Electropneumatic Trailer Control Module With Integrated Tractor Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electropneumatic braking systems for tractor-trailer combinations lack an economical and easy-to-install solution for electronically controlling trailer control pressure while ensuring tractor protection functionality, particularly due to legal requirements for open coupling heads without check-valves.
Innovation Solution
The electropneumatic trailer control module includes a protection connection for receiving pneumatic protection pressure, a tractor protection unit that switches between supply and protection states based on this pressure, and an electronic trailer control connection for modulating trailer control pressure. This module ensures the tractor protection function by connecting the trailer control connection to an exhaust when in the protection state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a stand-alone tractor protection valve is used, then the protection function is ensured, but assembly time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the tractor protection valve functionality with the electropneumatic trailer control valve into a single integrated unit. The control valve assembly includes both the electropneumatic control mechanism for modulating trailer control pressure and the tractor protection valve for ensuring safety, eliminating the need for separate stand-alone protection valves and reducing assembly complexity
2Reliability
If a purely pneumatic valve is used, then the protection function is achieved, but pressure modulation capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The control valve assembly performs multiple functions: it provides tractor protection functionality through the protection valve mechanism while simultaneously enabling electronic control and modulation of trailer control pressure through the electropneumatic control mechanism. This multi-functional design allows the same assembly to ensure safety and enable precise pressure control for various braking scenarios
3Adaptability or versatility
If open coupling heads without check-valves are used, then legal requirements are met, but air leakage prevention becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The tractor protection valve acts as an intermediary safety mechanism that monitors the control line pressure and automatically closes the protection function when pressure drops indicate a leak or disconnect condition. This intermediary protection mechanism works in conjunction with the open coupling heads to maintain both legal compliance and system safety
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 allows for accurate electronic control of trailer control pressure, enhances safety and reliability by preventing air leakage, and reduces installation costs by using cost-efficient components.
Implementation Method 1
an electropneumatic trailer control valve arrangement connected to the air supply connection and configured to receive the supply pressure and to provide the trailer control pressure, and an electronic trailer control connection for receiving braking signals and providing respective trailer braking control signals at the electropneumatic trailer control valve arrangement such that the trailer control pressure can be modulated
Implementation Method 2
a protection connection for receiving a pneumatic protection pressure, and a tractor protection unit having a tractor protection pilot port fluidically connected to the protection connection, wherein the tractor protection unit is configured to switch between a supply state and a protection state dependent on the pneumatic protection pressure
Implementation Method 3
When being in a pushed position the dash valve allows pressurized air to flow from a pressurized air supply of the tractor to the air supply line of the trailer. When a pressure in the supply line of the tractor drops below a predefined threshold, the dash-valve pops out and closes off the supply of pressurized air to the trailer
Data Source
AI summary
An electropneumatic trailer control module (1) includes a trailer control connection (6) configured to deliver a trailer control pressure (pTC), an electropneumatic trailer control valve arrangement (20) configured to receive a supply pressure (pS) and to provide the trailer control pressure (pTC) and an electronic trailer control connection (24) for providing trailer braking control signals (STB) such that the trailer control pressure (pTC) can be modulated. The electropneumatic trailer control module (1) is characterized by a protection connection (10) for receiving a pneumatic protection pressure (pPR), and a tractor protection unit (22) configured to switch between a supply state (60) and a protection state (56). The invention further relates to an electropneumatic braking system (100), a vehicle (200) and a method (300) for controlling a trailer supply function of an electropneumatic braking system (100).