Vehicle control arrangement for monitoring and controlling a plurality of vehicle components

• US 4,584,487 A
• Filed: 10/02/1984
• Issued: 04/22/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/1983
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Wabco Westinghouse Fahrzeugbremsen GmbH
• Original Assignee: Wabco Westinghouse Fahrzeugbremsen GmbH
• Inventors: Neuhaus, Detlev, Hesse, Karl-Heinz, Liermann, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Moose, Jr., Harry E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US06/657,108
• Time in Patent Office: 567 Days
• Field of Search: 307/9, 307/10 R, 307/10 LS, 307/38, 307/39, 307/140, 340/52 R, 340/52 F, 340/825.05, 340/825.08, 340/825.52, 370/85
• US Class Current: 307/9.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0315 using multiplexing techniques multiplexing for transmission of signals G08C15/00; multiplexing for electrical communication in general H04J
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2016/0322 Temporary code for documents to be reclassified to G08C, H04L or H04Q

Abstract

A component control arrangement for transit-type vehicles having a distributed plurality of vehicle components to be monitored and controlled, includes a number of function control modules, each being associated with a specific vehicle function; as for example, wheel-skid, climate-control, and verification systems. The function control modules, each communicate in a multiplex arrangement over a shared data bus and a transceiver arrangement, with a distribution unit. The distribution units have an output configuration allowing connection to a variety of vehicle operating devices including lamps, switches, solenoid valves, and electric motors. The function control modules evaluate status indications originating from the vehicle operating devices and transmitted through the distribution units and a transceiver arrangement. The function control modules utilize the status indications to derive control instructions for the vehicle operating devices based on a predetermined set of vehicle operating and safety parameters.

Claims

1. A component control arrangement for use on transit-type vehicles having a distributed plurality of vehicle components to be monitored and controlled, said component control arrangement comprising:

(a) a plurality of function control modules, each having at least one communication terminal to receive and transmit electrical signals associated with the operation of the vehicle components;

(b) said function control modules having disposed therein component operating means for deriving from a portion of such electrical signals, a set of operating instructions, such set of operating instructions being derived by said component operating means as a function of a plurality of predetermined vehicle safety and operating parameters and an evaluation of a second portion of such electrical signals, such second portion of said electrical signals originating from the vehicle components in the form of status indications;

(c) a data bus member electrically coupled to each of said communication terminals of said plurality of function control modules;

(d) a plurality of distribution units, each receptive of a predesignated portion of such set of control instructions;

(e) transceiver means in communication with said data bus and said plurality of distribution units for transmitting such status indications and such set of control instructions between said component operating means and said distribution units; and

(f) a plurality of vehicle operating devices connected to each one of said plurality of distribution units, each of said vehicle operating devices being operable, upon receiving such portion of such set of control instructions, to execute a predetermined set of vehicle operations and to generate at least a portion of such status indications readable by said component operating means upon execution of such predetermined set of vehicle operations by said plurality of vehicle operating devices.

2. A component control arrangement, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said transceiver means is a data receiver, transmitter arrangement employing a time-multiplexing communication format.

3. A component control arrangement, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said transceiver means is a data receiver, transmitter arrangement employing a frequency-multiplexing communication format.

4. A component control arrangement, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said component operating means includes a microprocessor programmable to evaluate and execute such set of control instructions and status indications.

5. A component control arrangement, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said transceiver means includes a memory means for storing at least two successive sets of such control instructions and status indications.

6. A component control arrangement, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said component operating means can generate such set of control instructions and read such status indications from any one of said plurality of vehicle operating devices on a priority basis.

7. A component control arrangement, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said plurality of vehicle operating devices can include an electric motor, lamps, switches, and solenoid valves.

8. A component control arrangement, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said distribution units are constructed having substantially similar input and output terminal configurations.