Braking Controller Trailer Capability Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current towing vehicle safety systems use a non-enhanced braking mode when the braking capabilities of towed vehicles are indeterminate, which may result in unnecessary collisions, as they apply a fixed level of braking force regardless of the towed vehicles' actual capabilities, potentially leading to inadequate braking in emergency situations.
Innovation Solution
A braking controller system that determines the braking mode of towed vehicles based on verified capabilities, allowing for either non-enhanced or enhanced braking modes by comparing configuration data from the towing vehicle with data reported by the towed vehicles, enabling the application of a higher braking force when capabilities are confirmed, thereby enhancing safety and braking efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a non-enhanced braking mode is used with fixed braking force, then the system operates with simple control logic, but the braking effectiveness is insufficient in emergency situations
Solution Approach 1:
The braking controller dynamically adjusts the braking force applied to towed vehicles based on verified capability data. The system transitions from a fixed non-enhanced braking mode to a variable enhanced braking mode where the braking force is optimized according to the actual capabilities of the towed vehicles, resolving the contradiction between simple control and effective braking.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the braking force parameter from a fixed predetermined value to a variable value determined by comparing configuration data and verifying reported capabilities. This parameter change enables the system to achieve both simplicity (when capabilities are indeterminate) and effectiveness (when capabilities are verified).
2Reliability
If a fixed level of braking force is applied to towed vehicles, then the control system remains simple, but collisions may occur due to inadequate braking in emergency situations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary capability verification by comparing configuration data with reported capabilities before determining the appropriate braking mode. This advance verification allows the system to prepare the correct braking strategy in advance, ensuring collision prevention while maintaining simple control logic when capabilities are confirmed.
Solution Approach 2:
The braking controller implements a feedback mechanism where it receives reported capability data from towed vehicles, verifies this data against configuration data, and uses the verification result to determine the braking mode. This feedback loop enables the system to adapt braking force to actual capabilities, preventing collisions while managing system complexity through structured verification.
3Reliability
If enhanced braking mode is always used, then braking performance is optimized, but the system may cause instability when towed vehicle capabilities are uncertain
Solution Approach 1:
The capability verification process acts as an intermediary between the braking controller and the enhanced braking mode. The system uses configuration data comparison as a mediating step to determine whether to activate enhanced braking, ensuring that enhanced braking is only applied when capabilities are verified, thus maintaining system stability while optimizing performance when safe to do so.
Data Source
AI summary
A braking controller and method in a towing vehicle towing one or more towed vehicles as a combination vehicle provides brake control of the one or more towed vehicles based on a level of braking force applied to the towing vehicle. A non-enhanced braking mode applies a first level of braking force to the towed vehicles in a predetermined reduced proportion relative to the level of braking force applied to the towing vehicle, and an enhanced braking mode applies a second level of braking force to the towed vehicles greater than the first level of braking force. The enhanced braking mode strategy is used unless trailer capability information reported by one or more the trailers fails to match against expected trailer capability information.