Wireless Gladhand Locking Assembly for Correct Trailer Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current pneumatic systems for tractor-trailer connections lack efficient mechanisms to prevent incorrect asset connections and contamination from debris, especially in swinging gladhand designs, which rely on manual operation and are prone to damage and contamination when not in use.

Innovation Solution

A wireless controlled and monitored gladhand assembly with a sealed housing, actuator, and stop mechanism that locks the gladhand into a folded configuration until wirelessly deployed, ensuring correct asset connection and protecting against debris, using a lever and stop within the sealed housing to control the gladhand's rotation and report its configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If manual operation of the gladhand is used, then the structure remains simple, but the system cannot prevent incorrect asset connections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidprevention of incorrect connections

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The stop mechanism serves as a passive intermediary that automatically prevents incorrect connections without requiring complex active control systems, maintaining structural simplicity while improving reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The gladhand assembly self-locks in the folded position through the stop-lever interaction, eliminating the need for external control systems or complex manual operations to prevent incorrect connections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Device complexity

If the gladhand is left in the folded position without locking mechanism, then the structure remains simple, but the gladhand is prone to damage and contamination from debris

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoiddamage and contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The stop mechanism is pre-positioned within the sealed housing to automatically engage with the lever and lock the gladhand in the folded position before any harmful factors can cause damage or contamination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The stop mechanism provides a simple, reliable locking solution that prevents damage and contamination without requiring complex, expensive electronic locking systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS11834014B2Smart gladhand with wireless actuation and reporting

Publication Date: 2023.12.05 PHILLIPS CONNECT TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

A gladhand assembly includes a gladhand that rotates about a first axis with respect to a sealed housing. The sealed housing includes a lever affixed to the first axis to rotate as the gladhand rotates. A stop within the sealed housing may be configured into an engaged position in which it engages with the lever to lock the gladhand into a fixed position in which the gladhand cannot be rotated about the first axis. In addition, the stop may be configured into a retracted position to permit the lever to rotate and allow the gladhand to be rotated into a deployed position.