Central Axle Trailer Pneumatic Suspension Load Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Central axle trailers face challenges in maintaining a stable supporting load, leading to unstable driving behavior or overloading, as existing pneumatic suspension systems lack the ability to separately adjust air pressure across axles, limiting load distribution adjustments.

Innovation Solution

A method and electronic control device that adjust the air pressure in separate pneumatic suspension circuits for each axle, allowing for precise control of the supporting load within a permitted range by measuring and automatically altering air quantities using sensors and actuators, ensuring safe operation even with changing loads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If pneumatic suspension bellows are connected together to form a single pneumatic suspension circuit, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to separately adjust air pressure on each axle is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepneumatic suspension circuit configurationVSAvoidseparate air pressure adjustment capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the pneumatic suspension system into separate circuits for different axles, allowing independent air pressure control. Each axle or axle group receives air from its own circuit, enabling separate adjustment of supporting loads on different axles while maintaining the ability to manage overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the supporting load is not adjusted after load changes, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the driving stability and safety are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational simplicityVSAvoiddriving stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates sensors that continuously monitor the supporting load on the trailer coupling and provide feedback to the control unit. The control unit automatically adjusts air pressure in the pneumatic suspension circuits based on this feedback, maintaining driving stability without requiring manual intervention from the operator.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically detects load changes and adjusts the supporting load by controlling air pressure in the pneumatic suspension bellows without requiring external intervention. The control unit manages the entire process autonomously, maintaining safe operation even when loads frequently change.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If manual measurement and adjustment of supporting load is performed, then the manufacturing precision of load distribution is improved, but the productivity is reduced due to time-consuming adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload distribution accuracyVSAvoidadjustment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement and adjustment processes with an automated electronic control system. Sensors electronically detect the supporting load, and an electronic control unit automatically regulates air pressure through pneumatic valves, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining precise load distribution control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 enables precise adjustment of the supporting load, preventing unstable driving behavior and overloading by allowing separate air pressure adjustments in each axle, maintaining safe operation within legal or manufacturer-specified load ranges.

Implementation Method 1

A supporting load that is too small may result in unstable driving behavior of the tractor vehicle or the entire tractor/trailer combination. A supporting load that is too great may lead to overloading of the tractor vehicle, in particular the rear chassis structure.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatic pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS9022404B2Method and device for adjusting the supporting load of a central axle trailer

Publication Date: 2015.05.05 ZF CV SYST EURO BV

AI summary

For adjusting the supporting load of a central axle trailer equipped with at least two axles having pneumatic suspensions and a pneumatic suspension system that includes separate pneumatic suspension circuits on the axles with pneumatic suspensions, a method and electronic control device are provided by which the respective quantities of air are separately adjustable. When the current supporting load exceeds a permitted supporting load range, the current supporting load is reduced by separate alteration of the quantity of air in at least one of the pneumatic suspension circuits; and, when the current supporting load is below the permitted supporting load range, the current supporting load is increased by separate alteration of the quantity of air in at least one of the pneumatic suspension circuits.