Wireless remote control system for telecontrol of motor vehicle functions

State of the art

0001The invention relates to a wireless The remote control system for remote control of functions in Motor vehicles, especially for Wireless Remote an electronically controlled air suspension in vehicle-side utility vehicles with at least one Transmitting / receiving unit and one with the Transmitter / receiver unit communicating, at least Remote control signal transmitting remote control.

0002Such remote control systems are well known in the art.

0003Wireless radio remote control systems for remote control of Functions in the motor vehicle are, for example to enable the Central locking and similar functions in cars known. For Neveauverstellung of commercial vehicles by an electronic air suspension are usually wired remote control systems are used in which the Connections between the remote control unit and a Receiving unit in the vehicle hitherto usually by Spiral cables are manufactured.

0004The data on a separate or joint are Transmission transmit / receive line. The output of errors by means of a flashing output to a fault lamp or LEDs, which function to display in the Remote control already exist. When using a intelligent fittings field, the text or a including graphic display, errors in plain language the Driver are communicated.

0005Furthermore, can be with the help of diagnostic equipment, the be connected to the diagnostic connector of the vehicle, in the workshop after activation by the remote control a detailed failure diagnosis of various ECUs spend in the vehicle.

0006The mentioned in the remote control system for remote control the electronically controlled air suspension Commercial vehicles cable connection used makes a Losing the associated remote control unit impossible. If the motor vehicle or trailer Semitrailer also an electronically controlled installed air suspension system with height adjustment, so will this adjustment with a second remote control unit or either by moving the remote controller between the tractor and the trailer served.

0007In vehicle trailers who frequently change the towing vehicle, it is necessary, the mileage of the trailer or the trailer and any error messages display. For this purpose, the vehicle pendant special Mileage counter or on the rear wall of the same large Error displays attached.

Objects and advantages of the invention

0008For optimum freedom of movement is achieved, should instead of the wired previously known Remote control system, particularly for remote control of a electronically controlled air suspension in commercial vehicles a wireless remote control system may be used. This should be designed such that the remote control unit before the Losing is protected and that the power consumption of Remote control unit can be minimized.

0009In a preferred embodiment, measures are taken to interference caused by the influence of disable other remote control systems.

0010The remote control should be also suitable for optional an electronically controlled air suspension in a Towing vehicle or a trailer or semi-trailer to serve.

0011The above main object of the invention, namely the Protection against loss of the remote control unit is at the proposed wireless remote control system through a special form of communication, preferably by a sporadic bidirectional radio connection between the Remote control unit and a transmit / receive unit in Vehicle dissolved. The remote control unit on the one hand and the Transmission included / receiving unit in the vehicle on the other hand Loss protection products in an interruption of the Radio link z. B. by accidental Leaving behind the remote control outside the car is effected, the transmission / reception unit in the vehicle, a make a report so that these through display means the Show loss of the remote control unit at start can. Here, it is assumed that the latest before the Driving off the remote control unit in a Storage holder was returned in the towing vehicle. By plugging the remote control unit in the Storage holder logs on a remote control unit last time at the transmitter / receiver unit in the tractor vehicle and then, the sporadic connection to the transmission / reception unit in a vehicle. If this is to not done vehicle start, you will get an Error display on the display means of Transmitter / receiver unit.

0012Furthermore, can the power consumption of Remote control unit minimized by this after Plugging is switched off in the storage holder. This can be an integrated in the remote control unit Magnetic sensor or reed contact occur, the Storage holder a permanent magnet containing, on the sensor when plugged into the remote control unit the storage holder responsive. If the sensor detects in the remote control unit these permanent magnets, so logs the remote control unit in the transmitting / receiving unit and from turns off. As long as the remote control unit in active state, the magnetic sensor or Switch of the remote controller queried sporadically.

0013After re-extraction of the remote control unit from the Storage holder turns the remote control unit automatically and logs on to the vehicle controller at. Alternatively, through the remote control unit, for example Pressing a remote control button will be reactivated and the sporadic way communication begins new.

0014In order that the radio link between the remote control unit and the transmission / reception unit or the transmission / reception units in a tractor and, where appropriate, in whose followers not disturbed or semi-trailers by other noise can be, can be uni- or bi Use connection for exchanging key codes. On Thus, using the compound of the Transmitter / receiver unit for remote control unit a Software encryption be made. To secure Communication between the vehicle transmit / receive unit to ensure and the remote control unit, can each device-specific serial numbers during each be queried and controlled transmission. To this Manner can use a low-cost receivers, so that the additional costs of the bidirectional transmission / reception unit perspective. However, it can also mean an Remote control with transmitter part of their serial number as a code send.

0015assigned in this by exchanging each other Keycode caused pairing are in Remote control unit the serial numbers of the transmitting / receiving unit in the towing vehicle and trailer or, if appropriate, in the stored in the trailer. The serial number of Remote control is in the respective end of the vehicle / receiving unit, ie in the towing vehicle and possibly in Trailer or semi-trailer stored. The Remote control system according to the invention can set up be that the transmitter / receiver unit of the tractor vehicle by automatic vehicle starting the keycode of Remote control unit to the transmitting / receiving unit of the Trailer or semi-trailer passes and thus a automatic pairing between the remote control and the Transmitter / receiver unit of the trailer or semi-trailer performs. A readiness for the Neupaarung Keycode between remote control unit and the respective transmitting / receiving unit can carried out be that at the transmitter / receiver unit of the Towing vehicle and the trailer or semi-trailer a time window opens in which the is transmitting / receiving unit of the control unit ready for a Neupaarung the keycode. Further, in a simultaneous pairing attempt by two at the same time starting lorries the transmitter / receiver unit of the Trailer or semi-trailer and refuse Neupaarung optionally delete the pairing parameters completely and Write error message. If in the transmitter / receiver unit the trailer or semi-trailer, a double Mating tests on the transmitter / receiver unit of the is reported towing vehicle, then, the pairing of Key codes are vesucht again. Each Transmitter / receiver unit only accepts her and therefore only a remote control unit. For frequent changes of Tractor and trailer, it is important that a simple Change the pairing of remote control and Transmitter / receiver unit of the trailer or semi-trailer can be made. This can be done by simultaneously with the press of a particular Remote control key or key combination on the Remote control and the vehicle side, a switching operation takes place. In return, z. B. leaves the brake light information use, as this is triggered by the towing vehicle and both in the tractor and the trailer or Semitrailer present.

0016Below is the inventive wireless The remote control system in conjunction with the following described drawings. The drawings show in detail:<dl tsize="8"><dt>figure 1</dt><dd>a block diagram of a wireless Remote control unit with a loss protection against Loss thereof;</dd><dt>figure 2</dt><dd>one located on the side of the vehicle Transmit / receive unit, and</dd><dt>figure 3</dt><dd>also a vehicle-side transmission / reception unit but with an individual computer and an additional input for performing a transmitter / receiver pair.</dd></dl>

embodiments

0017The block diagram shown in Figure 1 a Embodiment of the invention for a usable proposed wireless remote control system Remote controller 1 a preferably has a Microprocessor running processor 10 with a Flash memory and an EEPROM and an Undervoltage detection on. To the processor 10 are a Transmitter module 11, a receiving module 12, a status and Error display 13, the LEDs or an LCD display which a magnetic field sensor (or reed switch) 14a and a acoustic signal carrier 14b. Of the Magnetic sensor 14a or reed switch is used According to the invention to the correct storage of Remote control unit 1 in the (not shown in Figure 1) Storage holder in the tractor determine. Of the Storage holder is only in sedentary Permanent magnet 19 shown. The transmission module and the Receiving module 12 can each have two possible transmission and send and receive reception frequencies, z. B. 433 and 866 MHz.

0018by case of an interruption of the radio link, z. B. accidentally leaving behind the remote control unit outside the vehicle reports the to the transmitting / receiving unit connected in the tractor control unit 25 (Figure 2 and 3) for the electronic air suspension than an error lamp loss at start. It is believed that the latest before riding Remote control unit in the (not shown) Storage holder was brought back, so that the Magnetic field sensor 14a can detect the permanent magnet 19th By this insertion of the remote control unit 1 in the Storage holder logs on a remote control unit last time at the transmitter / receiver unit in the tractor vehicle and then, the sporadic connection to the same on. Is the last message of the remote control unit 1 to the Vehicle start is not done, an error message appears on the error lamp of the controller 25 in the towing vehicle.

0019Furthermore, with the microprocessor 10 of the Remote control unit 1 an acoustic signal generator 15 connected, signaled with the z. B. maloperations can be. A keyboard 16 used to enter Remote control commands. The remote control unit 1 is activated by reed switch off automatically during removal the storage holder so that the sporadic bidirectional communication begins anew. Further, a power supply unit 17 which the Function of turning off the in storage holder located remote control shortly after plugging and thereby causing the disconnection of their electricity consumption. The Power supply unit 17 is provided with a battery or an accumulator 18a and optionally also with Solar cell 18b, which do not by a Feed line to the vehicle connected remote control unit 1 energize.

0020The transmission of a block diagram shown in Figure 2 / receiving unit, generally by the reference numeral 20 is referred to, is located on the side of the vehicle, ie in the towing vehicle and possibly also in the trailer or Trailer when the latter via remote-controlled Functions, including, in particular via an electronically controlled air suspension with the possibility of Level adjustment feature. A transmitting module 21 and a Receiving module 22 is for bidirectional communication with the remote control unit 1 shown in Figure 1 set, so each has the same transmission and Reception frequency as the remote control unit 1. As shown, is the transmitting / receiving unit 20 having a vehicle side Control unit 25 is connected, at least by the Remote control 1 remote-controlled functions, performs particularly the electronic air suspension.

0021The inventively provided unidirectional or bidirectional Compound can be used in various ways. To the one can use the connection from the control unit 25 via the transmitting / receiving unit 20 to the remote control unit 1 make a software encryption. To secure Communication between the vehicle controller 25 and the to provide remote control unit, can Serial numbers of the devices and remote control unit while be queried and controlled every transmission. This makes it possible to provide a cost receiver type to use.

0022This pairing, in the case of bidirectional Transmission in the remote control unit 1, the serial numbers from the tractor controller 25 and, optionally, of the the trailer or semi-trailer stored. The Serial number of the remote control unit 1 is in each Fahrzeugsreuergerät 25 stored. This allowing the remote control unit and the control unit 25 in the vehicle know them and no foreign Vehicles or remote controls can be influenced. Each control unit 25 only accepts its and thus only a remote control unit.

0023If the vehicle and the trailer can be changed frequently must, it is important that a simple change of the Pairing the remote control and the transmitter / receiver unit be made of the semi-trailer or trailer can. This can be done, for. Example, by simultaneously for pressing a certain remote control button or Key combination on the remote control unit also vehicle side, a switching operation takes place.

0024For example, can be for this purpose, the brake light information use, as this is triggered by the towing vehicle and both in the tractor and the trailer or Semitrailer present. A procedure for Reprogramming of the pairing key codes could then proceed as follows:<sl><li>1. The ignition of the vehicle is turned on;</li><li>2. In the remote control unit 1 is the Vehicle selection made (or tractor Trailers / semi-trailers), and</li><li>3. at the appropriate key or key combination the remote control unit 1 is pressed, and during which actuates the vehicle brake.</li></sl>

0025The block diagram shown in Figure 3 shows a alternative vehicle-side transmitting / receiving unit 23, the its own processor 30 with flash memory and EEPROM features. The switching information for the Reprogramming the pairing of the key code can also The form of a button, or, as shown in Figure 3, by a magnetic field sensor 26 occur which in the transmitting / receiving unit 23 is integrated on the vehicle side. The magnetic field sensor 26 can by a strong Permanent magnets 27 of the remote control unit are operated, if such a strong permanent magnet at the bottom a remote control unit, if appropriate in the form of a comfortable holder thereof already exists. On Magnetic field sensor or reed switch is in polluted or harsh environments often a preferable and inexpensive alternative to a button. This Magnetic field sensor 26 can, as Figure 3 shows, on the vehicle-mounted broadcast transmitting / receiving unit 23 with integrated be.

0026The transmitter / receiver unit 23 shown in Figure 3 can a wired remote control unit, when the Emfpangseinheit is modified, replaced. On the output side can be a vehicle-side transmitting / receiving unit 23, as is shown in Figure 3, by means of a bi-directional Transmit / receive module 31 directly to a diagnostic or CAN line 28 to go in the car. The in in Figure 3 Embodiment of the transmission / reception unit 23 shown Computer 30 contained assumes the safe Encryption of radio transmission, whereas external Devices, such. As diagnostic equipment as simple CAN message be seen. The reference numeral 32 is a Power supply unit designated.

0027If the remote control unit 1 with a display unit 13 is equipped, the leading remote control unit 1 Send path are used to an error output of at the transmitting / receiving unit 20 or 23 connected Controller 25 perform. This is advantageous and of interest, when still in the vehicle dashboard no corresponding display unit is.

0028The above described and in the figures 1 to 3 The remote control system shown allows a bi-vehicle communication LEDs or an LCD display yet another use of this A compound which is a bi-directional transmission of Data between any vehicle ECUs and external devices or systems outside the vehicle.

0029Thus, for. Example, a Mietanhänger when entering the Forwarding the mileage, a system error or possibly forthcoming maintenance wirelessly to a Workshop or management of forwarding along with transmit various vehicle data. The communication may be such that in the doorway, a transmitter a specific identification code and sends it the passing vehicle's registration number and the requested data returns. In addition, (by a corresponding identification code protected) in the A vehicle control apparatus stored information about Vehicle owner, lessee of, -fracht etc. with output will. Data from the forwarding agency in the vehicle to reach, are the next to Torpassage Vehicle retransmitted. After once entered Serial control unit number in the computer of forwarding can an association between control device serial number and Registeration be prepared. From this Time sufficient to registeration as Identification feature.

0030About the bidirectional radio link of Remote control system of the invention is also a Diagnosis irritation possible. After the incentive, the Information of diagnostic line on the Remote control via radio transmitted, and thus handled the complete diagnosis of the radio link will. Thus, the cost of a diagnostic connector blank save. Thus, then already in a driveway Commercial vehicle in the workshop, the fault memories of all ECUs and vehicle data is read and then z. B. causes in the workshop the necessary work and issued the necessary spare parts to automatically will.

0031Moreover, it is z. B. possible, information about the Vehicle weight, the electronically controlled Air suspension via CAN from the axle load sensors electronic brake system receives, via the radio link the wireless remote control system of the present invention autarkic display devices to transmit. Such Information about the respective total or cargo weight (Based on individual axles) could at loading docks, on Dashboard of forklifts, excavators or loaders so be on sites of interest.

0032Such a measuring device can be used for finding the desired Vehicle similar to the remote control or Workshop diagnosis emit a kind of identification code and gets the corresponding desired data Previous radioed. Answers multiple recipients on the transmitted identification code, may adopt a yes / no acknowledgment selecting the desired vehicle be configured with a display on the Automobile license each of the responding Vehicles is displayed.

0033A pair of key codes between a vehicle and the remote control is for a evt. frequent changes of the trailer or semi-trailer in a simple manner be reprogrammed. If desired, a solid, only alterable by a secret number or the workshop made pairing between vehicle and Fernbedieneiheit will. Has the microprocessor 10 of the remote control unit 1 a programmable flash memory, this can Programming during the vehicle assembly be performed. This allows the remote control unit 1 be operated in conjunction with the vehicle. Is this made recognizable, this reduces the risk of theft for the remote control considerably.

0034It is to be noted that in principle, all described Functions of the remote control system of the invention also without an LCD display unit included in the remote control unit 1 executable.

0035In the absence of the remote control of a diagnostic and Error output is sufficient on the side of the vehicle a pure Receiving unit.

0036An existing pairing with a remote control unit To delete a Mietanhänger again, after entering the Vehicle selection by means of another key (Hotkey), the pairing will be canceled. Does the towing vehicle a transmitter / receiver unit, so can after each restart of the towing vehicle a new automatic bidirectional pairing to be made. It takes the tractor automatically the role of the above described pair of key codes between Remote control unit and the vehicle, so that a change of the Trailer or semi-trailer automatically at the Remote control unit of the towing vehicle is transmitted. The Pairing for the trailer or semi-trailer, after every turn will be deleted.