Agricultural Trailer Brake Force Regulator Using Fluid Pressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current load-dependent braking systems for agricultural trailer vehicles are error-prone and costly due to the need for measurement sensors to determine the loading condition, which complicates the implementation of effective braking force control.

Innovation Solution

The braking force regulator is coupled to a fluid cylinder, adjusting braking force based on fluid pressure, eliminating the need for filling level sensors, spring deflection detection, and separate electronic signal processing devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If sensor-based load detection systems are used to implement load-dependent brake force control, then braking force adjustment accuracy is improved, but production costs increase and system reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload detection accuracyVSAvoidsystem reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the load detection function from separate sensors and integrates it into the existing fluid cylinder system. The fluid cylinder, already present for material handling device operation, now serves dual purposes: material handling and load status detection for braking control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The fluid cylinder is given multiple functions: it continues to operate the material handling device while simultaneously providing load status information for brake force regulation. This eliminates the need for dedicated load sensors and reduces system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If sensor-based load detection systems are used to implement load-dependent brake force control, then braking force adjustment accuracy is improved, but production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload detection accuracyVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid cylinder performs dual functions as both an operational component for the material handling device and a load detection element. This eliminates the need for additional sensors and electronic components, significantly reducing production costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the load detection function with the existing fluid cylinder system. The brake force regulator directly interfaces with the fluid cylinder's fluid pressure, merging what would traditionally be separate systems into one integrated solution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If separate electronic signal processing devices are used for load-dependent braking control, then control precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrake force control precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the need for separate electronic signal processing devices by directly coupling the brake force regulator to the fluid cylinder. The fluid pressure itself serves as the control signal, eliminating complex electronic intermediaries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses fluid pressure from the hydraulic system to directly control brake force. The brake force regulator responds to fluid pressure changes in the cylinder, using pneumatic/hydraulic principles instead of electronic processing to achieve precise load-dependent braking control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 approach simplifies load-dependent braking force control, reducing production costs and ensuring precise braking force adjustment according to the trailer's loading condition without the need for additional sensors or complex electronic processing.

Implementation Method 1

the brake force regulator is coupled to the fluid cylinder and is designed to initiate an adjustment of a braking force depending on the fluid pressure of the fluid cylinder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP3835150B1Agricultural trailer vehicle
Publication Date: 2022.06.01 AMAZONEN WERKE H DREYER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3835150B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3835150B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to an agricultural trailer (10) with a loadable material receiving device (12), a drawbar (18) for attaching the trailer (10) to a trailer coupling of a towing vehicle, at least one fluid cylinder (20a, 20b) which is articulated to the drawbar (18) and whose fluid pressure depends on the loading state of the material receiving device (12), and a braking system (26) which has a load-dependent brake force regulator (28).