Electronic Controller for Pneumatic Air Supply Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air brake systems for articulated vehicles face challenges in protecting the tractor air supply when there is insufficient pressure in the parking brake or re-supply portion, particularly due to disconnection or leaks in the trailer air line, which can lead to simultaneous application of trailer spring brakes and loss of air pressure.
Innovation Solution
An electronic controller with an electrical input and output is used to receive pressure signals from a pressure sensor and transmit control signals to a valve to manage the delivery of pneumatic fluid between the tractor and trailer, ensuring air pressure is maintained and preventing air loss by controlling the valve state based on pressure thresholds and operator inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated pneumatic tractor protection valve with normally-closed valve is used to prevent air loss, then air supply protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional pneumatic tractor protection valve with an electronic controller that receives pressure sensor signals and controls a valve based on electronic logic. This substitution of mechanical pneumatic control with an electronic control system simplifies the pneumatic valve design while maintaining air supply protection functionality through electronic pressure monitoring and control.
2Reliability
If electronic controller with pressure monitoring is used, then air pressure protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic controller is designed to perform multiple functions: monitoring air pressure via pressure sensors, controlling the valve to prevent air loss, and potentially integrating with other vehicle systems. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate dedicated components into a single versatile controller, reducing overall system complexity despite the electronic nature of the control system.
3Reliability
If conventional pneumatic valve is used to block air delivery when pressure is insufficient, then air loss prevention is improved, but response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic control system replaces the purely pneumatic response mechanism with electronic sensing and control. The pressure sensor provides immediate electronic signals when pressure thresholds are breached, and the electronic controller can respond faster than mechanical pneumatic systems, reducing the response time for preventing air loss while maintaining reliable protection.
4Measurement precision
If electronic control system with pressure sensors is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor acts as an intermediary between the pneumatic system and the electronic controller, providing precise pressure measurements without requiring complex direct electronic-pneumatic integration. This intermediary approach enables accurate pressure monitoring and control while keeping the overall system architecture relatively simple and modular.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic controller includes an electrical input and an electrical output. The electronic controller is adapted to receive an electronic status signal at the electrical input. The electronic status signal is indicative of a pneumatic pressure in a supply line communicating pneumatic fluid between a towing portion of a vehicle and a towed portion of the vehicle. The electronic controller is also adapted to transmit an electronic control signal from the electrical output to an associated valve, based on the electronic status signal, for controlling delivery of a pneumatic control signal from the towing portion of the vehicle to the towed portion of the vehicle.