Electro-Pneumatic Trailer Brake Control for Faster Multi-Trailer Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Combination vehicles with a mix of electronic and fluid-controlled braking systems experience significant delays in brake application and release due to the slower travel time of fluid control signals, particularly affecting members further away from the towing member.
Innovation Solution
A service brake control system utilizing an electro-pneumatic brake control valve and double check valve to transmit fluid control signals faster by leveraging electrical control signals from electronic braking systems, ensuring synchronized brake operation across all members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fluid control signals are used to control wheel brakes in towed members, then the braking system can operate with conventional fluid-controlled mechanisms, but the response time between brake command and brake application becomes significantly delayed
Solution Approach 1:
An electro-pneumatic converter valve is introduced as an intermediary device in the fluid control system. This valve receives electronic brake commands from the towing member and converts them into fluid control signals that activate the wheel brakes in towed members. The converter acts as a mediator that bridges the electronic control system of the towing member and the fluid-controlled braking system of the towed member, enabling faster response times while maintaining compatibility with conventional fluid-controlled brake mechanisms.
2Loss of time
If electronic braking systems are installed in all members of the combination vehicle, then brake response time is significantly reduced, but the cost and complexity of the braking system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electro-pneumatic converter valve is selectively installed in specific towed members that require improved brake response, rather than upgrading the entire combination vehicle fleet to electronic braking systems. This localized approach allows individual members with fluid-controlled braking systems to benefit from faster response times while the rest of the vehicle combination maintains its existing, simpler fluid-controlled architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The electro-pneumatic converter valve replaces the need for mechanical/fluid signal transmission from the towing member to the towed member with an electronic signal-based approach. By converting electronic brake commands into fluid control signals at the converter valve, the system substitutes the slow mechanical fluid signal transmission with faster electronic signaling, achieving electronic-brake-speed response times without requiring a complete mechanical system overhaul.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fluid control signals are transmitted through long fluid couplings in multi-member combination vehicles, then all members can be controlled, but the travel time of control signals is significantly increased for members further away
Solution Approach 1:
The combination vehicle's braking control system is segmented into independent control zones, with each towed member equipped with its own electro-pneumatic converter valve. This segmentation allows each member to receive and process brake commands independently through its local converter, eliminating the cumulative signal transmission delays that occur when fluid control signals must travel through multiple fluid couplings across the entire vehicle combination.
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 accelerates brake response times and improves synchronization of wheel brakes in members with fluid-controlled systems by utilizing electrical signals, maintaining conventional fluid-controlled operation without compromise.
Implementation Method 1
an electro-pneumatic brake control valve configured for mounting on the first towed member. The electro-pneumatic brake control valve is configured to output fluid pressure from a fluid source received at a supply port on the electro-pneumatic brake control valve through a delivery port on the electro-pneumatic brake control valve responsive to an electronic control signal
Implementation Method 2
The double check valve has a first supply port in fluid communication with a forward fluid coupling on the first towed member that is configured to deliver a first fluid control signal from the towing member to the first towed member. The double check valve has a second supply port configured for fluid communication with the first delivery port of the electro-pneumatic brake control valve. The double check valve has a delivery port in fluid communication with a rear fluid coupling on the first towed member and configured to deliver a second fluid control signal from the double check valve on the first towed member to the second towed member.
Data Source
AI summary
A service brake control system for a combination vehicle including a towing member and first and second towed members includes an electro-pneumatic brake control valve on the first towed member that delivers fluid pressure through a delivery port in response to an electronic control signal that is generated by a brake controller on the towing member. A double check valve includes a first supply port in fluid communication with a forward fluid coupling on the first towed member that delivers a first fluid control signal from the towing member, a second supply port in fluid communication with the delivery port of the electro-pneumatic brake control valve and a delivery port in fluid communication with a rear fluid coupling on the first towed member that delivers a second fluid control signal from the double check valve to the second towed member.