Method and device for adjusting the brake force distribution between a towing vehicle and a trailer
US5549364A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 10, 1995 |
| Grant date | Aug 27, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 10, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF02B3/06
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
In order to adapt the brake force of a towed vehicle or trailer in an optimal fashion, it is necessary to know the coupling forces between the towing vehicle and the trailer or towed vehicle. One prerequisite for determining this coupling force is the knowledge of the total mass of the vehicle. This total mass is determined from an energy balance that contains the variables of the speed, a parameter of the brake energy and one parameter of the driving energy which are provided by systems that already exist in the motor vehicle. For this purpose, three energy balances are established at three different times, with the total mass of the motor vehicle and the slope of the road being determined from the three energy balances. A trailer brake valve subsequently is adjusted depending on the vehicle mass.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.