Systems and methods for controlling trailer brakes as a function of trailer wheel rotation
US4232910A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 12, 1976 |
| Grant date | Nov 11, 1980 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 12, 1996 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60T2230/06
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Brake control systems and methods particularly suited for small trailers and the like wherein the angular velocity of each wheel in a selected pair of wheels is sensed and compared against each other to develop a control signal representing the differential in angular velocity between the respective paired wheels. In a skid control embodiment, while the brakes are being applied by the operator, the system automatically releases the brakes at both wheels in proportion to a velocity differential between the wheels indicating an impending skid. In the case of a trailer equipped with a sway control embodiment, the system automatically applies the brakes at both wheels in proportion to the wheel velocity differential representing excessive trailer sway. The respective skid control and sway control embodiments are useful alone or in a combined system. In a further modification, deceleration of the tractor-trailer unit when the tractor brakes are applied causes automatic trailer brake application proportional to trailer deceleration.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.