Power through trailer hitch systems and methods
AssigneeSOS Solutions, Inc.
InventorsSamuel R. Peacemaker, Benjamin Peacemaker
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A trailer hitch system of the present disclosure includes a power through ball hitch and a power through trailer coupler equipped with electronic connectors such that an electric connection between a tow vehicle and a trailer is automatically made when the trailer coupler is attached to the ball hitch. The trailer hitch system may further include a power through hitch receiver (e.g., for bumper pull hitch systems) whereby an electrical connection is made between the hitch receiver and the ball hitch automatically when the ball hitch is installed in the hitch receiver.
Claims26
A ball hitch comprising:
- a ball portion comprising a hitch ball configured to couple with a tongue of a trailer;
- a first electrical contact disposed on the hitch ball;
- a hitch portion for interfacing with a hitch receiver associated with a vehicle, the hitch portion comprises a longitudinal axis;
- a second electrical contact disposed on the hitch portion, the second electrical contact comprises an elongated metal plate including a contact surface facing away from the longitudinal axis;
- and
- a conductor extending from the first electrical contact to the second electrical contact, wherein the first electrical contact is configured to receive electrical power through the conductor;
- wherein a control unit is configured to detect a test signal through the first electrical contact.
A hitch receiver, comprising:
- a body comprising an opening configured to receive a hitch;
- an aperture disposed in the body;
- a housing coupled to the body and comprising an electrical contact;
- and
- wherein a control unit in electrical communication with the electrical contact is configured to transmit a test signal through the electrical contact and configured to send a full power signal in response to the test signal;
- and
- wherein the opening extends along a longitudinal axis of the body, the aperture is oriented at a non-parallel angle with respect to the longitudinal axis, and the electrical contact is configured to contact the hitch in response to the hitch being received by the hitch receiver.
A trailer coupler, comprising:
- a body having forward and rear end portions, a downwardly opening socket at the forward end portion of said body;
- a flange defining an opening into the downwardly opening socket;
- an electrical connector disposed at least partially in the opening;
- and
- a control unit configured to:
- receive electric power from the electrical connector;
- receive a test signal through the electrical connector;
- and
- receive a full power signal through the electrical connector in response to the test signal, the test signal comprises a reduced-power electrical signal relative to the full power signal.
A hitch receiver, comprising:
- a body comprising an opening configured to receive a hitch;
- an aperture disposed in the body;
- a housing coupled to the body and comprising an electrical contact, the electrical contact is configured to contact a groove on the hitch, and the electrical contact is disposed at least partially within and protruding through the aperture;
- and
- wherein a control unit in electrical communication with the electrical contact is configured to transmit a test signal through the electrical contact and configured to send a full power signal in response to the test signal.
A hitch receiver, comprising:
- a body comprising an opening configured to receive a hitch;
- an aperture disposed in the body;
- a housing coupled to the body and comprising an electrical contact, the electrical contact is configured to slide within a groove of the hitch and contact an electrical contact disposed in the groove of the hitch in response to the hitch being received by the hitch receiver;
- and
- wherein a control unit in electrical communication with the electrical contact is configured to transmit a test signal through the electrical contact and configured to send a full power signal in response to the test signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.