Integrated Trailer Brake and Air Suspension Control Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing trailer vehicle brake and air suspension systems require extensive installation effort due to the individual installation and piping of multiple components, leading to high costs and complexity for vehicle manufacturers.
Innovation Solution
Integration of multiple components into a single device that can be directly attached to the vehicle frame, reducing the number of individual components, pipes, and screw connections, thereby simplifying the installation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If multiple components are individually installed and piped in the vehicle, then each component can be independently maintained and replaced, but the installation effort, cost, and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple brake and air suspension control components into a single integrated control unit. This merging of previously separate components (brake control valve, air suspension control valve, release valve, overload protection valve, overflow valve) into one unified device directly reduces the number of individual parts to be installed and connected, thereby significantly reducing installation effort and complexity while maintaining the functionality of each individual component
2Reliability
If multiple individual components are used, then system functionality is maintained, but the number of pipes, screw connections, and installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating multiple control functions into a single control unit with internal fluid passages and connections, the patent eliminates the need for extensive external piping and screw connections between separate components. The integrated design maintains all necessary functionalities (brake control, air suspension control, overload protection) while dramatically reducing the number of external connections required
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated control unit serves multiple functions simultaneously - it acts as a brake control valve, air suspension control valve, release valve, overload protection valve, and overflow valve all in one device. This multi-functionality approach allows a single component to replace several individual components, reducing the overall system complexity and number of connections while maintaining comprehensive system functionality
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 integration results in reduced installation costs and effort, while maintaining the functionality of automatic braking, air suspension control, and overload protection, ensuring efficient operation and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a raising/lowering valve supplied with reservoir pressure from a pressure reservoir of the air suspension system for changing the level of the trailer vehicle by changing the amount of air in the supporting bellows
Implementation Method 2
a spring-loaded brake cylinder for actuating a parking brake
Implementation Method 3
an overload protection valve, which vents the parking brake proportionally to the ventilation of the service brake when the parking brake is actuated and the service brake is also actuated
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a braking and air suspension system for a trailer, comprises a lifting/lowering valve, supplied with a supply pressure from the supply pressure reservoir of the air suspension system, for modifying the level of the trailer by changing the amount of air in the supporting bellows of the trailer, a trailer brake valve or park-release emergency valve for automatically braking the trailer if the supply line is pulled off, a release valve for neutralizing the automatic braking action when the trailer is unhitched, an actuation valve for a parking brake, a overflow valve via which a supply pressure reservoir for the air suspension system is filled, an air spring valve, supplied with the supply pressure, for adjusting the travelling level of the trailer, an overload protection valve which deaerates the parking brake in proportion to the aeration of the service brake when the parking brake is actuated and the service brake is additionally actuated. The function of the release valve (14') and/or of the actuation valve (13') of the parking brake (11) and/or of the overflow valve (9) and/or of the overload protection valve (12) and/or the function of the automatic braking action when the supply line (parking release emergency valve 3) is pulled off is/are integrated into the lifting/lowering valve (17).