Automatic Trailer Brake Control for Towing Vehicle Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing braking systems for towing vehicle-trailer combinations, particularly in agricultural machines, often result in trailer pushing effects on the towing vehicle, leading to instability and increased wear on the transmission and engine, especially when the driver does not activate the service brake, causing potential safety hazards and mechanical damage.
Innovation Solution
An automatic braking system for the trailer is implemented, which activates when the service brake of the towing vehicle is not engaged, using an electronic control unit and pneumatic valve device, allowing for continuous stable operation without driver intervention, with adjustable braking force based on engine speed and pressure conditions, and includes features like automatic brake light activation and limited actuation time to prevent overheating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the driver does not activate the service brake during coasting operation, then the driver can maintain comfort and avoid frequent brake use, but the trailer pushes heavily on the towing vehicle causing instability and mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The trailer brake system automatically activates itself based on detected pushing forces, without requiring driver intervention. The control unit monitors engine speed and thrust effects, then autonomously triggers the trailer brake to maintain stability while the driver continues normal operation without frequent brake activation.
2Ease of operation
If the service brake is not activated during coasting, then the driver can operate the vehicle comfortably, but the transmission and engine experience increased wear and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The trailer brake system self-regulates to protect the towing vehicle's powertrain components by detecting excessive thrust forces and automatically applying brake pressure, preventing transmission and engine damage without requiring driver awareness or action.
3Stability of the object's composition
If an automatic trailer brake system is implemented, then driving stability is improved and mechanical stress is reduced, but the device complexity and technical effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit utilizes existing sensor systems and data communication infrastructure already present in modern towing vehicles, making the automatic brake system compatible with various vehicle configurations without requiring completely new specialized components for each application.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that processes information from existing vehicle sensors and communicates with the trailer brake system, coordinating between the towing vehicle's powertrain and the trailer's braking mechanism without requiring direct complex integration between all components.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the trailer brake is continuously activated, then the pushing effect is continuously countered, but the brake components overheat and wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit applies trailer brake pressure in advance when detecting coasting conditions and excessive thrust forces, preventing the pushing effect from fully developing and causing instability, while only activating the brake when necessary rather than continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
The trailer brake system operates periodically based on detected thrust conditions rather than continuously, activating only when the control unit identifies excessive pushing forces and deactivating when conditions normalize, allowing brake components to cool between activation periods.
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
This solution maintains driving stability and safety by automatically managing the trailer's braking, reducing the risk of trailer collapse and mechanical stress, while allowing drivers to avoid frequent service brake use for comfort, and can be retrofitted into existing vehicles with minimal technical effort.
Implementation Method 1
pneumatic valve device for actuating the brake system of the trailer
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for braking a towing vehicle-trailer combination, wherein, in a driving condition with the service brake 10 not actuated, a trailer 29 pushing towards the towing vehicle 19 is detected, and upon reaching or exceeding a predetermined pushing force of the trailer 29, the braking system of the trailer 29 is automatically actuated to generate a braking effect of the trailer 29 while the service brake 10 of the towing vehicle 19 is not actuated, as well as a device for controlling an automatic actuation of the braking system of a trailer 29 of a towing vehicle-trailer combination, comprising a control unit 30 with input means 14, which are configured for inputting operating parameters of the towing vehicle-trailer combination, and with output means 31 for actuating the braking system of the trailer 29, wherein the control unit 30 is configured by programming toto detect a trailer 29 pushing towards the towing vehicle 19 based on the operating parameters received via the input means when the service brake 10 is not applied, and to automatically apply the braking system of the trailer 29 to generate a braking effect on the trailer 29 when a predetermined pushing force of the trailer 29 is reached or exceeded, while the service brake 10 of the towing vehicle 19 is not applied.