Towing and towed vehicle braking system
First Claim
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1. A towing and towed vehicle braking system, said system comprising:
- a towing vehicle having brakes in operable communication with a towing vehicle electronic brake controller capable of transmitting a brake signal indicating application of said towing vehicles brakes;
a towed vehicle coupled to said towing vehicle having brakes in operable communication with an towed vehicle electronic brake controller capable of receiving said brake signal from said towing vehicle electronic brake controller;
brake lines leading to said towed vehicle brakes;
a power unit in operable communication with said towed vehicle brake controller and said brakes lines, for providing a power source to pressurize said brake lines;
a brake fluid reservoir in operable communication with said power unit and said brake lines, for storage and transfer of brake fluid;
a proportional relief valve in operable communication with said power unit, said towed vehicle brake controller, said brake lines, and said brake fluid reservoir, for controlling the pressure in said brake lines and thereby controlling braking force applied by said towed vehicle brakes;
wherein said proportional relief valve is sent a specific pressure setting by said towed vehicle brake controller set in response to said brake signal from said towing vehicle electronic brake controller thereby controlling the application of said towed vehicle brakes in response to said towing vehicle brakes; and
wherein said towed vehicle brake controller signals said power unit to operate at full power for a first period of time, and at a reduced power for a second period of time.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A brake system for a towed and towing vehicle combination allowing for application of the brakes of the towed vehicle in proportion to application of the brakes of the towing vehicle. The combination utilizes a signal from the towing vehicle to generate a proportional braking signal in the towed vehicle. In particular, the towed vehicle braking system includes a proportional relief valve that controls the braking pressure on the towed vehicle in response to an electrical signal from the towing vehicle. The system utilizes a control program that signals a power unit in operable communication with the towed vehicle brakes to operate at full power for a first period of time and at a reduced power for a second period of time.
87 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A towing and towed vehicle braking system, said system comprising:
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a towing vehicle having brakes in operable communication with a towing vehicle electronic brake controller capable of transmitting a brake signal indicating application of said towing vehicles brakes;
a towed vehicle coupled to said towing vehicle having brakes in operable communication with an towed vehicle electronic brake controller capable of receiving said brake signal from said towing vehicle electronic brake controller;
brake lines leading to said towed vehicle brakes;
a power unit in operable communication with said towed vehicle brake controller and said brakes lines, for providing a power source to pressurize said brake lines;
a brake fluid reservoir in operable communication with said power unit and said brake lines, for storage and transfer of brake fluid;
a proportional relief valve in operable communication with said power unit, said towed vehicle brake controller, said brake lines, and said brake fluid reservoir, for controlling the pressure in said brake lines and thereby controlling braking force applied by said towed vehicle brakes;
wherein said proportional relief valve is sent a specific pressure setting by said towed vehicle brake controller set in response to said brake signal from said towing vehicle electronic brake controller thereby controlling the application of said towed vehicle brakes in response to said towing vehicle brakes; and
wherein said towed vehicle brake controller signals said power unit to operate at full power for a first period of time, and at a reduced power for a second period of time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification
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Current AssigneeDexter Marine Products, LLC
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Original AssigneeTitan International Incorporated
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InventorsFrye, David E.
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Primary Examiner(s)Lavinder, Jack
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Assistant Examiner(s)NGUYEN, XUAN LAN T
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Application NumberUS10/006,106Time in Patent Office721 DaysField of Search303/7, 303/9.61, 303/9.62, 303/9.63, 303/9.65, 188/3.HUS Class Current303/7CPC Class CodesB60T 11/108 to a trailer fluid systemB60T 13/10 with fluid assistance, driv...B60T 7/20 specially for trailers, e.g...
