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BR-102022020490-B1 - CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE SYSTEM AND CONTROL METHOD FOR A VEHICLE SYSTEM

BR102022020490B1BR 102022020490 B1BR102022020490 B1BR 102022020490B1BR-102022020490-B1

Abstract

SENSOR SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE. A sensor system for a vehicle includes first and second sensors (1110, 1210) on board different vehicles. The sensors detect one or more environmental parameters. A controller (1120) receives a first signal output from the first sensor (1110) indicating a value of one or more environmental parameters detected by the first sensor (1110). The controller (1120) can control the operation of a power component (1130) of the first vehicle (1100) using the value of one or more environmental parameters received from the first sensor (1110). The controller (1120) can detect undesirable operation of the first sensor (1110) and transition to receive a second signal output from the second sensor (1210) indicating the value of one or more environmental parameters. The controller (1120) can control the operation of the power component (1130) of the first vehicle (1100) using the value of one or more environmental parameters received from the second sensor (1210).

Inventors

  • Harland Ashby

Assignees

  • TRANSPORTATION IP HOLDINGS, LLC

Dates

Publication Date
20260317
Application Date
20221010
Priority Date
20211026

Claims (20)

  1. 1. Control system for a vehicle system, comprising: a first sensor (1110) configured to be mounted on a first vehicle (1100), the first sensor (1110) configured to detect one or more environmental parameters; a second sensor (1210) configured to be mounted on a second vehicle (1200), the second sensor (1210) configured to detect one or more environmental parameters; a controller (1120) configured to be mounted on the first vehicle (1100), the controller (1120) configured to receive a first signal output from the first sensor (1110) indicating a value of one or more environmental parameters detected by the first sensor (1110), the controller (1120) configured to control the operation of a power component (1130) of the first vehicle (1100) using the value of one or more environmental parameters received from the first sensor (1110), the controller (1120) configured to detect the undesirable operation of the first sensor (1110) and to transition to receive a second signal output from the second sensor (1210) indicating the value of one or more environmental parameters, the controller (1120) configured to control the operation of the power component (1130) of the first vehicle (1100) using the value of one or more environmental parameters received from the second sensor (1210), characterized in that the controller (1120) It is configured to adjust the value of one or more environmental parameters from the second signal based at least partially on a given distance between the first vehicle (1100) and the second vehicle (1200).
  2. 2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the controller (1120) is configured to receive the second signal from the second sensor (1210) in the second vehicle (1200) as a wireless signal.
  3. 3. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the controller (1120) is configured to receive the second signal from the second sensor (1210) in the second vehicle (1200) as an electronic signal conducted to the controller (1120) from the second sensor (1210) through one or more conductive paths extending between the first vehicle (1100) and the second vehicle (1200).
  4. 4. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the controller (1120) is configured to change a rating of an engine of the first vehicle (1100) using the value of one or more environmental parameters as received from the first sensor (1110) and as received from the second sensor (1210).
  5. 5. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the controller (1120) is configured to receive the second signal from the second sensor (1210) while the first vehicle (1100) and the second vehicle (1200) are mechanically coupled to each other in a multi-vehicle system.
  6. 6. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the controller (1120) is configured to receive the second signal from the second sensor (1210) while the first vehicle (1100) and the second vehicle (1200) remain separate, but move together as a group of vehicles.
  7. 7. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the controller (1120) is configured to receive the second signal from the second sensor (1210) while the first vehicle (1100) and the second vehicle (1200) remain separated and move in different directions relative to each other.
  8. 8. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the first sensor (1110) and the second sensor (1210) are configured to measure one or more of: barometric air pressure, ambient air temperature, air quality and a movement speed of at least one of the first vehicle (1100) and the second vehicle (1200) as one or more environmental parameters.
  9. 9. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the first sensor (1110) and the second sensor (1210) are configured to measure a state of an adhesion modifier device or a traction effort level of the first vehicle (1100) or the second vehicle (1200) as one or more environmental parameters.
  10. 10. Control method for a vehicle system, comprising: detecting one or more environmental parameters using a first sensor (1110) located on board a first vehicle (1100); detecting one or more environmental parameters using a second sensor (1210) located on board a second vehicle (1200); communicating a first signal from the first sensor (1110) to a controller (1120) located on board the first vehicle (1100), the first signal indicating a value of one or more environmental parameters detected by the first sensor (1110); controlling the operation of a power component (1130) of the first vehicle (1100) using a controller (1120) on board the first vehicle (1100) based on the value of one or more environmental parameters received from the first sensor (1110); detecting an unwanted operation of the first sensor (1110); transitioning to communicate a second signal output by the second sensor (1210) to the controller (1120), the second signal indicating the value of one or more environmental parameters; and control the operation of the energy component (1130) of the first vehicle (1100) using the value of one or more environmental parameters received from the second sensor (1210), characterized in that it comprises, between the transition and control steps, adjusting the value of one or more environmental parameters from the second signal based at least partially on a determined distance between the first vehicle (1100) and the second vehicle (1200).
  11. 11. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the second signal is communicated as a wireless signal from the second sensor (1210) to the controller (1120).
  12. 12. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the second signal is communicated as an electronic signal conducted to the controller (1120) from the second sensor (1210) through one or more conductive paths extending between the first vehicle (1100) and the second vehicle (1200).
  13. 13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the second signal is communicated from the second sensor (1210) to the controller (1120), while the first vehicle (1100) and the second vehicle (1200) are mechanically coupled to each other in a multi-vehicle system.
  14. 14. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the control of the operation of the power component (1130) includes changing a rating of a first vehicle engine (1100) using the value of one or more environmental parameters as received from the first sensor (1110) and as received from the second sensor (1210).
  15. 15. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the second signal is communicated from the second sensor (1210) to the controller (1120) while the first vehicle (1100) and the second vehicle (1200) remain separate, but move together as a group of vehicles.
  16. 16. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the second signal from the second sensor (1210) is communicated to the controller (1120) while the first vehicle (1100) and the second vehicle (1200) remain separated and move in different directions relative to each other.
  17. 17. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that one or more environmental parameters include one or more of: barometric air pressure, ambient air temperature, air quality and a motion speed of at least one of the first vehicle (1100) and the second vehicle (1200).
  18. 18. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that one or more environmental parameters include a state of an adhesion modifier device or a level of traction effort of the first vehicle (1100) or the second vehicle (1200).
  19. 19. Control system for a vehicle system comprising: a first sensor (1110) mounted on a first vehicle (1100) of a multi-vehicle system; a second sensor (1210) mounted on a second vehicle (1200) of the multi-vehicle system, both the first sensor (1110) and the second sensor (1210) measuring values of an environmental condition outside the multi-vehicle system; a controller (1120) disposed on board the first vehicle (1100), the controller configured to: automatically reduce the engine power of the first vehicle (1100) in response to ceasing to receive environmental condition values; alternate between receiving environmental condition values from the first sensor (1110) and receiving environmental condition values from the second sensor (1210) to avoid reducing the engine power of the first vehicle (1100), characterized in that the controller is configured to adjust the environmental condition values of the second signal based, at least in part, on a determined distance between the first and second vehicles.
  20. 20. System according to claim 19, characterized in that the first vehicle (1100) and the second vehicle (1200) are not mechanically coupled to each other.

Description

Background of the Invention Field of the Invention [001] Achievements of the subject disclosed in this document relate to control systems and methods for energized devices. Discussion of the Technique [002] Many motorized machines, such as vehicles and industrial machines, include sensors that measure the performance of the machine's power components. The power component may include an internal combustion engine or an electric motor powered by a battery or other electrical power source. The performance of such energized components can be affected by external environmental factors such as barometric pressure, humidity, ambient temperature, and air quality. For example, the output or efficiency of the motor can be modeled as a function of ambient temperature. Consequently, a control module operationally connected to such a power component can be adapted to control performance characteristics of the power component, such as efficiency, power output, noise, etc., based on these environmental factors. [003] Vehicles may have onboard sensors that measure environmental conditions such as barometric pressure, ambient temperature, etc. Currently, the onboard controllers of these vehicles are designed to reduce (decrease the output capacity of) engines based on these environmental conditions. For example, if the pressure drops and/or the temperature rises, the engine's rating or maximum output may be automatically reduced to prevent damage to the engine or other vehicle components. If a sensor malfunctions or provides inaccurate output, however, the controllers currently proceed to reduce engine power or decrease performance, which can lead to roadside breakdowns, even if the environmental conditions do not warrant such reduction or decrease in performance. It may be desirable for a system that operates differently from those currently available. Summary of the Invention [004] In one example, a system (for example, a sensor system for a vehicle) includes a first sensor on board a first vehicle that can detect one or more environmental parameters, a second sensor on board a second vehicle that can detect one or more environmental parameters, and a controller on board the first vehicle that can receive a first signal output from the first sensor indicating a value of one or more environmental parameters detected by the first sensor. The controller can control the operation of a power component of the first vehicle using the value of one or more environmental parameters received from the first sensor. The controller can detect undesirable operation of the first sensor and transition to receiving a second signal output from the second sensor indicating the value of one or more environmental parameters. The controller can control the operation of the power component of the first vehicle using the value of one or more environmental parameters received from the second sensor. [005] In another example, a method (for example, to control the operation of a vehicle) might include detecting one or more environmental parameters using a first sensor located on board a first vehicle, detecting one or more environmental parameters using a second sensor located on board a second vehicle, and communicating a first signal from the first sensor to a controller located on board the first vehicle. The first signal might indicate a value of one or more environmental parameters detected by the first sensor. The method might include controlling the operation of a power component of the first vehicle using a controller on board the first vehicle based on the value of one or more environmental parameters received from the first sensor, detecting the undesired operation of the first sensor, and transitioning to communicating a second signal output by the second sensor to the controller. The second signal might indicate the value of one or more environmental parameters. The method might also include controlling the operation of the power component of the first vehicle using the value of one or more environmental parameters received from the second sensor. [006] In another example, a system (e.g., a vehicle sensor system) includes a first sensor located on board a first vehicle of a multi-vehicle system and a second sensor located on board a second vehicle of the multi-vehicle system. Both the first and second sensors can measure values of an environmental condition outside the multi-vehicle system. The system may include a controller located on board the first vehicle that can automatically reduce the engine speed of the first responsive vehicle to no longer receive the environmental condition values. The controller can switch from receiving the environmental condition values from the first sensor to receiving the environmental condition values from the second sensor to avoid reducing the engine speed of the first vehicle. The first vehicle and the second vehicle cannot be mechanically coupled to each other. Brief Description of the Drawings [00