Trailer Brake Coupling With Tension-Triggered Emergency Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer braking systems are prone to hose breakage and fluid spillage due to detachment from the towing vehicle during emergency situations, leading to operational downtime and non-compliance with safety regulations.
Innovation Solution
A device with flexible control lines and elastic means to disconnect trailer joints from towing vehicle connections under excessive tension, preventing hose breakage and fluid spillage, and ensuring quick restoration of braking functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the trailer is connected to the towing vehicle via hoses for braking system communication, then the braking systems can be synchronized, but the hoses may break under excessive tension during emergency detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a retractable hose mechanism with a drum and spool system that allows the hose to pay out and retract automatically. This beforehand cushioning mechanism absorbs the tension forces during emergency detachment, preventing the hose from breaking while maintaining braking system communication during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The hose connection system transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic retractable connection. The hose can extend when the trailer detaches and retract when connected, adapting its length and tension characteristics to the operational state. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by allowing the hose to accommodate emergency detachment forces while maintaining reliable connection during normal use.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid connections are used between trailer and towing vehicle, then structural stability is improved, but damage occurs during emergency detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid connection structures with flexible hoses that can bend, extend, and retract. These flexible elements maintain structural stability during normal operation while accommodating emergency detachment without transmitting damaging forces to the trailer or towing vehicle structures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If hoses are made longer to accommodate detachment movement, then flexibility is improved, but hose breakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hose length is made dynamic through the retractable mechanism. The hose extends to accommodate detachment movement but can retract to maintain tension and prevent breakage. This dynamic length adjustment provides both adaptability for movement and reliability for preventing hose breakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractable hose mechanism includes tension sensing that provides feedback to the retraction system. When excessive tension is detected during detachment, the system activates retraction to reduce tension and prevent hose breakage, creating a feedback control loop that maintains hose integrity while accommodating movement.
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
Prevents hose breakage and fluid spillage, ensuring rapid reconnection and compliance with safety regulations by disconnecting trailer joints before excessive tension occurs.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of elastic means (springs) adapted to interact with the first female joint 2 and the second female joint 24, respectively, and exert a force thereon to disconnect the first and second female joints from the respective first and second male joints when the control line 3, 25 is put into tension as a result of the detachment of the trailer from the towing vehicle
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
The device (1) for controlling the braking of a trailer, comprises: a first female joint (2) connectable to a source of a work fluid at a first pressure and comprising a tubular body (5) defining a passage channel (6) of a work fluid and valve means (7) housed within said tubular body (5) and movable between an open position and a closed position; a control line (3) communicating with the first female joint (2) and connectable to the braking system of a trailer, a ring nut (8) associated with the tubular body (5) in a sliding manner and movable between a securing position and a release position; wherein the first female joint (2) comprises at least one coupling element (11) associated with the tubular body (5) in a sliding manner and defining a transfer channel (12) of the work fluid communicating with said passage channel (6) downstream of the valve means (7), the coupling element (11) being connected to the control line (3), and wherein the coupling element (11) is mechanically connected to the ring nut (8) and is movable between a home configuration and an emergency configuration.