Trailer control valve and trailer brake system

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of trailer brake, and provides a trailer control valve and a trailer brake system. The trailer control valve comprises a control port, a relay valve, an air inlet and a first air outlet, the control port is connected to a control cavity of the relay valve, the air inlet and the first air outlet are respectively connected to a brake cavity of the relay valve; the trailer control valve further comprises a traction control valve, which is arranged in a pipeline through which the control port leads to the control cavity and is connected to the air inlet; the traction control valve has a first working state, in the first working state, the control port is connected to the control cavity through a first channel of the traction control valve; the traction control valve has a second working state, in the second working state, the air inlet is connected to the control cavity through a second channel of the traction control valve. The traction control valve is integrated on the basis of the common trailer control valve, the brake force of the trailer can be actively controlled according to the vehicle state, the trailer traction force is actively controlled, and the safety of the whole vehicle is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of trailer braking technology, and more specifically, to trailer control valves and trailer braking systems. Background Technology

[0002] Heavy commercial vehicles are important logistics transportation tools, and their transportation is achieved through a combination of a tractor unit (truckhead) and a trailer. Currently, most tractor units have traction control capabilities.

[0003] However, since the braking control lines of the tractor unit and the trailer are two separate systems, the trailer's braking needs are met through a trailer control valve installed on the tractor unit. Ordinary trailer control valves can only passively transmit the driver's braking requests and do not have traction control functionality. Traction control prevents vehicle rollovers and slippage during startup. Especially in logistics transportation, the trailer often carries the largest load in the entire system, making traction control of the trailer crucial.

[0004] It should be noted that the information disclosed in the background section above is only used to enhance the understanding of the background of the present invention, and therefore may include information that does not constitute prior art known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, the present invention provides a trailer control valve and a trailer braking system with traction control function. The traction control valve is integrated on the basis of a conventional trailer control valve, which can actively control the braking force of the trailer according to the vehicle status, realize active control of trailer traction force, and improve the overall vehicle safety.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention provides a trailer control valve, including a control port, a relay valve, an air inlet, and a first air outlet. The control port is connected to the control chamber of the relay valve, and the air inlet and the first air outlet are respectively connected to the brake chamber of the relay valve. The valve further includes a traction control valve disposed in a pipeline leading from the control port to the control chamber and connected to the air inlet. The traction control valve has a first operating state, in which the control port communicates with the control chamber via a first channel of the traction control valve; and a second operating state, in which the air inlet communicates with the control chamber via a second channel of the traction control valve.

[0007] In some embodiments, the traction control valve includes: a first valve member disposed in a conduit leading from the control port to the control chamber, the first valve member having a first valve chamber and a second valve chamber that are selectively connected, the first valve chamber forming the first channel; and a second valve member connecting the air inlet and the second valve chamber, the second valve member having an air inlet valve chamber, the air inlet valve chamber and the second valve chamber forming the second channel.

[0008] In some embodiments, the first valve is a two-way check valve, wherein the first inlet of the two-way check valve is connected to the control port, the second inlet is connected to the intake valve chamber, and the outlet is connected to the control chamber; a movable valve core is provided in the valve chamber of the two-way check valve, and as the valve core moves, the first inlet connects to the outlet to connect to the first valve chamber, or the second inlet connects to the outlet to connect to the second valve chamber.

[0009] In some embodiments, the second valve is a two-position three-way solenoid valve having an intake valve chamber and an exhaust valve chamber, wherein the intake valve chamber is connected to the intake port and the second valve chamber, and the exhaust valve chamber is connected to the second valve chamber.

[0010] In some embodiments, the operating state switching control terminal of the traction control valve is connected to the electronic control unit.

[0011] In some embodiments, the traction control valve is integrated into the housing of the trailer control valve.

[0012] In some embodiments, the control port includes a first control port and / or a second control port connected to the foot brake valve.

[0013] In some embodiments, the trailer control valve further includes a second air outlet connected to the air inlet.

[0014] In some embodiments, the trailer control valve further includes a pneumatic valve disposed in the pipeline from the air inlet to the first air outlet and the second air outlet, and the control end of the pneumatic valve is connected to the control chamber.

[0015] Another aspect of the present invention provides a trailer braking system, the trailer braking system being configured with a trailer control valve as described in any of the above embodiments.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this invention compared to the prior art include at least the following:

[0017] In the trailer control valve, when the control port outputs control air pressure to the control chamber of the relay valve, it can connect the brake chamber of the relay valve, so that the brake air pressure at the air inlet is delivered to the trailer control pipeline through the first air outlet to realize the braking control of the trailer; when the control air pressure at the control port disappears, the brake air pressure at the first air outlet also disappears.

[0018] This invention integrates a traction control valve into a conventional trailer control valve. When the traction control valve is in its first operating state, the control port is connected to the control chamber via the first channel of the traction control valve, and the control port is connected to the foot brake valve. At this time, the braking control of the trailer is realized according to the driver's braking needs. When the traction control valve is in its second operating state, the air inlet is connected to the control chamber via the second channel of the traction control valve, and the air pressure value output from the first air outlet will change with the air pressure value of the control chamber. The air inlet is connected to the air tank of the tractor vehicle, and the air pressure value output from the air tank is automatically adjusted according to the vehicle status. At this time, the braking force of the trailer can be actively controlled according to the vehicle status.

[0019] Therefore, the trailer control valve of the present invention can not only control the braking of the trailer according to the driver's braking needs, but also actively control the trailer traction force according to the vehicle status, thereby improving the overall vehicle safety.

[0020] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not intended to limit the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. It is obvious that the drawings described below are merely some embodiments of the invention, and those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without any inventive effort.

[0022] Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating the principle of the trailer control valve in an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0023] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the trailer control valve in an embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the air path of the traction control valve in the first working state is shown;

[0024] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the trailer control valve in an embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the air path of the traction control valve in the second working state is shown;

[0025] Figure 4 This diagram illustrates the structure of the trailer control valve in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of the first valve in an embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the air path is shown when the first valve chamber is closed;

[0027] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure of the first valve in an embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the air path is shown when the second valve chamber is closed;

[0028] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure of the second valve in an embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the air path is shown when the intake valve chamber is closed. Detailed Implementation

[0029] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, these exemplary embodiments can be implemented in many forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to fully and completely convey the concept of the exemplary embodiments to those skilled in the art.

[0030] The accompanying drawings are merely illustrative of the invention and are not necessarily drawn to scale. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or similar parts, and therefore repeated descriptions of them will be omitted. Some block diagrams shown in the drawings are functional entities and do not necessarily correspond to physically or logically independent entities. These functional entities can be implemented in software, in one or more hardware modules or integrated circuits, or in different network and / or processor devices and / or microcontroller devices.

[0031] The use of terms like "first," "second," and similar words in specific descriptions does not indicate any order, quantity, or importance; they are merely used to distinguish different components.

[0032] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments of the present invention and the features in different embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0033] Figures 1 to 3 This illustrates the principle of the trailer control valve in an embodiment of the present invention, wherein... Figure 2 The air path is indicated when the traction control valve is in its first operating state. Figure 3 The air path for the traction control valve in its second operating state is indicated; combined with... Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the trailer control valve provided in this embodiment of the invention includes:

[0034] The system includes a control port 15, a relay valve 10, an air inlet 11, and a first air outlet 12. The control port 15 is connected to the control chamber 10a of the relay valve 10, and the air inlet 11 and the first air outlet 12 are respectively connected to the braking chamber 10b of the relay valve 10.

[0035] The traction control valve 20 is installed in the pipeline from the control port 15 to the control chamber 10a and connected to the air inlet 11;

[0036] The traction control valve 20 has a first working state. In the first working state, the control port 15 is connected to the control chamber 10a via the first channel 20a of the traction control valve 20.

[0037] The traction control valve 20 has a second operating state, in which the air inlet 11 is connected to the control chamber 10a via the second channel 20b of the traction control valve 20.

[0038] In the trailer control valve, when the control port 15 outputs control air pressure to the control chamber 10a of the relay valve 10, it can connect the brake chamber 10b of the relay valve 10, so that the brake air pressure of the air inlet 11 is transmitted to the trailer control pipeline through the first air outlet 12 to realize the braking control of the trailer; when the control air pressure of the control port 15 disappears, the brake air pressure of the first air outlet 12 also disappears.

[0039] This invention integrates a traction control valve 20 into a conventional trailer control valve. When the traction control valve 20 is in its first working state, the control port 15 is connected to the control chamber 10a via the first channel 20a of the traction control valve 20. The control port 15 is connected to the foot brake valve, and the trailer's braking is controlled according to the driver's braking needs. When the traction control valve 20 is in its second working state, the air inlet 11 is connected to the control chamber 10a via the second channel 20b of the traction control valve 20. The air pressure value output by the first air outlet 12 changes with the air pressure value of the control chamber 10a. The air inlet 11 is connected to the tractor's air tank, and the air pressure value output by the air tank is automatically adjusted according to the vehicle's condition. At this time, the braking force of the trailer can be actively controlled according to the vehicle's condition.

[0040] Therefore, the trailer control valve of the present invention can not only control the braking of the trailer according to the driver's braking needs, but also actively control the trailer traction force according to the vehicle status, thereby improving the overall vehicle safety.

[0041] In some embodiments, the traction control valve 20 includes:

[0042] The first valve 22 is disposed in the pipeline from the control port 15 to the control chamber 10a. The first valve 22 has a first valve chamber and a second valve chamber 22b that can be selectively connected. The first valve chamber is the first channel 20a.

[0043] The second valve 24 is connected to the air inlet 11 and the second valve chamber 22b. The second valve 24 has an air inlet valve chamber 24a, and the air inlet valve chamber 24a and the second valve chamber 22b form a second channel 20b.

[0044] By selectively connecting the first valve chamber and the second valve chamber 22b of the first valve component 22, the control port 15 and the air inlet 11 are selectively connected to the control chamber 10a of the relay valve 10, so that the traction control valve 20 enters either the first or the second working state. Through the second valve component 24, when traction control of the trailer is required, its air inlet valve chamber 24a is opened, so that the air inlet 11 connects to the control chamber 10a of the relay valve 10 through the second channel 20b; when active traction control of the trailer is not required, the second channel 20b is closed.

[0045] Figure 4 The structure of the trailer control valve in an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 5 and Figure 6 The structure of the first valve is shown, wherein Figure 5 The air path direction is indicated when the first valve chamber is open. Figure 6 Indicate the air path direction when the second valve chamber is closed; combined with Figures 1 to 6 As shown, in some embodiments:

[0046] The first valve 22 is a two-way check valve. The first inlet 221 of the two-way check valve is connected to the control port 15, the second inlet 222 is connected to the intake valve chamber 24a, and the outlet 223 is connected to the control chamber 10a.

[0047] The valve chamber of the double-way check valve is provided with a movable valve core 226. As the valve core 226 moves, the first inlet 221 connects to the outlet 223 to connect to the first valve chamber (i.e., the first channel 20a), or the second inlet 222 connects to the outlet 223 to connect to the second valve chamber 22b.

[0048] The valve core 226 of the dual-way check valve can move to connect the first valve chamber (i.e., the first channel 20a) under the action of air pressure from the first inlet 221, or move to connect the second valve chamber 22b under the action of air pressure from the second inlet 222, so as to conveniently and accurately connect the first channel 20a and the second channel 20b.

[0049] Figure 7 The structure of the second valve is shown, with the airflow path indicated when the intake valve chamber is open; combined with Figures 1 to 7 As shown, in some embodiments:

[0050] The second valve 24 is a two-position three-way solenoid valve, having an intake valve chamber 24a and an exhaust valve chamber 24b. The intake valve chamber 24a is connected to the intake port 11 and the second valve chamber 22b, and the exhaust valve chamber 24b is connected to the second valve chamber 22b.

[0051] When trailer traction control is required, the intake valve chamber 24a of the two-position three-way solenoid valve is turned on, and the second channel 20b is opened, allowing the brake air pressure from the intake port 11 to enter the control chamber 10a of the relay valve 10. When active trailer traction control is not required, the second channel 20b is turned off, and the air pressure inside is discharged through the exhaust valve chamber 24b.

[0052] The traction control valve 20, consisting of a two-way check valve and a two-position three-way solenoid valve, enables convenient and precise control of the trailer's traction force. In other embodiments, the traction control valve 20 can also employ multiple solenoid valves connected in series or multiple check valves in combination to achieve switching between the first and second operating states.

[0053] In some embodiments, the operating state switching control terminal 200 of the traction control valve 20 is connected to the electronic control unit (ECU). Thus, the traction control valve 20 can receive signals from the vehicle ECU, activate the second channel 20b, and achieve active braking control of the trailer without driver intervention, thereby realizing the trailer traction control function.

[0054] In some embodiments, the traction control valve 20 is integrated within the housing 100 of the trailer control valve. This results in a high degree of integration and a compact structure for the trailer control valve.

[0055] In some embodiments, the control port 15 includes a first control port and / or a second control port connected to the foot brake valve. Figures 1 to 3 The control port 15 is shown as the first control port, but it is not limited thereto; in other embodiments, the traction control valve 20 may also be located at the second control port 16, or both the first control port and the second control port 16 may be located at the same time.

[0056] In addition, the trailer control valve also includes a third control port 17 for connecting the control chamber 10a of the handbrake valve and the relay valve 10.

[0057] In some embodiments, the trailer control valve further includes a second air outlet 13 connected to the air inlet 11. The first air outlet 12 can be connected to the trailer service brake control line, and the second air outlet 13 can be connected to the trailer emergency brake / parking brake control line.

[0058] In some embodiments, the trailer control valve further includes a pneumatic valve 14, which is disposed in the pipeline from the air inlet 11 to the first air outlet 12 and the second air outlet 13, and the control end of the pneumatic valve 14 is connected to the control chamber 10a.

[0059] When control air pressure is supplied to control chamber 10a, pneumatic valve 14 opens, and braking air pressure from air inlet 11 can be supplied to first air outlet 12 and second air outlet 13 to achieve trailer braking.

[0060] This invention also provides a trailer braking system equipped with a trailer control valve as described in any of the above embodiments. The trailer braking system, equipped with the aforementioned trailer control valve, can receive signals from the vehicle's ECU simultaneously with the driver's braking signal, thereby achieving active braking control of the trailer and ultimately realizing trailer traction control.

[0061] The above description, in conjunction with specific preferred embodiments, provides a further detailed explanation of the present invention. It should not be construed that the specific implementation of the present invention is limited to these descriptions. For those skilled in the art, various simple deductions or substitutions can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention, and all such modifications and substitutions should be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A trailer control valve, comprising a control port, a relay valve, an air inlet, and a first air outlet, wherein the control port is connected to the control chamber of the relay valve, and the air inlet and the first air outlet are respectively connected to the braking chamber of the relay valve; Its features are, Also includes: A traction control valve is installed in the pipeline leading from the control port to the control chamber and connected to the air inlet; The traction control valve includes: a first valve component disposed in a pipeline leading from the control port to the control chamber, the first valve component having a first valve chamber and a second valve chamber that can be selectively connected, the first valve chamber forming a first channel of the traction control valve; and a second valve component connecting the air inlet and the second valve chamber, the second valve component having an air inlet valve chamber, the air inlet valve chamber and the second valve chamber forming a second channel of the traction control valve. The first valve is a two-way one-way valve. The first inlet of the two-way one-way valve is connected to the control port, the second inlet is connected to the intake valve chamber, and the outlet is connected to the control chamber. A movable valve core is provided in the valve chamber of the two-way one-way valve. As the valve core moves, the first inlet connects to the outlet to connect to the first valve chamber, or the second inlet connects to the outlet to connect to the second valve chamber. The traction control valve has a first working state, in which the control port is connected to the control chamber via the first channel; The traction control valve has a second operating state, in which the air inlet is connected to the control chamber via the second channel.

2. The trailer control valve as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The second valve is a two-position three-way solenoid valve, having an intake valve chamber and an exhaust valve chamber. The intake valve chamber is connected to the intake port and the second valve chamber, and the exhaust valve chamber is connected to the second valve chamber.

3. The trailer control valve as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The working state switching control terminal of the traction control valve is connected to the electronic control unit.

4. The trailer control valve as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The traction control valve is integrated into the housing of the trailer control valve.

5. The trailer control valve as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The control port includes a first control port and / or a second control port connected to the foot brake valve.

6. The trailer control valve as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a second air outlet, which is connected to the air inlet.

7. The trailer control valve as described in claim 6, characterized in that, It also includes a pneumatic valve, which is installed in the pipeline from the air inlet to the first air outlet and the second air outlet, and the control end of the pneumatic valve is connected to the control chamber.

8. A trailer braking system, characterized in that, It is equipped with a trailer control valve as described in any one of claims 1-7.

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