Trailer Brake Control Device for Independent Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer braking systems do not allow for independent movement of a trailer when disconnected from a towing vehicle and are incompatible with old generation towing vehicles that only have a single-line connection for the service braking system, leading to incorrect deactivation of emergency and parking brakes.
Innovation Solution
A device with a control line, braking line, additional line, and discharge line, featuring first and second valve means, and pumping means, which allows the trailer to be moved by deactivating the emergency and parking brake when disconnected and enables towing with old generation vehicles by using a spool with different thrust areas to manage fluid flow and signaling for brake status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the additional line is connected to the collection tank to activate the emergency and parking brake when disconnected, then the trailer braking system is safe, but the trailer cannot be moved independently when disconnected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic valve system that automatically changes its state based on the connection status between towing vehicle and trailer. The valve means switch between connecting the additional line to the collection tank (when disconnected) and isolating it (when connected), enabling the trailer to be movable when disconnected while maintaining brake safety
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the presence or absence of the towing vehicle connection itself as the triggering condition to automatically activate or deactivate the emergency brake function, without requiring manual intervention from the operator
2Reliability
If the valve means automatically connect the additional line to the collection tank upon disconnection, then the emergency brake activates, but the trailer cannot be towed by old generation single-line vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the braking control system into independent functional modules: service braking system (control line) and emergency/parking braking system (additional line). This segmentation allows the emergency brake system to be independently activated or deactivated based on connection status, enabling compatibility with single-line vehicles that only provide service braking
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed to work with both multi-line modern vehicles and single-line old generation vehicles. The valve means intelligently adapt the system configuration based on which lines are actually connected, making the trailer universally compatible with different vehicle types
3Reliability
If the system provides automatic emergency brake activation upon disconnection, then safety is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve means are designed to automatically respond to the connection status of the towing vehicle without requiring external control signals or complex electronic systems. The system uses the physical presence or absence of the connection itself to trigger the appropriate brake activation state
Solution Approach 2:
The valve means act as a simple mechanical intermediary that automatically routes fluid flow based on connection status, providing a reliable and simple mechanism that avoids complex electronic control systems while achieving the desired safety function
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 the trailer to be moved independently when disconnected, prevents incorrect deactivation of brakes, and allows towing with single-line old generation vehicles, providing a simple, effective, and low-cost solution for managing trailer braking systems.
Implementation Method 1
pumping means (18) connected to the collection tank (9) and operable to send the work fluid from the collection tank itself along the emergency line (6) with the second valve means (17) in the movement position
Implementation Method 2
using a spool with different thrust areas to manage fluid flow and signaling for brake status
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The device (1) for controlling the braking of a trailer, comprises: one control line (2) connectable to a source of a work fluid at a first pressure; a braking line (3) connectable to the service braking system (4) of the trailer and communicating with the control line (2); one additional line (5) connectable to a source of a work fluid at a second pressure; one emergency line (6) connectable to the additional line (5) and connectable to the emergency and/or parking brake (7) of the trailer of the type of a hydraulically released spring brake; one discharge line (8) of the work fluid communicating with a collection tank (9); first valve means operable between a braking position, wherein the additional line (5) is isolated from the discharge line (8), and an emergency position, wherein the additional line (5) is communicating with the discharge line (8); second valve means (17) positioned between the additional line (5) and the emergency line (6) and operable between a braking position, wherein the emergency line (6) is communicating with the additional line (5), and a movement position, wherein the emergency line (6) is isolated from the additional line (5).