Parking Brake Valve Relocation for Consistent Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The varying behavior of electric parking brakes in commercial vehicles due to different piping lengths from the control room to trailer control modules complicates control behavior and coordination, leading to potential operational issues.

Innovation Solution

A parking brake device design where the trailer control module is activated exclusively via connections behind the relay valve, using the prevailing pressure from the spring accumulators, eliminating the need for a connection to the control lines of the relay valve, thus maintaining a constant control volume and simplifying the system, with a 3/2-way solenoid valve providing precise control and reliable operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the trailer control module is connected to the control lines of the relay valve, then the parking brake can be controlled, but the control behavior varies due to different piping lengths

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol behavior consistencyVSAvoidpiping system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the trailer control module connection from the relay valve control lines and relocates it to connect exclusively behind the relay valve. This separation eliminates the interference of varying piping lengths from the control room to the trailer control module, ensuring consistent control behavior while simplifying the overall piping system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the pneumatic system into distinct zones: the control room area, the relay valve area, and the trailer control module area. By establishing a dedicated connection path from behind the relay valve to the trailer control module, it creates an independent control volume that is isolated from variations in other piping sections, thereby ensuring consistent control characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the piping length from control room to trailer control module is increased, then the system can accommodate different vehicle types, but the pressure build-up and reduction become slower

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle type adaptabilityVSAvoidpressure build-up speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The relay valve serves as an intermediary element that mediates between the control room and the trailer control module. By positioning the trailer control module connection behind the relay valve, the system uses the relay valve's fixed position and characteristics to ensure consistent pressure transmission, regardless of the varying distances from different vehicle types' control rooms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Speed

If the control line volume is reduced for faster response, then pressure build-up is rapid, but the system becomes more sensitive to variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure response speedVSAvoidcontrol stability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the trailer control module's control line connection from the main control room piping and establishes a dedicated connection from behind the relay valve. This creates a controlled, consistent control volume that is optimized for reliable pressure transmission, eliminating the trade-off between speed and stability by defining a fixed, appropriate control line volume independent of vehicle-specific piping variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 design simplifies the control of the parking brake device, allows for varied line lengths to the trailer control module with fewer restrictions, and ensures consistent pressure management, enhancing the reliability and ease of operation of the electronic parking brake system.

Implementation Method 1

a solenoid valve (144) with a first switching state and a second switching state, the solenoid valve (144) having a control connection which is connected to the second connection line by means of a branch line, the solenoid valve (144) being actuable by means of an electromagnetic force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 2

which, in the released position, apply compressed air to a spring compression chamber and thus keep the spring tensioned, while the spring compression chamber is vented for parking braking, i. H. is connected to atmospheric pressure, so that the brake cylinder generates a braking force under the action of the spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompressed air pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP3515771B1Parking brake device for a utility vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.08.19 KNORR BREMSE SYSTEME FUER NUTZFAHIZEUGE GMBH
  • EP3515771B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3515771B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3515771B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a parking brake device (100) for a utility vehicle having at least one control valve device (126), having at least one relay valve (128), having at least one pneumatic brake device and having at least one trailer control module (146), wherein the relay valve (128) can be controlled by means of the control valve device (126), and wherein at least the pneumatic brake device can be actuated by means of the relay valve (128), wherein a valve (144) is provided upstream of the trailer control module, which valve (144) has a first connector (144a), a second connector (144b) and a third connector (144d), wherein a second connecting line (184) is connected to the second connector (144b), which second connecting line (184) connects the valve (144) to the control valve device (126), wherein a third connecting line (192) is connected to the third connector (144d), which third connecting line (192) connects the trailer control module (146) to the valve (144), wherein a first connecting line (186) is connected to the first connector, which first connecting line (186) is attached to a first line (160) which is arranged downstream of the relay valve (128).