Parking Brake Controller Maintaining Trailer Air Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
In air-braked commercial vehicle systems, there is a need to maintain trailer air supply to keep the parking brakes released after the tractor's parking brakes are applied, as existing systems automatically evacuate trailer air supply when tractor brakes are applied, potentially leading to brake freezing issues due to lack of air pressure.
Innovation Solution
A controller system with inputs for tractor and trailer park switches, and control logic to maintain trailer air supply based on vehicle operating conditions, ensuring the trailer brakes remain released even after the tractor is parked.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the multi-function valve automatically evacuates trailer air supply when tractor parking brakes are applied, then the tractor and trailer parking brakes are applied at the same time, but the trailer air supply cannot be maintained to prevent brake freezing
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the trailer air supply based on detected brake application status. When the tractor brake is applied, the controller detects this status and automatically maintains air supply to the trailer if the trailer brake is not applied, preventing brake freezing while allowing coordinated brake application when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from brake application detection to control air supply. The controller continuously monitors brake status and adjusts air supply accordingly - maintaining air supply when only the tractor brake is applied, and evacuating air when both brakes should be applied, thus preventing harmful freezing while maintaining reliability.
2Ease of operation
If the trailer air supply is automatically evacuated when the tractor parking brake is applied, then the parking brakes of the trailer are applied simultaneously with the tractor, but this causes brake freezing issues due to lack of air pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The air supply system dynamically responds to brake application status. When the tractor brake is applied, the system automatically maintains air supply to the trailer unless the trailer brake is also applied, preventing freezing while preserving the ability to apply both brakes simultaneously when needed for operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary between the brake application status and air supply control. It receives feedback from brake status detection and mediates the air supply response, maintaining air supply to prevent freezing while still enabling coordinated brake application when the driver intends to park both vehicles.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the driver wants to maintain the air supply to the trailer to keep the parking brakes released after the tractor parking brakes are applied, then the trailer brakes remain released, but the existing system automatically evacuates the air supply
Solution Approach 1:
The controller uses feedback from brake application detection to automatically adjust air supply. When the tractor brake is applied and the trailer brake is not applied, the system automatically maintains air supply to the trailer, providing the desired flexibility without requiring additional control inputs from the driver.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically adjusting air supply based on detected brake status. The controller monitors brake application and autonomously maintains or evacuates air supply as needed, eliminating the need for separate driver actions while providing adaptability to different operating conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A controller for a parking brake system for a commercial vehicle is disclosed. The controller receives a signal indicative of a request to park a tractor, a signal indicative of a request to supply air to a trailer and a signal indicative of a vehicle operating condition. The controller transmits a control signal to a tractor parking brake device and a trailer air supply device in order to park the tractor and maintain the air supply to the trailer to suspend the parking of the trailer in response to the signals.