Valve Assembly Ride Height Control via Crack Pressure Differential

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional suspension systems for vehicles that use gas springs to modulate ride height are complex, expensive, and rely on electronic controls, introducing failure modes and requiring numerous components, which complicates the maintenance of appropriate gas pressure.

Innovation Solution

A valve assembly with check valves of different crack pressures is integrated into the suspension system, creating a pressure differential between the gas spring and accumulator volumes to maintain a consistent ride height response curve across varying conditions, eliminating the need for multiple pneumatic sources and electronic controls.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional gas springs use multiple pneumatic sources and electronic controls to maintain ride height, then ride height control precision is improved, but device complexity increases and reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveride height control precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes electronic controls and multiple pneumatic sources from the system, extracting only the essential mechanical components needed for ride height control. The valve assembly uses purely mechanical check valves with different crack pressures to regulate gas flow, eliminating complex electronic subsystems while maintaining control precision through the inherent pressure-differential mechanism of the check valves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve assembly operates autonomously using the natural pressure differential between the gas spring chamber and accumulator. Check valves with different crack pressures automatically regulate gas flow based on pressure conditions without external control signals, allowing the system to self-adjust ride height in response to payload changes and temperature variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Stability of the object's composition

If multiple pneumatic sources and electronic controls are used to maintain gas pressure, then ride height consistency is improved, but reliability decreases due to additional failure modes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveride height consistencyVSAvoidsystem reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs simple mechanical check valves instead of complex electronic components. Check valves are inherently reliable with few moving parts and no electronic failure modes. The valve assembly uses basic mechanical elements that can be easily replaced if needed, prioritizing reliability through simplicity rather than sophisticated control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Measurement precision

If traditional systems use complex control systems to maintain gas pressure, then ride height control is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure control precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electronic control systems with a purely mechanical valve assembly. Check valves with different crack pressures provide automatic pressure regulation through mechanical means alone, eliminating the need for electronic sensors, controllers, and actuators. This substitution significantly reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining adequate pressure control precision for ride height management.

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 simplifies the suspension system by maintaining ride height consistency and reducing complexity and cost, while providing a reliable means to adjust ride height without intermediate electronic controls, enhancing vehicle performance and durability.

Implementation Method 1

A difference between the first crack pressure and the second crack pressure provides a corresponding difference in pressures at the first accessory port and the second accessory port

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a first check valve having a first crack pressure positioned within the housing along the first flow path and a second check valve having a second crack pressure positioned within the housing along the second flow path

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCheck valve crack pressure mechanism: Valve

Data Source

PatentUS8876133B2Valve for a vehicle suspension system

Publication Date: 2014.11.04 OSHKOSH DEFENSE LLC

AI summary

A valve assembly for a suspension system includes a housing having a control port, a first accessory port, and a second accessory port. The housing defines a first flow path extending between the control port and the first accessory port and a second flow path extending between the control port and the second accessory port. The valve assembly also includes a first check valve having a first crack pressure positioned within the housing along the first flow path and a second check valve having a second crack pressure positioned within the housing along the second flow path. A difference between the first crack pressure and the second crack pressure provides a corresponding difference in pressures at the first accessory port and the second accessory port.