Wireless data transfer system for a tractor-trailer
First Claim
1. A wireless data transfer system for use in a tractor-trailer vehicle to wirelessly transmit data between the tractor and trailer to assist the driver in operating the vehicle, said system comprising:
- a first communication unit carried on a front side of said trailer able to wirelessly send and receive data;
a second communication unit carried on a rear side of a tractor cab able to wirelessly send and receive data;
said front side of said trailer and rear side of said tractor cab being spaced apart when coupled together to define a hitching space between said tractor cab and said trailer which allows for relative pivotal movement between them; and
, said first and second communication units aligned facing each other across said hitching space to define a communication gap within said hitching space over which data is wirelessly communicated between the communication units;
whereby data may be wirelessly transmitted between said first and second communication units using a low signal strength due to the proximity and alignment of the communication units to avoid interference with similar equipment in adjacent vehicles and notify the driver about conditions surrounding the trailer.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A means of wireless data transmission between a tractor and a trailer using a data transfer system having a first communication unit that is installed on the front of the trailer and a second communication unit that is installed on the rear of the tractor cab. Both communication units on a coupled tractor-trailer are located facing each other across a hitching space between the tractor and trailer to define a communication gap over which data is wirelessly transmitted. A notification device is carried by the tractor and operatively connected to the second communication unit. At least one data collector is carried by the trailer and operatively connected to the first communication unit. Accordingly, the driver is provided with information through the notification device from the data collector by way of the first and second communication unit, which wirelessly transmit the data between the tractor and trailer.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A wireless data transfer system for use in a tractor-trailer vehicle to wirelessly transmit data between the tractor and trailer to assist the driver in operating the vehicle, said system comprising:
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a first communication unit carried on a front side of said trailer able to wirelessly send and receive data;
a second communication unit carried on a rear side of a tractor cab able to wirelessly send and receive data;
said front side of said trailer and rear side of said tractor cab being spaced apart when coupled together to define a hitching space between said tractor cab and said trailer which allows for relative pivotal movement between them; and
,said first and second communication units aligned facing each other across said hitching space to define a communication gap within said hitching space over which data is wirelessly communicated between the communication units;
whereby data may be wirelessly transmitted between said first and second communication units using a low signal strength due to the proximity and alignment of the communication units to avoid interference with similar equipment in adjacent vehicles and notify the driver about conditions surrounding the trailer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for the wireless transfer of data between a tractor and a trailer of a tractor-trailer vehicle to assist the driver in operation of the vehicle, wherein said tractor and trailer are hitched together so that a front side of said trailer and a rear side of a tractor cab are spaced apart when coupled together to define a hitching space between said tractor cab and said trailer which allows for relative pivotal movement between them;
- said method comprising the steps of;
mounting a first communication unit to said front side of said trailer;
mounting a second communication unit to said rear side of said tractor cab; and
,aligning said first and second communication units to face each other across said hitching space when said tractor and trailer are coupled together to define a communication gap within said hitching space over which data is wirelessly communicated between the communication units;
whereby data may be wirelessly transmitted between said first and second communication units using a low signal strength due to the proximity and alignment of the communication units to avoid interference with similar equipment in adjacent vehicles and notify the driver about conditions surrounding the trailer. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
- said method comprising the steps of;
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15. In a tractor-trailer vehicle having a driver occupied tractor and a cargo containing trailer, a hitch coupling for hitching said trailer to said tractor creating a hitch space between a rear of a tractor cab and a front of said trailer facilitating relative pivotal movement, a wireless data system for transmitting data between the tractor and trailer to assist the driver in operating the vehicle, said system comprising:
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a first communication unit for attachment to said trailer at said front of said trailer and having at least a wireless transmitting component;
a second communication unit for attachment to said tractor at said rear of said tractor cab and having at least a wireless receiving component;
said first and second data communication units adapted for attachment so that said units are aligned generally facing one another across said hitch space to define a communication gap generally across said hitch space over which said first communication unit transmits data that is received by said second communication unit;
at least one data collector for being carried by said trailer in communication with said first communication unit; and
,a driver notification device for being carried by said tractor in communication with said second communication unit;
whereby data may be wirelessly transmitted from said data collector across said communication gap with low power and minimum interference with adjacent vehicles due to the proximity and alignment of said first and second data communication units to notify the driver about conditions surrounding the trailer. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification