Yaw control system for a vehicle-trailer combination
First Claim
1. A yaw control system for a towing combination that includes a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle, the yaw control system comprising:
- a first brake system configured to decelerate the towed vehicle;
an actuator coupled to the towing combination, the actuator having at least two structural faces spatially separated by a yaw distance defined by a yaw angle; and
a switch coupled to the towing combination and positioned between the structural faces of the actuator, the switch operable to communicate with the first brake system to decelerate the towed vehicle once the switch has moved by a desired amount relative to at least one of the structural faces.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A yaw control system capable of detecting a predetermined yaw angle of a towed vehicle and then automatically communicating with a braking system of the towed vehicle includes an actuator and a switch. The actuator and switch operate to detect when a towed vehicle, such as a trailer, has exceeded a predetermined yaw angle. In one embodiment, the yaw control system includes a switch arranged to contact a surface of a plate (i.e., actuator) when the towed vehicle exceeds the predetermined yaw angle. In another embodiment, the yaw control system includes a switch mechanism arranged to contact retractable rods (i.e., actuator) coupled to a hitch assembly when the towed vehicle exceeds the predetermined yaw angle.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A yaw control system for a towing combination that includes a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle, the yaw control system comprising:
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a first brake system configured to decelerate the towed vehicle; an actuator coupled to the towing combination, the actuator having at least two structural faces spatially separated by a yaw distance defined by a yaw angle; and a switch coupled to the towing combination and positioned between the structural faces of the actuator, the switch operable to communicate with the first brake system to decelerate the towed vehicle once the switch has moved by a desired amount relative to at least one of the structural faces. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A hitch system for a towing combination that includes a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle, the hitch system comprising:
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a first hitch assembly coupled to the towing vehicle; a second hitch assembly coupled to the towed vehicle; a coupling member for coupling the first hitch assembly to the second hitch assembly such that the towed vehicle is towable by the towing vehicle; a first brake system configured to decelerate the towed vehicle; an actuator coupled to and rotatable with the towed vehicle, the actuator having at least two structural faces spatially separated by a yaw distance defined by a yaw angle; and a switch coupled to the towing vehicle and positioned between the structural faces of, the switch operable to communicate with the first brake system to decelerate the towed vehicle when the actuator activates the switch, wherein actuation occurs when the towed vehicle exceeds a maximum yaw angle relative to the towing vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of controlling a towed vehicle relative to a towing vehicle, the method:
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activating a switch with an actuator, the switch mounted to the towing vehicle and the actuator mounted to the towed vehicle, the actuator having at least two structural faces spatially separated by a yaw distance defined by a yaw angle, at least a portion of the switch positioned between the structural faces, wherein the actuator rotates with the towed vehicle and actuates the switch when the towed vehicle exceeds a maximum yaw angle relative to the towing vehicle; and decelerating the towed vehicle in response to a signal from the switch. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A kit for a yaw control system kit couplable to a ball hitch system, which includes a first hitch assembly coupled to a towing vehicle and a second hitch assembly coupled to a towed vehicle, the kit comprising:
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a first brake system configured to decelerate the towed vehicle; an actuator mountable to rotate with the towed vehicle, the actuator having a cutout region defined by at least two structural faces spatially separated by a yaw distance that corresponds to a yaw angle; and a switch mountable to the towing vehicle and positionable within the cutout region, the switch operable to communicate with the first brake system to decelerate the towed vehicle when a yaw rotation of the towed vehicle causes the actuator to move within a desired distance of the switch and thereby activate the switch. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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Specification