Trailer Light Monitoring via MOSFET Voltage Drop Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to effectively provide drivers of vehicles with information about the operating state and presence of trailer lights, including malfunctioning conditions, which is crucial for safe towing operations.
Innovation Solution
A light assembly monitoring system utilizing a MOSFET, voltage driver, and voltage level detector to determine the presence, state, and functionality of trailer lights by controlling current flow through the lights and detecting voltage drops, communicating this information to the vehicle's computer for display to the driver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a light assembly monitoring system is implemented to provide driver information about trailer lights, then driver awareness and safety are improved, but device complexity increases due to additional monitoring components
Solution Approach 1:
The MOSFET circuit is designed to perform multiple functions: it monitors light assembly presence, detects malfunctioning conditions, and provides driver information through a single integrated system. The voltage driver and voltage level detector work together to accomplish these diverse monitoring tasks, reducing the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage level detector acts as an intermediary component that bridges the light assembly circuit and the driver information system. It detects voltage drops across the light assembly and converts this information into signals that can be processed and displayed to the driver, simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Measurement precision
If the MOSFET operates in resistor mode to enable current flow for monitoring, then light assembly presence detection is improved, but battery consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage driver is configured to place the MOSFET in resistor mode selectively rather than continuously. The system periodically activates the monitoring function to detect light assembly presence and malfunctioning conditions, then returns to a lower power state. This periodic operation maintains measurement precision while significantly reducing overall battery consumption during towing operations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the driver to be informed about the presence, state, and any malfunctions of trailer lights, enhancing safety and efficiency in towing operations by ensuring proper light functionality and reducing battery consumption.
Implementation Method 1
The voltage driver, which has an output that is connected to the gate terminal of the MOSFET, is configurable by the controller to selectively couple into the gate terminal of the MOSFET one of a first voltage that places the MOSFET in a resistor mode of operation whereby a first amount of current flows through the light assembly, a second voltage that places the MOSFET in a switched-on mode of operation whereby a second amount of current flows through the light assembly, or a third voltage that places the MOSFET in a switched-off mode of operation that stops current flow through the light assembly.
Implementation Method 2
The voltage level detector is connected in parallel across the light assembly and the controller is configured to determine a presence or an absence of the vehicle trailer and/or of the light assembly based on evaluating a voltage drop across the light assembly that is detected by the voltage level detector when the MOSFET is placed in the resistor mode of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure is generally directed to a vehicle trailer light assembly monitoring system. An example system includes a metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) connected in series with a light assembly of the vehicle trailer. A voltage driver is configurable by the controller to selectively couple into a gate terminal of the MOSFET one of a first voltage that places the MOSFET in a resistor mode of operation, a second voltage that places the MOSFET in a switched-on mode of operation, or a third voltage that places the MOSFET in a switched-off mode of operation. In an example implementation, the controller determines a presence or an absence of the vehicle trailer and/or of the light assembly, based on evaluating a voltage drop across the light assembly that is detected by the voltage level detector when the MOSFET is placed in the resistor mode of operation.