• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    A wireless rear light system, for example a lighting board, for a trailer is operated by radio communication, where commend signals are sent at dual frequencies in order to provide additional safety through redundancy
    公开号:DK202100049U1
    申请号:DK202100049U
    申请日:2021-06-04
    公开日:2021-06-08
    发明作者:Nielsen Kurt
    申请人:Gear2Cars ApS；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    DK 2021 00049 U1 1 Wireless Trailer Indication System
    FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to improvements in or relating to lighting boards for trail- ers, towed automobiles or load carriers, such as bicycle carriers, mounted to the rear of a vehicle, in which the signals between the vehicle and the lighting board are transmitted by radio waves.
    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is a requirement to fit a lighting board when the rear light units of a vehicle are ob- structed, for example when towing a trailer or other vehicle or when obstructed by a load mounted on the rear of the vehicle. Prior art lighting boards include multi-func- tional light units on either side of the board, typically with an additional number plate in between. The lighting board is mounted visible to the driver of a following car and a wiring connection or a wireless connection is provided between the lighting board and the vehicle so that operation of the light units of the lighting board is synchronised with operation of the rear lights of the vehicle in order to indicate a warning of any intended turn or of braking to the driver of a following car. Wireless lighting board systems are operated by a radio transmission from a transceiver that is electrically connected to the electrical trailer plug system at the rear of the vehi- cle. Examples are disclosed in GB2375901 and US6100801 for trailers and in US5666103 for towed automobiles. Although, the wireless communication between the vehicle transmitter and the receiver in the lighting board is a practical and useful ap- proach avoiding cabling between the vehicle and the trailer, it implies a risk that the radio frequency is disturbed and the properly functioning of the lighting board is not any longer guaranteed.
    It would be desirable to provide a wireless rear light indication system with safer func- tioning.
    DK 2021 00049 U1 2 DESCRIPTION / SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an objective of the invention to provide an improvement in the art. In particular, it is an objective to provide a more reliability functioning of a wireless rear light system, especially for a trailer, a towed automobile or a load carrier on the back of the vehicle. This objective is achieved with a wireless rear light system, for example a lighting board, and its method of operation by radio communication, where commend signals are sent at two different radio frequencies in order to provide additional safety through redundancy. The system is explained in more detail in the following.
    The wireless rear light system comprises - a radio transmitter unit configured for electrical connection to the electrical system of a vehicle; the radio transmitter unit being configured for receiving wired electrical power signals from the vehicle through the electrical connection, each of the power signals relating to either rear light, stop light or turning indicator light; wherein the radio transmitter unit is configured for providing and transmitting different specific wireless command signals relating to either rear light, stop light or turning indicator light in de- pendence on the wired electrical power signals received from the electrical system of the vehicle; - a light indicator system separate from the radio transmitter and comprising lamps for rear light, stop-light and turning light and configured for removable mounting on a trailer or towed automobile, for example a lighting board with a set of such lamps at either end of the lighting board; typically, this lighting system is mounted on a trailer, a towed automobile or a load carrying structure on the back of a vehicle; - a radio receiver unit comprising a radio receiver configured for receiving the command signals and a controller electronically connected to the radio receiver and configured for connecting electrical power selectively to the lamps of the light indicator system in dependence of the received command signals; - a power source, for example a power-rechargeable battery or a hydrogen-rechargeable fuel cell system, for providing electrical power to the radio receiver, the controller, and the lamps.
    In particular, the radio transmitter unit is configured for sending and the radio receiver for receiving the specific wireless command signals at two different radio frequencies
    DK 2021 00049 U1 3 for each wired electrical power signal received from the vehicle through the multi-pin plug. The term frequency of the command signal refers to the carrier frequency of the com- mand signals. The specific signal itself would result as a modulation of the carrier fre- quency. For example, the dual frequency system is made with a transceiver and antenna for each frequency.
    It has been found useful for providing higher safety for proper functioning and less risk for disturbance when using dual command signals sent in parallel from the radio trans- mitter at different frequencies. For example, the dual signals for the activation of the lamps are sent by the transmitter at a first frequency, for example in the range of 800- 900 MHz, optionally at 869.70 MHz, and also at a second frequency, for example in the range of 400-500 MHz, optionally at 434.05 MHz. If the lower of the two frequencies is far from the higher frequency, for example more than 10% different than the higher frequency, such as at least 20, 30, 40 or 50 % different than the higher frequency, the risk for disturbance of both radio signals at the same time is reduced as compared to a signal at a single frequency. Accordingly, the system provides redundancy with in- creased safety in a simple way and ensures reliable communication. For example, the dual command signals with different radio frequencies are sent simul- taneously or approximately at the same time, for example with less than 0.1 seconds between the two signals. The two signals have to be sent before the next wired power signal is received by the transmitter unit from the vehicle through the multi-pin plug. Advantageously, the signals are digital. An optional data rate for the radio signals is in the range of 10-100 kb/s, for example 40 kb/sec.
    Although, the prior art, for example GB2375901, discloses different frequencies, such as frequency hopping, for the signals, there is no disclosure of sending dual signals at two different radio frequencies for each electrical power signal received from the vehi- cle through the multi-pin plug. In the prior art, one frequency is used for one electrical
    DK 2021 00049 U1 4 power signal at one time instance, and another frequency is used for another electrical power signal at a second time instance. In contrast thereto, in the invention, each elec- trical signal causes two radio signals being transmitted, where the dual signals have different frequencies.
    In possible embodiments, the radio signals have a digital sequence of a destination ad- dress and a source address as well as a command sequence. When paired, the destination address and the source address in the radio signals prevents reading of the radio signals by a receiver that is not addressed and prevents the receiver from reading signals from a transmitter of a neighbouring vehicle. Received data packages in the radio signals with addresses that are not matching are disregarded and no commands executed by the con- troller. Only the specifically addressed receiver would evaluate the signal and cause the lighting in accordance with the intention of the user in the vehicle and synchronous with the vehicle’s rear lighting system. The digital sequence optionally also contains infor- mation about the system and the software version for the system. The controllers are typically provided with computers for controlling the lamps and determining the check of the power of the power source. Optionally for higher safety, the digital signals are encrypted.
    For example, the radio transmitter unit comprises a multi-pin plug for electrical connec- tion to a corresponding trailer-standard multi-pin connector socket on a vehicle. In this embodiment, the radio transmitter unit is configured for receiving wired electrical power signals from the vehicle through the multi-pin plug, each of the power signals relating to either rear light, stop light or turning indicator light. Further, the radio trans- mitter unit is configured for providing and transmitting different specific wireless com- mand signals relating to either rear light, stop light or turning indicator light in depend- ence on the wired electrical power signals received through the plug.
    In some embodiments, where the radio transmitter unit comprises a multi-pin plug and is connected to a corresponding trailer-standard multi-pin connector socket on a vehicle, a feedback signal in the vehicle for proper functioning of the trailer lamps requires a certain power consumption by the lamps. For example the proper functioning of the turning signal is indicated only when a certain level of power consumption is measured. In other cases, a lack of power consumption triggers an alarm of an apparently defect
    DK 2021 00049 U1 lamp. For this case, the radio transmitter unit has a corresponding power consumption circuit integrated, including resistors, that mimics consumption of a standard lamp of a trailer. Such consumption circuit, including selected resistors, is also useful in case that the vehicle is equipped with an electrical system that comprises a CAN bus system 5 (CAN=Controller Area Network). In some practical embodiments, the transmitter unit receives an electrical power signal from the vehicle through the multi-pin plug and creates and sends command signals at two different radio frequencies to the radio receiver for causing operation of a corre- sponding lamp of the light indicator system.
    Optionally, electrical power is connected to the corresponding lamp by the radio re- ceiver system as a consequence of receiving at least one of the two command signals.
    As only one of the dual command signals are necessary for the operation, a disturbance or loss of the signals at one frequency is acceptable.
    In special embodiments, the system comprises - a second radio transmitter unit comprising a second radio transmitter and a second controller, wherein the second controller is functionally connected to the power source and configured for periodically monitoring the charging state of the power source and for periodically creating corresponding charging state indicative signals; wherein the second radio transmitter is electronically connected to the second controller and config- ured for transmitting periodic power status signals, for example the voltage, indicative of the power status of the power source, for example the battery; - a status indicator unit comprising a second radio receiver configured for receiving the wireless power status signals, wherein the status indicator unit comprises an indicator for visually and/or or by audio signals indicating the power status of the power source to a user on the basis of the received power status signals.
    In practice, the status indicator unit is configured to be arranged inside a vehicle and visible to the driver and indicating the power status of the power source during operation of the light indicator system on the trailer. The status indicator is typically powered by a battery, potentially rechargeable through a power cable, for example with a USB charging plug.
    DK 2021 00049 U1 6 Optionally, the status indicator has a number of light emitting diodes (LED), indicating the power status by colour and/or number of illuminated LEDs.
    Optionally, the power status signals are sent at both frequencies. Alternatively, the power status signals are sent on only one frequency, for example one of the radio fre- quencies used for radio signals from the transmitter on the vehicle.
    In some embodiment, the status indicator indicates if command signals at one of the frequencies are not working properly for the communication. For this, it receives a cor- responding alarm signal from the second transmitter unit.
    Typically, the second radio transmitter unit and the radio receiver are combined into a transceiver and part of a single unit, not only comprising the controller but also the second controller. Optionally, the controller and the second controller are optionally combined into a multi-controller that is controlling not only the electrical power to the lamps but also the power status of the power source, for example the voltage of the rechargeable battery.
    A rechargeable battery with a power capacity of more than 5000 mAh, for example 8000 mAh, have been found useful for such light indicator systems if LEDs are used.
    Optionally, the second radio transmitter transmits failsafe radio signals periodically to the status indicator unit, for example once after each time period in the range of 1 to 10 seconds, optionally in the range of 1 to 4 seconds. This gives the system an additional degree of safety control. For example, the failsafe radio signals are only sent as a re- sponse after receiving a command signal from the vehicles radio transmitter unit.
    In further embodiments, the status indicator unit is configured for creating an audio and/or visual alarm signal when there is a lack of power status signals or other type of radio signals, such as failsafe radio signals, from the second radio transmitter unit within a predetermined time slot. This is an indication that radio connection is lost to the sec- ond radio transmitter unit. For example, the status indicator provides a flashing light signal and potentially a characteristic alarm tone at the same time for causing attention.
    DK 2021 00049 U1 7 In practice, the method comprises checking, by the status indicator, whether power sta- tus signals or other type of radio signals, such as failsafe radio signals, are received from the second radio transmitter within a predetermined time slot, and if no such signals are received, creating an alarm, typically a visual and/or audio signal, as an indication that radio connection is lost to the second radio transmitter unit. Such time slot is typically shorter than a minute and longer than a second. For example, the light indicator system and the radio receiver unit are provided as an integrated unit, such as in a lighting board. Optionally, also the power source is inte- grated therein, typically in the form of a rechargeable battery. Optionally, light indicator system, for example the lighting board, comprises a magnet and is mountable to the trailer or towed car by magnetic attachment.
    In order to save power consumption by the radio system and the lamps when the trailer is not in use, the system potentially includes a motion sensor which activates the system and keeps it activated, when motion is detected and/or when electrical signals are re- ceived.
    Optionally, the radio system is configured for going into a sleeping mode, if no electri- cal wired signal is received from the electrical system for a while and no motion is detected within a predetermined time lapse.
    SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing, where FIG. 1 is an overview drawing of the system on a vehicle with a trailer; FIG. 2 illustrates a radio transmitter unit; FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a lighting board; FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative lighting system with two separate lamp armatures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION / PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
    DK 2021 00049 U1 8 FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle 1, such as a lorry, to which a trailer 2 is connected. Alterna- tively, the trailer 2 can be exchanged with a towed automobile. The trailer 2 comprises a light indicator system 3 with lamps for rear light, stop-light and turning light, for ex- ample a lighting board with a set of such lamps at either end of the lighting board. The light indicator system 3 also contains a rechargeable battery and a radio receiver unit that is connecting electrical power selectively to the lamps of the light indicator system in dependence of received command signals. The vehicle 1 is equipped with a radio transmitter unit 4 that wirelessly transmits command signals to the radio receiver unit of the light indicator system 3.
    FIG. 2 illustrates a radio transmitter unit 6, which comprises a multi-pinned plug 8 for electrical connection to a corresponding trailer-standard multi-pin connector socket on the vehicle 1. The transmitter unit 6 receives wired electrical power signals from the vehicle through the multi-pin plug 8, each of the wired power signals relating to either rear light, stop light or turning indicator light. The radio transmitter unit is configured for transforming the wired signals into wireless signals and thus providing and trans- mitting different specific wireless command signals 7a, 7b relating to either rear light, stop light or turning indicator light in dependence on the power signals received through the plug 8. The specific wireless command signals 7a, 7b are sent at two different radio frequencies, typically sent simultaneously, for each electrical power signal received from the vehicle 1 through the multi-pin plug 8. FIG. 3 illustrates the light indicator system 3 in the form of a lighting board 3” with a set of such lamps 11, 12, 13 at either end of the lighting board with lamps for rear light 11, stop-light 12 and turning light 13. One set of lamps 11, 12, 13 is provided on either end and on opposite sides of a number plate 10. Optionally, the lighting board 3’ is mountable to the trailer 2 or towed car by magnetic attachment. The lighting board 3’ contains a rechargeable battery 14 that powers a radio receiver unit 15 for receiving the command signals with both frequencies from the transmitter unit 6. It is configured for connecting electrical power from the battery 14 selectively to the lamps 11, 12, 13 of the light indicator system 3 in dependence of the received command signals.
    DK 2021 00049 U1 9 The lighting board 3” also contains a second radio transmitter unit 16 functionally con- nected to the battery 14 and configured for periodically monitoring the charging state of the battery 14. It created periodically corresponding power status signals for example indicative for the battery voltage, which are transmitted periodically as radio signals to a status indicator unit 5 inside the vehicle, see, FIG. 1. The status indicator 5 comprises a second radio receiver configured for receiving the power status signals, and the status indicator unit comprises an indicator for visually indicating the power status of the power source to a user on the basis of the received power status signals. Optionally, the status indicator unit 5 is configured for creating an audio and/or visual alarm signal when no power status signals or when no failsafe radio signals are received from the second radio transmitter unit 16 within a predetermined time slot. The alarm is an indication that radio connection is lost to the second radio transmitter unit. Such failsafe signals are periodically sent from the second transmitter unit 16 in order to en- sure proper communication. For example, the failsafe radio signals are only sent as a response after receiving a command signal from the radio transmitter unit 6 at the vehi- cle 2.
    Optionally, the second radio transmitter unit 16 and the radio receiver unit 15 are com- bined into a single complex unit 15°. FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative lighting system with two separate lamp armatures in- stead of a light board. Optionally, each of the separate lamp armatures are provided with rear light, stop light, and turning indicator, and with a power source, second radio trans- mitter unit, and radio receiver unit. Optionally, in order to separate between right and left indicators, the two lamp armatures comprise different radio addresses. In this case, a malfunctioning of one of the lamps, for example rear lamps, is easily identified by the system.
    权利要求:
    Claims (9)
    [1] 1. A wireless rear light system, the system comprising - a radio transmitter unit for electrical connection to the electrical system of a vehicle; the radio transmitter unit being configured for receiving wired electrical power signals from the electrical system of the vehicle, each of the power signals relating to either rear light, stop light or turning indicator light; wherein the radio transmitter unit is con- figured for providing and transmitting different specific wireless command signals re- lating to either rear light, stop light or turning indicator light in dependence on the wired electrical power signals received from the electrical system of the vehicle; - a light indicator system separate from the radio transmitter and comprising lamps for rear light, stop-light and turning light and configured for removable mounting on a trailer or towed automobile, for example a lighting board with a set of such lamps at either end of the lighting board; typically, this lighting system is mounted on a trailer, a towed automobile or a load carrying structure on the back of a vehicle; - a radio receiver unit comprising a radio receiver configured for receiving the command signals and a controller electronically connected to the radio receiver and configured for connecting electrical power selectively to the lamps of the light indicator system in dependence of the received command signals; - a power source, for example a rechargeable battery or a hydrogen-rechargeable fuel cell system, for providing electrical power to the radio receiver, the controller and the lamps; characterized in that the radio transmitter unit is configured for sending and the radio receiver for receiving the specific command signals at two different radio frequencies for each electrical power signal received from the electrical system of the vehicle for redundancy and reduced risk to miss signals due to radio signal disturbance.
    [2] 2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the radio transmitter unit comprises a multi- pin plug for electrical connection to a corresponding trailer-standard multi-pin con- nector socket on a vehicle; the radio transmitter unit being configured for receiving wired electrical power signals from the vehicle through the multi-pin plug; wherein the radio transmitter unit is configured for providing and transmitting the different specific wireless command signals in dependence on the wired electrical power signals received
    DK 2021 00049 U1 11 from the vehicle through the plug; typically, the radio transmitter unit being powered by the car through the connector socket.
    [3] 3. A system according to claim 1 or 2, the system comprising - a second radio transmitter unit comprising a second transmitter and a second control- ler, wherein the second controller is functionally connected to the power source and configured for periodically monitoring the charging state of the power source and for periodically creating corresponding charging state indicative signals; wherein the a sec- ond radio transmitter is electronically connected to the second controller and configured for transmitting periodic power status signals that are indicative of the power status of the power source, for example the battery voltage; - a status indicator unit comprising a second radio receiver configured for receiving the power status signals, wherein the status indicator unit comprises an indicator for visu- ally indicating the power status of the power source to a user on the basis of the received power status signals.
    [4] 4. A system according to claim 3, wherein the status indicator unit is configured for creating an audio and/or visual alarm signal when no power status signals or other type of radio signals, such as failsafe radio signals, are received from the second radio trans- mitter unit within a predetermined time slot as an indication that radio connection is lost to the second radio transmitter unit.
    [5] 5. A system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the status indicator unit is configured to be arranged inside the vehicle visible to the driver and configured to indicate the power status of the power source during operation of the light indicator system.
    [6] 6. A system according to any one of the claims 1-5, wherein the system comprises a lighting board in which the light indicator system, the radio receiver unit, and the power source in the form of a rechargeable battery are integrated.
    [7] 7. A system according to any one of the claims 1-6, wherein the lower of the two dif- ferent radio frequencies differ by more than 10% relatively to the higher frequency.
    DK 2021 00049 U1 12
    [8] 8. A system according to claim 7, wherein the two different frequencies are in the ranges of 800-900 MHz and 400-500 MHz, respectively.
    [9] 9. A system according to any one of the claims 1-8, wherein the system comprises a motion sensor for measuring motion of the vehicle and/or the trailer and is configured for switching into a power saving mode after a predetermined time lapse in which no motion is detected by the motion sensor and no electrical signal is received from the electrical system of the vehicle.
    类似技术:
    公开号 | 公开日 | 专利标题
    US5666103A|1997-09-09|Wireless safety indicator control system for towed vehicles
    US8061879B2|2011-11-22|Smart lights
    US5900803A|1999-05-04|Data communication device for a vehicle towed by a motor vehicle
    EP1110096B1|2004-03-17|Vehicle electrical circuit failure monitor
    US20090219148A1|2009-09-03|Wireless vehicle trailer monitoring and control system
    US20060028327A1|2006-02-09|Wireless replication, verification, and tracking apparatus and methods for towed vehicles
    US9604613B2|2017-03-28|Brake controller
    US20170080852A1|2017-03-23|A rear light system for a towable vehicle
    US20120323443A1|2012-12-20|Connecting Device for a Towed Vehicle, and Towed Vehicle Having a Connecting Device
    US20150061853A1|2015-03-05|Repeater module for tire pressure monitoring system
    CN103287223A|2013-09-11|Automobile tire pressure monitoring system
    AU2012101599A4|2012-11-29|Improved Trailer Brake Control System
    DK202100049U1|2021-06-08|Wireless Trailer Indication System
    EP1681207B1|2009-03-18|Channel activating device with a multipolar electrical connector of a hitch devices of a vehicle
    US20210347218A1|2021-11-11|Control system for a towed vehicle
    CN203318058U|2013-12-04|Automobile tire pressure monitoring system
    RU2712368C1|2020-01-28|Wireless control system for switching on light signals of radio-controlled lamps of a road-train
    EP2796329A1|2014-10-29|Proximity detection apparatus for cargo vehicle
    US20130264941A1|2013-10-10|Automotive device controlling operation of optional tail lights equipment
    TW201501967A|2015-01-16|Relay module of tire pressure detection system
    WO2003066376A1|2003-08-14|A vehicle accessory
    US11203286B1|2021-12-21|Multifunction vehicle lamp for a trailer
    CN212667536U|2021-03-09|Trailer vehicle running condition monitoring system
    US20200298642A1|2020-09-24|Trailer connector
    WO2021165942A1|2021-08-26|Towable asset with automated monitoring
    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    DK201870569A1|2020-03-27|
    WO2020048574A1|2020-03-12|
    DK202100049Y3|2021-08-31|
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    US4859982A|1988-01-07|1989-08-22|Seaburg Stephen L|Wireless taillight system|
    DE19757235C2|1997-12-22|2000-01-05|Honeywell Ag|Control system for a building or for one or more rooms in a building|
    US6265988B1|1998-04-06|2001-07-24|Trw Inc.|Apparatus and method for remote convenience message transmission and control utilizing frequency diversity|
    US6100801A|1998-05-21|2000-08-08|Custer Products Incorporated|Radio controlled light bar|
    FR2831001B1|2001-10-15|2004-01-02|Delta Dore|HIGH RELIABILITY AND LOW NON-ESSENTIAL ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEM|
    US20040004539A1|2002-06-24|2004-01-08|Collins John W.|Vehicle legal compliance system|
    GB2411458A|2004-02-24|2005-08-31|Wayne Joseph Cooper|A light board for a towed vehicle|
    US8061879B2|2007-11-11|2011-11-22|Isaiah Monty Simmons|Smart lights|
    US20150266450A1|2014-03-18|2015-09-24|Tim Gilson|Automated Alert Light System|
    法律状态:
    2021-06-08| UAT| Utility model published|Effective date: 20210604 |
    2021-08-31| UME| Utility model registered|Effective date: 20210831 |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    DKPA201870569A|DK201870569A1|2018-09-04|2018-09-04|Wireless Trailer Indication System|
    PCT/DK2019/050261|WO2020048574A1|2018-09-04|2019-09-03|Wireless trailer indication system|
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