Technical field

The present invention relates, in general, to the field of vehicle convoys; in particular, the invention relates to a system for determining the positioning of a vehicle within a convoy of vehicles, particularly a convoy of railway vehicles.

Prior art

As may be observed from Figure 1, convoys 100 usually comprise a plurality of vehicles 101, 102, 103 that are interconnected. Each of such vehicles may comprise one or more respective control means 104, 105, 106 that may communicate therebetween via a shared communication line 107, which covers the various vehicles 101, 102, 103 of the convoy 100.

The composition of convoys may vary during the course of the operative life thereof. For example, the number of vehicles of the convoy may be increased or reduced in light of a specific requirement. Furthermore, for example in the railway sector, those railway vehicles that make up the convoy may be installed according to two different orientations. For example, a first end A of a vehicle may be facing towards the lead vehicle 101 of the convoy, or a second end B, opposite the first end A, may be facing the lead vehicle 101.

In light of the possibility of varying the composition of a convoy, the need to identify the positioning within the convoy 100 of those vehicles that effectively make up this convoy is known. For example, knowledge of the positioning may relate to the orientation of the various following vehicles 102, 103 with respect to the lead vehicle of the convoy 101, or the position order of the various following vehicles 102, 103 along the convoy with respect to the lead vehicle 101 (first following vehicle, second following vehicle, third following vehicle, etc.).

Information relating to the position of the vehicles may be used by various functions of the vehicles or of the convoy, for example the braking control function of the vehicle or of the convoy or the convoy integrity verification function.

In the prior art, usually, the position of the vehicles within the convoy is manually inserted into a file which is supplied to at least one control means of one of the vehicles that make up the convoy. For example, the control means arranged for receiving the file is the control means 104 of the lead vehicle 101 of the convoy 100.

This manual method is very costly in terms of time. This inconvenience is particularly notable when considering convoys that are provided with an elevated number of vehicles. Furthermore, the file has to be manually updated every time the composition of the convoy changes.

The need is hence felt within the sector to be able to automatically determine the position of the various vehicles that make up the convoy.

Summary of the invention

One object of the present invention is therefore to provide a solution that makes it possible to automatically determine the positioning of a vehicle within a convoy of vehicles.

The aforesaid and other objects and advantages are achieved, according to an aspect of the invention, by a system for determining the positioning of a vehicle within a convoy of vehicles having the features defined in claim 1, and, according to a further aspect, by a system for determining the positioning of a vehicle within a convoy of vehicles having the features defined in claim 10. Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims, the content of which is to be understood as an integral part of the present description.

Brief description of the drawings

The functional and structural features of some preferred embodiments of a system for determining the positioning of a vehicle within a convoy of vehicles according to the invention will now be described. Reference is made to the accompanying drawings, wherein: - Figure 1 shows an exemplary convoy according to the prior art;

- Figure 2 shows a first embodiment of a system for determining the positioning of a vehicle within a convoy of vehicles;

- Figure 3 shows an exemplary convoy in support of a first exemplary embodiment;

- Figure 4 shows an exemplary convoy in support of a second exemplary embodiment;

- Figure 5 shows a first embodiment of a further system for determining the positioning of a vehicle within a convoy of vehicles.

Detailed description

Before explaining in detail a plurality of embodiments of the invention, it should be clarified that the invention is not limited in the application thereof to the design details and configuration of the components presented in the following description or shown in the drawings. The invention may assume other embodiments and be implemented or constructed in practice in different ways. It should also be understood that the phraseology and terminology have a descriptive purpose and should not be construed as limiting. The use of “include” and “comprise” and the variations thereof are intended to cover the elements set out below and the equivalents thereof, as well as additional elements and the equivalents thereof.

Referring initially to Figure 2, a first embodiment of a system for determining the positioning of a vehicle within a convoy of vehicles is described below.

The convoy of vehicles 200 comprises a lead vehicle 201 and at least one following vehicle

202, 203 connected in series with said lead vehicle 201. In the example of Figure 2, the convoy in total comprises three vehicles: a lead vehicle 201 and two following vehicles 202,

203. Clearly, the present invention is applicable to convoys having any number of following vehicles.

The system for determining the positioning of a vehicle within a convoy of vehicles comprises a first control means 204 that is arranged to be installed in the lead vehicle 201. The system for determining the positioning of a vehicle within a convoy of vehicles furthermore comprises at least one second control means 205, 206 that is arranged to be installed in the at least one following vehicle 202, 203.

In the non-limiting example of Figure 2, the second control means are two in number: one second control means 205 installed on a first following vehicle 202 and a further second control means 206 installed on a second following vehicle 203.

Furthermore, the system for determining the positioning of a vehicle within a convoy of vehicles comprises a communication line 207 installed in the convoy. The communication line 207 is arranged to allow communication between the first control means 204 and the at least one second control means 205, 206.

As may be observed in Figure 2, the communication line 207 may be shared and may extend along the various vehicles 201, 202, 203 of the convoy with the aim of allowing communication between the first control means 204 of the lead vehicle and the various second control means 205, 206 of the following vehicles.

The first control means 204 comprises at least one first communication port Pl and is adapted to be connected to said communication line 207 via the first communication port Pl.

The at least one second control means 205, 206 comprises a second communication port P2 associated with a first end A of the at least one following vehicle, and a third communication port P3 associated with a second end B of the at least one following vehicle. The second end B is opposite said first end A.

The at least one second control means 205, 206 is adapted to be connected to the communication line 207 via the second communication port P2 and the third communication port P3, or else via one only of the second communication port P2 and the third communication port For example, if the following vehicle is an intermediate vehicle between the lead vehicle and a further following vehicle, the at least one second control means 205, 206 may be adapted to be connected to the communication line 207 via both the second communication port P2 and the third communication port P3. If the following vehicle is instead a tail vehicle, the at least one second control means 205, 206 may be adapted to be connected to the communication line 207 via the second communication port P2 or the third communication port P3.

The first control means 204 is arranged to transmit, via the first communication port Pl, an orientation verification message on the communication line 207.

When the orientation verification message transmitted on the communication line 207 is received by the second control means 205, 206 via the second communication port P2, the second control means 205, 206 is arranged to determine that the following vehicle 202, 203, on which this second control means 205, 206 is installed, is positioned with the first end A facing towards the lead vehicle 201.

The determination of the fact that the first end A of the at least one following vehicle 202, 203 is facing towards the lead vehicle 201 may make it possible to determine, furthermore, that the second communication port P2 will therefore be the port that is arranged to receive the messages from the first control means 204 of the lead vehicle 201.

When the orientation verification message transmitted on the communication line 207 is received by the second control means 205, 206 via the third communication port P3, the second control means 205, 206 is arranged to determine that the following vehicle 202, 203, on which this second control means 205, 206 is installed, is positioned with the second end B facing towards the lead vehicle 201.

The determination of the fact that the second end B of the at least one following vehicle 202, 203 is facing towards the lead vehicle 201 may make it possible to determine, furthermore, that the third communication port P3 is arranged to receive the messages from the first control means 204 of the lead vehicle 201. The embodiment described above therefore makes it possible to determine the positioning of at least one following vehicle, with particular reference to the orientation thereof with respect to the lead vehicle of the convoy.

Preferably, the communication line may comprise at least one first line section and one second line section, distinct from said first line section. In this case, the second control means may be adapted to be interposed between the first line section and the second line section of said communication line 207, 307, 407. The second control means may be adapted to be connected to the first line section via one of the second communication port P2 and the third communication port P3, and to the second line section via the other of the second communication port P2 and the third communication port P3. For example, the second control means may be adapted to be connected to the first line section via the second communication port P2 and to the second line section via the third communication port P3 or vice versa. The first control means 204, 304, 404 may be arranged to be connected, via the first communication port Pl, to the first line section. Therefore, if the second control means is connected to the first line section via the second communication port, this second control means may receive the orientation verification message Ml from the first line section via this second communication port. When instead the second control means is connected to the first line section via the third communication port, this second control means may receive the orientation verification message Ml from the first line section via this third communication port.

For example, as may be observed from the figures, the second communication port P2 may be considered to be associated with the first end A of a vehicle insofar as the second communication port P2 is arranged to receive signals/messages from the line section that is connected to/crosses said first end A of the vehicle, and the third communication port P3 may be considered to be associated with the second end B of the vehicle insofar as the third communication port P3 is arranged to receive signals/messages from another line section that is connected to/crosses said second end B of the vehicle.

Preferably, when the convoy comprises a plurality of following vehicles 202, 203 connected in series to one another and successively to said lead vehicle 201, the system for determining the positioning of a vehicle within a convoy of vehicles may comprise a plurality of second control means 205, 206. In this case, each second control means 205, 206 may be installed in a respective following vehicle.

Each second control means may be interposed between respective line sections, in such a way as to be connected in series to one another. For example, the first communication port of the first control means may be connected to the first line section. The second communication port or the third communication port of a second control means may be connected to the first line section. The other of the second communication port and the third communication port of this second control means may be connected to the second line section. One of the second communication port or the third communication port of a further second control means may be connected to the second line section. The other of the second communication port and the third communication port of this further second control means may be connected to a further line section. Each second control means may similarly be interposed between two further respective line sections, in such a way as to be connected in series to one another and in series with the first control means. A second control means, when installed in a tail vehicle, may possibly be connected also with only one of the second communication port thereof and the third communication port thereof to a final line section, so as to close the communication line.

Preferably, when the orientation verification message transmitted on the communication line is received by the second control means 205, 206 via the second communication port P2, the second control means 205, 206 may be arranged to forward the orientation verification message via said third communication port P3 on the communication line 207.

Preferably, when the orientation verification message transmitted on the communication line is received by the second control means 205, 206 via the third communication port P3, the second control means 205, 206 may be arranged to forward the orientation verification message via said second communication port P2 on the communication line 207.

With reference to Figure 3, a first exemplary embodiment is described herebelow. In this example, the convoy 300 comprises three vehicles, namely a lead vehicle 301 and two following vehicles 302, 303. When the first control means 304 of the lead vehicle 301 transmits the orientation verification signal Ml on the communication line 307 (for example on a first line section), the second control means 305 of the first following vehicle 302 will receive this orientation verification signal Ml on the third communication port P3 thereof. The second control means 305 of the first following vehicle 302 will thus determine that the second end B of the first following vehicle 302 is facing towards the lead vehicle 301. Furthermore, the second control means 305 of the first following vehicle 302 will forward the orientation verification message Ml on the communication line 307 (for example on a second line section) via the second communication port P2. The second control means 306 of the second following vehicle 303 will receive this orientation verification signal on the second communication port P2 thereof. The second control means 306 of the second following vehicle 303 thus determines that the first end A of the second following vehicle 303 is facing towards the lead vehicle 301.

Preferably, a respective identification value (or datum) may be associated with each second control means 305, 306. The respective identification values may be known to the first control means 304. For example, they may be stored within memory means comprised or included within the first control means, or else they may be received by said first control means by a remote storage means.

Hereinafter, again with reference to Figure 2, embodiments are described wherein the system for determining the positioning of a vehicle within a convoy of vehicles, in addition to detecting the orientation of the various following vehicles, is furthermore adapted to determine the positioning order along the convoy of the following vehicle with respect to the lead vehicle.

Preferably, the first control means 204 may be arranged to transmit at least one vehicle position verification signal. A first data portion of the vehicle position verification signal may be arranged to indicate an identification value of one of the second control means 205, 206. A second data portion of said vehicle position verification signal may be arranged to indicate a position value having a predetermined initial value.

Each second control means 205, 206 may be arranged for: - upon receiving the vehicle position verification signal, verifying whether the identification value indicated by the first data portion matches its own identification value;

- when the identification value indicated by the first data portion matches its own identification value, determining that it is installed on the vehicle placed, with respect to the lead vehicle, in a position within the convoy that is a function of the value indicated by the position value of the vehicle position verification signal received;

- when the identification value indicated by the first data portion does not match its own identification value, modifying the position value by a predetermined unit, updating the second data portion of the vehicle position verification signal in such a way as to indicate the updated position value, and forwarding, on the communication line, the updated vehicle position verification signal.

For example, as regards the forwarding of the updated vehicle position verification signal, when a second control means receives the vehicle position verification signal from a line section connected to the second communication port, this second control means will be able to forward the vehicle position verification signal on a different line section connected to the third communication port, so as to forward the updated vehicle position verification signal to a further subsequent second control means along the communication line.

Preferably, with the aim of being able to determine the positions along the convoy of all of the following vehicles 205, 206, the first control means 204 may be arranged for:

- for every following vehicle 202, 203, transmitting a respective position verification signal comprising a first data portion arranged to indicate the identification value of the second control means 205, 206 of the respective following vehicle 202, 203 and a second data portion arranged to indicate a position value having the predetermined initial value.

With reference to Figure 4, a second exemplary embodiment is described herebelow. For example, the initial position value may be equal to 1. The predetermined unit whereby the position value has to modified may be equal to 1.

In a first position verification, the first control means 404 transmits, on the communication line 407 (for example on a first line section), a first vehicle position verification signal M2. The first data portion 410 of the first vehicle position verification signal is arranged to indicate the identification value ID1 of the second control means 405 installed on the first following vehicle 402. The second data portion 411 of the first vehicle position verification signal M2 is arranged to indicate the position value having the initial value equal to 1. The second control means 405 of the following vehicle 402 will receive the first vehicle position verification signal M2 and will verify whether the identification value indicated by the first data portion 411 matches its own identification value ID1. When the identification value indicated by the first data portion 411 matches its own identification value ID 1, the second control means 405 will determine that it is installed on the following vehicle placed, with respect to the lead vehicle 401, at the position in the convoy that is a function of the value indicated by the position value of the received vehicle position verification signal. For example, it may determine that it is installed on the following vehicle 402 placed, with respect to the lead vehicle 401, at the position in the convoy that matches the value indicated by the position value of the received vehicle position verification signal. That is to say, the second control means 405 may determine that it is installed on the first following vehicle 402 (vehicle number 1) following the lead vehicle 401.

In a second position verification, the first control means 404 transmits, on the communication line 407 (on the first line section), a second vehicle position verification signal M2’. The first data portion 410’ of the second vehicle position verification signal is arranged to indicate the identification value ID2 of the second control means 405 installed on the second following vehicle 403. The second data portion 411’ of the second vehicle position verification signal M2’ is arranged to indicate the position value having the initial value equal to 1. The second control means 405 of the first following vehicle 402 will receive the second vehicle position verification signal M2’ and will verify whether the identification value indicated by the first data portion 410’ matches its own identification value ID1. Since the identification value ID2 indicated by the first data portion does not match its own identification value ID1, the second control means 405 will modify, by a predetermined unit, the value of the position value. For example, the position value is increased by 1. The updated position value will therefore be two. Furthermore, the second control means 405 of the first following vehicle 402 will update the second data portion 411’ of the second vehicle position verification signal in such a way as to indicate the updated position value (two) and will forward, on the communication line (for example on a second line section), the second vehicle position verification signal M2”. The second control means 406 of the second following vehicle 403 will receive the updated second vehicle position verification signal M2’ ’ and will verify whether the identification value ID2 indicated by the first data portion matches its own identification value ID2. Since the identification value ID2 indicated by the first data portion matches its own identification value ID2, the second control means 406 will determine that it is installed on the following vehicle 403 placed, with respect to the lead vehicle 410, at the position in the convoy that is a function of the value indicated by the position value of the updated second vehicle position verification signal received. For example, it may determine that it is installed on the following vehicle 403 placed, with respect to the lead vehicle, at a position in the convey that matches the value indicated by the position value of the updated second vehicle position verification signal received. That is to say, the second control means 406 may determine that it is installed on the second following vehicle 403 (vehicle number 2) following the lead vehicle 401 and following the first following vehicle (vehicle number 1).

The procedure described above may be repeated for each following vehicle of the convoy.

Preferably, each second control means, when the identification value indicated by the first data portion matches its own identification value, may be arranged for:

- if the vehicle position verification signal M2, M2’ M2” was received by the second control means 205, 206, 305, 306, 405, 406 via the second communication port P2, preventing the forwarding of the vehicle position verification signal M2, M2’ M2” on the communication line via the third communication port P3;

- if the vehicle position verification signal M2, M2’ M2” was received by the second control means 205, 206, 305, 306, 405, 406 via the third communication port P3, preventing the forwarding of the vehicle position verification signal M2, M2’ M2” on the communication line via the second communication port P2.

In this way it is possible to avoid a vehicle position verification signal M2, M2’ M2” being needlessly forwarded along the communication line, once the vehicle position verification signal has reached the intended recipient. Preferably, each second control means 205, 206, 305, 306, 405, 406 may be arranged for, via the communication line:

- transmitting to said first control means 204, 304, 404 a respective signal arranged to indicate which amongst the first end A and the second end B of the following vehicle on which it is installed has been determined to be facing the lead vehicle.

In other words, once the second control means 205, 206, 305, 306, 405, 406 have respectively determined the orientations of the following vehicles on which they are installed, each second control means 205, 206, 305, 306, 405, 406 may forward a signal to the first control means, wherewith to indicate the determined orientation of the respective following vehicle. In this way, the first control means may be aware of the orientation of all of the following vehicles.

Preferably, each second control means 205, 206, 305, 306, 405, 406 may be arranged for, via the communication line:

- transmitting to said first control means a signal arranged to indicate the position along the convoy of the following vehicle on which it is installed, which has been determined by the respective second control means.

In other words, once the second control means 205, 206, 305, 306, 405, 406 have respectively determined the positions, along the convoy, of the following vehicles on which they are installed, each second control means may forward a signal to the first control means, wherewith to indicate the determined position of the respective following vehicle. In this way, the first control means may be aware of the position along the convoy of all of the following vehicles.

In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a further system for determining the positioning of a vehicle within a convoy of vehicles.

With reference to Figure 5, the convoy of vehicles 500 comprises a lead vehicle 501 and a plurality of following vehicles 502, 503 connected in series to one another and successively to said lead vehicle 501.

The system for determining the positioning of a vehicle within a convoy of vehicles comprises:

- a first control means 504 arranged to be installed in said lead vehicle 501;

- a plurality of second control means 505, 506, wherein each second control means is arranged to be installed on a respective following vehicle 502, 503;

- a communication line 507 installed in the convoy and arranged to allow communication between said first control means 504 and said second control means 505, 506.

A respective identification value ID1, ID2 is associated with each second control means 505, 506.

The first control means 504 is arranged to transmit at least one vehicle position verification signal M2.

A first data portion of said vehicle position verification signal is arranged to indicate an identification value ID1, ID2 of one of said second control means 505, 506. A second data portion of said vehicle position verification signal is arranged to indicate a position value having a predetermined initial value.

Each second control means 505, 506 is arranged for:

- upon receiving the vehicle position verification signal M2, verifying whether the identification value indicated by the first data portion matches its own identification value ID I , ID2;

- when the identification value indicated by the first data portion matches its own identification value, determining that this second control means is installed on the vehicle placed, with respect to the lead vehicle, in a position within the convoy that is a function of the value indicated by the position value of the vehicle position verification signal M2 received;

- when the identification value indicated by the first data portion does not match its own identification value, modifying the value of the position value by a predetermined unit, updating the second data portion of the vehicle position verification signal in such a way as to indicate the updated position value, and forwarding, on the communication line, the updated vehicle position verification signal M2’.

All of the embodiments described above with reference to the preceding system for determining the positioning of a vehicle within a convoy of vehicles may similarly be applied to the present system for determining the positioning of a vehicle within a convoy of vehicles, where applicable. Furthermore, the exemplary embodiment of Figure 4 may similarly also be applied to the present system for determining the positioning of a vehicle within a convoy of vehicles.

For example, preferably, the first control means 504 may comprise at least one first communication port Pl and may be adapted to be connected to said communication line 507 via a first communication port Pl. Each second control means 505, 506 may comprise a second communication port P2 associated with a first end A of a respective following vehicle and a third communication port P3 associated with a second end B of this following vehicle. The second end B is opposite said first end A. Each second control means 505, 506 may be adapted to be connected to the communication line 507 via the second communication port P2 and the third communication port P3, or else via only one of the second communication port P2 and the third communication port P3. For example, if the following vehicle is an intermediate vehicle between the lead vehicle and a further following vehicle, the second control means 505, 506 may be adapted to be connected to the communication line 507 via both the second communication port P2 and the third communication port P3. If the following vehicle is instead a tail vehicle, the second control means 505, 506 may be adapted to be possibly connected to the communication line 507 via the second communication port P2 or the third communication port P3.

Preferably, the communication line may comprise a first line section arranged to be interposed between said first control means and one of said second control means (in other words, to connect said first control means to one of said second control means), and at least one second line section arranged to be interposed between one of said second control means and another of said second control means (in other words, to connect one of said second control means to another one of said second control means). The first line section and each second line section may be distinct from one another.

For example, the first communication port of the first control means may be connected to said first line section. The second communication port or the third communication port of a second control means may be connected to the first line section. The other of the second communication port and the third communication port of such second control means may be connected to the second line section.

In other words, a second control means 505 of said plurality of second control means may be adapted to be interposed between the first line section and the second line section of said communication line 507. In this case, the first control means 504 may be arranged to be connected, via the first communication port Pl, to the first line section. Furthermore, this second control means 505 of said plurality of second control means may be adapted to be connected to the first line section via one of the second communication port P2 and the third communication port P3 and to the second line section via the other of the second communication port P2 and the third communication port P3.

Preferably, one of the second communication port or the third communication port of a further second control means may be connected to the second line section. The other of the second communication port and the third communication port of this further second control means may be connected to a further line section. Each further second control means may then similarly be interposed between two respective further line sections, in such a way as to be connected in series to one another and in series with the first control means.

In other words, at least one second control means of said plurality of second control means may be adapted to be connected to two respective further communication line sections. In this case, this second control means of said plurality of second control means may be adapted to be connected to one of said two respective communication line sections via the second communication port P2 and to be connected to the other of said two respective communication line sections via the third communication port P3. Preferably, a second control means, when installed in a tail vehicle, may be connected also only to a further line section, so as to close the communication line.

In other words, at least one second control means 506 of said plurality of second control means may be adapted to be connected to the communication line only via one of the second communication port P2 and the third communication port P3.

For example, as regards the forwarding of the updated vehicle position verification signal, when a second control means 505, 506 receives the vehicle position verification signal from a line section connected to the second communication port, this second control means 505, 506 will be able to forward the vehicle position verification signal on a different line section connected to the third communication port, so as to forward the updated vehicle position verification signal to a further subsequent second control means along the communication line.

Preferably, each second control means 505, 506, when the identification value indicated by the first data portion matches its own identification value, may again be arranged for:

- if the vehicle position verification signal was received by the second control means 505, 506 via the second communication port P2, preventing the forwarding of the vehicle position verification signal on the communication line via the third communication port P3;

- if the vehicle identification verification signal was received by the second control means 505, 506 via the third communication port P3, preventing the forwarding of the vehicle position verification signal on the communication line via the second communication port P2.

Preferably, the first control means may be arranged for:

- for every following vehicle, transmitting a respective vehicle position verification signal comprising a first data portion arranged to indicate the identification value of the second control means of the respective following vehicle and a second data portion arranged to indicate the position value having the predetermined initial value.

Preferably, each second control means 505, 506 may be arranged for, via the communication line 507:

- transmitting to said first control means 504 a signal arranged to indicate the position along the convoy of the following vehicle on which it is installed, which has been determined by the respective second control means 505, 506.

Preferably, for all of the previously described embodiments, the communication line 207, 307, 407, 507 may be a cabled network, for example an Ethernet network. For example, the communication line is a Single-Pair Eth (SPE) network.

For example, for all of the previously described embodiments, the first control means and the second control means may each be, or each comprise, at least a processor, a microprocessor, a controller, a microcontroller, a PLC, an FPGA, or similar.

Preferably, the convoy is a railway convoy that comprises a plurality of railway vehicles. For example, the lead vehicle may be a locomotive vehicle and the following vehicle a towed vehicle. The present invention is however applicable to any type of convoy comprising a plurality of vehicles that share a shared communication network.

The advantage conferred by the present invention is that of having provided a solution that makes it possible to automatically determine the positioning of a vehicle within a convoy of vehicles by exploiting the means of communication that may usually already be present on board convoys of vehicles.

Various aspects and embodiments of a system for determining the positioning of a vehicle within a convoy of vehicles according to the invention have been described. It is understood that each embodiment may be combined with any other embodiment. Moreover, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described, but may be varied within the scope defined by the appended claims.