Valve distributor assembly for distributing air in air suspension of trailer or semitrailer of commercial vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a valve distributor assembly (1) for distributing air in an air suspension of a trailer or semitrailer of a commercial vehicle, comprising an air distributor (4) and valve parts (7, 8, 9) for actuating a lift bridge (25) of the commercial vehicle. In a valve distributor assembly which reduces the complexity of installation in a commercial vehicle with or without a lift bridge, the valve distributor assembly (1) is modularly constructed such that an air distributor (4) is arranged in at least one first distributor module (2) and valve parts (7, 8, 9) for actuating the lift bridge (25) are arranged in at least one second distributor module (3), comprising the air distributor (4) can be used independently of a further distributor module (3) comprising the valve member (7, 8, 9).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a valve distributor assembly for distributing air in an air suspension of a trailer or semi-trailer of a commercial vehicle. The valve distributor assembly includes an air distributor and valve components for manipulating a lift bridge of the trailer or semi-trailer of the commercial vehicle, and these valve components are arranged in the distributor. Background Art

[0002] Today, commercial vehicles equipped with three-axle trailers or semi-trailers are very popular. At the same time, it has become a trend for such commercial vehicles to be equipped with lift bridges. Currently, it is known to combine a lift bridge valve required for manipulating the lift bridge with an air distributor for load and lift bellows of the trailer or semi-trailer. This enables connection of a conventional air suspension and connection of an air suspension with an extended lift bridge. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a valve distributor assembly for distributing air in an air suspension of a trailer or semi-trailer of a commercial vehicle, which reduces the installation cost in commercial vehicles with or without a lift bridge.

[0004] This object is solved by a valve distributor assembly according to claim 1. Accordingly, the valve includes an air distributor and valve components for manipulating a lift bridge of the trailer or semi-trailer of the commercial vehicle, wherein the valve distributor assembly is modularly constructed such that the air distributor is arranged in at least one first distributor module, and the valve components for manipulating the lift bridge are arranged in at least one second distributor module, and the distributor module including the air distributor can be used independently of the other distributor modules including the valve components. The valve distributor assembly has a first distributor module and a second distributor module and may have additional distributor modules.

[0005] The first distributor module includes fastening parts required for connecting air spring bellows and additional equipment. The second distributor module includes all fittings required specifically for the lift bridge control part. By separately designing at least two distributor modules, the assembly cost in the trailer or semi-trailer is reduced. At the same time, an optimal air distributor solution is generated for vehicles without a lift bridge. Depending on the type of trailer or semi-trailer to be equipped with the valve distributor assembly, it can be decided whether only one distributor module is installed in the vehicle or two distributor modules are installed together in the vehicle, thereby enabling cost optimization. At the same time, the manufacturing cost of the valve distributor assembly is reduced because the individual distributor modules can be manufactured specifically. This valve distributor assembly can be implemented as a separate unit. However, it can also be integrated into the control equipment of the trailer or semi-trailer of the commercial vehicle.

[0006] In another embodiment, a first distributor module including an air distributor has connections for air passages of a valve assembly leading to a lifting bridge, which connections are closed by a closure plate when the first distributor module is used independently, such that all connections of the air passages are pneumatically coupled to each other. This first distributor module can be assembled independently of subsequent usage scenarios, which reduces costs during the manufacturing process. At the same time, when using the valve distributor assembly with this first distributor module, it is ensured that the first distributor module is sealed relative to the surrounding environment and there is no pressure loss when air flows through the air passages.

[0007] In another embodiment, the first distributor module including an air distributor is configured as a distributor plate to which a closure plate can be applied, thereby reducing the structural space required for such a valve. Here, the valve can be integrated particularly well into the control equipment of a trailer or semi-trailer of a commercial vehicle.

[0008] In another embodiment, the closure plate is placed on the rear side of the first distributor module including an air distributor. Thus, the valve distributor assembly forms a compact and stable unit, which is particularly well-suited for applications in a level control system.

[0009] In another embodiment, the first distributor module including an air distributor, in addition to the connections for the air passages of the lifting bridge, also has all the connections for the air passages of load-bearing bellows located on another axle of a trailer or semi-trailer of a commercial vehicle. Thus, air distribution to all axles of a trailer or semi-trailer of a commercial vehicle can be achieved via this air distributor of the valve distributor assembly, and thus an additional air distributor can be dispensed with.

[0010] In another embodiment, the first distributor module having an air distributor has a pneumatic input for a level control system of a trailer or semi-trailer of a commercial vehicle and an output leading to a braking system for measuring the bellows pressure. A conventional air suspension can be connected in a known manner and method. When integrated into the control equipment, the connection for measuring the bellows pressure is particularly advantageous for determining the axle load.

[0011] In another embodiment, a second distributor module including a valve component for actuating a lifting bridge includes a valve assembly for the lifting bridge, which valve assembly is connected to a pneumatic input connection for an air spring reservoir. This second distributor module forms the core component for raising and lowering the lifting bridge. The raised lifting bridge does not continuously contact the road surface, so when the load on a trailer or semi-trailer of a commercial vehicle is light, the lifting bridge is raised. Leaked air can be replenished to the system from the air spring reservoir.

[0012] In another embodiment, a second distributor module including valve components for manipulating a lifting bridge has an output for an air passage leading to a lifting bellows of the lifting bridge. Thereby, by simply connecting a pneumatic compressed air supply source, pneumatic manipulation of the lifting bellows is achieved to raise and lower the lifting bridge.

[0013] In another embodiment, the first distributor module and the second distributor module are connected to each other in a form - fit manner for leveling the axle and for manipulating the lifting bridge. By arranging different outputs of the air passage on different sides of the first distributor module including the air distributor, the valve distributor assembly can be designed in a space - saving manner to be suitable for both conventional connections and connections for manipulating the lifting bridge. Description of the Drawings

[0014] Further features, advantages, and characteristics of the present invention will be elucidated with reference to the description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

[0015] Figure 1 : shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a valve distributor assembly according to the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 : shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a first distributor module including an air distributor;

[0017] Figure 3 : shows a schematic view of another embodiment of a valve distributor assembly according to the present invention;

[0018] Figure 4 : shows a schematic view of a valve distributor assembly according to the present invention in an air suspension beam of a trailer or semi - trailer of a commercial vehicle. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0019] Figure 1 Shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a valve distributor assembly according to the present invention. The valve distributor assembly 1 consists of two distributor modules 2, 3. The first distributor module 2 is configured as a distributor plate integrating an air distributor 4. The second distributor module 3 includes a lifting - bridge valve 6 and connectors 7, 8 for a lifting bellows 34 of the lifting bridge 25. Additionally, a connector 9 for an air - spring reservoir is also provided.

[0020] Figure 2The first valve module 2 configured as a distributor plate is shown in more detail. An electromagnetic valve 5 is arranged at the end side 10 of the valve module 2, and this electromagnetic valve cooperates with a piston 35 extending within the first distributor module 2 to convey air. The pneumatically pilot-controlled electromagnetic valve 5 and the piston 35 form a pneumatic control valve. A bleed connection 12 is located at the opposite end side 11 of the distributor module 2. Connections for the lines of the respective air consumers and vehicle systems are constructed on the base side 13 of the distributor plate. Thus, the connections 14a - 14f are configured for six load-bearing bellows 23 of the main axle 24 of a trailer 20 or semi-trailer of a commercial vehicle. These six connections 14a - 14f are necessary for the three main axles 24 of the trailer 20 or semi-trailer. In addition, the distributor plate 2 also has an input connection 15 leading to a leveling system 21 and a connection 16 leading to a braking system 27. At right angles to these connections 14a - 14f, 15, 16, two connections 18a, 18b are provided on the side wall 17, and these two connections are connected to the load-bearing bellows 36 of the lift axle 25 via air lines 32a, 32b. The second distributor module 3 is placed (advantageously screwed) onto the first distributor module 2 such that the two distributor modules 2, 3 can be quickly assembled with each other. The second distributor module 3 is placed such that the connections 14a - 14f, 15, 16 of the first distributor module 2 can continue to be used without being affected.

[0021] The advantage of such an arrangement is that the first distributor module 2 can also be used for commercial vehicles without a lift axle. For this purpose, a closing plate 19 is placed on the rear side of the distributor plate 2 ( Figure 3 ), thereby ensuring that the connections 18a, 18b of the air channels originally leading from the distributor plate 2 to the lift axle 25 are closed. By such closing, all the connections of the air distributor 4 in the distributor plate 2 are coupled to each other.

[0022] Figure 4 A schematic view of a valve distributor assembly according to the present invention in an air suspension system of a three-axle trailer 20 or semi-trailer of a commercial vehicle is shown. The first distributor module 2 carrying the electromagnetic valve 5 leads to the load-bearing bellows 23a - 23f of three axles 24a - 24c via air lines 22a - 22f extending from the connections 14a - 14f. An additional lift axle 25 is supported behind the wheels 26 of the trailer 20 or semi-trailer behind the conventional axles 24a - 24c.

[0023] Information regarding the measurement of the pressure of the expansion bellows is forwarded via the pneumatic expansion bellows pressure measurement line 37 to the braking system 27. The solenoid valve 5 is coupled to the braking system 27 via the electrical line 30. The braking system 27 leads to the electrical level adjustment system 21 via the pneumatic reservoir line 28 and the electrical line 29. The electrical level adjustment system 21 is connected to the input connection 15 of the valve distributor assembly 1 via the pneumatic air line 31. The level adjustment system 21 ensures that the tires of the wheels 26 of the trailer 20 or semi-trailer always remain on the ground.

[0024] The above solution offers maximum flexibility in the selection of the level adjustment system 21, since the interface between the lift bridge valve 6 with the air distributor 4 and the level adjustment system 21 consists only of the pneumatic air channel 32. As an alternative to the electrical level adjustment system 21, the pneumatic air channel 32 can also be connected to an air spring control unit, by means of which the body of the trailer 20 or semi-trailer is automatically lifted or lowered to a safe driving level after the start of the journey. This process can also be adjusted by means of a manual lever-type lowering unit 33 before the start of the journey.

[0025] List of reference signs

[0026] 1 Valve distributor assembly

[0027] 2 First distributor module / distributor plate

[0028] 3 Second distributor module

[0029] 4 Air distributor

[0030] 5 Solenoid valve

[0031] 6 Lift bridge valve

[0032] 7 Connection for the lift expansion bellows of the lift bridge

[0033] 8 Connection for the lift expansion bellows of the lift bridge

[0034] 9 Connection for the air spring reservoir

[0035] 10 First end side of the first housing module

[0036] 11 Second end side of the first housing module

[0037] 12 Exhaust connection

[0038] 13 Base side of the first housing module

[0039] 14 Connection for the load-bearing expansion bellows of the main axle

[0040] 15 Input connection for the level control valve

[0041] 16 Connector for the braking system

[0042] 17 Side wall of the first housing module

[0043] 18 Connector for the load-bearing expansion bellows of the lifting bridge

[0044] 19 Closing plate

[0045] 20 Trailer or semi-trailer

[0046] 21 Electric horizontal adjustment system

[0047] 22 Air line

[0048] 23 Load-bearing expansion bellows of the main axle

[0049] 24 Main axle

[0050] 25 Lifting bridge

[0051] 26 Wheel

[0052] 27 Braking system

[0053] 28 Pneumatic reservoir line

[0054] 29 Electric line

[0055] 30 Electric line

[0056] 31 Air line

[0057] 32 Air line

[0058] 33 Rod-type lowering unit

[0059] 34 Lifting expansion bellows of the lifting bridge

[0060] 35 Piston

[0061] 36 Load-bearing expansion bellows of the lifting bridge

[0062] 37 Expansion bellows pressure measurement line

Claims

1. A valve distributor assembly (1) for distributing air in an air suspension of a trailer or semi-trailer of a commercial vehicle, said valve distributor assembly comprising an air distributor (4) and valve members (7, 8, 9) for actuating a lift axle (25) of said commercial vehicle, characterized in that It has a modular configuration, wherein the air distributor (4) is arranged in at least one first distributor module (2) of the valve distributor assembly (1), and the valve members (7, 8, 9) for operating the lifting bridge (25) are arranged in at least one second distributor module (3) of the valve distributor assembly (1), and the first distributor module (2) including the air distributor (4) can be used independently of the second distributor module (3) including the valve members (7, 8, 9).

2. The valve dispenser assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first distributor module (2) including the air distributor (4) has a connection (18) for an air line (31) of a valve assembly (33) leading to the lifting bridge (25), and when the distributor module (2) is used independently, the connection is closed by a closing plate (19) so that all the connections (14, 18) of the air passage (22) are pneumatically coupled to each other.

3. The valve dispenser assembly (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first distributor module (2) including the air distributor (4) is configured as a distributor plate, and the closing plate (19) can be applied to the distributor plate.

4. The valve dispenser assembly (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The closing plate (19) is placed on the rear side of the first distributor module (2) including the air distributor (4).

5. The valve dispenser assembly (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The first distributor module (2) including the air distributor (4) has, in addition to the connection (18) for the air passage (32) of the lifting bridge (25), all the connections (14) for an air passage (22) of a load-bearing bellows (23) located on another axle (24) of a trailer or semi-trailer (20) of the commercial vehicle.

6. The valve dispenser assembly (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The first distributor module (2) having the air distributor (4) has a pneumatic input connection (15) of a levelling system (21) of a trailer or semi-trailer (20) of the commercial vehicle and an output connection (16) leading to a brake system (27) for measuring the bellows pressure.

7. The valve dispenser assembly (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The second distributor module (3) including the valve members (7, 8, 9) for operating the lifting bridge (25) includes a lifting valve assembly (34) for the lifting bridge (25), and the lifting valve assembly is connected to a pneumatic input connection (9) for an air spring reservoir.

8. The valve dispenser assembly (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The second distributor module (3) including the valve members for operating the lifting bridge (25) has an output (7, 8) for an air line to a lifting bellows (35) leading to the lifting bridge (25).

9. The valve dispenser assembly (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The first distributor module (2) and the second distributor module (3) are connected to each other in a force-locking manner for levelling the axle (24) and for operating the lifting bridge (25).

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