Method for decelerating a vehicle combination

A method for decelerating a vehicle combination including a tractor vehicle operated by a driver and at least one trailer vehicle having a trailer braking system, the tractor vehicle including a tractor vehicle braking system having a brake control unit for monitoring braking behavior of the tractor vehicle or of the vehicle combination and, as needed, for adjusting a brake pressure at wheel brakes of affected wheels of the tractor vehicle and a trailer brake pressure;

• the method comprising the steps of:
• detecting a deceleration request of the driver via the brake control unit to a retarder system and, during activation of the retarder system, monitoring via the brake control unit whether at least one predefined safety criterion is met based on at least one continually determined braking state variable, wherein the deceleration request of the driver is manually requested to the retarder system;
• when the safety criterion is met effectuating via the trailer braking system a portion of the deceleration request to the retarder system that has yet to be effectuated;
• wherein the deceleration request of the driver to the retarder system does not result from any deceleration request to the tractor vehicle braking system;
• wherein the trailer braking system includes a brake electronics system, and wherein:
• the brake electronics system of the trailer braking system detects brake slip values of the wheels of the at least one trailer vehicle;
• the brake control unit of the tractor vehicle braking system ascertains an information signal that includes a conclusion regarding the brake slip values of the at least one trailer vehicle;
• and,
• the brake control unit regulates a predefined slip difference between the tractor vehicle and the at least one trailer vehicle by adjusting the brake pressure and the trailer brake pressure.

A method for decelerating a vehicle combination including a tractor vehicle operated by a driver and at least one trailer vehicle having a trailer braking system, the tractor vehicle including a tractor vehicle braking system having a brake control unit for monitoring braking behavior of the tractor vehicle or of the vehicle combination and, as needed, for adjusting a brake pressure at wheel brakes of affected wheels of the tractor vehicle and a trailer brake pressure;

• the method comprising the steps of:
• detecting a deceleration request of the driver via the brake control unit to a retarder system and, during activation of the retarder system, monitoring via the brake control unit whether at least one predefined safety criterion is met based on at least one continually determined braking state variable, wherein the deceleration request of the driver is manually requested to the retarder system;
• when the safety criterion is met effectuating via the trailer braking system a portion of the deceleration request to the retarder system that has yet to be effectuated;
• and,
• further comprising, when the safety criterion is met, effectuating a limitation of the deceleration request of the driver to the retarder system;
• wherein the trailer braking system includes a brake electronics system, and wherein:
• the brake electronics system of the trailer braking system detects brake slip values of the wheels of the at least one trailer vehicle;
• the brake control unit of the tractor vehicle braking system ascertains an information signal that includes a conclusion regarding the brake slip values of the at least one trailer vehicle;
• and,
• the brake control unit regulates a predefined slip difference between the tractor vehicle and the at least one trailer vehicle by adjusting the brake pressure and the trailer brake pressure.