Electric Parking Brake Control Logic for Trailer Towing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for controlling electric parking brakes in towing vehicles are complex and not easily adaptable to electropneumatic systems, often requiring complicated operating sequences and lacking user-friendly logic for the trailer control function, which can lead to unexpected vehicle movements and unnecessary activation.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for controlling an electric parking brake that uses a manual operating element with a simple two-direction logic to activate and deactivate the brake and perform the trailer control function, providing intuitive operation and automatic reminders for the driver to perform the trailer control function when necessary, utilizing an electropneumatically actuated spring brake system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional methods are used to control electric parking brakes in towing vehicles, then the trailer control function can be implemented, but the operating sequences are complicated and user-friendly logic is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by using a single manual operating element with two operating directions instead of separate controls. The first operating direction activates the parking brake, and the second operating direction triggers the trailer control function. This inversion simplifies the interface while maintaining all necessary functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual operating element is designed to perform multiple functions: it can activate the parking brake, deactivate the parking brake, and trigger the trailer control function. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate controls needed and simplifies the overall system operation.
2Extent of automation
If automatic trailer control function is implemented with time delay, then the function is performed automatically, but the vehicle may briefly roll away before the trailer brake is activated
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by activating the parking brake of the towing vehicle before releasing the trailer brake. This ensures that the towing vehicle is already secured mechanically before the trailer brake pressure is reduced, preventing any brief rolling away during the transition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides beforehand cushioning by ensuring the parking brake is engaged before trailer brake release. This creates a safety buffer that prevents unexpected vehicle movements during the brake transition, compensating for any potential instability during the switching process.
3Reliability
If trailer control function is performed every time the motor vehicle is parked, then the function is always executed, but unnecessary activation occurs when not needed
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts its behavior based on the operating situation. The trailer control function is not automatically executed every time the vehicle is parked, but only when specifically triggered by the driver through the second operating direction of the manual operating element. This dynamic approach maintains reliability when needed while respecting driver autonomy when not needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The driver themselves determines when the trailer control function should be executed by manually actuating the operating element in the second direction. This self-service approach allows the driver to exercise judgment about whether the function is needed in the current situation, avoiding unnecessary activations while maintaining the option for reliable execution when required.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a device for controlling an electric parking brake of a motor vehicle. The device comprises a manual actuation device (2), wherein the manual actuation device has a control element (3) that is movable in a first (D1) and a second actuation direction (D2). The device further comprises a control device (7) configured to detect operating actions of the control element (3) and, depending on the detected operating action, to output a control signal (15) for controlling the electric parking brake. The control device (7) is configured to output a control signal to activate the parking brake when an operating action of the control element (3) in the first actuation direction (D1) is detected, provided the parking brake is not activated, and to output a control signal to deactivate the parking brake when an operating action of the control element (3) in the second actuation direction (D2) is detected.The control device (7) is further designed to output a control signal to the first actuating device (D1) for the performance of a trailer control function when an operating operation of the control element (3) is detected, with the parking brake activated.