Trailer Pneumatic Suspension Height Limit via Electronic Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer air suspension systems with mechanical-pneumatic height limitation suffer from throttling effects, require precise adjustments, and lack effective monitoring for lowering operations, leading to increased complexity and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
An electronic control device processes level measurement signals from sensors to control a valve device, allowing for precise level change monitoring and automatic height limitation, eliminating the need for mechanical-pneumatic components and enabling automatic travel limitation for lifting and lowering operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a mechanical-pneumatic height limitation is implemented in the level control valve, then automatic height limitation is achieved, but the system complexity increases and throttling effects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical-pneumatic height limitation system with an electronic control system. A level sensor detects the actual vehicle body level and sends signals to a control unit, which then actuates an electronically controlled valve to adjust air spring pressure. This substitution eliminates the complex mechanical-pneumatic components while achieving the same automatic height limitation function, thereby reducing system complexity and avoiding throttling effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electronic control unit as an intermediary between the level sensor and the air suspension system. The control unit processes sensor signals, determines the appropriate air spring pressure, and controls the electronically controlled valve accordingly. This intermediary enables precise electronic control of height limitation without requiring direct mechanical-pneumatic coupling, simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Manufacturing precision
If a mechanical-pneumatic height limitation is implemented, then height control is achieved, but throttling effects slow down the lifting process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the throttling-prone mechanical-pneumatic height limitation with an electronically controlled valve system. The electronic control unit can precisely modulate the valve opening based on real-time level sensor feedback, enabling both accurate height control and optimized air flow rates. This eliminates the fixed throttling characteristics of mechanical-pneumatic systems while maintaining precise height positioning.
3Extent of automation
If mechanical-pneumatic components are used for height limitation, then automatic control is achieved, but adjustment precision requires complex calibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes mechanical-pneumatic height limitation with an electronic control system that uses digital signal processing. The control unit receives digital signals from the level sensor, compares the actual level with target levels stored in memory, and automatically adjusts air spring pressure accordingly. This electronic approach eliminates the need for complex mechanical calibration while achieving high adjustment precision through software-controlled valve actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a level sensor to create an electrical copy (signal) of the vehicle body's physical level position. This electrical copy is processed by the control unit, which retrieves corresponding target pressure values from memory and actuates the valve accordingly. This copying approach enables precise height control without requiring direct mechanical measurement and adjustment mechanisms.
4Reliability
If mechanical-pneumatic height limitation is used, then height monitoring is achieved, but the system lacks effective monitoring for lowering operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal electronic control system that monitors both lifting and lowering operations through the same level sensor and control unit. The control unit continuously compares the sensor signal with target levels and automatically actuates the electronically controlled valve in both directions (pressurization and venting). This multi-functional electronic system provides comprehensive monitoring coverage for all height adjustment operations, unlike mechanical-pneumatic systems that often lack effective lowering monitoring.
Data Source
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AI summary
The air suspension arrangement (14) has a manually operated lifting-down valve (13) for arbitrary lifting and lowering of a level of a vehicle body. A pneumatic source is connected with an air suspension for lifting by the vehicle body, and a compressed air sink is connected with an air spring (9) for lowering by the vehicle body. An electronic control device carries a measuring signal of the level.