Trailer Brake Control Using Predictive Deceleration Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for braking vehicles, particularly towing vehicles with trailers, fail to provide predictive and adaptive control, leading to reduced braking effectiveness and stability due to trailer decoupling or lack of tractive force.
Innovation Solution
A brake control device that includes a brake detection system using sensors to measure wheel speed, deceleration, and actuation, allowing for adaptive control of braking devices on both the towing vehicle and trailer, ensuring independent operation and fault tolerance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the trailer's braking system is controlled by an overrun brake, then the braking system can be actuated when the trailer runs into the overrun, but the trailer cannot generate any tractive force, reducing braking effectiveness and vehicle stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control device continuously monitors the relative position and speed between towing vehicle and trailer, and adjusts the braking force accordingly. This closed-loop control enables the trailer to generate tractive force during braking by actively controlling the braking system based on real-time feedback, thereby improving both braking effectiveness and vehicle stability
Solution Approach 2:
The control device on the trailer independently determines and controls its own braking force based on detected parameters, without requiring constant input from the towing vehicle's control system. This self-service capability allows the trailer to actively contribute to braking and maintain stability even when the connection to the towing vehicle is interrupted
2Ease of operation
If brake actuation signals are transmitted from the control device of the towing vehicle to the brake device of the trailer, then the vehicle's brake devices can be controlled by the control device of the towing vehicle, but the brake devices cannot be controlled if the connection between the towing vehicle and the trailer is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the braking control system into independent segments: the towing vehicle has its own control device and the trailer has its own control device. Each segment can operate independently, with the trailer's control device capable of autonomously controlling the trailer's braking system even when the connection to the towing vehicle is interrupted, thereby improving fault tolerance while maintaining centralized control capability when connected
3Reliability
If traditional braking control methods are used, then the system structure is simple, but the braking control cannot be predictive and adaptive, reducing braking effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring and analyzing the relative position, speed, and acceleration between the towing vehicle and trailer before actual braking is needed. This predictive monitoring allows the system to prepare and adjust braking parameters in advance, enabling adaptive braking control that improves effectiveness without requiring overly complex real-time response mechanisms
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 predictive and adaptive braking, maintaining vehicle stability and ensuring single-fault safety by allowing trailers to decelerate more than towing vehicles, enhancing braking effectiveness and stability.
Implementation Method 1
a wheel speed sensor for measuring the speed of the at least one wheel
Implementation Method 2
a deceleration sensor for measuring a deceleration, in particular for measuring a deceleration effect in at least one direction, preferably in the direction of travel, preferably from a multi-axis, micro-electro-mechanical system
Implementation Method 3
a brake device (110) for braking the at least one wheel (10), in particular a non-linear electro-mechanical friction brake
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for braking a vehicle, a brake control device (2608) and a vehicle, wherein the vehicle has at least one wheel, a first braking device (2612), a braking-detection device (2601) and a brake control device, wherein the detected braking instance is converted into a braking-detection signal (2607) by the braking-detection device (2601), wherein a brake actuation signal (2611) is generated by the brake control device (2608) on the basis of the braking-detection signal, and wherein the brake actuation signal (2611) is transmitted to the first braking device (2612) by the brake control device (2608) to control the first braking device (2612), thereby controlling the first braking device (2612).