Abstract: A brake-control module for a first trailer of a tractor-trailer combination reduces braking response time for the second trailer and subsequent trailers in the vehicle train. The brake-control module includes a tractor interface. The tractor interface includes a tractor CAN interface for connecting to a tractor CAN connector of a tractor, a tractor voltage-supply interface for connecting to a tractor voltage-supply connector of the tractor, and a tractor warning-light interface for connecting to a tractor warning-light connector of the tractor. The brake-control module further includes a second-trailer interface for connection of a second trailer that is coupled to the first trailer.

Abstract: A trailer brake system constructed and arranged to effect the relay of a brake signal from the tractor and an automatically generated brake signal of an electronic control device of the trailer to one or more additional trailers in an expanded vehicle train. In one embodiment, the brake signal is relayed to an additional coupled trailer in the form of an electrical signal via an electrical interface. In another embodiment, the brake signal is relayed to an additional trailer by means of a valve device. In yet another embodiment, the brake signal is relayed to an additional trailer by means of a combination of electrical signal transmission and valve device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a valve device (1) for an air-suspension device for a vehicle, containing a manually actuatable air-admission valve (10, 34, 46) for admission of air to the air-suspension bellows (3) of the air-suspension device, a manually actuatable vent valve (11, 35, 47) for venting the air-suspension bellows (3) and a first electrically actuatable valve (7, 32, 44), the air-admission valve (10, 34, 46), the vent valve (11, 35, 47) and the first electrically actuatable valve (7, 32, 44) being disposed in a common housing (55). On this basis there is specified, for an air-suspension device for a vehicle, a valve device that can be used simply and inexpensively both in a level-regulating device containing an air-suspension valve and in an electronically controlled level-regulating device. This is achieved by the fact that a second electrically actuatable valve (6, 33, 45) is disposed in the housing (55).

Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic suspension unit for a vehicle, comprising pneumatic suspension bellows (3) and an electronically controlled level control unit (1), which aerates and bleeds the pneumatic suspension bellows (3) as required by means of an electrically operated valve device (6, 7, 32, 33, 44, 45). The invention provides a pneumatic suspension unit for a vehicle, which is equipped with an electronic controller for the level control and in which the level of the vehicle body can nevertheless be modified during an interruption or malfunction of the power supply. To achieve this, the inventive system comprises at least one manual actuating element (18, 19), which when manually actuated permits the aeration and/or bleeding of the pneumatic suspension bellows (3), even during a malfunction of the power supply to the electronically controlled level control unit (1).

Abstract: A process for braking a vehicle having at least first and second brakes, comprises supplying energy to the first and second brakes so as to actuate them, the energy being distributed between the first and second brakes in accordance with the brakes' response energies. Preferably, the momentary values of the response energies are used so that the first and second brakes are actuated simultaneously.

Abstract: A method and system for operating an electrically controlled pressurized-fluid vehicle brake system having a brake cylinder for actuating a brake, a braking-pressure sensor for obtaining braking-pressure data which indicate the braking pressure in the brake cylinder, a valve device for influencing the braking pressure by which the brake cylinder can communicate optionally with a supply pressure or with a set pressure in order to feed pressurized fluid, and a set-pressure sensor for obtaining set-pressure data. Braking pressure is adjusted as dictated by the set-pressure data and/or by the braking-pressure data. The set-pressure data are checked by temporarily switching the pressurized-fluid feed path to the brake cylinder from the supply pressure to the set pressure by actuation of at least one part of the valve device, and then monitoring the resulting braking pressure based on the braking-pressure data.

Abstract: A method and system for operating an electrically controlled pressurized-fluid vehicle brake system having a brake cylinder for actuating a brake, a braking-pressure sensor for obtaining braking-pressure data which indicate the braking pressure in the brake cylinder, a valve device for influencing the braking pressure by which the brake cylinder can communicate optionally with a supply pressure or with a set pressure in order to feed pressurized fluid, and a set-pressure sensor for obtaining set-pressure data. Braking pressure is adjusted as dictated by the set-pressure data and/or by the braking-pressure data. The set-pressure data are checked by temporarily switching the pressurized-fluid feed path to the brake cylinder from the supply pressure to the set pressure by actuation of at least one part of the valve device, and then monitoring the resulting braking pressure based on the braking-pressure data.

Abstract: A method for the coordination of braking forces between two attached units of a vehicle train, for example a towing vehicle and a trailer, uses slip-encumbered wheel speed signals to calculate a value representing the difference between the braking forces exerted on the two units of the vehicle train. Such wheel speed signals are normally edited into speed signals by electronic control systems located in each of the units of the vehicle train through signal processing. The speed signals thus obtained are then utilized for various control and regulating processes. During the processing of the signals received from the different units of the vehicle train, time delays occur, primarily due to transmission of the signals and/or different signal editing processes.

Abstract: A process to determine the response pressure of a brake in a braking system of a vehicle comprises: measuring the existing vehicle deceleration of the vehicle to determine a value of ground-vehicle deceleration, supplying a test pressure to the brake, measuring the deceleration of the vehicle after the test pressure has been supplied to the brake to determine a value of vehicle test deceleration, and comparing the value of ground-vehicle deceleration and the value of vehicle test deceleration. If the value of vehicle test deceleration is greater than the value of ground-vehicle deceleration by more than a predetermined tolerance value, the steps of the process are repeated with a reduced test pressure until the difference between the values of ground-vehicle deceleration and vehicle test deceleration is no more than the predetermined tolerance value.

Abstract: In a vehicle train comprising a motor vehicle and a trailer, a process for monitoring a trailer brake for overload comprises producing an energy call-up signal during a braking action, supplying energy to a motor vehicle brake in the motor vehicle, the amount of energy being supplied to the motor vehicle being determined, at least in part, by the value of the energy call-up signal, producing a trailer energy signal, the value of the trailer energy signal being determined, at least in part, by the value of the energy call-up signal, and supplying trailer energy to a trailer brake in the trailer, the amount of trailer energy supplied to the trailer brake being determined, at least in part, by the value of the trailer energy signal. The process further comprises monitoring the coupling force appearing at a coupling between the motor vehicle and the trailer, and adjusting the coupling force based on the trailer energy signal.

Abstract: A force measuring system for measuring first and second forces (F.sub.1,F.sub.2) acting on a body along first and second directions of attack (.alpha.,.beta.) comprises first and second force sensors which are disposed at first and second measuring directions (.gamma.,.delta.) with respect to the body, at least the first measuring direction (.gamma.) differing from the first and second directions of attack (.alpha.,.beta.). The first and second force sensors measure first and second measured forces (F.sub.Meas1,F.sub.Meas2) along measuring directions (.gamma.,.beta.). From the first and second measured forces (F.sub.Meas1,F.sub.Meas2), the first and second forces (F.sub.1,F.sub.2) acting on the body can be calculated.

Abstract: In a vehicle train comprising a motor vehicle and a trailer, a process for monitoring a motor vehicle trailer brake for overload comprises producing an energy call-up signal during a braking action, supplying energy to the motor vehicle brake in the motor vehicle, the amount of energy being supplied to the motor vehicle being determined, at least in part, by the value of the energy call-up signal, producing a trailer energy signal, the value of the trailer energy signal being determined, at least in part, by the value of the energy call-up signal, and supplying trailer energy to a trailer brake in the trailer, the amount of trailer energy supplied to the trailer brake being determined, at least in part, by the value of the trailer energy signal. The process further comprises monitoring the coupling force appearing at a coupling between the motor vehicle and the trailer, and adjusting the coupling force based on the trailer energy signal.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the braking with optimized stability of a vehicle train is disclosed. The vehicle train comprises at least two individual vehicles, one of the individual vehicles supporting the individual vehicle. The process comprises supplying energy to the brakes of the vehicles, thereby actuating the brakes and producing an actual force between the vehicles, and measuring the actual-value horizontal and vertical components (F.sub.hact, F.sub.vact) of the actual force (F.sub.act) acting between the supporting and supported vehicle. A desired-value horizontal force component (F.sub.hdes) of the force is determined by multiplying the actual-value vertical component (F.sub.vact) by the ratio of the actual-value train deceleration (b) to the earth's acceleration (g). The desired-value horizontal force component (F.sub.hdes) is then compared with the actual-value force horizontal component (F.sub.hact). The energy supplied to the brakes is adjusted so that F.sub.

Abstract: A device for measuring the deformation of a structural component comprises a sensor installed at a first end of a hollow bore in the structural component, the sensor having a measuring surface and producing an electrical signal indicative of a deformation in the measuring surface, and a transmission element which passes through the hollow bore. The transmission element has a first end which is supported by the structural component, and a second end which bears upon the measuring surface of the sensor, so that a deformation which occurs in the structural component will be transmitted to the measuring surface by the transmission element.