System and method for managing electric brakes
First Claim
1. A system for controlling an electric brake of a towed vehicle during a breakaway event in which the towed vehicle separates from a towing vehicle, the system comprising:
- a breakaway switch assembly adapted to connect a battery upon occurrence of the breakaway event; and
a power management module interposed between the battery and the electric brake and configured to control a flow of current from the battery to the electric brake by delivering a first level of current for a first duration in order to substantially stop the towed vehicle and by delivering a second level of current for at least a second duration in order to hold the towed vehicle substantially stationary.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system (10) and method for managing an electric brake (12) in a towed vehicle (14) during a breakaway event by managing current delivery to the electric brake (12) so as to maximize both effectiveness and efficiency. A power management module (24) delivers a first level of current for a first duration in order to stop the trailer (14), and delivers a second level of current in order to hold the trailer (14) in place. When provided with feedback, the module can actively adjust the first level of current to a maximum current while avoiding locking the electric brake (12), and to adjust the second level of current to a minimum current sufficient to hold the trailer (14). Additionally, front and rear electric brakes (12A,12B) can be managed differently or independently in order to achieve the most effective and efficient result.
29 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A system for controlling an electric brake of a towed vehicle during a breakaway event in which the towed vehicle separates from a towing vehicle, the system comprising:
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a breakaway switch assembly adapted to connect a battery upon occurrence of the breakaway event; and
a power management module interposed between the battery and the electric brake and configured to control a flow of current from the battery to the electric brake by delivering a first level of current for a first duration in order to substantially stop the towed vehicle and by delivering a second level of current for at least a second duration in order to hold the towed vehicle substantially stationary. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for controlling an electric brake of a towed vehicle during a breakaway event in which the towed vehicle separates from a towing vehicle, the system comprising:
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a breakaway switch assembly adapted to connect a battery upon occurrence of the breakaway event; and
a power management module interposed between the battery and the electric brake and configured to control a flow of current from the battery to the electric brake by delivering a first level of current for a first duration in order to substantially stop the towed vehicle and by delivering a second level of current for at least a second duration in order to hold the towed vehicle substantially stationary;
a first sensor adapted to sense and provide feedback to the power management module on a condition of the electric brake relating to locking, wherein the power management module is adapted to adjust the first level of current based upon the feedback; and
a second sensor adapted to sense and provide feedback to the power management module on a condition of the towed vehicle relating to movement, wherein the power management module is adapted to end the first duration and adjust the second level of current based upon the feedback.
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16. A system for controlling a first electric brake and a second electric brake of a towed vehicle during a breakaway event in which the towed vehicle separates from a towing vehicle, the system comprising:
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a breakaway switch assembly adapted to connect a battery upon occurrence of the breakaway event; and
a power management module interposed between the battery and the electric brake and configured to control a flow of current from the battery to the electric brake by delivering a first level of current for a first duration to the first electric brake and the second electric brake in order to substantially stop the towed vehicle, and by delivering a second level of current for at least a second duration to only one of the first electric brake and the second electric brake in order to hold the towed vehicle substantially stationary.
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17. A method of controlling an electric brake of a towed vehicle during a breakaway event in which the towed vehicle separates from a towing vehicle, the system comprising:
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(a) delivering a first level of current to the electric brake for a first duration in order to substantially stop the towed vehicle; and
(b) delivering a second level of current to the electric brake for at least a second duration in order to hold the towed vehicle substantially stationary. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method of controlling an electric brake of a towed vehicle during a breakaway event in which the towed vehicle separates from a towing vehicle, the system comprising:
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(a) delivering a first level of current to the electric brake for a first duration in order to substantially stop the towed vehicle;
(b) adjusting the first level of current during the first duration to a maximum level while avoiding locking the electric brake;
(c) delivering a second level of current to the electric brake in order to hold the towed vehicle substantially stationary; and
(d) adjusting the second level of current to a minimum level while substantially preventing movement of the towed vehicle.
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33. A method of controlling a first electric brake and a second electric brake of a towed vehicle during a breakaway event in which the towed vehicle separates from a towing vehicle, the system comprising:
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(a) delivering, substantially upon occurrence of the breakaway event, a first level of current to both the first electric brake and the second electric brake for a first duration in order to substantially stop the towed vehicle; and
(b) delivering a second level of current to only one of the first electric brake and the second electric brake in order to hold the towed vehicle substantially stationary.
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Specification