Trailer Brake Hub Routing for Long CAN Lines and Miswiring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle braking systems for tractors and trailers with electronic braking systems (EBS) face challenges in maintaining effective communication and braking control, particularly with long control lines and the risk of incorrect cable connections during installation and servicing, which can lead to delays and errors in brake operation.
Innovation Solution
A hub device is introduced that functions as a CAN bus repeater or router, capable of configuring its connectors based on received signals to ensure proper communication between the tractor and trailer ECUs, allowing for longer control line lengths and automatic reconfiguration to prevent incorrect connections, thereby maintaining electrical control of braking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If standard connectors are used for CAN bus communication between tractor and trailer, then the system is simple and easy to install, but the control line length is limited to short distances
Solution Approach 1:
A repeater device is introduced as an intermediary component between the tractor and trailer CAN bus systems. This repeater receives signals from one CAN bus, regenerates them, and transmits them over extended distances to another CAN bus, thereby extending the control line length while maintaining signal integrity and communication reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The repeater device automatically detects the type of connector plugged into each port and self-configures its internal routing logic accordingly. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual configuration and ensures reliable communication without requiring technical intervention during installation or operation
2Ease of manufacture
If connectors have identical pinouts and keying, then installation is easier and more versatile, but incorrect cable connections cannot be detected during installation and servicing
Solution Approach 1:
The repeater device incorporates a detection mechanism that provides feedback about the actual connector types plugged into each port. Based on this feedback, the device automatically configures its internal routing to ensure correct signal mapping, thereby preventing incorrect connections from causing system failures while maintaining connector versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The repeater's internal configuration is dynamic rather than static. It can automatically reconfigure its routing logic based on the detected connector types at runtime, allowing the system to adapt to different connection scenarios and prevent incorrect cable connections even when connectors have identical physical interfaces
3Ease of operation
If permanent labels are provided on connectors, then connection guidance is improved, but labels can be damaged, erased, or misread
Solution Approach 1:
The repeater device performs automatic connector type detection and self-configuration, eliminating the need for permanent labels. The system determines the correct routing based on real-time detection of connector characteristics, providing reliable connection guidance without relying on physical labels that can be damaged or misread
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicle braking system for a vehicle (10) including a tractor (12) and at least one trailer (14,15), the vehicle braking system including an electronic braking system including a respective electronic control unit (16, 18) for the tractor (12) and the or each trailer (14, 15), a CAN bus (20) to enable communication between the electronic control units (16, 18) of the tractor (12) and the or each trailer (14, 15), and a hub device (25, 44) which is able to communicate electrical signals, including a braking demand signal, to componentsof the electronic braking system, and to function as at least one of a CAN bus repeater and a CAN bus router, wherein the hub device (25, 44) is operable to determine its required function based upon signals received by the hub device (25, 44) from the electronic control unit (18) of the trailer (14, 15) with which the hub device (25, 44) is associated, and one or more of the electronic control units (16, 18) of the tractor (12) and the or each other trailer (14, 15), where one or more additional trailers (14, 15) is provided.