Air Suspension Valve Control Sequence for Pressure Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The air suspension system of a closed type faces significant pressure differences across electromagnetic switching valves due to smaller piping capacities, leading to increased energy requirements for valve operation, which becomes difficult especially when the system is unused for a long period and battery voltage is low, potentially inhibiting vehicle height adjustment control.
Innovation Solution
The system includes a controller that executes specific control sequences to equalize pressures across switching valves and the air chamber, reducing pressure differences and ensuring smooth valve operation by measuring elapsed time, pressure, and voltage, and adjusting for temperature changes, thereby facilitating reliable vehicle height adjustment after a travel start without enlarging the switching valves or battery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the system uses small-capacity piping components, then the system structure remains compact, but the pressure difference across electromagnetic switching valves increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The controller executes preliminary valve operations before the main height adjustment to equalize pressures. Specifically, it opens the control valve to equalize pressure between the air chamber and supply/discharge path, then opens switching valves to equalize pressure before and after the electromagnetic switching valves, reducing the pressure difference before actual operation
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the system remains unused for a long period, then no maintenance is required, but the compressed air leaks from sealing portions causing pressure reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects pressure loss after long-term storage and performs self-correction. The controller monitors pressure in the supply/discharge path and air chamber, and when a pressure difference is detected after prolonged inactivity, it automatically executes equalization operations without user intervention
3Use of energy by stationary object
If the battery voltage is reduced due to long-term storage, then the energy source remains compact, but the valve opening operation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary pressure equalization to reduce the pressure difference across electromagnetic switching valves before the actual height adjustment operation. This reduces the energy required for valve opening, compensating for the reduced battery voltage available after long-term storage
4Stress or pressure
If the pressure difference before and after electromagnetic switching valve is large, then the system maintains pressure, but the energy required to switch the valve increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The controller opens the control valve and switching valves in sequence before the main operation to equalize pressures across the electromagnetic switching valves. This preliminary pressure equalization reduces the pressure difference that the valve must overcome during switching, thereby reducing the energy required for valve operation
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 pressure differences across electromagnetic switching valves, ensuring smooth and reliable valve opening operations, allowing for effective vehicle height adjustment control after a travel start, even when the system has been unused for an extended period.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor that has a discharge port and a back-pressure introduction port, compresses the air, and discharges the compressed air from the discharge port
Implementation Method 2
As a normally-closed electromagnetic switching valve, a solenoid valve of a so-called poppet type is used for each of the control valve, the switching valves
Data Source
AI summary
An air suspension system includes a controller that controls opening/closing of normally-closed electromagnetic switching valves constituting a control valve, a first supply/discharge switching valve, a second supply/discharge switching valve, a first tank switching valve, and a second tank switching valve. The controller controls opening/closing of the electromagnetic switching valves in an order of first control, second control, and third control. In the first control, the control valve is opened. In the second control, the first supply/discharge switching valve and the second supply/discharge switching valve are opened in an opened state of the control valve. In the third control, the control valve, the first supply/discharge switching valve, and the second supply/discharge switching valve are closed.