Systems and methods for controlling trailer brakes as a function of trailer wheel rotation

• US 4,232,910 A
• Filed: 04/12/1976
• Issued: 11/11/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Motor Wheel Corporation (Iochpe-Maxion SA)
• Original Assignee: Motor Wheel Corporation (Iochpe-Maxion SA)
• Inventors: Snyder, Robert C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kunin, Stephen G.
• Application Number:
  US05/676,010
• Time in Patent Office: 1,674 Days
• Field of Search: 180/82 R, 180/82 B, 180/103-105, 180/275, 180/282, 180/179, 188/181 C, 188/3 R, 188/112 A, 244/111, 303/7, 303/20, 303/93, 303/96, 317/5, 324/161, 340/53, 340/62, 361/238, 361/242
• US Class Current: 303/123
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2230/06 Tractor-trailer swaying
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/1708 for lorries or tractor-trailer combinations

Abstract

Brake control systems and methods particularly suited for small trailers and the like wherein the angular velocity of each wheel in a selected pair of wheels is sensed and compared against each other to develop a control signal representing the differential in angular velocity between the respective paired wheels. In a skid control embodiment, while the brakes are being applied by the operator, the system automatically releases the brakes at both wheels in proportion to a velocity differential between the wheels indicating an impending skid. In the case of a trailer equipped with a sway control embodiment, the system automatically applies the brakes at both wheels in proportion to the wheel velocity differential representing excessive trailer sway. The respective skid control and sway control embodiments are useful alone or in a combined system. In a further modification, deceleration of the tractor-trailer unit when the tractor brakes are applied causes automatic trailer brake application proportional to trailer deceleration.

Claims

1. In a brake control system for use in an articulated system including a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle such as a trailer or the like of the type having first and second nondriven wheel units disposed at respective opposite sides of said towed vehicle, each wheel unit having at least one wheel therein, first and second brake means operatively associated with at least one wheel in each wheel unit, respectively, and brake activating means adapted to apply said first and said second brake means, the combination comprising first wheel sensing means responsive to rotation of at least a first wheel in at least a first of said wheel units for generating a first electrical signal which varies as a function of rotation of said first wheel, means responsive to said first signal when said towed vehicle is in a sway condition to provide a brake correction signal and brake regulating means operatively coupled to said brake activating means and responsive to said brake correction signal to apply said first brake means at one wheel in said first brake unit and simultaneously apply said second brake means at one wheel in said second unit to thereby increase the drag on said towed vehicle and correct said swaying condition.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said wheel units are spaced at substantially the same longitudinal distance from a hitch connection.

3. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said pair of wheel units are carried at respective opposite ends of a single trailer axle.

4. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said pair of wheel units are carried at respective opposite ends of a pair of tandem axles.

5. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said regulating means is responsive to said brake correction signal to simultaneously apply said first and said second brake means proportionally to said brake correction signal.

6. The combination set forth in claim 5 wherein said regulating means comprises amplifier means and said amplifier means is arranged and constructed to increase brake application at said first and said second brake means in linear proportion to increases in said brake correction signal.

7. The combination set forth in claim 1 further comprising second wheel sensing means responsive to rotation of a first wheel in the other of said wheel units for generating a second electrical signal which varies as a function of rotation of said first wheel in said other wheel unit and wherein said means for providing said brake correction signal comprises means for comparing said first and second wheel signals to each other to provide a differential signal representing a difference therebetween, said differential signal being said brake correction signal, and wherein said regulating means is responsive to said differential signal to apply both said first and second brake means.

8. The combination set forth in claim 7 wherein said first and said second brake means are operatively associated with a respective first wheel in said first wheel unit and a second wheel in said second wheel unit and said first and said second wheel sensing means are operatively associated with said first and said second wheels, respectively, so that brake application is regulated at the same two wheels from which said first and said second signals were derived.

9. The combination set forth in claim 7 further comprising lockout circuit means for inhibiting said regulating means from applying said brake means until after said towed vehicle has reached a predetermined speed, said lockout circuit means comprising first detection circuit means responsive to said first and second signals to provide a third signal if both of said first and second signals are below a first predetermined level, and output means coupled to said regulating means to disable said regulating means in response to said third signal and thereby prevent said regulating means from causing application of said brake means until said towed vehicle reaches said predetermined speed.

10. The combination set forth in claim 9 wherein said first predetermined level corresponds to a towed vehicle velocity on the order of thirty-two miles per hour.

11. The combination set forth in claim 7 wherein said first and second wheel sensing means both include respective means responsive to wheel rotation such that said first and said second electrical signals are a function of angular velocity of the respective associated wheels, said comparing means being responsive to said first and second signals such that said brake correction signal represents a difference between angular velocities of said first wheels in both wheel units.

12. The combination set forth in claim 11 wherein said first and second electrical signals are proportional to angular velocities of their respective associated wheels and said brake correction signal is proportional to said difference in angular velocities between said first wheel in said first wheel unit and said first wheel in the other wheel unit.

13. The combination set forth in claim 12 wherein said brake system is a combined system adapted to correct for skid conditions and for sway conditions at said towed vehicle, said regulating means comprises mode selection means for providing a sway mode signal when said brake correction signal is to be interpreted as a sway correction signal and for providing a skid mode signal when said correction signal is to be interpreted as a skid correction signal, said regulating means further comprises first brake driver means responsive to said sway mode signal and said correction signal to apply said first and said second brake means as a function of said correction signal to correct for a sway condition and second brake driver means responsive to said skid mode signal and said correction signal to release said first and said second brake means as a function of said correction signal to correct for a skid condition.

14. The combination set forth in claim 12 wherein said brake regulation means is responsive to said brake correction signal to simultaneously apply said first and said second brake means proportionally to said correction signal such that a change in wheel speed differential between said first wheel in said first wheel unit and said first wheel in the other wheel unit causes a corresponding increase in brake application at both of said wheel units.

15. The combination set forth in claim 14 wherein said regulating means further includes means rendering said differential signal ineffective to cause brake application until said differential signal reaches a predetermined level.

16. The combination set forth in claim 15 wherein said predetermined level corresponds to a wheel speed differential on the order of one mile per hour.

17. The combination set forth in claim 14 wherein said brake system is a combined system adapted to correct for skid conditions and for sway conditions at said towed vehicle, said regulating means comprises mode selection means for providing a sway mode signal when said brake correction signal is to be interpreted as a sway correction signal and for providing a skid mode signal when said correction signal is to be interpreted as a skid correction signal, said regulating means further comprises first brake driver means responsive to said sway mode signal and said correction signal to apply said first and said second brake means proportionally to said correction signal to correct for a sway condition and second brake driver means responsive to said skid mode signal and said correction signal to release said first and said second brake means proportionally to said correction signal to correct for a skid condition.

18. The combination set forth in claim 17 wherein said regulating means is arranged and constructed so that said first brake driver means applies said brake means at both wheel units substantially equally and proportionally to said differential signal to correct for a sway condition and said second brake driver means releases said brake means at both wheel units substantially equally and proportionally to said differential signal to correct for a skid condition.

19. The combination set forth in claim 17 wherein said regulating means comprises first rate circuit means operatively associated with said first brake driver means so that said brake means are applied at a first predetermined rate in response to variations in said correction signal and second rate circuit means operatively associated with said second brake driver means so that said brake means are released at a second predetermined rate, different from said first rate, in response to variations in said correction signal.

20. The combination set forth in claim 17 wherein said first and second brake means are electric brakes each of which has an actuating coil adapted to receive brake current from a battery via a controller in said brake activating means, said controller being under the control of said operator, said first brake driver means being connected in circuit with said battery and said coils so as to supply brake current from said battery to said coils independent of said controller, said second brake driver means being connected in circuit with said controller so as to decrease brake current supplied to said coils via said controller, and wherein said mode selection means is operatively connected to said first brake driver means and said second brake driver means to disable said first brake means and enable said second brake driver means when said controller is being operated by said operator whereby said correction signal is interpreted as indicating a skid condition and said second brake driver means will decrease current to said coils in response to said correction signal, said mode selection means also being operatively connected to said first brake driver means and said second brake driver means to enable said first brake driver means when said controller is not being operated by said operator whereby said correction signal is interpreted as indicating a sway condition and said first brake driver means will supply current to said coils in response to said correction signal.

21. The combination set forth in claim 20 wherein said towing vehicle includes a brake system and said mode selection means is operatively connected to said brake system of said towing vehicle to enable said second brake driver means when said towing vehicle brake system is activated by said operator and to enable said first brake driver means when said towing vehicle brake system is not operated by said operator.

22. The combination set forth in claim 7 wherein said regulating means is responsive to said differential signal to simultaneously apply said first and said second brake means proportionally to said differential signal such than an increase in wheel rotation differential between said first wheel in each of said wheel units causes a corresponding increase in brake application.

23. The combination set forth in claim 22 wherein said first and second brake means are electric brakes each of which has an actuating coil adapted to receive brake current from a battery via a controller in said brake activating means, said controller being under the control of said operator, said regulating means being connected in circuit with said battery and said coils and operable in response to said differential signal to supply current to said coils from said battery independently of said controller to thereby increase brake application and correct for a sway condition at said towed vehicle.

24. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said regulating means is operable in a first mode to reduce brake application at one wheel in each wheel unit according to said correction signal and thereby correct for a skid condition and operable in a second mode to increase brake application at one wheel in each wheel unit according to said correction signal and thereby correct for a sway condition, said regulating means including mode selection means operable to switch said regulating means from one operating mode to the other operating mode depending on whether said correction signal is to be interpreted as representing a skid condition or a sway condition.

25. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and second brake means are electric brakes each of which has an actuating coil adapted to receive brake current from a battery via a controller in said brake activating means, said controller being under the control of said operator, said regulating means being operatively connected to said controller, said battery and said coils so as to be operable in a first mode to decrease current supplied to said coils via said controller in accordance with said correction signal to thereby decrease brake application and correct for a skid condition at said towed vehicle and operable in a second mode to supply current to said coils from said battery in accordance with said correction signal independently of said controller to thereby increase brake application and correct for a sway condition at said towed vehicle, said regulating means including mode selection means operable to switch said regulating means from one operating mode to the other operating mode depending on whether said correction signal is to be interpreted as representing a skid condition or a sway condition.

26. The combination set forth in claim 25 wherein said mode selection means is coupled to said brake activating means and is operable according to whether said operator is actuating said brake activating means.

27. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said brake system is a combined system adapted to correct for skid conditions and for sway conditions at said towed vehicle, said regulating means comprises mode selection means for providing a sway mode signal when said brake correction signal is to be interpreted as a sway correction signal and for providing a skid mode signal when said correction signal is to be interpreted as a skid correction signal, said regulating means further comprises first brake driver means responsive to said sway mode signal and said correction signal to apply said first and said second brake means as a function of said correction signal to correct for a sway condition and second brake driver means responsive to said skid mode signal and said correction signal to release said first and said second brake means as a function of said correction signal to correct for a skid condition.

28. The combination set forth in claim 27 wherein said first wheel sensing means and said first brake means are operatively associated with the same wheel in said first wheel unit and said second wheel sensing means and said second brake means are operatively associated with the same wheel in said second brake means.

29. The combination set forth in claim 27 further comprising locked wheel circuit means for overriding release of said brake means by said second brake driver means, and wherein said locked wheel circuit means comprises first detection circuit means responsive to said first and said second signals for providing a fifth signal when either one of said first and said second signals is less than a first predetermined minimum level, and output means coupled to said second brake driver means to cause said second brake driver means to completely release said first and second brake means in response to said fifth signal so that if one or both of said wheels locks, said first and said second brake means are completely released to correct for an impending skid.

30. The combination set forth in claim 29 further comprising lockout circuit means for inhibiting said first brake driver means from applying said brake means until after said towed vehicle has reached a predetermined speed, said lockout circuit means comprising first detection circuit means responsive to said first and second signals to provide a sixth signal if both of said first and second signals are below a predetermined level, and output means coupled to said first brake driver means to disable said first brake driver means in response to said sixth signal and thereby prevent said regulating means from causing application of said brake means until said towed vehicle reaches said predetermined speed.

31. The combination set forth in claim 27 further comprising lockout circuit means for inhibiting said first brake driver means from applying said brake means until after said towed vehicle has reached a predetermined speed, said lockout circuit means comprising first detection circuit means responsive to said first and second signals to provide a fifth signal if both of said first and second signals are below a predetermined level, and output means coupled to said first brake driver means to disable said first brake driver means in response to said fifth signal and thereby prevent said regulating means from causing application of said brake means until said towed vehicle reaches said predetermined speed.

32. The combination set forth in claim 27 wherein said first brake driver means is responsive to said sway mode signal and said correction signal to apply said first and said second brake means proportionally to said correction signal and wherein said second brake driver means is responsive to said skid mode signal and said correction signal to release said first and said second brake means proportionally to said correction signal.

33. The combination set forth in claim 27 wherein said brake activating means is actuated by an operator of said towing vehicle to apply said first and said second brake means and wherein said mode selection means comprises means for sensing whether said brake activating means is being actuated by said operator with said sway mode signal being provided by said mode selection means when said brake activating means is not being actuated by said operator and said skid mode signal is provided by said mode selection means when said brake activating means is actuated by said operator.

34. In a brake control system for use in an articulated system including a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle such as a trailer or the like having towed vehicle operator responsive brake activating means for applying brake torque at each of a pair of wheel units located respectively at opposite sides of said towed vehicle, each of said pair of wheel units comprising at least one wheel, the combination for correcting sway of said towed vehicle comprising means generating first and second signals which vary as a function of wheel rotation of at least one wheel of each of said pair of units, respectively, means comparing said first and second signals to each other and providing a differential signal representing a difference between said first and second signals, and regulating means operatively coupled to said brake activating means and responsive to said differential signal to simultaneously apply brake torque at both wheel units substantially equally and in proportion to said differential signal.

35. The combination set forth in claim 34 wherein said first and second signals are proportional to the angular velocity of at least one wheel of each of said pair of wheel units, respectively.

36. The combination set forth in claim 34 wherein said differential signal is linearly proportional to said difference, and wherein said regulating means applies brake torque at both wheel units in linear proportion to said differential signal.

37. The combination set forth in claim 34 wherein said regulating means comprises mode selection means operatively connected to said operator responsive brake activating means to determine whether brake torque is being applied to said pair of wheel units by said activating means, including means providing a third signal when said operator responsive means is activated and means providing a fourth signal when said operator responsive means is not activated, means responsive to said third signal to decrease said operator applied brake torque at both wheel units of said pair at a first rate in proportion to said differential signal, and means responsive to said fourth signal to apply brake torque at both wheel units of said pair at a second rate proportional to said differential signal.

38. The combination set forth in claim 37 wherein said mode selection means comprises first and second switch means, respectively, and means operatively connecting said first and second switch means to said operator responsive brake activating means to render said first and second switch means nonconductive and conductive, respectively, when said operator responsive means is activated and conductive and nonconductive, respectively, when said operator responsive means is not activated, and wherein said differential signal providing means includes amplification means connected to said second switch means and responsive thereto to amplify said differential signal at said first and second rates depending on the conductivity of said first and second switch means.

39. The method of correcting for lateral sway of a towed vehicle of the type having a pair of wheel units disposed respectively at opposite sides of said towed vehicle, each unit having at least one wheel, comprising the steps of sensing wheel rotation of at least one wheel in a first of said wheel units, comparing said sensed wheel rotation with a reference to provide a correction indication when said wheel rotation of said one wheel in said first unit deviates from said reference and simultaneously applying braking forces to at least one wheel in each of said wheel units in response to said correction indication.

40. The method set forth in claim 39 wherein said output indication varies as a function of the difference between said reference and said sensed wheel rotation of said one wheel in said first wheel unit and wherein said braking forces are applied proportionally to said differential correction indication.

41. The method set forth in claim 40 wherein said reference is derived from wheel rotation of one wheel in the other wheel unit.

42. The method set forth in claim 41 wherein wheel rotation of at least one wheel in said first wheel unit and one wheel in said other wheel unit are sensed by sensing angular velocity such that said output indication varies according to a velocity differential between said first wheels in the respective wheel units.

43. The method set forth in claim 42 wherein braking forces are applied according to said velocity differential at the same wheel in each wheel unit at which said angular wheel velocities are sensed.

44. The method set forth in claim 42 wherein said braking forces are applied at a wheel in each wheel unit in linear proportion to said velocity differential.

45. The method set forth in claim 42 wherein application of said braking forces according to said velocity differential is inhibited until said vehicle reaches a speed on the order of from approximately twenty to thirty-five miles per hour.

46. The method set forth in claim 39 wherein braking forces are applied as a function of said correction indication only when an operator of a towing vehicle is not causing braking forces to be applied at the towed vehicle and wherein an impending skid of said towed vehicle is also corrected by sensing when said operator is causing braking forces to be applied at said towed vehicle and then automatically causing braking forces to be released at one wheel in each wheel unit as a function of said correction indication.

47. The method set forth in claim 46 wherein braking forces at said towed vehicle caused by said operator are released proportionally to said correction indication to correct for an impending skid and wherein when said operator is not causing braking forces to be applied at said towed vehicle, braking forces are applied automatically at said towed vehicle in proportion to said correction indication to correct for a lateral sway.

48. In a brake control system for use in an articulated vehicle system including a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle such as a trailer or the like having first and second nondriven wheel units disposed at respective opposite sides of said towed vehicle, each wheel unit having at least one wheel therein, first brake means operatively associated with at least one wheel in said first wheel unit, second brake means operatively associated with at least one wheel in said second unit, brake actuating means adapted to be controlled by an operator of a towing vehicle to apply said first and said second brake means, sway control means adapted to sense a sway condition at said trailer and operative to automatically apply said first and second brake means in response to said sway condition independent of said brake actuating means, skid control means adapted to sense an impending skid condition at one of said wheels occurring when the operator causes said brake actuating means to be actuated and operative to interrupt brake application at said first and second brake means, and selection means operative to disable said sway control means when said operator causes said brake actuating means to be actuated.

49. The brake control system set forth in claim 48 wherein said sway control means comprises first and second means for generating respective first and second signals which vary as a function of wheel rotation of at least one wheel in each of said wheel units, respectively, means for comparing said first and second signals to each other and providing a differential signal representing a difference between said first and second signals and third means operatively coupled to said brake actuating means and responsive to said differential signal for applying said first and second brake means as a function of said differential signal.

50. The brake control system set forth in claim 48 wherein said skid control means comprises first and second means for generating respective first and second signals which vary as a function of wheel rotation of at least one wheel in each of said wheel units, respectively, means for comparing said first and second signals to each other and providing a differential signal representing a difference between said first and second signals and third means operatively coupled to said brake actuating means and responsive to said differential signal for releasing said first and second brake means as a function of said differential signal.

51. The brake control system set forth in claim 50 wherein said sway control means comprises fourth means operatively coupled to said first and said second brake means and responsive to said differential signal for applying said first and second brake means as a function of said differential signal.

52. The brake control system set forth in claim 51 wherein said means to disable said sway control means includes means responsive to actuation of said brake actuating means by said operator.

53. The brake control system set forth in claim 48 wherein said means to disable said sway control means includes means responsive to actuation of said brake actuating means by said operator.

54. In a brake control system for use in an articulated vehicle system including a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle such as a trailer or the like of the type having a first nondriven wheel unit at one side of said towed vehicle and a second nondriven wheel unit at an opposite side of said towed vehicle, first brake means operatively associated with one wheel in said first unit, second brake means operatively associated with a second wheel in said second wheel unit, first means for generating a brake correction signal which varies as a function of wheel rotation of at least one wheel in at least one of said wheel units, brake regulation means operable in a first mode to reduce brake application at one wheel in each wheel unit as a function of said correction signal and thereby correct for a skid condition and operable in a second mode to increase brake application at said one wheel in each wheel unit as a function of said correction signal and thereby correct for a sway condition, and mode selection means operable to switch said regulating means from one operating mode to the other operating mode depending on whether said correction signal is to be interpreted as representing a skid condition or a sway condition.

55. In a brake control system for use in an articulated system including a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle such as a trailer or the like of the type having first and second nondriven wheel units disposed at respective opposite sides of said towed vehicle, each wheel unit having at least one wheel therein, first and second brake means operatively associated with at least one wheel in each wheel unit, respectively, and brake activating means adapted to be activated by an operator of a towing vehicle to apply said first and said second brake means, the combination comprising first and second means for generating respective first and second signals which vary proportionally to the angular velocity of at least one wheel in each of said wheel units, respectively, means for comparing said first and second signals to each other and providing a differential signal representing a difference between said first and second signals, and means operatively coupled to said brake activating means and responsive to said differential signal for simultaneously regulating brake application by said first and said second brake means at one wheel in each wheel unit proportionally to said differential signal such that a change in wheel speed differential between one wheel in one unit and one wheel in the other unit causes a corresponding change in brake regulation, and wherein said regulating means is adapted to correct for an impending skid and said regulating means further comprises brake driver means operative when said operator has caused application of said brake means and responsive to an increase in said differential signal to decrease brake application automatically at both said first and said second brake means proportionally to said differential signal to thereby correct for an impending skid condition, and wherein said regulating means further comprises locked wheel circuit means for overriding release of said brake means and said locked wheel circuit means comprises first detection circuit means responsive to said first and said second signals for providing a third signal when either one of said first and second signals is less than a first predetermined minimum level, and output means coupled to said brake driver means to cause said brake driver means to completely release said first and second brake means in response to said third signal so that if one or both of said wheel locks, said first and second brake means are completely released to correct for an impending skid, said locked wheel circuit means further comprises arming circuit means for disabling said locked wheel circuit means until said towed vehicle reaches a predetermined speed, said arming circuit means comprises second detection circuit means responsive to said first and and said second signals for providing a fourth signal when at least one of said first and second signals is less than said second predetermined minimum level, and means connected to said output means to disable said output means in response to said fourth signal so that said output means cannot cause said brake driver means to completely release said brake means until after said towed vehicle reaches said predetermined speed.

56. The combination set forth in claim 55 wherein said first predetermined minimum signal corresponds to a wheel speed on the order of nine miles per hour, and wherein said second predetermined minimum signal corresponds to a wheel speed on the order of ten miles per hour.

57. The method of correcting for skid of a towed vehicle while an operator of a towing vehicle is causing braking forces to be applied to at least one wheel in each of a pair of wheel units disposed relatively at opposite sides of said towed vehicle comprising the steps of sensing the angular velocity of at least one wheel in each wheel unit, comparing said angular velocities from each wheel unit to each other and simultaneously releasing said operator applied braking forces to at least one wheel in each unit proportionally to said velocity differential, and wherein said operator applied braking forces are released at a wheel in each wheel unit in linear proportion to said velocity differential.

58. In a brake control system for use in an articulated system including a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle such as a trailer or the like of the type having first and second nondriven wheel units disposed at respective opposite sides of said towed vehicle, each wheel unit having at least one wheel therein, first and second brake means operatively associated with at least one wheel in each wheel unit, respectively, and brake activating means adapted to be activated by an operator of a towing vehicle to apply said first and said second brake means, the combination comprising first and second means for generating respective first and second signals which vary proportionally to the angular velocity of at least one wheel in each of said wheel units, respectively, means for comparing said first and second signals to each other and providing a differential signal representing a difference between said first and second signals, and means operatively coupled to said brake activating means and responsive to said differential signal for simultaneously regulating brake application by said first and said second brake means at one wheel in each wheel unit proportionally to said differential signal such that a change in wheel speed differential between one wheel in one unit and one wheel in the other unit causes a corresponding change in brake regulation, and wherein said regulating means regulates brake application at both wheel units in linear proportion to said differential signal.

59. In a brake control system for use in an articulated system including a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle such as a trailer or the like of the type having first and second nondriven wheels disposed at respective opposite sides of said towed vehicle and brake means for applying brake torque at both of said wheels and including at least one electrically operated brake actuator, means for providing an electrical signal for operating said electrically operated brake actuator, said last-mentioned means including an electric brake controller adapted for actuation by the operator of said towing vehicle to vary said electrical signal and thereby vary brake actuation, and automatic brake regulation means to correct for an impending skid condition at said trailer comprising first means for generating a first signal which varies proportionally to the angular velocity of a first of said towed vehicle wheels, second means for generating a second signal which varies proportionally to the angular velocity of said second trailer wheel, means for comparing said first and said second signals to each other and providing a differential correction signal representing a difference between said first and said second signals, and output means including a controlled conduction device responsive to said differential signal and connected in series between said controller and said electrically operated brake actuator to decrease said electrical signal proportionally to said differential signal such that an increase in wheel speed differential between said first and second wheels causes a corresponding proportional decrease in brake actuation independent of said electric brake controller.

60. The combination set forth in claim 59 wherein said electrically operated brake actuator includes an actuating coil adapted to receive brake current via said controller and wherein said controlled conduction device comprises a pair of main current conducting electrodes and a control electrode for varying conduction through said main electrodes, said differential signal being applied to said control electrode and said main electrodes being connected in a series path for said electrical signal, said path including said controller, said coil and said main electrodes.

61. In a brake control system for use in an articulated system including a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle such as a trailer or the like of the type having first and second nondriven wheel units disposed at respective opposite sides of said towed vehicle, each wheel unit having at least one wheel therein, first and second brake means operatively associated with at least one wheel in each wheel unit, respectively, and brake activating means adapted to be activated by an operator of a towing vehicle to apply said first and said second brake means, the combination comprising first and second means for generating respective first and second signals which vary proportionally to the angular velocity of at least one wheel in each of said wheel units, respectively, means for comparing said first and second signals to each other and providing a differential signal representing a difference between said first and second signals, and means operatively coupled to said brake activating means and responsive to said differential signal for simultaneously regulating brake application by said first and said second brake means at one wheel in each wheel unit proportionally to said differential signal such that a change in wheel speed differential between one wheel in one unit and one wheel in the other unit causes a corresponding change in brake regulation.

62. In a brake control system for use in an articulated system including a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle such as a trailer or the like of the type having first and second nondriven wheel units disposed at respective opposite sides of said towed vehicle, each said wheel unit having at least one wheel therein, and brake means for applying brake torque at both of said wheel units and including at least one electrically operated brake actuator, means for providing an electrical signal for operating said electrically operated brake actuator, said last-mentioned means including an electric brake controller to vary said electrical signal and thereby vary brake actuation, and automatic brake regulation means to correct for an impending skid condition at said trailer comprising first means for generating a first signal which varies proportionally to the angular velocity of at least one wheel in at least a first of said towed vehicle wheel units, second means for generating a second signal which varies proportionally to the angular velocity of at least one wheel in said second trailer wheel unit, means for comparing said first and said second signals to each other and providing a differential correction signal representing a difference between said first and said second signals, and output means including a controlled conduction device responsive to said differential signal and connected in series with said controller and said electrically operated brake actuator to decrease said electrical signal proportionally to said differential signal such that an increase in wheel speed differential between said first and second wheel units causes a corresponding proportional decrease in brake actuation independent of said electric brake controller.

63. The combination set forth in claim 62 wherein said electrically operated brake actuator includes an actuating coil adapted to receive brake current from said controller, and wherein said controlled conduction device comprises a pair of main current conducting electrodes and a control electrode for varying conduction through said main electrodes, said differential signal being applied to said control electrode and said main electrodes being connected in a series path for said electrical signal, said path including said controller, said coil and said main electrodes.

64. The combination set forth in claim 63 wherein said brake means comprises electric brakes, said at least one electrically operated brake actuator comprising electromagnetic brake pucks at said at least one wheel in each said wheel units.

65. The combination set forth in claim 63 wherein said brake means comprises electrohydraulic brakes, said at least one electrically operated brake actuator comprising a coil-controlled metering valve disposed to feed hydraulic fluid pressure to said at least one wheel in each said wheel units.

66. The method of controlling braking of a towed vehicle of the type having a pair of wheel units disposed respectively at opposite sides of said towed vehicle, each unit having at least one wheel, comprising the steps of sensing wheel rotation of at least one wheel in a first of said wheel units, comparing said sensed wheel rotation with a reference to provide a control signal when said wheel rotation of said one wheel in said first unit deviates from said reference and simultaneously applying braking forces to at least one wheel in each of said wheel units in response to said control signal.

67. The method set forth in claim 66 wherein said control signal varies as a function of the difference between said reference and said sensed wheel rotation of said one wheel in said first wheel unit, and wherein said braking forces are applied proportionally to said differential control signal.

68. The method set forth in claim 67 for correcting a lateral sway condition of said towed vehicle wherein said reference is derived from wheel rotation of one wheel in the other wheel unit.

69. The method set forth in claim 67 for applying towed vehicle brakes when towing vehicle brakes are being applied by a towing vehicle operator wherein wheel rotation in said first wheel unit is sensed by sensing angular deceleration of said one wheel.

70. The method set forth in claim 69 wherein said step of sensing angular deceleration comprises the steps of sensing angular velocity of said one wheel and differentiating said sensed velocity signal.

71. The method set forth in claim 70 wherein said step of sensing angular deceleration comprises the further steps of sensing angular velocity of at least one wheel in said second wheel unit and selecting to be differentiated the faster of said sensed wheel velocities.

72. The method set forth in claim 69 wherein said reference signal is preselected as a function of the free rolling deceleration of said towed vehicle.

73. The method set forth in claim 72 wherein said reference is representative of a towed vehicle deceleration at about five feet per second per second.

74. The method set forth in claim 69 comprising the further step of enabling said step of applying brake forces only when brakes are being applied at said towing vehicle.

75. In a brake control system for use in an articulated vehicle system including a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle such as a trailer or the like of the type having first and second nondriven wheel units disposed at respective opposite sides of said towed vehicle, each wheel unit having at least one wheel therein, first and second brake means operatively associated with at least one wheel in each wheel unit, respectively, and brake activating means adapted to apply said first and said second brake means, the combination comprising sensing means including first means responsive to rotation of at least a first wheel in at least a first of said wheel units for generating a first electrical signal which varies as a function of rotation of said first wheel, means responsive to said first signal when said towing vehicle is being braked to provide a brake signal, and brake regulating means operatively coupled to said brake activating means and responsive to said brake signal to apply said first brake means at one wheel in said first brake unit and simultaneously apply said second brake means at one wheel in said second unit as a function of said brake signal.

76. The combination set forth in claim 75 wherein said first signal varies as a function of angular deceleration of said first wheel.

77. The combination set forth in claim 75 wherein said first means is responsive to angular velocity of said first wheel, and wherein said sensing means further includes means differentiating said angular velocity to provide said first signal.

78. The combination set forth in claim 77 wherein said sensing means further comprises second means responsive to angular velocity of at least a second wheel in a second of said wheel units and means selecting the faster angular velocity between said first and second wheels, said differentiating means being responsive to said faster angular velocity.

79. The combination set forth in claim 77 wherein said brake signal providing means comprises means providing a reference signal and means comparing said first signal to said reference signal to provide said brake signal as a function of the difference between said first and reference signals.

80. The combination set forth in claim 79 wherein said reference signal is a preselected function of the free rolling deceleration of said articulated vehicle system.

81. The combination set forth in claim 80 wherein said brake signal is proportional to said difference between said first and reference signals.

82. A brake control system for use in an articulated vehicle system including a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle such as a trailer or the like of the type having a first nondriven wheel unit at one side of said towed vehicle and a second nondriven wheel unit at an opposite side of said towed vehicle, first brake means operatively associated with one wheel in said first unit and second brake means operatively associated with a second wheel in said second wheel unit, said brake system comprising brake regulation means operable in a first mode to reduce brake application at one wheel in at least one wheel unit as a function of said correction signals and thereby correct for a skid condition and operable in a second mode to increase brake application at one wheel in at least one wheel unit as a function of said correction signals and thereby correct for a sway condition, first means for generating brake correction signals which vary as a function of trailer condition, and mode selection means operable to switch said regulating means from one operating mode to the other operating mode depending on whether said correction signals are to be interpreted as representing a skid condition or a sway condition.

83. The system set forth in claim 82 wherein said brake correction signals vary as a function of wheel rotation of at least one wheel in at least one of said wheel units.

84. In a brake control system for a vehicle adapted to be towed over a road surface and having at least first and second wheel units disposed on opposite sides of said vehicle and brake means disposed at each said wheel units for braking at least one wheel in each said wheel units, braking forces at said wheel units being respective functions of available coefficients of friction between each of said wheel units and a road surface, means responsive to angular velocity of at least one wheel in said first wheel unit to develop a first wheel speed signal, means responsive to angular velocity of at least one wheel in said second wheel unit to develop a second wheel speed signal, and means for controlling braking forces at said first and second wheel units substantially equally as a proportional function of said first and second wheel speed signals and at a uniform level consistent with the lowest coefficient of friction available between said first and second wheel units and a road surface.

85. The system set forth in claim 84 wherein said means for controlling braking forces reduces said braking forces at said first and second wheel units in proportion to the difference between said first and second wheel speed signals to the highest uniform level consistent with the lowest available coefficient of friction.

86. A method of correcting a skid condition as between first and second braked wheel units disposed on opposite sides of a towed vehicle and respectively in contact with surfaces having unequal first and second available coefficients of friction comprising the steps of sensing a difference in angular velocity between the braked wheel unit on the surface having the higher of said first and second available coefficients of friction and the wheel unit on the surface having the lower of said first and second available coefficients of friction, and reducing braking forces at both said wheel units substantially simultaneously in proportion to said difference to a highest uniform braking level at both said wheel units which is consistent with said lower available coefficient of friction.