Trailer Brake Pressure Control Using Wheel-End Temperature Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic braking systems for trailers in trucks fail to dynamically adjust brake pressure based on current conditions, leading to unbalanced braking, potential trailer malfunction, and increased maintenance costs due to mechanical adjustments.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize temperature sensors integrated with active wheel speed sensors to measure wheel end brake temperatures, calculate average reference temperatures for the towing vehicle and trailer, and adjust trailer brake pressure dynamically based on these temperatures to balance braking forces, with alerts for compatibility limits and maintenance needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional electronic braking systems control trailer brake pressure based on calculated deceleration using wheel speed signals, then the system can actively control brake pressure, but the system cannot dynamically adjust pressure based on current braking system conditions, leading to unbalanced braking and increased maintenance costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedynamic adjustment capabilityVSAvoidbrake balance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system measures actual brake temperatures at both the towing vehicle and trailer, uses this temperature feedback to determine reference temperatures, and dynamically adjusts trailer brake pressure based on the temperature difference. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables real-time adaptation to actual braking conditions, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the brake pressure parameter dynamically based on temperature measurements. By monitoring temperature differences between the towing vehicle and trailer brakes and adjusting pressure accordingly, the system adapts to varying braking conditions, achieving both dynamic adjustment capability and maintained brake balance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If trailer brake pressure is not dynamically adjusted based on temperature conditions, then the system structure remains simple, but unbalanced braking occurs causing increased pad wear and shoe wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem structureVSAvoidmaintenance cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses temperature sensors already integrated into the wheel speed sensors to self-diagnose braking conditions and automatically adjust brake pressure. This self-service capability monitors wear indicators through temperature differences and performs corrective actions without external intervention, maintaining simple structure while reducing maintenance needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If temperature sensors are integrated into active wheel speed sensors, then measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature measurementVSAvoidsensor integration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the temperature sensing function with the existing active wheel speed sensors, integrating multiple measurement capabilities into a single device. This combination approach enables temperature measurement without adding separate sensor systems, achieving measurement precision improvement while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables dynamic adjustment of brake force distribution, reducing the risk of unbalanced braking and trailer malfunction, while providing timely maintenance notifications, thus enhancing safety and reducing maintenance costs.

Implementation Method 1

measuring wheel end brake temperatures of the towing vehicle and of the trailer via temperature sensors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 2

adjusting a trailer brake pressure on a basis of the determined average towing vehicle reference temperature and the determined average trailer reference temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS12447937B2Trailer brake control system and method of controlling a braking system

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 ZF CV SYST EURO BV

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a method for controlling brakes of a trailer of a towing vehicle. The method can include measuring wheel end brake temperatures of the towing vehicle and of the trailer via temperature sensors; determining an average towing vehicle reference temperature for the towing vehicle from the measured wheel end brake temperatures of the towing vehicle; determining an average trailer reference temperature for the trailer from the measured wheel end brake temperatures of the trailer; and, adjusting a trailer brake pressure on a basis of the determined average towing vehicle reference temperature and the determined average trailer reference temperature. The operator can be warned if the difference between the determined average trailer reference temperature and the determined average towing vehicle reference temperature are outside the compatibility limit for a predetermined amount of time. The disclosure further relates to a trailer brake control system for an electronic braking system.