WO2021176312A1 - Trailer diagnostics - Google Patents

Trailer diagnostics Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2021176312A1
WO2021176312A1 PCT/IB2021/051610 IB2021051610W WO2021176312A1 WO 2021176312 A1 WO2021176312 A1 WO 2021176312A1 IB 2021051610 W IB2021051610 W IB 2021051610W WO 2021176312 A1 WO2021176312 A1 WO 2021176312A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
trailer
signal
diagnostics
remote control
control device
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2021/051610
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Nicolaas Johannes BOTHA
Marius VAN WYK
Dominic Gavin BLOM
Original Assignee
Berkit Led (Pty) Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Berkit Led (Pty) Ltd filed Critical Berkit Led (Pty) Ltd
Publication of WO2021176312A1 publication Critical patent/WO2021176312A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B21/00—Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for
    • G08B21/18—Status alarms
    • G08B21/24—Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/26—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
    • B60Q1/30—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating rear of vehicle, e.g. by means of reflecting surfaces
    • B60Q1/305—Indicating devices for towed vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q11/00—Arrangement of monitoring devices for devices provided for in groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q9/00
    • B60Q11/005—Arrangement of monitoring devices for devices provided for in groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q9/00 for lighting devices, e.g. indicating if lamps are burning or not
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q9/00—Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00, e.g. haptic signalling
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60T—VEHICLE BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF; BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF, IN GENERAL; ARRANGEMENT OF BRAKING ELEMENTS ON VEHICLES IN GENERAL; PORTABLE DEVICES FOR PREVENTING UNWANTED MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES; VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS TO FACILITATE COOLING OF BRAKES
    • B60T17/00—Component parts, details, or accessories of power brake systems not covered by groups B60T8/00, B60T13/00 or B60T15/00, or presenting other characteristic features
    • B60T17/18—Safety devices; Monitoring
    • B60T17/22—Devices for monitoring or checking brake systems; Signal devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60T—VEHICLE BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF; BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF, IN GENERAL; ARRANGEMENT OF BRAKING ELEMENTS ON VEHICLES IN GENERAL; PORTABLE DEVICES FOR PREVENTING UNWANTED MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES; VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS TO FACILITATE COOLING OF BRAKES
    • B60T7/00—Brake-action initiating means
    • B60T7/12—Brake-action initiating means for automatic initiation; for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger
    • B60T7/20—Brake-action initiating means for automatic initiation; for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger specially for trailers, e.g. in case of uncoupling of or overrunning by trailer
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01M17/00—Testing of vehicles
    • G01M17/007—Wheeled or endless-tracked vehicles
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B21/00—Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for
    • G08B21/18—Status alarms
    • G08B21/185—Electrical failure alarms
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B21/00—Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for
    • G08B21/18—Status alarms
    • G08B21/187—Machine fault alarms
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B25/00—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
    • G08B25/01—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium
    • G08B25/08—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium using communication transmission lines
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B25/00—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
    • G08B25/01—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium
    • G08B25/10—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium using wireless transmission systems

Definitions

  • This invention relates to trailer diagnostics.
  • the invention relates to a trailer diagnostics device, a method and system of diagnosing electrical circuits of a trailer, and a trailer diagnostics device installation.
  • the term “trailer” should be broadly interpreted to include any kind of towed vehicle.
  • a trailer diagnostics device which includes an input interface for connection to a wiring harness of a towing vehicle, the input interface operable to measure an electrical signal (current flow) in one or more electrical wires of the wiring harness operably connected to a trailer; an output interface for connection to the wiring harness of the towing vehicle, the output interface operable to apply a test signal (test voltage) to the one or more electrical wires of the wiring harness operably connected to the trailer; and a processor connected to the input interface and the output interface, the processor operable to determine the effect of the applied test signal (test voltage) on the measured electrical signal (current flow) and transmit a fault status of the one or more electrical wires to a user via an external communications interface.
  • the one or more electrical wires may carry any one or more of: a ground signal; a brake light signal; a left turn signal; a right turn signal; a tail lamp signal; a reverse lamp signal; a registration plate lamp signal; a fog lamp signal; a permanent 12V auxiliary signal for powering an auxiliary device such as an auxiliary battery; a permanent 24V auxiliary signal; a spare signal; or the like.
  • the trailer diagnostics device may be operable to receive a test control signal from the remote control device of the user via the communications channel, and in response to receiving the test control signal, apply the test signal (test voltage) to the one or more electrical wires and if applicable, transmit the fault status to the remote control device of the user.
  • the cellular network communications interface may implement any one or more of: a second generation (2G) Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) protocol; a third generation (3G) Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) protocol; a fourth generation (4G) Long Term Evolution (LTE) protocol; a fifth generation (5G) New Radio (NR) protocol; and the like.
  • 2G Global System for Mobile Communications
  • 3G Universal Mobile Telecommunications System
  • UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunications System
  • 4G Long Term Evolution
  • NR New Radio
  • the trailer diagnostics device in use, and in case of detecting a turn signal fault, is operable to respond by applying an intermittent tail lamp signal, causing a tail lamp of the trailer to flash upon depressing of a respective turn indicator of the towing vehicle.
  • the trailer diagnostics device is operable to respond by applying turn signals, causing both turn indicators of the trailer to activate.
  • the processor may be operable to host a web server, accessible by the browser-based software application.
  • the method may include monitoring the fault status of the one or more electrical wires, and in response to detecting a fault on at least one of the wires, apply a signal (voltage) to at least another of the wires.
  • the trailer diagnostics system may include one or more sensors installed on the electrical system of a trailer.
  • reference numeral (10) denotes, generally, an embodiment of a trailer diagnostics system which includes a trailer diagnostics device (12) for operatively diagnosing electrical circuits of a trailer (20).
  • the one or more electrical wires carry: a ground signal; a left turn signal; a right turn signal; a tail lamp signal; a reverse lamp signal; a registration plate lamp signal; a fog lamp signal; a permanent 12V auxiliary signal for powering an auxiliary device such as an auxiliary battery; a permanent 24V auxiliary signal; and a spare signal.
  • the fault status (46) of the one or more electrical wires (15) is transmitted to the user (38) at the mobile device software application (34) of the user device (36) via the external communications interface (32) and the communications channel (44).
  • the mobile device software application (34) includes a checklist (48) to facilitate the user’s input of the test control signal and reporting of the fault status (46) to the user (38).
  • the inventors believe that the invention provides a novel device, system and method of monitoring and diagnosing various faults on towed vehicles which can be retrofitted and which is easy to use.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Telephonic Communication Services (AREA)

Abstract

The invention provides a trailer diagnostics device. The device includes an input interface for connection to a wiring harness of a towing vehicle. The input interface is operable to measure an electrical signal (current flow) in one or more electrical wires of the wiring harness operably connected to a trailer. The device also includes an output interface for connection to the wiring harness. The output interface is operable to apply a test signal (test voltage) to the one or more electrical wires of the wiring harness operably connected to the trailer. The device further includes a processor which is connected to the input interface and the output interface. The processor is operable to determine the effect of the applied test signal (test voltage) on the measured electrical signal (current flow) and transmit a fault status of the one or more electrical wires to a user via an external communications interface.

Description

TRAILER DIAGNOSTICS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to trailer diagnostics. In particular, the invention relates to a trailer diagnostics device, a method and system of diagnosing electrical circuits of a trailer, and a trailer diagnostics device installation.
The invention is expected to be particularly advantageously applicable to towed vehicles, such as trailers and recreational vehicles, for example caravans. Accordingly, such applications should particularly, but not exclusively, be borne in mind when considering this specification.
In this specification, the term “trailer” should be broadly interpreted to include any kind of towed vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The inventor is aware of on-board vehicle diagnostics system that report driven vehicle electrical faults to drivers. However, such systems are limited to reporting faults on the driven vehicle and such reporting is limited to a display of diagnostics information on the dashboard of the vehicles. The present invention aims to provide a device, system and method of monitoring and diagnosing faults on towed vehicles.
Reference in this specification to "fault status" should not be interpreted that there is indeed a fault being detected on one of the electrical wires, but rather that if no fault is detected that the fault status would be clear. Therefore, the term "fault status" may also be interpreted as "status".
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a trailer diagnostics device, which includes an input interface for connection to a wiring harness of a towing vehicle, the input interface operable to measure an electrical signal (current flow) in one or more electrical wires of the wiring harness operably connected to a trailer; an output interface for connection to the wiring harness of the towing vehicle, the output interface operable to apply a test signal (test voltage) to the one or more electrical wires of the wiring harness operably connected to the trailer; and a processor connected to the input interface and the output interface, the processor operable to determine the effect of the applied test signal (test voltage) on the measured electrical signal (current flow) and transmit a fault status of the one or more electrical wires to a user via an external communications interface.
The one or more electrical wires may carry any one or more of: a ground signal; a brake light signal; a left turn signal; a right turn signal; a tail lamp signal; a reverse lamp signal; a registration plate lamp signal; a fog lamp signal; a permanent 12V auxiliary signal for powering an auxiliary device such as an auxiliary battery; a permanent 24V auxiliary signal; a spare signal; or the like.
The trailer diagnostics device may be operable, via the external communications interface, to transmit the fault status to a remote control device of the user via a communications channel.
The trailer diagnostics device may be operable to receive a test control signal from the remote control device of the user via the communications channel, and in response to receiving the test control signal, apply the test signal (test voltage) to the one or more electrical wires and if applicable, transmit the fault status to the remote control device of the user.
The external communications interface may include a wireless external communications interface operable to transmit the fault status to and receive the test control signal from the remote control device of the user via the communications channel. The external communications interface may be in the form of a radio frequency interface. The wireless external communications interface may include, but is not limited to, a short-range wireless communications interface implementing, for example, a Bluetooth™ protocol; a medium-range wireless interface implementing a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) protocol; and a cellular network communications interface.
The cellular network communications interface may implement any one or more of: a second generation (2G) Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) protocol; a third generation (3G) Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) protocol; a fourth generation (4G) Long Term Evolution (LTE) protocol; a fifth generation (5G) New Radio (NR) protocol; and the like.
The wireless external communications interface may be operable to establish a local area wireless network or hotspot for operative connection to the remote control device of the user.
The input interface and the output interface of the trailer diagnostics device may include voltage buffer circuitry for operatively shielding the wiring harness of the towing vehicle from voltage surges in the trailer diagnostics device.
The output interface of the trailer diagnostics device may include one or more power switches for operatively applying the test signal (test voltage) to the one or more electrical wires of the wiring harness.
The trailer diagnostics device may be operable to monitor the fault status of the one or more electrical wires, and in response to detecting a fault on at least one of the wires, applying a signal (voltage) to at least another of the wires. The monitoring of the fault status may be iterated at set intervals to provide continuous monitoring of the one or more electrical wires.
For example, in one embodiment of the invention in use, and in case of detecting a brake light signal fault during daytime, the trailer diagnostics device is operable to respond by applying a tail lamp signal, causing tail lamps of the trailer to activate upon depressing of a brake pedal of the towing vehicle. In another embodiment and in case of detecting a brake light signal fault at night, the trailer diagnostics device is operable to respond by applying an intermittent tail lamp signal, causing tail lamps of the trailer to flash upon depressing of a brake pedal of the towing vehicle.
Likewise, according to another embodiment of the invention in use, and in case of detecting a turn signal fault, the trailer diagnostics device is operable to respond by applying an intermittent tail lamp signal, causing a tail lamp of the trailer to flash upon depressing of a respective turn indicator of the towing vehicle.
According to yet another embodiment, and in case of detecting a tail lamp signal fault, the trailer diagnostics device is operable to respond by applying turn signals, causing both turn indicators of the trailer to activate.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of diagnosing electrical circuits of a trailer, the method including the steps of: providing a trailer diagnostics device, as hereinbefore described, being operatively installed on a wiring harness of a towing vehicle; applying a test signal (test voltage) to one or more electrical wires of the wiring harness of the towing vehicle via the output interface of the trailer diagnostics device; measuring an electrical signal (current flow) in the one or more electrical wires of the wiring harness via the input interface of the trailer diagnostics device; determining the effect of the applied test signal (test voltage) on the measured electrical signal (current flow); and transmitting a fault status of the one or more electrical wires to a user via the external communications interface of the trailer diagnostics device.
Transmitting a fault status of the one or more electrical wires to a user may include transmitting the fault status to a remote control device of the user via the communications channel. The fault status may be transmitted to a remote control device software application installed on the remote control device and in data communication with the trailer diagnostics device.
The remote control device may include a mobile device, for example a mobile phone. The remote control device software application may include any one or more of: a mobile device application such as an Android™ or iOS™ software application; and a browser-based software application. The browser-based software application may provide a Hypertext Mark-up Language (HTML) interface for facilitating communications between the browser-based software application and the processor of the trailer diagnostics device.
The processor may be operable to host a web server, accessible by the browser-based software application.
The method may include transmitting the fault status to the remote control device of the user in response to receiving a test control signal from the remote control device software application operatively installed on the remote control device of the user. The remote control device software application may include a Graphical User Interface (GUI) for the user’s inputting of the test control signal and reporting of the fault status to the user.
Advantageously, the remote control device software application may include a checklist to facilitate the user’s input of the test control signal and reporting of the fault status to the user.
The method may include monitoring the fault status of the one or more electrical wires, and in response to detecting a fault on at least one of the wires, apply a signal (voltage) to at least another of the wires.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a trailer diagnostics system for implementing the method, as described above, which includes a trailer diagnostics device, as hereinbefore described; and a remote control device having installed thereon the remote control device software application as hereinbefore described, the system being operable to:
• apply a test signal (test voltage) to one or more electrical wires of a wiring harness of a towing vehicle via the output interface of the trailer diagnostics device; • measure an electrical signal (current flow) in the one or more electrical wires of the wiring harness via the input interface of the trailer diagnostics device;
• determine the effect of the applied test signal (test voltage) on the measured electrical signal (current flow); and
• transmit a fault status of the one or more electrical wires to a user at the remote control device software application via the external communications interface of the trailer diagnostics device and the communications channel.
The trailer diagnostics system may include one or more sensors installed on the electrical system of a trailer.
The one or more sensors may be remotely connected and in data communication with any one or more of: the trailer diagnostics device; and the remote control device for providing operative fault reporting of the one or more sensors to the remote control device software application installed on the remote control device of the user. The remote control device may be a mobile phone.
The one or more sensors may include any one or more of: a tyre pressure sensor and a wheel theft sensor.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a trailer diagnostics device installation, wherein a trailer diagnostics device as hereinbefore described is installed on a towing vehicle to which a trailer is operatively hitched.
The trailer diagnostics device may be installed by connecting the input interface of the trailer diagnostics device to any one or more of: a trailer connector of a towing vehicle; a wiring harness of a towing vehicle; a network bus of a towing vehicle, for example a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus; a prepared, proprietary connector of a towing vehicle designed to accept a specifically designed towing module; and a bypass system of a towing vehicle.
The invention is now described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic figures. FIGURE(S)
In the figure(s):
Figure 1 illustrates, schematically, a trailer diagnostics system featuring a trailer diagnostics device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 shows a step-by-step diagram illustrating a method of diagnosing electrical circuits of a trailer according to another embodiment of the invention; and
Figure 3 shows example screenshots of a Graphical User Interface (GUI) of the mobile device software application according to another aspect of the invention.
In the figures, like reference numerals denote like parts of the invention unless otherwise indicated.
EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
In Figure 1 , reference numeral (10) denotes, generally, an embodiment of a trailer diagnostics system which includes a trailer diagnostics device (12) for operatively diagnosing electrical circuits of a trailer (20).
Referring to the trailer diagnostics device (12), the device (12) includes: an input interface (26) for connection to a wiring harness (16) of a towing vehicle (14), the input interface (26) operable to measure an electrical signal (current flow) (24) in one or more electrical wires (15) of the wiring harness (16) operably connected to the trailer (20) via a trailer connector (18); an output interface (28) for connection to the wiring harness (16) of the towing vehicle (14), the output interface (28) operable to apply a test signal (test voltage) (22) to the one or more electrical wires (15) of the wiring harness (16) operably connected to the trailer (20); and a processor (30) in the form of a microcontroller connected to the input and output interfaces (26) and (28), the processor (30) operable to determine the effect of the applied test signal (22) on the measured electrical signal (24) and transmit a fault status (46) on the one or more electrical wires (15) to a user (38) via an external communications interface (32). In use, the one or more electrical wires (15) carry: a ground signal; a left turn signal; a right turn signal; a tail lamp signal; a reverse lamp signal; a registration plate lamp signal; a fog lamp signal; a permanent 12V auxiliary signal for powering an auxiliary device such as an auxiliary battery; a permanent 24V auxiliary signal; and a spare signal.
Referring to the trailer diagnostics system (10), the trailer diagnostics device (12) is operable to transmit the fault status (46) to a remote control device (36) of the user (38) via a communications channel (44) which comprises a cellular network (42) and the Internet (40).
The trailer diagnostics device (12) is operable to receive a test control signal from the remote control device (36) of the user (38) via the communications channel (44), and in response to receiving the test control signal, apply the test signal (test voltage) (22) to the one or more electrical wires (15) and transmit the fault status (46) to the remote control device (36) of the user (38).
In this embodiment of the invention, the external communications interface (32) is a wireless external communications interface operable to transmit the fault status (46) to and receive the test control signal from the remote control device (36) of the user (38) via the communications channel (44). To this end, the wireless external communications interface (32) includes any one or combination of: a short- range wireless communications interface implementing a Bluetooth™ protocol, a medium-range wireless interface implementing a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) protocol, and a cellular network communications interface implementing, for example, a fourth generation (4G) Long Term Evolution (LTE) protocol. It should be appreciated that the external wireless communications interface (32) in its Wi-Fi embodiment is operable to establish a wireless network or so-called “Hotspot” for operative connection of the trailer diagnostics device (12) to the remote control device (36) of the user (38).
The input (26) and output (28) interfaces of the trailer diagnostics device (12) include voltage buffer circuitry (not shown here) for operatively shielding the wiring harness (16) of the towing vehicle (14) from the device (12). The output interface (28) of the trailer diagnostics device (12) includes one or more power switches (not shown here) for operatively applying the test signal (test voltage) (22) to the one or more electrical wires (15) of the wiring harness (16). It is to be appreciated that the power switches may be in the form of mechanical switches, solid state switches or other semi conductor switching devices.
In this embodiment of the trailer diagnostics system (10), the remote control device (36) of the user (38) is a mobile device in the form of a smart phone having installed thereon a remote control software application (34) in the form of a browser-based software application.
With reference to Figure 2, reference numeral (50) denotes, generally, a method of diagnosing electrical circuits of a trailer in accordance with another aspect of the invention.
At step 501, the user (38) transmits a test control signal from the mobile device software application (34) installed on the mobile device (36) to the trailer diagnostics device (12) via the communications channel (44) and the external communications interface (32) of the device (12). To this end, the mobile device software application (34) has a Graphical User Interface (GUI) for the user’s inputting of the test control signal and reporting of the fault status (46) to the user (38).
Next, at step 502. and in response to receiving the test control signal at the trailer diagnostics device (12), a test signal (test voltage) (22) is applied to one or more electrical wires (15) of a wiring harness (16) of the towing vehicle (14) via the output interface (28) of the trailer diagnostics device (12).
At step 503. an electrical signal (current flow) (24) is measured in the one or more electrical wires (15) of the wiring harness (16) via the input interface (26) of the trailer diagnostics device (12) and the effect of the applied test signal (test voltage) (22) on the measured signal (24) is determined by the processor (30) at step
504. Next, at step 505. the fault status (46) of the one or more electrical wires (15) is transmitted to the user (38) at the mobile device software application (34) of the user device (36) via the external communications interface (32) and the communications channel (44). Advantageously, the mobile device software application (34) includes a checklist (48) to facilitate the user’s input of the test control signal and reporting of the fault status (46) to the user (38).
It should be appreciated that the trailer diagnostics system (10) of Figure 1 includes one or more sensors installed on the electrical system of a trailer (20) that are not shown here. The one or more sensors are remotely connected and in data communication with the mobile device software application (34) of the remote control device in the form of the mobile device (36) for providing operative fault reporting of the one or more sensors to the mobile device software application (34). The one or more sensors include a tyre pressure sensor and a spare wheel theft sensor.
Lastly turning to Figure 3, reference numeral (60) denotes example screenshots of the GUI of the mobile device software application (34). In the figure, screenshot (62) exemplifies a mobile device application dashboard in use, screenshot (64) exemplifies the submitting of the test control signal by the user (38) in use, screenshot (66) exemplifies the reporting of auxiliary battery status in use, whilst screenshot (68) shows the reporting of the fault status of the tyre pressure sensor in use.
The inventors believe that the invention provides a novel device, system and method of monitoring and diagnosing various faults on towed vehicles which can be retrofitted and which is easy to use.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1. A trailer diagnostics device, which includes an input interface for connection to a wiring harness of a towing vehicle, the input interface operable to measure an electrical signal (current flow) in one or more electrical wires of the wiring harness operably connected to a trailer; an output interface for connection to the wiring harness of the towing vehicle, the output interface operable to apply a test signal (test voltage) to the one or more electrical wires of the wiring harness operably connected to the trailer; and a processor connected to the input interface and the output interface, the processor operable to determine the effect of the applied test signal (test voltage) on the measured electrical signal (current flow) and transmit a fault status of the one or more electrical wires to a user via an external communications interface.
2. The trailer diagnostics device as claimed in claim 1 , in which the one or more electrical wires carry any one or more of: a ground signal; a brake light signal; a left turn signal; a right turn signal; a tail lamp signal; a reverse lamp signal; a registration plate lamp signal; a fog lamp signal; a permanent 12V auxiliary signal for powering an auxiliary device such as an auxiliary battery; a permanent 24V auxiliary signal; and a spare signal.
3. The trailer diagnostics device as claimed in claim 1, which is operable, via the external communications interface, to transmit the fault status to a remote control device of the user via a communications channel.
4. The trailer diagnostics device as claimed in claim 3, which is operable to receive a test control signal from the remote control device of the user via the communications channel, and in response to apply the test signal (test voltage) to the one or more electrical wires and if applicable, transmit the fault status to the remote control device of the user.
5. The trailer diagnostics device as claimed in claim 3, in which the external communications interface includes a wireless external communications interface operable to transmit the fault status to and receive the test control signal from the remote control device of the user via the communications channel.
6. The trailer diagnostics device as claimed in claim 1 , in which the external communications interface is in the form of a radio frequency interface.
7. The trailer diagnostics device as claimed in claim 5, in which the wireless external communications interface includes any one or more of: a short-range wireless communications interface implementing a Bluetooth™ protocol; a medium-range wireless interface implementing a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) protocol; and a cellular network communications interface.
8. The trailer diagnostics device as claimed in claim 7, in which the cellular network communications interface implements any one or more of: a second generation (2G) Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) protocol; a third generation (3G) Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) protocol; a fourth generation (4G) Long Term Evolution (LTE) protocol; and a fifth generation (5G) New Radio (NR) protocol.
9. The trailer diagnostics device as claimed in claim 5, in which the wireless external communications interface is operable to establish a local area wireless network for operative connection to the remote control device of the user.
10. The trailer diagnostics device as claimed in claim 1, in which the input interface and the output interface include voltage buffer circuitry for operatively shielding the wiring harness of the towing vehicle from voltage surges in the trailer diagnostics device.
11. The trailer diagnostics device as claimed in claim 1 , in which the output interface includes one or more power switches for operatively applying the test signal (test voltage) to the one or more electrical wires of the wiring harness.
12. The trailer diagnostics device as claimed in claim 1 , which is operable to monitor the fault status of the one or more electrical wires, and in response to detecting a fault on at least one of the wires, apply a signal (voltage) to at least another of the wires.
13. The trailer diagnostics device as claimed in claim 12, which upon detecting a brake light signal fault during daytime, is operable to respond by applying a tail lamp signal, causing tail lamps of the trailer to activate upon depressing of a brake pedal of the towing vehicle.
14. The trailer diagnostics device as claimed in claim 12, which upon detecting a brake light signal fault at night, is operable to respond by applying an intermittent tail lamp signal, causing tail lamps of the trailer to flash upon depressing of a brake pedal of the towing vehicle.
15. The trailer diagnostics device as claimed in claim 12, which upon detecting a turn signal fault, is operable to respond by applying an intermittent tail lamp signal, causing a tail lamp of the vehicle to flash upon depressing of a respective turn indicator of the towing vehicle.
16. The trailer diagnostics device as claimed in claim 12, which upon detecting a tail lamp signal fault, is operable to respond by applying turn signals, causing both turn indicators of the trailer to activate.
17. A method of diagnosing electrical circuits of a trailer, the method including the steps of: providing a trailer diagnostics device, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16, being operatively installed on a wiring harness of a towing vehicle; applying a test signal (test voltage) to one or more electrical wires of the wiring harness of the towing vehicle via the output interface of the trailer diagnostics device; measuring an electrical signal (current flow) in the one or more electrical wires of the wiring harness via the input interface of the trailer diagnostics device; determining the effect of the applied test signal (test voltage) on the measured electrical signal (current flow); and transmitting a fault status of the one or more electrical wires to a user via the external communications interface of the trailer diagnostics device.
18. The method as claimed in claim 17, in which transmitting a fault status of the one or more electrical wires to a user includes transmitting the fault status to a remote control device of the user via the communications channel.
19. The method as claimed in claim 18, in which the fault status is transmitted to a remote control device software application installed on the remote control device which is in data communication with the trailer diagnostics device.
20. The method as claimed in claim 18, in which the remote control device is in the form of a mobile device.
21. The method as claimed in claim 19, in which the remote control device software application includes any one or more of: a mobile device application selected from an Android™ software application or an iOS™ software application; and a browser-based software application.
22. The method as claimed in claim 21, in which the browser-based software application provides a Hypertext Mark-up Language (HTML) interface for facilitating communications between the browser-based software application and the processor of the trailer diagnostics device.
23. The method as claimed in claim 22, in which the processor is operable to host a web server, accessible by the browser-based software application on the remote control device.
24. The method as claimed in claim 19, which includes transmitting the fault status to the remote control device of the user in response to receiving a test control signal from the remote control device software application operatively installed on the remote control device of the user.
25. The method as claimed in claim 24, in which the remote control device software application includes a Graphical User Interface (GUI) for the user’s inputting of the test control signal and reporting of the fault status to the user.
26. The method as claimed in claim 19, in which the remote control device software application includes a checklist to facilitate the user’s input of the test control signal and reporting of the fault status to the user.
27. The method as claimed in claim 17, which includes monitoring the fault status of the one or more electrical wires, and in response to detecting a fault on at least one of the wires, applying a signal (voltage) to at least another of the wires.
28. The method as claimed in claim 27, in which monitoring the fault status is iterated at set intervals to provide continuous monitoring of the one or more electrical wires.
29. A trailer diagnostics system for implementing the method, as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 28, which includes a trailer diagnostics device, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16; and a remote control device having installed thereon a remote control device software application, the trailer diagnostics system being operable to:
• apply a test signal (test voltage) to one or more electrical wires of a wiring harness of a towing vehicle via the output interface of the trailer diagnostics device;
• measure an electrical signal (current flow) in the one or more electrical wires of the wiring harness via the input interface of the trailer diagnostics device;
• determine the effect of the applied test signal (test voltage) on the measured electrical signal (current flow); and
• transmit a fault status of the one or more electrical wires to a user at the remote control device software application via the external communications interface of the trailer diagnostics device and the communications channel.
30. The trailer diagnostics system as claimed in claim 29, which includes one or more sensors installed on the electrical system of a trailer.
31. The trailer diagnostics system as claimed in claim 30, in which the one or more sensors are remotely connected and in data communication with any one or more of: the trailer diagnostics device and the remote control device; for providing operative fault reporting of the one or more sensors to the remote control device software application installed on the remote control device of the user.
32. The trailer diagnostics system as claimed in claim 29, in which the remote control device is a mobile phone.
33. The trailer diagnostics system as claimed in claim 30, in which the one or more sensors include any one or more of: a tyre pressure sensor and a wheel theft sensor.
34. A trailer diagnostics device installation, wherein a trailer diagnostics device, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16, is installed on a towing vehicle to which a trailer is operatively hitched.
35. The trailer diagnostics device installation as claimed in claim 34, in which the trailer diagnostics device is installed by connecting the input interface of the trailer diagnostics device to any one or more of: a trailer connector of a towing vehicle; a wiring harness of a towing vehicle; a network bus of a towing vehicle; a prepared, proprietary connector of a towing vehicle designed to accept a specifically designed towing module; and a bypass system of a towing vehicle.
36. A trailer diagnostics device as claimed in claim 1 , substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.
37. A method of diagnosing electrical circuits of a trailer as claimed in claim 17, substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.
38. A trailer diagnostics system for implementing the method as claimed in claim 29, substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.
39. A trailer diagnostics device installation as claimed in claim 34, substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.
PCT/IB2021/051610 2020-02-28 2021-02-26 Trailer diagnostics WO2021176312A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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ZA2020/01276 2020-02-28
ZA202001276 2020-02-28

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Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4380718A (en) * 1981-05-22 1983-04-19 Kelsey-Hayes Co. Trailer marker light substitution circuit
US5680098A (en) * 1995-09-27 1997-10-21 Ford Motor Company Circuit for compensating for failure of a light source in an automotive vehicle
US7124003B1 (en) * 2004-09-24 2006-10-17 Fifth Wheel Diagnostics, Llc Diagnostics device for testing electrical circuits of a recreational vehicle
US20170011561A1 (en) * 2015-07-09 2017-01-12 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Connected services for vehicle diagnostics and repairs
US20170116795A1 (en) * 2013-08-13 2017-04-27 Prairie Innovators Llc Intelligent towing plug
US20170249702A1 (en) * 2009-08-19 2017-08-31 Allstate Insurance Company Assistance on the go
US20190111984A2 (en) * 2016-10-07 2019-04-18 Phillips Connect Technologies Llc Smart trailer system
US20200041556A1 (en) * 2018-08-02 2020-02-06 Jason Hamila Apparatus for testing trailer functions

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4380718A (en) * 1981-05-22 1983-04-19 Kelsey-Hayes Co. Trailer marker light substitution circuit
US5680098A (en) * 1995-09-27 1997-10-21 Ford Motor Company Circuit for compensating for failure of a light source in an automotive vehicle
US7124003B1 (en) * 2004-09-24 2006-10-17 Fifth Wheel Diagnostics, Llc Diagnostics device for testing electrical circuits of a recreational vehicle
US20170249702A1 (en) * 2009-08-19 2017-08-31 Allstate Insurance Company Assistance on the go
US20170116795A1 (en) * 2013-08-13 2017-04-27 Prairie Innovators Llc Intelligent towing plug
US20170011561A1 (en) * 2015-07-09 2017-01-12 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Connected services for vehicle diagnostics and repairs
US20190111984A2 (en) * 2016-10-07 2019-04-18 Phillips Connect Technologies Llc Smart trailer system
US20200041556A1 (en) * 2018-08-02 2020-02-06 Jason Hamila Apparatus for testing trailer functions

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