Method for operating a vehicle combination, vehicle combination and control device for controlling such a vehicle combination

Abstract

Method for operating a vehicle combination (1) comprising at least one motor vehicle (2) and a trailer (3) connected to that motor vehicle (2) comprising the following steps: - Determine whether a trailer (3) is connected to the motor vehicle (2) - Determination of at least one operating measurement value that is characteristic of an operating state of a braking device (32) of the trailer (3) by means of a first detection device (4). - Determination of at least one environmental parameter that is relevant for a vehicle -Traction (1) current and / or future route travelled (F) is characteristic by means of a second detection device (6); - Controlling the braking device (32) of the trailer (3) and / or the vehicle depending on the operating measurement value and the environmental characteristic value

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for operating a vehicle combination, to a vehicle combination and to a control device for controlling such a vehicle combination and to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle with such a control device.

[0002] Such vehicle combinations have long been known in the art. They typically comprise a driving vehicle, particularly a car, and a trailer that is connected to and pulled by the car.

[0003] Particular difficulties can arise when operating or driving such a vehicle-trailer combination, for example, when driving downhill over long distances in the mountains. Especially when driving downhill, the vehicle in the combination must not only brake itself but also the weight or mass of the trailer.

[0004] For this reason, larger or heavier trailers usually have their own brake, sometimes referred to as an overrun brake. When driving downhill, this brake is also activated and slows the trailer.

[0005] When driving down mountain roads with a vehicle combination (for example a car and a heavy trailer), increased wear and thermal overload often occurs on the service brakes or overrun brakes of the trailer.

[0006] Currently, no function is known that takes into account the behavior of a trailer with overrun brakes and monitors the temperature of the trailer brakes.

[0007] As a result, the trailer's weight and slight braking cause it to roll into the overrun brake (i.e., it is activated). This causes the brakes to drag continuously, and they overheat because the brakes don't reset automatically, even after cornering (i.e., the brakes aren't released). This requires the brakes to be released.

[0008] An experienced driver would approach the climb differently when driving manually. For example, after the bends, they would deliberately pull the trailer out of the overrun brake with a gentle burst of acceleration, allowing the brakes to cool down by stopping the drag for a while.

[0009] In some mountains, such as the Großglockner, the gradients in curves are significantly lower than on straight sections. This means that the trailer's overrun brake cannot be released or released on straight sections. This is best done and makes sense when a situation with a long rolling time is expected.

[0010] In these cases, the trailer's overrun brake can be released for a longer period, such as 30 seconds. A short brake release period, such as 1 second, provides small but not significant benefits.

[0011] The present invention is therefore based on the object of preventing thermal overload or, in general, overheating of the braking systems on the trailer in such vehicle combinations. This is achieved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0012] In a method according to the invention for operating a vehicle combination which has at least one motor vehicle and a trailer connected to this motor vehicle (or connectable to the motor vehicle), it is first determined whether a trailer is connected to the motor vehicle.

[0013] In a further method step, at least one operating measured value is determined that is characteristic of an operating state of a braking device of the trailer, preferably by means of a first detection device. It is also conceivable that the operating measured value is determined, in particular estimated, using a model.

[0014] In a further method step, at least one environmental parameter is determined that is characteristic of a route traveled (or to be traveled) by the vehicle / trailer combination, particularly a current and / or future and / or past route. This is preferably done using a second detection device.

[0015] In a further process step, the braking system of the trailer and / or the vehicle is controlled depending on the operating measured value and the ambient parameters.

[0016] Therefore, within the scope of the invention, it is proposed that an operating state of the braking system be detected. This detection can occur directly, for example, by measuring the temperature of the braking system. This state can also be detected indirectly, for example, from operating data of the motor vehicle, such as the gradient traveled, braking performance, and the like. It is also conceivable that the operating state of the braking system is determined (e.g., calculated) using a (temperature) model.

[0017] It would be possible to directly control the trailer's braking system, for example, by releasing it for a predetermined period of time. However, it would also be preferable to control the car, for example, by briefly accelerating it, which would cause the trailer's braking system to be released and thus allow it to be released preferentially. This latter control option preferably corresponds to the approach of an experienced motor vehicle driver.

[0018] It is possible for the motor vehicle to detect whether it is connected to a trailer. This can be done, for example, by checking an electrical contact located on a trailer hitch. In addition, it could also be detected, for example, using a camera, whether a trailer is attached to the motor vehicle. Furthermore, the vehicle could have a weight measuring device which determines, for example, based on an increased weight at the rear of the vehicle, that a trailer is attached to the vehicle. It is also conceivable for the vehicle to additionally or alternatively have a weight determination device which makes a mass estimate from a (detected) drive power and can use this to determine (for example based on a change in the required drive power) that a trailer is attached to the vehicle.

[0019] It is also possible for the user to confirm and / or indicate in the vehicle that a trailer is attached to it.

[0020] In a preferred method, it is determined whether the trailer has its own braking device by means of a brake detection device (more precisely, a detection device which detects whether a brake is present). This brake detection device is preferably selected from a group of brake detection devices which includes image recording devices, weight measuring devices, force measuring devices, torque measuring devices, mass estimating devices and the like.

[0021] The reason for this is that not every trailer has its own braking system. For example, it is possible to assess the weight of the trailer combination. If, for example, the permissible total weight of the vehicle is known and the total weight exceeds this weight by more than 750 kg, the trailer must have its own braking system. It may be possible to provide a mass estimator, for example, in a driveline coordinator (this can, for example, measure the required torque).

[0022] This brake detection device can also be a camera that captures an image of the trailer and uses this image to assess whether the trailer has its own braking system. For this purpose, the length or height of the trailer can be recorded to determine whether the trailer has its own braking system. It is also possible for an image capture device to read markings on the trailer to determine whether it has a braking system. This could, for example, be a marking that identifies the type of trailer.

[0023] In addition, if an electrical connection cable is detected between the car and the trailer, it is also possible to check whether the trailer has its own braking system.

[0024] In another preferred method, the operating measurement value is a temperature measurement value of at least one component of the braking system. In this case, the trailer is preferably equipped with a temperature measuring device. In addition, the operating measurement value can also be a value determined from the braking performance of the braking system.

[0025] For example, it's possible to measure the temperature of the braking system directly using a temperature sensor. It would also be possible to measure the trailer's braking performance over a specified period of time and estimate its temperature from this.

[0026] In another preferred method, the braking performance of the trailer is determined from several braking performance measurement values ​​and / or braking performance parameters characteristic of the braking performance. These braking performance measurement values ​​and / or braking performance parameters are preferably selected from a group of measurement values ​​that includes a mass of the trailer (or a characteristic measurement or parameter), a mass of the vehicle (or a characteristic measurement or parameter), a mass of the trailer (or a characteristic measurement or parameter), a gradient of a route, and a braking performance of the vehicle.

[0027] It is conceivable that the mass of the vehicle and the trailer is measured. However, the mass of the vehicle and / or the trailer can also be stored.

[0028] It is also possible that the gradients of the route are measured or determined from data from a navigation system, for example.

[0029] Preferably, a gradient gradient is also determined. In another preferred method, an average gradient of a traveled and / or future route is determined. It is also possible to record data characteristic of the user's driving behavior, such as average speed, acceleration and deceleration behavior, and the like.

[0030] The vehicle's braking performance can also be determined from on-board electronics. Preferably, a power curve is also determined in this case.

[0031] Preferably, the temperature of the braking device is determined from the braking power, or the temperature is calculated from the braking power. However, predictions regarding wear of the braking device can also be made here. The type of braking device can also be taken into account, especially if different types of braking devices exhibit different heating behavior.

[0032] Furthermore, the ambient temperature can also be taken into account when determining the temperature. This means that the heating behavior of the braking system can vary depending on the outside temperature. It would also be conceivable to take driving breaks into account, for example, if a break was taken on a hill or during a descent.

[0033] Particularly preferred is a model that at least partially takes the aforementioned data into account, thus allowing conclusions to be drawn about the temperature of the braking system. Artificial intelligence (AI) can also be used to determine this data.

[0034] In a further preferred method, the environmental characteristic value is selected from a group of environmental characteristic values ​​which includes a current gradient of the route, a gradient of the route already covered, an average gradient of the route, a future gradient of the route, a number of curves of the route, in particular curves of the route already covered, a curvature of curves of the route, a number of future curves of the route, a gradient within curves of the route covered, current or future route, a geographical altitude of the route, an altitude profile of the route, a current speed of the vehicle, an average speed of the vehicle, an acceleration or deceleration behavior of the vehicle and the like.

[0035] Preferably, several of the aforementioned data items are used to determine the environmental characteristic. Preferably, using the environmental characteristic, a decision is made as to whether a downhill ride has occurred, is occurring, or will occur now, in the recent past, and / or in the near future.

[0036] It can be seen that, depending on the multitude of data mentioned above, the environmental characteristic(s) can be determined with high accuracy. For example, an environmental characteristic can be determined that a certain curve just negotiated has no or hardly any incline and / or that a straight section of the route following this curve has no or only a slight decline. In this case, the control device can command the vehicle or its engine to accelerate slightly in order to release and / or release the braking system of the trailer.

[0037] In another preferred method, it is possible to calculate how strongly the braking device is currently dragging and / or how much energy the braking device is absorbing. Based on a model, it is possible to predict how hot the braking device is as a function of time and / or the amount of energy input.

[0038] In another preferred method, information, and in particular a warning, is issued to the driver or user of the vehicle / trailer combination depending on an operating measurement and preferably also taking into account one or more environmental parameters. The driver or user can, for example, be instructed to drive to the nearest available parking space to allow the trailer's braking system to cool down.

[0039] Particularly preferably, the determined or measured temperature of the braking device is compared with a reference value. This can be, for example, a limit value. If the measured or determined temperature of the braking device exceeds this limit value, a switch can preferably be made to a mode that generally allows the braking device to be released.

[0040] The environmental characteristic value can be used to detect uphill driving in particular.

[0041] Particularly preferably, the second detection device is selected from a group of detection devices that includes navigation systems, image recording devices, acceleration sensors, inclination sensors, swarm data acquisition devices, and the like. Swarm data is, in particular, data that is or has been collected from a large number of vehicles and / or vehicle combinations.

[0042] In a further preferred method, the braking device is at least temporarily ventilated and / or released as a result of the activation. This procedure can achieve cooling of the braking device.

[0043] Particularly preferably, this time period of releasing and / or venting the braking device is greater than 2s, preferably greater than 4s, preferably greater than 5s and preferably greater than 10s.

[0044] In a further preferred method, this time period is less than 60 seconds, preferably less than 50 seconds, preferably less than 40 seconds. It should be noted that this time period is selected on the one hand so that maximum possible cooling of the braking system is achieved, but on the other hand also so that, depending on the route, the braking system of the car is not placed under excessive strain and driving safety is not impaired. It is possible that several ventilation cycles are carried out on several sections during a downhill journey. Overall, significantly longer total ventilation periods can occur. However, the time durations of the individual ventilation phases on the sections are preferably within the ranges mentioned above.

[0045] Preferably, the method proposed here is used to search for a route or a section of the route where the trailer's braking system can be released—particularly safely. On this route, the trailer's overrun brake is to be cooled, particularly by applying the accelerator (particularly by releasing the overrun brake and eliminating the dragging state of the braking system).

[0046] Particularly preferably, the second detection device is used to determine the gradient of the route in the immediately imminent period, for example, for 30 seconds. If this gradient is particularly preferably less than a predetermined limit gradient, the brake system can be activated.

[0047] Particularly preferably, the device is controlled in such a way that, when both a downhill ride and brake overheating occur, the braking system is deliberately ventilated (and / or cooled). This ventilating of the braking system is particularly preferably achieved by increasing the power, for example, a single torque peak (for example, within a predetermined period of time, such as 1 second).

[0048] This can be achieved, for example, by means of a predetermined accelerator pedal position of, for example, 50-60%. In another preferred method, a user, in particular a driver, is informed of the implemented measure, i.e., the short-moment peak, which can be done in particular via the vehicle's display device.

[0049] Particularly preferably, therefore, if an increase in the temperature of the braking device is detected and the gradient is within a permitted range, the control system causes at least a brief acceleration of the vehicle.

[0050] As mentioned above, there are various ways to configure the second detection device. For example, the vehicle's navigation system, and in particular a stored landscape (or geographical and / or topological and / or elevation data) or the route data, can be used to determine the gradient and the gradient profile for both the past, future, and current route.

[0051] Furthermore, the (braking) performance can be determined, particularly by taking into account other operating data such as driving speed and the above-mentioned mass of the vehicle combination.

[0052] Particularly preferably, the braking device is at least temporarily released and / or ventilated as a result of the control.

[0053] Preferably, only the trailer's braking power is changed, or the brakes are released. However, for the purpose of short-term acceleration, the car's braking power can also be reduced and / or, as mentioned above, briefly accelerated.

[0054] In the further preferred methods, the vehicle is guided, preferably accelerated, decelerated, or braked, at least temporarily depending on the operating measurement and / or the ambient parameters. Thus, on the route with the trailer brake released, the vehicle accelerates as a result of the acceleration pulse due to the trailer's free brake.

[0055] This preferred method applies to a special case. In this special case, the temperature of the braking system is in a critical range. However, the gradient is not negligible. In this case, a special mode can be activated, for example, by decelerating the vehicle so sharply before a bend that the subsequent acceleration after the bend releases the braking system, and braking is not required in a subsequent steeper, particularly straight, section. In this case, the vehicle-trailer combination builds up speed.

[0056] The advantage in this case is a high cooling performance on the straight or steep section and there is no further heat input into the trailer brake or the trailer's braking system.

[0057] If the trailer itself can measure a brake temperature, it is preferably possible for this to be transmitted to another vehicle via a connecting cable, so that, as mentioned above, the determination of the brake temperature is greatly simplified.

[0058] In another preferred method, it is checked whether the brake system has been released successfully. This makes it possible, for example, to monitor the speed and / or acceleration for a known gradient and trailer weight.

[0059] It can be concluded whether the trailer is still braking or rolling freely.

[0060] This means that when the braking system is ventilated, the trailer does not brake and the vehicle / trailer combination accelerates more strongly (compared to a case where the trailer's braking system is dragging).

[0061] The present invention is further directed to a vehicle combination comprising at least one motor vehicle and a trailer connected to said motor vehicle. Furthermore, the vehicle combination comprises a detection device suitable and intended for detecting whether a trailer is connected to the motor vehicle.

[0062] Furthermore, a first detection device is provided, which is suitable and intended to detect at least one operating measurement value that is characteristic of an operating state of a braking device of the trailer. Furthermore, a second detection device is provided, which is suitable and intended to detect at least one environmental characteristic value that is characteristic of a current and / or future and / or past or previous route traveled by the trailer.

[0063] Furthermore, a control device is provided which is suitable and intended to at least indirectly control and / or actuate the braking device of the trailer and / or the motor vehicle depending on the operating characteristic value and the environmental characteristic value.

[0064] In a further preferred embodiment, the vehicle combination has a brake detection device which is suitable and intended to determine whether the trailer has its own brake device.

[0065] The present invention is further directed to a motor vehicle which can be operated with a trailer in order to form a vehicle combination with this trailer.

[0066] This motor vehicle has a detection device suitable and intended for determining whether a trailer is connected to the motor vehicle. Preferably, the motor vehicle has a coupling device for mechanically connecting a trailer to the motor vehicle, in particular a so-called trailer coupling.

[0067] Furthermore, the motor vehicle has a first detection device, which is suitable and intended to detect at least one operating measurement value that is characteristic of an operating state of a braking device of the trailer. It is possible for this detection device to be suitable and intended to receive or detect an operating characteristic value, such as a temperature of the braking device, directly from the braking device; however, it is also possible for the detection device to determine this operating characteristic value independently, as described above.

[0068] Furthermore, the device comprises a second detection device which is suitable and intended to detect at least one environmental characteristic value which is characteristic of a current and / or future and / or past or previous route travelled by the vehicle combination.

[0069] Furthermore, the vehicle has a control device which is suitable and intended to at least indirectly control and / or actuate the braking device of the trailer and / or the motor vehicle as a function of the operating characteristic value and the environmental characteristic value.

[0070] It should also be noted here that it is possible to control the braking device directly so that it is released, or indirectly, for example by briefly accelerating the motor vehicle and thus bringing the braking device out of braking mode.

[0071] The present invention is further directed to a control device, in particular a processor-based control device, for controlling a vehicle combination which comprises at least one motor vehicle and a trailer connected to this motor vehicle.

[0072] Preferably, the control device is suitable and intended to determine (in particular by means of the detection device mentioned below) at least one trailer detection variable that indicates whether a trailer is connected to the motor vehicle. "Determine" can be understood as receiving and / or detecting and / or retrieving (in particular from an internal vehicle storage device).

[0073] Preferably, the control device is suitable and intended to receive and / or retrieve information and / or a signal (the information and / or the signal are (each) characteristic of a connection state of the trailer to the vehicle; in other words, the information or the signal indicates whether a trailer is connected to the motor vehicle) from a detection device, which detection device is suitable and intended to determine whether a trailer is connected to the motor vehicle. Preferably, the signal is characteristic of the trailer detection variable. Preferably, the trailer detection variable is characteristic of the information. The information can be present, for example, in the form of a value of an internal variable (which, for example, is not visible from the outside and / or which is stored on a memory device, in particular internal to the vehicle).The detection device can be a (purely) processor-based device. However, it is also conceivable that the detection device comprises a sensor device (of the vehicle and / or the trailer connected to the vehicle) that is suitable and intended for detecting a sensor data value indicating whether a trailer is connected to the vehicle.

[0074] In this case, the control device is (in particular further) suitable and intended to receive and / or retrieve information and / or a signal (the information and / or the signal are (each) characteristic of an operating state of a braking device of the trailer; in other words, the information or the signal indicates the operating state of a braking device of the trailer) from a first detection device, which first detection device is suitable and intended to detect at least one operating measured value that is characteristic of an operating state of a braking device of the trailer.

[0075] The control device is further suitable and intended to receive and / or retrieve information and / or a signal (the information and / or the signal are (each) characteristic of an environmental characteristic value that is characteristic of a route travelled and / or current and / or future by the vehicle combination; in other words, the information or the signal indicates an environmental characteristic value that is characteristic of a route travelled and / or current and / or future by the vehicle combination) from a second detection device, which second detection device is suitable and intended to detect at least one environmental characteristic value that is characteristic of a route travelled and / or current and / or future by the vehicle combination.

[0076] The control device is further suitable and intended to control the braking device and / or the vehicle depending on the measured operating value and the ambient characteristic. Such control preferably occurs (in particular only) if the determined at least one trailer detection variable indicates that the vehicle is connected to a trailer.

[0077] Further advantages and embodiments can be seen from the attached drawing.

[0078] It shows: Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the invention.

[0079] In Fig.1 is depicted on a vehicle combination 1, which comprises a motor vehicle 2 and a trailer 3. These are traveling along a route F shown only schematically. This route is, in particular, a journey through mountainous terrain and, in particular, a downhill journey. Accordingly, the route includes a multitude of curved sections and downhill sections.

[0080] The trailer 3 has a predetermined height H and a predetermined length L as well as a predetermined total length L0, which also includes the connecting mechanism 36, which is attached to a corresponding connecting mechanism 26 (ie in particular a trailer coupling) of the motor vehicle 2.

[0081] Preferably, the trailer 3 and / or the motor vehicle 2 has a first detection device 4, which determines a value characteristic of the operation of a braking device 32 of the trailer, and in particular a temperature. However, the first detection device 4 can also be integrated into the vehicle 2 and determine or estimate the temperature of the braking device 32 from specific vehicle data, as described above. Reference numeral 34 denotes a wheel of the trailer 3 that can or should be braked.

[0082] Reference numeral 12 schematically indicates a locking device that determines whether the trailer 3 is connected to the vehicle 2. This locking device 12 can be integrated into the connection 26 or integrated into the vehicle 2.

[0083] Reference numeral 6 denotes a second detection device, which is suitable and intended for detecting environmental parameters. This can be, for example, the vehicle's navigation system, which can determine a current, past, or traveled gradient of the route. However, sensor devices such as inclination sensors, acceleration sensors, and the like could also be used.

[0084] Preferably, a processor device is also provided which determines an overall environmental value from a plurality of environmental characteristic values, which in turn can be used in the control of the vehicle and / or the braking device 32.

[0085] Reference numeral 10 schematically denotes a control device of the motor vehicle 2, which controls the motor vehicle 2 and / or the braking devices 32 using the data from the first and second detection devices (or data derived therefrom). Furthermore, this control device can initially indirectly cause the braking device 32 of the trailer 3 to be released, for example, as described above, by briefly accelerating the motor vehicle 2.

[0086] The applicant reserves the right to claim all features disclosed in the application documents as essential to the invention, provided they are novel, individually or in combination, over the prior art. It is further noted that the individual figures also describe features that may be advantageous in and of themselves. The skilled person will immediately recognize that a specific feature described in a figure may be advantageous even without adopting further features from that figure. Furthermore, the skilled person will recognize that advantages may also arise from a combination of several features shown in individual or different figures. List of reference symbols 1 vehicle - trailer 2 motor vehicles 3 trailers 4 first recording device 6 second detection device 10 Control device 12 Determination device 26 Connecting mechanism 32 Braking device 34 wheels 36 Connecting mechanism F Route H Height L length L0 total length

Claims

[1] Method for operating a vehicle combination (1) which comprises at least one motor vehicle (2) and a trailer (3) connected to said motor vehicle (2), comprising the steps: - Determine whether a trailer (3) is connected to the motor vehicle (2) - determining at least one operating measured value which is characteristic of an operating state of a braking device (32) of the trailer (3) by means of a first detection device (4); - Determination of at least one environmental characteristic value which is relevant for a -The current and / or future route (F) travelled by the vehicle combination (1) is characteristic by means of a second detection device (6); - Controlling the braking device (32) of the trailer (3) and / or the vehicle as a function of the operating measured value and the ambient characteristic value. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized bythat it is determined by means of a brake detection device (8) whether the trailer (3) has its own braking device (32), wherein the brake detection device (8) is preferably selected from a group of brake detection devices which contains image recording devices, weight measuring devices, force measuring devices, torque measuring devices, mass estimating devices and the like. [3] Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the operating measured value is a temperature of at least one component of the braking device and / or a value characteristic of a braking performance of the braking device. [4] Method according to the preceding claim, characterized bythat the braking performance of the trailer is determined from several braking performance measurement values ​​characteristic of this braking performance, wherein these braking performance measurement values ​​are preferably selected from a group of measurement values ​​which includes a mass of the trailer (1), a mass of the vehicle (2), a mass of the trailer (3), a gradient of a route and a braking performance of the vehicle (2) [5] Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the environmental characteristic value is selected or formed from a group of environmental characteristic values ​​which contains a current gradient of the route, a gradient of the route already covered, an average gradient of the route, a future gradient of the route, a number of past curves of the route, a curvature of curves of the route, a number of future curves of the route, a geographical altitude of the route and the like and / or the second detection device (6) is selected from a group of detection devices which contains navigation systems, image recording devices, acceleration sensors, inclination sensors, swarm data detection devices and the like. [6] Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the braking device (32) is at least temporarily released and / or released as a result of the actuation, wherein a time duration of this release or release is preferably greater than 1 s, preferably greater than 2 s, preferably greater than 4 s, preferably greater than 10 s and / or a time duration of this release is less than 60 s, preferably less than 50 s, preferably less than 45 s, preferably less than 40 s and particularly preferably less than 35 s and preferably less than 30 s. [7] Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the vehicle is driven at least temporarily depending on the operating measured value and the ambient characteristic value. [8] Vehicle - combination (1) which has at least one motor vehicle (2) and a trailer (3) connected to this motor vehicle, with a determination device (12) which is suitable and intended to determine whether a trailer (2) is connected to the motor vehicle, with a first detection device (4) which is suitable and intended to detect at least one operating measured value which is characteristic of an operating state of a braking device (32) of the trailer (3), and with a second detection device (6) which is suitable and intended to detect at least one environmental characteristic value which is characteristic of a current and / or future and / or past route traveled by the combination, and with a control device (10) which is suitable and intended to control the braking device and / or the vehicle as a function of the operating measured value and the environmental characteristic value. [9] Vehicle - combination (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized by that the vehicle combination (1) has a brake detection device (12) which is suitable and intended to determine whether the trailer has its own braking device (32). [10] Control device (10) for controlling a vehicle combination, which has at least one motor vehicle (2) and a trailer (3) connected to this motor vehicle, wherein the control device is suitable and intended to receive a signal and / or information from a detection device (12), which detection device (12) is suitable and intended to determine whether a trailer (2) is connected to the motor vehicle, wherein the control device is further suitable and intended to receive and / or retrieve a signal and / or information from a first detection device (4), which detection device (4) is suitable and intended to detect at least one operating measured value that is characteristic of an operating state of a braking device (32) of the trailer (3), and wherein the control device is suitable and intended toreceive and / or retrieve a signal and / or information from a second detection device (6), which second detection device is suitable and intended to detect at least one environmental characteristic value that is characteristic of a route traveled and / or current and / or future route by the vehicle combination, wherein the control device (10) is further suitable and intended to control the braking device (32) and / or the vehicle depending on the operating measured value and the environmental characteristic value.

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