METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR RECOGNIZING THE STATE OF CONNECTION OF CONNECTORS

• US 20110025482A1
• Filed: 03/12/2009
• Published: 02/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Algüera, José Manuel, Michael Eiermann
• Original Assignee: Algüera, José Manuel, Michael Eiermann
• Inventors: Algüera, José Manuel, Eiermann, Michael
• Application Number:
  US12/921,914
• Publication Number:
  US 20110025482A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/431
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/62 involving supply lines, electric circuits, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 53/125 with simultaneous coupling of the service lines
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/641 by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/26 for vehicles

Abstract

A method and a system for recognizing the state of connection between a first connector half (3) of a towing vehicle (1) and a second connector half (4) of a trailer vehicle (2) in which the trailer vehicle (2) has at least one pneumatic circuit (5), the pressure level of which is detected by a pressure sensor (6) and is provided as an electronic signal to the towing vehicle (1) by means of a trailer control device (7) to render optical control of the correct connection of the connector halves (3, 4) unnecessary. The electronic signal is read by a control device (8) on the vehicle side and a return message about the connection state is displayed by means of a signal device (15).

Claims

1-12. -12. (canceled)

13. Method for detecting the connection state between a first connector half (3) of a towing vehicle (1) and a second connector half (4) of a trailer vehicle (2), in which the trailer vehicle (2) has at least one pneumatic circuit (5), the pressure level of which is detected by a pressure sensor (6) and supplied through a trailer control device (7) as an electronic signal to the towing vehicle (1), the towing vehicle (1) including a CAN bus characterized in that the electronic signal of the pressure sensor (6) is placed by the trailer control device (7) on the CAN bus, that this signal is read by a towing-vehicle-side control device (8), and that a check-back message on the connection state is displayed by a signal unit (15).

14. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the incoming electronic signal is compared by the control device (8) with the stored brake pressure signal.

15. System for detecting the connection state between a first connector half (3) of a towing vehicle (1) and a second connector half (4) of a trailer vehicle (2), in which the trailer vehicle (2) has at least one pneumatic circuit (5) and a pressure sensor (6) disposed therein, the sensor using a trailer control device (7) to supply an electronic signal to the towing vehicle (1), the towing vehicle (1) having a CAN bus, wherein a control device (8) connected to the trailer control device (7) is disposed on the towing vehicle (1), said control device (8) processing the electronic signal, characterized in that the trailer control device (7) places the electronic signal of the pressure sensor (6) on the CAN bus on the towing vehicle (1), that the electronic signal transmitted through the CAN bus is able to be read by the control device (8) on the towing vehicle, and that a signal unit (15) is disposed on the towing vehicle (1), the unit displaying the connection status to the driver.

16. System according to claim 15, characterized in that the trailer control device (7) and/or the control device (8) is a component of an electronic brake system (EBS).

17. System according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the control device (8) compares the incoming electronic signal from the trailer control device (7) with the stored brake pressure signal.

18. System according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that contacts (9) are provided on the first and second connector halves (3, 4) to transmit the CAN bus signal.

19. System according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the first connector half (3) is disposed directly below the entry opening (10) of a fifth-wheel coupling (11).