Trailer Brake Valve Driver Offset Chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
In tractor braking systems, the braking forces between the tractor and trailer are often unbalanced, leading to insufficient braking in the trailer or excessive braking, which can cause premature wear of the tractor brakes and reduce operator sensitivity, especially in light-weight trailers.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a trailer braking device with an ON/OFF solenoid valve and two separate chambers - a control chamber connected to the tractor braking pressure and an offset chamber that provides additional pressure to the trailer brake valve when the stop signal is activated, ensuring synchronized braking forces between the tractor and trailer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the trailer braking force is increased to match the tractor braking force, then the braking balance is improved, but the trailer may brake too sharply causing loss of operator sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the parameter of braking force by introducing an offset force that is added to the trailer brake valve driver. This offset force, generated by the offset chamber, modifies the pressure parameter to achieve a predetermined force that balances the braking between tractor and trailer without causing excessive trailer braking that would reduce operator sensitivity
2Ease of operation
If the trailer braking force is reduced to avoid over-braking, then operator sensitivity is maintained, but the trailer braking becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by pre-charging the offset chamber with hydraulic fluid at a predetermined pressure before braking occurs. When the brake pedal is applied, this pre-stored pressure immediately adds to the trailer brake valve driver, ensuring the trailer has sufficient braking force from the start of braking without requiring the operator to compensate for insufficient trailer braking
3Power
If the tractor brakes are designed to handle enormous braking energy, then the braking capacity is sufficient, but the tractor brake working life becomes very short
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements feedback by continuously monitoring the braking force through the hydraulic pressure system. The offset chamber receives hydraulic fluid from the tractor braking system and uses this feedback to automatically adjust and add the predetermined offset force to the trailer brake valve driver, ensuring the trailer contributes appropriately to the braking energy and preventing overload of the tractor brakes
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 solution balances the braking forces between the tractor and trailer, preventing energy overload and improving braking distribution, thus extending the life of the tractor brakes and enhancing operator control, especially during long-term braking with light loads.
Implementation Method 1
the trailer brake driver comprises two separate chambers. A first is a so-called 'control chamber', which is connected directly to the tractor braking pressure... The second chamber, known as 'offset chamber’, only connects the independent source to the trailer brake valve when the stop signal is ON
Implementation Method 2
the geometry of the offset chamber is such that the pressure of the fluid inside it produces a predetermined force on the trailer brake valve driver, so as to achieve a simultaneous braking force origin
Implementation Method 3
the offset chamber is purposely designed so that the offset force is added to the braking control force throughout braking control
Implementation Method 4
the hydraulic circuit is replaced by an electric current which, flowing through a coil, generates a force on permanent magnets to move a trailer brake actuating piston
Data Source
AI summary
A trailer braking device having a high-pressure main hydraulic circuit of a tractor to which a trailer is attached; to a hydraulic circuit of a master brake cylinder of the tractor; and a trailer brake valve having a driver connected hydraulically to the high-pressure main hydraulic circuit and to the hydraulic circuit. The driver of the device has a piston which is subjected to a first action by an independent circuit that is activated, for example, by the stop lights and a second action produced by the operator, such as a foot acting on a brake pedal, on the hydraulic circuit of the master brake cylinder.