Self-Pumping Air Spring Damper Unit Height Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle height adjustment systems are costly, energy-intensive, and require significant installation space, with existing pneumatic solutions lacking self-pumping capabilities and compact designs.
Innovation Solution
A self-pumping air spring and damper unit with a compact design that integrates height adjustment, air springing, and air damping functions, utilizing switchable valves to manage compressed air flow and pressure, allowing for energy-efficient operation with minimal external energy input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional hydraulic level control systems are used, then height adjustment and damping functions are achieved, but the system becomes expensive, energy-intensive, and requires significant installation space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the air spring and damper into a single integrated unit, merging previously separate components (air spring, damper, level control system) into one compact assembly. This reduces installation space and system complexity while maintaining height adjustment and damping functions through the unified structure with shared housing and integrated valve mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The air spring-damper unit performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides suspension springing through compressed air, damping through the integrated damper cylinder with piston, and automatic level control through the self-pumping mechanism. The switchable valves enable the system to adapt between different operating modes (damping mode and height adjustment mode), making the system versatile and eliminating the need for separate dedicated systems.
2Reliability
If traditional air spring and damper units are used, then height adjustment is possible, but external energy input is required for pumping
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a self-pumping mechanism where the damper piston itself performs the pumping action during compression and rebound cycles. As the piston moves within the damper cylinder, it automatically transfers compressed air between the spring space and the atmosphere through switchable valves, eliminating the need for external pumps or energy input. The mechanical energy from vehicle motion is directly converted into pumping action, making the system energy-autonomous.
3Reliability
If hydraulic oil is used for damping, then effective damping is achieved, but environmental impact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces hydraulic oil-based damping with a pneumatic system using compressed air as the working medium. The damper cylinder contains a piston that moves air between working spaces during compression and rebound, providing effective damping forces without any liquid hydraulic fluid. This eliminates environmental contamination risks associated with hydraulic oil leaks while maintaining comparable damping performance through the pneumatic pressure differential created by switchable valves.
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
The solution provides a compact, energy-efficient system for vehicle height adjustment, reducing installation space requirements and environmental impact by using air instead of hydraulic oil for damping, while leveraging the dynamics of the vehicle's movement to adjust height with minimal external energy.
Implementation Method 1
a spring space (8) filled with compressed air, which at least partially supports the two articulation points (5, 6) in a sprung manner relative to one another
Implementation Method 2
one damper cylinder (11), which is connected to one of the two articulation points (5, 6) and has at least two working spaces (13, 14), which are separated by a working piston (12) that can be moved in the damper cylinder
Implementation Method 3
The connecting valve and the throttle valve are each switchable, in particular electrically switchable, valves
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle suspension apparatus includes various elements, such as a self-pumping air spring and damper unit operating with compressed air for height adjustment of a vehicle body relative to a wheel suspension of a vehicle. The apparatus further includes at least one spring space filled with compressed air, which is at least partially bounded by at least one movable wall and a damper cylinder, which can be connected to the spring space for fluid transmission by at least one connecting valve. The damper cylinder includes a working space divided by a piston, which moves inside the working space, and fluidly connected by a throttle valve. The connecting valve and the throttle valve are each switchable valves, and one of the working spaces of the damper cylinder can be vented to the surrounding atmosphere via at least one switchable vent valve.