Bogie slider control system and method utilizing trailer weight information

• US 20070017715A1
• Filed: 12/22/2005
• Published: 01/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group LLC (Dana, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group LLC (Dana, Inc.)
• Inventors: McCann, Gerard
• Application Number:
  US11/315,623
• Publication Number:
  US 20070017715A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/24.20
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/0523 Regulating distributors or valves for pneumatic springs
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/04 Trailers
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/40 Variable track or wheelbase vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/51222 Pneumatic
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/61 Load distribution
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/20 Stationary vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/9124 Roll-over protection systems, e.g. for warning or control
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/92 ABS - Brake Control
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 53/068 having devices to equalise or modify the load between the fifth wheel and the rear wheels adjustable couping saddles per se B62D53/0807; load transfer devices to permit coupling or uncoupling B62D53/0857; anti jack-knifing devices B62D53/0871

Abstract

The present invention relates to a trailer bogie slider control system that utilizes trailer weight information from an electronic control brake system, anti-lock brake system, and/or anti-roll over electronic module. The trailer weight, which is obtained from suspension air bag pressure, is utilized by an operator to remotely engage and disengage the locking pins on a trailer bogie.

Claims

1. A trailer slider control system comprising:

a trailer, said trailer having a slider;

an anti-roll over electronic mechanism;

at least one trailer suspension air bag;

a pressure sensor in communication between said suspension air bag and said anti-roll over electronic mechanism for trailer weight information;

wherein, said trailer weight information is utilized for adjustment of a position of the entirety of said slider with respect to said trailer.

2. The control system of claim 1, wherein said trailer is attached to a tractor in a tractor-trailer combination.

3. The control system of claim 1, further comprising a display of said trailer weights and said slider position for an operator of said tractor.

4. The control system of claim 3, further comprising:

at least one locking pin, said locking pin utilized to lock a position of said slider in relationship to said trailer;

at least one position sensor, said position sensor utilized to determine if said locking pin is engaged or disengaged between said slider and said trailer; and

locking pin engagement and disengagement actuator for remote engagement and disengagement of said locking pin.

5. The control system of claim 4, further comprising a controller, said controller in power line carrier signal communication with said display for display of said remote engagement and disengagement of said locking pin.

6. The control system of claim 1, wherein said anti-roll over electronic mechanism includes an electronic control brake system and/or an antilock brake system.

7. A method of utilizing trailer weight information, comprising:

providing an electronic control having anti-roll functionality for a trailer having a trailer slider attached thereto;

providing at least one suspension system air bag, said air bag attached to said slider;

providing a pressure sensor communicating pressure in said air bag to said electronic control;

utilizing said anti-roll functionality to determine a weight of said trailer from said air bag pressure;

providing said trailer weight to an operator of a tractor, said trailer attached to said tractor; and

remotely adjusting a position of the entire trailer slider by said operator based on said trailer weight.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said remotely adjusting said position of the entire trailer slider comprises engaging and disengaging locking pins on said trailer slider and sensing an engagement and a disengagement of said locking pins.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein said electronic control further comprises electronic control brake system functionality and/or an antilock brake system functionality.

10. The method of claim 7 further comprising displaying of said trailer weight.