TRAILER THAT HAS AN ELECTRICAL CONDUIT FOR UTILITY LINE.

Abstract

A cargo trailer comprising a plurality of walls defining a cargo area, the walls including a front wall facing the rear of a tractor when the cargo trailer is coupled to the tractor; a recessed cavity is provided in a front side of the front wall; a plurality of service line connectors are located at least partially within the recessed cavity to establish connections between at least one tractor service source and at least one cargo trailer service component; a plurality of service line connectors are vertically separated above the lower wall of the recessed cavity; an electrical conduit has an upper end located in the lower wall, and a lower end located at a height below the cargo area;The electrical conduit defines an interior tunnel that receives a plurality of service lines connected to a plurality of service line connectors; the interior tunnel is sealed from the load area.

Description

TRAILER HAVING AN ELECTRICAL CONDUIT FOR UTILITY LINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to road trailers and structures thereon provided for service line connections between the front wall of the trailer and a tractor connected to and configured to pull the trailer. Figure 1 shows a conventional tractor-trailer combination, including a tractor 1020 having a power plant and chassis, and a trailer 1024 loosely coupled to the tractor 1020 and configured to be towed by the tractor 1020. The trailer 1024 has a front end 1028 adapted to face the rear of the tractor 1020 when coupled for transport. Because the trailer 1024 is not permanently attached to the tractor 1020, it does not have its own onboard services; a plurality of service lines 1032 extend from the rear of the tractor 1020 for connection to a plurality of connectors provided at the front end 1028 of the trailer 1024.Service lines 1032 enable the transmission of power and control signals from the tractor 1020 to the trailer 1024 for the proper operation of the tractor-trailer combination. Service lines 1032 can include both electrical and air lines, and the connections can optionally be made in a recessed cavity 1036 or a front wing in the trailer's front wall 1040, as shown in Figure 2. Additional service lines 1078 and 1088 are provided from the recessed cavity 1036 to allow air or electrical communication to an inner side of the front wall 1040 and subsequently to a lower side of the trailer 1024 for further addressing (e.g., to lights, service, brakes, emergency brakes, etc.).To prevent the routing of additional service lines 1078 and 1088 from the recessed cavity 1036 along the front side of the front wall 1040, a plurality of individual watertight connectors may be provided at the bottom of the recessed cavity 1036. Each of the service lines 1078 and 1088 requires an individual connector 1044. This individualization is required to ensure that the lines 1078 and 1088 do not create water leakage paths into the trailer wall. Such arrangements are known in a variety of trailers, including the polished dry container, which includes multiple wheel axles at the rear and a five-wheel coupler adjacent to the front end 1028. bChC Ln / Zznz / B / Yl BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In one aspect, the invention provides a cargo trailer comprising a plurality of walls that define a cargo area. The plurality of walls includes a front wall configured to face the rear of a tractor when the trailer is coupled to the tractor. A recessed cavity is provided in the front side of the front wall. A plurality of service line connectors are located at least partially within the recessed cavity to establish connections between at least one service source on the tractor and at least one service component of the cargo trailer. A plurality of service line connectors are vertically separated above the lower wall of the recessed cavity. An electrical conduit is provided, having an upper end located in the lower wall and a lower end located below the cargo area.The electrical conduit has an inner tunnel configured to receive a plurality of service lines connected to a plurality of service line connectors, and the inner tunnel is sealed from the loading area. In another aspect, the invention provides a cargo trailer including a rear end configured for loading and unloading cargo, and a coupler including a hitch pivot adjacent to a front end of the cargo trailer and configured to facilitate coupling to a tractor. A loading area is defined between the front and rear ends. A recessed cavity is provided on a forward-facing side of a front wall of the cargo trailer at its front end. A plurality of service line connectors are located within the recessed cavity and configured for connection to a plurality of external service lines.The electrical conduit defines a sealed tunnel that extends between the recessed cavity and the coupler; the sealed tunnel jointly houses a plurality of trailer service lines that are connected to the plurality of service line connectors in the recessed cavity. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a side elevation view of a tractor and trailer combination, according to prior art. Figure 2 is a perspective view of a recessed front spoiler including a plurality of service line connectors at the front end of the trailer in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a perspective view of a trailer in accordance with a modality of this disclosure. bChC Ln / Zznz / B / Yl Figure 4 is an interior perspective view of a front wall and trailer coupler from Figure 3. Figure 5 is a partial front view of the trailer in Figure 3. Figure 6 is an interior perspective view of the front wall and trailer coupler of Figure 3, including an electrical conduit for a service line extending from a recessed front spoiler. A lower portion of the interior lining is removed to show the interior of the front wall. Figure 6A is a detailed view of a portion of the front wall and the coupler is shown in Figure 6. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the trailer's front wall, taken along line 7-7 of Figure 5. Figure 8 is a top perspective view of the electrical conduit in Figures 6 to 7. Figure 9 is a bottom perspective view of the electrical conduit shown in Figures 6 to 7. Figure 10 is a perspective view illustrating an exploded joint from an upper end flange of the electrical conduit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figures 3 to 10 illustrate a trailer 24 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The trailer 24 is shown as a semi-trailer configured for road use with a road tractor (e.g., as shown in the figure, forming an 18-wheel vehicle) for transporting large quantities of cargo. Aspects of the invention cannot be limited to such types of trailers; however, it will be understood that the features described herein may also apply to alternative types of trailers. As shown in Figure 3, the trailer 24 may include a chassis having axles with multiple wheel assemblies 26 toward the rear end 30. The trailer 24 defines a length in a longitudinal or transport direction between its front and rear ends 28, 30. The length of the trailer 24 may be 16.15 m (53 ft) in some constructions, although the trailer can be manufactured in other lengths greater or less than 16.15 m (53 ft). Perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the trailer 24 defines a width and a height. The width, along with the length, defines a footprint as seen in plan view of the trailer 24, although the height is measured perpendicular to the footprint (which may be perpendicular to the ground). The illustrated trailer 25 includes a pair of side walls 34, a front wall 40 (Figure 4), a roof 42, and a cargo floor 43. The operable cargo area 46 for receiving cargo for transport is defined by the side walls 34, the front wall 40, the roof 42, and the cargo floor 43 of the trailer 24. Subtracting the thickness, length, width, and height of the wall helps define the interior cargo volume of the trailer 24.At the rear end 30 of the trailer 24, as shown in Figure 3, an opening for selective access to the cargo area 46 is closed by one or more doors 48. Adjacent to the front end 28 of the trailer 24, there is an undercarriage 50 configured to support the front end 28 on a ground surface when the trailer 24 is not coupled to the tractor for transport. As shown in Figure 4, the trailer 24 is provided with a coupler 54 at the front end 28 and under the cargo floor 43. The coupler 54 includes upper and lower plates 56, 58 and a hitch pivot 60 extending downwards under the lower plate 58. The hitch pivot 60 can be used to establish the fifth-wheel coupling known in the art. Also, as shown in Figure 4, there is a recessed cavity 36 or front wing to receive a group of service connectors according to the following description. The recessed cavity 36 is positioned in and recessed from a front side of the trailer's front wall 40. The recessed cavity 36 may be formed as a prismatic box open at the sides and positioned to occupy the space between the two adjacent wall posts 64 (Figure 6) of the front wall 40. The box may be made of sheet metal or composite construction.Also, as shown in Figure 6, the front wall 40 may include an outer lining 66 extending along an outer side of the wall posts 64 and an inner lining or loading area lining 68 extending along an inner side of the wall posts 64. Both the outer lining 66 and the inner loading area lining 68 may be secured to the wall posts 64, for example, by mechanical fasteners and / or adhesive bonding. A lower portion of the loading area lining 68 is removed from Figure 6 to illustrate the inner construction of the front wall 40. As shown in Figure 6, a front end of the coupler 54 may be extended to join the lower ends and the front wall posts 64. With a focus on Figures 4 and 5, the recessed cavity 36 partially or completely receives a plurality of service line connectors to establish service line connections (e.g., air and / or electrical) with service lines (not shown) extending from the rear of a tractor (see Figure 1). The service line connectors in the recessed cavity 36 may include an electrical connector 72. In some constructions, the electrical connector 72 may include an inlet plug 74, such as a 7-point plug (e.g., SAE, ISO).The input socket 74 may be oriented forward as shown and configured to accept a standardized electrical connector from a bChC Ln / Zznz / B / Yl electrical cable (e.g., a 7-wire cable) extending from a tractor, for example, from an electrical power supply and / or a communications module (shown schematically in Figure 4 as ELEC / COMM) provided on the tractor. In some constructions, the 7-wire cable from the tractor may be adapted to an SAE-J1067 connector, and the 7-pin connectors (i.e., one on the cable and one on the input socket 74) may be adapted to an SAE-J560b connector. Additional electrical lines 78 extend from one output side of the electrical connector 72 and into the trailer 24 for connection to a plurality of devices (e.g., lamps, sensors, and / or actuators) on the trailer 24. The devices and the electrical lines 78 constitute an electrical system of the trailer 24.The 78 electrical lines can be connected to various types of lamps 80, including any or all of the taillights, brake lights, directional or beacon lights, and interior dome lights. In addition, the service line connectors in the recessed cavity 36 may include a first and second brake hose connector 82. In some constructions, each brake hose connector 82 may include an inlet side 84 configured to accept a standard brake hose connector from an air line extending from a tractor, for example, from an air source or compressor (shown schematically in Figure 4 as AIR) provided on the tractor. An additional air line 88 extends from an outlet side of each brake hose connector 82 and into the trailer 24 for connection to a plurality of pneumatic devices (for example, service brakes and / or emergency brakes, suspension airbags) on the trailer 24. In this way, the recessed cavity 36 avoids the need to route the utility lines 78, 88 along the front side of the front wall of the trailer 40.Specifically, all service lines 78, 88 extending from the exit or trailer side of connectors 72, 82 extend through a lower wall 96 of the recessed cavity 36. As described in more detail later, this is accomplished by supplying an individual service line electrical conduit 100 that establishes a common passage 110 for all service lines 78, 88. Service lines 78, 88 extend between the outer lining 66 and the inner lining of the loading area 68 of the front wall 40, and extend from there to a lower side of the trailer 24 to route electrical and pneumatic components. The electrical conduit for service line 100 (hereafter simply referred to as electrical conduit 100) has a first or upper end 104 and a second or lower end 106 opposite the upper end 104 (Figures 7 to 10). Each of the ends 104, 106 is an open end and defines an opening configured for the passage of all service lines 78, 88 on the trailer side of the connectors 72, 82 in the recessed cavity 36. Between the ends 104, 104, the electrical conduit 100 includes a wall 108 that defines a body of the electrical conduit 100 between its open ends 104, 106. The wall 108 may be a solid, continuous wall that is surrounded to form a tunnel or passage 110 for all service lines 78, 88. As shown in at least Figures 5 and 7, the opening at the upper end 104 of the electrical conduit 100 is open to the recessed cavity 36 and is located in the lower wall 96 thereof.The body wall 108 of the electrical conduit extends downward toward the coupler 54 so that the lower end 106 of the electrical conduit is positioned below the loading area 46. Specifically, the opening at the lower end 106 of the electrical conduit 100 is open to a space between the upper and lower plates of the coupler 56, 58. As described in more detail later, the electrical conduit 100 is sealed to the upper plate of the coupler 56. Similarly, the electrical conduit 100 is sealed to the lower wall 96 of the recessed cavity 36. In some constructions, the electrical conduit 100 is constructed as a complete, one-piece molded plastic component. For example, the electrical conduit 100 may be an integral molded part of thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO).In other constructions, the 100 electrical conduit can be any other suitable plastic, rolled metal or cast material. With reference to Figures 6A and 7, a vertical wall or dam 114 is provided around the lower end of the electrical conduit 106. The dam 114 extends upward from the upper side of the coupler top plate 56. The dam 114 may be constructed as a C-shaped member (e.g., rolled metal) sealed to the coupler top plate on three sides. Additionally, the dam 114 may be sealed to a vertical wall 116 located at the front end of the coupler 54, directly in front of the electrical conduit 100. The vertical wall 116 may be a lower rail of rolled metal that is exposed on its other side on the front exterior side of the trailer 24. In some constructions, the dam 114 may be continuously seam-welded along two vertical edges along the front vertical wall 116 and three horizontal edges along the coupler top plate 56.In this way, the dam 114, in combination with the front vertical wall 116, surrounds the lower end 106 of the electrical conduit 100 where it interfaces with an opening 120 in the coupler's top plate 56. The dam 114 can be raised vertically by 25 mm or more (for example, at least 40 mm or at least 50 mm) above the coupler's top plate 56. The dam 114 can inhibit water intrusion from the underside of the trailer 24 and reach the interior of the trailer 24 on the upper side of the coupler's top plate 56, such as acting as a support or fail-safe to seal the lower end of the electrical conduit 106. The coupler's bottom plate 58 can have openings therein (Figure 4), possibly exposing the lower end of the electrical conduit 106 to water spray during transportation on wet roads.Although the top side of the coupler top plate 56 is not directly exposed to the loading area 46, it supports floor panels (not shown), which form the bottom of the loading area 46 and must be kept dry. As best shown in Figure 7, the lower end of the electrical conduit 106 is sealed to the opening 120 in the top plate of the coupler 56. The seal can be established in several ways, including the application of a fluid sealing medium (e.g., putty) or a discrete sealing member forming a gasket 126, as shown. In some constructions, the gasket 126 can be constructed from closed-cell foam tape. The gasket 126 can be attached to the body wall of the electrical conduit 108 at the lower end of the electrical conduit 106 and can be assembled by compression against the opening 120 in the top plate of the coupler 56. Alternatively, other arrangements for the gasket 126 or sealant can be used.In some constructions, the electrical conduit 100 can be formed with a transverse sealing flange at or adjacent to the lower end 106 to facilitate sealing with the upper side of the coupler top plate 56. At the upper end of electrical conduit 104, the electrical conduit 100 includes an integral sealing flange 130 to interface with the box forming the recessed cavity 36 and to prevent water intrusion into the trailer 24 around the electrical conduit 100. In some constructions, the upper end of electrical conduit 104 is provided with a simple transverse sealing flange (e.g., transverse to the length of the body wall of electrical conduit 108). However, as shown, the sealing flange 130 has a profiled or multi-plane construction. A portion of the sealing flange 130 extends outward and transversely to the body wall of electrical conduit 108 to be oriented in a horizontal plane, on an upper side of the lower wall 96 of the recessed cavity 36.The sealing flange 130 further includes a front extension 130A configured to wrap around the front wall of the trailer 40, and a rear extension 130B configured to wrap upwards along the rear recessed wall of the recessed cavity 36. A plurality of fastening openings 134 are provided in the sealing flange 130 of the illustrated construction. The fastening openings 135 can be configured to receive mechanical fasteners such as dowels, as shown in Figures 5 and 7, to secure the electrical conduit 100 to the front wall of the trailer 40 in the recessed cavity 36. The fastening openings 134 and the corresponding fasteners can be provided through the transverse portion of the sealing flange 130 and also through the front and rear extensions 130A, 130B.In other constructions, the fastening openings 134 may be provided in a plus or minus arrangement and / or in an alternating arrangement around the sealing flange 130. In addition, or instead of mechanical fastening, the sealing flange 130 may be welded or bonded in place. bChC Ln / Zznz / B / Yl As shown in Figure 10, and to a lesser extent than in Figure 7, a discrete sealing member forming a gasket 136 is provided between the recessed cavity 36 and the sealing flange 130 to prevent water intrusion into the front wall 40 around the electrical conduit 100. In some constructions, the gasket 136 may be constructed from a closed-cell foam tape. In other constructions, the sealing flange 130 may be sealed in the recessed cavity 36 by applying a fluid sealing medium (e.g., putty). The gasket 136 may have a shape that follows the profile established by the sealing flange 130, which, as shown, may include transverse portions in addition to front and rear vertical extensions 136A, 136B. The gasket 136 may be provided with clamping openings 144 configured 10 to match the clamping openings 134 in the sealing flange 130 of the electrical conduit. The modalities described above and illustrated in the figures are shown only as examples and do not constitute a limitation on the concepts and principles of the present invention. Therefore, as a person of ordinary knowledge of the art will appreciate, various changes in the elements and in their configuration and arrangement are possible without departing from the essence and scope of the present invention, as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cargo trailer comprising: a plurality of walls defining a cargo area, the plurality of walls including a front wall configured to be oriented towards the rear of a tractor when the trailer is coupled to the tractor; a recessed cavity provided in the front side of the front wall; a plurality of service line connectors located at least partially within the recessed cavity to establish connections between at least one service source of the tractor and at least one service component of the cargo trailer, wherein the plurality of service line connectors are vertically separated above a lower wall of the recessed cavity;and an electrical conduit having an upper end located in the lower wall, and a lower end located at a height below the loading area, wherein the electrical conduit has an interior tunnel configured to receive a plurality of service lines connected to a plurality of service line connectors, the interior tunnel being sealed from the loading area.

2. The cargo trailer according to claim 1, further characterized in that the plurality of service line connectors includes air and electrical connectors.

3. The cargo trailer according to claim 1, further characterized in that the plurality of service line connectors includes first and second brake hose connectors coupled to the brakes of the cargo trailer.

4. The cargo trailer according to claim 1, further characterized in that the plurality of service line connectors includes a first multi-pin electrical connector coupled to a plurality of cargo trailer lamps.

5. The cargo trailer according to claim 1, further characterized in that the electrical conduit includes a sealing flange sealed to the lower wall of the recessed cavity.

6. The cargo trailer according to claim 5, further characterized in that the sealing flange is sealed to the lower wall with a foam gasket.

7. The cargo trailer according to claim 1, further characterized in that the electrical conduit is completely enclosed along a length bChC Ln / Zznz / B / Yl extending between the upper and lower ends, both of which are open ends.

8. The cargo trailer according to claim 1, further characterized in that the electrical conduit has an integral molded plastic construction.

9. The cargo trailer according to claim 1, further characterized in that it additionally comprises a coupler positioned on a lower side of the cargo trailer adjacent to the front wall, the coupler including: an upper coupler plate, a lower coupler plate separated below the upper coupler plate, and a hitch pivot projecting downwards from the lower coupler plate and configured to couple with a tractor, wherein the lower end of the electrical conduit is sealed to an opening in the upper coupler plate.

10. The cargo trailer according to claim 9, further characterized in that the lower end of the electrical conduit is sealed to the opening in the upper plate of the coupler with a foam gasket.

11. The cargo trailer according to claim 9, further characterized in that the upper coupler plate is surrounded by a sealed dam extending upwards from the upper coupler plate.

12. A cargo trailer comprising: a rear end configured for loading and unloading cargo; a coupler including a hitch pivot adjacent to a front end of the cargo trailer and configured to facilitate coupling with a tractor; a defined loading area between the front and rear ends; a recessed cavity provided in a forward-facing side of a front wall of the cargo trailer at the front end thereof, wherein a plurality of service line connectors are located within the recessed cavity and configured for connection with a plurality of external service lines, wherein the electrical conduit defines a sealed tunnel extending between the recessed cavity and the coupler, the sealed tunnel jointly housing a plurality of trailer service lines connected to the plurality of service line connectors in the recessed cavity.

13. The cargo trailer according to claim 12, further characterized in that the electrical conduit has an upper end open to the recessed cavity and sealed to a lower wall thereof.

14. The cargo trailer according to claim 13, further characterized in that the upper end of the electrical conduit includes a sealing flange attached to the lower wall of the recessed cavity with a gasket between them. bChC Ln / Zznz / B / Yl 15. The cargo trailer according to claim 12, further characterized in that the electrical conduit has a lower end sealed to an upper coupler plate, the lower end being exposed to an internal coupler cavity between the upper and lower coupler plates.

16. The cargo trailer according to claim 15, further characterized in that the lower end of the electrical conduit is sealed with a gasket towards an opening in the upper plate of the coupler.

17. The cargo trailer according to claim 16, further characterized in that the upper coupling plate is surrounded by a sealed dam extending upwards from the upper coupling plate.

18. The cargo trailer according to claim 12, further characterized in that the electrical conduit has an integral molded plastic construction.

19. The cargo trailer according to claim 12, further characterized in that the plurality of service line connectors includes air and electrical connectors.

20. The cargo trailer according to claim 12, further characterized in that the plurality of service line connectors includes first and second brake hose connectors coupled to the brakes of the cargo trailer.

21. The cargo trailer according to claim 12, further characterized in that the plurality of service line connectors includes a first multi-pin electrical connector coupled to a plurality of cargo trailer lamps.

Images