EBS Control Unit Coupling Force Factor for Trailer Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Critical driving states can occur in vehicle combinations with a small coupling force control factor, leading to unstable braking and potential jackknifing due to uneven load distribution, especially when the trailer is heavily front- or rear-loaded, which can result in buckling or lateral breakaway of the trailer.
Innovation Solution
The coupling force control factor is restricted by evaluating the functional state of the EBS in the tractor vehicle, setting a minimum value for the coupling force control factor based on the loading situation, ensuring that both vehicles brake separately to maintain stability, even if the EBS fails.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a small coupling force control factor is used to achieve more equalized brake wear and temperature distribution, then brake lining wear is reduced and temperature levels are equalized, but driving stability deteriorates and critical driving states such as jackknifing occur
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling force control factor is made dynamically adjustable based on detected driving conditions and load distribution. The system automatically adapts the CFC factor between different values (including 0% for wear equalization and higher values for stability) according to real-time conditions, resolving the contradiction between wear uniformity and driving stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of coupling force control factor based on detected conditions such as load distribution on trailer axles and EBS functional state. By adjusting this parameter dynamically, the system achieves both wear equalization when conditions permit and stability maintenance when conditions require it.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the coupling force control factor is restricted to prevent critical driving states, then driving stability is improved, but brake wear equalization and temperature reduction are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the coupling force control factor based on real-time detection of driving conditions and load distribution. When conditions allow, it permits lower CFC values for wear equalization; when stability risks are detected, it increases the CFC factor, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and wear uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the coupling force control factor parameter according to detected conditions including trailer axle load distribution and EBS functional state. This parameter adaptation enables the system to optimize both stability and wear characteristics under different operating conditions.
3Measurement precision
If separate brake-application energy levels are ascertained for tractor and trailer based on axle load distribution, then braking precision is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional sensors and control logic
Solution Approach 1:
The EBS control unit performs multiple functions including ABS control, differential slip control, axle load distribution detection, and coupling force control. By making the control unit universal and multi-functional, the system achieves precise brake-application energy control without adding separate dedicated hardware for each function, thus reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines axle load distribution detection and separate brake-application energy control within the existing EBS control unit. By merging these functions into a single control system rather than using separate independent systems, the patent reduces device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
In a method for controlling the brake-application energy of a vehicle combination having a tractor vehicle equipped with an electronically controlled brake system, at least one front axle and a rear axle, and a trailer vehicle having at least one trailer axle, the functional capability of the electronically controlled brake system is monitored and a status signal is produced as a function thereof. A coupling force control factor is set as a function of the status signal such that, in the event of absent/impaired functional capability of the electronically controlled brake system, a minimal coupling force control factor is set, and the coupling force control factor is set greater than or equal to the minimal control factor, wherein the minimal control factor is not equal to zero and/or is selected such that ascertained separate brake-application energy levels for the tractor vehicle and the trailer vehicle are dependent on a brake-application energy reference value and on axle load distribution.