Electropneumatic Hand Brake Valve for European Trailer Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electropneumatic brake systems for vehicles with trailers face complexity in integrating parking brake units and trailer control units, particularly in achieving 'European trailer control' configurations, which require simplified structures to avoid the use of inverse relay valves and ensure reliable braking.
Innovation Solution
An electropneumatic control module with a pneumatically controlled switching valve that connects the spring-loaded connection to a pressure sink, allowing for direct control of brake pressure at the trailer brake pressure port, eliminating the need for inverse relay valves and enabling reliable 'European trailer control' without additional electro-pneumatic components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If inverse relay valves are used to achieve European trailer control, then reliable trailer braking is ensured, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the inverse relay valve from the system by using a pneumatically controlled switching valve that directly connects the spring accumulator to the pressure sink. This removal of the complex inverse relay valve component while maintaining the European trailer control function directly resolves the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using an inverse relay valve that triggers increasing pressure based on decreasing pressure, the patent inverts the approach by using a switching valve that directly responds to the spring accumulator pressure state. This inversion simplifies the control mechanism while achieving the same European trailer control effect.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electro-pneumatic components are integrated, then functional capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electropneumatic control module is designed with multi-functionality, integrating both European and Scandinavian trailer control capabilities within a single system. The pneumatically controlled switching valve serves multiple functions: it enables European trailer control when connecting the spring accumulator to the pressure sink, and can be configured for Scandinavian control mode, eliminating the need for separate components for different control modes.
3Reliability
If inverse relay valves with multiple control pistons are used, then European trailer control is achieved, but ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex inverse relay valve with multiple control pistons and replaces it with a simpler pneumatically controlled switching valve. This extraction of the problematic component directly improves ease of manufacture while maintaining the European trailer control functionality through the simplified valve design.
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 solution simplifies the system structure, ensures reliable trailer braking according to 'European trailer control' standards, and reduces component count, making it easier to retrofit and configure between different control modes.
Implementation Method 1
spring-loaded connection to a pressure sink, allowing for direct control of brake pressure
Implementation Method 2
pneumatically controlled switching valve that connects the spring-loaded connection to a pressure sink
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an electropneumatic control module (1) for an electronically controllable pneumatic braking system (520) for a vehicle train (500) having a towing vehicle (502) and having a trailer vehicle (504), said control module comprising: a pneumatic supply inlet (11), which can be connected to a compressed-air supply (525); a trailer control unit (TCV), which has a trailer control valve unit (65) having one or more electropneumatic valves (RV, IV, OV) and has a trailer brake pressure connection point (22) and a trailer supply pressure connection point (21); a parking brake unit (EPH), which has a spring accumulator connection point (4) for at least one spring accumulator (6) for a towing vehicle and a parking brake valve unit (8) having one or more electropneumatic valves (10, 55); and an electronic control unit (ECU), the electronic control unit (ECU) being designed to cause the parking brake valve unit (8), on the basis of an electronic locking signal (S1), to switch at least one valve (10) of the parking brake valve unit (8) in such a way that the spring accumulator connection point (4) is connected to a pressure sink (3) in order to vent the spring accumulator (6). The invention is characterized by a park brake valve unit (12), having a pneumatically controlled switching valve (13), which has a pneumatic control inlet (15) for receiving a pneumatic control pressure (P2); when the spring accumulator connection point (4) is connected to the pressure sink (3), the pneumatically controlled switching valve (13) is switched in such a way that a brake pressure (PB) can be output at the trailer brake pressure connection point (22). The invention further relates to a towing vehicle (502) having an electropneumatic control module (1).