Hopkins Manufacturing Corporation

Other

Jonathan S Gray

Vicki Sickler

Gary Kaminski

Lynn M Olberding

An auxiliary braking system and method of controlling the braking a towed vehicle is provided that includes a remote control that is in selective communication with an auxiliary braking unit positioned in a towing vehicle. More specifically, it is often desirable for the operator of the towing vehicle to assess the performance of the auxiliary braking apparatus positioned in a towed vehicle. In addition, it is often advantageous for the operator to perform real time adjustments to the performance parameters of the auxiliary braking apparatus positioned in the towing vehicle without having to cease driving and physically access the auxiliary braking device.

Towed vehicle braking apparatus

A breakaway device () to detect when a towed vehicle () separates from a towing vehicle () in order to engage the towed vehicle's brakes broadly comprises a sensor operable to detect when a signal from the towing vehicle () is lost and a shunt operable to route electrical power to the brakes. In a preferred embodiment, the sensor and the shut may be embodied in a transistor (). In an alternative embodiment, the sensor and the shut may be embodied in an electro-mechanical switch (). The device () preferably includes an override () and lights () to indicate the device's () status.

Electronic breakaway device

A system ( ) and method for managing an electric brake ( ) in a towed vehicle ( ) during a breakaway event by managing current delivery to the electric brake ( ) so as to maximize both effectiveness and efficiency. A power management module ( ) delivers a first level of current for a first duration in order to stop the trailer ( ), and delivers a second level of current in order to hold the trailer ( ) in place. When provided with feedback, the module can actively adjust the first level of current to a maximum current while avoiding locking the electric brake ( ), and to adjust the second level of current to a minimum current sufficient to hold the trailer ( ). Additionally, front and rear electric brakes ( A, B) can be managed differently or independently in order to achieve the most effective and efficient result.

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Garnett, KS, United States of America

Jonathan S Gray