Brake control system, self contained electronic brake control device therefor and methods of making and using the scene
First Claim
1. In an electric trailer braking system of a trailer having at least one pair of wheels fitted with electrically actuated brakes, said trailer braking system comprising a self contained electronic braking control device mounted upon said trailer, said electronic brake control device comprising an upright enclosure having a separable cover, said enclosure containing an energy source, a brake controller and means for connecting said electronic brake control device to the electrical circuitry of a towing vehicle and said trailer, said brake controller having means for sensing deceleration of said trailer and means for actuating said electrically actuated brakes of said trailer independent of a signal from vehicle towing said trailer the improvement wherein said brake controller contains a G-force indicator having no moving parts and wherein said G-force indicator comprises at least one piezoelectric crystal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automated electronic brake control device comprises an upright enclosure having a separable cover, the enclosure containing an energy source, a breakaway safety switch, a controller comprising a grade and motion detection device, timer, relay and circuit breaker and means for connecting the electronic brake control device to the electrical circuity of a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle. Preferably, the brake control device is mounted upon the towed vehicle and the controller has capabilities of sensing a change of velocity in at least one direction. Electric circuitry connects the braking circuitry of the towing vehicle to the braking system of the towed vehicle such that when towing vehicle brakes are applied, the brake control device supplies power to the braking system of the towed vehicle proportional to the sensed change in velocity.
70 Citations
11 Claims
- 1. In an electric trailer braking system of a trailer having at least one pair of wheels fitted with electrically actuated brakes, said trailer braking system comprising a self contained electronic braking control device mounted upon said trailer, said electronic brake control device comprising an upright enclosure having a separable cover, said enclosure containing an energy source, a brake controller and means for connecting said electronic brake control device to the electrical circuitry of a towing vehicle and said trailer, said brake controller having means for sensing deceleration of said trailer and means for actuating said electrically actuated brakes of said trailer independent of a signal from vehicle towing said trailer the improvement wherein said brake controller contains a G-force indicator having no moving parts and wherein said G-force indicator comprises at least one piezoelectric crystal.
- 8. A self contained electronic brake control device mounted upon a towed vehicle comprises an energy source, a charging circuit, a grade and motion sensing device, a timer, a relay, a circuit breaker, a breakaway safety switch, means for connecting said electronic brake control device to the electrical circuitry of a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle, said breakaway safety switch comprising a first connector affixed to said towing vehicle and a second connector affixed to said towed vehicle, the braking system of said towed vehicle actuated upon separation of said first connector of said breakaway safety switch from said second connector by applying electric power directly from said energy source to said the electric brakes of said towed vehicle.
Specification