Trailer Socket Protective Circuit for Electrostatic Voltage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing plug contact devices for trailer sockets in motor vehicles are susceptible to damage from voltage peaks and electrostatic charges, which can affect both the trailer and vehicle electrical systems, potentially harming safety-critical components like data buses and control units.
Innovation Solution
A conductor body with a protective circuit incorporating voltage reduction components is integrated between the trailer and vehicle interfaces, specifically designed to mitigate electrostatic voltage and voltage peaks by connecting to non-ground potentials and grounding them safely, thereby preventing damage to the electrical systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the trailer and vehicle electrical systems are directly connected without protective components, then the electrical connection is simple and cost-effective, but the system becomes vulnerable to voltage peaks and electrostatic charges that can damage control units and data buses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a conductor body as an intermediary component between the trailer contact arrangement and the vehicle interface. This conductor body integrates voltage reduction components that actively mediate and reduce electrostatic voltages before they can reach the vehicle's electrical system, thereby protecting control units and data buses while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The protective circuit with voltage reduction components is positioned upstream in the electrical connection path, performing preliminary action by reducing electrostatic voltages before they can propagate to and damage sensitive electronic components. This preventive approach ensures that voltage peaks are mitigated in advance, protecting the vehicle's electrical system without requiring complex post-damage repair mechanisms
2Reliability
If voltage reduction components are integrated into the conductor body, then electrostatic protection is provided, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the voltage reduction components directly into the conductor body, creating an integrated protective circuit. This consolidation combines multiple functions (conduction and voltage reduction) into a single component, which simplifies the overall assembly process and reduces the number of separate parts that need to be manufactured and assembled, thereby mitigating the manufacturing complexity despite the added protective functionality
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
This solution effectively eliminates electrostatic issues at the interface, ensuring the motor vehicle's electrical system is protected from overvoltage and electrostatic charges, enhancing the reliability and safety of the vehicle's data bus and preventing damage to critical components.
Implementation Method 1
at least one voltage reduction component for reducing electrostatic voltage received via the trailer contact arrangement
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a plug-in contact device (10), in particular a trailer socket, for a trailer coupling (70) for a motor vehicle (80), comprising a trailer contact arrangement (30) which has electrical connection contacts (33) for establishing an electrical connection with a trailer plug (95) of a trailer (90) that can be coupled to the trailer coupling (70) and which is electrically connected to an electrical vehicle interface (20), wherein the vehicle interface (20) has a vehicle contact arrangement (29) and/or a connecting cable (27) for connection to an on-board electrical system (82) of the motor vehicle (80). It is provided that it has a protective circuit (50) connected between the trailer contact arrangement (30) and the vehicle interface (20), with at least one voltage reduction component (51) for reducing electrostatic voltage received via the trailer contact arrangement (30).