FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to an emergency detection system for a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle. The invention also relates to a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0002] US 2017/0340908 A1 shows an apparatus having a sensor positioned above a rear axle attached to a brake of a trailer. The sensor detects whether a temperature of the brake exceeds a threshold temperature. Furthermore, CN 103566504 A shows a tank truck loaded with poisonous and harmful chemicals. Moreover, CN 205964756 U shows a vehicle technology fire control initiative safety protection system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide an emergency detection system as well as a vehicle such that a particularly high safety may be realized.

[0004] This object is solved by the subject-matters of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments with expedient developments of the invention are indicated in the dependent claims.

[0005] A first aspect of the present invention relates to an emergency detection system for a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, such as, for example, a truck. The emergency detection system comprises at least one emergency detection device configured to detect an emergency referring to at least one smoke, elevated heat, carbon monoxide or any combination of these. This means that, for example, an emergency is detected by the emergency detection device if smoke is detected by the emergency detection device. Alternatively or additionally, an emergency is detected by the emergency detection device if the emergency detection device detects heat exceeding a threshold. For example, said threshold may be a predetermined or predeterminable threshold. Alternatively or additionally, an emergency is detected by the emergency detection device, if the emergency detection device detects carbon monoxide. For example, the emergency detection device detects an emergency, if the emergency detection device detects that a carbon monoxide level exceeds a threshold, wherein, for example, said carbon monoxide level is a carbon monoxide level of a fluid, such as, for example, a gas.

[0006] The emergency detection device is further configured to provide at least one signal in response to detecting the emergency (i.e. upon detecting the emergency). Preferably, the signal provided or providable by the emergency detection device may be an electrical signal.

[0007] Moreover, the emergency detection system comprises at least one control unit which may be configured as an electronic control unit. The control unit is configured to receive the signal provided or providable by the emergency detection device. For example, the emergency detection device is configured to provide said signal via a wire, wherein, for example, the control unit is configured to receive said signal via said wire. Furthermore, the control unit is configured to, upon receiving the signal, control at least one door lock thereby unlocking at least one door of the vehicle. Alternatively or additionally, the control unit is configured to, upon receiving the signal, control at least one alarm device thereby providing at least audible and/or optical alarm signal in the surroundings and/or in an interior of the vehicle. Thus, for example, the door lock and/or the door and/or the alarm device may be a component of the emergency detection system. The emergency may be a thermal event or the emergency may be caused by a thermal event which may be detected by the emergency detection device. By unlocking the door upon detecting the emergency, a person inside the vehicle, in particular inside a cabin of the vehicle may egress the vehicle in a particularly easy way. Moreover, a person outside the vehicle may get into the vehicle in order to move a person inside the vehicle out of the vehicle. Moreover, alternatively or additionally, by providing the alarm signal a person resting inside the vehicle may be made aware of the emergency. For example, a person sleeping inside the vehicle may be woken up such that the person inside the vehicle may be egress the vehicle due to the emergency. Moreover, by providing the signal in the surroundings of the vehicle, at least one person in the surroundings of the vehicle may be made aware of the emergency such that the person outside the vehicle may take action against the emergency and/or may save a person inside the vehicle. Thus, for example, by providing the signal persons nearby the vehicle may be alerted.

[0008] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a vehicle comprising at least one emergency detection system according to the first aspect of the present invention. Advantages and advantageous embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention are to be regarded as advantages and advantageous embodiments of the second aspect of the present invention and vice versa. Preferably, the vehicle according to the second aspect of the present invention may be configured as a commercial vehicle, such as, for example, a truck.

[0009] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention derive from the following description of a preferred embodiment as well as from the drawing. The features and feature combinations previously mentioned in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned in the following description of the figure and/or shown in the figure alone may be employed not only in the respectively indicated combination but also in any other combination or taken alone without leaving the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0010] The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and together with the description, serve to explain the disclosed principles. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system and/or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described below, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying figures. [0011] The only Fig. shows a block diagram representing an emergency detection system of a vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] In the present document, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration". Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

[0013] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawing and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.

[0014] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion so that a setup, device or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus preceded by “comprises” or “comprise” does not or do not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or method.

[0015] In the following detailed description of the embodiment of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawing that forms part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration a specific embodiment in which the disclosure may be practiced. This embodiment is described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense. [0016] The only Fig. shows a block diagram representing an emergency detection system 10 of a vehicle. In the embodiment shown in the Fig., the vehicle comprising the emergency detection system 10 may be configured as a commercial vehicle, such as a truck. For example, the vehicle may comprise a cabin bounding an interior of the vehicle, wherein at least one person may stay inside the interior. For example, the cabin may be configured for said person to sleep in the vehicle. For example, said person may be the driver of the vehicle. In the following, the person and the driver are also referred to as an operator of the vehicle.

[0017] As shown in the Fig., the emergency detection system 10 comprises at least one emergency detection device 12 configured to detect an emergency. Furthermore, the emergency detection device 12 is configured to provide at least one signal in response to detecting the emergency. Furthermore, the emergency detection system 10 comprises at least one control unit 14 configured to receive the signal provided by the emergency detection device 12. The signal provided by the emergency detection device 12 is also referred to as a detection signal. For example, the control unit 14 is configured to provide at least one control signal upon receiving the detection signal. Preferably, the control signal and/or the detection signal may be configured as an electrical signal.

[0018] A background of the emergency detection system 10 may be that it may be common for vehicle operators to sleep in their vehicles. There may be many vehicle functions that may run while the respective operator is sleeping in the respective vehicle. These functions may include automated engine start systems that are specifically designed to provide comfort for the operator while they are sleeping by maintaining a desired temperature in the interior, in particular in the cabin. Thus, said temperature is also referred to as an interior temperature or as a cabin temperature. For example, in cold ambient temperatures, an engine of the vehicle may be automatically started and run to maintain a desired cabin temperature. For example, said engine is configured to drive the vehicle. Moreover, for example, said engine may be configured as an internal combustion engine. Additionally, powertrain control systems may operate during this time. For example, the vehicle may comprise an auto-elevate feature that may increase engine speed and may inject hydrocarbons into an exhaust stream in order to regenerate a particulate filter that may operate while the operator is sleeping in the vehicle. For example, said exhaust stream is formed by an exhaust gas provided by the engine during the engine is activated and thus running. The exhaust gas flows through the particulate filter by which particles such as, for example, soot particles are filtered out of the exhaust gas. For example, said particulate filter may be configured as a diesel particulate filter (DPF) such that, for example, said engine may be configured as a diesel engine.

[0019] Furthermore, vehicle manufacturers may have adopted the ISO 26262 functional safety methodologies to use state of the art methodologies for maintaining vehicle safety even as complexity increases dramatically. A key component of the ISO 26262 methodologies is a hazardous analysis risk assessment (HARA). The HARA is used to assess a level of risk associated with a hazard caused by an E/E malfunction. Since, as described above, an operator of a vehicle may rest, in particular sleep, inside the vehicle and if no countermeasures are taken, the possibility exists that a malfunction may occur when the operator is sleeping in the vehicle. For example, a high exhaust gas temperature may occur due to an electrical and/or electronic (E/E) malfunction. In this regard, for example, the emergency detection device 12 and thus the emergency detection system 10 may be configured to detect a fire, in particular by detecting elevated heat, and/or smoke and/or carbon monoxide. Thus, for example, said emergency is detected by the emergency detection device 12 when the emergency detection device 12 detects smoke and/or elevated heat and/or carbon monoxide. Preferably, the emergency detection system 10 is integrated with the vehicle.

[0020] In the Fig., a power supply of the vehicle is indicated by 16. The power supply 16 is also referred to as a vehicle power supply. As shown in the Fig., preferably, the emergency detection system 10 and thus the emergency detection device 12 and the control unit 14 are electrically connected or connectable with the power supply 16 such that the emergency detection system 10 may be supplied with electrical energy by the power supply 16 of the vehicle. If used in conjunction with batteries, this can provide redundancy for the power to the emergency detection system.

[0021] In the Fig., doors and/or windows of the cabin are indicated by 18. Thus, for example, the doors and/or windows 18 may be components of the emergency detection system 10. This means that, for example, the control unit 14 may be configured to, upon receiving the detection signal, control at least one door lock thereby unlocking at least one door of the vehicle, in particular the cabin. For example, the emergency is a thermal event or caused by a thermal event such that the emergency detection device 12 is configured to detect thermal event. Thus, for example, if the emergency is detected, the at least one door, in particular the doors, of the cabin are unlocked. In this regard, it has been found that fumes containing carbon monoxide may cause sleeping passengers to remain sleeping or go unconscious. Therefore, in a vehicle stop or other location where other persons are present in the surroundings of the vehicle, the persons in the surroundings of the vehicle may open the doors and enter the vehicle to extricate the sleeping operator.

[0022] Furthermore, for example, the control unit 14 may be configured to, upon receiving the detection signal, control at least one window unit of the vehicle thereby opening at least one window or a plurality of windows or all windows of the cabin. Moreover, an alarm device 20 may be a component of the emergency detection system 10. The alarm device 20 of the vehicle is also referred to as an alarm system. Thus, for example, the control unit 14 may be configured to, upon receiving the detection signal, control the alarm device 20 thereby providing at least one audible and/or optical alarm signal in the surroundings of the vehicle and/or in the interior of the vehicle. By controlling the alarm system, for example, a vehicle horn is activated which could develop an emergency cadence. Alternatively or additionally, the emergency detection system 10 comprises a human machine interface (HMI) 22 which may be a component of the alarm system. For example, the HMI comprises an instrument cluster by which an optical alarm signal may be provided in the interior of the vehicle. Alternatively or additionally, the alarm system may comprise an air horn which may be activated by the control unit 14 upon receiving the detection signal.

[0023] Furthermore, an aftertreatment device 24 for an aftertreatment of the exhaust gas may be a component of the emergency detection system 10. The aftertreatment device 24 is also referred to as an aftertreatment system. Thus, for example, the control unit 14 may be configured to, upon receiving the detection signal, control the aftertreatment system thereby, in particular independently, stopping a dosing of hydrocarbons into the exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine of the vehicle. Alternatively or additionally, the control unit 14 may be configured to, upon receiving the detection signal, control the internal combustion engine of the vehicle thereby switching off the internal combustion engine. Moreover, the control unit 14 may be configured to, upon receiving the detection signal, control at least one fan of the vehicle, thereby activating or deactivating the fan. [0024] Furthermore, for example, a fire suppression device 26 may be a component of the emergency detection system 10. The fire suppression device 26 is also referred to as a fire suppression system. Preferably, the control unit 14 may be configured to, upon receiving the detection signal, activate the fire suppression system which may provide, upon activating the fire suppression system, a medium, such as, for example, a fluid for extinguishing the fire and/or cooling at least a component of the vehicle.

[0025] Moreover, for example, an emergency communication system 28 may be a component of the emergency detection system 10. Thus, for example, the control unit 14 may be configured to, upon receiving the detection signal, control the emergency communication system 28 thereby, in particular wirelessly, providing at least one communication signal to be received by at least one electric component external of the vehicle. Thereby, for example, an emergency message may be sent to authorities or those who may be able to assist (CTP, virtual recognition, in particular via CTP, other over the air, Bluetooth, phone, internet, satellite, etc. means of requesting help). Ideally, the emergency detection system 10 may be implemented independently of existing components to provide redundancy.

[0026] The emergency detection system 10 is also referred to as a detection signal system. In an embodiment, said emergency which may be detected by the emergency detection device 12 may be referred to a detection of fire, smoke, elevated heat, and/or carbon monoxide. The detection system may be integrated with the vehicle, which may be a commercial vehicle, such as, for example, a truck. The vehicle may comprise said cabin which may be designed for a driver to rest in (i.e. a sleeper cab). The detection system is designed to protect the driver and anyone in proximity of the vehicle, particularly in the event that the driver is resting, and an emergency is detected. In an embodiment, the detection system may be an independent system of the vehicle that provides redundancy.

[0027] In an embodiment, the detection system may be powered by the power supply 16 of the vehicle, for example, by a battery of the vehicle. The detection system comprises the emergency detection device 12 which may particularly be a smoke and/or heat and/or carbon monoxide detector referred to as detector. The detector may be powered by the power supply 16 of the vehicle. The system may have a redundant power supply, for example, a backup battery, to assure power to the detection system will always be provided.

[0028] The detection system further comprises the control unit 14. Upon detection of an emergency, the detector may send a signal such as the detection signal to the control unit 14 in order to activate a protocol in response to the emergency. The control unit 14 may provide signals to various systems of the vehicle as a process of the protocol. The only Fig. shows exemplary systems of the vehicle that the control unit 14 may communicate with as a process of a protocol. In the only Fig., the exemplary systems may comprise the doors and/or windows 18, the fire suppression device 26, the alarm device 20, the aftertreatment device 24 and/or the emergency communication system 28.

[0029] In an embodiment, upon detection of an emergency, the control unit 14 may provide a signal such as said control signal to unlock the doors of the vehicle. This action allows the driver to exit the vehicle efficiently without having to take time to unlock the doors. Further, in an event where the driver is unconscious due to the emergency, emergency personnel or a bystander may enter the vehicle quickly.

[0030] In an embodiment, upon detection of an emergency, the control unit 14 may provide a signal such as said control signal to open at least one window or a plurality of windows or all windows of the vehicle. This action allows for ventilation of the vehicle, in particular the interior of the vehicle.

[0031] In an embodiment, upon detection of an emergency, the control unit 14 may activate the fire suppression system of the vehicle. For example, the fire suppression system may be a sprinkler system.

[0032] In an embodiment, upon detection of an emergency, the control unit 14 may activate an audio alarm, in particular by controlling the alarm system. The audio alarm may, for example, be a vehicle horn, an instrument cluster, or an air horn. For example, the horn of the vehicle may be pre-set with an emergency cadence tone to specifically notify bystanders or emergency personnel that an emergency has been detected by the detection system.

[0033] In an embodiment, for a vehicle comprising a traditional power train comprising an internal combustion engine such as, for example, a gas or diesel engine, the detection system 10 may be integrated with an engine control system. In a further embodiment, the control unit 14, upon detection of an emergency, may provide a signal to the aftertreatment system to shut down a dosing system, which may be configured as a hydrocarbons dosing system configured to introduce hydrocarbons into the exhaust gas. In a further embodiment, a signal may be sent to shut down the entire engine. In a further embodiment, a cooling fan such as said fan may be enabled or disabled depending on the detected emergency. In an exemplary emergency situation, high exhaust temperature may lead to a thermal event caused by a malfunction that causes excessive hydrocarbon dosing which may be prevented by the detection system.

[0034] In an embodiment, the emergency detection system 10 may be integrated with a vehicle comprising an electric power train (i.e. electric vehicle) comprising electric drive components, such as but not limited to high voltage batteries, electric motors, and chargers. The detection system 10 may be integrated with an electric drive control system. In an embodiment, the control unit 14, upon detection of an emergency, may provide a signal to the electric drive control system to power off the high voltage system of the electric vehicle. For example, the control unit 14 may send a signal to the electric drive control system to open the connectors of a high voltage battery in order to power off high voltage in the high voltage system.

[0035] In an embodiment, upon detection of an emergency, the control unit 14 may provide a signal to an emergency system of the vehicle. For example, said emergency system may be the emergency communication system 28. For example, the emergency system may provide a message to emergency personnel or authorities to assist. In an exemplary embodiment, the emergency system may provide communication to a virtual technician and/or provide a message over the air, Bluetooth, mobile service, internet, satellite, etc. in order to request emergency assistance.

[0036] In a further embodiment, the detection system may comprise the human machine interface (HMI) 22. For example, the HMI may be an interactive display in the cabin of the vehicle, or the HMI may be or comprise an overall button located on a dashboard of the vehicle. The HMI may be used by the driver to override the detection system and/or activate or deactivate the detection system. For example, if the driver is smoking in the vehicle, the driver may interact with the HMI so that the detection system may be temporarily disabled. In this case, the HMI may provide input to the control unit 14 to deactivate the detection system. In another example, in an emergency event, the control unit 14 may provide a signal to the HMI, which may be a disabling device, that displays to the driver what emergency was detected (i.e. , there is a carbon monoxide detection in the cabin of the vehicle).

Reference signs

10 emergency detection system

12 emergency detection device

14 control unit

16 power supply

18 door and/or windows

20 alarm device

22 human machine interface

24 aftertreatment device

26 fire suppression device

28 emergency communication system