Method and apparatus for data acquisition, data management, and report generation for tractor trailer subsystem testing and maintenance

摘要

Techniques for operating, testing, and generating a testing report for the electrical and air subsystems of a vehicular trailer, without the use of an associated truck tractor are disclosed. The system includes a portable testing unit with self-powered electrical and air subsystems which are interconnected to the corresponding subsystems of the vehicular trailer under test. The portable testing unit can be rolled about on a stand and functions as a mini-truck tractor, in the sense that it selectively provides electrical power and air to the VUT. The testing unit is controlled by a small, portable hand held radio frequency remote control that communicates test and data signals to a radio receiver in the portable testing unit. The system acquires testing data from both automatic and manual means from disparate sources. The system stores the testing data and automatically generates testing reports. The system manages the testing data and generated reports.

主权项

1. A method for data acquisition, data management, and report generation for testing systems of a vehicle, the method comprising:
coupling a portable testing unit to a plurality of subsystems of the vehicle via a connector, wherein the portable testing unit includes an electrical power supply and a pneumatic power supply; operating a selected subsystem of the plurality of subsystems by selectively delivering electrical and pneumatic power from at least one of the electrical power supply or the pneumatic power supply to the selected subsystem through the connector, wherein the selected subsystem includes at least one of an electrical light component or a pneumatic brake mechanism; capturing raw test data in an electronic file, wherein the raw test data is generated in response to the operation of the selected subsystem and encodes information relating to the operational performance of the selected subsystem and wherein the raw test data includes at least one of voltage, amperage, or air pressure; analyzing a data stream with a processor device, wherein the data stream includes the raw test data; and generating a test report with the processor device based on at least the data stream.