Trailer Brake Controller Dynamic Torque Adjustment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer brake control systems are not responsive enough to adjust brake torque demand during extended driving over varying speeds, leading to potential wheel locking issues due to constant gain settings, which do not account for changes in trailer load or speed, resulting in inadequate or excessive braking.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle brake system that includes a brake control device, a vehicle acceleration sensor, and a trailer brake controller, which adjusts the initial trailer brake torque demand using a closed-loop control scheme, such as proportional-integral-derivative (PID), to converge the trailer brake signal to an expected negative acceleration value correlated with the brake control device input, ensuring optimal deceleration rates for vehicle-trailer combinations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If constant gain control is used for trailer brakes, then the system is simple to operate, but the braking performance deteriorates under varying speeds and loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic gain control where the brake controller continuously adjusts the gain factor based on real-time vehicle speed and acceleration data. This transforms the static, constant gain system into a dynamic one that adapts to varying operating conditions, resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and braking performance consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from acceleration sensors and speed sensors to continuously monitor actual braking performance and adjust the trailer brake control signal accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures consistent braking performance across varying speeds and loads while maintaining ease of operation through automatic adjustment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If gain adjustment is provided for load changes, then the system can adapt to different trailer weights, but the system complexity increases requiring manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The brake controller automatically performs gain adjustment based on real-time sensor data from the vehicle's acceleration and speed sensors. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual gain adjustment by the driver, allowing the system to adapt to different trailer loads automatically without increasing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system integrates multiple functions including speed sensing, acceleration sensing, automatic gain calculation, and brake signal modulation into a single brake controller unit. This multi-functionality allows the system to handle various trailer loads and operating conditions without requiring separate adjustment mechanisms, maintaining simplicity while enhancing adaptability.
3Measurement precision
If test actuation is provided for gain verification, then the user can verify brake performance, but the operation becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors braking performance through acceleration sensors during normal operation rather than requiring periodic test actuations. This continuous verification provides ongoing measurement precision while eliminating the need for separate test procedures, thereby maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Real-time feedback from acceleration sensors continuously verifies brake performance during normal driving, replacing the need for manual test actuations. This continuous feedback mechanism provides ongoing verification of brake performance while simplifying the operation by making verification automatic and continuous rather than requiring discrete test steps.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle brake system includes a brake control device, a vehicle acceleration sensor, and a trailer brake controller. The trailer brake controller outputs an initial trailer brake torque demand based on an input received from the brake control device and adjusts the initial trailer brake torque demand to converge a signal from the vehicle acceleration sensor to an expected negative acceleration value correlated with the input from the brake control device.