TRAILER TOW CONNECTOR WITH LIGHT AND MAGNETIC GUIDE
A trailer tow connector for a vehicle used in towing a trailer includes a housing that includes a body that has a cavity with electrical terminals that are configured to be in communication with a vehicle's electrical system. A cover is supported on the body and movable between a closed position in which the cavity is enclosed by the cover and an open position in which the cavity is accessible. A light is arranged in the housing and configured to illuminate the electrical terminals with the cover in the open position.
1 . A trailer tow connector for a vehicle used in towing a trailer, comprising:
a housing including a body having a cavity with electrical terminals configured to be in communication with a vehicle's electrical system, a cover supported on the body and movable between a closed position in which the cavity is enclosed by the cover and an open position in which the cavity is accessible; and
a light arranged in the housing and configured to illuminate the electrical terminals with the cover in the open position.
2 . The trailer tow connector of claim 1 , wherein the light is configured to illuminate the electrical terminals only with the cover in the open position.
3 . The trailer tow connector of claim 2 , comprising a switch provided in an electrical circuit with the light, the switch actuated in response to the cover moving between the open position and the closed position.
4 . The trailer tow connector of claim 3 , wherein the light is provided on the body.
5 . The trailer tow connector of claim 4 , wherein the light is provided within the cavity.
6 . The trailer tow connector of claim 5 , wherein the light is an LED.
7 . The trailer tow connector of claim 6 , wherein the LED is configured to change state in response to a diagnostic test.
8 . The trailer tow connector of claim 7 , wherein the light includes first and second states, the first state corresponds to a first color illuminating the electrical terminals, and the second state corresponds to a second color indicating a test result relating to a connection between a trailer connector and the electrical connector, the first color providing greater illumination than the second color.
9 . The trailer tow connector of claim 7 , comprising a controller configured to run a test between the electrical terminals and a trailer connector.
10 . The trailer tow connector of claim 9 , wherein the controller is provided in the housing.
11 . The trailer tow connector of claim 9 , wherein the test performs one of a voltage, current, or resistance test on the electrical terminals of the trailer tow connector when connected to the trailer connector.
12 . The trailer tow connector of claim 1 , comprising a magnetic guide configured to magnetically couple to a feature on the trailer connector.
13 . The trailer tow connector of claim 12 , wherein the magnetic guide is provided on an interlocking feature of the trailer connector configured to cooperate with a complimentary feature of a trailer connector.
14 . The trailer tow connector of claim 13 , wherein the feature is a notch.
15 . The trailer tow connector of claim 13 , wherein the feature is a ground terminal of the electrical terminals.
16 . The trailer tow connector of claim 1 , wherein the electrical terminals are provided by seven terminals or four terminals.
17 . A method of illuminating a trailer tow connector comprising:
opening a cover with respect to a body; and
illuminating electrical terminals within the body.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the illuminating step is performed when opening a cover pivotally attached to the body.
19 . The method of claim 17 , comprising changing a state of illumination based upon a test result when connecting a trailer connector to the electrical terminals.
20 . The method of claim 19 , comprising changing colors of an LED.