The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 20, 1992
Filed:
Apr. 03, 1991
Jurgen Dietz, Weinstadt, DE;
Dieter Braunig, Stuttgart, DE;
Mercedes-Benz AG, , DE;
Abstract
Monitoring of trailer indicator lights includes a flasher pulse generator provided for generating, upon the switching on of a direction signalling switch, fixed pulse frequencies which can be changed over as a function of deviations of the load connected to the flasher pulse generator from its nominal load. The monitoring is carried out without requiring a change over of the flasher pulse generator to a 'trailer mode' of operation. When the trailer is electrically connected, and upon the failure of one of the trailer indicator lights which are to be switched on and operated via a separate voltage supply at the frequency of the flasher pulse generator, one of the indicator lights of the towing vehicle is isolated from the electrical load of the flasher pulse generator. As a result of this simulated light failure, the frequency generated by the flasher pulse generator is changed over the imminent generation of a control signal to the vehicle driver. Because the isolated indicator light is actually intact, it continuous to be operated via an auxiliary switching device and is automatically switched on. The vehicle driver can therefore clearly recognize that a trailer indicator light has failed.