Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling tractor/trailer vehicle systems

• US 6,378,959 B2
• Filed: 05/26/2001
• Issued: 04/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Power Talk Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Vehicle Enhancement Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Weant, Bobby Ray, Lesesky, Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): RODRIGUEZ, PAMELA
• Application Number:
  US09/866,207
• Publication Number:
  US 20010040408A1
• Time in Patent Office: 339 Days
• Field of Search: 303/122.02, 303/122.05, 303/122.08, 303/7, 303/123, 303/124, 340/3.1, 340/825.36, 340/431, 340/438, 340/439, 340/441
• US Class Current: 303/122.02
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0315 using multiplexing techniques multiplexing for transmission of signals G08C15/00; multiplexing for electrical communication in general H04J
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2016/0322 Temporary code for documents to be reclassified to G08C, H04L or H04Q
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/66 Electrical control in fluid-pressure brake systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/662 characterised by specified functions of the control system components
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2270/406 Test-mode; Self-diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/20 specially for trailers, e.g. in case of uncoupling of or overrunning by trailer inertia-actuated overrun brakes B60T13/08
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/1708 for lorries or tractor-trailer combinations
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/323 Systems specially adapted for tractor-trailer combinations
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/885 using electrical circuitry

Abstract

A status of one or more subsystems positioned on one or more trailers is communicated to a tractor electrically and mechanically connected to the trailer. The status may be automatically supplied by the subsystem or may be requested either by the operator of the tractor/trailer combination or automatically by another subsystem on either the tractor or the trailer. A spread spectrum data communications signal representing the status of a respective subsystem is superposed on the power bus. The status of the respective subsystem can then be determined from the spread spectrum data communications signal. Preferably, the status of the subsystem is indicated to an operator positioned on the tractor. A command for controlling a subsystem on a trailer can also be communicated from the tractor to the trailer over the power bus. A spread spectrum data communications signal representing the command is produced on the power bus, and the subsystem is controlled based on the spread spectrum data communications signal. Preferably, the command is received from an operator positioned in the tractor.

Claims

1. A communications system for a vehicle for communicating a status of an antilock braking system positioned on the vehicle, the communications system comprising:

a power bus which supplies electrical power to the vehicle;

spread spectrum signal producing means, responsive to a status signal from the antilock braking system and positioned on the vehicle, for producing a spread spectrum data communications signal representing the status of the antilock braking system on the power bus, wherein said spread spectrum signal producing means comprises means for producing said spread spectrum data communications signal from the status signal; and

status determining means responsive to the power bus, for determining the status of the antilock braking system from the spread spectrum data communications signal, wherein said status determining means comprises;

spread spectrum signal receiving means, responsive to the power bus, for receiving said spread spectrum data communications signal; and

means, responsive to said spread spectrum signal receiving means, for determining the status of the antilock braking system from the received spread spectrum data communications signal.

2. A communications system according to claim 1, wherein said status determining means is located on the vehicle.

3. A communications system according to claim 1, wherein said spread spectrum signal producing means compasses:

a modulator responsive to the antilock braking system which produces said spread spectrum data communications signal from said data signal, said spread spectrum data communications signal being distributed over a predetermined spectrum of frequencies; and

electrical coupling means for electrically coupling said modulator to said power bus so that said spread spectrum data communications signal is superposed on said power bus.

4. A communications system according to claim 1, wherein said status determining means further comprises:

spread spectrum signal receiving means, responsive to the power bus, for receiving said spread spectrum data communications signal; and

means, responsive to said spread spectrum signal receiving means, for determining the status of the antilock braking system from the received spread spectrum data communications signal.

5. A communications system according to claim 1, wherein said status determining means further comprises an indicator which indicates the status of the antilock braking system to an operator of the vehicle.

6. A communications system according to claim 1, wherein said power bus comprises a plurality of conductors, wherein said status determining means is electrically connected to a conductor of said plurality of conductors, wherein said power bus further comprises a first capacitor disposed between at least two of said plurality of conductors, and wherein the spread spectrum signal producing means is electrically connected to one of the capacitively coupled conductors such that the spread spectrum data communications signal is transmitted via each of the capacitively coupled conductors.

7. A communications system according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a trailer, wherein the antilock braking system and said status determining means are both located on the trailer.

8. A communications system according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a towed vehicle, wherein the antilock braking system and said status determining means are both located on the towed vehicle.

9. A communications system according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a motorized vehicle, wherein the antilock braking system and said status determining means are both located on the motorized vehicle.

10. A communications system according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a tractor of a tractor/trailer combination vehicle, wherein the antilock braking system and said status determining means are both located on the tractor.

11. A communications system according to claim 1, wherein said power bus is in electrical communication with and distributes electrical power to said antilock braking system.

12. A communications system according to claim 1, wherein said status determining means is located remote from the vehicle.

13. A communications system for a vehicle having an antilock braking system and a plurality of second subsystems, the system comprising:

a power bus which supplies electrical power to the vehicle,

spread spectrum signal producing means, responsive to the antilock braking system, for producing a spread spectrum data communications signal representing the status of the antilock braking system on the power bus;

means for protecting the spread spectrum data communications signal placed on said power bus by said spread spectrum signal producing means from distortion by the second subsystems; and

status determining means, responsive to the power bus, for determining the status of the antilock braking system from the spread spectrum data communications signal.

14. A communications system according to claim 13, wherein said means for protecting the spread spectrum communications signal comprises inductive elements.

15. A communications system according to claim 13, wherein said means for protecting the spread spectrum communications signal comprises ferrite beads.

16. A communications system according to claim 13, wherein said means for protecting the spread spectrum communications signal is a low pass filter that filters out high frequency signals.

17. A communications system according to claim 13, wherein said power bus supplies power to the antilock braking system and each of a plurality of second subsystems.

18. A communications system according to claim 13, wherein said means for protecting the spread spectrum communications signal is associated with respective ones of the second subsystems, for protecting the spread spectrum data communications signal placed on said power bus by said spread spectrum signal producing means from distortion by the second subsystems.

19. A communications system for use in a vehicle to communicate a command to an antilock braking system positioned on the vehicle, the system comprising:

a power bus which supplies electrical power to the vehicle;

spread spectrum signal producing means for producing a spread spectrum data communications signal representing the command on said power bus, wherein said spread spectrum signal producing means comprises means for producing said spread spectrum data communications signal from the command; and

controlling means for controlling the antilock braking system based on the spread spectrum data communications signal, wherein said controlling means comprises;

spread spectrum signal receiving means, responsive to said power bus, for receiving said spread spectrum data communications signal; and

means for controlling the antilock braking system from the received spread spectrum data communications signal.

20. A communications system according to claim 19, further comprising operator input means for receiving a command from an operator positioned on the tractor, and wherein said spread spectrum signal producing means comprises means for producing a spread spectrum data communications signal representing the conveyed command.

21. A communications system for a vehicle for communicating a status of a subsystem positioned on the vehicle, the communications system comprising:

a power bus which supplies electrical power to the vehicle;

spread spectrum signal producing means, responsive to a status signal from the subsystem and positioned on the vehicle, for producing a spread spectrum data communications signal representing the status of the subsystem on the power bus, wherein said spread spectrum signal producing means comprises means for producing said spread spectrum data communications signal from the status signal; and

status determining means responsive to the power bus, for determining the status of the subsystem from the spread spectrum data communications signal, wherein said status determining means comprises;

spread spectrum signal receiving means, responsive to the power bus, for receiving said spread spectrum data communications signal; and

means, responsive to said spread spectrum signal receiving means, for determining the status of the subsystem from the received spread spectrum data communications signal.

22. A communications system according to claim 21, wherein said status determining means is located on said vehicle.

23. A communications system according to claim 21, wherein said spread spectrum signal producing means comprises:

a modulator responsive to the subsystem which produces said spread spectrum data communications signal from said data signal, said spread spectrum data communications signal being distributed over a predetermined spectrum of frequencies; and

electrical coupling means for electrically coupling said modulator to said power bus so that said spread spectrum data communications signal is superposed on said power bus.

24. A communications system according to claim 21, wherein said status determining means further comprises:

spread spectrum signal receiving means, responsive to the power bus, for receiving said spread spectrum data communications signal; and

means, responsive to said spread spectrum signal receiving means, for determining the status of the subsystem from the received spread spectrum data communications signal.

25. A communications system according to claim 21, wherein said status determining means further comprises an indicator which indicates the status of the subsystem to an operator of the vehicle.

26. A communications system according to claim 21, wherein said power bus comprises a plurality of conductors, wherein said status determining means is electrically connected to a conductor of said plurality of conductors, wherein said power bus further comprises a first capacitor disposed between at least two of said plurality of conductors, and wherein the spread spectrum signal producing means is electrically connected to one of the capacitively coupled conductors such that the spread spectrum data communications signal is transmitted via each of the capacitively coupled conductors.

27. A communications system according to claim 21, wherein the vehicle is a trailer, wherein the subsystem and said status determining means are both located on the trailer.

28. A communications system according to claim 21, wherein the vehicle is a towed vehicle, wherein the subsystem and said status determining means are both located on the towed vehicle.

29. A communications system according to claim 21, wherein the vehicle is a motorized vehicle, wherein the subsystem and said status determining means are both located on the motorized vehicle.

30. A communications system according to claim 21, wherein the vehicle is a tractor of a tractor/trailer combination vehicle, wherein said subsystem and said status determining means are both located on the tractor.

31. A communications system according to claim 21, wherein said power bus is in electrical communication with and distributes electrical power to said subsystem.

32. A communications system according to claim 21, wherein said status determining means is located remote from the vehicle.

33. A communications system for use in a vehicle to communicate a command to a subsystem positioned on the vehicle, the system comprising:

a power bus which supplies electrical power to the vehicle;

spread spectrum signal producing means for producing a spread spectrum data communications signal representing the command on said power bus, wherein said spread spectrum signal producing means comprises means for producing said spread spectrum data communications signal from the command; and

controlling means for controlling the subsystem based on the spread spectrum data communications signal, wherein said controlling means comprises;

spread spectrum signal receiving means, responsive to said power bus, for receiving said spread spectrum data communications signal; and

means for controlling the subsystem from the received spread spectrum data communications signal.

34. A communications system according to claim 33, wherein the vehicle comprises a motorized portion and a towed portion, wherein said power bus comprises a first plurality of conductors, positioned in the towed portion and a second plurality of conductors, positioned in the motorized portion, wherein said communications system further comprises a connector which electrically connects the first plurality of conductors and the second plurality of conductors, and wherein said spread spectrum signal producing means is electrically connected to a conductor of said second plurality of conductors and said spread spectrum signal receiving means is electrically connected to a conductor of said first plurality of conductors.

35. A communications system according to claim 34, wherein said power bus supplies electrical power to a plurality of electrical loads within the motorized portion, and wherein said spread spectrum signal producing means is electrically connected to a conductor of said second plurality of conductors at a point nearer said connector than the respective points at which the plurality of electrical loads are electrically connected to said power bus.

36. A communications system according to claim 35 further comprising a capacitor disposed between said spread spectrum signal producing means and the respective conductor of said second plurality of conductors to couple the spread spectrum data communications signal to the respective conductor of said second plurality of conductors.

37. A communications system according to claim 34, further comprising operator input means for receiving a command from an operator positioned on the tractor, and wherein said spread spectrum signal producing means comprises means for producing a spread spectrum data communications signal representing the conveyed command.

38. A communications system for a vehicle having a first subsystem and a plurality of second subsystems, the system comprising:

a power bus which supplies electrical power to the vehicle,

spread spectrum signal producing means, responsive to the first subsystem, for producing a spread spectrum data communications signal representing the status of the first subsystem on the power bus;

means for protecting the spread spectrum data communications signal placed on said power bus by said spread spectrum signal producing means from distortion by the second subsystems; and

status determining means, responsive to the power bus, for determining the status of the first subsystem from the spread spectrum data communications signal.

39. A communications system according to claim 38, wherein said means for protecting the spread spectrum data communications signal comprises inductive elements.

40. A communications system according to claim 38, wherein said means for protecting the spread spectrum data communications signal comprises ferrite beads.

41. A communications system according to claim 38, wherein said means for protecting the spread spectrum data communications signal is a low pass filter that filters out high frequency signals.

42. A communications system according to claim 38, wherein said power bus supplies power to the first subsystem and each of a plurality of second subsystems.

43. A communications system according to claim 38, wherein said means for protecting the spread spectrum data communications signal is associated with respective ones of the second subsystems, for protecting the spread spectrum data communications signal placed on said power bus by said spread spectrum signal producing means from distortion by the second subsystems.

44. A communications system for a vehicle, for communicating a respective status of a plurality of subsystem positioned on the vehicle, wherein the plurality of subsystems communicate according to at least two different protocols, and wherein the communications system comprises:

a power bus which supplies electrical power to the vehicle;

spread spectrum signal producing means, responsive to the plurality of subsystems, for producing spread spectrum data communications signals representing the status of the plurality of subsystems on the power bus, wherein said spread spectrum signal producing means comprises;

a plurality of protocol specific transmitters associated with respective ones of said subsystems, wherein each protocol specific transmitter receives signals having a predetermined protocol and converts the signals to a standardized format; and

means for producing spread spectrum data communications signals representative of the status of respective ones of the subsystems based upon the signals having the standardized format provided by the protocol specific transmitters; and

status determining means, responsive to the power bus, for determining the status of respective ones of the plurality of subsystems from the spread spectrum data communications signals.

45. A communications system according to claim 44, wherein said means for producing spread spectrum data communications signals comprises a spread spectrum transceiver that includes means for determining the state of the spread spectrum transceiver such that signals transmitted by the spread spectrum transceiver are not also received and processed by the spread spectrum transceiver.

46. A communications system according to claim 44 further comprising a selection input for selecting at least one protocol specific transmitter to receive signals having a predetermined protocol and to convert the signals to the standardized format.

47. A communications system for a vehicle, for communicating a respective status of a plurality of subsystems positioned on the vehicle, the system comprising:

a power bus which supplies electrical power to the vehicle;

spread spectrum signal producing means, responsive to the subsystems for producing spread spectrum data communications signals representing the respective status of the subsystems on the power bus, wherein said spread spectrum signal producing means comprises a plurality of spread spectrum transmitters responsive to respective ones of the subsystems for producing spread spectrum communications signals representing the status of the respective subsystem, and wherein said spread spectrum signal producing means comprises self-diagnostic means associated with at least one of said transmitter and for halting further transmission by the respective spread spectrum transmitter to the communications system if said self-diagnostic means determines that the respective spread spectrum transmitter is being provided with inaccurate signals such that the remainder of the communications system will continue to operate; and

status determining means, responsive to the power bus, for determining the status of respective ones of the plurality of subsystems from the spread spectrum data communications signals.

48. A method of monitoring a subsystem positioned on a vehicle that produces a data signal representing a status of the subsystem and a power bus which distributes electrical power to the vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

producing a data communications signal from the data signal;

communicating said data communications signal over the power bus, wherein said step of communicating comprises the steps of;

modulating the data communications signal to produce a spread spectrum data communications signal; and

superposing the spread spectrum data communications signal on the power bus; and

determining the status of the subsystem from the communicated data communications signal, wherein said step of determining comprises the steps of;

receiving the superposed spread spectrum data communications signal; and

determining the status of the subsystem from the received spread spectrum data communications signal.

49. A method according to claim 48, wherein the step of determining comprises the step of indicating said status of the subsystem to an operator of the vehicle.

50. A method according to claim 48, wherein said step of determining the status of the subsystem comprises:

producing a data-modulated digital carrier signal including a plurality of transitions from the received data communications signal; and

detecting the status of the subsystem from the transitions of said data-modulated digital carrier signal occurring during a predetermined time interval.

51. A method according to claim 48 further comprising the step of communicating a command to the subsystem wherein said communicating step comprises the steps of:

producing a data communications signal representing the command on the power bus, wherein said step of producing comprises the steps of;

modulating the data communications signal to produce a spread spectrum data communications signal; and

superposing the spread spectrum data communications signal on the power bus;

receiving the superposed spread spectrum data communications signal; and

controlling the subsystem based on the spread spectrum data communications signal.

52. A method according to claim 51, wherein said step of communicating is preceded by the step of receiving a command from an operator of the vehicle.

53. A method according to claim 51, wherein said step of controlling the subsystem comprises the step of producing a command signal from the spread spectrum data communications signal.

54. A method of monitoring a first subsystem positioned on a vehicle that produces a data signal representing a status of the first subsystem and a power bus which distributes electrical power to the vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

producing a data communications signal from the data signal;

communicating said data communications signal over the power bus, wherein said step of communicating comprises the steps of;

modulating the data communications signal to produce a spread spectrum data communications signal; and

superposing the spread spectrum data communications signal on the power bus;

protecting the spread spectrum data communications signal placed on the power bus from attenuation by second subsystems located on the vehicle; and

determining the status of the subsystem from the communicated data communications signal.