Programmable trailer indentification system integrated into a truck tractor and trailer communication system
First Claim
1. A method of controlling and monitoring the function of trailer auxiliary systems comprising:
- providing a tractor electronic control unit for generating and receiving and processing electrical signals, said trailer auxiliary system connected to a tractor electrical system and having a plurality of signal lines and at least one power output line;
providing a trailer electronic control unit electrically connected to said tractor electronic control unit for generating and receiving electrical signals and electrically connected to said power output line;
providing at least one data bus;
providing at least one diagnostic bus;
providing a programmable memory unit electrically connected to said trailer electronic control unit, said programmable memory unit containing at least one identification code;
initializing said tractor electronic control unit by initializing a random access address from said programmable memory unit and reading a reprogram code and storing said reprogram code in said programmable memory unit and acknowledging acceptance of said reprogram code;
initializing said trailer electronic control unit;
establishing electrical communication between said tractor and trailer electronic control units;
responding to said data buses;
responding to said diagnostic buses;
soliciting trailer identification from said programmable memory unit; and
responding to the trailer auxiliary system.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A trailer electrical monitor function is implemented into a microprocessor based truck tractor and trailer electrical communication system where a programmable memory unit connected to a trailer electronic control unit is used by the trailer electronic control unit to store a trailer identification code, the result of which is connected through an interface circuit to the trailer electronic control unit where the result is then transmitted to a tractor electronic control unit and/or to an external programming unit. The tractor and trailer electronic control units control the state of a plurality of switching devices to establish the appropriate electrical connection into and out of a standard seven pin tractor/trailer electrical connector where high speed data communication links are used for control diagnostics.
45 Citations
1 Claim
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1. A method of controlling and monitoring the function of trailer auxiliary systems comprising:
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providing a tractor electronic control unit for generating and receiving and processing electrical signals, said trailer auxiliary system connected to a tractor electrical system and having a plurality of signal lines and at least one power output line; providing a trailer electronic control unit electrically connected to said tractor electronic control unit for generating and receiving electrical signals and electrically connected to said power output line; providing at least one data bus; providing at least one diagnostic bus; providing a programmable memory unit electrically connected to said trailer electronic control unit, said programmable memory unit containing at least one identification code; initializing said tractor electronic control unit by initializing a random access address from said programmable memory unit and reading a reprogram code and storing said reprogram code in said programmable memory unit and acknowledging acceptance of said reprogram code; initializing said trailer electronic control unit; establishing electrical communication between said tractor and trailer electronic control units; responding to said data buses; responding to said diagnostic buses; soliciting trailer identification from said programmable memory unit; and responding to the trailer auxiliary system.
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Specification
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- Resources
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Current AssigneeSanford Acquisition Company
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Original AssigneeEaton Corp. (Wisconsin) (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
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InventorsLane, E. James, Gee, Thomas A.
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Primary Examiner(s)Elms, Richard T.
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Application NumberUS08/804,586Time in Patent Office281 DaysField of Search307/9.1, 307/10.1, 439/34-36, 280/DIG. 14, 280/422, 280/420, 364/423.098, 364/424.034, 364/424.037, 364/424.04, 364/424.045, 340/425.5, 340/825.34, 340/825.3-825.32, 340/825.06, 340/310.01, 340/310.06, 340/310.08US Class Current307/9.1CPC Class CodesB60D 1/62 involving supply lines, ele...
