WO2025254949A2 - Système de perception spatiale pour une remorque de camion - Google Patents

Système de perception spatiale pour une remorque de camion

Info

Publication number
WO2025254949A2
WO2025254949A2 PCT/US2025/031576 US2025031576W WO2025254949A2 WO 2025254949 A2 WO2025254949 A2 WO 2025254949A2 US 2025031576 W US2025031576 W US 2025031576W WO 2025254949 A2 WO2025254949 A2 WO 2025254949A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
trailer
control circuit
sensors
lamp assembly
lamp
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.)
Pending
Application number
PCT/US2025/031576
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2025254949A3 (fr
Inventor
John GROTE
Adam SLADE
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.)
Grote Industries LLC
Original Assignee
Grote Industries LLC
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 Grote Industries LLC filed Critical Grote Industries LLC
Publication of WO2025254949A2 publication Critical patent/WO2025254949A2/fr
Publication of WO2025254949A3 publication Critical patent/WO2025254949A3/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60T—VEHICLE BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF; BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF, IN GENERAL; ARRANGEMENT OF BRAKING ELEMENTS ON VEHICLES IN GENERAL; PORTABLE DEVICES FOR PREVENTING UNWANTED MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES; VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS TO FACILITATE COOLING OF BRAKES
    • B60T8/00—Arrangements for adjusting wheel-braking force to meet varying vehicular or ground-surface conditions, e.g. limiting or varying distribution of braking force
    • B60T8/17—Using electrical or electronic regulation means to control braking
    • B60T8/1701—Braking or traction control means specially adapted for particular types of vehicles
    • B60T8/1708—Braking or traction control means specially adapted for particular types of vehicles for lorries or tractor-trailer combinations
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/02—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments
    • B60Q1/22—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments for reverse drive
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/26—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
    • B60Q1/2607—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic comprising at least two indicating lamps
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/26—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
    • B60Q1/30—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating rear of vehicle, e.g. by means of reflecting surfaces
    • B60Q1/305—Indicating devices for towed vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/26—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
    • B60Q1/48—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for parking purposes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q5/00—Arrangement or adaptation of acoustic signal devices
    • B60Q5/005—Arrangement or adaptation of acoustic signal devices automatically actuated
    • B60Q5/006—Arrangement or adaptation of acoustic signal devices automatically actuated indicating risk of collision between vehicles or with pedestrians
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/26—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
    • B60Q1/50—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking
    • B60Q1/525—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking automatically indicating risk of collision between vehicles in traffic or with pedestrians, e.g. after risk assessment using the vehicle sensor data
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
    • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
    • G08G1/16—Anti-collision systems
    • G08G1/166—Anti-collision systems for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates generally to a spatial awareness system for a trailer towed by a truck or other vehicle, and/or for a truck.
  • Driver assistance systems such as backup alarms, lane departure warning systems, and/or blind spot monitoring systems, have traditionally been used for smaller commuter vehicles. Because of their larger size, commercial vehicle such as trucks and busses have larger blind spots and this makes it more difficult to determine when another vehicle is nearby. Increased awareness can reduce accidents and the resulting injuries.
  • the spatial awareness system generally includes one or more sensors, a control circuit electrically connected to the one or more sensors, and one or more lamps electrically connected to the control circuit.
  • the sensors monitor a predetermined zone surrounding the tractor-trailer. If an object is detected within the predetermined zone, the control circuit may generate commands, signals, or other output indicating the presence of the nearby object. This output may be used to activate a warning device to alert a vehicle operator, nearby people, or a remote dispatcher that an object is near the trailer.
  • the command may be a lighting command that is electrically sent from the control circuit to one or more warning lamps which may be positioned on the trailer, or on the truck that is towing the trailer.
  • the warning lamps may emit light until receiving a command from the control circuit indicating that the object has left the detection zone.
  • the detection zone may be a predetermined fixed detection region surrounding the trailer which may include areas above, below, beneath, behind, or beside the vehicle, or any combination thereof.
  • the detection region may be fixed according to the capabilities of the individual sensors mounted to the trailer. Such capabilities may include, the longest or shortest range within which the sensors may be capable of detecting an object, the type of sensing technology employed, the positioning, attitude, and direction the sensor is pointed, and the like, or any combination thereof.
  • the detection region may be adjustable by reconfiguring or reprogramming the sensors, by configuring the control circuit to ignore objects outside a predetermined range, by a control program in communication with the control circuit that is configured to accept input from a user setting the detection range, and the like, or any combination thereof.
  • the spatial awareness system may define multiple operating modes such as a forward mode, a backing mode, a parked mode, and the like.
  • the modes may operate in the same manner as described above.
  • the backing modes may define more than one predetermined zone. If an object is detected in the first zone, the control circuit may send a control command that causes the warning lamps to flash at a first frequency. When an object is detected in a second zone, the control circuit may command the lamps to flash at a second faster frequency. For example, the first zone may be further from the vehicle, and the second zone closer. This feature may be useful when in the backing mode where multiple predetermined zones may be defined according to distance from the rear of the trailer.
  • control circuit may vary the command output according to the distance to an object, the number of objects present in the detection region, or the location of the objects (e.g. behind, left side, right side, above, etc.)
  • the command output may increase or decrease as the trailer moves closer to or farther away from the object, or as the objects move into or out of the detection zone, or any combination thereof.
  • the one or more sensors are optionally integrated into one or more vehicle indicator lamps.
  • the sensors may be integrated into a vehicle brake lamp, a vehicle clearance lamp, a turn signal lamp, a backup lamp, a stop-turn-tail (STT) lamp, or other lamp on the trailer, or any combination thereof.
  • STT stop-turn-tail
  • control circuit optionally sends object detection alerts to a computing device.
  • the control circuit may communicate an object detection alert to a computing device such as a mobile phone, tablet, server computer, desktop computer, or any combination thereof.
  • the computing device may be responsive to the alert or other input received from the control circuit, either wirelessly, or by any other suitable means.
  • the computing device may be remote from the trailer, may be mounted in or on the trailer, or carried by a user in the vicinity of the trailer such as by a nearby maintenance worker, by the driver of the truck, or by a mobile phone or table mounted to the dashboard of the truck.
  • control circuit may send object detection alerts to an onboard computer mounted to the truck the that is responsive to the control circuit and is configured to display alerts on a display device in the cab, such as, for example, a preexisting vehicle information or entertainment system.
  • the spatial awareness system may integrate with other components of the trailer such as the vehicle Antilock brake system (ABS), backup cameras, and the like.
  • ABS vehicle Antilock brake system
  • the control circuit may send a command to the vehicle ABS controller indicating an imminent collision.
  • the ABS controller may automatically activate the trailer brakes to prevent a collision.
  • the spatial awareness system may be configured to detect the presence of objects nearby and activate a security alert system that is mounted to the trailer, to a nearby building, or that is implemented to trigger a remote security alarm.
  • FIG. l is a component diagram illustrating an example of components that may be included in a spatial awareness system of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 2 is a component diagram illustrating another example of components of the spatial awareness system that may be included in a trailer of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 3 is a component diagram illustrating another example of components of the spatial awareness system that may be included in a trailer of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 4 is a component diagram illustrating another example of components of the spatial awareness system that may be included in a trailer of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 5 is a component diagram illustrating another example of components of the spatial awareness system that may be included in a trailer of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 6 is a component diagram illustrating another example of components of the spatial awareness system that may be included in a trailer of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 7 is a component diagram illustrating another example of components of the spatial awareness system that may be included in a trailer of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 8 is a component diagram illustrating another example of components of spatial awareness system of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sense parameter of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 10 is a component diagram illustrating another example of components of the spatial awareness system that may be included in a trailer of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 11 is a component diagram illustrating another example of components of the spatial awareness system that may be included in a trailer of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 12 is a component diagram illustrating another example of components of the spatial awareness system that may be included in a trailer of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 13 is a flow chart of the spatial awareness system monitoring process.
  • FIG. 14 is a flow chart of another example of the spatial awareness system monitoring process.
  • FIG. 15 is a flow chart of a reverse mode of the spatial awareness system.
  • FIG. 16 is a flow chart of another example of the reverse mode of FIG. 15.
  • FIG. 17 is a flow chart of another example of the spatial awareness system monitoring process.
  • FIG. 18 is a component diagram illustrating examples of trailer components of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of one example of a trailer component that may include a sensor of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view of another example of a trailer component that optionally includes a sensor of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view of another example of a trailer component that may include a sensor of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 22 is a plan view of another example of a trailer component that may include a sensor the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 23 is another plan view of the trailer component of FIG. 22.
  • FIG. 24 is a plan view of another example of a trailer component that may include a sensor the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 25 is another plan view of the trailer component of FIG. 24.
  • FIG. 26 is a plan view of another example of a trailer component that may include a sensor the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 27 is another plan view of the trailer component of FIG. 26.
  • FIG. 28 is a conceptual illustrating examples of lighting configurations that may be obtainable by trailer components of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 29 is another conceptual illustrating examples of lighting configurations that may be obtainable by trailer components of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 30 is another conceptual illustrating examples of lighting configurations that may be obtainable by trailer components of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 31 is another conceptual illustrating examples of lighting configurations that may be obtainable by trailer components of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 32 is another conceptual illustrating examples of lighting configurations that may be obtainable by trailer components of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates one example of a spatial awareness system 100 for a trailer 101.
  • the system 100 optionally includes one or more sensors 103 mounted to the trailer 101 (collectively referred to as sensors 102).
  • the sensors 102 are optionally configured to detect objects 112, 113, and/or 114 when they are within a detection zone 111.
  • the detection zone is an area adjacent to the trailer that is optionally defined by the sensors 102.
  • the detection zone is also optionally referred to herein as a “detection region”, or “activation region”.
  • the positioning and capabilities of sensors 102 may determine the size, shape, number, and contours of detection regions that may be provided by the disclosed system.
  • the system may provide one detection region, two detection regions, three or more detection regions, 10 or more detection regions, or more.
  • any suitable shape may be employed such as cone shaped regions, rectangular regions, circular regions, or variable polygons with multiple sides and vertices like what is shown in Fig. 1.
  • shape and/or number of detection zones may vary with time as one or more sensors of the sensors 102 are optionally activated and deactivated in different situations.
  • Other examples of such regions are disclosed herein and may be applicable with any of the disclosed examples of the spatial awareness system.
  • sensors 102 may be positioned in any suitable location around the trailer so as to detect objects adjacent to the trailer and provide a warning.
  • the sensors 102 may be mounted on one or more rear comers of the trailer such as at 114 and/or 115.
  • the sensors may be mounted on one or more rear corners and/or on the sides of a trailer, such as sides 116, 117, 118, 119, or any combination thereof.
  • the sensors may be integrated into or mounted adjacent to a trailer component of the present disclosure such as a brake lamp, turn signal, clearance lamp, and/or a stop-tail-turn (STT) lamp, to name a few non-limiting examples.
  • the sensors may be integrated into a trailer component that includes a housing defining a shape arranged and configured to fit within and/or mount into an opening such as a 4 inch diameter circle, an oval having a major axes of 6 inches in length, or in any other suitable polygon.
  • the system 100 may also include a control circuit 105 that is optionally electrically connected to the one or more sensors 102, such as by a communication link 106.
  • the control circuit 105 is optionally responsive to input received from the sensors.
  • the communication link 106 may be configured to transmit sensor data about a sense parameter detected by the sensors. This sensor data may be received by the control circuit 105 as an input signal 107 from the one or more sensors 102 .
  • the control circuit 105 is optionally connected via a communication link 109 to a warning indicator 108.
  • the indicator 108 may include one or more lamps or other indicators arranged and configured to provide notification to people or other systems near the trailer that an object is presently adjacent to the trailer 101.
  • the indicator 108 may include multiple individual LEDs, multiple lamps, a buzzer or other device for creating an audible warning, and/or a communication circuit for sending a signal to a remote monitoring system, or any combination thereof.
  • indicator 108 may include a lamp and may be mounted to the trailer 101. It may also be configured to receive an input 110 from the control circuit 105 for controlling the warning indicator.
  • the indicator 108 may be mounted to one or more front comers 120 or 121 of the trailer 101. This configuration may allow a driver of a truck coupled to the trailer 101 to view the warning indicator 108 while driving, such as via a rearview mirror.
  • a trailer of the present disclosure optionally includes a movement sensor configured to detect movement.
  • a control circuit may be one of many devices in the trailer (or an attached truck) that is responsive to the movement sensor.
  • the control circuit may further be configured to activate a warning lamp or other such indicator when the control circuit receives input from the movement sensor indicating the trailer is moving.
  • trailers of the present disclosure may include an optional movement sensor 202.
  • the movement sensor 202 may be electrically connected to a control circuit 204 of the present disclosure via a communications link 203.
  • the communications link 203 optionally transmits data about the movement of trailer 202 as movement input 207. This movement data is optionally provided by the movement sensor and may be received by the control circuit 204.
  • the movement data may be generated by the movement sensor based on one or more sensed parameters the movement sensor 202 is responsive too.
  • a warning indicator 208 configured according to any example of the present disclosure may be electrically connected to the control circuit 204 via a communication link 206.
  • the communication link 206 optionally transmits warning data indicating that the control circuit has detected an object adjacent to the trailer. This warning data is optionally provided by the control circuit 204 when the trailer 201 is in motion and may be received by the warning indicator 208.
  • movement sensor 202 may be arranged and configured to detect movement in any direction such as forwards and backwards as indicated at 209, laterally side to side as indicated at 210, or up and down (straight into the page) at 211.
  • the movement sensor 202 may be instrumental in preventing the warning indicator from activating when the trailer is not in motion.
  • the control circuit 204 may be configured to accept movement data from movement sensor 202 and may deactivate the warning indicator 208 when movement data 207 is absent.
  • control circuit 208 may optionally activate the disclosed spatial awareness system including any associated lamps or indicators when the trailer is moving, and/or may optionally deactivate the disclosed spatial awareness system when the trailer 201 is not moving.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates at 300 another example of the disclosed spatial awareness system that includes an optional reverse alarm 305.
  • a trailer 301 of the present disclosure may include a control circuit 306 operable according to the present disclosure, which may be in communication with a warning indicator 308. This communication between the control circuit 306 and he warning indicator 308 may be provided by a communication link 303.
  • the reverse alarm 305 may be configured to activate when the trailer is moving in reverse or toward the rear area 311 of trailer 301, or in the direction indicated at 310.
  • control circuit 306 may accept sensor input 302 as indicated herein elsewhere, and send control commands 304 to the warning indicator 308 as described herein.
  • control circuit 306 may be configured to activate a reverse alarm 305 when an object is within the disclosed detection zone defined by sensors mounted in or on the trailer.
  • control circuit 306 may be configured to deactivate the reverse alarm 305 when the object is no longer in the detection zone.
  • Fig. 4 illustrates at 400 an example of the disclosed spatial awareness system that includes an optional speed sensor 409.
  • the trailer 401 may include a speed sensor 409 configured to provide speed data 403 about the speed of the trailer to the control circuit 404. This may be provided by a communication link 402 electrically connecting the speed sensor 409 with the control circuit 404.
  • the control circuit 404 may be programmed or otherwise configured to include one or more data values 405 stored in a memory of the controller that optionally define a target speed used by the control circuit 404 when determining whether to activate or deactivate the warning indicator 408.
  • the data values may include a target speed threshold.
  • the control circuit 404 may be programmed to activate the warning indicator 408 when the speed of the trailer 401 is below the target speed threshold.
  • the target speed threshold may be a value less than 3 mph, less than 15 mph, less than 65 mph, or a value that is at least 65 mph or more.
  • the control circuit 404 may be programmed to activate the warning indicator 408 when the speed of the trailer 401 is above the target speed threshold.
  • the target speed threshold may be a value greater than 55 mph, greater than 15 mph, greater than 3 mph, or a value that is 3 mph or less.
  • control circuit 404 may be configured with multiple speed thresholds stored with data values 405 which may be used by the control circuit to determine when warning indicators should be activated.
  • control circuit may be programmed or otherwise configured to activate a first warning indicator 408 if the speed is at or above a lower threshold, and at or below a high threshold.
  • control circuit may be configured to activate an optional second warning indicator 410 that is different than the first warning indicator 408 when the speed sensor 409 indicates that the trailer 401 is moving either below a lower threshold, or above a high threshold speed, but not when the speed is between the upper and lower thresholds.
  • the first indicator may include a lamp flashing at a predetermined frequency or rate, and the second indicator may include activating and deactivating the same lamp to flash at a higher or lower frequency or rate.
  • the first indicator may include activating a lamp, and the second indicator may include activating a second lamp. This may include leaving the first lamp activated when the second lamp is activated, or it may include deactivating the first lamp when the second lamp is activated.
  • the first indicator may include sending an alert to a remote server that includes a first alert level value
  • the second indicator may include sending an alert to a remote server that includes a second higher or lower alert level value. The remote server may then be responsive to the alert level and may be programmed to take one action up receiving the first alert level value, and a second different or additional action upon receiving the second alert level value.
  • Fig. 5 illustrates at 500 one example of the disclosed spatial awareness system where at least one of the sensors for detecting objects adjacent to the trailer is included, coupled to, or otherwise associated with, a trailer component.
  • at least one of the spatial awareness sensors may be included in a trailer component assembly.
  • a spatial awareness sensor may be built into a backup lamp, a side marker lamp, a clearance lamp, a backup camera, or other trailer component.
  • At least one of the sensors may be mounted adjacent to a trailer component of the trailer in any advantageous position or orientation.
  • the sensor may be aligned in the same direction the trailer adjacent trailer component is aligned.
  • a backup camera trailer component may be pointed rearward defining a field of view behind the trailer, and a sensor may be mounted adjacent to or in the same housing with the backup camera and may be configured to detect objects in an area behind the trailer that is the same or similar to the field of view defined by the camera.
  • a side marker lamp mounted on a left or right side of the trailer may be configured to direct light away from the side of the trailer to notify or remind nearby vehicles that the trailer is present.
  • This side marker lamp trailer component may include or be mounted adjacent to a sensor of the present disclosure that may be arranged and configured to detect objects near the side marker lamp, and consequently near the trailer.
  • a trailer component may be used to provide both warning to others, and notification to the operator of the vehicle towing the trailer that others are nearby.
  • mounting sensors with trailer components may provide convenient mounting locations around a trailer so that a detection zone of the present disclosure that encompasses or includes at least a portion of the trailer may be defined by the one or more sensors mounted in multiple locations on the trailer. This detection may include areas near the front, sides, top, bottom, or rear, or any combination thereof.
  • a sensor 503 may be incorporated into a trailer component assembly 511 mounted in at least one location in a trailer 501 of the present disclosure.
  • the disclosed component assembly may optionally be mounted in multiple locations associated with multiple different trailer components.
  • the component assembly 511 may include a housing 504 that is arranged and configured such that a trailer component 502 and a sensor(s) 503 are mounted to the housing 504.
  • the sensor 503 is optionally enclosed within the housing 504.
  • a portion of sensor 503 optionally extends through an exterior wall of the housing thus allowing at least a portion of the sensor to project away from the housing.
  • the senor may be arranged according to any of these configurations, while the trailer component 502 may be similarly mounted inside the housing 504, outside the housing, or be partially enclosed by the housing thus allowing a portion of the trailer component 502 to project from within the housing 504.
  • the trailer component assembly 511 may include a power terminal 505 that is optionally electrically connected to a power source such as a trailer power circuit 508.
  • This trailer power circuit may be configured to provide power to trailer components in the trailer 501 from a power source internal to the trailer, such as a battery or generator, or from an external power source such as a truck coupled to trailer 501, or from a generator, power inverter, or other source configured to provide power to the trailer.
  • the trailer component assembly 511 may include a ground terminal 506 electrically connected to a trailer ground circuit 509.
  • a component assembly of the present disclosure may include one or more communication terminals 507 that may be electrically connected to a trailer communication circuit 510.
  • communication circuit 510 may be separate and distinct from the trailer power and ground circuits.
  • the communication circuit 510 may include either the trailer power circuit 508, and/or the trailer ground circuit 509.
  • Circuit 510 may include a single signal cable for caring signals defining commands 512, or multiple signal cables operable to together carry the signals defining commands 512.
  • circuit 510 may include one cable, two cables, three cables, or four or more cables.
  • the power circuit 508, the ground circuit 509, and communication circuit 510 may operate together as a Control Area Network (CAN), a Local Interconnect Network (LIN), or other network for carrying commands 512.
  • CAN Control Area Network
  • LIN Local Interconnect Network
  • the trailer component 502 may be programmed or otherwise arranged and configured to activate and deactivate according to control commands 512 received via the communication circuit 510 and the communication terminal 507.
  • an optional master component control circuit 513 may be included in the trailer and may be configured to generate different control commands 512 that may be specific to an individual trailer component 502, or to multiple individual trailer components 502.
  • the master component control circuit 513 may include a Micro Controller Unit (MCU), Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICS), or other logic circuits that are optionally programmable to control the trailer components.
  • the master component control circuit may be included in a control circuit of the present disclosure (see 105, 204, 306, and others), or it may be a separate control circuit mounted in the trailer, or in a truck that is coupled to the trailer.
  • multiple trailer components 502 may be electrically connected together such as in a shared bus configuration, or sharing a common power circuit 508 and ground circuit 509 so that some or all trailer components can receive the same control commands 512 via power circuit 508, ground circuit 509, and/or communication circuit 510, or any combination thereof.
  • control commands 512 may be generated as a stream of data packets sent to trailer components 502 via communication circuit 510. This stream of data packets may be assembled by the master component control circuit and transmitted to the trailer components 502.
  • trailer components 502 may be configured to send response information such as response data packets indicating that one or more of the trailer components 502 has received command 512 and has responded accordingly.
  • the trailer components 502, the master trailer component control circuit, power circuit 508, ground circuit 509, and communication circuit 510 may operate together to implement a Control Area Network (CAN), a Local Interconnect Network (LIN), or a Power Line Communication (PLC) communication system whereby the trailer components may receive control commands 512 from a control circuit.
  • the control circuit may be mounted to trailer 501, or mounted to a truck towing the trailer.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates at 600 another example of a component assembly.
  • the component assembly 600 optionally includes a housing 604, and a trailer component 602.
  • the trailer component 602 may be mounted inside the housing 604, outside the housing, or be partially enclosed by the housing thus allowing a portion of the trailer component 602 to project from within the housing 604.
  • a communication circuit 610 may be electrically connected to a communication terminal 607, and terminal 607 may be electrically connected to a control circuit 603.
  • Control circuit 603 may be arranged and configured to control aspects of trailer component 602 such as activating the trailer component, deactivating the component, or controlling its mode(s) of operation.
  • Communication circuit 610 may be optionally configured to transmit signals defining a control command 612.
  • the control command 612 may include data, values, parameters, or other aspects that control circuit 603 is optionally responsive to. Control circuit 603 may be configured accordingly to accept some control commands 612, or to reject or ignore others. In another aspect, trailer component 602 may be electrically connected to control circuit 603, and control circuit 603 may by operable to control power, ground, and/or communication to or from the component, or other aspects of trailer component 602.
  • a control command 612 may include parameters indicating that a backup camera component mounted to the trailer is to activate and begin streaming video. This control command may be delivered to all components of the trailer, such as in the case where some or all of the trailer components share a common communication network or communication bus. A tail lamp component, or ABS controller component, or refrigeration controller component may thus ignore this particular control command because these components are not “backup cameras”.
  • the control command 612 may be received by control circuit 603 of the component assembly 600.
  • the control command 612 may further include a component identifier, or multiple identifiers.
  • the control command may include a component identifier of “001”, or “L0814”, or “LeftSideSTTLamps”, “ForwardClearanceLampl”, or any other suitable identifier operably to uniquely identify an individual trailer component, or a group of trailer components.
  • the control command 612 may be received by the control circuit 603 and processed to determine whether the command is for a particular trailer component.
  • the control command 612 may be sent to the trailer component via a communication link 601.
  • the control command 612 may be ignored by the trailer component 602.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates at 700 an example of a sensor that may be useful for the disclosed system.
  • a sensor of the present disclosure may be of any suitable type, include “active” or “passive” sensors.
  • a sensor according to the present disclosure may include or have associated with it an emitter that emits energy detectable by the sensor.
  • an object is present, some aspect of the emission is modified by the presence of the object, and this change is noted by the sensor and/or a control circuit of the present disclosure that is responsive to the sensor.
  • a sensor 701 may be mounted to a trailer 705.
  • the sensor 701 may be mounted at an exterior or interior location of the trailer.
  • the sensor may be mounted at one or more rear comers of the trailer.
  • sensors may be mounted at one or more rear corners and/or at a location along the length of the trailer such as at the midpoint, or adjacent a lamp or other trailer component.
  • the emitters 702 may be mounted to the exterior of the trailer.
  • the emitter may be mounted to one or more rear comers of the trailer.
  • the sensor may be mounted to one or more rear corners and/or at the midpoint of the trailer.
  • the emitter may be packaged with the sensor 701, such as in an optional common housing.
  • an emitter 703 may be remote from the sensor.
  • the emitters are generally configured to emit electromagnetic or sound energy.
  • the electromagnetic energy leaves the emitter in the form of one or more waves 706, which are configured to interact with an object 704.
  • the waves 706 may bounce or reflect off of the object 704 and return to the sensor 701.
  • the reflected waves may be modified in some aspect such that may be detected by the sensor 701.
  • the sensor may be configured to compare the output from the emitter with the input obtained by the sensor, and from this, the control circuit may be operable to determine the presence of object 704, the distance to the object 704, whether it is getting closer or further away over time, the ground speed of the object 704, and the like.
  • the control circuit is thus responsive to input from the sensor and this input may then be useful for detecting aspects of an object adjacent to the trailer.
  • FIG. 8 illustrates at 800 one example of a two-way communication system that may be incorporated along with other aspects of the present disclosure.
  • the communication system may be operable as a wired or wireless communication system according to any suitable protocol.
  • the system may operate as a CAN communication system.
  • a LIN communication system may be used.
  • the system may communicate over Bluetooth or WiFi to transfer of data between a computing device that is separate from a trailer to a control circuit in the trailer.
  • a two-way communication system generally includes a control circuit 801 and a computing device 802 operating in conjunction with a trailer 806. As was described above, the control circuit and computing device may be connected via a wired or wireless communication link 803.
  • Examples of a computing device 802 include, but are not limited to, a mobile phone, a remote server, a laptop, a desktop computer, a vehicle infotainment system such as might be found in a truck, and/or any combination thereof.
  • the communication link 803 is generally configured to transmit one or more inputs 804 from the computing device 802 to the control circuit 801.
  • the inputs may include changes to the speed threshold, sensor parameter(s), vehicle lighting commands, and/or driver assistance system.
  • the communication link 803 may be configured to transmit one or more inputs 805 sent by the control circuit 801 to the computing device 802.
  • the inputs may include alerts, vehicle status updates, mechanical or electrical failure indicators, lighting outage indicators, and the like.
  • the input is an object detection notification generated by the control circuit for the computing device.
  • This indication may, for example, be received by a computing device 802 such as a mobile application on a mobile phone.
  • the object detection input from the control circuit may be an alert, which automatically clears when the object leaves the detection zone.
  • the object detection input may be sent to the vehicles infotainment system which may be configured to display an alert and/or provide an audible warning indicator for the operator of the truck that is coupled to the trailer 806.
  • FIG. 9 illustrates at 900 another example of a detection zone 901.
  • the detection zone 901 may be predetermined by the one or more sensors as discussed herein elsewhere.
  • the detection zone 901 may be changed or modified via a remote computing device such as the vehicle infotainment system of the truck and/or a smart phone or laptop computer.
  • the detection zone may include one or more distance ranges 902.
  • the ranges may be configured to monitor an area inside of the range for an object.
  • the detection zone 901 surrounds a trailer 903 and may be approximately five (5) feet from the trailer.
  • the detection zone 901 covers the rear of the trailer to assist in a backing operation and may be approximately fifteen (15) feet from the trailer.
  • the detection zone 901 covers the rear and sides of the trailer to assist in backing and merging/turning operations and may be approximately ten (10) feet from the trailer.
  • the spatial awareness system may include more than one detection zone.
  • the system may include two, three, four, and/or more detection zones.
  • FIG. 10 illustrates at 1000 an example of a tractor-trailer operating a system of the present disclosure in a reverse mode.
  • a tractor 1001 may be coupled to a trailer 1004 to facilitate movement of the trailer.
  • the tractor trailer may be moving in a rearward direction.
  • one or more sensors are configured to monitor a detection zone sensitive to the presence of nearby objects.
  • the detection zone may be oriented directly behind the trailer, to the side of the trailer, at one or more rear comers of the trailer, and/or any combination thereof.
  • the tractor-trailer generally includes a control circuit 1005 electrically connected via a communication link 1007 to a warning indicator 1006.
  • the warning indicator 1006 is configured to generate an alert during the backing event when one or more objects is detected within the detection zone.
  • the warning indicator generates the alert in the form of light emission 1003.
  • the light emission may be controlled via the control circuit 1005.
  • the control circuit 1005 determines that an object may be behind the trailer 1004.
  • the control circuit 1005, then commands the warning indicator 1006 to emit light.
  • a driver may be then able to view the light in a rearview mirror to determine the possibility of a collision.
  • the one or more warning indicators may be positioned on one or more front corners of the trailer to facilitate viewing by the driver.
  • FIG. 11 illustrates at 1100 an example of an autonomous Antilock Braking System (ABS) operable within the context of the disclosed spatial awareness system.
  • the ABS optionally includes a brake controller 1104 configured to interact with a brake system 1105.
  • the ABS receives an input 1102 from a control circuit 1101 via a communication link 1103.
  • the input 1102 may be a braking command or a brake release command.
  • one or more sensors 1109 detect the presence of one or more objects 1106 within a predetermined detection zone 1107 that surrounds at least a portion of the trailer.
  • the control circuit 1101 may be connected to the sensors 1109 via a communication link 1108.
  • the communication link transfers information related to object detection from the sensor to the control circuit.
  • the control circuit may then determine whether an object is within the detection zone and generate a braking command.
  • the braking command may be provided from the control circuit and received as input by the brake controller 1104.
  • the brake controller may be configured to respond to the braking command by transmitting a command to the trailer brake system 1105 to cause the trailer brakes to activate to slow or stop movement of the trailer 1110.
  • the brake controller may be configured to transmit a brake release command to the brake system when the object is no longer within the detection zone.
  • FIG. 12 illustrates at 1200 another optional aspect of the disclosed spatial awareness system.
  • the spatial awareness system includes sensor(s) 1207 electrically connected to a control circuit 1203.
  • the sensors monitor one or more predetermined areas such as a nearby rear zone 1220, a more distant rear zone 1221, a right side zone 1222, a left side zone 1223, a left corner zone 1224 and/or a right corner zone 1225, all of which surround at least a portion of a trailer 1201.
  • These regions correspond generally to the rear, left, right, front, and far rear arears of the trailer 1201. Any suitable shape or arrangement of zones may be useful and may be incorporated instead of, or in addition to, the regions shown.
  • An object 1204 may be located adjacent the trailer and may initially be within the detection zone 1221 at location 1212. Movement of the object relative to the trailer may cause the object to move from a first zone 1221 to a second zone 1223 to location 1213. In one example, the object 1204 moves relative to the trailer when the trailer 1201 moves and the object is stationary. In another example, the object 1204 may be moving and the trailer stationary. In another example, the trailer and the object may both be in motion.
  • the shape and organization of the zones shown in Fig. 12 may be applicable to any and all of the other examples of sensors discussed herein throughout the present disclosure. In another aspect, all sensors may be active together, or individual sensors may be activated and deactivated by the control circuit according to software or hardware control logic included in the control circuit.
  • the disclosed spatial awareness system is operable to detect an object within a detection zone and to optionally generate an alert, such as from a warning indicator 1202.
  • operational aspects of the indicator may change based on aspects of the encounter with the object. For example, if the object 1204 is at 1212 which corresponds within a first (farther) detection zone such as 1224, the warning indicator may flash a light, sound an intermittent horn, activate an audible or haptic feedback aspect of a nearby smart phone, or provide some other periodic warning indicator at a first frequency. As the distance between the object and the trailer narrows, such as when the object moves to 1213, the object may enter a second (nearer) detection zone 1223.
  • the warning indicator may provided the same or a different warning indicator at a second frequency, which is faster than the first frequency.
  • the light may flash faster, change color, or increase in intensity, or a horn may sound louder, more quickly, or at a different pitch, or any combination thereof as the object comes closer to the trailer.
  • the variability of the warning indicator may be useful for informing the vehicle operator, or nearby people, that the distance from the trailer to an object is narrowing or widening thus reducing or eliminating the opportunity for collisions with nearby objects or people.
  • FIG. 13 illustrates at 1300 an example of actions that a spatial awareness system of the present disclosure may take.
  • sensors and the control circuit of the disclosed system optionally monitor the detection zones around the trailer.
  • the control circuit monitors the inputs from the sensors to determine if objects are within the predetermined zone. If an object may be within the predetermined zone, the control circuit activates a warning device of the present disclosure at 1303. If no objects are detected, the warning device remains deactivated and the monitoring cycle continues. This monitoring cycle may be executed by the control circuit more than 25,000 times per second, more than 1500 times per second, more than 10 times per second, more than once per second, or more than once every 10 seconds, or at any other suitable interval. Additionally, as the warning device may be activated at 1303, the control circuit may be continually monitoring the predetermined zone, if the object leaves the predetermined zone the control circuit may deactivate the warning device at 1304.
  • FIG. 14 illustrates at 1400 an example of actions the control circuit may take in monitoring for objects in predetermined detection zones at 1301.
  • the control circuit may consider input received from object detection sensors operating in conjunction with movement sensors incorporated into the system of the present disclosure.
  • the control circuit optionally receives input from the one or more object detection sensors monitoring detection zones around the trailer.
  • the control circuit optionally receives information from one or more movement sensors configured to detect movement of the trailer.
  • the control circuit determines if the input received from the movement sensors is sufficient to indicate that the trailer is moving. If not, the alert device is deactivated at 1304 (if it was ever activated in the first place).
  • the control circuit considers whether there are nearby objects at 1403 based on input from the detection zone sensors. If there are objects nearby, the warning device is activated at 1303 and processing continues again at 1301. In this example, the object detection system is active when the trailer is moving, and deactivated when it is stationary.
  • FIG. 15 illustrates at 1500 another example of actions the control circuit may take in monitoring for objects in predetermined detection zones at 1301.
  • the control circuit may consider input received from object detection sensors operating in conjunction with a reverse mode signal obtained from the trailer, or optionally from the tractor moving the trailer.
  • the control circuit optionally receives input from the one or more object detection sensors monitoring detection zones around the trailer.
  • the control circuit optionally receives information from the vehicle, the trailer, or form sensors configured to detect movement of the trailer in the reverse direction, any combination of which may be used by the control circuit to determine that the trailer is operating in the reverse mode.
  • the truck towing the trailer may provide a signal to the control circuit that the driver has selected the reverse gear.
  • the object detection sensors may provide input indicating that the trailer is moving backwards relative to the surrounding structures, and this may be used as a reverse mode signal.
  • the control circuit determines if the input received indicates that the trailer is in the reverse mode. If not, the alert device is deactivated at 1304 (if it was activate). If so, the control circuit considers whether there are nearby objects at 1503 based on input from the detection zone sensors, and activates or deactivates the warning device at 1303 or 1304. In this particular configuration, the detection of nearby objects occurs only when the trailer is moving (or is about to move) in reverse such as when backing up to a dock or other structure.
  • FIG. 16 illustrates at 1600 actions a control circuit may take to activate or deactivate the warning device according to input received from a speed sensor. Input is received from the control circuit at 1601 indicating the speed of the trailer. This input may be obtained from the truck towing the trailer, or from a separate speed sensing system of the trailer. The speed signal may be then compared with the predetermined threshold speed value at stage 1602. If the speed value is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the control circuit optionally activates the warning device at 1303, or deactivates it at 1304 if the speed value is less than the threshold value.
  • FIG. 17 illustrates at 1700 an example of actions the control circuit may take in determining a frequency of operation according to a distance from the object.
  • control circuit includes multiple threshold distances. In the course of determining whether objects are nearby at 1302, the control circuit may optionally determine at 1701 whether a detected object is within the furthest defined threshold distance. If not, meaning the object is outside the furthest detection threshold of interest, the warning device is deactivated, or remains deactivated at 1304.
  • the control circuit may determine if the object is within the next closest threshold. If not, the control circuit optionally activates the warning device in accordance with a configuration associated with the furthest threshold, and processing returns to 1302. In this initial case, the object is within the furthest threshold, but not any closer.
  • the control circuit may activate the warning indicator accordingly, and if not, it optionally activates the warning device according to the next closest previous threshold configuration.
  • the system is operable to successively initiate different levels or different types of warnings according to how close or far away from the trailer an object is.
  • This may mean flashing a lamp faster as the object approaches, changing the color of the emitted light, sounding a successively louder or higher pitched alarm, or sending additional messages to a remote server indicating that the distance is closing so that the alerts may be broadcast to one or more connected computing devices such as smart phones, lap tops, desk tops, and the like.
  • Fig. 18 Examples of the disclosed trailer components discussed herein elsewhere are shown in Fig. 18.
  • the trailer components shown at 1800 in Fig. 18 are merely examples of components that might be included in a trailer of the present disclosure, and should not be construed as an exhaustive list or as otherwise limiting the types of components envisioned. Other components may be included while some listed here may be excluded depending on the type of trailer and other factors.
  • the trailer components 1800 may include lamp(s) 1802, braking system 1807, sensors 1805, cameras 1809, and/or refrigeration system 1812.
  • lamp(s) 1802 may include, but are not limited to, running lamps 1813, interior illumination lamps 1815 for lighting the interior of the trailer, side marking / clearance / identification lamps 1816 for marking extremities of the trailer, backup 1817 for illuminating the area behind the trailer, license plate lamp(s) 1819 for lighting license plates and other identifying indicia mounted on the trailer, stop lamps 1821 that may illuminate when the vehicle may be actively braking, tail lamps 1823, left turn lamps 1827 and right turn lamps 1825, and, stop-tail-turn 1828.
  • lamp(s) 1802 may include one or more LEDs.
  • the sensors 1805 may include any of temperature sensor 1829 for sensing the temperature in and/or around the trailer, door sensor 1831 configured to optionally sense when trailer doors are open or closed, cargo sensor 1833 configured to optionally sense weight, location, and/or other attributes of cargo in or on the trailer, humidity sensor 1835 for optionally sensing absolute or relative humidity in and/or around a trailer, tank level sensor 1837 optionally for sensing the level of fluids (liquids or gases) carried by the trailer, proximity sensor 1839 optionally for sensing proximity of the trailer relative to nearby objects, and/or tire pressure sensor 1841 optionally for sensing pressure levels in tires of the trailer.
  • temperature sensor 1829 for sensing the temperature in and/or around the trailer
  • door sensor 1831 configured to optionally sense when trailer doors are open or closed
  • cargo sensor 1833 configured to optionally sense weight, location, and/or other attributes of cargo in or on the trailer
  • humidity sensor 1835 for optionally sensing absolute or relative humidity in and/or around a trailer
  • tank level sensor 1837 optionally for sensing the
  • the braking system 1807 may optionally include an anti-lock Brakes (ABS) controller 1843 for controlling the ABS braking system, 1845 optionally for indicating the status or failure of the braking system 1807, and/or pressure sensor 1847 optionally included to sense changes in hydraulic or air pressure in braking system 1807.
  • ABS anti-lock Brakes
  • Other optional trailer components include cameras 1809 such as one or more backup cameras 1855 for optionally capturing a view of the surrounding area directly behind the trailer, and one or more side cameras 1857 for optionally capturing a view of areas adjacent the sides of the trailer.
  • Components of refrigeration system 1812 may include temperature sensor 1849 for determining the temperature inside the refrigerated cargo area of the trailer, controller 1851 configured to control the refrigeration cycle in the refrigeration system, and refrigerant level 1853 for determining the level of refrigerant in refrigeration system 1812.
  • FIG. 19 illustrates at 1900 another example of a trailer component like those disclosed herein elsewhere that may include a sensor according to the present disclosure.
  • the lamp assembly 1902 is optionally mounted to a vehicle 1903 such as a truck tractor or trailer of the present disclosure.
  • the lamp assembly 1902 is similar to other lamp assemblies shown in FIGs. 20 and 21, and described herein elsewhere.
  • the lamp assembly 1902 optionally includes an electrically powered lighting unit 1904 arranged and configured to be mounted in a housing 1905, and/or to the housing 1905.
  • the lighting unit 1904 is optionally electrically connected to at least one power cable, one or more communication cables, and/or a separate ground cable to facilitate activating and deactivating one or more lamps 1909 according to what is disclosed herein (e.g. in FIGs. 5, 6, and elsewhere). In this example, nine lamps are shown mounted to a circuit board 1910, however any suitable number of lamps may be included. Examples of different lamp arrangements are disclosed below with respect to different colors, color combinations, and the like.
  • the lamp assembly optionally includes a light transmissive cover 1906 that is optionally arranged and configured to be placed over the lighting unit 1904.
  • the cover 1906 optionally interfaces with the housing 1905 in order to seal the lamp assembly from dust, dirt, moisture, and the like.
  • the lamp assembly may be hermetically sealed to reduce or eliminate the intrusion of dust, dirt, moisture, or any other foreign object material.
  • the lamp assembly 1902 is optionally arranged and configured to be mounted in a void or opening 1911 that is defined by the vehicle 1903 of the present disclosure.
  • the opening 1911 may define a shape such as a circle, oval, square, rectangle, or other suitable shape.
  • the opening may be suitable for receiving a lamp assembly with a housing that is substantially circular and has a diameter 1921 that is 3 inches or more, 4 inches or more, 6 inches or more, or other suitable size.
  • the lamp assembly 1902 includes a 49 CFR section 393.11 compliant stop, turn, side marker, clearance, or other lamp for a truck cab or truck trailer.
  • the opening 1911 may pass into, and optionally through, a portion of the vehicle 1903.
  • the opening may be in a wall, fender, bumper, structural support, frame member, or any other portion of the vehicle.
  • the opening may be on the front, back, sides, top, bottom, or any other area of the vehicle suitable for retaining the lamp assembly.
  • a sensor 1907 according to any sensors discussed herein is optionally included in the lamp assembly.
  • the sensor may be mounted to the circuit board 1910 thus making it part of the electrically powered lighting unit 1904.
  • the sensor 1907 may be mounted to the light transmissive cover 1906 and may be electrically connected to the lighting unit 1904.
  • the cover 1906 may be formed from a polymeric material and the sensor 1907 may be embedded in the light transmissive cover 1906 during manufacturing.
  • the senor may be affixed, adhered, or otherwise mounted to the cover 1906 such as by adhesives, fasteners, or by any other suitable device or technique.
  • the sensor 1907 may be mounted inside of the cover 1906 and some or all of the sensor 1907 may remain on an inside surface of the cover, extend into the cover, or pass entirely through the cover.
  • the light transmissive cover 1906 optionally defines an opening 1908 arranged and configured to receive at least a portion of the sensor 1907.
  • sensor 1907 may be arranged and configured such that when the lamp assembly 1902 is installed in the vehicle 1903, sensor 1907 protrudes through the opening 1908. This may be advantageous so that electromagnetic radiation sent and/or received by the sensor 1907 may do so without being obstructed by the light transmissive cover 1906.
  • the opening 1908 is absent. This may be advantageous to reduce the opportunity for foreign object intrusion at the interface of the sensor and a light transmissive cover, and may be useful where the sensor 1907 is operable to detect proximity to other objects irrespective of whether the light transmissive cover 1906 partially or fully covers the sensor.
  • the opening 1908 is optionally positioned in a light emitting luminous portion of the lamp.
  • the sensor 1907 may be accordingly partially or completely surrounded by one or more lamps 1909.
  • FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view of another example of a trailer component that optionally includes a sensor of the present disclosure.
  • the lamp assembly 2002 is similar to other lamp assemblies shown in FIGs. 19 and 21, and described herein elsewhere, and is optionally mounted to a vehicle 2003 of the present disclosure such as a truck tractor or trailer.
  • the lamp assembly optionally includes an electrically powered lighting unit 2004 arranged and configured to be mounted in or to a housing 2005.
  • the lighting unit 2004 is optionally electrically connected to at least one power cable, a separate ground cable, and optionally to one or more communication cables, to facilitate activating and deactivating one or more lamps 2009 according to what is disclosed herein (e.g. in FIGs. 5, 6, and elsewhere).
  • the lamp assembly optionally includes a light transmissive cover 2006 that is optionally arranged and configured to be placed over or in front of the lighting unit 2004.
  • the cover 2006 optionally interfaces with the housing 2005 so as to seal the lamp assembly from dust, dirt, moisture, and the like.
  • the lamp assembly may be hermetically sealed to reduce or eliminate the intrusion of dust, dirt, moisture, or any other foreign object material.
  • the lamp assembly 2002 is optionally arranged and configured to be mounted in a void or opening 2011 that is defined by the vehicle 2003.
  • this opening 2011 may define any suitable shape such as a circle, oval, square, rectangle, and the like.
  • the opening may be suitable for receiving a lamp assembly with a housing that is substantially circular and has a diameter 2021 that is 3 inches or more, 4 inches or more, 6 inches or more, or other suitable size.
  • the lamp assembly 2002 includes a 49 CFR section 393.11 compliant stop, turn, side marker, clearance, or other lamp for a truck cab or truck trailer.
  • the opening 2011 may pass into, and optionally through, a portion of the vehicle 2003.
  • the opening may be in a wall, fender, bumper, structural support, frame member, or any other portion of the vehicle.
  • the opening may be on the front, back, sides, top, bottom, or any other area of the vehicle suitable for retaining the lamp assembly.
  • a sensor 2007 according to any sensors discussed herein is optionally included in the lamp assembly.
  • the sensor may be mounted to the housing 2005 and electrically connected to the powered lighting unit 2004.
  • the housing 2006 may be at least partially formed from a polymeric material and the sensor 2007 may be embedded in the housing during manufacturing.
  • the sensor may be affixed, adhered, or otherwise mounted to the housing 2005 such as by adhesives, fasteners, or by any other suitable device or technique.
  • the sensor 2007 may be mounted outside the interior of the housing and some or all of the sensor 2007 may remain on an inside surface of the light transmissive cover, extend into the cover, or pass entirely through the cover.
  • sensor 2007 may be electrically connected to one or more power, ground, or communication cables 2012.
  • FIG. 20 illustrates four such cables although any suitable number of cables may be employed.
  • a power and ground cable optionally be all that is required, or a power and ground and one communication cable, or a power and ground in multiple communication cables, and so on.
  • the cables 2012 may be electrically connected to one or more corresponding terminals 2013.
  • the terminals 2013 may be electrically connected to corresponding terminals 2014 that are mounted to the circuit board 2010.
  • the circuit board 2010 may be positioned within housing 2005 such that terminals 2014 electrically connect with terminals 2013.
  • terminals 2014 and 2013 directly contact one another when circuit board 2010 is positioned within housing 2005.
  • sensor data sent from sensor 2007 passes through the electrical lighting unit 2004 before passing to a control circuit of the present disclosure.
  • the senor 2007 may be electric connected to a control circuit of the present disclosure via a separate set of power, ground, and communication lines.
  • the power, ground, and communication cables 2012 may be electrically connected to corresponding power, ground, and communication cables of the vehicle.
  • the vehicle, or a socket mounted in the opening 2011 may include terminals 2015 electrically connected to a control circuit of the present disclosure.
  • the terminals 2015 may correspond to terminals 2013 thus allowing for an electrical connection between sensor 2007 and a control circuit of the present disclosure.
  • signals sent and/or received by the sensor 2007 may be passed over a separate set of communication or data lines that are independent from any cables electrically connected to the circuit board 2014.
  • the senor 2007 may be mounted to the housing 2005.
  • the sensor 2007 may extend outwardly away from the housing and may optionally extend beyond an outside wall of the housing. In this configuration, the sensor 2007 is optionally outside the luminous area of the lamp assembly 2002 and without requiring modification to the opening 2011.
  • the light transmissive cover 2006 optionally defines an opening 2008 arranged and configured to receive at least a portion of the sensor 2007. Light projected by the lamps 2009 may pass through a light transmissive portion 2019 of the cover. This portion of the cover may be transparent, or it least translucent, and may be red, white, amber, or other suitable color, or any combination thereof. A separate portion 2020 of the cover 2006 may extend away from the luminous portion of the cover 2006 to cover the sensor 2007. The separate portion 2020 may be light transmissive, or opaque, and any suitable color. In this example, the sensor 2007 is mounted clear of the light transmissive portion of the cover 2019 thus allowing illumination from the lamps 2009 to pass through the cover without interference from the sensor.
  • the senor 2007 may be arranged and configured such that when the lamp assembly 2002 is installed in the vehicle, sensor 2007 protrudes through the opening 2008.
  • the opening 2008 is optionally absent and the sensor 2007 is partially or completely covered by the protruding portion of the cover 2006.
  • FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view of another example of a trailer component that may include multiple sensors on an ovular lamp assembly of the present disclosure.
  • the lamp assembly 2102 is similar to other lamp assemblies shown in FIGs. 19 and 20, and described herein elsewhere, and is optionally mounted to a vehicle 2103 of the present disclosure such as a truck tractor or trailer.
  • the lamp assembly optionally includes an electrically powered lighting unit 2104 arranged and configured to be mounted in or to a housing 2105.
  • the lighting unit 2104 is optionally electrically connected to at least one power cable, a separate ground cable, and optionally to one or more communication cables, to facilitate activating and deactivating one or more lamps 2109 according to the present disclosure (e.g. in FIGs. 5, 6, and elsewhere).
  • 10 lamps are shown mounted to a circuit board 2110, however any suitable number of lamps may be included with differing colors, color combinations, and the like, as disclosed herein.
  • the lamp assembly optionally includes a light transmissive cover 2106 that is optionally arranged and configured to be placed over or in front of the lighting unit 2104.
  • the cover 2106 optionally interfaces with the housing 2105 so as to seal the lamp assembly from dust, dirt, moisture, and the like.
  • the lamp assembly may be hermetically sealed to reduce or eliminate the intrusion of dust, dirt, moisture, or any other foreign object material.
  • the lamp assembly 2102 is optionally arranged and configured to be mounted in a void or opening 2111 that is defined by the vehicle 2103.
  • this opening 2111 may define any suitable shape such as a circle, oval, square, rectangle, and the like.
  • the opening may be suitable for receiving a lamp assembly with a housing that is substantially ovular and has a long axis dimension 2121 that is 3 inches or more, 4 inches or more, 6 inches or more, or other suitable size, and a short axis dimension 2122 that is 3 inches or more, 4 inches or more, 6 inches or more, or other suitable size.
  • the lamp assembly 2102 includes a 49 CFR section 393.11 compliant stop, turn, side marker, clearance, or other lamp for a truck cab or truck trailer.
  • the opening 2111 may pass into, and optionally through, a portion of the vehicle 2103.
  • the opening may be in a wall, fender, bumper, structural support, frame member, or any other portion of the vehicle.
  • the opening may be on the front, back, sides, top, bottom, or any other area of the vehicle suitable for retaining the lamp assembly.
  • sensors 2117 and 2118 are optionally included in the lamp assembly.
  • the sensors may be mounted to the housing 2105, or to the light transmissive cover 2106 and electrically connected to the powered lighting unit 2104, or to the vehicle directly bypassing the lighting unit 2104.
  • the cover 2106 may be at least partially formed from a polymeric material and the sensors 2117 and 2118 may be embedded in the cover during manufacturing.
  • the sensors may be affixed, adhered, or otherwise mounted to the cover 2106 such as by adhesives, fasteners, or by any other suitable device or technique.
  • the light transmissive cover 2106 may include a light transmissive portion 2119 that is substantially transparent and is optionally red in color, amber in color, clear, or any combination thereof.
  • a separate opaque portion 2120 may optionally surround the transmissive portion 2119.
  • the sensors 2117 and 2118 are optionally mounted in the opaque portion 2120 thus avoiding any possible interference with light transmission of the lamps 2109 through the light transmissive portion of the cover.
  • sensors may be electrically connected to one or more power, ground, or communication cables either through the lighting unit 2104, or directly to the vehicle 2103 as disclosed herein. Any suitable number of cables may be employed.
  • a power and ground cable optionally be all that is required, or a power and ground and one communication cable, or a power and ground in multiple communication cables, and so on.
  • FIGs. 22-32 illustrate additional examples of lighting configurations that may be obtainable by lighting assemblies of the present disclosure.
  • Lamps 2200, 2400, 2600, and 2800 include a light transmissive cover having a first illuminated surface area 2201, 2401, 2601, and 2801 and a second illuminated surface area 2202, 2402, 2602, and 2802.
  • the first area of the cover is light transmissive and red in color.
  • One or more such first lamps may be red, white, amber, or other color, or any combinations thereof.
  • the lamp may include or consist of one or more LEDs.
  • the second area 2202, 2402, 2602, and 2802 of the cover may be light transmissive and is optionally clear in color. Moreover, there are one or more second lamps 2203, 2403, and 2603 are optionally located directly beneath the clear second area.
  • the second lamp comprises a lamp that emits white light, or optionally amber, red, or other color, or any combination thereof.
  • the second lamp may comprise an emitter, such as an LED, that emits amber light, such as for example, upon the activation of a turn indicator.
  • one or more third lamps 2204, 2404, 2604, and 2804 located directly beneath the clear second area.
  • the third lamp optionally comprises an LED for emitting red light through the clear second area simultaneously with light transmitted through the red first area, whereby the first and second areas are adapted to collectively form a contiguous red illuminated surface area.
  • the lamp optionally does not include motors or moving parts. The covers, and their first and second areas, and the LEDs are fixed and nonmovable.
  • FIGs. 28-32 illustrate some various illumination combinations that may be achieved using lamp assemblies of the present disclosure. These examples are illustrative of some possibilities, and are not restrictive. Any suitable combination of different colored lamps and light transmissive covers may be useful according to the present disclosure.
  • the reference character convention herein include power source, Pl, P2, P3, such as electricity received from the vehicle, and/or a control circuit of the present disclosure. When such power source is activated, in FIGs. 28-32, it is shown encircled. Upon activation, one or more of the lamps, LI, L2, L3 emit light. Cover 2801 (red) and cover 2802 (clear) are shown as an illustration of the different colored light transmissive covers discussed in the present disclosure.
  • one or more of the lamps, LI, L2, L3, cause red light Rl, red light R3, and/or white light Wl, to be emitted from the lamp.
  • white light W 1 may be substituted, and or amber light as well.
  • the shading of the first area and/or the second area, in FIGs. 22-27 indicate red light emitted from that area.
  • the conceptually illumination shown in FIG. 28 corresponds to the red illuminated shading of only first red areas 2201, 2401, and 2601 in FIGs. 22, 24, and 26, respectively.
  • 31 and 32 correspond to the red illuminated shading of both first red areas 2201, 2401, and 2601 as well as red light from second clear areas 2202, 2402, and 2602 in FIGs. 23, 25, and 27, respectively.
  • the lamp assemblies of the present disclosure may be stop-tail-tum lamps for a vehicle and wherein the sum of the first illuminated surface area 2201, 2401, and 2601 and the second illuminated surface area 2202, 2402, and 2602 is at least fifty (50) square centimeters, and more preferably is at least seventy-five (75) square centimeters and less than 100 square centimeters, and more preferably is less than 85 square centimeters.
  • other collective illuminated surface areas are possible, per 49 C.F.R. ⁇ 571.108, such as for a stop lamp for a motorcycle at least 5000 square millimeters (and preferably, but optionally, less than 8,000 square millimeters).
  • the collective illuminated surface area preferably is at least 5000 square millimeters (and preferably, but optionally, less than 8,000 square millimeters).
  • the various emitters are activated upon one or more various events.
  • the lamp may have the white second lamp 2203, 2403, and 2603 may be activated upon the vehicle being placed in reverse.
  • the red third lamp 2204, 2404, and 2604 may be de-activated upon the vehicle being placed in reverse.
  • such second and third lamps are on concurrently (see e.g. FIG. 31).
  • the red third lamp 2204, 2404, and 2604 may be activated upon the vehicle braking.
  • the first and third emitters both normally red, are both activated in tail lamp mode, and are still activated, but emit brighter light, during braking or stop mode.
  • the headlamps are off and/or the first and third lamps are otherwise not in tail lamp mode, during braking or stop mode preferably they are activated and of the brighter, stop lamp, intensity.
  • the lamp may comprise a fourth lamp located directly beneath the clear second area 2202, 2402, and 2602 and, wherein the fourth lamp comprises an LED that emits amber light.
  • the fourth lamp comprises an LED that emits amber light.
  • the amber LED is in that case activated upon the corresponding turn signal (left or right) being activated.
  • the lamp assemblies of the present disclosure has no reflector(s), such as for example, parabolic reflector(s), and no barrier wall(s) between the first lamp(s) and the third lamp(s) (see for example FIGs. 28-32).
  • the lamp may be a single compartment lamp or may be a multiple compartment lamp.
  • the intensity of the various emitted light(s) may be varied.
  • the red light from area 2201, 2401, and 2601 (and/or from area 2202, 2402, 2602) may be lower intensity in taillight mode, when the vehicle head lamps are activated, and higher intensity when braking.
  • the red first lamp and the red third lamp may optionally each be activated upon the vehicle head lamps being activated.
  • the red first lamp and the red third lamp optionally may each emit brighter light upon the vehicle braking.
  • Such intensity may, for example, be achieved by powering additional lamps and/or by controller the amount of power to the lamps (by resistors, diodes or otherwise) in the first area 2201, 2401, 2601 and/or area 2202, 2402, and 2602.
  • Example 1 A system, comprising one or more sensors mounted to a vehicle such as a truck or trailer that are configured to detect objects in a detection zone adjacent the vehicle.
  • Example 2 The system of any other example comprising a control circuit electrically connected to one or more sensors, wherein the control circuit is responsive to input received from the sensors.
  • Example 3 The system of any other example comprising a warning device mounted to the vehicle, wherein the warning device is electrically connected to the control circuit, and wherein the control circuit is configured to activate the warning device when an object is in the detection zone adjacent to the vehicle.
  • Example 4 The system of any other example, wherein the vehicle includes a movement sensor configured to detect movement, wherein the control circuit is responsive to the movement sensor.
  • Example 5 The system of any other example, wherein the control circuit is configured to activate the warning device when the control circuit receives input from the movement sensor indicating the vehicle is moving.
  • Example 6 The system of any other example, wherein the vehicle is configured to provide a reverse mode indicator signal; wherein the control circuit is responsive to the reverse mode indicator signal.
  • Example 7 The system of any other example, wherein the control circuit activates the warning device when the control circuit receives a reverse indicator signal.
  • Example 8 The system of any other example, wherein the vehicle includes a speed sensor configured to provide a speed of the vehicle.
  • Example 9 The system of any other example, wherein the control circuit is programmed with a target speed threshold, and wherein the control circuit is programmed to activate the warning device when the speed of the vehicle is below the target speed threshold.
  • Example 10 The system of any other example, wherein the target speed threshold is about 3 mph.
  • Example 11 The system of any other example, wherein one of the sensors is included in a vehicle component assembly.
  • Example 12 The system of any other example, wherein a vehicle component assembly includes a housing and the vehicle component is mounted inside or to the housing.
  • Example 13 The system of any other example, wherein a vehicle component assembly includes a power terminal electrically connected to a vehicle power circuit.
  • Example 14 The system of any other example, wherein a vehicle component assembly includes a ground terminal electrically connected to a vehicle ground circuit.
  • Example 15 The system of any other example, wherein one of the at least one sensors is included in a vehicle component assembly.
  • Example 16 The system of any other example, wherein a vehicle component assembly includes a communication terminal electrically connected to a vehicle communication circuit that is separate and distinct from power and ground circuits.
  • Example 17 The system of any other example, wherein a vehicle component assembly includes a communication terminal electrically connected to a vehicle communication circuit that includes the power and ground circuits.
  • Example 18 wherein the vehicle component is configured to activate and deactivate according to control commands received via the communication terminal.
  • Example 19 The system of any other example, wherein the control commands received by the trailer component include a vehicle component identifier, and wherein the vehicle component control circuit is programmed to respond to vehicle components that include a matching vehicle component identifier.
  • Example 20 The system of any other example, wherein one of the at least one sensors is responsive to electromagnetic energy.
  • Example 21 The system of any other example, wherein at least one sensors is responsive to sound energy.
  • Example 22 The system of any other example, wherein the one or more sensors, control circuit, and the warning device are electrically connected via a wireless communication link.
  • Example 23 The system of any other example, wherein the control circuit is operable to deactivate the warning device in response to receiving a deactivation command from the control circuit.
  • Example 24 The system of any other example, wherein the control circuit is operable to send the deactivation command when the one or more sensors indicate the object is absent from the detection zone.
  • Example 25 The system of any other example, wherein the warning device emits light when activated, and wherein the lamp does not emit light when deactivated.
  • Example 26 The system of any other example, comprising a computing device in communication with the control circuit, wherein the control circuit is programmed to accept command input from the computing device.
  • Example 27 The system of any other example, comprising a computing device in communication with the control circuit, wherein the computing device is programmed to accept a control output from the control circuit.
  • Example 28 The system of any other example, wherein the computing device generates an alert in response to control output received from the control circuit, and wherein the control circuit sends the control output when the one or more sensors determine that an object is within the detection zone.
  • Example 29 The system of any other example, wherein the detection zone includes an area about 50 meters or less from the vehicle.
  • Example 30 The system of any other example, wherein the detection zone includes an area about 5 meters or less from the vehicle.
  • Example 31 The system of any other example, wherein the control circuit controls the warning device to flash when the vehicle is moving in reverse.
  • Example 32 The system of any other example, wherein the warning device is a lamp, and wherein the control circuit controls the lamp to flash at a first frequency when the object is detected by the one or more sensors within a first threshold distance from the vehicle, and wherein the control circuit controls the lamp to flash at a second frequency when the object is detected by the one or more sensors to be within a second threshold distance from the vehicle that is different than the first threshold distance.
  • Example 33 The system of any other example, wherein the second frequency is greater than the first frequency, and wherein the second threshold distance is less than the first threshold distance.
  • Example 34 The system of any other example, comprising: a brake system; and, a brake controller, wherein the brake controller is responsive to the control circuit, wherein the control circuit activates the brake controller to engage the brake system, and wherein the control circuit sends the activation command when the object is in the detection zone.
  • Example 35 The system of any other example, comprising: a reverse alarm, wherein the reverse alarm is configured to activate when the vehicle is moving in reverse.
  • Example 36 The system of any other example, wherein the control circuit is configured to activate the reverse alarm when the object is within the detection zone.
  • Example 37 The system of any other example, wherein the control circuit is configured to deactivate the reverse alarm when the object is no longer in the detection zone.
  • Example 38 The system of any other example, wherein the vehicle component is a lamp assembly include one or more lamps.
  • Example 39 The system of any other example, wherein the component includes a light transmissive cover, and wherein the sensor passes through a portion of the cover.
  • Example 40 The system of any other example that includes light transmissive cover has a clear portion in a colored portion.
  • Example 41 The system of any other example, including a light transmissive cover with a light transmissive portion, and an opaque portion.
  • Example 42 The system of any other example, including a light transmissive cover with an opaque portion, wherein the sensor passes through at least a portion of the opaque portion.
  • Example 43 The system of any other example, including a light transmissive cover that defines a through hole through which the sensor extends.
  • Example 44 The system of any other example, wherein the sensor extends outwardly away from a housing of the component.
  • Example 45 The system of any other example, wherein the sensor extends radially outward away from the center of the component.
  • Example 46 The system of any other example, wherein the sensor extends axially outward away from the center of the component in the direction of a light transmissive cover.
  • Example 47 The system of any other example, wherein the component includes multiple sensors coupled to a light transmissive cover or to the housing of the component.
  • Example 48 The system of any other example, having a first light emitter that includes one or more red LEDs.
  • Example 49 The system of any other example, wherein the first light emitter operates in a braking mode.
  • Example 50 The system of any other example, wherein the first light emitter includes one or more white LEDs.
  • Example 51 The system of any other example, wherein the second light emitter includes one or more amber LEDs.
  • Example 52 The system of any other example, wherein the second light emitter operates in a turn signal mode.
  • Example 53 The system of any other example, wherein the second light emitter includes one or more white LEDs.
  • Example 54 The system of any other example, wherein the second light emitter includes LEDs configured to emit either white or amber light.
  • Example 55 The system of any other example, wherein the first and second light emitters are operable to activate and deactivate independent of each other.
  • Example 56 The system of any other example, wherein the first light emitter is operable to activate at a first intensity when the vehicle is in a braking mode, and at a second intensity when not in the brake mode, the first intensity being higher than the second intensity; and wherein the second light emitter is operable to activate in a turn signal mode.
  • Example 57 The system of any other example, wherein the first and second light emitters are operable to deactivate when not in a braking mode.
  • Example 58 The system of any other example, wherein the second light emitter is operable to deactivate in a reverse mode.
  • Example 59 The system of any other example, comprising a third light emitter, separate from the first and the second light emitters, wherein the third light emitter is adapted to emit red light through the clear second area.
  • Example 60 The system of any other example, wherein the lamp defines multiple separate internal compartments.
  • Example 61 The system of any other example, wherein the lamp defines a single internal compartment.
  • Example 62 The system of any other example, wherein the lamp includes one or more barrier walls positioned between elements of the first and second light emitters.
  • Example 63 The system of any other example, wherein the second clear area of the cover is completely surrounded by the first red area of the cover.
  • Example 64 The system of any other example, wherein the light transmissive cover has in brake mode an illuminated surface area at least 70 square centimeters and less than 100 square centimeters.
  • Example 65 The system of any other example, wherein the light transmissive cover is circular and about 4 to 4 /i inches in diameter.
  • Example 66 The system of any other example, wherein the light transmissive cover is oval and about 2 inches tall and about 6 /i inches wide.
  • Example 67 The system of any other example, wherein the light transmissive cover has in brake mode an illuminated surface areas that is at least 5000 square millimeters.
  • Example 68 The system of any other example, wherein the lamp is shaped from a group consisting of: (a) a circle with a diameter of about 10 centimeters; and, (b) an oval.
  • Example 69 The system of any other example, wherein the first light emitter includes at least 6 LEDs emitting white or red light, and wherein the second light emitter includes at least 2 LEDs emitting white or amber light
  • Example 70 The lamp assembly of any other example, wherein the first light emitter is operable to activate in a braking or tail lamp mode, and wherein the second light emitter is operable to activate in a turning or backup mode.
  • Example 71 The lamp assembly of any other example, wherein the first light emitter is operable to activate at a first intensity while braking, and at a second lower intensity while operating in the tail lamp mode.
  • Example 72 The lamp assembly of any other example, wherein the first light emitter and the second light emitter are operable to activate together in a turning and tail lamp mode, in a turning or braking mode, or in a braking and backup mode.
  • Example 1 A method, comprising monitoring an area around a vehicle using one or more sensors.
  • Example 2 The method of any other example, wherein the sensors are configured to detect objects within a detection zone defined by the one or more sensors.
  • Example 3 The method of any other example, comprising receiving input from the sensors using a control circuit, wherein the control circuit and sensors communicate using a communication link.
  • Example 4 The method of any other example, comprising activating a warning device according to input received from the control circuit when the control circuit determines an object is within the detection zone.
  • Example 5 The method of any other example, comprising detecting movement of the vehicle using a movement sensor, wherein the control circuit is responsive to the movement sensor; and activating the warning device when the movement sensor detects the vehicle is moving.
  • Example 6 The method of any other example, comprising activating the warning device when the movement sensor detects the vehicle is moving in reverse.
  • Example 7 The method of any other example, comprising receiving a reverse mode indicator signal using the control circuit; and activating the warning device when the control circuit receives the reverse mode indicator signal.
  • Example 8 The method of any other example, comprising receiving a speed signal from a speed sensor mounted to the vehicle using the control circuit; and activating the warning device when the speed signal indicates a speed that is greater than a target threshold.
  • Example 9 The method of any other example, wherein the target threshold is about 5 mph.
  • Example 10 The method of any other example, comprising detecting forward movement of the vehicle using a movement sensor, wherein the control circuit is responsive to the movement sensor;
  • Example 11 The method of any other example, deactivating the warning device when the object is no longer within the detection zone of the one or more sensors.
  • Example 12 The method of any other example, comprising flashing a warning lamp at a first frequency when the object is detected by the one or more sensors within a first threshold distance from the vehicle, and flashing the warning lamp at a second frequency when the object is detected by the one or more sensors to be within a second threshold distance from the vehicle that is different than the first threshold distance.
  • Example 13 The method of any other example, wherein the first threshold distance is farther from the vehicle than the second threshold distance.
  • Example 14 The method of any other example, wherein the first frequency is slower than the second frequency.
  • Example 15 The method of any other example, wherein one of the at least one sensors uses electromagnetic radiation to detect the object within the detection zone.
  • Example 16 The method of any other example, wherein one of the at least one sensors uses sound energy to detect the object within the detection zone.
  • Example 17 The method of any other example, wherein the communication link includes wireless connection.
  • Example 18 The method of any other example, wherein the communication link includes a wired connection.
  • Example 19 The method of any other example, wherein the detection zone is extends from the vehicle to a distance of about 150 feet or less.
  • Example 20 The method of any other example, wherein the detection zone extends from the vehicle to a distance of about 15 feet or less.
  • Example 21 The method of any other example, comprising mounting one or more sensors to a vehicle, wherein the sensors are configured to detect objects within a detection zone defined by the sensor.
  • Example 22 The method of any other example, comprising installing a control circuit in the vehicle, wherein the control circuit is responsive to the sensors; mounting at least one warning device to the vehicle, wherein at least one warning device is responsive to the control circuit; connecting the sensors, control circuit, and warning device via a wireless communication link.
  • Example 23 The method of any other example, wherein the vehicle component assembly is mounted to at least one rear comer of the vehicle.
  • Example 24 The method of any other example, wherein the warning device is mounted to at least one front corner of the vehicle adjacent to the tractor.
  • “About” with reference to numerical values generally refers to plus or minus 10% of the stated value. For example, if the stated value is 4.375, then use of the term “about 4.375” generally means a range between 3.9375 and 4.8125.
  • “Activate” generally is synonymous with “providing power to”, or refers to “enabling a specific function” of a circuit or electronic device that already has power.
  • Alert generally refers to an audible and/or visual message intended to inform a system’s users or administrators about a change in the operating conditions of the system or about an error condition of the system.
  • the alert may be displayed as a small window containing a message and/or photo detailing the alert information and parameters.
  • the alert may include a button (virtual or physical) to click in order to dismiss the alert.
  • the alert may be strictly audible and based on preset parameters.
  • the alert may be transmitted to a remote device for analysis.
  • Other synonymous terms for alert include alarm and/or notification.
  • Anti-lock Braking System generally refers to a vehicle safety system that allows the wheels on a motor vehicle (including trailers) to maintain tractive contact with the road surface according to driver inputs while braking, preventing the wheels from locking up (ceasing rotation) and avoiding uncontrolled skidding.
  • ABS systems automatically apply the principles of threshold braking and cadence braking albeit a much faster rate and with better control than drivers can typically manage manually.
  • ABS systems include wheel speed sensors to detect reduced wheel rotation indicative of impending wheel lock.
  • An ABS controller is also included that can automatically actuate the braking system to reduce braking force on the affected wheel or wheels, and to quickly reapply braking force when the danger of wheel lock is reduced.
  • This overall feedback loop may be executed multiple times a second resulting in rapid activation and deactivation of braking force or “pulsing” of the brakes.
  • Maximum braking force is obtained with approximately 10-20% slippage between the braked wheel's rotational speed and the road surface. Beyond this point, rolling grip diminishes rapidly and sliding friction provides a greater proportion of the force that slows the vehicle. Due to local heating and melting of the tires, the sliding friction can be very low.
  • Threshold braking seeks to obtain peak friction by maintaining the maximum braking force possible without allowing wheels to slip excessively.
  • threshold braking is to keep the amount of tire slip at the optimal amount, the value that produces the maximum frictional, and thus braking force.
  • the amount of friction available for braking is typically substantially less than when the wheels are not slipping (static friction), thereby reducing the braking force. Peak friction occurs between the static and dynamic endpoints, and this is the point that threshold braking tries to maintain.
  • “Cadence” braking or “stutter” braking involves pumping the brake pedal and is used to allow a car to both steer and brake on a slippery surface.
  • ABS systems generally provide this behavior automatically and at a much higher rate than most drivers can manually produce. It is used to effect an emergency stop where traction is limited to reduce the effect of skidding from road wheels locking up under braking. This can be a particular problem when different tires have different traction, such as on patchy ice for example. Cadence braking maximizes the time for the driver to steer around the obstacle ahead, as it allows the driver to steer while slowing. ABS generally offers improved vehicle control and decreases stopping distances on dry and slippery surfaces; however, on loose gravel or snow- covered surfaces, ABS can significantly increase braking distance, although still improving vehicle steering control.
  • Brake Lamp generally refers to a lamp (usually red) attached to the rear of a vehicle that illuminates when the brakes are applied to serve as a warning to fellow drivers.
  • brake lamp includes stop lamps as that term is defined under the present legal and/or regulatory requirements for a truck or a trailer such as illuminated surface area, candela, and otherwise.
  • Such regulations include, for example, Title 49 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, section 571.108, also known as Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 108.
  • Cable generally refers to one or more elongate strands of material that may be used to carry electromagnetic or electrical energy.
  • a metallic or other electrically conductive material may be used to carry electric current.
  • strands of glass, acrylic, or other substantially transparent material may be included in a cable for carrying light such as in a fiber-optic cable.
  • a cable may include connectors at each end of the elongate strands for connecting to other cables to provide additional length.
  • a cable is generally synonymous with a node in an electrical circuit and provides connectivity between elements in a circuit but does not include circuit elements. Any voltage drop across a cable is therefore a function of the overall resistance of the material used.
  • a cable may include a sheath or layer surrounding the cable with electrically non- conductive material to electrically insulate the cable from inadvertently electrically connecting with other conductive material adjacent the cable.
  • a cable may include multiple individual component cables, wires, or strands, each with, or without, a non-conductive sheathing.
  • a cable may also include a non-conductive sheath or layer around the conductive material, as well as one or more layers of conductive shielding material around the non-conductive sheath to capture stray electromagnetic energy that may be transmitted by electromagnet signals traveling along the conductive material of the cable, and to insulate the cable from stray electromagnetic energy that may be present in the environment the cable is passing through.
  • Examples of cables include twisted pair cable, coaxial cable, “twin-lead”, fiber-optic cable, hybrid optical and electrical cable, ribbon cables with multiple side-by-side wires, and the like.
  • Cargo Sensor generally refers to a sensors configured to determine whether a vehicle is loaded or unloaded, to what extent a vehicle is loaded, and optionally the position of different portions of the load inside the vehicle. Any suitable sensing technology may be used for this purpose. Examples include cargo sensors that use ultrasonic detection, optical image analysis of the cargo area, or laser time-of-flight measurements for detecting the presence of cargo within a cargo area.
  • Computer generally refers to any computing device configured to compute a result from any number of input values or variables.
  • a computer may include a processor for performing calculations to process input or output.
  • a computer may include a memory for storing values to be processed by the processor, or for storing the results of previous processing.
  • a computer may also be configured to accept input and output from a wide array of input and output devices for receiving or sending values. Such devices include other computers, keyboards, mice, visual displays, printers, industrial equipment, and systems or machinery of all types and sizes.
  • a computer can control a network or network interface to perform various network communications upon request.
  • the network interface may be part of the computer, or characterized as separate and remote from the computer.
  • a computer may be a single, physical, computing device such as a desktop computer, a laptop computer, or may be composed of multiple devices of the same type such as a group of servers operating as one device in a networked cluster, or a heterogeneous combination of different computing devices operating as one computer and linked together by a communication network.
  • the communication network connected to the computer may also be connected to a wider network such as the internet.
  • a computer may include one or more physical processors or other computing devices or circuitry, and may also include any suitable type of memory.
  • a computer may also be a virtual computing platform having an unknown or fluctuating number of physical processors and memories or memory devices.
  • a computer may thus be physically located in one geographical location or physically spread across several widely scattered locations with multiple processors linked together by a communication network to operate as a single computer.
  • processors within a computer or computing device also encompasses any such processor or computing device serving to make calculations or comparisons as part of the disclosed system. Processing operations related to threshold comparisons, rules comparisons, calculations, and the like occurring in a computer may occur, for example, on separate servers, the same server with separate processors, or on a virtual computing environment having an unknown number of physical processors as described above.
  • a computer may be optionally coupled to one or more visual displays and/or may include an integrated visual display. Likewise, displays may be of the same type, or a heterogeneous combination of different visual devices.
  • a computer may also include one or more operator input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, touch screen, laser or infrared pointing device, or gyroscopic pointing device to name just a few representative examples.
  • one or more other output devices may be included such as a printer, plotter, industrial manufacturing machine, 3D printer, and the like. As such, various display, input and output device arrangements are possible.
  • Multiple computers or computing devices may be configured to communicate with one another or with other devices over wired or wireless communication links to form a network.
  • Network communications may pass through various computers operating as network appliances such as switches, routers, firewalls or other network devices or interfaces before passing over other larger computer networks such as the internet.
  • Communications can also be passed over the network as wireless data transmissions carried over electromagnetic waves through transmission lines or free space.
  • Such communications include using WiFi or other Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) or a cellular transmitter/receiver to transfer data.
  • WLAN Wireless Local Area Network
  • Communication System generally refers to an arrangement of cooperating devices or systems configured to communicate with each other.
  • the communication system may use electric or non-electric sources such as graphic images, electromagnetic radiation, the human voice, digital or analog data, and the like, and may carry information provided by these sources as electric or nonelectric signals.
  • a communication system may include input transducers or sensors to capture input from the sources.
  • sensors may include microphones, cameras, keyboards, motion sensors, light sensors, or other such transducers for capturing some aspect from one location or environment and converting or capturing it as input.
  • a transmitter may be included to convert captured information from the input sources into electric signals and may include aspects such as noise filters, analog-to-digital converters, encoders, modulators, signal amplifiers, and the like to prepare the captured input for transmission. Transmission may be achieved by an antenna, or any suitable device for converting the input to electromagnetic energy in any suitable form.
  • a receiver may be included to accept signals from a transmitter via a receiving antenna, the receiver may be configured to capture and reconstruct the signal as it was before transmission.
  • the receiver may include components such as noise filters, digital to analog converters, decoders, demodulators, signal amplifiers, and the like.
  • An output transducer may be included that is coupled to the receiver in any suitable way and is configured to convert the signals from a receiver to a different form such as the original form the information was in before it was transmitted.
  • Such output transducers may include speakers for audio output, monitors displaying visual output, motors or actuators for translating the transmitted signal into movement or motion, lights, or other devices responsive to a signal output by the receiver.
  • Communications cable generally refers to a cable configured to carry digital or analog signals.
  • Communication Link generally refers to a connection between two or more communicating entities and may or may not include a communications channel between the communicating entities. The communication between the communicating entities may occur by any suitable means.
  • the connection may be implemented as a physical link, an electrical link, an electromagnetic link, a logical link, or any other suitable linkage facilitating communication.
  • communication may occur by multiple components in the communication link configured to respond to one another by physical movement of one element in relation to another.
  • the communication link may be composed of multiple electrical conductors electrically connected to form the communication link.
  • connection may be implemented by sending or receiving electromagnetic energy at any suitable frequency, thus allowing communications to pass as electromagnetic waves.
  • electromagnetic waves may or may not pass through a physical medium such as an optical fiber, or through free space via one or more sending and receiving antennas, or any combination thereof.
  • Electromagnetic waves may be passed at any suitable frequency including any frequency in the electromagnetic spectrum.
  • a communication link may include any suitable combination of hardware which may include software components as well.
  • Such hardware may include routers, switches, networking endpoints, repeaters, signal strength enters, hubs, and the like.
  • the communication link may be a conceptual linkage between the sender and recipient such as a transmission station in the receiving station.
  • Logical link may include any combination of physical, electrical, electromagnetic, or other types of communication links.
  • Control Area Network generally refers to a communication system and network protocol that may be used for intercommunication between components or subsystems of a vehicle.
  • a CAN (sometimes referred to colloquially as a “CAN bus”) allows one or more microcontrollers or CAN enabled devices to communicate with each other in real time without a host computer.
  • a CAN may physically connect all nodes together through a two wire bus. The wires may be a twisted pair cable with a 120-ohm characteristic impedance. These wires may be thought of as “high” and “low” connections.
  • CAN may be thought of as an example of a multi-master serial bus for connecting Electronic Control Units (ECUs) also referred to as “nodes”.
  • a node Two or more nodes are required on the CAN network to communicate.
  • the complexity of the node can range from a simple I/O device such as a sensor, an active device such as a lamp, transmission, or brake actuator, or an embedded computer or ECU with a CAN interface.
  • a node may also be a gateway allowing a standard computer to communicate over a network connection such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) or Ethernet port allowing outside devices to be selectively added or removed from the CAN network.
  • USB Universal Serial Bus
  • a CAN bus does not require any addressing schemes, as the nodes of the network use unique identifiers that may be provided by programming the individual node before use, or reprogramming between uses. This provides the nodes with information regarding the priority and the urgency of transmitted message.
  • Each node may include a central processing unit, microprocessor, or host processor.
  • the host processor may be configured to determine what the received messages mean and what messages to transmit in response.
  • a node may be electrically connected to sensors, actuators, lamps, or other electronic devices that can be connected to the host processor.
  • a node may also include a CAN controller, optionally integrated into the microcontroller. The can control may implement the sending and receiving protocols.
  • the CAN controller may store the received serial bits from the bus until an entire message is available, which can then be fetched by the host processor (for example, by the CAN controller triggering an interrupt).
  • the host processor may send the transmit message(s) to the CAN controller, which transmits the bits serially onto the bus when the bus is free.
  • a node may also include a transceiver.
  • the transceiver When receiving: the transceiver may convert the data stream from CAN bus levels to levels that the CAN controller uses. It may have protective circuitry to protect the CAN controller. When transmitting, the transceiver may convert the data stream from the CAN controller to CAN bus levels.
  • Each node may be configured to send and receive messages, but not simultaneously.
  • a message or Frame consists primarily of the ID (identifier), which represents the priority of the message, and up to eight data bytes.
  • a CRC, acknowledge slot (ACK) and other overhead are also part of the message.
  • the improved CAN FD extends the length of the data section to up to 64 bytes per frame.
  • the message is transmitted serially onto the bus using a non-retum-to-zero (NRZ) format and may be received by all nodes.
  • NRZ non-retum-to-zero
  • CAN data transmission may use a lossless bitwise arbitration method of contention resolution. This arbitration method may require all nodes on the CAN network to be synchronized to sample every bit on the CAN network at the same time. Thus data may be transmitted without a clock signal in an asynchronous format.
  • the CAN specifications may use the terms “dominant” bits and “recessive” bits where dominant is a logical 0 (actively driven to a voltage by the transmitter) and recessive is a logical 1 (passively returned to a voltage by a resistor).
  • the idle state may be represented by the recessive level (logical 1). If one node transmits a dominant bit and another node transmits a recessive bit then a collision results and the dominant bit “wins”. This means there is no delay to the higher-priority message, and the node transmitting the lower priority message automatically attempts to retransmit, for example, six bit clocks after the end of the dominant message.
  • All nodes on the CAN network generally operate at the same nominal bit rate, but noise, phase shifts, oscillator tolerance and oscillator drift mean that the actual bit rate may not be the same as the nominal bit rate. Since a separate clock signal is not used, a means of synchronizing the nodes is used. Synchronization is helpful during arbitration since the nodes in arbitration may see both their transmitted data and the other nodes' transmitted data at the same time. Synchronization is also helpful to ensure that variations in oscillator timing between nodes do not cause errors.
  • Synchronization may start with a hard synchronization on the first recessive to dominant transition after a period of bus idle (the start bit). Resynchronization may occur on every recessive to dominant transition during the frame.
  • the CAN controller may expect the transition to occur at a multiple of the nominal bit time. If the transition does not occur at the exact time the controller expects it, the controller adjusts the nominal bit time accordingly.
  • Examples of lower-layer e.g. levels 1 and 2 of the ISO/OSI model), are commercially available from the International Standardization Organization (ISO) and include ISO 11898-1 through 11898-6, as well as ISO 16845-1 and 16845-2.
  • CAN standards may not include application layer protocols, such as flow control, device addressing, and transportation of data blocks larger than one message, as well as, application data.
  • application layer protocols such as flow control, device addressing, and transportation of data blocks larger than one message, as well as, application data.
  • Other CAN standards are available that are optimized for specific fields of use. These include, but are not limited to:
  • ARINC 812 or ARINC 825 for the aviation industry
  • CANopen - EN 50325-4 used for industrial automation
  • DeviceNet used for industrial automation
  • SAE JI 939 In-vehicle network for buses and trucks
  • Unified Diagnostic Services (UDS) - ISO 14229 (automotive diagnostics)
  • RV-C - RVIA used for recreational vehicles
  • SafetyBUS p - Pilz (used for industrial automation)
  • Controller generally refers to a mechanical or electronic device configured to control the behavior of another mechanical or electronic device.
  • a controller may include a “control circuit” configured to provide signals or other electrical impulses that may be received and interpreted by the controlled device to indicate how it should behave.
  • Control Logic generally refers to hardware or software configured to implement an automatic decision making process by which inputs are considered, and corresponding outputs are generated. The output may be used for any suitable purpose such as to provide specific commands to machines or processes specifying specific actions to take. Examples of control logic include computer programs executed by a processor to accept commands from a user and generate output according to the logic implemented in the program as executed by the processor. In another example, control logic may be implemented as a series of logic gates, microcontrollers, and the like, electrically connected together in a predetermined arrangement so as to accept input from other circuits or computers and produce an output according to the rules implemented in the logic circuits.
  • “ Current” generally refers to the rate of flow of electric charge past a point or region. An electric current is said to exist when there is a net flow of electric charge through a region. When an electric current flows in a suitably shaped conductor at radio frequencies, radio waves can be generated. These travel at about the speed of light and can cause electric currents in distant conductors. Electric currents cause Joule heating, and may be useful for creating magnetic fields.
  • Data generally refers to one or more values of qualitative or quantitative variables that are usually the result of measurements. Data may be considered “atomic” as being finite individual units of specific information. Data can also be thought of as a value or set of values that includes a frame of reference indicating some meaning associated with the values. For example, the number “2” alone is a symbol that absent some context is meaningless. The number “2” may be considered “data” when it is understood to indicate, for example, the number of items produced in an hour.
  • Data may be organized and represented in a structured format. Examples include a tabular representation using rows and columns, a tree representation with a set of nodes considered to have a parent-children relationship, or a graph representation as a set of connected nodes to name a few.
  • data can refer to unprocessed data or “raw data” such as a collection of numbers, characters, or other symbols representing individual facts or opinions. Data may be collected by sensors in controlled or uncontrolled environments, or generated by observation, recording, or by processing of other data.
  • the word “data” may be used in a plural or singular form. The older plural form “datum” may be used as well.
  • Detection Zone generally refers to an area within which an object may be detected.
  • the detection zone may be either two dimensional and or three dimensional and may be defined the range, sensitivity, or other capabilities or characteristics of one or more sensors.
  • the sensors may be arranged and configured to detect objects within the detection zone by any suitable means, or by a control circuit that is responsive to the sensors.
  • Electrode connected generally refers to a configuration of two objects that allows electricity to flow between them or through them.
  • two conductive materials are physically adjacent one another and are sufficiently close together so that electricity can pass between them.
  • two conductive materials are in physical contact allowing electricity to flow between them.
  • Electromagnetic Waves generally refers to waves having a separate electrical and a magnetic component. The electrical and magnetic components of an electromagnetic wave oscillate in phase and are always separated by a 90 degree angle. Electromagnetic waves can radiate from a source to create electromagnetic radiation capable of passing through a medium or through a vacuum. Electromagnetic waves include waves oscillating at any frequency in the electromagnetic spectrum including, but not limited to, radio waves, visible and invisible light, X-rays, and gamma-rays.
  • Ground or “circuit ground” generally refers to a node in an electrical circuit that is designated as a reference node for other nodes in a circuit. It is a reference point in an electrical circuit from which voltages are measured, a common return path for electric current, and/or a direct physical connection to the Earth.
  • Ground cable generally refers to a cable electrically connecting to a circuit ground.
  • “Lamp” generally refers to an electrical device configured to emit or produce light using electrical power.
  • the generated light may be in the visible range, ultraviolet, infrared, or other light.
  • Example illumination technologies that may be employed in a lamp include, but are not limited to, incandescent, halogen, LED, fluorescent, carbon arc, xenon arc, metal- halide, mercury-vapor, sulfur, neon, sodium-vapor, or others.
  • LED Lamp generally refers to an electrical device that uses Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) to produce light using electrical power.
  • a lamp may include a single LED, or multiple LEDs.
  • LED fault signal generally refers to a signal that is used to indicate the failure of an LED.
  • the LED fault signal can take the form of power to illuminate a fault LED, a data message (such as via a serial communication protocol or other), a mechanical indicator, or other.
  • the LED fault signal can be used to communicate a failed LED to an onboard computer or display system such as may be found in the cabin of a vehicle or a trailer.
  • LED Light Emitting Diode
  • LED generally refers to a diode that is configured to emit light when electrical power passes through it.
  • the term may be used to refer to single diodes as well as arrays of LED’s and/or grouped light emitting diodes.
  • This can include the die and/or the LED film or other laminate, LED packages, said packages may include encapsulating material around a die, and the material, typically transparent, may or may not have color tinting and/or may or may not have a colored sub-cover.
  • An LED can be a variety of colors, shapes, sizes and designs, including with or without heat sinking, lenses, or reflectors, built into the package.
  • LIN Local Interconnect Network
  • DC-LIN DC powerline
  • Protocol include, but are not limited to a single master, up to 16 slaves, Slave Node Position Detection (SNPD) that allows node address assignment after power-up, single wire communications greater than 19.2 Kbits/s with a bus length of 40 meters or less, guaranteed latency times, variable length of data frame (2, 4 and 8 byte frames), multi-cast reception with time synchronization, without crystals or ceramic resonators, data checksum and error detection, detection of defective nodes, and an operating voltage of 12V.
  • SNPD Slave Node Position Detection
  • a LIN may be implemented as a single-wire network such as an asynchronous serial network described on ISO 9141.
  • a microcontroller may generate all needed LIN data by software and is connected to the LIN network via a LIN transceiver.
  • the LIN Master may use one or more predefined scheduling tables to start sending and receiving to the LIN bus. These scheduling tables contain relative timing information, where the message sending is initiated.
  • One LIN Frame consists of the two parts header and response. The header is always sent by the LIN Master, while the response is sent by either one dedicated LIN-Slave or the LIN master itself.
  • Transmitted data within the LIN is transmitted serially as eight bit data bytes with one start bit, one stop-bit, and no parity (break field does not have a start bit and stop bit). Bit rates vary within the range of 1 kbit/s to 20 kbit/s, or more. Data on the bus is divided into recessive (logical HIGH) and dominant (logical LOW). The time normal is considered by the LIN Masters stable clock source, the smallest entity is one bit time (e.g. 52 ps at 19.2 kbit/s). [0302] Data may be transferred across the bus in fixed form messages of selectable lengths. The master task may transmit a header that consists of a break signal followed by synchronization and identifier fields.
  • the slaves may respond with a data frame that consists of between 2, 4 and 8 data bytes plus 3 bytes of control information.
  • Frame types include, unconditional frame, Event-triggered frame, Sporadic frame, Diagnostic frame, User-defined frame, Reserved frame.
  • ISO International Organization for Standardization
  • ISO/AWI 17987 ISO/AWI 17987
  • Liquid Level Sensor generally refers to a sensor configured to measure the depth of liquid in a container. Examples include an optical level switch that includes an LED and a phototransistor, a capacitance level sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, electromagnetic sensors using microwaves, RADAR, and the like, vibrational sensors, conductive sensors, or float switches.
  • Memory generally refers to any storage system or device configured to retain data or information. Each memory may include one or more types of solid-sate electronic memory, magnetic memory, or optical memory, just to name a few. Memory may use any suitable storage technology, or combination of storage technologies, and may be volatile, nonvolatile, or a hybrid combination of volatile and nonvolatile varieties.
  • each memory may include solid-sate electronic Random Access Memory (RAM), Sequentially Accessible Memory (SAM) (such as the First-In, First-Out (FIFO) variety or the Last-In-First-Out (LIFO) variety), Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM), Electronically Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM), or Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM).
  • RAM solid-sate electronic Random Access Memory
  • SAM Sequentially Accessible Memory
  • PROM First-In, First-Out
  • LIFO Last-In-First-Out
  • PROM Programmable Read Only Memory
  • EPROM Electronically Programmable Read Only Memory
  • EEPROM Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory
  • Memory can refer to Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) or any variants, including static random access memory (SRAM), Burst SRAM or Synch Burst SRAM (BSRAM), Fast Page Mode DRAM (FPM DRAM), Enhanced DRAM (EDRAM), Extended Data Output RAM (EDO RAM), Extended Data Output DRAM (EDO DRAM), Burst Extended Data Output DRAM (REDO DRAM), Single Data Rate Synchronous DRAM (SDR SDRAM), Double Data Rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), Direct Rambus DRAM (DRDRAM), or Extreme Data Rate DRAM (XDR DRAM).
  • DRAM Dynamic Random Access Memory
  • SRAM static random access memory
  • BSRAM Burst SRAM or Synch Burst SRAM
  • FPM DRAM Fast Page Mode DRAM
  • EDRAM Enhanced DRAM
  • EEO RAM Extended Data Output RAM
  • EEO DRAM Extended Data Output DRAM
  • REDO DRAM Burst Extended Data Output DRAM
  • SDR SDRAM Single Data Rate Synchronous D
  • Memory can also refer to non-volatile storage technologies such as non-volatile read access memory (NVRAM), flash memory, non-volatile static RAM (nvSRAM), Ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM), Magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM), Phase-change memory (PRAM), conductive-bridging RAM (CBRAM), Silicon-Oxide-Nitride-Oxide-Silicon (SONOS), Resistive RAM (RRAM), Domain Wall Memory (DWM) or “Racetrack” memory, Nano-RAM (NRAM), or Millipede memory.
  • NVRAM non-volatile read access memory
  • nvSRAM non-volatile static RAM
  • FeRAM Ferroelectric RAM
  • MRAM Magnetoresistive RAM
  • PRAM Phase-change memory
  • CBRAM conductive-bridging RAM
  • SiBRAM Silicon-Oxide-Nitride-Oxide-Silicon
  • Resistive RAM RRAM
  • DWM Domain Wall Memory
  • Millipede memory Nano-RAM
  • Metallic generally refers to a material that includes a metal, or is predominately (50% or more by weight) a metal.
  • a metallic substance may be a single pure metal, an alloy of two or more metals, or any other suitable combination of metals.
  • the term may be used to refer to materials that include nonmetallic substances.
  • a metallic cable may include one or more strands of wire that are predominately copper sheathed in a polymer or other nonconductive material.
  • Microcontroller or “MCU” generally refers to a small computer on a single integrated circuit. It may be similar to, but less sophisticated than, a System on a Chip or “SoC”; an SoC may include a microcontroller as one of its components.
  • a microcontroller may contain one or more CPUs (processor cores) along with memory and programmable input/output peripherals.
  • Program memory in the form of ferroelectric RAM, NOR flash or OTP ROM may also be included on the chip, as well as a small amount of RAM.
  • Microcontrollers may be designed for embedded applications, in contrast to the microprocessors used in personal computers or other general purpose applications consisting of various discrete chips.
  • Microcontrollers may be included in automatically controlled products and devices, such as automobile engine control systems, implantable medical devices, remote controls, office machines, appliances, power tools, toys and other embedded systems.
  • An MCU may be configured to handle mixed signals thus integrating analog components needed to control non-digital electronic systems.
  • microcontrollers may use four-bit words and operate at frequencies as low as 4 kHz, for low power consumption (single-digit milliwatts or microwatts). They will generally have the ability to retain functionality while waiting for an event such as a button press or other interrupt; power consumption while sleeping (CPU clock and most peripherals off) may be just nanowatts, making many of them well suited for long lasting battery applications.
  • Other microcontrollers may serve performance roles, where they may need to act more like a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), with higher clock speeds and power consumption.
  • DSP Digital Signal Processor
  • a micro-controller may include any suitable combination of circuits such as: [0311] 1. a central processing unit - ranging from small and simple processors with registers as small as 4 bits or list, to complex processors with registers that are 32, 64, or more bits
  • RAM volatile memory
  • serial input/output such as serial ports (UARTs)
  • peripherals such as timers, event counters, PWM generators, and watchdog
  • clock generator often an oscillator for a quartz timing crystal, resonator or
  • “Movement Sensor” or “Motion Sensor” generally refers to a device operable to detect motion or movement. Examples include the sensors that include an optical, microwave, and/or acoustic receiver and optionally, a transmitter as well. The transmitter and receiver may be mounted together, or mounted remotely from one another. In other examples, movement or motion may be determined by an accelerometer, by tracking signals from navigational equipment such as GPS, cellular, and the like, or by any other suitable means.
  • Multiple as used herein is synonymous with the term “plurality” and refers to more than one, or by extension, two or more.
  • Network or “Computer Network” generally refers to a telecommunications network that allows computers to exchange data. Computers can pass data to each other along data connections by transforming data into a collection of datagrams or packets. The connections between computers and the network may be established using either cables, optical fibers, or via electromagnetic transmissions such as for wireless network devices.
  • Computers coupled to a network may be referred to as “nodes” or as “hosts” and may originate, broadcast, route, or accept data from the network. Nodes can include any computing device such as personal computers, phones, servers as well as specialized computers that operate to maintain the flow of data across the network, referred to as “network devices”.
  • wired network connections may include Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL), coaxial cable lines, or optical fiber lines.
  • the wireless connections may include BLUETOOTH, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), infrared channel or satellite band, or any wireless local area network (Wi-Fi) such as those implemented using the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ (IEEE) 802.11 standards (e.g. 802.11(a), 802.11(b), 802.11(g), or 802.11 (n) to name a few).
  • IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
  • Wireless links may also include or use any cellular network standards used to communicate among mobile devices including 1G, 2G, 3G, or 4G.
  • the network standards may qualify as 1G, 2G, etc. by fulfilling a specification or standards such as the specifications maintained by International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
  • ITU International Telecommunication Union
  • a network may be referred to as a “3G network” if it meets the criteria in the International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 (IMT- 2000) specification regardless of what it may otherwise be referred to.
  • a network may be referred to as a “4G network” if it meets the requirements of the International Mobile Telecommunications Advanced (IMT Advanced) specification.
  • Examples of cellular network or other wireless standards include AMPS, GSM, GPRS, UMTS, LTE, LTE Advanced, Mobile WiMAX, and WiMAX- Advanced.
  • Cellular network standards may use various channel access methods such as FDMA, TDMA, CDMA, or SDMA. Different types of data may be transmitted via different links and standards, or the same types of data may be transmitted via different links and standards.
  • the geographical scope of the network may vary widely. Examples include a body area network (BAN), a personal area network (PAN), a low power wireless Personal Area Network using IPv6 (6L0WPAN), a local-area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), or the Internet.
  • BAN body area network
  • PAN personal area network
  • IPv6 IPv6
  • LAN local-area network
  • MAN metropolitan area network
  • WAN wide area network
  • a network may have any suitable network topology defining the number and use of the network connections.
  • the network topology may be of any suitable form and may include point-to-point, bus, star, ring, mesh, or tree.
  • a network may be an overlay network which is virtual and is configured as one or more layers that use or “lay on top of’ other networks.
  • a network may utilize different communication protocols or messaging techniques including layers or stacks of protocols. Examples include the Ethernet protocol, the internet protocol suite (TCP/IP), the ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) technique, the SONET (Synchronous Optical Networking) protocol, or the SDE1 (Synchronous Digital Elierarchy) protocol.
  • TCP/IP internet protocol suite
  • the TCP/IP internet protocol suite may include application layer, transport layer, internet layer (including, e.g., IPv6), or the link layer.
  • processor generally refers to one or more electronic components configured to operate as a single unit configured or programmed to process input to generate an output.
  • a processor may have one or more components located remotely relative to the others.
  • One or more components of each processor may be of the electronic variety defining digital circuitry, analog circuitry, or both.
  • each processor is of a conventional, integrated circuit microprocessor arrangement, such as one or more PENTIUM, i3, i5 or i7 processors supplied by INTEL Corporation of Santa Clara, California, USA.
  • a processor also includes Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC).
  • ASIC Application-Specific Integrated Circuit
  • An ASIC is an Integrated Circuit (IC) customized to perform a specific series of logical operations is controlling a computer to perform specific tasks or functions.
  • An ASIC is an example of a processor for a special purpose computer, rather than a processor configured for general-purpose use.
  • An application-specific integrated circuit generally is not reprogrammable to perform other functions and may be programmed once when it is manufactured.
  • a processor may be of the “field programmable” type. Such processors may be programmed multiple times “in the field” to perform various specialized or general functions after they are manufactured.
  • a field-programmable processor may include a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) in an integrated circuit in the processor. FPGA may be programmed to perform a specific series of instructions which may be retained in nonvolatile memory cells in the FPGA.
  • the FPGA may be configured by a customer or a designer using a hardware description language (HDL).
  • HDL hardware description language
  • In FPGA may be reprogrammed using another computer to reconfigure the FPGA to implement a new set of commands or operating instructions. Such an operation may be executed in any suitable means such as by a firmware upgrade to the processor circuitry.
  • processor is not limited to a single physical logic circuit or package of circuits but includes one or more such circuits or circuit packages possibly contained within or across multiple computers in numerous physical locations.
  • processors may be actively processing data, the unknown number may automatically change over time as well.
  • processors includes a device configured or programmed to make threshold comparisons, rules comparisons, calculations, or perform logical operations applying a rule to data yielding a logical result (e.g. “true” or “false”). Processing activities may occur in multiple single processors on separate servers, on multiple processors in a single server with separate processors, or on multiple processors physically remote from one another in separate computing devices.
  • Power Cable generally refers to a cable configured to transfer electrical power as part of an electrical circuit.
  • a power cable may be used exclusively to transfer power, or it may be used to also transfer signals, such as in the case of a Power Line Communication (PLC) system.
  • PLC Power Line Communication
  • Power Line Communication generally refers to a system of electronic communication that transmits and receives signals on the same circuit used to transfer power. Examples including system that send data over common AC wiring in a home, or Broadband over Power Line (BPL) systems for carrying network traffic over high voltage transmission lines, as well as systems for in-vehicle communications.
  • BPL Broadband over Power Line
  • data, voice, music and video signals may be transferred to throughout a vehicle by over direct current DC battery power-line.
  • DC- BU a technology for reliable and economical communication over noisy DC or AC power lines.
  • Digital input data may be modulated and carried over the power line and then demodulated into the original digital data up receipt.
  • the signaling technology is byte oriented, allowing transfer of a single UART data byte or more over noisy channel (such as the powerline) at bit-rate up to 115.2 kbit/s, each transmitted byte is protected against errors caused by noisy environment.
  • This method may operate on a channel ranging in the HF band.
  • a narrow band signaling modulation may be used that is based on a combination of phase changes to transfer each byte.
  • Any Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter (UART) based standards such as RS-232, RS-485 and LIN-bus can use a DC-BUS as a physical layer (as referred to in the OSI model).
  • Sensor generally refers to a transducer configured to sense or detect a characteristic of the environment local to the sensor.
  • sensors may be constructed to detect events or changes in quantities or sensed parameters providing a corresponding output, generally as an electrical or electromagnetic signal.
  • a sensor's sensitivity indicates how much the sensor's output changes when the input quantity being measured changes.
  • Sense parameter generally refers to a property of the environment detectable by a sensor. As used herein, sense parameter can be synonymous with an operating condition, environmental factor, sensor parameter, or environmental condition. Sense parameters may include temperature, air pressure, speed, acceleration, the presence or intensity of sound or light or other electromagnetic phenomenon, the strength and/or orientation of a magnetic or electrical field, and the like.
  • “Signal” generally refers to a function or means of representing information. It may be thought of as the output of a transformation or encoding process. The concept generally includes a change in the state of a medium or carrier that conveys the information.
  • the medium can be any suitable medium such as air, water, electricity, magnetism, or electromagnetic energy such as in the case of radio waves, pulses of visible or invisible light, and the like.
  • a “signal” implies a representation of meaningful information. Arbitrary or random changes in the state of a carrier medium are generally not considered “signals” and may be considered “noise”. For example, arbitrary binary data streams are not considered as signals. On the other hand, analog and digital signals that are representations of analog physical quantities are examples of signals. A signal is commonly not useful without some way to transmit or send the information, and a receiver responsive to the transmitter for receiving the information.
  • a transmitter encodes a message to a signal, which is carried to a receiver by the communications channel.
  • the words “The time is 12 o’clock” might be the message spoken into a telephone.
  • the telephone transmitter may then convert the sounds into an electrical voltage signal.
  • the signal is transmitted to the receiving telephone by wires, at the receiver it is reconverted into sounds.
  • Signals may be thought of as “discrete” or “continuous.” Discrete-time signals are often referred to as time series in other fields. Continuous-time signals are often referred to as continuous signals even when the signal functions are not continuous, such as in a squarewave signal.
  • Socket generally refers a device into which something fits in order to electrically and/or physically connect another electrical device to a circuit.
  • “Stop-tail-turn Lamp” or “STT Lamp” generally refers to a lamp which is compliant with present legal and/or regulatory requirements for a truck or a trailer such as illuminated surface area, candela, and otherwise. Such regulations include, for example, Title 49 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, section 571.108, also known as Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 108.
  • FMVSS Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
  • Terminal generally refers to a plug, socket or other connection (male, female, mixed, hermaphroditic, or otherwise) for mechanically and electrically connecting two or more wires or other conductors.
  • Truck generally refers to a powered truck (also known as a tractor or cab) for pulling a trailer.
  • Vehicle generally refers to a self-propelled or towed device for transportation, including without limitation, car, truck, bus, boat, tank or other military vehicle, airplane, truck trailer, truck cab, boat trailer, other trailer, emergency vehicle, and motorcycle.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Lighting Device Outwards From Vehicle And Optical Signal (AREA)
  • Traffic Control Systems (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un système de perception spatiale qui comprend un ou plusieurs capteurs, un circuit de commande et un ou plusieurs dispositifs d'avertissement. Selon un aspect, les capteurs sont configurés pour surveiller une zone prédéterminée autour d'un tracteur-remorque. Selon un autre aspect, le circuit de commande amène les dispositifs d'avertissement à émettre un son ou une lumière, ou à envoyer des notifications d'avertissement à d'autres systèmes ou dispositifs lorsqu'un objet est détecté à l'intérieur de la zone de détection. Le système peut être utilisé lors de la marche arrière, ou lorsque la remorque se trouve dans certaines plages de vitesses définies. Le système peut également définir de multiples zones de détection à des distances progressivement plus proches de la remorque, et le système peut fournir différents avertissements lorsque l'objet se rapproche ou s'éloigne de la remorque.
PCT/US2025/031576 2024-06-03 2025-05-30 Système de perception spatiale pour une remorque de camion Pending WO2025254949A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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US202463655106P 2024-06-03 2024-06-03
US63/655,106 2024-06-03

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WO2025254949A2 true WO2025254949A2 (fr) 2025-12-11
WO2025254949A3 WO2025254949A3 (fr) 2026-01-15

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Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB0509346D0 (en) * 2005-05-07 2005-06-15 Wab Products Ltd Ancillary controller for a vehicle trailer
US8552852B1 (en) * 2005-11-22 2013-10-08 Allen D Hertz Trailer hitch receiver safety light system

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