Trailer Brake Controller Redundancy for Communication Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current braking systems for heavy-duty commercial vehicles configured for towing lack redundancy in communication between the tractor and trailer, leading to inadequate braking performance when primary communication channels fail, potentially resulting in less effective braking and increased stopping distances due to the inability of the trailer brake controller to adequately provide anti-lock braking system (ABS) and electronic stability program (ESP) functionalities without proper communication with the primary brake controller.
Innovation Solution
A redundant brake controller in the tractor is configured to communicate with the trailer brake controller via a secondary communication channel, allowing it to take over as the master brake controller in case of primary brake controller failure, ensuring continued braking functionality and stability by providing basic ABS and ESP capabilities, even if the primary controller is unable to communicate effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single primary brake controller is used to communicate with the trailer brake controller, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to lack of redundancy when communication fails
Solution Approach 1:
The redundant brake controller is pre-configured and ready to take over before any failure occurs. The system establishes a backup communication path in advance through the vehicle network, so that when the primary brake controller fails, the redundant controller can immediately assume control without requiring complex real-time reconfiguration or manual intervention.
2Loss of information
If the primary brake controller fails to communicate with the trailer brake controller, then the loss of information increases, but adding redundant communication channels increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle network acts as an intermediary communication channel between the redundant brake controller and the trailer brake controller. Instead of creating direct redundant communication hardware, the system uses the existing vehicle network infrastructure to transmit braking control information, thereby reducing information loss without significantly increasing device complexity.
3Productivity
If basic ABS and ESP functionalities are maintained during backup operation, then the productivity is preserved, but the device complexity increases due to dual controller configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The redundant brake controller is designed as a functional copy of the primary controller, capable of performing the same ABS and ESP operations. This copying approach allows the system to maintain full braking performance during backup operation while using a standardized controller design that minimizes overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A braking system with redundant trailer communication is provided. In one embodiment, a braking control system for a tractor-trailer comprises a primary brake controller in a tractor configured to communicate with a trailer brake controller in a trailer via a first communication channel, and a redundant brake controller in the tractor configured to communicate with the trailer brake controller via a second communication channel. The primary brake controller is further configured to serve as a master brake controller for the trailer and communicate with an automated driving computer in the tractor. The redundant brake controller is further configured to take over as the master brake controller in response to determining that the primary brake controller can no longer serve as the master brake controller.