Method and apparatus for applying a brake force in a towed vehicle hydraulic brake system proportional to a hydraulic pressure generator power input
AssigneeAusco Products, Inc.
InventorFrederick W. Cords
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A braking system for a towed vehicle having a hydraulic brake system wherein a continuously variable hydraulic pressure is generated to provide a corresponding and proportional brake force in the towed vehicle. A hydraulic pressure generator having an electric motor with variable electric input is employed to provide a corresponding a proportional hydraulic pressure by a hydraulic pressure generator, wherein the resulting variable hydraulic pressure is employed to provide a proportional braking force in the towed vehicle.
Claims19
A control system for use with a towed vehicle hydraulic brake system and adapted to be connected to a towing vehicle having an electrical system, the control system comprising:
- (a) a hydraulic pressure generator configured for electrical interconnection to the towing vehicle electrical system and for hydraulic interconnection to the towed vehicle hydraulic brake system for providing pressurized hydraulic fluid to the towed vehicle hydraulic brake system;
- and
- (b) a control for receiving an operator-selected input representative of a desired towed vehicle braking force;
- and coupled to the hydraulic pressure generator for controlling the electrical power input to the hydraulic pressure generator and the pressure of the hydraulic fluid provided to the towed vehicle hydraulic brake system as a function of the operator-selected input, and causing the application of the desired level towed vehicle braking force represented by the operator-selected input.
A hydraulic control system configured for use in connection with a towed vehicle hydraulic brake system including a hydraulic brake and a tank of hydraulic fluid for actuating the brake and adapted to be connected to a towing vehicle having a brake and an electrical system for providing a brake signal upon actuation of the towing vehicle brake, the hydraulic control system comprising:
- (a) a pump configured for electrical interconnection to the towing vehicle electrical system and for hydraulic interconnection between the tank of hydraulic fluid and brake of the towed vehicle hydraulic system, for providing pressurized hydraulic fluid to the brake in response to the towing vehicle brake signal;
- (b) an operator-actuated switch for generating an operator-selected input;
- and
- (c) a hydraulic pressure control manifold coupled between the pump and the brake for controlling the pressure of the hydraulic fluid provided to the brake as a function of the operator-selected input, and causing the application of operator-selected input braking force represented by the operator-selected input.
A braking system for a towed vehicle, comprising:
- (a) a hydraulic pressure generator for producing a hydraulic pressure proportional to an electrical power input to the hydraulic pressure generator, the hydraulic pressure generator connected to the braking system in the towed vehicle;
- (b) a valve assembly fluidly connected to the hydraulic pressure generator and the braking system in the towed vehicle, the valve assembly having a pressure relief valve, an unloading valve and a check valve;
- and
- (c) a controller connected to the hydraulic pressure generator for controlling the electrical power input to the hydraulic pressure generator;
- the controller and the valve assembly selected to create a braking force in the towed vehicle proportional to the electrical power input to the hydraulic pressure generator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.