Trailer Brake Control Device with Integrated Sway Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional trailer brake control systems are inadequate as they rely on a sway controller in the towing vehicle, which poorly detects trailer sway and can lead to compatibility issues and malfunction risks, potentially causing accidents.

Innovation Solution

A trailer brake control device with a sway detecting sensor, signal sensor, and processor that allows independent operation and compatibility checking with the towing vehicle's brake controller, enabling self-controlled braking and fault detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the sway controller is disposed in the towing vehicle, then the towing vehicle can control the trailer brakes, but the sway detecting sensor can only detect the sway of the towing vehicle which is relatively less noticeable than the sway of the actual trailer, resulting in poor sensitivity and inaccurate detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesway detection accuracyVSAvoidcontroller location configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of placing the sway detecting sensor in the towing vehicle to detect trailer sway indirectly, the patent inverts the approach by placing the sway detecting sensor directly in the trailer. This allows the sensor to detect the actual trailer sway with high accuracy, resolving the measurement precision issue while maintaining system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the towing vehicle is equipped with a sway controller, then it can control trailer brakes, but it may be incompatible with existing standard connectors, create redundancy, or cause incompatibility with trailers that already have sway controllers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with trailersVSAvoidbrake controller configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the sway control functionality from the towing vehicle and integrates it directly into the trailer through the trailer brake control device. This eliminates the need for a separate brake controller in the towing vehicle, removes compatibility issues with standard connectors, and prevents redundancy when towing vehicles already have sway controllers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The trailer brake control device is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as both a sway controller and a brake controller. This multi-functional design allows the trailer to be compatible with various towing vehicles regardless of whether they have existing sway controllers, enhancing adaptability and versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the sway controller must be instructed by the brake controller to control trailer brakes, then the system follows conventional control flow, but the sway controller cannot work independently and may fail to engage brakes if the brake controller or wiring malfunctions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrake control reliabilityVSAvoidcontrol system architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The trailer brake control device is designed to autonomously detect trailer sway and independently control the trailer brakes without requiring instructions from the towing vehicle's brake controller. This self-service capability ensures that the sway controller can function independently even if the brake controller or wiring malfunctions, significantly improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of operation

If a conventional sway controller is used in the trailer, then it can detect and control sway, but it requires instruction from the brake controller and cannot operate independently

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent operation capabilityVSAvoidsway control functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The trailer brake control device incorporates autonomous functionality that allows it to detect trailer sway and control brakes independently without requiring external instructions from the towing vehicle's brake controller. This self-service design improves ease of operation and maintains reliability by enabling independent sway control functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9550481B2Trailer with a trailer brake control device therein

Publication Date: 2017.01.24 TUSON JIAXING CORP

AI summary

The present invention relates to a trailer with a trailer brake control device therein. The trailer brake control device of the present invention comprises: a sway detecting sensor arranged in the trailer for detecting the sway of the trailer; a signal sensor for detecting a brake signal generated by a brake switch of a vehicle which tows the trailer; and a processor, electrically connected to the sway detecting sensor, the signal sensor and the brake, for controlling the brake based on an output of the sway detecting sensor and/or an output of the signal sensor. According to the present invention, the trailer brake control device can independently control the brakes and/or diagnose the malfunction of a brake controller arranged in the vehicle.