Gladhand Coupler Failure Detection via Brake Pressure Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a system to detect failures in gladhand couplers connecting towing and trailer components of commercial or railroad vehicles, particularly in autonomous vehicles where secure operation is critical, as existing technologies lack effective verification methods for these connections.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a triggering module to change the braking pressure through the gladhand coupler and a detection module to attribute reactions to potential failures, using acceleration sensors, pressure sensors, and other data sources to issue a warning signal, minimizing driver or system interference and ensuring redundancy in detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a gladhand coupler connection is made between towing and trailer components, then air pressure can be provided for the braking system, but there is no verification method to detect connection failures
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by having the towing component's control unit send test signals through the gladhand coupler to the trailer component's brake system, then detect the response signal. This closed-loop feedback mechanism verifies the connection status and detects failures in the air pressure supply line, ensuring reliable operation of the braking system.
2Ease of operation
If manual handling of gladhand couplers is used for fast connection and disconnection, then connection speed is improved, but failure detection capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by automatically performing connection verification without requiring manual intervention. The control unit autonomously sends test signals through the gladhand coupler and detects responses to determine connection integrity, allowing fast manual connection while maintaining reliable verification through automated self-checking.
3Productivity
If autonomous vehicle operation is implemented, then operational efficiency is improved, but the requirement for verification systems increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it controls the service brake, supplies air pressure to the trailer brake system, and performs failure detection by sending and detecting test signals. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate verification systems while maintaining autonomous operation capabilities, thereby improving productivity without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for detecting a failure of a gladhand coupler connecting a towing component and a trailer component of a commercial or railroad vehicle. The towing component is configured with a triggerable mechanism adapted to change, through the gladhand coupler, a pressure for braking the trailer component. The apparatus includes a triggering module, configured to trigger the mechanism, and a detection module, configured to detect a reaction of the commercial or railroad vehicle after the triggering module has triggered the mechanism, to attribute the reaction to a failure of the gladhand coupler, and to issue a warning signal about the failure of the gladhand coupler.