Pneumatic Suspension With Non-Newtonian Fluid for Air Saving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pneumatic suspension arrangements in vehicles consume excessive pressurized air due to frequent temporary changes in ride height, leading to inefficient air usage and increased fuel consumption.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic suspension arrangement that incorporates a chamber filled with Non-Newtonian Fluid (NNF) and a piston, where the flow rate and direction of air are controlled based on the ride height of the vehicle, using a valve assembly to manage air flow and consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional pneumatic suspension arrangement is used to control ride height, then the ride height can be adjusted, but excessive pressurized air is consumed due to frequent temporary changes
Solution Approach 1:
A piston is introduced as an intermediary component between the flow control valve and the air bellow. The piston moves in response to ride height changes and controls the flow of pressurized air through its position, thereby mediating between the control mechanism and the suspension element to reduce unnecessary air consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicle's own motion and ride height changes to automatically control the piston position, which in turn automatically regulates air flow. The piston responds to the natural oscillations and movements of the vehicle without requiring external intervention, making the system self-regulating
2Reliability
If pressurized air is continuously supplied to maintain ride height, then suspension performance is maintained, but fuel consumption increases due to continuous compressor operation
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous air supply, the system employs periodic action through the piston's oscillatory movement in response to vehicle dynamics. The piston opens and closes the air flow path periodically based on actual ride height needs, allowing the compressor to operate intermittently rather than continuously, thereby reducing fuel consumption while maintaining suspension performance
3Ease of operation
If a flow control valve is used to regulate air flow based on ride height, then air flow can be controlled, but temporary ride height changes still trigger unnecessary air consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The piston is positioned in advance to anticipate and prevent unnecessary air flow. When temporary ride height changes occur, the piston's position预先 blocks the air flow path before significant air consumption can occur, acting as a preliminary barrier that prevents wasteful air usage while allowing legitimate suspension adjustments
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 efficiently controls air consumption by temporarily blocking or slowing down air flow during rapid ride height changes, reducing unnecessary air usage and associated fuel consumption.
Implementation Method 1
A property of NNF is that the viscosity of the NNF changes when applied with a force, e.g., such that it may change from a fluid to a solid based on an applied force
Implementation Method 2
the viscosity of the NNF changes when applied with a force, e.g., such that it may change from a fluid to a solid based on an applied force
Implementation Method 3
a source of pressurized air... controlling a first flow of air, wherein the first flow of air is arranged to be directed from the source of pressurized air to the air bellow
Data Source
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AI summary
A pneumatic suspension arrangement (20) for a vehicle (10) is provided. The pneumatic suspension arrangement comprises: an air bellow (24) for suspending the vehicle (10), a flow control valve (22) for controlling a first flow of air (11), a chamber (35) containing a Non-Newtonian Fluid, NNF, (40). a piston (36) configured to be moveable within the chamber. The flow control valve is configured to control a flow rate of the first flow of air based on a ride height of the vehicle. The pneumatic suspension arrangement further comprises a valve assembly(31, 32, 33, 505) configured to further control the first flow of air based on a position of the piston. The chamber (35) is configured to be connected with the flow control valve (22) such that the pneumatic suspension arrangement (20) is operative to push the piston (36) into the NNF (40) of the chamber (35), based on the flow rate of the first flow of air (11).