Trailer Brake Pressure Pulsing for Stable Tractor-Trailer Braking
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Solution Overview
Problem
In tractor-trailer combinations, the brakes of the trailer are applied intermittently, leading to inefficient braking and excessive wear on the tractor brakes due to the trailer brakes being used for only a fraction of the time, which can result in high temperatures and damage.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that measures the load and speed of the trailer-trailer combination, determines the understeer or oversteer gradient, and establishes a maximum continuous brake pressure and on-off cycling frequency for the trailer brakes to ensure they are used more frequently and effectively without locking up or losing stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If trailer brakes are applied intermittently in a pulsed fashion to prevent wheel locking and maintain stability, then trailer brake safety is improved, but trailer brake usage time is reduced and tractor brake wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static, fixed-duration brake pulsing to dynamic, adaptive brake control. The system continuously monitors braking parameters (deceleration rate, load, speed) and adjusts the maximum continuous brake pressure and pulsing frequency in real-time, allowing the trailer brakes to operate optimally across varying conditions without excessive tractor brake compensation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes parameters by establishing maximum continuous brake pressure values and on-off cycling frequencies based on measured braking parameters. Instead of using fixed conservative timing, the system adjusts brake pressure magnitude and application duration dynamically, enabling longer continuous brake application at optimized pressure levels that prevent wheel locking while increasing overall trailer brake utilization
Solution Approach 3:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring braking parameters (deceleration rate, load, speed) and using this information to adjust trailer brake application. The system measures actual braking conditions and modifies the maximum continuous brake pressure and pulsing frequency accordingly, creating a closed-loop control that optimizes trailer brake usage while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 4:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing maximum continuous brake pressure values and on-off cycling frequencies based on anticipated braking scenarios. The system determines these parameters before actual braking events based on measured conditions, allowing optimal brake application from the outset rather than reacting conservatively during braking
2Object-generated harmful factors
If trailer brakes are used more frequently with continuous application, then tractor brake wear and temperature are reduced, but risk of wheel locking and loss of stability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes parameters by establishing maximum continuous brake pressure values specifically calibrated to prevent wheel locking and maintain stability. Instead of using high pressure intermittently, the system applies optimized pressure continuously or in extended pulses, changing both the magnitude and temporal pattern of brake application to increase usage while maintaining safety margins
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the maximum continuous brake pressure and pulsing frequency adaptive to real-time conditions. The system continuously adjusts these parameters based on measured deceleration rate, load, and speed, allowing the trailer brakes to operate at higher utilization levels while dynamically maintaining stability through condition-based optimization
3Reliability
If conservative braking approach is used due to unknown trailer status, then safety is maintained, but braking efficiency is reduced and tractor brakes bear excessive load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by measuring actual braking parameters (deceleration rate, load, speed) and using this information to determine appropriate maximum continuous brake pressure and pulsing frequency. This replaces conservative assumption-based control with data-driven optimization, enabling efficient trailer brake usage while maintaining safety through continuous monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-determining maximum continuous brake pressure values and on-off cycling frequencies based on measured braking conditions before full braking application. This allows the system to optimize trailer brake usage in advance rather than reacting conservatively during the braking event, improving overall braking efficiency
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for braking one or more trailers (3) in a tractor-trailer combination (1) is provided. The method comprises establishing a maximum continuous brake pressure for trailer brakes (10) of wheels (11) of the one or more trailers (3) of the tractor-trailer combination (1). The method further comprises establishing an on-off cycling frequency for pulsing of the brakes (10) of the one or more trailers (3) of the tractor-trailer combination (1) at brake pressures above the maximum continuous brake pressure. The method further comprises establishing applying the brakes (10) of the one or more trailers (3) continuously at brake pressures up to the established maximum continuous brake pressure and by pulsing according to the established on-off cycling frequency at brake pressures above the established maximum continuous brake pressure.