Fluid suspension filling assembly
The vehicle's existing fluid suspension controller manages an external filling assembly with an isolation and vent valve to address the complexity and wear issues in air suspension systems, ensuring efficient and reliable filling and pressure control.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- GB · GB
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- JAGUAR LAND ROVER LTD
- Filing Date
- 2023-09-12
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-29
AI Technical Summary
Existing vehicle air suspension systems require complex control mechanisms or specialist equipment for initial filling, leading to wear on the compressor and air dryer, and there is a need for a cost-effective and reliable method to fill the system without additional controllers.
A method and system using an isolation valve controlled by the vehicle's existing fluid suspension controller to manage the filling process, allowing connection of an external filling assembly, with a vent valve to prevent excess pressure and controlled fluid flow, and optional drying to prevent corrosion.
Provides a reliable and cost-effective solution for filling vehicle air suspension systems, reducing wear on existing components and ensuring controlled fluid flow and pressure management, while preventing corrosion.
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Abstract
Description
05 0925 TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to a method for pressurising a fluid suspension assembly of a vehicle. 5 Embodiments of the invention relate to a filling assembly for a vehicle configured for connection to a fluid suspension assembly, to a fluid suspension filling system and computer readable instructions which, when executed by a computer, are arranged to perform a method. BACKGROUND 10 It is known to provide air suspension for vehicles with an on-board compressor for filling and subsequently refilling the components of the air suspension. Using this on-board compressor to do an initial filing can cause wear on the compressor and air dryer, if present. As such, a separate filling system may be used to initially fill the system, however controlling such systems is often complex or requires specialist equipment. 15 It is an aim of the present invention to address one or more of the disadvantages associated with the prior art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the invention provide a method and computer readable instructions for pressurising a fluid suspension assembly of a vehicle, a filling assembly for a vehicle and a fluid suspension filling system as claimed in the appended claims. According to an embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method for pressurising a fluid suspension assembly of a vehicle, wherein the isolation valve is biased to be closed, the method comprising: connecting a filling assembly to the fluid suspension assembly, using a fluid suspension controller on-board the vehicle to control supply of a fluid from the filing assembly to the fluid suspension assembly, and sending a 25 signal from the fluid suspension controller on-board the vehicle to open the isolation valve. According to an embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method for pressurising a fluid suspension assembly of a vehicle, the method comprising: connecting a filling assembly to the fluid suspension assembly, using a fluid suspension controller on-board the vehicle to control supply of a fluid from the filing 30 assembly to the fluid suspension assembly through an isolation valve of the filling assembly. Embodiments of the present invention provide a reliable and cost effective method for controlling the filling of the fluid suspension assembly using a filling assembly external to the vehicle that has an isolation valve which can be controlled by the fluid suspension controllerwhich is already present in the vehicle, ratherthan requiring 35 the purchase and programming of a further controller. In an embodiment, the isolation valve is biased to be closed, and the method further comprises: sending a signal from the fluid suspension controller on-board the vehicle to open the isolation valve. 40 Using the controller on-board the vehicle provides a cost effective solution to the problem of requiring a separate device to control each of the fluid suspension assembly and the filling assembly. 05 09 25 Optionally, the method may comprise supplying the filling assembly with fluid via an inlet of the filling assembly, supplying fluid to the fluid suspension assembly via an outlet of the filling assembly by using the fluid suspension controller on-board the vehicle to open the isolation valve. 5 Advantageously, this method of supplying fluid via the isolation valve of the fluid suspension assembly in concert with the controller on-board the vehicle provides a cost effective solution to the problem of requiring a separate device to control each of the fluid suspension assembly and the filling assembly. 10 Optionally, the method may comprise sending a signal from the fluid suspension controller on-board the vehicle to close a vent valve on the filling assembly, wherein the vent valve is biased to be open. Advantageously, this method provides a vent valve for the filling assembly to vent to atmosphere which is always open except when the system is being filled therefore preventing damage to the filling assembly or fluid 15 suspension components. Optionally, the method may comprise controlling a plurality of actuatable valves of the fluid suspension assembly In certain embodiments, the plurality of actuatable valves may be controlled to open and close in a predetermined order, or to open and close in response to a signal indicative of a pressure within a component of the fluid suspension assembly. Advantageously, if more than one fluid suspension assembly is being filled where two or more of the fluid suspension assemblies being filled are similar, or identical, and the pressure supplied to the inlet is constant, then the valves can simply be open and closed in a predetermined order. Alternatively, a signal is generated 25 by a pressure sensor which causes the valves to open and close depending on the pressure reached. According to an embodiment, the fluid is air. In certain embodiments, the method further comprises drying the air to a dew point of between -20°C and -40°C. 30 Using dry air prevents corrosion and damage in the air suspension assembly, particularly when filled in humid environments and subsequently used in cold environments. According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a filling assembly for a vehicle configured for connection to a fluid suspension assembly of the vehicle, comprising: an isolation valve configured to 35 control the supply of a fluid from the filling assembly to the fluid suspension assembly, wherein the isolation valve is biased to be closed; and wherein the isolation valve is configured to open in response to a signal from a fluid suspension controller on-board the vehicle. Advantageously, the present invention provides a reliable and cost effective filling assembly for the filling of a 40 fluid suspension assembly. The isolation valve can be controlled by the fluid suspension controller which is already present in the vehicle, rather than requiring the purchase and programming of a further controller. 05 09 25 Optionally, the filling assembly may comprise a vent valve which is biased to be open and configured to close in response to a signal from the fluid suspension controller. 5 Advantageously, the present invention provides a vent valve for the filling assembly to vent to atmosphere which is always open except when the fluid suspension system is being filled to prevent damage to filling assembly or suspension components. The signals for controlling the vent valve are received from the fluid suspension controller on-board the vehicle. 10 Optionally, the vent valve is located intermediate the isolation valve and an outlet of the filling assembly. Advantageously, locating the vent valve intermediate the isolation valve and the outlet protects both the filling assembly and the air suspension assembly from sudden pressure changes. 15 In an embodiment, the isolation valve and the outlet are in fluid communication via a first conduit having a first diameter and the isolation valve and the vent valve are in fluid communication via a second conduit having a second diameter and the first diameter is smaller than the second diameter. Advantageously, this ensures that the fluid flow exiting the isolation valve does not exceed the flow capability of the vent valve. Optionally, the first diameter is in the range 1.0 to 1.5 mm. Optionally, the second diameter is in the range 3.5 to 4.5 mm. 25 According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a fluid suspension filling system comprising the filling assembly as described above and a vehicle comprising a fluid suspension assembly, the fluid suspension assembly comprising an on-board fluid suspension controller, wherein the on-board fluid suspension controller is configured to control said filling assembly. 30 Advantageously, embodiments of the present invention provide a reliable and cost effective filling assembly for the filling of a fluid suspension assembly. The filling assembly has an isolation valve which can be controlled by the fluid suspension controller which is already present in the vehicle, rather than requiring the purchase and programming of a further controller. 35 Optionally, the fluid suspension assembly comprises at least one actuatable valve and at least one fluid suspension component and wherein said fluid suspension component is in fluid communication with at least one of the actuatable valves. Optionally, the actuatable valves are controllable by the on-board fluid suspension controller whilst the fluid assembly is being filled to allow fluid to fill each fluid suspension component and isolate the fluid suspension component when filled. Optionally, the fluid suspension component comprises at least one of a fluid spring, ora reservoir or a conduit. 05 09 25 Optionally, the actuatable valves are configured to open and close in a predetermined order or are configured to open and close in response to a signal indicative of a pressure within the at least one fluid suspension component. 5 Advantageously, if more than one fluid suspension assembly is being filled where two or more of the fluid suspension assemblies being filled are similar, or identical to one another, and the pressure supplied to the inlet is constant then the valves can simply be open and closed in a predetermined order. Alternatively, a signal is generated by a pressure sensor which causes the valves to open and close depending on the pressure 10 reached. According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided computer readable instructions which, when executed by a computer, are arranged to perform a method comprising: detecting a connection between a filling assembly and a fluid suspension assembly, controlling a fluid suspension controller on-board a vehicle 15 to control supply of a fluid from the filing assembly to the fluid suspension assembly through an isolation valve of the filling assembly. Optionally, controlling a fluid suspension controller on-board a vehicle comprises opening the isolation valve. Optionally, controlling a fluid suspension controller on-board a vehicle comprises closing a vent valve on the filling assembly, wherein the vent valve is biased to be open. Optionally, controlling a fluid suspension controller on-board a vehicle comprises causing a plurality of actuatable valves of the fluid suspension assembly: to open and close in a predetermined order; or to open 25 and close in response to a signal indicative of a pressure within a component of the fluid suspension assembly. Optionally, the fluid is air. Optionally, controlling a fluid suspension controller on-board a vehicle comprises drying the air to a dew point of between -20°C and -40°C. 30 Optionally, the computer readable instructions may be stored on a computer readable medium. Optionally, the computer readable instructions may be non-transitory. Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and / or in the following description and 35 drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and / or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and / or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and / or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 05 09 25 One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 5 Figure 1 shows a filling assembly and a fluid suspension assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a flow chart showing a method of filling an air suspension assembly according to an 10 embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 3 shows a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION 15 With reference to Figure 1, there is illustrated a filling assembly 100 for filling a fluid suspension assembly 200 of a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The filling assembly 100 comprises an isolation valve 106 configured to be controlled by a fluid suspension controller 300 (described further below) of the fluid suspension assembly 200 (the fluid suspension controller 300 therefore being on-board the vehicle, and hereinafter is referred to as the on-board controller 300). The filling assembly 100 may further include an inlet 102, an outlet 104, a vent valve 108 and a connector 110 configured to connect the filling assembly 100 to the fluid suspension assembly 200. In addition to controlling the filling assembly 100, the on-board controller 300 also controls the fluid suspension 25 assembly 200 of the vehicle. In the non-limiting embodiment shown in Figure 1, the fluid suspension assembly 200 comprises a series of actuatable valves 204A - 204G which isolate various components of the fluid suspension assembly 200 such as reservoir 202, pressure sensor 206 and fluid springs 208A-D. In alternative embodiments, the pressure sensor 206 connects directly to a common gallery of the air suspension system and is not isolated by the actuatable valves. 30 The inlet 102 of the filling assembly 100 is configured to connect to a fluid supply (not shown) such as a compressed air supply for supplying fluid into the filling assembly 100. The isolation valve 106 is located between the inlet 102 and the outlet 104 of the filling assembly 100. The inlet 102 and the outlet 104 may be hoses or conduits. The on-board controller 300 is in communication with the filling assembly 100 such that it 35 can control the state of the isolation valve 106 which may be opened or closed. The isolation valve 106 is biased to be closed such that the fluid does not pass through the filling assembly 100 before being required. Upon receiving a signal from the on-board controller 300, the isolation valve 106 opens and allows fluid to flow into the air fluid suspension assembly 200 via connector 110. 40 The filling assembly 100 may further include at least one vent valve 108 which is biased to be open and which is in fluid communication with the isolation valve 106 and the connector 110 or located anywhere else between 05 0925 the inlet 102 and the fluid suspension assembly 200. The purpose of the vent valve 108 is to allow fluid, for example excess fluid, to vent to the atmosphere. The vent valve 108 is biased to be open and is configured to close upon receiving a signal from the on-board controller 300. The conduits which connect to the vent valve 108 and / or the orifices of the vent valve 108 may be larger than the outlet 104, such that if the isolation valve 5 106 is opened in error, fluid will be able to exit through the vent valve 108 at a higher rate than it leaves through the isolation valve 106, thereby preventing excess pressure building in the fluid suspension assembly 200. The on-board controller 300 is configured to send a signal to an on-board compressor (not shown) which would usually be used to fill or refill (pressurise or repressurise) the fluid suspension assembly 200 or the various 10 components thereof. However, the initial filling of a fluid suspension assembly 200 after manufacture or repair of the vehicle can cause wear to the on-board compressor, so it may be advantageous to use compressed fluid from a separate source. In the fluid suspension filling system, which includes the filling assembly and the on-board controller 300, the on-board controller 300 is used to control the state of at least the isolation valve 106 and optionally the vent valve 108. This is achieved by connecting the on-board controller 300 to the filling 15 assembly 100 by either a wired or wireless means, and using the on-board controller 300 to open the isolation valve 106 (and close the vent valve 108) as required. The on-board controller 300 may be in communication with one or more pressure sensors 206, which provide a signal indicative of the pressure of the fluid suspension assembly 200 or each component thereof. Upon receiving a signal indicating that a component of the fluid suspension assembly 200 is below a predetermined value, the on-board controller 300 would usually open one or more of the actuatable valves 204A - 204G to connect the component to the reservoir 202 or activate a compressor (not shown) in order to refill the component as required. In certain embodiments of the invention, the signal indicating that a component of the fluid suspension assembly 200 is below a predetermined value is instead used to open the isolation valve 106 25 (and optionally to close the vent valve 108) to allow fluid to flow from an external source into the fluid suspension assembly 200. In other embodiments, the isolation valve 106 is controlled by a signal that is sent in dependence on the predetermined condition. The on-board controller 300 may simultaneously be used to control the state of the actuatable valves 204A - 204G to fill the components of the fluid suspension assembly 200 in sequence or simultaneously. Alternatively, a further external controller (not shown) may be used to 30 control the actuatable valves 204A - 204G. Figure 2 illustrates a flowchart of a method for pressurising a fluid suspension assembly of a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. At 400, the filling assembly 100 is connected to the fluid suspension assembly. After the connection has been established, at 410, the fluid suspension controller 35 on-board the vehicle is used to control supply of a fluid from the filing assembly to the fluid suspension assembly through an isolation valve of the filling assembly. At 420, a signal is sent from the fluid suspension controller on-board the vehicle to the filling assembly to open the isolation valve. At 430 the method comprises supplying the filling assembly with fluid via an inlet, and supplying fluid to the fluid suspension assembly via an outlet by using the fluid suspension controller on-board the vehicle to open the isolation valve. At 440 the 40 method comprises sending a signal from the fluid suspension controller on-board the vehicle to close a vent valve on the filling assembly, wherein the vent valve is otherwise biased to be open. At 450 the method further comprises controlling a plurality of actuatable valves of the fluid suspension assembly: to open and close in a predetermined order; or to open and close in response to a signal indicative of a pressure within a component of the fluid suspension assembly. At 460, the method further comprises drying the fluid (which in certain embodiments is air) to a dew point of between -20°C and -40°C. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that 5 these method steps may occur in any other logical order, for example step 460 may occur before step 400. Additionally, certain steps may occur simultaneously with other steps, for example step 450 may occur simultaneously with any other step. Figure 3 schematically illustrates a vehicle 500 comprising the fluid suspension assembly 200 which includes 10 the on-board controller 300. The fluid suspension assembly 200 of the vehicle 500 may include a compressor which can be disconnected, temporarily allowing connection to the filling assembly 100 via the connector 110. It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the present application. 15 05 09 25 05 09 £5
Claims
1. A method for pressurising a fluid suspension assembly of a vehicle, wherein the isolation valve is biased to be closed, the method comprising:connecting a filling assembly to the fluid suspension assembly;5 using a fluid suspension controller on-board the vehicle to control supply of a fluid from the filingassembly to the fluid suspension assembly through an isolation valve of the filling assembly; and sending a signal from the fluid suspension controller on-board the vehicle to open the isolation valve.
2. The method of claim 1, comprising;10 supplying the filling assembly with fluid via an inlet,supplying fluid to the fluid suspension assembly via an outlet by using the fluid suspension controller on-board the vehicle to open the isolation valve.
3. The method of any preceding claim further comprising:15 sending a signal from the fluid suspension controller on-board the vehicle to close a vent valveon the filling assembly, wherein the vent valve is biased to be open.
4. The method of any preceding claim further comprising:controlling a plurality of actuatable valves of the fluid suspension assembly: to open and close in a predetermined order; orto open and close in response to a signal indicative of a pressure within a component of the fluid suspension assembly.
5. The method of any preceding claim wherein the fluid is air and wherein the method further comprises25 drying the air to a dew point of between -20°C and -40°C.
6. A filling assembly for a vehicle configured for connection to a fluid suspension assembly of the vehicle, comprising:an isolation valve configured to control the supply of a fluid from the filling assembly to the fluid30 suspension assembly, wherein the isolation valve is biased to be closed; andwherein the isolation valve is configured to open in response to a signal from a fluid suspension controller on- board the vehicle.
7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the filling assembly further comprises a vent valve which is biased 35 to be open and configured to close in response to a signal from the fluid suspension controller.
8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the vent valve is located intermediate the isolation valve and an outlet of the filling assembly.40 9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the isolation valve and the outlet are in fluid communication via afirst conduit having a first diameter and wherein the isolation valve and the vent valve are in fluid05 09 £5communication via a second conduit having a second diameter and wherein the first diameter is smaller than the second diameter.
10. A fluid suspension filling system comprising the filling assembly of any of claims 7 to 9 and a vehicle 5 comprising a fluid suspension assembly, the fluid suspension assembly comprising an on-board fluid suspension controller, wherein the on-board fluid suspension controller is configured to control said filling assembly.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the fluid suspension assembly comprises at least one actuatable 10 valve and at least one fluid suspension component and wherein said fluid suspension component is in fluid communication with at least one of the actuatable valves.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the fluid suspension component comprises at least one of a fluid spring, or a reservoir or a conduit.1513. The system of claim 12, wherein the actuatable valves are configured to open and close in a predetermined order or configured to open and close in response to a signal indicative of a pressure within the at least one fluid suspension component.
14. Computer readable instructions which, when executed by a computer, are arranged to perform a method comprising:detecting a connection between a filling assembly and a fluid suspension assembly, controlling a fluid suspension controller on-board a vehicle to control supply of a fluid from the filing assembly to the fluid suspension assembly through an isolation valve of the filling assembly.25