Brake control system for balanced braking of a towed vehicle
US6280004A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 19, 1999 |
| Grant date | Aug 28, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 19, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60T13/68
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A brake control system has a power source electronically connectable through a brake switch and a microswitch to a towed brake actuation mechanism that actuates a towed brake of the towed vehicle. The brake control system is designed for use in a towed vehicle that is removably connected to a towing vehicle with a tow hitch. It is critical that the brake control system include two switches to control the actuation of the towed brake: (1) the brake switch to ensure that the towed brake is not actuated until the user depresses a brake pedal to actuate the towing brake of the towing vehicle; and (2) the microswitch to ensure that the towed brake is not actuated unless the towed vehicle and the towing vehicle are being pressed together, such as when the towing vehicle is braking and the towed vehicle is coasting into the towing vehicle. The microswitch is mounted on a towed-vehicle fixed point of the towed vehicle or the tow hitch; and a sensor arm extending from a housing of the microswitch to contact a towing-vehicle fixed point of the towing vehicle or the tow hitch.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.