Integrated Electropneumatic Control for Vehicle Leveling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electropneumatic control arrangements for vehicle leveling require complex and costly cable routing, which is prone to damage from vibrations and other forces, and involves time-consuming installation and separate attachment in the driver's cab, complicating maintenance.
Innovation Solution
The electronic control device is directly mounted on the solenoid valve unit via a plug-in connection, eliminating the need for separate cable laying and providing secure mechanical fixation, allowing for flexible spatial arrangement and easier installation and maintenance by integrating the control unit with the solenoid valve unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate cable routing is used between control device and solenoid valve unit, then electrical connection can be established, but cable breakage risk increases due to vibrations and installation becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the electronic control device directly with the solenoid valve unit by mounting the control device housing on the valve unit housing, eliminating separate cable routing. This merging of previously separate components resolves the contradiction by removing vulnerable cables and reducing installation complexity while maintaining electrical connection reliability.
2Ease of operation
If separate attachment of control device in driver's cab is required, then control function can be implemented, but installation complexity and maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is mounted directly on the solenoid valve unit, which is typically located in the engine compartment near the axle. This integration eliminates the need for separate attachment in the driver's cab, reducing installation complexity while maintaining full control functionality through the integrated design.
3Reliability
If separate cable laying is performed, then electrical connection is established, but cost and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic control device and solenoid valve unit are manufactured as an integrated assembly with direct electrical connections built into the unified housing structure. This eliminates separate cable laying operations, reducing both cost and assembly complexity while ensuring stable electrical connections through factory-integrated wiring.
4Ease of repair
If control device and solenoid valve unit are separate components, then maintenance can be performed separately, but cable damage risk increases under vibration and forces
Solution Approach 1:
The control device and solenoid valve unit are integrated into a single assembly, eliminating vulnerable cables that connect separate components. The integrated design removes the harmful effect of vibration on cables while maintaining ease of repair, as the entire integrated unit can be replaced as one component if needed.
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 solution enhances security against cable breakage, simplifies installation, and facilitates easier maintenance by eliminating the need for separate attachment in the driver's cab, while ensuring reliable operation under vehicle vibrations.
Implementation Method 1
An electropneumatic control arrangement with a solenoid valve unit is generally provided, which is connected to a compressed air supply
Implementation Method 2
An electronic control unit (ECU) controls the solenoid valve assembly to distribute air pressure
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an electropneumatic control arrangement for an automatic vehicle level control system, particularly of a commercial vehicle, wherein the control arrangement (1) comprises at least: a solenoid valve unit (2) comprising at least two electropneumatic solenoid valves (3, 4, 5), a compressed air inlet (2.1) for infeeding compressed air (13), at least one compressed air connection (2.2, 2.3) for at least one air bellows (10, 11) and electrical control inputs (22.1, 22.2, 22.3), and an electronic control unit (14) for actuating the solenoid valve unit (2), wherein the electronic control unit (14) comprises control outputs (16.1, 16.2, 16.3) for electrically connecting to the control inputs (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) of the solenoid valve unit (2). According to the invention, a plug connector (22) is configured on the housing (2a) of the solenoid valve unit (2), in which the electrical control inputs (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) are disposed, a plug connector (16) is provided on the housing (14a) of the electronic control unit (14), in which the control outputs (16.1, 16.2, 16.3) are disposed, and the plug connectors (16, 22) are mechanically plugged into each other.