Electronic Controller for Vehicle Stop Light Actuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Upcoming regulations mandate electronic sensing of foot brake valve driver demand on trailer towing vehicles, which will render conventional electro/pneumatic stop light switches obsolete, as they activate stop lights based on the highest of three pneumatic signals, whereas electronic sensing will activate stop lights based on a single signal indicating either or both foot brake valves are activated to a predetermined pressure.

Innovation Solution

A controller with electrical input ports for foot brake and trailer brake valve signals, capable of determining if pressures are above a predetermined threshold, and transmitting a control signal to activate the vehicle stop light based on these electrical signals, replacing the need for electro/pneumatic switches.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an electro/pneumatic stop light switch is used to activate stop lights based on the highest of three pneumatic signals, then the system is compatible with conventional pneumatic braking systems, but the system becomes obsolete under new electronic sensing regulations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with conventional pneumatic systemsVSAvoidcompliance with new electronic sensing regulations

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electro/pneumatic stop light switch with an electronic controller that receives electrical signals from pressure sensors. The controller uses electronic logic to determine when stop lights should be activated based on brake delivery pressure, substituting mechanical/pneumatic signal processing with electronic sensing and control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If multiple pneumatic signals are monitored to activate stop lights, then comprehensive brake activation coverage is achieved, but system complexity increases with multiple sensors and electronic logic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomprehensive brake activation coverageVSAvoidnumber of pressure sensors and electronic logic

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple pressure sensor inputs into a single electronic controller that processes all brake delivery pressure signals. The controller integrates the monitoring of foot brake and trailer brake valve pressures, using unified electronic logic to determine stop light activation, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If electronic sensing of foot brake valve driver demand is implemented, then compliance with upcoming regulations is achieved, but the utility of conventional electro/pneumatic stop light switches is reduced or eliminated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompliance with upcoming electronic sensing regulationsVSAvoidobsolescence of conventional electro/pneumatic components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional electro/pneumatic stop light switches with an electronic controller that directly interfaces with the electronic braking system. This substitution enables compliance with upcoming electronic sensing regulations while eliminating reliance on obsolete pneumatic components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10358118B2Controller for controlling a vehicle stop light

Publication Date: 2019.07.23 BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS LLC

AI summary

A controller includes a foot brake valve electrical input port, which is capable of receiving an electrical signal indicative of a foot brake delivery pressure, and a trailer brake valve electrical input port, which is capable of receiving an electrical signal indicative of a trailer brake delivery pressure. The controller also includes control logic that is capable of receiving the electrical signal indicative of the foot brake delivery pressure, receiving the electrical signal indicative of the trailer brake delivery pressure, based on an electrical level of the electrical signal indicative of the foot brake delivery pressure, determining if the foot brake delivery pressure is above a predetermined threshold pressure, and based on a presence of the electrical signal indicative of the trailer brake delivery pressure, determining if the trailer brake delivery pressure is above the predetermined threshold pressure. The controller also includes control logic that is capable of transmitting a signal from an electrical stop light control port for controlling a vehicle stop light based on the electrical signal indicative of the foot brake delivery pressure and the electrical signal indicative of the trailer brake delivery pressure.