Tractor trailer monitoring system with trailer air supply control and theft prevention and method of use

A tractor trailer monitoring system includes a network having a server and a database; a first computing device; a monitoring platform to be accessible from the first computing device; a tractor trailer system, having a tractor unit; an air supply control system to control air supply to a brake system of the trailer, the air supply control system having a CPU to receive commands from the first computing device; the first computing device and monitoring platform are to receive an identifying code from a user to activate air supply to the brake system of the trailer.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to tractor trailer systems, and more specifically, to a tractor trailer monitoring system for off-site monitoring of a tractor trailer, as well as an air supply control system to prevent theft.

2. Description of Related Art

Tractor trailer systems are well known in the art and are effective means to haul and transport cargo. For example,FIG. 1depicts a conventional tractor trailer system101having a semi-trailer103attached to a tractor unit105. During use, system101must be frequently examined for mechanical functionality and safety.

InFIG. 2, a flowchart201depicts a method of monitoring system101. The driver must stop driving and either personally examine various components of system101, such as tire pressure, or have a professional mechanic examine system101, as shown with boxes203,205,207.

One of the problems commonly associated with system101is inadequate monitoring. For example, various elements of system101can change rapidly, thereby becoming a safety hazard for the driver and others. One particular example is the ability of the tires of system101to change tire pressure quickly, thereby creating a potential to explode and cause an accident.

Another problem commonly associated with system101is trailer theft. It should be appreciated and understood that the braking system of trailers functions by connecting to a truck, wherein the truck supplies air to release the brakes of the trailer system and therefore transport the trailer. At times, a user must leave their trailer unattended, at which time theft may occur when an unauthorized person hooks up to the trailer, thereby supplying air, releasing the brakes, and allowing the trailer to be transported.

Accordingly, although great strides have been made in the area of tractor trailer systems, many shortcomings remain.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The system and method of use in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with conventional tractor trailer systems. Specifically, the present invention provides a means to have real-time monitoring of various elements of a tractor trailer system. These and other unique features of the system and method of use are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views,FIG. 3depicts a simplified schematic of a tractor trailer monitoring system301in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application. It will be appreciated that system301overcomes one or more of the above-listed problems commonly associated with conventional tractor trailer systems.

In the contemplated embodiment, system301includes a tractor trailer303having a computing device305in communication with a plurality of sensors incorporated into the tractor trailer. Computing device305is configured to transmit data received from the plurality of sensors to a second computing device307via a wireless network309, wherein the data is stored on a database311for monitoring via a monitoring platform313. It is contemplated that monitoring platform313can be a website or a mobile application. It should be appreciated that this configuration allows for operations personnel to monitor various components of the tractor trailer303in real-time from a distance.

It should be appreciated that one of the unique features believed characteristic of the present application is the use of a second computing device for monitoring the various components of the tractor trailer. It should be appreciated that this configuration allows for real-time monitoring, thereby improving safety associated tractor trailers.

In the preferred embodiment, system301includes a tire pressure sensor315configured to determine the tire pressure associated with one or more tires of tractor trailer303and transmit the tire pressure to the computing device307for monitoring. An additional sensor contemplated is a gyro sensor317configured to transmit data relating to the motion of tractor trailer303. It should be appreciated that sensor317can provide information related to accidents, sudden stops, or other unusual motions of tractor trailer303. System301can further include one or more weight sensors319configured to relay information related to load weight per axel of tractor trailer303. System301can also include one or more light sensors321configured to read voltage data of tractor trailer303and thereby provide information relating to light function. It is further contemplated that system301can include an air flow sensor323configured to determine the flowrate of air through an engine of system301and transmit the flowrate to computer307to be monitored. It should be appreciated that various other sensors could be incorporated into system301to provide additional monitoring.

It is contemplated that system301can further include a RFID tag325configured to be scanned by a mobile device327, wherein RFID tag325provides information related to cargo being transported with tractor trailer303. The information received from tag325can be transmitted to computing device307.

InFIG. 4, a simplified schematic of platform313is shown. Platform313is configured to provide a means for operations personnel to monitor various functions of tractor trailer303in real time from a distance. Platform313is configured to receive and record information related to tire pressure401, load data403, air flow405, voltage data407, and motion data409from the plurality of sensors incorporated into tractor trailer303. The information received is presented to operations personnel through platform313. Platform313can further include a communications portal411, wherein operations personnel can contact a driver to indicate that there is a problem with tractor trailer303. It should be appreciated that communications portal411can be configured to call, email, or send a text to the driver. In addition, platform313can be configured to receive RFID tag information413from a mobile device, thereby providing operations personnel with information relating to cargo being transported with tractor trailer303.

InFIG. 5, a flowchart501depicts the method of system301. The operations personnel receive and record information associated with the plurality of sensors, including tire pressure information, motion data, voltage data, air-flow rate, and load data, as shown with boxes503-513. The operations personnel can then monitor the various components of tractor trailer303through platform313, as shown with box515. In the event that a problem arises, the operations personnel can contact the driver of tractor trailer303to alert the driver of the problem, as shown with box517.

InFIG. 7, a simplified schematic of a tractor trailer monitoring system701with an air supply control system703is shown. In this embodiment, system701can include any of the feature discussed above, including the plurality of sensors315,317,319,321,323configured to collect and transmit data to one or more computing devices305,307, via network309and database311. In this embodiment, a platform705can be accessed from any of a number of computing devices, including phones, tablets, computers, and the like, thereby providing a means for a user to input commands and identifying information from any number of locations.

Platform705is configured to provide a means to wirelessly communicate with the air supply control system703, and activate or deactivate air supply to the brake system of trailer707. As shown inFIG. 8, in the preferred embodiment, the air supply control system703includes a manifold801(of any form or function capable of providing the following features) controlled via any form of central processing unit/computing device803to activate and deactivate air supply805from the tractor to the trailer brake system807.

In the preferred embodiment, the CPU803is configured to wirelessly communicate with a computing device809via a transceiver811, such as a smart phone or tablet. The computing device809and platform705receive an identification code813in order to activate the air supply805through the manifold801to brake system807. System701prevents theft of the trailer by allowing the user to pre-establish one or more identification codes, wherein one of the pre-established identification codes is needed to activate the air supply to brake system. Without the identification code, an unauthorized user cannot activate the air supply, and therefore cannot disengage the brakes and remove the trailer. It should be appreciated that the identification code can be a password, numerical code, facial recognition, a fingerprint, an RFID tag, or any other form of identification that ensures only authorized personnel can activate the air supply.

It is contemplated that in some embodiments, the CPU further includes a GPS815which allows for the transmission of location information to computing device809. This can allow for remote monitoring of the system by the user. In addition, it is contemplated that platform705can receive a deactivation command817from the user, thereby allowing for the user to deactivate the brake system remotely, in the event that the trailer has been removed from an unauthorized person.

It should be appreciated that one of the unique features believed characteristic of the present application is the incorporation of an air supply control system703with remote monitoring and deactivation, thereby allowing for improved monitoring and reduced threat of theft of the trailer.

InFIG. 9, a flowchart901depicts the method of use of system701. During use, the identifying codes are established to be associated with one or more authorized users of the tractor trailer, as shown with box903. After the trailer is parked at a pre-determined location, and a truck used subsequently hooked back up to the trailer, one of the pre-established identifying codes must be input into the platform in order to activate the brake system and release the brakes, as shown with boxes905,907,909. If needed, the user can further monitor the location and deactivate the brake system via the platform, as shown with boxes911,913.