Adapter for trailer lighting control from modulated input signals

• US 8,258,703 B1
• Filed: 10/07/2009
• Issued: 09/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eric J. Hoekstra
• Original Assignee: Eric J. Hoekstra
• Inventors: Hoekstra, Eric J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chang, Daniel D
• Application Number:
  US12/574,812
• Time in Patent Office: 1,063 Days
• Field of Search: 315/77, 315/80, 315/86, 315/87, 303/123, 303/20, 303/7, 340/431, 340/467
• US Class Current: 315/77
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/305 Indicating devices for towed vehicles

Abstract

A trailer light adapter that is adapted to supply signals to operate the lights of a towed vehicle from modulated signals of a lighting circuit of a towing vehicle, includes at least one input that is adapted to receive a modulated signal from the lighting circuit of the towing vehicle and at least one output that is adapted to supply an output signal to operate a light of the towed vehicle. The adapter further includes a decoder that is adapted to decode a modulated signal and to provide a decoded signal indicative of a desired state of the light of the towed vehicle. The adapter further includes a power circuit that is responsive to the decoded signal and is adapted to supply the output signal to operate the light of the towed vehicle. The adapter may be responsive to a variable voltage modulated signal, a pulse-width modulated signal, or the like.

Claims

1. A trailer light adapter that is adapted to supplying signals to operate lights of a towed vehicle from modulated signals of a lighting circuit of a towing vehicle, said adapter comprising:

at least one input that is adapted to receive a pulse-width modulated signal from the lighting circuit of the towing vehicle and at least one output that is adapted to supply an output signal to operate a light of the towed vehicle;

a decoder that is adapted to decode the pulse-width modulated signal and to provide a decoded signal indicative of a desired state of the light of the towed vehicle, wherein said decoder determines an average voltage of said pulse-width modulated signal to supply the decoded signal; and

a power circuit that is responsive to the decoded signal and is adapted to supply the output signal to operate the light of the towed vehicle.

2. The adapter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said output is adapted to be connected with the light of the towed vehicle and said output signal is adapted to illuminate the light of the towed vehicle.

3. The adapter as claimed in claim 1 in combination with a buffer circuit, said buffer circuit having a buffered output that is adapted to illuminate the light of the towed vehicle.

4. The adapter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one input comprises at least two inputs, said at least two inputs adapted to be connected with the left rear light of the towing vehicle and the right rear light of the towing vehicle.

5. The adapter as claimed in claim 4, wherein said at least one output comprises at least three outputs adapted to supply a signal to respectively operate a right rear light of the trailer, a left rear light of the trailer and a running light of the trailer.

6. The adapter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said decoder circuit comprises an analog circuit.

7. The adapter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said decoder circuit comprises a programmed digital logic circuit.

8. The adapter as claimed in claim 7, wherein said decoder is adapted to supply a first decoded signal when the modulated signal supplied to said at least one input is at a high voltage or a 100 percent duty cycle and to supply a second decoded signal when the modulated signal supplied to said at least one input is at a voltage that is less than the high voltage or at a duty cycle that is less than a 100 percent duty cycle.

9. The adapter as claimed in claim 8, wherein said decoder is adapted to discontinue the second decoded signal in response to a zero duty cycle of the modulated signal supplied to said at least one input.

10. A trailer light adapter that is adapted to supplying signals to operate lights of a towed vehicle from modulated signals of a lighting circuit of a towing vehicle, said adapter comprising:

at least one input that is adapted to receive a modulated signal from the lighting circuit of the towing vehicle and at least one output that is adapted to supply an output signal to operate a light of the towed vehicle;

a decoder that is adapted to decode the modulated signal and to provide a decoded signal indicative of a desired state of the light of the towed vehicle; and

a power circuit that is responsive to the decoded signal and is adapted to supply the output signal to operate the light of the towed vehicle, wherein said output is adapted to be connected with a buffer circuit that is capable of illuminating the light of the towed vehicle and wherein said output signal is adapted to cause said buffer circuit to illuminate the light of the towed vehicle.

11. A trailer light adapter that is adapted to supplying signals to operate lights of a towed vehicle from modulated signals of a lighting circuit of a towing vehicle, said adapter comprising:

at least one input that is adapted to receive a modulated signal from the lighting circuit of the towing vehicle and at least one output that is adapted to supply an output signal to operate a light of the towed vehicle;

a decoder that is adapted to decode the modulated signal and to provide a decoded signal indicative of a desired state of the light of the towed vehicle; and

a power circuit that is responsive to the decoded signal and is adapted to supply the output signal to operate the light of the towed vehicle, wherein said decoder is adapted to supply a first decoded signal when the modulated signal supplied to said at least one input is at a 100 percent duty cycle and to supply a second decoded signal when the modulated signal supplied to said at least one input is at a duty cycle that is less than a 100 percent duty cycle.

12. The adapter as claimed in claim 11, wherein said decoder includes a latch that is adapted to maintain the second decoded signal, notwithstanding occurrences of a 100 percent duty cycle of the modulated signal supplied to said at least one input.

13. The adapter as claimed in claim 11, wherein said decoder comprises a voltage responsive trigger circuit that produces the first decoded signal when the average voltage level of the modulated signal supplied to said at least one input is above a particular level.

14. The adapter as claimed in claim 11, wherein said decoder comprises a pulse-detecting circuit that produces the second decoded signal when the modulated signal is pulsing.

15. The adapter as claimed in claim 14, wherein said pulse-detecting circuit comprises a capacitive charge pump circuit.

16. A trailer light adapter that is adapted to supplying signals to operate lights of a towed vehicle from modulated signals of a lighting circuit of a towing vehicle, said adapter comprising:

at least one input that is adapted to receive a modulated signal from the lighting circuit of the towing vehicle and at least one output that is adapted to supply an output signal to operate a light of the towed vehicle;

a decoder that is adapted to decode the modulated signal and to provide a decoded signal indicative of a desired state of the light of the towed vehicle; and

a power circuit that is responsive to the decoded signal and is adapted to supply the output signal to operate the light of the towed vehicle, wherein said decoder is adapted to supply a first decoded signal when the variable voltage signal supplied to said at least one input is at a high voltage level and to supply a second decoded signal when the variable voltage signal supplied to said at least one input is at a reduced voltage level.

17. The adapter as claimed in claim 16, wherein said decoder includes a latch that is adapted to maintain the second decoded signal, notwithstanding occurrences of the high voltage state of the modulated voltage signal supplied to said at least one input.

18. The adapter as claimed in claim 16, wherein said decoder comprises a voltage responsive trigger, circuit that produces the first decoded signal when the average voltage level of the variable voltage signal supplied to said at least one input is above a particular level.