Integrated Trailer Control Valve for Active Traction Braking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing trailer control valves lack traction control functionality, leading to inadequate safety in heavy-duty vehicles, especially during logistics transportation where trailers are often heavily loaded.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a traction control valve with the trailer control valve, allowing active control of braking force based on vehicle state, incorporating a two-way check valve and a two-position three-way solenoid valve to manage air pressure channels for both driver-initiated and vehicle-state-dependent braking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an ordinary trailer control valve is used to passively transmit braking demand, then the structure is simple, but the vehicle safety is insufficient due to lack of active traction control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle safetyVSAvoidvalve structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the trailer control valve and traction control valve into a single integrated unit. The trailer control valve includes a relay valve for braking control and a traction control valve with first and second channels for traction control, all housed together. This merging allows the system to provide both passive braking transmission and active traction control functions, improving vehicle safety while avoiding the need for separate valve assemblies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated trailer control valve performs multiple functions: it passively transmits braking demand through the relay valve and actively controls trailer traction through the traction control valve. The single valve body handles both service braking and traction control operations, making the device universal and multi-functional, thereby improving safety without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a trailer control valve with integrated traction control is used, then active control of trailer braking is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking control capabilityVSAvoidvalve structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the traction control valve within the trailer control valve housing. The traction control valve includes a first channel connecting the control port to the control chamber and a second channel connecting the air inlet to the control chamber, allowing both braking and traction control functions to coexist in a single valve assembly. This merging approach enables versatile braking control while managing structural complexity through integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If separate braking control pipelines for tractor and trailer are used, then the system architecture is simple, but the traction control over trailer cannot be implemented

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraction control capabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated trailer control valve acts as an intermediary device mounted on the tractor that receives braking demands from the driver and actively controls trailer braking based on vehicle state. The valve includes a relay valve for signal transmission and a traction control valve for active control, mediating between the simple two-pipeline architecture and the need for sophisticated traction control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables active control of trailer traction and braking, enhancing overall vehicle safety by integrating traction control with traditional braking systems.

Implementation Method 1

a movable valve core is arranged inside a valve chamber of the two-way check valve, and as the valve core moves, the first inlet is in communication with the outlet to open the first valve chamber, or the second inlet is in communication with the outlet to open the second valve chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

the second valve member is a two-position three-way solenoid valve having the air intake valve chamber and an exhaust valve chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic actuation: Solenoid

Data Source

PatentEP4530138B1Trailer control valve and trailer braking system
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 ZF COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS (QINGDAO) CO LTD
  • EP4530138B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4530138B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4530138B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to the technical field of trailer braking, and provides a trailer control valve and a trailer braking system. The trailer control valve includes a control port (15), a relay valve (10), an air inlet (11) and a first air outlet (12), the control port (15) being connected to a control chamber (10a) of the relay valve (10), and the air inlet (11) and the first air outlet (12) being respectively connected to a brake chamber (10b) of the relay valve (10). The trailer control valve further includes a traction control valve (20) arranged in a pipeline from the control port to the control chamber (10a) and connected to the air inlet (11). The traction control valve (20) has a first operating state in which the control port (15) is in communication with the control chamber (10a) through a first channel (20a) of the traction control valve (20). The traction control valve (20) has a second operating state in which the air inlet (11) is in communication with the control chamber (10a) through a second channel (20b) of the traction control valve (20). According to the present invention, an ordinary trailer control valve is integrated with the traction control valve (20), such that a braking force of a trailer can be actively controlled according to the state of a vehicle, realizing active control of traction of the trailer and improving the safety of the whole vehicle.