Towed Vehicle Brake Controller with Pedal Position Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current towed vehicle brake controllers either rely on time-based or velocity sensor-based systems, which infer braking activity rather than measuring it, leading to non-proportional braking and requiring connectivity to the towing vehicle's brake indicator system, failing to apply towed vehicle brakes prior to the towing vehicle's braking.
Innovation Solution
A brake controller with a sensor assembly that includes a pedal position sensor and a fixed sensor to measure the relative orientation of the brake pedal, eliminating 'noise' from the pedal position signal to accurately reflect the brake pedal position, allowing for proportional braking of the towed vehicle before the towing vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If timer-based controllers are used to activate towed vehicle brakes after towing vehicle brakes are engaged, then the system is simple in design and inexpensive, but the braking of the towed vehicle is not proportional to the braking of the towing vehicle and cannot begin braking prior to the towing vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces timer-based control or velocity sensor-based control with direct measurement of brake pedal position using a pedal position sensor. This substitution allows the controller to directly measure the actual braking input from the driver, enabling proportional activation of towed vehicle brakes that accurately reflects the towing vehicle driver's braking intent, rather than inferring braking activity from timing or velocity changes.
2Measurement precision
If velocity sensor based controllers are used to provide proportional braking, then the system can detect changes in speed, but the system can be fooled by road conditions and vehicle orientation and still requires connectivity to the brake indicator system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces velocity sensor-based detection with direct mechanical measurement of brake pedal position. By measuring the actual position of the brake pedal through a pedal position sensor, the system directly captures the driver's braking input without being influenced by road conditions, vehicle orientation, or other external factors that can fool velocity sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the braking measurement function from the brake indicator system by directly sensing brake pedal position. This extraction eliminates the need to connect to the brake indicator system, as the controller now obtains braking information directly from the pedal position sensor rather than inferring it from brake light signals.
3Device complexity
If brake controllers infer braking activity rather than measuring it, then the system can be simpler, but the towed vehicle brakes are applied after the towing vehicle brakes have been applied instead of prior to or simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables preliminary action by directly measuring brake pedal position and immediately activating the towed vehicle brakes in response to the driver's braking input. The controller is configured to activate the towed vehicle brakes before the towing vehicle brakes are applied, ensuring that the towed vehicle begins slowing down prior to the towing vehicle, which prevents jackknifing and improves braking safety.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures the towed vehicle brakes are applied proportionally and prior to the towing vehicle's braking, improving braking synchronization and eliminating the need for connectivity to the towing vehicle's brake indicator system.
Implementation Method 1
a first sensor which is operatively connected to the brake pedal arm to measure the brake pedal's position
Implementation Method 2
a second sensor which is positionally fixed in the towing vehicle... the change in position of the brake pedal is measured, and then adjusted by the controller based on the output of the second sensor
Implementation Method 3
An electromagnet is mounted on one end of a lever to actuate the brake shoes, and is drawn against the rotating brake drum when an electrical current is applied
Data Source
AI summary
A brake controller for controlling the brakes of a towed vehicle which is pulled by a towing vehicle comprises a sensor assembly which determines the position of the brake pedal of the towing vehicle, and if necessary, compensates for inertia which can affect the output of some sensors. The output of the sensor assembly is transmitted to a processor, which in turn transmits a signal (the strength of which is a function of the pedal position) to brakes of the towed vehicle to activate the brakes of the towed vehicle.