Tractor-Trailer Telematics Binding via Power Line Pulse Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telematics systems face challenges in establishing reliable wireless communication between tractors and trailers, particularly in avoiding incorrect binding and resource redundancy, with prior solutions either inhibiting communication when circuitry is active or requiring additional components, leading to inefficiencies and errors.
Innovation Solution
A method that utilizes existing wireless communication units on tractors and trailers to detect power draws and send specific power pulses to ensure correct binding, eliminating the need for additional components and redundant data transfer methods, while also monitoring voltage drops for ABS/EBS power loss and generating alarms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If wireless communications units are used for communication between tractor and trailer, then communication speed and efficiency are improved, but incorrect binding may occur leading to miscommunication
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses power pulse feedback from the trailer to verify and confirm the correct binding of wireless communications units. The tractor's communication unit sends a power pulse request, receives power pulses from the trailer, and uses this feedback to confirm proper binding before establishing communication, preventing miscommunication while maintaining wireless speed advantages
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary binding verification using power pulses before actual data communication begins. The tractor sends a power pulse request and waits for confirmation pulses from the trailer to ensure correct pairing is established first, then proceeds with normal wireless communication operations
2Reliability
If additional components are installed to improve binding reliability, then binding accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The existing power line components in the tractor-trailer system are made multi-functional by using them for both power supply and binding verification. The power pulses traveling through the existing power line serve dual purposes: confirming the presence of the trailer and verifying correct wireless binding, eliminating the need for separate binding verification components
Solution Approach 2:
The existing power line infrastructure serves itself by being used for both power delivery and binding verification. The system uses the power line's existing capacity to transmit power pulses for binding confirmation, making the power line serve multiple functions without requiring additional dedicated components
3Device complexity
If wired communication systems using existing circuitries are used, then device complexity is reduced, but communication speed and efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the communication function into two independent parts: wireless data transmission for high-speed communication and power line power pulse signaling for binding verification. This allows the system to maintain the simplicity of using existing power lines while achieving fast wireless data transfer speeds through separate RF communication
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
This approach enables fast, simplified, and accurate binding of wireless communications units, minimizing false connections and resource consumption, and efficiently utilizing existing wireless capabilities for data transfer while ensuring correct communication between tractor and trailer systems.
Implementation Method 1
A telematics system on a tractor detects a power draw by a trailer
Implementation Method 2
wireless communications units transmit data from sensors in the trailer across the hitch space to a notification device in the tractor
Implementation Method 3
send specific power pulses to ensure correct binding
Implementation Method 4
monitoring voltage drops for ABS/EBS power loss
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for binding a first wireless communication unit installed on a first asset and a second wireless communication unit installed on a second asset, wherein the first asset is connected to the second asset by electrical power lines. The method and system can be used for binding a wireless communication unit of a tractor and a wireless communication unit on a trailer. The method monitors the current in the auxiliary power connection between the assets. By transmitting and detecting power pulses through the auxiliary power line, the wireless communication units can ensure that the two assets are attached and therefore it would be proper to establish a wireless connection between the two wireless communication units. The number of power pulses can be used to identify differing devices. Such method can also be used to detect an open fuse or circuit breaker. In the case of an open fuse, voltages can be used in place of power pulses to complete the binding process.