Electro-pneumatic Valve Device for Air-sprung Vehicle Level Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve devices for air-sprung vehicles either require a dead man's function or lack convenience in operation, and existing solutions are not suitable for vehicles without the dead man's function, leading to issues with automatic resetting and energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A valve device with a simple unlocking mechanism that cancels the latching effect of a mechanical locking device using an electrical or pneumatic signal, allowing for automatic return to the driving position, and a contoured design for ergonomic operation, enabling both dead man's function and non-dead man's function configurations with shared components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical locking device with detent positions is used, then the lever can be latched in predetermined positions, but the device cannot be used in vehicles without dead man's function and requires significant effort to move between positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical locking system with an electro-pneumatic system. An electromagnet (24) actuates a piston device (27) that uses pneumatic pressure to move the control element (2) between positions and cancel the latching effect of the mechanical locking device (12, 15, 26). This substitution allows automatic positioning without requiring significant manual effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicle's existing pneumatic system to automatically move the control element between positions. The pneumatic pressure from the vehicle's air suspension system itself provides the force needed to actuate the control element, making the system self-servicing without requiring external power sources or complex actuation mechanisms.
2Extent of automation
If a large-volume return piston is used for automatic return to driving position, then automatic resetting is achieved, but the device becomes complex and energy-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The control element (2) serves multiple functions: it acts as both the operating lever for manual control and as the actuating piston for automatic return. The same component that the operator manipulates is also the element that moves under pneumatic pressure to reset the system automatically. This eliminates the need for separate return mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the vehicle's existing pneumatic system to provide the force for automatic return. Instead of using a motor or other complex actuation system, the pneumatic pressure from the air suspension system directly acts on the control element to move it back to the driving position, simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Extent of automation
If pneumatic pressure is used to overcome the latching effect, then automatic return is possible, but a large amount of energy is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the vehicle's own pneumatic system to provide the energy needed for automatic return. The same air pressure that powers the air suspension bellows is used to actuate the control element, eliminating the need for separate power sources or energy-consuming motors. The system essentially uses itself to reset.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the function of the control element with the function of the actuating mechanism. The control element itself becomes the piston that receives pneumatic pressure, combining the control function and the actuation function into a single component. This eliminates energy losses that would occur in separate actuation systems.
4Reliability
If the operating element is designed for manual locking in predetermined positions, then stopping positions are secured, but the device lacks adaptability for different vehicle configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the locking mechanism dynamic by allowing it to be selectively engaged or disengaged. The mechanical locking device (12, 15, 26) can be actively canceled by the electromagnet-pneumatic system, allowing the system to switch between a locked state (for safety in stop positions) and an unlocked state (for automatic return or different operational modes). This dynamic capability provides adaptability to different vehicle configurations and operational requirements.
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
The solution provides a cost-effective, energy-efficient, and ergonomic valve device that can operate with or without the dead man's function, ensuring automatic resetting and simplified handling, reducing the complexity and energy requirements compared to existing solutions.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnet device (24, 27, 28, 34) integrated into the valve device, which directly activates the piston device (27) there against the force of an engaging spring (28) causes
Implementation Method 2
a compression spring (10) is provided, which exerts a compressive force between the driver (8) and the operating element (2)
Implementation Method 3
The torsion spring (9) exerts a restoring force on the driver (8) and also on the operating element (2) in the direction of the middle position
Implementation Method 4
In the lifting position, the air-suspension bellows are filled with compressed air from a reservoir so that the vehicle body is raised
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a valve device for manually varying the level of an air-sprung vehicle, having a housing (1) and having a manual operating element (2) which is moveable relative to the housing (1), wherein the operating element (2) can be set into various positions by means of a rotational movement and can be latched into predetermined positions by means of a mechanical locking device (12, 26), wherein the locking device (12, 26) acts between the operating element (2) and the housing (1). Proceeding from this, a valve device is specified which can be designed with or without a dead man function without a significant change to the construction being required for this purpose, and here, permits an automatic return into the drive position. For this purpose, an unlocking device (13, 22, 24, 27, 28, 34) is provided which removes the latching action of the locking device (12, 26) when an electrical and/or pneumatic signal is applied.