Trailer Brake Control Using Sensor-Based Trailer Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle brake systems struggle to safely and efficiently brake vehicles comprising towing vehicles and trailers without trailer stability control, as they cannot reliably determine if a trailer is present, leading to longer braking distances and inefficient use of braking power.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for actuating a vehicle brake system that utilizes vehicle sensors to generate sensor signals independent of trailer interface signals, determining a monitoring result indicating the presence of a trailer, and selecting a braking strategy based on this result to ensure safe and efficient braking, even in cases of defective trailer connections or lack of trailer stability control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vehicle brake system assumes a trailer is present when no interface signals are detected, then safety is improved by preventing trailer swerving, but braking distance increases and braking efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors interface signals from the trailer and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the braking strategy. When interface signals indicate a trailer is coupled, the braking system adapts to prevent trailer swerving. When signals indicate no trailer is present, the system switches to optimized braking mode, reducing braking distance while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The braking strategy is made dynamic rather than static. The system can switch between different braking modes (trailer-present mode and trailer-absent mode) based on real-time detection of interface signals. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize braking performance for each specific situation, resolving the contradiction between safety and braking distance.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the vehicle brake system uses conservative braking strategy assuming trailer presence, then trailer stability is improved, but full braking potential cannot be exploited and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses interface signal feedback to determine whether a trailer is actually coupled. When feedback confirms no trailer is present, the system exploits full braking potential without energy-wasting conservative measures. When feedback indicates a trailer is coupled, the system applies appropriate stability control, optimizing energy use for each condition.
Solution Approach 2:
The braking parameters (brake force, pressure, actuation timing) are changed based on trailer detection status. When no trailer is detected, braking parameters are optimized for maximum efficiency and minimum energy consumption. When a trailer is detected, parameters are adjusted to maintain stability, resolving the contradiction between stability and energy use.
3Productivity
If the vehicle brake system requires active trailer detection before optimizing braking, then braking efficiency is improved, but safety deteriorates when detection fails due to defective connections
Solution Approach 1:
The system takes preliminary action by having a default safe assumption (trailer present) that prevents harmful effects (trailer swerving) if detection fails. Interface signals are monitored in advance, and only when positive confirmation of no trailer is received does the system switch to optimized braking mode. This preliminary protective measure resolves the contradiction between efficiency and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from interface signals to confirm trailer absence before switching to efficient braking mode. The feedback mechanism ensures that braking optimization only occurs when there is positive confirmation no trailer is coupled, preventing safety issues from defective connections while still enabling efficiency gains when appropriate.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is for actuating a vehicle brake system of a vehicle with a towing vehicle and a trailer that can be coupled. The towing vehicle has a trailer interface via which interface signals can be transmitted between the towing vehicle and the coupled trailer. The method includes: reading a sensor signal from a vehicle sensor, determination and provision of a monitoring result by evaluating the sensor signal, wherein the monitoring result indicates whether or not at least one trailer is coupled, wherein the sensor signal and/or the monitoring result is/are determined independently of the interface signals acting on the trailer interface and/or transmitted via the trailer interface in the case of a coupled trailer; selecting a braking strategy depending on the monitoring result and/or the sensor signal, and actuating the vehicle brake system of the vehicle depending on the selected braking strategy when there is a braking demand.