Hello All

My project is a trailer braking system for a car towed trailer. I want to control the trailer brakes from the brake pedal of the towing vehicle i.e. car or jeep). To do this i was thinking of using a linear potentiometer connected to the brake pedal, this would then send a signal to a linear actuator to control the master cylinder (piston that forces hydraulic fluid to wheel brakes). The further the piston moves the more pressure in the system thus a greater braking force.
The movement of the piston is controlled by the movement of the brake pedal

What i need to know if is, if it is possible to link a linear ( or rotary) potentiometer to a linear actuator ( servo or stepper)
(the position of the actuator is controlled by the position of the potentiometer)

Are the other methods to achieve this?
Looking forward to you thoughts,

Regards

Caff

 

It is unusual for a trailer to have hydraulic brakes. The only time I saw one, the hitch on the trailer was mounted so it could slide and was connected to the master cylinder. When the car slows, the trailer surges ahead, applying the brakes. A shock absorber/damper is needed in parallel with the master cylinder. This system is simple and works well.

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see my website: www.geocities.com/russlk

 

Electric brakes ... not a good idea what if the fuses pops?

Surge brakes are real simple with cable or hydraulics and they work.

based on the force against the car not the position
of the brake pedal

HYDRAULIC SURGE BRAKE COUPLERS

For $99US
http://www.championtrailers.com/Brake_Couplers.html

Good luck think failsafe safety

 

read atashed document... in this are some usefull links (is in roumanian language, but.. are schematics)

Attached Files

actuator.pdf (815.2 KB, 10 views)

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see http://www.tehnic.go.ro & http://www.niq.go.ro

 

Also, a potentiometer would wear out quickly.

Remember that it is a contact sliding on a carbonised track.

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Len

 

Thanks niq ro, really helpful attachment,

Caff