Kelsey-hayes Company

James Becker

Daniel L Neill

A digital odometer having a mechanical memory in the form of an encoder supplies binary data to a logic control and memory which may be a microprocessor. Both total distance and trip distance are stored in memories in the logic control and memory and are supplied to digital displays.

Digital odometer

The control system for electrically operated brakes utilizes solid state electronic components to control the braking mechanism in a towed vehicle. Energy is provided by a pulsating voltage, the pulse width of which is varied by a pulse width modulator in accordance with the amount of braking effort desired for the vehicle being towed. The pulse width modulator has the width of its output pulse directly controlled by either a hand control, or by a foot pedal control, or in response to the brake hydraulic pressure for the hydraulic brake system of the towing vehicle. Protection against short circuit conditions in the towed vehicle is provided which disables the modulator from producing output pulses for a predetermined period of time. Adjustment of the ratio of braking effort in the towed vehicle to the braking effort in the towing vehicle is provided so as to compensate for different towed vehicle to towing vehicle weight ratios. A transducer develops a control signal corresponding to the braking effort desired, and may be actuated by the hydraulic brake system of the towing vehicle, or alternatively may be actuated from the foot pedal itself. The transducer is adapted to provide a substantially linear relationship between the towed vehicle brake force and the towing vehicle brake effort, either from brake system hydraulic pressure or from brake pedal force.

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Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

James Becker