Trailer Electronic Braking System Signal Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer braking systems for long trailers suffer from slow brake actuation due to pneumatic signal transmission, leading to reduced speed limits and traffic congestion, as they take significantly longer to transmit braking signals from the prime mover to the trailer compared to standard truck and trailer combinations.
Innovation Solution
A trailer braking system with electronic control units that convert pneumatic signals to electrical signals, allowing for faster brake actuation, with each axle having an electronic control unit to manage braking force, and a pressure transducer in the coupling head to facilitate quick signal transmission, reducing brake lag by up to 10 times compared to pneumatic systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If pneumatic braking systems are used for long trailers, then the system can transmit braking signals over long distances, but the brake actuation time becomes excessively long (up to 1000 ms)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pneumatic signal transmission system with an electrical signal transmission system. Electrical signals travel much faster than pneumatic waves, reducing brake actuation time from up to 1000 ms to significantly shorter durations. The electrical control units at each axle receive and process electrical braking signals, enabling rapid response across the entire trailer length without the delays inherent in pneumatic systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The trailer is divided into multiple independent axle units, each equipped with its own electronic control unit. This segmentation allows each axle to respond independently and simultaneously to braking signals, eliminating the sequential delay that occurs in pneumatic systems where pressure waves must propagate through the entire length of the trailer. Each modular unit can actuate its brakes immediately upon receiving the electrical signal.
2Adaptability or versatility
If pneumatic braking systems are used in extra-long trailers, then the system can operate on standard trailers, but the brake actuation delay increases significantly compared to standard trailers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pneumatic system with an electrical control system that maintains compatibility with standard trailer configurations while dramatically improving response time. The electrical control units can be integrated into existing trailer frameworks, and the system accepts braking signals from the prime mover through standard interfaces, ensuring adaptability while eliminating the distance-dependent delays of pneumatic systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical braking system is designed to be universally applicable to trailers of various lengths and configurations. The modular electronic control units can be deployed on any trailer regardless of length, and the system maintains compatibility with standard braking signal inputs from prime movers. This universal design allows the same electrical architecture to serve both standard and extra-long trailers without the performance degradation seen in pneumatic systems.
3Stability of the object's composition
If slower speeds are maintained to minimize spin risk in long trailers with pneumatic brakes, then trailer stability is improved, but traffic congestion increases due to reduced throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces pneumatic brake actuation with electrical control, enabling much faster and more precise brake response. This rapid actuation allows the trailer to maintain stability even at higher speeds, as the electronic control units can quickly modulate brake force to prevent spin and maintain control. The improved response time eliminates the need to restrict speed for stability reasons, thereby increasing productive throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic control units incorporate feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor braking conditions and adjust brake force accordingly. This feedback control enables stable operation at higher speeds by making real-time adjustments to prevent spin and maintain trailer control. The system can detect incipient instability and respond immediately with corrective brake modulation, allowing higher speeds without sacrificing stability.
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 enables faster brake actuation, reducing the likelihood of trailer loss of control and allowing higher permitted speeds, while also introducing stability control and meeting ISO 11992 standards, even for trailers exceeding the 18m length limit.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure transducer adapted to read the pneumatic brake pressure signal and convert it to an electronic signal
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 2a
AI summary
The invention concerns a braking system for a trailer, which trailer has a front and a rear end, the braking system comprising a braking device (13) capable of generating a braking force on a wheel end or an axle on the trailer, which is characterised in that the system further comprises a pressure transducer (48) adapted to receive a pressure signal from a prime mover and convert the pressure signal to an electronic signal, wherein the electronic signal is processable by an electronic control unit (49), which electronic control unit (49) is adapted to actuate the braking device (13).