TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates generally to vehicles and trailers and more particularly, to a system for relaying instructions from a vehicle to one or more lights provided on the trailer.
BACKGROUND ART [0002] Conventionally, when a trailer is connected to a towing vehicle, the trailer is physically connected to the vehicle and the electrical system of the trailer is also connected to the electrical system of the vehicle via a trailer connector in order that instructions and operating signals can be passed from the vehicle to the trailer.
[0003] A trailer connector is a multi-pole electrical connector between a towing vehicle such as a car or truck and a trailer. It is intended primarily to supply automotive lighting on the trailer, but also provide management and supply to other consumers. Another feature the connector offers is feedback from the trailer to the towing vehicle, from being as simple as a fault indication for ABS brakes to advanced command, monitor and control using CAN bus for EBS brakes.
[0004] There are many forms of trailer connectors depending upon geographic location, but their common feature is a hard wired connection, with a portion provided on the vehicle and attachable physically to a portion on the trailer in order to pass signals actuated in the vehicle to the trailer and its electrical system such as lights and brakes.
[0005] It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0006] The present invention is directed to a remote vehicle trailer command linkage system, which may at least partially overcome at least one of the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.
[0007] With the foregoing in view, the present invention in one form, resides broadly in a remote vehicle trailer command linkage system including
a) a vehicle mounted unit configured to receive at least one signal from a vehicle trailer
2018203134 07 May 2018 connection socket and transmit instructions to a trailer mounted unit,
b) a trailer mounted unit connected to at least one portion of an electrical system provided on the trailer and configured to at least receive instructions from the vehicle mounted unit and to control the operative state of one or more lights on the trailer according to instructions received from the vehicle mounted unit; and
c) a wireless communication connection between the vehicle mounted unit and the trailer mounted unit such that the vehicle mounted unit transmits instructions to the trailer mounted unit based on the at least one signal from the vehicle trailer connection socket or to transmit data or instructions in relation to at least one portion of an electrical system provided on the trailer between the vehicle mounted unit and the trailer mounted unit.
[0008] In a particularly preferred form, the command linkage of the present invention is specifically adapted for trailers which include LED light systems. LED light systems operate on extremely low power draws and therefore, because the command linkage of the present invention is a wireless linkage and there was no physical transfer of power to the trailer, use of LED light systems on the trailer means that a battery provided in association with the trailer mounted unit can be reduced in size but still power the LED light systems for a useful operating life.
[0009] The vehicle mounted unit in the present invention will typically act to receive signals from a vehicle’s trailer connection socket and then transmit those signals to the trailer mounted unit for the purpose of operating the lights on the trailer or similar. The vehicle mounted unit may receive information from the trailer mounted unit in order to assess faults or otherwise warning a user of any issues which are detected in the trailer mounted unit or the trailer electrical system. The information relating to faults may pass between the trailer mounted unit and the vehicle mounted unit at any time after power up. Further, the vehicle mounted unit may instruct the trailer mounted unit to operate at least one portion of an electrical system provided on the trailer in circumstances other than when the at least one signal from a vehicle trailer connection socket is active, for example, at power up, the vehicle mounted unit may instruct the trailer mounted unit to activate a trailer electronic braking system and/or lights for security /safety reasons.
[0010] The vehicle mounted unit may attach to the vehicle’s trailer connection socket or the vehicle trailer connection socket may be removed and the vehicle mounted unit may be connected to the appropriate wiring of the vehicle trailer connection socket similarly with the trailer mounted unit.
[0011] The system of the present invention will typically be a retrofit system. In use, the
2018203134 07 May 2018 command linkage of the present invention will be used to replace the physical connection which was required between prior art trailer connectors. In particular, the vehicle may still have a vehicle mounted trailer connector portion (socket or plug) to which the vehicle mounted unit of the command linkage of the present invention will be connected in use and the trailer may still have trailer mounted trailer connector (corresponding socket or plug) to which the trailer mounted unit of the command linkage of the present invention will be connected with a wireless communication connection between the vehicle mounted unit and the trailer mounted unit of the command linkage of the present invention.
[0012] Preferably, the vehicle mounted unit will include an integrated battery. Preferably, the integrated battery of the vehicle mounted unit will draw charge from the signal which is transmitted to the vehicle’s trailer connection socket.
[0013] The vehicle mounted unit of the present invention will typically have a vehicle trailer wiring harness in order to allow the physical connection of the vehicle mounted unit to the vehicle trailer connector or the wiring thereof. The vehicle trailer wiring harness will normally be provided on the exterior of the vehicle mounted unit. As mentioned above, there are a variety of configurations of vehicle trailer connectors which are used and the wiring harness of the present invention will typically be provided in a corresponding configuration. For example, types of vehicle trailer connectors include Round 7-pin trailer connector Type 1 (AS 2513), Round 5pin trailer connector Type 1, Round 7 pin trailer connector type 2, Round 6-pin trailer connector type 2 or Rectangular trailer connectors Type 3 each with different pins for different outputs in the trailer.
[0014] The vehicle mounted unit will also preferably include an adapter in order to allow the vehicle mounted unit to correctly associate the particular vehicle trailer connector pin with an input signal connector. The adapter will typically be responsible for associating the particular configuration of vehicle trailer connection plug or socket with the required trailer light signal.
[0015] An input signal connector is generally provided in the vehicle mounted unit which is preferably a vehicle mounted unit connection point for the trailer light signal is generated by the host vehicle. The signals received through the wiring harness and adapter are typically forwarded to a processor, generally through conversion/protection circuitry.
[0016] The input signal connector is also preferably associated with a power converter which will also typically allow some of the energy from the signal to be harvested in order to power the battery of the vehicle mounted unit and thereby, power the vehicle mounted unit itself.
2018203134 07 May 2018 [0017] The vehicle mounted unit is typically controlled via a processor or microcontroller. The processor will normally receive the inputs from the input signal connector and then preferably prepare and forward instructions onto the wireless communication connector to send these instructions to the trailer mounted unit. Normally, the vehicle mounted unit will be wirelessly connected to the trailer mounted unit and a variety of mechanisms for doing this exist conventionally. One mechanism for forming a wireless connection is a connection linkage such as radio signals or similar. Other wireless connection mechanisms may be used however such as optical signals for example.
[0018] As mentioned above, the vehicle mounted unit will typically include a power converter which will typically include one or more voltage converters and will preferably include a charging circuit to charge the at least one integrated battery of the vehicle mounted unit. Typically, the power converter will also provide feedback as to the status of the integrated battery and this may be supplied or displayed for a user. The power converter may also divert power from an incoming signal directly to the processor and/or wireless communication mechanism. Typically, the power converter will divide the energy from the incoming signal between the processor, the wireless communication mechanism and the charging circuit to charge the integrated battery.
[0019] The battery integrated into the vehicle mounted unit will preferably be a relatively small, low capacity battery. The battery will typically be used where the vehicle has no auxiliary signal or continuous power supply available to which the vehicle mounted unit can be connected. In other words, if possible, the vehicle mounted unit will typically be connected to the vehicle power supply in order to draw power from the vehicle power supply but if not, the integrated battery can provide power for the vehicle mounted unit and the integrated battery can also power the vehicle mounted unit in situations where the vehicle power supply is lost for any reason. The integrated battery therefore acts as an energy storage battery which is typically recharged if necessary from a portion of the energy from the incoming signal and/or from alternate sources such as energy drawn from other vehicle signal wires such as to the running lights, brake lights and/or indicator lights on the vehicle itself. The at least one battery may be recharged through the connection to an external power source such as a supply cable attached by a user to the at least one battery or to a charging system via a connection mechanism such as a USB port for example.
[0020] The vehicle mounted unit also preferably includes a wireless communication module. Typically, the wireless communication module is a wireless transceiver unit to receive instructions from the processor and to then transmit these instructions to the trailer mounted unit
2018203134 07 May 2018 according to communication protocols. Preferably, the wireless communication module will send and receive simple data and will allow for sending instructions to the trailer mounted unit as well as providing information as to the operative state of the lights on the trailer mounted unit to the vehicle mounted unit. The wireless communication module may also be capable of transmitting and receiving other data such as a unique identifier of each unit or light output, the state of the fault detection circuits in relation to one or more of the lights and/or diagnostic data such as the battery voltage level of the battery associated with the trailer mounted unit.
[0021] The wireless communication module is preferably provided with the ability to operate on different transmission channels with the transmission channel preferably selectable either automatically by the communication module on the vehicle mounted unit (and communicated to the trailer mounted unit if the transmission channel is to change) or manually by a user. A user interface may be provided allowing the user to select the operational transmission channel as well as pairing of the vehicle mounted unit with the trailer mounted unit. Preferably, once pairing of the vehicle mounted unit and the trailer mounted unit is achieved, each time the vehicle is powered up, the pairing process typically takes place automatically in order to ensure an operative communication channel between the vehicle mounted unit and the trailer mounted unit.
[0022] The trailer mounted unit of the present invention will preferably receive instructions originating from the vehicle mounted unit through the preferred wireless communication connection and activate the required light output based on the instructions received. The trailer mounted unit may perform other functions in relation to the trailer lights such as detecting short circuits and/or open circuits (broken lights, bad connections).
[0023] The trailer unit is preferably associated with an external battery, and most preferably a small, preferably 12 V battery with sufficient capacity to safely power the trailer lights for extended period. The battery may be a rechargeable battery and the recharging may take place via mains power or from renewable sources such as solar or even using a generator associated with the wheels of the trailer such that rotation of the wheels can generate electricity to charge the battery in association with control mechanisms to control the charging.
[0024] The trailer mounted unit will also include a wireless communication module in order to allow communication with the wireless communication module of the vehicle mounted unit. Preferably, the link between the respective wireless communication modules will allow a bidirectional data transfer. The wireless communication module of the trailer mounted unit will typically communicate with the processor or microcontroller of the trailer mounted unit.
2018203134 07 May 2018 [0025] The processor or microcontroller of the trailer mounted unit will typically receive data from the wireless communication module of the trailer mounted unit and send the appropriate output signals to an output switch and control system of the trailer mounted unit to illuminate the lights on the trailer as required. As with the vehicle mounted unit, it is preferred that the process or microcontroller of the trailer mounted unit be associated with a power converter in order to obtain operating power from the external battery.
[0026] The power converter will typically operate to receive power from the external battery and convert the power to the required voltage for the processor and/or the wireless communication module of the trailer mounted unit. The power converter unit will also preferably allow the process or microcontroller of the trailer mounted unit to ascertain the current battery voltage levels. One or more fuse blocks may be incorporated in order to protect the trailer mounted unit from surges from the external battery or fatal short circuit conditions anywhere in the trailer mounted unit or its outputs.
[0027] The external battery may be of any type. The external battery may be connected to the output switch of the trailer mounted unit in order to allow power to be supplied more directly to the lights of the trailer and to the processor or microcontroller, but the connection to the processor or microcontroller is preferably through the power converter. It is preferred that the system incorporate a battery safety mechanism to prevent the discharge of the battery if left unattended by mistake from the user.
[0028] The trailer mounted unit also includes one or more output switch and control mechanism which preferably receives output from the processor or microcontroller and preferably performs level conversion and power switching to power the light output as required. The level conversion and power switching may use solid state transistors (MOSFET). The circuitry provided in the output switch and control mechanism will preferably also monitor the light output channels to determine their operative status such as if one or more of the light output channels have failed open or shorted for example.
[0029] The trailer mounted unit will also have one or more output connectors or terminals in order to allow connection of the trailer mounted lights to the trailer mounted units. The output connectors or terminals will typically be or include a simple connection point for a wiring harness in order to interface with the trailer mounted lights. Any type of connector or terminal could be used.
[0030] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any
2018203134 07 May 2018 one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.
[0031] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0032] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:
[0033] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a vehicle and caravan with a car unit and a trailer unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] Figure 1A is a plan view of the car unit illustrated in Figure 1 with the cover removed.
[0035] Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of the working features of the car unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0036] Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of the working features of the trailer unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0037] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, a remote vehicle trailer command linkage system is provided.
[0038] The remote vehicle trailer command linkage system of the preferred embodiment is specifically configured to allow wireless communication of instructions from a vehicle 10 to a trailer 11 or similar being towed by the vehicle in order to operate light systems on the trailer according to operational signals issues in the vehicle, typically electrical signals caused by operation of the vehicle’s controls such as indicator controls, headlight controls or brakes for example.
[0039] The preferred embodiment of the system includes a vehicle mounted unit 12 configured to receive at least one signal from a vehicle trailer connection socket of the vehicle
2018203134 07 May 2018 and transmit instructions to a trailer mounted unit 13. The trailer mounted unit 13 is configured to receive instructions from the vehicle mounted unit 12 and to control the operative state of one or more lights on the trailer 11 according to instructions received from the vehicle mounted unit
12. As mentioned, a wireless communication connection will be used between the vehicle mounted unit 12 and the trailer mounted unit 13 such that the vehicle mounted unit 12 transmits instructions to the trailer mounted unit 13 based on the at least one signal from the vehicle trailer connection socket.
[0040] The vehicle mounted unit 12 in the present invention will typically act to receive signals from the vehicle’s trailer connection socket and then transmit those signals to the trailer mounted unit 13 for the purpose of operating the lights on the trailer 11 or similar. The vehicle mounted unit 12 may also receive information from the trailer mounted unit 13 in order to assess faults or otherwise warning a user of any issues which are detected in the trailer mounted unit 13 or the trailer electrical system.
[0041] The system of the present invention will typically be a retrofit system. In use, the command linkage system of the present invention will be used to replace the physical connection which was required between prior art trailer connectors. In particular, the vehicle 10 will still have a vehicle mounted trailer connection socket to which the vehicle mounted unit 12 of the command linkage system of the present invention will be connected in use and the trailer 11 will still have trailer mounted trailer connection socket to which the trailer mounted unit 13 of the command linkage system of the present invention will be connected with a wireless communication connection between the vehicle mounted unit 12 and the trailer mounted unit 13 of the command linkage system of the present invention.
[0042] The vehicle mounted unit 12 of the preferred embodiment includes an integrated battery 19. Preferably, the integrated battery 19 of the vehicle mounted unit 12 will draw charge from the signal which is transmitted to the vehicle’s trailer connection socket.
[0043] The vehicle mounted unit 12 of the present invention will typically have a vehicle trailer wiring harness 14 in order to allow the physical connection of the vehicle mounted unit 12 to the vehicle trailer connection socket of the vehicle 10. This will normally be provided on or be accessible from the exterior of the vehicle mounted unit 12. As mentioned above, there are a variety of configurations of connection plugs and sockets which are used and the wiring harness 14 of the present invention will typically be provided in a corresponding configuration.
[0044] The vehicle mounted unit 12 will also preferably include an adapter 15 in order to
2018203134 07 May 2018 allow the vehicle mounted unit 12 to correctly associate the particular vehicle trailer connection plug with an input signal connector 16. The adapter 15 will typically be responsible for associating the particular configuration of vehicle trailer connection socket with the required trailer light signal.
[0045] An input signal connector 16 is generally provided in the vehicle mounted unit 12. The input signal connector 16 is preferably a vehicle mounted unit connection point for the trailer light signal is generated by the host vehicle. The signals received through the wiring harness 14 and adapter 15 are typically forwarded to a processor 17, generally through conversion/protection circuitry.
[0046] The input signal connector 16 is also preferably associated with a power converter 18 which will also typically allow some of the energy from the signal to be harvested in order to power the battery 19 of the vehicle mounted unit 12 and thereby, power the vehicle mounted unit 12.
[0047] The vehicle mounted unit 12 is typically controlled via a processor 17. The processor 17 will normally receive the inputs from the input signal connector 16 and then prepare and forward instructions onto the wireless communication module 20 to send these instructions to the trailer mounted unit 13. Normally, the vehicle mounted unit 12 will be wirelessly connected to the trailer mounted unit 13 and a variety of mechanisms for doing this exist conventionally. One mechanism for forming a wireless connection is a connection linkage such as radio signals or similar.
[0048] As mentioned above, the vehicle mounted unit 12 will typically include a power converter 18 which will typically include one or more voltage converters and will preferably include a charging circuit to charge the integrated battery 19 of the vehicle mounted unit 12. Typically, the power converter 18 will also provide feedback as to the status of the integrated battery 19 and this may be supplied or displayed for a user. The power converter 18 may also divert power from an incoming signal directly to the processor 17 and/or wireless communication module 20. Typically, the power converter 18 will divide the energy from the incoming signal between the processor 17, the wireless communication module 20 and the charging circuit to charge the integrated battery 19.
[0049] The battery 19 integrated into the vehicle mounted unit will preferably be a relatively small, low capacity battery. The battery 19 will typically be used where the vehicle 10 has no auxiliary signal or continuous power supply available to which the vehicle mounted unit 12 can ίο
2018203134 07 May 2018 be connected. In other words, if possible, the vehicle mounted unit 12 will typically be connected to the vehicle power supply in order to draw power from the vehicle power supply but if not, the integrated battery 19 can provide power for the vehicle mounted unit 12 and the integrated battery 19 can also power the vehicle mounted unit 12 in situations where the vehicle power supply is lost for any reason. The integrated battery 19 therefore acts as an energy storage battery which is typically recharged if necessary from a portion of the energy from the incoming signal and/or from alternate sources such as energy drawn from other vehicle signal wires such as to the running lights, brake lights and/or indicator lights on the vehicle itself.
[0050] The vehicle mounted unit 12 also preferably includes a wireless communication module 20. Typically, the wireless communication module 20 is a wireless transceiver unit to receive instructions from the processor 17 and to then transmit these instructions to the trailer mounted unit 13 according to communication protocols between the vehicle mounted unit and the trailer mounted unit 13. Preferably, the wireless communication module 20 will send and receive simple data and will allow for sending instructions to the trailer mounted unit 13 as well as providing information as to the operative state of the lights on the trailer 11 to the vehicle mounted unit 12. The wireless communication module 20 may also be capable of transmitting and receiving other data such as a unique identifier of each unit and/or light, the state of the fault detection circuits in relation to one or more of the lights and/or diagnostic data such as the battery voltage level of the battery associated with the trailer mounted unit 13.
[0051] The wireless communication module 20 is preferably provided with the ability to operate on different transmission channels with the transmission channel preferably selectable automatically by the communication module on the vehicle mounted unit (and communicated to the trailer mounted unit if the transmission channel is to change) or manually by a user. The user interface may be provided allowing the user to select the operation channel as well as pairing of the vehicle mounted unit 12 with the trailer mounted unit 13. Preferably, once pairing of the vehicle mounted unit 12 and the trailer mounted unit 13 is achieved, each time the vehicle 10 is powered up, the pairing process typically takes place automatically in order to ensure an operative communication channel between the vehicle mounted unit 12 and the trailer mounted unit 13.
[0052] The trailer mounted unit 13 of the preferred embodiment will preferably receive instructions originating from the vehicle mounted unit 12 through the preferred wireless communication modules and activate the required light output on the trailer 11 based on the instructions received. The trailer mounted unit 13 may perform other function in relation to the
2018203134 07 May 2018 trailer lights such as detecting short and open circuits (broken lights, bad connections).
[0053] The trailer mounted unit 13 is preferably associated with an external battery 24, preferably a small, preferably 12 V battery with sufficient capacity to safely power the trailer lights for an extended period. The battery 24 may be a rechargeable battery and the recharging may take place via mains power or from renewable sources such as solar or even using a generator associated with the wheels of the trailer such that rotation of the wheels can generate electricity to charge the battery 24.
[0054] The trailer mounted unit 13 will also include a wireless communication module 21 in order to allow communication with the wireless communication module 20 of the vehicle mounted unit. Preferably, the link between the respective wireless communication modules will allow a bidirectional data transfer. The wireless communication module 21 of the trailer mounted unit 13 will typically communicate with the processor 22 of the trailer mounted unit 13.
[0055] The processor 22 of the trailer mounted unit 13 will typically receive data from the wireless communication module 21 of the trailer mounted unit 13 and set the appropriate output signals to an output switch and control system 25 of the trailer mounted unit 13 to illuminate the lights on the trailer as required. As with the vehicle mounted unit 12, it is preferred that the processor 22 of the trailer mounted unit 13 is associated with a power converter 23 in order to obtain operating power from the external battery 24 and convert it for use by the components of the trailer mounted unit 13.
[0056] The power converter 23 will typically operate to receive power from the external battery 24 and convert the power to the required voltage for the processor 22 and/or the wireless communication module 21 of the trailer mounted unit 13. The power converter 23 will also preferably allow the processor 22 of the trailer mounted unit 13 to ascertain the current battery voltage levels. One or more fuse blocks may be incorporated in order to protect the trailer mounted unit 13 from surges or lumpy supply from the external battery 24, uncontrolled short circuits or similar failures.
[0057] The external battery 24 may be of any type. The external battery 24 may be connected to the output switch 25 of the trailer mounted unit 13 in order to allow power to be supplied directly to the lights of the trailer 11 and to the processor 22, but the connection to the processor 22 is preferably through the power converter 23. It is preferred that the system incorporate a battery safety mechanism to prevent the discharge of the battery 23 if left unattended by mistake from the user.
2018203134 07 May 2018 [0058] The trailer mounted unit 13 also includes one or more output switch and control mechanisms 25 which preferably receives output from the processor 22 and preferably performs level conversion and power switching to power the light output on the trailer as required. The level conversion and power switching may use solid state transistors (MOSFET). The circuitry provided in the output switch and control mechanism 25 will preferably also monitor the light output channels to determine their operative status such as if one or more of the light output channels have failed open or short.
[0059] The trailer mounted unit 13 will also have one or more output connectors or terminals 26 in order to allow connection of the trailer mounted lights to the trailer mounted unit
13. The output connectors or terminals 26 will typically be or include a simple connection point for a wiring harness in order to interface with the trailer mounted lights. Any type of connector or terminal could be used.
[0060] As mentioned above, the system of the present invention will typically allow a user to retrofit a wireless communication and control system to a vehicle and trailer to allow operation of the lights of the trailer in response to actions taken in the vehicle.
[0061] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word ‘comprising’ and its derivatives including ‘comprises’ and ‘comprise’ include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.
[0062] Reference throughout this specification to ‘one embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.
[0063] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.