Air Suspension Selector Valve Eliminates Dedicated Pilot Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air suspension devices for commercial vehicles require complex piping and additional fittings due to the need for a pneumatic pilot-operation connection between the front and rear axle valve blocks, increasing the overall system's complexity and space requirements.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a selector-valve device that connects the pneumatic pilot-operation of the front axle valve block to either the compressed-air supply or the air-spring bellows, eliminating the need for a dedicated pneumatic line and allowing the central 3/2-way directional control valve to provide pilot-operation pressure, thus reducing piping expenditure and simplifying the design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated pneumatic line is used to connect the compressed-air supply to the front axle valve block, then the pilot-operation pressure can be reliably supplied, but the piping expenditure and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pneumatic lines by using the existing line from the rear axle valve block to supply both the front axle valve block and the selector-valve device. The selector-valve device integrates the compressed-air supply connection and air vent connection into a single pneumatic circuit architecture, eliminating the need for a separate dedicated pneumatic line from the compressed-air supply to the front axle valve block.
Solution Approach 2:
The selector-valve device performs multiple functions: it supplies pilot-operation pressure to the front axle valve block, provides an air vent connection, and selectively connects either the compressed-air supply or the air vent to the front axle valve block based on operational requirements. This multi-functional component replaces what would otherwise require separate dedicated lines.
2Reliability
If a dedicated pneumatic line is installed from the compressed-air supply to the front axle valve block, then the pilot operation can be ensured, but the number of pipe fittings and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pneumatic pathways by routing the existing pneumatic line from the rear axle valve block to serve dual purposes: supplying the front axle valve block and the selector-valve device. This consolidation reduces the total volume required for pneumatic connections and eliminates the need for additional pipe fittings that would be required for a dedicated line.
3Device complexity
If the central 3/2-way directional control valve is used to supply pilot-operation pressure through the selector-valve device, then the piping is simplified, but the valve switching logic becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The selector-valve device is designed to automatically switch between connecting the compressed-air supply and connecting the air vent to the front axle valve block, based on the pressure differential and operational state. This automatic switching eliminates the need for complex external control logic, as the valve self-regulates based on the pneumatic conditions within the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The selector-valve device incorporates feedback mechanisms where the pressure conditions in the pneumatic circuit automatically influence the valve switching state. The valve responds to pressure differentials and flow conditions, creating a self-regulating system that simplifies the overall control logic despite the integrated functionality.
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 configuration reduces the number of required pipes and fittings, resulting in a more compact and efficient air suspension system that lowers the complexity and space needed for the pneumatic connections, enhancing the system's operational efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the selector-valve device switches through, in each instance, the greater of the pressures applied to the pressure inlets, to the pressure outlet
Implementation Method 2
either connects a compressed-air supply 112 to pressure inlets 114 of downstream 2/2-way directional control valves 116, 118
Implementation Method 3
air-spring bellows of an axle
Data Source
AI summary
An air-suspension device for vehicles, e.g., commercial vehicles, includes a valve block that is assigned to a rear axle and contains a central valve for aerating and venting air-spring bellows of the rear axle, and a valve block assigned to a front axle for aerating and venting air-spring bellows of the front axle. The central valve of the valve block assigned to the rear axle selectively connects: a) a compressed-air supply to the air-spring bellows of the rear axle and to a supply-pressure connection of the valve block assigned to the front axle; or b) the supply-pressure connection of the valve block assigned to the front axle and the air-spring bellows of the rear axle to an air vent. The valve block assigned to the front axle has a pneumatic pilot-operation connection for pneumatic-electric pilot operation. The pneumatic pilot-operation connection of the valve block assigned to the front axle is connected to a pressure outlet of a selector-valve device, of which one pressure inlet is connectable, via the central valve of the valve block assigned to the rear axle, either to the compressed-air supply or to the air vent, and the other pressure inlet is connectable to at least one of the air-spring bellows of the front axle. The selector-valve device switches through, in each instance, the higher of the pressures applied to its pressure inlets to the pressure outlet. By this arrangement, the need for pneumatic lines is eliminated.