Air Suspension Filling Control Under Lashed Transport Constraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air suspension systems fail to maintain the desired transport level during vehicle transport when secured by lashing, risking damage from excessive air pressure and leakage, leading to system failure.
Innovation Solution
A method to regulate the air suspension system by comparing actual and target level positions and air quantities, filling air springs until reaching a reference quantity to ensure the system is ready for immediate use upon unloading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the air suspension system is filled to the target level position during transport, then the desired transport level is achieved, but the system risks damage from excessive air pressure when the vehicle is lashed
Solution Approach 1:
The control method changes the parameter being controlled from level position (height) to air quantity (mass or volume). By monitoring and controlling the amount of air added to the springs rather than directly controlling the height, the system can safely fill to a reference quantity that corresponds to the target level under normal conditions, but will stop early if lashing prevents reaching that level, thus avoiding overpressure damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from height sensors to monitor the actual level position during the filling process. When the vehicle is lashed, the feedback shows that the level position is not changing despite air being added, which triggers the control method to stop filling at the reference air quantity threshold, preventing excessive pressure buildup.
2Reliability
If the air suspension system is not filled during transport, then the system is protected from overpressure damage, but air leakage occurs over time and the vehicle cannot maintain the required transport level
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary filling during transport by adding air at regular intervals or continuously at a controlled rate. The control method monitors both the air quantity added and the level position achieved, allowing the system to compensate for natural leakage over time while stopping before overpressure occurs if lashing is present.
Solution Approach 2:
The control method dynamically adjusts the filling process based on real-time conditions. It transitions from a static target-level approach to a dynamic process that monitors both air quantity added and level position change, allowing the system to adapt to varying conditions during transport such as leakage rates and lashing status.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the vehicle is lashed at the towing eyes during transport, then the vehicle body is secured, but the chassis is clamped and pulled down preventing level correction
Solution Approach 1:
The control method changes from controlling level position to controlling air quantity. This allows the system to safely add air during lashed transport without risking overpressure damage, as the reference air quantity serves as a safety threshold that prevents excessive filling even when the vehicle cannot reach the target level position.
4Manufacturing precision
If the air suspension system continuously monitors and corrects level position, then the desired level is maintained, but the system may attempt to overfill when lashing prevents level adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dual feedback: monitoring both air quantity added and level position achieved. When the vehicle is lashed, the level position feedback shows no change despite air being added, which triggers the control method to stop filling at the reference air quantity threshold, preventing overpressure damage while still maintaining accurate level control under normal conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control method introduces a reference air quantity parameter as a safety threshold. By controlling the filling process based on this parameter rather than solely on level position, the system can distinguish between situations where the target level has been reached and situations where lashing is preventing level adjustment, thus avoiding overfilling.
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
Protects the air suspension system during transport and ensures it is ready for immediate operation by maintaining the desired transport level without risking damage.
Implementation Method 1
air springs filled with compressed air
Implementation Method 2
air springs filled with compressed air and which provide springing for the vehicle body
Data Source
AI summary
A method for regulating an air suspension system of a stationary motor vehicle, includes comparing a predetermined target level position with an actual level position of the vehicle; determining an actual air quantity in at least a number of air springs of the air suspension system and comparing the actual air quantity with a reference air quantity. If the actual level position falls below the target level position and the determined air quantity falls below the reference air quantity, the air springs of the air suspension system are then filled while the actual level position is monitored. If the actual level position continues to be below the target level position or the actual level position does not change, the filling of the air springs is carried out only until the reference air quantity corresponding to the target level position is reached as the actual air quantity in the air springs.