Wheel Hub Trailer Odometer With Wireless Mileage Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer systems lack accurate mileage tracking and maintenance information, with conventional cabling systems limited in functionality and unable to provide real-time data on trailer wheels, leading to unawareness of braking efficiency and maintenance needs, especially in secondhand purchases.
Innovation Solution
A wheel hub-mounted trailer odometer system that includes a counter, conversion module, and wireless communication module to transmit distance data to a remote device, allowing for real-time monitoring and historical data storage without additional vehicle circuitry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional cabling systems are used to connect trailer to vehicle, then power can be delivered to trailer lighting system, but functionality is limited and cannot provide real-time mileage tracking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the odometer function from the vehicle's existing systems and places it directly on the trailer through a wheel hub-mounted device. This self-contained approach eliminates dependency on vehicle cabling systems while enabling independent mileage tracking and maintenance monitoring capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wireless communication module as an intermediary between the trailer's wheel hub and the user's mobile device. This mediator enables data transmission without requiring physical electrical connections, thereby overcoming the limitations of conventional cabling systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If trailer is hitched to different vehicles, then trailer can be used by multiple users, but historical mileage information is lost and cannot be compiled accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service approach where the trailer independently monitors and records its own mileage data through the wheel hub-mounted odometer. This eliminates reliance on any single vehicle's odometer, ensuring that mileage information is preserved and accumulated accurately regardless of which vehicle is towing the trailer.
3Measurement precision
If wheel hub-mounted odometer is installed, then accurate mileage tracking is achieved, but additional device complexity is introduced to the trailer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single wheel hub-mounted device: the odometer counter, wireless communication module, and maintenance monitoring capabilities are all integrated into one compact unit. This consolidation achieves accurate mileage tracking while minimizing the added complexity compared to separate distributed systems.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a trailer odometer for measuring distance travelled by a trailer and other performance information. The trailer odometer is designed to be connected to a wheel hub, and features a counter for measuring axle/wheel rotation, a conversion unit for converting rotations into distance in miles/kilometers and a wireless transmission module for transmitting distance information to a remote electronic device. In one potential embodiment, an electrical box, designed to be an aftermarket product, performs the same or similar function and can be positioned/mounted near a hitch of the trailer.