Air Suspension Tank-to-Spring Control for Stable Axle Height

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Solution Overview

Problem

The frequent use of compressors in air suspension systems shortens their service life, as they are often used to adjust vehicle height, leading to increased energy consumption and reduced comfort due to inconsistent axle heights.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle control method that utilizes pressure differences between air springs and storage tanks to adjust axle heights by controlling the connection or disconnection of air circuits, reducing the need for compressor usage and prolonging system life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If compressors are frequently used to adjust vehicle height, then height adjustment capability is improved, but service life of air suspension system deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheight adjustment capabilityVSAvoidservice life of air suspension system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The air storage tank stores compressed air in advance, enabling the air springs to automatically adjust axle heights using stored air pressure without requiring frequent compressor operation. The system serves itself by utilizing the pre-stored energy in the air tank rather than continuously relying on the compressor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The compressor operates in advance to compress and store air in the air storage tank before it is needed for height adjustment. This preliminary action allows the system to have ready-to-use compressed air available when height adjustment is required, reducing the need for frequent compressor activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If compressors are frequently used to adjust vehicle height, then height adjustment capability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheight adjustment capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The compressor operates in advance to compress and store air in the air storage tank before it is needed for height adjustment. This preliminary action allows the system to have ready-to-use compressed air available when height adjustment is required, reducing the need for frequent compressor activation and lowering overall energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The air storage tank stores compressed air in advance, enabling the air springs to automatically adjust axle heights using stored air pressure without requiring frequent compressor operation. The system serves itself by utilizing the pre-stored energy in the air tank rather than continuously relying on the compressor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If axle heights are not stabilized, then height adjustment flexibility is improved, but riding comfort deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheight adjustment flexibilityVSAvoidriding comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control module continuously monitors the heights of the front and rear axles and automatically controls the air circuits to maintain stable axle heights. This feedback mechanism ensures that the system adjusts heights flexibly when needed while maintaining stability for comfort during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The air storage tank provides stable air pressure to the air springs, enabling automatic stabilization of axle heights without frequent compressor intervention. The system self-regulates to maintain consistent height for comfort while preserving adjustment capability when required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 method allows for efficient height adjustment of vehicle axles without compressors, reducing energy consumption and extending the service life of air suspension systems while maintaining comfort by stabilizing axle heights.

Implementation Method 1

an air spring and an air storage tank in the air suspension system, which are connected through an air circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

adjusting, in response to determining that the spring air pressure and the air tank air pressure meet a preset condition, a height of an axle corresponding to the air spring in the vehicle by controlling connection or disconnection of the air circuit between the air spring and the air storage tank

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP4286184A1Vehicle control method and apparatus, vehicle, storage medium and chip
Publication Date: 2023.12.06 XIAOMI EV TECH CO LTD
  • EP4286184A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4286184A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4286184A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a vehicle control method and apparatus, a vehicle, a storage medium and a chip. The vehicle includes an air suspension system, an air spring and an air storage tank in the air suspension system, which are connected through an air circuit. The method includes: obtaining a spring air pressure of the air spring and an air tank air pressure of the air storage tank (S11); and adjusting, in response to determining that the spring air pressure and the air tank air pressure meet a preset condition, a height of an axle corresponding to the air spring in the vehicle by controlling connection or disconnection of the air circuit between the air spring and the air storage tank (S12).