Trailer Brake Vent Valve Control for Automatic Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer braking systems experience a time lag in activating the parking brake when uncoupling, leading to potential uncontrolled vehicle movement and rolling back, especially in automatic plug-in coupling systems, due to the separation of supply lines and brake circuits.
Innovation Solution
A system where the vent valve controlling the trailer's brake circuit is wirelessly or manually controlled from the towing vehicle, ensuring the brake is engaged before mechanical separation, with a control unit performing plausibility checks and a locking mechanism that only opens when the brake is active, preventing incorrect operation and ensuring the trailer remains stationary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the connector halves of the supply circuit and brake circuit are automatically separated when uncoupling, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to time lag in brake activation
Solution Approach 1:
The control device activates the parking brake before automatically separating the connector halves. This preliminary action ensures the trailer is secured before the brake circuit connection is broken, eliminating the time lag problem while maintaining automatic operation benefits
2Reliability
If the driver manually opens the vent valve to activate the parking brake, then the reliability of brake activation is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to manual intervention required
Solution Approach 1:
The control device automatically controls the vent valve to activate the parking brake without requiring manual driver intervention. The system serves itself by monitoring coupling status and autonomously managing brake activation, combining reliability with ease of operation
3Reliability
If the parking brake is activated before uncoupling, then the safety is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs multiple functions: it monitors coupling status, controls the vent valve, activates the parking brake, and manages connector separation. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional control device, the patent improves safety without proportionally increasing complexity
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 risk of uncontrolled trailer movement and incorrect coupling device operation by ensuring the trailer's parking brake is engaged before uncoupling, allowing safe and convenient coupling and uncoupling from the driver's cab, enhancing safety and reducing manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
The vent valve (7) arranged in the brake circuit (5) of the trailer (3) is used to release the compressed air
Implementation Method 2
the emergency circuit is depressurized and the spring packs in the spring-loaded brakes close the brakes
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a system for braking a trailer (3) being coupled to a pulling vehicle (2) by means of a coupling device (1), comprising a supply circuit (4) on the pulling vehicle side, and a brake circuit (5) on the trailer side, wherein the brake circuit (5) is removably attached to the supply circuit (4) by means of at least one plug-in coupling (Q). The invention is based on the object of providing a system for braking a trailer (3), wherein the risk of an uncontrolled vehicle movement, at least of the trailer vehicle (3), is reduced. The problem is solved according to the invention by means of a system wherein disposed within the brake circuit (5) is a ventilation valve (7) that can be remotely controlled by the pulling vehicle (2).