Vehicle Air Spring Venting Using Reservoir-Controlled Exhaust
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air management systems for vehicles are expensive, bulky, and complex, necessitating a need for cost-effective, compact, and simplified solutions.
Innovation Solution
An air management system comprising a reservoir tank, a compressed air supply unit with a piloted exhaust valve, and a manifold block that directly connects to the reservoir tank to provide control pressure for venting air springs, eliminating the need for additional accumulators and simplifying the design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional air management systems are used with separate accumulators and complex valve arrangements, then reliable air supply and venting control is achieved, but system complexity, cost, and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the reservoir tank and accumulator functions into a single integrated component. The reservoir tank serves dual purposes: storing compressed air for supply to air springs and providing control pressure to the piloted exhaust valve. This eliminates the need for a separate accumulator, reducing system complexity and cost while maintaining reliable air supply and control functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The reservoir tank is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: (1) storing compressed air for filling air springs, (2) providing control pressure to open the piloted exhaust valve during venting, and (3) acting as an accumulator to maintain system pressure. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed while ensuring reliable operation.
2Quantity of substance
If traditional air management systems with multiple components are used, then adequate air storage and control pressure are provided, but system cost and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the reservoir tank and accumulator into one component, the system reduces the total volume and weight of air storage equipment. The integrated design eliminates redundant structures and connections, achieving adequate air storage capacity with less material and smaller overall system size.
3Ease of operation
If complex valve systems with multiple control paths are used, then precise air flow regulation is achieved, but manufacturing cost and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the accumulator component from traditional air management systems, simplifying the overall architecture. By removing this separate component and its associated connections and controls, manufacturing cost and assembly complexity are reduced while the reservoir tank assumes its functional responsibilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The reservoir tank automatically provides control pressure to the piloted exhaust valve through direct pneumatic connection, eliminating the need for separate control mechanisms. The system uses its own stored compressed air to control the venting process, reducing the need for additional control components and simplifying manufacturing.
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
Achieves lower exhaust pressures with a more cost-effective and compact solution by directly connecting the reservoir tank to the piloted control port, reducing system complexity and cost.
Implementation Method 1
The reservoir tank is pneumatically connected to the piloted control port of the piloted exhaust valve, and is configured to provide a control pressure to the piloted control port to open the piloted exhaust valve during venting of the at least one air spring
Data Source
AI summary
An air management system for a vehicle having a body and plurality of wheels, including: a reservoir tank for storing compressed air and filling at least one air spring of the vehicle, and a compressed air supply unit for supplying the compressed air, which includes a compressed air port to the reservoir tank and the at least one air spring, a vent port to a venting environment, and a piloted exhaust valve connected to the compressed air port and configured to vent the at least one air spring through the vent port, the piloted exhaust valve having a piloted control port. The reservoir tank is pneumatically connected to the piloted control port of the piloted exhaust valve, and is configured to provide a control pressure to the piloted control port to open the piloted exhaust valve during venting of the at least one air spring.