Trailer Brake Stabilization for Jackknife Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for stabilizing vehicle combinations during braking, such as engine or retarder braking, often lead to overheating and wear of trailer brakes due to frequent activation and inadequate stabilization, particularly on inclines or curves, risking jackknife situations.
Innovation Solution
A method that continuously applies braking pressure to the trailer wheels based on road incline, curve radius, and braking torque, using existing yaw rate sensors and driver feedback, to prevent jackknife situations without driver disturbance, while allowing driver control over stabilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If mechanical stretch brakes are used to stabilize the vehicle combination, then lateral stability is improved, but trailer brakes overheat and wear excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic braking pulses to the trailer brakes instead of continuous braking. The control unit activates the trailer brakes in controlled pulses during engine or retarder braking events, allowing the brakes to cool between pulses. This periodic action provides stabilization while preventing overheating and excessive wear.
2Productivity
If engine or retarder braking is applied to the towing vehicle, then braking efficiency is improved, but lateral stability deteriorates creating jackknife risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the trailer brake system as an intermediary to counteract the destabilizing effect of engine or retarder braking. When the towing vehicle applies engine or retarder brakes, the control unit activates the trailer brakes to provide a counterbalancing force that maintains lateral stability and prevents jackknife situations.
3Reliability
If trailer brakes are activated frequently to prevent jackknife, then stability is improved, but brake wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic braking pulses rather than continuous brake application. The control unit activates the trailer brakes in intermittent pulses only when needed for stabilization, allowing the brake material to last longer while maintaining reliable stabilization performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous monitoring of vehicle conditions through the control unit, which continuously assesses whether stabilization is needed. This continuous surveillance ensures reliable stabilization while activating brakes only when necessary, reducing unnecessary wear.
4Reliability
If continuous brake pressure is applied to stabilize vehicle combination, then jackknife prevention is improved, but driver comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies brake pressure in periodic pulses rather than continuously. This approach maintains effective jackknife prevention while reducing the constant sensation of braking for the driver, thereby improving driver comfort during stabilization events.
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 reliably stabilizes the vehicle combination by preventing jackknife situations and reducing trailer brake overheating, providing smooth and efficient stabilization without excessive wear, and allowing driver feedback on trailer braking.
Implementation Method 1
A brake pressure is applied to wheels (15) of the trailer (3)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for stabilising a vehicle combination (1), comprising a towing vehicle (2) and a trailer (3), wherein, with a non-wheel-brake-induced deceleration of the towing vehicle (2), the trailer (3) is braked by applying a braking pressure (pB) to the wheels of the trailer (3). In a method in which a reliable stabilisation of a vehicle combination is guaranteed, when a deceleration threshold value (SBM, SMR, SM) is exceeded by a deceleration (BMM, MR) determined at the towing vehicle (2) and brought about by a motor (8) and/or by a retarder (9), and/or when a bending angle threshold value (SKW) is exceeded by a determined bending angle (KW) between the towing vehicle (2) and the trailer (3), the braking pressure (pB) is applied to the wheels (15) of the unbraked trailer (3).