Device for electrically connecting a towing vehicle to a trailer vehicle

Abstract

Device for electrically connecting a towing vehicle with a trailer vehicle, comprising: a DC / DC converter (19) for converting a control signal from a first on-board voltage network (7) of the towing vehicle (5) into a control signal from a second on-board voltage network (9) of the trailer vehicle (3), characterized by: at least one input unit (17) for directly receiving control signals from a control unit (13) of the towing vehicle (5), which directly controls an electrical consumer of the on-board network of the towing vehicle (5); and at least one output unit (21) for outputting the control signals of the control unit (13) of the towing vehicle (5), transformed to the second on-board voltage, to a trailer connector unit (23) for feeding into the trailer vehicle (3) and for transmission to the equivalent electrical consumer (25, 27, 29, 31) of the trailer vehicle (3).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for electrically connecting a towing vehicle with a trailer vehicle, which have different on-board voltages, and to a device for carrying out the method.

[0002] From DE 10 2014 012 154 A1, an electrical system for a motor vehicle, in particular for a commercial vehicle, is known which has an interface to a trailer electrical system. The vehicle's electrical system comprises a first sub-system with a first nominal voltage and a second sub-system with a second nominal voltage. The interface for connecting the trailer electrical system is connected to the second sub-system via a voltage converter installed in the vehicle's electrical system.

[0003] The object of the invention is to provide a method and a device for electrically connecting a towing vehicle with a trailer vehicle, which simplify an electrical connection between different on-board networks of the towing vehicle and trailer vehicle.

[0004] The invention is defined by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments and embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims. Further features, applications, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the explanation of exemplary embodiments of the invention illustrated in the figures.

[0005] The problem is solved by the subject matter of claim 1 or 5.

[0006] In the method described at the beginning for electrically connecting a towing vehicle to a trailer with different electrical system voltages, the control signals of the towing vehicle's first electrical system are converted into control signals of the trailer's second electrical system. The control signals of the first electrical system are taken directly from the towing vehicle's electrical system control unit. The advantage of such a modular adapter is that the trailer can be used as a stand-alone solution, as no discrete components, such as an additional trailer socket, a trailer control unit, and / or wiring for the towing vehicle's electrical system voltage, are required. This allows for component savings and a reduction in wiring harnesses.

[0007] Advantageously, the control signals are used to control a comfort function operated by the towing vehicle's electrical system. Using these same control signals, the same comfort function can be operated in the trailer. This eliminates the need for any modifications to the trailer's electronics.

[0008] In one configuration, a lighting function is used as a convenience feature. This allows for simplified control of brake and indicator lights on the trailer.

[0009] In one version, the comfort function in the trailer, powered by the second electrical system, is subject to a failure detection system. This system detects faults in the turn signals or brake lights. If these fail, a fail-safe circuit is activated, whereby the turn signals are switched on during braking.

[0010] Another aspect of the invention relates to a device for electrically connecting a towing vehicle to a trailer vehicle, comprising - a DC / DC converter for converting a control signal from a first on-board voltage network of the towing vehicle into a control signal from a second on-board voltage network of the trailer vehicle, - at least one input unit for direct reception of control signals to an on-board power supply control unit of the towing vehicle, - at least one output unit for outputting the control signals transposed to the second on-board voltage to a trailer plug unit for feeding into the trailer vehicle.

[0011] A direct dependency on the towing vehicle's electrical system voltage can be completely eliminated. The connection time is reduced. The term "on-board electrical system control unit" will henceforth refer to a control unit in the towing vehicle that directly controls an electrical consumer within the vehicle's electrical system.

[0012] It is advantageous if the input unit is designed in such a way that the discrete 12V control signals output by the vehicle electrical system control unit can be directly tapped. This allows the control signals to be transmitted directly from the towing vehicle to the equivalent electrical consumers in the trailer.

[0013] In another embodiment, the on-board power supply control unit is designed as a lighting control unit, which outputs lighting signals for the trailer vehicle as control signals. This allows for simultaneous control of the brake lights and / or turn signals in both the towing vehicle and the trailer vehicle.

[0014] In another variant, a failure detection unit for monitoring the trailer's lighting units can be externally connected to the device or integrated into it. This allows the function of the trailer's turn signals to be redirected in the event of a malfunction in the trailer's brake lights, thus helping to reduce dangerous situations on the road.

[0015] Further advantages, features, and details will become apparent from the following description, in which—possibly with reference to the drawing—at least one embodiment is described in detail. Features described and / or illustrated can, individually or in any meaningful combination, constitute the subject matter of the invention, possibly also independently of the claims, and can, in particular, also be the subject of one or more separate applications. Identical, similar, and / or functionally equivalent parts are designated with the same reference numerals.

[0016] It shows: Fig. 1 An embodiment of the device according to the invention.

[0017] In Fig.Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention. This device 1, designed as a module, represents a control unit for a trailer 3, which is connected to a towing vehicle 5. The towing vehicle 5 has a first electrical system 7 with an electrical system voltage of 12 V, while the trailer 3 has a second electrical system 9 with an electrical system voltage of 24 V. The towing vehicle 5 and the trailer 3 are electrically connected to each other via an interface 11.

[0018] The towing vehicle 5 includes a device designed as a lighting control unit 13, which is connected to the first vehicle electrical system 7 and supplied with a 12V supply. The lighting control unit 13 outputs lighting signals at the 12V voltage level via a control line 15. These signals are fed to an input unit 17 of the device 1. The device 1 includes a 12V / 24V DC / DC converter 19, which converts these lighting signals to the 24V electrical system 9 of the trailer 3. The transformed control signals are fed to an output unit 21, which connects to the 24V trailer socket 23 of the trailer 3 and provides the 24V outputs.

[0019] Lighting signals, which have been increased from the 12V level to the 24V level of the vehicle electrical system voltage in the device 1, are supplied to the 24V consumers, such as tail light 25, brake light 27, turn signal 29, rear fog light 31 or reversing light 33, via the 24V trailer socket 23 and controlled by them.

[0020] The device 1 has a failure detection unit 35 that registers whether the lighting units 25, 27, 29, 31, 33 are functioning correctly. If, for example, the brake lights 27 are detected to have failed, the failure detection unit 35 activates a fail-safe path 37, which redirects the brake signals to the turn signals 29, which then take over the function of the brake lights.

[0021] Additionally, the device can include 1 24V outputs 21 for blackout lighting functions, such as blackout rear light 39, blackout brake light and guide cross lights, and provide for the use of 12-pin 24V sockets.

[0022] The described solution is applicable to both passenger cars and commercial vehicles that form a vehicle combination with a trailer.

[0023] The described module can be used to connect the electrical systems of conventionally constructed towing and trailer vehicles 5, 3, if, for example, the towing vehicle 5 has a 12V electrical system and the trailer vehicle 3 has a 24V electrical system. A towing vehicle 5 with a 12V electrical system and a trailer vehicle 3, also with a 12V electrical system, can be coupled in the traditional manner without connecting the device 1. This also applies to towing vehicles 5 and trailer vehicles 3 that each have a 24V electrical system. Reference symbol list 1 Device 3 trailer vehicle 5 Towing vehicle 7 first on-board power supply 9 second electrical system 11 Interface 13 Lighting control unit 15 Control line 17 Input unit 19 DC / DC converters 20 computing units 21 output units 23 24V trailer socket 25 Last place 27 Brake light 29 turn signals 31 Rear fog light 33 Reversing light 35 Failure detection unit 37 Fail-Safe Path 39 blackout light QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2014 012 154 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Method for electrically connecting a towing vehicle to a trailer vehicle, which have different on-board voltages, characterized by that the conversion of the control signals of the first on-board voltage network (7) of the towing vehicle (5) into control signals of the second on-board voltage network (9) of the trailer vehicle (3) takes place, wherein the control signals of the first on-board voltage network are tapped directly by an on-board network control unit (13) of the towing vehicle (5). [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that the control signals are used to control a comfort function operated by the on-board network (7) of the towing vehicle (5) and / or the on-board network (9) of the trailer vehicle (3). [3] Method according to claim 2, characterized by that a lighting function is operated as a comfort function. [4] Method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized bythat the comfort function operated in the trailer vehicle (3) with the second vehicle electrical system voltage is subject to failure detection. [5] Device for electrically connecting a towing vehicle to a trailer vehicle, comprising - a DC-DC converter (19) for converting a control signal of a first on-board voltage network (7) of the towing vehicle (5) into a control signal of a second on-board voltage network (9) of the trailer vehicle (3), - at least one input unit (17) for directly receiving control signals from an on-board power supply control unit (13) of the towing vehicle (2), - at least one output unit (21) for outputting the control signals transformed to the second vehicle electrical system voltage to a trailer plug-in unit (23) for feeding into the trailer vehicle (3). [6] Device according to claim 5, characterized bythat the input unit (17) is designed such that the 12 V control signals output by the on-board power supply control unit (13) on a control line (15) can be tapped directly. [7] Device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by that the on-board power supply control unit is designed as a lighting control unit (13) which outputs lighting signals for the trailer vehicle (3) as control signals. [8] Device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by that a failure detection unit (35) for monitoring the lighting units (25, 27, 29, 31, 33) of the trailer vehicle (3) is externally connected to the device (1) or is integrated into the device (1). [9] Device according to at least one of the preceding claims 5 to 8, characterized by a modular training.

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