NZ761624A - Vehicle junction box - Google Patents
Vehicle junction box Download PDFInfo
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- NZ761624A NZ761624A NZ761624A NZ76162420A NZ761624A NZ 761624 A NZ761624 A NZ 761624A NZ 761624 A NZ761624 A NZ 761624A NZ 76162420 A NZ76162420 A NZ 76162420A NZ 761624 A NZ761624 A NZ 761624A
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- Prior art keywords
- junction box
- trailer
- connector
- redundancy
- external
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- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims description 37
- 238000007374 clinical diagnostic method Methods 0.000 claims description 22
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- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 15
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 12
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000428 dust Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000002955 isolation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000116 mitigating Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001413 cellular Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005260 corrosion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003292 glue Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001788 irregular Effects 0.000 description 1
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- 238000006011 modification reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002093 peripheral Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000011664 signaling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910000679 solder Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000005476 soldering Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001960 triggered Effects 0.000 description 1
Abstract
A trailer junction box for sue with a variety of vehicles having a housing encapsulating an internal circuit board providing routing circuits and protection elements. The housing supports external connections to enable input connection from a vehicle control unit connector to the output connectors of a cable harness. The circuit board within the housing provides preconfigured routing circuits between the external connectors, and one or more resettable protection elements each configured to provide protection for one or more external connections. of a cable harness. The circuit board within the housing provides preconfigured routing circuits between the external connectors, and one or more resettable protection elements each configured to provide protection for one or more external connections.
Description
VEHICLE JUNCTION BOX
Technical field
The field of the invention is electrical junction boxes
for vehicles including automotive vehicles and marine
vessels, for distributing electrical power and control
connections from a main controller to components such as
lights and accessories. An example of an application of
the invention is a junction box for electrical connections
between a truck prime mover and trailer.
Background
Traditional junction boxes for distributing electrical
power leak water, dust and debris because they require
access for installation and replacement of fuses.
These junction boxes also require electrical knowhow for
installation, this can lead to errors during installation
and cause electrical quality issues. For example, an
installer must manually configure connections, based on a
wiring diagram or plan. Also, typically needing to solder
each individual connection. This can be prone to errors
and can also be time consuming.
Further identification and correction of faults typically
requires reopening of the junction box and rewiring
connections. This requires specialist knowledge or the
wiring diagram or a technician who may need to trace
connections to reconstruct a wiring diagram. This process
can be prone to human error.
There is a need for improved junction boxes.
Summary of the invention
According to one aspect there is provided a trailer
junction box comprising:
a sealable housing;
a set of a plurality of external connectors, disposed
on the housing, at least one first connector being
configured to mate with a cooperating control unit
connector, and at least one second connector each second
connector being configured to mate with a cooperating
connector from a cable harness;
a circuit board providing preconfigured routing
circuits between the external connectors, and one or more
resettable protection elements each configured to provide
protection for at least one external connection;
wherein the housing is configured to be hermetically
sealed to fully encapsulate the circuit board.
In an embodiment the protection elements include one or
more of resettable fuses and current control circuits.
The trailer junction box can further comprise a controller
configured to monitor the routing circuits and perform
diagnostics functions.
In some embodiments the controller includes a redundancy
module configured to monitor smart lamps to activate
lighting redundancy measures to maintain compliance when a
signal lamp function fails. The routing circuits can be
configured to provide redundancy, and wherein the
controller includes a redundancy module configured to
identify fault conditions in routing circuits and re-rout
connections via redundancy circuits in response to
identification of fault conditions.
Some embodiments of the trailer junction box further
comprise a communication module in data communication with
the controller and configured to provide a data connection
external to the junction box. In some embodiments the
communication module provides a wireless data connection.
Some embodiments of the trailer junction box further
comprise a GPS module in data communication with the
controller.
In an embodiment the controller is configured to send
notification of electrical or signal faults along with
other diagnostic data to vehicle or vessels body control
unit or other fleet management systems using wired or
wireless communication.
Brief description of the drawings
Figure 1 is a block diagram providing an illustrative
example of how an embodiment of a junction box provides an
interface between a body control system and a cable
harness for trailer lights.
Figure 2 is a block diagram showing functional components
of an embodiment of a junction box according to the
present invention.
Figure 3 is a drawing of an example of an embodiment of a
junction box in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of internal
junction box routing connections.
Figure 5 is an illustrative block diagram representative
of examples of embodiments of the present invention.
Detailed Description
Described herein is a trailer junction box comprising a
housing that encapsulates an internal circuit board
providing routing circuits and protection elements. The
housing supports external connections to enable input
connection from a vehicle control unit connector to the
output connectors of a cable harness. The circuit board
within the housing and the circuit provided thereon is for
routing of power and control signals between input and
output connections.
Junction boxes as described can be configured for a
variety of vehicles, including automotive vehicles and
marine vessels.
The circuit board provides preconfigured routing circuits
between the external connectors, and one or more
resettable protection elements each configured to provide
protection for one or more external connections.
The preferred embodiment of a trailer junction box is a
sealed, durable system that provides protection for the
power and control systems of the vehicle. The protection
elements can also provide protection to reduce signal
interference that may be caused by fault conditions.
The junction box is designed to provide a connection from
a main control system to a set of components, such as
lights, sensors and other accessories to provide power and
control signalling. The diagram of Figure 1 illustrates
an example of a junction box 100 for a truck trailer
providing enabling connection between a body control
system 110. The body control system includes the vehicle’s
lighting management system which controls the signal
lights of the vehicle. This is the input for the junction
box. In embodiments where the junction box also connects
sensors, the body control system may also receive sensor
input signals via the junction box.
The Junction box 100, provides multiple connections for
the cabling connecting trailer lights and accessories. In
this diagram the cable harness for the trailer lights
includes: cables connecting side marker lights 120 on both
right and left sides; cables connecting multi-function
light assemblies 130, including stop lights, tail lights,
reversing lights and indicators; and cables connecting
number plate lights 140. Other accessories which may also
be connected to the cable harness include sensors,
cameras, auditory indicators etc. The cables of the cable
harness can also provide power to the lights and
accessories, the power supply being connected via the body
control unit. Control signals (for example in response to
activation of left or right indicators) are generated by
the body control system. These signals are relayed to the
lights and accessories via the junction box connection.
Signals, such as sensor or camera signals can also be fed
back to the body control unit via the cable harness. It
should be appreciated that different trailers (or other
equipment) may carry different arrangements of lights and
accessories and have associated differences in cable
harness and junction requirements. For example, one truck
cab or prime mover, and hence the vehicle control system
including the body control unit, may be connected to
different trailers having different accessories and cable
harness configurations. Further, for multi trailer
vehicles, for example B-double trucks or road trains,
multiple trailers may also be controlled from the same
body control unit.
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to the physical
configuration of the junction box to facilitate connection
to the cable harness, aspects of the functionality of the
junction box.
A block diagram of an embodiment of the junction box is
shown in Figure 2, and Figure 3 shows an example of the
external connectors and arrangement of these on the
housing.
The junction box 100 comprises a housing 310 which
supports a set of a plurality of external connectors 320,
330, disposed on the housing 310. At least one connector
320 is configured to mate with a cooperating control unit
connector. Other external connectors 330 are configured to
mate with cooperating connectors from a cable harness.
Sealed inside the housing is a circuit board providing
preconfigured routing circuits between the external
connectors 320, 330, and one or more resettable protection
elements each configured to provide protection for at
least one external connection. The housing can be
hermetically sealed to fully encapsulate the circuit
board.
The external connectors can be configured to cooperate
with standard connectors commonly used for cable
harnesses. For example, each connector may include a
plurality of pins extending outwardly from the housing
with surrounding guarding wall sections or socket, shaped
to receive a standard lighting cable connector. The guard
walls or sockets may be configured to help guide
connection and provide some protection against accidental
disconnection. The guard walls or sockets can also be
shaped to restrict the type of connector that may be
connected, to reduce the likelihood of users plugging in
incorrect connectors – and hence incorrect lighting
elements.
Embodiments of this trailer junction box allow for rapid
installation. The lamps are connected by external plugs.
Each type of lamp has a different plug connection for ease
of installation. Different plug connections can also
avoid incorrect connections. The standard connectors and
preconfigured routing enables quick, simple and accurate
“plug and play” type connection.
The protection elements include one or more of resettable
fuses and/or current control circuits. Each routing
between an input connection and an output connection can
be, or operate as, an independent circuit and each of
these circuits can include at least one protection
element. In the event of a fault, typically occurring
external to the junction box, for example faulty lights or
short circuit in the cable harness, the protection
elements can provide isolation or current control, which
is resettable without the need to open the junction box
once the fault has been rectified.
The junction box design facilitates a hermetically sealed
box with electrical protection of multiple electrical
circuits terminated at a single point. Embodiments can
also include functionality (circuits and components)
providing potential to detect, diagnose, notify of a fault
and/or activate redundancy systems. For example, the
junction box can be integrated with ISO 13207-1 standard
HCS (Hella Compatibility system) for body control
detection of a faulty signal light.
The construction of embodiments of the junction box is
robust designed for the harsh operating environments where
it will be susceptible to water, dust and UV damage. The
trailer box housing is designed of tough plastic or other
corrosion resistant housing which is hermitically sealed
using welds or glue or other sealing methods to protect
the electrical components contained.
Some embodiments use internal self-resetting fuses for the
protection elements, to provide electrical protection for
both output electronics circuits and the input vehicle
control system and do not require internal access which
risks leak paths. An alternate embodiment includes
current limiting circuits for the protection elements,
again enabling restoration of functionality without
requiring the junction box to be opened after fault
recovery. This feature of resettable protection elements
enables the junction box to provide protection for
external control circuits, lighting elements and other
accessories while being fully sealed. This ability to
fully seal the junction box reduces the risk of internal
faults, for example due to ingress or water or grime.
This can have advantages in improving reliability and
functional life of the junction box.
Embodiments can also include an internal junction box
controller configured to monitor the routing circuits and
perform diagnostics functions. For example, an internal
controller may be configured to detect the external
connection configuration, monitor for any fault
conditions, and where available control utilisation of
redundancy circuits.
The junction box provides electrical protection for the
vehicle control systems and connects signal lamps and
other electronic devices at a single point for easy cable
harness fault diagnostics. As illustrated in the block
diagram of Figure 2, in this embodiment the internal
circuit board supports circuitry and components to
implement a diagnostic module 220, a lamp identification
module 230, a redundancy control system 240, communication
system 250 and GPS module 255.
The diagnostic module 220 is configured to monitor
operation and diagnoses faults. The diagnostic module 220
can from part of an automatic diagnostic system which is
also configured to notify the driver or fleet manager of
status and fault data via the communication sub system
250. The diagnostics system may also include a data store
for storing of diagnostic data 260 for example, to log
faults and associated data.
The data store may also be utilised by the diagnostics
module 220 for storing monitored operational data to
enable potential fault identification or warnings. Fault
identification is based on identifying change in monitored
operation indicating impending fault conditions.
Notification of potential or impending faults can be
output as signals from the junction box to enable the
driver or fleet manager. The driver or fleet manager can
then conduct appropriate preventative maintenance on an ad
hoc basis or integrated with regular maintenance
schedules. This may have an advantage of reduction in
down time due to fault corrections. It should be
appreciated that some types of faults with trailer lights
(for example indicator, brake or tail light failure) can
significantly compromise road safety and may even cause a
vehicle to be deemed unroadworthy until the fault is
corrected. Emergency maintenance can be costly due to
downtime and associated loss of productivity or missed
deadlines, and personnel costs for emergency repair. The
ability to identify impending faults and perform
preventative maintenance can be significant in reducing
operating cost.
The lamp identification system 230 can recognize the lamp
plugged into the junction box and can output the relevant
power and signal functions. The lamp type identification
module 230 measures electrical characteristics to
recognise the lamp type. For example, distinguishing
between a smart lamp 270, bulb lamp 272 and LED lamp 275.
Where applicable, for example for smart lamps, the lamp
type identification module can also be configured to read
the electronic identity of the lamp to recognise the lamp
type. The lamp type identification may be used to look up
lamp functionality or this may be read from the lamp,
similarly to the electronic identity. The lamp
identification module can adapt signal outputs in
accordance with the requirements for different type of
lamps or enable/disable functions or signal types based on
the lamp types.
The redundancy control system 240 can be configured to
analyse data from the automatic diagnostics 220 to
determine what function is faulty. The redundancy system
240 can then potentially control operation to compensate
for the fault or mitigate the impact caused, for example,
controlling smart lamps 270 to provide additional lighting
and service functions to temporary compensate for a failed
function. In embodiments where the routing circuits are
configured to provide redundancy, the redundancy module
can be configured to identify fault conditions and re-rout
connections appropriately.
The communication module can be incorporated into the
controller or as a separate external module via an output
connector in data communication with the junction box.
The communication subsystem can also be configured to use
wireless communication. The communication subsystem is
configured to send notifications to a data capture system
when an electrical fault occurs. For example, the
controller is configured to send notification of
electrical or signal faults along with other diagnostic
data to vehicle body control unit. Some embodiments may
also capture this data for later download or sending to a
fleet management system (using wired or wireless)
communication. For example, to input to maintenance
scheduling and/or adjusting schedules.
For example, the communication subsystem may provide a bus
connecting an external data port, or one or more data pins
of the first external connector, to which the body control
system connector is connected. The communication
subsystem can be configured for multiple communication
protocols for wired and wireless communication. Some
embodiments are configured for wireless communication
only, for example Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or cellular data
protocols may be used. A data capture system, also
configured for wireless communication with the
communication subsystem of the junction box, can be
associated with the body control system for acquiring
diagnostic and other data (such as GPS and status) from
the junction box controller.
The GPS module provides a GPS location of the junction
box, and hence the trailer, which can be sent via
Communication sub system. This information is useful for
the fleet managers to find which trailer has an issue and
the nearest service station to repair the issue. It
should be appreciated that as trailers can be used
interchangeably between trucks and more than one trailer
may be towed by one truck, the ability to use GPS to
isolate faults in a specific trailer avoids the need for
maintenance personnel to test each trailer to identify
which one has the fault. The ability to identify the
individual faulty trailer or vehicle has advantages in
improving efficiency of maintenance or swapping out of the
faulty unit. Further, the diagnostics reporting the
nature of the fault can also have advantages for
management of maintenance and fleet planning, for example
to allow a fleet manager to predict the required down time
for repair and adjust scheduling accordingly.
This junction box is advantageous over existing devices as
it reduces installation effort and the need for skilled
technicians by facilitating plug in installation.
Traditional trailer boxes require electrical knowhow for
installation as they typically have terminal connections
or require soldering to connect external equipment
together. This requires skilled installers, leads to
errors during installation and increases installation
time. This trailer box invention allows for rapid
installation, the lamps are connected by external plugs.
Each type of lamp has a different plug connection for easy
installation.
An example of an embodiment of the junction box will now
be described in more detail with reference to the block
diagram of figure 2 and Figure 4 illustrating an example
of internal junction box routing connections.
Such embodiments enable protecting vehicle on board
electronic systems from cable harness and electronics
failures, such as lighting, using automatic resettable
fuses or current limiting components on each input circuit
contained in a hermetically sealed enclosure.
Figure 4 shows a first external connector 410 and its pin
connections. This first connection 410 is shaped to
connect with a lead from a vehicle controller, for example
a body control unit (not shown). A plurality of second
connectors 420a-n which can also be of a plurality of
standard connector types for connecting trailer lighting
components, this group of connections often being referred
to a trailer harness.
Tracks on a printed circuit board provide connections
being the first external connector 410 (the input) and the
plurality of second external connectors 420a-n. Included
in the routing circuits are protected using resettable
fuses. The automatic resettable fuses 440 are reset by
external systems such as the body control unit of a
vehicle or vessel.
The junction box can be used to protect cable harness and
electrical hardware such as lighting, from vehicle and
marine vessel electrical failure using automatic
resettable fuses or current limiting components on each
input circuit. In this embodiment protection is provided
by triggering the fuse in response to detecting over
current, short circuit, open circuit or loss of data
communication in the cable harness.
The fuses may be automatically resetting, for example
being configured to trip due to excess heat (for example
as typically experienced due to high current) and biased
to return once cooled. In this example if the fault has
not been resolved by the time the fuse has cooled to
resent, then the fault will continue to occur, and the
fuses be tripped again to provide continuing protection.
Other types of fuses may be reset by a junction box
controller or the body control system controller. The
junction box in configured such that he resettable fuses
allow independent isolation of connected electrical
systems at a single diagnostic location.
In an embodiment of this invention the junction box has
integrated HCS (Hella Compatibility Solution). The Hella
Compatibility Solution is a subsystem which provides a
signal to the body control unit that emulates a light bulb
function in LED lamps to provide bulb compatible failure
detection for LED lights. Hella HCS lamps, electronic
control and flasher units are designed to ISO 13207-1 to
provide compatibility with commercial vehicle indicator
failure systems. (Patent: DE102006018308A1 and
DE10107578A1)
The junction box is designed to connect to standard
connectors, to enable easy installation. Embodiments may
include a lamp identification feature to allow the
junction box to recognise the type of lamps connected and
to route appropriate signal and power to enable the
correct function accordingly. This eliminates the risk of
incorrect connections. In this embodiment the trailer box
measures electrical characteristics or the electronic
identity of the lamp to recognise the lamp and determine
lamp functionality. This maybe done using a digital
communication with a smart lamp where the lamp facilitates
network “handshaking”.
The junction box is configured with a diagnostics module
for automatically diagnosing electrical faults within a
cable harness or lighting on vehicle.
An embodiment can further comprise a communication system
which sends notification of electrical or signal faults
along with other diagnostic data to vehicle body control
unit or other fleet management systems using wired or
wireless communication. In this embodiment the redundancy
system communicates with smart lamps to activate lighting
redundancy measures to maintain compliance when a signal
lamp function fails.
The lamp identification function can identify connected
lamps and route signals and power appropriately to
activate all signal functions of a lamp at each lamp plug
connection.
Measurement data from the automatic diagnostic system can
be stored in Junction box memory, for example solid state
memory could be used. Solid state memory is highly
suitable being robust, and compact in size, required to be
suitable to application in a junction box. Further, such
solid-state memory devices are commercially cost
effective.
The data can be accessed via communication system for
diagnostic requirements.
In an embodiment this trailer junction box has an
automatic diagnostic subsystem. The automatic diagnostics
monitors voltage, current and impedance of input & output
connections as well as communicating with smart lamps to
verify if there is an issue with a connected electrical
system. The automatic diagnostics system may have a
subsystem to capture any issues or irregular measurements
for use diagnosing system electrical faults. In this case
data can be accessed using the data capture system that
may be part of the vehicle/vessel for operators or
externally through a wireless or wired network for fleet
managers.
In this embodiment the junction box may have a redundancy
control system and communication subsystem. The
redundancy control system reviews data from the automatic
diagnostics to locate which output circuit function is
faulty. It can then potentially control lamps to
compensate for a failed electrical or lighting function.
The communication subsystem uses wired or wireless
communication such as Bluetooth, mobile SMS and satellite
to send notifications to an external data capture system
when an electrical fault occurs. In this case it may send
details from the auto diagnostics system, GPS location to
a driver or fleet manager. This data can also be requested
via data capture system.
In an embodiment the diagnostic module may include a
microprocessor, RISC (reduced instruction set computer)
processor, FPGA (field programmable gate array) or PLC
(programmable logic controller), programmed with logic to
monitor operating conditions, and identify fault
conditions. For example, fault conditions may be
identified by voltage, current or temperature operating
conditions outside pre-set thresholds or threshold ranges,
operating at give set values indicative of fault
conditions (i.e. open or closed circuits), or values
outside target operating conditions. In some embodiments
the diagnostics module may be configured to affect
operation of peripheral circuitry, such as actuation of
switches or resettable protection circuits, in response to
some fault conditions.
The diagnostics module can be programmed with one or more
actions to take in response to each identified fault
condition. In an embodiment this may involve a lookup
table indexed using out of range or exceeding threshold
values for monitored operating conditions indicative of
faults, whereby the diagnostic module can identify a fault
condition. A lookup table may also be utilised for a
fault to lookup programmed response actions, which may
include any one or more actions for rectification,
mitigation, notification and fault data logging. In an
alternative embodiment the diagnostic module may be
programmed to run a monitoring subroutine and call one or
more fault recording and action subroutines in response to
detecting fault conditions. Actions may also be triggered
in response to detecting ceasing of a fault condition to
restore the circuit to normal operating mode (i.e.
resetting a protection device), for example temperature
returning to a normal operating range, detecting
replacement of a faulty light etc.
The possible actions may vary depending on the embodiment
and functionality included in the junction box system. In
a basic embodiment fault data may simply be logged,
whereas in a system having a redundancy module or smart
lamps actions may utilise the functionality of these
components to mitigate faults. For example, in response
to an identified fault condition the diagnostic module may
be configured to actuate a switch to a redundancy circuit,
or cause a smart lamp to operate to compensate for another
faulty light. In another example, fault data may be logged
without action being taken, for example identifying that a
light (for example, a tail light) is faulty and logging
data regarding the fault without altering system
configuration or operation, where no mitigating action may
be taken as replacement of the faulty light is the only
option to resolve the fault. In this circumstance the
diagnostics module may be configured provide fault
notifications to the vehicle body control unit.
The diagnostics module may be configured to store data
regarding each fault condition, and log data regarding the
fault for transfer to the body control unit with the fault
notification or for later download. Taking action in
response to a fault condition may be optional for some or
all fault conditions in some embodiments.
Using this arrangement of features as described
embodiments can provide a hermetically sealed, rugged
trailer junction box designed for on and off-road
transport and marine vessels. This junction box can be
mounted to a trailer or vessel and is designed to prevent
ingress of water and debris for the safety and durability
of the electrical components contained. The junction box
facilitates plug and play electrical connections using
sealed connector terminations for rapid installation of
signal lights, reverse alarms and other electrical systems
on trailers or vessels. The junction box provides
electrical protection for the vehicle and vessel control
systems and connects signal lamps and other electronic
devices at a single point for easy cable harness fault
diagnostics. The junction box can be integrated with ISO
13207-1 standard HCS (Hella Compatibility system) and can
facilitate automatic diagnostics to notify a driver or
fleet manager or activate system redundancy measures if an
electrical fault occurs.
It is necessary for the junction box to be rugged and
sealed against the elements. The external connectors can
be leak proof sets of connectors. An electrical connection
is required from the external connectors to the circuit
board to enable signal routing. Examples of different
methods of connection that may be used to provide the
electric connection between the external connectors and
circuit board are illustrated in Figure 5. In one example
pins of the external connector 520 may be connected
directly to the circuit board 510, in this embodiment
solid physical connection of the pins to the circuit board
510 and the housing 550 support the circuit board within
the housing. The direct connection of the pins to the
circuit board also provides an electrical connection to
the routing circuits (not shown) and protection elements
560. In an alternative example, pins from the external
connector 540 may be connected to an intermediary
component 545 (such as a resettable fuse or component of a
current limiting circuit, processor etc.) and be connected
to the routing defined by the circuit 510 board through
one or more intermediary components 545. In another
example wires 535 may be used to connect the external
connectors 530 to the internal components 560 or into the
circuit on the circuit board 510. The choice of connection
type may be based on robustness requirements for the
junction box. More than one type of connection may also be
utilised, depending on the nature of the connection and
circuit components.
An advantage of embodiments of the described junction box
is that due to the preconfigured circuit board, no
detailed knowledge of the connection mapping is required,
and likelihood of connection errors reduced. This allows
a “plug and play” type efficient installation. Circuits
may also be configured to accommodate different types of
cable harness without requiring reconfiguring.
Embodiments may also be automatically adaptable to trailer
accessory component functionality (i.e. smart lights),
based on diagnostics identifying functional components
attached via the cable harness, without requiring operator
intervention.
A further advantage is inclusion of internal resettable
protection elements. In addition, on board intelligent
monitoring and diagnostics can be configured to
automatically provide fault identification data to the
driver and/or fleet manager.
It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the
invention that many modifications may be made without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
In the claims which follow and in the preceding
description of the invention, except where the context
requires otherwise due to express language or necessary
implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as
“comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense,
i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but
not to preclude the presence or addition of further
features in various embodiments of the invention.
It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication
is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute
an admission that the publication forms a part of the
common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any
other country.
Definitions:
• Fuse array – Circuit protection system with self-
resetting fuses.
• Automatic diagnostic – System which diagnoses faults
and uses this data to notify driver or fleet manager via
sub systems.
• Lamp identification – System can recognize which lamp
is plugged into the junction box and output the relevant
functions.
• Redundancy control system – Reviews data from the
automatic diagnostics to determine what function is
faulty. It can then potentially control smart lamps to
provide additional lighting and service functions to
temporary compensate for the failed function.
• Communication Sub System – This function uses
wireless communication to send notifications to data
capture system when an electrical fault occurs.
• GPS – Provides GPS location which can be sent via
Communication sub system. This information is useful for
the fleet managers to find which trailer or vessel has an
issue and the nearest service station to repair the issue.
• Smart lamp – Lamp which can communicate to provide
additional lighting and service functions.
• Bulb Lamp – Standard bulb lamp
• LED lamp – Standard LED lamp
• Data capture System – Device which communicates with
the junction box to monitor faults and location.
• Diagnostic data – Electrical fault, functions
affected, GPS location and vehicle or vessel data sent to
data capture system.
Claims (9)
1. A trailer junction box comprising: a sealable housing; 5 a set of a plurality of external connectors, disposed on the housing, at least one first connector being configured to mate with a cooperating control unit connector, and at least one second connector each second connector being configured to mate with a cooperating 10 connector from a cable harness; a circuit board providing preconfigured routing circuits between the external connectors, and one or more resettable protection elements each configured to provide protection for at least one external connection; 15 wherein the housing is configured to be hermetically sealed to fully encapsulate the circuit board.
2. A trailer junction box as claimed in claim 1 wherein the protection elements include one or more of resettable 20 fuses and current control circuits.
3. A trailer junction box as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a controller configured to monitor the routing circuits and perform diagnostics functions.
4. A trailer junction box as claimed in claim 3 wherein the controller includes a redundancy module configured to monitor smart lamps to activate lighting redundancy measures to maintain compliance when a signal lamp 30 function fails.
5. A trailer junction box as claimed in claim 4 wherein the routing circuits are configured to provide redundancy, and wherein the controller includes a redundancy module 35 configured to identify fault conditions in routing circuits and re-rout connections via redundancy circuits in response to identification of fault conditions.
6. A trailer junction box as claimed in claim 4 or 5 further comprising a communication module in data communication with the controller and configured to 5 provide a data connection external to the junction box.
7. A trailer junction box as claimed in claim 6 wherein the communication module provides a wireless data connection.
8. A trailer junction box as claimed in claim 7 further comprising a GPS module in data communication with the controller. 15
9. A trailer junction box as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein the controller is configured to send notification of electrical or signal faults along with other diagnostic data to vehicle or vessels body control unit or other fleet management systems using wired or 20 wireless communication.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU2019900434 | 2019-02-11 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
NZ761624A true NZ761624A (en) | 2020-02-28 |
Family
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