Abstract: An electrical trailer plug device for connecting a trailer electrical system to a tow vehicle electrical system. The trailer plug device includes a first electrical connector configured to connect an electrical current path of the vehicle electrical system to an electrical current path of the trailer electrical system to complete an electrical circuit supplying electricity from the vehicle electrical system to one or more trailer lamps supported on the trailer. The device also includes a current protection device configured to limit current in the circuit when current flow in the circuit exceeds a predetermined value. A first sensor light is connected in the circuit with a combination of circuit elements configured to illuminate the first sensor light when current is flowing in the circuit but has not exceeded the predetermined.

Abstract: An external electrical connector for connecting one or more components of a snowplow blade unit. The electrical connector includes two housing components that are securable together. Each housing component includes an interface end and a coupling end. The coupling ends of the two housing components are designed to be connect together to form an electrical connection. At least one of the interface ends includes at least one electrical connection interface that is designed to form an electrical connection with at least one external snowplow blade component. One of the housings components is secured to a component of said snowplow blade unit. Protection caps and housing holders are used to protect the parts of the housings when the housings are disconnected from one another.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for influencing a lighting installation, and more particularly, includes a lighting installation of a motor vehicle, depending on ambient light. The device comprises a switching device to turn the lighting installation on and off. At least one optical sensor is provided to detect the wavelength of the ambient light. An evaluation device sends a control signal to the switching device when the wavelengths of the ambient light detected by the sensor are essentially those contained in the daylight. Since the filter and the sensor are jointly formed by at least one light emitting diode which operates as a light-sensitive element, the passing lights can be automatically turned on in a simple and favorable manner.

Abstract: A device for compensation of voltage drop at light sources of a vehicle has light sources having a resistance R0 and connected to a vehicle battery. An auxiliary charging device with electric motor is provided. The electric motor has an on/off switch and is connected to the vehicle battery. The electric motor is connected parallel to the light sources. A resistor is serially connected upstream of the light sources and is selected, based on the resistance R0, such that a nominal current I flowing through the light sources causes a voltage drop &Dgr;E=I×R in the resistor that matches a voltage drop occurring when the electric motor is switched on. A first switch is connected parallel to the resistor for short-circuiting the resistor when the electric motor is switched on by the on/off switch.

Abstract: The present invention provides motor vehicle safety enhancement devices which, once activated, are not prematurely deactivated. In an embodiment, an electrically controllable safety device for use by an occupant of a motor vehicle includes a safety enhancer and a controller. The controller and the safety enhancer are electrically coupled to the vehicle's electrical ignition system, so that the controller may only activate the safety enhancer while the motor is on and, once activated, the safety enhancer may only be deactivated by turning the motor off. A stimulator to rouse a sleepy driver of a vehicle is provided including a signal generator capable of rousing the driver and a controller to activate the signal generator. The controller may include a momentary switch, a relay, and a diode.

Abstract: A dual operational and stop light control for adapting combined stop and turn signal lights on a trailer to independent stop signal and turn signal lights on a towing vehicle. The adaptor has a pair of switching circuits, each including a PNP transistor connected in series with an NPN transistor to chassis ground and each transistor connected to both stop and turn signal circuits of the towing vehicle and also to an NPN output transistor which is connected to an independent voltage source to drive the trailer signal lights independent of the voltage at the towing vehicle signal lights.

Abstract: A control device for signal lights has a fully electronic flasher unit for intermittently activating the signal lights of the motor vehicle. A relay that is present in the vehicle in any case for other purposes and is likewise activated intermittently by the flasher unit is used to acoustically indicate to the driver when the signal lights are switched on. The fully electronic flasher unit is highly reliable. The relay provides the familiar acoustic feedback.

Abstract: A device for operating a gas discharge lamp (13), with the device including an energy supply circuit which provides an alternating-current voltage (UL) or an alternating current (IL) having a predetermined period (TN) during operation at normal rating in order to feed the gas discharge lamp (13) with a predetermined electrical power. When the average lamp power is reduced with respect to operation at normal rating, an extension of the period (TR11+TR12, TR21+TR22) is provided. The amount of the extension of the period (TR11+TR12, TR22+TR22) is a function of the amount of the reduction in power. The device of the invention for operating the gas discharge lamp (13) extensively prevents an extinguishing of the light arc located in the gas discharge lamp (13) during the pole-reversal process, and therefore assures re-ignition following the pole-reversal process, even during operation with reduced power.

Abstract: A device for operating a gas discharge lamp (13) is proposed, having a power supply circuit which makes available an alternating voltage (UL) or an alternating current (IL) of a predetermined period duration (TP) for the supply of the gas discharge lamp (13) with predetermined electrical power. During an intended reduction of the mean lamp rating compared to the operation at normal rating, an increase of the instantaneous power is provided within a half period duration (TP/2) prior to the pole change of the alternating voltage (UL) or alternating current (IL). Preferably, the duration of the increase of the instantaneous power is a function of the period duration (TP). The device according to the invention for operating the gas discharge lamp (13) largely prevents the arc comprised in the gas discharge lamp (13) from going out during the pole-changing process and therefore ensures reignition following the pole-changing process.