Trailer Brake Control System Using Speed-Based Minimum Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
The braking performance of a vehicle is compromised when towing a trailer, especially on inclined surfaces, due to the added weight and brake force, leading to uncomfortable and potentially unsafe driving conditions, as existing solutions require manual adjustments and trial-and-error settings for optimal braking.
Innovation Solution
A trailer brake control method that determines a minimum trailer brake control value based on vehicle speed, using a processing unit to generate a trailer brake command signal that ensures the trailer brakes operate at or above a minimum braking force, and adjusts based on factors like brake pressure and coefficient of friction, automatically calculating a gain amount to account for the trailer's mass and brake force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vehicle uses standard braking without trailer compensation, then the vehicle braking system is simple and easy to operate, but the braking performance deteriorates when towing a trailer due to added weight and brake force
Solution Approach 1:
The brake control system automatically determines the minimum trailer brake control value using a processing unit and mathematical equation based on vehicle speed, eliminating the need for manual operator adjustment. The system self-regulates trailer brake force by continuously monitoring vehicle speed and calculating appropriate brake commands, making the complex system operate transparently without requiring operator knowledge of the underlying control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the trailer brake control parameter (minimum trailer brake control value) based on vehicle speed using the equation MTBCV = R1 - Cth root(the current vehicle speed)/R2. As vehicle speed changes, the system automatically adjusts the trailer brake force magnitude, allowing the brake system to adapt to different driving conditions while maintaining consistent braking performance.
2Reliability
If manual adjustments are made to trailer brake settings, then the system complexity is reduced, but the time required to achieve optimal braking increases through trial-and-error
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates the minimum trailer brake control value using a predetermined mathematical equation (MTBCV = R1 - Cth root(the current vehicle speed)/R2) before actual braking occurs. The processing unit continuously determines appropriate brake commands based on current vehicle speed, so when braking is needed, the system is already prepared with the correct trailer brake force magnitude, eliminating trial-and-error adjustment time.
3Reliability
If the trailer brake force is increased to compensate for trailer weight, then braking performance improves, but the system becomes less adaptable to different vehicle speeds and conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The trailer brake control system is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The minimum trailer brake control value changes continuously based on vehicle speed according to the equation MTBCV = R1 - Cth root(the current vehicle speed)/R2. At lower speeds, the system applies higher trailer brake force, while at higher speeds, the force is reduced appropriately, allowing the system to adapt to different operating conditions while maintaining consistent braking performance.
Data Source
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AI summary
Trailer brake control methods. One method includes determining vehicle operating points during a first braking event without a trailer; determining N brake operating points; determining an acceleration operating point for each of the N brake operating points; and determining a first relationship between brake pressure and vehicle acceleration based on the vehicle operating points. The method also includes determining M vehicle operating points during a second braking event with a trailer; determining a current brake operating point; and determining a trailer brake command signal based on the first relationship, the M vehicle operating points, and the current brake operating point. Another trailer brake control method includes determining a current vehicle speed and a minimum trailer brake control value (MTBCV) based on the equation MTBCV = R1- Cth root(the current vehicle speed)/R2, wherein R1 is a real number less than 1.0, C is an integer greater than 2, and R2 is a real number greater than 1.0.