Hydraulic Trailer Brake Pressure Control Valve
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic trailer brake systems face challenges in ensuring consistent brake pressure across varying trailer loads, tire sizes, and electrical failures, leading to overbraking, underbraking, and potential jackknifing of tractor-trailer combinations, with prior solutions incurring power losses and requiring manual adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic arrangement with an adjustable pressure-reducing valve in the control-pressure line, capable of being mechanically or electronically prestressed, ensures controlled brake pressure distribution, minimizing power losses and allowing for adjustable settings to meet different regulatory standards, even in the absence of electronic control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a load-matching valve is used to limit maximum brake pressure on the trailer, then the braking behavior can be matched to different loading states, but the setting has to be made manually outside the cab and considerable power losses occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical adjustment system with an electronically controllable pressure-reducing valve that can be adjusted from the driver's cab. The electronic control system receives brake pressure signals from the traction vehicle and automatically adjusts the trailer brake pressure, eliminating manual intervention and reducing power losses by optimizing pressure control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electronic control unit as an intermediary between the traction vehicle brake system and the trailer brake system. This control unit processes brake pressure signals and actuates the pressure-reducing valve, enabling automatic adaptation without direct manual intervention and minimizing energy losses through intelligent pressure management.
2Ease of operation
If the same brake pressure is applied to both loaded and non-loaded trailers, then the brake system is simple to operate, but overbraking or underbraking occurs leading to jackknifing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic pressure control system that automatically adapts brake pressure based on real-time operating conditions. The electronic control unit continuously monitors brake pressure signals and adjusts the pressure-reducing valve to provide optimal brake pressure for different loading states, maintaining both ease of operation and braking safety without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a feedback mechanism where the electronic control unit receives brake pressure signals from the traction vehicle and uses this information to automatically adjust the trailer brake pressure. This closed-loop control ensures appropriate brake pressure is applied for different loading conditions, preventing overbraking and underbraking while maintaining simple operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If electronic control is used for automatic brake pressure adjustment, then adaptability to different loading states is improved, but the system becomes vulnerable to electrical failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a mechanically actuated pressure-reducing valve with a spring element that provides a failsafe mechanism. In the event of electronic control failure, the spring element automatically adjusts the valve position to maintain appropriate brake pressure, ensuring continued system functionality without electrical power. This beforehand cushioning ensures reliability during electrical failures while maintaining automatic adaptability during normal operation.
4Stress or pressure
If the pressure-reducing valve is arranged in the brake line, then maximum brake pressure can be limited, but power losses increase due to large-volume line
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the brake pressure control system into two parts: the primary brake line for force transmission and a separate control-pressure line for pressure regulation. The pressure-reducing valve is positioned in the control-pressure line rather than the main brake line, allowing precise pressure limitation with minimal power losses in the control line while maintaining effective brake pressure transmission.
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 solution allows for optimized brake pressure adjustment based on trailer load and tire size from the cab, ensuring safe braking behavior while minimizing energy waste and maintaining functionality during electrical failures, thus enhancing the overall braking performance and safety of tractor-trailer combinations.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure-reducing means, arranged in the second control-pressure line, for controlling the control pressure
Implementation Method 2
the pressure-reducing means being capable of being forced mechanically into an open basic position by means of an adjustable prestressing force
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic arrangement for braking a trailer comprises a brake line connected between a brake system of a trailer and a trailer brake valve. The trailer brake valve is activated via a first control-pressure line which extends between the brake line and the trailer brake valve and via a second control-pressure line which extends between the trailer brake valve and a control-pressure source and acts in opposition to the pressure imposed on the trailer brake valve by the first control-pressure line. An adjustable pressure-reducing means for controlling the control pressure in the second control-pressure line is arranged in the second control-pressure line. It is proposed to design the control-pressure source as part of a hydraulic control of a brake system of a traction vehicle drawing the trailer and to force the pressure-reducing means mechanically into an open basic position by means of an adjustable prestressing force.