Trailer Wheel Module Wireless Acceleration Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

In vehicle combinations, trailer vehicles without anti-lock systems or with failed anti-lock systems face challenges in setting suitable trailer brake pressure during deceleration, leading to potential wheel locking, skidding, or jack-knifing, due to lack of accurate information on loading and coefficient of friction.

Innovation Solution

A wheel module with acceleration sensors and transmitter devices is installed on trailer vehicle wheels to measure and wirelessly transmit acceleration data to an electronic brake control unit, allowing for open-loop or closed-loop control of trailer brake pressure to prevent wheel locking, thereby counteracting skidding or sliding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If trailer brake pressure is increased to prevent sliding forward during deceleration, then the trailer vehicle braking effectiveness is improved, but wheel locking and skidding occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrailer vehicle braking effectivenessVSAvoidwheel locking and skidding

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control system where acceleration sensors mounted on the trailer wheels continuously monitor wheel acceleration. When the control unit detects deceleration values indicating a locking tendency, it automatically reduces the trailer brake pressure. This closed-loop feedback mechanism prevents wheel locking while maintaining effective braking, resolving the contradiction between braking effectiveness and preventing skidding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If anti-lock system is added to trailer vehicle to prevent wheel locking, then wheel locking prevention is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewheel locking preventionVSAvoidbrake system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential anti-lock function from complex existing ABS systems and implements only the necessary components: acceleration sensors on wheels, a simple control unit, and pneumatic pressure regulation. This simplified approach provides wheel locking prevention without the full complexity of traditional anti-lock systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the trailer vehicle's existing brake system infrastructure and adds only minimal components. The acceleration sensors and control unit work with the existing pneumatic brake circuitry, allowing the system to serve itself using available resources rather than requiring complete system replacement, thereby reducing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If trailer brake pressure is reduced to prevent wheel locking, then wheel locking is prevented, but trailer vehicle may slide forward onto tractor vehicle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewheel locking preventionVSAvoidprevention of sliding forward

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic brake pressure regulation that continuously adapts to changing conditions. During normal braking, sufficient pressure is maintained to prevent sliding forward. When acceleration sensors detect deceleration values indicating a locking tendency, the system dynamically reduces pressure only for the affected wheels. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by providing different pressure levels at different moments based on real-time wheel behavior.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution enables effective deceleration of trailer vehicles without anti-lock systems by monitoring wheel locking tendencies and adjusting brake pressure, reducing the risk of skidding or jack-knifing, even in situations with uncertain loading and friction conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a wheel module (18) at a respective wheel (7) of the trailer vehicle (4), wherein the wheel module (18) is designed to determine acceleration measurement values of the respective wheel (7)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcceleration: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

transmitting the information signal in a wireless fashion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWireless transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11458941B2Method for decelerating a trailer vehicle, wheel module for performing the method and vehicle combination having a wheel module of this type

Publication Date: 2022.10.04 ZF CV SYST EURO BV

AI summary

A method for decelerating a trailer vehicle in a vehicle combination having a tractor vehicle and at least one trailer vehicle includes determining, by a wheel module at a respective wheel of the trailer vehicle, acceleration measurement values of the respective wheel, generating, by the wheel module, an information signal taking into account the acceleration measurement values of the respective wheel, and transmitting the information signal in a wireless fashion. The method further includes evaluating the acceleration measurement values and monitoring the acceleration measurement values with respect to a locking tendency of the respective wheel, and when an information signal of the wheel module is received, adjusting, by an electronic brake control unit, the trailer brake pressure taking into account the information signal.