Abstract: Breakaway detection and alerting is described for a towed vehicle. In one example, a system includes a wired breakaway detector having a detector to generate an electric breakaway detection signal when a breakaway cable is not in a breakaway cable socket and an electrical cable to indicate the electric breakaway detection signal, and a wireless interface configured to be attached to the towed vehicle outside of the interior driver's area, to receive the electric breakaway detection signal from the breakaway detector and having a wireless transceiver to transmit a wireless breakaway alert signal in response to receiving the electric breakaway detection signal. A portable brake activation system receives the wireless breakaway alert signal from the wireless interface in the interior driver's area of the towed vehicle and activates the towed vehicle braking system through the attached brake pedal in response to the wireless breakaway alert signal.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Breakaway detection and alerting is described for the breakaway of a towed vehicle. In one example, a system includes a breakaway detector attached to a towed vehicle to detect when a distance to a tow vehicle has exceeded a predetermined distance and to generate a breakaway detection signal and a wireless interface coupled to the detector to receive the breakaway detection signal and to transmit a wireless breakaway alert signal in response thereto.

Abstract: Breakaway detection and alerting is described for the breakaway of a towed vehicle. In one example, a system includes a breakaway detector attached to a towed vehicle to detect when a distance to a tow vehicle has exceeded a predetermined distance and to generate a breakaway detection signal and a wireless interface coupled to the detector to receive the breakaway detection signal and to transmit a wireless breakaway alert signal in response thereto.

Abstract: Brake lock detection is described for a brake activation system. In one example, a main housing is configured to engage an interior surface of a towed vehicle near a brake pedal of the towed vehicle. An actuation arm extends away from the main housing configured to connect to the brake pedal to actuate a brake of the towed vehicle through the brake pedal. An arm drive system of the main housing applies a positive pressure to the actuation arm when activated to drive the brake pedal to actuate the brake. A negative pressure sensor generates a negative pressure signal when the brake pedal applies a negative pressure opposite the positive pressure to the actuation arm and the actuation arm is not activated.

Abstract: Brake lock detection is described for a brake activation system. In one example, a main housing is configured to engage an interior surface of a towed vehicle near a brake pedal of the towed vehicle. An actuation arm extends away from the main housing configured to connect to the brake pedal to actuate a brake of the towed vehicle through the brake pedal. An arm drive system of the main housing applies a positive pressure to the actuation arm when activated to drive the brake pedal to actuate the brake. A negative pressure sensor generates a negative pressure signal when the brake pedal applies a negative pressure opposite the positive pressure to the actuation arm and the actuation arm is not activated.

Abstract: A brake activation system and method are described. In one example, a bottom surface is configured to engage a floor pan of a towed vehicle near a brake pedal. An actuation arm extends away from the bottom surface and is configured to connect to the brake pedal to actuate a brake of the towed vehicle through the brake pedal, the actuation arm extends in a direction partially normal to the bottom surface. An arm drive system applies pressure to the actuation arm to drive the brake pedal to actuate the brake, the arm drive system being connected to the bottom surface to drive the actuation arm against the bottom surface in a direction partially normal to the bottom surface.

Abstract: A brake activation system and method are described. In one example, an arm drive system of a brake activation system is activated to apply pressure to an actuation arm. The actuation arm is attached to a brake pedal of a towed vehicle and has a movable connection to a grip of the brake activation system. The applied pressure drives the grip away from the brake pedal. The grip grips a surface of the towed vehicle. The arm drive system is also activated to apply pressure to the actuation arm to drive the actuation arm toward the brake pedal, moving the connection to the grip.