Wireless Link for Tractor Trailer Electrical Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Corrosion of electrical wires and connections between tractors and trailers due to environmental factors like salt and moisture leads to inconsistent power transmission and safety hazards, as operators cannot directly monitor the trailer's electrical systems from the tractor's cab.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a wireless communication link using transceivers coupled to the tractor and trailer, allowing for secure and robust electrical signal transmission between the two, with feedback mechanisms for diagnostic data and fault detection, reducing reliance on physical electrical connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wired electrical connections are used between tractor and trailer, then power transmission is established, but corrosion from salt and moisture causes inconsistent power transmission and reliability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wired electrical connection system with a wireless communication system. The tractor and trailer communicate electrical signals wirelessly through transceivers, eliminating physical wire contacts that are susceptible to corrosion from salt and moisture. This substitution maintains power transmission functionality while removing the corrosion vulnerability inherent in wired connections.
2Ease of operation
If wired electrical connections are used, then control signals can be transmitted, but the operator cannot directly monitor trailer electrical systems from the cab
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless communication system incorporates feedback mechanisms that allow the tractor operator to monitor the trailer's electrical system status in real-time from the cab. Diagnostic information about the state of trailer lights and electrical components is transmitted wirelessly back to the tractor, enabling the operator to detect and respond to issues without direct visual inspection of the trailer.
3Reliability
If traditional wired connections are used, then electrical signals are transmitted, but corrosion creates barriers at wire surfaces causing poor contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the mechanical contact interface between electrical wires by implementing wireless communication. Transceivers on both the tractor and trailer transmit control signals through electromagnetic fields, completely removing the physical wire-to-wire contacts that would otherwise suffer from corrosion-induced poor contact and inconsistent power transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an electrical communication link between a tractor and a trailer, the trailer comprising one or more auxiliary electrical devices, the electrical communication link including a first transceiver coupled to the tractor and configured to receive a first signal from the tractor and to wirelessly transmit a control signal corresponding to the first signal, a second transceiver coupled to the trailer and configured to wirelessly receive the control signal and to transmit a second signal corresponding to the control signal to the one or more auxiliary devices.