Trailer hold assist during standstill

Abstract

A vehicle comprises a speed-sensing device outputting a signal indicating a velocity of the vehicle, a brake system outputting a signal for indicating when the brake system is being commanded to a brake torque providing state, and a trailer brake controller coupled to the speed-sensing device and the brake system. The trailer brake controller utilizes the signal of the speed-sensing device to determine when the vehicle is in a zero-velocity state and utilizes the signal of the brake system to determine when the brake system is being commanded to the brake torque providing state. The trailer brake controller transitions a brake-actuating output signal thereof from a speed-dependent zero-velocity output signal value to a trailer hold zero-velocity output signal value greater than the speed-dependent zero-velocity output signal value when it is determined that the brake system is in the brake torque providing state while the vehicle is in the zero-velocity state.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates generally to trailer brake controllers, and more particularly to a trailer brake controller configured to enhance the manner in which a trailer's braking system is used to hold a towing vehicle / trailer combination at a standstill. Background technique [0002] Passenger vehicle transport capacity is an important design aspect of modern vehicles. The ability to check in objects and equipment is often just as important as the vehicle's ability to transport additional passengers. Solutions aimed at increasing vehicle haulage capacity must not only be aimed at improving vehicle utility, but must also be aimed at improving vehicle safety and performance while doing so. One conventional approach to improving the transportability of a vehicle has been done by adding a trailer attached to the vehicle. Trailers allow for a wide range of items to be transported by the vehicle, usually without compromising the transport capabilitie...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, implementation of the speed-dependent brake actuation output signal in this manner results in the trailer brake controller providing less than the maximum possible or required output at a standstill, which can cause the towing vehicle brakes to have to be applied unnecessarily. The amount of brake torque to hold the towing vehicle / trailer at a standstill

Furthermore, under certain circumstances, for example when at a standstill on an incline, the reduced brake torque produced by the output signal of the speed-dependent brake actuation on the trailer will provide sufficient power to the combined braking system of the towing vehicle / trailer combination Adversely affects the ability of the brake torque required or required to maintain the towing vehicle / trailer combination at a standstill

Images