Trailer brake system
AssigneeContinental Automotive Systems, Inc.
InventorRalf Hiller
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The disclosure provides a trailer brake system that includes a sensor system and a brake control unit. The sensor system is supported by a trailer and includes at least one wheel speed sensor associated with each wheel of the trailer. The brake control unit is supported by the trailer and is in communication with a tow vehicle configured to tow the trailer. The brake control unit is configured to: receive sensor data from the sensor system, and receive a brake signal from the tow vehicle indicative of a driver pressing a brake pedal of the tow vehicle. The brake control unit is also configured to: determine, for each brake, a hydraulic pressure based on the sensor data and the brake signal; and apply pressure by way of brake lines to the brake associated with each wheel, based on the hydraulic pressure.
Claims14
A trailer brake system comprising:
- a sensor system supported by a trailer, the sensor system comprising at least one wheel speed sensor associated with each wheel of the trailer;
- a brake control unit supported by the trailer and in communication with a tow vehicle configured to tow the trailer, the brake control unit configured to:
- receive sensor data from the sensor system;
- receive a brake signal from the tow vehicle indicative of a driver pressing a brake pedal of the tow vehicle;
- determine, for each brake, a hydraulic pressure based on the sensor data and the brake signal;
- and
- apply pressure by way of brake lines to the brake associated with each wheel, based on the hydraulic pressure;
- a first connector having a first end releasably connected to the tow vehicle and a second end releasably connected to the trailer, the first connector transmitting the brake signal to the brake control unit;
- and
- a second connector having a first end releasably connected to the tow vehicle and a second end releasably connected to the trailer, the second connector configured to link a brake system of the tow vehicle and the brake control unit of the trailer, causing the brake system of the tow vehicle and the brake control unit to execute the same behaviors.
A method for controlling a trailer brake system, the method comprising:
- receiving, at a brake control unit supported by a trailer, sensor data from one or more sensors, each sensor associated with a wheel of the trailer;
- receiving, at the brake control unit, a brake signal from a tow vehicle configured to tow the trailer, the brake signal indicative of a driver of the tow vehicle pressing a brake pedal of the tow vehicle;
- receiving, at the brake control unit, tow vehicle data;
- transmitting, from the brake control unit to the tow vehicle, trailer data;
- wherein receiving tow vehicle data and transmitting trailer data causes the tow vehicle and the trailer to act as a braking system;
- and
- executing, by the brake control unit, a behavior based on the sensor data, the behavior causing the brake control unit to adjust a hydraulic pressure to each wheel of the trailer.
A trailer brake system comprising:
- a sensor system disposed on a trailer having wheels, the sensor system comprising at least one wheel speed sensor associated with a wheel of the trailer;
- a hydraulic pump supported by the trailer and configured to apply pressure by way of a brake line to a brake associated with each one of the wheels when receiving a brake signal from a tow vehicle in communication with the hydraulic pump;
- a hydraulic and electric control unit in communication with the hydraulic pump and the sensor system and having a computing processor processing data received from the sensor system, the hydraulic and electric control unit determining a hydraulic pressure applied to each brake based on data received from the sensor system when the hydraulic pump receives the brake signal;
- a first connector having a first end releasably connected to the tow vehicle and a second end releasably connected to the trailer;
- the first connector transmitting a brake signal to the trailer;
- and
- a second connector having a first end releasably connected to the tow vehicle and a second end releasably connected to the trailer, the second connector configured to link a brake system of the tow vehicle and the hydraulic and electric control unit of the trailer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.