×

Automotive trailer connection recognition system

  • US 4,430,637 A
  • Filed: 08/25/1981
  • Issued: 02/07/1984
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/11/1980
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
Patent Images

1. Automotive trailer connection recognition system for use with a tractor electrical system comprising:

  • power supply buses (1, Ch);

    a blinker system on the tractor including means (8) generating blinker pulses;

    at least two tractor blinker lamps (7) of a first predetermined resistance on the tractor;

    a blinker switch (2, 3, 3'"'"', 3", 3'"'"'") selectively controlling connection of at least one of the blinker lamps (7) to the blinker pulse generator means (8);

    a severable trailer connector (10);

    at least two trailer blinker lamps (19, 19a) of a second predetermined resistance connected to the trailer connector (10;

    connection means (9'"'"') connecting the blinker switch means to the trailer connector (10) for severable connection to the trailer blinker lamps;

    resistance sensing means (11,

         12) connected to said connection means (9'"'"') including logic means (11) recognizing a high-resistance or low-resistance condition on said connection means (9'"'"') and providing an outtput signal if the resistance sensing means senses a connected low-resistance condition on said connection means;

    and mean (5, 6;

    22, 23,

         24) for isolating the at least two tractor blinker lamps (7) on the tractor from said connection means (9'"'"') unless said lamps are energized from said power supply buses (1, Ch).

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×