Trailer detection and control module
AssigneeBendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
InventorsPaul C. Niglas, Brian J. Riley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A trailer control valve for a tractor includes a body defining a supply port and first and second delivery ports. The supply port is configured for fluid communication with a fluid source on the tractor. The first and second delivery ports are configured for fluid communication with glad-hand connectors through which fluid is supplied from the tractor to a trailer. A pressure sensing solenoid receives fluid signal from each of the first and second deliver ports and selectively passes fluid signal therefrom to a pressure sensor as a function of a brake control signal received by a controller that controls the pressure sensing solenoid.
Claims21
A trailer control valve for a tractor, comprising:
- a body defining a supply port and first and second delivery ports, the supply port configured for fluid communication with a fluid source on the tractor, the first delivery port in fluid communication with the supply port and configured for fluid communication with a first glad-hand connector through which fluid is supplied from the tractor to a trailer coupled to the tractor, the second delivery port configured for fluid communication with a second glad-hand connector through which fluid is supplied from the tractor to the trailer for trailer control;
- and,
- a relay valve supported within the body, the relay valve including a valve member configured to move between a first position preventing fluid communication between the supply port and the second delivery port and a second position permitting fluid communication between the supply port and the second delivery port;
- and
- a pressure sensing solenoid that receives a first fluid signal from the first delivery port and a second fluid signal from the second delivery port, and selectively transmits one of the first fluid signal from the first delivery port and the second fluid signal from the second delivery port as a function of a brake control signal received by a controller that controls the pressure sensing solenoid.
A trailer control valve for a tractor, comprising:
- a body defining a supply port and first and second delivery ports, the supply port configured for fluid communication with a fluid source on the tractor, the first delivery port in fluid communication with the supply port and configured for fluid communication with a first glad-hand connector through which fluid is supplied from the tractor to a trailer coupled to the tractor, the second delivery port configured for fluid communication with a second glad-hand connector through which fluid is supplied from the tractor to the trailer;
- a relay valve supported within the body, the relay valve including a valve member configured to move between a first position preventing fluid communication between the supply port and the second delivery port and a second position permitting fluid communication between the supply port and the second delivery port;
- a pressure sensing solenoid that receives a first fluid signal from the first delivery port and a second fluid signal from the second delivery port, and selectively transmits one of the first fluid signal from the first delivery port and the second fluid signal from the second delivery port as a function of the pressure of the fluid signal from the first delivery port;
- a single pressure sensor in fluid communication with the pressure sensing solenoid and supported within the body and configured to generate a first pressure signal indicative of fluid pressure at the first delivery port and to generate a second pressure signal indicative of fluid pressure at the second delivery port when a controller receives an indication of a brake control signal and controls the pressure sensing solenoid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.