Portable Brake Activation System for Towed Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Towed vehicles lack a standardized braking system interface, making it difficult to reduce stopping distances during towing, and existing auxiliary braking systems are often cumbersome, heavy, and require frequent installation and removal.
Innovation Solution
A portable brake activation system that engages the towed vehicle's brake pedal via an actuation arm and arm drive system, allowing for easy installation, use, and storage, with a compact design and pneumatic cylinder for efficient brake actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a portable auxiliary braking system is installed in the towed vehicle to reduce stopping distances, then braking performance is improved, but the system becomes cumbersome and heavy requiring frequent installation and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The braking system is divided into separate functional modules: a control unit that interfaces with the brake pedal, an actuation mechanism with pneumatic cylinder, and a mounting system. This segmentation allows the system to be compact yet functional, reducing overall size and weight while maintaining braking effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses an intermediary actuation arm and linkage mechanism that connects the portable controller to the vehicle's existing brake pedal system. This intermediary approach allows the portable system to leverage the vehicle's own braking infrastructure, reducing the need for heavy additional braking components while achieving effective brake activation.
2Extent of automation
If a complex electronic or hydraulic connection is made to the brake system to activate brakes, then braking control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to work with the vehicle's existing brake system infrastructure, using the vehicle's own hydraulic or mechanical brake components. The portable controller simply provides the activation signal through the brake pedal interface, and the vehicle's brake system handles the actual braking action, reducing the complexity of the portable system while maintaining effective brake control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex electronic or hydraulic connections with a simpler mechanical interface that acts through the brake pedal. The actuation arm and linkage provide direct mechanical engagement with the brake pedal, eliminating the need for complex wiring harnesses, electrical connectors, or hydraulic line modifications, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
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 system effectively reduces stopping distances, enhances highway safety, and is more frequently used due to its ease of use and compactness, ensuring better protection for users and others on the road.
Implementation Method 1
an arm drive system applies pressure to the actuation arm to drive the brake pedal to actuate the brake, the arm drive system being connected to the bottom surface to drive the actuation arm against the bottom surface
Data Source
AI summary
A brake activation system and method are described. In one example, a bottom surface is configured to engage a floor pan of a towed vehicle near a brake pedal. An actuation arm extends away from the bottom surface and is configured to connect to the brake pedal to actuate a brake of the towed vehicle through the brake pedal, the actuation arm extends in a direction partially normal to the bottom surface. An arm drive system applies pressure to the actuation arm to drive the brake pedal to actuate the brake, the arm drive system being connected to the bottom surface to drive the actuation arm against the bottom surface in a direction partially normal to the bottom surface.