University Project Help!

[Hughes456]

Hi, I am a university student at the University of ulster and my final year project is based around trailer security, I am in dire need of help regarding the electronics side of it as I have next to no experience with it. Basically what my project is a security system that automatically engages the brakes once it goes past a barrier or wire into the ground, it works by turning on motors that use a rack and pinion gear system which pushes the brake shoes against the hub thus braking the trailer, (kind of like the anti theft shopping cart wheel but on a larger scale). I need to know what components I would need for this to work and how best to build it. I have tried contacting local people and businesses but with what is going on nobody is open or willing to discuss. Any help is appreciated, thanks.

[jogri]

Why do it that way? It seems like a ridiculously overengineered solution, if you want to stop trailer theft just get yourself a proper trailer lock that slids over the tow hitch. And i don't see why it should be a good idea to have something that can lock up the brakes of a trailer while someone is towing it.

If off-the-shelf solutions are allowed i'd simply use a electric trailer brake (like this one:https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Brakes/etrailer/AKEBRK-35-SA.html#exp-productdetails=.all-description), together with a battery, relay and an arduino. Get yourself a 433MHz RF kit for the arduino and just use those as beacons/barriers. Arduino on trailer recieves signal->relay goes on->trailer brakes.

[Marco]

You've got cheap automated RTK modules nowadays you can connect to arduinos, either with public correction stations or even as a base station.

So no real need to use 433 MHz or buried cables, just geofence.

Plus you can add a modem and phone home the location of the trailer.