Patent ID: 6609766
Filing Date: 2003-08-26
Classification: B60T

Abstract:
A braking system for a first vehicle towing a second vehicle such that said second vehicle remains on its own four wheels, said system comprising:a first vehicle braking apparatus including a first brake pedal, an electrical first brake circuit operatively responsive to activation of said first brake pedal, and first brakes for braking said first vehicle also responsive to activation of said first brake pedal; a second vehicle braking apparatus including a second brake pedal, and second brakes for braking said second vehicle responsive to activation of said second brake pedal, said second brakes operable when provided sufficient vacuum; a brake controller provided in said first vehicle electrically connected to said electrical first brake circuit, said controller producing a brake actuator signal when first brake pedal is activated; an electrically powered brake actuator assembly provided in said second vehicle mechanically connected to said second brake pedal and electrically connected to said brake controller in said first vehicle, said actuator assembly responsive to said brake actuator signal as input to provide mechanical actuation of said second brake pedal of said second vehicle; an electrically powered vacuum pump assembly provided in said second vehicle for continuously providing sufficient vacuum to said second brakes, said electrically powered vacuum pump assembly providing sufficient vacuum to said second brakes instantaneously as soon as said electrically powered brake actuator assembly receives said brake actuator signal; an umbilical electrically connecting said first vehicle to said second vehicle, said umbilical including a brake actuator assembly power line, a vacuum pump assembly power line, and a brake actuator signal line; a means for determining and applying an amount of pressure of said second brakes independent of an amount of pressure of said first brakes, wherein said amount of pressure on said second brakes provides equal stopping force as said first brakes, and a hitch mechanically connecting said first vehicle to said second vehicle; wherein said electrically powered vacuum pump assembly operates instantaneously and with separate vacuum from said first vehicle; and providing a stopping force to enable substantially equal spacing between said first vehicle and said second vehicle during braking.