Trailer Wiring Current Comparison for Circuit Anomaly Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Anomalies in trailer power distribution circuits, such as corrosion in wiring, lead to operational failures, making trouble-shooting difficult and costly, and requiring significant downtime.
Innovation Solution
A system that compares current drawn from a truck tractor with current drawn by circuits at different locations around the trailer, using master and slave current measuring circuits to detect anomalies and pinpoint their location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional trouble-shooting methods are used to detect wiring anomalies, then the system can identify circuit issues, but the process is difficult and time-consuming requiring significant downtime and extensive labor
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection by continuously monitoring current draw at multiple locations before anomalies cause operational failures. The master current measuring circuit measures total current from the truck tractor, while slave circuits measure current at individual trailer components, enabling early detection and localization of wiring issues before they require time-consuming manual troubleshooting
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical trouble-shooting with an automated electrical measurement system. Current measuring circuits automatically detect and locate wiring anomalies by comparing current measurements, eliminating the need for manual inspection and diagnostic procedures that cause significant downtime
2Reliability
If traditional trouble-shooting methods are used to detect wiring anomalies, then the system can identify circuit issues, but extensive labor and material costs are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-diagnosis by automatically detecting and localizing wiring anomalies without requiring external manual intervention. The master and slave current measuring circuits work together to identify the location of anomalies, enabling the system to service itself and eliminate costly manual labor for troubleshooting
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive manual labor with automated electrical measurement and comparison circuits. The system automatically identifies wiring anomalies by comparing current measurements from multiple locations, eliminating the need for skilled technicians to perform time-consuming manual diagnostics
3Measurement precision
If current measurements are taken at multiple locations to pinpoint anomaly location, then the location can be determined, but the device complexity increases with master and slave measuring circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the current measurement function into multiple independent circuits located at different positions in the trailer power distribution system. The master current measuring circuit is positioned upstream to measure total current, while slave circuits are positioned downstream at individual components to measure branch currents, enabling precise localization of wiring anomalies through comparative measurement
Solution Approach 2:
The current measuring circuits serve multiple functions: they measure current at their respective locations, compare measurements to detect anomalies, and localize the position of wiring issues. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate diagnostic equipment and simplifies the overall system architecture
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 system effectively detects and locates anomalies in the trailer's electrical wiring, reducing downtime and labor costs by systematically identifying and addressing issues in the power distribution circuit.
Implementation Method 1
The master current measuring circuit may include a master shunt resistor electrically connected in series upstream from the power distribution circuit, and a master microcontroller. In this example, the master current measuring circuit may include a first input electrically connected to a first end of the master shunt resistor, and a second input electrically connected to a second end of the master shunt resistor. The master microcontroller may be configured to measure current passing through the master shunt resistor.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for detecting anomalies in electrical wiring in a truck trailer. The system measures and compares current drawn from the truck tractor with the current drawn by a circuit at a particular trailer component or other location in the trailer wiring. If the two current measurements differ in excess of a predetermined threshold, the system can report a wiring anomaly. The location of the anomaly can then be determined by performing the operation for different trailer components thus testing multiple different branches of the trailer power distribution circuit, and using the results of these tests to determine that an anomaly is present, and possibly the location of the issue. The system may then send a notification to a remote computing device, to the truck tractor, or any combination thereof.