controllers (6, 7) is via wired or wireless means. If wired connections are used, power to the sensor units (4) is supplied directly from the controller (6, 7), otherwise the power is wired from any available power source that is energized at or before the time of the controller it is to transmit to is energized, thereby always being operational whenever needed.
Each proximity sensor unit (4) is arranged to detect whether or not there are any obstacles within its proximity sensing range, and to relay this information to the controller unit (6, 7).
Sensors are placed in such a way to provide up to 360 degree of detection coverage, so that no obstacle of sufficient size, such as another small vehicle, could approach the cabin (1) or trailer (2) without activating at least one of the sensors (4).
The sensors (4) are transceivers, preferably ultrasonic-type, but other standard sensors well known to a person skilled in the art may also be used. A receiver and transmitter may be used in place of a single transceiver arranged in such a way to achieve the same operation.
Connection between controller units (6, 7) and other controller units (6, 7) is in the form of wired cable or wireless RE signals. Should wireless signals be the chosen form of connection, a pairing means is used for transmitted data such that no information is received or transmitted to or from controller units outside the proximity of the vehicles (3) operating range, such as other cabin-trailer combinations.
A pairing means is a means by which wireless information exchange between controller units (6, 7) is assured to have zero or little cross-contamination from wireless transmissions that do not originate from the cabin (1) -trailer (2) combination. The means include, but are not limited to, physical barriers to attenuate signals outside of the proximity of operation of the cabin (1) -trailer (2) combination, and wireless signal encryption techniques such as rolling-code authentication well known to anyone skilled in the art.
Trailer controller units (7) are arranged to obtain information from all sensor units (4) transmitting data to them, process the information and transmit the information on to any or all cabin controller units (6). Trailer controller units (7) are permanently powered as such to never require activation by the driver so are advantageously passive systems. The means of power is typically, but not limited to, the main battery supply on a trailer or a self contained power supply. Advantageously, optional means of power supply that disconnect the trailer controller units (7) from its power source after a period of none-operation well known to a person skilled in the art may also be used. A period of none-operation is determined by no communication from any cabin controller unit (6) for a predetermined time. Connection of the power source to the trailer controller unit (7) is re-established upon detecting one or more attempted communications from cabin controller units (6) and thus restoring full operating power to the trailer controller unit (7). This advantageously prolongs battery life of the trailer power supply should the trailer be expected to be out of use for a period of time.
Cabin controller units (6) are mounted on or in the cabin and powered from the peripheral power line (9) such that when the ignition stage of the cabin is engaged, the controller units (6) are energized. Cabin controller units (6) may advantageously serve the dual purpose of displaying their received information on an embedded display embodiment such as, but not limited to, an LED or LCD display, with optional audio warnings. Display embodiments are positioned such that it is in a convenient view for the driver to easily see while driving.
Cabin peripheral power line (9) defines the power that supplies power to the cabin ignition system.
In a cabin embodiment this is typically, but not limited to, a battery supply. Optionally a self-contained power supply may be used. When the cabin ignition stage is reached, all cabin controller units (6) are energized and therefore provide immediate proximity awareness prior to the vehicle being driven.
In use, the driver connects the trailer (2) to the cabin (1) and cables from the trailer (2) are connected to cables from the cabin (1). When in operation, the driver needs to be aware of the presence of any obstacles in line of the intended path of the vehicle (3), as to prevent any collisions.
With the present invention installed to the cabin (1) -trailer (2) combination, there is never a situation in operational conditions when the driver is without the visual and/or audio warning system of the cabin controller unit (6) when the cabin (1) is in a state of operation determined by the ignition system being operational. The cabin controller units (6) and sensor units (4) are automatically powered up and advantageously operational within 3 seconds of the ignition system energizing. The trailer controller units (7) and sensor units (4) are powered up once installed and remain powered permanently, capable of operating from a trailer power supply that is not being charged from an attached cabin for over 5 weeks. Advantageously the trailer controller units (7) and sensors (4) can optionally be powered by means of any embodiment that disconnects from the power supply after a period of inactivity well known to a person skilled in the art. This said disconnecting power supply may be embedded in controller unit housings (7) and/or sensor units (4).
A typical installation of the system includes a single cabin controller and display unit (6) mounted in view of the cabin driver powered by the ignition power supply, a sensor (4) mounted on each side of the cabin (1) connected by means of wired cable to the cabin controller unit (4) and powered from the cabin controller unit (4), a single trailer controller unit (7) powered permanently by the main battery supply of the trailer, and 5 sensors (4) mounted on each side of the trailer (2) connected by means of wired cable to the trailer controller unit (7) and powered by the trailer controller unit (7).
The connection between the cabin controller unit (6) and trailer controller unit (7) is by means of wireless RE signals. The 12 sensors (4) are advantageously spaced at an equal distance to give even coverage of any obstacles at any position along either side of the vehicle (3). Advantageously this proximity awareness system requires no additional power source on either cabin (1) or trailer (2) and once installed each embodiment is powered up automatically at the relevant times ready for operation before the vehicle (3) can be driven, therefore requiring no action or input by the driver and is as such a fully passive system.
A single sensor (4) may be sufficient to provide proximity awareness. Alternately, any number of sensors (4) may be provided. The sensor may not provide accurate information regarding the distance between the detected object and the sensor -instead the sensor may only be able to detect such an object is within a predetermined distance.
The cabin and trailer controller units (6, 7) may be provided at any location that best serves their purpose.
The sensors (4) and controller units (6) may be contained in the same housing. The sensors (4) and controller unit (7) may be contained in the same housing.
It is possible should a proximity sensor unit (4) be in line of any other source of ultrasonic pressure waves of the same operating frequency, to interpret distance information incorrectly.
While this invention has been described as having preferred design, it is understood that it is capable of further modification, uses and/or adaptations following in general the principle of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the essential features set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention or the limits of the appended claims.
GB0921533A 2009-12-09 2009-12-09 Trailer proximity sensing system Withdrawn GB2476060A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0921533A GB2476060A (en) 2009-12-09 2009-12-09 Trailer proximity sensing system

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0921533A GB2476060A (en) 2009-12-09 2009-12-09 Trailer proximity sensing system

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0921533D0 GB0921533D0 (en) 2010-01-27
GB2476060A true GB2476060A (en) 2011-06-15

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2014037064A1 (en) 2012-09-05 2014-03-13 Wabco Gmbh & Method for operating a trailer vehicle or a truck having the system
GB2512701A (en) * 2013-01-15 2014-10-08 Innovative Safety Systems Ltd Cyclist warning system

Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5229975A (en) * 1992-06-03 1993-07-20 Dynatech Corporation Vehicle proximity sensor
US6268803B1 (en) * 1998-08-06 2001-07-31 Altra Technologies Incorporated System and method of avoiding collisions
BE1013342A3 (en) * 2000-03-08 2001-12-04 Tosylali Mustafa Mehmet Auxiliary device for a vehicle and a vehicle equipped herewith
US6508325B1 (en) * 2000-02-28 2003-01-21 Paul M. Schwarz Mounting for proximity radar
US20030141965A1 (en) * 2002-01-25 2003-07-31 Altra Technologies Incorporated Trailer based collision warning system and method
US6642839B1 (en) * 2000-02-16 2003-11-04 Altra Technologies Incorporated System and method of providing scalable sensor systems based on stand alone sensor modules
US20040049344A1 (en) * 2002-09-06 2004-03-11 Steven Simon Object collision avoidance system for a vehicle
US20050128060A1 (en) * 2003-11-19 2005-06-16 Mark Rennick Universally usable object detection system and method
US20050285725A1 (en) * 1998-09-14 2005-12-29 Reeves Michael J Back up feature for moving vehicles
US20090219147A1 (en) * 2005-10-12 2009-09-03 Dennis Bradley Object detection system

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5229975A (en) * 1992-06-03 1993-07-20 Dynatech Corporation Vehicle proximity sensor
US6268803B1 (en) * 1998-08-06 2001-07-31 Altra Technologies Incorporated System and method of avoiding collisions
US20050285725A1 (en) * 1998-09-14 2005-12-29 Reeves Michael J Back up feature for moving vehicles
US6642839B1 (en) * 2000-02-16 2003-11-04 Altra Technologies Incorporated System and method of providing scalable sensor systems based on stand alone sensor modules
US6508325B1 (en) * 2000-02-28 2003-01-21 Paul M. Schwarz Mounting for proximity radar
BE1013342A3 (en) * 2000-03-08 2001-12-04 Tosylali Mustafa Mehmet Auxiliary device for a vehicle and a vehicle equipped herewith
US20030141965A1 (en) * 2002-01-25 2003-07-31 Altra Technologies Incorporated Trailer based collision warning system and method
US20040049344A1 (en) * 2002-09-06 2004-03-11 Steven Simon Object collision avoidance system for a vehicle
US20050128060A1 (en) * 2003-11-19 2005-06-16 Mark Rennick Universally usable object detection system and method
US20090219147A1 (en) * 2005-10-12 2009-09-03 Dennis Bradley Object detection system

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2014037064A1 (en) 2012-09-05 2014-03-13 Wabco Gmbh & Method for operating a trailer vehicle or a truck having the system
DE102012017532A1 (en) 2012-09-05 2014-05-15 Wabco Gmbh Method of operating a trailer or a truck with the system
GB2512701A (en) * 2013-01-15 2014-10-08 Innovative Safety Systems Ltd Cyclist warning system
GB2512701B (en) * 2013-01-15 2017-02-08 Innovative Safety Systems Ltd Cyclist warning system

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