Electronic Parking Brake Control for Towing and Trailer Lines
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic parking brake devices for vehicles are complex and difficult to operate, requiring multiple control elements and pneumatic connections, which can lead to errors and increased complexity for vehicle drivers.
Innovation Solution
An electronic parking brake device with separate, manually actuatable electrical control elements for towing and trailer vehicles, utilizing a single electronic control unit to simplify operations by decoupling actuation from pressure conditions and providing feedback through pressure sensors, and using solenoid control valves and relay valves to aerate or deaerate supply lines, reducing the complexity of manual switching elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pneumatic control elements are used for towing vehicle and trailer parking brakes, then the parking brake function is comprehensive, but the device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the parking brake control into separate electrical control elements for the towing vehicle and trailer, each with dedicated control buttons. This segmentation allows independent control of each parking brake system while maintaining overall system functionality, reducing the complexity of manual switching elements needed in traditional pneumatic systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic control unit serves as an intermediary between the electrical control elements and the pneumatic braking systems. It receives electrical signals from the control elements, processes them, and activates the appropriate pneumatic control valves, thereby simplifying the interface between the driver and the complex pneumatic system.
2Force
If pneumatic interconnection is used for parking brake control, then the braking force is sufficient, but the pneumatic interconnection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical and pneumatic control linkages with electrical control elements and electronic signaling. Electrical signals transmit control commands from the driver interface to the electronic control unit, which then actuates pneumatic control valves, eliminating the need for complex mechanical linkages and reducing pneumatic interconnection complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic control unit acts as an intermediary that receives electrical control signals and translates them into pneumatic valve actuation commands. This intermediary layer decouples the electrical control interface from the pneumatic execution system, allowing simplified electrical controls to manage complex pneumatic braking forces without requiring direct pneumatic interconnection complexity.
3Ease of operation
If manual switching elements are used for parking brake actuation, then the control is direct, but the operational errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the electronic control unit monitors the state of parking brake control elements and the actual braking system status. This feedback allows the system to confirm proper actuation, prevent erroneous commands, and provide diagnostic information, thereby reducing operational errors while maintaining direct control through electrical buttons.
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional manual switching elements are replaced with electrical control buttons that interface with the electronic control unit. This substitution eliminates the complexity and error-proneness of manual mechanical switching while maintaining direct operator control through intuitive electrical interfaces with confirmation and error prevention capabilities.
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 results in a safer, more intuitive, and cost-effective operation of the parking brake system, reducing errors and simplifying the operational complexity for vehicle drivers by using electrical control elements and feedback mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
the control unit (16) is configured and arranged to activate the towing vehicle parking brake control valve (18) and/or the trailer parking brake control valve (20)
Implementation Method 2
providing feedback through pressure sensors
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an electronic parking brake device for a vehicle, in particular a utility vehicle. As a function of at least one operating state of a towing vehicle parking brake supply line and/or a trailer parking brake supply line, a towing vehicle parking brake control valve is activatable by a control unit in such a way that a towing vehicle parking brake supply line can be deaerated or aerated by the towing vehicle parking brake control valve. By manually actuating a trailer parking brake control element, a trailer parking brake control valve is activatable by the control unit in such a way that a trailer parking brake supply line can be deaerated or aerated by the trailer parking brake control valve. The present invention also relates to a method for operating the above electronic parking brake device for a vehicle.