A method for operating a tractor-trailer combination made up of a towing vehicle and a trailer including an overrun brake. A total weight of the tractor-trailer combination is ascertained using a drive torque of the towing vehicle and an acceleration of the tractor-trailer combination. A trailer braking effect of the overrun brake is determined using a deceleration of the tractor-trailer combination, the total weight, and a vehicle braking effect of the towing vehicle without the trailer. A brake force distribution of the towing vehicle is set using the trailer braking effect.

A method for operating a tractor-trailer combination made up of a towing vehicle and a trailer including an overrun brake. A total weight of the tractor-trailer combination is ascertained using a drive torque of the towing vehicle and an acceleration of the tractor-trailer combination. A trailer braking effect of the overrun brake is determined using a deceleration of the tractor-trailer combination, the total weight, and a vehicle braking effect of the towing vehicle without the trailer. A brake force distribution of the towing vehicle is set using the trailer braking effect.

A towed vehicle braking system is described that in some embodiments includes a brake pedal connector configured to connect to a brake pedal of a towed vehicle brake in a passenger compartment of a towed vehicle, a power supply circuit in an engine compartment of the towed vehicle coupled to a towed vehicle battery to receive power, and a brake drive system in the engine compartment connected through a wall to the passenger compartment to the brake pedal connector to actuate the brake of the towed vehicle through the brake pedal connector by applying a positive pressure to the brake pedal connector to move the brake pedal. An inertial sensor in the engine compartment detects deceleration of the towed vehicle, and a processor in the engine compartment coupled to the inertial sensor and to the brake drive system causes the brake drive system to actuate the brake in response to the detection of deceleration.

A system, generally for use with light personal vehicles such as bicycles or e-bikes, for enabling a vehicle trailer and a tow bar to be interconnected in either a braking configuration or a non-braking configuration, is described. Also described is a braking kit for interconnecting a tow bar and a vehicle trailer in a braking configuration, wherein the vehicle trailer comprises a connection interface dimensioned to be connected with an end of the tow bar in a non-braking configuration. When the tow bar and the trailer are interconnected in the braking configuration, at least a threshold amount of rearward force imparted via the tow bar during vehicle braking causes the actuation of at least one brake associated with the trailer wheels. The same tow bar can be used in either braking or non-braking configuration.

An initialization method for an EMB may include: opening an in-valve for controlling a flow path through which brake oil is introduced from a master cylinder, closing an out-valve for controlling a flow path through which the brake oil is transferred to an accumulator part, and driving a motor to move a master piston forward; when the master piston is moved by a preset distance after coming in contact with a slave piston which is brought in contact with an inner pad, closing the in-valve and driving the motor to move the master piston backward; when the contact between the master piston and the slave piston is released, determining whether a gap between the master piston and the slave piston is equal to or more than a preset gap; and when the gap is equal to or more than the preset gap, ending initialization of the EMB.

An initialization method for an EMB may include: opening an in-valve for controlling a flow path through which brake oil is introduced from a master cylinder, closing an out-valve for controlling a flow path through which the brake oil is transferred to an accumulator part, and driving a motor to move a master piston forward; when the master piston is moved by a preset distance after coming in contact with a slave piston which is brought in contact with an inner pad, closing the in-valve and driving the motor to move the master piston backward; when the contact between the master piston and the slave piston is released, determining whether a gap between the master piston and the slave piston is equal to or more than a preset gap; and when the gap is equal to or more than the preset gap, ending initialization of the EMB.

A towed vehicle braking system is described that in some embodiments includes a brake pedal connector configured to connect to a brake pedal of a brake of a towed vehicle. A cylinder has a piston connected to the brake pedal connector to actuate the brake of the towed vehicle through the brake pedal connector by applying a positive pressure to the brake pedal connector to move the brake pedal. A vacuum supply line is coupled to a power booster of the towed vehicle brake and configured to provide vacuum to the power booster. A pump is coupled to the vacuum supply line and to the cylinder to alternately provide vacuum to the vacuum supply line and to drive the piston to actuate the brake. An inertial sensor detects deceleration of the towed vehicle, and a processor is coupled to the inertial sensor and to the pump to cause the pump to not provide vacuum and to drive the piston in response to the detection of deceleration.

A towed vehicle braking system is described that in some embodiments includes a brake pedal connector configured to connect to a brake pedal of a towed vehicle brake in a passenger compartment of a towed vehicle, a power supply circuit in an engine compartment of the towed vehicle coupled to a towed vehicle battery to receive power, and a brake drive system in the engine compartment connected through a wall to the passenger compartment to the brake pedal connector to actuate the brake of the towed vehicle through the brake pedal connector by applying a positive pressure to the brake pedal connector to move the brake pedal. An inertial sensor in the engine compartment detects deceleration of the towed vehicle, and a processor in the engine compartment coupled to the inertial sensor and to the brake drive system causes the brake drive system to actuate the brake in response to the detection of deceleration.

The present disclosure includes a system, method, and device related to controlling brakes of a towed vehicle. A brake controller system includes a brake controller that controls the brakes of a towed vehicle based on acceleration. The brake controller is in communication with a speed sensor. The speed sensor determines the speed of a towing vehicle or a towed vehicle. The brake controller automatically sets a gain or boost based on the speed and acceleration.

The present disclosure includes a system, method, and device related to controlling brakes of a towed vehicle. A brake controller system includes a brake controller that controls the brakes of a towed vehicle based on acceleration. The brake controller is in communication with a speed sensor. The speed sensor determines the speed of a towing vehicle or a towed vehicle. The brake controller automatically sets a gain or boost based on the speed and acceleration.