Abstract: Various examples of park brake interface modules which are utilized as human machine interfaces (HMI) in vehicles are provided. In one example, a park brake interface module for a vehicle includes an actuation member mounted to an electromechanical switch to actuate the park brake. The actuation member includes a finger pad opposite the front surface and the actuation member is movable between a brake apply position and a brake release position to actuate the vehicle park brake. In another example, the actuation member is pivotally mounted to the electromechanical switch device and the actuation member is pivotable between the brake apply position and the brake release positions to actuate the park brake.

Abstract: A device operatively couples a tractor ABS controller with TABS controllers in units towed by the tractor. A PLC interface circuit of the device communicates messages received from a PLC network of the towed units to a CAN network of the tractor via a CAN interface circuit. The device may also rebroadcast messages received from the PLC network back onto the PLC network, and may also wirelessly broadcast messages received from the PLC network back onto a wireless network. The device receives messages from the towed units at a message rate, determines a quantity of towed units from the message rate, and communicates the determined quantity of towed units on the CAN network of the tractor. The device receives messages indicating towed unit identification (ID) information, determines a quantity of towed units from the towed unit ID information, and communicates the determined quantity of towed units on the CAN network.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the speed and direction of rotation of a wheel in a vehicle are provided. The system includes a tone wheel configured for rotation with the vehicle wheel and a wheel speed sensor facing the tone wheel. The sensor generates different pluralities of phase-shifted signals responsive to rotation of the tone wheel depending on the direction of rotation of the vehicle wheel. A controller receives one of the pluralities of phase-shifted signals from the sensor, receives a direction signal indicative of the direction of rotation of the vehicle wheel from a source other than the sensor, and associates the plurality of phase-shifted signals with the direction of rotation of the vehicle wheel indicated by the direction signal in a memory.

Abstract: A parking brake apparatus is provided for a vehicle having components of a parking brake system. The parking brake apparatus comprises a parking brake controller arranged to (i) obtain a first signal indicative of whether a hill start assist system is installed on the vehicle, and (ii) provide one or more control signals to be applied to components of the parking brake system to apply parking brakes when the first signal is indicative of a hill start assist system installed on the vehicle is present and a second signal indicative of the hill start assist system being activated is received.

Abstract: A control system and method for controlling a vehicle subsystem are provided. The control system includes a remote parameter sensor configured to generate a remote parameter signal indicative of a value of a universal parameter associated with an environment in which a vehicle is operating. The system further includes a local parameter sensor configured to generate a local parameter signal indicative of the value of the universal parameter and a local controller. The controller is configured to receive the local parameter signal along a first signal path, receive the remote parameter signal and a command signal configured for controlling a function of the vehicle subsystem along a second signal path, compare the local and remote parameter signals and implement the function of the vehicle subsystem responsive to the command signal if the remote parameter signal meets a predetermined condition relative to the local parameter signal.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a vehicle wheel brake are provided. The system includes one or more inertial sensors disposed within a handle coupled to, and configured for movement relative to, a fixed reference frame in the vehicle between a neutral position and one or more input positions. Each sensor generates an inertial measurement signal indicative of a value of an inertial measurement associated with movement of the handle and sensor between the neutral and input positions. A controller receives the signals, identifies a turning point in a rate of change of the value of one of the inertial measurement indicated by the signals, and generates an operator command signal when the value meets a predetermined condition. The operator command signal is configured to cause one of application or release of the wheel brake.

Abstract: An operator interface for a wheel brake control system in a vehicle includes a handle configured for coupling to a fixed reference frame in the vehicle. The handle is configured for movement relative to the fixed reference frame about a pivot axis between a neutral position and one or more input positions. One or more inertial sensors are disposed within the handle. Each sensor is configured to generate an inertial measurement signal indicative of a value of a corresponding inertial measurement associated with movement of the handle and the sensor between the neutral position and the input positions. A controller disposed within the handle is configured to generate an operator command signal responsive to the inertial measurement signals. The operator command signal is configured to cause application or release of a brake in the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for modifying a brake application of a combination vehicle comprises receiving a temperature signal of a first brake pad of a first brake assembly and receiving a temperature signal representative of a temperature of a second brake pad of a second brake assembly. The temperatures are compared to a first predetermined temperature. The method will determine if service brakes are being applied by a driver and compare a wheel speed of one axle of the tractor with the wheel speed of a second axle of the tractor of the combination vehicle. The method will determine a brake drag exists in response to both the first and the second brake pad temperature being greater than the first predetermined temperature, the first axle wheel speed being less than the second axle wheel speed and the service brakes not being applied by the driver.

Abstract: A system and method for pre-trip inspection of a tractor trailer are provided. The system includes a communications gateway configured for electronic communication with a vehicle control system of the tractor-trailer and a computing device configured for communication with the vehicle control system through the communications gateway. The device is configured to display an instruction to a user to perform a task of the pre-trip inspection and receive an input associated with the task from the user. The input is indicative of an operating characteristic of the tractor-trailer. The device may be further configured to determine whether the operating characteristic meets a predetermined condition. The device is further configured to transmit an instruction to the vehicle control system through the communications gateway when the operating characteristic does not meet the predetermined condition. The instruction establishes a restriction on operation of the tractor-trailer.

Abstract: A method for modifying a brake application of a combination vehicle comprises receiving a temperature signal of a first brake pad of a first brake assembly and receiving a temperature signal representative of a temperature of a second brake pad of a second brake assembly. The temperatures are compared to a first predetermined temperature. The method will determine if service brakes of the trailer are being applied by a driver and compare a wheel speed of the trailer with the wheel speed of a tractor of the combination vehicle. The method will determine a brake drag exists on the trailer in response to both the first and the second brake pad temperature being greater than the first predetermined temperature, the trailer wheel speed being less than the tractor wheel speed and the service brakes not being applied by the driver.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a trailer parking brake status indicator in a tractor is provided that allow an operator to deactivate the indicator when the tractor is operating without a trailer using a pre-existing operator interface. The apparatus includes means for determining whether a trailer is coupled to the tractor and a controller configured to execute, when a determination whether the trailer is coupled to the tractor cannot be made, a process for controlling activation and deactivation of the indicator. The process includes determining whether a speed of the tractor meets a predetermined condition relative to a predetermined speed. The process further includes monitoring, after determining that the speed of the tractor meets the predetermined condition relative to the predetermined speed, for an activation command to activate a parking brake on the trailer. The process further includes deactivating the trailer parking brake status indicator responsive to the activation command.

Abstract: A system and method for pre-trip inspection of a tractor trailer are provided. The system includes a communications gateway configured for electronic communication with a vehicle control system of the tractor-trailer and a computing device configured for communication with the vehicle control system through the communications gateway. The device is configured to display an instruction to a user to perform a task of the pre-trip inspection and receive an input associated with the task from the user. The input is indicative of an operating characteristic of the tractor-trailer. The device may be further configured to determine whether the operating characteristic meets a predetermined condition. The device is further configured to transmit an instruction to the vehicle control system through the communications gateway when the operating characteristic does not meet the predetermined condition. The instruction establishes a restriction on operation of the tractor-trailer.

Abstract: A method for modifying a brake application of a combination vehicle comprises receiving a temperature signal of a first brake pad of a first brake assembly and receiving a temperature signal representative of a temperature of a second brake pad of a second brake assembly. The temperatures are compared to a first predetermined temperature. The method will determine if service brakes of the trailer are being applied by a driver and compare a wheel speed of the trailer with the wheel speed of a tractor of the combination vehicle. The method will determine a brake drag exists on the trailer in response to both the first and the second brake pad temperature being greater than the first predetermined temperature, the trailer wheel speed being less than the tractor wheel speed and the service brakes not being applied by the driver.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a controller for controlling at least one solenoid comprise a first electrical connector for electrically communicating with a vehicle communications bus; a second electrical connector for transmitting messages to a plurality of solenoids; and a processor having control logic. The control logic is capable of associating each of a plurality of solenoids with a vehicle function when the plurality of solenoids are in electrical communication with the controller; receiving a control message at the first electrical connector in a first format to enable a first vehicle function; and electrically communicating a control message in a second format at the second electrical connector in response to receiving the control message in the first format to control one of the plurality of solenoids associated with the first vehicle function.

Abstract: An electronic controller includes a first electrical input, receiving electrical power of a first voltage for powering the electronic controller, and a second electrical input, receiving an electrical power line communication signal at a second voltage. The second voltage is different than the first voltage. The power line communication signal is received from a second electronic controller that is powered by electrical power of the second voltage.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a controller for controlling at least one solenoid comprise a first electrical connector for electrically communicating with a vehicle communications bus; a second electrical connector for transmitting messages to a plurality of solenoids; and a processor having control logic. The control logic is capable of associating each of a plurality of solenoids with a vehicle function when the plurality of solenoids are in electrical communication with the controller; receiving a control message at the first electrical connector in a first format to enable a first vehicle function; and electrically communicating a control message in a second format at the second electrical connector in response to receiving the control message in the first format to control one of the plurality of solenoids associated with the first vehicle function.

Abstract: Various examples of a controller and system for transmitting and indicating a fault in a combination vehicle are disclosed. A first towed vehicle controller comprises a communications port and a processor with control logic. The control logic determines the status of the first towed vehicle, receives fault messages on an associated vehicle communications bus, and transmits fault messages and status messages on the associated vehicle communications bus. When the control logic receives a fault message from an associated second towed vehicle controller on the associated vehicle communications bus, the control logic transmits the fault message of the associated second towed vehicle controller to the associated vehicle communications bus. The first towed vehicle controller may transmit the fault message at a first period in time, which is different than the second period in time in which the second towed vehicle controller transmitted the fault message.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling communications between members of a tractor-trailer along a power line extending between the members are provided. The system includes an input signal conditioning circuit including an amplifier and conditioning stage configured to convert an analog input signal from the power line to a digital input signal. The system further includes a controller configured to receive the digital input signal, identify a communication protocol for the analog input signal from among a plurality of communication protocols responsive to the digital input signal and decode the digital input signal using the communication protocol. The controller may also identify a communication protocol for an output signal on the power line from among the plurality of communication protocols and encode a digital communication using the communication protocol.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a controller for controlling at least one solenoid comprise a first electrical connector for electrically communicating with a vehicle communications bus; a second electrical connector for transmitting messages to a plurality of solenoids; and a processor having control logic. The control logic is capable of associating each of a plurality of solenoids with a vehicle function when the plurality of solenoids are in electrical communication with the controller; receiving a control message at the first electrical connector in a first format to enable a first vehicle function; and electrically communicating a control message in a second format at the second electrical connector in response to receiving the control message in the first format to control one of the plurality of solenoids associated with the first vehicle function.

Abstract: Various examples of park brake interface modules which are utilized as human machine interfaces (HMI) in vehicles are provided. In one example, a park brake interface module for a vehicle includes a park brake switch device to actuate the park brake. The park brake switch device is capable of actuating the vehicle park brake in a brake apply mode upon receipt of a pinch signal. In another example, the park brake interface module includes a park brake switch device which is capable of actuating the vehicle park brake in a brake release mode upon receipt of a reach signal. In operation, the electronic interface module and park brake switch devices allow the operator to apply or release the vehicle park brakes according to memorable mnemonics, for example. “pinch to park” and “reach to release.