A parking brake control module using pneumatic logic to control a parking brake on a vehicle. The control module includes a brake pipe passageway, a reservoir passageway, a reservoir release valve; and an actuation cylinder vent valve. The control module applies or releases the parking brake based on pressures of the brake pipe and reservoir. A method uses pneumatic logic to control a parking brake on a vehicle. The parking brake is applied when the brake pipe pressure falls below a lower brake pipe pressure threshold and is released when the brake pipe pressure exceeds an upper brake pipe pressure threshold and the reservoir pressure exceeds a reservoir pressure threshold. A hold valve can allow an operator to manually prevent the release of the parking brake.

An electro-pneumatic parking brake arrangement includes a shut-off valve and a parking brake module. The parking brake module includes a reservoir connection configured to connect to a compressed air reservoir, a first spring-loaded accumulator connection configured to connect to the shut-off valve, an electro-pneumatic valve unit having at least one electro-pneumatic valve configured to output a spring-loaded brake pressure at the first spring-loaded accumulator connection, and an electronic control unit configured to receive parking brake signals from an electronic parking brake switch and/or a higher-order control unit. The shut-off valve comprises a second spring accumulator connection configured to connect the spring-loaded brakes of the further axle and to shut off the second spring accumulator connection depending on a shut-off signal provided by the parking brake module.

An electropneumatic brake system, for a commercial vehicle which is provided for pulling a trailer, includes at least one service brake circuit configured to activate service brake actuators, a parking brake circuit having parking brake actuators on at least one axle, a trailer brake circuit configured to provide a trailer brake pressure at a trailer brake pressure port, and a manually actuatable operating unit in a driver's cab. The manually actuatable operating unit has a first operating element and a second operating element. In the case of actuation of the first operating element when the vehicle is driving, the parking brake actuators are activated and a trailer brake pressure is output at the trailer brake pressure port. In the case of actuation of the second operating element when the vehicle is driving, only a trailer brake pressure is output.

An electropneumatic parking brake module includes a supply port configured to connect a compressed air supply, a spring brake actuator port configured to connect at least one spring brake cylinder, and a trailer control port, an inlet-outlet valve unit configured to control a spring brake pressure, and an electropneumatic pilot control unit configured to control at least one control pressure at the inlet-outlet valve unit and configured to perform a trailer control position function. The electropneumatic pilot control unit includes a 3/3-way valve that has a first switching position in which the at least one control pressure is controlled, a second switching position in which the trailer control position function is carried out, and a third switching position in which the inlet-outlet valve unit and the trailer control port are connected to a vent.

Disclosed is a method for controlling brakes in a trailer vehicle comprising a pneumatic brake system, service brakes and an electronic brake system with anti-lock control, wherein at least one axle of the trailer vehicle is fitted with spring-loaded brakes and revolution rate sensors. The method comprises: monitoring with the electronic brake system whether there is a braking demand, monitoring with the electronic brake system whether at least one wheel of at least one axle is locking up, and if there is no braking demand and at least one wheel of the at least one axle is locked while traveling, controlling the pneumatic braking system with the electronic brake system to pressurize the spring-loaded brakes and to brake the trailer vehicle by the service brakes automatically and with anti-lock control. A valve arrangement is also disclosed.

An electropneumatic trailer supply module, for an electropneumatic parking brake system for a tractor vehicle/trailer combination, includes a supply connection configured to connect a compressed air supply, a trailer supply connection configured to deliver a supply pressure for a trailer vehicle, a pneumatically controlled main valve unit configured to provide the supply pressure to the trailer supply connection, and an electropneumatic pilot control unit configured to select at least a first control pressure at the pneumatically controlled main valve unit. When the first control pressure exceeds a predefined first threshold value of the pneumatically controlled main valve unit, the supply pressure provided to the trailer supply connection can be selected. When the first control pressure falls below the predefined first threshold value of the pneumatically controlled main valve unit, the trailer supply connection is configured to be vented.

An electropneumatic parking brake module (1) includes a supply connection (2), a spring-type actuator connection (4), an inlet-outlet valve unit (10) having a first switching position and a second switching position, and an electropneumatic pilot control unit (12) for outputting at least a first control pressure (p1) at the inlet-outlet valve unit (10). In the first switching position of the inlet-outlet valve unit (10), a spring brake pressure (pF) can be fed through directly from the supply connection (2) to the spring-type actuator connection (4) by virtue of the fact that the spring-type actuator connection (4) is connected to the supply connection (2), and, in the second switching position of the inlet-outlet valve unit (10), when the first control pressure (p1) is below a first threshold value, the spring-type actuator connection (4) is connected to a ventilating connection (14.3) of the inlet-outlet valve unit (10).

A brake system for a vehicle includes a first axle pressure modulator (APM) for service-brake-chambers for a first vehicle-axle, a second axle pressure modulator for spring-brake-cylinders for a second vehicle-axle, the second APM being connected to an electronic-brake-control-unit, which is configured to issue a first electric-control-signal for controlling the first APM and a second electric-control-signal for controlling the second APM, an intelligent foot brake module, which is configured to issue a first pneumatic-control-signal for controlling the first APM and a second pneumatic-control-signal for controlling the second APM, an electronic parking brake controller, which is configured to issue a second pneumatic parking brake signal for controlling the spring-brake-cylinders, and a pressure control valve, which is configured to convert the second pneumatic parking brake signal into a first pneumatic parking brake signal for controlling the first APM.

A method is for the emergency stopping of a commercial vehicle. The vehicle has a pneumatic brake system with a primary service brake system and a parking brake system. The primary service brake system has a primary electronic service brake control unit for controlling the primary service brake system and service brake actuators. The parking brake system has an electronic parking brake control unit for controlling the parking brake system and parking brake actuators on at least one vehicle axle. The pneumatic brake system can receive an emergency stopping signal. The method includes: receiving the emergency stopping signal at the primary electronic service brake control unit; braking the commercial vehicle via the primary service brake system; ascertaining a commercial vehicle speed and, if this speed is below a predetermined speed threshold value and/or after a predetermined emergency stopping time: actuating the parking brake actuators via the parking brake system.

An electropneumatic control module for an electronically controllable pneumatic brake system for a vehicle combination with a tractor vehicle and a trailer vehicle includes a pneumatic reservoir input, which is connectable to a compressed-air reservoir, a trailer control unit, which has a trailer control valve unit with one or more electropneumatic valves, a trailer brake pressure port and a trailer supply pressure port, an immobilizing brake unit, which has a spring-type actuator port for a spring-type actuator for a tractor vehicle and an immobilizing brake valve unit with one or more electropneumatic valves, and an electronic control unit for controlling the trailer control valve unit and the immobilizing brake valve unit. The trailer control unit has a first relay valve, which has a relay valve working input connected to the reservoir input, a relay valve output connected to the trailer brake pressure port, and a relay valve ventilation output.