JPH11278317A - Trailer connection detection system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To actuate, control and adjust various kinds of equipment mounted on a tractor depending on the presence or absence of trailer connection with no provision of special switches. SOLUTION: An information-lamp-lighting control circuit 4 lights an information lamp 12 on when receiving an L-signal indicative of no ABS connection from a trailer-ABS-presence/absence decision circuit 2 as well as an H-signal indicative of trailer-stoplight connection from a trailer-stoplight-connection decision circuit 3. A trailer-presence/absence-signal generation circuit 5 outputs a trailer-presence/absence signal to various kinds of equipment mounted on a tractor when receiving an H-signal indicative of trailer-stoplight connection from the trailer-stoplight-connection decision circuit 3. This trailer-presence/ absence signal actuates, controls and adjusts the various kinds of equipment according to the presence or absence of trailer connection.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention belongs to the technical field of a trailer connection detecting device for detecting whether a trailer is connected to a tractor on the tractor side, and in particular, based on a detection signal of the trailer connection. The present invention relates to a trailer connection detection device capable of switching characteristics or stopping the function of a device mounted on a vehicle according to the presence or absence of a trailer connection.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, equipment mounted on a tractor includes:
Depending on whether or not the trailer is connected, its characteristics can be switched,
There are many devices that need to stop functioning. These devices include, for example, vehicle height adjustment and stability adjustment in tractor air suspension, brake pressure rise control, brake distribution adjustment, anti-skid (A
BS) control, electric control brake (EBS), trailer incomplete connection / disconnection warning device, safety device, etc.

Therefore, it is necessary to detect the presence or absence of the connection of the trailer. Conventionally, the presence of the connection of the trailer is detected by a switch such as a pressure switch for detecting the supply of air pressure to the trailer, a mechanical connection detection switch, or a manual switch. Along with
It operates, controls and regulates each of the aforementioned devices.

On the other hand, an information module for detecting whether or not the trailer is connected is mounted on a controller of the tractor, and when the brake pedal is depressed, a change in the voltage of the trailer stop lamp connection portion of the information module is detected. When the trailer is connected, the information lamp is turned on. When the change in the voltage or current at the ABS controller connection of the trailer of the information module is detected, the information lamp is turned off when the trailer ABS controller is connected. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-76892 proposes a device for detecting the presence or absence of a trailer connection and the presence or absence of a trailer ABS. According to the detection device of this publication, the presence or absence of the trailer connection and the presence or absence of the ABS of the trailer can be detected on the tractor side.

[0005]

However, the detection device disclosed in the above-mentioned publication merely detects the presence or absence of the connection of the trailer and the presence or absence of the ABS of the trailer by turning on and off the information lamp. For this reason, in this conventional detection device, it is not possible to operate, control, and adjust each device mounted on the tractor as described above depending on whether or not the trailer is connected.

Further, as described above, a dedicated switch is provided for operating, controlling and adjusting each device of the tractor, which is not only wasteful but also increases the cost, and furthermore, forgets to control and adjust the devices. There is a problem that occurs.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and has as its object to operate each device mounted on a tractor according to the presence or absence of a trailer connection without providing a special switch. To provide a trailer connection detection device that can be controlled and adjusted.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an invention according to claim 1 includes an information module for detecting whether a trailer is connected to a tractor, and an output from the information module. Information controlled on and off based on signals
A trailer anti-skid control controller presence / absence determination circuit, wherein the information module determines whether or not an anti-skid control controller is mounted on the trailer and outputs the information. And a trailer device connection determination circuit that determines and outputs whether or not the device is mounted on a trailer device, and a device mounted on the tractor based on an output signal from the trailer device connection control circuit. A trailer presence / absence signal transmission circuit for outputting a trailer presence / absence signal for performing at least one of operation, control, and adjustment; an output signal from the trailer anti-skid control controller presence / absence determination circuit; and a trailer device connection determination circuit or the trailer Based on the output signal from the presence / absence signal transmission circuit. Infome controls the lighting and extinguishing of Deployment lamp - - is characterized by comprising a Deployment lamp lighting control circuit and the Infome Te. Further, the invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the equipment mounted on the trailer is a trailer stop lamp.

Further, according to the invention of claim 3, there are a plurality of devices mounted on the trailer, and the trailer device connection determination circuit is provided for each of the plurality of devices, and the trailer presence / absence signal transmission is provided. A circuit configured to output the trailer presence / absence signal based on at least one output signal of the output signals from the trailer device connection determination circuit, further comprising: the information lamp lighting control circuit; The information based on an output signal from a trailer anti-skid control controller presence / absence determination circuit and at least one output signal from the trailer device connection determination circuit or an output signal from the trailer presence / absence signal transmission circuit. It is characterized by controlling the turning on and off of the lamp .

Further, the invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that one of the plurality of devices mounted on the trailer is a trailer stop lamp. Further, the invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that another one of the plurality of devices mounted on the trailer is a trailer blinker lamp, and the other one of the plurality of devices is a trailer back lamp.

[0011]

In the trailer connection detecting device of the present invention having the above-described structure, the information lamp lighting control circuit of the information module is provided with the information lamp.
By controlling the turning on and off of the lamp, the presence or absence of the trailer connection can be confirmed without providing a special switch for exclusive use. In addition, the trailer presence / absence signal transmission circuit outputs a trailer presence / absence signal in accordance with the presence / absence of the trailer connection. Will be performed.

[0012] Further, since a mechanical switch is not used as in the prior art, reliability and durability are enhanced. In addition, since a manual switch is not used, forgetting of operation can be prevented.

In particular, according to the third to fifth aspects of the present invention, when the connection of a plurality of devices of the trailer is detected and one of the connections of the plurality of devices is detected,
A trailer presence / absence signal is issued and a trailer connection is reliably detected.

The reliability is improved by combining a plurality of detecting means in this way. Further, by combining with a conventional mechanical switch, it is possible to issue a warning such as forgetting to connect an electric connector or an air pipe in a trailer connecting operation or a poor connection.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a first example of an embodiment of a trailer connection detecting device according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a specific electric circuit diagram of the first example.

As shown in FIG. 1, the trailer connection detecting device of the first example includes an information module 1 similar to that of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-76892 on a tractor. The information module 1 includes a trailer ABS presence / absence determination circuit 2, a trailer stop lamp connection determination circuit 3, an information lamp lighting control circuit 4, and a trailer presence / absence signal transmission circuit 5.

The trailer ABS presence / absence determination circuit 2 is connected to the power supply 6 and, when the tractor is connected to the trailer, if the ABS controller 8 is mounted on the trailer, via a connection connector 9 to the ABS controller 8. Connected. Further, the trailer ABS presence / absence determination circuit 2 is connected to an information lamp lighting control circuit 4.

Then, the trailer ABS presence / absence determination circuit 2
Is connected to the ABS controller 8 of the trailer,
The current flowing in the trailer ABS presence / absence determination circuit 2 is detected, and a trailer ABS controller presence / absence determination signal is output. The L signal is output to the information lamp lighting control circuit 4 with no controller.

The trailer stop lamp connection determination circuit 3 is directly connected to the power supply 6 and is also connected to the power supply 6 via a brake switch 7 which is turned on when a brake is operated by depressing a brake pedal or the like. When connecting the tractor and trailer, the trailer stop lamp 10
Via the connection connector 11. Further, the trailer stop lamp connection determination circuit 3 is connected to an information lamp lighting control circuit 4 and a trailer presence / absence signal transmission circuit 5, respectively. The trailer stop lamp 10 is connected to the power supply 6 via the brake switch 7.

The trailer stop lamp connection judging circuit 3 detects that a current flows from the power supply 6 to the trailer stop lamp 10 through the trailer stop lamp connection judging circuit 3 by connection with the trailer stop lamp 10, and connects the trailer stop lamp. The presence / absence determination signal is output, that is, when the current is detected, the trailer is connected and the H signal is
When no current is detected, the trailer is not connected and the L signal is output.
Each is output to the information lamp lighting control circuit 4 and the trailer presence / absence signal transmission circuit 5, respectively.

Information lamp lighting control circuit 4
Turns off the information lamp 12 when the H signal is input from both the trailer ABS presence / absence determination circuit 2 and the trailer stop lamp connection determination circuit 3, and receives the L signal from the trailer ABS presence / absence determination circuit 2, and Trailer stop lamp connection determination circuit 3 to H
When a signal is input, the information lamp 1
When the L signal is input from both the trailer ABS presence / absence determination circuit 2 and the trailer stop lamp connection determination circuit 3, the information lamp 12 is turned on.
Is turned off.

The trailer presence / absence signal transmission circuit 5 receives a signal from the trailer stop lamp connection determination circuit 3 indicating that the trailer is connected.
When a signal is input, a trailer presence / absence signal is output to each device mounted on the tractor. And
Based on the trailer presence / absence signal, the operation, control and adjustment of these devices are performed according to the presence / absence of the connection of the trailer.

Next, detection of the presence or absence of a trailer connection, detection of the presence or absence of a trailer ABS, and transmission of a trailer presence / absence signal in the first example will be specifically described. As shown in FIG. 2, the trailer ABS presence / absence determining circuit 2 includes a current detecting means 13, the trailer stop lamp connection determining circuit 3 includes a transistor TR1, and the information lamp lighting control circuit 4 includes a NOT.
The circuit 26 includes a circuit 26 and a NAND circuit 23. The trailer presence / absence signal transmission circuit 5 further includes a transistor TR2.

In the trailer ABS presence / absence determination circuit 2, the current detecting means 13 uses the trailer ABS controller 8 via the connection connector 9 to connect the trailer ABS.
When connected to the S presence / absence determination circuit 2, a current flowing from the power supply 6 on the tractor side to the trailer ABS controller 8 is detected. The current detecting means 13 outputs an H signal to the NOT circuit 26 of the information lamp lighting control circuit 4 when detecting this current, and outputs an L signal when detecting no current.
The signal is output to the NOT circuit 26.

In the trailer stop lamp connection judging circuit 3, when the trailer stop lamp 10 is not connected to the trailer stop lamp connection judging circuit 3, a current flows from the power supply 6a through the transistor TR1, so that the transistor TR1 is turned on. become. Then
Although current flows from the power supply 6b through the transistor TR1, no current flows from the power supply 6b through the transistor TR2, and the transistor TR2 is turned off. For this reason,
The trailer stop lamp connection determination circuit 3 does not output the trailer connection presence / absence determination signal, and the L signal is input to the NAND circuit 23 and the trailer presence / absence signal transmission circuit 5.
Therefore, at this time, the information lamp 12
Is not lit and the trailer presence / absence signal transmission circuit 5
Does not output a trailer presence / absence signal.

The trailer stop lamp 10 is connected to the trailer stop lamp connection determination circuit 3 through the connector 11.
Is connected to the transistor TR1 from the power supply 6a.
Current does not flow through the transistor TR1, and the transistor TR1 is turned off.
Then, a trailer connection presence / absence determination signal is output from the trailer stop lamp connection determination circuit 3, and the H signal is
The signal is input to the circuit 23 and the trailer presence / absence signal transmission circuit 5. As a result, the current from the power supply 6b
2 and the transistor TR2 is turned on. At this time, a current flows from the power supply 6a to the trailer stop lamp 10, but this current is so small that the trailer stop lamp 10 does not light.

Further, in the information lamp lighting control circuit 4, both the trailer ABS presence / absence determination circuit 2 and the trailer stop lamp connection determination circuit 3 output L.
When the signal is input to the NOT circuit 26 and the NAND circuit 23, that is, when the trailer is not connected to the tractor, the trailer ABS presence / absence determination circuit 2 informs the trailer AB.
The S controller 8 is not connected, and the trailer stop lamp 10
Is not connected, the H signal is output from the NAND circuit 23, and the information lamp 12 is turned off.

When the H signal is input to the NOT circuit 26 and the NAND circuit 23 from both the trailer ABS presence / absence determination circuit 2 and the trailer stop lamp connection determination circuit 3,
That is, by connecting the trailer equipped with the ABS controller 8 and the trailer stop lamp 10 to the tractor, the ABS controller 8 of the trailer is connected to the trailer ABS presence / absence determination circuit 2 and the trailer stop lamp connection determination circuit 3 is connected to the trailer stop. When the lamp 10 is connected, the H signal is output from the NAND circuit 23, and the information lamp 12 is turned off.

When the L signal is input from the trailer ABS presence / absence determination circuit 2 to the NOT circuit 26 and the H signal is input from the trailer stop lamp connection determination circuit 3 to the NAND circuit 23, that is, when the ABS controller 8 is not mounted. , The trailer on which the trailer stop lamp 10 is mounted is connected to the tractor, so that the trailer AB
When the ABS controller 8 of the trailer is not connected to the S presence determination circuit 2 and the trailer stop lamp 10 is connected to the trailer stop lamp connection determination circuit 3,
The L signal is output from the NAND circuit 23, and the information lamp 12 is turned on.

Further, the trailer presence / absence signal transmission circuit 5 outputs a trailer presence / absence signal when the H signal is input from the trailer stop lamp connection determination circuit 3, and switches the characteristics of each device of the tractor according to the trailer presence / absence signal. The operation, control and adjustment according to the presence or absence of the trailer such as a stoppage or a function stop are performed.

According to the detection device for trailer connection of the first example, the presence or absence of the connection of the trailer can be confirmed without providing a special switch for exclusive use. The operation, control, and adjustment of each device such as characteristic switching and function stop can be easily performed.

Further, the detection device of this example has higher reliability and durability than those using a conventional mechanical switch, and can prevent forgetting of operation which occurs in the case of a manual switch.

In the first example, the output signal of the trailer stop lamp connection determination circuit 3 is directly input to the information lamp lighting control circuit 4. However, the output signal of the trailer presence / absence signal transmission circuit 5 is used as the output signal. It can also be input to the information lamp lighting control circuit 4.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram similar to FIG. 1 showing a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a specific electric circuit diagram of the second embodiment. The same components as those in the above-described first example are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The detection device for trailer connection of the second example is as follows.
In the information module 1, in addition to the components of the first example, a trailer turn signal connection determination circuit 15 and a trailer back lamp connection determination circuit 16 are further provided in parallel with the trailer stop lamp connection determination circuit 3.

Trailer stop lamp connection determination circuit 3
Is connected to both the information lamp lighting control circuit 4 and the trailer presence / absence signal transmission circuit 5 in the first example, but is connected only to the trailer presence / absence signal transmission circuit 5 in the second example.

Trailer turn signal lamp connection judgment circuit 15
Is connected to the power source 6 via a blinker switch 17 and is connected to a trailer blinker lamp 18 via a connection connector 19 when the tractor is connected to the trailer. Further, a trailer blinker lamp connection determination circuit 1
5 is connected to a trailer presence / absence signal transmission circuit 5. The trailer blinker lamp 18 is connected to the power supply 6 via the blinker switch 17.

The trailer blinker lamp connection judging circuit 15 detects the current flowing from the power source 6 to the trailer blinker lamp 18 through the trailer blinker lamp connection judging circuit 15 by the connection with the trailer blinker lamp 18, and detects whether or not the trailer is connected. A judgment signal is output, that is, at the time of current detection, an H signal is output as having a trailer connected,
When no current is detected, the trailer is not connected and the L signal is output.
The signal is output to the trailer presence / absence signal transmission circuit 5.

The trailer back lamp connection determination circuit 16 is connected to the power supply 6 via the back lamp switch 20 and is connected to the trailer back lamp 21 via the connection connector 22 when the tractor is connected to the trailer. . Further, the trailer back lamp connection determination circuit 16
Is connected to the trailer presence / absence signal transmission circuit 5. The trailer back lamp 16 is connected to the power supply 6 via a back lamp switch 20.

The trailer back lamp connection determination circuit 16 connects the trailer back lamp 21
The current from the power supply 6 is a trailer back lamp connection determination circuit 1
6 to output a trailer connection presence / absence judgment signal by detecting the flow to the trailer back lamp 21. That is, at the time of current detection, an H signal indicating that the trailer is connected, and at the time of no current detection, an L signal indicating that the trailer is not connected. , And to the trailer presence / absence signal transmission circuit 5, respectively.

Further, a trailer presence / absence signal transmission circuit 5 is connected to the information lamp lighting control circuit 4, and the trailer presence / absence signal transmission circuit 5 includes a trailer connection presence / absence judgment signal by connection of a trailer stop lamp, and a trailer connection by connection of a trailer blinker lamp. When it is detected that at least one of these lamps 10, 18, 21 is connected based on the presence / absence determination signal and the trailer connection presence / absence determination signal by trailer back lamp connection, the trailer presence / absence signal is sent to the information lamp lighting control circuit 4. Output.

The information lamp lighting control circuit 4 includes a trailer ABS presence / absence determination signal from the trailer ABS presence / absence determination circuit 2 and a trailer presence / absence signal transmission circuit 5.
The information lamp 12 is turned on only when the trailer is connected and the trailer ABS controller is not connected, based on the trailer presence / absence signal from
Otherwise, the information lamp 12 is not turned on.

Next, the detection of the presence / absence of the trailer connection, the detection of the presence / absence of the trailer ABS, and the transmission of the trailer presence / absence signal in the second example will be specifically described.

As shown in FIG. 4, the trailer blinker lamp connection determination circuit 15 includes a transistor TR3, and the trailer back lamp connection determination circuit 16 includes a transistor TR4. Further, the trailer presence / absence signal transmission circuit 5 includes a relay 24 instead of the transistor TR2 of the first example.

Each of the transistors TR1, TR3, TR4 is connected to an OR circuit 25, and the OR circuit 25 is connected to a NAND circuit 23 and a relay 24. When the output of the OR circuit 25 is an H signal, the transistor TR5 is turned on and the relay 24 is turned on. When the output of the OR circuit 25 is an L signal, the transistor TR5 is turned off and the relay 24 is turned off.

Next, the trailer ABS connection determination of the second example will be described. When the trailer ABS presence / absence determination circuit 2 is connected to the trailer ABS controller 8, the power supply 6
From the trailer A through the trailer ABS presence / absence determination circuit 2
Since a current flows through the BS controller 8, the current detecting means 13 detects the current and outputs an H signal. The H signal is input to the NOT circuit 26. Also, trailer ABS
If the presence / absence determination circuit 2 is not connected to the trailer ABS controller 8, no current flows to the trailer ABS controller 8, so that the current detecting means 13 outputs an L signal without detecting the current, and this L signal is input to the NOT circuit 26. Is done. That is, when the H signal is output from the current detection means 13, it is determined that the trailer ABS is connected, and when the L signal is output from the current detection means 13, the trailer AB is output.
It is determined that there is no S connection.

The trailer lamp connection judgment of the second example will be described. When the trailer stop lamp 10 is connected to the trailer stop lamp connection judging circuit 3, a current flows from the power source 6a to the trailer stop lamp 10 to such an extent that the lamp 10 is not turned on, as in the first example. No current flows through TR1, and the transistor TR1 is turned off. Therefore, no current flows from the power supply 6b to the transistor TR1, and the power supply 6b side of the transistor TR1 becomes H, and the H signal is input to the OR circuit 25. The trailer stop lamp 10 is connected to the trailer stop lamp connection determination circuit 3.
, The current does not flow from the power supply 6a to the trailer stop lamp 10, and the transistor TR
1, a current flows, and the transistor TR1 is turned on. Therefore, a current flows from the power supply 6b to the transistor TR1, and the power supply 6b side of the transistor TR1 becomes L,
The L signal is input to the OR circuit 25.

When the trailer blinker lamp 18 is connected to the trailer blinker lamp connection determination circuit 15, similarly, no current flows from the power supply 6c to the transistor TR1 and the transistor TR3 is turned off, so that the power supply 6d side of the transistor TR3 is turned off. H signal and the H signal is OR circuit 2
5 is input. If the trailer blinker lamp 18 is not connected to the trailer blinker lamp connection determination circuit 15, a current flows from the power supply 6c to the transistor TR3, and the transistor TR3 is turned on. Therefore, a current flows from the power supply 6d to the transistor TR3, and the transistor TR3
3, the power supply 6d side becomes L, and the L signal is input to the OR circuit 25.

When the trailer back lamp 21 is connected to the trailer back lamp connection determination circuit 16, similarly, no current flows from the power supply 6e to the transistor TR4 and the transistor TR4 is turned off.
The power supply 6f side becomes H, and the H signal is input to the OR circuit 25. If the trailer back lamp 21 is not connected to the trailer back lamp connection determination circuit 16, the power supply 6
Since a current flows from transistor e to transistor TR4 and transistor TR4 is turned on, a current flows from power supply 6e to transistor TR4, power supply 6f side of transistor TR4 becomes L, and an L signal is input to OR circuit 25. The OR circuit 25 outputs an H signal when at least one of the three inputs is an H signal, and outputs an L signal when all three inputs are L signals.

Further, the information lamp lighting control of the second example will be described.

In the trailer ABS connection determination, when it is determined that the ABS controller 8 is connected, the H signal is input from the current detecting means 13 to the NOT circuit 26, and when it is determined that the ABS controller 8 is not connected, the current is detected. Detecting means 13
, The L signal is input NOT times. On the other hand, in the trailer lamp connection determination, when at least one of the connections of the lamps 10, 18, and 21 of the trailer is determined to be connected, O
The H signal is input from the R circuit 25 to the NAND circuit 23,
When it is determined that all the lamps 10, 18, and 21 are not connected, the L signal is output from the OR circuit 25 to the NAND circuit 2.
3 is input.

The NAND circuit 23 outputs an L signal when both inputs are H signals, and the information lamp 12 is turned on. When at least one of the two inputs is an L signal, the NAND circuit 23 outputs an H signal, and the information lamp 12 is not turned on.
That is, when at least one of the connections of the lamps 10, 18, 21 of the trailer is connected, that is, when the trailer is connected and the ABS controller 8 is not connected,
The information lamp 12 is turned on, and when the trailer is connected, the ABS controller 8 is connected, and when the trailer is not connected and the ABS controller 8 is not connected, the information lamp 12 is turned off.

Further, the transmission of the trailer presence / absence signal of the second example will be described. In the trailer lamp connection determination, when it is determined that at least one of the connections of the lamps 10, 18, and 21 of the trailer is connected, the OR circuit 25 outputs an H signal, so that a current flows through the relay 24 and the transistor TR5
Is turned on, the switch of the relay 24 is turned on, and a trailer presence / absence signal is transmitted. Also, all lamps 10,
When it is determined that the connection is not made, the OR circuit 25 outputs L
Since the signal is output, the transistor TR5 is turned off, no current flows through the relay 24, and the switch of the relay 24 is turned off. That is, all lamps 10,1
When there is no connection between the lamps 8 and 21, the trailer presence / absence signal is not transmitted, and when at least one of the connections of the lamps 10, 18, 21 is connected, the trailer presence / absence signal is transmitted. .

According to the trailer connection detecting device of the second example, the trailer stop lamp 1 in the first example described above.
If the trailer stop lamp connection determination circuit 3 determines that the trailer is not connected to the tractor even though the ball of 0 has run out or the wiring to the trailer stop lamp 10 is disconnected and the trailer is connected to the tractor, the other The normal connection of the trailer blinker lamp 18 and the trailer back lamp allows the trailer blinker lamp connection determination circuit 15 or the trailer back lamp connection determination circuit 16 to accurately determine whether or not the trailer is connected. Erroneous control or erroneous adjustment can be reliably prevented. Other configurations and other effects of the second example are the same as those of the first example.

The trailer stop lamp 10, the trailer blinker lamp 18, and the trailer back lamp 2
Instead of 1, any other device mounted on the trailer may be used as long as the device can detect the trailer connection by being connected.

In the second example, the output signal of the trailer presence / absence signal transmission circuit 5 is input to the information lamp lighting control circuit 4, but the connection of each lamp is performed in the same manner as in the first example. The output signals of the decision circuits 3, 15, 16 can also be input to the information lamp lighting control circuit 4.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram similar to FIG. 3 showing a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a specific electric circuit diagram similar to FIG. 4 of the third embodiment. The same components as in the above-described second example are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the second example described above, whether or not the trailer is connected is determined based on whether or not the trailer stop lamp 10 is connected, whether or not the trailer blinker lamp 18 is connected, and whether or not the trailer back lamp 21 is connected. However, in the trailer connection detecting device of the third example, in addition to the connection of these lamps 10, 18, and 21, the ABS controller 8 of the trailer is used to determine whether the trailer is connected.
Also consider whether there is a connection. That is, the trailer presence / absence signal transmission circuit 5 includes the lamps 10 and
When it is detected that at least one of these connections is connected based on the judgment result of the connection existence of the connection 18 or 21 and the connection existence of the ABS controller 8 of the trailer, a trailer existence signal is transmitted. It is supposed to.

Next, the detection of the presence / absence of the trailer connection, the detection of the presence / absence of the trailer ABS, and the transmission of the trailer presence / absence signal in the third example will be specifically described. As shown in FIG. 6, in the third example, the trailer presence / absence signal transmission circuit 5 includes a relay 24 and an OR circuit 25 in addition to the relay 24.
And a NOR circuit 27 between the
The current detection means 13 is connected to the OR circuit 27.
Further, in the third example, the relay 24 is turned on when the output of the NOR circuit 27 is an L signal, and the output of the NOR circuit 27 is H
It is set to turn off at the time of a signal.

Next, the trailer ABS connection determination of the third example will be described. The trailer ABS connection determination of the third example is the same as that of the second example. Next, the trailer lamp connection determination of the third example will be described. The trailer lamp connection determination of the third example is the same as that of the second example.
Next, the information lamp lighting control of the third example will be described. The information lamp lighting control of the third example is the same as that of the second example.

Next, the transmission of the trailer presence / absence signal of the third example will be described. In the trailer ABS connection determination, an H signal is input to the NOR circuit 27 when it is determined that the ABS controller 8 is connected, and an L signal is input to the NOR circuit 27 when it is determined that the ABS controller 8 is not connected. You. On the other hand, in the trailer lamp connection determination, when it is determined that at least one of the connections of the trailer lamps 10, 18, 21 is connected, an H signal is input to the NOR circuit 27, and all the lamps 10, 18, When it is determined that the connection of the connection 21 is not connected, the L signal is input to the NOR circuit 27.

When at least one of the two inputs is an H signal, the NOR circuit 27 outputs an L signal. Therefore, a current flows through the relay 24, the relay 24 is turned on, and a trailer presence / absence signal is transmitted. Is done. NO
The R circuit 27 outputs an H signal when both inputs are L signals, so that no current flows through the relay 24 and the switch of the relay 24 is turned off. That is, when all the lamps 10, 18, 21 are not connected and the ABS controller 8 is not connected, the trailer presence / absence signal is not transmitted, and the connection between the lamps 10, 18, 21 and the connection between the ABS controller 8 are not performed. When at least one is connected, a trailer presence / absence signal is transmitted. Other configurations and other effects of the third example are the same as those of the above-described second example.

[0063]

As is clear from the above description, according to the trailer connection detecting device of the present invention, the presence or absence of the trailer connection can be easily confirmed without providing a special switch for exclusive use. become. In addition, based on the trailer presence / absence signal, the operation, control, and adjustment of each device mounted on the tractor, such as characteristic switching and function stoppage, can be easily and reliably performed depending on whether the trailer is connected.

This eliminates the need for a conventional mechanical switch, thereby increasing reliability and durability, and also eliminates the need for a manual switch, thereby preventing forgetting to operate.

In particular, according to the third to fifth aspects of the present invention, the connection of a plurality of devices of the trailer is detected, so that the failure of one of the plurality of devices causes the detection of the connection of the device. Even if it becomes impossible, if one of the connections of the remaining devices is detected, a trailer presence / absence signal can be issued and the trailer connection can be reliably detected.

The reliability is improved by combining a plurality of detecting means as described above. Further, by combining with a conventional mechanical switch, it is possible to issue a warning such as forgetting to connect an electric connector or an air pipe in a trailer connecting operation or a poor connection.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a first example of an embodiment of a trailer connection detection device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a specific electric circuit diagram of the first example shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing a second example of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a specific electric circuit diagram of the second example shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing a third example of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a specific electric circuit diagram of the third example shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1. Information module 2. Trailer AB
S presence / absence determination circuit, 3 ... Trailer stop lamp connection determination circuit, 4 ... Information lamp lighting control circuit, 5
... Trailer presence / absence signal transmission circuit, 6, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6
d, 6e, 6f: power supply, 10: trailer stop lamp,
12 information lamp, 13 current detection means, 15 trailer blinker lamp connection determination circuit, 16
... Trailer back lamp connection determination circuit, 18 ... Trailer blinker lamp, 21 ... Trailer back lamp

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An information module for detecting whether a trailer is connected to a tractor, and an information lamp controlled to be turned on and off based on an output signal from the information module. In the trailer connection detecting device, the information module includes a trailer anti-skid control controller presence / absence determination circuit that determines whether or not the trailer has an anti-skid control controller and outputs the information. A trailer device connection determination circuit that determines and outputs whether or not the device is connected to a device, and at least operation, control, and adjustment of the device mounted on the tractor based on an output signal from the trailer device connection control circuit. Output trailer presence / absence signal to perform one The information lamp based on the output signal from the trailer anti-skid control controller presence determination circuit and the output signal from the trailer equipment connection determination circuit or the trailer presence / absence signal transmission circuit. An information lamp lighting control circuit for controlling lighting and extinguishing. 2. The trailer connection detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the equipment mounted on the trailer is a trailer stop lamp. 3. There are a plurality of devices mounted on the trailer, and the trailer device connection determination circuit is provided for each of the plurality of devices, and the trailer presence / absence signal transmission circuit is connected to the trailer device. The trailer presence / absence signal is output based on at least one output signal of the connection determination circuit, and the information lamp lighting control circuit further comprises the trailer anti-skid control presence / absence control. On / off of the information lamp is controlled based on an output signal from a determination circuit and at least one of the output signals from the trailer device connection determination circuit or an output signal from the trailer presence / absence signal transmission circuit. The trailer connection according to claim 1, characterized in that the trailer is connected. Detection device. 4. The trailer connection detecting device according to claim 3, wherein one of the plurality of devices mounted on the trailer is a trailer stop lamp. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein another one of the plurality of devices mounted on the trailer is a trailer blinker lamp, and still another one of the plurality of devices is a trailer back lamp. 5. The detection device for trailer connection according to 4.