Trailer Brake Interface Using Dual Pneumatic Couplings for Redundancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pneumatic coupling systems in trailers lack redundancy, leading to potential uncontrolled braking in automated driving scenarios due to the absence of a secondary supply line, which is costly to implement across mixed fleets.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing the existing two pneumatic coupling heads to provide redundant pneumatic supply from two separate circuits in the towing vehicle, integrating electrical connections for communication and redundancy verification between the towing and towed vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single pneumatic supply line is used from the third circuit in the towing vehicle, then the system remains simple and cost-effective, but redundancy is lost and automated driving safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The yellow coupling head, traditionally dedicated to brake control, is configured to provide both brake control and pneumatic supply functions. This allows the existing two coupling heads to serve multiple purposes, enabling redundancy without adding new components to the interface
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the pneumatic supply function with the brake control function by routing supply pressure through the yellow coupling head alongside brake control pressure. This merging of functions into existing infrastructure provides redundancy without increasing physical complexity
2Reliability
If another supply line is added to provide redundancy, then automated driving safety is improved, but installation costs increase significantly for mixed fleets
Solution Approach 1:
The yellow coupling head is designed to perform multiple functions including brake control and pneumatic supply. This multi-functionality allows existing infrastructure to provide redundancy without requiring new connectors or interfaces, avoiding additional installation costs
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses existing pneumatic circuits and coupling heads that are already present in the vehicle, eliminating the need for additional hardware installation. The redundancy is achieved by reconfiguring existing components rather than adding new ones
3Ease of manufacture
If the existing two pneumatic coupling heads are used to provide redundancy, then installation costs are reduced, but compatibility with older vehicles must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts its configuration based on the capabilities of the connected vehicle. The yellow coupling head can operate in different modes (brake control only, or brake control plus supply) depending on whether the connected vehicle supports the enhanced configuration, ensuring backward compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The pneumatic circuit parameters are adjusted based on the connected vehicle's capabilities. The system can switch between providing only brake control pressure and providing both supply pressure and brake control pressure through the yellow coupling head, maintaining compatibility across different vehicle types
Data Source
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AI summary
A pneumatic brake system for a towing and towed vehicle, wherein the brake system comprises means for supplying a supply pressure and means for supplying a control pressure to the towed vehicle. An electrical connection is provided between respective ECUs (29, 43) on the towing and towed vehicles being able to exchange information and determine whether the brake system in both towed and towing vehicle is compatible with an electronic brake signal and whether the brake system is compatible with secondary supply pressure being applied via a control pressure line. If both conditions are fulfilled, the brake system actuates a switching device or devices (31) on the towing and towed vehicles to direct air from the means for supplying a control pressure to a second pneumatic supply circuit in the towed vehicle.