Electronic Towed-Vehicle Brake Control Without Hydraulic Lines
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brake systems for towed vehicles when towed behind recreational vehicles or trucks face increased stopping distances and brake wear, and ABS systems can become inoperative due to fluid level issues, leading to mechanical stress and contamination problems during connection and disconnection.
Innovation Solution
An electronically controlled brake system using a microcontroller and transceivers in both towing and towed vehicles for two-way communication through a hard wire cable harness, allowing for three modes of initiating braking: manual switch, brake pedal actuation, and sensor-activated braking, with power management to maintain voltage and detect break-away events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the towed vehicle brake system is used alone, then the braking system is simple, but the stopping distance increases and brake wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
An electronic control unit acts as an intermediary between the towing vehicle's brake system and the towed vehicle's brake system. The ECU receives brake signals from the towing vehicle and transmits control signals to the towed vehicle's brake actuators, enabling coordinated braking without direct mechanical connection. This resolves the contradiction by providing reliable brake control through electronic mediation rather than relying on the inadequate standalone towed vehicle brake system.
2Reliability
If hydraulic or air lines are connected between towing and towed vehicles, then braking effectiveness improves, but contamination risk increases during connection and disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical hydraulic or air line connections with an electronic communication system. Electrical wires transmit brake control signals between the towing and towed vehicles without requiring fluid connections. This substitution eliminates the contamination risk associated with connecting and disconnecting hydraulic or air lines while maintaining effective brake control through electronic signal transmission.
3Reliability
If braking devices are installed and removed frequently, then braking control improves, but device complexity and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic brake control system is designed to be universally compatible with various vehicle types through standardized electrical connections and communication protocols. The system can be permanently installed once and serves multiple functions: controlling brake application, monitoring brake status, and adapting to different towing scenarios. This eliminates the need for frequent installation and removal of braking devices while maintaining reliable brake control.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronically controlled brake system to automatically or remotely control the braking of a towed vehicle from a towing vehicle comprising a towing vehicle module including a microcontroller having logic and circuitry to generate a braking signal in response to braking of the towing vehicle fed through an automotive vehicle self-diagnostic device port and vehicle control unit interface to the brake system of the towed vehicle and a towed vehicle includes a microcontroller having logic and circuitry to generate a brake control signal fed to the brake system on the towed vehicle through a vehicle control unit interface and automotive self-diagnostic port to electronically actuate the towed vehicle brakes.