YAW CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE-TRAILER COMBINATION

• US 20090045603A1
• Filed: 08/16/2007
• Published: 02/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Global Polymer Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Global Polymer Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Huntimer, Todd M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,905,555 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/455.100
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/30 for sway control , e.g. stabilising or anti-fishtail devices; Sway alarm means
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/305 Sway alarm means

Abstract

A yaw control system capable of detecting a predetermined yaw angle of a towed vehicle and then automatically communicating with a braking system of the towed vehicle includes an actuator and a switch. The actuator and switch operate to detect when a towed vehicle, such as a trailer, has exceeded a predetermined yaw angle. In one embodiment, the yaw control system includes a switch arranged to contact a surface of a plate (i.e., actuator) when the towed vehicle exceeds the predetermined yaw angle. In another embodiment, the yaw control system includes a switch mechanism arranged to contact retractable rods (i.e., actuator) coupled to a hitch assembly when the towed vehicle exceeds the predetermined yaw angle.

Claims

1. A yaw control system for a towing combination that includes a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle, the yaw control system comprising:

a first brake system configured to decelerate the towed vehicle;

an actuator coupled to the towing combination; and

a switch coupled to the towing combination and positioned in a spatial proximity to the actuator, the switch operable to communicate with the first brake system to decelerate the towed vehicle when the actuator activates the switch, wherein the actuator is configured to activate the switch when the towed vehicle exceeds a maximum yaw angle relative to the towing vehicle.

2. The hitch system of claim 1, wherein the switch is a contact switch.

3. The hitch system of claim 1, wherein the switch is a proximity switch.

4. The hitch system of claim 1, wherein the actuator is a plate having a cutout region defined by faces such that contact between one of the faces and the switch activates the switch.

5. The hitch system of claim 1, wherein the actuator is coupled to the towed vehicle and rotates with the towed vehicle to contact the switch when the towed vehicle exceeds the maximum yaw angle.

6. The hitch system of claim 1, wherein the actuator is a retractable rod spaced apart from the switch by a predetermined distance.

7. The yaw control system of claim 6, wherein the predetermined distance between the retractable rod and the switch corresponds to the maximum yaw angle.

8. The yaw control system of claim 6, wherein the retractable rod is a shock absorbing rod mechanically coupled to the towed vehicle.

9. The hitch system of claim 1, further comprising an override switch for manually deactivating the yaw control system.

10. The hitch system of claim 1, wherein the first brake system operates independently from a second brake system configured to decelerate the towing vehicle.

11. A hitch system for a towing combination that includes a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle, the hitch system comprising:

a first hitch assembly coupled to the towing vehicle;

a second hitch assembly coupled to the towed vehicle;

a coupling member for coupling the first hitch assembly to the second hitch assembly such that the towed vehicle is towable by the towing vehicle;

a first brake system configured to decelerate the towed vehicle;

an actuator coupled to and rotatable with the towed vehicle; and

a switch coupled to the towing vehicle and positioned in a spatial proximity to the actuator, the switch operable to communicate with the first brake system to decelerate the towed vehicle when the actuator activates the switch, wherein the actuator is configured to activate the switch when the towed vehicle exceeds a maximum yaw angle relative to the towing vehicle.

12. The hitch system of claim 11, wherein the switch is a contact switch.

13. The hitch system of claim 11, wherein the switch is a proximity switch.

14. The hitch system of claim 11, wherein the actuator is a plate having a cutout region defined by faces such that contact between one of the faces and the switch activates the switch.

15. The hitch system of claim 11, wherein the actuator is a retractable rod spaced apart from the switch by a predetermined distance.

16. A method of controlling a towed vehicle relative to a towing vehicle, the method:

activating a switch with an actuator, the switch mounted to the towing vehicle and the actuator mounted to the towed vehicle, wherein the actuator rotates with the towed vehicle and is positioned to contact a portion of the switch when the towed vehicle exceeds a maximum yaw angle relative to the towing vehicle; and

decelerating the towed vehicle in response to a signal from the switch.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising coupling the towing vehicle to the towed vehicle such that the towed vehicle is towable by the towing vehicle.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein decelerating the towed vehicle includes providing deceleration instructions to a towed vehicle brake system via a microprocessor.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein activating the switch with the actuator includes contacting a portion of the switch with a surface of the actuator.

20. A kit for a yaw control system kit couplable to a ball hitch system, which includes a first hitch assembly coupled to a towing vehicle and a second hitch assembly coupled to a towed vehicle, the kit comprising:

a first brake system configured to decelerate the towed vehicle;

an actuator mountable to rotate with the towed vehicle; and

a switch mountable to the towing vehicle and positionable from the actuator in a spaced apart relationship by a first gap, the switch operable to communicate with the first brake system to decelerate the towed vehicle when the actuator activates the switch, wherein a rotation of the towed vehicle by an amount greater than a maximum yaw angle relative to the towing vehicle causes the actuator to close the first gap and thereby engageably activate the switch.

21. The kit of claim 20, wherein the first hitch assembly of the towing vehicle includes a hitch ball.

22. The kit of claim 20, wherein the actuator is a plate having a cutout region defined by faces, wherein activation of the switch occurs when one of the faces makes contact with the switch.

23. The kit of claim 20, wherein the actuator includes a retractable rod positionable from the switch by the first gap.

24. The kit of claim 20, wherein the first gap is calibrated to the maximum yaw angle.