Trailer Access Point for Electronic Braking Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic data storage systems for trailer braking systems are expensive, proprietary, and not widely adopted due to the need for bespoke diagnostic hardware and software that is not backward compatible with changing operating systems, limiting their lifespan and adoption.
Innovation Solution
A trailer electronic braking system with a standards-compliant communication bus and a microcontroller that interfaces with sensors and trailer electronics, allowing data to be rendered in standards-compliant software and transmitted to any device for display, eliminating the need for proprietary software and hardware, and enabling access from standard clients like web browsers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If proprietary electronic data storage systems with bespoke diagnostic hardware and software are used, then data access and control functionality is achieved, but system cost increases and compatibility with changing operating systems deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal data access interface using standard communication protocols (CAN bus, USB, WiFi, Bluetooth) that allow any standard device (smartphone, tablet, laptop) to access trailer diagnostic data without requiring proprietary hardware. The microcontroller unit serves multiple functions by acting as both a data collector from sensors and a communication gateway to various devices, eliminating the need for manufacturer-specific diagnostic equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The microcontroller unit acts as an intermediary between the trailer's sensor systems and external devices. It collects data from sensors, processes it locally, and transmits it through standard communication interfaces, thereby mediating between the complex onboard systems and simple external devices like smartphones, avoiding the need for complex proprietary software on the external device side.
2Loss of information
If proprietary software is used for data processing and display, then comprehensive data access is achieved, but software maintenance and updates become problematic due to operating system changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data processing and display functionality from the trailer's onboard systems and relocates it to external devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops) that the user already possesses. The microcontroller unit only needs to provide raw data through standard interfaces, while the complex software for data visualization and analysis resides on the external device, which receives regular updates from the manufacturer independently of the trailer's operating system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts to different external devices and operating systems by using standard communication protocols rather than requiring fixed proprietary software. The microcontroller unit can communicate with various devices through multiple protocols (USB, WiFi, Bluetooth), allowing the system to remain compatible as users upgrade their personal devices without requiring software updates on the trailer itself.
3Ease of operation
If a local microcontroller is used to process and display data, then data access functionality is achieved, but the complexity of processing large amounts of data locally increases system cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heavy data processing and graphical display functions from the trailer's onboard microcontroller and relocates them to the user's external devices (smartphone, tablet, or laptop). The onboard microcontroller unit only performs minimal data collection from sensors and transmission through standard interfaces, while the external device handles all complex processing, visualization, and user interaction functions.
Data Source
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AI summary
A trailer electronic braking system comprises a braking device capable of generating a braking force on a wheel on the trailer, a brake force into the brake cylinders being controllable by a braking ECU The braking ECU is connected to a standards compliant communication bus on said trailer and is adapted to receive data inputs from sensors on the trailer. An access point adapted to receive inputs from further sensors on the trailer and/or to read the inputs from sensors received by the braking ECU such that data received from the sensors can be rendered in standards compliant manner and wirelessly transmitted to a further device such as a mobile telephone remote or distinct from the trailer. The further device is adapted to display information so received using a standards compliant client such as with a web browser.