Auxiliary Lighting System Using Trailer Plug
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for installing auxiliary lighting systems on vehicles with mounted implements, such as snowplows, are labor-intensive and require significant alterations to the vehicle's electrical system, particularly due to the need for complex wiring connections.
Innovation Solution
An auxiliary lighting system that utilizes a wire bundle connected to a vehicle's trailer plug, with a microprocessor-controlled controller to operate auxiliary lights based on electrical signals from the trailer plug, simplifying installation and reducing the need for extensive electrical system modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current installation techniques are used to connect auxiliary lighting systems, then the auxiliary lights can be powered and controlled, but the installation process becomes labor intensive and requires altering the vehicle's existing electrical system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a trailer plug as an intermediary device that connects the auxiliary lighting system to the vehicle's existing electrical system without requiring modifications to the OEM wiring. The trailer plug serves as a mediator that interfaces between the vehicle's trailer wiring harness and the auxiliary lighting system, enabling power and control signal transmission while preserving the original electrical system integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The trailer plug leverages the vehicle's existing trailer wiring infrastructure to serve multiple functions: providing power to auxiliary lights, transmitting control signals for coordination with vehicle lighting systems, and enabling operation without custom wiring. This universal approach uses the already-installed trailer electrical system for auxiliary lighting purposes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle's OEM wiring harness is disconnected and spliced to install auxiliary lighting, then the auxiliary system can be integrated, but the installation time increases to approximately two and one half hours
Solution Approach 1:
The trailer plug is pre-configured with all necessary electrical connections and wiring harnesses before installation. The plug comes ready-to-connect with pre-attached wiring that interfaces with both the vehicle's trailer plug and the auxiliary lighting system, eliminating the need for on-site wiring splicing and connection work during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary lighting system is divided into separate modular components: the trailer plug interface, the wiring harness, and the auxiliary lights themselves. This segmentation allows each component to be independently installed and connected, simplifying the overall installation process and reducing the time required for integration.
3Ease of operation
If numerous connections are made to the vehicle's electronic lighting system, then the auxiliary headlights and turn signals can be coordinated and controlled, but the complexity of the electrical system alterations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The trailer plug acts as an intermediary that simplifies the electrical connections by providing a pre-configured interface between the vehicle's lighting system and the auxiliary lights. Instead of making numerous individual connections to the OEM wiring, the trailer plug consolidates these connections into a single standardized interface that handles power and control signals for all auxiliary lighting functions.
Data Source
AI summary
An auxiliary lighting system using a trailer plug is disclosed. A signal may be transmitted from a vehicle's trailer plug to an auxiliary implement, such as a snowplow assembly. In one embodiment, the auxiliary implement may be attached to the front of the vehicle. The signal can be sent through a wire bundle. With this invention, the auxiliary lighting system does not require rewiring of the vehicle's wiring harness.