IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,600,328
Granted Patent B2
US 12,600,328 · App. 18/654,108 · Granted Apr 14, 2026

Trailer vehicle control system

Inventors: Stefan Pahl (Munich, DE); Matthew Fry (Munich, DE)
Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
B60T7/20B60T7/22B60T17/22
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,600,328
App. No.
18/654,108
Granted
Apr 14, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A trailer vehicle control system has a trailer electronic brake system ECU, which ECU is configured to receive a request, via a CAN bus, from a telematics unit or from a trailer access point. The trailer vehicle control system can verify a status or position of the trailer, in particular using ramp distance control. The trailer vehicle control system can then execute an annoyance feature in response to the request when the control system has determined that the status or position of the trailer meets a defined safe condition.

Claims (18)

1 . A trailer vehicle control system, comprising:

a trailer electronic brake system ECU of a trailer, which ECU is configured to receive a request, via a CAN bus, from a telematics unit or from a trailer access point, wherein

the trailer vehicle control system verifies a status or position of the trailer, and

the trailer vehicle control system executes an annoyance feature in response to the request when the trailer electronic brake system has determined that the status or the position of the trailer meets a defined safe condition.

2 . The trailer vehicle control system according to claim 1 , wherein

the trailer comprises a ramp distance control RDC system, and

the vehicle control system executes the annoyance feature when the RDC system is active.

3 . The trailer vehicle control system according to claim 1 , wherein

the annoyance feature comprises an application of brakes of the trailer for a predetermined time interval by the trailer electronic brake system ECU.

4 . The trailer vehicle control system according to claim 1 , wherein

the annoyance feature comprises an application of brakes of the trailer when a trailer position is determined as being within a predefined distance of a dock.

5 . The trailer vehicle control system according to claim 1 , wherein

the trailer comprises a suspension, and

the annoyance feature comprises lowering or raising a trailer height.

6 . The trailer vehicle control system according to claim 1 , wherein the trailer is lowered to bump stops of the trailer.

7 . The trailer vehicle control system according to claim 1 , wherein the trailer is raised to its maximum height.

8 . The trailer vehicle control system according to claim 1 , wherein the trailer is disabled using on-board data.

9 . The trailer vehicle control system according to claim 8 , wherein the on-board data comprises a tire pressure or an amount of brake lining wear.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 10, 2024
From: PAHL, STEFAN; FRY, MATTHEW
To: KNORR-BREMSE SYSTEME FUER NUTZFAHRZEUGE GMBH
Reel/Frame 067674/0656 →
Priority Claims (1)
GB 2306517 · May 3, 2023 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240367625A1 · Nov 7, 2024
References Cited (6)
US 7586401B2 · Payne · 2009 [cited by examiner]
US 20080157942A1 · Payne · 2008 [cited by applicant]
EP 2708389A2 · 2014 [cited by applicant]
GB 2499459A · 2013 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2017108201A1 · 2017 [cited by applicant]
European Search Report issued in European Application No. 24 17 3401 dated Aug. 29, 2024 (2 pages). [cited by applicant]