Method and system for driving a vehicle trailer tow connector

• US 20060085099A1
• Filed: 10/18/2004
• Published: 04/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: STMicroelectronics Incorporated (STMicroelectronics NV)
• Original Assignee: STMicroelectronics Incorporated (STMicroelectronics NV)
• Inventors: Burlak, Gary Joseph, Mirowski, Marian
• Granted Patent: US 7,463,139 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/62 involving supply lines, electric circuits, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/64 Couplings or joints therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6658 on printed circuit board H01R13/6666 - H01R13/6691 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/065 with built-in electric apparatus

Abstract

In a method for driving electronic devices connected to a vehicle trailer tow connector a trailer electronic device control signal is receiving from a vehicle data communication network. In response to the received control signal, a solid state power control device is switched to connect electrical power to a selected pin of the trailer tow connector. The trailer electronic device control signal may be received from a wiring harness connector connected to a vehicle data communication network. A vehicle trailer tow connector module includes a module housing. A vehicle wiring connector and a trailer wiring connector are coupled to the module housing. A power control circuit is connected to a selected pin in the trailer wiring connector. A controller circuit is coupled to the vehicle wiring connector for receiving communication data from a vehicle data bus, and coupled by control lines to the power control circuit.

Claims

1. A method for driving electronic devices connected to a vehicle trailer tow connector, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a trailer electronic device control signal from a vehicle data communication network; and

in response to the control signal, switching a solid state power control device to connect electrical power to a selected pin of the trailer tow connector.

2. The method for driving electronic devices connected to a vehicle trailer tow connector according to claim 1 wherein the step of receiving a trailer electronic device control signal from a vehicle data communication network further includes receiving a trailer electronic device control signal from a wiring harness connector connected to a vehicle data communication network.

3. The method for driving electronic devices connected to a vehicle trailer tow connector according to claim 1 wherein the step of receiving a trailer electronic device control signal from a vehicle data communication network further includes receiving a trailer electronic device control signal from a data communication network that transmits vehicle communication data on a power line.

4. The method for driving electronic devices connected to a vehicle trailer tow connector according to claim 1 wherein the step of receiving a trailer electronic device control signal further includes receiving a data communication signal for controlling a signal light on a vehicle trailer.

5. The method for driving electronic devices connected to a vehicle trailer tow connector according to claim 1 further including the steps of;

measuring the current of the electrical power in the selected pin of the trailer tow connector;

determining whether the measured current exceeds an upper threshold; and

in response to the exceeding the upper threshold, removing the electrical power from the selected pin of the trailer tow connector.

6. The method for driving electronic devices connected to a vehicle trailer tow connector according to claim 5 further including the step of reporting an over current status via the vehicle data network in response to the exceeding the upper threshold.

7. The method for driving electronic devices connected to a vehicle trailer tow connector according to claim 5 further including the steps of:

determining whether the measured current falls below a lower threshold; and

in response to the current falling below the lower threshold, reporting a low current status via the vehicle data network.

8. The method for driving electronic devices connected to a vehicle trailer tow connector according to claim 1 further including the steps of:

determining that the vehicle data network is not operating properly; and

in response to the vehicle data network not operating properly, setting the solid state power control device to a predetermined state for operating in a fail safe state.

9. The method for driving electronic devices connected to a vehicle trailer tow connector according to claim 1 further including the steps of:

determining that the vehicle data network is in a sleep state; and

in response to the vehicle data network being in a sleep state, setting circuits for controlling the solid state power control device to a sleep state.

10. A vehicle trailer tow connector module comprising:

a module housing;

a vehicle wiring connector coupled to the module housing, wherein the vehicle wiring connector includes a battery power connection pin;

a trailer wiring connector coupled to the module housing;

a power control circuit having a power input coupled to the battery power connection pin, a power output connected to a selected pin in the trailer wiring connector; and

a controller circuit coupled to the vehicle wiring connector for receiving communication data from a vehicle data bus, and coupled by control lines to the power control circuit.

11. The vehicle trailer tow connector module according to claim 10 wherein the controller circuit further includes a vehicle data bus interface coupled to a processor.

12. The vehicle trailer tow connector module according to claim 10 wherein the power control circuit further includes:

a current sense circuit for sensing the current flowing through the power control circuit; and

a current sense signal output coupled to the controller circuit.

13. The vehicle trailer tow connector module according to claim 10 wherein the controller circuit further includes a fault detection circuit for sensing an out-of-range current in the power control circuit.

14. The vehicle trailer tow connector module according to claim 10 wherein the controller circuit further includes a logic failure detection circuit for sensing a malfunction of the controller circuit and setting the power control circuit in a fail safe mode.