Trailer Brake Control Device Integrating Electric Drive Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
The control of electric drives in trailer vehicles is complex, leading to non-optimal energy recovery during deceleration and potential safety and stability interferences due to the need for additional sensors and independent detection systems.
Innovation Solution
A trailer brake control device that receives acceleration request signals from the towing vehicle and status signals from the electric drive, generating and outputting brake actuation and torque request signals to optimize energy recovery and integrate the electric drive into driving situations while supporting safety and stability systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If additional sensors and control units are installed to control the electric drive, then the energy recovery capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electric drive control functions with the existing trailer brake control device. The brake control device is equipped with a processor that receives acceleration request signals from the towing vehicle and generates torque request signals for the electric drive, combining braking control and electric drive control into a single integrated system, thereby improving energy recovery without adding separate control units.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing brake control device is made multi-functional by enabling it to perform both traditional brake control functions and electric drive control functions. The processor in the brake control device handles both brake actuation signals and torque request signal generation, allowing one device to serve multiple purposes and eliminating the need for additional dedicated control units.
2Loss of energy
If additional sensors are installed for independent detection of driving conditions, then the energy recovery control is improved, but the reliability decreases due to potential interferences with safety and stability systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates independent sensor systems by merging the detection function into the existing brake control system. The processor in the brake control device uses acceleration request signals from the towing vehicle to determine driving conditions, rather than using separate sensors in the trailer, thereby avoiding potential interferences with safety and stability systems while maintaining energy recovery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the acceleration request signal from the towing vehicle as an intermediary to transmit driving condition information to the trailer's brake control device. This intermediary approach allows the trailer to obtain necessary driving information without installing its own independent detection systems, thus maintaining reliability while enabling energy recovery control.
3Loss of energy
If the electric drive is controlled independently in the trailer, then the energy recovery is improved, but the ease of operation decreases due to complex control integration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies operation by merging electric drive control with the existing brake control system. The driver operates the vehicle as usual, and the processor in the brake control device automatically generates appropriate torque request signals for the electric drive based on acceleration requests from the towing vehicle, eliminating the need for complex manual control or additional operational steps.
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 efficient and integrated control of electric drives in trailer vehicles, enhancing energy recovery and ensuring safety and stability by utilizing existing brake control systems without additional components, thus optimizing deceleration and acceleration processes.
Implementation Method 1
The electric drive by a motor operated as a generator during braking can be utilized for converting kinetic or potential energy of the trailer into electrical energy and, as a result, charging batteries for the electric drive.
Implementation Method 2
friction brakes of the trailer vehicle can be conserved
Data Source
AI summary
A method, for a trailer brake control device of a vehicle trailer with an electric drive, includes receiving at least one acceleration request signal with a requested positive acceleration or a requested negative acceleration and further receiving a status signal with at least one status variable of the electric drive of the vehicle trailer. The method also includes generating, with a controller of the trailer brake control device, at least one brake actuation signal for at least one friction brake of the vehicle trailer and a torque request signal for the electric drive, each based on the at least one acceleration request signal and the status signal. Furthermore, the method includes outputting the brake actuation signal and the torque request signal via at least one output and/or at least one interface of the trailer brake control device.