Automated Trailer Brake Gain Determination Using Wheel Rotation Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual setting of trailer brake gain in vehicles with trailers is labor-intensive and dependent on driver attention, requiring substantial straight-line travel and varying road conditions, making it challenging to adjust gain settings in response to load changes or changing road conditions.

Innovation Solution

An automated trailer brake gain determination process using a brake controller that monitors trailer wheel rotation information and iteratively provides trailer brake control signals at different evaluation gains to converge on the largest gain not associated with a lock-up condition, employing algorithms like binary or serial search, and utilizing sensors for wheel rotation and pressure monitoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual trailer brake gain setting is used, then the driver can adjust brake gain settings, but it requires substantial straight-line travel and high driver attention making it labor-intensive and difficult to adjust in response to load changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrake gain setting operationVSAvoidtime required for gain setting

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic brake gain determination without requiring driver intervention. The brake controller autonomously monitors trailer wheel rotation information, iteratively applies brake control signals at different evaluation gains, and determines the optimal gain setting based on lock-up condition detection, eliminating the need for manual driver operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical adjustment process with an automated electronic control system. The brake controller uses electronic sensors to monitor wheel rotation and algorithms to determine optimal gain settings, substituting the mechanical manual adjustment process with electronic automation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If manual trailer brake gain setting is used, then the driver can evaluate trailer braking response, but it is highly dependent on driver capabilities and road conditions making it unreliable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrake gain setting reliabilityVSAvoidadaptability to different drivers and conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from trailer wheel rotation information to determine the optimal brake gain setting. The brake controller monitors wheel rotation data, detects lock-up conditions, and uses this feedback to iteratively adjust and determine the correct gain setting, ensuring reliable and consistent results independent of driver capability or varying road conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Extent of automation

If automated trailer brake gain determination is implemented, then driver dependency is reduced and consistent braking performance is ensured, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated brake gain determinationVSAvoidbrake control system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The brake controller performs multiple functions: it monitors trailer wheel rotation information, generates brake control signals, detects lock-up conditions, and determines optimal gain settings. By consolidating these functions into a single controller, the system achieves high automation without proportionally increasing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Measurement precision

If iterative brake control signals are provided at different evaluation gains, then the optimal gain is determined accurately, but the determination process time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrake gain determination precisionVSAvoiddetermination process time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a binary search algorithm to efficiently converge on the optimal brake gain setting. Instead of testing all possible gain values sequentially, the algorithm skips through the gain range by halving the search interval at each step, rapidly identifying the optimal setting with minimal iterations and reduced determination time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

Data Source

PatentUS11225235B2Trailer brake gain determination

Publication Date: 2022.01.18 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

Trailer brake gain in a towing configuration of a tow vehicle and a trailer is determined by providing, to a processor, trailer wheel rotation information. The processor provides trailer brake control signals at a plurality of different evaluation trailer brake gains. The processor determines the trailer brake gain based upon the trailer wheel rotation information corresponding to the plurality of different evaluation trailer brake gains.