Trailer Overrun Brake Clutch Decoupling Reversing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing overrun brake systems for motor vehicle trailers often fail to effectively decouple braking force from wheel brakes during reversing, leading to potential obstruction and inefficiency, especially when using mechanical brake force transmission devices.

Innovation Solution

An overrun brake system that incorporates a clutch device with a releasable coupling mechanism controlled by an electrical motion detection system, allowing the system to transition between power transmission and release states, preventing braking force application to the wheel brakes during reversing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a mechanical brake force transmission device is used in overrun brake systems, then the system structure is simple and reliable, but the system cannot effectively decouple braking force during reversing operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking force transmission reliabilityVSAvoidreversing operation adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a clutch device as an intermediary component between the mechanical brake force transmission device and the wheel brakes. This clutch device includes clutch parts that can be selectively engaged or disengaged to control the transmission of braking force. During reversing operations, the clutch device decouples the braking force transmission, preventing brake obstruction while maintaining the simplicity and reliability of the mechanical transmission system during normal braking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If electrical reversing signal transmitters and control devices are added to mechanical brake systems, then reversing detection capability is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereversing detection capabilityVSAvoidsystem structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex hydraulic control systems with a mechanically actuated clutch device controlled by simple electrical reversing signals. Instead of using hydraulic fluid and complex valves to control brake pressure, the invention uses electrically actuated clutch parts that mechanically engage or disengage the brake force transmission path. This substitution reduces system complexity while maintaining reversing detection capability through the use of simple wheel sensors or reversing signal transmitters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If brake pressure is reduced during reversing using hydraulic systems, then reversing obstruction is prevented, but hydraulic fluid and complex control mechanisms are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereversing operation smoothnessVSAvoidhydraulic system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the brake force transmission function from the hydraulic system and places it in a separate mechanically actuated clutch device. This allows the hydraulic system to be simplified or eliminated entirely, as the clutch device mechanically interrupts the brake force transmission path during reversing without requiring hydraulic pressure modulation. The clutch parts are simply engaged or disengaged based on reversing detection, providing smooth reversing operation without complex hydraulic control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Enables safe and efficient decoupling of braking force from wheel brakes during reversing, preventing unnecessary braking and enhancing operational efficiency without the need for hydraulic fluid, by using an electromagnet to control the clutch device based on movement information from sensors.

Implementation Method 1

The clutch device includes an electromagnet which is controlled by the control unit as a function of the movement information and which, in an activated state, lifts the first clutch part from the second clutch part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnet: Electromagnet

Data Source

PatentEP3165419B1Overrun brake for a trailer
Publication Date: 2018.04.25 KNOTT GMBH
  • EP3165419B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3165419B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3165419B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An overrun braking system (1) for motor vehicle trailers with at least one wheel brake (12) comprises a mechanical brake force transmission device (11) that is operatively connected to the at least one wheel brake (12), a control unit (21), and a motion detection system (20) for detecting motion information such as standstill or direction of movement of the motor vehicle trailer. The mechanical brake force transmission device (11) has a coupling device (2) which is designed such that, depending on the motion information provided by the motion detection system (20), it either transmits the braking force generated by the overrun braking system to the at least one wheel brake (12) or prevents its transmission.