Trailer Brake Sensitivity Control for Consistent Towing Deceleration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle and trailer braking systems provide a subjective experience for drivers, as they lack precise control over deceleration, leading to inconsistent brake feel during towing operations.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that store target deceleration values for a vehicle not towing a trailer, using a processor to adjust brake sensitivity based on real-time or predefined values, and generate control signals to optimize deceleration by comparing actual and target deceleration values, ensuring consistent brake feel and optimal stopping distances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional mechanical brake interface is used for trailer braking, then the system structure is simple, but the brake feel is subjective and inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical brake interface with an electronic control system that uses sensors, processors, and actuators to control trailer braking. This substitution enables precise measurement and control of deceleration, transforming the subjective mechanical brake feel into an objectively controllable electronic system that can consistently achieve target deceleration values.
2Manufacturing precision
If automated brake control is implemented, then deceleration precision is improved, but real-time control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where sensors continuously monitor actual deceleration and brake pedal position, the processor compares these measurements against target deceleration values, and actuators adjust trailer brake application accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables precise real-time deceleration control while managing system complexity through automated control algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent stores pre-determined target deceleration values in memory before braking events occur. When the driver applies the brakes, the system retrieves these pre-calculated target values and uses them as reference points for real-time control, eliminating the need for complex on-the-fly calculations and simplifying the real-time control process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If target deceleration values are stored for non-trailering conditions, then brake optimization for towing is improved, but data storage and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent stores target deceleration values that represent optimal braking characteristics for different conditions (with and without trailer). The system dynamically selects and applies the appropriate target values based on whether a trailer is detected, enabling adaptive brake optimization across different operating conditions without requiring extensive storage for every possible scenario.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for a vehicle towing a trailer. In an embodiments, a method includes: storing, in a data storage device, target deceleration values associated with the vehicle not towing the trailer; when the vehicle towing the trailer is determined to be braking, determining, by a processor, that a target deceleration value of the target deceleration values is not met, adjusting a brake sensitivity value associated with trailer braking based on the target deceleration value; and controlling deceleration of the towing vehicle based on the brake sensitivity value.