Valve Arrangement Preventing Pneumatic Brake Overload

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern pneumatic brake systems for trailer vehicles face challenges in preventing mechanical overloads when spring-loaded brakes and service brakes are activated simultaneously, which can lead to damage or destruction of components, especially during parking or when the trailer vehicle is stationary.

Innovation Solution

A valve arrangement that regulates the ventilation of spring-loaded brake cylinders based on control pressure, allowing connection between a reservoir connection and a control connection independently of service brake cylinder pressure, ensuring that overloading is avoided by pressurizing or venting the spring-loaded brake cylinders depending on pressure limits, and incorporating additional control inputs for enhanced overload protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If spring-applied brake cylinders and service brake cylinders are activated simultaneously, then braking force is increased, but mechanical overload occurs causing damage or destruction of components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking forceVSAvoidcomponent strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The valve arrangement prevents the harmful simultaneous activation of spring-applied brakes and service brakes by using control pressure from the control line to regulate the venting of spring-applied brake cylinders. When control pressure is present (indicating service brakes are activated), the valve prevents spring-applied brake activation, thereby avoiding additive forces that would cause mechanical overload and component damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The valve arrangement acts as an intermediary control device between the control line and spring-applied brake cylinders. It uses the control pressure as a mediating signal to regulate whether spring-applied brakes are vented or held, ensuring that they do not activate simultaneously with service brakes and causing overload.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If spring-applied parking brakes are activated during normal parking, then parking function is achieved, but additive force occurs when service brakes are additionally applied causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparking functionVSAvoidcomponent strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The valve arrangement prevents the harmful simultaneous activation of spring-applied parking brakes and service brakes by using control pressure from the control line to regulate the venting of spring-applied brake cylinders. When control pressure is present (indicating service brakes are activated), the valve prevents spring-applied brake activation, thereby avoiding additive forces that would cause mechanical overload and component damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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 solution effectively prevents mechanical overloads by ensuring that spring-loaded brake cylinders are only pressurized or vented based on defined pressure limits, thereby protecting brake components and allowing for safe operation during normal and emergency braking scenarios.

Implementation Method 1

depending on the pressure at the first control input and independently of the pressure in the service brake cylinders, the first connection can be connected to the second connection

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatic pressure control: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3507148B1Pneumatic brake system for a trailer vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.06.02 ZF CV SYST EURO BV
  • EP3507148B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3507148B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3507148B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a valve assembly for admitting air into and/or releasing air from spring-loaded brake cylinders in a trailer vehicle with a pneumatic brake system, comprising a first connection for a line connected to a storage container of the trailer vehicle, a second connection for a line which leads to the spring-loaded brake cylinders, and a first pneumatic control inlet. The first connection can be connected to the second connection depending on the pressure at the first control inlet and regardless of the pressure in the service brake cylinders, and the first control inlet is connected to a line connected to a control connection of the trailer vehicle or to a line connected to the storage container.