Air suspension system and vehicle

Abstract

The invention discloses an air suspension system and a vehicle. The air suspension system comprises an air storage device, an air spring, a height control valve and an auxiliary control valve, the height control valve comprises a first air inlet, a first air outlet, a first exhaust port, a second exhaust port and a control port, the first air inlet is communicated with the air storage device, the first air outlet is communicated with the air spring, and the first exhaust port and the second exhaust port are both communicated with the outside; the auxiliary control valve comprises a second air inlet, a second air outlet and a third exhaust port, the second air inlet is communicated with the air storage device, the second air outlet is communicated with the control port of the height control valve, and the third exhaust port is communicated with the outside. The air storage device and the air spring are connected through the height control valve, the air spring is controlled to be inflated or deflated, and the purpose of passively adjusting the height of the frame is achieved; the height control valve is connected through the auxiliary control valve, the air spring is actively controlled to exhaust, and the purpose of actively adjusting the height of the frame is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of vehicles, and in particular to an air suspension system and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] At present, in the field of tractors, air suspension with airbags can effectively reduce the impact of the ground and ensure the smoothness of vehicle driving. In some cases (need to unhook or unload), users need to lower the height of the vehicle body for easy operation. At present, the air spring of the mechanically controlled air suspension system cannot achieve active exhaust to lower the height, and the frame height is fixed, which makes unhook and unload operations difficult.

[0003] For air suspension systems with airbags, the height of the chassis from the ground can be adjusted to facilitate the addition and removal of the suspension. The main form of adjusting the height of the chassis from the ground is the electronic control system (ECAS). Actively exhaust the air spring and lower the height of the vehicle body. ECAS needs to be adjusted through the processor, solenoid valve, height sensor, pressure sensor, wire harness, and air pipeline. Although it can accurately adjust the height of the chassis, it is expensive, has many parts, is difficult to assemble, has high requirements for matching the electrical system of the vehicle, and is difficult to identify faults when it is damaged later, which affects user use.

[0004] In summary, the existing air suspension system lacks a technical problem of low-cost means of adjusting the height of the vehicle frame. Summary of the invention

[0005] The purpose of this application is to overcome the above technical deficiencies, propose an air suspension system and a vehicle, and solve the technical problem of the lack of low-cost means for adjusting the height of the vehicle frame in the prior art.

[0006] In order to achieve the above technical objectives, this application adopts the following technical solutions: In a first aspect, the present application provides an air suspension system, including an air storage device, an air spring, a height control valve, and an auxiliary control valve: Gas storage device; Air springs; A height control valve, the height control valve comprising a first air inlet, a first air outlet, a first exhaust port, a second exhaust port and a control port, the first air inlet being connected to the air storage device, the first air outlet being connected to the air spring, and the first exhaust port and the second exhaust port both being connected to the outside; Auxiliary control valve, the auxiliary control valve includes a second air inlet, a second air outlet and a third exhaust port, the second air inlet is connected to the air storage device, the second air outlet is connected to the control port of the height control valve, and the third exhaust port is connected to the outside.

[0007] In some embodiments of the present application, the height control valve includes at least four gears: When the height control valve is in the first gear position, the first air inlet, the first air outlet, the first exhaust port and the second exhaust port are disconnected from each other; When the height control valve is in the second gear position, the first air inlet is connected to the first air outlet; When the height control valve is in the third gear position, the first air outlet is communicated with the first exhaust port; When the height control valve is in the fourth gear, the first air outlet is communicated with the second air outlet.

[0008] In some embodiments of the present application, when the air pressure at the control port of the height control valve is less than the preset air pressure, the height control valve is in the first gear position, the second gear position or the third gear position; When the air pressure at the control port of the height control valve is greater than or equal to the preset air pressure, the height control valve is in the fourth gear.

[0009] In some embodiments of the present application, when the height control valve is in the first gear position, the angle between the control arm of the height control valve and the horizontal plane is less than a preset angle; When the height control valve is in the second gear position or the third gear position, the angle between the control arm of the height control valve and the horizontal plane is greater than or equal to a preset angle.

[0010] In some embodiments of the present application, when the height control valve is in the fourth gear, the first air inlet, the first air outlet, and the first exhaust port are disconnected from each other.

[0011] In some embodiments of the present application, the air spring comprises a dual-chamber air spring, the number of the first air outlets is two, and each of the first air outlets is independently connected to an air chamber of the air spring.

[0012] In some embodiments of the present application, the auxiliary control valve includes at least two gears: When the auxiliary control valve is in the first gear position, the second air outlet is communicated with the third air outlet; When the auxiliary control valve is in the second gear position, the second air inlet is communicated with the second air outlet.

[0013] In some embodiments of the present application, a power supply and a switch are further included, and the power supply is electrically connected to the auxiliary control valve through the switch.

[0014] In some embodiments of the present application, the auxiliary control valve is a normally open two-position three-way solenoid valve. When the switch is disconnected, the auxiliary control valve is in the first gear position, and when the switch is closed, the auxiliary control valve is in the second gear position.

[0015] In a second aspect, the present application further provides a vehicle, comprising an air suspension system as described in any one embodiment of the first aspect.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution provided by this application has the following beneficial technical effects: The present application connects the air storage device and the air spring through a height control valve. When the axle and the frame move relative to each other, the control arm of the height control valve rotates accordingly, thereby controlling the inflation or exhaust of the air spring, thereby achieving the purpose of passively adjusting the frame height; and the height control valve is connected through an auxiliary control valve, and the exhaust of the air spring is actively controlled through the height control valve, thereby achieving the purpose of actively adjusting the frame height. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solution in this application, the following is a brief introduction to the drawings required for use in the embodiments: Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of an air suspension system provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0018] Reference numerals: Air storage device 1, air spring 2, height control valve 3, auxiliary control valve 4, power supply 5, switch 6; A first air inlet 31, a first air outlet 32, a first exhaust port 33, a second exhaust port 34, and a control port 35; A second air inlet 41 , a second air outlet 42 , and a third air outlet 43 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present application more clearly understood, the present application is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application and are not used to limit the present application.

[0020] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in this specification, the wording "including" is an open-ended expression, which means that the described features exist but does not exclude other features. The directional words "up", "down", "left", "right", etc. are exemplary directions based on the drawings. Features defined as "first" and "second" implicitly include one or more of the features. Singular expressions can also be used in the plural. "Multiple" means two or more. The terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" can be fixed connections, detachable connections, or integrated connections; they can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or they can be internal connections between two elements. In addition, "connected" can include wireless connections.

[0021] The purpose of this application is to overcome the above technical deficiencies, propose an air suspension system and a vehicle, and solve the technical problem of the lack of low-cost means for adjusting the height of the vehicle frame in the prior art.

[0022] In order to achieve the above technical objectives, this application adopts the following technical solutions: In a first aspect, the present application provides an air suspension system, such as Figure 1 As shown, Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of an air suspension system provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0023] An air suspension system includes an air storage device 1, an air spring 2, a height control valve 3 and an auxiliary control valve 4: Gas storage device 1; Air spring 2; A height control valve 3, the height control valve 3 comprising a first air inlet 31, a first air outlet 32, a first exhaust port 33, a second exhaust port 34 and a control port 35, the first air inlet 31 being in communication with the air storage device 1, the first air outlet 32 ​​being in communication with the air spring 2, the first exhaust port 33 and the second exhaust port 34 both being in communication with the outside; The auxiliary control valve 4 includes a second air inlet 41, a second air outlet 42 and a third exhaust port 43, wherein the second air inlet 41 is connected to the air storage device 1, the second air outlet 42 is connected to the control port 35 of the height control valve 3, and the third exhaust port 43 is connected to the outside.

[0024] The present application connects the air storage device 1 and the air spring 2 through the height control valve 3. When the axle and the frame move relative to each other, the control arm of the height control valve 3 rotates accordingly, thereby controlling the inflation or exhaust of the air spring 2, thereby achieving the purpose of passively adjusting the frame height; and the height control valve 3 is connected through the auxiliary control valve 4, and the exhaust of the air spring 2 is actively controlled through the height control valve 3, thereby achieving the purpose of actively adjusting the frame height.

[0025] Passive adjustment of the frame height: When the vehicle is moving, the axle and the frame move relative to each other, and the control arm of the height control valve 3 will rotate accordingly.

[0026] When the control arm rotates to a certain extent, the passage between the first air inlet 31 and the first air outlet 32 ​​of the height control valve 3 opens, allowing the compressed air in the air storage device 1 to enter the air spring 2 to inflate the air spring 2, thereby increasing the height of the frame.

[0027] On the contrary, when the control arm rotates to another degree, the passage between the first exhaust port 33 and the first air outlet 32 ​​of the height control valve 3 is opened, so that the air in the air spring 2 is discharged, thereby reducing the height of the vehicle frame.

[0028] Actively adjusting the height of the vehicle frame: When the height of the vehicle frame needs to be actively adjusted, the passage between the second air outlet 42 of the auxiliary control valve 4 and the control port 35 of the height control valve 3 is opened.

[0029] The second air inlet 41 of the auxiliary control valve 4 is connected to the air storage device 1, so that the compressed air enters the control port 35 of the height control valve 3, pushing the valve core of the height control valve 3 to move, thereby opening the channel between the second exhaust port 34 and the first exhaust port 32, exhausting the air spring 2 and lowering the frame height.

[0030] When the air supply is stopped, the control port 35 of the height control valve 3 is connected to the outside, and the valve core is reset under the action of the spring to close the passage between the first exhaust port 33 and the first air outlet 32, and the air spring 2 is stopped from exhausting.

[0031] The air suspension system can automatically adjust the frame height according to the road conditions to ensure smooth driving and improve riding comfort. When the vehicle load changes, the air suspension system can automatically adjust the frame height to maintain vehicle stability and improve driving safety. When unloading or unloading is required, the frame height can be adjusted actively.

[0032] In some embodiments of the present application, the height control valve 3 includes at least four gears: When the height control valve 3 is in the first gear position, the first air inlet 31, the first air outlet 32, the first exhaust port 33 and the second exhaust port 34 are disconnected from each other; When the height control valve 3 is in the second gear position, the first air inlet 31 is connected to the first air outlet 32; When the height control valve 3 is in the third gear, the first air outlet 32 ​​is connected to the first exhaust port 33; When the height control valve 3 is in the fourth gear, the first air outlet 32 ​​is communicated with the second air outlet 34 .

[0033] The mechanical controlled air suspension system consists of an air storage device 1, a height control valve 3, and an air spring 2. The air storage device 1 provides compressed air, and controls the air spring 2 to inflate and exhaust air through the height control valve 3. The height control valve 3 is fixed on the frame, and the control arm of the height control valve 3 is connected to the axle through a connecting rod mechanism. When the axle and the frame have relative movement, the control arm of the height control valve 3 will rotate upward or downward by a certain angle α (related to the relative movement of the axle and the frame), thereby controlling the height control valve 3 to inflate or exhaust air. The lower end of the air spring 2 is connected to the axle, and the upper end is connected to the frame. The purpose of adjusting the frame height can be achieved by inflating and exhausting the air spring 2.

[0034] Under normal circumstances, the height control valve 3 is in the first gear position, that is, the control arm is in a horizontal position, at which time the first air inlet 31, the first air outlet 32, the first exhaust port 33 and the second exhaust port 34 of the height control valve 3 are not connected to each other.

[0035] When the axle jumps up (i.e. the axle approaches the frame), the height control valve 3 is in the second gear. At this time, the first air inlet 31 of the height control valve 3 is connected with the first air outlet 32 ​​to inflate the air spring 2. The air spring 2 will rise accordingly to increase the distance between the frame and the axle. At the same time, the control arm of the height control valve 3 will rotate downward until it is horizontal. At this time, the first air inlet 31 of the height control valve 3 is disconnected from the first air outlet 32, and the air spring 2 is stopped from being inflated, so that the frame and the axle maintain the original distance.

[0036] When the axle jumps down (i.e. the axle moves away from the frame), the height control valve 3 is in the third gear. At this time, the first exhaust port 33 of the height control valve 3 is connected with the first air outlet 32, so that the air spring 2 is exhausted. The air spring 2 will be lowered accordingly, so that the distance between the frame and the axle is reduced. At the same time, the control arm of the height control valve 3 will rotate upward until it is horizontal. At this time, the first exhaust port 33 of the height control valve 3 is disconnected from the first air outlet 32, and the air spring 2 stops exhausting, so that the frame and the axle maintain the original distance.

[0037] When the vehicle leaves the factory, the distance between the axle and the frame is adjusted according to the designed height, and the control arm of the corresponding height control valve 3 is in a horizontal position. The change in the distance between the axle and the frame will immediately drive the control arm of the height control valve 3 to rotate, thereby controlling the inflation and exhaust of the air spring 2, so that the axle and the frame always maintain the factory-set distance (that is, the frame height is fixed).

[0038] In some embodiments of the present application, when the air pressure at the control port 35 of the height control valve 3 is less than the preset air pressure, the height control valve 3 is in the first gear position, the second gear position or the third gear position; When the air pressure at the control port 35 of the height control valve 3 is greater than or equal to the preset air pressure, the height control valve 3 is in the fourth gear.

[0039] Principle of the height control valve 3: When the air pressure at the control port 35 of the height control valve 3 is lower than the preset air pressure P, the first air outlet 32 ​​and the second air outlet 34 of the height control valve 3 are disconnected.

[0040] When the air pressure at the control port 35 of the height control valve 3 is greater than the preset air pressure P, the first air outlet 32 ​​and the first exhaust port 33 of the height control valve 3 are connected, and the air spring 2 will be exhausted through the second exhaust port 34 of the height control valve 3 .

[0041] In some embodiments of the present application, when the height control valve 3 is in the first gear position, the angle between the control arm of the height control valve 3 and the horizontal plane is smaller than a preset angle; When the height control valve 3 is in the second gear position or the third gear position, the angle between the control arm of the height control valve 3 and the horizontal plane is greater than or equal to a preset angle.

[0042] The control arm of the height control valve 3 is in a horizontal position or the angle between the control arm and the horizontal plane does not exceed α, and the height control valve 3 is in the first gear position.

[0043] The control arm of the height control valve 3 will rotate upwards beyond the preset angle α, and the height control valve 3 is in the second gear position; The control arm of the height control valve 3 will rotate downward beyond the preset angle α, and the height control valve 3 is in the third gear position.

[0044] In some embodiments of the present application, when the height control valve 3 is in the fourth gear, the first air inlet 31 , the first air outlet 32 ​​, and the first exhaust port 33 are disconnected from each other.

[0045] At this time, no matter whether the control arm of the height control valve 3 is horizontal or not, the first air outlet 32 ​​, the first air inlet 31 and the first air outlet 33 thereof are not connected to each other.

[0046] In some embodiments of the present application, the air spring 2 includes a dual-chamber air spring 2 , the number of the first air outlets 32 is two, and each of the first air outlets 32 is independently connected to an air chamber of the air spring 2 .

[0047] The structural feature of the dual-chamber air spring 2 is that it has two independent air chambers inside, and each air chamber can be inflated and deflated independently.

[0048] When the vehicle load increases, the height control valve 3 can inflate the two air chambers simultaneously or separately to support the additional weight and keep the vehicle level.

[0049] When the vehicle load is reduced or the vehicle height needs to be lowered, the height control valve 3 can exhaust air from the two air chambers separately or simultaneously to lower the vehicle height.

[0050] When the vehicle load is unevenly distributed, the dual-chamber air spring 2 can adjust the air pressure of the two air chambers separately to maintain the balance and stability of the vehicle body. The dual-chamber design can better absorb road impact, reduce bumps and improve ride comfort.

[0051] In some embodiments of the present application, the auxiliary control valve 4 includes at least two gears: When the auxiliary control valve 4 is in the first gear position, the second air outlet 42 is communicated with the third air outlet 43; When the auxiliary control valve 4 is in the second gear position, the second air inlet 41 is communicated with the second air outlet 42 .

[0052] In some embodiments of the present application, a power source 5 and a switch 6 are further included, and the power source 5 is electrically connected to the auxiliary control valve 4 via the switch 6 .

[0053] In some embodiments of the present application, the auxiliary control valve 4 is a normally open two-position three-way solenoid valve. When the switch 6 is disconnected, the auxiliary control valve 4 is in the first gear position. When the switch 6 is closed, the auxiliary control valve 4 is in the second gear position.

[0054] The two-position three-way solenoid valve is a normally open solenoid valve, which is powered by the vehicle power supply 5. A switch 6 is installed in the middle to control the on and off of the two-position three-way solenoid valve. The switch 6 is installed on the instrument panel in the cab for easy operation by the user. The second air inlet 41 of the two-position three-way solenoid valve is connected to the air storage device 1, and the second air outlet 42 is connected to the control port 35 of the height control valve 3.

[0055] When the vehicle is driving normally, the switch 6 is in the disconnected state, the second air outlet 42 and the third exhaust port 43 of the two-position three-way solenoid valve are connected, and the control port 35 of the height control valve 3 is connected to the third exhaust port 43 of the two-position three-way solenoid valve. At this time, the air pressure at the control port 35 of the height control valve 3 is 0 or small, and the height control valve 3 is in the first gear, the second gear or the third gear.

[0056] When the user needs to actively lower the frame height, the control switch 6 is closed, the second air inlet 41 and the second air outlet 42 of the two-position three-way solenoid valve are connected, and the control port 35 of the height control valve 3 is inflated. When the air pressure in the control port 35 of the height control valve 3 reaches the preset air pressure P, the first air outlet 32 ​​and the second exhaust port 34 of the height control valve 3 are connected, and the air spring 2 will be exhausted through the second exhaust port 34 of the height control valve 3 to reduce the frame height.

[0057] In a second aspect, the present application further provides a vehicle, comprising an air suspension system as described in any one embodiment of the first aspect.

[0058] In the present air suspension system, the height control valve 3 integrates a set of second exhaust ports 34 and control ports 35 on the basis of the first air inlet 31, the first air outlet 32, and the first exhaust port 33, and adds an auxiliary control valve 4 to realize the function of actively exhausting the air spring 2 (actively lowering the height of the frame). The active exhaust function of the air spring 2 (actively lowering the height of the frame) is realized at a relatively low cost, which is convenient for users to unhook, unload, etc.

[0059] The mechanical height control valve 3 integrates a group of control ports 35 and a second exhaust port 34 , and exhausts the height control valve 3 through air pressure control, thereby realizing the active exhaust function of the air spring 2 .

[0060] By adopting the "electrically controlled gas" method, a two-position three-way solenoid valve is used to control the exhaust of the mechanical height control valve 3, and the air spring 2 is controlled to actively exhaust and lower the height.

[0061] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution provided by this application has the following beneficial technical effects: The present application connects the air storage device 1 and the air spring 2 through the height control valve 3. When the axle and the frame move relative to each other, the control arm of the height control valve 3 rotates accordingly, thereby controlling the inflation or exhaust of the air spring 2, thereby achieving the purpose of passively adjusting the frame height; and the height control valve 3 is connected through the auxiliary control valve 4, and the exhaust of the air spring 2 is actively controlled through the height control valve 3, thereby achieving the purpose of actively adjusting the frame height.

[0062] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various operations, methods, steps, measures, and schemes in the processes discussed in this application may be alternated, modified, rearranged, decomposed, combined, or deleted.

[0063] The specific implementation methods of the present application described above do not constitute a limitation on the protection scope of the present application. Any other corresponding changes and modifications made according to the technical concept of the present application should be included in the protection scope of the claims of the present application.

Claims

1. An air suspension system, characterized in that: include: Gas storage device; Air springs; A height control valve, the height control valve comprising a first air inlet, a first air outlet, a first exhaust port, a second exhaust port and a control port, the first air inlet being connected to the air storage device, the first air outlet being connected to the air spring, and the first exhaust port and the second exhaust port both being connected to the outside; Auxiliary control valve, the auxiliary control valve includes a second air inlet, a second air outlet and a third exhaust port, the second air inlet is connected to the air storage device, the second air outlet is connected to the control port of the height control valve, and the third exhaust port is connected to the outside.

2. An air suspension system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The height control valve includes at least four gears: When the height control valve is in the first gear position, the first air inlet, the first air outlet, the first exhaust port and the second exhaust port are disconnected from each other; When the height control valve is in the second gear position, the first air inlet is connected to the first air outlet; When the height control valve is in the third gear position, the first air outlet is communicated with the first exhaust port; When the height control valve is in the fourth gear, the first air outlet is communicated with the second air outlet.

3. An air suspension system according to claim 2, characterized in that: When the air pressure at the control port of the height control valve is less than the preset air pressure, the height control valve is in the first gear position, the second gear position or the third gear position; When the air pressure at the control port of the height control valve is greater than or equal to the preset air pressure, the height control valve is in the fourth gear.

4. An air suspension system according to claim 3, characterized in that: When the height control valve is in the first gear position, the angle between the control arm of the height control valve and the horizontal plane is less than a preset angle; When the height control valve is in the second gear position or the third gear position, the angle between the control arm of the height control valve and the horizontal plane is greater than or equal to a preset angle.

5. The air suspension system according to claim 2, characterized in that: When the height control valve is in the fourth gear, the first air inlet, the first air outlet, and the first exhaust port are disconnected from each other.

6. The air suspension system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air spring comprises a dual-chamber air spring, the number of the first air outlets is two, and each of the first air outlets is independently connected to an air chamber of the air spring.

7. The air suspension system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The auxiliary control valve includes at least two gears: When the auxiliary control valve is in the first gear position, the second air outlet is communicated with the third air outlet; When the auxiliary control valve is in the second gear position, the second air inlet is communicated with the second air outlet.

8. An air suspension system according to claim 7, characterized in that: It also includes a power supply and a switch, and the power supply is electrically connected to the auxiliary control valve through the switch.

9. An air suspension system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The auxiliary control valve is a normally open two-position three-way solenoid valve. When the switch is disconnected, the auxiliary control valve is in the first gear position. When the switch is closed, the auxiliary control valve is in the second gear position.

10. A vehicle, characterized in that: Comprising an air suspension system as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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