Abstract:
A system for providing external notification of a vehicle event to an operator includes a reader device connected to a control unit providing status of at least one vehicle condition with the vehicle having a diesel particulate filter (DPF), a plurality of warning devices connected to the reader device and a power supply connected to the reader device and to the warning devices wherein the reader device receives data via data lines from the control unit, decodes the received data to determine the occurrence of a vehicle event relating to the DPF and controls ground signal lines of the warning devices to trigger at least one of the warning devices based on the detection of a particular event.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     This invention relates to trucks and more particularly, to systems that facilitate remote warnings of vehicle conditions of the trucks. 
     Typical tractor-type trucks are designed to tow trailers and semi-trailers having large loads that may include goods, supplies or other freight. Vocational trucks are designed to perform particular functions. Vocational trucks may include, for example, garbage trucks, cement mixers, concrete pumpers, etc. 
     Trucks with diesel engines could include a diesel particulate filter (DPF) for removing diesel particulate matter or soot from the exhaust gas. The particulate collects or accumulates on the filter. 
     The filter can be a disposable filter that can be replaced. The filter can also be cleaned (i.e. a non-disposable filter) by burning off the accumulated particulate matter in a process known as regeneration. Regeneration can be passive or active. Passive regeneration utilizes a catalyst which allows the particulate matter to oxidize at a lower temperature than it would otherwise. Active regeneration uses control of the engine or additional devices to heat the filter to very high temperatures at which the soot could burn off (i.e. combustion). Regeneration can take place when the accumulation of the particulate matter on the filter reaches a pre-determined level. 
     Active regeneration typically takes place in an automatic manner. A notification is provided that regeneration is about to take place within a predetermined period of time (in two minutes for example). Regeneration takes place at end of this period of time without operator action. 
     An operator, if the truck is so equipped, has the ability to override the automatic regeneration by activating an inhibit switch located within the truck. The operator may activate the inhibit switch for a variety or reasons. For example, the vehicle may be in a tunnel or other closed space such as a garage where it may be unsafe to generate the very high temperatures needed for burning off the soot. 
     The notification of regeneration could be in the form of an indication in the instrument panel located in the dashboard of the cab portion of the truck for example. While the notification via instrument panel on the dashboard may be adequate in some situations, it is not optimal or sufficient in other situations. Accordingly, in some embodiments, improved methods of notification are described. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, a system for providing external notification of a vehicle event comprises: a reader device connected to a control unit providing status of at least one vehicle condition, the vehicle having a diesel particulate filter (DPF); a plurality of warning devices connected to the reader device; and a power supply connected to the reader device and the warning devices. The reader device receives data via data lines from the control unit, decodes the received data to detect the occurrence of a vehicle event relating to the DPF and controls ground signal lines of the warning devices to trigger at least one of the warning devices based on the detection of a particular type of vehicle event. 
     In another embodiment, a method for providing external notification of a vehicle event comprises: receiving data from a control unit; decoding the received data to detect occurrence of a vehicle event corresponding to a diesel particulate filter (DPF) regeneration; and triggering at least one of a plurality of external warning devices based on the detection of a particular type of vehicle event. 
     In a further embodiment, a truck with a diesel particulate filter (DPF) comprises: a reader device receiving data corresponding to vehicle conditions; a plurality of warning devices each having a ground signal connected to the reader device; and a power supply connected to the reader device and to each of the warning devices wherein the reader device decodes the received data to determine the occurrence of a vehicle event relating to the DPF and controls the ground signal lines of the warning devices to trigger at least one of the warning devices based on the detection of a particular type of vehicle event. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The several features, objects, and advantages of applicants&#39; invention will be understood by reading this description in conjunction with the drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a notification circuit in accordance with exemplary embodiments; and 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a method in accordance with exemplary embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description of the implementations consistent with the present invention refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings identify the same or similar elements. The following detailed description does not limit the invention. Instead, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims. 
     According to exemplary embodiments, a notification system is disclosed. The exemplary notification system may provide a warning or notification of a vehicle event to an operator of a truck that is outside of the truck. For purposes of this invention, the term “external” may refer to a location outside the truck (e.g. a cab portion). This notification may supplement a notification that may be provided in or by the instrument panel. 
     For active regeneration, the engine can be programmed to operate or run in a particular way so as to heat the exhaust to a high temperature of around 600° C. for example. The work required to heat the exhaust is performed by the engine. 
     An operator may be notified of the condition of the DPF and action to be taken. The action to be taken may be based on the DPF condition. For example, the operator may be notified that a regeneration is recommended when the soot level reaches a particular level (may refer to this as a first level for example). As the soot level on the DPF increases (may refer to this as a second level for example), the operator may be notified that a regeneration is needed. As the soot level increases further (may refer to this as a third level for example), the operator may be notified that a regeneration is required immediately. If each of these conditions or notifications are ignored and the level increases even further (may refer to this as a fourth level for example), the operator may be notified that the vehicle be stopped immediately for service. 
     In exemplary trucks such as those built by Mack® Trucks, the various notifications highlighted above may be referred to by a “level” designation. For example, the condition associated with the DPF as described above may be designated as “Level 1”, “Level 2”, “Level 3” and “Level 4” with Level 4 being more critical than Level 3 which is more critical than Level 2 which is more critical than Level 1. 
     The truck may be a cement dumper or a cement mixer for example. In operation, the cement dumper may be delivering cement to a third story of a building for example. At this time, the operator is typically outside the truck. Therefore, the notification provided via the instrument panel is not visible to the operator who is unaware of the need and level of regeneration. If the exhaust has to be heated for regeneration, the engine will reduce power to other functions being performed such as delivering the cement to the third floor and instead provide power for heating the exhaust. As a result, the cement delivery may cease or the cement may not reach the intended destination. This problem may also occur if the truck is operating in closed locations such as an underground garage or a tunnel, etc. 
     An exemplary notification circuit such as circuit  100  of  FIG. 1  may provide the supplemental notification. Notification circuit  100  may include a power supply  110 , a reader device  120 , a first warning device  130  and a second warning device  140 . The first warning device  130  may be a LED strobe lamp or a flashing lamp or similar visual device providing a visual signal. The second warning device  140  may be a horn or similar auditory device providing a sound. The power supply may be a 12 volt DC power supply. The warning devices may be located on an outside portion of the truck such as at the rear of the truck for example. Each warning device may correspond to a particular type of notification provided. 
     Reader device  120  may receive data from the engine electronic control unit (ECU)  105  of the vehicle via data lines  122  and  124 . The engine ECU  105  may broadcast data (such as regeneration data) over a J1939 serial bus that is used in heavy duty trucks for example. The engine ECU provides information on vehicle condition and is known. Among the conditions on which the module provides information are status of the DPF and regeneration for example. The regeneration may be referred to herein as a vehicle event. 
     Reader device  120  may decode the data to determine various conditions associated with the vehicle. In exemplary embodiments, these conditions may include, for example, the status of the DPF and a notification of DPF regeneration (or vehicle event). 
     Reader device  120  receives power from power supply  110  and is connected to ground  125 . Both the first and second warning devices  130  and  140  also receive power from power supply  110 . The ground signals  126  and  128  of respective warning devices  130  and  140  may be controlled by reader device  120  to provide the corresponding notification. 
     If reader device  120  detects a particular notification or vehicle event, ground signal  126  of first warning device  130  may be controlled by the reader device to trigger the first warning device. 
     If reader device  120  detects another notification that is more critical, ground signal  128  of second warning device  140  may be controlled by the reader device to trigger the second warning device. 
     For the more critical notification, in exemplary embodiments, ground signal  126  of first warning device  130  may also be controlled simultaneously by the reader device to trigger the first warning device  130  (i.e. in addition to triggering the second warning device  140  for example). This may provide multiple simultaneous warnings. 
     A method in accordance with exemplary embodiments may be described with reference to  FIG. 2 . An engine electronic control unit (ECU) may broadcast information on vehicle conditions over a J1939 serial bus, for example, at  210 . A reader device may receive data over data lines and decode the received data at  220 . The reader device may determine if a vehicle event corresponding to the DPF regeneration is detected at  230 . If the DPF regeneration event is detected, a determination may be made as to the urgency level of the regeneration at  240  and  250  respectively. 
     Purely for illustrative purposes, using the exemplary designation of Mack trucks as described, a determination may be made as to whether the type of regeneration is a Level 2 or a Level 3 regeneration. If a Level 2 regeneration event is detected at  240 , a first warning device may be triggered at  245 . If a Level 3 regeneration event is detected at  250 , a second warning device may be triggered at  255 . In alternative embodiments, both first and second warning devices may be triggered at  260  with detection of a Level 3 regeneration. 
     It will be appreciated that the procedures (arrangement) described above may be carried out repetitively as necessary to perform vehicle maintenance. To facilitate understanding, many aspects of the invention are described in terms of sequences of actions. It will be recognized that the various actions could be performed by a combination of specialized circuits and mechanical elements. 
     The invention is not limited to implementation in vocational vehicles; it could be implemented in any vehicle utilizing a diesel particulate filter (DPF) with active regeneration. In addition, the invention is not limited to utilizing a J1939 serial bus for communicating data to the reader device. Other protocols for communicating vehicle data may be substituted for the J1939 protocol. The number and types of regeneration that can be detected/initiated may vary. The number and types of warning devices that could be used may also vary. In the exemplary embodiments described above, a warning device for each of the four levels may be included. 
     Thus, the invention may be embodied in many different forms, not all of which are described above, and all such forms are contemplated to be within the scope of the invention. It is emphasized that the terms “comprises” and “comprising”, when used in this application, specify the presence of stated features, steps, or components and do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, components, or groups thereof. 
     The particular embodiments described above are merely illustrative and should not be considered restrictive in any way. The scope of the invention is determined by the following claims, and all variations and equivalents that fall within the range of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.