Trailer for a towing vehicle and method for operating such a trailer

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a trailer, in particular a caravan, a boat trailer, a sales trailer, a transport trailer or a car transport trailer, for a towing vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to a method for operating such a trailer according to the preamble of claim 5.

[0002] EP 3 507 149 B1 discloses a method for electronically controlling a braking system with two braking systems for an automatically controlled vehicle combination. Furthermore, EP 2 512 890 B1 discloses a method for signaling a braking process on a trailer. Additionally, EP 3 564 051 A1 discloses a trailer stabilization device for a trailer.

[0003] The object of the present invention is to further develop a trailer and a method of the type mentioned above in such a way that a particularly safe operation of the trailer can be achieved.

[0004] This problem is solved according to the invention by a pendant having the features of claim 1 and by a method having the features of claim 5. Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments of the invention are specified in the remaining claims.

[0005] A first aspect of the invention relates to a trailer for a towing vehicle. For example, the trailer can be designed as a caravan, a boat trailer, a sales trailer, a transport trailer, a car transporter, or another type of trailer. The trailer is a vehicle, in particular a land vehicle, so that the trailer is also referred to as a vehicle. The trailer has at least or exactly two ground contact elements by means of which the trailer can be supported or is supported downwards along its vertical direction, also referred to as the vehicle's vertical direction. In particular, the ground contact elements are vehicle wheels, which are also simply referred to as wheels.For example, the ground contact elements are rotatably mounted on the trailer's chassis, so that when the trailer is driven, especially pushed or pulled, along the ground by the aforementioned towing vehicle, while the trailer is supported downwards by the ground contact elements in the vertical direction, the ground contact elements roll along the ground, particularly directly. The chassis is, for example, the trailer's frame. The trailer may, for example, have a body, specifically one designed separately from and mounted to the frame, which, for example, defines an interior space within the trailer. For example, people may be present in this interior space.

[0006] The trailer also has a braking device by means of which the ground contact elements can be braked, particularly relative to the chassis. In other words, the braking device can slow down or reduce the rotation of the ground contact elements relative to the chassis, thereby braking the trailer as a whole. The braking device is, for example, a service brake system for braking the trailer, or it is a component of such a service brake system.

[0007] For example, the trailer has at least or exactly one vehicle axle, also referred to simply as an axle, wherein the ground contact elements are preferably components of the vehicle axle. The ground contact elements are, for example, arranged on opposite sides of the trailer in the transverse direction. It is conceivable that the trailer has at least or exactly two vehicle axles, also referred to simply as axles, wherein the vehicle axles are, for example, arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the trailer. Each vehicle axle has, for example, at least or exactly two ground contact elements, wherein, for example, the respective ground contact elements of each vehicle axle are arranged on opposite sides of the trailer in the transverse direction.For example, the braking device can be used to brake at least or exactly two of the ground contact elements.

[0008] The trailer also has at least one rear-facing brake light and / or one facing rearward in the longitudinal direction of the trailer. The brake light comprises, for example, at least one light source by means of which light, particularly of a red color, perceptible to the human eye and also referred to as a brake light, can be emitted into the vicinity of the trailer, and in particular towards the rear in the longitudinal direction of the trailer. The trailer also has a trailer stabilization device, such as that already known, for example, from EP 3 564 051 A1.The trailer stabilization device has at least one actuator by means of which, in order to stabilize the trailer's movement, the braking device can be actuated by operating the actuator, and thereby at least one of the trailer's ground contact elements, particularly relative to the chassis, can be braked. This means that the trailer stabilization device can stabilize the trailer's movement by operating the actuator, whereby this operation of the actuator allows the at least one ground contact element to be braked or is braked.Stabilizing the trailer, also referred to as trailer stabilization, means that the actuator can counteract undesirable driving conditions or movements relative to the road surface along which the trailer is traveling, particularly body movements, by operating the actuator. The road surface could, for example, be the aforementioned ground. In this way, undesirable driving situations or conditions of the trailer can be avoided, and a desired condition, particularly a desired driving condition, of the trailer can be achieved.By counteracting unwanted movements of the trailer relative to the roadway, particularly body movements, while traveling along the roadway, the actuator can, for example, prevent the trailer from tipping over and / or from exhibiting unwanted or excessive swaying movements, especially relative to the towing vehicle, which is articulated or can be coupled to the trailer. Thus, excessive movements, particularly excessive swaying movements, of the trailer relative to the towing vehicle can be prevented by means of at least one actuator. In particular, the actuator can operate the braking device independently of any activation of the towing vehicle's braking system, i.e., without the towing vehicle's braking system being activated.Actuating the trailer's braking system by means of the actuator and the resulting braking of at least one ground contact element is also referred to as brake intervention, so that the actuator can perform brake interventions without actuating a braking system, such as a service brake of the towing vehicle.

[0009] Since the trailer stabilization system is an integral part of the trailer, the trailer includes the trailer stabilization system and thus the actuator. The trailer stabilization system, and therefore the trailer, also includes an electronic computing unit, also referred to as a control unit, by means of which the actuator can be controlled, in particular electrically or electronically, and thus operated in order to actuate the trailer's braking system, in particular independently of the application of a braking system on the towing vehicle, i.e., without the application of a braking system on the towing vehicle. For example, the electronic computing unit can provide at least one control signal, in particular an electrical one, which the actuator can, for example, receive.This allows the actuator to be controlled, particularly independently of any application of the towing vehicle's braking system, meaning without the towing vehicle's braking system being activated. By controlling the actuator, it can, for example, be controlled or, preferably, regulated.

[0010] In order to achieve particularly safe operation of the trailer, the invention provides that the electronic computing unit of the trailer stabilization device, and thus of the trailer itself, is designed to control the brake light, particularly independently of any actuation of the towing vehicle's braking system, i.e., without the towing vehicle's braking system being actuated. This allows the brake light to emit a preferably red light, which is optically perceptible to the human eye and thus to a person in the vicinity of the trailer, when the at least one ground contact element is braked by the electronic computing unit by actuating the actuator.This means that, for example, if the actuator performs a braking intervention during a journey of the trailer, particularly without the braking system of the towing vehicle being activated, in order to stabilize the trailer, at least one road user driving behind the trailer can be visually alerted to the braking intervention and thus to the resulting braking of the trailer, so that particularly safe operation can be demonstrated.

[0011] In conventional solutions, the brake light is not activated when the trailer is stabilized by the trailer stabilization device through a braking intervention without the towing vehicle's braking system being applied, because the towing vehicle's braking system is not activated and the brake light is typically only activated when the towing vehicle's braking system is applied. In contrast, the invention now enables the trailer's brake light to be activated not only when the towing vehicle's braking system is applied, but also, and more importantly, when the actuator performs a braking intervention to stabilize the trailer without the towing vehicle's braking system being applied.This allows, for example, road users driving behind the trailer to be alerted to the trailer's braking intervention or deceleration, thus ensuring a particularly high level of safety. When coupled to the towing vehicle, the electronic control unit is connected between the brake light and the towing vehicle. This allows the brake light to be activated when the towing vehicle's brakes are applied, and the brake light can also be activated independently of the vehicle's brakes, i.e., without the towing vehicle's brakes being applied.Activating the brake light means that, by activating the brake light, or as a result of activating the brake light, the brake light emits the aforementioned light, i.e., the brake light, to the surroundings of the trailer, thereby alerting rear road users to an activation of the trailer's braking system, i.e., to the braking of at least one ground contact element.

[0012] It has proven particularly advantageous for the trailer to have its own electrical energy storage device for storing electrical energy, especially electrochemically. The characteristic that the electrical energy storage device is a separate energy storage device of the trailer means that the energy storage device is an integral part of the trailer and not of the towing vehicle. It is provided that the brake light can be supplied with the electrical energy stored in the energy storage device in order to activate the brake light and thus the brake light, thereby illuminating the area around the trailer when the brakes are applied by the electronic control unit by activating the actuator of at least one ground contact element.This makes it possible to activate the brake light, thus providing a visual indication of a braking intervention triggered by the actuator, particularly even when, for example, the brake light is disconnected from the towing vehicle's power source, such as a battery. The rationale behind this embodiment is that in modern motor vehicles, such as cars, especially passenger cars, used as towing vehicles for pulling and pushing trailers, it may be possible to switch off all unnecessary consumers, such as trailers, and thus disconnect them from the vehicle's electrical system and therefore from a power source, in order to prevent power consumption by these consumers.The invention now makes it possible to activate the brake light, and thus the brake light, even when the brake light or the entire trailer is disconnected from the power source or the electrical system of the towing vehicle. This allows for a visual indication of a braking intervention triggered by the actuator, even when the brake light or the entire trailer is disconnected from the electrical system of the towing vehicle.

[0013] For example, at least one conductor element designed to carry or conduct electrical energy, i.e., electric current, is provided, through which the brake light can be supplied with the electrical energy stored in the energy storage device. For example, the brake light is electrically connected or connectable to the energy storage device via the conductor element.

[0014] It has proven particularly advantageous if the trailer stabilization device has at least one connection element that can be electrically connected to a power source of the towing vehicle designed to provide energy, especially electrical energy. This means that the connection element can be connected at least indirectly, and in particular directly, to the towing vehicle and thus to the power source of the towing vehicle. This allows the electrical energy provided by the power source to be transferred from the power source to the connection element and, for example, made available by the connection element.Since the energy source of the towing vehicle is part of the towing vehicle and not part of the trailer, and since the towing vehicle is a vehicle external to the trailer, provided in addition to the trailer and designed separately from the trailer, the energy source of the towing vehicle is a component external to the trailer and thus to the trailer stabilization device, provided in addition to it, which is not part of the trailer or not part of the trailer stabilization device.

[0015] It is specifically intended that the energy storage device can be supplied with the electrical energy provided or makeable by the connection element, so that the electrical energy provided or makeable by the connection element can be stored in the energy storage device. Thus, the actuator can be supplied via the connection element with the electrical energy provided by the energy source of the towing vehicle, so that the electrical energy provided or makeable by the energy source of the towing vehicle can be stored in the energy storage device via the connection element. The energy storage device can therefore be used, for example, as a buffer that can be charged with electrical energy supplied by the energy source of the towing vehicle, for example via the vehicle's electrical system, and can thereby store, in particular temporarily store, the electrical energy, i.e., the electrical current.The electrical energy stored in the trailer's energy storage system can be used to activate and operate the brake light, thus ensuring particularly safe operation. Alternatively or additionally, the actuator can be operated using the electrical energy provided by the connection element, meaning that the actuator can be powered via the connection element using the electrical energy supplied by the towing vehicle's power source. Therefore, it has proven particularly advantageous for the actuator to be electrically operable.

[0016] Another embodiment is characterized in that the actuator is designed as an electrically operated actuator and can be supplied with the electrical energy stored in the trailer's energy storage system, and thus operated by means of the electrical energy stored in the energy storage system. This allows, for example, the actuator to perform braking interventions and thus stabilize the trailer or its movement even when the actuator or the trailer as a whole is disconnected from the towing vehicle or its electrical system, so that the trailer can no longer be supplied with electrical energy by the towing vehicle. This ensures a particularly high level of safety.

[0017] To achieve a particularly high level of safety, a further embodiment of the invention provides that the electronic computing device can be supplied with electrical energy stored in the energy storage device and thus operated using this stored electrical energy. This allows, for example, the electronic computing device to control the actuator, particularly electrically or electronically, even when the trailer, and therefore the electronic computing device, is disconnected from the towing vehicle or its electrical system. This enables the electronic computing device to initiate braking action by controlling the actuator, and thus stabilize the trailer, even when the trailer is disconnected from the towing vehicle or its electrical system. This ensures a particularly high level of safety.

[0018] Furthermore, it is conceivable, for example, that the electronic computing device can be supplied with the electrical energy that can be provided or is provided by the connection element and can therefore be operated by means of the electrical energy provided or can be provided by the connection element, so that, for example, the electronic computing device can be supplied via the connection element with the electrical energy provided or can be provided by the energy source of the towing vehicle and can therefore be operated.

[0019] For example, at least one second conductor element is provided through which the actuator can be supplied with the electrical energy stored in the electrical energy storage device. For example, the actuator is electrically connected or connectable to the energy storage device via the second conductor element. Alternatively or additionally, for example, a third conductor element can be provided through which the electronic computing device can be supplied with the electrical energy stored in the energy storage device. In this case, for example, the electronic computing device is electrically connected or connectable to the electrical energy storage device via the third conductor element.

[0020] A second aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating a trailer for a towing vehicle, in particular a trailer according to the first aspect of the invention. In this method, the trailer has at least two ground contact elements by which the trailer is supported downwards against the ground in the vehicle's vertical direction. The trailer has a braking device for braking the ground contact elements. Furthermore, the trailer has at least one brake light, which is, for example, arranged at the rear of the trailer. The trailer also has a trailer stabilization device, which includes at least one preferably electrically operated actuator. When the actuator is operated, the braking device is actuated, thereby braking at least one of the ground contact elements and stabilizing the trailer's movement.In other words, the process involves the actuator being operated, thereby actuating the braking device. This decelerates at least one ground contact element and stabilizes the trailer's movement. The trailer stabilization device also includes an electronic control unit that operates the actuator, thereby actuating the trailer's braking device.

[0021] To achieve a particularly high level of safety, the method according to the invention provides that the brake light is controlled by the electronic computing unit, specifically independently of any activation of the towing vehicle's braking system. This means that when the at least one ground contact element is braked by the electronic computing unit, light, also known as a brake light, is emitted to the area surrounding the trailer. This light is provided by the brake light.Advantages and advantageous embodiments of the first aspect of the invention are to be regarded as advantages and advantageous embodiments of the second aspect of the invention and vice versa.

[0022] The characteristic that the brake light can be controlled or is controlled by means of the electronic computing device means that the electronic computing device initiates or causes a supply of energy, in particular electrical energy, to the brake light, thereby supplying the brake light with energy, in particular electrical energy, and subsequently operating it by means of energy, in particular electrical energy, such that the brake light provides the light (brake light) perceptible to the human eye and emits it to the surroundings.Thus, for example, the control of the brake light by the electronic computing device means that the electronic computing device causes a switch to close, so that, for example, the brake light is supplied with electrical energy via the closed switch, whereby the brake light emits light to or into the environment using the electrical energy with which the brake light is supplied.

[0023] It has proven particularly advantageous if the trailer has its own electrical energy storage device for storing electrical energy, whereby the brake light is powered by the electrical energy stored in the energy storage device. This powers the brake light, and when the brakes are applied by the electronic control unit activating the actuator of the at least one ground contact element, the brake light emits light into the surroundings of the trailer. This allows, for example, at least one road user driving behind the trailer to be alerted to the braking of the at least one ground contact element and thus to the stabilization of the trailer, especially when the trailer is electrically disconnected from the towing vehicle and therefore cannot be supplied with electrical power by the towing vehicle. This ensures a particularly high level of safety.

[0024] Another embodiment is characterized in that the actuator is designed as an electrically operated actuator and is supplied with the electrical energy stored in the energy storage device, and is thus operated by means of the electrical energy stored in the energy storage device. This allows the actuator to stabilize the trailer, particularly when the trailer is electrically disconnected from the towing vehicle, thus ensuring a particularly high level of safety. Finally, it has proven particularly advantageous if the electronic computing unit is supplied with the electrical energy stored in the energy storage device and is thus operated by means of the electrical energy stored in the energy storage device.This allows the electronic control unit to control the actuator even when the trailer is electrically disconnected from the towing vehicle and therefore cannot be supplied with electrical energy by the towing vehicle. This enables particularly safe trailer operation. Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment and from the drawing. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as those mentioned below in the figure description and / or shown in the figures alone, can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the subject matter of the claims.

[0025] The drawing shows in: Fig. 1 a schematic perspective view of a vehicle combination comprising a towing vehicle and a trailer coupled to the towing vehicle; Fig. 2 a partial schematic perspective view of the trailer; Fig. 3 a partial further schematic perspective view of the trailer; and Fig. 4 a schematic perspective view of an energy storage device of the trailer.

[0026] In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0027] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a vehicle combination 10, comprising a trailer 12 and a towing vehicle 14. Both the trailer 12 and the towing vehicle 14 are vehicles, specifically land vehicles. It is evident that the towing vehicle 14 is a separate vehicle, designed in addition to and external to the trailer 12, and conversely, the trailer 12 is a separate vehicle, designed in addition to and external to the towing vehicle 14. The trailer 12, designed separately from the towing vehicle 14, is mechanically and articulatedly connected to the towing vehicle 14 in the vehicle combination 10, enabling the towing vehicle 14 to move, i.e., pull and push, the trailer 12. For example, the vehicle combination 10 travels along a surface 16, which is, for instance, a roadway. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the trailer 12 is designed as a caravan.From a compilation of . Fig. 1 bis 4 It is evident that the trailer 12 has a chassis 18, which is designed, for example, as a frame. Furthermore, the trailer 12 has a body 20, which is designed separately from the chassis 18 and is attached to the chassis 18, in particular supported by the chassis 18. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the trailer 12 also has, in particular, a vehicle axle 22, which in this case has exactly two ground contact elements 24. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the ground contact elements 24 are vehicle wheels, which are also simply referred to as wheels. The trailer 12 is supported downwards on the ground 16 by means of the ground contact elements 24 along its vertical direction, illustrated by a double arrow 26 and also simply referred to as the vertical direction.If the vehicle combination 10 travels along the ground 16, while the trailer 12 is supported downwards along its vertical direction (double arrow 26) via the ground contact elements 24 on the ground 16, the ground contact elements 24 roll directly along the ground 16. Each ground contact element 24 rotates about its respective wheel axis relative to the chassis 18. Thus, the ground contact elements 24 are rotatably held on the chassis 18.

[0028] The structure 20 of the trailer 12 creates at least one interior space in which people can be accommodated.

[0029] Trailer 12, for example, can be a motorless vehicle that has no drive motor and therefore cannot be driven by its own power.

[0030] Out of Fig. 2 It is evident that the trailer 12 has a braking device 28 by means of which the ground contact elements 24 can be braked, particularly relative to the chassis 18, thereby braking the trailer 12 as a whole. The braking device 28 is, for example, a service brake system or a component of a service brake system of the trailer 12. The towing vehicle 14 has, for example, an energy source, in particular designed as a battery, which is arranged, for example, in an on-board electrical system of the towing vehicle 14. For example, electrical energy can be stored in the energy source of the towing vehicle 14, and the electrical energy stored in the energy source of the towing vehicle 14 can be supplied via the on-board electrical system.Since the energy source of the towing vehicle 14 is part of the towing vehicle 14 and not part of the trailer 12, the energy source of the towing vehicle 14 is an external component provided in addition to the trailer 12.

[0031] The trailer 12 also has a lighting system 32, which is arranged, for example, at the rear of the trailer 12 and which may, for example, have at least two brake lights 34 spaced apart from each other, particularly in the transverse direction of the trailer 12. Each brake light 34 has, for example, at least one light source by means of which, using electrical energy with which the respective brake light 34 can be supplied or is supplied, light, also referred to as brake light, can be emitted to an area 36 of the trailer 12. The light (brake light) emitted or emitted by the respective brake light 34 to or into the area 36 can, for example, be visually perceived by the human eye and thus by a person located in the area 36.For example, if a braking system of the towing vehicle 14, designed in particular as a service brake, is activated by the driver of the towing vehicle 14 in order to brake the towing vehicle 14 and in particular the vehicle combination 10, the brake lights 34 are activated, causing them to emit the aforementioned light to or into the surroundings 36. This allows, for example, a road user driving behind the trailer 12 to visually perceive the light emitted by the respective brake light 34 and be visually alerted that the vehicle combination 10 is braking.

[0032] The trailer 12 further comprises a trailer stabilization device 38, which is, for example, at least indirectly attached to the chassis 18 and is an integral part of the trailer 12. The trailer stabilization device 38 is also simply referred to as a stabilization device or stabilization system and is electrically operated, i.e., by utilizing electrical energy with which the trailer stabilization system can be supplied or is supplied. The trailer stabilization device 38 includes at least one electrically operated actuator 40, by means of which the braking device 28 can be actuated to stabilize the trailer 12's movement, thereby braking at least one of the ground contact elements 24.Since the actuator 40 in the embodiment shown in the figures is an electrically operated actuator, it can be operated using electrical energy or current, with which it is supplied. By operating the actuator 40 electrically, it can actuate the braking device 28 and thereby brake the at least one ground contact element 24. This prevents, for example, undesirable or excessive body movements of the trailer 12 relative to the ground 16 during travel, or counteracts such body movements by operating the actuator 40 electrically, thereby actuating the braking device 28 and consequently braking the at least one ground contact element 24. For example, the actuator 40 is coupled to the braking device 28.The braking device 28, for example, has a brake, in particular a friction brake, for each ground contact element 24 of the vehicle axle 22, wherein the actuator 40 can actuate the respective brake, in particular by electrically operating the actuator 40. For this purpose, the actuator 40 is, for example, coupled or can be coupled to the respective brake. The actuation of the braking device 28 effected by the actuator 40 is also referred to as brake intervention, wherein, within the scope of such brake intervention, which can be effected or carried out by means of the actuator 40, at least one of the brakes is actuated by means of the actuator 40, whereby the respective ground contact element 24 assigned to the respective brake can be selectively braked. This allows the movement of the trailer 12 to be stabilized, in particular in a targeted manner.By stabilizing the movement of the trailer 12, for example an undesirable driving condition of the trailer 12 can be avoided or counteracted, so that, for example, a desired driving condition of the trailer 12 can be achieved.

[0033] The trailer stabilization device 38 also features a Fig. 2 A particularly schematically depicted electronic computing device 42, also referred to as a control unit, is shown, by means of which the actuator 40 can be controlled and thus operated in order to actuate the braking device 28 of the trailer 12. In particular, the electronic computing device 42 is designed to control the actuator 40, especially to control and / or regulate it. By controlling the actuator 40, the actuator 40 can be operated and subsequently actuate the braking device 28 and thus brake the at least one ground contact element 24.

[0034] To achieve a particularly high level of safety, the electronic computing unit 42 is designed to control the respective brake light 34. This allows the brake light 34 to emit light to the surroundings 36 of the trailer 12 when the brakes of at least one ground contact element 24 are applied by the electronic computing unit 42 through the actuator 40. Thus, when the actuator 40 applies the brakes, the light from the brake lights 34 is emitted to the surroundings 36, so that road users driving behind the trailer 12 can be visually alerted to the braking action, especially when the actuator 40 applies the brakes without activating the braking system of the towing vehicle 14.

[0035] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the trailer stabilization device 38, and thus the trailer 12, has its own electrical energy storage device 44 in which electrical energy, in particular electrochemical energy, is stored. The respective brake light 34 can be supplied with the electrical energy stored in the energy storage device 44, thereby enabling the operation of the respective brake light 34 by means of the electrical energy stored in the energy storage device 44. By operating the respective brake light 34, the respective brake light 34 emits the aforementioned light onto or into the surroundings 36.

[0036] The trailer stabilization device 38, for example, has at least one connection element (not shown in the figures) which can be at least indirectly connected to the vehicle's electrical system and thus to the energy source of the towing vehicle 14. This allows the electrical energy supplied or available from the energy source via the vehicle's electrical system 14 to be transferred to the connection element and supplied by the connection element. The electrical energy supplied by the connection element from the energy source of the towing vehicle 14 can, for example, be fed to the energy storage device 44 and thus stored, in particular temporarily stored, in the energy storage device 44. For this purpose, a supply line 46 ( Fig. 4A first conductor element is provided, to which, for example, the connection element is at least electrically connected. The electrical energy supplied or available from the connection element can be fed to the energy storage device 44 via the supply line 46 and stored therein. Furthermore, a second conductor element, in this case configured as a down conductor 48, is provided, through which the energy storage device 44 can supply the electrical energy stored within it. For example, the electrical energy stored in the energy storage device 44 can be supplied via the down conductor 48 to the respective brake light 34 and / or the actuator 40, thereby operating the respective brake light 34 or the actuator 40 using the electrical energy stored in the energy storage device 44.This allows the brake light 34 to emit light to or into the surrounding area 36, ​​and the actuator 40 to perform the brake intervention.

[0037] The energy storage device 44, for example, has a housing 50, which may be multi-part. The housing 50 may, for example, comprise two separate and interconnected housing elements 52 and 54. The housing elements 52 and 54 define, for example, a receiving space in which, for example, storage cells of the energy storage device 44 are housed. Electrical energy can be stored by means of these storage cells. Each storage cell may, for example, be a battery or accumulator cell. The storage cells may, for example, be individual cells that are electrically connected to one another. This allows the energy storage device 44 to provide a particularly high electrical voltage, which can be used to supply the respective brake light 34, preferably the actuator 40, and optionally the electronic computing unit 42.In particular, it is conceivable that the electronic computing device 42 can be supplied with the electrical energy stored in the energy storage device 44 via the line 48, in order to operate the electronic computing device 42 using the electrical energy stored in the energy storage device 44. This would allow, for example, the computing device 42 to use the electrical energy stored in the energy storage device 44 to control the brake light 34 and, for example, the actuator 40. For example, the computing device 42 is arranged in the receiving space.

[0038] Overall, it is evident that the respective brake light 34, the actuator 40, and the electronic computing unit 42 can be supplied with the electrical energy stored in the electrical energy storage device 44, thereby operating the respective brake light 34, the actuator 40, and the electronic computing unit 42 using the electrical energy stored in the energy storage device 44. By operating the brake light 34, the brake light 34 provides the aforementioned light (brake light), which is emitted onto or into the surroundings 36. By operating the actuator 40, the actuator 40 actuates the braking device 28, thereby braking the at least one ground contact element 24. By operating the electronic computing unit 42, the electronic computing unit 42 controls the actuator 40, which in turn actuates the braking device 28, and the electronic computing unit 42 controls the brake light 34.Controlling the brake light 34 means that the brake light 34 is supplied with electrical energy, in particular from the energy storage device 44, in order to activate and operate the brake light 34, causing the brake light 34 to emit light (brake light) to or into the surroundings 36. It is evident that the brake light 34, the actuator 40, and the electronic computing device 42 can be operated using the electrical energy stored in the energy storage device 44. This means that the brake light 34, the actuator 40, and the electronic computing device 42 can also be operated when the trailer 12 is disconnected from the electrical system of the towing vehicle 14 and thus from its power source, and therefore cannot be supplied with electrical energy by the towing vehicle 14 or any other component external to the trailer 12. This ensures a particularly high level of safety.

[0039] It is conceivable that the electronic computing device 42 is arranged in the housing 50 of the electrical energy storage device 44, such that, for example, the storage cells of the energy storage device 44 and the computing device 42 are housed in the same housing 50, in particular in the same receiving space of the housing 50. In this case, the computing device 42 is specifically arranged outside the actuator 40. Alternatively, it is possible, for example, that the computing device 42 is arranged in a housing of the actuator 40, so that, for example, the computing device 42 is arranged outside the energy storage device 44.

Claims

1. A trailer (12) for a towing vehicle (14), with at least two ground contact elements (24), via which the trailer (12) can be supported downwards on a ground (16) in vehicle vertical direction (26) of the trailer (12), with a braking device (28) for braking the ground contact elements (24), with at least one brake light (34) and with a trailer stabilizing device (38), which comprises: - at least one actuator (40), by means of which the braking device (28) can be actuated while operating the actuator (40) for stabilizing a movement of the trailer (12) and thereby at least one of the ground contact elements (24) can be braked; and - an electronic computing device (42), by means of which the actuator (40) is controllable and thereby operable to thereby actuate the braking device (28) of the trailer (12), characterized in that the electronic computing device (42) is formed to control the brake light (34) to thereby emit light to an environment (36) of the trailer (12) by means of the brake light (34) upon braking of the at least one ground contact element (24) effected by means of the electronic computing device (42) by controlling the actuator (40).

2. The trailer (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that the trailer (12) comprises an own electrical energy storage (44) for storing electrical energy, wherein the brake light (34) can be supplied with the electrical energy stored in the energy storage (44) to thereby emit the light to the environment (36) of the trailer (12) by means of the brake light (34) upon braking of the at least one ground contact element (24) effected by means of the electronic computing device (42) by controlling the actuator (40).

3. The trailer (12) according to claim 2, characterized in that the actuator (40) is formed as an electrically operable actuator and can be supplied with the electrical energy stored in the energy storage (44) and is thereby operable by means of the electrical energy stored in the energy storage (44).

4. The trailer (12) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the electronic computing device (42) can be supplied with the electrical energy stored in the energy storage (44) and is thereby operable by means of the electrical energy stored in the energy storage (44).

5. A method for operating a trailer (12) for a towing vehicle (14), in which the trailer (12) comprises at least two ground contact elements (24), via which the trailer (12) is supported downwards on a ground (16) in vehicle vertical direction (26) of the trailer (12), a braking device (28) for braking the ground contact elements (24), at least one brake light (34) and a trailer stabilizing device (38), which comprises: - at least one actuator (40), by means of which the braking device (28) is actuated while operating the actuator (40), whereby at least one of the ground contact elements (24) is braked and a movement of the trailer (12) is stabilized; and - an electronic computing device (42), by means of which the actuator (40) is controlled and thereby operated, whereby the braking device (28) of the trailer (12) is actuated, characterized in that the brake light (34) is controlled by means of the electronic computing device (41), whereby light is emitted to an environment (36) of the trailer (12) by means of the brake light (34) upon braking of the at least one ground contact element (24) effected by means of the electronic computing device (42) by controlling the actuator (40).

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the trailer (12) comprises an own electrical energy storage (44) for storing electrical energy, wherein the brake light (34) is supplied with the electrical energy stored in the energy storage (44), whereby the brake light (34) is operated and the light is emitted to the environment (36) of the trailer (12) by means of the brake light (34) upon braking of the at least one ground contact element (24) effected by means of the electronic computing device (42) by controlling the actuator (40).

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the actuator (40) is formed as an electrically operable actuator (40) and is supplied with the electrical energy stored in the energy storage (44) and is thereby operated by means of the electrical energy stored in the energy storage (44).

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the electronic computing device (42) is supplied with the electrical energy stored in the energy storage (44) and is thereby operated by means of the electrical energy stored in the energy storage (44).