Integrated Trailer Control Valve with Dual-Use Parking Brake Piston
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current commercial vehicle brake systems lack an efficient integration of electronic parking brake (EPB) and trailer control module (TCM) functions, leading to suboptimal control and reliability, especially in power failure scenarios and during trailer braking operations.
Innovation Solution
The integration of EPB and TCM functional units with a dual-use parking brake piston in the trailer control valve, enabling both parking brake and electric braking functions, utilizing solenoid valves and pressure sensors to manage control pressures and ensure stability across power states, and incorporating a switchable valve device for seamless operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If separate EPB and TCM systems are used, then functional independence is maintained, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the EPB control unit and TCM into a single integrated control unit. The control device includes a service brake control section, parking brake control section, and trailer control section that share common components including solenoid valves, pressure sensors, and compressed air supply connections. This merging reduces the number of separate systems while maintaining functional independence through modular control sections, thereby reducing system complexity without compromising reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated control unit performs multiple functions: service brake control, parking brake control, and trailer brake control. The same control device manages both the vehicle's own braking system and the trailer's braking system, with the ability to switch between different operational modes. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated systems while maintaining comprehensive control capability.
2Device complexity
If dual-use parking brake piston is implemented, then component sharing reduces complexity, but functional versatility may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The parking brake piston is designed to dynamically switch between two functional modes based on control signals. When connected to the vehicle parking brake line, it performs vehicle parking brake function. When connected to the trailer brake line, it performs trailer parking brake function. The piston's connectivity is dynamically changed through valve control, allowing a single component to serve multiple purposes without physical modification.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device acts as an intermediary that routes compressed air to the parking brake piston through different pathways depending on the required function. The control section uses solenoid valves and pressure control to mediate between the single parking brake piston and the two different braking systems (vehicle and trailer), enabling functional versatility without requiring separate pistons for each system.
3Device complexity
If integrated control unit is used, then cost and complexity are reduced, but control precision for individual systems may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated control unit is segmented into distinct control sections: service brake control section, parking brake control section, and trailer control section. Each section has dedicated pressure sensors and control logic for its specific function. This segmentation allows precise control of each braking system independently while sharing common hardware resources such as the compressed air supply and parking brake piston, maintaining control precision without requiring fully separate systems.
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 integration provides stable and reliable braking functions for both commercial vehicles and trailers, ensuring consistent performance during normal driving and emergency conditions, while reducing the complexity and cost of separate systems by sharing control pressure generation and components.
Implementation Method 1
a parking brake piston arranged to be movable between a first position and a second position depending on a venting state of a control port of the trailer control valve, wherein the parking brake piston, when moved to the first position, lifts from a valve seat, thereby connecting the first trailer control valve port and the second trailer control valve port, and, when moved to the second position, rests against the valve seat, thereby disconnecting the first trailer control valve port and the second trailer control valve port
Implementation Method 2
utilizing solenoid valves and pressure sensors to manage control pressures
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (120) for controlling a braking system for a utility vehicle (100), comprising a parking brake control valve (132) for providing a parking brake function for the utility vehicle (100) and a trailer control valve (134) for providing a holding brake function and a function of electrical braking for the trailer (102), wherein the trailer control valve (134) has a parking brake piston (280) that is movably arranged in order to control, independently of a ventilation state of a fourth trailer control valve connection, a ventilation of a second trailer control valve connection via the first trailer control valve connection to provide the holding brake function and the function of the electrical braking. The device (120) also has a switchable valve unit (136) for switchably joining a supply connection (122) of the device (136) to the parking brake control valve (132) and/or to the trailer control valve (136), in order to provide the parking brake function for the utility vehicle (100) and to provide the holding brake function and the function of electrical braking for the trailer (102).