Tractor-Trailer Connector Secondary Data Link
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrical connectors between tractor and trailer vehicles, such as those meeting the SAE J560 standard, lack robustness and sufficient data communication bandwidth, with spring-loaded pins prone to failure and limited data communication capabilities.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connector with a secondary data connection that includes additional contact terminals or conductive strips, enabling bidirectional high-speed data communication while maintaining compatibility with existing standards, supporting applications like electronic braking, video feeds, and sensor systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If spring-loaded pins are added to increase data communication bandwidth, then data communication capability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to proneness to failure after repeated connections
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into two separate components: a rigid connector body with standard contacts and a separate rigid data communication contact assembly. This segmentation allows the data communication function to be provided by a durable rigid structure rather than fragile spring-loaded pins, resolving the contradiction between improved data bandwidth and maintained reliability.
2Loss of information
If additional electrical contacts are added for enhanced data communication, then data communication bandwidth is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The additional data communication contacts are merged into a single integrated rigid contact assembly that is incorporated into the existing connector body. This merging approach allows multiple additional contacts to be added for enhanced data bandwidth while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity through unified structural design.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid contact assembly is designed to provide multiple functions: it serves as both the structural support for additional data communication contacts and as part of the overall connector mating mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving enhanced data communication capability.
3Loss of information
If a new connector design with secondary electrical connection is implemented, then data communication capability is improved, but compatibility with existing standards may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is segmented into a standard-compliant portion that maintains compatibility with existing SAE J560 connectors and a separate extended portion that provides the secondary electrical connection for enhanced data communication. This segmentation allows the new design to improve data communication capability while preserving backward compatibility through the standard portion.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of modifying the standard connector contacts to provide data communication, the invention inverts the approach by adding a separate secondary electrical connection assembly that provides data communication capabilities without altering the standard contact interface. This inversion maintains compatibility with existing standards while achieving enhanced functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector for transferring electrical signals between a tractor vehicle and a trailer vehicle is provided, the electrical connector including a connector plug and a connector socket in compliance with an industry standard. The connector socket includes a plurality of male contact terminals, and the connector plug includes a corresponding plurality of female contact terminals. The connector plug and the connector socket include a secondary electrical connection to support bidirectional data communication between a tractor vehicle and a trailer vehicle with greater bandwidth. The secondary electrical connection can include an additional electrical contact within a male part for engaging an additional electrical pin within a female part, wherein the male part and the female part are joined to, but laterally offset from, the connector plug and the connector socket. Alternatively, or in addition, the secondary electrical connection can include a conductive strip on an exterior annular surface of the connector plug and a corresponding electrical contact on an interior annular surface of the socket opening.