Integrated Trailer Brake Valve Redundancy in Limited Installation Space
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brake systems for commercial vehicles face challenges in integrating electromechanical brake systems with conventional pneumatic trailer systems, particularly in terms of installation space and reducing the number of components, especially when electrified tractive units are used.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic trailer valve arrangement with a redundancy valve unit is introduced, which includes a trailer control valve and a redundancy valve unit, both supplied with pressure, allowing for redundant control signals to ensure trailer brake pressure is maintained even if primary signals fail, and can be integrated as a separate module or within existing brake system components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional pneumatic trailer brake system is integrated with an electromechanical brake system, then trailer brake control is achieved, but the installation space and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the redundancy valve unit with the trailer control valve into a single integrated component. The redundancy valve unit shares the same housing and supply pressure connection as the trailer control valve, eliminating the need for separate mounting space while maintaining redundant brake control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated valve assembly serves multiple functions: the trailer control valve provides primary brake control, while the redundancy valve unit provides backup control. Both valves share common pressure supply connections and can independently control trailer brake pressure, maximizing component utility within limited space.
2Reliability
If a redundancy valve unit is added to ensure backup trailer brake pressure control, then system reliability improves, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The redundancy valve unit is merged with the trailer control valve into a single integrated assembly. Both valves share a common housing, supply pressure connector, and control mechanisms, reducing the total component count while maintaining independent redundant control pathways for trailer brake pressure.
3Reliability
If separate redundancy valve unit and trailer control valve are used, then redundant control is achieved, but component integration and space utilization worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the redundancy valve unit and trailer control valve into a single assembly that shares common pressure supply connections and housing. This integration maintains the redundant control functionality while improving adaptability to various vehicle configurations and simplifying installation.
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 reduces the footprint of brake system components, enhances redundancy, and ensures reliable trailer brake pressure control, even in the absence of primary control signals, by using a redundancy valve unit that can be integrated within existing brake system modules.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic pilot control unit which, as a function of trailer switching signals received at the trailer control valve, is designed to set the trailer brake pressure at the trailer brake pressure connector
Implementation Method 2
both the tractive unit and the trailer are equipped with two pneumatic connections, namely a 'supply' coupling head and a 'brake' coupling head. Supply pressure is supplied from the tractive unit to the trailer vehicle via the 'supply' coupling head
Data Source
AI summary
A pneumatic trailer valve arrangement (1) for an electromechanical brake system (202) includes a trailer control valve (10) having a supply connector (11), a trailer supply connector (12) for providing supply pressure (pV) for a trailer, a trailer brake pressure connector (14) for providing a trailer brake pressure (pBA), an electromagnetic pilot control unit (110) which, as a function of the trailer switching signals (S1, S2, S3) received at the trailer control valve (10), sets the trailer brake pressure (pBA) at the trailer brake pressure connector (12), and a pneumatic redundancy connector (16) for receiving a redundancy pressure (pR). The trailer control valve (10) sets the trailer brake pressure (pBA) redundantly based on the redundancy pressure (pR). A redundancy valve unit (20) for providing the redundancy pressure (pR) provides the redundancy pressure (pR) at a redundancy output (22) based on received redundancy switching signals (SR1, SR2).