AU2018101312A4

AU2018101312A4 - Auxiliary lighting system for a detachable vehicle trailer

Info

Publication number: AU2018101312A4
Application number: AU2018101312A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Peter Wayne Altmann; Adrian Hamilton
Original assignee: Both Barrels Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Both Barrels Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2017-09-05
Filing date: 2018-09-06
Publication date: 2018-10-18
Anticipated expiration: 2026-09-05

Abstract

Abstract An auxiliary lighting system for a detachable vehicle trailer comprising: " at least one light; " at least one environmental sensor; " a power source such as a removable battery; " a control system; and " an activation switch. On decoupling of the trailer from a truck an activation switch is set to detached which changes the auxiliary lighting system to draw power from the removable battery rather than the power supply of the truck. The environmental sensors sense ambient light and provide light measurements back to the control system which compares these measurements against a threshold value. If the light measurements are less than a threshold value the control system operates to allow the lights to draw power from the removable battery.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001]The invention relates to an auxiliary lighting system for a detachable vehicle trailer. The auxiliary lighting system is particularly suited for use as a means of warning road users of the presence of the detachable vehicle trailer in low-light environments when the vehicle trailer has been detached, and parked away, from the vehicle.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION [0002]The following discussion of the background to the invention is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. However, it should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgment or admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction as at the priority date of the application.

[0003] Two and three trailer road trains are a staple feature of transportation of goods in Australia. This is particularly so when seeking to transport goods to remote towns or other locations.

[0004] While connected to its vehicle, the lighting system of the connected trailers are powered and controlled by the vehicle and its operator. However, it is not the case that such road trains transport all of their trailers from one location to another. Rather, it is not uncommon for one or more of the trailers to be detached and parked to the side of a road and at that time the trailer is unpowered.

[0004]The parking of an unpowered trailer on the side of a road thus represents a safety issue to other road users. If not parked at a highly visible location (such as near a roadhouse), or positioned at a location where other road users obliquely approach the trailer, it is possible for other road users not to notice the trailer due to the lack of lights. This is particular dangerous for motorcyclists who are often traveling at a speed where it is not possible to take corrective action to avoid the trailer upon its detection.

[0005] The applicant is also aware that even in situations where a trailer is provided with power, the current manner in which their lighting systems operate are not sufficient to provide appropriate warning to other road users in some circumstances due to general complacency.

-22018101312 06 Sep 2018 [0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a powered lighting source for a vehicle trailer that can operate when the vehicle trailer is detached from its vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007]Throughout this document, unless otherwise indicated to the contrary, the terms “comprising”, “consisting of’, and the like, are to be construed as non-exhaustive, or in other words, as meaning “including, but not limited to”.

[0009] In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is an auxiliary lighting system for a detachable vehicle trailer comprising:

at least one light a power source located within, or directly attached to, the detachable vehicle trailer;

at least one environmental sensor; a control system; and an activation switch, where, on decoupling of the detachable vehicle trailer, the activation switch operates so that the control system, at least one environmental sensor and draws power from the power source and where the control system operates to direct power to one or more of the at least one lights when one or more environmental sensor indicates provides a measurement outside of a threshold value set.

[0009] In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is a method of lighting a detachable vehicle trailer comprising the steps of:

detecting decoupling of the detachable vehicle trailer;

directing at least one environmental sensor and a control system to draw power from a power source located within, or directly attached to, the detachable vehicle trailer;

comparing a measurement provided by at least one environmental sensor to a threshold value set and, if the measurement is outside of the threshold value set, providing power to at least one light as directed by the control system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

-32018101312 06 Sep 2018 [0010]The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an auxiliary lighting system for a detachable vehicle trailer in accordance with a first aspect of the invention.

Figures 2 is a schematic representation of an auxiliary lighting system for a detachable vehicle trailer in accordance with a second aspect of the invention..

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION [0011] In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention there is an auxiliary lighting system 10 for a detachable vehicle trailer 1. The auxiliary lighting system 10 comprises:

• at least one light 12;

• at least one environmental sensor 14;

• a power source 16;

• a control system 18; and • an activation switch 20.

[0012]The control system 18 is in control communication with the power source 16, activation switch 20 and at least one light 12. The control system is in data communication with the at least one environmental sensor 14 and power source 16.

[0013]The power source 16 operates to provide electrical power to the at least one light 12, the at least one environmental sensor 14 and control system 18.

[0014] In this embodiment, the auxiliary lighting system 10 includes four lights 12. Lights 12a and 12b are the lights 12 that operate as indicator/braking lights when the detachable vehicle trailer 1 is coupled to a truck 3 (whether directly or by way of one or more additional detachable vehicle trailers 1).

[0015] Lights 12c and 12d are separately affixed to the rear 4 of the detachable vehicle trailer 1.

[0016]A plurality of environmental sensors 14 are located at positions around the detachable vehicle trailer 1. In this embodiment, each environmental sensor 14 is adapted to detect ambient light levels.

-42018101312 06 Sep 2018 [0017]The power source 16 of this embodiment comprises a battery housing 22 and a removable battery 24. The battery housing 22 is physically connected by wires 26 to the other components such that when the removable battery 24 is received therein, electricity flows through these wires 26 and thus powers the other components.

[0018]The control system 18 is located external to the detachable vehicle trailer 1 at a position close to its electrical coupling arrangement 2.

[0019]The activation switch 20 forms part of the electrical coupling arrangement 2 for the detachable vehicle trailer 1.

[0020]This embodiment will now be described in the context of its intended use.

[0021] While the truck 3 is moving with the detachable vehicle trailer 1 attached, power is supplied to lights 12a, 12b by way of the power supply 6 of the truck 3. At the same time, control of lights 12a, 12b is also by way of the normal lighting control mechanisms (not shown) of the truck 3.

[0022]The cabin of the truck 3 preferably includes a charging station (not shown). The charging station is of size and dimension to receive the removable battery 24. The charging station is supplied power by the power supply of the truck. Hence, while driving, the charging station operates to recharge the removable battery 24.

[0023]A driver (not shown) of the truck 3 parks the truck with its detachable vehicle trailer 1 on the side of the road to facilitate separation of the truck 4 for the detachable vehicle trailer 1. Separation of the truck 3 from the detachable vehicle trailer 1 is achieved when both the mechanical coupling arrangement and the electrical coupling arrangement 2 are decoupled.

[0024] With the detachable vehicle trailer 1 no longer able to draw power from the power supply of the truck 3, the driver removes the removable battery 24 from the charging station in the cabin and installs it into the battery housing 22. Installation of the removable battery 24 into the battery housing 22 now provides electrical power to the remaining components of the auxiliary lighting system 10.

[0025] It is to be noted here that when the electrical coupling arrangement 2 is decoupled, the activation switch 20 is set to detached. Setting the activation switch 20 to detached changes the auxiliary lighting system 10 to then draw power from the

-52018101312 06 Sep 2018 battery housing 22. In this manner, if the removable battery 24 has been left in the battery housing 22 rather than being removed for charging in the charging station located in the cabin, no power is drawn from the removable battery 24 until such time as the detachable vehicle trailer 1 is detached from the truck.

[0026] Initially, power is only supplied by the removable battery 24 to the control system 18 and the environmental sensors 14. The environmental sensors 14 provide light measurements back to the control system 18 which compares these measurements against a threshold value. Provided that the light measurements are in excess of the threshold value, the control system 18 takes no further action, but the removable battery 24 continues to provide power solely to the control system 18 and the environmental sensors 14.

[0027] If the provided light measurements are less than the threshold value, the control system 18 operates to allow the lights 12 to draw power from the removable battery

24. This in turn results in the lights 12 being turned on.

[0028]This continues until the control system 18 receives a light measurement from the environmental sensors 14 that is above the threshold value. When this light measurement is received, the control system 18 operates to prevent the lights 12 from drawing power from the removable battery 24. This in turn results in the lights being turned off.

[0029] In a variation of this embodiment, the control system 18 not only operates to control whether power is supplied to the lights or not, but also operates to control, at an individual level, when power is to be supplied to a light. In this manner, the control system 18 is able to operate the lights in a pre-determined sequence.

[0030] In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, where like numerals reference like parts, there is an auxiliary lighting system 200 for a detachable vehicle trailer 1. In this embodiment the removable battery 24 and battery housing 22 are replaced with solar power generation system 202.

[0031]The solar power generation system 202 comprises a series of solar panels 204, a rechargeable battery 206 and an inverter 208. The solar panels 204 are mounted to the roof of the detachable vehicle trailer 1. The solar panels 204 are electrically

-62018101312 06 Sep 2018 connected to an inverter 208. Power supplied by way of the inverter 208 is used to recharge the rechargeable battery 206.

[0032] The rechargeable battery 206 also provides electrical power to a control system 210.

[0033] This embodiment will now be described in the context of its intended use.

[0034] While the truck 3 is moving with the detachable vehicle trailer 1 attached, power is supplied to light 12a, 12b by way of the power supply 6 of the truck 3. At the same time, control of lights 12a, 12b is also by way of the normal lighting control mechanisms (not shown) of the truck 3.

[0035]At the same time, when travelling during daylight hours, the solar panels 204 operate to transform energy received from the sun into electrical power by way of the inverter 208. This electrical power is then used to trickle charge the rechargeable battery 206.

[0036]A driver (not shown) of the truck 3 parks the truck with its detachable vehicle trailer 1 on the side of the road to facilitate separation of the truck 4 for the detachable vehicle trailer 1. Separation of the truck 3 from the detachable vehicle trailer 1 is achieved when both the mechanical coupling arrangement and the electrical coupling arrangement 2 are decoupled.

[0037] With the detachable vehicle trailer 1 no longer able to draw power from the power supply of the truck, the activation switch 20 detects this lack of power and automatically switches over so that the control system 210 draws power from the rechargeable battery 206.

[0038] Initially, power is only supplied by the rechargeable battery 206 to the control system 210 and the environmental sensors 14. In this embodiment, the environmental sensors 14 take the form of low light sensors 212 and visibility sensors 214 (such as a fog detector).

[0039]The low light sensors 212 provide light measurements back to the control system 210 which compares these measurements against a threshold light value. Provided that the light measurements are in excess of the threshold light value, the control system 210 then does a visibility check.

- 72018101312 06 Sep 2018 [0040]A visibility check involves the visibility sensors 214 providing visibility measurements back to the control system 210. The control system 210 then compares these measurements against a threshold visibility value. Provided that the visibility measurements are also in excess of the threshold visibility value, the control system 210 takes no further action, but the rechargeable battery 206 continues to provide power solely to the control system 210 and the environmental sensors 14.

[0041] If the provided light measurements are less than the threshold light value, or the provided visibility measurements are less than the threshold visibility value, the control system 210 operates to allow the lights 12 to draw power from the rechargeable battery 206. This in turn results in the lights 12 being turned on.

[0042] In this second embodiment, when the lights 12 are trued on, the control system 210 operates to illuminate one or more of the lights 12 at periodic times in a repeating pattern of long duration and multiple variations. The use of a long repeating pattern provides a better visual cue to other road users as to the existence and presence of the detachable vehicle trailer 1 when compared to the normal blinking arrangement of the normal vehicle emergency lighting pattern.

[0043] Furthermore, the expansion of the auxiliary lighting system 200 beyond the normal indicator/braking lights also allows the presence of the detachable vehicle trailer 1 to be more properly defined (particularly with reference to its shape). Better definition of the presence of the detachable vehicle trailer 1 allows for better recognition by other road users that it presents a potentially dangerous situation.

[0044]The powering and control of the lights 12 continues until the control system 18 receives a light measurement from the light sensors 212 that is above the threshold light value and receives a visibility measurement from the visibility sensors 214 that is above the threshold visibility value. When these measurements are received, the control system 210 operates to prevent the lights 12 from drawing power from the rechargeable battery 206. This in turn results in the lights 12 being turned off.

[0045] In this manner, the lights 12 only operate in low visibility situations, such as at night or when there are atmospheric conditions that impair visibility (such as a mist or fog). Furthermore, the use of multiple environmental sensors is important to allow the system to operate in situations where one of the sensors may be providing erroneous

-82018101312 06 Sep 2018 readings (such as a low light sensor providing false readings due to the presence of an external light source).

[0046] It should be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that the above invention is not limited to the embodiments described. In particular, the following modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention:

• [0047]While the invention has been described in the context of a road train, it should be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that the invention can be adapted for use with any forms of detachable vehicles, such as a caravan or flat-bed trailer.

• [0048] The environmental sensors 14 may take a variety of forms beyond those already described. For instance, where the detachable vehicle trailer 1 may operate in a high dust or pollutant environment, dust sensors or dangerous element sensors may form part of the environmental sensors 14.

• [0049]The invention may be modified to allow for a manual override. The manual override can then allow the auxiliary lighting system 10, 200 to be used in operator determined emergency situations.

• [0050] Lights 12 may be positioned near the environmental sensors 14. In such a configuration, the measurements provided by the sensors can be used to intensify the lights 12 in areas of greater impaired visibility. Alternatively, when used with environmental sensors directed towards detecting danger, the lights 12 can be used as a means of showing the location of the danger as detected by way of the corresponding environmental sensors 14.

• [0051]The charging station need not be located solely in the truck 3 cabin. The charging station may be incorporated in to the battery housing 22 or otherwise separately incorporated in the detachable vehicle trailer 1.

• [0052]The control system 18, 210 may present any number of lighting patterns and they need not repeat. Furthermore, the control systems 18, 210 may operate such that the lighting pattern provides specific information to other road users regarding the detachable vehicle trailer 1 or the environment in which the detachable vehicle trailer 1 is located. For instance, a specific lighting pattern may be used not only to indicate the location of the detachable vehicle trailer 1

-92018101312 06 Sep 2018 but also the hazardous nature of the cargo being transported by way of the detachable vehicle trailer 1.

• [0053]The invention may be modified to allow electrical power to be generated from other forms of renewable power generators, such as wind generators. However, it is to be appreciated that such generators are unlikely to be as reliable as solar panels 204 in generating power during normal operation, and thus such generators should be used as an additional source of power generation to solar panels 204 to provide maximum potential for recharging of the rechargeable battery 206.

• [0054]While both embodiments have been described in the context of the auxiliary lighting system operating when a measurement provided by an environmental sensor 14 falls below a particular threshold value, it should be appreciated that operation may occur when the environmental sensor 14 exceeds a particular threshold value or when the environmental sensor 14 provides a value that falls outside of a range of threshold values.

[0055] It should be further appreciated by the person skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Additions or modifications described, where not mutually exclusive, can be combined to form yet further embodiments that are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

- 102018101312 06 Sep 2018

Claims

We Claim:

1. An auxiliary lighting system for a detachable vehicle trailer comprising:

at least one light a power source located within, or directly attached to, the detachable vehicle trailer;

at least one environmental sensor; a control system; and an activation switch, where, on decoupling of the detachable vehicle trailer, the activation switch operates so that the control system, at least one environmental sensor and draws power from the power source and where the control system operates to direct power to one or more of the at least one lights when one or more environmental sensor indicates provides a measurement outside of a threshold value set.
2. A method of lighting a detachable vehicle trailer comprising the steps of:

detecting decoupling of the detachable vehicle trailer;

directing at least one environmental sensor and a control system to draw power from a power source located within, or directly attached to, the detachable vehicle trailer;

comparing a measurement provided by at least one environmental sensor to a threshold value set and, if the measurement is outside of the threshold value set, providing power to at least one light as directed by the control system.

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