Air Spring Secondary Bladder for Continuous Volume Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automotive air springs have fixed working volumes, limiting the ability to continuously adjust spring rates and vehicle ride height, which can be inefficient for varying loads and road conditions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a flexible secondary bladder within the main chamber, controlled by an air spring electrical control unit, allows for continuous variation of the air spring volume by filling or emptying with fluid or compressed air, enabling dynamic adjustment of spring rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed volume air spring is used, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the spring rate cannot be adjusted for varying loads and road conditions
Solution Approach 1:
A secondary bladder is nested inside the main air spring chamber. The secondary bladder can be inflated or deflated to adjust the effective volume of the main chamber, thereby continuously varying the spring rate. This nested configuration allows volume adjustment without adding external components, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If discrete volume switching is implemented, then some adaptability is achieved, but continuous volume variation is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
A pneumatic system is used to inflate and deflate the secondary bladder, enabling continuous volume variation of the main air spring chamber. By controlling the pressure and volume of air introduced into the secondary bladder, the effective volume of the air spring can be smoothly adjusted between maximum and minimum limits, achieving continuous spring rate variation without complex mechanical switching mechanisms.
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
Enables fine-tuning of spring rates and ride height through software calibration, reducing peak dynamic pressures and burst pressure constraints, enhancing vehicle performance under varying loads.
Implementation Method 1
This secondary bladder may be filled with compressed air or by an incompressible fluid. This will cause the bladder to expand, displacing or reducing a portion of the volume of the main chamber, increasing the spring rate of the overall system.
Implementation Method 2
The present disclosure is for an automotive suspension air spring which relies on a contained volume of air at a specified pressure to provide a desired force and spring rate to support the vehicle body
Data Source
AI summary
A suspension air spring includes a spring mount assembly and a diaphragm seat spaced from the spring mount. A diaphragm includes a first end that is mounted to the spring mount assembly and a second end that is mounted to the diaphragm to create a main volume between the spring mount assembly and the diaphragm seat. The diaphragm rolls upon the diaphragm seat. An inflatable secondary bladder is disposed within the main volume.