Combination vehicle yaw stabilizer

• US 3,972,543 A
• Filed: 12/06/1974
• Issued: 08/03/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Bendix Corporation (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: The Bendix Corporation (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Lorraine, Jack Richardson, Presley, Rex Wallace, Datwyler, Walter Frederick Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wood, Jr., M. H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pekar, John A.
• Application Number:
  US05/530,331
• Time in Patent Office: 606 Days
• Field of Search: 280/446 B, 180/103, 188/3 R, 188/112, 303/20, 303/7, 200/61.52
• US Class Current: 280/455.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/242 for supporting braking actions, e.g. braking means integrated with hitches; Braking sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/30 for sway control , e.g. stabilising or anti-fishtail devices; Sway alarm means
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2230/06 Tractor-trailer swaying
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/1708 for lorries or tractor-trailer combinations
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/248 Trailer sway, e.g. for preventing jackknifing

Abstract

Apparatus for automatically eliminating a sway condition of a trailer towed by a tow vehicle. A hitch connects the trailer to the tow vehicle and has a sensor for providing signals corresponding to the hitch lateral force for operating the trailer brakes.

Claims

1. Apparatus for automatically eliminating a sway condition in a trailer vehicle towed by a tow vehicle and having brakes for retarding its rate of movement and having brake operating means with manual means for providing signals to the brake operating means for operating the brakes of the trailer vehicle, comprising a hitch connecting the trailer vehicle to the tow vehicle, sensing means on the hitch for providing signals corresponding to hitch lateral forces, and means connected to the sensing means and to the manual means for combining the hitch lateral force signals with the manual signals to increase the braking force on at least one wheel of the trailer vehicle for automatically eliminating a sway condition.

2. Apparatus for automatically eliminating a sway condition in a trailer vehicle as described in claim 1 in which the brake operating means increases the braking force on the wheel at the side of the trailer opposite to the direction of the hitch lateral force.

3. Apparatus for automatically eliminating a sway condition in a trailer vehicle towed by a tow vehicle and having brakes for retarding its rate of movement and having brake operating means for operating the brakes of the trailer vehicle, comprising a hitch including a ball member and a socket member connecting the trailer vehicle to the tow vehicle, sensing means on the hitch for providing signals corresponding to hitch lateral forces including a crank connected to one of the members, a torque arm secured to the crank, and a signal device operated by the torque arm and connected to the brake operating means, the crank being arranged to transmit hitch lateral forces to the torque arm for operating the signal device to provide signals to the brake operating means for operating the tow vehicle brakes to automatically eliminate a sway condition.