Trailer Brake Stabilization via Towing Deceleration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brake control systems for vehicle combinations are complex and require evaluation of numerous sensor signals, often leading to intricate brake control interventions, which can be inefficient in stabilizing the vehicle combination, especially when the trailer vehicle is pushed and causes instability.
Innovation Solution
A method and brake control device that determine deceleration of the towing vehicle without actuating its wheel brakes, and if certain criteria are met, initiate braking of the trailer vehicle to stabilize the combination by reducing the pushing effect, using wheel speeds and vehicle speed as primary data sources, thereby simplifying the process and omitting complex considerations of trailer wheel speeds and slips.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing brake control systems evaluate numerous sensor signals including trailer wheel speeds and slips, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential measurement (towing vehicle deceleration) from the complex set of sensor signals, eliminating the need to process trailer wheel speeds and slips. This reduces device complexity while maintaining the ability to detect instability conditions that require brake intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake control device is designed to perform multiple functions using a single simplified measurement approach: it detects towing vehicle deceleration, determines instability conditions, and controls trailer brakes, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive stabilization capability.
2Reliability
If existing systems use complex brake control interventions based on multiple sensor evaluations, then stability control capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential control action (braking the trailer when towing vehicle deceleration is detected) from complex multi-sensor control logic, making the system easier to operate while maintaining reliability through focused detection of the critical instability indicator.
3Productivity
If trailer brakes are activated based on towing vehicle deceleration without wheel brake actuation, then productivity of stabilization is improved, but loss of time in detection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors towing vehicle deceleration and is ready to activate trailer brakes immediately when instability conditions are detected, eliminating detection delays by maintaining continuous readiness without requiring additional sensor processing time.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for stabilising a vehicle combination including a towing vehicle and at least one trailer vehicle, said method comprising at least the following steps: determining (St1) rotational speeds (n_HA) of wheels at least of a driven axle of the towing vehicle, and a vehicle velocity (v) of the towing vehicle; checking (St2) at least one first criterion (K1) of whether a braking wheel-slip occurs on the driven axle of the towing vehicle, without actuating a wheel brake of the driven axle; and, if the first criterion (K1) is fulfilled, actuating (St5) the wheel brakes of the trailer vehicle.