Trailer Valve Actuator for Smooth Braking Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuating devices for trailer braking systems, particularly in agricultural tractors with hydraulic braking, face challenges in providing smooth and controlled braking, especially during emergency braking, as they often result in abrupt braking due to on-off type braking mechanisms, which can be difficult to manage at speeds below 40 km/h.
Innovation Solution
A valve actuating device that controls the service braking of a trailer based on the SAHR pressure from the towing vehicle and the pressure in the additional line, allowing for adjustable braking and maintaining the parking brake active, thus preventing hydraulic circuit pressure buildup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a spring-type SAHR device is used for actuating the parking or emergency brake, then the braking force can be modulated according to the resultant forces between springs and hydraulic cylinders, but the braking becomes too abrupt and difficult to control at speeds below 40 km/h
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the braking system adjustable and adaptable to different operating conditions. The valve body includes adjustable openings that can be modified to change the braking characteristics, allowing the system to transition from abrupt on-off braking to more gradual, controlled braking at lower speeds. This dynamic adjustment capability resolves the contradiction by enabling the same hardware to provide both strong braking force and smooth control depending on the required operating regime.
2Ease of operation
If the parking brake is disengaged during emergency braking, then the braking system can operate smoothly, but the hydraulic circuit remains under pressure causing difficulty in driving
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by separating the functions of service braking and parking braking through distinct valve pathways. The valve body includes separate openings: one for service braking that can be closed to release hydraulic pressure, and another for parking braking that maintains pressure when needed. This functional separation allows the system to release hydraulic pressure from the service braking circuit while maintaining pressure in the parking brake circuit, resolving the contradiction between smooth operation and pressure management.
3Device complexity
If the valve openings are fixed, then the device structure is simple, but the braking cannot be adjusted for different operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by providing adjustable valve openings that can be modified to change braking characteristics. The valve body includes openings with adjustment mechanisms that allow operators to modify the size and configuration of the openings based on different operating conditions. This enables the same valve structure to adapt to various braking requirements, from gentle parking brake application to firm service braking, without requiring multiple different valve designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by allowing the physical dimensions of the valve openings to be adjusted. The openings can be modified to change flow rates, pressure characteristics, and braking force levels. This parameter adjustability enables the braking system to be optimized for different operating conditions, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and operational versatility.
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 device enables adjustable service braking of the trailer according to the SAHR pressure and maintains the parking brake active, ensuring smooth and controlled braking, avoiding abrupt stops and hydraulic pressure issues.
Implementation Method 1
a first piston (16) communicating with said additional line to a first face (16a) of the piston itself, while a second piston (17) acts on a second face (17a) of the piston itself opposite the first face
Implementation Method 2
Inside the contrast chamber (29) are accommodated elastic means (30) adapted to push the second distributor element (27) towards the emergency position
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
An actuating device (1) of a valve (40) for the braking of a trailer comprises: at least a driving chamber (12) having at least a braking gap (13) connectable to the braking system of a towing vehicle and inside which is slidably accommodated at least one driving element (14) movable between a rest configuration and a driving configuration wherein it interacts with the distributor (9) to displace it from the rest position to the braking one; at least an actuating seat (15) inside which is accommodated sealingly sliding at least one piston (16, 17) delimiting at least a first chamber (15a), communicating with at least an additional gap (20) connectable to the secondary port (23) and acting on a first face (16a) of the piston itself, and at least a second chamber (15b), communicating with at least a driving gap (18) connectable to a control device of the parking and/or emergency brake of the towing vehicle and acting on a second face (17a) of the piston (16, 17) opposite the first face (16a); at least a connecting rod (19) placed between the piston (16, 17) and the driving element (14), the piston (16, 17) being able to push the driving element (14) from its rest configuration to the driving configuration by means of the rod (19) when the force acting on the first face (16a) is greater than that acting on the second face (17a).