Tekonsha Engineering Company

Progressive Dynamics, Inc.

Horizon Global Americas Inc.

Other

Cequent Performance Products, Inc.

Microwave Sensors

Tekonsha Towing Systems, Inc.

Larry Eccleston

Chandrakumar Kulkarni

Marcia S Albright

Dennis Michael Morse

Bruce Edward Smith

Earl R Goodrich, Ii

James C Cook, Ii

Mark William Austin

Marvin Hoot

Douglas R Motts

Jason Reichard

Steve Zavodny

Pat Burgess

Jerald Prater

Barry G Austin

Kirk Englert

Doug Marsden

David P Orlowski

Manot Swasdee

Marcia Albright

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.

Brake control unit

A trailer signal converter includes a plurality of inputs, including a first towing vehicle turn light signal, a second towing vehicle turn light signal, and a trailer brake signal. The trailer brake signal is a pulse-width modulated signal. The trailer signal converter selectively drives the turn and stop light signals on the trailer based on the input signals. In a three-wire system, the signal converter is configured to receive a brake signal input and a brake light input and selectively drive the trailer stop light signals.

Trailer signal converter

A trailer signal converter includes a plurality of inputs, including a first towing vehicle turn light signal, a second towing vehicle turn light signal, and a trailer brake signal. The trailer brake signal may be a pulse-width modulated signal. The trailer signal converter selectively drives the turn and stop light signals on the trailer based on the input signals. In a three-wire system, the signal converter may be configured to receive a brake signal input and a brake light input and selectively drive the trailer stop light signal.

A brake control unit for providing a brake output signal to a brake load includes a processor, an accelerometer and a memory subsystem. The accelerometer is coupled to the processor and provides a brake control signal to the processor, which is configured to provide the brake output signal to the brake load in response to the brake control signal. The memory subsystem is coupled to the processor and stores processor executable code, which causes the processor to automatically set at least one of a gain level and a boost level for the brake control unit.

A brake control unit for providing a brake output signal to a brake load includes a processor, an accelerometer and a memory subsystem. The accelerometer is coupled to the processor and provides a brake control signal to the processor, which is configured to provide the brake output signal to the brake load in response to the brake control signal. The memory subsystem is coupled to the processor and stores processor executable code, which causes the processor to automatically acquire an operating point of the brake control signal when the brake control unit is mounted within a range of operating positions.

A brake control unit provides a properly oriented brake control display irrespective of whether the brake control unit is installed in a normal or inverted mode. The brake control unit determines whether a brake control signal is asserted when the brake control unit is connected to a vehicle power supply. If so, the brake control display is inverted. Alternatively, the brake control unit determines orientation by monitoring a position sensitive device. The brake control unit is also capable of determining and displaying the status of a brake load on the brake control display. In addition, the brake control unit is capable of determining and displaying an output voltage of the brake control unit on the brake control display.

Electronic brake controller and display

An electrical charging circuit for applying a controlled charge to a receiving device, such as a battery, and particularly such as a battery carried on a towed vehicle such as a trailer for actuating the trailer brakes during emergency situations such as unexpected disconnection from the towing vehicle, i.e., break-away. In a basic sense, the charging circuit includes a voltage potential-responsive element or component for sensing the charged level of the receiving device coupled to the circuit and enabling or disabling the circuit charging operation, together with a variable-conductance circuit component for producing a generally constant charging voltage output to the receiving device over a wide range of applied voltages but also operable to provide a first amount of current flow to the receiving device at a given applied voltage and temperature but a second a limited amount of current flow when the voltage across the charging circuit is sufficiently large. In its most preferred embodiment, the voltage responsive component may be a diode switch, and the variable-conductance circuit component may be a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistor.

Battery charger for towed vehicles and the like

A vehicle brake controller includes a variable pulse-width modulator operating at a constant frequency and with a variable pulse width to provide control pulses to a MOSFET element which actuates vehicle braking. The controller further includes a visual indicator which displays different colors to representatively indicate the amount of current applied to the brakes, and also to indicate whether an operable connection exists between the electronic controller and the vehicle brakes.

Controller for electric braking system

An improved electronic controller for electrically actuated vehicle brakes includes a triple sloping integrator for providing a control signal to a pulse with modulator controller. The circuit further includes a protection circuit for protecting electrical devices in the electronic controller from an inadequate electrical ground. Where the electronic controller includes an inertial sensor, the electronic controller includes a current control device for controlling the current flow through the inertial sensor. The electronic controller also includes a device for disabling the inertial sensor.

Controller for electric braking systems

An electronic controller for outputting pulses of current to actuate towed vehicle brakes includes a trigger point inertial sensor for varying the gain thereof. The trigger point inertial sensor includes a switch connected to the controller for switching the gain between two levels. In the preferred embodiment, the inertial sensor and switch comprise a mercury switch supported on a platform which is rotatable to adjust the switching threshold of the inertial sensor, and to adjust for the mounting position of the brake control.

Multiple-gain electronic brake actuator with trigger point inertial

A battery charger is disclosed for charging a battery from a vehicle electrical system. The battery charger includes switching devices and a storage element for providing a supply from the vehicle electrical system. The regulator is connected to the switching devices and the storage element for regulating a voltage applied to the battery. The regulated voltage is controlled to have a first value during charging and a second value after the battery is charged.

Growing community of inventors

Marshall, MI, United States of America

Larry Eccleston