TRAILER CONNECTION CHECKING DEVICE AND METHOD
First Claim
1. A trailer light checking system for a vehicle, comprising:
- a plurality of exterior vehicle lights;
a terminal connection configured to electrically connect each of the plurality of exterior vehicle lights to a respective trailer light; and
a lighting control system having a trailer connection checking mode configured to check the terminal connection by simulating manual operation of each of the plurality of exterior vehicle lights, such that a respective trailer light will actuate in combination with the simulated manual operation of each of the plurality of exterior vehicle lights if the terminal connection and the respective trailer light are functioning correctly.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed herein are embodiments of systems for checking an electrical connection between a vehicle and a trailer. In one embodiment, a trailer light checking system for a vehicle comprises a plurality of exterior vehicle lights and a terminal connection configured to electrically connect each of the plurality of exterior vehicle lights to a respective trailer light. The trailer light checking system also comprises a lighting control system having a trailer connection checking mode configured to check the terminal connection by simulating manual operation of each of the plurality of exterior vehicle lights, such that a respective trailer light will actuate in combination with the simulated manual operation of each of the plurality of exterior vehicle lights if the terminal connection and the respective trailer light are functioning correctly.
30 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A trailer light checking system for a vehicle, comprising:
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a plurality of exterior vehicle lights; a terminal connection configured to electrically connect each of the plurality of exterior vehicle lights to a respective trailer light; and a lighting control system having a trailer connection checking mode configured to check the terminal connection by simulating manual operation of each of the plurality of exterior vehicle lights, such that a respective trailer light will actuate in combination with the simulated manual operation of each of the plurality of exterior vehicle lights if the terminal connection and the respective trailer light are functioning correctly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A lighting system for a vehicle, comprising:
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a plurality of exterior vehicle lights actuatable in response to an electrical power being supplied thereto; a terminal connection configured to electrically connect each of the plurality of exterior vehicle lights in parallel with a respective trailer light, the respective trailer light actuatable in response the electrical power being supplied thereto; and a lighting control system configured to control individual actuation of each of the plurality of exterior vehicle lights in accordance with a normal mode and in accordance with a trailer connection checking mode wherein each of the plurality of lights is actuated over a predetermined period of time. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of checking an electrical terminal connection between each of a plurality of exterior vehicle lights and a respective trailer light, comprising:
simulating manual actuation of each of the plurality of exterior vehicle lights with a controller in accordance with a trailer connection checking mode, such that a respective trailer light will actuate in combination with the simulated manual operation of each of the plurality of exterior vehicle lights if the terminal connection and the respective trailer light are functioning correctly. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
Specification