Semi-Trailer Coupling Brake Interlock Using Position Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual coupling and uncoupling of semi-trailers to tractor vehicles is prone to safety issues and equipment damage due to the complexity of the procedures and the risk of human error.
Innovation Solution
A computer system equipped with sensors and processing circuitry that automatically checks the positions of critical elements, enabling or locking the tractor vehicle's parking brake based on safe positions, and providing feedback to the driver through a human-machine interface to ensure proper coupling or uncoupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual coupling and uncoupling procedures are used, then the driver has flexibility in operation, but safety risks and equipment damage increase due to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the positions of multiple coupling elements through sensors and provides real-time feedback to the driver via a human-machine interface. This feedback mechanism ensures that all elements are in the correct positions before allowing vehicle movement, thereby improving safety without completely removing operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the purely manual mechanical coupling process with an automated monitoring and control system. Sensors detect element positions, processing circuitry evaluates safety conditions, and the parking brake is automatically controlled based on system state, reducing reliance on manual procedures and human memory.
2Reliability
If automated monitoring of all elements is implemented, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processing circuitry performs multiple functions: it receives signals from multiple sensors, determines the position of each coupling element, evaluates overall system safety, controls the parking brake, and provides feedback to the driver. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each task.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines sensor monitoring, safety evaluation, brake control, and driver feedback into a single integrated computer system. This merging of functions into one cohesive system reduces overall complexity compared to having separate independent systems for each function.
3Reliability
If the parking brake is automatically controlled based on element positions, then equipment damage risk is reduced, but loss of time occurs due to additional checking procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors element positions and evaluates safety conditions in advance, before the driver attempts to move the vehicle. By preparing the safety evaluation and brake control decisions beforehand, the system avoids delays at the moment of vehicle movement while still providing comprehensive protection.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer system, for assisting in coupling and uncoupling a semi-trailer to a tractor vehicle, includes processing circuitry configured to use information provided by at least one sensor to automatically check whether a plurality of elements of the semi-trailer and the tractor vehicle are in a first safe position, in a second safe position or in a third position. The computer system unlocks a tractor vehicle parking brake if all the elements are in the first safe position or if all the elements are in the second safe position and locks the tractor vehicle parking brake if at least one of the elements is in a different position than the others or in the third position.