Trailer Brake Gain Calibration Using Vehicle Deceleration Bend Point
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual trailer brake gain settings reduce the service life of trailer tires and brakes, and are difficult to perform accurately, while wireless sensors face connectivity and reliability issues, necessitating a method to determine optimal trailer brake gain using solely vehicle data without additional trailer hardware.
Innovation Solution
An algorithm that analyzes vehicle data during coasting to apply trailer brake pulses, generating a graph of vehicle deceleration versus trailer brake gain, identifying an optimum gain by determining a bend point in the curve, and optimizing the gain search step-size to minimize pulses and duration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual trailer brake gain settings are used, then the gain can be adjusted, but the service life of trailer tires and brakes is reduced and the setting process is difficult to perform accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-diagnosis and self-adjustment of trailer brake gain by automatically analyzing vehicle deceleration data during coasting events to determine the optimal gain setting, eliminating the need for manual adjustment by the operator
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors vehicle deceleration data from the coasting event and uses this feedback to automatically adjust the trailer brake gain setting, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes brake performance based on actual vehicle behavior
2Loss of information
If wireless sensors are used on the trailer, then trailer data can be accessed, but connectivity and reliability issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the necessary trailer brake gain determination function from the trailer side and relocates it to the vehicle side, using only vehicle-available data (deceleration during coasting) to determine optimal trailer brake settings, eliminating the need for wireless communication with trailer sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle's existing deceleration sensors and control systems are made multi-functional by using them both for vehicle control and for determining optimal trailer brake gain settings, eliminating the need for separate wireless sensor systems on the trailer
3Measurement precision
If multiple trailer brake pulses are applied to find optimal gain, then accurate determination is achieved, but the number of pulses and setting duration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of vehicle deceleration characteristics during natural coasting events before making gain adjustments, allowing it to predict the optimal gain setting with fewer brake pulses and reduced calibration time
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the gain search step-size based on the shape of the deceleration curve, using larger steps when the curve is linear and smaller steps near the bend point, optimizing the balance between measurement precision and time efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A method for finding an optimum trailer gain, comprising: applying trailer brake pulses to a trailer while a vehicle is coasting using a trailer brake of a trailer, wherein the trailer is coupled to the vehicle; monitoring an average deceleration of the vehicle and the trailer brake gain of the trailer brake pulses applied to the trailer while the vehicle is coasting; generating a graph of the average deceleration of the vehicle versus the trailer brake gain, wherein the graph includes a curve that illustrates a relationship between the average deceleration of the vehicle and the trailer brake gain of the trailer brake pulses applied to the trailer while the vehicle is coasting; and finding a bend point of the curve in the graph to determine an optimum trailer brake gain.