SYSTEM, METHOD AND DEVICE FOR RETROFITTING TRACTOR-TRAILER COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS
First Claim
1. A tractor and trailer communications system configured to transmit and receive communications signals remotely, said communications system comprising:
- a trailer control unit suitably positioned within a trailer, wherein said trailer control unit is configured to provide a trailer identifier and send data to a remote location;
a processing unit suitably positioned within a tractor, wherein said processing unit is configured to provide a tractor identifier, send data to a remote location, and receive data from a remote location; and
, a retrofitting assembly configured to facilitate data exchange between said processing unit and said trailer control unit wherein said data exchange occurs over an existing power line linking said tractor and said trailer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved tractor-trailer communications and tracking system retrofitting assembly, comprising an insulated wire, a flexible wire sleeve, a sealed fuse box, a male connector and a female connector is disclosed. The insulated wire has a length sufficient to at least span the distance between the rear portion of a tractor cab or sleeper box and the power line carrier filter. A first end of the insulated wire terminates in first and second wire segments of roughly equal length. The end portion of the first wire segment has a two-way female connector electrically attached thereto and the second wire segment has a two-way male connector electrically attached thereto. A third wire segment is electrically attached to the female two-way connector at a first end and to the male two-way connector at a second end.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A tractor and trailer communications system configured to transmit and receive communications signals remotely, said communications system comprising:
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a trailer control unit suitably positioned within a trailer, wherein said trailer control unit is configured to provide a trailer identifier and send data to a remote location;
a processing unit suitably positioned within a tractor, wherein said processing unit is configured to provide a tractor identifier, send data to a remote location, and receive data from a remote location; and
,a retrofitting assembly configured to facilitate data exchange between said processing unit and said trailer control unit wherein said data exchange occurs over an existing power line linking said tractor and said trailer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A retrofitting assembly configured to facilitate data exchange between a processing unit and a trailer control unit, said retrofitting assembly comprising:
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an insulated data wire having a first end and a second end;
a first insulated wire having a first insulated wire first end electrically connected to said second end of said insulated data wire and a first insulated wire second end electrically connected to a first conductive prong of a male connector;
a second insulated wire having a second insulated wire first end electrically connected to said second end of said insulated data wire and a second insulated wire second end electrically connected to a first conductive prong of a female connector; and
,a third insulated wire having a third insulated wire first end electrically connected to a second conductive prong of said male connector and a third insulated wire second end electrically connected to a second conductive prong of said female connector. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for retrofitting a tractor and trailer with a communications system configured to transmit and receive communications signals remotely, said method comprising the steps of:
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positioning a processing unit in at least one of a tractor cab and a tractor sleeper box, wherein said processing unit is electrically connected to a tractor power distribution module;
positioning a trailer control unit in at least one of a trailer cargo bay and a trailer nose box, wherein said trailer control unit is electrically connected to a trailer power point;
electrically connecting a first end of an insulated data line to said processing unit, wherein said insulated data line comprises;
a first insulated wire having a first insulated wire first end electrically connected to a second end of said insulated data wire and a first insulated wire second end electrically connected to a first conductive prong of a male connector;
a second insulated wire having a second insulated wire first end electrically connected to said second end of said insulated data wire and a second insulated wire second end electrically connected to a first conductive prong of a female connector; and
,a third insulated wire having a third insulated wire first end electrically connected to a second conductive prong of said male connector and a third insulated wire second end electrically connected to a second conductive prong of said female connector;
connecting said male connector to a dedicated power line female connector; and
,connecting said female connector to a dedicated power line male connector, wherein said dedicated power line terminates at a tractor anti-lock braking system electronic control unit. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification