Emergency Truck Braking Mat Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emergency braking systems for trucks and trailers are inadequate in preventing accidents due to brake failure, particularly on steep inclines or slippery roads, leading to potential jack-knifing and loss of control, which can result in damage to vehicles, cargo, and loss of life.
Innovation Solution
An Emergency Truck Braking System comprising a durable locking mat with a pivoted arm construction that can be deployed under the wheels of a truck and trailer, using a control system for release, such as electrical, pneumatic, or hydraulic, to lock the wheels in place, preventing movement and allowing for safe stopping without damaging the vehicle or cargo.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional brake systems are used for heavy vehicles, then the braking mechanism is simple and integrated with the vehicle, but the brakes fail under high heat buildup or hydraulic/pneumatic system failure, rendering them useless
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary braking mechanism (the mat dropping system) that operates independently from the traditional brake system. When brakes fail, the mat is dropped between the wheels and ground to provide an alternative braking action, thus mediating the braking function when the primary system fails.
Solution Approach 2:
The braking function is segmented into two independent systems: the traditional integrated brake system and the emergency mat dropping system. This segmentation allows the emergency system to operate independently when the primary system fails, improving reliability without requiring complete system integration.
2Speed
If emergency braking is applied to a fully loaded tractor-trailer, then the vehicle can be stopped, but the trailer skids sideways faster than the tractor, causing jack-knifing and overturning
Solution Approach 1:
The mat is positioned and held in readiness between the wheels and ground before emergency braking is applied. This preliminary positioning ensures that when braking occurs, the mat is already in place to prevent wheel skidding, thereby maintaining trailer stability and preventing jack-knifing during the stopping process.
Solution Approach 2:
The mat serves as a cushioning element positioned in advance between the wheels and ground. During emergency braking, this pre-positioned mat cushions the interaction between wheels and road surface, preventing sudden skidding that would cause jack-knifing while still allowing controlled stopping.
3Power
If brake pads are used to stop heavy vehicles, then the braking mechanism is integrated with the vehicle, but heat build-up exceeds the capacity to dissipate heat, resulting in glazed brake pads and runaway truck
Solution Approach 1:
The mat serves as an intermediary braking surface that transfers the braking function away from the traditional brake pads. By dropping the mat between the wheels and ground, the braking action occurs on the mat rather than through brake pad friction, thereby eliminating heat build-up in the brake pads while maintaining high braking power.
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 jack-knifing and ensures the safety of both the vehicle and cargo by providing a reliable emergency braking mechanism that can be deployed remotely, reducing the risk of accidents and potential loss of life, while also being reusable and adaptable to various road conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The mat is placed between a wheel (33) of the truck (210) and trailer (220) combination and a roadbed surface (GR) to cause the wheel to stop turning
Implementation Method 2
a brake carried by the vehicle and adapted to be dropped down so that the vehicle wheel will run upon it
Data Source
AI summary
An Emergency Truck Braking System added to a trailer and tractor made of a locking element/mat connected in a loop encircling a support member and with a pair of straps whereby the mat can extend and be placed between a wheel of the truck and trailer combination and a roadbed surface to cause the wheel to stop turning and stop the truck and trailer combination. A control system release via an electrical hard-wired/wireless with transmitter and receiver, pneumatic or hydraulic with piping which controls a motor and switch box or valve and latch release that releases the clamp holding a support affixed to the chassis and inter-placed between the wheel and the support member and mat. Once released the friction of the mat and roadway slows and stops the vehicle.