A trailer braking device includes a trailer having an axle, a pair of hubs each rotatably attached to the axle, and a pair of wheels each removably attached to a respective one of the hubs. A plurality of wheel brakes is each integrated into a respective one of the hubs and a pair of wheel speed sensors is each integrated into a respective one of the hubs. A control unit is attached to the trailer and the control unit is in communication with each of the wheel brakes and each of the wheel speed sensors. The control unit actuates a respective one of the wheel brakes when the wheel speed sensor associated with the respective wheel brake communicates that a rotational speed of the hub associated with the respective wheel brake has begun to oscillate. In this way the trailer is inhibited from beginning to sway while being towed.

The present invention relates to a trailer with a trailer brake control device therein. The trailer brake control device of the present invention comprises: a sway detecting sensor arranged in the trailer for detecting the sway of the trailer; a signal sensor for detecting a brake signal generated by a brake switch of a vehicle which tows the trailer; and a processor, electrically connected to the sway detecting sensor, the signal sensor and the brake, for controlling the brake based on an output of the sway detecting sensor and/or an output of the signal sensor. According to the present invention, the trailer brake control device can independently control the brakes and/or diagnose the malfunction of a brake controller arranged in the vehicle.

An apparatus for controlling a brake of a tractor towing a trailer includes a trailer sensor for sensing whether or not the trailer is mounted at the tractor, an auxiliary brake driver for driving an auxiliary brake of the tractor, a main brake driver for driving main brakes of the tractor and the trailer, and a controller for setting a ratio of braking force of the auxiliary brake to a reference value with respect to a required braking force from a smart cruise control (SCC) system and allocating the remaining required braking force to the main brakes of the tractor and the trailer in the case in which the trailer sensor senses that the trailer is mounted at the tractor.

A method controls a brake system of a vehicle combination. The switching valve in the second setting (anti-jackknifing braking function active) outputs a reservoir pressure into a trailer pressure line to actuate the trailer service brakes dependent on the anti-jackknifing braking demand. When service braking demand and anti-jackknifing braking demand are simultaneously present, an anti-jackknifing and a service braking ratio value are determined, a switchover criterion is checked dependent on the ratio values. The criterion is satisfied if the service braking ratio value exceeds a specified fraction of the anti-jackknifing braking ratio value when the anti-jackknifing braking function is active and falls below the specified fraction when the anti-jackknifing braking function is inactive; and, if the criterion is satisfied, the switching valve is switched over to activate the anti-jackknifing braking function and implement the anti-jackknifing braking demand, or to deactivate the anti-jackknifing braking function and implement the service braking demand.

Systems and methods are provided for controlling operation of a trailer brake system associated with an agricultural vehicle-trailer combination. Using a driver deceleration demand a pressure level and/or duration for a preliminary pressure peak to be provided in one or more fluid lines of the trailer brake system is determined. A trailer brake signal is generated for controlling the trailer brake system in accordance with the preliminary pressure peak.

Systems and methods are provided for controlling operation of a trailer brake system associated with an agricultural vehicle-trailer combination. A HMI component used by the operator to provide a deceleration input to the trailer brake system is identified. Based on this a pressure level to be provided in one or more fluid lines of the trailer brake system is determined. A trailer brake signal for is generated and output controlling the trailer brake system to provide the determined pressure.

Systems and methods are provided for controlling operation of a trailer brake system associated with an agricultural vehicle-trailer combination. Using a driver deceleration demand a pressure level and/or duration for a preliminary pressure peak to be provided in one or more fluid lines of the trailer brake system is determined. A trailer brake signal is generated for controlling the trailer brake system in accordance with the preliminary pressure peak.

Systems and methods are provided for controlling operation of a trailer brake system associated with an agricultural vehicle, comprising: determining a coupling force associated with a coupling point for providing a coupling between the vehicle and a trailer, determining, in dependence on the coupling force, the presence of a trailer coupled to the vehicle at the coupling point; and controlling one or more components of the vehicle in dependence on the determination of the presence of the trailer.

A method detects a yaw instability in a vehicle combination. The vehicle combination has a tractor unit and at least one trailing unit. The method includes determining a current value of a longitudinal slip of at least one wheel of at least one unit of the vehicle combination, comparing the current value of the longitudinal slip to a threshold, and, if the current value is beyond the threshold, determining that an upcoming or ongoing yaw instability is present in the vehicle combination.

A compressed-air braking system of a tractor vehicle includes two service-brake circuits and a parking-brake circuit. A trailer control valve has a control input connected to a brake control line connected to a brake line of one of the service-brake circuits and an inverted control input connected to a further brake control line routed to a brake line of the parking-brake circuit. A valve device for braking a coupled trailer vehicle independently of the foot-brake valve has an electronically controllable valve unit arranged in the further brake control line routed to the inverted control input of the trailer control valve. Via the valve unit, the portion of the further brake control line on the trailer control-valve side can be connected alternately to the portion on the parking-brake valve side or to a depressurizing output.