Integrated Trailer Brake and Lighting Control With Battery Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current brake control units for towed vehicles are not integrated with the towing vehicle, requiring separate components for braking, lighting, and battery charging, which are not communicative and take up additional space and time for installation.
Innovation Solution
A single towed vehicle controller that integrates trailer brake control, lighting, and battery charging functions, utilizing a processor to receive inputs through discrete, analog, CAN, and LIN networks, and communicate via a towing vehicle's communication bus to control braking, lighting, and charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate components (brake controller, lighting module, battery charger) are used for towed vehicle functions, then each component can perform its specific function independently, but the number of components increases, installation complexity increases, and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the brake controller, lighting module, and battery charger into a single integrated control unit. This single unit includes a processor that can execute different software modules to perform braking control, lighting control, and battery charging functions, thereby reducing the number of separate components while maintaining functional capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated control unit is designed with a universal processor that can perform multiple functions through software configuration. The same hardware platform supports brake control, lighting control, and battery charging operations, making the device multi-functional and adaptable to different towing scenarios
2Reliability
If multiple separate components are installed in the towing vehicle, then each component can be optimized for its specific function, but installation time increases and available space is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the brake controller, lighting module, and battery charger into one integrated unit, the installation process is simplified from installing multiple separate components to installing a single component. This reduces installation time and the complexity of wiring and configuration while maintaining the functional optimization of each subsystem
3Reliability
If separate components are used for brake control, lighting, and battery charging, then each component can operate independently, but the system occupies more space and requires more wiring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple control functions into a single physical unit, reducing the total volume occupied by control components in the towing vehicle. The integrated unit includes a processor, memory, and output interfaces that can handle brake control, lighting control, and battery charging functions, thereby reducing space requirements while maintaining operational independence through software-based function separation
Data Source
AI summary
A towed vehicle controller integrates trailer braking, lighting, and battery charging functions into a single unit communicatively coupled to a towing vehicle data bus. The controller includes a processor, a trailer brake controller component, a trailer lighting component with multiple light drivers, and a trailer battery charge component. The processor receives inputs via the vehicle communication bus and other interfaces, executes brake control algorithms, coordinates activation of trailer lamps, and manages trailer battery charging, including foregoing charging based on braking state or vehicle conditions. Integration of these functions reduces wiring and component count, facilitates OEM or aftermarket installation, and enables coordinated control, diagnostics, and display of trailer status through the towing vehicle's existing electronic systems.