Vehicle mounted accessory with multiplexing

• US 20020171291A1
• Filed: 03/21/2002
• Published: 11/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Douglas Dynamics LLC
• Original Assignee: Douglas Dynamics LLC
• Inventors: Rand, Clarence J., Wayne, Edwin A.
• Application Number:
  US10/102,782
• Publication Number:
  US 20020171291A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/9.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/143 combined with another condition, e.g. using vehicle recognition from camera images or activation of wipers
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/18 being additional front lights bracket mounted headlights B60Q1/0483
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/146 Abnormalities, e.g. fail-safe
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/30 Daytime running lights [DRL], e.g. circuits or arrangements therefor

Abstract

An apparatus for controlling an accessory that has an electrically operable device and is attachable to a vehicle. The apparatus has a switch that is mounted on the vehicle remote from the accessory and operable by an operator of the vehicle. The switch and the electrically operable device are electrically connected by controllers and a single dedicated communications wire. The apparatus has the capability of automatically determining if a DRL lighting system is present on the vehicle; and if so, accessory lights such as plow headlights are automatically illuminated to simulate the vehicle DRL lighting mode. The apparatus has the further capability of detecting an erroneous electrical operation of the electrically operable device on the accessory, for example, an excessive current.

Claims

1. An apparatus for controlling an accessory having an electrically operable device and being attachable to a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

a switch adapted to be mounted on the vehicle remote from the accessory and operable by a user, the switch providing a command signal to command an operation of the electrically operable device on the accessory;

a first controller adapted to be mounted on the vehicle and electrically connected to the switch for receiving the command signal;

a second controller adapted to be mounted on the accessory and electrically connected to the electrically operable device;

first and second dedicated communications wires electrically connected to the first and second controllers, respectively;

a first coupling member electrically connected to the first dedicated communications wire;

a second coupling member electrically connected to the second dedicated communications wire, the second coupling member being connectable to the first coupling member upon the accessory being mounted on the vehicle, thereby connecting the first and second dedicated communications wires to form a single dedicated communications wire, and the second coupling member being disconnectable from the first coupling member upon the accessory being removed from the vehicle,

the first controller providing the command signal to the second controller via the single dedicated communications wire and the second controller operating the electrically operable device on the accessory in response to the first coupling member being connected to the second coupling member and receiving the command signal.

2. The apparatus for controlling an accessory of claim 1 wherein the first and second controllers comprise respective first and second transceivers for multiplexing signals over the single dedicated communications wire between the first and the second controllers.

3. The apparatus for controlling an accessory of claim 2 wherein the first and second controllers further comprise respective first and second CPUs electrically connected to respective first and second transceivers.

4. The apparatus for controlling an accessory of claim 3 wherein the first controller further comprises a first interface circuit electrically connected between the first CPU and the switch for passing the command signal from the switch to the first CPU.

5. The apparatus for controlling an accessory of claim 4 wherein the second controller further comprises a second driver circuit electrically connected between the second CPU and the electrically operable device for providing an output signal to the electrically operable device in response to an operation of the second CPU.

6. The apparatus for controlling an accessory of claim 5 wherein the accessory further has an input device providing an input signal and second controller further comprises a second interface circuit electrically connected between the second CPU and the input device for passing the input signal from the input device to the second CPU.

7. The apparatus for controlling an accessory of claim 6 further comprising output devices located proximate the switch and the first controller further comprises a first driver circuit electrically connected between the first CPU and the output for operating the output device in response to receiving the input signal from the second controller.

8. A method for controlling an accessory having an electrically operable device and being attachable to a vehicle, the method comprising:

providing a first signal to command an operation of the electrically operable device on the accessory with a switch mounted on the vehicle remote from the accessory and operable by a user;

receiving the first signal with a first controller mounted on the vehicle and electrically connected between the switch and a first communications wire;

providing a first coupling member electrically connected to the first dedicated communications wire and a second coupling member electrically connected to a second dedicated communications wire, the second coupling member being connectable to the first coupling member upon the accessory being mounted on the vehicle, thereby connecting the first and second dedicated communications wires to form a single dedicated communications wire, and the second coupling member being disconnectable from the first coupling member upon the accessory being removed from the vehicle;

receiving, in response to the first coupling member being connected to the second coupling member, a second signal with a second controller mounted on the accessory and electrically connected between the electrically operable device and the second communications wire; and

operating the electrically operable device on the accessory in response to the second controller receiving the second signal.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

encoding the second signal in the first controller to provide an encoded command signal;

transmitting the encoded second signal across the single dedicated communications wire from the first controller to the second controller; and

decoding the encoded second signal in the second controller.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

providing a plurality of command signals to command operations of the electrically operable device; and

multiplexing the plurality of command signals on the dedicated single wire to transmit the plurality of command signals from the first controller to the second controller.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

scanning states of input and output devices associated with the electrically operable device with the second controller; and

transmitting the states of the input and output devices over the single dedicated communications wire from the second controller to the first controller.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

providing a plurality of signal states representing states of the input and output devices; and

multiplexing the plurality of signal states on the dedicated single wire to transmit the plurality of command signals from the second controller to the first controller.

14. The apparatus for controlling a plow of claim 13 wherein the plow has plow lights and the vehicle has vehicle lights controllable by a vehicle light switch, and the apparatus further comprises:

an electrical connection between the vehicle light switch and the second controller;

an electronic switch electrically connected between the vehicle light switch and the vehicle lights; and

the third controller communicating with the first and second controllers over the single dedicated communications wire upon the first and second coupling members being connected together, and the second controller operating the electronic switch to disable the operation of the vehicle lights by the vehicle light switch in response to the second and third controllers communicating over the single dedicated communications wire.

15. The apparatus for controlling an accessory of claim 13 wherein the first, second and third controllers comprise respective first, second and third transceivers for multiplexing signals across the single dedicated communications wire between the first, second and third controllers.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising:

detecting automatically an absence of the single dedicated communications wire between the first controller and a second controller mounted on the plow in response to the plow being removed from the vehicle; and

changing the state of the electronic switch to a state electrically connecting the vehicle light switch to the vehicle lights, thereby illuminating the vehicle lights in response to the first signal from the vehicle light switch.

20. The apparatus for controlling a plow of claim 19 further comprising a switching device electrically connected to the vehicle light for switching the vehicle light off in response to the signal representing a vehicle DRL operation and the plow being mounted on the vehicle.

13. An apparatus for controlling a plow having an electrically operable device and being attachable to a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

a plow control adapted to be mounted on the vehicle remote from the plow and having a switch operable by a user, the switch providing a command signal to command an operation of the electrically operable device on the plow;

a first controller located in the proximity of the switch and electrically connected to the switch for receiving the command signal;

a second controller adapted to be mounted on the vehicle;

a third controller adapted to be mounted on the plow and electrically connected to the electrically operable device;

a first dedicated communications wire electrically connected to the first and second controllers, respectively;

a second dedicated communications wire electrically connected to the third controller;

a first coupling member electrically connected to the first dedicated communications wire;

a second coupling member electrically connected to the second dedicated communications wire, the second coupling member being connectable to the first coupling member upon the plow being mounted on the vehicle, thereby connecting the first and second dedicated communications wires to form a single dedicated communications wire, and the second coupling member being disconnectable from the first coupling member upon the plow being removed from the vehicle,

the first controller providing the command signal to the third controller via the single dedicated communications wire and the third controller operating the electrically operable device on the accessory in response to the first coupling member being connected to the second coupling member and receiving the command signal.

16. A method for controlling a plow wherein the plow has a plow light and the vehicle has a vehicle light controllable by a vehicle light switch, the method comprising:

providing a first signal operable to illuminate the vehicle light in response to the vehicle light switch being operated;

detecting the first signal with a first controller mounted on the vehicle;

detecting automatically a presence of a single dedicated communications wire between the first controller and a second controller mounted on the plow in response to the plow being mounted on the vehicle;

changing a state of an electronic switch electrically connecting the vehicle light switch with the vehicle lights to a state electrically disconnecting the vehicle light switch from the vehicle lights;

providing a second signal with the first controller in response to detecting the first signal;

transmitting the second signal to the second controller over the single dedicated communications wire;

illuminating automatically the plow light in response to the second controller receiving the second signal and hence, in response to the vehicle light switch being operated.

18. An apparatus for controlling an accessory having an accessory light and being attachable to a vehicle having a vehicle light operable in a DRL mode, the apparatus comprising:

a first controller adapted to be mounted on the vehicle, the first controller detecting a supply voltage operable to illuminate the vehicle light in a DRL mode and providing a signal representing a vehicle DRL operation; and

a second controller adapted to be mounted on the accessory and electrically connectable to the first controller upon the accessory being mounted on the vehicle, the second controller operating the accessory light in a DRL mode in response to receiving the signal representing a vehicle DRL operation.

19. An apparatus for controlling a plow having a plow light and being attachable to a vehicle having a vehicle light operable in a DRL mode, the apparatus comprising:

a first controller adapted to be mounted on the vehicle, the first controller detecting a supply voltage operable to illuminate the vehicle light in a DRL mode and providing a signal representing a vehicle DRL operation; and

a second controller adapted to be mounted on the plow and electrically connectable to the first controller upon the plow being mounted on the vehicle, the second controller operating the plow light in a DRL mode in response to receiving the signal representing a vehicle DRL operation.

21. An apparatus for controlling a plow having a plow light and being attachable to a vehicle having a vehicle light operable by a supply voltage, the apparatus comprising a first controller adapted to be mounted on the vehicle and electrically connected between the supply voltage and the vehicle light, the first controller detecting the vehicle light being operable in a DRL mode.

22. The apparatus for controlling a plow of claim 21 further comprising a second controller adapted to be mounted on the plow and electrically connectable to the first controller upon the plow being mounted on the vehicle, the second controller operating the plow light in a DRL mode in response to the first controller determining the vehicle light is operable in a DRL mode.

26. The method of claim 25 further comprising providing a DRL signal to a second controller mounted on the plow in response to the plow being attached to the vehicle.

27. The method of claim 26 further comprising operating the plow light in a DRL mode with the second controller in response to the DRL signal.

28. The method of claim 27 further comprising switching the vehicle light off in response to the plow being attached to the vehicle.

30. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the electrically operable device is a light and the circuit senses an excessive current flowing through the light.

31. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the electrically operable device is a solenoid and the circuit senses an excessive current flowing through the solenoid.

23. A method of operating a plow light on a plow attachable to a vehicle having a vehicle light, the method comprising:

detecting a supply voltage operable to illuminate the vehicle light;

determining the supply voltage is operable to illuminate the vehicle light in a DRL mode; and

automatically operating the plow light in a DRL mode in response to determining the supply voltage is operable to illuminate the vehicle light in a DRL mode.

24. A method of operating a plow light on a plow attachable to a vehicle having a vehicle light, the method comprising:

operating the vehicle light in the DRL mode;

determining with a first controller on the vehicle the vehicle light being operated in the DRL mode;

providing a signal from the first controller to a second controller mounted on the plow representing the DRL mode of the vehicle light; and

automatically operating the plow light in a DRL mode with the second controller in response to the second controller receiving the signal.

25. A method of operating a light on a plow attachable to a vehicle having a vehicle light operable in a DRL mode in response to a DRL supply voltage, the method comprising:

detecting the DRL supply voltage with a first controller mounted on the vehicle; and

determining with the first controller the DRL supply voltage being operable to illuminate the vehicle light in the DRL mode.

29. An apparatus for controlling an accessory having an electrically operable device and being attachable to a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

an accessory switch adapted to be mounted on the vehicle remote from the accessory and operable by an operator, the accessory switch adapted to command an operation of the electrically operable device on the accessory;

a first controller adapted to be mounted on the vehicle, the first controller providing an accessory command signal for the electrically operable device in response to detecting an operation of the accessory switch; and

a second controller adapted to be mounted on the accessory and electrically connectable to the first controller upon mounting the accessory on the vehicle, the second controller operating the electrically operable device in response to receiving the accessory command signal from the first controller, the second controller comprising a circuit electrically connected to the electrically operable device for sensing an erroneous electrical operation of the electrically operable device, the second controller terminating the operation of the electrically operable accessory in response to the circuit sensing the erroneous electrical operation.

32. A method of controlling an accessory having an electrically operable device and being attachable to a vehicle, the method comprising:

producing an operating command for the electrically operable device on the accessory from an accessory switch mounted inside the vehicle remote from the accessory and operable by a user;

transmitting the operating command from a first controller mounted proximate the accessory switch inside the vehicle to a second controller mounted on the accessory outside the vehicle and electrically connectable to the first controller upon mounting the accessory;

operating the electrically operable device in response to the second controller receiving the accessory command signal from the first controller;

detecting automatically with the second controller an erroneous electrical operation of the electrically operable device; and

terminating automatically with the second controller the operation of the electrically operable accessory in response to detecting the erroneous electrical operation.

33. The method of claim 32 further comprising sensing an excessive current flow in the electrically operable device.

35. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the second controller provides a signal to the first controller having a second state representing a non-presence of the particular accessory in response to the circuit not sensing electrical continuity with the electrically operable device unique to the particular accessory.

36. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the particular accessory is a V-blade plow and the electrically operable device unique to the V-blade plow is a first solenoid, and the second controller provides a first signal state to the first controller representing a presence of the V-blade plow in response to the circuit sensing electrical continuity with the first solenoid.

37. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the particular accessory is a straight blade plow having a second solenoid but not the first solenoid, and the second controller provides a second signal state to the first controller representing a non-presence of the V-blade plow in response to the circuit sensing an absence of electrical continuity with the first solenoid.

39. The method of claim 38 further comprising:

sensing with the circuit in the second controller an absence of electrical continuity with the electrically operable device unique to the particular accessory; and

providing the signal from the second controller to the first controller having a second state representing a non-presence of the particular accessory in response to the circuit sensing an absence of electrical continuity with the electrically operable device unique to the particular accessory.

40. The method of claim 38 wherein the particular accessory is a V-blade plow and the electrically operable device is a first solenoid, the method further comprising:

sensing with the circuit in the second controller electrical continuity with the first solenoid; and

providing the signal from the second controller to the first controller having a first state representing a presence of the V-blade plow in response to the circuit sensing electrical continuity with the first solenoid.

41. The method of claim 40 wherein the particular accessory is a straight blade plow having a second solenoid but not the first solenoid, the method further comprising:

sensing with the circuit in the second controller an absence of electrical continuity with the first solenoid; and

providing the signal from the second controller to the first controller having a second state representing a non-presence of the V-blade plow in response to the circuit sensing the absence of electrical continuity with the first solenoid.

34. An apparatus for detecting a presence of a particular accessory mounted on a vehicle, the particular accessory having an electrically operable device unique to the particular accessory, the apparatus comprising:

a first controller adapted to be mounted on the vehicle; and

a second controller adapted to be mounted with the particular accessory and electrically connectable to the first controller upon the particular accessory being mounted on the vehicle, the second controller comprising a circuit electrically connected to the electrically operable device for sensing electrical continuity with the electrically operable device, the second controller providing a signal to the first controller having a first state identifying a presence of the particular accessory in response to the circuit sensing electrical continuity with the electrically operable device unique to the particular accessory.

38. A method of identifying a particular accessory mounted on a vehicle, the accessory having an electrically operable device unique to the particular accessory, the method comprising:

mounting the particular accessory on the vehicle;

electrically connecting a first controller mounted on the vehicle with a second controller mounted with the particular accessory;

sensing with a circuit in the second controller electrical continuity with the electrically operable device unique to the particular accessory; and

providing a signal from the second controller to the first controller having a first state representing a presence of the particular accessory in response to the circuit sensing electrical continuity with the electrically operable device unique to the particular accessory.

42. An apparatus for securing communications between a vehicle and an accessory being mountable on a vehicle, the accessory requiring an electrically operable device for its operation, the apparatus comprising:

a first controller adapted to be mounted on the vehicle;

a user-operable interface controller electrically connectable to the first controller and being operable to provide a security code to the first controller; and

a second controller adapted to be mounted with the accessory and being electrically connectable to the first controller upon the accessory being mounted on the vehicle, the second controller being operatively connected to the electrically operable device only in response to the second controller receiving the security code from the first controller.

43. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the accessory is a plow and the electrically operable device is a solenoid.

44. A method of securing communications between a vehicle and an accessory being mountable on a vehicle, the accessory requiring an electrically operable device for its operation, the method comprising:

providing a first security code with a user-operable interface controller;

storing the first security code in a first controller mounted on the vehicle and electrically connected to the interface controller;

transmitting the first security code from the first controller to a second controller mounted with the accessory and being electrically connectable to the first controller upon the accessory being mounted on the vehicle;

storing the first security code in the second controller;

operating the electrically operable device with the second controller in response to the first controller subsequently transmitting the first security code to the second controller; and

disabling operation of the electrically operable device with the second controller in response to the first controller subsequently transmitting a second security code to the second controller that does not match the first security code.

45. The method of claim 44 further comprising:

electrically connecting the interface controller to the first controller prior to providing the first security code; and

electrically disconnecting the interface controller from the first controller after storing the first security code in the first controller.

46. The method of claim 44 wherein the accessory is a plow and the electrically operable device is a solenoid.

48. The apparatus of claim 47 wherein the second controller disables operation of the electrically operable device in response to the first controller subsequently transmitting a second security code to the second controller that does not match the first security code.

49. The apparatus of claim 47 wherein the accessory is a plow and the electrically operable device is a solenoid.

47. An apparatus for securing communications between a vehicle and an accessory being mountable on a vehicle, the accessory requiring an electrically operable device for its operation, the apparatus comprising:

a user-operable switch adapted to be mounted on the vehicle remote from the accessory, the switch providing a command signal enabling operation of a security system;

a first controller adapted to be mounted on the vehicle and electrically connected to the switch, the first controller automatically producing and storing a first security code in response to receiving the command signal;

a second controller adapted to be mounted on the accessory and electrically connected to the electrically operable device;

first and second dedicated communications wires electrically connected to the first and second controllers, respectively;

a first coupling member electrically connected to the first dedicated communications wire;

a second coupling member electrically connected to the second dedicated communications wire, the second coupling member being connectable to the first coupling member upon the accessory being mounted on the vehicle, thereby connecting the first and second dedicated communications wires to form a single dedicated communications wire; and

the first controller providing the first security code to the second controller via the single dedicated communications wire and the second controller being operatively connected to the electrically operable device only in response to the second controller receiving the first security code from the first controller.

50. A method of securing communications between a vehicle and an accessory being mountable on a vehicle, the accessory requiring an electrically operable device for its operation, the method comprising:

enabling a security system with user-operated switches on a first controller mounted on the vehicle;

automatically providing a first security code with the first controller;

storing the first security code in the first controller;

transmitting the first security code to a second controller mounted with the accessory and being electrically connectable to the first controller upon the accessory being mounted on the vehicle;

storing the first security code in the second controller;

operating the electrically operable device with the second controller in response to the first controller subsequently transmitting the first security code to the second controller; and

disabling operation of the electrically operable device with the second controller in response to the first controller subsequently transmitting a second security code to the second controller that does not match the first security code.

51. The method of claim 50 further comprising transmitting the first security code to the second controller over a single dedicated communications wire.

52. The method of claim 50 wherein the accessory is a plow and the electrically operable device is a solenoid.