Pneumatic Suspension Air Flow Control Using Multi-Signal Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pneumatic suspension systems in vehicles inefficiently consume pressurized air, leading to excessive fuel consumption due to unoptimized air flow control based on single condition signals, resulting in unnecessary air consumption during various driving operations.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for controlling the flow of pressurized air to an air bag in a pneumatic suspension system using multiple vehicle condition signals, including a combination of logic-based and physics-based models, and optionally machine learning, to determine when to prevent air flow, thereby optimizing air usage and reducing consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pressurized air is continuously supplied to the air bag to maintain ride height, then ride height stability is improved, but air consumption increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors multiple vehicle condition signals (braking pressure, throttle position, steering angle, acceleration) and uses this feedback to dynamically control the air flow to the air bag. The control unit adjusts air supply based on real-time driving conditions, preventing unnecessary air consumption while maintaining ride height stability when conditions warrant it.
Solution Approach 2:
The air flow control system transitions from a static continuous supply mode to a dynamic conditional supply mode. The system adapts air flow based on varying driving conditions, allowing the air supply to be optimized in real-time according to actual vehicle operation states, thereby reducing waste while maintaining performance when needed.
2Loss of substance
If air flow is blocked during braking to reduce consumption, then air consumption is reduced, but ride height control accuracy deteriorates when air should be allowed to flow
Solution Approach 1:
The system expands from monitoring a single condition (braking pressure) to monitoring multiple dimensions of vehicle operation simultaneously (braking pressure, throttle position, steering angle, acceleration). This multi-dimensional assessment allows the system to distinguish between different driving scenarios more accurately, preventing false blocking of air flow while still reducing consumption when appropriate.
Solution Approach 2:
The control strategy changes from a simple binary decision based on one parameter to a complex evaluation of multiple parameters with different weights and thresholds. By changing the decision-making parameters and their relationships, the system achieves more precise control accuracy while maintaining air consumption reduction benefits.
3Measurement precision
If multiple vehicle condition signals are monitored to improve determination accuracy, then air flow control accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into distinct functional modules: signal acquisition module (receiving multiple vehicle condition signals), evaluation module (processing signals against predefined conditions), and control module (actuating air flow based on evaluation). This segmentation allows complex multi-signal processing to be managed through simple, modular decision logic, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for controlling a flow from a source of pressurized air to an air bag of a pneumatic suspension arrangement in a vehicle. The method comprises obtaining a set of vehicle condition signals comprising at least two vehicle condition signals, each vehicle condition signal being indicative of an individual current condition associated with said vehicle. The method further comprises, on the basis of said set of vehicle condition signals, determining whether or not there is a need to supply the air bag with air from the source of pressurized air. The method further comprises, in response to determining that there is not a need to supply the air bag with air from the source of pressurized air, preventing pressurized air to be fed from said source of pressurized air to said air bag.