Electronically controlled brake system

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. An autonomous electronically controlled brake system to control the braking of a towed vehicle upon detection of acceleration of the towed vehicle, said electronically controlled brake system comprises a monolithic vehicle module including an acceleration sensor to sense acceleration of the towed vehicle and to generate a deceleration signal when acceleration of the towed vehicle is sensed and a microcontroller to receive said deceleration signal, said microcontroller having logic and circuitry to initiate a towed vehicle braking sequence when detecting a difference over time of said deceleration signal to generate a brake signal in response to said deceleration signal, said microcontroller being coupled to the brake system of the towed vehicle through an interface and the diagnostic port of the towed vehicle to feed said brake signal to the vehicle brakes to electronically actuate the vehicle brakes.

2. An autonomous electronically controlled brake system to control the braking of a towed vehicle of claim 1 wherein the diagnostic port of the towed vehicle comprises an OBD II port.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

(1) For a fuller understanding of the nature and object of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a side view of a towing vehicle and towed vehicle including the electronically controlled brake system of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is a diagram depicting the components of the modules of the electronically controlled brake system of the present invention in both the towing vehicle and towed vehicle.

(4) FIG. 3 is a diagram depicting the components of the module of the electronically controlled brake system of the present invention of the towing vehicle.

(5) FIG. 4 depicting the components of the module the electronically controlled brake system of the present invention of the towed vehicle.

(6) FIG. 5 is a wiring diagram of the towed vehicle connected to the cable harness of the electronically controlled brake system of the present invention.

(7) FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the circuitry of the towed vehicle module of the electronically controlled brake system of the present invention.

(8) FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the microcontroller circuitry of the electronically controlled brake system of the towed vehicle module of the present invention.

(9) FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the interface circuitry of the electronically controlled brake system of the towing vehicle and towed vehicle of the present invention.

(10) FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the hook-up connector circuitry of the electronically controlled brake system depicting the components of the modules of the electronically controlled brake system of the present invention.

(11) FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the power management circuitry of the electronically controlled brake system depicting the components of the modules of the electronically controlled brake system of the present invention.

(12) FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the Bluetooth circuitry of the electronically controlled brake system depicting the components of the modules of the electronically controlled brake system of the present invention.

(13) FIG. 12 is a top view of the printed circuit board of the electronically controlled brake system depicting the components of the modules of the electronically controlled brake system of the present invention.

(14) FIG. 13 is a state diagram of the electronically controlled brake system of the present invention.

(15) FIG. 14 is a flow chart of the electronically controlled brake system of the present invention.

(16) Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(17) The present invention relates to an electronically controlled brake system to remotely control the braking of a towed vehicle 10 from a towing vehicle 12 such as an RV or recreational vehicle operatively coupled together using a tow bar and a hard wire cable harness or link generally indicated as 14 to provide two-way communications of command signals between a towing vehicle module generally indicated as 16 mounted in the cab of the towing vehicle 12 and a towed vehicle module generally indicated as 18 mounted in the cab of the towed vehicle 10 (FIG. 1).

(18) FIG. 2 depicts the major components of the towing vehicle module 16 and the towed vehicle module 18 in block form.

(19) As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the towing vehicle module 16 comprises a microcontroller 20 coupled to an external power source 22 by a towing vehicle power supply 24 and coupled to a towing vehicle control unit 26 such as a CAN network within the towing vehicle 12 through an automotive vehicle self-diagnostic and reporting device port 28 such as an OBDII port by a towing vehicle port connector 30 and a towing vehicle control unit interface 32 such as a CAN network interface. A control panel comprising an LED display 34 and control switches 36 is coupled to the microcontroller 20 to transmit and receive data and signals between the microcontroller 20 and the towed vehicle module 18 through a communication section 38 also coupled to the microcontroller 20.

(20) As shown in FIG. 3, the towing vehicle module 16 also includes an alarm 40 to generate an audio and/or visual indication when a predetermined condition such as towed vehicle break-away is detected. A MEMS or other sensor is provided to generate a deceleration signal upon braking of the towing vehicle 12. FIG. 3 also depicts a transceiver 42 to transmit and receive data and signals between the towing vehicle module 16 and the towed vehicle module 18.

(21) As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the towed vehicle module 18 comprises a microcontroller 44 coupled to an external power source (not shown) by a towed vehicle power supply 46 and coupled to a towed vehicle control unit 48 such as a CAN network within the towed vehicle 10 through an automotive vehicle self-diagnostic and reporting device port 50 such as an OBDII port by a towed vehicle port connector 52 and a towed vehicle control unit interface 54 such as a CAN interface. A control panel 56 comprising a LED display or status indicators is coupled to the microcontroller 44 to transmit and receive data and signals from the microcontroller 44 through the communication section 58 to the communication section 38 of the towing vehicle module 16. FIG. 4 also depicts a transceiver 60 to transmit and receive data and signals between the transceiver 42 of the towing vehicle module 16 and the towed vehicle module 18. However, transceiver 60 may alternately communicate directly with cellular phones or tablet devices with communication capabilities such as Bluetooth using software applications.

(22) As shown in FIG. 2, the hard wire cable harness or link 14 extending between the towing vehicle 12 and towed vehicle 10 couples the towed vehicle module 18 through a cable connector 64 and a cable connector receptacle 66 to the brake lights and brake light switch (not shown) of the towed vehicle 10 through an existing towing vehicle hook-up or connector (not shown) and the cable connector 62 of the towing vehicle 12.

(23) As shown in FIGS. 2, 7 and 9, the brake lights or brake light switch (not shown) of the towing vehicle 12 are also connected to the brake lights and tail lights of the towed vehicle 10. In addition, the battery (not shown) of the towed vehicle 10 may be coupled to a power source (not shown) in the towing vehicle 12 such as a battery (not shown).

(24) A braking event for the towed vehicle 10 can be initiated from the towing vehicle 12 in one of the three distinct modes described hereinafter.

(25) The first mode of initiating a towed vehicle braking sequence is to depress the manual brake switch 36 (FIGS. 2 and 3) on the control panel of the towing vehicle module 16 to generate a brake signal fed to the microcontroller 20 that, in turn, generates a braking signal transmitted to the transceiver 60 of the towed vehicle module 18 of the towed vehicle 10 by the transceiver 42 of the of the towing vehicle module 16 of the towing vehicle 12. The braking signal received by the transceiver 60 of the towed vehicle module 18 is then fed to the microcontroller 44 of the towed vehicle module 18 which, in turn, generates a braking signal is fed through the towed vehicle control unit interface 54, towed vehicle port connector 52, automotive vehicle self-diagnostic and reporting device 50 to the towed vehicle control unit 48 to actuate the towed vehicle brake system to apply the brakes of the towed vehicle 10 completing the brake activating sequence of the existing brake system of the towed vehicle 10.

(26) A second mode of initiating a towed vehicle braking sequence is to actuate the braking systems of the towing vehicle 12 by a applying force on the brake pedal (not shown). In particular, the signal generated from the brake light switch or brake light signal is fed to the cable connector 62 through the hard wire cable harness or link 14 and cable connector 64 to the communication section 58 of the towed vehicle module 18 through the cable connector receptacle 66. The signal is fed from the communication section 58 to the microcontroller 44 of the towed vehicle 10.

(27) The microcontroller 44 of the towed vehicle module 18 then generates a braking control signal that is fed through the towed vehicle control unit interface 54, towed vehicle port connector 52, automotive vehicle self-diagnostic and reporting device 50 to the towed vehicle control unit 48 to actuate the towed vehicle brake system to apply the brakes of the towed vehicle 10 completing the brake activating sequence.

(28) As shown in FIG. 2, the braking signal from the towing vehicle 12 may also be fed to the brake lights and tail lights of the towed vehicle 10 through the hard-wired cable harness or link 14 and existing wiring of the towed vehicle 10. In addition, power may be fed from the towing vehicle 12 to the towed vehicle 12 through the hard wire cable harness or link 14 to maintain voltage charge on the battery of the towed vehicle 10.

(29) The third mode of initiating a towed vehicle braking sequence is to actuate the braking system of the towed vehicle 10 when braking of the towing vehicle 12 is sensed by a sensor such as a MEMS in the towing vehicle module 16 to generate a braking sensor signal to be transmitted to the towed vehicle 10.

(30) In particular, the braking sensor signal is fed to the logic and circuitry of the microcontroller 20 of the towing vehicle module 16 that generates the braking signal to be fed to the towed vehicle module 18 by either the transceiver 42 of the towing module 16 to the transceiver 60 of the towed vehicle 10 or through the hard-wire cable harness or link 14. The towed vehicle module 18 then generates the braking control signal fed to the brake system of the towed vehicle 10 as previously described.

(31) In addition, a braking event can also be initiated automatically by the towed vehicle module 18 in a manner of initiating a towed vehicle braking sequence by detecting acceleration difference over time using the microcontroller and MEMS 44. The microcontroller 44 of the towed vehicle module 18 then generates a braking control signal that is fed through the towed vehicle control unit interface 54, towed vehicle port connector 52, automotive vehicle self-diagnostic and reporting device 50 to the towed vehicle control unit 48 to actuate the towed vehicle brake system to apply the brakes of the towed vehicle 10 completing the brake activating sequence.

(32) During active braking events microcontroller 44 generates proportional brake signals proportional to brake towed vehicle 10 to acceleration generated by towing RV or other towing vehicle 12 based on the multiple signals including the MEMS acceleration sensor in towed vehicle module 18. The towed vehicle brakes are signaled to release by the same method as brake initiation except communicating to terminate braking, upon exiting brake events.

(33) A break-away event occurs when the towing vehicle 12 and towed vehicle 10 become mechanically disconnected. A break-away switch located by tow bar or hard wire cable harness or link 14 connected to a hook-up connector detects the break-away event. Alternately a signal is generated by the microcontroller 44 by detecting a loss of the charging connection in the tow bar or hard wire cable harness or link 14. The microcontroller 44 sequences through a break-away sequence. The microcontroller 44 of the towed vehicle module 18 then generates a braking control signal fed through the towed vehicle control unit interface 54, towed vehicle port connector 52, automotive vehicle self-diagnostic and reporting device 50 to the towed vehicle control unit 48 to actuate the towed vehicle brake system to apply the brakes of the towed vehicle 10. During break-away events the microcontroller 44 of the towed vehicle generate signals to brake at settable levels of braking force stored in the microcontroller 44 non-volatile memory in the towed vehicle module 18 along with signals to sound towed vehicle horn alarm 40 and illuminate brake lights. The towed vehicle 10 brakes force may be sequenced with high initial braking force to stop the towed vehicle 10, then folds back braking force to hold the towed vehicle 10 stationary until the break-away event is terminated and brakes are signaled to release by the same method as brake initiation except communicating to terminate braking upon exiting break-away event. During break-away events, notifications are generated and communicated by towed vehicle module 18 to alert and broadcast status to the control and display console of the towing vehicle 12.

(34) During towing vehicle 12 or towed vehicle 10 braking events, the towed vehicle module 18 may generate towed vehicle brake light command signals by microcontroller 44 of the towed vehicle module 18 which, in turn, generates a braking light signal fed through the towed vehicle control unit interface 54, towed vehicle port connector 52, automotive vehicle self-diagnostic and reporting device 50 to the towed vehicle control unit 48 to illuminate the towed vehicle brake lights of the towed vehicle 10 to indicate a brake sequence.

(35) General operational towed vehicle lights for example turn signals, running and back-up lights may be controlled by towing vehicle module 16 to generate a light signal fed to the microcontroller 20 that, in turn, generates a lighting signal transmitted to the transceiver 60 of the towed vehicle module 18 of the towed vehicle 10 by the transceiver 42 of the of the towing vehicle module 16 of the towing vehicle 12. The light signal received by the transceiver 60 of the towed vehicle module 18 is then fed to the microcontroller 44 of the towed vehicle module 18 which, in turn, generates a light signal fed through the towed vehicle control unit interface 54, towed vehicle port connector 52, automotive vehicle self-diagnostic and reporting device 50 to the towed vehicle control unit 48 to illuminate the towed vehicle lights of the towed vehicle.

(36) The electronics, components, circuitry and logic of the present invention are similar to those described in nonprovisional application Ser. No. 15/932,947 filed May 25, 2018 and provisional application Ser. No. 63/100,665 filed Mar. 23, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference.

(37) FIG. 5 is a wiring diagram of the towed vehicle 10 is connected to the towing vehicle 12 by the hardwired cable harness or link 14.

(38) FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the various circuit components of the electronically controlled brake system of the towed vehicle module 18 of the present invention.

(39) FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the microcontroller circuitry and associated peripheral circuitry of the towed vehicle module 18.

(40) FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the vehicle control unit interface circuitry of the interface connected to the microcontroller, power management and hook-up connector of the towed vehicle module 18.

(41) FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the hook-up connector circuitry connected to the power management to provide signals through interface circuitry for microcontroller to process the various states of operation of the towed vehicle module 18.

(42) FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the power management circuitry connected to the microcontroller, interface, hook-up connector and Bluetooth to provide power to the individual circuit components.

(43) FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the Bluetooth circuitry connected to the microcontroller and power management of the towed vehicle module 18.

(44) FIG. 12 is a top view of the printed circuit board depicting the actuated circuit components implementing the electronics of the towed vehicle module 18.

(45) FIG. 13 is a brake state diagram showing the operational status of the electronically controlled brake system of the present invention.

(46) FIG. 14 is a brake flow chart depicting the logic sequence of the electronically controlled brake system of the present invention.

(47) Once power is provided to the towed vehicle 10, the microcontroller 44 configures all inputs, outputs, initial values and conditions.

(48) When the towed vehicle module 18 is initialized, the electronically controlled braking system is placed in standby not-in-tow state. This reduces electrical power to the lowest amount to prevent discharging the towed vehicle 10 battery. Only in-tow detection circuitry is powered and processed by microcontroller 44 to qualify connection to a towing RV or other towing vehicle 12.

(49) Diagnostics are processed by microcontroller 44 of the towed vehicle 10 to determine proper and safe operation of the tow brake system 10.

(50) Diagnostic functions include computer-operating-properly timer or watch-dog timer time-out allowable combinations of inputs and outputs including towed vehicle 10 stop light signal on when electronically controlled tow brake system is not braking or actuated, sensor measurements in acceptable ranges, sequence time outs, predetermined rules, combinational and state variables or any other items effecting the normal and safe operation of electronically controlled tow brake system.

(51) Qualified-in-tow connection of towed vehicle 10 coupled to towing RV or other towing vehicle 12 is determined by electronically controlled brake system microcontroller 44 processing multiple signals of hook-up connector signals, internal interface signals and microcontroller memory over predetermined periods of time.

(52) In-tow idle state entered by qualified in-tow connection, the electronically controlled tow brake system powers up and processes interface circuitry and MEMS acceleration sensor with microcontroller 44 to determine and qualify a supplemental braking event or a disconnection. Status information is broadcasted to the control and display console in the RV or towing vehicle 12.

(53) Braking events are determined by the electronically controlled tow brake system when the microcontroller 44 selectively processes any combination of multiple signals including control and display console command, hook-up connector signals, interface signals, MEMS accelerometer, microcontroller 44 memory variables along with timing requirements over predetermined periods of time to qualify braking event. Hook-up connector signals used to determine braking events may include simultaneous left and right turn/brake light signals, loss of charge line signal or a brake control signal from a remote brake controller (not shown). Interface signals used to determine braking event may include break-away signal. MEMS acceleration sensor may be used solely or in conjunction with other signals to qualify a braking event.

(54) Braking event state entered by qualified brake event detection by microcontroller 44 repeatedly analyzes multiple signals including control and display console command, hook-up connector signals, interface signals, MEMS accelerometer, microcontroller, memory variables and timing to perform proportional braking or exit active braking state to diagnostic fault, break-away or end or braking event. During active braking events microcontroller 44 generates proportional brake signals proportional to brake towed vehicle 10 to acceleration generated by towing RV or other towing vehicle 12 based on the multiple signals including the MEMS acceleration sensor on the PCB.

(55) Break-away event state entered by break-away detection using a break away switch located by tow bar connector harness 14 connected to hook-up connector or a generated signal by microcontroller 44 detecting a loss of the charging connection in the tow bar connector harness 14. Microcontroller 44 sequence through multiple break-away phases including break-away event notifications to alert and broadcast to the control and display console.

(56) The towed vehicle brakes are released upon exiting brake events.

(57) Fault may be processed by the detection signals the microcontroller 44 to perform a management sequence, reinitialization of microcontroller 44 and user indication on brake unit as well as with control and display console.

(58) It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description are efficiently attained and since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

(59) In describing the invention, certain terms are used for brevity, clarity, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations should be inferred beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. The different structural and functional elements, apparatuses, devices, compositions, and methods described herein may be used alone or in combination with other structural and functional elements, apparatuses, devices, compositions, systems and methods. It is to be expected that various equivalents, alternatives and modifications are possible.