Load Weight Determination in Multi-Circuit Pneumatic Suspension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-circuit pneumatic air suspension systems present a challenge in determining load weight as pneumatic pressures in independent circuits do not equilibrate to a single pressure, making it difficult to interpret load percentage or weight accurately.
Innovation Solution
A controller identifies and measures pneumatic pressures in each independent circuit, calculates a representative pressure, and determines load weight, enabling control of vehicle functions based on this weight, including roll stability and load distribution reporting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single pressure sensor is used in multi-circuit pneumatic systems, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates because pressures in independent circuits do not equilibrate
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the pneumatic measurement task into separate segments by dedicating one pressure sensor to each independent pneumatic circuit. Each sensor measures the pressure in its specific circuit, and the controller processes these segmented measurements to determine overall load weight, resolving the contradiction between using fewer sensors and maintaining measurement accuracy in multi-circuit systems
Solution Approach 2:
The controller is designed with multi-functionality to handle both single-circuit and multi-circuit pneumatic systems. It can process pressure measurements from either a single sensor or multiple sensors across independent circuits, calculating load weight and distribution based on the appropriate measurement strategy for the specific system configuration
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple independent pneumatic circuits are used, then adaptability of the suspension system is improved, but difficulty of detecting and measuring load weight increases due to non-equilibrated pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The controller acts as an intermediary that receives pressure measurements from multiple independent circuits and synthesizes this information into accurate load weight and distribution data. It mediates between the non-equilibrated pressures in different circuits by applying appropriate calculation algorithms that account for the independent nature of each circuit while determining overall system load characteristics
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 allows for accurate load weight determination and distribution analysis across multiple independent pneumatic circuits, enhancing vehicle stability and safety by enabling precise control of functions like roll stability and load balance.
Implementation Method 1
measure a respective pneumatic pressure of the currently selected one of the pneumatically independent circuits
Data Source
AI summary
A controller for determining a load weight associated with a plurality of pneumatically independent circuits of a vehicle suspension system is adapted to identify each of the respective pneumatically independent circuits, in turn, as a currently selected one of the pneumatically independent circuits, measure a respective pneumatic pressure of the currently selected one of the pneumatically independent circuits, determine a calculated pneumatic pressure based on the respective measured pneumatic pressures of the pneumatically independent circuits, determine the load weight based on the calculated pneumatic pressure, and control an operation of a function of an associated vehicle based on the load weight.