MXPA96005855A - System and energy link method between a tractor and a remol - Google Patents

Abstract

A system for providing an electrical power link and electronic communication between a tractor and a trailer is described, which includes a tractor module associated with the tractor and a trailer module associated with the trailer. The tractor module controls a plurality of operable switching devices for switching a corresponding plurality of power lines extending between the tractor's electrical system and the trailer to one of an electrical power line, a grounding line and a line Communication. The trailer module similarly controls a plurality of operable switching devices for switching a corresponding plurality of power lines that extend between the trailer lighting system and the tractor electrical system to one of a line of the trailer's electrical system and a line Communication. The tractor and trailer modules are operable to establish a communication link between them and gather diagnostic data that relates to the trailer's electrical system and to selectively channel electrical power and / or ground connection to the trailer's electrical system. so much so that control over the trailer's lighting system is maintained. Each of the tractor and trailer modules is also operable to control their corresponding switching devices to switch to the conventional electrical connection if the communication link is inoperable.

Description

SYSTEM AND ENERGY LINK METHOD BETWEEN TRACTOR AND A TRAILER FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates in general to systems for controlling the transmission of power or electrical power and electronic communications between a tractor and a trailer and more specifically with such systems using single-line or unipolar communication between a tractor and a trailer. .

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION During the past several decades, the exchange of power or electrical power between a tractor and a trailer has been carried out via a seven wire or wire cable or the so-called "umbilical cord". The seven-wire cable and seven associated needle connectors has become the standard equipment in the tractor / trailer industry and has provided the power supply to the various electrical functions of the trailer, such as intermittent signals, lamps or lights of the trailer. brake, lamps or taillights, turn signals, lamps or position lights, lamps or lights of the free height or safety height and lamps or ceiling lights, also as a ground reference for these electrical circuits. In an effort to provide uniformity across the industry, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has promulgated standards for seven-wire cable (SAE-J1067) and associated seven-needle connectors (SAE-J560). REF: 23433 As used herein, the term "tractor" refers to any vehicle that has another vehicle in tow and therefore includes medium or high power trucks, tractor or platform trucks and combinations of tractor trucks / trailer that has a vehicle or additional vehicles in tow. The term "trailer" as used hereinafter refers to trailers of tractor trucks, semi-trailers and the like. With reference to Figure 1, an example of an electrical connection system 50 of the classical prior art for channeling electric power to an electric towing system is shown. A tractor 52 includes an ignition system 54 of the tractor, which acts as a source of electric power to provide electric power to an electric system 56 of the tractor when the tractor 52 is in operation. Connected to the electrical system 56 of the tractor are seven electric lines 58 ?, 582, • • -, 58, which are configured according to the standards of SAE J-1067. The electric lines 58 ?, 582, ... 58 extend from the electrical system 56 of the tractor to a connector housing 60, which is commonly referred to as a "front or nose box of the tractor", which is typically connects to an exterior surface of the tractor 52. The housing 60 has an electrical connector 7 of seven conductors associated therewith, to which the electric lines 58 ?, 582, ..., 58 are connected thereto in accordance with the standards of SAE J-560. A trailer 64 includes a trailer lighting system 66, which is operable to provide the trailer lighting functions mentioned above. Connected to the lighting system 66 of the trailer are seven electric lines 681, 682, ..., 687, which are configured according to the standards of SAE J-1067. Power lines 681, 682l .... 687 extend from the lighting system 66 of the trailer to a connector housing 70 or "front box or trailer nose" which normally joins an exterior surface of the trailer 64. The housing 70 has an electrical connector 72 of seven conductors associated therewith, to which the electric lines 58 ?, 582, ..., 587 are connected thereto, in accordance with the standards of SAE J-560. A seven-conductor connector / cable 74 or "umbilical cord" connects the electrical connector 62 of the tractor to the electrical connector 72 of the trailer, such that the electrical system 56 of the tractor controls and supplies electrical power to the lighting system 66 of the trailer. With reference now to figure 2, a classic embodiment of a prior art seven wire connector / cable or umbilical cord 74 is shown. The umbilical cord 74 includes a seven wire SAE-J1067 lined cable 76 with a seven conductor connector 78 SAE-J560 connected to the same on each end. Each connector 78 has a front face 82 and a protrusion 80 extending far from the connector 78, the purpose of which will be described in detail hereinafter. Referring now to Figure 3, the front face 82 of the connector 78 defines seven electrical receptacles or terminals therein, which form electrical connections with a corresponding wire of the seven wires contained within the cable 76. Referring now to FIG. 4, which is a cross section of the cable 76 taken along the sectional lines 4-4 of Figure 2, the cable 76 contains seven wires surrounded by an electrically insulating sheath 98, in accordance with the SAE-J1067 standard. Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, the SAE-J560 standard requires that the terminal 84 be contacted with the grounding wire 100 (white wire), which must be at least one wire of No. 8. The terminal 92 should be contacted with the main electrical power supply wire 102 (red wire) which should be at least a No. 10 gauge wire. The terminal 96 should be put in contact with the wire 104 of general purpose (black wire) which must be at least a wire of gauge No. 12. Terminal 94 should be put in contact with general purpose wire 106 (yellow wire) which should also be at least a No. 12 gauge wire. Terminal 90 should be brought into contact with general purpose wire 108 (green wire) which should also be at least No. 12 gauge wire. Terminal 86 should be placed in Contact with general purpose wire 110 (wire c ap) which must also be at least a No. 12 gauge wire. Finally, the terminal 88 must be brought into contact with the general purpose wire 112 (blue wire) which must also be at least one wire No. 12. In addition, it is required by SAE-J560 standard that all wires 100-112 be insulated, that wire 100 (white wire) have a nominal wall thickness of 0.0254 mm and that the remaining wires have nominal wall thicknesses of 0.813 mm. Although Figure 4 shows that some of the wires 100-112 have different wire insulation thicknesses, so that all wires 100-112 appear to have identical final external diameters, this is done for purposes of illustration only, it is understood that , in practice, all wire insulation usually has a nominal insulating wall thickness such that wires 100-112 have different final external diameters consistent with their gauge numbers. Referring now to Figure 5, there is shown an example of a common electrical connection between the conductor housing 60 (or 70), attached to the tractor 52 (or trailer 64) and the umbilical cord 74. The conductor housing 60, 70 it normally includes a receptacle cover 116, attached to the housing 60, 70 by the hinged connection 118, which is predisposed in such a way that the cover 116 provides an environmentally and mechanically protective seal on the receptacle 114 when not in use. The receptacle 114 is configured in a manner complementary to the connector 78, such that the connector 78 can be received within the receptacle 114 when the cover 116 is raised to expose the receptacle 114. The cover 116 also commonly includes a projection 120 which it is operable to come into contact with the protrusion 80 of the connector 78, which, under the normal predisposition of the cover 116 provided by the articulated connection 118, acts to retain the connector 78 within the receptacle 114, thereby maintaining the electrical connection therebetween.

Figure 6 shows a cross-section, taken along the sectional lines 6-6 of Figure 5, of the electrical connection between the connector 78 and the receptacle 114. The receptacle 114 includes seven "needles" or electrical terminals which they are normally configured in accordance with SAE J-560 standards and which are received within the corresponding receptacle terminals of connector 78. Thus, needle 122, corresponding to the white wire of electric system 56 of the tractor, is connected to the terminal 84 of the connector 78, the needle 124 corresponding to the black wire of the system 56, is connected to the terminal 96 of the connector 78, the needle 126 corresponding to the yellow wire of the system 56, is connected to the terminal 94 of the connector 78, the needle 128 corresponding to the red wire of the system 56, is connected to the terminal 92 of the connector 78, the needle 130 corresponding to the blue wire of the system 56, is connected to the terminal 88 d the connector 78, the needle 132 corresponding to the green wire of the system 56, is connected to the terminal 90 of the connector 78 and the needle 134 corresponding to the brown wire of the system 56 is connected to the terminal 86 of the connector 78. Recently, the technological advances in the tractor / trailer industry they have generated the need to provide the trailer or trailers with additional electrical functions, to create by this the concept of an "intelligent trailer". Examples of such functions include anti-lock brakes, electronic suspension control and tire pressure detection, to name a few, also as diagnostic control and defect detection of such trailer functions. Up to now, a variety of systems have been developed to provide the electrical infrastructure required to accommodate and operate these additional trailer functions, which has led to an additional development of new operable electrical interfaces or interconnections to transmit power and communications requirements. of data between tractors and trailers. Examples of some recent electrical interconnect or interface designs include electronic circuits to provide data communication and channeling of electrical power across multiple J-560 umbilical cord connectors, through newly developed connectors and cables that have more than the connections of seven standard conductors and through the existing seven-conductor electrical interface (J-560 / J-1067) of Figures 1-6. Although supplies for additional connectors and connector needles may be a possible short-term solution, this procedure is generally an expensive solution, particularly since the addition of additional functions will require the addition of even more connectors and / or connector needles . This procedure has the additional disadvantage of reducing the normalization of the connector and increasing the complexity of the connector. An example of a known design using the existing electric connector J-560 of FIGS. 1-6 to provide the routing of data and electrical power communications between a tractor and a trailer is summarized in U.S. Patent No. 5,397,924. . The design uses electronic circuits to develop a combination of multiplexed high-speed communication link and power between the tractor and the trailer. The design incorporates circuits to determine if the tractor is connected, via the J-560 connector, either to an "intelligent" trailer (multiplexed) or a conventional trailer (non-multiplexed). If a multiplexed trailer is connected to the tractor, two of the electrical wires inside the seven-wire J-560 connector are used for serial data communications between the tractor and the trailer and the remaining five provide power connections and ground connections to the electrical systems of the trailer. Yes, on the other hand, a non-multiplexed trailer is connected to the tractor, the seven-wire J-560 connector is used in a conventional manner, each of the two communications wires is switched back to its corresponding conventional configuration, in such a way that The tractor's electrical system controls the trailer's lighting system. It is generally considered desirable by the owners and operators of high power tractors / trailers to maintain the use of the universal J-560 connectors, receptacles and associated umbilical cord when connecting a tractor to a trailer, regardless of the configuration of the tractor. trailer. Any other arrangement will require tractors to be equipped with new physical electrical connection elements when towing "smart" trailers. When conventional trailers are towed, the tractor must either additionally maintain its physical J-560 electrical connection elements or each conventional trailer must be equipped with the new physical physical connection elements. In any case, new physical elements of electrical connection are required either on the tractor or the trailer that can be too expensive and / or too inefficient to implement by the owners and operators of the tractor / trailer. If the physical elements of the universal J-560-style electrical connection are to be used to provide an interface or interconnection of electrical power and communications between a tractor and a trailer, it must meet several new requirements. First, the interface must include provisions to eliminate or at least severely reduce sources of electrical noise such as electromagnetic interference (EMI). Second, it must be able to provide adequate electrical power capacity between the tractor and the trailer while maintaining the ability to carry out the lighting functions of the trailer. For example, the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration (NHTSA) has recently ruled that all trailers manufactured after March 1998 must be equipped with an anti-lock braking system or ABS (ABS) trailer and that ABS must have a special power line and a special ground connection line provided to it. Third, the interface must have adequate power and communications capacity to allow new electrically controlled trailer functions and features to be added without requiring additional physical electrical connection elements for either the tractor or the trailer. The first requirement, protection against electrical noise, is not met by prior art systems that strictly use an interconnection or J-560 interface between the tractor and the trailer, due to the high rate of speed at which data is transferred between them. Such protection against electrical noise must be carried out by various techniques such as by the use of shielded cable or by the provision of twisted pair wires in a multi-wire communication system, although doing so would require alteration of the umbilical cord. J-560 universal; an end that seeks to avoid. The second requirement, the provision of adequate power capacity, may not be fulfilled by the known prior art systems. For example, the system described in U.S. Patent No. 5,397,924 requires at least two of the seven J-560 drivers for communication purposes. The remaining five conductors may be inadequate to provide power and ground lines to all trailer loads while maintaining control over trailer lighting circuits. The third requirement, the provision of adequate power capacity for the additional features of the trailer, likewise does not appear to be fulfilled by the known prior art systems. With at least two of the seven J-560 drivers dedicated to communications in the systems known from the prior art and in view of the proliferation of new electrically controlled trailer functions, some special lines of electrical power and grounding provided by the tractor, it seems unlikely that known prior art systems will be equipped to meet the future requirements of power line grounding. What is needed, therefore, is an electrical power and communications link to provide the proper transmission of electrical power and electronic data communications between a tractor truck and the trailer. An ideal link of such links should use at most a single special communication line and provide power switching circuits or electrical poetics associated with each of the tractor and trailer that are adequate to meet the power requirements for grounding to the ABS (anti-lock braking system) as well as the future functions of the trailer controlled electrically, while maintaining control over all trailer lighting circuits. When using slow data transfer rate communications, only one communication line would be required, thereby eliminating the need for electrical supplies that reduce noise and increasing the number of electrical conduits available for energy / grounding trailer. Such an interface should ideally be designed for use with the physical J-150 universal electrical connection elements such that it can be used either as a conventional tractor / trailer interface or interconnection, as described hereinabove or as an interphase. electrical between a tractor and an "intelligent" trailer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above disadvantages of the prior art are solved by the present invention. According to one aspect of the present invention, an energy and communications link between a tractor and a trailer comprises a first plurality of switching devices, each having a switchable input between an electrical line forming part of an electrical system of the tractor and one of a line of electric power and a first line of communication and an exit. A tractor control module controls the first plurality of switching devices and has an input / output connected to the first communication line for sending and receiving a communication signal thereon. A second plurality of switching devices each having an input connected to an output of one of the first plurality of switching devices and a switchable output between an electrical line forming part of a first electrical system of the trailer and one of a line electric that is part of a second electrical system of the trailer and a second line of communication. A trailer control module controls the second plurality of switching devices and has an input / output connected to the second communication line for sending and receiving a communication signal thereon. The control modules of the tractor and trailer control the first and second plurality of switching devices respectively to connect the first communication line to the second communication line to form a single communication line between the control modules of the tractor and the trailer and to channel the electrical energy to the second electrical system of the trailer. According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of operating a tractor control module to provide a communication line therefrom to a trailer and a special power line from a power source of the tractor to the trailer comprises the steps of: (1) controlling a first switching device associated with the control module of the tractor and having an outlet connected to the trailer, to disconnect a first electric line forming part of an electrical system of the tractor from an input thereof and connecting a communication input / output of the tractor control module to the input of the first switching device to thereby establish the communication line therethrough; (2) verify the communication line; (3) carrying out steps (4) - (5) if a heartbeat signal is detected on the communication line within a first predetermined time period after establishing the communication line and otherwise controlling the first device of switching to disconnect the communication input / output thereof and reconnect the first electric line thereto; (4) controlling a second switching device associated with the control module of the tractor and having an outlet connected to the trailer, to disconnect a second electric line from the tractor electrical system from an input thereof and connect the electric power source of the tractor; tractor at the entrance of the second switching device to provide by this the special energy line; and (5) verify the communication line regarding the trailer's diagnostic data. According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of operating a trailer control module to provide a communication line therefrom to a tractor and a special power line connected to a power source of the tractor to An electrical subsystem of the trailer comprises the steps of: (1) controlling a first switching device associated with the trailer control module and having an input connected to the trailer, for disconnecting a first electric line forming part of an electrical system of the trailer; towing from an output thereof and connecting a communication input / output of the trailer control module to the output of the first switching device, thereby establishing the communication line between them; (2) send a heartbeat signal on the communication line; (3) after this verify the communication line; (4) carrying out step (5) if a recognition signal is detected on the communication line within a first predetermined time period after sending the heartbeat signal and otherwise controlling the first switching device to disconnect the communication input / output of the same and reconnect the first electric line to it; and (5) controlling a second switching device associated with the trailer control module and having an input connected to the tractor's special electric power line, to disconnect a second electric line from the tractor's electrical system from an output thereof. and connecting the electrical subsystem of the trailer to the output of the second switching device to thereby provide a special line of electrical energy to the trailer's electrical subsystem. An object of the present invention is to provide communication and power switching circuits for a tractor and a trailer to allow communications on a line between them. Another object of the present invention is to provide such communication and power switching circuits to allow electrical power and communications to be selectively routed between the tractor and the trailer over the existing electrical system lines of the tractor and the trailer. A further object of the present invention is to provide such communication and power switching circuits operable to provide a simple communication link between a tractor and a trailer and provide for the routing of special power circuits and grounding to the trailer while the normal electrical functions of the trailer are maintained, all by using a standard J-560 electrical connector as the only electrical connection between the tractor and the trailer. These and other objects of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of an interface or electrical interconnection of the prior art between the electrical system of a tractor and the electrical system of a trailer. Figure 2 is a perspective view of a seven conductor electrical cable of the prior art, with connectors for use as an electrical interface between a tractor and a trailer. Figure 3 is a front elevational view of a seven-terminal connector of the prior art, for use with the seven-conductor electric cable of the prior art of Figure 2. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the electric cable of the prior art of Figure 2, taken along the sectional lines 4-4. Figure 5 is a side elevational view of an electrical connection between the seven-conductor electric cable of the prior art of Figure 2 and a seven-terminal electrical receptacle of a tractor or trailer. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connection of Figure 5, taken along the sectional lines 6-6. Figure 7 is a schematic illustration of an electrical power and communications link between a tractor and a trailer according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of the tractor module of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of the trailer module of Figure 7; Figure 10 is an electrical diagram of the electric power and communication circuits controlled by the tractor and trailer modules of Figures 8 and 9. Figure 11 is a schematic illustration of an electrical power and communications link between a tractor and a trailer according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12 is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of the trailer module of Figure 11. Figure 13 is an electrical diagram of the electrical and communication power switching circuits controlled by the tractor and trailer modules of Figures 8 and 11 Figure 14 is a schematic illustration of an electrical power and communication link between a tractor and trailer according to still another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 15 is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of the tractor module of Figure 14. Figure 16 is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of the trailer module of Figure 14. Figure 17 is an electrical diagram of the switching circuits. of electrical energy and communication controlled by the tractor and trailer modules of figures 15 and 16.

Fig. 18 is an electrical schematic of the electric power switching and communication circuits for providing an electrical power link and communications between a tractor and a trailer according to still another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 19 is made up of Figs. 19A and 19B, wherein Fig. 19A is a mounting drawing of a receptacle combination of the electric connector of the tractor / trailer and housing of the control module. Fig. 20 is made up of Figs. 20A and 20B and illustrates a flow diagram showing one embodiment of an algorithm of programming elements, according to another aspect of the present invention, which is executable by any of the tractor modules described herein to establish the intelligent or conventional mode of operation. Fig. 21 is a flowchart showing a mode of an algorithm of programming elements, according to yet another aspect of the present invention, which is executable by any of the modules of the trailer described herein to establish the mode of intelligent or conventional operation.

Description of the preferred modality For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the modalities illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe them. However, it will be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is proposed by them, such alterations and further modifications to the illustrated devices and such further applications of the principles of the present invention as illustrated herein, are contemplated as normally they would be presented to the one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Referring now to Figure 7, there is shown a link 150 of electrical power and communications between a tractor and a trailer, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The link 150 of electrical power and communications is proposed primarily to provide a special line of electric power to an anti-lock braking system (ABS) of the trailer and provide the transfer of diagnostic data that relate to the ABS (anti-lock braking system) back to the tractor. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that link 150 can be used to provide a special power line, also as a diagnostic data transfer capability, to any trailer electrical system such as, for example, an electronic system for travel control, tire pressure verification system, door status verification system and the like. The link 150 includes a tractor 152 (represented by a dashed line for the proposed illustration) having an electrical system 154 of the tractor associated therewith. Although it is generally understood that the electrical systems of the tractor include electronic components for controlling the engine and propulsion mechanism, entertainment and comfort electronic components, electronic components of the body and the like, the term "tractor electrical system" as used in used herein is defined as the portion of the tractor's electrical system generally understood to control the lighting functions of the trailer including, but not limited to, lamps or taillights, flashing lights, brake lights, side lights, lights of position, lights of the height of step or of security, lights of the ceiling of the tow, lights of the license plate. Four electric lines of the electric system 154 of the tractor, ie the electric lines 168 ?, 1682, 1683 and I684 extend to the receptacle housing of the tractor or front case 60 of the tractor and are connected to the electrical connector or receptacle 62 in a conventional manner as described above with respect to Figures 1-6. The three remaining electrical lines of the seven normal electrical conductors provided by the electrical system 154 of the tractor (as described with respect to Figure 1), ie the electrical lines 1685, 1686 and 1687 are connected to a control module 156 of the trailer. The control module 156 of the trailer includes a control portion of the electrical circuit and a visual display portion and is therefore preferably located in the area of the tractor cab within the vision of the tractor operator. The control module 156 of the trailer is powered by the ignition system 158 of the tractor via the ignition line 159, such that the module 156 receives electric power and is therefore operable, when the tractor 152 is operable. The tractor module 156 further includes a variety of audio and / or visual display indicators such as a buzzer 160, ABS prevention indicator 162, smart towing mode indicator 164, and indicator 166 of the standard Aux power switch. . Preferably, the buzzer 160 is a piezoelectric device operable to emit an audio signal in response to an excitation signal provided thereto., although the buzzer 160 may be any of a variety of known mechanical, electrical or electromechanical devices or other operable devices for emitting an audio signal therefrom such as, for example, a buzzer or chime, a buzzer or an operable synthesizer for emit tones or synthesized voices. Indicators 162-166, on the other hand, are preferably indicators of lights or lamps to provide an illuminated indication of a particular event in response to an excitation signal provided thereto. However, the present invention contemplates that the indicators 162-166 may be any of a variety of known devices operable to emit an illuminated indication, or illuminate an indication in the background, in response to an excitation signal, such as, for example, light-emitting diodes (LED) or fluorescent vacuum indicators (VF). The control module 156 of the tractor provides three electric lines therefrom, ie the electric lines 1701f 1702 and 1703 which extend to the front case 60 of the tractor and are connected to the electrical connector 62. Thus the electric lines 168? - 1684 and 170? -1703 provide the seven electrical connections to the universal seven-pin connector 62. A universal umbilical cord 74, as described with respect to FIGS. 1-6, connects the electrical connector 62 of the front case 60 of the tractor to an identically configured electrical connector 72 of the electrical connector housing of the trailer, or front housing 172 of the trailer 174. Preferably, the forward box 172 of the trailer is configured to house a trailer control module 176 therein, as will be more fully described herein with respect to Figures 19A and 19B, although the present invention contemplates the location of the control module 176 of the trailer anywhere within, or attached to, the trailer 174. The electric lines 168? 168 extend from the electric connector 62 of the tractor to the electrical connector 72 via the umbilical cord 74 and from the electrical connector 72 to the lighting system 180 of the trailer associated with the trailer 174. As used herein, the term "system "trailer lighting" is defined as a system of lighting functions commonly associated with a trailer, which system is conventionally energized and controlled by the electric system 154 of the tractor, as described with respect to Figures 1-6 and which The system commonly includes circuits of the left, right, brake, rear and step height or safety and side lights, as well as an auxiliary circuit. Power lines 170? 1703 extend from the electrical connector 62 of the tractor to the electrical connector 72 of the trailer via the umbilical cord 74 and from the electrical connector 72 to the control module 176 of the trailer. The control module 176 of the trailer provides power lines 178 ^ 1782 and 1783 which extend from the control module 176 of the trailer to the lighting system 180 of the trailer. So, power lines 168? - 1684 and 178? - 1783 provide the seven electrical connections to the lighting system 180 of the trailer. The trailer 174 further includes an anti-lock braking system (ABS) 184 which receives electrical power from the control module 176 of the trailer via the power line 182 of the ABS. The ABS diagnostic data, such as defects and faults associated with the ABS, is provided to the trailer module 176 via line 186 of ABS defects. Referring now to Figure 8, one embodiment of the tractor control module 156 is shown, in accordance with the present invention. Central to the control module 156 of the tractor, is the computer 190, which preferably consists of a microcontroller, such as a microchip 16C54 microcontroller, although the present invention contemplates the use of any microprocessor-based circuit or module which is capable of executing the algorithms of the programming elements stored therein or provided thereto and which is also capable of transmitting and receiving serial data in a single line of communication. The microcontroller 190 is energized by the line 159 of ignition of the tractor by means of the fuse F1 and the regulating filter 192. The regulating filter 192 can be any known device operable to receive the ignition voltage from the ignition line 159, filter any transient currents thereof and provide a regulated voltage supply to the microcontroller 190.

The control module 156 of the tractor also includes a single communication line, COMM 194, operable to carry data in series to and from the microcontroller 190. An analogue to digital (A / D) converter 195 is also provided and receives a signal of analog current detection from the black circuit (see FIG. 19) and provides a digital representation thereof to the microcontroller 190. The A / D converter also receives an analog voltage from the black circuit (FIG. 10) and provides a digital representation of the same to the microcontroller 190. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the above characteristics of current and voltage detection provided by the A / D converter can also be provided by a variety of known circuits and that the array of the A / D converter described in FIG. present does not limit the concepts of the present invention. An example of such circuits operable to detect current and voltage may comprise a comparator configured as an operable level detector to provide a signal indicating a predefined current or voltage level. Also included with the tractor control module 156 is an input filter 196 of known construction, which receives status signals BLUE INPUT, BLUE OUTPUT, REAR, and STEP HEIGHT (see FIG. 10) and provides the signals to the micro- controller 190 via a main input distribution bar. An input / output distribution bar extends between the microcontroller 190 and a display portion 206 indicating the module 156. The indicators forming the representation portion 206 are those previously mentioned, ie the indicators 160-166 and are energized via line 159 of ignition of the tractor. The microcontroller 190 provides control signals to a known driver circuit 198 via an output distribution bus connected thereto. The actuator circuit 198 in turn, preferably drives each of three relays 200, 202 and 204 which, together, form a switching circuit 205 of the tractor that will be more fully described with respect to figure 10. It will be understood that although relays 200-204 are preferably used in the various embodiments described herein to provide switching between power lines, the present invention contemplates that any other switching devices may be used to provide the switching functions, such as switching circuits. power transistor or other high current switches, for example. Referring now to Figure 9, one embodiment of the control module 176 of the trailer is shown, in accordance with the present invention. As with the control module 156 of the tractor, central to the control module 176 of the trailer is the computer 208 which preferably consists of a microcontroller, such as a microchip 16C54 microcontroller, although the present invention contemplates the use of any microprocessor-based module or circuit which is capable of executing the programs of programming elements either stored therein or provided thereto and which is also capable of transmitting and receiving serial data in a single line of communication. The microcontroller 208 is energized by the power line 201 of the node, which is provided by the ignition line 150 of the tractor through the umbilical cord 74 as will be described with respect to Figure 10, through the fuse F1 and the regulating filter 212. The regulating filter 212 may be identical to the regulating filter 194 described with respect to Figure 8. The control module 176 of the trailer also includes a single communication line, COMM 214, operable to carry serial data to and from the microcontroller 208. Also included is an input filter 216 of known construction, which receives the status signals ABS POWER, COFFEE INPUT, REAR and STEP HEIGHT (see Figure 10) and provide the signals to the microcontroller 208 via an inlet distribution bar. The control module 176 of the trailer also includes an actuator circuit 228 connected to the auxiliary drive line 227, which actuator circuit 228 provides the auxiliary output line BLUE OUTLET 178 ,. A diagnostic input line 186 is also included to provide diagnostic fault data of the ABS to the microcontroller 208. The microcontroller 218 provides control signals to a known driver circuit 218 via an output distribution bus connected thereto. . The actuator circuit 218, in turn, preferably drives each of four relays 220, 222, 224 and 226 which, together, form a trailer switching circuit 225 that will be more fully described with respect to FIG. 10. As discussed with respect to the switching circuit 205 of the tractor of Figure 8, the relays 220-226 can be replaced with any of a variety of other known switching devices to provide the switching functions, such as power transistor circuits. or other high current switches, for example. Referring now to Figure 10, there is shown a modality of the electric power and communication switching circuits, controlled by the modules 156 and 176 of the tractor and the trailer. In Figure 10, the switching circuit 205 of the tractor of Figure 8 is shown separated from the switching circuit 225 of the trailer of Figure 9 by the vertical line 230 of continuous lines, which is proposed to represent the electrical connection between the tractor 152 and trailer 174 provided by universal seven-wire umbilical cord 74. The Ißßí-I684 power lines as described with respect to Figure 7, extend in an interrupted manner between the tractor 152 and the trailer 174. According to the standards of the SAE J-560, the white electric line I681 is the return ground to tractor 152, green power line 1682 is the circuit of the right intermittent signal, red power line 1683 is the brake light circuit and yellow power line 1684 is the circuit of the left intermittent signal. The electric line I685 which is shown in Figure 7 extending to the tractor module 156, is the black line of the pass / side height light circuit and is provided as the STEP HEIGHT input to the input filter 196. A first input of the switch 204 'is connected by means of the series combination of the resistor 240 and the fuse F2 to the ignition power line 159 of the tractor. A second input of the switch 204 'is not connected (open circuit). The output of the switch 204 'is provided as the power line 170 ?. The relay 204 of FIG. 8 is controllable by the microcontroller 190 to pivot the switch 204 'between an open position and the ignition power line 159 of the tractor. The electric line 170? it is also connected back to the ignition power line 159 of the tractor by means of the resistor 245. Finally, the electric line 170? it is connected to the A / D converter 195 via the detection line 238. One purpose of the resistor 240 is to provide a means for detecting the current flowing through the switch 204 ', which is preferably carried out via the line 242 of current detection that extends from the resistor 240 and is connected to the input of the converter 195 A / D (figure 8). The present invention further contemplates that the above current detection function can alternatively be carried out by other known current detection techniques such as inductive coupling at the output of the switch 204 ', for example, in which case the resistor 204 can be omitted from the switching circuit 205. The resistor 245 is provided as a means for detecting the voltage of the power line 170 as will be described later herein. The electric line 170? The trailer switching circuit 225 is provided via the umbilical cord 74 to provide the node power line 210 to the trailer control module 176. The power line 210 of the node (power line 170) is further connected to the input of the switch 222 ', the input of the switch 226 'and to one end of the resistor 247', the opposite end of which is connected to ground '. The resistor 247 is used in conjunction with the resistor 245 to provide a voltage sensing characteristic of the power line 170-? under certain conditions to be described more fully later in the present. Preferably, the resistor 245 is set to approximately 20 Kohms and the resistor 247 is set to approximately 10 Kohms, although the present invention contemplates adjusting the resistors 245 and 247 to any desired value and / or resistor ratio. A first output of the switch 222 'is not connected (open) and a second output is connected to the line of the tail light circuit 1782 of the lighting system 180 of the trailer. The second output of the switch 222 'is also connected to the REAR input of the input filter 196 via the status line 248. A first output of the switch 226' is similarly not connected (open) and a second output is connected to the black line 1783 of the light circuit of step height, of the lighting system 180 of the trailer. The second output of the switch 226 'is also connected to the PASS HEIGHT input of the input filter 196 via the status line 249. The relays 222 and 226 of FIG. 9 are controllable by the controller 208 to tilt the switch 222 'between an open position and the power line 1782 and the switch 226' between an open position and the power line 1783, respectively. The power line 1686, which is shown in Figure 7 extending to the tractor module 156, is the brown line of the tail light circuit and is connected to a first input of the switch 202 '. The first input of the switch 202 'is also connected to the REAR input of the input filter 196 via the status line 236. A second input of the switch 202' is connected to the COMM 194 line of the microcontroller 190. The output of the switch 202 'is provided as the power line 1702. The relay 202 of FIG. 8 is controllable by the microcontroller 190 to pivot the switch 202' between the power line 1686 and the COMM line 194. The power line 1702 is provided to the trailer switching circuit 225 via the umbilical cord 74 and connected to the input of the switch 224 '. The input of the switch 224 'is also connected to the input CAFE INPUT of the input filter 216 via the status line 246. A first output of the switch 224' is connected to the power line 1782 (line of the backlight circuit) and a second output of the switch 224 'is connected to the COMM 214 line of the microcontroller 208. The relay 224 of FIG. 9 is controllable by the microcontroller 208 to pivot the switch 224' between the power line 1782 and the line COMM 214. The electric line 1687 which is shown in figure 7 extending to the tractor module 156, is the blue line of the auxiliary circuit and is connected to a first input of the switch 200 '. The first input of the switch 200 'is also connected to the BLUE INPUT input of the input filter 196 via the status line 232. A second input of the switch 202' is connected to the power line of the tractor by means of the fuse F1 . The output of the switch 200 'is provided as the power line 1703. The output of the switch 200' is also connected to the BLUE OUTPUT input of the input filter 196 via the status line 234. The relay 200 of FIG. 8 is controllable by the micro-controller 190 for tilting the switch 200 'between the power line 1687 and the ignition power line 159 of the tractor. The electric line 170 is provided to the switching circuit 225 of the trailer via the umbilical cord 74 and is connected to the input of the switch 220 '. A first output of the switch 220 'is connected to the electrical line 182, which is the power line of the ABS to supply electrical power to the ABS 184. The first output of the switch 220' is also connected to the ABS power input of the filter input 216 via the status line 244. A second output of the switch 220 'is connected to the auxiliary power line 178, BLUE OUTPUT. The second output of the switch 220 'is also connected to the microcontroller 208 via the electrical line 227. The relay 220 of FIG. 9 is controllable by the microcontroller 208 to pivot the switch 220' between the power line 178, and the power line 182 of the ABS. The switches 200 '. 202 ', 204', 220 ', 222', 224 'and 226' are shown in Figure 10 in their predetermined positions. In other words, before initially energizing the control module 156 of the tractor, switch 200 'connects power line 1687 to power line 1703, switch 202' connects power line 1686 to power line 1702 and switch 204 ' connects the electric line 170? to an open position. Similarly, before energizing the control module 176 of the trailer, the switch 220 'connects the electric line 1703 to the electric line 178, the switches 222' and 226 'are each in the open position and the switch 224" connects power line 1702 to power line 1782. Thus, with the exception of power line 1685 of pitch / side height, electric system 154 of the tractor is connected to trailer lighting system 180 in a conventional manner as described with respect to Figures 1-6 and 5 as summarized in the SAE J-560 standard After initially energizing the tractor control module 156, the microcontroller 190 executes an algorithm of programming elements to determine if a control module 176 of the trailer is connected thereto (described with respect to Figure 20) and if so, sends a control signal to the circuit 206 to illate the indicator 164 of the "Mode of smart trailer "of module 156 and controls switches 202 'and 204' in accordance. The switch 204 'is controlled to connect the power line 159 of ignition of the tractor to the power line 170 ?, the switch 202' is controlled to connect the line COMM 194 to the power line 1702 and the switch 200 'is controlled to connect the power line 159 of ignition of the tractor to the electric line 1703. When the control module 190 of the tractor connects line 159 of ignition power of the tractor to the power line 170, the energy The ignition system 158 of the tractor is supplied to the power input of the 0 node of the microcontroller 208, whereby it "wakes up" the control module 176 of the trailer. After adjusting the trailer control module 176 to initial values, the microcontroller 208 executes an algorithm of programming elements to establish communications with, and periodically determine the existence of, the control module 156 of the tractor. The algorithm for periodically determining the existence of the control module 156 of the tractor is described with respect to FIG. 21. When establishing communications with the control module 156 of the tractor, the microcontroller 208 controls the switch 224 'to connect the power line 1702 (line COMM 194) to the line COMM 214, to establish by this a single line of communication between the control module 176 of the trailer and the control module 156 of the tractor. After this, the microcontroller 208 controls the switch 220 'to connect the power line 1703 to the power line 182 of the ABS, thereby providing a special power line from the power line 159 of the tractor and the ABS . After this, the microcontroller 190 and the microcontroller 208 each execute an algorithm of communication programming elements to simultaneously verify the status of each of the input lines to the input filters 196 and 216, the state of auxiliary line 178? BLUE OUTPUT and collecting the diagnostic data (defect) that is related to the ABS 184. For example, the microcontroller 190 checks the status line 236 and informs the microcontroller 208, via the COMM line 194 to the COMM line 214, of a request to turn on or activate the taillight circuit. Preferably this is carried out by checking the voltage on line 236 and when the operation of the taillight is requested, either manually by the tractor operator or via some automatic lighting means, the voltage change on the line 236 is detected and the rear light request signal is sent, via the COMM 194 line, to the control module 176 of the trailer. When the control module 176 of the trailer receives such a request via the COMM 214 line, the microcontroller 208 controls the switch 222 'to connect the power line 210 of the node to the power line 1782 to thereby provide electrical energy to the circuit the back light. After this, the status lines 236 and 248 are checked for a request to turn off the backlight circuit, which is carried out when the switch 222 'is opened. In a similar manner, the microcontroller 190 checks the status line 1685 and informs the microcontroller 208 of a request for the operation of the pitch / side height light. When the microcontroller 208 of the control module 176 of the trailer receives such a request via the COMM 214 line, the switch 226 'is controlled to connect the power line 210 of the node to the power line 1783, to thereby provide electrical power to the light circuit of step / side height. After this, the status lines 1685 and 249 are verified as to a request to turn off the step / side height light circuit, which is carried out upon opening the switch 226 '. Similarly, the microcontroller 190 checks the status line 232 and informs the microcontroller 208 of a request for the operation of any auxiliary electrical circuit connected to the power line 178? BLUE OUTPUT Examples of such auxiliary electric circuits include ajar door, electronic control of the suspension, roof light, license plate light or other electrical circuits of the trailer. In response to such a request, the microcontroller 208 controls the actuator 228 to provide electrical power over the power line 178? and the microcontroller 190 sends a control signal to the circuit 206 to illuminate the "Standard auxiliary power switch" indicator 166 of the module 156. Alternatively, the area 166 of the "Standard auxiliary power switch of the module 156 may comprise a plurality of operable switches for activating a corresponding function within the trailer 174. For example, one such switch forming a portion of the area 166 may be a ceiling light switch, operable to control a ceiling lamp within the trailer 174. In such In this case, the microcontroller 190 is operable to verify the status of any such switch and communicate a request for the function corresponding to the control module 176 of the trailer, which is operable to carry out the required action. 208 also checks the fault line 186 of the ABS and sends an ABS warning signal to the microcontroller 190, via the COMM line 214, if such a defect of ABS occurs within the ABS 184. After receiving such an ABS warning signal via the COMM line 194, the microcontroller 190 sends a control signal to the circuit 206 to illuminate the light 162 of "ABS Warning" and activate the buzzer 160. The status lines 234 and 244 are continuously monitored to determine the status of the power line 182 of the ABS and the buzzer 160 is activated in response to any interruption in the power of the ABS. ABS Referring now to Figures 11-13, there is shown a link 250 of electrical power and communications between a tractor and a trailer, according to another embodiment of the present invention. The link 250 of electrical power and communications is substantially similar to the link 150 of electrical power and communications shown and described with respect to FIGS. 7-10 and accordingly similar numbers are used to represent the like elements. Unlike link 150, the trailer includes a half-open door detection circuit and the trailer control module is operable to provide additional diagnosis and information of the trailer lighting system to the tractor control module via serial communications between same. The tractor control module also includes added visual representation capability to provide the tractor operator with diagnostic information and additional trailer lighting. Referring to Figure 11 in particular, the tractor 152 includes a tractor control module 256 connected to the tractor ignition system 158 via the power line 159 of the tractor ignition. The electrical system 154 of the tractor is connected to the electrical connector 62 exactly as described with respect to Figure 7 and is also connected to the tractor control module exactly as described with respect to the control module 156 of the tractor. The control module 256 of the tractor, like the control module 156 of the tractor, includes display elements or indicators 160-162 and further includes a half-open door indicator 258 also as a trailer lighting indicator 260. The indicators 258 and 260 are preferably constructed identically as described with respect to the indicators162-166.

The front box 172 of the trailer includes a trailer module 276 which is identical in most aspects to the trailer control module 176. For example, the trailer control module 276 is connected to the electrical connector 62 via the electrical connector 72 in exactly the same manner as described with respect to the trailer control module 176. In addition, the trailer control module 276 is connected to the trailer lighting system 180 and to the ABS exactly as previously described. Unlike the trailer control module 176, however, the status lines 258, 260 and 262 of the trailer control module 276 are connected to the power lines 1682, 1683 and 168 respectively. The trailer 174 also includes circuits 252 for the detection of ajar door, which are connected to the trailer control module 276 via the electric line 254. Preferably, the circuits 252 are constructed from a single switch which is closed when the corresponding trailer door is properly closed and opened in another way, although the present invention contemplates that circuits 252 may be constructed of more sophisticated circuits as are known in the art. The circuits 252 can be attached to any door (s) associated with the trailer, such as rear or side sliding or double doors, it is understood that the circuits 252 for the detection of ajar door can be provided in a variety of such and that an equal number of circuit lines 254 can be provided to the trailer control module 276 to verify all of such doors.

The internal structure of the control module 256 of the tractor is preferably identical to the control module 156 of the tractor of figure 8 and the description thereof also applies to the control module 256 of the tractor. Referring now to Figure 12, a preferred embodiment of the trailer control module 276 is shown. The control module 276 of the trailer is identical to the control module 276 of the trailer with the following exceptions. First, the input filter 264 is provided with additional LEFT INTERMITTENT, RIGHT INTERMITTENT and BRAKE inputs. Second, the input 254 of the half-open door switch is applied to a known input filter 266, which provides the microcontroller 208 with a filtered signal from the half-open door switch. Finally, the trailer switching circuit 229 is configured somewhat differently as shown in Figure 13. Referring now to Figure 13, the switching circuit 205 of the tractor (previously described with respect to Figure 10) is shown in FIG. sample connected to the trailer switching circuit 229 via the link 230. The trailer switching circuit 229 is identical in most aspects to the trailer switching circuit 225 and accordingly similar numbers are used to identify like elements. The trailer switching circuit further includes the status line 262 connected to the power line 1684, which provides the LEFT FLASHING input to the input filter 264, the status line 258 connected to the power line 1682, which provides the input RIGHT INTERMITTENT to the input filter 264 and the status line 260 connected to the power line 1683, which provides the BRAKE input to the input filter 264. In all other aspects, the trailer switching circuit 229 is identical to the circuit 225 trailer switching. Operationally speaking, the link 250 of electrical power and communications is substantially identical to that previously described with respect to the link 150. In addition to the operation previously described, however, the microcontroller 208 is additionally operable during the execution of the algorithm of the elements of communication programming to check the 258 status lines, 260 and 262 and to verify the entry of the half-open door switch 254 provided by the input filter 266. Preferably, the status lines 258-262 are operable as previously described with respect to the existing status lines, such that if the operation of the LEFT FLASHING light of the trailer lighting system 180 is detected by the micro-wavelength controller 208, an appropriate data signal is sent over the COMM 214 line. The status signal of the LEFT FLASHING light is received on the COMM 194 line of the microcontroller 190, which then sends a control signal to the drive circuit 206 for illuminate by this the left indicator intermittent indicator portion 260. In a similar manner, the operation of the RIGHT INTERMITTENT, BRAKES, REAR, and STEP / SIDE HEIGHT can be detected in the status lines 258, 260, 248 and 249 respectively and displayed at the indicator 260. Finally, the status of the half-open door switch 252, provided to the microcontroller 208 via the input filter 2. 66, is verified and if a half-open door event is detected, the microcontroller 208 sends a corresponding data signal on the COMM 214 line. The microcontroller 190 receives the door data signal ajar on the COMM 194 line and provides an appropriate control signal to the drive circuit 206 to thereby illuminate the half-open door indicator 25 of the control module 256 of the tractor. Referring now to Figures 14-17, there is shown a link 300 of electrical power and communications between a tractor and a trailer, according to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention. The link 300 of electrical power and communications is substantially similar to the link 250 of electrical power and communications and accordingly similar numbers are used to represent the like elements. The main difference between the link 300 and the link 250 is the separation of the tractor control module previously described to the indicator module 302 of the tractor, preferably located in the area of the tractor cabin 152 and a control module 318 of the associated tractor. with the housing of the electrical connector or front case 320. It will be understood that any of the previously described tractor modules 156 and / or 256 may also be separated into a indicating module and a control module and that any such control modules may be located inside a properly configured front box, as will be described in greater detail with respect to Figures 19A and 19B.

The visual display module 302 of the tractor includes the indicators 160-166 and 258-260 discussed previously, as well as the additional indicators "roof switch" 304, "assignment defect" 306 and indicator bar 308 which includes a "march indicator" back "and four AUX indicators. The tractor 152 may include a reversing detector 310, which is prably a switch operable in a first position to indicate a reverse gear condition of the tractor 152 and in a second position in another way and which is provided as an input to the indicator module 302. Prably, the indicator module 302 includes a microprocessor-based controller (not shown) operable to communicate, in the form of serial data, with a microcontroller of the control module 318 of the tractor. When the reversing gear detector 310 indicates that the tractor 152 is in a reverse gear condition, the indicator module controller 310 sends a control signal to an appropriate drive circuit (not shown), to illuminate thereby the "reversing" portion of the indicator bar 308. The indicator module 302 further includes a power / communications port having an electrical power line 312, a ground rence line 314 and a communications line 316 that It extends from it. The electrical and ground rence power lines 312 and 314 (not shown) are connected to the power line 159 of the tractor ignition to provide by this electric power of ignition of the tractor and ground connection to the module 318 of the tractor . The communication line 316 is prably connected to the serial data communication ports of the indicator module 302 of the tractor and the control module 318 of the tractor respectively, so that serial communication signals can be sent between them. It will be understood, however, that if there are no restrictions on the wiring equipment, communication between the indicator module 302 of the tractor and the control module 318 of the tractor can be carried out in the parallel format, as is known in the art. Finally, the indicator module 302 of the tractor can optionally include a variety of inputs 315 (two such inputs are shown) to verify a corresponding number of tractor functions, which functions can be displayed or displayed with the indicator module 302 and / or the control module 318 of the tractor can be provided via the communication line 316. An example of such an optional input is the reversing gear detector 310, discussed previously. Another example of an optional input 315 is an input of the gear indication detector, such that the indicating module 302 can show the present gear of the transmission. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the status of any tractor function can be provided as an input 315 to the display module 320 for display thereon or to be additionally provided to the tractor module 318 via the communication line 316. The module 318 of tractor control has power lines 1684 -1687 of the electrical system 154 of the tractor connected to it and has power lines 170, - 1704 extending from it and connected to the 4 electrical connector 62 as previously described. The power lines 168r1683 extend from the electrical system 154 of the tractor and are connected to the electrical connector 62 as previously described. Power lines 1682 and 1683 are further connected to control module 318 of the tractor via state lines 386 and 384 respectively. As with links 150 and 250 of electrical power and communications, link 300 thus provides a total of seven electrical connections to electrical connector 62, which is prably done in J-560 format of the SAE. The front box 320 of the tractor can optionally include provisions for receiving electric power lines 322 and large-gauge 324 grounding from the ignition system 158 of the tractor. Such large-gauge 322 electrical and 324 earthing wires are capable of carrying large amounts of current, in such a way that sufficient current can be supplied to the trailer 174 via the electric lines Ißßí-I684 and 170? -170. The front box 320 of the tractor is connected to the front box 326 of the trailer via the umbilical cord 74 as with the electrical power and communication links previously described. The front box 326 of the trailer includes a control module 328 of the trailer therein, which module 328 has power lines 170? -17O4 connected to it and power lines 178? - 1784 extending therefrom and connected to the lighting system 180 of the trailer. Power lines 168? - 1683 extend through the front case 326 and are also connected to the trailer lighting system 180 as previously described. Power lines 1682 and 1683 are further connected to the control module 328 of the trailer via status lines 396 and 394 respectively. As with the trailer control modules described previously, the module 328 is connected to the power line 182 of the ABS to the ABS 184, the ABS 184 provides a fault signal of the ABS to the module 328 via the signal path 186 and the switch 252 of a half-open door provides a half-open door signal to module 328 via signal path 332. In addition to the above, the trailer 174 includes a variety of additional electrical towing systems which may need electrical power channeled thereto and / or which can provide diagnostic data to the trailer control module 328. For example, the trailer 174 may include a refrigeration unit which can be connectable to a power source via the trailer control module 328 and which includes diagnostic circuits to detect defects or failures of the refrigeration unit and provide a signal of cooling defect "ASSIGNMENT defect" to trailer module 328 via signal path 330. As another example, the trailer 174 may include overhead lights 333 that require electrical power to be routed thereto via the electrical line 334. Finally, the trailer 174 may include reversing lights 335 that require electrical power channeled thereto via the line Electrical 336. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other electrical systems of the trailer may be associated with the trailer 174 and that one or more of the embodiments of the present invention may be configured to harness electrical power thereto and / or verify such a system. electrical in terms of diagnostic information. The control module 328 of the trailer may also include a variety of auxiliary inputs 338 connected thereto for the verification of any of a corresponding number of functions of the trailer. In addition, trailer front box 340 may optionally include an electrical line 340 of node power extending therefrom, to provide electrical power from the node to additional internal electrical systems that are part of trailer 174. Finally, the front box 328 of the trailer may also include a communications line 370 of the node extending therefrom, which may be used to provide communications between the trailer module 328 and one or more electrical systems that are part of the trailer 174. Referred now to Figure 15, there is shown an embodiment of the control module 318 of the tractor, according to the present invention. As with the embodiment of the tractor control module discussed previously, the module 318 includes a microcontroller 341 that receives ignition power through a fuse F1 and a regulating filter 344 via the ignition power line 312 (or optionally via line 322 of large caliber power). A communication line 316 is connected to the microcontroller 342 to provide a serial communication path between the tractor control module 318 and the tractor indicator module 302. An A / D converter 195 is connected to the microcontroller 342 and receives a current signal input and a voltage signal input at the same, as previously described with respect to Figure 8. An input filter 346 is connected to the microcontroller 342 and in addition to those inputs described with respect to the input filter 196 of Figure 8, it includes as inputs the same BRAKE, OUTPUT BLACK, COFFEE OUTPUT, RIGHT INTERMITTENT, GREEN OUTPUT and LEFT INTERMITTENT. As with the embodiment of the tractor control module discussed previously, an actuator circuit 348 is connected to the output distribution bus of the microcontroller 342 and the actuator circuit 348 is operable to drive a number of switching devices that form a circuit of switching 355 of the tractor, wherein the switching devices are preferably relays, although they can be other switching devices. In the present embodiment, four such relays 350, together with the relays discussed previously, 200, 202 and 204 are connected to the circuits 348 of the actuator. Finally, the communication line COMM 194 is connected to the microcontroller 342 as previously discussed. Referring now to Figure 16, one embodiment of the control module 328 of the trailer is shown, in accordance with the present invention. As with the modalities of the trailer control module discussed previously, the module 328 includes a microcontroller 358 connected to a node power line 210, through the fuse F1 and the regulating filter 360. The electric power line 210 Node can also be provided as the optional node power line 340 (Figure 14). The communication line COMM 214 is connected to the microcontroller 358 as above and an input filter 362 has the same inputs thereto as described with respect to the input filter 264 of FIG. 12. A communication line OUTPUT 370 also is provided to establish a communication link with one or more electrical systems that are part of the trailer 174. The microcontroller 358 also has known output drive circuits 368 connected thereto, which circuits 368 provide the power line 178! (Blue (Aux) Output) as described above and additional power switching lines 334 and 336 to channel energy to, for example, roof lights 333 and reversing lights 336 respectively. An input filter 366 receives the fault signal lines of the ABS, Assignment defect and half-open door 186, 330 and 332 respectively, also as auxiliary inputs 338 and provides such signals to the microcontroller 358. Finally, as with the modes of the trailer control module discussed previously, an actuator circuit 372 is connected to an output distribution bus of the microcontroller 358 and the actuator circuit 372 is operable to drive a variety of switching devices forming a switching circuit 375 of the trailer, where the switching devices are preferably relays, although they may be other switching devices. In the present embodiment, five of such relays 374, together with the previously discussed relays 220, 222, 224 and 226 are connected to the circuits 372 of the actuator.

Referring now to Figure 17, the switching circuit 355 of the tractor is shown connected to the switching circuit 375 of the trailer via the connection 230. The switching circuit 355 of the tractor is identical in most aspects to the switching circuit of the tractor. tractor of figures 10 and 13 and therefore similar numbers are used to identify similar components. The switching circuit 355 of the tractor includes the following elements in addition to those described with respect to the switching circuit 205 of the tractor of Figures 10 and 13. First, the switch 350 ', controlled by the relay 350 has a first input connected through from the fuse F3 to the line 312 of electric power of ignition and a second input connected to the electric line 1684 corresponding to the electric line of green RIGHT INTERMITTER of the electric system 154 of the tractor. The output of switch 350 'is provided as power line 1704. Second, a variety of status lines have been added to the various power lines. For example, status line 384 is connected to power line 1683 and provides the LEFT FLASHING input to the input filter 346, status line 386 is connected to power line 1682 and provides the BRAKE input to the input filter. 346, status line 392 is connected to power line 1702 and provides the COFFEE OUTPUT to input filter 346, status line 388 is connected to power line 1684 and provides the RIGHT INTERMITTENT input to the input filter 346 and status line 390 is connected to power line 1704 and provides the GREEN OUTPUT input to the 346 input filter.

The switching circuit 375 of the trailer is identical in most aspects to the trailer switching circuit 229 of Figure 13 and accordingly similar reference numbers are used to identify the like elements. The following are the differences between the trailer switching circuit 229 and the trailer switching circuit 375. First, the input of the switch 222 'is connected to the electrical line 170 instead of the electrical power line 210 as in the circuit 229. Secondly an additional switch 374' is provided and controlled by the relay 374 The input of the switch 374 'is connected to the electric line 1704, a first output thereof is a non-connection (open circuit) and a second output thereof is connected to the electric line 178. Operationally speaking, the link 250 of electrical power and communications is substantially identical to that previously described with respect to the link 150. In addition to the operation previously described, however, the microcontroller 318 is additionally operational to control the switch 350 'from its defective or predetermined position, shown in Figure 17 as power line 1684 is connected to power line 1704, to connect line 312 of ignition power to power line 170, to thereby provide electrical power to the power line 1704. The microcontroller 328, in addition to the operation previously described, is operable to control the switch 374 'from its default or predetermined position, shown in Figure 17, which connects the power line 1704 to the power line 1784, to connect power line 1704 to power line 1784.

The microcontroller 318 is further operable during the execution of the algorithm of the communication programming elements to check the status lines 384, 386, 388, 390 and 392. One use of such a check is to compare the electric lines of the tractor with the corresponding electrical lines of the trailer and operate the buzzer 160 when unexpected differences occur. In addition to the above operational differences, the tractor indicator module 302 is also operable during the execution of the algorithm of the communication programming elements to check the reverse gear detector 310 and provide a communication signal, via communication line 316, to microcontroller 342 of the tractor and illuminate a "reverse" indicator of indicator bar 308 in response to a reverse gear event. The microcontroller 342 is further operable to provide a communication signal, via the COMM 194 line, to the microcontroller 358 of the reverse gear event trailer. The microcontroller 358 is operable to receive the communication signal, via the COMM 214 line and provide a control signal to the circuit 368 of the output drive to thereby channel the electrical power to the reversing lights 355 of the trailer 174 via the power line 336. The indicator module 302 of the tractor is also operable during the execution of the algorithm of the communication programming elements to verify a trailer roof light switch (not shown, but can be provided as an input to the module indicator 302 via one of the optional inputs 315) and provide a communication signal, via communication line 316, to the tractor microcontroller 342 and illuminate the 304 screen of the "Ceiling Lights Switch", in response to the detection of a request. of the roof light of the trailer. The microcontroller 342 is further operable to provide a communication signal, via the COMM 194 line, to the trailer microcontroller 358 of the trailer roof light request. The microcontroller 358 is operable to receive the communication signal, via the COMM 214 line and provide a control signal to the output driver circuit 368, to thereby channel electrical power to the lights 333 of the trailer 174 through the line electrical 334. In a similar manner and as further described elsewhere herein, any of the auxiliary inputs 338 may also be verified by the trailer microcontroller 358 and such input information may be provided either to the microcontroller. controller 342 of the tractor, via the line COMM 214, for the action after this or to another control module of the trailer via the communication line 370. The microcontroller 358 of control of the trailer is also operable to verify the line of communication 370 and providing communications between the microcontroller 358 and one or more electrical systems that are part of the trailer 174. Referring now to the figure 18, yet another embodiment of a tractor switching circuit 405 and trailer switching circuit 415 is shown, in accordance with the present invention, to provide an electrical power link and communications between a tractor and a trailer. The switching circuits 405 and 415 are substantially similar to the switching circuits 355 and 375 of FIG. 17, so that the general block diagram and the details of the corresponding control modules of the tractor and the trailer are omitted for brevity . The switching circuit 405 of the tractor is identical in most aspects to the switching circuit 355 of the tractor of Figure 17 and consequently similar numbers are used to identify similar components. In addition to those switches described with respect to the switching circuit 355 of the tractor, the switching circuit 405 further includes a switch 400 'controllable by a relay forming part of the corresponding tractor control module (not shown), wherein a first input of the switch 400 'is connected to the power line 1683 and a second input thereof is connected to a ground connection line 401. The output of the switch 400' is connected to the power line 1705. The switching circuit 415 of the trailer is likewise in many respects identical to switching circuit 375 of FIG. 17 and accordingly similar numbers are used to identify like elements. The following are the differences between the switching circuit 375 of the trailer and the interruption circuit 415 of the trailer. First, the input of the switch 222 'is connected to a first output of the switch 408' instead of the electrical line 1704 as in the circuit 375. Second, an additional switch, 402 ', is provided, controlled by an additional relay of the corresponding trailer control module (not shown), wherein the input of the switch 402 'is connected to the power line 1705. An output of the switch 402' is connected to one end of a diode D1 412, the opposite end of which is connects to the power line 1785. The other output of the switch 402 'is connected to a special ABS grounding line 183, which has recently been determined by the NHTSA as required on all trailers manufactured after 1998. The diode D1 412 has been added for safety purposes, such as if the grounded line 183 of ABS is inadvertently switched to positive electrical power. If this occurs, diode D1 412 prevents current from flowing back through switch 402 ', which could possibly damage relay 402. A third difference is the addition of several switches to accommodate the provision of a special line of ABS ground connection 183. Specifically, the switch 403 ', controllable by a relay forming part of the control module (not shown) of the corresponding trailer, has an input connected to an output of the switch 226'. A first output of the switch 403 'is a non-connection (open circuit) and a second output thereof is connected to the electrical line 1785 through the fuse F4. The switch 404 ', controllable by a relay forming part of the control module (not shown) of the corresponding trailer, has an input connected to the input of the switch 403 *. A first output of the switch 404 'is a non-connection (open circuit) and a second output thereof is connected to the power line 1783. The switch 406', controllable by a relay forming part of the corresponding control module (not shown) , has an input connected to the input of the switch 222 '. A first output of the switch 406 'is a non-connection (open circuit) and a second output thereof is connected to the electrical line 178 ?. The switch 408 ', controllable by a relay forming part of the corresponding control module (not shown) of the trailer, has an input connected to the input of the switches 222' and 406 ', also as an output of the switch 374'. A first output of the switch 408 'is a non-connection (open circuit) and a second output thereof is connected to the electrical line 178. Operationally speaking, the switching circuits 405 and 415 are substantially similar to the switching circuits 355 and 375 of FIG. 17. In their default or predetermined states (without power and / or conventional mode of operation), the various switches are in its positions shown in Figure 18, such that the electrical system 154 of the tractor and the lighting system of the trailer 180 are connected together as described with respect to Figures 8-10. In addition to the operation previously described, however, the switch 400 'is further operational to connect the ground reference to the power line 1705. Similarly, the switch 402 is operational for connecting the ground reference on the power line 170s to the ground connection line 183 of the ABS to provide through this a special line of ground connection to it. The remaining new switches 403 '- 408' are operational in conjunction with the switches of the trailer switching circuits previously described, to properly channel the electrical energy to the various electrical systems of the trailer, as well as the lighting system 180 of the trailer and to provide maximum flexibility as well as safety in switching power to the appropriate towing circuits. In all other aspects, the operation of the switching circuits 405 and 415 is identical to those switching circuits previously described. Referring now to Figures 19A and 19B, there is shown an embodiment of an electrical receptacle housing, or front case 440, configured to accommodate either a control module of the tractor or the trailer therein, in accordance with another aspect of the invention. the present invention. The front case 440 may represent any of the front boxes 172, 320 or 326 shown and described herein and may therefore be configured for attachment to either a tractor 152 or a trailer 174. The front case 440 includes a first portion 450 of housing adapted to be detachably mounted to a surface such as, for example, an exterior surface of a tractor or trailer (not shown). Preferably, the housing 450 defines a variety of holes 451 therethrough, for receiving therein a fastener, wherein the fastener is attached to the tractor or to the trailer. It will be understood, however, that the present invention contemplates the use of any known means for releasably mounting the housing 450 to the tractor or trailer, such as, for example, a clamp, a shape memory component and certain adhesives. The housing 450 has an interior surface 452 around which a flange 454 is integrally defined. The flange 454 and the inner surface 452 together define an inner portion of the housing 450. The inner surface 452 further defines a hole 456 therethrough. A variety of posts 458 extend from the interior surface 452 to be received within the corresponding holes 465 of the circuit board 460. A side 462 of the circuit board 460 includes an electrical connector 464 attached thereto, which electrical connector 464 is preferably provided with seven terminals arranged in accordance with the standards of the SAE J-560. It will be understood, however, that the present invention contemplates providing the electrical connector 464 with electrical connections having a configuration different from that of the SAE J-560. Board 460 circuits, electric connector. 464 and the housing 450 are configured such that the connector 464 is received within the hole 456 of the housing 450 while the posts 458 are received within the corresponding holes 465. An opposite side 466 of the circuit board 460 includes a variety of drivers that extend from it. Preferably seven such drivers 468? - 4687 are connected to the circuits contained on and / or inside the board 460 of circuits, in such a way that the conductors 468? - 4687 can be connected to an appropriate SAE J-560 electrical connector. The circuit board 460, as indicated, contains circuits on it and / or therein and preferably the circuits comprise at least a portion of a control module of the tractor or trailer, such as one of the modes shown and described in the present. For example, it is shown that the circuit board 460 of Figure 19A has the four relays 220, 222, 224 and 226 of the control module 176 of the trailer (Figure 19) removably mounted to the side 466 thereof. According to one embodiment of the control modules of the tractor or trailer of the present invention, the circuit board 460 is designed to contain the entire control module thereon and / or on it, so that only Circuit components that are subject to wear or that may otherwise require replacement are accessible and replaceable. Thus, the circuit board 460 is preferably configured in such a way that the relays 220-226 can be replaced without removing the circuit board 460 from within the interior portion of the housing 450. After the circuit board 460 is positioned within of the inner portion of housing 450, by passing the posts 458 through the corresponding holes 465, a molded molding compound 469 is supplied to the interior portion of the housing 450, which surrounds the circuit board 460 and fills the interior portion of the housing 450. Preferably , the molding compound 469 is a liquefied compound operable to fill the inner portion of the housing 450 and thereafter cure or solidify to at least a semi-rigid state and secure the circuit board 460 to the inner surface 452 and to the surface internal of the flange 454, of the housing 450 with the circuit board 460 embedded therein. As such, the molding compound 469 is operable to provide a seal for the board 460 against environmental contaminants, such as moisture, dust and the like. The molding compound 469 is preferably an epoxy-based resin compound operable to cure or solidify at a sufficiently low temperature, such that the circuit components formed on / within the circuit board 460 are not damaged. A cover 472 of the housing is further provided and preferably configured in a complementary manner to the flange 454 of the housing with a recessed or recessed portion 474 configured to receive the flange 454 therein. The housing 450 further includes a pair of posts 476 that extend outwardly and in opposite directions from the flange 454 and the cover 472 of the housing defines a pair of holes 478 therethrough to the recessed or recessed portion 474. The holes 478 are configured to receive the posts therein, to thereby mount, hingedly, the cover 472 to the housing 450. The cover 472 of the housing has an electrical connector 470 mounted thereto, which connector 470 includes a variety of terminals 471 defined therein. Each of the terminals 471 is connected to a corresponding conductor 468? - 4687 and preferably terminals 471 of connector 470 are arranged in a SAE J-560 configuration. It will be understood, however, that the electrical connectors 470 and 464 need not be provided in accordance with the standards of the SAE J-560 and that the structural concepts of the front case 440 apply independently of the respective configurations of the connectors 464 and 470 and also without regard to the number of electrical connection terminals associated therewith.

The flange 454 of the housing preferably includes a flexible element 480 mounted to the flange 454 to provide a sealing coupling between the flange 454 and the recess 474 of the cover 472 of the housing. The cover 472 of the housing further includes a pair of holes 484 therethrough and arranged to be in alignment with a corresponding hole 486 formed through the flange 454. It is proposed that the housing 472 be hinged around the posts 476, such that the flange 454 is received within the recess 474 of the cover 472 of the housing, such that the flexible seal 480 can provide an environmentally sealing coupling between the flange 454 and the recess 474. A pin, or other element of fastener 482 is passed through the holes 484 to thereby close the cover 472 of the housing to the seal coupling with the housing 450 and to prevent tampering with the contents of the housing 450. Preferably, the bolt 482 has a head 483 at one end thereof and defines a hole 486 therethrough at an opposite end thereof. A fastener 485 is further provided, which extends to the hole 486 after passing the bolt 482 through the holes 484. The fastener 485 can be of an appropriate bolt configuration, as shown in the figure 119A or may consist of a more elaborate fastening element, such as a padlock, for example. An electrical connector plate 490 is further included and defines a number of holes 494, 498 and 502 therethrough. A corresponding flange portion 488 of housing cover 472 also defines a number of holes 496 and 502 therethrough, such that a bolt other fastening element 492, can be passed through orifice 494, 496, 498, 500 and 502 to thereby articulate plac 490 to cover 472 of the housing to protect the electrical connector 47 from the environment. Although not shown in detail in the drawings, the hinged connection between plate 490 and cover 472 of the housing is preferably so that plate 490 is predisposed or tilted in its downward position as shown, in order to protect the electrical connector 470 when n is in use. The anterior structure of the front case 440 is advantageous in several aspects. First, it provides a convenient location for the control module of the tractor or trailer, which location is preferably protected from the environment. Secondly, the articulatable mounting of the cover 472 to housing 450 allows easy access to certain components mounted to the circuit board 460 and can be replaced. Thirdly the articulatable mounting of the cover 472 to the housing 450, also as the connections provided between the conductors 468Í-4687 and the corresponding terminals 471 of the connector 470, allows any and / or all of the terminals 471 to be easily replaced when it is necessary due to wear, breakage and / or corrosion. Referring now to FIG. 20, which is composed of FIGS. 20A and 20B, there is shown a flow diagram showing a modality of an algorithm 600 of programming elements, according to yet another aspect of the present invention. Algorithm 600 is executable by any of the control modules of the tractor described herein, to establish an intelligent or conventional mode of operation with a trailer attached thereto. In the following description of the algorithm 600, the algorithm will be described with respect to the link 150 of electrical power and communications of Figs. 7-10, although it should be understood that the operation of the algorithm 600 is identical with respect to any of the modes of the module. of tractor control discussed here. With reference specifically to figure 20A, Algorithm 600 begins in step 602 with an "activation" event of the ignition. The "activation" event of the ignition normally corresponds to the starting of the tractor engine by a tractor operator, in such a way that ignition voltage is provided by ignition system 158 of the tractor to the tractor control module via line 159 of electric power of ignition. After this in step 604, the microcontroller 190 of the control module 156 of the tractor executes a routine of adjustment to initial values, wherein the microcontroller 190 normally adjusts the initial parameters of the microcontroller, tests the communications of indication and set all indicators 160-166 to default values. After this in step 606, the control module 156 of the tractor controls the relay 204 to channel the electrical power from the ignition power line 159 of the tractor to the electric line corresponding to the electric power line 210 of the module node control 176 of the trailer, in a manner as described above. The execution of the program continues in step 608 wherein the current flowing through the resistor 240 (through the switch 204 ') is detected and provided at the input of the A / D converter 195, which provides a digital signal representation the same to the microcontroller 190. If the microcontroller 190 determines from the digital current signal that the current flowing through the switch 204 'and through the resistor 240 is a current associated with the power line 159 electrical ignition, then the execution of the algorithm continues in step 610. However, if the microcontroller 190 determines from the digital current signal that the current flowing through the switch 204 'and through the resistor 240 does not is a current associated with the power line 159 of ignition, then the algorithm returns to step 608. Thus the algorithm operates in a continuous circuit until the microcontroller 19 0 detects that the control module 176 of the trailer has been properly connected to the control module 156 of the trailer, such that an expected amount of current flows through the resistor 240 and the switch 204 '. The execution of the algorithm continues in step 610 where the tractor control module controls the relay 202 to connect the tractor communication line (COMM 194) to the electric line corresponding to the communication line of the trailer control module ( COMM 214). After this in step 612, the microcontroller 190 checks the COMM 194 line to determine if a "heartbeat" signal has been received from a trailer module within a predetermined period of time after executing step 610, the which predetermined time period is preferably in the range of 1-100 milliseconds. If no "heartbeat" signal is received within the predetermined time period after connecting the COMM 194 line to COMM 214, the execution of the algorithm continues in step 626 where the microcontroller 190 controls the switches 202'-204 ' to its predetermined states, as shown in Figure 10, to configure by this the electric lines 168? - 1684 and 170i - 1703 regarding the conventional operation of the trailer (only the lighting system 180 of the trailer). If, in step 612, a "heartbeat" signal is received on the COMM line 194 within the predetermined time period after executing step 610, the microcontroller 190 switches the operation to "Intelligent mode" in step 614 The execution of the "Intelligent Mode" stage 614 includes several sub-stages. First, the microcontroller 190 controls the rest of the switching devices (relays) to switch from the conventional mode of operation to its opposite state. In the switching circuit 205 of FIG. 10, this step encompasses controlling the switch 200 'to connect the iion power line 159 to the power line 1703 to thereby channel the electrical power to the ABS 184 of the trailer 174. Secondly, the microcontroller 190 sends a signal of control to the drive circuit 206, to thereby illuminate the indicator 164 of the "Smart Tow Mode" of the control module 156 of the trailer. After this, in step 616, the microcontroller 190 executes a communication routine and visual indication or representation, described more fully hereinabove, wherein the microcontroller 190 verifies the COMM 194 line as well as the inputs provided by the input filter 196 and displays the appropriate information on one or more of the indicators 160-166 and / or sends appropriate information to the control module 176 of the trailer via the COMM 194 line. Execution of the algorithm continues from the stage 616 to step 618 wherein the COMM 194 line is checked again to determine if a "heartbeat" signal has been detected thereon within a predetermined period of time from the detection of the last "heartbeat" signal, the which predetermined time period is preferably in the range of 1-100 milliseconds. If, in step 618, the microcontroller 190 determines that a "heartbeat" signal has been detected within a predetermined period of time from the detection of the last "heartbeat" signal, then the execution of the algorithm continues in the step 620 wherein the microcontroller 190 transmits a "recoion" signal on the COMM 194 line, after which the execution of the algorithm continues in step 616. If, in step 618, the microcontroller 190 determines that a "heartbeat" signal has not been detected within a predetermined period of time from the detection of the last "heartbeat" signal, then the execution of the algorithm continues at step 622 where the current through the resistor 240 and the Switch 204 'is tested to determine if the electric current of iion flows through them. If not, the execution of the algorithm continues in step 624 where the tractor control module controls relay 202 to disconnect the communication line of the tractor (COMM 194) from the power line corresponding to the communication line of the control module of the trailer (COMM 214). The execution of the program continues from step 624 to step 608. If the iion electric power current is in flow through the resistor in step 622, then the execution of the algorithm continues in step 626 where the controller 190 controls switches 202 '-204' to their predetermined states, as shown in FIG. 10, to configure electric lines 168? - 1684 and 170? - 1703 for conventional trailer operation (trailer lighting system 190 only). The execution of the program continues from step 626 to step 628. Referring now to FIG. 20B, the execution of the program continues from step 626 in step 628 where the status line 1685 of the height light of step / lateral. If, in step 628, operation of the pitch / side height lamp has been required from within the tractor 152, the control module 156 of the tractor controls the relay 204, in step 630, to harness the electrical energy from the power line 159 of iion of the tractor to the electric line corresponding to the electric power line 210 of the node of the control module 176 of the trailer in a manner as described above. After this in step 632, the current through switch 204 '(through resistor 240, specifically) is verified. If, in step 632, the iion power current of the tractor is in flow through the resistor 240, the execution of the algorithm continues in step 628. If, in step 632, the ignition power current of the tractor is not flowing through the resistor 240, the execution of the algorithm continues in step 608. Yes, in the step 628, operation of the pass / side height light has not been required, the tractor control module 156 controls the relay 204, in step 634, to disconnect the power line 159 from the ignition of the tractor from the power line 170 !. The execution of the program continues from step 634 in step 636 where the status of a "flag" is tested. If the flag is detected arranged in step 636, the execution algorithm continues in step 642. If, in step 636, the flag is detected as not ready, the execution of the algorithm continues in step 638 where the voltage on line 170 ?. Yes, in step 638, the voltage on the power line 170? is equal to the ignition voltage of the tractor, the flag is set to step 640 and the execution of the algorithm continues from it in step 628. If, in step 638, the voltage in the electric line 170? is not equal to the ignition voltage of the tractor, the execution of the algorithm continues in step 628. If, in step 636, the flag is set, the execution of the algorithm continues in step 642 where the voltage in the line is tested Electric 170 ?. Yes, in step 642, the voltage on the power line 170? is greater than 2/3 of the ignition voltage of the tractor, the execution of the algorithm continues in step 628. If, in step 642, the voltage in the electric line 170! is less than or equal to 2 3 of the ignition voltage of the tractor, the flag is reset in step 644 and the execution of the algorithm continues from it in step 608.

If, according to the portion of the algorithm 600 summarized in Fig. 20A, a periodic heartbeat signal is not detected within an expected period of time, the tractor micro-controller tests the ignition power of the tractor to determine if the control module 176 of the trailer has been disconnected from the control module 156 of the tractor. If so, then the algorithm continues until the microcontroller 190 detects a reconnection. If the control module 176 of the trailer has not been disconnected from the control module 156 of the tractor but no heartbeat signal is detected, this indicates loss of communication between the control modules of the tractor and the trailer 156 and 176 respectively and the control module. control 156 of the tractor responds by switching back to the conventional operating mode. In doing so, the microcontroller 190 resets the indicators 160-166 and controls the switching devices 200 '-204', to their predetermined states. The portion of the 60th algorithm summarized in FIG. 20B is designed to deal with instances where a conventional trailer is disconnected from an "intelligent" tractor and an "intelligent" trailer connected thereto, without interruption in the ignition power of the tractor. Such instances are common and occur when a tractor operator switches trailers without turning off the ignition of the tractor. With the ignition of the tractor activated and a conventional trailer attached to the tractor control module 156 such that the control module 156 of the tractor is in operation in the conventional mode (switches 200 '-204' in their predetermined positions as shown) in figure 10), several electrical conditions can occur, depending on the physical properties of the trailer, when the conventional trailer is disconnected. For example, if the conventional trailer has incandescent step / side height lamps associated with it and those lamps are not activated when the conventional trailer is disconnected, the voltage in the electric line 170? it will go from approximately zero volts (incandescent lamps that act as a short to ground under the conditions of low current, as is known in the art) to the ignition voltage of the tractor. When a trailer is reconnected to the tractor, the voltage on the power line 170? will be less than about 2/3 of the tractor ignition voltage. If the reconnected trailer is one that has incandescent step / side height lamps, the voltage on the power line 170? It will be approximately zero volts as previously described. However, if the reconnected trailer is an "intelligent" trailer, then the voltage on the electric line 170? will be the voltage across the resistor 247 of the trailer switching circuit 225. Since the resistor 245 is about 20 Kiloohms and the resistor 247 is about 10 Kiioohms, the voltage on the power line 170t will be about 2/3 of the ignition voltage of the tractor. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other relationships of the resistor 245 to the resistor 247 can be used without detracting from the concepts of the present invention. In any case, the tractor control module then executes the portion of the algorithm 600 which determines whether the reconnected trailer is a conventional trailer or an intelligent trailer and controls the relays 200-204 in accordance. If the reconnected trailer is a conventional trailer that has LED step / side height lamps associated with it, the voltage on the 17d power line will not go to a value less than or equal to approximately 2/3 of the tractor's ignition voltage , but rather it will remain at the ignition voltage of the tractor since the lamps are not activated. Similarly, if the conventional trailer disconnected from the tractor is one that has LED step / side height lamps, which are not activated when the trailer is disconnected, the voltage on the electric line 170? it will remain in the ignition voltage of the tractor when the trailer is disconnected from the tractor. In such case, the flag is established. After this, the tractor control module will not execute the portion of Algorithm 600 which determines whether the reconnected trailer is a conventional trailer or an intelligent trailer until the voltage on the electric line 170? it passes to less than 2/3 of the ignition voltage of the tractor and the flag is reset, in which case the reconnected trailer is either an intelligent trailer or a conventional trailer that has incandescent step / side height lamps. On the other hand, if the reconnected trailer is a conventional trailer that has LED step / side height lamps, the tractor control module will simply continue the operation in conventional mode. If any type of trailer is disconnected from a smart tractor with the step / side height lamp activated, regardless of the type of lamp, the current flow through the power line 170i will be interrupted, as detected when checking the resistor 245 , when the trailer is disconnected. The tractor module, in this case, will wait until a trailer is reconnected to the tractor by checking again the current through the resistor 245 and once reconnected, it will try to establish communications with the trailer as previously described. Referring now to Figure 21, there is shown a flow diagram showing one embodiment of an algorithm of programming elements 700, according to yet another aspect of the present invention. Algorithm 700 is executable by any of the trailer control modules described herein to establish the intelligent or conventional mode of operation with a tractor connected thereto. In the following description of the algorithm 700, the algorithm will be described with respect to the link 150 of electrical power and communications of Figs. 7-10, although it should be understood that the operation of the algorithm 700 is identical with respect to any of the embodiments of the module. of trailer control discussed in this. Algorithm 700 begins in step 702 with a power "activation" event. The power "activation" event normally corresponds to an ignition power supply via the control module 156 of the tractor to the electric power line 210 of the node of the trailer control module 176. This "energizing" energy step acts to "wake up" the control module 176 of the trailer and after that in step 604, the microcontroller 208 of the control module 176 of the trailer executes a routine of adjustment to initial values in wherein the microcontroller 208 normally adjusts the initial parameters of the microcontroller and ensures the correct predetermined setting for the switching devices 220'-226 '. After this in step 706, the microcontroller 208 tests the voltage level on the power line 1782, corresponding to the trailing trailer lamp circuit. If a constant voltage is detected on the power line 1782, this indicates that the COMM 194 line is either not properly connected to it or that the microcontroller 190 is not communicating properly via the COMM 194 line. In any case, the execution of the algorithm continues from step 706 to step 714 wherein the control module 176 of the trailer switches to the conventional operation mode. At this point in the algorithm, no switching device has been switched from its predetermined positions, such that step 714 only causes the microcontroller 208 to refrain from verifying any inputs provided by the input filter 216, also as any defect information of the ABS that is present on the signal line 186. Yes in step 706, a non-constant voltage is detected on the power line 1782, this indicates that the COMM 194 line is connected to it and functioning properly, in which case the execution of the algorithm continues in the step 708. In the step 708, the micro -controller controls the switch 224 'to connect the electric line 1702 to the COMM 214 line, to thereby connect the COMM 194 line of the control module 156 of the tractor to the COMM 214 line of the control module 176 of the tractor to establish a single line of communication between them. After this, in step 710, the microcontroller 208 transmits a beat signal on the COMM 214 line. The execution of the algorithm continues from step 710 in step 712 where the microcontroller 208 checks the COMM 214 signal to determine if a "recognition" signal has been presented thereon within a predetermined period of time after transmitting the beat signal, which predetermined time period is preferably within the range of 1-100 milliseconds. If, within a predetermined period of time after transmitting the heartbeat signal no recognition signal has been detected on the COMM 214 line, the execution of the algorithm continues in step 714. If, in step 712, a recognition signal has been detected within a predetermined period of time after transmitting the heartbeat signal on the COMM 214 line, the execution of the algorithm continues at step 716 where the control module 176 of the trailer switches to intelligent operation mode. Switching to the intelligent operation mode in step 716 causes the microcontroller 208 to control the switching device 220 'to connect the power line 1703 to the power line 182 of the ABS, to thereby channel a special line of electrical power of ignition to an ABS power supply input 184. From step 716, the execution of the algorithm continues at step 718 where the microcontroller 208 executes a communication algorithm, the details of which are summarized in greater detail above. at the moment. Essentially, the communication algorithm causes the microcontroller 208 to check the inputs provided to the input filter 216, the fault line of the ABS and the COMM 214 line for communication from the control module 156 of the tractor and respond to the same. accordance. For example, if the tractor control module transmits a communication that a back lamp operation is desired, the microcontroller 208 controls the switch 222 'to supply electrical power 210 from the node to the power line 1782, whereby it is provided electrical power to the trailer rear lamp circuit 174. Another such operation of the communications algorithm by the trailer control module 176 is summarized in greater detail below. Execution of the algorithm continues from step 718 to step 720 wherein the microcontroller 208 transmits another beat signal, preferably within a predetermined time period after transmitting the previous beat signal, which predetermined time period it is preferably in the range of 1 - 100 milliseconds. After this in step 722, the microcontroller checks the COMM 214 line to determine if a recognition signal has been detected thereon within a predetermined period of time after transmitting the heartbeat signal in step 720. If the recognition signal has been detected on the COMM 214 line within the predetermined time period from the transmission of the heartbeat signal in step 720, the execution of the algorithm continues in step 718. If, in step 722, the signal of recognition has not been detected on the COMM 214 line within the predetermined time period after the transmission of the heartbeat signal in step 720, the execution of the algorithm continues in step 714 wherein the microcontroller 208 controls each of the switching devices 220'-226 'to its default or predetermined position and further omits any data provided thereto by the filter 216 of input, the ABS defect line 186, as well as any data detected on the COMM 214 line. After this, the only way to re-enter the intelligent operation mode is to reset Algorithm 700 either by restarting the ignition sequence or by disconnecting the umbilical cord 74 from the electrical connector 72 and then reconnecting the cord 74 thereto. Thus, the control module 176 of the trailer is operable to verify the COMM 214 line and periodically transmit the heartbeat signals thereon. If, in a similar manner, periodic recognition signals are detected, sent by the trailer control module 156, then the intelligent operation mode will continue. However, if the control module 176 of the trailer fails to detect an expected recognition signal, then the trailer control module returns to the conventional operation mode. It should be noted that each of the electrical power and communication link modes shown and described herein uses a sufficiently slow serial data communications speed, that a single communications line is needed and no electrical noise reduction technique. It needs to be used. Such communication programming elements are known and commercially available from Transportation Safety Devices, Inc. of Indianapolis, Indiana. While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the foregoing description, it is to be considered as illustrative and not limiting in character, it is understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all Changes and modifications that enter into the spirit of the invention are to be protected. It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention. Having described the invention as above, property is claimed as contained in the following

Claims (50)

1. Claims 1. A communication and power or power switching system of a tractor, for establishing an energy and communication link with a trailer, characterized in that it comprises: a plurality of switching devices each having a switchable input between a power line which is part of an electric system of the tractor and one of an electric power line connected to a power source associated with the tractor and a communication line and an outlet connected to the trailer, and a tractor control module that has an input / output connected to the communication line for sending and receiving communication signals thereon, the tractor control module controls the plurality of switching devices for connecting the inputs of the first and second switching devices to the communication line and the electric power line respectively.
2. 2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that an input of at least one of the switching devices is switchable between a power line of the tractor electrical system and a ground connection line; and wherein the tractor control module further controls the plurality of switching devices for connecting the input of a third party of the switching devices to the ground connection line.
3. 3. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the control module of the tractor also controls the plurality of switching devices for connecting the input of a third of the switching devices to the electric power line.
4. 4. The system according to claim 3, characterized in that the control module of the tractor includes an input that detects the current, coupled to the output of the third switching device, to verify the flow of current through it.
5. 5. The system according to claim 4, characterized in that it includes an A / D (analog to digital) converter having an analog input connected to the output of the third switching device and a digital output connected to the current sensing input, the A / D converter (analog to digital) checks the current flowing through the third switching device and provides a digital current signal in the digital output representative of it.
6. 6. The system according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one of the inputs of the switching device is switchable between the electric line of the electric system of the tractor and a line of connection to earth; and wherein the tractor control module further controls the plurality of switching devices for connecting the input of a fourth switching device of the switching devices to the grounding line.
7. The system according to claim 6, characterized in that the control module of the tractor also controls the plurality of switching devices for connecting the input of a fifth switching device of the switching devices to the electric power line.
8. 8. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that it also includes a display or display module associated with the tractor; wherein the tractor control module is operable to receive diagnostic data that is related to the trailer, via the communication line and displays the diagnostic data with the indicator module.
9. 9. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the control module of the tractor also includes a plurality of status inputs, each coupled to a corresponding output of the outputs of the switching device, the control module of the tractor determines a state of each of the switching devices when verifying a signal level at the output thereof.
10. 10. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that it also includes a housing of the electrical connector attached to the tractor, the housing has an electrical connector attached thereto, the electrical connector defines a number of electrical terminals, at least some of the electrical terminals connected to the outputs of some of the plurality of switching devices and other electrical terminals attached to the electrical lines of at least a portion of the electrical system of the tractor, the housing defines an interior thereof and has the switching system of communication and energy of the tractor attached to the interior of the housing.
11. 11. The system according to claim 10, characterized in that the connector is a connector J-560.
12. 12. The system according to claim 10, characterized in that the communication and energy switching system of the tractor is joined to the interior of the housing by means of a filling or imbibition compound.
13. 13. A method for the operation of a tractor control module, to provide a communication line thereto to a trailer and a special power line from a power source of the tractor to the trailer, the method is characterized in that it comprises the steps of: (i) controlling a first switching device associated with the control module of the tractor and having an outlet connected to the trailer, to disconnect a first electric line forming part of an electrical system of the tractor from an input thereof and connecting a communication input / output of the tractor control module to the input of the first switching device, thereby establishing the communication line therethrough; (ii) verify the communication line; (iii) carrying out steps (iv) and (v) if a heartbeat signal is detected on the communication line within a first predetermined time period after establishing the communication line and otherwise controlling the first device of switching to disconnect the communication input / output thereof and reconnect the first electric line thereto; (iv) controlling a second switching device associated with the control module of the tractor and having an outlet connected to the trailer, to disconnect a second electric line from the tractor's electrical system from an input thereof and connect the electric power source of the tractor; tractor at the entrance of the second switching device to provide by this the special energy line; and (v) verify the communication line regarding the trailer's diagnostic data.
14. 14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that it includes putting into operation the control module of the tractor to also provide a special line of ground connection from the tractor to the trailer; and wherein step (iv) further includes controlling a third switching device associated with the control module of the tractor and having an outlet connected to the trailer, for disconnecting a third electric line from the tractor's electrical system from an input thereof and connect the ground connection line of the tractor to the entrance of the third switching device, thereby providing the special line to ground.
15. 15. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that it also includes the following stage before step (i): controlling a third switching device associated with the control module of the tractor and having an output connected to the trailer, to disconnect a third electric line from the tractor electrical system of an input thereof and connect the electric power source of the tractor to the input of the third switching device, thereby providing electrical energy therethrough to a supply input of energy of a trailer control module.
16. 16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that it also includes the following step before carrying out steps (ii) - (v): checking the current through the third switching device and carrying out the steps (ii) - (v) only if the current of the electric power source 20 of the tractor flows through it.
17. 17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that it also includes the following steps after carrying out steps (i) - (v): (vi) verifying the communication line; (vii) carrying out steps (viii) - (ix) if a heartbeat signal is detected on the communication line within a second predetermined time period after receiving the previous heartbeat signal and otherwise detecting the current through the third switching device and controlling the first, second and third switching devices to disconnect the communication input and output and electrical power source respectively of the tractor and reconnect the first, second and third power lines respectively if the current the electric power source of the tractor flows through them; (viii) sending a recognition signal over the communication line within a third predetermined time period after receiving the heartbeat signal; and (ix) carrying out steps (v) - (ix) continuously.
18. 18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that it includes putting the tractor control module into operation to also provide a special ground connection line from the tractor to the trailer; and wherein step (iv) further includes controlling a fourth switching device, associated with the control module of the tractor and having an outlet connected to the trailer, to disconnect a fourth electrical line from the tractor's electrical system from an input thereto. and connecting the ground connection line of the tractor to the input of the fourth switching device to thereby provide the special ground connection line; and wherein step (vii) further includes controlling the fourth switching devices to disconnect the grounding line of the tractor thereof and reconnect the fourth electrical lines respectively to them if the current of the tractor's electrical power source flows through the third switching device.
19. 19. A communication and energy switching system of a trailer, to establish a link of electrical energy and communications with a tractor, characterized in that it comprises: a first plurality of switching devices each having an input connected to the tractor and a switchable output between an electric line that is part of a trailer lighting system and one of an electric line that is part of an electrical system of the trailer and a communication line; and a trailer control module having an input / output connected to the communication line, for sending and receiving communication signals thereon, the trailer control module controls the first plurality of switching devices for connecting the first and second ones. second of the outputs of the switching device to the communication line and a first of the electrical lines of the electrical system of the trailer, respectively.
20. 20. The system according to claim 19, characterized in that the trailer control module controls the first plurality of switching devices for connecting the output of a third switching device to a second of the electrical lines of the trailer electrical system.
21. 21. The system according to claim 19, characterized in that the trailer control module includes a power supply input connected to the tractor.
22. 22. The system according to claim 19, characterized in that it includes a second plurality of switching devices, each having an input connected to a power supply input of the trailer control module and a switchable output between a power line that forms part of the trailer lighting system and an open position; and wherein the trailer control module controls the second plurality of switching devices for connecting the output of a first thereof to the corresponding electrical line of the trailer lighting system to provide electrical power thereto.
23. 23. The system according to claim 22, characterized in that the control module of the trailer also controls the second plurality of switching devices to connect the output of a second thereof to the corresponding electrical line of the trailer lighting system to provide power electrical to it.
24. 24. The system according to claim 19, characterized in that it also includes a third plurality of switching devices, each having an input connected to the tractor and a switchable output between a power line that is part of the lighting system of the trailer and a position open; and wherein the trailer control module controls the third plurality of switching devices for connecting the output of a first one of them to the corresponding electric line of the trailer lighting system, to thereby connect the tractor thereto.
25. 25. The system according to claim 22, characterized in that the control module of the tractor also controls the third plurality of switching devices, to connect the output of a second thereof to the corresponding electrical line of the trailer lighting system, for connect by this the tractor to it.
26. 26. The system according to claim 19, characterized in that it also includes a housing of the electrical connector attached to the trailer, the housing has an electrical connector attached thereto, the electrical connector defines a variety of electrical terminals, at least some of the electrical terminals connected to the inputs of some of the first plurality of switching devices and other of the electrical terminals connected to them. electrical lines of at least a portion of the trailer lighting system, the housing defines an interior thereof and has the communication and electrical power switching system of the trailer attached to the interior of the housing.
27. 27. The system according to claim 26, characterized in that the connector is a connector J-560.
28. 28. The system according to claim 26, characterized in that the communication and electric power switching system of the trailer is attached to the interior of the housing by means of an imbibition or filling compound.
29. 29. The system according to claim 19, characterized in that the trailer control module includes a diversity of status inputs, each coupled to at least some of the electric lines of the trailer lighting system and the trailer electrical system, The trailer control module determines a state of each of the corresponding electric lines by verifying a signal level therein.
30. 30. The system according to claim 19, characterized in that the trailer control module includes a variety of diagnostic inputs, each coupled to portions of the trailer's electrical system, the trailer control module communicates diagnostic information related thereto to the trailer. tractor on the line of communication.
31. 31. The system according to claim 30, characterized in that the first of the electrical lines of the trailer electrical system corresponds to a power supply input of an anti-lock braking system (ABS) associated with the trailer; and where one of the diagnostic inputs is coupled to an ABS defective circuit (anti-lock brake system) operable to check the ABS (anti-lock brake system) and generate an ABS fault diagnostic signal (anti-lock brake system) ), if the ABS (anti-lock brake system) malfunctions.
32. 32. The system according to claim 30, characterized in that one of the diagnostic inputs is coupled to a trailer door circuit, operable to verify a trailer door and provide a door diagnostic signal ajar if it is detected that the door of the trailer is ajar, through the trailer door circuit.
33. 33. A method to put into operation a trailer control module, to provide a communication line from the same to a tractor and a special power line, connected to a power source of the tractor, to an electrical system of the trailer, the The method is characterized in that it comprises the steps of: (i) controlling a first switching device associated with the trailer control module and having an input connected to the trailer, to disconnect a first electric line forming part of the trailer lighting system from an output thereof and connecting a communication input / output of the trailer control module to the output of the first switching device, thereby establishing the line of communication between them; (ii) sending a heartbeat signal on the communication line; (iii) verify the communication line after sending the heartbeat signal on it; (iv) carrying out step (v) if a recognition signal is detected on the communication line within a first predetermined time period after sending the heartbeat signal and otherwise controlling the first switching device to disconnect the communication input / output of the same and reconnect the first electric line to it; and (v) controlling a second switching device associated with the trailer control module and having an input attached to the tractor's special power line, to disconnect a second electric line from the tractor's lighting system from an output thereof. and connecting the trailer's electrical system to the output of the second switching device, thereby providing a special line of electrical power to the trailer's electrical system.
34. 34. The method according to claim 33, characterized in that it includes operating the trailer control module to provide a special ground connection line from the tractor to the trailer's electrical system; and wherein step (v) includes controlling a third switching device associated with the trailer control module and having an input connected to the tractor's special ground connection line, to disconnect a third power line from the lighting system of the tractor of an output thereof and connect the electrical system of the trailer to the output of the third switching device to provide by this a special line of ground connection to the electrical system of the trailer.
35. 35. The method according to claim 34, characterized in that the electrical system of the trailer is an anti-lock braking system (ABS).
36. 36. The method according to claim 33, wherein the trailer control module includes a variety of diagnostic inputs coupled to the diagnostic generating portions of the trailer electrical system, characterized in that it also includes the following steps after the step (5). ): (vi) verify the diagnostic inputs and send the detected diagnostic information to the tractor on the communication line; (vii) periodically sending a heartbeat signal over the communication line; (viii) verify the communication line after sending the heartbeat signal thereon; and (ix) carrying out steps (vi) - (ix) if a recognition signal is detected on the communication line within the first predetermined time period after sending the periodic beat signal and otherwise controlling the first and second switching devices for disconnecting the communication input / output and the electrical system of the trailer respectively from them and reconnecting the first and second electric lines respectively of the trailer lighting system to them.
37. 37. The method according to claim 36, characterized in that the electrical system of the trailer is an anti-lock braking system (ABS); and wherein at least one of the diagnostic generating portions of the trailer's electrical system is a defect diagnostic portion of the ABS (anti-lock braking system) operable to verify ABS (anti-lock braking system) and generate an ABS defective diagnostic signal (anti-lock braking system) for detection by a corresponding diagnostic input of the trailer's Qgritrol module if the ABS (anti-lock braking system) malfunctions.
38. 38. The method according to claim 36, characterized in that it also includes the following step before carrying out any of the steps (i) - (ix): verifying the input of the first switching device and carrying out steps (i) - (ix) only if a signal other than a constant signal is detected therefrom.
39. 39. The method according to claim 38, characterized in that the method includes the operation of the trailer control module to provide a special ground connection line from the tractor to the trailer's electrical system; and wherein step (v) further includes controlling a third switching device associated with the trailer control module and having an input connected to the special ground connection line of the tractor, to disconnect a third power line from the control system. lighting the trailer of an output thereof and connecting the trailer's electrical system to the output of the third switching device to thereby provide a special line of grounding to the trailer's electrical system; and wherein step (ix) further includes controlling the third switching device to disconnect the electrical system from the trailer thereof and reconnecting the third electrical line of the trailer lighting system thereto if the recognition signal on the line is not detected. communication within the first predetermined time period after sending the periodic heartbeat signal.
40. 40. The method according to claim 33, characterized in that the trailer control module includes a power supply input connected to the electric power source of the tractor; and wherein step (5) further includes controlling a third switching device associated with the trailer control module and having an input connected to the power supply input of the trailer control module, to connect an output thereof. to an unconnected power line of the trailer lighting system.
41. 41. The method according to claim 39, characterized in that step (v) further includes controlling a fourth switching device associated with the trailer control module and having an input connected to the power supply input of the control module of the trailer. trailer, to connect an output thereof to an unconnected electrical line of the trailer lighting system.
42. 42. The method according to claim 33, characterized in that the electrical system of the trailer is an anti-lock braking system (ABS).
43. 43. An electrical power and communications link between a tractor and a trailer, characterized in that it comprises: means associated with the tractor for switching a plurality of electric lines extending to the trailer between an electric line that is part of an electric system of the tractor and a of an electric power line and a first line of communication; means for controlling the means associated with the tractor for switching a plurality of electrical lines extending to the trailer and for sending and receiving communication signals on the first communication line; means associated with the trailer for switching the plurality of electric lines extending to the trailer between a power line that is part of an electric lighting system of the trailer and one of an electric line that is part of an electrical system of the trailer and a second communication line; and means for controlling the means associated with the trailer for switching the plurality of electrical lines extending to the trailer and for sending and receiving communication signals on the second communication line; the operable power and communications link to connect the first communication line to the second communication line to form a single line of communication between the tractor and the trailer and to channel electrical power from the tractor's electrical system to the trailer's electrical system.
44. 44. The power and communications link of claim 43, characterized in that the means associated with the tractor for switching a plurality of electrical lines extending to the trailer include a first plurality of switching devices each having a switchable input between the electrical system which is part of an electric system of the tractor and one of the electric power line and the first line of communication and one output.
45. 45. The power and communications link according to claim 44, characterized in that the means associated with the trailer for switching the plurality of electrical lines extending to the trailer include a second plurality of switches each having an input connected to an output of one of the first plurality of switching devices and a switchable output between an electrical line that is part of the electrical lighting system of the trailer and one of an electrical line that forms part of the electrical system of the trailer and the second communication line.
46. 46. The electrical power and communications link according to claim 43, characterized in that the means for controlling the means associated with the tractor for switching a plurality of electric lines extending to the trailer include a tractor control module having an input / output connected to the first line of communication.
47. 47. The electrical power and communications link according to claim 43, characterized in that the means for controlling the means associated with the trailer for switching the plurality of electrical lines extending to the trailer include a trailer control module having an output input connected to the second line of communication.
48. 48. The electrical power and communications link according to claim 43, characterized in that the electrical system of the trailer is an anti-lock braking system (ABS).
49. 49. The power, electrical and communications link according to claim 45, characterized in that at least one of the first plurality of switching devices has a switchable input between a power line of the tractor electrical system and a grounding reference of the tractor and one exit; and wherein the electrical power and communications link further controls the plurality of first and second switching devices to route a special grounding line to the electrical system of the trailer.
50. 50. The electrical power and communications link according to claim 49, characterized in that the trailer's electrical system is an anti-lock braking system (ABS).