Epco Products, Inc.

William H Aichele

Dale H Krauskopf

James O Hopkins, Jr

The trailer brake control system for use in a trailer which is adapted to be towed by a towing vehicle. The trailer includes an electrically operated braking mechanism and the towing vehicle includes a brake pedal, at least one brake light, and a brake switch operated by the brake pedal to energize the brake light. The control system includes a short circuit indicator circuit to provide a short circuit signal when a short circuit condition is detected in the trailer brake mechanism. A manual switch is also provided to manually actuate the trailer brake mechanism and to provide a manual brake actuation signal. A second circuit including a NOR gate provides a variable amplitude brake actuation signal in response to the concurrent closure of the brake switch, the absence of a manual brake actuation signal, and the absence of a short circuit signal. An indicator light is responsive to the brake actuation signal to provide a signal indicative of brake actuation. An oscillator circuit provides a stream of pulses and a voltage comparator is responsive to the stream of pulses and to the variable amplitude brake actuation signal to provide a stream of variable width drive pulses. The drive pulses drive an electronic switch to cyclically and repetitively actuate the trailer brake mechanism thereby applying braking force to the brakes of the trailer.

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Fort Wayne, IN, United States of America

William H Aichele