Towable Asset Telematics Power Control for Unhitched Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing monitoring systems for towable assets, such as trailers, face challenges in efficiently integrating wireless reporting of operating status and minimizing retrofitting costs for thousands of rigs in the trucking industry.
Innovation Solution
An automated towable asset monitoring system that includes a battery, a power management circuit, a controller, and a telematics transceiver. This system operates in two modes: active when the trailer is not connected to a tractor, and inactive when connected. During the active mode, the system powers monitored circuits using a battery and transmits operational data to a remote user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a monitoring system is integrated into towable assets, then remote reporting of operating status is achieved, but integration complexity and retrofitting costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the monitoring system components (controller, power management circuit, telematics transceiver) into an integrated unit that leverages existing trailer wiring infrastructure. The system merges multiple functions into a single integrated controller that can monitor various circuits and coordinate with the existing 7-way coupler system, reducing overall integration complexity while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system is designed to be universally applicable to various towable assets by interfaceing with the standard 7-way coupler system. The controller can monitor multiple different circuits (lights, brakes, sensors) through a single integrated unit, and the telematics transceiver provides universal wireless communication capability that works across different trailer types without requiring asset-specific customization.
2Reliability
If monitors are retrofitted to existing rigs, then wireless reporting is enabled, but retrofitting costs increase for thousands of rigs
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to utilize the existing 7-way coupler wiring infrastructure that is already present in virtually all towable assets. By preparing the system to interface with pre-existing wiring harnesses and connectors, the patent eliminates the need for extensive new wiring installations, thereby significantly reducing retrofitting costs while enabling wireless reporting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system leverages the existing electrical infrastructure of the towable asset itself to power and communicate with the monitoring components. The system uses the trailer's own wiring harness and 7-way coupler connections to provide both power and data communication pathways, eliminating the need for separate dedicated wiring systems and reducing overall retrofitting expenses.
3Reliability
If monitored circuits are powered during active mode, then continuous monitoring is achieved, but battery power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power management circuit is configured to periodically wake the controller from sleep mode at predetermined intervals during active mode. Instead of continuously powering the controller, the system enters low-power sleep states between monitoring cycles, thereby reducing battery power consumption while still achieving continuous monitoring capability through periodic activation and status reporting.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enables remote monitoring and reporting of towable asset status, including lamp operation and sensor data, without auxiliary power from the tractor, thus ensuring continuous monitoring and reducing retrofitting costs.
Implementation Method 1
a power management circuit configured to convert a battery voltage from the battery to a monitored circuit power supply voltage
Implementation Method 2
a telematics transceiver configured to transmit data regarding an operation of the monitored circuit during the active mode of operation to a user remote from the towable asset
Data Source
AI summary
An automated asset monitoring system is provided for a towable asset. The system includes a power supply voltage that may be converted to power a monitored circuit during an active mode of operation while the towable asset is not connected to a tractor. The system powers the monitored circuit during the active mode so that a message regarding an operating condition of the monitored circuit may be transmitted by a telematics transceiver to a remote user.