Speed-Selective Brake Connector for Tractor Steering and Hauling Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brake systems for vehicles hauling units, such as tractors, often fail to ensure safety during transportation mode due to the risk of drivers forgetting to connect rear wheel brake pedals, leading to unpredictable steering and potential vehicle overturning when only one pedal is used.
Innovation Solution
A brake system with a selective connector that adjusts its connection configuration based on vehicle speed, ensuring the hauled unit is braked when speed exceeds a threshold, and allowing steering by braking a single rear wheel at lower speeds by disconnecting the hauled unit's brake when only one pedal is pushed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the mechanical linkage connects the brake pedals to one another for transportation mode, then both rear wheels are braked when the driver pushes one pedal, but the system complexity increases and the driver cannot steer by braking a single wheel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical linkage system with a hydraulic control system. The selective connector uses hydraulic fluid pressure and valve mechanisms to automatically connect or disconnect the brake circuits based on vehicle speed, eliminating the need for complex mechanical linkages while achieving the same safety function.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake system transitions from a static mechanical linkage to a dynamic hydraulic system that automatically adjusts its configuration based on vehicle speed. The selective connector changes the connection state of brake circuits dynamically, connecting them at high speeds for safety and disconnecting them at low speeds for steering capability.
2Ease of operation
If the mechanical linkage disconnects the brake pedals for working mode, then the driver can steer the tractor by braking a single rear wheel, but the safety is compromised when the driver forgets to connect the pedals during transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates speed-based feedback through the selective connector. The connector monitors vehicle speed and automatically adjusts the brake circuit configuration accordingly, ensuring that at high speeds the brakes are connected for safety, while at low speeds they are disconnected to enable steering. This eliminates the need for manual operator intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake system performs self-adjustment based on vehicle speed without requiring driver intervention. The selective connector automatically configures the brake circuits according to the current operating condition, ensuring safety during transportation and steering capability during working operations without driver action.
3Reliability
If the brake of the hauled unit is activated when only one rear wheel brake is pushed at high speed, then the safety is improved, but the steering flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The selective connector dynamically changes the hydraulic circuit configuration based on vehicle speed. At high speeds, it connects the hauled unit brake to ensure safety. At low speeds, it disconnects the hauled unit brake to allow steering flexibility. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between safety and versatility.
Data Source
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AI summary
A brake system for controlling a brake of a unit hauled by a vehicle, the brake system (1) comprising: - a first pedal (5) for braking a right rear wheel of the vehicle through a first braking circuit; - a second pedal (8) for braking a left rear wheel of the vehicle through a second braking circuit; - an input line arrangement including a first input line (4) for receiving a fluid from the first braking circuit and a second input line (7) for receiving a fluid from the second braking circuit; - at least one output line (9) for sending a fluid to the brake of the hauled unit; - a selective connector (13) for selectively connecting the input line arrangement to the output line (9) by setting a first connection configuration (C1) when the vehicle has a speed greater than a threshold value and a second connection configuration (C2) when the vehicle has a speed lower than the threshold value, whereby in the first connection configuration (C1) pushing any of said pedals (5, 8) activates the brake of the hauled unit, and in the second connection configuration (C2) pushing only one of said pedals (5, 8) leaves the brake of the hauled unit inactive, so that the vehicle can be steered by braking.