Patent · US Expired

Deceleration sensor for an electric brake controller

US4726627A · kind A · utility

60Cited by
3References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 18, 1985
Grant dateFeb 23, 1988
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 18, 2005

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60T17/20
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The present invention relates to a self-contained electric brake controller for energizing electrically operated brakes in a towed vehicle in response to a demand by a driver in a towing vehicle. The controller includes a unique deceleration sensing unit for generating a signal proportional to the magnitude of deceleration of the towing vehicle. The deceleration sensing unit includes an outer housing adapted to be secured relative to the towing vehicle, and a pendulum mounted on an axis for pivotal movement relative to the housing. The pendulum is movable in one direction from a resting position to a predetermined extended position when the vehicle is subjected to a predetermined magnitude of deceleration. The pendulum includes a magnet spaced from the pivot axis of the pendulum. A detector such as a Hall Effect device is carried by the housing and is responsive to the magnetic field produced by the pendulum magnet for generating a position signal representing the predetermined extended position of the pendulum. This position signal corresponds to the predetermined magnitude of deceleration of the vehicle. The deceleration sensing unit includes a second magnet carried by the housin…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.