Trailer Brake Assist Using Attenuation Detection in Hard Stops

Solution Overview

Problem

Trailer brake controllers often limit braking force, unnecessarily reducing capacity in trailers with anti-lock brakes and causing instability during hard braking events, as they relay attenuated signals to trailers without considering their advanced brake control modules.

Innovation Solution

A trailer brake assist device that includes a motion sensor, attenuation detector, and brake booster to detect attenuated signals and increase braking force by sending modified or substitute signals to the trailer brakes, enhancing braking capacity during hard braking events.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the trailer brake controller limits braking force by setting an upper limit to signal gain, then loss of traction is prevented in trailers without anti-lock brakes, but braking capacity is unnecessarily reduced in trailers with anti-lock brakes and instability occurs during hard braking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraction controlVSAvoidbraking force

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The brake assist device dynamically adjusts the brake command signal based on real-time detection of trailer brake controller attenuation and actual trailer deceleration. When attenuation is detected and the trailer is decelerating faster than the tow vehicle, the device increases the brake command signal gain beyond the original limited signal, thereby dynamically adapting the braking force to match the trailer's actual deceleration capability and prevent instability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from motion sensors that detect trailer deceleration to continuously monitor whether the trailer is decelerating faster than the tow vehicle. This feedback loop allows the brake assist device to detect when the trailer brake controller is attenuating signals and automatically compensate by increasing the brake command signal, thereby resolving the contradiction between preventing traction loss and maintaining adequate braking force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Stability of the object's composition

If the trailer brake controller attenuates brake signals to prevent traction loss, then stability is maintained in trailers without anti-lock brakes, but braking capacity is reduced and stopping distance increases in emergency situations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrailer stabilityVSAvoidstopping distance

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The brake assist device dynamically adjusts the brake command signal based on real-time detection of trailer brake controller attenuation and actual trailer deceleration. When attenuation is detected and the trailer is decelerating faster than the tow vehicle, the device increases the brake command signal gain beyond the original limited signal, thereby dynamically adapting the braking force to match the trailer's actual deceleration capability and prevent instability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from motion sensors that detect trailer deceleration to continuously monitor whether the trailer is decelerating faster than the tow vehicle. This feedback loop allows the brake assist device to detect when the trailer brake controller is attenuating signals and automatically compensate by increasing the brake command signal, thereby resolving the contradiction between preventing traction loss and maintaining adequate braking force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If the trailer brake controller uses a fixed gain limit, then simplicity of control is maintained, but braking performance deteriorates during panic braking events requiring maximum braking capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol simplicityVSAvoidbraking response effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The brake assist device dynamically adjusts the brake command signal based on real-time detection of trailer brake controller attenuation and actual trailer deceleration. When attenuation is detected and the trailer is decelerating faster than the tow vehicle, the device increases the brake command signal gain beyond the original limited signal, thereby dynamically adapting the braking force to match the trailer's actual deceleration capability and prevent instability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The brake assist device acts as an intermediary between the trailer brake controller and the trailer brakes. It receives the limited brake command signal from the trailer brake controller, detects attenuation, and then applies additional gain to the signal before sending it to the trailer brakes. This intermediary function allows the system to maintain the simplicity of the original brake controller while automatically compensating for signal attenuation when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4488128A1Trailer panic braking assist

Publication Date: 2025.01.08 LIPPERT COMPONENTS INC

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AI summary

A method and device for improving trailer brake response during a hard braking event by identifying unnecessary attenuation of a trailer braking signal, and responding by boosting the trailer braking signal.