Trailer Coupling Detection via Brake Pressure Decay

The patent applies preliminary action by performing the coupling determination before the tractor actually travels. The system monitors the service brake control pressure during the brake release phase, which occurs before travel begins. This allows the coupling status to be determined in advance, enabling proper engine control settings to be established before the tractor moves, thus avoiding the timing limitation of conventional methods.

The patent inverts the conventional approach by not waiting for the brake to be fully released and travel to begin, but instead determining coupling during the brake release process itself. Rather than checking coupling after travel starts (conventional method), the system monitors pressure changes during brake release to make the determination beforehand, effectively reversing the timing sequence of the determination process.

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the service brake control pressure during the brake release phase and using this information to determine coupling status before engine control is finalized. The system receives feedback from the pressure sensor, processes it to determine coupling, and then adjusts engine control parameters accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that engine control is based on accurate coupling information, preventing insufficient driving power while maintaining rapid response.

The system performs the coupling determination action preliminarily, before engine control is fully initiated. By monitoring brake release pressure changes in advance and determining coupling status during this pre-travel phase, the system ensures that proper engine control settings are established before the tractor begins moving, thus guaranteeing sufficient driving power from the start of travel.