Lighting state detection for a vehicle trailer
US11318883B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 15, 2021 |
| Grant date | May 3, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 15, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05B47/20
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A towing vehicle includes a towing control unit with circuitry to detect whether a light is connected to the electrical harness electrically coupling the vehicle to the trailer. The towing control unit may include lamp connectivity circuits for, for example, the left turn signal and the right turn signal. To determine whether the turn light is connected, the corresponding connectivity circuit periodically generates a test signal. Based on characteristics of a response signal to the test signal. The connectivity circuit determines whether the corresponding turn signal light of the trailer is connected based on a response to the test signal. The connectivity circuit may distinguished whether an incandescent-based turn signal light, a light emitting diode (LED)-based turn signal light, and an open circuit is sensed based on the characteristics of the response signal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.