US3909075A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Towed vehicle electric brake control system
Assignee: Tekonsha Engineering Co
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Filing: 1973-08-02
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Granted: 1975-09-30
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Expires: 1993-08-02
Abstract
Abstract An electronic brake control for trailers utilizing solenoid operated electric brakes wherein trailer braking is controlled by sensing the rate of deceleration of the towing and towed vehicle producing an electric signal controlling a voltage controlled oscillator having a fixed frequency output and a variable pulse width, the pulse width increasing proportional to the rate of deceleration. The pulse signals are amplified and energize the towed vehicle electric brakes in an oscillating or pulsed manner to minimize skidding and brake locking. A light sensing circuit selectively shielded by a pendulum produces the automatic deceleration responsive signal, and manual apparatus are employed to produce trailer braking without braking of the towing vehicle. Additionally, the automatic electric brake system control through the brake light circuit is by-passed and isolated by actuation of the emergency warning brake light system.
Inventors
- 👤 Jr Rene E Pittet
- 👤 Philip J Grant
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 23:06
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01P; G01P15/00; G01P15/02; G01P15/08; G01P15/093; B; B60; B60T; B60T8/00; B60T8/17; B60T8/1701; B60T8/1708; B60T8/32; B60T8/321; B60T8/323
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
An electronic brake control system for towed vehicles having electric brakes comprising, in combination, a pendulum having a mass defined thereon and having a path of movement parallel to the direction of towed vehicle travel, a light source comprising a light emitting diode, a light control member comprising a light impervious shield, a light sensing member comprising a variable resistance photo cell adapted to receive light from said light emitting diode, one of said members being mounted on said pendulum and the other member being fixed with respect to said pendulum, said light sensing member having a variable electrical resistance proportional to the amount of light sensed thereby, a voltage controlled oscillator having an input controlled by said light sensing member and having an oscillating voltage output having oscillation characteristics determined by the current flow through said light sensing member, and means connecting said oscillating output to the towed vehicle electric brakes producing a pulsed actuation of the towed vehicle electric brakes during braking proportional to the amount of light sensed by said light sensing member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
An electronic brake control system for towed vehicles having electric brakes comprising, in combination, a pendulum having a mass defined thereon and having a path of movement parallel to the direction of towed vehicle travel, a light source comprising a light emitting diode, a light control member comprising a light impervious shield, a light sensing member comprising a variable resistance photo cell adapted to receive light from said light emitting diode, one of said members being mounted on said pendulum and the other member being fixed with respect to said pendulum, said light sensing member having a variable electrical resistance proportional to the amount of light sensed thereby, a voltage controlled oscillator having an input controlled by said light sensing member and having an oscillating voltage output having oscillation characteristics determined by the current flow through said light sensing member, and means connecting said oscillating output to the towed vehicle electric brakes producing a pulsed actuation of the towed vehicle electric brakes during braking proportional to the amount of light sensed by said light sensing member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
In an electronic brake control system for towed vehicles as in claim 1 wherein said shield is mounted upon said pendulum and said light sensing member and light emitting diode are fixed relative to said pendulum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
225 words
An electronic brake control system for towed vehicles having electric brakes comprising, in combination, a pendulum having a mass defined thereon and having a path of movement parallel to the direction of towed vehicle travel, a light source, a light control member, a light sensing member, one of said members being mounted on said pendulum and the other member being fixed with respect to said pendulum, said light sensing member having a variable electrical resistance Proportional to the amount of light sensed thereby, a support member having a pivot shaft transversely disposed to the direction of towed vehicle travel, adjustment means connected to said support member for pivotally adjusting said support member about said shaft to vary the orientation of said support member to the horizontal said pendulum and said light sensing member being mounted on said support member wherein the horizontal orientation and characteristics of movement of said pendulum is adjusted by said support member being adjusted relative to said shaft, a voltage controlled brake control circuit having an input controlled by said light sensing member and having a voltage output determined by the current flow through said light sensing member, and means connecting said output to the towed vehicle electric brakes producing actuation of the towed vehicle electric brakes during braking proportional to the amount of light sensed by said light sensing member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
225 words
An electronic brake control system for towed vehicles having electric brakes comprising, in combination, a pendulum having a mass defined thereon and having a path of movement parallel to the direction of towed vehicle travel, a light source, a light control member, a light sensing member, one of said members being mounted on said pendulum and the other member being fixed with respect to said pendulum, said light sensing member having a variable electrical resistance Proportional to the amount of light sensed thereby, a support member having a pivot shaft transversely disposed to the direction of towed vehicle travel, adjustment means connected to said support member for pivotally adjusting said support member about said shaft to vary the orientation of said support member to the horizontal said pendulum and said light sensing member being mounted on said support member wherein the horizontal orientation and characteristics of movement of said pendulum is adjusted by said support member being adjusted relative to said shaft, a voltage controlled brake control circuit having an input controlled by said light sensing member and having a voltage output determined by the current flow through said light sensing member, and means connecting said output to the towed vehicle electric brakes producing actuation of the towed vehicle electric brakes during braking proportional to the amount of light sensed by said light sensing member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
In an electronic brake control system for towed vehicles as in claim 3 wherein said pendulum is mounted upon said pivot shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
In an electronic brake control system as in claim 4, said light control member comprising a light impervious shield mounted upon said pendulum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
In an electronic brake control system for towed vehicles as in claim 5 wherein said light source and light sensing member are fixed relative to said pendulum.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-29 | 1979-03-31 | 1979-09-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-29 | 1983-03-31 | 1983-09-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-29 | 1987-03-31 | 1987-09-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |