AU2016202786A1 - Brake activation system - Google Patents
Brake activation system Download PDFInfo
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- AU2016202786A1 AU2016202786A1 AU2016202786A AU2016202786A AU2016202786A1 AU 2016202786 A1 AU2016202786 A1 AU 2016202786A1 AU 2016202786 A AU2016202786 A AU 2016202786A AU 2016202786 A AU2016202786 A AU 2016202786A AU 2016202786 A1 AU2016202786 A1 AU 2016202786A1
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- switching device
- braking system
- battery
- enabling state
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Abstract
A switching device for a braking system of a trailer is disclosed. The braking system is powered by a battery. The switching device includes a body that is mountable to a location on the trailer, and a circuit, which may be housed in the body. The circuit is 5 switchable between an enabling state for enabling electrical current through an electrical path between the battery and the braking system to thereby power the braking system, and a non-enabling state in which electrical current is prevented from flowing though said electrical path. The braking system may also include a separable actuator wherein in the event of a first condition, in which the actuator is separated from the 10 body, the circuit is configured into the enabling state, and wherein in the event of a second condition, in which the actuator is connected with the body, the circuit is configured into the non-enabling state. In the event of a third condition, in which the circuit is in the enabling state and then at least one further criterion is met, the switching device may configure the circuit into the non-enabling state. The battery may be 15 included in the trailer, and power at least one device other than the braking system. Towing Vehicle FIG. 11Q~l9Vh
Description
Brake Switching device
Field of the invention
The present invention relates to a switching device for an electrically powered braking system of a trailer. The present invention has particular application to trailers that provide a shelter, such as reactional vehicle for a person, which may be a camper trailer, caravan or the like, or such as a horse trailer.
Background of the invention
Many trailers, such as reactional vehicle trailers, include electrically powered brakes. When powered, the brakes are engaged via a magnet at each of the brakes. Such electrically powered braking systems contrast with hydraulically-powered braking systems used in semitrailers, which are engaged mechanically, using air pressure.
The electrically-powered brakes can be controlled from the towing vehicle via an electrical cable that conveys power from the towing vehicle to the trailer when a person driving the towing vehicle engages the brakes of towing vehicle. However, if trailer becomes unhitched from the towing vehicle, the electrical connection via the electrical cable will break, leading to a dangerous situation whereby the trailer is mobile with no ability to activate its brakes.
To provide a fail-safe condition in the event of unhitching, break-away switching systems have been employed. Such systems include a involve an actuator that is tied to the towing vehicle (eg via a coil cable), and held within a casing on the trailer when the trailer is being towed. The actuator can, for example, be a non-conductive pin, which is interposed between two contacts within the casing, so that there is an open circuit between the two contacts when the actuator is in place. The break-away switch is biased so that when the actuator is pulled from the casing, the contacts close. Closure of the contacts creates a closed-loop electrical path that includes a battery and the brake magnets, thus activating the brakes of the trailer. Re-insertion of the actuator opens the electrical path, thereby deactivating the brakes.
An example of such a break-away system is disclosed in Australian patent application publication AU 2010214757 A1 (referred to herein as AU757), having a filing date of 25 August 2010. In ΑΙΓ757, the battery for powering the brakes during a trailer disconnection is located on the trailer-side of the hitching point that joins the trailer to the towing vehicle. Also on the trailer-side is a trickle charger which charges the trailer battery from the battery of the towing vehicle.
In systems sold commonly in at least Australia, the battery for powering the brakes during a break-away situation is a dedicated battery. That is, it does not power anything other than the braking system (ie the brakes and brake lights). The dedicated battery has a relatively low-capacity, so that the brakes do not overheat and become damaged, but it needs to have enough capacity to provide a person with enough time to secure the trailer so that the brakes are no longer needed. If the battery does not have the right level of capacity, the braking system will not provide the required performance. Also, having the battery outside the trailer would generally expose the battery to harsh environmental conditions. However, any potential for water ingress can be addressed by locating the battery inside the trailer. For convenience, the battery may be located in a position in the trailer that is not be easily seen or accessed, so a battery in a poor condition may go unnoticed.
Reference to any prior art in the specification is not an acknowledgment or suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction or that this prior art could reasonably be expected to be understood, regarded as relevant, and/or combined with other pieces of prior art by a skilled person in the art.
Summary of the invention A first aspect of the present invention provides a switching device for a braking system of a trailer. The braking system is powered by a battery. The switching device includes a body that is mountable to a location on the trailer, and a circuit housed in the body. The circuit is switchable between an enabling state for enabling electrical current through an electrical path between the battery and the braking system to thereby power the braking system, and a non-enabling state in which electrical current is prevented from flowing though said electrical path. The braking system includes a separable actuator wherein in the event of a first condition, in which the actuator is separated from the body, the circuit is configured into the enabling state, and wherein in the event of a second condition, in which the actuator is connected with the body, the circuit is configured into the non-enabling state. The circuit generates a first output that is indicative of a test result associated with the braking system, the first output being emitted from the switching device to be perceivable by a person positioned next to the body.
The switching device is preferably mounted at a front end of the trailer, proximal to a hitching point where the trailer connects to a towing vehicle, so the output is perceivable by a person standing by the hitching point.
The person may pull the actuator from the body and perceive the output from the body to determine the test result associated with the braking system. The output can, for example, indicate the test result associated with the braking system by providing an indication of the voltage provided by the voltage supply.
The switching device may include a break-away switch housed within the body. The break-away switch has a pair of contacts which are either connected or unconnected to each other, depending on whether the actuator is separated from or connected with the body.
Preferably the body includes a holding means for releasably holding the separable actuator. That is, the holding means holds the actuator in a manner that allows the actuator to released, so that it can separate from the holding means. The holding means may be socket for receiving the actuator. The actuator may be or include a protrusion, such as a pin, that is receivable within the socket to be releasbly held within the socket. The protrusion may break an electrical connection when the protrusion is in the socket, wherein the connection reforms when the protrusion is removed from the socket. In a different embodiment, the protrusion cause an electrical connection to be made when the protrusion is in the socket, wherein the connection is broken when the protrusion is removed from the socket. In yet a different embodiment, the holding means may be a protrusion and the actuator may include a socket.
Preferably the body is rigid. Preferably, the body includes a mounting means for mounting the body to a location on the trailer. The mounting means may one or more holes in the body, for example in a bracket portion of the body.
The switching circuit may generate a second output that is indicative of a test result associated with of the switching device, the switching circuit being configured for transmitting the second output to a device that is remote from the body.
The second output may be indicative of the same test result as the first output. In other words, they can indicate the same thing.
In one embodiment, the first output includes at least a visually perceivable output, such as visible light. Thus the witching device may include a light-emitting device, such as an light emitting diode, or a plurality of light-emitting devices. However, additionally or alternatively, the output may include an a different perceivable output, such as an acoustically perceivable output, such as an output of a speaker.
The first output may include an indication of a voltage supplied to the braking system via said electrical path, when the circuit is in the enabling state. In one embodiment, the indication is not provided when the circuit is in the non-enabling state.
Preferably, the first output includes a first indication if a voltage supplied to the braking system via said electrical path, when the circuit is in the enabling state, wherein the voltage is greater than a maximum expected battery voltage. The voltage may be assessed relative to the battery voltage by comparing the voltage with a reference. Commonly, the battery voltage will be nominally 12V, so allowing for some variation in the actual battery voltage, the reference is preferably set slightly greater than the nominal battery voltage, eg at least 3% greater than the nominal battery voltage, such as 5% greater than the nominal voltage (ie a reference of 12.6V for a nominally 12V battery). If the voltage is greater than the maximum expected battery voltage, then this indicates that the battery is being charged by another power source, such as a solar panel. This acts a warning to a person that the health of the battery is not known, as once charging stops, the battery voltage may return to a level that is below acceptable. In some embodiments, the maximum acceptable voltage may vary with time.
Preferably, the first output includes a second indication if the voltage is greater than a threshold that is indicative of a minimum acceptable voltage from the battery. For example, assuming a nominal battery voltage of 12V, the voltage threshold may be, for example, 10% less than nominal voltage (ie 10.8V). In some embodiments the minimum acceptable voltage may vary with time.
Below the minimum acceptable voltage, it may be concluded that the battery may not be able to provide sufficient power or energy to the braking system, and/or the minimum acceptable voltage may be a minimum voltage required to engage the braking system. Preferably, the first output includes a second indication if the voltage is greater than a threshold that is indicative of a minimum acceptable voltage from the battery (eg 10.8V) and below a maximum acceptable voltage from the battery (eg 12.6V). In some embodiments, the minimum and maximum acceptable voltages may vary with time.
The first output may include a third indication if the voltage is less than the threshold that is indicative of a minimum acceptable voltage from the battery (eg 10.8V). This may indicate that the battery should be charged or replaced, is supplying a load other than the braking system.
Preferably, the first output is capable of providing at least two different indications (ie any two or all three of the first indication, second indication and third indication), and the different indications are in this case distinguishable from each other. For example, they may be indications provided by different coloured lights, and/or by a permanently on light compared with a flashing light, etc.
In some embodiments, the test result is or includes an indication other than a pass or fail test result. For example, the test result may be a measurement of an operating condition associated with the braking system, such as a measurement of the battery’s output voltage, which may be measured from a test point on the circuit.
In one embodiment, in the event of a third condition, in which the circuit is in the enabling state and then at least one further criterion is met, the switching device configures the circuit into the non-enabling state.
This can ensure that even if the actuator stays removed the body, the braking system is not powered for so long that it overheats the brakes.
In second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a switching device for a braking system of a trailer. The braking system is powered by a battery. The switching device includes a body that is mountable to a location on the trailer, and a circuit. The circuit is switchable between an enabling state for enabling electrical current through an electrical path between the battery and the braking system to thereby power the braking system, and a non-enabling state in which electrical current is prevented from flowing though said electrical path. The braking system also includes a separable actuator wherein in the event of a first condition, in which the actuator is separated from the body, the circuit is configured into the enabling state, and wherein in the event of a second condition, in which the actuator is connected with the body, the circuit is configured into the non-enabling state. In the event of a third condition, in which the circuit is in the enabling state and then at least one further criterion is met, the switching device configures the circuit into the non-enabling state. Preferably the circuit is housed in the body.
In one embodiment, the third condition is met if the a determined duration of time in which the circuit is in the enabling state exceeds a threshold duration of time.
Preferably, the threshold duration of time is 15 minutes or greater. In the event that the trailer becomes detached from its towing vehicle, this time period allows a person time to take action to secure the trailer.
However, if the brakes are activated for too long, perhaps more than 1 hour, the brakes could overheat. Therefore, preferably, the threshold duration of time set to be less than a time that would overheat the brakes. In one embodiment, the threshold duration is less than 1 hour.
It is further advantageous to provide more time to secure the trailer, and for some brakes, overheating could apply in less than 1 hour. Therefore, it is more preferable that the threshold duration of time is between 20 and 45 minutes. Yet more preferably, the threshold duration of time is between 25 and 35 minutes, eg 30 minutes.
The third condition may also be met if an amount of energy delivered via said path while the circuit is in the enabling state exceeds a threshold amount of energy over a particular duration of time. The threshold amount of energy may, for example, be the amount of energy that is expected to be delivered over any one of for the above time durations, eg the amount of energy that is expected to be delivered for 15 minutes of powering the brakes.
Similarly, the threshold amount of energy may be set to be less than the amount of energy that would result in overheating of the brakes, eg less than the expected amount of energy delivered for 1 hour of powering the brakes.
Preferably, the switching device is mounted on the trailer and the battery is configured to power at least one device other than the braking system. That is, the battery powers the braking system and at least one other device. In one embodiment, the braking system includes at least lights to indicate when the brakes are powered, which generally are mounted to the rear of the trailer. Thus, the braking lights do not count as devices other than the braking system. Preferably, the at least one device other than the braking system is a device internal to a shelter-providing portion of the trailer. For example the at least one device other than the braking system may be house lighting and/or any device connected to wall mounted power socket that is accessible from within the shelter-providing portion. Such a battery may be referred to as the “house battery” of the trailer.
Such a battery has an advantage of having a larger capacity than a battery that is typically used for the sole purpose of powering the braking system. For example a house battery may have a capacity of 100 amp-hours or more, whereas a dedicated battery for the braking system may, for example, have a capacity of only 7 Amp-hours. Additionally, users of the trailer may be more likely to verify the state of health of the house battery to ensure they will have enough power during their travels. A dedicated battery for the braking system, on the other hand, may be overlooked or ignored without adversely affecting the person’s day-to-day use of the trailer, and as a result may become neglected. A third aspect of the present invention provides a trailer having an electrically powered braking system. The trailer also has a battery, preferable a house battery, configured to power at least one device other than the braking system. The trailer also has a switching device. The switching device includes a body that mounted to a location on the trailer. The switching device also include a circuit, preferably housed in the body. The circuit is switchable between an enabling state for enabling electrical current through an electrical path between the battery and the braking system to thereby power the braking system, and a non-enabling state in which electrical current is prevented from flowing though said electrical path. The switching device also includes a separable actuator wherein in the event of a first condition, in which the actuator is separated from the body, the circuit is configured into the enabling state, and wherein in the event of a second condition, in which the actuator is connected with the body, the circuit is configured into the non-enabling state, wherein the switching device is a switching device in accordance with the first and/or second aspect of the present invention. A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a method of controlling brakes in a trailer. The trailer has an electrically powered braking system and a battery, preferably a house battery, configured to power at least one device other than the braking system. The trailer also has a switching device including a body that is mounted to a location on the trailer and a circuit, preferably housed in the body. The circuit is switchable between an enabling state and a non-enabling state. The switching device also includes a separable actuator wherein in the event of a first condition, in which the actuator is separated from the body, the circuit is configured into the enabling state, and wherein in the event of a second condition, in which the actuator is connected with the body, the circuit is configured into the non-enabling state. The method includes electrically connecting the switching device to the battery so that, in the enabling state, the circuit enables electrical current through an electrical path between the battery and the braking system to thereby power the braking system, and, in the non-enabling state electrical current is prevented from flowing though said electrical path, wherein the switching device is a switching device in accordance the first and/or second aspect of the present invention.
Further aspects of the present invention and further embodiments of the aspects described in the preceding paragraphs will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Brief description of the drawings
Figure 1 is a conceptual drawing depicting a towing vehicle and a trailer having a switching device in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2A shows a perspective view of the switching device of Figure 1, with an actuator in a body portion of the switching system;
Figure 2B shows the switching device of Figure 2, but with the actuator removed from the body;
Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating how the switching device of is connected to components of the trailer and the tow vehicle; and
Figure 4 is an electronics schematic of a circuit component of the switching system.
Detailed description of the embodiments
An exemplary trailer in accordance with the present invention is depicted conceptually in Figure 1. The trailer 100 has a frame 102 supported on wheels 104 in the rear half of the trailer, and a hitching point 106 at the front end of the frame, at an apex of a v-shaped frame-portion. At hitching point 106 connects to the trailer to a towing vehicle 108 so the trailer can be towed. The trailer 100 includes a braking system having electrically powered brakes 110 and brake lights 112. The trailer 100 has a house battery 114 that powers house lights 116 and other electrical devices that may be used in the trailer, eg a refrigerator and/or an audio system (not shown). The house battery 114 is connected is charged by a solar panel (not shown). A switching device 120 is mounted at the front end of the trailer 100, on an the v-shaped portion of the frame 102, adjacent the hitching point 106. A perspective view of the switching device 120 is illustrated in Figure 2A. The switching device 120 has a rigid body 122 having a rectangular enclosure 124 fixed to a metal mounting bracket 126. At the surface of the body 122 is a visual indication device 136, in the form of a multiwavelength LED device for visually indicating a test result associated with the braking system. The test result is, in the example described hereinafter, whether a voltage, delivered from the battery supply to the braking system, meets one or more criteria. The LED is capable of selectively emitting light in any one or more of a plurality of wavelengths, depending on the test result. In the embodiment described hereinafter, the plurality of wavelengths are green and red, although additional or alternative wavelengths, eg blue may be used.
The mounting bracket has a hole 128 to assist in securing the body 124 to the trailer 100, eg using a self-tapping screw. The body can be further held in place by using cable ties circumscribing the body 124 and the portion of the frame 102 where the body 124 is mounted. Wires 130 extends from the enclosure 124 to electrically connect the switching device 120 to the trailer braking system 110, 112, house battery 114 and, optionally, to towing vehicle 108.
Buried in one end of the body 122 is an actuator 131, which is only partially visible in Figure 2A. The actuator is connected to one end of a coil cable 132, the other end of the coil cable 132 being connected to the towing vehicle 108 via a carabiner 134 or other suitable feature.
Figure 2B shows the actuator 131 removed from the body 122. The actuator 131 includes a pin portion 138. The actuator 131 can be re-inserted into the body 122 via a socket 140 in the body 122. The socket 140 holds the actuator 131 in body 122 unless pulled free by the cable 132. This will occur if the trailer 100 becomes unhitched and separated from the towing vehicle 108, causing the towing vehicle 108 to pull the cable 132, and hence the actuator 121, away from the body 122 of the switching device 120.
While the actuator 131 is described as being connected to the coil cable 132, it will appreciated that the coil cable 132 may be considered part of actuator. Alternatively, the actuator may be considered just the pin 138.
As shown in the block diagram of Figure 3, the casing 124 encloses: a breakaway switch 302; and a circuit 304 provided on a circuit board. The circuit 304 is covered by a conformal coating so that it is protected in the event of temporary immersion in water. Thus, even though the circuit is located on the external of the trailer, it is adequately protected from the environment. The break-away switch 302 has electrical contacts 303, which close when the actuator 131 is pulled from the body 122, and which are forced open, when the actuator 131 is connected within the body 122. Each contact 303 is electrically connected to a corresponding terminal 316 on the circuit 304. Electrically, the circuit is between at least one of break-away switch’s contacts 303 and the wires 306 that connect the contact 303 to the braking system 110, 112, the battery 114 and the towing vehicle 108. A schematic of the circuit 304 is illustrated in Figure 4. The circuit 304 includes a switch 310 that is distinct from the break-away switch 302. The switch 310 is electrically interposed between a terminal 312 that connects to the battery 114 (via one of the wires 306) and a terminal 314 that connects to the brakes 110 (via a different one of the wires 306).
When the pin 138 held within in the body 122, the contacts 303 of the breakaway switch are unconnected to each other, so corresponding terminals 316 on the circuit are consequentially unconnected to each other. As a result the input 318 to a transistor 320 is pulled high, keeping the transistor 320 into an off state. This results in 0V at the output 322 of the transistor 320. The output 322 of the transistor 320 drives a 5 volt regulator 328, but while the output 322 of the transistor 320 is at 0V, the 5V regulator output is also 0V. Consequently, a switch-enabling transistor 324 is off, and the switch 310 is in an open state. As a result an electrical path 326 between the battery and the braking system is open circuit, so the brakes are unpowered.
When the pin 138 is pulled from the body 122 of the switching device 120, and the contacts 303 of the break-away switch 302 form a connection with each other, the corresponding terminals 316 on the circuit 304 are consequentially connected to each other. As a result the input 318 to transistor 320 is pulled low, turning the transistor 320 on and causing the output 322 of the transistor 320 to be pulled towards the voltage of battery 114. This enables a 5V output from the regulator 328 which turns the transistor 324 on, resulting in a current that causes the switch 310 in the electrical path 326 to close. Consequently, the circuit 304 is in a state whereby current can pass through path 326, thus providing power to engage the brakes 110.
The closing of switch 310 also results in power being provided to the brake lights 112 via terminal 330. This, in turn, results in the closure of a further current-sensitive switch 332 so that the voltage of the battery 114 can be conveyed to the towing vehicle, via terminal 334. The voltage conveyed to the towing vehicle acts a signal that turns on an LED on a dashboard of the towing vehicle 108 to indicate that the brakes 110 have been activated.
Having the transistor 320 in an on state also provides the circuit with power to activate a test circuit. The test circuit indicates a test result associated with the braking system. Specifically, the test circuit measures the voltage at the output 322 of transistor 320, which is indicative of the battery voltage. The voltage at the transistor output is approximately equal to the battery voltage (generally, nominally 12V) minus 0.7V due to a voltage drop across a diode 342 between the battery 114 and the transistor 320. The output 322 of the transistor 320, marked as 12V-TEST on the schematic of Figure 4, is fed into two different voltage dividers to generate a respective outputs 343 and 344. The outputs 343 and 344 are separately compared with a reference 346 derived from the 5V regulator.
Reference 343 is used to compare the battery voltage against the minimum acceptable battery voltage. If reference 343 is reflective of the battery voltage being less than 10.8V, then a battery-low node 348 will be high, tuning on transistor 350, and as a result, red LED 352. It is possible that if the voltage is below this minimum voltage the battery could still operate the brakes for the minimum required time, eg 15 minutes. However, there is a risk that the battery is not in a condition that will enable activation of the brakes for the minimum time. Potentially, the battery voltage could be below the acceptable minimum not because of poor battery health, but because there is another large load on the battery, eg a refrigerator. Based on diagnostic information provided by the activation of red LED 352, the person can take the action of disconnecting any such loads and re-doing the test. If there are no such loads, the person can take the action of charging or replacing the house battery.
If, on the other hand, reference 343 is reflective of the battery voltage being greater than 10.8V, the red LED 352 will be off, and the input to transistor 353 will be high. This will result in a green LED 354 being on if transistor 356, controlled by reference 344, is on.
Reference 344 is used to compare the voltage across the battery output with the maximum expected battery voltage. If reference 344 is less than 12.6V (assuming a nominal battery voltage of 12V), then a battery-not-high node 355 will be a logical 1, turning on transistor 356. This will result in the green LED 354 being held on, indicating that the battery voltage is in a healthy state, between 10.8V and 12.6V. However, if reference 344 is greater than 12.6V, transistor 356 will be off and a timer circuit 358 will be activated. The timer circuit 358 provides an output 360 which repetitively toggles transistor 362 on and off, so that green LED 354 is in a flashing state. Thus, the flashing state is used to inform a person that the voltage of the battery is higher than expected. This suggests that the house battery 114 may be in a state of being charged by another power source, such as a solar panel. In such a state, the voltage than can actually be supplied by the battery 114 is unknown. Thus, the test result associated with the braking system in this case indicates that the state of the battery 114 is inconclusive. In other words, the battery 114 is in a state that prevents a determination of the voltage that it can supply. This test result is used to direct a person to disconnect any charging source (eg solar panel) from the battery and then re-testing the braking system to see whether the battery voltage is in the allowable voltage range, in other words that it is above the minimum acceptable voltage when all charging sources are disconnected.
As will be appreciated from the above description and Figure 4, the test indication is only provided when the terminals 316 on the circuit board are connected to each other, which requires the contacts of the break-away switch to be connected to each other. Therefore, in addition to indicating a state of the battery the test result is also indicates, by implication, whether the contacts 303 of the break-away switch are working. If the actuator is pulled from the body 122 but no light comes on, this could mean that the contacts 303 in the break-away switch are corroded and not working.
The presence of the 5V on the circuit board also results in activation of a timing circuit, which after about 30 minutes provides an output 338 that switches the state of transistor 340, causing transistor 324 to be turned off, and in turn opening the switch 310 in the electrical path 326 between the battery 114 and the brakes 110. This occurs even though the contacts 303 are still connected to each other (ie the pin 138 is still separated from the body 122). This feature can limit the heat generated in the braking system.
While this embodiment exemplifies the circuit with numerous discrete components, it will be understood that some of these discrete components may be integrated onto a single, or their function may be provided by a general purpose chip, such as a microcontroller.
It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.
Claims (17)
- THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:1. A switching device for a braking system of a trailer, the braking system being powered by a battery, the switching device including: a body that is mountable to a location on the trailer; a circuit housed in the body, the circuit being switchable between an enabling state for enabling electrical current through an electrical path between the battery and the braking system to thereby power the braking system, and a non-enabling state in which electrical current is prevented from flowing though said electrical path; and a separable actuator wherein in the event of a first condition, in which the actuator is separated from the body, the circuit is configured into the enabling state, and wherein in the event of a second condition, in which the actuator is connected with the body, the circuit is configured into the non-enabling state; wherein the circuit generates a first output that is indicative of a test result associated with the braking system, the first output being emitted from the switching device to be perceivable by a person positioned next to the body.
- 2. A switching device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the switching circuit generates a second output that is indicative of a test result associated with the braking system, the switching circuit being configured for transmitting the second output to a device that is remote from the body.
- 3. A switching device in accordance with claim 2, wherein the second output is indicative of the same test result as the first output
- 4. A switching device in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first output includes at least a visually perceivable output.
- 5. A switching system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein first output includes an indication of a voltage supplied to the braking system via said electrical path, when the circuit is in the enabling state.
- 6. A switching device according to any one of claims claim 1 or 5, wherein first output includes a first indication if a voltage supplied to the braking system via said electrical path is greater than a maximum expected battery voltage.
- 7. A switching device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first output includes a second indication if a voltage supplied to the braking system via said electrical path is greater a threshold that is indicative of a minimum acceptable voltage from the battery.
- 8. A switching device according to claim 7, wherein the first output includes a third indication if a voltage supplied to the braking system via said electrical path is less than a threshold that is indicative of a minimum acceptable voltage from the battery.
- 9. A switching device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein in the event of a third condition, in which the circuit is in the enabling state and then at least one further criterion is met, the switching device configures the circuit into the non-enabling state.
- 10. A switching device for a braking system of a trailer, the braking system being powered by a battery, the switching device including: a body that is mountable to a location on the trailer; a circuit that is switchable between an enabling state for enabling electrical current through an electrical path between the battery and the braking system to thereby power the braking system, and a non-enabling state in which electrical current is prevented from flowing though said electrical path; a separable actuator wherein in the event of a first condition, in which the actuator is separated from the body, the circuit is configured into the enabling state, and wherein in the event of a second condition, in which the actuator is connected with the body, the circuit is configured into the non-enabling state; and wherein in the event of a third condition, in which the circuit is in the enabling state and then at least one further criterion is met, the switching device configures the circuit into the non-enabling state.
- 11. The switching device of claim 10, wherein the third condition is met if a determined duration of time in which the circuit is in the enabling state exceeds a threshold duration of time.
- 12. The switching device of claim 11, wherein the threshold duration of time is greater than 15 minutes.
- 13. The switching device of claim 11 or 12, wherein the threshold duration of time is less than 1 hour.
- 14. The switching device of any one of claims 7 to 13, wherein the third condition is met if an amount of energy delivered via said path while the circuit is in the enabling state exceeds a threshold amount of energy over a particular duration of time.
- 15. A switching device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the switching device is mounted on the trailer and the battery is configured to power at least one device other than the braking system.
- 16. A trailer having: an electrically powered braking system; a battery configured to power at least one device other than the braking system; and a switching device including: a body that mounted to a location on the trailer; a circuit that is switchable between an enabling state for enabling electrical current through an electrical path between the battery and the braking system to thereby power the braking system, and a non-enabling state in which electrical current is prevented from flowing though said electrical path; a separable actuator wherein in the event of a first condition, in which the actuator is separated from the body, the circuit is configured into the enabling state, and wherein in the event of a second condition, in which the actuator is connected with the body, the circuit is configured into the non-enabling state, wherein the switching device is a switching device in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 15.
- 17. A method of controlling brakes in a trailer, the trailer having: an electrically powered braking system; a battery configured to power at least one device other than the braking system; and a switching device including: a body that is mounted to a location on the trailer; a circuit that is switchable between an enabling state and a non-enabling state; a separable actuator wherein in the event of a first condition, in which the actuator is separated from the body, the circuit is configured into the enabling state, and wherein in the event of a second condition, in which the actuator is connected with the body, the circuit is configured into the non-enabling state; wherein the method includes electrically connecting the switching device to the battery so that: in the enabling state, the circuit enables electrical current through an electrical path between the battery and the braking system to thereby power the braking system, and in the non-enabling state electrical current is prevented from flowing though said electrical path, wherein the switching device is a switching device in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 15.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2016202786A AU2016202786A1 (en) | 2016-04-29 | 2016-04-29 | Brake activation system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2016202786A AU2016202786A1 (en) | 2016-04-29 | 2016-04-29 | Brake activation system |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| AU2016202786A1 true AU2016202786A1 (en) | 2017-11-16 |
Family
ID=60269540
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2016202786A Abandoned AU2016202786A1 (en) | 2016-04-29 | 2016-04-29 | Brake activation system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU2016202786A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AU2016259461B2 (en) * | 2016-11-20 | 2024-03-14 | Dennis Ronald Gravolin | Trailer Breakaway Battery Low Voltage Warning Device |
-
2016
- 2016-04-29 AU AU2016202786A patent/AU2016202786A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AU2016259461B2 (en) * | 2016-11-20 | 2024-03-14 | Dennis Ronald Gravolin | Trailer Breakaway Battery Low Voltage Warning Device |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MK4 | Application lapsed section 142(2)(d) - no continuation fee paid for the application |