Patent Application
20230213568
The following disclosure relates generally to a method and device that provides electrical signals to a towed vehicle for the purpose of measuring and testing electrical circuits of a towed vehicle.
The present disclosure relates generally to measuring and testing circuits of towed vehicles. Testing circuits of towed vehicles for proper function is required for safe use of the vehicle. Instruments that currently exist are expensive, the instruments are large in size, use outdated technology to perform the test and do not provide a means to reliably and effectively test braking systems.
The novel technology relating to measuring and testing circuits of towed vehicles is set forth, in the claims below, and the following is not in any way to limit, define or otherwise establish the scope of legal protection.
One object of the novel technology is to provide improved testing of the towed vehicle.
Towed vehicles are used to transport goods, materials, and practically any object to be transported from one place to another. Proper function of circuits of the towed vehicle and the towed vehicle braking system is critical for the safe use of the towed vehicle.
These circuits can only be partially tested by the operator with the powered vehicle electrically connected to the towed vehicle. For example, the operator can power the light circuits, commonly known as marker lights, of the towed vehicle to check for proper operation but cannot observe the brake light circuit operation without assistance actuating the brake pedal.
Furthermore, the electrical circuit that controls the actuation of the brakes cannot be tested. In order to test the operation of the electrical circuits of the brakes the operator must attach the powered vehicle and drive it with the attached vehicle to test how the vehicle stops. This test provides no accurate measurement of brake circuits and the operator must rely on instinct and experience to judge the operation. This disclosure provides a solution to this problem.
Brake circuits of towed vehicles have operational characteristics that can be defined by a voltage and amperage of the brake circuit. Towed vehicles commonly have drum brakes that are actuated by magnets. The total amperage and voltage required to operate drum brakes is a unique number, and would be dependent on the size and length of the wiring and the number of axles having drum brakes. A deviation from this unique number would indicate a problem with the operation of the drum brakes alerting the operator that a problem exists.
Towed vehicles with air brakes have similar electrical characteristics. Air brakes operate by applying a voltage to an air solenoid circuit. The applied voltage actuates the solenoid releasing the pressure of the brake pad on the brake. The air solenoid circuit has unique voltage and amperage characteristics that when measured can aid the operator in detecting abnormalities in the braking system of the tractor trailer.
Testing of a towed vehicle by an operator with a towing vehicle is inefficient for a number of reasons. For example, if the towed vehicle circuits are faulty the operator will be delayed in transporting the goods. In the case where the operator finds the fault, the operator may not be qualified to repair the fault. In both cases shipment of the goods can be delayed. This disclosure provides a solution to this problem by allowing testing to be performed at any time, by any person, at any time without a towing vehicle.
In the case where a technician is testing the circuits of the towed vehicle or a fleet of towed vehicles, the technician must move a vehicle to each towed vehicle, attach it, and move the towed vehicle to test all the circuits. This is very inefficient as it takes time and fuel to move the towed vehicles. The disclosed technology provides a method and a device for testing circuits of a towed vehicle that is efficient, cost-effective, simple to use, and has a minimal form factor.
Further objects, embodiments, forms, benefits, aspects, features and advantages of the described technology may be obtained from the description, drawings, and claims provided herein.
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. They are meant to be exemplary illustrations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to practice the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the described technology and presenting its currently understood best mode of operation, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the described technology is thereby intended, with such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device and such further applications of the principles of the described technology as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the described technology relates.
Detailed reference will be made to one or more embodiments of the disclosure which are described in
The specification and claims of the disclosure will describe the operation of the testing device 100 on the trailer 220. Port 104 of the testing device 100 is configured to be connected to trailer port 200 of the trailer 220. One skilled in the art will recognize that the invention described in this disclosure can be configured to operate on any type of trailer, tractor trailer, recreational vehicle or 5th wheel without any undue experimentation.
The trailer 220 shown in
The testing device 100 comprises a housing 102 and a testing circuit 300. The housing 102 houses the testing circuit 300. The testing device 100 provides electrical power to the trailer 220 through the trailer port 200 enabling testing of the plurality of lights 221, the brakes 222, and the auxiliary power/charging 223. The testing device 100 allows testing of the circuits of the trailer 220 in the absence of a power source.
The testing device 100 shown in
The testing device 100 in
Closing the switch 303 allows electrical power to flow to the rotary switch 304 in this example. The rotary switch 304 in a first position 305 allows electrical power to flow to pin 114 of the port 104. Pin 114 of port 104 is electrically connected to the plurality of tail/running lights 221 of the trailer 220. The rotary switch 304 in a second position 306 allows electrical power to flow to the first intermittent flashing relay 307. The first intermittent flashing relay 307 allowing electrical power to flow to pin 116 of the port 104 intermittently, pin 116 electrically connected to the left turn/stop indicator light 225.
The rotary switch 304 in a third position 308 allows electrical power to flow to the second intermittent flashing relay 309. The second intermittent flashing relay 309 allowing electrical power to flow to pin 111 of the port 104 intermittently pin 111 electrically connected to the right turn/stop indicator light 226. The rotary switch 304 in a fourth position 310 allows electrical power to flow to the momentary switch 108. Actuating the momentary switch 108 allows electrical power to flow to the meter 311. Electrical power flows through meter 311 to pin 110 of the port 104. The meter 105 configured to measure the electrical power flowing to pin 110 of port 104. Pin 110 of port 104 is electrically connected to the brakes 222.
The rotary switch 304 in a fifth position 312 allows electrical power to flow to pin 115 of the port 104. Pin 115 of port 104 electrically connected to the auxiliary power/charging 223 circuit. The rotary switch 304 in a sixth position 313 allows electrical power to flow to pin 112 of the port 104. Pin 112 of port 104 electrically connected to the back-up lights 224 of the trailer 220. The circuit 300 further configured with a ground 314 electrically connected to pin 111 of the port 104. Pin 111 of port 104 connected to pin 205 of trailer port 200 to the frame ground 204 of the trailer 220.
The switch 304 electrically connects the microprocessor to the power source 302. A second ground 401 electrically connects the microprocessor 400 to ground 301.
The microprocessor 400 is programmed to send electrical power to each circuit of the trailer 220. The electrical power sent to each circuit may be pulse wave modulated, commonly known as PWM or sustained electrical power. The duration of the electrical power sent to each circuit being no less than 3 seconds and not exceeding 120 seconds.
Activating the start switch 402 signals the microprocessor 400 to send a first PWM of electrical power to a first output 305. The first output 305 allows electrical power to flow to pin 114 of the port 104. Pin 114 of port 104 is electrically connected to the plurality of tail/running lights 221 of the trailer 220. Actuating the start switch 402 resets the testing device 100 off and on again resets the test.
The microprocessor 400 is further programmed to send an intermittent second PWM of electrical power to a second output 306. The second output 306 allows electrical power to flow to pin 116 of the port 104. Pin 116 of port 104 electrically connected to the left turn/stop indicator lights 225 of the trailer 220.
The microprocessor 400 is further programmed to send an intermittent third PWM of electrical power to a third output 308. The third output 308 allows electrical power to flow to pin 111 of the port 104. Pin 111 of port 104 is electrically connected to the right turn/stop indicator lights 226 of the trailer 220.
The microprocessor 400 is further programmed to send a fourth signal of sustained PWM electrical power to a fourth output 310 for a period of seconds. The fourth output 310 allows electrical power to flow to the meter 311. Electrical power flows through meter 311 to pin 110 of the port 104. The meter 311 is configured to measure the electrical power flowing to pin 110 of port 104. Pin 110 of port 104 is electrically connected to the brakes 222.
The microprocessor 400 is further programmed to send a fifth PWM of electrical power to a fifth output 312. The fifth output 312 allows electrical power to flow to pin 115 of the port 104. Pin 115 of port 104 electrically connected to the auxiliary power/charging 223 circuit.
The microprocessor 400 is further programmed to send a sixth PWM of electrical power to a sixth output 313. The sixth output 313 allows electrical power to flow to pin 112 of the port 104. Pin 112 of port 104 electrically connected to the back-up lights 224 of the trailer 220.
While the described technology has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It is understood that the embodiments have been shown and described in the foregoing specification in satisfaction of the best mode and enablement requirements. It is understood that one of ordinary skill in the art could readily make a nigh-infinite number of insubstantial changes and modifications to the above-described embodiments and that it would be impractical to attempt to describe all such embodiment variations in the present specification. Accordingly, it is understood that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the described technology are desired to be protected.
