# US 2019/0315320 A1 · Trailer braking system

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 2019/0315320 A1
- Document ID: US20190315320A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/954,278
- Filed: 2018-04-16
- Published: 2019-10-17
- Earliest claimed: 2018-04-16
- Assignees: Richard W. Job
- Inventors: Benjamin J. Maat; Carter Davis; Nathan J. Goering; Jesse L. Lassila; Nicholas J. Monette; Jacob W. Pardy
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190315320A1

## CPC

- B60T 1/065: {employing disc (B60T1/062 takes precedence)}
- B60T 8/323: {Systems specially adapted for tractor-trailer combinations}
- B60D 1/64: Couplings or joints therefor
- B60T 7/042: {by electrical means, e.g. using travel or force sensors}
- B60T 7/20: specially for trailers, e.g. in case of uncoupling of {or overrunning by} trailer (inertia-actuated overrun brakes B60T13/08)
- B60T 8/17: Using electrical or electronic regulation means to control braking {(detecting or indicating faulty operation B60T8/885)}
- B60T 8/1708: {for lorries or tractor-trailer combinations}
- B60T 8/176: Brake regulation specially adapted to prevent excessive wheel slip during vehicle deceleration, e.g. ABS (B60T8/1755 takes precedence)
- B60T 8/321: {deceleration (B60T8/34, B60T8/52, B60T8/54, B60T8/56, B60T8/58, B60T8/72, B60T8/86, B60T8/88 take precedence)}
- B60T 13/741: {acting on an ultimate actuator}
- B60T 13/746: {and mechanical transmission of the braking action}
- F16D 55/225: the braking members being brake pads
- F16D 55/226: in which the common actuating member is moved axially {, e.g. floating caliper disc brakes}
- F16D 65/18: adapted for drawing members together {, e.g. for disc brakes}
- F16D 65/183: {with force-transmitting members arranged side by side acting on a spot type force-applying member}
- B60T 2240/00: Monitoring, detecting wheel/tyre behaviour; counteracting thereof
- B60T 2270/10: ABS control systems
- F16D 2121/14: Mechanical
- F16D 2121/24: using motors
- F16D 2125/28: Cams; Levers with cams
- F16D 2125/64: Levers
- F16D 2127/02: Release mechanisms
- F16D 2129/10: Motors
- B60T: VEHICLE BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF; BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF, IN GENERAL (electrodynamic brake systems for vehicle, in general B60L; brakes per se, i.e. devices where braking effect occurs, including ultimate brake actuators, F16D); ARRANGEMENT OF BRAKING ELEMENTS ON VEHICLES IN GENERAL; PORTABLE DEVICES FOR PREVENTING UNWANTED MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES; VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS TO FACILITATE COOLING OF BRAKES
- B60D: VEHICLE CONNECTIONS
- F16D: COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES

## Abstract

A system for braking a trailer pulled by a vehicle. A trailer braking system is provided on a trailer. An electrically actuated linear actuator of the trailer braking system is coupled to the braking system of the pulling vehicle. The linear actuator is coupled to a lever that, upon actuation of the vehicle brake, actuates a piston to push brake pads into a rotor coupled a wheel on the trailer. A wheel speed monitor reduces braking force of the trailer braking system in response to a predetermined change in wheel speed. An anti-lock braking system reduces trailer wheel skid under braking. Multiple trailer braking systems can be applied to multiple wheels on the trailer to provide more or less braking.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A braking system comprising:
(a) a powered wheeled vehicle;
(b) a trailer releasably coupled to the vehicle, wherein the trailer comprises:
i an axle; and
ii a wheel coupled to the axle;
(c) an electric linear actuator comprising:
i a housing; and
ii an extensible arm provided at least partially within the housing and at least partially extensible in relationship thereto;
(d) wherein the housing is coupled to the trailer;
(e) a lever having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the lever is coupled to the extensible arm;
(f) a piston having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the piston is coupled to the second end of the lever;
(g) a brake rotor; and
(h) a brake pad coupled to the second end of the piston in sufficient proximity to the brake rotor to allow the pad to move into and out of contact with the brake rotor as the extensible arm retracts and extends relative to the housing.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The braking system of claim 1, further comprising a supplemental brake pad, wherein the brake rotor is positioned between the brake pad and the supplemental brake pad.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The braking system of claim 1, further comprising a wheel speed sensor coupled to the wheel.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The braking system of claim 3, wherein the rotor is coupled the wheel.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The braking system of claim 3, further comprising a braking release system coupled to the wheel speed sensor and to the linear actuator.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The braking system of claim 5, wherein the braking release system is configured to actuate the linear actuator in response to the wheel speed sensor detecting a predetermined change in the speed of the wheel.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The braking system of claim 1, further comprising an antilock braking system coupled to the linear actuator.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The braking system of claim 7, wherein the antilock braking system is configured to actuate the linear actuator in response to the antilock braking system detecting a predetermined locking of the wheel under braking.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The braking system of claim 1, further comprising an electrical power storage system provided on the trailer and coupled to the linear actuator.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The braking system of claim 9, wherein the electrical power storage system is an electrical capacitor.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The braking system of claim 1, further comprising a brake pedal located on the vehicle and coupled to the linear actuator in a manner such that depression of the brake pedal actuates the linear actuator.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The braking system of claim 11, further comprising a vehicle brake, wherein the linear actuator is configured in a manner such that depression of the brake pedal causes the linear actuator to exert sufficient force on the lever to slow the trailer sufficiently so that the trailer exerts a braking force on the vehicle.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The braking system of claim 11, further comprising a computer provided on the trailer and a program storage medium readable by the computer and tangibly embodying one or more instructions executable by the computer to perform a method for braking the trailer, the method comprising:
(a) receiving input associated with depression of the brake pedal; and
(b) actuating the linear actuator in response to receipt of the input.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The braking system of claim 13, wherein the input associated with depression of the brake pedal is received from a seven-pin connector plug provided on the vehicle.

### Claim 15

A trailer braking system for a trailer coupled to a vehicle, the braking system comprising:
(a) an electric linear actuator comprising:
i a housing;
ii an extensible arm provided at least partially within the housing and at least partially extensible in relationship thereto; and
iii wherein the housing is coupled to the trailer;
(b) a lever having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the lever is coupled to the extensible arm;
(c) a piston coupled having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the piston is coupled to the second end of the lever;
(d) a brake rotor;
(e) a brake pad coupled to the second end of the piston in sufficient proximity to the brake rotor to allow the pad to move into and out of contact with the brake rotor as the extensible arm retracts and extends relative to the housing; and
(f) a wheel speed sensor coupled to the linear actuator.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The trailer braking system of claim 15, further comprising a computer provided on the trailer and a program storage medium readable by the computer and tangibly embodying one or more instructions executable by the computer to perform a method for braking the trailer, the method comprising:
(a) receiving braking input from the vehicle; and
(b) actuating the linear actuator in response to receipt of the input.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The trailer braking system of claim 16, wherein the braking input is received from a seven-pin connector plug provided on the vehicle.

### Claim 18

A trailer braking system for a trailer coupled to a vehicle, the braking system comprising:
(a) an electric linear actuator comprising:
i a housing;
ii an extensible arm provided at least partially within the housing and at least partially extensible in relationship thereto; and
iii wherein the housing is coupled to the trailer;
(b) a lever having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the lever is coupled to the extensible arm;
(c) a piston coupled having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the piston is coupled to the second end of the lever;
(d) a brake rotor;
(e) a brake pad assembly, comprising a first brake pad and a second brake pad provided at least partially around the rotor, wherein the brake pad assembly is coupled to the second end of the piston; and
(f) a computer coupled to the linear actuator and a program storage medium readable by the computer and tangibly embodying one or more instructions executable by the computer to perform a method for braking the trailer, the method comprising:
i receiving braking input from the vehicle; and
ii actuating the linear actuator in response to receipt of the input.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The trailer braking system of claim 18, further comprising a trailer wheel speed sensor coupled to the computer, wherein the method for braking the trailer further comprises actuating the linear actuator in response to a predetermined input from the trailer wheel speed sensor.

### Claim 20 (depends on 18)

The trailer braking system of claim 18, further comprising an antilock braking system coupled to the computer, wherein the method for braking the trailer further comprises actuating the linear actuator in response to a predetermined input from the antilock braking system.