Brake control unit

US8746812B2 · kind B2 · utility

Inventors

• Marcia Albright · Coldwater, US
• Chandrakumar Kulkarni · Plymouth, US
• Jerald Prater · Tecumseh, US
• Jason Reichard · Scotts, US
• Dennis Michael Morse · Jackson, US
• Mark Austin · Coldwater, US
• Pat Burgess · West Point, US
• Marvin Hoot · Plymouth, US
• Larry Eccleston · Marshall, US
• Steve Zavodny · Fort Wayne, US
• Doug Marsden · Dearborn, US
• Kirk Englert · Dearborn, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 11, 2005
• Grant date: Jun 10, 2014
• Expiry date: Mar 3, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60T2270/413
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Towed vehicles can be extremely heavy. Accordingly, it is too much of a burden to the braking system of a towing vehicle to not have brakes on the towed vehicle. Controlling the brakes of the towed vehicle must be accurately applied otherwise undesirable conditions can be created. There is a need for a method for controlling braking of a towed vehicle. This method comprises receiving a first signal via a communication bus of a towing vehicle, the first signal relating to at least one operating condition of at least one the towing vehicle and a towed vehicle, sending a second signal to brakes of the towed vehicle, the second signal based on said first signal.