Air Spring Valve Control via Segmented Compression Springs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air spring arrangements with integrated control valves face challenges in manufacturing and operation due to space constraints and require long spring deflections for valve switching, which affects the efficiency and reliability of adjusting the vehicle or driver's cab level.
Innovation Solution
A two-stage compression spring device is used, with a central spring and a control valve biasing spring, where the central spring is more strongly biased, allowing for shorter spring travel and a defined switching sequence, and a guide tube ensures safe compression and rebound of the springs, along with hydraulic damping and tensioning elements to manage spring forces and valve operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single compression spring is used to actuate the control valve, then the valve can be switched, but relatively long spring deflections are required
Solution Approach 1:
The single compression spring is divided into two separate compression springs: a first compression spring and a second compression spring. Each spring independently actuates different aspects of the control valve mechanism, allowing for shorter individual spring deflections while maintaining reliable valve switching functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The control valve actuation mechanism transitions from a single-dimension spring deflection to a two-dimension spring system where both springs work simultaneously in different spatial orientations, reducing the required deflection length of each individual spring.
2Ease of manufacture
If control valves are housed within the air spring, then manufacturing and operational advantages are achieved, but space constraints and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control valve assembly is designed to perform multiple functions within the air spring system: level control, damping adjustment, and integrated actuation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate external control mechanisms, simplifying overall manufacturing despite the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The control valve utilizes the existing air spring's compression and rebound movements to automatically actuate the valve mechanism through the compression springs, eliminating the need for external power sources or complex actuation systems.
3Device complexity
If the control valve is actuated by a single compression spring, then the construction is simple, but the spring travel is long which affects efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The single compression spring actuation system is segmented into two compression springs that work in parallel, distributing the actuation load and reducing the travel distance required for each spring while maintaining the overall simplicity of the mechanical construction.
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 design enables immediate and reliable switching of the control valve, maintaining a consistent vehicle or driver's cab level with reduced spring travel and improved operational efficiency, independent of dimensional tolerances and installation variations.
Implementation Method 1
a compression spring device, one end of which is operatively connected to the rolling piston or cover and the other end of which is operatively connected to the actuating device for the control valve
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
An air spring arrangement (1) with integrated valve control for controlling the level position of a vehicle or driver's cab is provided, comprising a rolling tube (2) and a cover (3) as well as an air spring bellows (4), which together with the rolling tube (2) and the cover (3) defines a pressure chamber (5) with compressed air, a control valve (8,9) for supplying compressed air into the pressure chamber (5) orThe device described is characterized in that the compression spring device (1) is designed to be at least two-part, with a central spring (12) facing the rolling piston (2) or the cover (3) and a control valve preload spring (13) facing the control valve (8,9), and which switches the control valve depending on the air spring stroke.