Brake control unit
DCFirst Claim
1. A method for controlling braking of a towed vehicle, the method comprising:
- receiving a first signal at a brake controller via a towing vehicle communication bus, the first signal relating to at least one operating condition of the towing vehicle; and
sending a second signal from the brake controller to brakes of the towed vehicle, the second signal based on the first signal; and
wherein the towing vehicle communication bus is configured to communicate electronic signals and the towing vehicle communication bus interconnects a plurality of components on the towing vehicle and is externally connected to the brake controller.
8 Assignments
Litigations
1 Petition
Accused Products
Abstract
Towed vehicles can be extremely heavy. Accordingly, it is too much of a burden to the braking system of a towing vehicle to not have brakes on the towed vehicle. Controlling the brakes of the towed vehicle must be accurately applied otherwise undesirable conditions can be created. There is a need for a method for controlling braking of a towed vehicle. This method comprises receiving a first signal via a communication bus of a towing vehicle, the first signal relating to at least one operating condition of at least one the towing vehicle and a towed vehicle, sending a second signal to brakes of the towed vehicle, the second signal based on said first signal.
274 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method for controlling braking of a towed vehicle, the method comprising:
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receiving a first signal at a brake controller via a towing vehicle communication bus, the first signal relating to at least one operating condition of the towing vehicle; and sending a second signal from the brake controller to brakes of the towed vehicle, the second signal based on the first signal; and wherein the towing vehicle communication bus is configured to communicate electronic signals and the towing vehicle communication bus interconnects a plurality of components on the towing vehicle and is externally connected to the brake controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for controlling braking of a towed vehicle, the method comprising:
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receiving a first signal at a brake controller via a towing vehicle communication bus, the first signal relating to at least one operating condition of the towing vehicle; and sending a second signal from the brake controller to brakes of the towed vehicle, the second signal based on the first signal; wherein the towing vehicle communication bus is configured to communicate electronic signals and the towing vehicle communication bus interconnects a plurality of components on the towing vehicle and is externally connected to the brake controller; and sending a third signal to the towing vehicle via the towing vehicle communication bus, the third signal based on at least one of the first signal and the second signal.
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24. A method for controlling braking of a towed vehicle, the method comprising:
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receiving a first signal at a brake controller via a towing vehicle communication bus, the first signal relating to at least one operating condition of the towing vehicle; and sending a second signal from the brake controller to brakes of the towed vehicle, the second signal based on the first signal; wherein the towing vehicle communication bus is configured to communicate electronic signals and the towing vehicle communication bus interconnects a plurality of components on the towing vehicle and is externally connected to the brake controller; and wherein the at least one operating condition comprises a plurality of speed of the towing vehicle, speed of the towed vehicle, the towing vehicle'"'"'s anti-lock brakes, vehicle identification number of the towing vehicle, condition of an ignition of the towing vehicle, selected gear of a transmission of the towing vehicle, and powertrain load of the towing vehicle.
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25. A method for controlling braking of a towed vehicle, the method comprising:
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receiving a first signal at a brake controller via a towing vehicle HSCAN communication bus, the first signal relating to at least one operating condition of the towing vehicle; and sending a second signal from the brake controller to brakes of the towed vehicle, the second signal based on the first signal; and wherein the towing vehicle HSCAN communication bus is configured to communicate electronic signals and the towing vehicle HSCAN communication bus interconnects a plurality of components on the towing vehicle and is externally connected to the brake controller.
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26. A method for controlling braking of a towed vehicle, the method comprising:
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receiving a first signal at a brake controller via a towing vehicle CAN communication bus, the first signal relating to at least one operating condition of the towing vehicle; and sending a second signal from the brake controller to brakes of the towed vehicle, the second signal based on the first signal; and wherein the towing vehicle CAN communication bus is configured to communicate electronic signals and the towing vehicle CAN communication bus interconnects a plurality of components on the towing vehicle and is externally connected to the brake controller.
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Specification