Height Control Valve Throttle Assembly for Air Suspension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior air-ride axle/suspension systems for heavy-duty vehicles face issues with rapid air exhaustion from air springs when loaded, leading to dynamic ride height drift and potential damage due to insufficient air reservoir pressure to refill air springs quickly, and also over-inflation when unloaded.
Innovation Solution
A height control valve with a throttle assembly that regulates the exhaust rate of air from air springs when loaded and the inflow rate when unloaded, ensuring consistent ride height by adjusting the air flow based on vehicle load conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the height control valve allows rapid exhaustion of air from air springs when the vehicle is loaded, then the air springs can quickly return to design ride height, but the air reservoir cannot supply enough compressed air to rapidly refill the air springs, causing dynamic ride height drift
Solution Approach 1:
The height control valve incorporates a variable orifice that dynamically adjusts the exhaust flow area based on operating conditions. When the vehicle is loaded and air springs are extended, the valve allows rapid exhaust. When the vehicle is unloaded and air springs are compressed, the valve restricts exhaust flow. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting the exhaust rate to match the refill capability of the air reservoir under different load conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the flow parameters of the height control valve based on vehicle load conditions. A variable orifice mechanism modifies the exhaust flow area parameter dynamically - larger opening when loaded to enable quick return to ride height, smaller opening when unloaded to prevent over-exhaustion and allow the air reservoir to maintain adequate pressure for rapid refilling when needed.
2Reliability
If the height control valve restricts air exhaust flow to prevent over-exhaustion, then the air reservoir can maintain sufficient pressure for rapid refilling, but the vehicle cannot quickly return to design ride height when loaded
Solution Approach 1:
The height control valve uses a variable orifice that dynamically changes the exhaust flow area based on real-time operating conditions. When the vehicle is loaded and air springs need to return to design ride height, the valve opens wider to increase exhaust flow rate. When the vehicle is unloaded, the valve restricts exhaust flow to maintain air reservoir pressure. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by providing high exhaust speed when needed while preserving air supply capability.
3Speed
If the height control valve allows rapid air flow into air springs when the vehicle is unloaded, then the air springs can quickly reach design ride height, but the air springs become over-inflated causing the vehicle frame to rise above design ride height
Solution Approach 1:
The height control valve incorporates a variable orifice that dynamically adjusts the exhaust flow area based on air spring pressure and vehicle load conditions. When the vehicle is unloaded and air springs are compressed, the valve provides a larger opening for rapid air intake. When the vehicle is loaded and air springs are extended, the valve restricts the opening to control the exhaust rate and prevent over-exhaustion. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by providing fast inflation when needed while maintaining precise ride height control through restricted exhaust flow.
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 effectively maintains the design ride height by reducing over-exhaustion and over-inflation, preventing damage to the suspension system and ensuring stable vehicle operation across varying load conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the typical pressure differential between the air springs and atmosphere is from about 620 kPa (90 psi) to about 689 kPa (100 psi)... the typical pressure differential between the vehicle air reservoir and the air springs may range from about 0 psi to about 276 kPa (40 psi)
Data Source
AI summary
A height control valve (34) for an air spring of an air-ride axle/suspension system of a heavy-duty vehicle includes a body. The valve body is pneumatically connected to an air leservoir of the vehicle, an air spring (24), and to atmosphere. A control arm (48) actuates the valve to direct air from the reservoir into the air spring, when air is to be added to the air spring When air is to be exhausted from the air spring, the valve, actuated by the control arm, directs air from the air spring to atmosphere. The valve includes a throttle assembly (62) that can regulate the rate of pneumatic flow from the air spring to atmosphere when the vehicle is loaded and the air spring is in an extended condition A throttle assembly can also be used to regulate the rate of pneumatic flow from the air reservoir to the air spring.