METHODS AND SYSTEMS TO CONTROL BRAKING OF A TRAILER HITCHED TO A VEHICLE
First Claim
1. A method for controlling braking of a trailer hitched to a vehicle with a braking control system during a braking event, the method comprising the steps of:
- determining a vehicle speed;
measuring an amount of braking intent applied to the braking control system;
determining a first level of braking output for the trailer corresponding to a function of the amount of braking intent;
providing the first level of braking output to the trailer if the vehicle speed is greater than a first predetermined threshold; and
providing a second level of braking output to the trailer, the second level being less than the first level, if both of the following conditions are satisfied;
the vehicle speed is less than the first predetermined threshold; and
the amount of braking intent has not exceeded a second predetermined threshold during the braking event.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for controlling braking of a trailer hitched to a vehicle with a braking control system during a braking event includes the steps of determining vehicle speed, measuring an amount of braking intent applied to the braking control system, determining a first level of braking output, providing the first level of braking output to the trailer if the vehicle speed is greater than a first predetermined threshold, and providing a second level of braking output to the trailer if the vehicle speed is less than the first predetermined threshold and the amount of braking intent has not exceeded a second predetermined threshold during the braking event. The first level of braking output corresponds to a function of the amount of braking intent. The second level of braking output is less than the first level of braking output.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for controlling braking of a trailer hitched to a vehicle with a braking control system during a braking event, the method comprising the steps of:
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determining a vehicle speed; measuring an amount of braking intent applied to the braking control system; determining a first level of braking output for the trailer corresponding to a function of the amount of braking intent; providing the first level of braking output to the trailer if the vehicle speed is greater than a first predetermined threshold; and providing a second level of braking output to the trailer, the second level being less than the first level, if both of the following conditions are satisfied; the vehicle speed is less than the first predetermined threshold; and the amount of braking intent has not exceeded a second predetermined threshold during the braking event. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A program product for controlling braking of a trailer hitched to a vehicle with a braking control system during a braking event, the program product comprising:
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a program configured to at least facilitate; determining a vehicle speed; measuring an amount of braking intent applied to the braking control system; determining a first level of braking output for the trailer corresponding to a function of the amount of braking intent; providing the first level of braking output to the trailer if the vehicle speed is greater than a first predetermined threshold; and providing a second level of braking output to the trailer, the second level being less than the first level, if both of the following conditions are satisfied; the vehicle speed is less than the first predetermined threshold; and the amount of braking intent has not exceeded a second predetermined threshold during the braking event; and a computer-readable signal-bearing media bearing the program. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for controlling braking of a trailer hitched to a vehicle with a braking control system during a braking event, the trailer including a plurality of trailer brake units, and the system comprising:
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a first sensing device configured to at least facilitate determining a vehicle speed; a second sensing device configured to at least facilitate measuring an amount of braking intent applied to the braking control system; and a brake controller coupled to the first sensing device and the second sensing device, the brake controller electronically coupled to the plurality of trailer brake units and configured to at least facilitate; determining a first level of braking for the plurality of trailer brake units corresponding to a function of the amount of braking intent; causing the plurality of trailer brake units to apply the first level of braking if the vehicle speed is greater than a first predetermined threshold; and causing the plurality of trailer brake units to apply a second level of braking, the second level being less than the first level, if both of the following conditions are satisfied; the vehicle speed is less than the first predetermined threshold; and the amount of braking intent has not exceeded a second predetermined threshold during the braking event. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification