Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-contained electric brake controller for energizing electrically operated brakes in a towed vehicle in response to a demand by a driver in a towing vehicle. The controller includes a unique deceleration sensing unit for generating a signal proportional to the magnitude of deceleration of the towing vehicle. The deceleration sensing unit includes an outer housing adapted to be secured relative to the towing vehicle, and a pendulum mounted on an axis for pivotal movement relative to the housing. The pendulum is movable in one direction from a resting position to a predetermined extended position when the vehicle is subjected to a predetermined magnitude of deceleration. The pendulum includes a magnet spaced from the pivot axis of the pendulum.

Abstract: An electric brake control circuit is responsive to an activation signal and a vehicle deceleration signal for generating a brake control signal representing a predetermined amount of braking. A comparator compares the voltage level of the brake control signal with the voltage level of a sawtooth waveform to produce a pluse width modulated signal having a duty cycle corresponding to the predetermined amount of braking. This pulse width modulated signal is supplied to an output driver for generating a brake driving signal to energize the brakes. The activation signal is generated at the voltage level of the vehicle power supply when the driver actuates the vehicle stop light switch. The circuit is responsive to the activation signal for disabling the output driver when the voltage level of the activation signal is below a predetermined level. The circuit also senses the current load on the brake driving signal to protect the output driver in the event of a full or partial short circuit condition.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a control valve for use in a vehicle anit-lock braking systm adapted to control the application of pressurized brake fluid to at least one selected vehicle brake. The valve includes an outer housing having an inlet coupled to receive pressurized brake fluid from the vehicle master cylinder and an outlet coupled to supply pressurized brake fluid to the selected vehicle brakes. A passageway is formed in the housing for connecting the inlet to the outlet. A normally open isolation valve is located in the passageway and is utilized to control the flow of fluid through the passageway between the inlet and the outlet. When an incipient wheel lock condition is detected, the isolation valve can be closed to prevent a further increase in pressure to the controlled brakes and to hold the pressure supplied to the controlled brakes at a relatively constant level.

Abstract: A generally self-contained automatic adjusting strut having many uses including that of an automatic adjuster for the shoes of a friction brake. The unit comprises a carrier having a threaded strut expansible outwardly therefrom by means of a star wheel. The star wheel is periodically rotated to compensate for wear adjustment by an adjusting lever pivoted to the carrier and containing an actuating tang that extends between two abutments on the carrier which limit the rotation of the adjusting lever to a prescribed amount, as for example, 11/2 teeth of the star wheel. The actuating tang also projects through an opening in the adjacent brake shoe, which is spaced from an abutment edge of the shoe by a prescribed distance (for example 0.040 inches) less than a companion pair of abutments on the carrier, and one of which is the return stop for the actuating tang.

Abstract: A device for varying the proportion of brake pressure delivered to the front and rear brakes of a vehicle, and including a differential area piston for decreasing the proportion delivered to the rear brakes between the first and second inlet pressures, and an additional valve assembly actuatable in response to a predetermined pressure differential between the fluid pressure delivered to the piston and the fluid pressure delivered thereby to the rear brakes so as to establish a decreasing pressure differential between the pressure delivered to the front and rear brakes.