Air Suspension Equal-Length Lines for Axle Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air suspension systems for load-carrying prime mover and trailer vehicles are not responsive enough to rapidly changing road conditions, leading to vehicle instability, increased driver fatigue, and potential damage to the freight.
Innovation Solution
An air suspension system with separate air lines of equal size and length connecting each level controlling valve to the air bags on each side of each axle, ensuring a consistent air supply to maintain stability under changing driving conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If common air lines are used to connect air bags on adjacent axles, then the system structure is simplified, but the responsiveness to rapidly changing road conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the air supply system into separate air lines for each air bag, rather than using common air lines. This segmentation allows each air bag to respond independently and rapidly to changing road conditions, improving responsiveness while maintaining manageable system complexity through standardized components
2Adaptability or versatility
If air lines of variable length are used to connect valves to air bags, then the system can accommodate different vehicle configurations, but the air supply consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the air line length a variable parameter tailored to each specific vehicle configuration and axle position. By optimizing the length of each air line locally for its specific application, the system achieves both adaptability to different vehicle configurations and consistent air supply delivery to each air bag
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
The system improves vehicle stability and control by allowing air bags to respond effectively to changing road conditions, reducing driver fatigue and minimizing damage to the vehicle and its load.
Implementation Method 1
at least one air bag supporting each side of each axle
Implementation Method 2
a level controlling valve for separately controlling air flow to the air bags on each side respectively
Data Source
AI summary
An air suspension system for a multi-axle vehicle having air bags (4,5; 6,7; 8,9; 10,11; 44 to 49) supporting either side of the axles (2,3; 41 to 43), including separate air lines (18 to 25; 50 to 55) respectively connecting each air bag to a level control valve (16,17; 56,57) via manifolds (26,27; M) and air lines (28,29; 54,55) to independently control air supply to the bags on either side, the separate air lines being of the same size and length to ensure that substantially the same volume of air is supplied to each bag to improve the responsiveness and stability of the system.