Air Spring System 3/2-Way Valves Eliminate Reservoir Prefill
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air spring systems require prefilling of the pressure reservoir before raising a motor vehicle, leading to unnecessary waiting times due to leaks and inefficiencies in air flow management.
Innovation Solution
The use of 3/2-way valves in the air spring system allows direct vehicle raising without prefilling the pressure reservoir, enabling a simple and efficient pneumatic circuit by connecting the compressor's suction side directly to the pressure reservoir and air springs, with electromagnetically actuable valves and check valves for air filtration and backflow prevention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If air is drawn in from the environment by a compressor and delivered to air springs, then the motor vehicle can be raised, but waiting time increases due to the need to prefill the pressure reservoir
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two independent valve devices (first 3/2-way valve and second 3/2-way valve) that can operate independently. The first valve controls air flow to the pressure reservoir while the second valve controls air flow to the air springs, allowing parallel operation and eliminating sequential waiting time.
Solution Approach 2:
The first valve device prefills the pressure reservoir with compressed air in advance, so that when the second valve device is activated to raise the vehicle, the pressure reservoir is already ready to supply air immediately, eliminating waiting time.
2Ease of operation
If a pressure reservoir is used to enable vehicle raising without the compressor, then system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first 3/2-way valve device serves multiple functions: it can deliver compressed air to the pressure reservoir for storage, and also control air flow directly to the air springs. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, simplifying the overall system.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure reservoir acts as an intermediary energy storage element between the compressor and the air springs. It stores compressed air and provides it on demand, decoupling the compressor operation from the vehicle raising operation and enabling independent control.
3Reliability
If air flows under pressure through an air drier during system filling, then moisture is removed, but system time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air drier regeneration is performed periodically through the second valve device, which can redirect air flow to regenerate the drier. This periodic action separates the regeneration process from the main vehicle raising operation, allowing both functions to occur at different times without interfering with each other.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration allows for immediate vehicle raising without prefilling the pressure reservoir, reducing waiting times and enhancing the overall efficiency and economy of the air spring system by enabling air transfer using pressure gradients and regeneration of the air drier.
Implementation Method 1
The check valve allows air to be drawn in from the environment and prevents unwanted escape of air from the air filter system into the environment
Implementation Method 2
check valve allows air to be drawn in from the environment and prevents unwanted escape of air
Implementation Method 3
The first valve device is preloaded, preferably by a spring, into a control position in which the pressure reservoir is connected to the suction side of the compressor
Implementation Method 4
The first valve device is preferably electromagnetically actuable
Data Source
AI summary
An air spring system is disclosed. The air spring system has a compressor, which has a suction side and a delivery side, a pressure reservoir, a first valve device and a second valve device. Each valve device is connected between the compressor and the pressure reservoir. In order to provide the air spring system, which is of simple construction and can be produced economically, the first valve device and the second valve device are each embodied as 3/2-way valves.