Steering Wheel Brake Lever for Trailer Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional trailer brake controllers require drivers to remove a hand from the steering wheel to manually actuate the brakes, which is not intuitive or safe during emergency situations like fishtailing, and can lead to misapplication or delay in correcting the issue.
Innovation Solution
A trailer brake controller mounted behind a steering wheel spoke with a brake lever extending perpendicular to the spoke, allowing drivers to actuate the brakes with a finger pull without removing their hand from the wheel, using a control unit that generates a manual brake control signal based on the applied force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the trailer brake controller is mounted in the dashboard within reach of the steering wheel, then the driver can manually actuate the trailer brakes, but the driver must remove one hand from the steering wheel which is not intuitive or safe during emergency situations
Solution Approach 1:
The brake lever is integrated directly into the steering wheel assembly, combining the steering function and brake actuation function into a single unified interface. This allows the driver to operate the trailer brakes while maintaining grip on the steering wheel, eliminating the need to remove a hand during emergency situations.
Solution Approach 2:
A force sensor acts as an intermediary between the driver's grip on the steering wheel and the brake actuation system. The sensor detects the force applied to the steering wheel and automatically generates the appropriate brake control signal, translating mechanical force into an electronic brake command without requiring direct mechanical linkage.
2Productivity
If the trailer brake controller is positioned closer to the steering wheel or incorporated into the steering wheel rim, then the driver can actuate brakes more rapidly, but the trailer brakes may be inadvertently actuated when the driver grips the steering wheel
Solution Approach 1:
The force sensor provides continuous feedback about the force applied to the steering wheel. The control system processes this feedback signal and compares it against predetermined thresholds to distinguish between normal steering grip forces and intentional brake actuation forces, preventing inadvertent brake application while enabling rapid intentional braking.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter threshold for brake activation by using force magnitude discrimination. Normal steering forces remain below the activation threshold while emergency brake forces exceed the threshold, creating a clear distinction that prevents inadvertent activation while enabling rapid intentional response.
3Ease of operation
If a force applied to the steering wheel actuates the trailer brakes, then the driver can maintain both hands on the steering wheel, but the brakes may be misapplied which may delay correction of fishtailing or make the situation worse
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors the force sensor output and uses feedback control to modulate the brake control signal. This ensures that the brake force applied to the trailer is proportional to the driver's input force, providing precise control and preventing over-braking that could worsen fishtailing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The direct mechanical linkage between steering wheel and brake actuator is replaced with an electronic sensing and control system. The force sensor and microcontroller process the driver's input and generate a precisely controlled brake signal, replacing crude mechanical force transmission with sophisticated electronic control for accurate brake force modulation.
Data Source
AI summary
A trailer brake controller for a motor vehicle may include a control unit configured to be mounted behind a spoke of a steering wheel of the vehicle, and a brake lever coupled to the control unit and extending along the control unit such that, when the control unit is mounted behind the spoke of the steering wheel, the brake lever extends above and/or below the spoke in a direction substantially perpendicular to the spoke. The brake lever may be configured to transmit a force applied to the lever by the driver to the control unit. The control unit may be configured to generate a manual trailer brake control signal based on the force applied to the lever.