Trailer Communication System With Modular Controller Boards
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication systems for tractor trailers rely on standardized electrical connectors like the SAE J560, which are limited in their ability to efficiently and reliably control and monitor various trailer components, especially when integrating sensors and advanced communication protocols.
Innovation Solution
A modular communication system with controller boards at both ends of the trailer, capable of encoding and decoding signals using protocols like SAE J1939 for CAN bus systems, to transmit control signals and sensor data through a transmission media such as twisted wires or wireless communication, enabling advanced control and monitoring of trailer components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If standardized electrical connectors like SAE J560 are used, then ease of connection is improved, but control and monitoring capabilities deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The trailer communication system is divided into multiple controller boards (first controller board at the front, second controller board at the rear) that can independently process different functions. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simple standardized connections while internally handling complex control and monitoring tasks through distributed controller units.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller boards are designed to handle multiple functions including receiving inputs from standardized connectors, encoding signals using various protocols (SAE J1939, CAN bus), transmitting data through different media (twisted wires, wireless), and controlling various trailer components. This multi-functionality enables a single system to replace multiple specialized connectors and control units.
2Device complexity
If basic electrical signal transmission is used, then system simplicity is improved, but reliability of signal transmission deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second controller boards act as intermediary devices between the standardized electrical connector and the trailer components. These controllers encode signals using robust protocols like SAE J1939 and CAN bus, which provide error detection, correction, and retransmission capabilities, thereby improving transmission reliability while maintaining interface simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms basic electrical signals into encoded digital communication protocols with enhanced error handling parameters. By changing the signal representation from simple voltage levels to protocol-encoded messages with checksums and acknowledgment mechanisms, the system achieves higher reliability without significantly increasing physical complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Implementations of the present disclosure involve an apparatus and/or method for a modular communication system for use in a tractor trailer to monitor and/or control various components associated within the trailer. In one particular embodiment, the communication system includes encryption/decryption controller boards configured to encrypt/encode messages or signals received at the boards for transmission along a transmission media between the front controller board and rear controller board. Further, one or both of the controller boards may be configured to decrypt/decode messages or signals received at the boards from the other controller board and perform a function in response to the decrypted message. The communication system may also integrate and communicate with several modules within or associated with the trailer, such as sensors, locators, or communication mechanisms.