Pivotable Leveling Valve Mounting for Suspension Run Height Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle suspension systems lack a convenient and reliable method for adjusting run height, particularly in turntable suspensions, leading to potential damage from improper leveling valve placement and operation, and the inability to easily adjust height for various loading conditions.
Innovation Solution
A run height adjustment system where a leveling valve is pivotably mounted to a hanger bracket with an indicator arm and adjustment lever, allowing for easy pivoting of the leveling valve relative to the hanger bracket to adjust the run height, even in systems that rotate relative to the vehicle frame, using a detent mechanism for precise positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the leveling valve is fixed to the vehicle frame by the vehicle manufacturer, then the leveling valve placement is determined, but the suspension system manufacturer cannot control the placement and it may not be optimum for the suspension system
Solution Approach 1:
The leveling valve is made pivotally mountable to the hanger bracket, allowing it to rotate between a first position for normal operation and a second position for adjustment. This dynamic mounting enables the suspension system manufacturer to control the placement while maintaining ease of installation by the vehicle manufacturer.
2Ease of operation
If the leveling valve is overridden to directly bleed or supply pressure to adjust run height, then the run height can be adjusted, but the leveling valve is frequently not re-activated which can lead to damage to the vehicle suspension
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable mounting allows the leveling valve to be physically repositioned to different operational states. After manual adjustment, the valve can be pivoted back to its normal operational position, ensuring it remains active and preventing suspension damage while maintaining adjustment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The hanger bracket serves as an intermediary mounting structure that facilitates both the initial installation by the vehicle manufacturer and subsequent adjustment by the suspension system manufacturer, while maintaining the leveling valve's functional integrity.
3Ease of operation
If a conventional fixed mounting system is used, then the structure is simple, but there is no convenient and reliable method for adjusting run height, particularly in turntable suspensions
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable mounting mechanism provides a simple yet effective solution for run height adjustment. The leveling valve can be pivoted to a second position for adjustment and then returned to the first position for normal operation, enabling convenient adjustment without complex mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of adjusting a suspension run height includes: pivotably mounting a leveling valve to a hanger bracket; attaching an indicator arm to a suspension component which displaces relative to the hanger bracket; and pivoting the leveling valve relative to the hanger bracket to thereby adjust the run height of the frame relative to the suspension component. A run height adjustment system includes: a leveling valve having a leveling arm pivotably mounted thereto at a first pivot, and an indicator arm being pivotably mounted to the leveling arm at a second pivot; an adjustment lever for pivoting the leveling valve about a third pivot; and the third pivot being positioned longitudinally between the first and second pivots. Another run height adjustment system includes: a leveling arm pivotably mounted to a leveling valve; an adjustment lever for pivoting the leveling valve; and the adjustment lever pivotably mounted to a hanger bracket.