Air Spring Pressure Redistribution for Quieter Pneumatic Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pneumatic systems for vehicles face challenges in reducing venting noise while maintaining system functionality, often requiring additional components like silencers that increase costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A method for operating a pneumatic system that involves discharging compressed air from an air dryer or air distributor module into air springs with the greatest pressure difference before venting, allowing for a controlled reduction in pressure and subsequent venting at a lower noise level without the need for silencers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If compressed air is vented rapidly from the pneumatic system, then the ground clearance adjustment speed is improved, but the noise level increases due to high pressure discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by transferring compressed air to air springs before venting. The control device directs compressed air from the air dryer into air springs that have a larger pressure difference, pre-compressing them to reduce the pressure differential that will exist during subsequent venting. This preliminary compression of air springs reduces the noise generated when the system is later vented, while still allowing rapid ground clearance adjustment.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If additional components like silencers are installed to reduce venting noise, then the noise level is reduced, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by using the existing air springs and control device to manage noise reduction. Instead of adding external silencers or noise-reducing components, the system uses its own air springs as noise management tools. The control device intelligently directs compressed air to specific air springs based on pressure differences, allowing the system to self-regulate venting noise without additional components.
3Speed
If high pressure is maintained in the compressed air supply installation for rapid vehicle height adjustment, then the responsiveness is improved, but the noise level during venting increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the pressure distribution across different air springs based on their pressure differences. The control device monitors and adjusts which air springs receive compressed air, changing the pressure parameters of individual air springs to optimize both responsiveness and noise reduction. This allows the system to maintain high pressure for rapid adjustment while controlling the pressure differential that causes noise during venting.
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 approach significantly reduces venting noise while maintaining the pneumatic system's functionality, potentially eliminating the need for silencers and associated costs, and allows for rapid and flexible adjustment of ground clearance in vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
air can be drawn in from the surroundings by a compressing means, in particular a compressor
Implementation Method 2
the drawn-in air can be dried by an air dryer
Data Source
AI summary
A method is for operating a pneumatic system having a compressed air supply and an air spring arrangement, which is pneumatically connected to the compressed air supply, for a vehicle. Before the compressed air supply is vented, the compressed air supply is activated by the control device in such a way that compressed air is discharged from the air dryer and/or the air distributor module into a first air spring of the air spring arrangement with the exhaust valve closed and the compressor inactive. Compressed air from the air dryer and/or the air distributor module is initially discharged into an air spring ascertained to be the first air spring, and chronologically following the discharge of compressed air into the first air spring, compressed air remaining in the air dryer and/or the air distributor module is discharged into a second air spring of the air spring arrangement and/or an intermediate volume.