Active control double-cavity air spring stiffness and height combined control mechanism and application method thereof

Abstract

This invention discloses a joint control mechanism for actively controlling the stiffness and height of a dual-chamber air spring, comprising: an external air intake duct and its electrically controlled valve one, an external exhaust duct and its electrically controlled valve two, and an internal air passage and its electrically controlled bidirectional valve. The external air intake duct and the external exhaust duct connect to the upper chamber or the lower chamber, and the internal air passage connects the upper chamber and the lower chamber. It also includes: a bidirectional air pump connected in parallel with the electrically controlled bidirectional valve on the internal air passage; an electronic control unit for controlling the electrically controlled valve one, the electrically controlled valve two, the electrically controlled bidirectional valve, and the bidirectional air pump; and upper and lower integrated sensors located in the upper and lower chambers respectively, providing air pressure data to the electronic control unit. When the electrically controlled bidirectional valve is open, the gas in the internal air passage flows freely in both directions; when the bidirectional air pump is working, the electrically controlled bidirectional valve is closed, and the bidirectional air pump enables the gas in the internal air passage to flow upwards or downwards.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a control mechanism for actively controlling the stiffness and height of a dual-cavity air spring and its application method, belonging to the field of train air spring vibration reduction technology. Background Technology

[0002] Vibration reduction and noise control are crucial technical issues that must be considered in industrial and transportation sectors. Air springs (or simply air springs) are widely used as core vibration reduction and isolation devices in rail transit, automobiles, and other fields due to their advantages such as good low-frequency vibration isolation performance, low and small variation in natural frequency, and height adjustment by inflation and deflation. However, currently widely used air springs mostly use mechanical height valves with limit rods for height adjustment. Furthermore, due to the lack of real-time monitoring of relevant physical quantities during air spring operation, their height adjustment is relatively crude and cannot achieve active control. More importantly, the two main characteristic properties of existing air springs, stiffness and height, are coupled to some extent, making it impossible to achieve completely independent control of these two physical quantities.

[0003] For example, the air springs can be non-linearly adjusted to vary their stiffness while maintaining the overall height. The significance of this non-linear stiffness adjustment lies in the fact that when the vertical impact load is small, the air springs require lower stiffness to enhance passenger comfort and improve the coordination of the various parts of the train body. However, when the vertical impact load is excessive, the air springs need higher stiffness to control the amplitude of the train body's vibration and ensure safe train operation. Traditional pressure adjustment methods struggle to maintain the original height of the air springs while performing non-linear stiffness adjustments. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by this invention is: how to simultaneously and actively control the stiffness and height of a dual-chamber air spring.

[0005] To address the above problems, the technical solution proposed by this invention is as follows: A control mechanism for actively controlling the stiffness and height of a dual-chamber air spring includes: an external air intake duct and its electrically controlled valve one, an external exhaust duct and its electrically controlled valve two, and an internal air passage and its electrically controlled bidirectional valve. The external air intake duct and the external exhaust duct connect to the upper chamber or the lower chamber, and the internal air passage connects the upper chamber and the lower chamber. The control mechanism further includes: a bidirectional air pump connected in parallel with the electrically controlled bidirectional valve on the internal air passage; an electronic control unit for controlling the electrically controlled valve one, the electrically controlled valve two, the electrically controlled bidirectional valve, and the bidirectional air pump; and an upper integrated sensor and a lower integrated sensor located in the upper chamber and the lower chamber, respectively, to provide air pressure data to the electronic control unit. When the electrically controlled bidirectional valve is open, the gas in the internal air passage flows freely in both directions. When the bidirectional air pump is working, the electrically controlled bidirectional valve is closed, and the bidirectional air pump enables the gas in the internal air passage to flow upward or downward.

[0006] The upper integrated sensor is located at the center of the inner surface of the upper cover plate, and the lower integrated sensor is located at the center of the inner surface of the lower cover plate.

[0007] The inner surfaces of the upper and lower cover plates are recessed to form a conical groove. A mounting hole is provided at the bottom of the conical groove. The upper integrated sensor is installed in the mounting hole at the bottom of the conical groove of the upper cover plate, and the lower integrated sensor is installed in the mounting hole at the bottom of the conical groove of the lower cover plate.

[0008] A bracket is provided on one side of the middle plate, and the bidirectional air pump is mounted on the bracket.

[0009] The bidirectional air pump and the electrically controlled bidirectional valve are integrated into the same mounting box.

[0010] An application method of the control mechanism as described in claim 1 enables both the upper integrated sensor and the lower integrated sensor to detect distance, pressure, and temperature, and transmit the detected data to the electronic control unit in real time.

[0011] The above application method includes increasing the overall height of the double-chamber air spring while maintaining the original stiffness ratio between the upper and lower chambers with a stiffness difference. This involves inputting the target height and the original stiffness ratio into the electronic control unit, which then controls the closing of the electronically controlled two-way valve and the opening of the electronically controlled valve one to allow gas to enter the upper chamber through the external air intake. Simultaneously, the two-way air pump is activated to allow gas from the upper chamber to enter the lower chamber, continuing until the overall height of the double-chamber air spring reaches the target height and the stiffness ratio between the upper and lower chambers is consistent with the original ratio.

[0012] The above application method also includes reducing the overall height of the double-cavity air spring while maintaining the original stiffness ratio between the upper and lower cavities with stiffness differences. This involves inputting the target height and the original stiffness ratio into the electronic control unit, which then controls the closing of the electronically controlled two-way valve and the opening of the electronically controlled valve one to allow exhaust gas from the upper cavity to the outside through the exhaust channel. Simultaneously, the two-way air pump is turned on to allow gas from the lower cavity to enter the upper cavity, continuing until the overall height of the double-cavity air spring reaches the target height and the stiffness ratio between the upper and lower cavities is consistent with the original ratio.

[0013] The above application method also includes changing the overall height of the double-chamber air spring to maintain equal stiffness between the upper and lower chambers. This involves inputting the target height into the electronic control unit, which then controls the opening of either electronic control valve one or electronic control valve two. This allows the external air intake to supply gas to the upper chamber or the external exhaust to exhaust gas from the upper chamber. Simultaneously, the electronic control two-way valve is opened, allowing gas in the upper chamber to freely enter the lower chamber through the internal air passage.

[0014] The above-mentioned application method also includes a method for maintaining the original height of the double-cavity air spring and adjusting the nonlinear variable stiffness of the double-cavity air spring. This method involves inputting the original height and the target ratio of the stiffness of the upper chamber to the stiffness of the lower chamber, which meets the requirements for nonlinear variable stiffness adjustment, into the electronic control unit. The electronic control unit controls this process by closing the electronically controlled two-way valve and turning on the two-way air pump, allowing gas from the upper chamber to enter the lower chamber. If the total height of the double-cavity air spring decreases during this process, the first electronically controlled valve is opened to allow gas to enter the upper chamber through the external air intake. If the total height of the double-cavity air spring increases during this process, the second electronically controlled valve is opened to allow gas to be discharged from the upper chamber through the external exhaust. This process continues until the total height of the double-cavity air spring remains at its original height and the change in stiffness between the upper and lower chambers reaches the target ratio. Beneficial effects

[0015] 1. Real-time monitoring of relevant physical quantities during the operation of the air spring via built-in sensors ensures its normal operation; 2. It can realize active control of the height of the air spring, ensuring that the height of the train when picking up and dropping off passengers at different stations is consistent with the height of the platform; 3. The stiffness is actively adjustable (especially the nonlinear variable stiffness adjustment), and the adjustment range is larger than that of traditional air springs, which makes it better able to take into account both the comfort under various working conditions and the train running safety under extreme load conditions. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a double-cavity air spring with a linkage mechanism.

[0017] In the diagram: 1. Double-chamber air spring; 101. Upper chamber; 102. Lower chamber; 103. Upper cover plate; 104. Lower cover plate; 105. Intermediate plate; 1051. Bracket; 2. External air intake; 201. Electrically controlled valve one; 3. External exhaust; 301. Electrically controlled valve two; 4. Internal air passage; 401. Electrically controlled two-way valve; 402. Two-way air pump; 5. Electrical control unit; 6. Upper integrated sensor; 7. Lower integrated sensor; 8. Conical groove. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The double-cavity air spring 1 of the present invention is an air spring with two rubber air bladders, namely the upper chamber 101 and the lower chamber 102 as described below. The upper chamber 101 has an upper cover plate 103 at the top, the lower chamber 102 has a lower cover plate 104 at the bottom, and an intermediate plate 105 is provided between the upper chamber 101 and the lower chamber 102.

[0019] The present invention will be further described below with reference to embodiments and accompanying drawings: Example 1

[0020] like Figure 1As shown, a linkage mechanism for actively controlling the stiffness and height of a dual-chamber air spring 1 includes: an external air intake duct 2 and its electrically controlled valve 201, an external exhaust duct 3 and its electrically controlled valve 301, an internal air passage 4 and its electrically controlled bidirectional valve 401, a bidirectional air pump 402 connected in parallel with the electrically controlled bidirectional valve 401 on the internal air passage 4, an electronic control unit 5 for controlling the electrically controlled valve 201, the electrically controlled valve 301, the electrically controlled bidirectional valve 401 and the bidirectional air pump 402, and separate positions for providing air pressure data to the electronic control unit 5. Upper integrated sensor 6 and lower integrated sensor 7 are located in the upper chamber 101 and lower chamber 102, respectively. External air intake duct 2 and external exhaust duct 3 connect to either the upper chamber 101 or the lower chamber 102. Internal air passage 4 connects the upper chamber 101 and the lower chamber 102. When the electrically controlled bidirectional valve 401 is open, the gas in the internal air passage 4 flows freely in both directions. When the bidirectional air pump 402 is working, the electrically controlled bidirectional valve 401 is closed, and the bidirectional air pump 402 can make the gas in the internal air passage 4 flow upwards or downwards. Thus, during train operation, the electronic control unit 5 can monitor the air pressure in the upper chamber 101 and lower chamber 102 of the double-chamber air spring and the total height of the double-chamber air spring 1 in real time through the upper integrated sensor 6 and lower integrated sensor 7. The electronic control unit 5 then actively adjusts the air spring according to the stiffness requirements of the upper chamber 101 and lower chamber 102 and the total height requirements of the double-chamber air spring 1.

[0021] The aforementioned upper integrated sensor 6 is located at the center of the inner surface of the upper cover plate 103, and the lower integrated sensor 7 is located at the center of the inner surface of the lower cover plate 104. A conical groove 8 is formed by a central recess on the inner surfaces of the upper and lower cover plates 103. A mounting hole is provided at the bottom of the conical groove 8. The upper integrated sensor 6 is installed in the mounting hole at the bottom of the conical groove 8 in the upper cover plate 103, and the lower integrated sensor 7 is installed in the mounting hole at the bottom of the conical groove 8 in the lower cover plate 104. This ensures that a reasonable detection distance is maintained between the upper integrated sensor 6 and the intermediate plate 105, and between the lower integrated sensor 7 and the intermediate plate 105.

[0022] A bracket 1051 is provided on one side of the intermediate plate 105, and the bidirectional air pump 402 is mounted on the bracket 1051.

[0023] The two-way air pump 402 and the electrically controlled two-way valve 401 are integrated into the same mounting box, which can minimize the space occupied during installation. Example 2

[0024] Both the upper integrated sensor 6 and the lower integrated sensor 7 can detect distance, pressure and temperature, and transmit the detection data to the electronic control unit 5 in real time.

[0025] The application method of the above-mentioned joint control mechanism includes increasing the overall height of the double-chamber air spring while maintaining the original stiffness ratio of the upper chamber 101 and the lower chamber 102 with a stiffness difference. This is achieved by inputting the target height and the original stiffness ratio into the electronic control unit 5, which then controls the electronic control unit 5 to close the electronically controlled two-way valve 401 and open the electronically controlled valve 201 to allow the external air intake duct 2 to input gas into the upper chamber 101 from the outside. At the same time, the two-way air pump 402 is turned on to allow the gas in the upper chamber 101 to enter the lower chamber 102. This continues until the overall height of the double-chamber air spring reaches the target height and the stiffness ratio of the upper chamber 101 and the lower chamber 102 is consistent with the original ratio. Example 3

[0026] The application method of the above-mentioned joint control mechanism also includes reducing the overall height of the double-cavity air spring and maintaining the original stiffness ratio of the upper chamber 101 and the lower chamber 102 with stiffness difference. This method involves inputting the target height and the original stiffness ratio into the electronic control unit 5, which then controls the electronic control unit 5 to close the electronically controlled two-way valve 401 and open the electronically controlled valve 201 to allow the external exhaust channel 3 to exhaust gas from the upper chamber 101. At the same time, the two-way air pump 402 is turned on to allow gas from the lower chamber 102 to enter the upper chamber 101. This continues until the overall height of the double-cavity air spring reaches the target height and the stiffness ratio of the upper chamber 101 and the lower chamber 102 is consistent with the original ratio. Example 4

[0027] The application method of the above-mentioned joint control mechanism also includes changing the overall height of the double-chamber air spring to maintain the same stiffness between the upper chamber 101 and the lower chamber 102. This is achieved by inputting the target height into the electronic control unit 5, which controls the opening of electronic control valve 201 or electronic control valve 301 to allow the external air intake duct 2 to input gas into the upper chamber 101 or the external exhaust duct 3 to exhaust gas from the upper chamber 101. At the same time, the electronic control two-way valve 401 is opened to allow the gas in the upper chamber 101 to freely enter the lower chamber 102 through the internal air passage 4. Example 5

[0028] The application method of the above-mentioned joint control mechanism also includes maintaining the original height of the double-cavity air spring and adjusting the nonlinear variable stiffness of the double-cavity air spring. This involves inputting the original height and the target ratio of the stiffness of the upper chamber 101 to the stiffness of the lower chamber 102 into the electronic control unit 5. The electronic control unit 5 controls the closing of the electronically controlled two-way valve 401 and the opening of the two-way air pump 402, allowing the gas in the upper chamber 101 to enter the lower chamber 102. If the total height of the double-cavity air spring decreases during this process, the electronically controlled valve 201 is opened to allow the external air intake 2 to input gas into the upper chamber 101, making the stiffness of the upper chamber 101 less than the stiffness of the lower chamber 102. If the total height of the double-cavity air spring increases during this process, the electronically controlled valve 301 is opened to allow the external exhaust 3 to discharge gas from the upper chamber 101, until the total height of the double-cavity air spring remains at its original height and the change in stiffness between the upper chamber 101 and the lower chamber 102 reaches the target ratio.

[0029] The above embodiments are only used to describe the present invention more clearly, and should not be regarded as limiting the scope of protection covered by the present invention. Any equivalent modifications should be regarded as falling within the scope of protection covered by the present invention.

Claims

1. A combined control mechanism for actively controlling the stiffness and height of a dual chamber air spring, comprising: An external air intake (2) and its electrically controlled valve one (201), an external exhaust (3) and its electrically controlled valve two (301), an internal air passage (4) and its electrically controlled two-way valve (401), a double-chamber air spring consisting of an upper chamber (101) and a lower chamber (102), an intermediate plate (105) between the upper chamber (101) and the lower chamber (102), the external air intake (2) and the external exhaust (3) connecting the upper chamber (101) or the lower chamber (102), and the internal air passage (4) connecting the upper chamber (101) and the lower chamber (102), characterized in that it further includes: a two-way air spring connected in parallel with the electrically controlled two-way valve (401) on the internal air passage (4). Pump (402), an electronic control unit (5) for controlling electronically controlled valve one (201), electronically controlled valve two (301), electronically controlled bidirectional valve (401) and bidirectional air pump (402), and an upper integrated sensor (6) and a lower integrated sensor (7) located in the upper chamber (101) and lower chamber (102) respectively to provide air pressure data to the electronic control unit (5); when the electronically controlled bidirectional valve (401) is open, the gas in the inner air passage (4) flows freely in both directions; when the bidirectional air pump (402) is working, the electronically controlled bidirectional valve (401) is closed, and the bidirectional air pump (402) can make the gas in the inner air passage (4) flow upward or downward.

2. The linkage mechanism for actively controlling the stiffness and height of a dual-cavity air spring according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper integrated sensor (6) is located at the center of the inner surface of the upper cover plate (103), and the lower integrated sensor (7) is located at the center of the inner surface of the lower cover plate (104).

3. The linkage mechanism for actively controlling the stiffness and height of a dual-cavity air spring according to claim 2, characterized in that, The upper cover plate (103) and the lower cover plate (104) have a conical groove (8) formed by the central recess on their inner surfaces. A mounting hole is provided at the bottom of the conical groove (8). The upper integrated sensor (6) is installed in the mounting hole at the bottom of the conical groove (8) of the upper cover plate (103), and the lower integrated sensor (7) is installed in the mounting hole at the bottom of the conical groove (8) of the lower cover plate (104).

4. The linkage mechanism for actively controlling the stiffness and height of a dual-cavity air spring according to claim 1, characterized in that, A bracket (1051) is provided on one side of the intermediate plate (105), and the bidirectional air pump (402) is mounted on the bracket (1051).

5. The linkage mechanism for actively controlling the stiffness and height of a dual-cavity air spring according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that, The bidirectional air pump (402) and the electrically controlled bidirectional valve (401) are integrated into the same mounting box.

6. A method for applying the control mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Both the upper integrated sensor (6) and the lower integrated sensor (7) are able to detect distance, pressure and temperature, and transmit the detection data to the electronic control unit (5) in real time.

7. The application method of the joint control mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that, The method includes increasing the overall height of the double-cavity air spring while maintaining the original stiffness ratio between the upper chamber (101) and the lower chamber (102) with a stiffness difference. This involves inputting the target height and the original stiffness ratio into the electronic control unit (5), which controls the electronic control unit (5) to close the electronically controlled two-way valve (401) and open the electronically controlled valve one (201) to allow the external air intake (2) to input gas into the upper chamber (101). At the same time, the two-way air pump (402) is turned on to allow the gas in the upper chamber (101) to enter the lower chamber (102) until the overall height of the double-cavity air spring reaches the target height and the stiffness ratio between the upper chamber (101) and the lower chamber (102) is consistent with the original ratio.

8. The application method of the joint control mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that, It also includes a method to reduce the overall height of the double-cavity air spring and maintain the original stiffness ratio between the upper chamber (101) and the lower chamber (102) with stiffness difference. This method involves inputting the target height and the original stiffness ratio into the electronic control unit (5), which controls the electronic control unit (5) to close the electronically controlled two-way valve (401) and open the electronically controlled valve one (201) to allow the external exhaust channel (3) to exhaust gas from the upper chamber (101) to the outside. At the same time, the two-way air pump (402) is turned on to allow the gas in the lower chamber (102) to enter the upper chamber (101) until the overall height of the double-cavity air spring reaches the target height and the stiffness ratio between the upper chamber (101) and the lower chamber (102) is consistent with the original ratio.

9. The application method of the joint control mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that, It also includes a method to change the overall height of the double-chamber air spring to keep the stiffness of the upper chamber (101) and the lower chamber (102) equal. This method involves inputting the target height into the electronic control unit (5), which controls the opening of electronic control valve one (201) or electronic control valve two (301) to allow the external air intake (2) to input gas into the upper chamber (101) or to allow the external exhaust (3) to exhaust gas from the upper chamber (101) to the outside. At the same time, the electronic control two-way valve (401) is opened to allow the gas in the upper chamber (101) to freely enter the lower chamber (102) through the internal air passage (4).

10. The application method of the joint control mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that, It also includes a method for maintaining the original height of the double-cavity air spring and adjusting the nonlinear variable stiffness of the double-cavity air spring. The original height is input to the electronic control unit (5), as well as the target ratio of the stiffness of the upper chamber (101) and the stiffness of the lower chamber (102) that meets the requirements for nonlinear variable stiffness adjustment. The electronic control unit (5) controls the closing of the electronic control two-way valve (401) and the opening of the two-way air pump (402) to allow the gas in the upper chamber (101) to enter the lower chamber (102). If the total height of the double-cavity air spring decreases during this process, the electronic control valve one (201) is opened to allow the external air intake (2) to input gas into the upper chamber (101). If the total height of the double-cavity air spring increases during this process, the electronic control valve two (301) is opened to allow the external exhaust (3) to discharge gas out of the upper chamber (101). The process continues until the total height of the double-cavity air spring remains at its original height and the change in stiffness between the upper chamber (101) and the lower chamber (102) reaches the target ratio.

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