Brake system module removably attachable to a vehicle

Abstract

An anti-lock brake system module for a trailer or dolly, including a module panel having a front side and a back side facing in an opposite direction to the front side, a plurality of anti-lock brake system components, at least a portion of the components attached to the front side of the module panel and at least a portion of the components attached to the back side of the module panel, the plurality of anti-lock brake system components including an anti-lock brake valve and an electronic control unit, and a mounting element for removably connecting the module panel to a mounting location, such as an I-beam, of the trailer or dolly.

Claims

1. An anti-lock brake system module for a trailer or dolly, comprising: a module panel having a front side and a back side facing in an opposite direction to the front side; a plurality of anti-lock brake system components, at least a portion of said components attached to the front side of said module panel and at least a portion of said components attached to the back side of said module panel; said plurality of anti-lock brake system components including an anti-lock brake valve and an electronic control unit; and a mounting element for removably connecting said module panel to a mounting location of the trailer or dolly, the mounting element including a first member attached to a first side of said module panel and a second member attached to a second side of said module panel, each of the first and second members including an opening to receive and at least partially clamp around a portion of the mounting location.

2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising an air brake monitoring system attached to one of the front side and the back side.

3. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: a booster valve, a manifold valve, and a check valve, each attached to at least one of the front side and the back side of said module panel.

4. An anti-lock brake system module for a trailer or dolly, comprising: a module panel having a front side and a back side facing in an opposite direction to the front side; a plurality of anti-lock brake system components, at least a portion of said components attached to the front side of said module panel and at least a portion of said components attached to the back side of said module panel; said plurality of anti-lock brake system components including an anti-lock brake valve and an electronic control unit; and a mounting element for removably connecting said module panel to a mounting location of the trailer or dolly, wherein said mounting element includes a pair of oppositely disposed clamping members, each of the clamping members including a clamping portion for receiving an edge of the mounting location.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the mounting location is an I-beam.

6. The system according to claim 4, each of the clamping members further including a lug portion extending from the clamping portion to attach the clamping member to said module panel.

7. The system according to claim 6, further comprising: a pair of brackets engaging the lug portions of the clamping members, wherein a first one of the brackets attaches to the front side of said mounting panel and a second one of the brackets attaches to the back side of said mounting panel.

8. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of brake lines on at least one of the front side and the back side.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein said module panel is a flat panel.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the anti-lock brake valve is a 2-port valve.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the anti-lock brake valve is a 6-port valve.

12. The system module of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of pressure valves attached to at least one of the front side and the back side of said module panel.

13. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a tire inflation system attached to at least one of the front side and the back side of said module panel.

14. The system according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second members includes a lug portion, wherein each of the lug portions having a groove extending in from a distal edge of the lug portion.

15. An anti-lock brake system module for a trailer or dolly, comprising: a module panel having a first side and a second side; a plurality of anti-lock brake system components, at least a portion of said components attached to the first side of said module panel and at least a portion of said components attached to the second side of said module panel; said plurality of anti-lock brake system components including an anti-lock brake valve and an electronic control unit; a pair of oppositely disposed clamping members, each the clamping members engaging laterally opposite flanges of a mounting location of the trailer or dolly, each of the clamping members having a lug portion; wherein one of said module panel and a bracket connected to said module panel is received and removably fastened between the lug portions of said pair of oppositely disposed clamping members.

16. The system according to claim 15, further comprising an air brake monitoring system attached to one of the first side and the second side.

17. The system according to claim 15, where the first side is facing in an opposite direction to the second side.

18. The system according to claim 15, further comprising: a booster valve, a manifold valve, and a check valve, each attached to at least one of the first side and the second side of said module panel.

19. The system according to claim 15, wherein the mounting location is an I-beam.

20. The system according to claim 15, wherein the anti-lock brake valve is one of a 2-port valve and a 6-port valve.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the front side of a module panel with various system elements connected to a mounting surface according to one embodiment of an apparatus illustrating principles of the present invention;

(2) FIG. 2 is a top view of the module panel shown in FIG. 1;

(3) FIG. 3 is a side view of the module panel shown in FIG. 1 showing the connection to the mounting surface;

(4) FIG. 4 is a simplified view of the mounting element attaching the system module to the mounting surface;

(5) FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the invention shown in FIG. 4 showing the mounting elements used to attach the system module to the mounting surface;

(6) FIG. 6 is a view of the mounting element using to attach the system module to the mounting surface according to another embodiment of the present invention;

(7) FIG. 7 is a view of the mounting element using welding to attach the system module to the mounting surface according to another embodiment of the present invention;

(8) FIG. 8 is a view of the mounting element using a flexible elastic to attach the system module to the mounting surface according to another embodiment of the present invention;

(9) FIG. 9 is a view of the mounting element using a clamp to attach the system module to the mounting surface according to another embodiment of the present invention;

(10) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the Haldex clamp;

(11) FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the Haldex clamp; and

(12) FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the Haldex clamping system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(13) Referring to FIG. 1, a module panel 100 is shown in accordance with the present invention. The module panel is shown attached to a mounting surface 105, 110 via mounting elements 115, 120. These mounting elements can be either fasteners, clamps, or a combination of the same. Welding may also be used to attach the mounting element 115, 120 to the mounting surface 105,110, however to attach the module panel 100 to the mounting element 115,120, welding should not be used, as the module panel 100 needs to be easily removable from the mounting element 115, 120. In FIG. 1, fasteners 125 and 130 are used to hold and tighten the mounting elements 115, 120, which are designed to go around and attach the mounting surface 105, 110 to the module panel 100.

(14) FIG. 1 shows an embodiment whereby the mounting surface 105, 110 is shown as a trailer I-beam. However, the mounting surface 105, 110 may also be a C-channel or other such mounting surface for mounting a system module 1000 onto a trailer or dolly vehicle.

(15) FIG. 1 further shows elements that are arranged on the module panel 100. These elements make up the system module 1000. The order and arrangement of the elements that make up the system module 1000 can vary. Shown in FIG. 1 are booster valve 140, manifold valve 150, check valve 160, and FFABS valve with electronic control unit 170. These elements are part of system module 1000, and are mounted onto the module panel 100. Further control system elements can be added to the module panel 100 that are not shown and an advantage of using a module panel 100 is that additional elements can be added to the module panel, such as, but not limited to the following elements: Tire Inflation System, FFABS Valve with ECU, 6-Port Valve with ECU, 2-Port Valve with ECU, Suspension Dump Valve, Suspension Pilot Valve, In-Line Filters, One Way check Valves, Quick Release Valve, Pressure Protection Valve, Lift Axle Valve, Trailer Brake Control Valve, Power Junction Box, Warning Lamp, Alarm box, Vehicle Weight Monitor, and Diagnostic Tool or Diagnostic Interface Tool.

(16) In fact, various designs that make up a system module 1000 may be used so long as the designs can fit on a module panel 100. This allows for different system modules with varying elements to be used with the present invention. Typically, the module panel 100 is made of metal or a type of metal alloy, although other types of materials may also be used.

(17) Furthermore, fasteners 180 are also shown in FIG. 1, which provide further support to attach the module panel 100 to the mounting element 115, 120. These fasteners are not necessary for all embodiments of the invention, and can be used with and without other mounting elements.

(18) FIG. 2 shows a Top View of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 2, mounting elements 115, 120 are shown attached to mounting surfaces 105, 110. The module panel 100 is also shown suspended between the mounting surfaces 105, 110. Elements attached to the module panel are shown including air brake monitoring system 210 as well as various pressure valves 220, 140 and 170.

(19) Referring to FIG. 3, a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 of the present invention is shown. Here, one can see mounting element 115, 120 attaching the module panel 100 to mounting surface 105, 110. The module panel 100 holds the elements of system module 1000.

(20) FIG. 3 also shows the use of fasteners 310, 320, 330, and 340 that are used tighten mounting element 115, 120. As shown, the mounting element 115, 120 is designed to attach to the mounting surface 105, 110, attaching to the module panel 100 to the mounting surface 105, 110. Furthermore, elements such as air brake monitoring system 210 and others are show in FIG. 3.

(21) Referring to FIG. 4, a simplified view of the mounting element 115, 120 is shown attaching the module panel 100 to the mounting surface 105, 110. Fasteners 310, 320, 330, and 340 are shown with nut and bolt elements respectively. These nut and bolt fasteners may also be reduced to 2 nut and bolt fasteners and can also be replaced by screws and other such fastening devices that are used in the industry.

(22) FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of FIG. 4, where the mounting mechanism is clearly shown. Here, mounting surface 105, 110 is shown with module panel 100 shown suspended below. Mounting element 115, 120 is shown as being composed of pieces 510 and 520 as well as bolts 521, 522, 523, 524 and nuts 525, 526, 527, and 528.

(23) As shown, element 510 and 520 have holes 511, 512, 513, 514, 515, 516, and 517-518 (not shown). Module panel 100 has holes 531, 532, 533, and 534. These holes allow for the bolts 521-524 to go through the holes, allowing for elements 510, 520 to and module panel 100 to be attached, thus attaching the module panel 100 to the mounting surface 105, and 110. The invention can comprises additional or fewer holes in various embodiments. Additional fastening elements can also be used.

(24) Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 6. Here mounting surface 105, 110 is shown with mounting element 600. This mounting element 600 is of a different design that the mounting elements 115, 120 shown in other embodiments, as mounting element 600 does not have elements that go around and attach to the lower part of the I-Beam as shown in FIGS. 1-5. Instead, the mounting element 600 is attached to the mounting surface via a different type of attachment mechanism. Mounting element 600 has a groove 610 for holding the module panel 100 (not shown). Mounting element 600 also has holes 620, 630, 640, and 650 used to support fasteners (not shown) such that the module panel 100 can be attached and locked with the mounting element 600.

(25) FIG. 7 shows the mounting element 600 welded to the mounting surface 105, 110 via welding elements 710 and 720. More or less welding can occur in various embodiments of the invention. A module panel 100 would then be able to be attached to the mounting element 600 through groove 610 as well as holes 620, 630, 640, and 650. Fasteners (not shown) would attach and tighten the module panel 100 to the mounting element 600.

(26) FIG. 8 is a view of the mounting element 600 being attached to the mounting surface 105, 100 via flexible elastics 810 and 820. These elastics surround the entire mounting surface 105, 110, as shown, instead of linking to the bottom flange 830 of the mounting surface 105, 110. As described in FIG. 7, a module panel 100 would then be able to be attached to the mounting element 600 through groove 610 as well as holes 620, 630, 640, and 650. Fasteners (not shown) would attach and tighten the module panel 100 to the mounting element 600.

(27) FIG. 9 is a view of the mounting element 600 being attached to the mounting surface 105, 110 via clamps 910 and 920. Various clamps may be used including clamps specially designed by Haldex to clamp to a mounting surface on a trailer/dolly. The clamps tighten and allow the mounting element to attach to the mounting surface 105, 110. As described in FIG. 7, a module panel 100 would then be able to be attached to the mounting element 600 through groove 610 as well as holes 620, 630, 640, and 650. Fasteners (not shown) would attach and tighten the module panel 100 to the mounting element 600.

(28) FIGS. 1-9 show the attachment of a system module 1000 to a mounting element 115, 120 attached to a mounting surface 105, 110, where the system module 1000 is preferably a trailer/dolly air brake system module.

(29) FIG. 10 shows use of clamp 2000 designed by Haldex. The clamp 2000 attaches the system module 1000 to the mounting surface 105,110 (not shown in FIG. 10). This Halex clamp has the unique ability as it provides increased ease of use, durability, and longevity, as it attaches the system module 1000 to the mounting surface 105,110, whereby the mounting element is typically an I-beam.

(30) Shown in FIG. 10, clamp 2000 comprises a pair of oppositely disposed clamping members 2100, 2150 for engaging laterally opposite flanges 2010, 2020 of a mounting surface 105, 110, each clamping member having a lug portion 2160 and 2170 thereof. Clamp 2000 also has a pair of brackets 2200, 2250 disposed between said lug portions 2160, 2170 of said clamping members 2100, 2150, said brackets 2200, 2250 secured to said clamping members 2100, 2150 via fasteners 2300, 2310, 2320, and 2330. The brackets 2200, 2250 are adapted to receive a panel 100

(31) Clamp 2000 is also shown wherein said pair of brackets 2200, 2250 are secured to each other via fasteners 2400, 2410. The clamping members 2100, 2150 are shown to be C-shaped and the brackets 2200, 2250 are L-shaped.

(32) FIG. 10 shows the brackets 2200, 2250 facing each other to form a T-shaped forming groove 2500 between said brackets 2200, 2250.

(33) Panel 100 is shown disposed in groove 2400 and panel 100 is secured to said brackets 2200, 2250 via fasteners 2400, 2410. These fasteners 2400, 2410 can be easily removed from the brackets 2200, 2250 allowing for easy removal of panel 100 from the clamp 2000.

(34) FIG. 11 shows an exploded view of the Haldex clamp 2000. Here, clamping members 2100, 2150 are shown being able to attach to each other and to brackets 2200, 2250 via fasteners. The fasteners are typically made of screws 2300, 2310, washers 2302, 2312, and nuts 2305, 2315.

(35) The brackets 220, 2250 are shown being attach to attach to each other via fasteners, which involve screws 2400, 2410, washers 2402, 2412, and nuts 2405, 2415.

(36) Clamp 2000 has laterally opposite flanges 2010, 2020 that are part of lower flange portion of said mounting surface 105, 110, which is generally an I-beam. Fasteners 2300, 2310, 2320, and 2330 tighten clamping members 2100, 2150 around the mounting surface 105, 100 to secure clamp 2000 to the mounting surface 105, 100.

(37) Another embodiment of the present invention involves clamping system 3000, shown in FIG. 12. Clamping system 3000 comprises a pair of clamps 2000 for engaging two separate mounting surfaces 105,110, said clamps 2000 each having a pair of oppositely disposed clamping members 2100, 2150 for engaging laterally opposite flanges 2010, 2020 of said mounting surfaces 105, 110, each clamping member having a lug portion 2160, 2170 thereof, said clamps each having a pair of brackets 2200, 2250 disposed between said lug portions of said clamping members 2100, 2150, wherein said brackets 2200, 2250 are secured to said clamping members via fasteners 2300, 2310, 2320, 2330; and a module panel 100, said module panel 100 secured to each of said clamps 2000.

(38) The clamping system may further have fasteners 2300, 2310, 2320, and 2330 secure the module panel 100 to each of said clamps 2000. The clamping system may have its clamping members 2100, 2150 of the clamps 2000 be C-shaped. The brackets 2200, 2250 of each of the clamps may be L-shaped. The brackets 2200, 2250 on each of the clamps 2000 may face each other to form a T-shape, forming a groove 2500 in between the brackets 2200, 2250 for each of the clamps 2400.

(39) A panel 100 may be disposed in groove 2500 and the panel 100 is secured to the brackets 2200, 2250 of each of the clamps 2000 via fasteners 2400, 2410. The clamping system may have mounting surfaces 105,100 selected from a group consisting of an I-beam or a C-channel, or a combination thereof.

(40) Another embodiment of the present invention involves a method for assembly of a clamp 2000 comprising: introducing a pair of oppositely disposed clamping members 2100, 2150 for engaging laterally opposite flanges 2010, 2020 of a mounting surface 105, 110, each clamping member 2100, 2150 having a lug portion 2160, 2170 thereof; introducing a pair of brackets 2200, 2250; disposing the brackets 2200, 2250 between the lug portions 2160, 2170 of the clamping members 2100, 2150; and fastening said brackets 2200, 2250 to said clamping members 2100, 2150.

(41) The method may involve clamping members 2100, 2150 that are C-shaped and/or brackets 2200, 2250 that are L-shaped. The method may further involve fasteners 2300, 2310, 2320, 2330 that tighten the clamping members 2100, 2150 around the I-beam to secure the clamp 2000 to the I-beam.

(42) The method may further involve inserting a panel 100 between the brackets 2200, 2250 and securing said panel 100 to said brackets 2200, 2250 via fasteners 2400, 2410.

(43) Another embodiment of the present invention involves a method for providing a system module 1000 that can be easily be removed and replaced to minimize trailer/dolly downtime. The method allows for a system module 1000 to be quickly attached to a trailer dolly vehicle. The method also further allows for a system module 1000 to be quickly replaced with another system module 1000, allowing for continued use of the trailer/dolly vehicle. This method involves using the apparatus described in other embodiments of the invention. By using the design of the apparatus, a system module 1000 can be easily installed and removed from the mounting surface.

(44) The method further involves reducing the installation time of a system module 1000, and eliminating errors that result during the installation of the system module 1000. Furthermore, the method minimizes operation cost in both early and unnecessary repair and replacement cost, and minimizing catastrophic failures resulting in insurance cost saving.

(45) The method comprises the following steps of introducing a system module 1000, introducing a mounting element 115, 120 described in the apparatus of the invention, wherein the mounting element attaches the system module 1000 to a mounting surface 105, 110 on a vehicle. Various mounting elements 115, 120 may be used for the attachment of the system module 1000 to the mounting surface 105, 110.

(46) The method further involves the step of removing and replacing the system module 1000 by disengaging said system module 1000 from said mounting element 115, 120, introducing a second system module 1000, and engaging said second system module 1000 with said mounting element 115, 120, wherein said second system module 1000 allows for continued use of the vehicle. The method can be performed by a human, such as a mechanic, or in certain embodiments, robots and machines can be used to replace the system module.

(47) The method uses a mounting surface 105, 110 selected from a group consisting of an I-beam or C-channel, however, the mounting surface 105, 110 can be another part associated with a trailer/dolly vehicle. Furthermore, the mounting element 115, 120 is selected from a group consisting of welding, a fastening device, and/or a clamping device, however, other methods may also be used to connect the system module 1000 to the mounting surface 105, 110. Welding is typically used in combination with other fasteners as the ability of the other fasteners allows the system module to be easily removable. More than one of these methods can be used in conjunction with one another to mount the system module 1000 to the mounting surface 105, 110.

(48) The method further applies to a vehicle from a group consisting of, but not limited to semi-trailers, dolly, semi-trailer trucks, lorry's, side lifters, reefers, vans, flat beds, tanker trailers, dump trailers, road trains, or other commercial and heavy duty vehicles that use air/hydraulic systems.

(49) The method further comprises the step of easing the installation of the system module 1000. The method further comprises the step of servicing the system module 1000 and inserting the system module 1000 into another vehicle. This allows for system modules to be used interchangeably, thus minimizing downtime of the vehicle. This downtime can be limited, whereby the time to remove and replace a system module with a second system module takes under an hour. More preferably, the downtime can be limited to 30 minutes, whereby it take approximately 30 minutes or less to remove and replace a system module from a mounting surface.

(50) Furthermore, in specific embodiments, the system module is preferably a trailer/dolly air brake system module.

(51) While the invention has been specifically described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation and that various changes and modifications in form and details can be made thereto, and the scope of the appended Claims should be construed as broadly as the prior art will permit.

(52) The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature, and thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.