Air suspension system and vehicle

Abstract

The application discloses an air suspension system and a vehicle, and relates to the technical field of air suspension, wherein the air suspension system comprises an air spring, an extruded beam and a gas charging and discharging assembly; the extruded beam comprises a communication chamber, and the communication chamber is provided with a gas supply chamber in a sealed mode and is configured to store gas; the gas charging and discharging assembly comprises a gas pressure generating device and a pipeline, the pipeline is communicated between the air spring and the gas supply chamber, the gas pressure generating device is arranged on the pipeline, and the gas pressure generating device has a first state and a second state; in the first state, the gas pressure generating device drives the gas in the gas supply chamber to enter the air spring through the pipeline; and in the second state, the gas pressure generating device drives the gas in the air spring to enter the gas supply chamber through the pipeline. The technical scheme is aimed at abolishing the air spring gas cylinder near the trunk, restoring the original space of the trunk, increasing the volume, and improving the use experience of users.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of air suspension technology, and particularly to an air suspension system and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Air spring cylinders are used in vehicles (especially luxury sedans or SUVs) as part of the suspension system to provide adjustable suspension stiffness and height, thereby improving driving comfort and stability.

[0003] However, in existing technologies, air spring cylinders are typically located near the suitcase, which takes up space that could otherwise be used for luggage storage. The presence of the cylinders can limit the usable volume of the suitcase, especially when carrying a large amount of luggage or items, and this space occupation can become inconvenient for users. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The main objective of this invention is to propose an air suspension system and vehicle that aims to eliminate the air spring cylinders located near the trunk, restore the original space of the trunk, increase volume, and improve the user experience.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides an air suspension system comprising:

[0006] Air springs are used to mount the vehicle's frame.

[0007] An extrusion beam, for installation into the sill of a vehicle, includes a communicating chamber having a sealed gas supply chamber configured to store gas; and,

[0008] An inflation / deflation assembly includes a pressure generating device and a pipeline. The pipeline connects the air spring and the air supply chamber. The pressure generating device is disposed on the pipeline and has a first state and a second state. In the first state, the pressure generating device drives the gas in the air supply chamber to enter the air spring through the pipeline. In the second state, the pressure generating device drives the gas in the air spring to enter the air supply chamber through the pipeline.

[0009] In one embodiment, the air pressure generating device includes an air compressor or an air pump.

[0010] In one embodiment, multiple air springs are provided, and each of the multiple air springs is connected to the pipeline.

[0011] In one embodiment, multiple air supply chambers are provided, and each of the multiple air supply chambers is connected to the pipeline.

[0012] In one embodiment, the extrusion beam is provided with a plurality of partitions to divide the communicating chamber into a plurality of air supply chambers.

[0013] In one embodiment, a plurality of the partitions are spaced apart along the length of the extrusion beam.

[0014] In one embodiment, the inflation / deflation assembly further includes a distribution valve, which is installed to the pipeline and has a plurality of first air passages and a plurality of second air passages. The plurality of first air passages are connected to a plurality of air springs in a one-to-one correspondence, and at least one second air passage is connected to at least one air supply chamber in a corresponding correspondence. The distribution valve is configured to control the opening and closing states of the plurality of first air passages and at least one second air passage.

[0015] In one embodiment, a plurality of second air passages are connected to a plurality of air supply chambers in a one-to-one correspondence;

[0016] The air suspension system assembly also includes a control device and a plurality of pressure sensors, at least one of the pressure sensors being disposed in each of the air supply chambers, each of the pressure sensors being used to detect the pressure of the gas in the air supply chamber in which it is located, the control device being electrically connected to the distribution valve and the plurality of pressure sensors, the control device being configured to control the opening and closing state of a plurality of first air passages based on the detected pressure of the gas in each of the air supply chambers.

[0017] In one embodiment, the air suspension system further includes a plurality of height sensors, at least one of the height sensors being disposed on each of the air springs, each of the height sensors being used to detect the suspension height of its position in the vehicle, the height sensors being electrically connected to the control device and the air pressure generating device, the control device being further configured to control the air pressure generating device to switch between a first state and a second state based on the detected suspension height of the vehicle position.

[0018] The present invention also proposes a vehicle including the air suspension system, the air suspension system comprising:

[0019] Air springs are used to mount the vehicle's frame.

[0020] An extrusion beam, for installation into the sill of a vehicle, includes a communicating chamber having a sealed gas supply chamber configured to store gas; and,

[0021] An inflation / deflation assembly includes a pressure generating device and a pipeline. The pipeline connects the air spring and the air supply chamber. The pressure generating device is disposed on the pipeline and has a first state and a second state. In the first state, the pressure generating device drives the gas in the air supply chamber to enter the air spring through the pipeline. In the second state, the pressure generating device drives the gas in the air spring to enter the air supply chamber through the pipeline.

[0022] The technical solution of this invention supplies air to the air spring through an air supply chamber located within the compression beam. A pressure generating device allows the gas to flow between the air supply chamber and the air spring, thereby regulating the gas pressure within the air spring. This enables precise control of the vehicle's suspension height, improving ride comfort and handling stability. By storing gas within the compression beam, the air spring cylinder located near the trunk can be eliminated, restoring the original trunk space, increasing volume, and enhancing the user experience. Attached Figure Description

[0023] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a structure of an embodiment of the air suspension system provided by the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the principle of the air suspension system.

[0026] Explanation of icon numbers:

[0027] 100. Air suspension system;

[0028] 1. Air spring;

[0029] 2. Extrusion beam; 21. Connecting chamber; 22. Air supply chamber; 23. Partition;

[0030] 3. Inflation / depression assembly; 31. Pressure generating device; 32. Piping; 33. Distribution valve;

[0031] 4. Pressure sensor;

[0032] 5. Altitude sensor.

[0033] The realization of the objective, functional features and advantages of the present invention will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0034] 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 a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0035] It should be noted that if the embodiments of the present invention involve directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.), the directional indications are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of the components in a specific posture. If the specific posture changes, the directional indications will also change accordingly.

[0036] Furthermore, if the embodiments of this invention involve descriptions such as "first" or "second," these descriptions are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. Additionally, the use of "and / or" or "and / or" throughout the text includes three parallel solutions. For example, "A and / or B" includes solution A, solution B, or a solution where both A and B are satisfied simultaneously. Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by this invention.

[0037] Air spring cylinders are used in vehicles (especially luxury sedans or SUVs) as part of the suspension system to provide adjustable suspension stiffness and height, thereby improving driving comfort and stability. However, in existing technology, air spring cylinders are typically located near the trunk, which takes up space that could otherwise be used for luggage. The presence of the cylinders can limit the usable volume of the trunk, especially when carrying a large amount of luggage or items, and this space occupation can become an inconvenience for the user.

[0038] To solve the above technical problems, such as Figures 1 to 2As shown, the present invention proposes an air suspension system 100, including an air spring 1, a compression beam 2, and an inflation / deflation assembly 3. The air spring 1 is mounted to the vehicle frame; the compression beam 2 is mounted to the vehicle sill and includes a communicating chamber 21, which has a sealed air supply chamber 22 configured to store gas; the inflation / deflation assembly 3 includes a pressure generating device 31 and a pipe 32, the pipe 32 connecting the air spring 1 and the air supply chamber 22, the pressure generating device 31 being disposed on the pipe 32 and having a first state and a second state. In the first state, the pressure generating device 31 drives the gas in the air supply chamber 22 into the air spring 1 via the pipe 32; in the second state, the pressure generating device 31 drives the gas in the air spring 1 into the air supply chamber 22 via the pipe 32.

[0039] The technical solution of this invention supplies air to the air spring 1 through the air supply chamber 22 located within the compression beam 2. The air pressure generating device 31 allows the gas to flow between the air supply chamber 22 and the air spring 1, thereby regulating the gas pressure within the air spring 1. This enables precise control of the vehicle's suspension height, improving ride comfort and handling stability. By utilizing the air within the compression beam 2 for gas storage, the air cylinder for the air spring 1 located near the trunk can be eliminated, restoring the original trunk space, increasing volume, and enhancing the user experience.

[0040] Understandably, as a structural component within the vehicle sill, the compression beam 2 primarily serves to support and reinforce the vehicle body. It enhances the rigidity and stability of the sill, contributing to improved overall vehicle structural strength and safety.

[0041] The "connecting chamber 21" referred to in this application is formed by the extrusion beam 2 through various manufacturing processes, such as extrusion molding, casting, and welding. In these processes, specific internal structures can be incorporated to form the connecting chamber 21, thus meeting the requirements for gas storage. This chamber needs to ensure good sealing to effectively store gas without leakage. Simultaneously, these specific internal structures can further enhance the deformation resistance of the extrusion beam 2 during impact.

[0042] Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that the gas stored in the air supply chamber 22 has a relatively high pressure. This serves two purposes: firstly, it reduces the volume occupied by the air supply chamber 22 while improving the air supply response speed of the air spring 1; secondly, the presence of gas in the air supply chamber 22 within the compression beam 2 increases the overall rigidity of the compression beam 2. The pressure exerted by the gas in the air supply chamber 22 helps maintain the shape of the beam, reducing deformation caused by external forces (such as road impacts) during vehicle operation, thereby improving the stability and torsional stiffness of the vehicle chassis.

[0043] It is understood that the "pneumatic generating device 31" referred to in this application is a device that converts the mechanical energy of a prime mover (such as an electric motor or diesel engine) into the pressure energy of a gas, thereby providing compressed air as a power source. Its operation is as follows:

[0044] Air compressors compress a large volume of air within a sealed container, reducing its volume and increasing its pressure, thus transforming it into high-pressure gas. Specifically, an air compressor is driven by a prime mover such as an electric motor or diesel engine, causing internal components such as pistons, screws, and vanes to reciprocate or rotate, thereby compressing the intake air. The compressed air then undergoes cooling and purification processes before being transported to an air storage tank or used directly in pneumatic equipment.

[0045] In one embodiment, the air pressure generating device 31 includes an air compressor or an air pump.

[0046] As we can understand, an air compressor is a device that compresses air into high-pressure gas. It can provide a continuous and stable supply of high-pressure gas, offering a high compression ratio, and is suitable for situations requiring a long-term or high-flow-rate gas supply. An air pump is used to generate and supply compressed air. Air pumps can achieve air intake, compression, and exhaust through different mechanisms (such as piston, vane, and diaphragm types). Air pumps can be smaller, lighter, and quieter, making them more suitable for applications with strict requirements on space, weight, and noise levels.

[0047] It is worth noting that both air compressors and air pumps, when used as air pressure generating devices 31, need to meet certain performance requirements, such as sufficient exhaust volume, stable exhaust pressure, and low noise and vibration.

[0048] In one embodiment, multiple air springs 1 are provided, and each of the multiple air springs 1 is connected to the pipeline 32.

[0049] Understandably, each air spring 1 can be independently connected to the pipe 32, and each spring can be individually inflated or deflated. This ability to control independently allows the system to be finely adjusted according to the actual needs of different parts of the vehicle, thereby better adapting to various driving conditions. At the same time, multiple air springs 1 can better balance the load on various parts of the vehicle.

[0050] In one embodiment, multiple air supply chambers 22 are provided, and the multiple air supply chambers 22 are respectively connected to the pipeline 32.

[0051] Understandably, each air supply chamber 22 can independently store a certain amount of compressed air. Multiple air supply chambers 22 can distribute the gas storage load, with each chamber responsible for storing and supplying a portion of the gas. This not only improves the overall stability of the system but also reduces the pressure in individual chambers, thereby enhancing the system's safety and reliability. Simultaneously, multiple air supply chambers 22 can provide more gas reserves, enabling the system to supply a large amount of gas in a short time, quickly responding to suspension height adjustment needs, especially in situations requiring rapid vehicle attitude adjustments.

[0052] Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that even if a certain air supply chamber 22 has a problem or needs maintenance, the other air supply chambers 22 can still continue to provide air pressure support to the air spring 1, which enhances the reliability and redundancy of the air suspension system 100.

[0053] In one embodiment, the extrusion beam 2 is provided with a plurality of partitions 23, which divide the communicating chamber 21 into a plurality of air supply chambers 22.

[0054] Understandably, the partition 23 divides the connecting chamber 21 into multiple smaller spaces, namely, the air supply chambers 22. Each air supply chamber 22 can independently store and supply compressed air, thereby improving the system's flexibility and response speed. By separating the air supply chambers 22 through the partition 23, it is ensured that the air pressure in each chamber is relatively independent and does not interfere with each other. At the same time, the partition 23 also enhances the overall structural strength of the extrusion beam 2. As an internal support structure, they can share the stress and deformation generated by the extrusion beam 2 under load, improving the durability and reliability of the entire component.

[0055] Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that by adjusting the number and spacing of the partitions 23, the layout and capacity of the air supply chamber 22 can be flexibly adjusted to meet the needs of different vehicle models and driving conditions.

[0056] In one embodiment, a plurality of the partitions 23 are spaced apart along the length of the compression beam 2.

[0057] Understandably, since the extrusion beam 2 is usually arranged in a long strip shape, the long strip extrusion beam 2 has good structural stability and bending stiffness, and can withstand various forces from vehicle weight and driving process.

[0058] Therefore, the manufacturing process of arranging the baffles 23 at intervals along the length is relatively simple and can be achieved through machining, casting, or welding. This helps reduce manufacturing costs and improve production efficiency. At the same time, this arrangement can reduce unnecessary material waste and processing time, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the air supply chamber 22.

[0059] In one embodiment, the inflation / deflation assembly 3 further includes a distribution valve 33, which is installed to the pipeline 32 and has multiple first air passages and multiple second air passages. The multiple first air passages are connected to a plurality of air springs 1 in a one-to-one correspondence, and at least one second air passage is connected to at least one air supply chamber 22 in a corresponding correspondence. The distribution valve 33 is configured to control the opening and closing states of the multiple first air passages and at least one second air passage. Specifically, the distribution valve 33 is an electromagnetic distribution valve 33.

[0060] Understandably, the distribution valve 33 has multiple first air passages and multiple second air passages. This multi-passage design allows it to simultaneously manage the air pressure requirements of multiple air springs 1 and air supply chambers 22. The first air passages are connected one-to-one with each air spring 1, ensuring that each air spring 1 can independently receive or release air pressure. The second air passages are connected to the air supply chambers 22, responsible for supplying or recovering gas to these chambers. Through the centralized management and control of the distribution valve 33, the system can respond more efficiently to changes in air pressure while maintaining high flexibility. Whether it's fine-tuning a single air spring 1 or coordinating the operation of multiple air springs 1, this can be achieved by adjusting the opening and closing state of the distribution valve 33. When the system needs to adjust the air pressure of a particular air spring 1, the distribution valve 33 opens the first air passage corresponding to that air spring 1, allowing gas to flow in or out. Simultaneously, if it is necessary to obtain or release gas from the air supply chamber 22, the distribution valve 33 will also open the second air passage corresponding to the air supply chamber 22 accordingly. In this way, the system can achieve precise control and adjustment of the air pressure of the air spring 1 and the air supply chamber 22, thereby achieving fine control of the vehicle suspension system.

[0061] In one embodiment, a plurality of second air passages are connected to a plurality of air supply chambers 22 in a one-to-one correspondence; the air suspension system 100 assembly further includes a control device and a plurality of pressure sensors 4, at least one of the pressure sensors 4 being disposed in each of the air supply chambers 22, each of the pressure sensors 4 being used to detect the pressure of the gas in the air supply chamber 22 in which it is located, the control device being electrically connected to the distribution valve 33 and the plurality of pressure sensors 4, the control device being configured to control the opening and closing state of the plurality of first air passages according to the detected pressure of the gas in each of the air supply chambers 22.

[0062] Understandably, pressure sensor 4 monitors the gas pressure in each air supply chamber 22 in real time and sends the data to the control device. The control device receives the data from pressure sensor 4 and processes and analyzes it. It determines whether the current air pressure meets the requirements based on preset standards or conditions. If the control device detects that the air pressure in a certain air supply chamber 22 deviates from the preset range, it sends a command to distribution valve 33 to select other air supply chambers 22, thereby ensuring normal air supply to air spring 1.

[0063] In addition, it is worth mentioning that when each pressure sensor 4 received by the control device shows an abnormality, an alarm will be issued to remind the user to perform immediate maintenance in order to improve safety.

[0064] In one embodiment, the air suspension system 100 further includes a plurality of height sensors 5, at least one of the height sensors 5 being disposed on each of the air springs 1, each of the height sensors 5 being used to detect the suspension height of its position in the vehicle, the height sensors 5 being electrically connected to the control device and the air pressure generating device 31, the control device being further configured to control the air pressure generating device 31 to switch between a first state and a second state based on the detected suspension height of the vehicle position.

[0065] Understandably, after receiving data from the height sensor 5, the control device analyzes and judges the data. If the suspension height at a certain position deviates from the preset range (too high or too low), the control device sends a command to the air pressure generator 31, controlling it to switch between a first state (i.e., the air supply chamber 22 inflates the air spring 1) and a second state (i.e., the air spring 1 inflates the air supply chamber 22). In this way, the suspension height can be automatically adjusted, allowing the vehicle to maintain the optimal suspension state under different road conditions. This achieves precise monitoring and intelligent adjustment of the suspension height, further improving the overall performance and user experience of the air suspension system 100.

[0066] The present invention also proposes a vehicle including an air suspension system 100. The specific structure of the air suspension system 100 is as described in the above embodiments. Since the vehicle adopts all the technical solutions of all the above embodiments, it has at least all the beneficial effects brought about by the technical solutions of the above embodiments, which will not be described in detail here.

[0067] The above description is merely an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structural transformations made using the contents of the present invention's specification and drawings under the technical concept of the present invention, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An air suspension system, characterized in that, include: Air springs are used to mount the vehicle's frame. An extrusion beam for installation into the sill of a vehicle includes a connecting chamber having a sealed gas supply chamber configured to store gas. as well as, An inflation / deflation assembly includes a pressure generating device and a pipeline. The pipeline connects the air spring and the air supply chamber. The pressure generating device is disposed on the pipeline and has a first state and a second state. In the first state, the pressure generating device drives the gas in the air supply chamber to enter the air spring through the pipeline. In the second state, the pressure generating device drives the gas in the air spring to enter the air supply chamber through the pipeline. Multiple air springs are provided, and each of the multiple air springs is connected to the pipeline; The gas supply chamber is provided in multiple ways, and each of the multiple gas supply chambers is connected to the pipeline; The extrusion beam is provided with a plurality of partitions, which divide the communicating chamber into a plurality of air supply chambers. Each of the air supply chambers can independently store a certain amount of compressed air, and multiple air supply chambers can distribute the gas storage load. Each air supply chamber is responsible for the storage and supply of a portion of the gas.

2. The air suspension system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The air pressure generating device includes an air compressor or an air pump.

3. The air suspension system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The multiple partitions are spaced apart along the length of the extrusion beam.

4. The air suspension system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The inflation / deflation assembly further includes a distribution valve, which is installed in the pipeline and has multiple first air passages and multiple second air passages. The multiple first air passages are connected to the multiple air springs in a one-to-one correspondence, and at least one second air passage is connected to at least one air supply chamber in a corresponding correspondence. The distribution valve is configured to control the opening and closing states of the multiple first air passages and at least one second air passage.

5. The air suspension system as described in claim 4, characterized in that, Multiple second air passages are connected to multiple air supply chambers in a one-to-one correspondence; The air suspension system assembly also includes a control device and a plurality of pressure sensors, at least one of the pressure sensors being disposed in each of the air supply chambers, each of the pressure sensors being used to detect the pressure of the gas in the air supply chamber in which it is located, the control device being electrically connected to the distribution valve and the plurality of pressure sensors, the control device being configured to control the opening and closing state of a plurality of first air passages based on the detected pressure of the gas in each of the air supply chambers.

6. The air suspension system as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The air suspension system also includes multiple height sensors, at least one of which is disposed on each of the air springs. Each height sensor is used to detect the suspension height of its position in the vehicle. The height sensor is electrically connected to the control device and the air pressure generating device. The control device is further configured to control the air pressure generating device to switch between a first state and a second state based on the detected suspension height of the vehicle position.

7. A vehicle, characterized in that, Includes the air suspension system as described in any one of claims 1 to 6 above.

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