Integrated Trailer Brake Module With Tractor Pressure Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current trailer control modules lack efficient integration of tractor protection functions, leading to increased components and complexity, and do not meet legal requirements for automatic operation within specified air pressure ranges, while also failing to prevent unnecessary leakage and ensure redundant pressure supply in brake systems.
Innovation Solution
An electropneumatic trailer control module with a housing structure incorporating a tractor protection module, including a relay valve, spring-supported electropneumatic input and brake pressure valves, and an exhaust solenoid valve, which manages pressure connections and ensures automatic operation within legal air pressure ranges, prevents leakage, and provides redundant pressure supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tractor protection module is provided as a separate unit outside the trailer control module, then the tractor protection function can be implemented, but additional lines and connectors are required, increasing device complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the tractor protection module with the trailer control module into a single integrated unit. The tractor protection module shares the housing structure, power supply, and control circuitry with the trailer control module, eliminating the need for separate lines and connectors while maintaining the tractor protection function.
2Reliability
If traditional trailer control modules are used without integrated tractor protection, then the design is simpler, but the response time for pressure drop detection and protection activation is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The tractor protection module continuously monitors the control line pressure through the shared sensor system of the trailer control module. When a pressure drop is detected, the system automatically activates the protection function immediately, eliminating detection delays that would occur with separate monitoring systems.
3Reliability
If multiple independent pressure sources are used for brake supply, then redundant pressure supply is ensured, but the number of components and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated module design allows the same housing structure and support system to serve both the trailer control module and the tractor protection module. The power supply unit and control circuitry are shared between both functions, providing redundant pressure supply capability without proportionally increasing component count.
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
The solution simplifies the trailer control module, reduces response time, meets legal requirements for automatic operation, prevents air loss, and ensures reliable brake pressure supply by integrating the tractor protection module within the housing structure, thereby reducing costs and enhancing safety.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-supported electropneumatic input valve with at least two ports and being capable of switching between two positions (open or closed), wherein the spring-supported electropneumatic input valve is retained in an open position when there is no electronic activation of the spring-supported electropneumatic input valve
Implementation Method 2
a relay valve comprising a control port, a supply port, an outlet port, and a relief port, wherein the control port receives at least one of the driver's brake demand pressure and the electropneumatic brake pressure from either directly or indirectly from the manual brake pressure port or the electropneumatic brake pressure port and enables a fluid connection between the supply port and the outlet port in an activated state
Implementation Method 3
an exhaust solenoid valve configured to release the control pressure from the control port to the exhaust when activated
Implementation Method 4
An electropneumatic trailer control module with a housing structure incorporating a tractor protection module, including a relay valve, spring-supported electropneumatic input and brake pressure valves, and an exhaust solenoid valve
Data Source
AI summary
An electropneumatic trailer control module (100; 300; 500) with a housing structure (100a; 300a; 500a) includes a manual brake pressure port (154) receiving a driver's brake demand pressure component, a spring-supported electropneumatic input valve (104) with at least two ports and being capable of switching between two positions (open or closed), an electropneumatic brake pressure port (144; 146) for receiving an electropneumatic brake pressure component from at least one independent pressure source (138; 140), and a relay valve (112) including a control port (110), a supply port (114), an outlet port (116), and a relief port (118). The spring-supported electropneumatic input valve (104) is retained in an open position when there is no electronic activation of the spring-supported electropneumatic input valve (104). A tractor protection module (124; 324; 524) is provided within the housing structure (100a; 300a; 500a) of the electropneumatic trailer control module (100; 300; 500).