DIAGNOSTIC TRAILER CENTER DEVICE

• US 20010011891A1
• Filed: 07/23/1999
• Published: 08/09/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Melendez
• Original Assignee: Robert Melendez
• Inventors: MELENDEZ, ROBERT
• Granted Patent: US 6,323,651 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/504
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/006 on road vehicles, e.g. automobiles or trucks testing of ignition installations peculiar to internal combustion engines F02P17/00

Abstract

The invention is a device for testing the electrical circuitry on all trailers used in the cargo industry. The device plugs into the electrical connector of a trailer and allows a single mechanic to test and make brake adjustments without the assistance of another individual, to check the operation of all lighting and signal lights of the trailer, and to test the integrity of each electrical circuit and locate shorts in the circuits. An electrical short in a circuit is located by applying a low amperage current, at 12 volts, to the inoperative circuit and locating the warm point in the wiring where the short exists. The brake system adjustments provided by the device include checking sticky or frozen cams, moving the cams while lubricating them, and testing the various valve functions in the air brakes system of the cargo trailer.

Claims

1. An electrical and pneumatic diagnostic device for servicing the electrical and pneumatic systems of cargo hauling trailers comprising;

(a) a housing member enclosing an electrical circuitry adapted for testing the electrical and pneumatic systems of cargo hauling trailers;

(b) power supply means connectable to said electrical circuitry for supplying nominal 12 volt direct current thereto;

(c) a first set of sub-circuits contained in said electrical circuitry, each sub-circuit serving a selected illumination and signaling lighting circuit of the trailer;

(d) a second set of sub-circuits contained in said electrical circuitry, said sub-circuits serving the pneumatic system of the trailer;

(e) means for connecting said first and second sets of sub-circuits to the trailer electrical system;

(f) switch means for selectively powering said first set or said second set of sub-circuits;

(g) said first set of sub-circuits each having control switch means for powering a corresponding trailer electrical circuit, and each having visual indicator means for denoting sub-circuit power;

(h) conduit with a valve means for supplying compressed air to first and second fittings on said housing member, said fittings adapted for connection to the trailer pneumatic braking system service and emergency hoses; and

(i) said second set of sub-circuits containing timer circuit means for periodically actuating said valve means of said supply conduit, thereby actuating the trailer pneumatic braking system over a selected time interval.

2. The diagnostic device for servicing cargo hauling trailers of

claim 1

, wherein, said power supply means comprises a transformer member supplied with 120 volt alternating current and producing nominal 12 volt direct current for said enclosed electrical circuitry.

3. The diagnostic device for servicing cargo hauling trailers of

claim 2

, wherein said switch means for selectively powering said sets of sub-circuits also selectively powers said transformer member with 120 volt alternating current.

4. The diagnostic device for servicing cargo hauling trailers of

claim 1

, further comprising a flasher operably connected to at least one said sub-circuit of said first set, connected to a conductor corresponding to a turning signal circuit of the trailer, for transmitting an intermittent power signal to a corresponding said sub-circuit of said diagnostic device.

5. The diagnostic device for servicing cargo hauling trailers of

claim 1

, wherein, said visual indicator means for denoting sub-circuit power for each said first set of sub-circuits comprises an individual light emitting member contained in each said sub-circuits.

6. The diagnostic device for servicing cargo hauling trailers of

claim 1

, further comprising a meter member contained in said first set of sub-circuits, said meter member indicating the number of powered trailer signaling or illumination bulbs.

7. The diagnostic device for servicing cargo hauling trailers of

claim 1

, wherein, said timer circuit means comprises first and second pairs of a relay plus a capacitor contained in said second set of sub-circuits.

8. The diagnostic device for servicing cargo hauling trailers of

claim 1

, wherein, said timer circuit means actuates said valve means of said supply conduit, thereby actuating the trailer pneumatic braking system at a selected time interval, and consecutively at whole number multiples of said time interval.

9. An electrical and pneumatic diagnostic device for servicing the electrical and pneumatic systems of cargo hauling trailers comprising;

(a) a housing member enclosing an electrical circuitry adapted for the testing electrical and pneumatic systems of cargo hauling trailers;

(b) a transformer member supplied with 120 volt alternating current and producing nominal 12 volt direct current for said enclosed electrical circuitry;

(c) a first set of sub-circuits contained in said electrical circuitry, each sub-circuit serving a selected illumination and signaling lighting circuit of the trailer;

(d) a second set of sub-circuits contained in said electrical circuitry, said sub-circuits serving the pneumatic system of the trailer;

(e) means for connecting said first and second sets of sub-circuits to the trailer electrical system;

(f) switch means for selectively powering said first set or said second set of sub-circuits;

(g) said first set of sub-circuits each having control switch means for powering a corresponding trailer electrical circuit, and each having visual indicator means for denoting sub-circuit power;

(h) conduit with a valve means for supplying compressed air to first and second fittings on said housing member, said fittings adapted for connection to the trailer pneumatic braking system service and emergency hoses; and

(i) said second set of sub-circuits containing timer circuit means for periodically actuating said valve means of said supply conduit, thereby actuating the trailer pneumatic braking system over a selected time interval.

10. The diagnostic device for servicing cargo hauling trailers of

claim 9

, wherein said switch means for selectively powering said sets of sub-circuits also selectively powers said transformer member with 120 volt alternating current.

11. The diagnostic device for servicing cargo hauling trailers of

claim 9

, further comprising a flasher operably connected to at least one said sub-circuit of said first set, connected to a conductor corresponding to a turning signal circuit of the trailer, for transmitting an intermittent power signal to a corresponding said sub-circuit of said diagnostic device.

12. The diagnostic device for servicing cargo hauling trailers of

claim 9

, wherein, said visual indicator means for denoting sub-circuit power for each said first set of sub-circuits comprises an individual light emitting member contained in each said sub-circuits.

13. The diagnostic device for servicing cargo hauling trailers of

claim 9

, further comprising a meter member contained in said first set of sub-circuits, said meter member indicating the number of powered trailer signaling or illumination bulbs.

14. The diagnostic device for servicing cargo hauling trailers of

claim 9

, wherein, said timer circuit means comprises first and second pairs of a relay plus a capacitor contained in said second set of sub-circuits.

15. The diagnostic device for servicing cargo hauling trailers of

claim 9

, wherein, said timer circuit means actuates said valve means of said supply conduit, thereby actuating the trailer pneumatic braking system at a selected time interval, and consecutively at whole number multiples of said time interval.

16. An electrical and pneumatic diagnostic device for servicing cargo hauling trailers comprising;

(a) a housing member enclosing an electrical circuitry adapted for testing the electrical and pneumatic systems of cargo hauling trailers;

(b) a transformer member supplied with 120 volt alternating current and producing nominal 12 volt direct current for said enclosed electrical circuitry;

(c) a first set of sub-circuits contained in said electrical circuitry, each sub-circuit serving a selected illumination and signaling lighting circuit of the trailer;

(d) a second set of sub-circuits contained in said electrical circuitry, said sub-circuits serving the pneumatic system of the trailer;

(e) means for connecting said first and second sets of sub-circuits to the trailer electrical system;

(f) switch means for selectively powering said first set or said second set of sub-circuits, and for selectively powering said transformer member with 120 volt alternating current,

(g) said first set of sub-circuits each having control switch means for powering a corresponding trailer electrical circuit, and each having visual indicator means for denoting sub-circuit power;

(h) a flasher operably connected to at least one said sub-circuit of said first set, connected to a conductor corresponding to a turning signal circuit of the trailer, for transmitting an intermittent power signal to a corresponding said sub-circuit of said diagnostic device;

(i) a meter member contained in said first set of sub-circuits, said meter member indicating the number of powered trailer signaling or illumination bulbs;

(j) conduit with a valve means for supplying compressed air to first and second fittings on said housing member, said fittings adapted for connection to the trailer pneumatic braking system service and emergency hoses; and

(k) said second set of sub-circuits containing timer circuit means for periodically actuating said valve means of said supply conduit, thereby actuating the trailer pneumatic braking system over a selected time interval.

17. The diagnostic device for servicing cargo hauling trailers of

claim 16

, wherein, said visual indicator means for denoting sub-circuit power for each said first set of sub-circuits comprises an individual light emitting member contained in each said sub-circuit.

18. The diagnostic device for servicing cargo hauling trailers of

claim 16

, wherein, said timer circuit means comprises first and second pairs of a relay plus a capacitor contained in said second set of sub-circuits.

19. The diagnostic device for servicing cargo hauling trailers of

claim 16

, wherein, said timer circuit means actuates said valve means of said supply conduit, thereby actuating the trailer pneumatic braking system at a selected time interval, and consecutively at whole number multiples of said time interval.