Axle Load Adjustment for Tractor Trailer Drive Axles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for increasing traction in vehicle combinations by altering axle loads require driver intervention, leading to potential operating errors, especially in challenging driving conditions, and are limited by speed and time constraints.
Innovation Solution
An electronic control device automatically adjusts the axle load of the drive axle of a towing vehicle by actuating lifting, trailing, or air-sprung axles of a trailer vehicle based on detected indicators of an inclining road, such as gradient and speed changes, to maintain traction without driver burden.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the driver manually actuates an operating element to increase traction, then the axle load can be adjusted, but operating errors occur especially in difficult driving situations
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic control device automatically detects road gradients and adjusts the axle load distribution without driver intervention. The system monitors vehicle sensors and autonomously actuates lifting axles, trailing axles, and air-sprung axles to maintain optimal traction, eliminating manual operation errors while ensuring reliable traction control.
2Reliability
If manual traction increase function is used, then axle load adjustment is possible, but additional control elements and operating complexity are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the traction control function into the existing electronic control device that manages lifting axles, trailing axles, and air-sprung axles. By combining gradient detection, axle load calculation, and actuation control into a single integrated system, the patent eliminates the need for separate manual control elements while maintaining reliable traction adjustment capability.
3Reliability
If known methods are used for traction increase, then axle load can be adjusted, but operation is limited by maximum operating time or maximum driving speed
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic control device continuously monitors road gradients and vehicle operating conditions in real-time, dynamically adjusting the axle load distribution based on current requirements. The system has no predefined maximum operating time or speed limits, adapting automatically to any driving condition by calculating the optimal axle load configuration based on detected gradient and vehicle state.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
AI summary
The method involves detecting an indicator that displays whether a track (3) is increased in a forward direction of a vehicle train, by electronic control devices (11, 20). An axle load (14) of drive axles (5, 6) is increased depending on the detected indicator. The axle load of the drive axles is automatically increased by the electronic control devices if conditions are met as the indicator for the track increase, where the condition indicates whether a value detected by the control device, is equal or larger than a preset minimum rise value. The electronic control devices are engine controller and brake controller. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) an electronic control device (2) a control program of an electronic control device comprising instructions to execute a method for influencing an axle load of drive axles of a towing vehicle.