US-20260125008-A1 - COMBINED TRAILER TOW PORT AND BICYCLE PORT ACESSORY POWER

Abstract

Systems, methods, and vehicles are disclosed herein. For example, a vehicle may comprise a first port located at an exterior of the vehicle, wherein the first port is of a first form factor, and a second port located at the exterior of the vehicle, wherein the second port is of a second form factor that is different from the first form factor. A controller may comprise a plurality of output wires, wherein at least one of the plurality of output wires is coupled to the first port and the second port. The controller may be 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 detecting.

Inventors

• Sanjeewa Keven Sugatapala
• Kyle Lobo
• Glenn Morris Feinberg
• Joseph Daniel Himmelheber
• Michael James Hibbard

Assignees

• RIVIAN IP HOLDINGS, LLC

Dates

Publication Date

20260507

Application Date

20251027

Claims (20)

1. 1 . An apparatus comprising: a first port located at an exterior of an vehicle, wherein the first port is of a first form factor; a second port located at the exterior of the vehicle, wherein the second port is of a second form factor that is different from the first form factor; and a controller comprising a plurality of output wires, wherein at least one 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 detecting.
2. 2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to: cause, in response to detecting that the electrical connector is inserted into the first port and based on the selected configuration, electric current to flow to an accessory connected to the first port via the at least one of the plurality of output wires.
3. 3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first port is a 7-pin towing port.
4. 4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first port is a 13-pin towing port.
5. 5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to: cause, in response to detecting that the electrical connector is inserted into the second port and based on the selected configuration, electric current to flow to an accessory connected to the second port via the at least one of the plurality of output wires.
6. 6 . The apparatus 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 portion of the exterior of the vehicle.
8. 8 . The apparatus of claim 7 , further comprising: a third port located at the exterior of the vehicle, wherein the second port is a left-hand side bicycle accessory port, in relation to the rear portion of the exterior of the vehicle, and the third port is a right-hand side bicycle accessory port, in relation to the rear portion of the exterior of the vehicle.
9. 9 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein: the controller comprises a left-side controller and a right-side controller; the left-side controller is configured to cause electric current to flow to a left-hand side of an accessory, in relation to the rear portion of the vehicle, via a first wire of the plurality of output wires; and the right-side controller is configured to cause electric current to flow to a right-hand side of the accessory, in relation to the rear portion 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 cause, in response to detecting that a first electrical connector is inserted into the first port and that a second electrical connector is inserted into the second port, and based on the selected configuration: electric current to flow to an accessory connected to the first port via a first wire of the plurality of output wires; and electric current to flow to an accessory connected to the second port via a second wire of the plurality of output wires.
11. 11 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to: receive an indication of an input that is received via a user interface; and select the configuration further 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 comprising: detecting whether an electrical connector is inserted into a first port of a vehicle or a second port of the vehicle, wherein: the first port is located at an exterior of the vehicle, and the first port is of a first form factor; the second port is located at the exterior of the vehicle, and the second port is of a second form factor that is different from the first form factor; the vehicle comprises a controller, the controller comprising a plurality of output wires; and at least one of the plurality of output wires is coupled to the first port and the second port; and selecting a configuration for controlling the plurality of output wires based on the detecting.
14. 14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising: causing, in response to detecting that the electrical connector is inserted into the first port and based on the selected configuration, electric current to flow to an accessory connected to the first port via the at least one of the plurality of output wires.
15. 15 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the first port is a 7-pin towing port.
16. 16 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the first port is a 13-pin towing port.
17. 17 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising: causing, in response to detecting that the electrical connector is inserted into the second port and based on the selected configuration, electric current to flow to an accessory connected to the second port via the at least one of the plurality of output wires.
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 portion of the exterior of the vehicle.
20. 20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the vehicle further comprises a third port located at the exterior of the vehicle, wherein the second port is a left-hand side bicycle accessory port, in relation to the rear portion of the exterior of the vehicle, and the third port is a right-hand side bicycle accessory port, in relation to the rear portion of the exterior of the vehicle.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/716,902, filed Nov. 6, 2024, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. INTRODUCTION Traditional vehicle designs often face challenges in efficiently integrating multiple power and control systems for towing and rear accessory support, especially when accommodating varying regional standards such as those in the United States (US) and European Union (EU). This results in increased complexity, higher costs, and potential user inconvenience due to the need for separate installations and controls for trailer towing and rear accessory power. Additionally, the lack of a unified system can lead to compatibility issues and reduced functionality, limiting the vehicle's versatility and user experience. SUMMARY As disclosed herein, the present disclosure provides for vehicles, systems, methods, non-transitory computer readable mediums, and apparatuses in which a first port is located at an exterior of the vehicle, wherein the first port is of a first form factor, and in which a second port is located at the exterior of the vehicle, wherein the second port is of a second form factor that is different from the first form factor. A controller may comprise a plurality of output wires, wherein at least one 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 detecting. The controller may be further configured to cause, in response to detecting that the electrical connector is inserted into the first port and based on the selected configuration, electric current to flow to an accessory connected to the first port via the at least one of the plurality of output wires. The first port may be a 7-pin towing port or a 13-pin towing port. The controller may be further configured to cause, in response to detecting that the electrical connector is inserted into the second port and based on the selected configuration, electric current to flow to an accessory connected to the second port via the at least one of the plurality of output wires. 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 portion of the exterior of the vehicle. The apparatus and/or vehicle may further comprise a third port located at the exterior of the vehicle, wherein the second port is a left-hand side bicycle accessory port, in relation to the rear portion of the exterior of the vehicle, and the third port is a right-hand side bicycle accessory port, in relation to the rear portion of the exterior of the vehicle. In the vehicle, the controller may comprise a left-side controller and a right-side controller; the left-side controller may be configured to cause electric current to flow to a left-hand side of the accessory, in relation to the rear portion of the vehicle, via a first wire of the plurality of output wires; and the right-side controller may be configured to cause electric current to flow to a right-hand side of the accessory, in relation to the rear portion of the vehicle, via a second wire of the plurality of output wires. The controller may be further configured to wherein the controller is further configured to cause, in response to detecting that a first electrical connector is inserted into the first port and that a second electrical connector is inserted into the second port, and based on the selected configuration: electric current to flow to an accessory connected to the first port via a first wire of the plurality of output wires; and electric current to flow to an accessory connected to the second port via a second wire of the plurality of output wires. The controller may receive an indication of an input that is received via a user interface, and may select the configuration further based on receiving the indication of the input. In some embodiments, the disclosed techniques enable uniquely combining trailer tow and rear bike port power into a single, integrated system that supports both US and EU standards, reducing complexity and enhancing user convenience. In some embodiments, the disclosed techniques provide seamless control and power management through the controller (e.g., right and left zonal controllers of a zonal controller), ensuring compatibility and optimal functionality for both towing and rear accessories. This integrated solution streamlines power and control for both towing and rear accessories, offering enhanced versatility and user convenience while meeting diverse regional standards. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present disclosure, in accordance with one or more various embodiments, is described in detail with reference to the following fig