TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM HAVING TRAILER GAIN OPTIMIZATION
First Claim
1. A method for optimizing trailer braking gain for a trailer that is towed behind a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
- receiving an operator selected trailer gain,during a braking event, receiving braking data from at least one sensor,based on the received data and the selected trailer gain, providing an output trailer gain,during the braking event, monitoring pressure in a master cylinder of a vehicle and an actual deceleration of the vehicle, anddetermining if the actual deceleration is sufficient for the monitored master cylinder pressure and if not sufficient, automatically adjusting the output trailer gain to provide an optimized trailer gain to brakes of the trailer until the actual deceleration of the vehicle matches an expected deceleration at the monitored pressure value.
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Abstract
A method optimizes trailer braking gain for a trailer that is towed behind a vehicle. The method receives an operator selected trailer gain. During a braking event, braking data from at least one sensor is received. Based on the received data and the selected trailer gain, an output trailer gain is provided. During the braking event, pressure in a master cylinder of a vehicle and an actual deceleration of the vehicle is monitored. The method determines if the actual deceleration is sufficient for the monitored master cylinder pressure and if not sufficient, the output trailer gain is automatically adjusted to provide an optimized trailer gain to brakes of the trailer until the actual deceleration of the vehicle matches an expected deceleration at the monitored pressure value.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for optimizing trailer braking gain for a trailer that is towed behind a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
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receiving an operator selected trailer gain, during a braking event, receiving braking data from at least one sensor, based on the received data and the selected trailer gain, providing an output trailer gain, during the braking event, monitoring pressure in a master cylinder of a vehicle and an actual deceleration of the vehicle, and determining if the actual deceleration is sufficient for the monitored master cylinder pressure and if not sufficient, automatically adjusting the output trailer gain to provide an optimized trailer gain to brakes of the trailer until the actual deceleration of the vehicle matches an expected deceleration at the monitored pressure value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A trailer brake system for optimizing trailer braking gain for a trailer that is towed behind a vehicle, the system comprising:
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a gain selection device for inputting an operator selected trailer gain, a trailer brake controller device constructed and arranged to receive data regarding a braking event and to receive the selected trailer gain and to provide an output trailer gain, a sensor for monitoring pressure in a master cylinder of the vehicle, an acceleration sensor for determining an actual deceleration of the vehicle, and a trailer gain optimizer device constructed and arranged to receive data from the sensors and to determine if the actual deceleration is sufficient for the monitored master cylinder pressure and if not sufficient, to automatically adjust the output trailer gain to provide an optimized trailer gain to brakes of the trailer until the actual deceleration of the vehicle matches an expected deceleration at the monitored pressure value. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A trailer brake system for optimizing trailer braking gain for a trailer that is towed behind a vehicle, the system comprising:
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means for inputting an operator selected trailer gain, means for receiving data regarding a braking event and for receiving the selected trailer gain and to provide an output trailer gain, means for monitoring pressure in a master cylinder of the vehicle, means for obtaining an actual deceleration of the vehicle, and means for determining if the actual deceleration is sufficient for the monitored master cylinder pressure and if not sufficient, for automatically adjusting the output trailer gain to provide an optimized trailer gain to brakes of the trailer until the actual deceleration of the vehicle matches an expected deceleration at the monitored pressure value. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification