I hope the following observation is not wishfull thinking, but very likely
to happen in the next few years.
Many new vehicles (especially high end imports) are going to a "fly by wire"
brake control. That is, the brake pedal is not connected to the brake
hydraulic system, but rather to an electrical transponder (typically a
potentiometer). The brake computer then reads the electrical signal (and
the characteristics of it - i.e. panic stop? etc.) and applies the
vehicle's brakes accordingly.
Several months ago, I drove a Mercedes on a test track environment and
slammed on the brakes. The computer controled fly by wire brake system just
nailed the car to the pavement in almost no time at all (and an amazingly
short distance) with no deviation from the straight line, swerving or
skidding. Very impressive. The only problem is that if someone is
following close behind, he will probably be in your back seat.
Given this type of "fly by wire" system in the tow vehicle, it should be
relatively easy to extend this to the trailer brake controller with
impressive capabilities.
Finally, we will be actuating the trailer brakes in concert with the action
of the tow vehicle's drivers INPUTS and the action taken by the tow vehicle
braking system BEFORE the actual braking action can be sensed by an
accelerometer - A little like the old days with the Kelsey-Hayes hydraulic
controller, only much better.
But this time, a computer can be more selective in the exact electrical
signal it sends to the trailer brakes. Possibly, antilock brakes on the tow
vehicle AND the trailer.
Trivia question:
World wide, what automotive manufacturer took out the most patents last year
(2002) ?
Answer: Surprise! Delphi, the automotive electric/electronics subsidiary
of General Motors.
[I think this is indicative of where a significant number of automotive
advances will be coming from in the future.]
Oliver Filippi