Integrated Trailer Brake Control Unit Merging Modulator and Spring Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer brake systems face challenges in efficiently integrating service brakes and spring-loaded brakes, leading to increased construction effort, size, and assembly complexity, as well as limited multifunctional use and interaction between the two systems.
Innovation Solution
An electronically controlled trailer brake control unit is designed as a structural unit with an integrated modulator valve device and spring-loaded brake valve device, reducing the need for external line connections and allowing for compact, multifunctional operation, including various spring-loaded brake functions such as parking, release, and emergency braking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If service brakes and spring-loaded brakes are provided by separate combined brake cylinders with individual valve devices, then each brake function can be independently controlled, but the construction effort, size, and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the modulator valve device and spring-loaded brake valve device into a single integrated trailer brake control unit. The housing contains both valve assemblies with their respective ports and valve elements, allowing service brake and spring brake functions to be controlled from one unified structure rather than separate devices, thereby reducing assembly complexity while maintaining independent control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated brake control unit serves multiple functions within a single device: it controls service brakes through the modulator valve, manages spring-loaded brakes through the spring brake valve assembly, and provides emergency braking functionality. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple separate valve devices while maintaining all necessary brake control capabilities
2Reliability
If multiple separate valve devices are used for service brakes and spring-loaded brakes, then each valve can be optimized for its specific function, but the number of external line connections and assembly errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the modulator valve device and spring brake valve device into one integrated unit with a common housing, the patent reduces the number of external line connections required. All pneumatic lines can be connected to a single control unit rather than multiple separate devices, significantly reducing assembly errors and simplifying installation while maintaining optimized valve functions within the integrated structure
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate valve devices are used for spring-loaded brake functions (parking, release, emergency braking), then each function can be independently implemented, but the device size and construction effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded brake valve assembly within the integrated control unit provides multiple spring brake functions (parking, release, emergency braking) through a single valve device. The valve element can be positioned in different states to achieve different functions, eliminating the need for separate valve devices for each spring brake operation and reducing the overall control unit size while maintaining full functional versatility
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
This solution enhances the interaction between service and spring-loaded brakes, reducing assembly errors and line connection issues, while enabling a range of spring-loaded brake functions to be performed automatically or manually, improving safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The modulator valve device prevents the vehicle wheel assigned to the service brake from locking up by appropriately modulating the service brake pressure (in particular by oscillating the service brake pressure in any form)
Implementation Method 2
A spring-applied brake valve assembly is arranged in the unit, which generates a spring brake pressure
Implementation Method 3
The service brake pressure and the spring brake pressure, which are independent of one another, are fed to an anti-compound valve
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an electronically controlled trailer brake control unit (2) for a trailer of a commercial vehicle. According to the invention, the trailer brake control unit (2) integrates both a modulator valve assembly (20), which can be configured as an EBS control unit, and a spring-applied brake valve assembly (21). The spring-applied brake valve assembly provides spring-applied brake functions such as a parking function, a release function, an override function, a spring-applied brake immobilization function, an unregulated emergency braking function, a regulated spring-applied emergency braking function, a reservoir-controlled spring-applied brake function, an automatic parking valve actuation function, an auxiliary braking function, a stretch braking function, a test function, or an emergency brake prevention function.