Air Suspension Valve Automatic Reset via Pilot Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
The automatic, electrically controlled operation of air suspension systems in trailers of heavy goods vehicles is hindered when the raise/lower valve is not returned to the drive position before the vehicle starts moving, causing ineffective filling or venting of suspension bellows.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a fluid pressure operated actuator in the raise/lower valve, which is activated by a pilot pressure line connected to the suspension valve assembly, ensuring the raise/lower valve automatically returns to the drive position upon pressurized fluid supply, enabling continuous electrically controlled operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the raise/lower valve is manually operated without automatic reset, then the system structure is simple, but the suspension system becomes unreliable during vehicle movement when the valve is not in the drive position
Solution Approach 1:
The raise/lower valve is equipped with a fluid pressure operated actuator that automatically resets the valve to the drive position using pilot pressure from the suspension valve assembly, eliminating the need for manual intervention and ensuring reliable operation during vehicle movement
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical operation of the raise/lower valve is supplemented with a fluid pressure operated actuator that uses pilot pressure to automatically reset the valve position, replacing the need for continuous manual mechanical control
2Ease of operation
If the raise/lower valve is not returned to drive position before vehicle movement, then ease of operation is maintained, but the suspension bellows cannot be effectively filled or vented
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid pressure operated actuator is designed to automatically reset the raise/lower valve to the drive position as soon as pilot pressure is supplied, ensuring the valve is in the correct position before vehicle movement begins and preventing suspension control failures
3Extent of automation
If a fluid pressure operated actuator is added to the raise/lower valve, then automatic reset capability is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension valve assembly serves dual purposes: it controls the suspension bellows pressure and simultaneously provides pilot pressure to the fluid pressure operated actuator on the raise/lower valve, eliminating the need for a separate pressure source and reducing overall system complexity
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
Ensures the air suspension system can be effectively controlled during vehicle movement by automatically resetting the raise/lower valve to the drive position, maintaining operational integrity and preventing loss of pressure.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid pressure operated actuator which moves the raise/lower valve to the drive position when pressurised fluid is supplied to the actuator
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicle suspension system comprising at least one suspension bellows, a source of pressurised fluid, a supply line which extends between the suspension bellows and the source of pressurised fluid via a raise/lower valve, and a manually operable operating member which is movable between a raise position, a lower position and a drive position, the operating member being connected to the raise/lower valve which is configured such that when the operating member is moved to the raise position, the raise/lower valve moves to a raise position in which the suspension bellows are directly connected to the or a further source of pressurised fluid, when the operating member is moved to the lower position, the raiser/lower valve moves to a lower position in which suspension bellows are vented to a low pressure region, and when the operating member is moved to the drive position, the raise/lower valve moves to a drive position in which the suspension bellows are connected to the or the further source of pressurised fluid via an electrically operated suspension valve assembly, wherein the raise/lower valve is further provided with a fluid pressure operated actuator which moves the raise/lower valve to the drive position when pressurised fluid is supplied to the actuator, and a pilot pressure line by means of which pressurised fluid is supplied to the actuator.