Trailer Brake Priority Valve Fluid Pressure Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current trailer braking systems face issues where a single pressurized fluid source may not provide sufficient pressure to activate and deactivate the automatic and/or parking brake of the trailer, leading to operational discomfort and mobility issues.

Innovation Solution

The device incorporates a priority valve and pressure reducing valve to manage fluid pressure, ensuring both the service braking and automatic/parking brake lines are supplied with the necessary pressure, with calibrations maintaining pressure within a predefined range, using a combination of piloting channels, elastic means, and solenoid valves to control valve positions and fluid flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single pressurized fluid source is used to supply both the service braking line and the automatic/parking brake line, then the system complexity is reduced, but the pressure is insufficient to deactivate the automatic and/or parking brake of the trailer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of fluid sourcesVSAvoidfluid pressure
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

A priority valve is introduced as an intermediary component between the single fluid source and the two braking lines. This valve mediates the fluid distribution by directing pressurized fluid first to the service braking line, then to the automatic/parking brake line only after the service line is satisfied, enabling a single source to effectively supply both lines with adequate pressure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the pressure parameter dynamically through the priority valve mechanism. When the service braking line requires pressure, the valve directs fluid there; when it is satisfied, the valve redirects fluid to the automatic/parking brake line, achieving sufficient pressure for both lines sequentially rather than simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stress or pressure

If the pump is designed to provide high pressure for brake deactivation, then the automatic and/or parking brake can be deactivated, but the pump lacks sufficient flow rate to supply both braking lines simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid pressureVSAvoidfluid flow rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The priority valve creates a periodic action in fluid distribution by switching between supplying the service braking line and the automatic/parking brake line based on pressure requirements. This sequential periodic supply allows a single pump to meet both pressure and flow rate requirements over time rather than requiring simultaneous satisfaction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Quantity of substance

If the pump is designed to provide high flow rate for simultaneous supply, then both braking lines can be supplied, but the pressure is insufficient to deactivate the automatic and/or parking brake

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid flow rateVSAvoidfluid pressure
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts fluid distribution based on real-time pressure requirements of each braking line. The priority valve responds to pressure conditions, dynamically switching which line receives pressurized fluid, allowing the pump to maintain adequate flow rate while ensuring sufficient pressure reaches each line at the appropriate time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3401175B1Device for controlling the braking of a trailer
Publication Date: 2019.12.25 SAFIM
  • EP3401175B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The device (1) for controlling the braking of a trailer, comprises: one main line (2) connectable to a source of a work fluid at a first pressure; one secondary line (3) separated from the main line (2); one discharge line (4); one first line (6) connectable to the braking system of the trailer; one second line (7) connectable to the automatic and/or parking brake of the trailer; first valve means (10) operable between a home position and a braking position; first piloting means (11) actuating on the first valve means (10) to displace them from the home position to the braking position; second valve means (12) operable between a normal operating position and an emergency position; one priority valve (14) interposed between the main line (2) and the first valve means (10), operable between a first priority position and a second priority position; one pressure reducing valve (18) interposed between the main line (2) and the second valve means (12), the pressure reducing valve (18) being operable between at least one feeding position, in which the main line (2) is placed in communication with the secondary line (3), and one discharge position, in which the secondary line (3) is placed in communication with the discharge line (4).