Air Spring Device with Front Compressed Air Reservoir
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air spring systems for vehicles are not energy-efficient and can be noisy during vehicle lowering, with a large installation space requirement, especially in electrically powered vehicles like buses where energy savings are crucial.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a second compressed air reservoir between the air spring and pressure generator, allowing air released from the air spring to first collect in a front reservoir before being pumped into a rear reservoir, reducing the need for continuous compressor operation and enabling quicker vehicle lowering with less noise and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a single compressed air reservoir is used in the air spring system, then the installation space requirement is reduced, but the pressure generator must operate continuously during vehicle lowering, leading to high energy consumption and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The single compressed air reservoir is divided into two separate reservoirs: a front compressed air reservoir and a rear compressed air reservoir. This segmentation allows the system to store air in two stages, enabling the pressure generator to operate intermittently rather than continuously, thereby reducing energy consumption and noise during vehicle lowering operations.
2Speed
If the pressure generator operates continuously to pump air during vehicle lowering, then the air spring can be deflated quickly, but energy consumption increases and noise is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The front compressed air reservoir is positioned between the air spring and the pressure generator to preliminarily collect air released from the air spring. This preliminary action allows the pressure generator to operate intermittently rather than continuously, maintaining quick lowering speed while reducing energy consumption.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a second compressed air reservoir is added between the air spring and pressure generator, then energy savings and noise reduction are achieved, but the installation space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The front compressed air reservoir and rear compressed air reservoir are merged into a coordinated two-stage storage system. The front reservoir collects air preliminarily, while the rear reservoir stores compressed air, creating a combined system that achieves energy savings without requiring a single excessively large reservoir, thus optimizing installation space.
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 results in significant energy savings, quieter operation, and reduced installation space, as the pressure generator only operates intermittently and can be designed with a smaller flow rate, enhancing the efficiency and quietness of vehicle lowering.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure generator, by means of which the front compressed air reservoir can be supplied with air from the second compressed air reservoir and into which air from the front compressed air reservoir can be conveyed and compressed
Implementation Method 2
at least one air spring which can be supplied with compressed air
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an air suspension system for a motor vehicle, with at least one air spring (12) which can be supplied with compressed air via an associated supply unit (10), which includes a compressed air reservoir (20) from which the air spring (12) can be supplied with compressed air and into which compressed air from the air spring (12) can be returned via a pressure generator (42), wherein the supply unit (10) includes at least one further, front compressed air reservoir (38) which is arranged between the air spring (12) and the pressure generator (42).