Fluid Suspension Control System for Emergency Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Emergency vehicle fluid suspension systems experience unnecessary raising and lowering due to frequent activation and deactivation of the kneel function when doors are opened and closed, leading to inefficiency in power and fluid usage.
Innovation Solution
A control system that includes a circuit board programmed to exhaust fluid from the lift mechanism when the kneel switch is activated and to supply fluid when the kneel switch is deactivated and the brake pedal is depressed, along with a manifold that opens supply or exhaust flowpaths based on signals from the circuit board, to maintain a desired vehicle height and reduce unnecessary height adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the control system exhausts air springs each time the rear door is opened to lower the vehicle, then the vehicle can access the stretcher, but unnecessary raising and lowering occurs leading to wasted power and fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs preliminary assessment by checking door switch signals and brake light signals before actuating the air springs. The system waits for the brake light signal (indicating the vehicle is stopped and ready to move) before raising the vehicle, preventing unnecessary actuation cycles during equipment loading/unloading operations
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously monitors feedback from door switches and brake light switches to determine when vehicle height adjustment is actually needed. This feedback mechanism prevents premature or unnecessary raising/lowering cycles by only actuating when both door is closed and brake is applied
2Ease of operation
If the control system raises the vehicle every time the rear door is closed, then the vehicle returns to ride height, but frequent unnecessary height adjustments waste power and fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The control system waits for the brake light signal before raising the vehicle after door closure. This preliminary condition check ensures the vehicle is actually ready to move before consuming power and fluid to raise the air springs, eliminating wasted energy during intermediate door operations
Solution Approach 2:
The brake light switch provides critical feedback that indicates the vehicle operator's intent to move. The control system uses this feedback to gate the vehicle raising function, ensuring energy-consuming actuation only occurs when genuinely necessary
3Ease of operation
If the control system operates the kneel function based solely on door开关, then door access is simplified, but unnecessary raising and lowering occurs during equipment loading and unloading
Solution Approach 1:
The control system requires the brake light condition as a preliminary action before executing the vehicle raising function. This ensures that during equipment loading/unloading (where doors open/close multiple times), the vehicle only raises when the operator actually applies the brake indicating readiness to move
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts its response based on real-time conditions from both door switches and brake light switches. This dynamic control logic adapts to the operational context, raising the vehicle only when the combination of conditions indicates genuine need rather than following a rigid door-switch-only protocol
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 system conserves power and fluid by minimizing unnecessary changes in vehicle height, ensuring the vehicle is only raised or lowered when necessary, such as when preparing to move, thereby optimizing the operation of the kneel function.
Implementation Method 1
Pressurized air from an air supply can be forced into or exhausted from one or more of the air springs to provide the vehicle with desired suspension characteristics
Implementation Method 2
exhaust fluid from the lift mechanism—causing the vehicle to kneel
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle fluid suspension control system includes a fluid supply adapted to fluidly communicate with a lift mechanism in the vehicle. A circuit board is connected to the fluid supply and exhausts fluid from the lift mechanism when the kneel switch is activated. The circuit board may also open a flowpath from the fluid supply to the lift mechanism when a kneel switch is deactivated and the brake pedal is depressed. A manifold may be in fluid communication with the fluid supply and the lift mechanism and may include a supply flowpath and an exhaust flowpath. The control system may be programmed with a height averaging adjustment delay, which determines whether the average height of the vehicle during a period of time is outside of a predetermined range. The control system may make corresponding adjustments to bring the height of the vehicle within the predetermined range.