Tractor Protection Module Flow Restriction for Uncoupled Trailer Failsafe
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tractor protection systems fail to prevent air venting from gladhands when the trailer is not coupled, leading to potential depletion of air reservoir pressure and automatic parking of the tractor, especially in failure scenarios where the braking controller is unable to send electrical signals.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an electronically-controlled tractor protection controller with a flow rate restrictor to limit air flow from the reservoirs, ensuring the compressor can refill the reservoirs faster than air is vented, thus maintaining sufficient pressure for braking even in failure conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If air is supplied from the reservoir to the trailer braking system without flow restriction, then the trailer braking system receives sufficient air pressure, but the reservoir pressure drops below the parking brake threshold causing automatic parking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the flow rate parameter of air supplied from the reservoir to the trailer braking system. A flow rate restrictor is introduced to change the flow rate parameter, limiting it to match the compressor's refill capacity. This ensures the reservoir pressure remains above the parking brake threshold while still providing sufficient air to the trailer braking system.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow rate restrictor acts as an intermediary component between the reservoir and the trailer braking system. It mediates the air flow by restricting it to a specific rate, preventing excessive pressure drop in the reservoir while ensuring the trailer receives adequate air pressure for braking operations.
2Reliability
If the electronically-controlled tractor protection controller prevents air flow to the trailer when uncoupled, then air is not vented unnecessarily, but the system fails to respond in failure scenarios where the control signal is not received
Solution Approach 1:
The flow rate restrictor is installed beforehand as a passive safety component that provides cushioning protection in failure scenarios. Even if the electronically-controlled tractor protection controller fails to detect or respond to an uncoupled trailer condition, the restrictor ensures that air flow is limited to a rate the compressor can refill, preventing reservoir pressure from dropping below the parking brake threshold and maintaining failsafe operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow rate restrictor provides self-service failsafe protection without requiring active control signals. It automatically limits air flow based on its physical design, independent of the electronic controller's status or response capability, ensuring the system maintains adequate reservoir pressure even when the control system fails.
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
Prevents air reservoir pressure depletion by controlling air flow, ensuring the tractor remains operational and avoids automatic parking, even when the braking controller fails to send electrical signals.
Implementation Method 1
a flow rate restrictor positioned between one of the at least one reservoir and the source port of the relay, wherein the flow rate restrictor is configured to restrict a flow rate of air supplied from the one of the at least one reservoir to the source port of the relay
Implementation Method 2
a relay comprising a control port, a source port that receives air from the at least one reservoir, and a drain port coupled with the output port, wherein the relay is configured to selectively allow air to flow between the source port and the drain port in response to a pneumatic signal received at the control port
Implementation Method 3
a solenoid valve configured to selectively prevent pneumatic signal from being applied to the control port in response to an electrical signal received by the electronically-controlled tractor protection controller indicating that the tractor is not coupled with the trailer
Data Source
AI summary
An electronically-controlled tractor protection control module in a tractor prevents air flow from an air reservoir to a gladhand when a signal is received that indicates a trailer is not coupled with the gladhand. This prevents air from being vented out the gladhand when the tractor's service brakes are applied. However, a failure can occur that prevents this signal from being received or acted upon, which would result in air being vented out the gladhand. To address this problem, an air flow restrictor is used to limit the amount of air that is vented in such a situation.