Trailer Brake Control for Stable Agricultural Vehicle Braking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural vehicle-trailer combinations experience instability and risk of jack-knifing during braking due to limited braking force transmission, leading to potential loss of control, especially when the trailer is loaded and the towing vehicle is unloaded, and on low-friction surfaces.
Innovation Solution
An agricultural vehicle-trailer combination equipped with sensors and a control unit that detect slip and slip gradient on the ground engagement means, activating the trailer brake when a predeterminable slip threshold is reached to stabilize the combination by adjusting the braking force dynamically based on slip conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the towing vehicle applies engine brake and/or service brake to stop, then the towing vehicle braking effect is improved, but the vehicle-trailer combination experiences jackknife phenomenon and instability due to excessive braking force relative to trailer braking capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors the slip condition of the towing vehicle during braking and dynamically adjusts the trailer brake activation and braking force accordingly. When slip exceeds a threshold, the trailer brake is activated to provide counteracting braking force, preventing jackknife phenomenon while maintaining stable deceleration of the combination.
Solution Approach 2:
The trailer brake acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the towing vehicle's braking force and the ground friction. By activating the trailer brake when slip occurs, the system distributes braking force more evenly across both vehicles, preventing the towing vehicle from decelerating too quickly relative to the trailer.
2Force
If the towing vehicle ground engagement means increases friction with the ground to improve braking, then braking effectiveness is improved, but the risk of skidding and loss of control increases on low-friction surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit monitors slip conditions in real-time and provides feedback control by activating the trailer brake when slip thresholds are exceeded. This feedback mechanism prevents excessive braking force from causing skidding by dynamically adjusting the braking distribution between towing vehicle and trailer based on actual road conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of applying full braking force to both vehicles simultaneously, the system applies partial braking action to the trailer only when slip occurs. This selective, partial application of trailer brake prevents over-braking on low-friction surfaces while still providing sufficient braking effectiveness when needed.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the trailer brake is activated during towing vehicle braking, then the vehicle-trailer combination stability is improved, but the complexity of the braking control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit automatically monitors slip conditions and activates the trailer brake based on predefined slip thresholds, eliminating the need for manual intervention. This automated feedback control simplifies the user interface while maintaining system stability, as the control logic is embedded in the electronic control unit that processes sensor data and actuates the trailer brake accordingly.
Solution Approach 2:
The braking system is designed to self-regulate by automatically detecting slip conditions and activating the trailer brake without requiring operator assessment or manual control. The system serves itself by using its own sensors and control unit to monitor and adjust braking force distribution, reducing the operational complexity for the driver.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces the risk of jack-knifing and skidding by precisely controlling the trailer brake in response to slip conditions, ensuring stable braking and preventing buckling or pivoting situations, even on low-friction surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor and a control unit, wherein slip S or a slip gradient VS can be detected and/or determined on the ground engagement means, in particular a slip S or a slip gradient VS between a ground and the ground engagement means
Implementation Method 2
The trailer comprises a trailer brake, wherein the trailer brake is adjustable with the control unit... such that the trailer is braked by means of the trailer brake depending on the slip S and the slip gradient VS
Implementation Method 3
the towing vehicle can be braked by means of the engine, i.e. the engine brake
Implementation Method 4
the towing vehicle comprises a service brake, and the towing vehicle can be braked by means of the engine, i.e. the engine brake, and/or by means of the service brake
Data Source
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AI summary
An agricultural vehicle-trailer combination comprising a towing vehicle (12) and a trailer (16) is proposed. The towing vehicle (12) includes an engine (28) and at least one ground-penetrating device (18, 20, 22) for support on the ground, the ground-penetrating device (18, 20, 22) being driven by means of a transmission (26) connected to the engine (28). The towing vehicle (12) also includes a service brake (50) and can be braked by means of the engine (28), i.e., an engine brake, and/or by means of the service brake (50). The towing vehicle (12) further comprises a sensor (100, 104) and a control unit, wherein a slip (5) or a slip gradient (∇S) on the ground intervention means (18, 20, 22) can be detected and/or determined by means of the sensor (100, 104) and the control unit (102, 106), in particular between a ground and the ground intervention means (18, 20, 22).The trailer (16) includes a trailer brake (110), and the trailer brake (110) is adjustable by the control unit (102, 106). The trailer brake (110) is adjustable by means of the control unit (102, 106) when the trailer brake (110) is applied or when the engine brake and/or service brake (50) of the towing vehicle (12) is applied, such that the trailer (16) is braked by means of the trailer brake (110) depending on the slip (5) and/or the slip gradient (∇S) when the slip (5) reaches and/or exceeds a predefinable slip braking value (SThreshold1) and/or the slip gradient (∇S) reaches a predefinable slip gradient braking interval (∇SBrems).