Communications: electrical – Land vehicle alarms or indicators – External signal light system
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-22
2003-04-08
La, Anh (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Land vehicle alarms or indicators
External signal light system
C340S431000, C307S010100, C315S077000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06545600
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
The present invention relates to vehicle signaling, and more particularly, but not exclusively, relates to a converter for connecting a vehicle's power and signaling system to a trailer's power and signaling system.
When a motor vehicle tows a trailing vehicle, government standards often require lighted signals to be maintained on the trailing vehicle that indicate the movement status of the vehicle and trailer. For example, left and right turn signal lights indicate a present or impending movement of the vehicle in the indicated direction. As another example, brake lights indicate application of the vehicle's brakes. Other lights, such as taillights and running lights, may be used to improve visibility of the vehicle and trailer.
For some systems, power for lighting on the trailer has been provided by a separate power source not connected to the towing vehicle. In others, signaling lamps on the trailer are tied directly to, and are powered by one or more circuits that power corresponding lamps on the towing vehicle. In some such embodiments, the additional load of the trailer lights on the vehicle's lighting control circuits can damage or destroy the vehicle's multiplexing unit (MUX) or engine control microcomputer (ECM).
Alternative designs have used power taken directly from the vehicle's battery, but have not been able to perform adequately under the sometimes harsh electrical conditions of an automotive environment.
There is, therefore, an ongoing need for improved reliability in trailer connection systems. There is a further need for methods, apparatus, and systems that reduce the impact of anomalies in power, signals, and circuitry to which a converter is exposed.
Unless otherwise specified, references to voltage herein are to DC (direct current) potential.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One form of the present invention is a unique vehicle-trailer lighting system. In another form, a condition-tolerant connector converts power and signals in a towing vehicle into signals usable by a trailer. Further forms include unique power/signal conversion methods and apparatus.
Some forms of the present invention provide improved management of short circuit conditions in trailer wiring. Other forms of the present invention provide a vehicle-trailer connector with improved electrostatic discharge characteristics. Still other forms of the present invention provide a vehicle-trailer connector with improved characteristics with respect to the vehicle's control circuitry.
Further forms, objects, features, aspects, benefits, advantages, and embodiments of the present invention shall become apparent from the detailed description and drawings provided herewith.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3970860 (1976-07-01), Purdy
patent: 3981544 (1976-09-01), Tomecek et al.
patent: 4006453 (1977-02-01), Bryant
patent: 4064413 (1977-12-01), Andersen
patent: 4325052 (1982-04-01), Koerner
patent: 4430637 (1984-02-01), Koch-Dilcker et al.
patent: 4751431 (1988-06-01), Ducote
patent: 4845465 (1989-07-01), Kruse et al.
patent: 4846697 (1989-07-01), Rodgers
patent: 4857807 (1989-08-01), Hargis
patent: 4859982 (1989-08-01), Seaburg
patent: 4939503 (1990-07-01), Swanson
patent: 5027031 (1991-06-01), Wheelock
patent: 5030938 (1991-07-01), Bondzeit
patent: 5157376 (1992-10-01), Dietz et al.
patent: 5212469 (1993-05-01), Avellino
patent: 5285113 (1994-02-01), Schlich
patent: 5389823 (1995-02-01), Hopkins et al.
patent: 5498929 (1996-03-01), Formwalt, Jr.
patent: 5521466 (1996-05-01), Vincent
patent: 5666103 (1997-09-01), Davis, Jr.
patent: 5701116 (1997-12-01), Hoekstra
patent: 5760545 (1998-06-01), Mikel
patent: 5909891 (1999-06-01), Swart et al.
patent: 6232722 (2001-05-01), Bryant et al.
Electro-Transfer Systems, Inc.
La Anh
Woodard, Emhardt, Naughton Moriarty & McNett LLP
LandOfFree
Vehicle-trailer signal converter does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Vehicle-trailer signal converter, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Vehicle-trailer signal converter will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3072777