A pressure sensor for a vehicle suspension system

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of sensors, in particular to a pressure sensor for a vehicle suspension system, which comprises at least one horizontal pressure detection part, the horizontal pressure detection part is installed between a spring leaf group of the vehicle suspension system and an axle, and is used for detecting the horizontal pressure of the spring leaf group on the axle; the horizontal pressure detection part comprises a shell fixed on the axle, the shell has a chamber filled with liquid in the inside, a force receiving part in movable sealing connection with the chamber is connected to the outer wall of the shell, the force receiving part is connected with the spring leaf group and transmits the horizontal pressure, the outer wall of the shell is further connected with a connector in communication with the chamber, and a pressure testing element is arranged in the connector. The application has the advantages that the size change of the longitudinal force can be obtained during the driving of the vehicle, the size change of the transverse force can be obtained during the turning of the vehicle, the acceleration and turning speed of the vehicle are controlled based on the above data to avoid the shaking and spilling of goods, and the safety of the driving vehicle and the goods is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of sensor technology, specifically to a pressure sensor for a vehicle suspension system. Background Technology

[0002] Leaf springs are the most widely used elastic element in automotive suspensions. They consist of several alloy spring leaves of equal width but unequal length (thickness may be equal or unequal), forming an approximately equal-strength elastic beam. These spring leaves are fixed together by a through-wire and then to the axle via U-shaped wires. Due to the rapid development of the transportation industry and the demand for refined management, it is necessary to monitor cargo overloading, weight, and any loss in real time. To reduce deviations, real-time monitoring of vehicle load pressure is required, necessitating the use of pressure sensors for data acquisition. Current technology involves mounting pressure sensors on the leaf spring suspension for real-time monitoring of vertical load pressure.

[0003] However, during vehicle operation, leaf springs bear not only vertical static loads but also longitudinal forces and impact loads. The longitudinal forces mainly include driving and braking forces. The longitudinal forces on the leaf springs are greatest during emergency braking. When the vehicle turns, it also bears lateral forces. Changes in both lateral and longitudinal forces affect the stability and safety of the vehicle, and are major factors leading to cargo swaying, uneven loading, and spillage. If only the vertical load is monitored without monitoring lateral and longitudinal forces, the problem can only be detected after cargo falls. High-speed cargo falls not only cause damage but also endanger pedestrians and other vehicles, failing to meet the requirements for safe cargo transportation. Therefore, we propose a pressure sensor for vehicle suspension systems. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a pressure sensor for a vehicle suspension system, capable of acquiring changes in longitudinal force during vehicle movement and changes in lateral force during vehicle turning. Based on this data, the sensor controls vehicle acceleration and turning speed to prevent cargo from swaying and spilling, thus ensuring the safety of the vehicle and its cargo. This invention solves the problem of existing technologies that only detect cargo falls after they have occurred, which not only damages cargo at high speeds but also endangers pedestrians and other vehicles, failing to meet the requirements for safe cargo transportation.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a pressure sensor for a vehicle suspension system, the vehicle suspension system including a leaf spring, the leaf spring plates being connected to the axle via vertical through-wires, including at least one horizontal pressure detection unit, the horizontal pressure detection unit being installed between the leaf spring plate assembly and the axle of the vehicle suspension system, for detecting the horizontal pressure of the leaf spring plate assembly on the axle;

[0006] The horizontal pressure detection unit includes a housing fixed to the axle, the housing having a chamber filled with liquid inside, a force-bearing component connected to the outer wall of the housing and movably sealed with the chamber, the force-bearing component being connected to a spring plate assembly and transmitting horizontal pressure, and a connector communicating with the chamber being connected to the outer wall of the housing, the connector having a built-in pressure testing element.

[0007] Preferably, the force-bearing component is connected to the through wire of the leaf spring, and the through wire is used to transmit the horizontal pressure of the spring assembly to the force-bearing component.

[0008] Preferably, the horizontal pressure detection unit includes a longitudinal pressure detection unit along the length of the spring plate group and a transverse pressure detection unit perpendicular to the length of the spring plate group, and the force-bearing components of both the transverse pressure detection unit and the longitudinal pressure detection unit are connected to the through wire, for detecting the transverse pressure and longitudinal pressure of the spring plate group in the horizontal direction.

[0009] Preferably, the force-bearing components of the transverse pressure detection unit and the longitudinal pressure detection unit are movably connected to the through wire through a limiting member. The limiting member is used to transmit the longitudinal positive pressure and longitudinal negative pressure of the spring plate group to the longitudinal pressure detection unit, and to transmit the transverse positive pressure and transverse negative pressure of the spring plate group to the transverse pressure detection unit.

[0010] Preferably, the force-bearing component of the longitudinal pressure detection unit is connected to the through wire by a longitudinal limiting component, which is a ring structure and is sleeved on the through wire with a circular cross-section; the through wire can slide laterally along the ring structure, but cannot slide longitudinally along the ring structure.

[0011] Preferably, the force-bearing component of the transverse pressure detection unit is connected to the through wire by a transverse limiting component, which is a ring structure and is sleeved on the through wire with a circular cross-section; the through wire can slide longitudinally along the ring structure, but cannot slide laterally along the ring structure.

[0012] Preferably, the housing is provided with two non-communicating liquid filling chambers, namely chamber two and chamber three. Connector two, which is connected to chamber two, is used to detect the longitudinal pressure of the spring plate assembly, and connector three, which is connected to chamber three, is used to detect the lateral pressure of the spring plate assembly.

[0013] Preferably, the housing is further provided with a vertical pressure detection unit, which includes two connected chambers filled with liquid. The ends of the housing are sealed to each chamber with a vertical force-bearing component. The upper ends of the two vertical force-bearing components are in contact with the bottom of the spring plate assembly and receive the vertical pressure transmitted by the spring plate assembly.

[0014] The outer wall of the housing is connected to a connector that communicates with a chamber. The connector is used to detect the vertical pressure of the spring plate assembly.

[0015] The vertical pressure detection unit adjusts the horizontal pressure warning value of the horizontal pressure detection unit by detecting changes in vertical pressure.

[0016] Preferably, the top of the vertical force-bearing member is an upwardly convex arc-shaped structure, and the convex part of the arc-shaped structure contacts the bottom of the spring plate assembly.

[0017] Preferably, the outer wall of the housing is provided with an oil injection hole and a vacuum hole that communicate with the chamber.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0019] This invention incorporates a horizontal pressure detection unit between the spring assembly and the vehicle frame components. This unit acquires changes in longitudinal force during vehicle movement and changes in lateral force during cornering. When a fully loaded vehicle is in motion, a certain value in either the longitudinal or lateral force will likely result in swaying and cargo spillage. The driver can monitor and detect these forces in real time and control acceleration and cornering speeds to prevent cargo swaying and spillage, ensuring driving safety. Compared to existing technologies that detect vertical loads only after cargo has fallen and been lost, this invention offers greater safety assurance. It avoids the problems of cargo swaying, falling, damaging pedestrians, and injuring other vehicles. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention applied to a vehicle suspension system;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a rear view of the vehicle suspension system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a pressure sensor chamber according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the pressure sensor chamber two according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the pressure sensor chamber in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] In the diagram: 1. Housing; 2. Vertical load-bearing component; 3. Chamber 1; 4. Through cavity; 5. Connector 1; 6. Oil injection hole 1; 7. Vacuum hole 1; 8. Longitudinal load-bearing component; 9. Chamber 2; 10. Connector 2; 11. Oil injection hole 2; 12. Vacuum hole 2; 13. Longitudinal limiting component; 14. Lateral load-bearing component; 15. Chamber 3; 16. Connector 3; 17. Oil injection hole 3; 18. Vacuum hole 3; 19. Lateral limiting component; 20. Spring plate assembly; 21. Axle; 22. Through-core wire; 23. Center hole; 24. U-shaped wire. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0027] A pressure sensor for a vehicle suspension system, the vehicle suspension system including a leaf spring, the leaf spring plates 20 being connected to an axle 21 via a vertical through-wire 22, including at least one horizontal pressure detection unit installed between the leaf spring plate assembly 20 and the axle 21 of the vehicle suspension system, for detecting the horizontal pressure of the leaf spring assembly 20 on the axle 21; Figure 1 and 2 As shown. Specifically, it is fixed to the axle 21 by using U-shaped wire 24 in conjunction with through wire 22. During the damping process, the spring plate assembly 20 of the vehicle suspension system transmits both vertical and horizontal forces to the frame. By placing a pressure sensor between the two, the magnitude and direction of the transmitted forces can be detected.

[0028] The horizontal pressure detection unit includes a housing 1 fixed to the axle 21. The housing 1 has a chamber filled with liquid inside. A force-bearing component is connected to the outer wall of the housing 1 and is movably sealed with the chamber. The force-bearing component is connected to the spring plate assembly 20 and transmits horizontal pressure. Since it is inconvenient to obtain the horizontal force of the spring plate assembly 20, the force-bearing component can transmit the force of the spring plate assembly 20 to the force-bearing component by welding a force transmission rod to the spring plate assembly 20.

[0029] By providing a liquid-filled chamber within the housing 1, the spring plate assembly 20 of the vehicle suspension system can easily transmit lateral forces to the load-bearing components. These forces are then transmitted to the liquid within the chamber, and pressure changes are detected via a connector within the chamber. The outer wall of the housing 1 is also connected to a connector communicating with the chamber; the connector uses a built-in pressure testing element for pressure detection. Horizontal pressure warning values ​​can be preset based on the vehicle and the weight of the loaded cargo. When the pressure reaches a certain value, the driver is alerted to avoid sudden braking and acceleration, as well as high-speed cornering, which can increase horizontal forces and cause cargo to sway or fall.

[0030] In another embodiment, the force-bearing component is connected to the through-wire 22 of the leaf spring. The through-wire 22 is used to transmit the horizontal pressure of the spring assembly 20 to the force-bearing component. Using the through-wire 22 as a force transmission rod, when the spring assembly 20 is subjected to a horizontal force, the force will inevitably be transmitted to the through-wire 22, and then from the through-wire 22 to the force-bearing component. The through-wire 22 can fix the spring assembly 20 to the axle 21; and since the through-wire 22 is located in the middle of the spring assembly 20, its deformation after being stressed is minimal, facilitating pressure measurement. Furthermore, the through-wire 22 passes directly through the central hole 23 of the housing 1, facilitating the connection between the force-bearing component and the through-wire 22. Figure 1 and 2 As shown.

[0031] In another embodiment, the horizontal pressure detection unit includes a longitudinal pressure detection unit along the length of the spring plate assembly 20 and a transverse pressure detection unit perpendicular to the length of the spring plate assembly 20. The force-bearing components of both the transverse and longitudinal pressure detection units are connected to the through-wire 22, for detecting the transverse and longitudinal pressure of the spring plate assembly 20 in the horizontal direction. Figure 4 and 5 As shown. Horizontal pressure is measured by mutually perpendicular longitudinal pressure detection units and lateral pressure detection units, which can directly collect the longitudinal and lateral forces of the vehicle without conversion calculations. Alarm values ​​for longitudinal force and lateral force can also be set separately.

[0032] In another embodiment, the force-receiving components of both the lateral pressure detection unit and the longitudinal pressure detection unit are movably connected to the through-wire 22 via limiting members. The limiting members are used to transmit the longitudinal positive and negative pressures of the spring plate assembly 20 to the longitudinal pressure detection unit, and to transmit the lateral positive and negative pressures of the spring plate assembly 20 to the lateral pressure detection unit. Figure 4 and 5 As shown. Here, positive pressure refers to the pressure exerted by the through-wire 22 pressing the pressure element into the cavity, while negative pressure refers to the pulling force exerted by the through-wire 22 pulling the pressure element out of the cavity. By collecting positive and negative pressure data, two mutually perpendicular horizontal sensors can obtain horizontal forces in four directions, saving costs while ensuring the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the detection.

[0033] In another embodiment, the longitudinal pressure detection unit includes a longitudinal force-bearing member 8, a second chamber 9, a second connector 10, and a longitudinal limiting member 13. The longitudinal force-bearing member 8 is connected to the through-wire 22 via the longitudinal limiting member 13, which is an annular structure fitted onto the circular cross-section through-wire 22. The through-wire 22 can slide laterally along the annular structure but cannot slide longitudinally along it. The second connector 10, which communicates with the second chamber 9, detects the longitudinal pressure of the spring plate assembly 20 through its internal pressure testing element. Figure 4 As shown.

[0034] The longitudinal pressure detection unit employs an independent chamber and connector for convenient independent pressure data acquisition. A ring-shaped longitudinal limiting component 13 is incorporated to ensure that simultaneous lateral and longitudinal displacement of the through-wire 22 does not affect the independent acquisition of longitudinal positive and negative pressure. Since the spring plate assembly 20 normally drives the through-wire 22 to undergo both lateral and longitudinal displacement, directly fixing the through-wire 22 to the load-bearing component would cause the component to shift and jam, affecting pressure detection. If the through-wire 22 only contacts the load-bearing component to transmit pressure, only positive pressure can be acquired, not negative pressure. The ring-shaped longitudinal limiting component 13 ensures both positive and negative pressure detection while preventing lateral displacement from affecting normal longitudinal pressure detection.

[0035] In another embodiment, the lateral pressure detection unit includes a lateral force-bearing member 14, a third chamber 15, a third connector 16, and a lateral limiting member 19. The force-bearing member of the lateral pressure detection unit is connected to the through-wire 22 via the lateral limiting member 19, which is an annular structure fitted onto the circular cross-section through-wire 22. The through-wire 22 can slide longitudinally along the annular structure but cannot slide laterally along it. The third connector 16, which communicates with the third chamber 15, detects the lateral pressure of the spring plate assembly 20 through its internal pressure testing element. Figure 5 As shown.

[0036] The lateral pressure detection unit employs an independent chamber and connector for convenient independent pressure data acquisition. A ring-shaped lateral limiting component 19 is incorporated to ensure that simultaneous longitudinal and lateral displacement of the through-wire 22 does not affect the independent acquisition of positive and negative lateral pressure. Since the spring plate assembly 20 normally drives the through-wire 22 to undergo both longitudinal and lateral displacement, directly fixing the through-wire 22 to the load-bearing component would cause the component to shift and jam, affecting pressure detection. If the through-wire 22 only contacts the load-bearing component to transmit pressure, only positive pressure can be acquired, not negative pressure. The ring-shaped lateral limiting component 19 ensures both positive and negative pressure detection while preventing longitudinal displacement from affecting normal lateral pressure detection.

[0037] In another embodiment, the housing 1 is further provided with a vertical pressure detection unit, which includes two chambers 3 filled with liquid, connected to each other by a through cavity 4. A vertical force-bearing member 2 is sealed to each chamber at the end of the housing 1. The upper ends of both vertical force-bearing members 2 are in contact with the bottom of the spring plate assembly 20 and receive the vertical pressure transmitted by the spring plate assembly 20. Figure 1 and 2 As shown.

[0038] The outer wall of housing 1 is connected to connector 5, which communicates with cavity 4. Connector 5 detects the vertical pressure of spring plate assembly 20 through its internal pressure testing element. By setting up a vertical pressure detection unit, the vertical load of the vehicle can be obtained, thereby determining the weight of the cargo carried by the truck. In addition, the horizontal force during vehicle movement is affected not only by the driving state but also by the truck's own weight. The truck's own weight is affected by the weight of the loaded cargo. By obtaining the vertical load through the vertical pressure detection unit, a warning value for the horizontal pressure is set. The greater the vertical load, the greater the warning value for the horizontal force, and vice versa.

[0039] In another embodiment, the top of the vertical force-bearing member 2 is an upwardly convex arc-shaped structure, and the convex portion of this arc-shaped structure contacts the bottom of the spring plate assembly 20. The purpose of using an arc-shaped structure is that the spring plate assembly 20 presents a downwardly convex arch-shaped structure. When subjected to force, both ends will deform downwards, resulting in a change in the force transmission contact surface. The contact between the arc-shaped structure of the vertical force-bearing member 2 and the downwardly deforming arch-shaped structure can, to a certain extent, reduce the influence of deformation on pressure detection, making the change in the contact surface between the spring plate assembly 20 and the vertical force-bearing member 2 minimal, thereby reducing the instability of vertical pressure measurement.

[0040] In another embodiment, the outer wall of the housing 1 is provided with an oil injection hole 6 and a vacuum hole 7 communicating with chamber 1, an oil injection hole 11 and a vacuum hole 12 communicating with chamber 2, and an oil injection hole 17 and a vacuum hole 18 communicating with chamber 3. The liquid filled into each chamber through the oil injection hole is silicone oil. After the chamber is filled with silicone oil, each oil injection hole and vacuum hole is sealed by a plunger and a sealing ring.

[0041] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A pressure sensor for a vehicle suspension system, the vehicle suspension system comprising a leaf spring, wherein the leaf spring plates (20) are connected to an axle (21) via a vertical through-wire (22), characterized in that: It includes at least one horizontal pressure detection unit, which is installed between the spring plate group (20) and the axle (21) of the vehicle suspension system, and is used to detect the horizontal pressure of the spring plate group (20) on the axle (21); The horizontal pressure detection unit includes a housing (1) fixed on the axle (21). The housing (1) has a chamber for filling with liquid inside. The outer wall of the housing (1) is connected to a force-bearing component that is movably sealed with the chamber. The force-bearing component is connected to a spring plate assembly (20) and transmits horizontal pressure. The outer wall of the housing (1) is also connected to a connector that communicates with the chamber. The connector has a built-in pressure testing element. The horizontal pressure detection unit includes a longitudinal pressure detection unit along the length of the spring plate group (20) and a transverse pressure detection unit perpendicular to the length of the spring plate group (20). The force-bearing components of the transverse pressure detection unit and the longitudinal pressure detection unit are connected to the through wire (22) to detect the transverse pressure and longitudinal pressure of the spring plate group (20) in the horizontal direction. The force-bearing component of the longitudinal pressure detection unit is connected to the through wire (22) by a longitudinal limiting component (13). The longitudinal limiting component (13) is a ring structure and is sleeved on the through wire (22) with a circular cross-section. The through wire (22) can slide laterally along the ring structure, but cannot slide longitudinally along the ring structure.

2. A pressure sensor for a vehicle suspension system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The force-bearing component is connected to the through wire (22) of the leaf spring, and the through wire (22) is used to transmit the horizontal pressure of the spring plate assembly (20) to the force-bearing component.

3. A pressure sensor for a vehicle suspension system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The force-bearing components of the transverse pressure detection unit and the longitudinal pressure detection unit are movably connected to the through wire (22) through the limiting member. The limiting member is used to transmit the longitudinal positive pressure and longitudinal negative pressure of the spring plate group (20) to the longitudinal pressure detection unit, and to transmit the transverse positive pressure and transverse negative pressure of the spring plate group (20) to the transverse pressure detection unit.

4. A pressure sensor for a vehicle suspension system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The force-bearing component of the transverse pressure detection unit is connected to the through wire (22) by a transverse limiting component (19). The transverse limiting component (19) is a ring structure and is sleeved on the through wire (22) with a circular cross-section. The through wire (22) can slide longitudinally along the ring structure, but cannot slide laterally along the ring structure.

5. A pressure sensor for a vehicle suspension system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing (1) is provided with two non-communicating liquid filling chambers, namely chamber two (9) and chamber three (15). Connector two (10) connected to chamber two (9) is used to detect the longitudinal pressure of the spring plate group (20), and connector three (16) connected to chamber three (15) is used to detect the lateral pressure of the spring plate group (20).

6. A pressure sensor for a vehicle suspension system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing (1) is also provided with a vertical pressure detection unit, which includes two connected chambers (3) filled with liquid. The end of the housing (1) is sealed to each chamber with a vertical force-bearing member (2). The upper ends of the two vertical force-bearing members (2) are in contact with the bottom of the spring plate group (20) and receive the vertical pressure transmitted by the spring plate group (20). The outer wall of the housing (1) is connected to a connector (5) that communicates with the chamber (3). The connector (5) is used to detect the vertical pressure of the spring plate assembly (20). The vertical pressure detection unit adjusts the horizontal pressure warning value of the horizontal pressure detection unit by detecting changes in vertical pressure.

7. A pressure sensor for a vehicle suspension system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The top of the vertical force-bearing member (2) is an upward-convex arc-shaped structure, and the protruding part of the arc-shaped structure contacts the bottom of the spring plate assembly (20).

8. A pressure sensor for a vehicle suspension system according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that: The outer wall of the housing (1) is provided with an oil injection hole and a vacuum hole that communicate with the chamber.

Images