Air Spring Pressure Curves for Aging-Aware Wheel Load Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the wheel load or axle load of air-sprung vehicles are complex, time-consuming, and require frequent calibration due to the aging of air springs, which affects the accuracy of measurements and compliance with legal regulations.
Innovation Solution
A method that measures the internal pressure of air springs using a pressure curve that accounts for aging by modifying the gradient or offset of the original pressure curve, allowing for continuous and automated determination of wheel or axle loads without the need for repetitive calibration, using data from previous calibrations, laboratory tests, or model calculations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If regular calibration is performed to account for air spring aging, then measurement precision is maintained, but device complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing multiple pressure curves that account for different aging states of air springs. Instead of performing complex calibration procedures during operation, the system prepares correction data in advance based on expected aging trajectories, allowing direct selection and application of appropriate curves without time-consuming measurement procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by modifying the pressure curve parameters (gradient and offset) to reflect aging effects. The system stores multiple pressure curves with different parameters corresponding to various aging stages, and automatically selects the appropriate curve based on the air spring's service life, thereby maintaining measurement precision without requiring repeated calibration procedures.
2Measurement precision
If frequent calibration is performed to account for aging, then measurement precision is maintained, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs calibration data preparation in advance by pre-calculating pressure curves for various aging stages. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming on-site calibration procedures, as the appropriate correction data is already available for immediate application based on the air spring's age.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates copies of the original pressure curve, modified to represent different aging states. These copied and adjusted pressure curves are stored for direct use, eliminating the need to perform actual calibration measurements at each aging stage. The system simply selects and applies the appropriate pre-prepared curve copy based on service life.
3Ease of operation
If automated adaptation is used to replace manual calibration, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically determining the appropriate pressure curve based on the air spring's service life without requiring operator intervention. The control unit autonomously selects and applies the correct correction data, eliminating the need for operators to perform manual calibration procedures or make decisions about when calibration is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical calibration procedures with an automated electronic system. Instead of physically adjusting components or performing manual measurements, the system uses electronic storage and retrieval of pre-calculated pressure curves, substituting mechanical calibration operations with automated data processing and selection.
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 method provides precise and rapid measurement of wheel or axle loads over the operational life of air springs, reducing the need for frequent calibration and ensuring compliance with legal regulations, while being easy to automate and apply to different vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
The air springs is made of elastomer material, substantially rubber, which may be composed of various material layers and usually has embedded strength carriers
Implementation Method 2
measuring the internal pressure of at least one air spring
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining the wheel load or axle load of an air-sprung vehicle by measuring the internal pressure of the air spring, wherein the wheel load or axle load is determined using a pressure curve which represents the relationship between a bearing force acting on the air spring and the internal pressure of the air spring, characterized in that starting from a wheel load or axle load determined by pressure measurement, using an original pressure curve of an air spring which has been newly brought into operation, further pressure measurements are carried out using pressure curves which, in comparison with the original pressure curve, show a change reflecting the aging of the air spring.