Multi-Axle Trailer Air Spring Control for Load Distribution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial vehicle trailers face challenges in maintaining optimal weight distribution and supporting force on the coupling arrangement, especially when load conditions vary, leading to potential driving safety issues and non-compliance with regulatory load ranges.
Innovation Solution
A control device that independently adjusts air pressures in the air spring arrangements of multi-axle trailers based on measured load conditions, using controllable compressed air valves and pressure sensors to optimize the distribution of weight across axles and the coupling arrangement, ensuring a favorable and permissible supporting force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the air pressure in the air spring arrangements is adjusted based on load conditions, then the supporting force on the coupling arrangement is optimized and driving safety is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for control devices, pressure sensors, and controllable compressed air valves
Solution Approach 1:
The control device receives actual variable signals from pressure sensors that measure the air pressure in the air spring arrangements, and automatically adjusts the air pressure via controllable compressed air valves to maintain the supporting force within the predetermined range. This closed-loop feedback system ensures driving safety while managing system complexity through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically monitors and adjusts the air pressure in the air spring arrangements without requiring manual intervention. The control device independently determines target pressure values based on measured load conditions and regulates the compressed air supply to maintain optimal supporting force, enabling the system to self-regulate and maintain safety standards.
2Stability of the object's composition
If separate air pressures are applied to multiple air spring arrangements, then the weight distribution across axles is optimized, but the ease of operation decreases due to the complexity of managing multiple pressure controls
Solution Approach 1:
The control device automatically monitors the air pressure in each air spring arrangement via pressure sensors and independently regulates them to achieve optimal weight distribution. This eliminates the need for manual pressure management while maintaining stable weight distribution across different loading conditions through automated feedback control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the air pressure in each air spring arrangement based on the current load conditions and position of the center of gravity. The control device continuously adapts the pressure values to maintain optimal weight distribution, making the system flexible and responsive to changing operational conditions without requiring manual intervention.
3Reliability
If the supporting force is maintained within a predetermined range, then compliance with regulations is ensured and driving safety is improved, but the adaptability to varying load conditions decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device dynamically adjusts the air pressure in the air spring arrangements to maintain the supporting force within the predetermined safe range while adapting to varying load conditions. The system automatically determines target pressure values based on the measured load and center of gravity position, ensuring both regulatory compliance and adaptability to different operational scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the air pressure parameters in the air spring arrangements based on the measured load conditions and center of gravity position. By adjusting these physical parameters dynamically, the control device ensures the supporting force remains within the predetermined range required for regulatory compliance while adapting to various loading situations.
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 enhances driving safety by maintaining a predetermined supporting force range, optimizing weight distribution, and preventing overloading or underloading, thus improving the overall performance and compliance of the towing vehicle-trailer combination.
Implementation Method 1
The height of the chassis can be adjusted relative to the axles by means of the air spring arrangement by supplying or releasing compressed air into or out of air spring bellows
Implementation Method 2
control device which is set up to control compressed air valves in order to adjust the height measured by the height sensor to a target height
Implementation Method 3
using controllable compressed air valves and pressure sensors to optimize the distribution of weight across axles and the coupling arrangement
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~5
Figure 4
AI summary
The trailer has multi-axle arrangement comprising a front axle (A1) and a rear axle (A2). Pneumatic control units for separate admission of two pneumatic spring arrangements. A control device controls the control units for adjusting variable values for the pneumatic spring arrangements for suspension conditions of a chassis (CH). The control device derives a control value for adjusting the pneumatic spring arrangements for the drive from the measuring values based on stored assigned instruction and for adjusting pressures in air spring arrangements to desired pressure values.