Dual-Action Dynamic Valve for Vehicle Air Suspension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pneumatic air suspension systems for vehicles lack the ability to simultaneously supply air to one side while removing air from the other side, leading to inadequate response to unbalanced loading and weight shifts, which can increase the risk of vehicle overturning during dynamic maneuvers.
Innovation Solution
A dual-action dynamic valve system that connects a supply tank to two sets of air springs on opposite sides of a vehicle, allowing simultaneous air supply to one set and exhaust from the other, using a rotary disk mechanism to control airflow and maintain air pressure equality between sides.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional single leveling valve is used to supply or exhaust air to air springs, then the valve structure is simple, but the system cannot simultaneously supply air to one side while removing air from the other side, leading to inadequate response to unbalanced loading and weight shifts
Solution Approach 1:
The single leveling valve is segmented into multiple independent valve bodies (first valve body and second valve body) that can operate simultaneously but independently. Each valve body has its own control arm and internal passages, allowing one side to receive air while the other side exhausts air at the same time, thus resolving the contradiction between simplicity and adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The valve incorporates dynamic control elements including control arms that rotate in response to air spring movements, and internal passages that dynamically redirect airflow based on the direction of rotation. This dynamic structure allows the valve to automatically adapt to unbalanced loading conditions and weight shifts, improving versatility while maintaining a unified valve structure
2Adaptability or versatility
If two separate leveling valves are used on each side of the vehicle to independently control air pressure, then the response to unbalanced loading is improved, but the number of air hoses and couplings increases, adding cost and maintenance complexity
Solution Approach 1:
Two separate leveling valves are merged into a single unified valve structure with two valve bodies sharing a common housing and air tank connection. This integration maintains the independent control capability for each side while reducing the number of external air hoses and couplings, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The single leveled valve is designed with multi-functionality, where each valve body can independently perform both supply and exhaust functions for its respective side. The shared air tank connection and common housing provide universal functionality, allowing the system to handle various loading conditions with a single valve unit
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
Enables rapid adjustment of air pressure to counteract weight shifts, reducing the likelihood of vehicle overturning during sharp turns and dynamic conditions by allowing independent control of air pressure on each side, thereby enhancing stability and ride quality.
Implementation Method 1
a rotary disk mechanism to control airflow
Implementation Method 2
equalize air pressure between the first and second set of air springs
Data Source
AI summary
A pneumatic suspension system for a vehicle, in which the pneumatic suspension system includes a supply tank, a first set of air springs positioned on a first side of the vehicle; a second set of air springs positioned on a second side of the vehicle, and a dual-action dynamic valve positioned between the first set of air springs and the second set of air springs. The dual-action dynamic valve is connected to the supply tank, the first set of air springs, and the second set of air springs by a series of air hoses. The dual-action dynamic valve is adapted to supply air to either one of the first set of air springs or the second set of air springs while simultaneously exhausting air from the other one of the first set of air springs or the second set of air springs.