Integrated passenger vehicle trailer brake controller

Abstract

A trailer brake controller 10 for use in a passenger vehicle 12 is provided, including a control element 11 positioned within the passenger vehicle 12, a vehicle speed input 16 and a vehicle brake pressure input 14 providing speed and brake pressure data to the control element 11, and a trailer brake output 18 sending a signal to the trailer in response to the vehicle speed input 16 and the vehicle brake pressure input 14.

1. A trailer brake controller for use in a passenger vehicle for controlling a towed trailer comprising;
 a control element positioned within the passenger vehicle and in communication with a vehicle anti-lock braking system; 
 a vehicle speed input providing vehicle speed from said vehicle anti-lock braking system to said control element; 
 a vehicle brake pressure input providing vehicle brake pressure from said anti-lock braking system to said control element; and 
 a trailer brake output, said trailer brake output controlled by said control element in response to said vehicle speed input and said vehicle brake pressure input. 
 
     
     
       2. A trailer brake controller as described in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a diagnostic input in communication with said control element, said diagnostic input verifying proper operation of the towed trailer. 
 
     
     
       3. A trailer brake controller as described in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one trailer brake indicator lamp output. 
 
     
     
       4. A trailer brake controller as described in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an anti-lock braking activation input in communication with said control element, said anti-lock braking activation input signaling said control element when a vehicle anti-lock braking system is activated. 
 
     
     
       5. A trailer brake controller as described in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one communication element, said at least one communication element providing communication between said control element and a vehicle occupant. 
 
     
     
       6. A trailer brake controller as described in  claim 5 , wherein said at least one communication element comprises a display. 
     
     
       7. A trailer brake controller as described in  claim 5 , wherein said at least one communication element comprises a display, a user control and a user over-ride switch. 
     
     
       8. A trailer brake controller as described in  claim 7  wherein said user control comprises a gain input control. 
     
     
       9. A trailer brake controller as described in  claim 6 , wherein said display includes a gain display arid and a signal strength display. 
     
     
       10. A method of controlling a trailer braking system comprising:
 determining vehicle speed and vehicle braking pressure through communication with an anti-lock braking system on the vehicle; 
 relaying the vehicle speed and vehicle braking pressure to a control element positioned on the vehicle; 
 using said vehicle speed and vehicle braking pressure to determine a trailer brake output signal; and 
 sending said trailer brake output signal to the trailer braking system. 
 
     
     
       11. A method as described in  claim 10 , further comprising:
 sending a diagnostic signal from the trailer braking system to said control element; 
 informing a vehicle occupant of said diagnostic signal through the use of a communication element. 
 
     
     
       12. A method as described in  claim 11 , wherein said communication element comprises a display mounted within the vehicle dash. 
     
     
       13. A method as described in  claim 10 , further comprising:
 ramping-up said trailer brake output signal gradually in response to a gradual ramp-up in said vehicle braking pressure; and 
 applying a step-function to said trailer brake output signal in response to a sudden increase in said vehicle braking pressure. 
 
     
     
       14. A method as described in  claim 10 , further comprising:
 increaseincreasing a gain of said trailer brake output signal in response to an increase in said vehicle speed. 
 
     
     
       15. A trader trailer brake controller as described in  claim 1 , for use in a passenger vehicle for controlling a towed trailer comprising:
 a control element positioned within the passenger vehicle; 
 a vehicle speed input providing vehicle speed to said control element; 
 a vehicle brake pressure input providing vehicle brake pressure to said control element; 
 a trailer brake output, said trailer brake output controlled by said control element in response to said vehicle speed input and said vehicle brake pressure input; 
 a diagnostic input from the towed trailer in communication with said control element, said diagnostic input verifying proper operation of the towed trailer; 
 wherein said control element includes logic adapted to: gradually ramp-up said trailer brake output in response to a gradual ramp-up of said brake pressure input; and 
 apply a step-function to said trailer brake output in response to a sudden increase of said brake pressure input. 
 
     
     
       16. A trailer brake controller as described in  claim 1 , for use in a passenger vehicle for controlling a towed trailer comprising:
 a control element positioned within the passenger vehicle; 
 a vehicle speed input providing vehicle speed to said control element; 
 a vehicle brake pressure input providing vehicle brake pressure to said control element; 
 a trailer brake output, said trailer brake output controlled by said control element in response to said vehicle speed input and said vehicle brake pressure input; 
 a diagnostic input from the towed trailer in communication with said control element, said diagnostic input verifying proper operation of the towed trailer; and 
 wherein said control element includes logic adapted to: increase a gain of said trailer brake output in response to an increase in said vehicle speed input. 
 
     
     
       17. A trailer brake controller as described in claim 16 wherein said vehicle speed input and said vehicle brake pressure input are provided by a vehicle anti-lock braking system. 
     
     
       18. A trailer brake controller as described in claim 16 wherein said vehicle brake pressure input in provided by a master cylinder sensor. 
     
     
       19. A trailer brake controller as claimed in claim 16, further comprising at least one trailer brake indicator lamp output. 
     
     
       20. A trailer brake controller as described in claim 16, further comprising an anti-lock braking activation input in communication with said control element, said anti-lock braking activation input signaling said control element when a vehicle anti-lock braking system is activated. 
     
     
       21. A trailer brake controller as described in claim 16, wherein said control element is incorporated into a vehicle dash within the passenger vehicle. 
     
     
       22. A trailer brake controller as described in claim 16, further comprising at least one communication element, said at least one communication element providing communication between said control element and a vehicle occupant. 
     
     
       23. A trailer brake controller as described in claim 22, wherein said at least one communication element comprises a display. 
     
     
       24. A trailer brake controller as described in claim 22, wherein said at least one communication element comprises a display, a user control and a user over-ride switch.