Trailer Brake Signal Boosting for Panic Braking Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer brake controllers often limit braking force to trailers with anti-lock brakes, leading to instability and reduced braking capacity during emergency situations, as they unnecessarily restrict the braking signals sent to trailers with advanced brake control modules.
Innovation Solution
A trailer brake assist device that includes a motion sensor, attenuation detector, and brake booster to detect signal attenuation and increase braking force by sending modified or substitute signals to the trailer brakes, enhancing braking capacity during hard braking events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the trailer brake controller limits braking force by setting an upper limit to gain signals, then loss of traction is prevented for trailers without anti-lock brakes, but braking capacity is reduced for trailers with anti-lock brakes and instability occurs during sufficient braking
Solution Approach 1:
The brake booster dynamically adjusts the brake signal gain based on detected trailer deceleration and the difference between commanded and actual braking force. During normal operation, the controller maintains limited gain to prevent trailer jackknifing. During panic braking when deceleration exceeds thresholds, the booster actively amplifies brake signals to restore full braking capacity, creating a dynamic adaptation to operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the brake signal parameter (gain) based on detected operating conditions. The attenuation detector monitors the relationship between commanded brake force and actual trailer deceleration, and the brake booster modifies the signal gain accordingly - maintaining low gain during normal braking and increasing gain during panic braking events to overcome the inherent signal limitation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the trailer brake controller uses fixed gain limitation, then stability is maintained during normal braking, but braking response is insufficient during emergency panic braking situations
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback through the attenuation detector that continuously monitors trailer deceleration and compares it to the commanded brake force. This feedback loop enables the brake booster to detect when panic braking occurs (when deceleration exceeds thresholds) and automatically amplify brake signals, allowing the system to maintain stability during normal braking while responding rapidly during emergencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake control system transitions from static fixed gain limitation to dynamic adaptive gain control. The brake booster adjusts signal amplification in real-time based on detected braking conditions, enabling the system to maintain stable operation during normal braking while providing rapid, high-force response during panic braking events.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the trailer brake controller attenuates brake signals to prevent jackknifing, then trailer stability is improved, but available braking capacity is unnecessarily reduced for modern trailers with anti-lock brakes
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the brake signal parameter (gain) based on detected operating conditions. The attenuation detector monitors the relationship between commanded brake force and actual trailer deceleration, and the brake booster modifies the signal gain accordingly - maintaining low gain during normal braking and increasing gain during panic braking events to overcome the inherent signal limitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake assist device autonomously detects when panic braking conditions exist by monitoring the difference between commanded brake force and actual trailer deceleration, and automatically activates signal amplification without requiring driver intervention or modification of the original brake controller's limited gain settings.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and device for improving trailer brake response during a hard braking event by identifying unnecessary attenuation of a trailer braking signal, and responding by boosting the trailer braking signal.