Deceleration sensor for an electric brake controller

摘要

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. A detector such as a Hall Effect device is carried by the housing and is responsive to the magnetic field produced by the pendulum magnet for generating a position signal representing the predetermined extended position of the pendulum. This position signal corresponds to the predetermined magnitude of deceleration of the vehicle. The deceleration sensing unit includes a second magnet carried by the housing and spaced from the pendulum for producing a magnetic field which, as the pendulum swings to its extended position, opposes the magnetic field of the pendulum magnet to produce a restoring force to resist further forward movement of the pendulum. The deceleration sensing unit also includes a damping element constructed of a ferromagnetic material spaced from the pendulum magnet for damping undesirable movement of the pendulum. Also, the circuit responsive to the deceleration signal includes several unique features.