CN-122000718-A - Combined trailer traction port and bicycle port accessory power

Abstract

Systems, methods, and vehicles are disclosed herein. For example, the vehicle may include a first port located on an exterior of the vehicle, wherein the first port has a first form factor, and a second port located on the exterior of the vehicle, wherein the second port has a second form factor different from the first form factor. The controller may include a plurality of output conductors, wherein at least one of the plurality of output conductors is coupled to the first port and the second port. The controller may be configured to detect whether the electrical connector is inserted into the first port or the second port and select a configuration for controlling the plurality of output conductors based on the detection.

Inventors

• S. K. Sugatapara
• K. Lobo
• G. M. Feinberg
• J. D. Simmel Heber
• M. J. Shibad

Assignees

• 瑞维安知识产权控股有限责任公司

Dates

Publication Date

20260508

Application Date

20251105

Priority Date

20251027

Claims (20)

1. 1. An apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a first port located outside of a vehicle, wherein the first port has a first form factor; a second port located on the exterior of the vehicle, wherein the second port has a second form factor different from the first form factor, and A controller comprising a plurality of output wires, wherein at least one output wire of the plurality of output wires is coupled to the first port and the second port, and wherein the controller is configured to: Detecting whether an electrical connector is inserted into the first port or the second port, and A configuration for controlling the plurality of output wires is selected based on the detecting.
2. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to: In response to detecting insertion of the electrical connector into the first port and based on the selected configuration, current is caused to flow to an accessory connected to the first port via the at least one of the plurality of output conductors.
3. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first port is a 7-pin pull port.
4. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first port is a 13-pin pull port.
5. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to: In response to detecting insertion of the electrical connector into the second port and based on the selected configuration, current is caused to flow to an accessory connected to the second port via the at least one of the plurality of output conductors.
6. 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the second port is a bicycle accessory port.
7. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first port and the second port are located on a rear of the exterior of the vehicle.
8. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, the apparatus further comprising: A third port located on the exterior of the vehicle, wherein the second port is a left-hand side bicycle accessory port relative to the rear of the exterior of the vehicle and the third port is a right-hand side bicycle accessory port relative to the rear of the exterior of the vehicle.
9. 9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein: the controller comprises a left controller and a right controller; The left side controller is configured to cause current to flow to a left hand side of an accessory relative to the rear of the vehicle via a first wire of the plurality of output wires, and The right side controller is configured to cause current to flow to a right hand side of the accessory relative to the rear of the vehicle via a second wire of the plurality of output wires.
10. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to, in response to detecting that a first electrical connector is inserted into the first port and a second electrical connector is inserted into the second port, and based on the selected configuration, cause: current flows through a first one of the plurality of output conductors to an accessory connected to the first port, and The current flows via a second conductor of the plurality of output conductors to an accessory connected to the second port.
11. 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to: Receiving an indication of an input received via a user interface, and The configuration is further selected based on receiving the indication of the input.
12. 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second port is a cargo box.
13. 13. A method, the method comprising: detecting whether an electrical connector is plugged into a first port of a vehicle or into a second port of the vehicle, wherein: the first port is located outside of the vehicle and the first port has a first form factor; the second port is located on the exterior of the vehicle and has a second form factor different from the first form factor; the vehicle includes a controller including a plurality of output wires, and At least one output wire of the plurality of output wires is coupled to the first port and the second port, and A configuration for controlling the plurality of output wires is selected based on the detecting.
14. 14. The method of claim 13, the method further comprising: In response to detecting insertion of the electrical connector into the first port and based on the selected configuration, current is caused to flow to an accessory connected to the first port via the at least one of the plurality of output conductors.
15. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the first port is a 7-pin pull port.
16. 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the first port is a 13-pin pull port.
17. 17. The method of claim 13, the method further comprising: In response to detecting insertion of the electrical connector into the second port and based on the selected configuration, current is caused to flow to an accessory connected to the second port via the at least one of the plurality of output conductors.
18. 18. The method of claim 13, wherein the second port is a bicycle accessory port.
19. 19. The method of claim 13, wherein the first port and the second port are located on a rear of the exterior of the vehicle.
20. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the vehicle further comprises a third port located on the exterior of the vehicle, wherein the second port is a left-hand side bicycle accessory port relative to the rear of the exterior of the vehicle, and the third port is a right-hand side bicycle accessory port relative to the rear of the exterior of the vehicle.

Description

Combined trailer traction port and bicycle port accessory power Cross Reference to Related Applications The present disclosure claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 63/716,902, filed on month 11 and 6 of 2024, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Introduction to the invention Conventional vehicle designs are often challenged to effectively integrate multiple power and control systems for traction and rear accessory support, especially when accommodating different regional standards such as those in the United States (US) and the European Union (EU). This results in increased complexity, higher cost and potential user inconvenience due to the need for separate installation and control for trailer traction and rear accessory power. Additionally, lack of a unified system may lead to compatibility issues and reduced functionality, thereby limiting the versatility and user experience of the vehicle. Disclosure of Invention As disclosed herein, the present disclosure provides vehicles, systems, methods, non-transitory computer-readable media, and devices, wherein a first port is located outside of the vehicle, wherein the first port has a first form factor, and wherein a second port is located outside of the vehicle, wherein the second port has a second form factor that is different from the first form factor. The controller may include a plurality of output wires, wherein at least one output wire of the plurality of output wires is coupled to the first port and the second port, and wherein the controller is configured to detect whether an electrical connector is inserted into the first port or the second port, and select a configuration for controlling the plurality of output wires based on the detection. The controller may also be configured to cause current to flow via the at least one of the plurality of output conductors to an accessory connected to the first port in response to detecting insertion of the electrical connector into the first port and based on the selected configuration. The first port may be a 7-pin pull port or a 13-pin pull port. The controller may also be configured to cause current to flow via the at least one of the plurality of output conductors to an accessory connected to the second port in response to detecting insertion of the electrical connector into the second port and based on the selected configuration. The second port may be a bicycle accessory port or a cargo box. The first port and the second port may be located on a rear of the exterior of the vehicle. The apparatus and/or vehicle may further include a third port located on the exterior of the vehicle, wherein the second port is a left-hand side bicycle accessory port relative to the rear of the exterior of the vehicle and the third port is a right-hand side bicycle accessory port relative to the rear of the exterior of the vehicle. In the vehicle, the controller may include a left side controller and a right side controller, the left side controller may be configured to cause current to flow to a left hand side of the accessory relative to the rear of the vehicle via a first wire of the plurality of output wires, and the right side controller may be configured to cause current to flow to a right hand side of the accessory relative to the rear of the vehicle via a second wire of the plurality of output wires. The controller may be further configured wherein the controller is further configured to cause current to flow to an accessory connected to the first port via a first wire of the plurality of output wires and current to flow to an accessory connected to the second port via a second wire of the plurality of output wires in response to detecting that a first electrical connector is inserted into the first port and a second electrical connector is inserted into the second port, and based on the selected configuration. The controller may receive an indication of an input received via the user interface, and may select the configuration further based on receiving the indication of the input. In some embodiments, the disclosed technology enables the unique combination of trailer towing and rear bicycle port power into a single integrated system supporting both US and EU standards, thereby reducing complexity and enhancing user convenience. In some embodiments, the disclosed techniques provide seamless control and power management through controllers (e.g., right and left zone controllers of a zone controller), thereby ensuring compatibility and optimal functionality of both traction accessories and rear accessories. The integrated solution simplifies the power and control of traction and rear accessories, providing enhanced versatility and user convenience while meeting different regional standards. Drawings The present disclosure in accordance with one or more various embodiments is described in detail with reference to the following figures. The drawings are provided