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 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: 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.

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: Various embodiments of an apparatus, system and method for transmitting and indicating a fault in a combination vehicle are disclosed. A first towed vehicle controller comprises a processor with control logic capable of receiving fault messages and status messages on an associated vehicle communications bus; determining the status and faults of the first towed vehicle; and transmitting 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 at a second period in time, the control logic transmits the fault message of the associated second towed vehicle controller to the associated vehicle communications bus at a first period in time, different than the second period in time.

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: A system for determining the length of a road train includes controllers on both towing and towed vehicles. Each controller may transmit a vehicle length and GPS coordinates in a specified wireless message format. The towing vehicle controller receives a first wireless message from the towed vehicle controller. The wireless message includes at least one of a speed of the towed vehicle, a length of the towed vehicle and GPS coordinates of the towed vehicle. The towing vehicle controller determines if the towed vehicle transmitting the message is coupled to the towed vehicle and then adds the length of the towed vehicle to the length of the towing vehicle to attain an overall length of the road train in response to the determination that the towed vehicle transmitting the wireless message is coupled to the towing vehicle. The towing vehicle controller then transmits the overall length of the road train.

Abstract: A secondary parking apparatus is provided for a vehicle having components of a parking brake system, components of an anti-lock brake system (ABS), and a manually-operable device. The secondary parking apparatus comprises an electronic controller arranged to (i) monitor the manually-operable device to detect an operator intent signal to apply parking brakes of the parking brake system, (ii) receive a combination of one or more signals indicative of a fault condition of the vehicle, and (iii) provide one or more control signals to be applied to components of the ABS to selectively exhaust air pressure from components of the ABS to atmosphere so that parking brakes of the parking brake system are applied to park the vehicle when both the operator intent signal and the combination of one or more signals indicative of a fault condition of the vehicle are detected.

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 an apparatus and method for configuring a tire sensor system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method begins with rotating a plurality of tires on a vehicle. The tire sensor associated with a first wheel location generates a data transmission in response to the rotation of the plurality of tires, the data transmission comprising at least a unique sensor identification and a motion value. The controller transmits a brake control device control signal in a first predetermined event sequence to a first brake control device associated with the first wheel location. The controller receives the tire characteristic signal and assigns the unique sensor identification with the first wheel location in response to determining the motion value of the tire characteristic signal corresponds with the first predetermined event sequence.

Abstract: A system for conveying information includes a visual signaling device and a processor. The visual signaling device is capable of simultaneously displaying a plurality of messages. The processor electrically communicates with the visual signaling device. The processor receives a plurality of messages from respective systems via a communication system, identities a respective priority and at least one respective attribute of each of the messages, and transmits signals based on the priorities of the messages to cause the visual signaling device to simultaneously convey the respective priority and at least one attribute of at least one of the messages. The respective priorities and the at least one attributes of each of the messages is previously assigned, and a diagnostic message having a lowest of the priorities is previously assigned.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an apparatus and method for configuring a tire pressure monitoring system are disclosed. One method comprises rotating a first tire of a plurality of tires on a vehicle and receiving a signal indicative of the speed of rotation of the first tire from a wheel speed sensor associated with the first tire. A controller associates the first tire with a wheel location in response to receiving the signal from the wheel speed sensor. A tire pressure sensor in the first tire generates a tire characteristic signal in response to the rotation of the first tire. The controller receives the tire characteristic signal and associates the tire characteristic signal with the wheel location in response to receiving the tire characteristic signal within a predetermined time period from receiving the signal indicative of the speed of rotation of the first wheel.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an apparatus, system and method for transmitting and indicating a fault in a combination vehicle are disclosed. A first towed vehicle controller comprises a processor with control logic capable of receiving fault messages and status messages on an associated vehicle communications bus; determining the status and faults of the first towed vehicle; and transmitting 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 at a second period in time, the control logic transmits the fault message of the associated second towed vehicle controller to the associated vehicle communications bus at a first period in time, different than the second period in time.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an apparatus and method for configuring a tire pressure monitoring system are disclosed. One method comprises rotating a first tire of a plurality of tires on a vehicle and receiving a signal indicative of the speed of rotation of the first tire from a wheel speed sensor associated with the first tire. A controller associates the first tire with a wheel location in response to receiving the signal from the wheel speed sensor. A tire pressure sensor in the first tire generates a tire characteristic signal in response to the rotation of the first tire. The controller receives the tire characteristic signal and associates the tire characteristic signal with the wheel location in response to receiving the tire characteristic signal within a predetermined time period from receiving the signal indicative of the speed of rotation of the first wheel.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an apparatus and method for configuring a tire sensor system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method begins with rotating a plurality of tires on a vehicle. The tire sensor associated with a first wheel location generates a data transmission in response to the rotation of the plurality of tires, the data transmission comprising at least a unique sensor identification and a motion value. The controller transmits a brake control device control signal in a first predetermined event sequence to a first brake control device associated with the first wheel location. The controller receives the tire characteristic signal and assigns the unique sensor identification with the first wheel location in response to determining the motion value of the tire characteristic signal corresponds with the first predetermined event sequence.

Abstract: An electro-pneumatic device includes a sensor portion and a valve portion. The sensor portion, which includes a sensor, receives and transmits electronic control signals of a plurality of frequencies. The sensor portion is powered by a first of the frequencies of the received control signals. The valve portion electrically communicates with the sensor. The valve portion includes a valve that is alternately set to an open state and a closed state based on a second of the plurality of frequencies of the received control signals. The sensor senses a delivery pressure of the valve and transmits electronic data signals representing the delivery pressure at a third of the plurality of frequencies.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an apparatus and method for configuring a tire pressure monitoring system are disclosed. One method comprises rotating a first tire of a plurality of tires on a vehicle and receiving a signal indicative of the speed of rotation of the first tire from a wheel speed sensor associated with the first tire. A controller associates the first tire with a wheel location in response to receiving the signal from the wheel speed sensor. A tire pressure sensor in the first tire generates a tire characteristic signal in response to the rotation of the first tire. The controller receives the tire characteristic signal and associates the tire characteristic signal with the wheel location in response to receiving the tire characteristic signal within a predetermined time period from receiving the signal indicative of the speed of rotation of the first wheel.

Abstract: Various embodiments for determining a voltage rating of a solenoid in an electropneumatic valve are disclosed. A braking system controller comprises a power switch electrically connected to an associated first solenoid. The power switch provides a low current regulated voltage to the associated first solenoid. The current through the solenoid is converted to a voltage. The voltage is compared to a predetermined voltage range to determine the voltage rating of the associated first solenoid. In another embodiment, the control logic is capable of determining the voltage rating of multiple solenoids in each of the electropneumatic valves connected to the controller.

Abstract: Various embodiments for determining a voltage rating of a solenoid in an electropneumatic valve are disclosed. A braking system controller comprises a power switch electrically connected to an associated first solenoid. The power switch provides a low current regulated voltage to the associated first solenoid. The current through the solenoid is converted to a voltage. The voltage is compared to a predetermined voltage range to determine the voltage rating of the associated first solenoid. In another embodiment, the control logic is capable of determining the voltage rating of multiple solenoids in each of the electropneumatic valves connected to the controller.