TRAILER BRAKING SYSTEM AND CONTROLLER
First Claim
1. A trailer brake controller configured to be located within a trailer comprising:
- a. an accelerometer-gyroscopic sensor for detecting an absolute acceleration of the trailer;
b. a trailer control device; and
c. a trailer braking system activation circuit,wherein the accelerometer-gyroscopic sensor sends a signal to the trailer control device based upon the absolute acceleration of the trailer and the trailer control device operates the trailer brake activation circuit based upon the signal received from the accelerometer-gyroscopic sensor.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A trailer brake controller and system detects absolute deceleration of a trailer by incorporating an electronic gyroscope/accelerometer combination in order to accurately calculate the deceleration subtracting out the component which is due to the force of gravity. The controller and system also receives and reads information from the towing vehicle'"'"'s speed sensor. The system detects the deceleration of the trailer and sends a signal to a trailer brake activation circuit based upon an acceleration status of the trailer. In some embodiments, the system detects that the trailer is decelerating and the trailer control device sends a signal to the trailer braking system activation circuit to activate the trailer brakes. Particularly, the system is able to detect that the trailer is decelerating at an unsafe rate and to activate the trailer brakes and slow the trailer to a safe speed.
40 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A trailer brake controller configured to be located within a trailer comprising:
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a. an accelerometer-gyroscopic sensor for detecting an absolute acceleration of the trailer; b. a trailer control device; and c. a trailer braking system activation circuit, wherein the accelerometer-gyroscopic sensor sends a signal to the trailer control device based upon the absolute acceleration of the trailer and the trailer control device operates the trailer brake activation circuit based upon the signal received from the accelerometer-gyroscopic sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A trailer braking system comprising:
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a. a towing vehicle speed sensor; b. a trailer control device; and c. a trailer braking system activation circuit, wherein the trailer system control device receives a signal from the towing vehicle speed sensor and sends a signal to the trailer braking system activation circuit based upon the signal from the towing vehicle speed sensor. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for controlling a trailer that is being pulled by a towing vehicle comprising:
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a. sensing a deceleration value of the trailer; and b. activating the trailer braking system if the deceleration value is greater than a threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. A method for controlling a trailer that is being pulled by a towing vehicle comprising:
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a. sensing a slowing of a towing vehicle; b. sensing a slowing of a trailer; and based upon the speed of the towing vehicle and the speed of the trailer activating a trailer braking system. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification