Electric stability control system and device for controlling sway stability of a caravan or trailer and the like

An electric stability control device for controlling electric brakes of a towed vehicle so as to substantially minimize effects of lateral acceleration during a tow condition, the device including;

• a sway detector for measuring lateral acceleration of the towed vehicle;
• an actuator connectable to the electric brakes for activating the electric brakes of the towed vehicle, the actuator being operatively connected to the sway detector wherein the sway detector detects a predetermined critical condition of lateral acceleration of the towed vehicle relative to a towing vehicle, wherein the predetermined critical conditions that the sway detector detects include:
• detecting a predetermined lateral acceleration of the towed vehicle relative to the towing vehicle of about 0.15 g to 0.2 g over two (2) cycles;
• or detecting lateral acceleration in a cycle exceeding about 0.4 g;
• wherein in an operating condition, a power source is provided to power the electrical stability control, and the actuator provides an effective predetermined voltage input to the electric brakes when one of the certain critical conditions of lateral acceleration are detected based on the extent of swaying detected and towing load and for a period of time effective to substantially stabilize the towed vehicle independent of the towing vehicle.

A sway control unit for a towed vehicle having electrically actuated brakes, the electronic sway control unit:

• being mountable to the towed vehicle;
• comprising an accelerometer which is adapted to sense lateral acceleration of the towed vehicle;
• and
• operating to apply an actuating voltage to the electrically controlled brakes when the lateral acceleration of the towed vehicle meets specified criteria;
• wherein said specified criteria includes:
• detecting a predetermined lateral acceleration of the towed vehicle relative to the towing vehicle of about 0.15 g to 0.2 g over two (2) cycles;
• or detecting lateral acceleration in a cycle exceeding about 0.4 g.

An electric stability control device for controlling electric brakes of a towed vehicle so as to substantially minimize effects of lateral acceleration during as tow condition, the device including:

• a sway detecting means for measuring lateral acceleration of the towed vehicle;
• an actuator means for activating the electric brakes of the towed vehicle, the actuator means being operatively connected to the sway detecting means whereby the sway detecting means detects certain critical conditions of lateral acceleration including:
• detecting a predetermined lateral acceleration of the towed vehicle relative to the towing vehicle over two (2) cycles;
• and
• detecting lateral acceleration exceeding about 0.4 g
• wherein when the sway detecting means detects lateral acceleration exceeding about 0.2 g for two cycles, the actuator means is activated to apply a predetermined input voltage to the electric brakes until the lateral acceleration detected by the sway detecting means is reduced to about 0.15 g or less;
• and
• wherein when the sway detecting means detects lateral acceleration exceeding about 0.4 g, the actuator means is activated to apply a predetermined input voltage to the electric brakes until the lateral acceleration detected by the sway detecting means is reduced to about 0.15 g or less.