Abstract:
A vehicle includes a controller and a frame having a receiver including an electrical connector configured to connect to a trailer having a plurality of chains. The plurality of chains each includes a sensor configured to transmit a position of the chain relative to a winch disposed on the trailer. The controller is configured to, in response to data from the sensors indicating a position of the chains, display via an interface a connection status of the chains.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates to boat trailer safety systems. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Trailers can be attached to towing vehicles using trailer hitch systems. Trailer hitch systems consist of a tongue attached to the trailer and a receiver and ball attached to a frame of the vehicle. The tongue includes safety chains that connect to the receiver to aid in maintaining attachment between the tongue and the receiver. In the event of a slip of the tongue on the ball, the safety chains maintain a connection between the trailer and the towing vehicle. To be effective, trailer safety chains need to be crossed and attached to the receiver underneath the tongue and receiver on the trailer hitch system. Proper placement and attachment of the trailer safety chains is essential to ensuring the trailer is properly hooked onto the towing vehicle. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    A trailer attachment system for a vehicle includes an electrical connector and a controller configured to attach to a trailer. The trailer has at least one chain including a sensor. The sensor is configured to transmit data indicative of a position of the chain relative to a load secured to the trailer. The controller is configured to, in response to the data indicating a secured position of the chain, display via an interface a secured status of the chain. 
         [0004]    A vehicle includes a controller and a frame having a receiver including an electrical connector configured to connect to a trailer having a plurality of chains. The plurality of chains each includes a sensor configured to transmit a position of the chain relative to a winch disposed on the trailer. The controller is configured to, in response to data from the sensors indicating a position of the chains, display via an interface a connection status of the chains. 
         [0005]    A control method for a trailer hitch safety system includes, in response to sensor data from a trailer safety chain, indicative of an arrangement of the safety chain relative to a winch disposed on a trailer being in a secured position, display via an interface indicia representing a proper chain connection. The control method also includes, in response to sensor data from the trailer safety chain, indicative of an arrangement of the safety chain relative to a winch disposed on the trailer being in an unsecured position, display via an interface indicia representing an improper chain connection. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a top schematic view of a vehicle having a boat trailer safety system; and 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a control logic flow diagram for the boat trailer safety system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0008]    Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. It is to be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples and other embodiments may take various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features could be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. As those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, various features illustrated and described with reference to any one of the figures may be combined with features illustrated in one or more other figures to produce embodiments that are not explicitly illustrated or described. The combinations of features illustrated provide representative embodiments for typical applications. Various combinations and modifications of the features consistent with the teachings of this disclosure, however, could be desired for particular applications or implementations. 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  depicts a top schematic view of a vehicle  10  having a trailer attachment system  12 . The trailer attachment system  12  includes a trailer  14  with a trailer hitch  16 , a tongue  18 , and at least one safety chain  20 . The trailer attachment system  12  also includes an electrical connector  25  configured to attach to the trailer  14 . The trailer safety system  12  further includes a controller  30 , and an external light  32  attached with a receiver  24 , and an interface  34 . The safety chain  20  includes a first sensor  38  and is configured to further secure a load  23  to a winch  36  disposed on the trailer  14 . The safety chain  20  provides an additional and direct attachment of the load  23  to the trailer  14  in the event of a failure of the winch  36 . 
         [0010]    The safety chain  20  attaches to the load  23  and further secures the load  23  to the trailer  14  in the event of a failure of the winch  36 . For example, if the winch  36  is not attached properly to the load  23  or does not properly lock the load  23  on the trailer  14 , the load  23  may separate from the trailer  14  during travel. When the load  23  separates from the trailer  14 , the load  23  becomes disconnected from the trailer  14  and as such the vehicle  10 . If the safety chain  20  is not properly connected to the load  23  and trailer  14 , a failure of the winch  36  may result in complete separation between the load  23  and the vehicle  10 . 
         [0011]    The trailer safety system  12  provides for detection and monitoring of the position of the safety chain  20  using the external light  32 , the first sensor  38 , and the interface  34 . The trailer safety system  12  provides an early indication if the placement of the safety chain  20  is improper. As will be discussed in more detail below, the trailer safety system  12  communicates with the controller  30  to alert the controller  30  if the safety chain  20  is not connected, properly connected, or becomes disconnected or improperly connected during vehicle travel. This allows the controller  30  to activate various vehicle systems to ensure that an occupant is aware of the position of the safety chain  20 . Increasing awareness of the position of the safety chain  20  allows the occupant an opportunity to remedy an improper use of the safety chain  20  and provides further safety when the vehicle  10  is towing a trailer  14  having a load  23 . 
         [0012]    The first sensor  38  may be a contact sensor. The first sensor  38  may be configured such that contact between the chain  20  and the load  23  allows the first sensor  38  to monitor the position of the safety chain  20 . For example, if the safety chain  20  is connected to the load  23 , contact between the first sensor  38  and the load  23  may indicate proper placement of the safety chain  20  to the controller  30 . Likewise, if the chain  20  and the load  23  are not properly connected or are not in contact, the first sensor  38  may indicate improper contact or no contact, respectively. The first sensor  38  may use a variety of communication methods to indicate the position of the safety chain  20  to the controller  30 . 
         [0013]    The first sensor  38  may be any sensor configured to determine a position of the safety chain  20  relative to the load  23 . In at least one embodiment, tactile sensors may be wrapped around the safety chain  20  to provide an indication of the position of the safety chain  20  to the controller  30 . In at least one other embodiment, the first sensor  38  may include, but is not limited to, a magnetic field sensor, Hall Effect transducer, near field communication module, or radio frequency identification chip. As stated above, the first sensor  38  may be used to monitor the position of the safety chain  20  relative to the load  23  and the attachment between the safety chain  20  and the trailer  14 . The first sensor  38  allows the controller  30  to provide an alert regarding the placement of the safety chain  20 . 
         [0014]    Communication between the first sensor  38  and the load  23  may be identified using the external light  32 . For example, the controller  30  illuminates the external light  32  using a frequency based on the input from the first sensor  38  to allow for identification of the placement of the safety chain  20 . If the safety chain  20  is properly attached to the load  23 , the first sensor  38  may communicate the proper placement to the controller  30  based on a relative distance between the first sensor  38  and the load  23 , which will illuminate the external light  32  at a first frequency. The first frequency may be representative of a constant frequency. Likewise, if the safety chain  20  improperly secures the load  23  to the trailer  14 , the first sensor  38  may communicate the improper placement to the controller  30  based on the relative distance from the first sensor  38  to the load  23 , which will illuminate the external light  32  at a second frequency. The second frequency may be representative of an intermittent frequency. The controller  30  may also be configured to illuminate the external light  32  using a third frequency if the first sensor  38  and the second sensor  42  indicate that the safety chains  20  are not connected to the receiver  24  based on the relative distance from the first sensor  38  to the load  23 . The frequencies may be preset and other frequencies may be used to distinguish between proper placement, improper placement, and no connection of the safety chains  20 . 
         [0015]    The relative distance may be a preset distance that indicates a proper connection, an improper connection, or no connection. For example, if the first sensor  38  determines that the safety chain  20  is connected, based on contact between the safety chain  20  and the load  23 , the first sensor may be configured to determine a relative distance between the first sensor  38 , the load  23 , and the trailer  14  to determine if the connection is secure. If the relative distance is below a threshold, then the first sensor  38  may indicate an improper connection. If the relative distance falls below a second threshold, the first sensor  38  may indicate no connection. Likewise, if the relative distance exceeds the threshold, the first sensor  38  may indicate a proper connection. The relative distance may also be based on the distance from the first sensor  38  to the winch  36 . 
         [0016]    The controller  30  may also be configured to illuminate the external light  32  using a variety of colors to distinguish between a proper connection, an improper connection, or no connection of the safety chain  20 . For example, if the first sensor  38  indicates proper placement of the safety chain  20 , then the controller  30  may illuminate the external light  32  to project a substantially greenish color. If the first sensor  38  indicates improper placement of the safety chain  20 , then the controller  30  may illuminate the external light  32  to project a substantially yellowish color. And finally, if the first sensor  38  indicates that the safety chain  20  is not connected to the load  23 , then the controller  30  may illuminate the external light to project a substantially reddish color. The colors described are merely an example and other colors may be used to indicate and distinguish between proper placement, improper placement, and no connection of the safety chain  20 . 
         [0017]    Using the external light  32  to indicate the position of the safety chain  20  allows for an instantaneous and initial feedback of the safety chain placement. The occupant may be able to determine, via the external light  32 , if the safety chain  20  is properly attached to the load  23 . This allows an occupant the ability to correct a possible improper placement, or remind the occupant to attach the safety chain  20  to the load  23 . While described as a visual indication using an external light  32 , an audible indication may also be contemplated. For example, a speaker (not shown) may be used in place of the external light  32  to indicate, using a variety of tones or dialects, whether the safety chain  20  is properly connected, improperly connected, or not connected to the load  23 . This allows the trailer safety system  12  to provide an advanced indication of safely connected safety chain  20  before the vehicle  10  is operated on the road. 
         [0018]    As stated above, the controller  30  may continuously monitor the position of the safety chains  20  as the vehicle  10  travels on the road. During operation of the vehicle  10 , the controller  30  may be configured to continuously receive signals from the first sensor  38  to monitor the position of the safety chain  20 . For example, the chain  20  may change a position relative to the load  23  or trailer  14  and then cause the safety chain  20  to be disconnected. The controller  30  may be configured to display a connection status of the safety chain  20  based on the input from the first sensor  38  to the interface  34 . The interface  34  provides an indication whether the safety chain  20  has maintained a proper connection, an improper connection, or no connection during vehicle travel. The controller  30  may be configured to display the indication on the interface  34  through illuminating a light, displaying a symbol, or an audible tone or dialect. This allows the trailer safety system  12  to provide real-time monitoring and indication of the position of the safety chain  20 . The controller  30  may also be configured to display the connection status of the safety chain  20  to a device  35  paired with the interface  34  using an in-vehicle network, Wifi, or Bluetooth connection. 
         [0019]      FIG. 2  depicts control logic for the trailer safety system  12  used by the controller  30 . The trailer safety system  12  uses control logic to operate as described above. However, the trailer safety system  12  may also segment the control logic. For example, the trailer safety system  12  may also be configured to only illuminate the external light as described above, or display the real-time position of the safety chains as described above. Likewise, the control logic for the trailer safety system  12  is described as sequential, however it may be operated simultaneously. Operation of the trailer safety system  12  may be accomplished using the steps described below in any manner or fashion that allows the trailer safety system  12  to operate as discussed. 
         [0020]    At  44 , the trailer safety system  12  may determine if the trailer is attached to the vehicle. Determining if the trailer is attached to the vehicle at  44  may be done using a pre-existing trailer monitoring system. If at  44  the trailer safety system  12  determines that no trailer is attached to the vehicle, the control logic ends. If at  44 , the trailer safety system  12  determines a trailer is attached to a vehicle, then the trailer safety system  12  determines if the safety chain is in contact with the load at  46 . The trailer safety system  12  determines if the safety chain is in contact at  46  using the sensor described above. If the trailer safety system  12  determines at  46  that the safety chain is not in contact based on input from the sensor, the trailer safety system  12  instructs the controller to illuminate the external light at a third frequency at  48 . Illuminating external light at a third frequency at  48  may provide an immediate indication that the safety chain is not attached to the load. 
         [0021]    If at  46  the trailer safety system  12  determines that the safety chain is in contact with the load, the trailer safety system  12  may determine the connection status of the safety chain relative to the load at  50 . At  50 , the trailer safety system  12  determines, based on input from the sensor, if the safety chains are properly connected using the relative distance and contact between the sensor and load. If at  50 , the trailer safety system  12  determines that the safety chain is properly connected, the trailer safety system  12  instructs the controller to illuminate the external light at a first frequency at  52  indicative of a proper connection of the safety chain. Illumination of the external light at the first frequency at  52  provides an immediate indication that the safety chain is properly connected and ready for road use. If at  50 , the trailer safety system  12  determines that the safety chain is not properly connected, the trailer safety system  12  instructs the controller to illuminate the external light at a second frequency at  54 . Illumination of the external light at the second frequency at  54  provides an immediate indication that the safety chain is not properly connected. 
         [0022]    The trailer safety system  12  may also be configured to receive input of vehicle activation at  56 . Vehicle activation at  56  allows the trailer safety system  12  to determine if the vehicle is moving. The trailer safety system  12 , after vehicle activation at  56 , may then instruct the controller to display an indication of the safety chain connection status using the interface at  58 . Displaying the safety chain connection status on the interface at  58  allows the trailer safety system  12  to provide real-time monitoring and assessment of the safety chain position within a cabin of the vehicle. The trailer safety system  12  determines at  60  if the connection status between the safety chain and the load has changed using the sensor. If at  60 , the trailer safety system  12  determines that the connection status between the safety chain and the load has not changed, the trailer safety system  12  will continue to monitor input from the sensor to assess the safety chain position and display the status of the safety chain position using the interface at  58 . If at  60 , the trailer safety system  12  determines that the connection status of the safety chain and the load has changed, the trailer safety system  12  instructs the controller to indicate the change of status using the interface at  62 . At  62 , the trailer safety system may instruct the controller to display the change of status of the safety chain position using the interface, as described above. 
         [0023]    The control logic for the trailer safety system  12  may be implemented on a single controller, or use multiple controllers to monitor vehicle systems, provide the indications as described above, and adjust various components of the vehicle to account for the position of the safety chains. The control logic described above further aids the vehicle to provide additional safety measures and allows for improved response time and indication of a potential change in safety chain positions. 
         [0024]    While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms encompassed by the claims. The words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. As previously described, the features of various embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention that may not be explicitly described or illustrated. While various embodiments could have been described as providing advantages or being preferred over other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more desired characteristics, those of ordinary skill in the art recognize that one or more features or characteristics may be compromised to achieve desired overall system attributes, which depend on the specific application and implementation. These attributes may include, but are not limited to cost, strength, durability, life cycle cost, marketability, appearance, packaging, size, serviceability, weight, manufacturability, ease of assembly, etc. As such, embodiments described as less desirable than other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more characteristics are not outside the scope of the disclosure and may be desirable for particular applications.