Vehicle air suspension system and control method of vehicle air suspension system

Abstract

The application relates to a vehicle air suspension system and a control method of the vehicle air suspension system. The vehicle air suspension system comprises: a plurality of air bags; a first height sensor and a second height sensor, the first height sensor is used for acquiring a first height of a first side of a vehicle frame relative to the ground, and the second height sensor is used for acquiring a second height of a second side of the vehicle frame relative to the ground; a pressure sensing regulation module connected with the plurality of air bags, used for acquiring air pressures of the air bags and adjusting the air pressures of the air bags; and a controller electrically connected with the pressure sensing regulation module, the first height sensor and the second height sensor, used for controlling the pressure sensing regulation module to adjust the air pressures of the air bags so that the height of the vehicle frame is within a second set range and the air pressures of the air bags are equal when the air pressure of at least one air bag is less than or equal to a set value. The scheme can make the forces on the air bags uniform, the service life of the air bags consistent, and the service life of the air suspension system of the vehicle improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of vehicle vibration reduction technology, and in particular to a vehicle air suspension system and a control method for the vehicle air suspension system. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of the automotive industry and the improvement of people's living standards, people have increasingly higher requirements for the driving stability and ride comfort of vehicles. The vehicle's damping system plays a crucial role in the stability and comfort of the vehicle. The damping system can mitigate the impact of uneven road surfaces on the vehicle, accelerate the attenuation of vibrations in the frame and body, thereby improving the vehicle's driving stability and ride comfort.

[0003] In traditional technology, air suspension is used as the vehicle's vibration reduction system.

[0004] However, air suspension systems in traditional technologies have a shorter lifespan. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a vehicle air suspension system with a longer service life and a control method for the vehicle air suspension system to address the aforementioned technical problems.

[0006] A vehicle air suspension system includes: multiple airbags disposed between the vehicle's axle and frame; at least one first height sensor and at least one second height sensor, the first height sensor and the second height sensor being symmetrically arranged on both sides of the frame about the vehicle's centerline, the first height sensor being used to acquire a first height of a first side of the frame relative to the ground, and the second height sensor being used to acquire a second height of a second side of the frame relative to the ground; a pressure sensing and control module connected to the multiple airbags, used to acquire the air pressure of each airbag and adjust the air pressure of each airbag; and control... The controller is electrically connected to the pressure sensing and control module, the first height sensor, and the second height sensor, respectively. When the air pressure of each airbag is greater than a set value, it controls the pressure sensing and control module to adjust the air pressure of each airbag according to the first height and the second height so that the difference between the first height and the second height is within a first set range; when the air pressure of at least one airbag is less than or equal to the set value, it controls the pressure sensing and control module to adjust the air pressure of each airbag so that the vehicle frame height is within a second set range and the air pressure of each airbag is equal; wherein, the vehicle frame height is either the first height or the second height.

[0007] In one embodiment, the plurality of airbags includes at least one first side airbag and at least one second side airbag, the first side airbag and the second side airbag being symmetrically arranged on both sides of the vehicle frame with the vehicle's central axis as the axis of symmetry; the pressure sensing and control module includes: an air tank; a first side solenoid valve, the air inlet of the first side solenoid valve being connected to the air tank, the working port of the first side solenoid valve being connected to each first side airbag, and the exhaust port of the first side solenoid valve being connected to the air tank; a second side solenoid valve, the air inlet of the second side solenoid valve being connected to the air tank, and the working port of the second side solenoid valve being connected to each... The second side airbag is connected, and the exhaust port of the second side solenoid valve is connected to the air tank; a pressure sensor is connected to the working ports of the first side solenoid valve and the second side solenoid valve respectively, and is used to periodically collect the pressure of the working port of the first side solenoid valve and the working port of the second side solenoid valve according to a preset time sequence; the controller is electrically connected to the control terminals of the first side solenoid valve, the second side solenoid valve and the pressure sensor respectively, and is used to control the working state of the first side solenoid valve and the second side solenoid valve, and to obtain the air pressure of each first side airbag and each second side airbag through the pressure sensor.

[0008] In one embodiment, the pressure sensing and control module further includes: a venting solenoid valve, the air inlet of which is connected to the air storage tank, and the working port of which is connected to the air inlet of the first side solenoid valve and the air inlet of the second side solenoid valve respectively; the controller is electrically connected to the control terminal of the venting solenoid valve and is used to control the working state of the venting solenoid valve.

[0009] In one embodiment, the pressure sensing and control module further includes: an overflow valve disposed between the air inlet of the venting solenoid valve and the air tank, used to open the passage between the air inlet of the venting solenoid valve and the air tank when open; the controller is electrically connected to the control terminal of the overflow valve, used to control the opening and closing state of the overflow valve according to the air pressure of each airbag. In one embodiment,

[0010] In one embodiment, the pressure sensing and control module further includes a muffler disposed between the exhaust port of the first-side solenoid valve, the exhaust port of the second-side solenoid valve, and the gas storage tank.

[0011] In one embodiment, the plurality of airbags includes a saddle airbag disposed below the saddle of the vehicle; the controller is configured to determine a first load change on the saddle of the vehicle based on the air pressure of the saddle airbag; and to determine the current saddle load based on the first load change and the load on the saddle when the vehicle is unloaded.

[0012] In one embodiment, the controller is further configured to determine a second load change on the front axle of the vehicle based on the first load change, the distance between the saddle airbag and the rear axle of the vehicle along the extension direction of the vehicle's centerline, and the distance between the front axle and the rear axle of the vehicle along the extension direction of the vehicle's centerline; and to determine the current front axle load based on the second load change and the load on the front axle when the vehicle is unloaded.

[0013] In one embodiment, the controller is further configured to determine a first weight currently borne by the vehicle based on the front axle load and the saddle load; receive a vehicle load command input by a user, including a second weight of the cargo currently borne by the vehicle; and issue an alarm signal if the difference between the first weight and the second weight is outside a third preset range. The vehicle air suspension system further includes an alarm module electrically connected to the controller, which is configured to issue an alarm when the alarm signal is received.

[0014] In one embodiment, the vehicle air suspension system further includes a plurality of shock absorbers disposed between the axle and the frame of the vehicle, the plurality of shock absorbers being electrically connected to the controller.

[0015] A control method for a vehicle air suspension system, the vehicle including multiple airbags disposed between the axle and the frame, the method comprising:

[0016] Obtain the first height of the first side of the vehicle frame relative to the ground and the second height of the second side of the vehicle frame relative to the ground;

[0017] When the air pressure of each airbag is greater than the set value, the air pressure of each airbag is adjusted according to the first height and the second height so that the difference between the first height and the second height is within the first set range.

[0018] When the air pressure of at least one airbag is less than or equal to the set value, the air pressure of each airbag is adjusted so that the frame height is within a second set range and the air pressure of each airbag is equal; wherein, the frame height is the first height or the second height.

[0019] The aforementioned vehicle air suspension system and its control method utilize multiple airbags placed between the vehicle's axle and frame to provide cushioning and improve driving comfort. Height sensors on both sides of the frame allow for the acquisition of height data on each side, facilitating the assessment of vehicle tilt based on the height difference. A pressure sensor control module monitors and adjusts the airbag pressure, enabling precise control over each airbag's pressure. By configuring the processor, when the air pressure of each airbag is greater than the set value, it means that each airbag bears a portion of the vehicle's weight, and the force on each airbag is relatively uniform. At this time, the air pressure of each airbag is adjusted according to the height difference between the left and right sides of the frame, so that the height difference between the left and right sides of the frame is within the first set range, ensuring the vehicle's balance and improving driving stability and ride comfort. When the air pressure of at least one airbag is less than or equal to the set value, it means that the airbag is understressed. Since the total load is constant, the force on other airbags will be too great, resulting in uneven force on multiple airbags. This can lead to airbag overload, reducing airbag lifespan and causing inconsistent lifespans among multiple airbags, creating safety hazards. Therefore, in this case, the air pressure of each airbag is adjusted to be equal, so that the force on each airbag is uniform, and the height of one side of the frame is kept within the second set range. This, to a certain extent, still ensures the vehicle's driving stability and ride comfort, while also ensuring that the force on each airbag is uniform, resulting in consistent airbag lifespan and extending the service life of the vehicle's air suspension system. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the conventional technology, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the conventional technology will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a vehicle air suspension system in one embodiment;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the anatomical structure of a vehicle air suspension system in one embodiment.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of the pressure sensing and control module in one embodiment;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of the pressure sensing and control module in another embodiment;

[0025] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the forces acting on a vehicle in one embodiment;

[0026] Figure 6 This is a structural schematic diagram of the vehicle air suspension system in another embodiment;

[0027] Figure 7 This is a flowchart of a control method for a vehicle air suspension system in one embodiment.

[0028] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached diagram: 10-Airbag, 20-First height sensor, 21-Second height sensor, 30-Pressure sensing and control module, 40-Controller, 22-Longitudinal beam, 100-CAN bus, 31-First side solenoid valve, 32-Second side solenoid valve, 33-Pressure sensor, 34-Ventilation solenoid valve, 35-Overflow valve, 36-Air tank, 37-Silencer, 11-Saddle, 12-Leaf spring, 50-Alarm module, 60-Shock absorber, 70-Display module. Detailed Implementation

[0029] To facilitate understanding of this application, a more complete description will be provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the present application. However, the present application can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that the disclosure of this application will be thorough and complete.

[0030] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application.

[0031] It is understood that the terms “first,” “second,” etc., used in this application may be used herein to describe various elements, but these elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish the first element from another element.

[0032] Spatial relation terms such as “below,” “under,” “below,” “under,” “above,” “above,” etc., are used herein to describe the relationship between one element or feature shown in the figure and other elements or features. It should be understood that, in addition to the orientation shown in the figure, spatial relation terms also include different orientations of the device in use and operation. For example, if the device in the figure is flipped, the element or feature described as “below,” “under,” or “below” will be oriented “above” the other element or feature. Therefore, the exemplary terms “below” and “under” can include both above and below orientations. Furthermore, the device may also include other orientations (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or other orientations), and the spatial descriptive terms used herein will be interpreted accordingly.

[0033] It should be noted that when one element is considered to be "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or connected to the other element through an intermediary element. Furthermore, in the following embodiments, "connection" should be understood as "electrical connection," "communication connection," etc., if there is transmission of electrical signals or data between the connected objects.

[0034] When used herein, the singular forms of “a,” “an,” and “the” may also include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the terms “comprising,” “including,” or “having,” etc., specify the presence of the stated feature, whole, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof, but do not preclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, wholes, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0035] In one embodiment, such as Figure 1 As shown, a vehicle air suspension system is provided, including: multiple airbags 10, at least one first height sensor 20, at least one second height sensor 21, a pressure sensing and control module 30, and a controller 40, wherein:

[0036] Multiple airbags 10 are positioned between the vehicle's axles and frame.

[0037] For example, such as Figure 2 As shown, the number of airbags 10 is an even number, and the multiple airbags 10 are symmetrically arranged along the central axis of the vehicle. At least one airbag 10 is installed on each side of the front axle, at least one airbag 10 is installed on each side of the middle axle, and at least one airbag 10 is installed on each side of the rear axle, thereby achieving the effect of damping the vehicle's shocks. The multiple airbags 10 together constitute the air spring assembly in the air suspension system.

[0038] The first height sensor 20 and the second height sensor 21 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the vehicle frame with the vehicle's centerline as the axis of symmetry. The first height sensor 20 is used to obtain the first height of the first side of the vehicle frame relative to the ground, and the second height sensor 21 is used to obtain the second height of the second side of the vehicle frame relative to the ground.

[0039] Specifically, the first height sensor 20 and the second height sensor 21 are symmetrically arranged on the frame, so as to collect the height of the two symmetrical sides of the frame relative to the ground, which is convenient for subsequent judgment of whether the frame is tilted.

[0040] For example, such as Figure 2 As shown, a first height sensor 20 and a second height sensor 21 can be installed on both sides of the vehicle's central axle. Alternatively, multiple height sensors can be installed at different locations on the vehicle to determine the first side height of the vehicle based on the height signals collected by the multiple first height sensors 20, and to determine the second side height of the vehicle based on the height signals collected by the multiple second height sensors 21, thus achieving greater accuracy.

[0041] For example, the first side of the frame can be the left side of the frame, and the second side of the frame can be the right side of the frame.

[0042] The pressure sensing and control module 30 is connected to multiple airbags 10 and is used to acquire the air pressure of each airbag 10 and adjust the air pressure of each airbag 10.

[0043] Specifically, each airbag 10 is connected to the pressure sensing and control module 30 through an air pipe. The pressure sensing and control module 30 can inflate the airbag 10 or expel the gas in the airbag 10 through the air pipe, thereby controlling the air pressure of each airbag 10. It can also obtain the air pressure of each airbag 10 by detecting the pressure in the air pipes connected to each airbag 10.

[0044] The controller 40 is electrically connected to the pressure sensing and control module 30, the first height sensor 20, and the second height sensor 21, respectively. When the air pressure of each airbag 10 is greater than a set value, the controller 40 adjusts the air pressure of each airbag 10 according to the first and second heights to ensure the difference between the first and second heights is within a first set range. When the air pressure of at least one airbag 10 is less than or equal to a set value, the controller 40 adjusts the air pressure of each airbag 10 to ensure the vehicle frame height is within a second set range and the air pressure of each airbag 10 is equal; wherein the vehicle frame height is either the first height or the second height.

[0045] Specifically, the controller 40 controls the pressure sensing and control module 30 to adjust the air pressure of each airbag 10 so that the difference between the first height and the second height is within a first set range. This adjustment of the airbag 10 pressure helps maintain vehicle balance and prevents tilting. However, if the vehicle load is light, and the pressure of only one side's airbag 10 is sufficient to support the vehicle's weight, and the frame height on that side is lower due to vehicle tilt, road conditions, or other reasons, it's possible that the airbag 10 on the side with the higher frame height will continuously deflate. Because the vehicle load is too low, the airbag 10 on the side with the lower frame height can support the vehicle. Even without the support of the airbag 10 on the higher frame height side, the frame height will not change, causing the airbag 10 on the higher frame height side to deflate completely. In this situation, the airbag 10 on the side with the lower frame height will bear the vehicle's load independently, resulting in a greater load and increased risk of damage. Therefore, when the air pressure of at least one airbag 10 is lower than the set value, the air pressure of each airbag 10 is adjusted to be equal, so that the load borne by each airbag 10 is consistent. At this time, control can be made only based on the height of one side of the frame, without considering the height difference between the two sides of the frame. As long as one side of the frame is within the second set range and the air pressure of each airbag 10 is equal, the frame will still be balanced.

[0046] For example, the air pressure setting of airbag 10 can be 1 bar. When the air pressure of airbag 10 is less than 1 bar, it means that the air pressure of airbag 10 is too low, which also means that the air pressure of other airbags 10 is too high.

[0047] For example, such as Figure 2 As shown, the controller 40 can be a chassis domain controller 40, which connects to various components of the vehicle via a controller area network (CAN) bus to control these components. Because the controller 40 is located in the chassis and connects to various components via the CAN bus 100, the vehicle's wiring harness can be reduced, lowering vehicle costs and saving chassis space.

[0048] In this embodiment, multiple airbags 10 are installed between the vehicle's axle and frame, thereby providing cushioning and improving driving comfort. Height sensors are installed on both sides of the frame to obtain the height of each side, facilitating the determination of vehicle tilt based on the height difference between the two sides. A pressure sensing and control module 30 is used to acquire and adjust the air pressure of each airbag 10, enabling monitoring of the air pressure of each airbag 10. By configuring the processor, when the air pressure of each airbag 10 is greater than the set value, it means that each airbag 10 bears a portion of the vehicle's weight, and the force on each airbag 10 is relatively uniform. At this time, the air pressure of each airbag 10 is adjusted according to the height difference between the left and right sides of the vehicle frame, so that the height difference between the left and right sides of the vehicle frame is within the first set range, ensuring the vehicle's balance and improving the vehicle's driving stability and ride comfort. When the air pressure of at least one airbag 10 is less than or equal to the set value, it means that the force on that airbag 10 is too small. Since the total load is constant, the force on the other airbags 10 will be relatively large. Uneven force distribution on multiple airbags 10 can lead to overload and reduced lifespan of the airbags 10, as well as inconsistent lifespans, posing a safety hazard. Therefore, adjusting the air pressure of each airbag 10 to be equal ensures uniform force distribution. Furthermore, maintaining the height of one side of the vehicle frame within a second set range helps to maintain vehicle driving stability and ride comfort to a certain extent, while also ensuring uniform force distribution on each airbag 10, resulting in consistent lifespans and extending the lifespan of the vehicle's air suspension system.

[0049] In one embodiment, please see [link to embodiment]. Figure 2 The multiple airbags 10 include at least one first side airbag 10 and at least one second side airbag 10, the first side airbag 10 and the second side airbag 10 being symmetrically arranged on both sides of the vehicle frame with the vehicle's central axis as the axis of symmetry.

[0050] For example, such as Figure 2 As shown, the first side airbag 10 and the second side airbag 10 are respectively installed on the two longitudinal beams 22 on both sides of the vehicle, and are symmetrically arranged along the central axis of the vehicle.

[0051] like Figure 3 As shown, the pressure sensing and control module 30 includes: an air tank 36, a first-side solenoid valve 31, a second-side solenoid valve 32, and a pressure sensor 33, wherein:

[0052] The air inlet of the first-side solenoid valve 31 is connected to the air tank 36, the working port of the first-side solenoid valve 31 is connected to each first-side airbag 10, and the exhaust port of the first-side solenoid valve 31 is connected to the air tank 36.

[0053] Specifically, each first-side airbag 10 is connected to the first-side solenoid valve 31 through the same air pipe, which can ensure that the air pressure of each first-side airbag 10 is consistent, so that the height of the front axle, middle axle and rear axle on the first side of the frame is consistent, thereby improving the stability of the vehicle body.

[0054] The air inlet of the second-side solenoid valve 32 is connected to the air tank 36, the working port of the second-side solenoid valve 32 is connected to each second-side airbag 10, and the exhaust port of the second-side solenoid valve 32 is connected to the air tank 36.

[0055] Specifically, each second-side airbag 10 is connected to the second-side solenoid valve 32 through the same air pipe, which can ensure that the air pressure of each second-side airbag 10 is consistent, so that the height of the front axle, middle axle and rear axle on the second side of the frame is consistent, thus improving the stability of the vehicle body.

[0056] Specifically, the solenoid valve includes an air inlet, an air outlet, and a working port. The working states of the solenoid valve include an air-filling state, in which the air tank 36 is transported from the air inlet to the working port, and an air-venting state, in which the gas is extracted from the working port and transported to the air outlet for discharge.

[0057] Pressure sensor 33 is connected to the working ports of the first solenoid valve 31 and the second solenoid valve 32 respectively, and is used to periodically collect the pressure of the working port of the first solenoid valve 31 and the working port of the second solenoid valve 32 according to a preset time sequence.

[0058] Specifically, by setting only one pressure sensor 33, which samples the pressure of the first side airbag 10 and the pressure of the second side airbag 10 according to a preset timing sequence, the wiring harness can be saved while ensuring pressure detection.

[0059] The controller 40 is electrically connected to the control terminals of the first-side solenoid valve 31 and the second-side solenoid valve 32, and the pressure sensor 33, respectively, to control the working state of the first-side solenoid valve 31 and the second-side solenoid valve 32, and to obtain the air pressure of each first-side airbag 10 and each second-side airbag 10 through the pressure sensor 33.

[0060] Specifically, the controller 40 can adjust the air pressure of each first side airbag 10 and each second side airbag 10 by controlling the working state of the solenoid valve. The controller 40 also has a corresponding timing preset inside, so it can automatically identify whether the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor 33 is the air pressure of the first side airbag 10 or the air pressure of the second side airbag 10.

[0061] In this embodiment, by setting up a first side airbag 10, a second side airbag 10, a first side solenoid valve 31, a second side solenoid valve 32, and a pressure sensor 33, the controller 40 can obtain the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 33 to determine the air pressure of each airbag 10, and can adjust the air pressure of each airbag 10 by adjusting the working state of the solenoid valve. This achieves the detection and adjustment of the air pressure of each airbag 10.

[0062] In one embodiment, such as Figure 4 As shown, the pressure sensing and control module 30 also includes: a venting solenoid valve 34. Wherein:

[0063] The air inlet of the venting solenoid valve 34 is connected to the air storage tank 36, and the working port of the venting solenoid valve 34 is connected to the air inlet of the first solenoid valve 31 and the air inlet of the second solenoid valve 32.

[0064] The controller 40 is electrically connected to the control terminal of the venting solenoid valve 34 and is used to control the working state of the venting solenoid valve 34.

[0065] Specifically, the controller 40 controls whether the first-side solenoid valve 31 and the second-side solenoid valve 32 can receive the air tank 36, that is, whether the air pressure of each airbag 10 can be adjusted, by controlling whether the working port and the air inlet of the ventilation solenoid valve 34 are connected.

[0066] In this embodiment, by setting a ventilation solenoid valve 34, the processor can control whether the air pressure of each airbag 10 can be adjusted by controlling the working state of the ventilation solenoid valve 34.

[0067] In one embodiment, please see [link to previous article]. Figure 4 The pressure sensing and control module 30 also includes: an overflow valve 35, wherein:

[0068] An overflow valve 35 is disposed between the air inlet of the venting solenoid valve 34 and the air tank 36, and is used to open the passage between the air inlet of the venting solenoid valve 34 and the air tank 36 when it is opened.

[0069] The controller 40 is electrically connected to the control terminal of the overflow valve 35 and is used to control the opening and closing state of the overflow valve 35 according to the air pressure of each airbag 10.

[0070] Specifically, when the gas pressure in the air tank 36 inside the vehicle falls below a threshold, the controller 40 closes the overflow valve 35, allowing the gas in the air tank 36 to prioritize supplying air to the vehicle's braking system, ensuring its normal operation. During this time, the airbags 10 cannot inflate or deflate. Furthermore, if an airbag 10 leaks, the overflow valve 35 can promptly close the passage between the air tank 36 and the airbag 10, preventing gas leakage from causing brake system failure.

[0071] In this embodiment, by setting an overflow valve 35, the controller 40 can control the overflow valve 35 to close the passage between the airbag 10 and the air tank 36 according to the air pressure of the air tank 36 and whether the vehicle is leaking air, thereby ensuring the stability of the vehicle's braking system and improving the vehicle's safety.

[0072] In one embodiment, please see [link to embodiment]. Figure 4 The pressure sensing and control module 30 also includes a silencer 37. The silencer 37 is disposed between the exhaust port of the first solenoid valve 31, the exhaust port of the second solenoid valve 32, and the outside air.

[0073] In this embodiment, by installing a muffler 37 in the exhaust channel, the volume of exhaust is reduced, exhaust noise is decreased, and passenger comfort is improved.

[0074] In one embodiment, such as Figure 5 As shown, the multiple airbags 10 include a saddle airbag 10 disposed below the saddle 11 of the vehicle.

[0075] The controller 40 is used to determine the first load change on the vehicle's saddle based on the air pressure of the saddle airbag 10. Based on the first load change and the load on the saddle when the vehicle is unloaded, the current saddle load is determined.

[0076] Specifically, when a vehicle is unloaded, it experiences a certain load due to its own weight. When the vehicle is loaded with cargo, the weight of the cargo causes a first load change on the vehicle's saddle. Therefore, the load on the saddle when the vehicle is unloaded plus the first load change equals the current saddle load. Since there is a specific relationship between the air pressure of the airbag 10 under the saddle and the first load change, the current saddle load can be determined by the air pressure of the airbag 10.

[0077] In this embodiment, the controller 40 can determine the vehicle's load by measuring the air pressure change of the airbag 10, which facilitates the weighing of the goods on the vehicle.

[0078] In one embodiment, please see [link to previous article]. Figure 5 The controller 40 is further configured to determine a second load change on the front axle of the vehicle based on a first load change, the distance between the saddle airbag 10 and the rear axle of the vehicle along the extension direction of the vehicle's centerline, and the distance between the front and rear axles of the vehicle along the extension direction of the vehicle's centerline. The current front axle load is then determined based on the second load change and the load on the front axle when the vehicle is unloaded.

[0079] For example, the front axle load is calculated using the following formula:

[0080]

[0081] Wherein, F1 is the front axle load, F2 is the saddle load, L1 is the distance between the saddle airbag 10 and the rear axle of the vehicle along the extension direction of the vehicle's centerline, and L2 is the distance between the front axle and the rear axle of the vehicle along the extension direction of the vehicle's centerline.

[0082] For example, see Figure 2 , Figure 5 The front axle of a vehicle is usually damped by a leaf spring 12. No airbag 10 is installed at the front axle, so the front axle load cannot be obtained directly from the air pressure of the airbag 10. However, by using the method of this embodiment, the front axle load can be calculated from the saddle load using the lever principle, thus eliminating the need to install a pressure sensor 33 and the corresponding wiring harness on the leaf spring 12 of the front axle, saving costs.

[0083] In this embodiment, the front axle load is calculated based on the saddle load using the lever principle, thereby saving costs.

[0084] In one embodiment, the controller 40 is further configured to determine a first weight currently carried by the vehicle based on the front axle load and the saddle load. It receives a vehicle load command input by the user, including a second weight of the cargo currently carried by the vehicle. If the difference between the first weight and the second weight is outside a third preset range, an alarm signal is issued.

[0085] Specifically, users can manually input the second weight of the goods currently being carried by the vehicle into the controller 40 via the weighbridge data input function. The processor will then automatically compare the calculated first weight and the second weight. If the difference between the first and second weights is outside a third set range, it indicates that the error in the calculated first weight is large and the accuracy of the vehicle's weighing system is substandard. In this case, an alarm signal will be issued to prompt the user to perform calibration.

[0086] In this embodiment, the user can directly input the second weight of the goods carried on the vehicle into the controller 40. The controller 40 can also automatically compare the first weight and the second weight to determine whether the accuracy of the vehicle's weighing system meets the requirements. When the accuracy of the weighing system is not up to standard, it can prompt the user, thereby facilitating the user to calibrate the weighing system in a timely manner.

[0087] In one embodiment, such as Figure 6 As shown, the vehicle air suspension system also includes an alarm module 50. The alarm module 50 is electrically connected to the controller 40 and is used to issue an alarm when an alarm signal is received.

[0088] For example, the alarm module 50 may be an indicator light and / or a speaker.

[0089] In this embodiment, by setting an alarm module, an alarm can be issued to promptly remind the user.

[0090] In one embodiment, please see [link to embodiment]. Figure 2 The vehicle air suspension system also includes multiple shock absorbers 60. The multiple shock absorbers 60 are disposed between the vehicle's axles and frame, and are electrically connected to the controller 40.

[0091] For example, the damper 60 is an automatic adjustment and continuous damping control (CDC) damper.

[0092] Specifically, such as Figure 2 As shown, multiple shock absorbers 60 are electrically connected to the controller 40 and are thus controlled by the controller 40. This integration eliminates the need for a separate controller 40 and reduces wiring.

[0093] In this embodiment, the vibration reduction effect of the vehicle is improved by setting a shock absorber.

[0094] In one embodiment, please see [link to embodiment]. Figure 6 The vehicle air suspension system also includes a display module 70. The display module 70 is electrically connected to the controller 40 and is used to display the vehicle's front axle load, saddle load, and overall load.

[0095] For example, the display module 70 can be a vehicle's dashboard.

[0096] In this embodiment, a display module is provided to allow users to intuitively view the vehicle's load information.

[0097] In one embodiment, such as Figure 7 As shown, a control method for a vehicle air suspension system is provided. The vehicle includes multiple airbags disposed between the axle and the frame. The method includes:

[0098] Step S700: Obtain the first height of the first side of the frame relative to the ground and the second height of the second side of the frame relative to the ground.

[0099] Specifically, the first and second sides of the frame are defined relative to the vehicle's centerline. The side of the frame located on the vehicle's centerline is the first side, and the other side is the second side.

[0100] Step S710: When the air pressure of each airbag is greater than the set value, adjust the air pressure of each airbag according to the first height and the second height so that the difference between the first height and the second height is within the first set range.

[0101] Step S720: When the air pressure of at least one airbag is less than or equal to a set value, adjust the air pressure of each airbag so that the frame height is within the second set range and the air pressure of each airbag is equal.

[0102] The frame height is either the first height or the second height.

[0103] In this embodiment, by obtaining the heights of the left and right sides of the vehicle frame, it is easier to determine the vehicle's tilt based on the height difference between the left and right sides of the vehicle frame. When the air pressure of each airbag is greater than the set value, it means that each airbag bears a portion of the vehicle's weight, and the force on each airbag is relatively uniform. At this time, the air pressure of each airbag is adjusted according to the height difference between the left and right sides of the frame, so that the height difference between the left and right sides of the frame is within the first set range, ensuring the vehicle's balance and improving driving stability and ride comfort. When the air pressure of at least one airbag is less than or equal to the set value, it means that the airbag is understressed. Since the total load is constant, the force on the other airbags will be too great, resulting in uneven force on multiple airbags. This can lead to airbag overload, reducing airbag lifespan and causing inconsistent lifespans among multiple airbags, creating safety hazards. Therefore, in this case, the air pressure of each airbag is adjusted to be equal, so that the force on each airbag is uniform, and the height of one side of the frame is kept within the second set range. This, to a certain extent, still ensures the vehicle's driving stability and ride comfort, while also ensuring that the force on each airbag is uniform, resulting in consistent airbag lifespan and extending the service life of the vehicle's air suspension system.

[0104] It should be understood that, although Figure 7 The steps in the flowchart are shown sequentially as indicated by the arrows, but these steps are not necessarily executed in the order indicated by the arrows. Unless otherwise specified herein, there is no strict order in which these steps are executed, and they can be performed in other orders. Figure 7 At least some of the steps in the process may include multiple steps or multiple stages. These steps or stages are not necessarily completed at the same time, but may be executed at different times. The execution order of these steps or stages is not necessarily sequential, but may be executed in turn or alternately with other steps or at least some of the steps or stages in other steps.

[0105] Those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the processes in the methods of the above embodiments can be implemented by a computer program instructing related hardware. The computer program can be stored in a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium, and when executed, it can include the processes of the embodiments of the methods described above. Any references to memory, storage, databases, or other media used in the embodiments provided in this application can include at least one of non-volatile and volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can include read-only memory (ROM), magnetic tape, floppy disk, flash memory, or optical storage, etc. Volatile memory can include random access memory (RAM) or external cache memory. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM can be in various forms, such as static random access memory (SRAM) or dynamic random access memory (DRAM), etc.

[0106] In the description of this specification, references to terms such as "some embodiments," "other embodiments," and "ideal embodiments" indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In this specification, the illustrative descriptions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments or examples.

[0107] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0108] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementation methods of this application, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these all fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this patent application should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle air suspension system, characterized in that, include: Multiple airbags are installed between the vehicle's axle and frame. The front axle does not have any airbags, while the middle and rear axles do. The front axle is equipped with leaf springs for vibration damping. At least one first height sensor and at least one second height sensor are provided, the first height sensor and the second height sensor being symmetrically arranged on both sides of the frame with the central axis of the vehicle as the axis of symmetry. The first height sensor is used to obtain a first height of a first side of the frame relative to the ground, and the second height sensor is used to obtain a second height of a second side of the frame relative to the ground. A pressure sensing and control module is connected to the multiple airbags and is used to acquire the air pressure of each airbag and adjust the air pressure of each airbag. The controller is electrically connected to the pressure sensing and control module, the first height sensor, and the second height sensor, respectively. When the air pressure of each airbag is greater than a set value, the controller adjusts the air pressure of each airbag according to the first height and the second height, so that the difference between the first height and the second height is within a first set range. When the air pressure of at least one airbag is less than or equal to the set value, the controller adjusts the air pressure of each airbag to make the vehicle frame height within a second set range and the air pressure of each airbag equal. The vehicle frame height is either the first height or the second height. The plurality of airbags includes a saddle airbag disposed below the saddle of the vehicle; the controller is further configured to determine a first load change on the saddle of the vehicle based on the air pressure of the saddle airbag, determine a current saddle load based on the first load change and the load on the saddle when the vehicle is unloaded, determine a second load change on the front axle of the vehicle based on the first load change, the distance between the saddle airbag and the rear axle of the vehicle along the extension direction of the vehicle's centerline, and the distance between the front axle and the rear axle of the vehicle along the extension direction of the vehicle's centerline, and determine a current front axle load based on the second load change and the load on the front axle when the vehicle is unloaded; wherein, the formula for determining the front axle load includes: in, For front axle load, For saddle load, The distance between the saddle airbag and the rear axle of the vehicle, extending along the vehicle's centerline. This is the distance between the front and rear axles of the vehicle along the extension direction of the vehicle's centerline. The controller is also used to determine the first weight currently carried by the vehicle based on the front axle load and the saddle load, receive a vehicle load command input by the user including the second weight of the goods currently carried by the vehicle, and issue an alarm signal if the difference between the first weight and the second weight is outside a third set range. The pressure sensing and control module includes an air tank, a venting solenoid valve, and an overflow valve; the overflow valve is disposed between the air inlet of the venting solenoid valve and the air tank, and is used to open the passage between the air inlet of the venting solenoid valve and the air tank when opened; wherein, the venting solenoid valve is connected to multiple airbags respectively. The controller is also configured to control the overflow valve to close when the gas pressure in the gas tank is lower than a threshold, so that the gas in the gas tank is preferentially supplied to the vehicle's braking system, and to close the passage between the gas tank and the airbag through the overflow valve when the airbag leaks.

2. The vehicle air suspension system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of airbags includes at least one first side airbag and at least one second side airbag, wherein the first side airbag and the second side airbag are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the vehicle frame with the central axis of the vehicle as the axis of symmetry. The pressure sensing and control module also includes: The first side solenoid valve has an air inlet connected to the air tank, a working port connected to each first side airbag, and an exhaust port connected to the air tank. The second side solenoid valve has an air inlet connected to the air tank, a working port connected to each second side airbag, and an exhaust port connected to the air tank. A pressure sensor is connected to the working ports of the first-side solenoid valve and the second-side solenoid valve respectively, and is used to periodically collect the pressure at the working port of the first-side solenoid valve and the pressure at the working port of the second-side solenoid valve according to a preset time sequence. The controller is electrically connected to the control terminals of the first-side solenoid valve, the second-side solenoid valve, and the pressure sensor, respectively, and is used to control the working state of the first-side solenoid valve and the second-side solenoid valve, and to obtain the air pressure of each first-side airbag and each second-side airbag through the pressure sensor.

3. The vehicle air suspension system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The air inlet of the venting solenoid valve is connected to the air storage tank, and the working port of the venting solenoid valve is connected to the air inlet of the first side solenoid valve and the air inlet of the second side solenoid valve respectively. The controller is electrically connected to the control terminal of the venting solenoid valve and is used to control the working state of the venting solenoid valve.

4. The vehicle air suspension system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The controller is electrically connected to the control terminal of the overflow valve and is used to control the opening and closing state of the overflow valve according to the air pressure of each airbag.

5. The vehicle air suspension system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The pressure sensing and control module also includes: A muffler is disposed between the exhaust port of the first-side solenoid valve, the exhaust port of the second-side solenoid valve, and the gas storage tank.

6. The vehicle air suspension system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vehicle air suspension system also includes an alarm module, which is electrically connected to the controller and is used to issue an alarm when the alarm signal is received.

7. The vehicle air suspension system according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The vehicle air suspension system also includes multiple shock absorbers disposed between the vehicle's axle and frame, the multiple shock absorbers being electrically connected to the controller.

8. A control method for a vehicle air suspension system, characterized in that, The vehicle includes multiple airbags disposed between the axle and the frame, wherein no airbag is disposed on the front axle, while airbags are disposed on the middle axle and the rear axle. The front axle is equipped with leaf springs for vibration damping. The method includes: Obtain the first height of the first side of the vehicle frame relative to the ground and the second height of the second side of the vehicle frame relative to the ground; When the air pressure of each airbag is greater than the set value, the air pressure of each airbag is adjusted according to the first height and the second height so that the difference between the first height and the second height is within the first set range. When the air pressure of at least one airbag is less than or equal to the set value, the air pressure of each airbag is adjusted so that the frame height is within a second set range and the air pressure of each airbag is equal; wherein, the frame height is the first height or the second height; The first load change on the vehicle's saddle is determined based on the air pressure of the saddle airbag. The current saddle load is determined based on the first load change and the load on the saddle when the vehicle is unloaded. The second load change on the vehicle's front axle is determined based on the first load change, the distance between the saddle airbag and the rear axle along the vehicle's centerline, and the distance between the front and rear axles along the vehicle's centerline. The current front axle load is determined based on the second load change and the load on the front axle when the vehicle is unloaded. The formula for determining the front axle load includes: in, For front axle load, For saddle load, The distance between the saddle airbag and the rear axle of the vehicle, extending along the vehicle's centerline. This is the distance between the front and rear axles of the vehicle along the extension direction of the vehicle's centerline. Based on the front axle load and saddle load, determine the first weight currently carried by the vehicle, receive the vehicle load command input by the user including the second weight of the goods currently carried by the vehicle, and if the difference between the first weight and the second weight is outside the third set range, issue an alarm signal. When the gas pressure in the gas tank is lower than a threshold, the overflow valve is closed, so that the gas in the gas tank is used to supply gas to the vehicle's braking system first. When the airbag leaks, the overflow valve closes the passage between the gas tank and the airbag.

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