Intelligent brake controller for use with towed trailer braking systems
First Claim
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1. A brake controller system comprising:
- brakes located on a towed vehicle;
a brake activator for applying force to said brakes;
a brake control unit in communication with said brake activator, said brake control unit having a CPU;
a battery in electrical communication with said brake control unit for supplying power to said brake control unit;
voltage regulation circuitry in electrical communication with said brake control unit;
said CPU in electrical communication with a bus that is in communication with at least said brake activator; and
a voltage booster in electrical communication with said battery and with said brake activator.
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Abstract
A brake controller system for a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle. The system has a brake control unit that controls a brake activator. The brake control unit takes various data readings, which may include temperature of the brake activator and brake fluid pressure. The system then calculates an appropriate amount of brake force and determines whether to supply additional voltage with a voltage booster.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A brake controller system comprising:
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brakes located on a towed vehicle;
a brake activator for applying force to said brakes;
a brake control unit in communication with said brake activator, said brake control unit having a CPU;
a battery in electrical communication with said brake control unit for supplying power to said brake control unit;
voltage regulation circuitry in electrical communication with said brake control unit;
said CPU in electrical communication with a bus that is in communication with at least said brake activator; and
a voltage booster in electrical communication with said battery and with said brake activator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for operating a brake controller system comprising the steps of:
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signaling a voltage booster to supply additional voltage above a towing vehicle standard voltage; and
actuating the towed vehicle brakes.
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15. The method for operating a brake controller system comprising the steps of:
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sensing brake fluid pressure within a towing vehicle brake system with a pressure sensor;
sensing current in an electric brake system;
calculating with a brake controller unit the appropriate amount of brake force to be applied by said brake activator;
determining whether a voltage booster is required to supply additional voltage to said towing vehicle brake system;
applying an appropriate amount of brake force with an appropriate amount of voltage as directed by said brake controller unit. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification