Height valve device and method for controlling height valve device

Abstract

The invention discloses an altitude valve device and a control method of the altitude valve device, and relates to the technical field of vehicle control, the altitude valve device comprises a mechanical altitude valve, an air inlet valve port is connected with an air source, and an air outlet valve port is connected with an air spring; an air inlet valve port of the electromagnetic valve is connected with the air source, an air outlet valve port of the electromagnetic valve is connected with the air spring, and the electromagnetic valve is further in communication connection with a controller; and the rotary encoder is in rigid connection with the horizontal lever and / or the driving shaft of the mechanical height valve, is also in communication connection with the controller, and is configured to acquire the rotation angle of the horizontal lever of the mechanical height valve in real time and send the rotation angle to the controller. Therefore, on the basis that reliable work of a traditional mechanical height valve is guaranteed, the reliability of the height valve device is improved through the integrated electromagnetic valve, the height of a vehicle body can be adjusted in real time in an assisting mode through the lever rotation angle, collected in real time through the integrated encoder, of the mechanical height valve, and then the comfort degree of vehicle running is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vehicle control technology, and in particular to a height valve device and a control method for the height valve device. Background Technology

[0002] The height valve is used to connect the car body and the bogie. The height valve is fixed to the car body, and the horizontal lever of the height valve is mounted on the vertical adjusting rod of the height valve via a spherical bearing.

[0003] When the car body is at the set height, the horizontal lever of the height valve is in the neutral position, and the valve port assembly of the height valve remains closed. At this time, the air spring neither charges nor exhausts air. When the car body height changes, the height valve moves up and down with the car body height. The height valve lever drives the drive shaft assembly to rotate, which in turn drives the piston assembly to move horizontally to both sides, thereby controlling the valve port assembly inside the height valve to charge or exhaust air to the air spring. When the car body lowers, the height valve lever rotates upward around the drive shaft. At this time, the air intake valve port opens, and the train's main air system charges the air spring through the height valve, forcing the car body to rise. When the car body rises, the height valve lever rotates downward around the drive shaft. At this time, the exhaust valve port opens, and the air spring exhausts air to the outside through the height valve, causing the car body height to decrease.

[0004] The height valves on existing rail vehicles are purely mechanical valves, using clean air or silicone oil as the working medium. During vehicle operation, if the existing height valve experiences force majeure events (such as icy or snowy weather), or is struck by foreign objects, filled with foreign objects, or suffers from work fatigue, causing the horizontal lever or vertical connecting rod of the height valve to bend, deform, or even break, or if the height valve piston rod becomes stuck, resulting in mechanical damage that causes the height valve's charging and discharging functions to fail, abnormal air spring pressure will affect the normal operation of the vehicle. Typically, the vehicle will operate at a reduced speed, thus impacting the scheduling of the entire operating line. Therefore, the failure of existing height valves often causes incalculable losses to the vehicle operator.

[0005] Furthermore, existing height valves cannot be monitored in real time during vehicle operation, hindering timely risk identification and fault warnings. Vehicles can only monitor air spring pressure changes, but cannot confirm valve failure in real time. The PHM (Prognostics and Health Management) system's warnings regarding height valves need improvement. The conventional approach is to conduct manual visual inspections after the vehicle is parked, and if necessary, replace the height valve on-site to eliminate potential fault risks. Removing the height valve from the vehicle and replacing it with a new one often requires the vehicle to return to the depot. For potentially risky height valves, confirming their operational status requires testing on a test bench. This entire process is labor-intensive, resource-intensive, and time-consuming, increasing the operational and maintenance costs of the height valves.

[0006] Another type of electrically controlled height valve completely replaces the traditional mechanical height valve. Its air filling and emptying of the springs is controlled solely by a solenoid valve. The drawbacks of this technology are: 1. It is difficult to apply in engineering, as it differs significantly from existing vehicle operating environments, requiring substantial technical modifications to the valve itself and the control system; 2. It lacks safety redundancy, resulting in poor reliability. The air filling and emptying of the springs is entirely controlled by the solenoid valve; if the solenoid valve's control signal or the valve itself fails, it will directly affect the safe operation of the vehicle; 3. To adjust the air filling and emptying flow, additional pneumatic valves must be added, further increasing the overall size, weight, and cost; 4. The purely electrically controlled height valve has high power requirements for the vehicle's power supply, resulting in significant energy consumption and heat generation, leading to a shortened lifespan and higher maintenance costs. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This invention provides a height valve device and a control method for the height valve device, which can provide real-time feedback on the rotation angle of the horizontal lever of the height valve, thereby enabling the controller to identify the working state of the mechanical height valve. When the mechanical structure of the mechanical height valve fails, the air spring is energized through the solenoid valve to charge and / or exhaust air. When the vehicle load changes drastically and the air spring charges and exhausts slowly, the solenoid valve assists in charging and / or exhausting air, thereby improving the working efficiency of the height valve, shortening the response time, and improving the smoothness and comfort of vehicle driving.

[0008] An embodiment of the present invention provides a height valve device, comprising:

[0009] A mechanical height valve, wherein the air inlet of the mechanical height valve is connected to an air source through a first air passage, and the air outlet of the mechanical height valve is connected to an air spring through a second air passage;

[0010] The solenoid valve has its air inlet connected to the first air path via a third air path and then to the air source; its air outlet is connected to the second air path via a fourth air path and then to the air spring; and the solenoid valve is also connected to the controller in communication.

[0011] A rotary encoder, rigidly connected to the horizontal lever and / or drive shaft of the mechanical height valve and also communicatively connected to the controller, is configured to acquire the rotation angle of the horizontal lever of the mechanical height valve in real time and send the rotation angle to the controller.

[0012] In some embodiments, the solenoid valve is a two-position normally closed solenoid valve; the solenoid valve is configured to be energized when the mechanical height valve fails to charge the air spring.

[0013] In some embodiments, the solenoid valve is further configured to be energized when the rate of increase of the vehicle load exceeds a first preset value, thereby assisting the mechanical height valve in charging the air spring.

[0014] In some embodiments, the number of solenoid valves is two, and each solenoid valve is a two-position normally closed solenoid valve; wherein...

[0015] The solenoid valve is configured to be energized when the mechanical height valve fails or when the rate of increase of the vehicle load exceeds a first preset value, to inflate the air spring.

[0016] Another solenoid valve is configured to be energized when the mechanical height valve fails or when the rate of decrease in vehicle load is greater than a second preset value, to ventilate the air spring.

[0017] In some embodiments, the solenoid valve is rigidly connected to the body of the mechanical height valve, and the solenoid valve is located between the body of the mechanical height valve and the horizontal lever.

[0018] In some embodiments, a solenoid valve protective cover is also included, which is disposed outside the solenoid valve.

[0019] The present invention provides a control method for a height valve device, based on the height valve device described in any of the above embodiments, the method comprising:

[0020] The rotation angle of the horizontal lever of the mechanical height valve is collected in real time by a rotary encoder, and the pressure of the air spring is collected in real time by a pressure sensor.

[0021] Based on the rotation angle collected in real time by the rotary encoder and the pressure collected in real time by the pressure sensor, the height valve device is controlled to charge and exhaust air from the air spring.

[0022] In some embodiments, the height valve device is controlled to inflate and deflate the air spring based on the rotation angle collected in real time by the rotary encoder and the pressure collected in real time by the pressure sensor, including:

[0023] The working state of the mechanical height valve is determined based on the rotation angle collected in real time by the rotary encoder and the pressure collected in real time by the pressure sensor.

[0024] When the mechanical height valve is working normally, the air spring is charged and vented through the mechanical height valve;

[0025] When the mechanical height valve fails or the vehicle load changes drastically, the solenoid valve is energized to charge and / or exhaust the air spring.

[0026] In some embodiments, when the vehicle load changes drastically, the solenoid valve is energized to charge and / or de-air the air spring, including:

[0027] When the rate of increase of the vehicle load exceeds a first preset value, the system determines whether to activate the solenoid valve based on the rotation angle collected in real time by the encoder and the pressure collected in real time by the pressure sensor.

[0028] If the solenoid valve is activated, it is energized to assist the mechanical height valve in charging the air spring.

[0029] In some embodiments, when the vehicle load changes drastically, the solenoid valve is energized to charge and / or de-air the air spring, including:

[0030] When the rate of decrease of the vehicle load is greater than the second preset value, the solenoid valve is activated based on the rotation angle collected in real time by the encoder and the pressure collected in real time by the pressure sensor.

[0031] If the solenoid valve is activated, it is energized to assist the mechanical height valve in venting the air spring.

[0032] The height valve device and control method provided in this invention can provide real-time feedback on the rotation angle of the horizontal lever of the height valve, thereby enabling the controller to identify the working state of the mechanical height valve. When the mechanical structure of the mechanical height valve fails, the air spring is energized through the solenoid valve to charge and / or exhaust air. When the vehicle load changes drastically and the air spring charges and exhausts slowly, the solenoid valve assists in charging and / or exhausting air, thereby improving the working efficiency of the height valve, shortening the response time, and improving the smoothness and comfort of vehicle driving. Attached Figure Description

[0033] 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 these drawings without creative effort. In the drawings:

[0034] Figure 1a This is a cross-sectional view of an existing mechanical height valve in the pressure holding position.

[0035] Figure 1b This is a cross-sectional view of the existing mechanical height valve in the air-filling position.

[0036] Figure 1c This is a cross-sectional view of the existing mechanical height valve at the exhaust position.

[0037] Figure 2a It is an isometric view of an existing mechanical height valve.

[0038] Figure 2b This is a structural schematic diagram of an existing mechanical height valve.

[0039] Figures 3a to 3c These are isometric views of the height valve device provided in the embodiments of the present invention in different directions.

[0040] Figure 3d This is a schematic diagram of the height valve device provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 4 This is a schematic flowchart of a control method for a height valve device provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 5 This is a partial flowchart illustrating a control method for a height valve device provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 6 This is a partial flowchart illustrating a control method for a height valve device provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 7 This is a partial flowchart illustrating a control method for a height valve device provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Figure label:

[0046] 1. Valve body; 2. Valve head; 3. Piston; 4. Lever; 5. Drive shaft and eccentric pin; V. Main air outlet; V1. Check valve; V2. Air inlet; V3. Exhaust outlet; L. Air spring outlet; E. Exhaust outlet; T. Dead zone; A. Exhaust without throttling; B. Exhaust with throttling; C. Air charging with throttling; D. Air charging without throttling;

[0047] 100. Height valve device; 10. Mechanical height valve; 11. Horizontal lever; 12. Drive shaft; 20. Solenoid valve; 21. Protective cover; 30. Rotary encoder. Detailed Implementation

[0048] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the embodiments of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, the illustrative embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention, but are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0049] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0050] Specific embodiments of this application are disclosed in detail with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings, indicating how the principles of this application can be adopted. It should be understood that the embodiments of this application are not limited in scope. Within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, embodiments of this application include many changes, modifications, and equivalents.

[0051] Features described and / or illustrated for one embodiment may be used in the same or similar manner in one or more other embodiments, combined with features in other embodiments, or substituted for features in other embodiments.

[0052] It should be emphasized that the term "including / comprises" as used herein refers to the presence of a feature, whole, step, or component, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, wholes, steps, or components.

[0053] To better understand this invention, the existing mechanical height valve will be described in detail below.

[0054] Figures 1a to 1c This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of an existing mechanical height valve under different working conditions. Figure 2a This is an isometric drawing of an existing mechanical height valve. Figure 2b This is a structural diagram of an existing mechanical height valve. Its working principle is as follows:

[0055] The vertical movement of the car body relative to the bogie caused by the vehicle load is transmitted to lever 4 via a connecting rod, and further to the drive shaft and eccentric pin 5 mounted on the mechanical height valve body 1. The eccentric pin moves in the elongated hole of piston 3, causing the piston to move left or right as the drive shaft rotates. Valve head 2 is a check valve V1, so it can prevent air from flowing back from air spring port L to main air port V when the pressure at the main air port V drops.

[0056] Holding pressure position: such as Figure 1a As shown, if the vehicle is at the set height, the height valve is in the so-called neutral position (pressure holding position), at which point the air spring neither inflates nor exhausts air. Both the intake port V2 and the exhaust port V3 are closed.

[0057] Air supply location: such as Figure 1bAs shown, when the vehicle load increases, the vehicle body begins to sink. When the air spring is compressed, the drive shaft rotates via a lever mechanism, causing the eccentric pin to pull the piston 3 to the left, opening the air intake port V2. Compressed air from the auxiliary air cylinder enters the upper valve head 2 through the main air port V, thereby opening the check valve V1. The passage of compressed air entering from the main air port V is throttled by the tiny gap between the piston neck and the inner bore of the valve body before reaching the air spring port L and entering the air spring.

[0058] As lever 4 deflects more, piston 3 moves further to the left, opening the piston slightly. After the vehicle body rises to the set position, the lever returns to the horizontal position, the height valve is back in the neutral position, and check valve V1 and air inlet V2 are closed.

[0059] Exhaust location: such as Figure 1c As shown, when the vehicle load decreases, the air spring expands, and the vehicle body begins to rise. At this time, the drive shaft rotates, causing the eccentric pin to pull the piston 3 to the right, opening the exhaust port V3. The intake port V2 remains closed under the pressure of the spring and valve head 2. The passage between the auxiliary air cylinder and the air spring is cut off. In the height valve with throttling, the compressed air passage to the air spring is throttled by the tiny gap between the piston neck and the inner bore of the valve body before flowing to the piston exhaust port.

[0060] As piston 3 moves to the right, the piston orifice opens wider. The vehicle body descends, returning to its initial horizontal position. The height valve is in the neutral position, and exhaust port V3 is closed.

[0061] In order to solve at least one of the problems existing in the prior art, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a height valve device, such as... Figures 3a to 3d As shown, the present invention provides a height valve device 100, comprising:

[0062] A mechanical height valve 10, wherein the air inlet of the mechanical height valve 10 is connected to an air source through a first air passage, and the air outlet of the mechanical height valve 10 is connected to an air spring through a second air passage.

[0063] The solenoid valve 20 has an air inlet connected to the first air path via a third air path and then connected to the air source; the air outlet of the solenoid valve 20 is connected to the second air path via a fourth air path and then connected to the air spring; the solenoid valve 20 is also communicatively connected to a controller, which controls the solenoid valve 20 to be energized or de-energized.

[0064] A rotary encoder 30, rigidly connected to the horizontal lever 11 and / or drive shaft 12 of the mechanical height valve 10, and also communicatively connected to the controller, is configured to acquire the rotation angle of the horizontal lever 11 of the mechanical height valve 10 in real time and send the rotation angle to the controller.

[0065] Specifically, the mechanical height valve 10 integrates a two-position normally closed solenoid valve 20 and a rotary encoder 30 on its valve body. The solenoid valve serves as a redundancy mechanism in case of mechanical failure of the mechanical height valve 10. The rotary encoder 30 is rigidly connected to the horizontal lever 11 and drive shaft 12 of the mechanical height valve 10, and is communicatively connected to a controller, providing real-time feedback to the controller on the rotation angle of the horizontal lever 11 of the mechanical height valve 10. The controller is used for risk identification and fault warning of the mechanical height valve 10.

[0066] The total air entering the height valve device 100 through the train's main air system is divided into two paths: one path passes through the air inlet of the mechanical height valve 10 to control the charging, pressure holding, and exhaust of the mechanical height valve; the other path connects to the air inlet of the two normally closed solenoid valve 20 through the third air path, and the air outlet of the solenoid valve 20 connects to the air path (second air path) of the mechanical height valve 10 through the fourth air path.

[0067] When the mechanical structure of the mechanical height valve 10 fails, such as when the horizontal lever of the mechanical height valve is deformed, broken, or the piston rod is stuck, the controller determines in real time whether the mechanical height valve 10 is in the charging, holding, or venting position based on the rotation angle of the horizontal lever 11 fed back by the rotary encoder 30. At the same time, it determines whether to charge or vent the air spring by energizing the solenoid valve 20 to ensure that the vehicle air spring pressure is normal.

[0068] When a rail vehicle is in a specific section of the line, the station spacing is short and passengers are concentrated in one place to get on and off the train, causing the vehicle load to change drastically. The existing mechanical height valve 10 is limited by the fixed diameter size and cannot dynamically adjust the air spring charging and exhaust speed in real time. The height valve device provided in this embodiment of the invention can support the controller to control whether the solenoid valve 20 is energized in real time based on the air spring pressure feedback, thereby assisting the mechanical height valve 10 in charging and exhausting the air spring.

[0069] Therefore, the height valve device provided in this embodiment of the invention can provide real-time feedback on the rotation angle of the horizontal lever of the height valve, thereby enabling the controller to identify the working state of the mechanical height valve. When the mechanical structure of the mechanical height valve fails, the controller energizes the solenoid valve to charge and / or exhaust the air spring. When the vehicle load changes drastically and the air spring charges and exhausts slowly, the solenoid valve assists in charging and / or exhausting, thereby improving the working efficiency of the height valve, shortening the response time, and improving the smoothness and comfort of the vehicle ride.

[0070] In some embodiments, the solenoid valve 20 is a two-position normally closed solenoid valve; the solenoid valve 20 is configured to be energized when the mechanical height valve 10 fails to charge the air spring; the solenoid valve 20 may also be configured to be energized when the rate of increase of vehicle load exceeds a first preset value to assist the mechanical height valve 10 in charging the air spring.

[0071] Specifically, the mechanical height valve 10 integrates a two-position normally closed solenoid valve 20 and a rotary encoder 30 on its valve body. This allows the solenoid valve 20 to be energized to charge the air spring when the mechanical structure of the mechanical height valve 10 fails; or, when the rate of increase in vehicle load exceeds a first preset value (i.e., when the vehicle load increases sharply), the solenoid valve 20 can be energized to assist in air charging. Combined with the air spring pressure and the rotation angle of the horizontal lever 11 of the mechanical height valve 10, which is fed back in real time by the rotary encoder 30, this can be used for risk identification and fault warning. The overall size of this solenoid valve device 100 is essentially the same as the existing vehicle height valve, and it can replace the existing vehicle height valve. In some embodiments, there are two solenoid valves 20, each of which is a two-position normally closed solenoid valve; wherein, one solenoid valve 20 is configured to be energized when the mechanical height valve 10 fails or when the rate of increase of the vehicle load exceeds a first preset value, to inflate the air spring; and the other solenoid valve 20 is configured to be energized when the mechanical height valve 10 fails or when the rate of decrease of the vehicle load exceeds a second preset value, to exhaust air from the air spring.

[0072] For example, vehicle load is divided into: AW0 (no load), AW2 (full load), and AW3 (overload).

[0073] Different vehicle platforms, such as high-speed trains, intercity and urban rail trains, and subways, have different design specifications. A rapid change in vehicle load during operation can refer to the maximum change in passenger numbers. For example, at the originating station, passengers board in a short period, changing the vehicle's load status from empty to overloaded. For instance, on a certain high-speed train platform, two cars might have 18 extra passengers, each weighing 80 kg, but at the terminal station, all passengers disembark, effectively changing from an overloaded state to an empty state, resulting in a rapid change in load.

[0074] During rush hour, urban rail transit projects often experience drastic changes in passenger load, especially on specific sections of the operating line. For example, consider a particular metro project platform: the load on each car changes dramatically from 0 passengers to a maximum capacity of 410, with an average weight of 80 kg per person.

[0075] Therefore, a first preset value and a second preset value can be set according to the specific conditions of the vehicle, and the load change of the vehicle can be monitored. When the rate of increase of the vehicle load exceeds the first preset value, it is considered that the vehicle load has increased sharply, and at this time, a solenoid valve 20 can be energized to assist in air charging. Conversely, when the rate of decrease of the vehicle load is greater than the second preset value, it is considered that the vehicle load has decreased sharply, and at this time, another solenoid valve 20 can be energized to exhaust air from the air spring.

[0076] Specifically, the mechanical height valve 10 integrates two two-position normally closed solenoid valves 20 and a rotary encoder 30 on its valve body. In this way, when the mechanical structure of the mechanical height valve 10 fails, one solenoid valve 20 can be energized to charge the air spring, or the other solenoid valve 20 can be energized to exhaust the air spring. Alternatively, when the vehicle load changes drastically, one solenoid valve 20 can be energized to assist in charging, or the other solenoid valve 20 can be energized to assist in exhaust. In addition, risk identification and fault warning can be performed by combining the air spring pressure and the rotation angle of the horizontal lever 11 of the mechanical height valve 10, which is fed back in real time by the rotary encoder 30.

[0077] In some embodiments, the solenoid valve 20 is rigidly connected to the valve body of the mechanical height valve 10, and the solenoid valve 20 is located between the valve body of the mechanical height valve 10 and the horizontal lever 11.

[0078] In some embodiments, a solenoid valve protective cover 21 is also included, which covers the outside of the solenoid valve 20.

[0079] Specifically, because the height valve device 100 is installed under the vehicle and the working environment is relatively harsh, a protective cover 21 is added to the solenoid valve 20. This helps to improve the protection level and impact resistance of the solenoid valve 20, and effectively ensures the normal operation of the solenoid valve 20.

[0080] In addition, the solenoid valve 20 can be energized or de-energized, and the operation of the solenoid valve 20 can be determined by continuously monitoring the change in air spring pressure.

[0081] The rotary encoder 30 features a miniaturized design, high protection rating, and impact resistance. The proper functioning of the rotary encoder 30 can be determined by monitoring the rotation angle of the mechanical height valve 10 and the horizontal lever 11, combined with changes in vehicle load and continuous monitoring of air spring pressure.

[0082] Based on the same inventive concept, this invention also provides a control method for a height valve device. The technical effect achieved by this method is similar to that achieved by the height valve device in the above embodiments, and the similarities will not be repeated here.

[0083] like Figure 4As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a control method for a height valve device, comprising:

[0084] S10. The rotation angle of the horizontal lever of the mechanical height valve is collected in real time by a rotary encoder, and the pressure of the air spring is collected in real time by a pressure sensor.

[0085] S20. Based on the rotation angle collected in real time by the rotary encoder and the pressure collected in real time by the pressure sensor, control the height valve device to charge and exhaust air from the air spring.

[0086] like Figure 5 As shown, in some embodiments, step S20 above includes:

[0087] S21. Determine the working state of the mechanical height valve based on the rotation angle collected in real time by the rotary encoder and the pressure collected in real time by the pressure sensor;

[0088] S22. When the mechanical height valve is working normally, the air spring is charged and vented through the mechanical height valve.

[0089] S23. When the mechanical height valve fails or the vehicle load changes drastically, the solenoid valve is energized to charge and / or exhaust the air spring.

[0090] like Figure 6 As shown, in some embodiments, step S23 above includes:

[0091] S231. When the rate of increase of the vehicle load exceeds a first preset value, determine whether to activate the solenoid valve based on the rotation angle collected in real time by the encoder and the pressure collected in real time by the pressure sensor.

[0092] S232. If it is determined that the solenoid valve is to be activated, the solenoid valve is energized, and the solenoid valve assists the mechanical height valve in charging the air spring.

[0093] like Figure 7 As shown, in some embodiments, step S23 above includes:

[0094] S233. When the rate of decrease of the vehicle load is greater than the second preset value, determine whether to activate the solenoid valve based on the rotation angle collected in real time by the encoder and the pressure collected in real time by the pressure sensor.

[0095] S234. If it is determined that the solenoid valve is to be activated, the solenoid valve is energized, and the solenoid valve assists the mechanical height valve in exhausting air from the air spring.

[0096] Therefore, the embodiments provided by the present invention integrate a solenoid valve and a rotary encoder into the existing mechanical height valve body, thereby improving the reliability and intelligence of the height valve while ensuring the reliable operation of the traditional mechanical height valve.

[0097] Specifically, the rotation angle of the horizontal lever of the mechanical height valve is monitored in real time by a rotary encoder. Combined with the air spring pressure feedback from the air spring pressure sensor, a closed-loop control is formed. The working status of the mechanical height valve is monitored and diagnosed in real time to determine whether it is in the charging, holding, or exhaust position, thereby identifying risks and providing early warnings for the height valve.

[0098] To elaborate, the mechanical height valve has an indicator arrow on its horizontal lever. The direction of the arrow indicates the direction of air supply to the valve, and the opposite direction indicates the direction of air exhaust. After the mechanical height valve is installed, the arrow on the horizontal lever faces outwards, perpendicular to the rail surface and upwards. When the vehicle load changes, the car body rises or falls relative to the bogie, which in turn drives the horizontal lever of the mechanical height valve to rotate. When the horizontal lever rotates in the direction of the arrow, the mechanical height valve supplies air to the air spring, increasing the air spring pressure. When the horizontal lever rotates in the opposite direction, the mechanical height valve exhausts air from the air spring, decreasing the air spring pressure. When the horizontal lever is in the horizontal position, the mechanical height valve neither supplies nor exhausts air, remaining in the pressure-holding position, and the air spring pressure remains unchanged.

[0099] Different rotation angles of the horizontal lever in a mechanical height valve correspond to different valve openings; that is, the larger the lever rotation angle, the greater the airflow. For example, after installation, when the rotary encoder detects the horizontal lever fluctuating within a preset angle, the mechanical height valve is in the pressure-holding position. When the horizontal lever rotates beyond the preset angle in the direction of the arrow and continues to rotate, the mechanical height valve begins to charge the air spring. Conversely, when the horizontal lever rotates beyond the preset angle in the opposite direction of the arrow and continues to rotate, the mechanical height valve begins to exhaust air from the air spring.

[0100] The risk identification process is as follows:

[0101] Different platforms and vehicle configurations vary; for example, the presence or absence of a differential pressure valve when the mechanical height valve is installed can differentiate them. Furthermore, different models of mechanical height valves have different charging and discharging airflow specifications. Risk identification will be based on these different configurations and models of mechanical height valves, and the risk diagnosis strategies will also differ.

[0102] Platform 1: When no differential pressure valve is configured, the two air springs of the same bogie are internally connected. Each air spring is often equipped with two mechanical height valves. One mechanical height valve is used as the main valve, which can both charge and exhaust air from the air spring. The other mechanical height valve is used as the auxiliary valve, which can only exhaust air from the air spring and cannot charge air from it.

[0103] Risk identification of platform-1 mechanical height valve:

[0104] Taking a certain model of mechanical height valve as an example: when this mechanical height valve is installed on the vehicle, it is not equipped with a differential pressure valve. There is no leakage in the air spring pipeline where the mechanical height valve is located, and the vehicle load remains unchanged during the diagnosis.

[0105] One risk identification method: When the rotary encoder monitors the main valve horizontal lever of the mechanical height valve in the charging position, the air spring pressure should continuously rise. If the air spring pressure remains unchanged or rises below the second set value after the charging time of the main valve exceeds the first set value, a risk warning can be issued. If the air spring pressure rises below the second set value after the charging time exceeds the third set value, it can be diagnosed that the charging function of the main valve of the mechanical height valve has failed or that the height valve itself is leaking. Based on the feedback value of this air spring pressure, the vehicle compares it with the pressure of another air spring on the same bogie. When the air spring pressure difference exceeds the set value, the solenoid valve is activated, charging the air spring with the lower pressure through the solenoid valve. As the air spring pressure continues to rise, when the pressure rises to the pressure of another air spring on the same bogie, the solenoid valve is de-energized, stopping the air supply to the air spring. The higher pressure can be vented and reduced through the auxiliary valve of the air spring, thereby ensuring the normal operation of the vehicle.

[0106] Risk Identification 2: The rotary encoder detected that the horizontal lever of the main valve of the mechanical height valve was in the air-filled position, but the air spring pressure was decreasing, indicating a leak in the mechanical height valve. Switch the air spring charging mode to the solenoid valve; the solution is the same as for Risk Identification 1.

[0107] Risk Identification 3: The rotary encoder monitors that the horizontal lever of the mechanical height valve main valve is in the pressure-holding position, but the air spring pressure continues to drop, indicating a leak in the mechanical height valve. Switch the air spring charging mode to the solenoid valve; the solution is the same as for Risk Identification 1.

[0108] Risk Identification 4: The rotary encoder monitors that the horizontal lever of the main mechanical height valve is in the exhaust position, but the air spring pressure remains unchanged. This indicates a failure in the exhaust function of the main mechanical height valve. As the vehicle load decreases further, the secondary mechanical height valve exhausts air from the air spring. If necessary, the exhaust mode can be switched to a solenoid valve to exhaust air from the air spring.

[0109] Platform 2: When a differential pressure valve is configured, it connects the left and right air springs of the same bogie (two bogies are configured in the same car). Each of the two air springs of the same bogie is connected to a mechanical height valve. When one of the mechanical height valves fails, as the vehicle load changes, the pressure difference between the left and right air springs exceeds the preset pressure of the selected differential pressure valve (e.g., the preset pressure of the differential pressure valve is 150 kPa). At this point, the differential pressure valve will open both air springs, which is equivalent to a normally functioning mechanical height valve simultaneously charging and venting both air springs.

[0110] One risk identification mechanism: When the rotary encoder monitors that the horizontal lever of the mechanical height valve is in the air-filled position, the air spring pressure corresponding to the mechanical height valve should continuously rise. If the air spring pressure remains unchanged or rises below the fifth set value after the air-filling time exceeds the fourth set value, a risk warning can be issued. If the air spring pressure rises below the fifth set value after the air-filling time exceeds the sixth set value, it can be diagnosed that the air-filling function of the mechanical height valve has failed or that the mechanical height valve itself is leaking. Based on the feedback value of the air spring pressure, the vehicle compares it with the pressure of another air spring on the same bogie. When the air spring pressure difference exceeds the set value, especially when it exceeds the preset value of the differential pressure valve, in order to respond quickly to changes in vehicle load and ensure vehicle stability, the solenoid valve should be activated. Air is supplied to the air spring with lower pressure through the solenoid valve. As the air spring pressure continues to rise, when the pressure reaches the pressure of the other air spring on the same bogie, the solenoid valve is de-energized, stopping the air supply to the air spring, thus ensuring normal vehicle operation.

[0111] Risk Identification 2: The rotary encoder detected that the horizontal lever of the mechanical height valve was in the air-filled position, but the air spring pressure corresponding to the mechanical height valve was decreasing, indicating a leak in the mechanical height valve. The air spring's air-filling mode was switched to the solenoid valve, and the solution was the same as for Risk Identification 1.

[0112] Risk Identification 3: The rotary encoder monitors that the horizontal lever of the mechanical height valve is in the pressure-holding position, but the air spring pressure corresponding to the mechanical height valve continues to drop, indicating a leak in the mechanical height valve. Switch the air spring charging mode to the solenoid valve; the solution is the same as for Risk Identification 1.

[0113] Risk Identification 4: The rotary encoder monitors that the horizontal lever of the mechanical height valve is in the exhaust position, but the air spring pressure corresponding to the mechanical height valve remains unchanged. This indicates a failure in the exhaust function of the mechanical height valve. As the vehicle load further decreases, the exhaust mode can be switched to a solenoid valve to exhaust air from the air spring.

[0114] Therefore, by integrating a solenoid valve, a redundant means of controlling the air supply and / or exhaust of the mechanical height valve mechanism is provided. When the mechanical height valve mechanism fails, the solenoid valve is energized, ensuring that the air spring can always supply and exhaust air normally.

[0115] Furthermore, the proper functioning of the rotary encoder can be confirmed by observing the rotation angle of the height valve's horizontal lever, as fed back by the encoder, in conjunction with changes in vehicle load and continuous monitoring of air spring pressure. Similarly, the proper functioning of the solenoid valve can be determined by controlling its energization or de-energization and by continuously monitoring changes in air spring pressure.

[0116] The height valve device provided by this invention is compatible with existing vehicle-mounted mechanical height valves, reducing user reliance on test benches. The height valve does not need to be removed from the vehicle for testing, thus lowering user testing costs. Furthermore, the reliability and intelligence of the height valve device are improved, enabling online monitoring and diagnosis, reducing user maintenance costs. It also allows for full lifecycle tracking of the height valve device, providing technical support for extended and precise repairs, further reducing maintenance costs.

[0117] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element. The terms "upper," "lower," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, are used only for the convenience of describing this application and for simplification, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application. Unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linkage" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they can refer to mechanical connections or electrical connections; they can refer to direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0118] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner. Similar or identical parts between embodiments can be referred to interchangeably. Each embodiment focuses on describing the differences from other embodiments. In the description of this specification, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of the embodiments in this specification. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0119] This application uses specific embodiments to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this application. The description of the above embodiments is only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of this application. At the same time, for those skilled in the art, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope based on the ideas of this application. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

Claims

1. A height valve device, characterized in that: include: A mechanical height valve, wherein an air inlet valve port of the mechanical height valve is connected to an air source via a first air path, and an air outlet valve port of the mechanical height valve is connected to an air spring via a second air path; A solenoid valve, wherein the air inlet valve port of the solenoid valve is connected to the first air path through a third air path and then to the air source, the air outlet valve port of the solenoid valve is connected to the second air path through a fourth air path and then to the air spring, and the solenoid valve is also in communication connection with a controller; The rotary encoder is rigidly connected to the horizontal lever and / or driving shaft of the mechanical height valve, and is also communicatively connected to the controller. It is configured to collect the rotation angle of the horizontal lever of the mechanical height valve in real time and send the rotation angle to the controller.

2. The height valve device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The solenoid valve is a two-position, two-way normally closed solenoid valve; the solenoid valve is configured to be energized when the mechanical height valve fails to inflate the air spring.

3. The height valve device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The solenoid valve is further configured to be energized when a rate of increase of a vehicle load exceeds a first preset value, so as to assist the mechanical height valve in charging the air spring.

4. The height valve device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of the solenoid valves is two, and each of the solenoid valves is a two-position, two-way normally closed solenoid valve; wherein, The solenoid valve is configured to be energized when the mechanical height valve fails or when the rate of increase of the vehicle load exceeds a first preset value to charge the air spring; Another solenoid valve is configured to be energized when the mechanical height valve fails or when a rate of decrease in vehicle load is greater than a second preset value to exhaust the air spring.

5. The height valve device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The solenoid valve is rigidly connected to the valve body of the mechanical height valve, and the solenoid valve is located between the valve body and the horizontal lever of the mechanical height valve.

6. The height valve device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a solenoid valve protection cover which is arranged outside the solenoid valve.

7. A control method for a height valve device, characterized in that: Based on the height valve device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 above, the method comprises: The horizontal lever rotation angle of the mechanical height valve is collected in real time by a rotary encoder, and the pressure of the air spring is collected in real time by a pressure sensor; According to the rotation angle acquired in real time by the rotary encoder and the pressure acquired in real time by the pressure sensor, the height valve device is controlled to inflate and exhaust air to the air spring.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that According to the rotation angle collected in real time by the rotary encoder and the pressure collected in real time by the pressure sensor, the height valve device is controlled to charge and exhaust the air spring, including: Determine the working state of the mechanical height valve according to the rotation angle acquired in real time by the rotary encoder and the pressure acquired in real time by the pressure sensor; When the mechanical height valve is operating normally, the air spring is charged and exhausted through the mechanical height valve; When the mechanical height valve fails or the vehicle load changes drastically, the solenoid valve is controlled to be energized, and the air spring is charged and / or exhausted through the solenoid valve.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that When the vehicle load changes sharply, the solenoid valve is controlled to be energized, and the air spring is charged and / or exhausted through the solenoid valve, including: When the increase rate of the vehicle load exceeds a first preset value, determining whether to enable the solenoid valve according to the rotation angle acquired in real time by the encoder and the pressure acquired in real time by the pressure sensor; If it is determined to enable the solenoid valve, the solenoid valve is controlled to be energized, and the solenoid valve assists the mechanical height valve to charge the air spring.

10. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that When the vehicle load changes sharply, the solenoid valve is controlled to be energized, and the air spring is charged and / or exhausted through the solenoid valve, including: When the rate of decrease of the vehicle load is greater than a second preset value, determining whether to enable the solenoid valve according to the rotation angle acquired in real time by the encoder and the pressure acquired in real time by the pressure sensor; If it is determined to enable the solenoid valve, the solenoid valve is controlled to be energized, and the solenoid valve assists the mechanical height valve to exhaust the air spring.

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