A system (e.g., a vehicle control system) includes a brake control unit that is configured to be operably deployed onboard a vehicle. The brake control unit has one or more sensor inputs and one or more control outputs. One of the sensor units is configured to receive a speed signal from a speed sensor of the vehicle; the speed signal is indicative of a vehicle speed detected by the speed sensor. One of the control outputs is configured for connection to a brake system of the vehicle. The brake control unit is configured to generate a vehicle control signal to initiate a vehicle brake operation responsive to the speed indicated by the speed signal going above a designated first speed threshold and the speed signal meeting one or more first designated criteria in addition to the first speed threshold.

A trailer braking system comprises a vehicles having a continuously-variable hydrostatic transmission, and a trailer coupled for towing by the vehicle and having an associated braking system operable from the vehicle. The vehicle transmission includes a first pressure sensor arranged to measure a fluid pressure at a predetermined point within the transmission, and a rotation sensor arranged to determine a rotation direction of a predetermined component in a driveline of the vehicle. A control unit coupled to the first pressure sensor and rotation sensor determines when a PUSH condition exists based on a particular combination of pressure and rotational direction, and operates the trailer brakes in response. One or more back-up systems to confirm the existence of a PUSH condition may be provided.

A trailer braking system comprises a vehicles having a continuously-variable hydrostatic transmission, and a trailer coupled for towing by the vehicle and having an associated braking system operable from the vehicle. The vehicle transmission includes a first pressure sensor arranged to measure a fluid pressure at a predetermined point within the transmission, and a rotation sensor arranged to determine a rotation direction of a predetermined component in a driveline of the vehicle. A control unit coupled to the first pressure sensor and rotation sensor determines when a PUSH condition exists based on a particular combination of pressure and rotational direction, and operates the trailer brakes in response. One or more back-up systems to confirm the existence of a PUSH condition may be provided.

Towed vehicles can be extremely heavy. Accordingly, it is too much of a burden to the braking system of a towing vehicle to not have brakes on the towed vehicle. Controlling the brakes of the towed vehicle must be accurately applied otherwise very dangerous conditions can be created. A method of controlling braking of a towed vehicle is, therefore, needed. The method comprises receiving speed signals based on speed of a towing vehicle, or a towed vehicle, or both said towing vehicle and said towed vehicle, receiving pressure signals based on pressure of a hydraulic brake system of the towing vehicle, and generating a brake output signal based on the speed signals and the pressure signals.

Towed vehicles can be extremely heavy. Accordingly, it is too much of a burden to the braking system of a towing vehicle to not have brakes on the towed vehicle. Controlling the brakes of the towed vehicle must be accurately applied otherwise very dangerous conditions can be created. A method of controlling braking of a towed vehicle is, therefore, needed. The method comprises receiving speed signals based on speed of a towing vehicle, or a towed vehicle, or both said towing vehicle and said towed vehicle, receiving pressure signals based on pressure of a hydraulic brake system of the towing vehicle, and generating a brake output signal based on the speed signals and the pressure signals.

A method for testing a pressure-medium-operated electronic brake system of a vehicle having a valve and sensor device including a control pressure inlet, a control pressure outlet, a plurality of valves selected from electrically activated inlet valves, outlet valves, redundancy valves, and pressure valves, an actual pressure sensor for measuring an actual control pressure, a setpoint pressure sensor for measuring a setpoint control pressure, and an electronic control unit, which has a signal-conducting connection to the electrically activated valves and pressure sensors, for receiving pressure signals and actuating the electrically activated valves, includes testing the setpoint pressure sensor while the control unit is in a passive operating mode, passing the setpoint control pressure directly through to the control pressure outlet, measuring the actual pressure at the control pressure outlet using a sensor, and transmitting the measured value to the control unit for plausibility checking against the setpoint pressure measurement.

A vehicle braking apparatus that is constructed to be operably coupled to a trailer or a vehicle and provide emergency braking and stoppage thereof. The apparatus of the present invention includes a lever arm that is pivotally coupled to the frame of the trailer or vehicle. The lever arm has secured to the second end thereof an engagement member. The engagement member is planar in manner and configured to be parallel to the road surface. A support member is coupled to the frame and the lever arm and is operable to maintain the lever arm in a downward angled position ensuing the apparatus being placed in its operational position. The vehicle braking apparatus includes a deployment member operable to rapidly deploy the apparatus to its operational position. A biasing member maintains a downward force on the engagement member when the vehicle braking apparatus is in its operational position.

A vehicle braking apparatus that is constructed to be operably coupled to a trailer or a vehicle and provide emergency braking and stoppage thereof. The apparatus of the present invention includes a lever arm that is pivotally coupled to the frame of the trailer or vehicle. The lever arm has secured to the second end thereof an engagement member. The engagement member is planar in manner and configured to be parallel to the road surface. A support member is coupled to the frame and the lever arm and is operable to maintain the lever arm in a downward angled position ensuing the apparatus being placed in its operational position. The vehicle braking apparatus includes a deployment member operable to rapidly deploy the apparatus to its operational position. A biasing member maintains a downward force on the engagement member when the vehicle braking apparatus is in its operational position.

A system and method of controlling individual trailer brakes on a towed trailer supporting numerous fault tolerant behaviors including activating each operational brake when a brake is shorted. System operates in multiple modes where it operates with traditional brake controllers, operates in a degraded braking mode without a brake controller and in the preferred mode it retrieves vehicle information from tow vehicle and then communicates with a brake actuator controller over the trailer brake wire. When braking system includes wheel sensors traditional antilock releases are provided and unlike other braking systems this brake actuator controller can maintain wheel speeds below the trailer speed reducing or eliminating periodic wheel releases. System also diagnoses the mechanical operation of the trailer brakes including; identifying when brake adjustment is required, when brake friction surfaces are degrading, as well as diagnosing sensors, braking signals and brake actuator interfaces.

Various disclosed embodiments include systems, vehicles, and methods for controlling an inverter of a towed vehicle. In an illustrative embodiment, a system includes a controller. The controller includes a processor and computer-readable media configured to store computer-executable instructions configured to cause the processor to: receive sensed data indicative of detected deceleration of a tow vehicle; and during detected deceleration, control an inverter of a towed vehicle responsive to the detected deceleration.