Tractor Trailer Connection Sensor with Magnetic Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current asset tracking systems in the trucking industry lack an effective method to determine whether a trailer is connected to a tractor, which is essential for accurate reporting and monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A sensor device is designed to be mounted in a trailer's bearing plate hole, featuring radially extending tabs and a spring for secure positioning, along with a magnet and reed switch to detect the proximity of ferrous material from the tractor's coupler without sensing the trailer's bearing plate, enabling connection status reporting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensor device is mounted in the bearing plate hole to detect tractor-trailer connection, then connection detection capability is improved, but the sensor may falsely detect the bearing plate's ferrous material
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor device incorporates a non-ferrous material component (aluminum or plastic) between the ferrous bearing plate and the magnetic sensor. This creates a localized magnetic barrier that blocks the bearing plate's magnetic field from reaching the sensor, while still allowing the sensor to detect the ferrous coupler when properly connected. The non-ferrous material acts as a selective filter for magnetic field penetration.
Solution Approach 2:
A non-ferrous intermediary material is introduced between the ferrous bearing plate and the magnetic sensor. This intermediary blocks the magnetic field from the bearing plate while allowing detection of the coupler's magnetic field through mechanical connection. The intermediary selectively mediates which ferrous objects can be detected by the sensor.
2Reliability
If the sensor uses a spring mechanism to maintain contact with the coupler, then detection reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism automatically adjusts to maintain contact between the sensor and the coupler without requiring external control or adjustment. The spring's elastic force ensures continuous pressure against the coupler, allowing the sensor to self-regulate its detection pressure and maintain reliable contact as the coupler moves or settles.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring provides dynamic adjustment capability, allowing the sensor to adapt to variations in coupler position and geometry. The elastic element absorbs mechanical variations and maintains optimal sensing pressure, transforming a static rigid structure into a dynamically adaptive system.
3Ease of manufacture
If the sensor device is exposed to the bearing plate hole, then installation simplicity is improved, but vulnerability to contaminants and mechanical forces increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor device incorporates a protective housing or shield that encloses the sensitive sensor components while allowing the detection face to remain accessible. This protective shell filters out contaminants like grease and debris while still permitting magnetic field penetration and mechanical contact with the coupler.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism and protective housing are designed to cushion the sensor against mechanical forces and contaminants before they can cause damage. The spring absorbs shock loads, while the housing provides a first line of defense against contaminant intrusion, protecting the sensitive electronics in advance.
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 sensor device reliably determines the connected state of a tractor and trailer, providing accurate reporting to remote monitoring stations without power consumption and maintaining integrity against contaminants and forces, ensuring reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
A spring extends from a base of the container away from the face surface to bear upon an interior wall of the trailer to bias the tabs into contact with the inside wall when the container is located in the hole to maintain a position of the container therein
Implementation Method 2
A sensor is also provided for sensing proximity of a ferrous material and being located in the container. The sensor senses proximity of ferrous material of a coupler carried by the tractor without sensing ferrous material of the bearing plate
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor device for detecting whether a tractor and a trailer of a truck are connected includes a container having a plurality of tabs extending radially outwardly to engage an inside surface of a bearing plate of the trailer when the container is located in a hole in the bearing plate. A spring extends from a base of the container away from the face surface to bear upon an interior wall of the trailer to bias the tabs into contact with the inside wall when the container is located in the hole to maintain a position of the container therein. A sensor is also provided for sensing proximity of a ferrous material and being located in the container. The sensor senses proximity of ferrous material of a coupler carried by the tractor without sensing ferrous material of the bearing plate.