Bistable Trailer Brake Module With Pneumatic Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer control modules for commercial vehicles require complex and costly pneumatic systems, leading to inefficient control behavior and increased space consumption due to rigid coupling with the towing vehicle's parking brake system, and are not easily adaptable to varying control line lengths.
Innovation Solution
A trailer control module with integrated bistability, allowing independent control via a control piston and feedback connection, reducing the need for external components and enabling precise control through a software function, and incorporating a feedback connection for improved structural and functional simplicity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the trailer control module is rigidly coupled with the parking brake system, then the control state can be switched between driving and parked modes, but the circuit arrangement becomes complex, expensive, and space-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the bistability function from the external parking brake system and relocates it into the trailer control module itself. The control piston with its two pressure chambers (first pressure chamber via control connection, second pressure chamber via feedback connection) provides independent bistable control within the trailer control module, eliminating the need for complex external pneumatic coupling while maintaining reliable state switching between driving and parked modes
Solution Approach 2:
The control piston serves multiple functions: it acts as both the control element for switching between driving and parked modes and as the bistability mechanism itself. The feedback connection allows the second pressure chamber to provide restoring force, making the control piston a multi-functional component that combines control and state maintenance functions, thereby simplifying the overall circuit arrangement
2Adaptability or versatility
If the control line length varies between different vehicle types, then the system can be adapted to different vehicles, but the pressure build-up and release behavior becomes difficult to fine-tune
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback connection creates a closed-loop pneumatic system where the second pressure chamber responds to changes in the first pressure chamber. This feedback mechanism compensates for variations in control line volume and length, as the feedback connection ensures that pressure changes are properly transmitted and balanced regardless of the control line characteristics, eliminating the need for complex tuning adjustments
3Ease of operation
If a pneumatic parking brake system is always necessary in the towing vehicle, then the trailer can be controlled between parked and driving modes, but the system becomes more expensive and space-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The trailer control module becomes self-sufficient by integrating the bistability mechanism internally. The control piston with its feedback connection allows the module to maintain its own control state without requiring an external pneumatic parking brake system in the towing vehicle. The module services itself by using the feedback connection to maintain pressure balance and state stability independently
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a structurally simpler, cost-effective, and more reliable trailer control module that can operate independently of the towing vehicle's parking brake system, reducing installation space and improving control precision, suitable for both electric and conventional trailers.
Implementation Method 1
the control piston has a first pneumatic working surface, in particular a first control piston surface, and a second pneumatic working surface, in particular a second control piston surface; the housing has at least one control connection, in particular a control port, and at least one feedback connection, in particular a feedback port, for controlling the control piston in a bistable manner
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a trailer control module (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510) for a brake device, more particularly an electronic parking brake device (12), for a vehicle, more particularly a utility vehicle, comprising at least one control piston (16) and at least one housing (14), in which the control piston (16) is accommodated, wherein: - the housing (14) has at least one control connection point (14a) and at least one feedback connection point (14b) for controlling the control piston (16); - the housing (14) also has at least one supply connection point (18), which is connected to at least one supply line (20) for supplying pressure fluid to the trailer control module (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510); - the control piston (16) can be bistably controlled by means of the control connection point (14a) and by means of the feedback connection point (14b). The present invention also relates to a parking brake device (12), more particularly an electronic parking brake device, for a vehicle, more particularly a utility vehicle, comprising at least one trailer control module (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510) as described above. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a utility vehicle, more particularly comprising at least one towing vehicle and at least one trailer, and comprising at least one parking brake device (12) and at least one trailer control module (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510) as described above.