Trailer Safety Brake System with Hitch-Linked Probe
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smaller trailers often lack braking systems, leading to safety hazards when unhitched, as they rely solely on the towing vehicle for braking, and manual wedging methods are hazardous and ineffective.
Innovation Solution
A safety brake system for trailers comprising a brake unit, actuation unit, probe, biasing unit, and mechanism that automatically engages the brake when the trailer is unhitched, preventing movement and hitching, with a manual deactivation mechanism to allow safe hitching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If smaller trailers are not equipped with braking systems to keep costs low, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but safety and reliability deteriorate when the trailer is unhitched
Solution Approach 1:
The brake unit is pre-positioned and biased toward the braking state, ready to automatically engage when the trailer is unhitched. The biasing unit pre-loads the probe in the blocking state, so that upon separation from the hitch, the brake automatically activates without requiring manual intervention or complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the trailer's own motion and separation from the hitch to automatically trigger the braking action. The probe detects the hitch status and the brake unit self-actuates through the biasing mechanism, eliminating the need for external control systems, sensors, or power sources that would increase cost and complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If manual wedging methods are used to block trailer wheels when unhitched, then equipment cost is reduced, but safety and reliability worsen due to hazardous operations and ineffective blocking
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical wedging system is replaced with an automated mechanical brake unit that uses friction between brake pads and wheel rims to reliably stop the wheels. The biasing unit provides automatic actuation force, replacing the need for manual labor and simple wedge blocks with a controlled braking mechanism.
3Reliability
If a brake system is added to trailers to improve safety when unhitched, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brake system is segmented into independent functional modules: a brake unit with brake pads and mounting, a separate biasing unit for actuation, and a probe mechanism for detection. This modular segmentation allows each component to be simple and straightforward, avoiding the need for complex integrated systems while achieving reliable automatic braking.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex control electronics, sensors, and power management systems are extracted from the design. Only the essential mechanical components remain: the brake unit, biasing unit with spring, and probe mechanism. This extraction of unnecessary complexity maintains reliability while keeping the system simple and cost-effective.
4Reliability
If the brake unit is always engaged to prevent movement, then safety is improved, but ease of operation worsens when hitching is required
Solution Approach 1:
The brake unit dynamically transitions between engaged and disengaged states based on the hitch status. The probe detects whether the trailer is hitched or unhitched and the biasing unit automatically adjusts the brake engagement accordingly. This dynamic behavior provides safety when unhitched while enabling easy operation during hitching without requiring manual brake control.
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 system effectively prevents accidental movement of unhitched trailers by engaging the brakes, enhancing safety and reducing the risk of damage or injury, while allowing safe hitching by manual deactivation.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing unit to bias the probe against the hitch of the trailer in the hitching state and toward the blocking state
Implementation Method 2
a brake unit adapted to be secured to a trailer and positioned to brake the trailer
Data Source
AI summary
A safety brake system for a trailer comprises a brake unit to brake the trailer. An actuation unit comprises a mount secured to a front end of the trailer. A brake interface is operatively supported by the mount for displacement with respect to the trailer. The brake interface is displaceable toward a deactivation state in which the brake interface releases the brake unit from braking the trailer. A probe is operatively supported by the mount for displacement with respect to the trailer, the probe being displaceable between a hitching state in which the probe is adapted to contact the hitch of a vehicle, and a blocking state in which the probe blocks a hitch coupler of the trailer to prevent hitching of the trailer to a vehicle A biasing unit biases the probe against the hitch of the trailer in the hitching state and toward the blocking state. A mechanism operatively connects the brake interface to the probe, the mechanism retaining the brake interface in the deactivated state when the probe is in the hitching state, the mechanism releasing the brake interface from the deactivated state when the probe moves to the blocking state. A method for deactivating a safety brake is also provided.