Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC

Michael D Tober

Paul C Niglas

Randy J Salvatora

Subashish Sasmal

Phillip J Kasper

David W Howell

Andrew J Pilkington

Nicholas A Broyles

Eric A Matoy

Gerhard Wieder

Timothy J Frashure

Joseph M Macnamara

Jeffrey M Carbaugh

Timothy Carritte, Jr

Claus G Beyer

Claus Beyer

Friedbert Roether

Daniel Peter Zula

William P Amato

Thomas S Miller, Jr

Adnan Mustapha

Kenneth A Grolle

Thomas J Weed

Charles E Ross

Daniel T Boyce

Parth Kalra

A controller on a tractor portion of an articulated vehicle includes an electrical input port adapted to receive an electrical input signal based on a command to unpark a trailer portion of the articulated vehicle and an electronic processor adapted to: receive the electrical input signal from the electrical input port; identify, based on the electrical input signal, when the command to unpark the trailer is received at the electrical input port; and based on the command to unpark the trailer, transmit an electrical output signal to an electrical output port for causing supplemental compressed air to be communicated from the tractor to the trailer for filling an air tank on the trailer using a quick-fill mode.

System for filling a trailer reservoir

A controller comprises an electronic communication line configured to receive a system brake request control signal representing a requested system brake application and an identified urgency. A hardware processor, configured to perform a predefined set of basic operations in response to receiving the system brake request control signal, is capable of: determining a maximum braking pressure to be applied during the system braking application based on the identified urgency; generating a first system brake mode control signal, based on the determined maximum braking pressure, to set an associated first valve to a first valve state; generating a second system brake mode control signal, based on the determined maximum braking pressure, to set an associated second valve to a second valve state, the maximum braking pressure during the system braking application being set by the first valve state and the second valve state; determining an activation profile for an associated modulator based on the determined maximum braking pressure; the controller transmitting, via the electronic communication line, the first system brake mode control signal, the second system brake mode control signal and modulator control signals according to the activation profile.

System and method for controlling an automated braking application

System and method for filling a trailer reservoir

A braking controller and method in a towing vehicle towing one or more towed vehicles as a combination vehicle provides brake control of the one or more towed vehicles based on a level of braking force applied to the towing vehicle. A non-enhanced braking mode applies a first level of braking force to the towed vehicles in a predetermined reduced proportion relative to the level of braking force applied to the towing vehicle, and an enhanced braking mode applies a second level of braking force to the towed vehicles greater than the first level of braking force. The enhanced braking mode strategy is used unless trailer capability information reported by one or more the trailers fails to match against expected trailer capability information.

Braking controller and method using verification of reported trailer capabilities

A braking controller and method in a towing vehicle towing one or more towed vehicles as a combination vehicle provides brake control of the one or more towed vehicles based on a level of braking force applied to the towing vehicle. A non-enhanced braking mode applies a first level of braking force to the towed vehicles in a predetermined reduced proportion relative to the level of braking force applied to the towing vehicle, and an enhanced braking mode applies a second level of braking force to the towed vehicles greater than the first level of braking force. A controller deceleration command input receives a deceleration command signal which is compared against predetermined threshold deceleration rate value or against a current deceleration value being executed by the combination vehicle and, based on a result of the comparisons, either the enhanced or the non-enhanced braking modes are implemented by the controller.

Towing vehicle controller using trailer braking strategy and trailer braking control method

A vehicle braking system for a vehicle combination includes a first brake axle including a first actuatable brake, a second brake axle including a second actuatable brake, a third brake axle including a third actuatable brake, a first valve controlling actuation of the first actuatable brake and actuation of the second actuatable brake, and a second valve controlling actuation of the second actuatable brake and actuation of the third actuatable brake.

System and method for braking a vehicle

A valve system includes an isolation check valve delivering pneumatic fluid as a supply pressure, a double-check valve adapted to deliver a braking demand control signal of the pneumatic fluid based on a higher of a first braking demand in a first pneumatic braking circuit and a second braking demand in a second pneumatic braking circuit, and a control module. The control module is adapted to receive the supply pressure as a control module supply pressure of the pneumatic fluid, receive a control module control pressure of the pneumatic fluid based on the braking demand control signal, and deliver a control module delivery pressure of the pneumatic fluid based on the control module supply pressure and the control module control pressure. A park control module selectively transmits the pneumatic fluid at the supply pressure based on a park brake control signal.

Valve system and method for controlling same

A valve system includes an isolation check valve delivering pneumatic fluid as a supply pressure, a double-check valve adapted to deliver a braking demand control signal of the pneumatic fluid based on a higher of a first braking demand in a first pneumatic braking circuit and a second braking demand in a second pneumatic braking circuit, and a control module. The control module is adapted to receive the supply pressure as a control module supply pressure of the pneumatic fluid, receive a control module control pressure of the pneumatic fluid based on the braking demand control signal, and deliver a control module delivery pressure of the pneumatic fluid based on the control module supply pressure and the control module control pressure. A tractor protection module delivers the pneumatic fluid at the control module delivery pressure based on a trailer park brake pressure of the pneumatic fluid.

An apparatus and method are provided for determining the braking status of trailers and dollies in a multi-trailer vehicle train. A vehicle controller receives inputs from the vehicle to determine an estimate of the total vehicle mass from the dynamic response of the vehicle to an input such as application of engine torque, and to determine an estimate of the loads of the vehicle based on information provided from trailers and dollies communicating with the vehicle controller. A plausibility analysis is conducted to determine whether the estimates are within a tolerance range indicative of whether all of the trailers and dollies are communicating with the vehicle controller. If the vehicle controller determines that not all of the trailer and dolly anti-lock braking and/or stability control systems are available, the vehicle controller may in subsequent braking events command trailer and dolly brake application at a reduced level intended to avoid trailer and dolly wheel skidding.

Multi-trailer vehicle ABS status evaluation

A valve module is provided for enabling a vehicle to control an autonomous event of the vehicle. The valve module comprises a relay valve, a first solenoid valve, and a second solenoid valve. A first control pressure can be delivered through the first solenoid valve and applied to a control port of the relay valve. In one embodiment, a second control pressure can be delivered through the second solenoid valve and combined with the first control pressure. The combined first and second control pressures are applied to the control port of the relay valve. In another embodiment, a second control pressure can be delivered through the second solenoid valve only when no first control pressure is delivered through the first solenoid valve.

Valve module for an air braking system of a heavy vehicle

A valve includes at least one of an electrical port adapted to receive an electronic control signal and a pneumatic control port adapted to receive a pneumatic control signal. The valve also includes a pneumatic delivery port. The pneumatic delivery port is adapted to transmit a pneumatic fluid, based on the at least one of the received electronic control signal and the received pneumatic control signal, from a second independent source to control i) a second associated service brake and ii) delivery of the pneumatic fluid from a first independent source to control a first associated service brake.

An electronic controller includes a first electrical input, receiving electrical power of a first voltage for powering the electronic controller, and a second electrical input, receiving an electrical power line communication signal at a second voltage. The second voltage is different than the first voltage. The power line communication signal is received from a second electronic controller that is powered by electrical power of the second voltage.

Apparatus and method for power line communication on a dual voltage vehicle

Various embodiments of a towing vehicle controller and methods for brake control of a towed vehicle are provided. A towing vehicle controller includes an input for receiving a load signal indicative of a load of a towed and towing vehicle combination; an input for receiving a stability signal indicative of at least one of a yaw rate, a steering angle, and a lateral acceleration of the towing vehicle; and an input for receiving a deceleration signal indicative of an automated deceleration request. Control logic is capable of determining a comparison value prior to receiving the deceleration signal and after receiving the load signal and the stability signal, wherein the determination of the comparison value is based on the load signal and the stability signal. After the deceleration signal is received, the control logic determines a brake control transmission signal based on the deceleration signal and the comparison value.

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Avon, OH, United States of America

Michael D Tober