Valve Device for Pneumatic Suspension with Latching Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve devices for air suspension systems in vehicles require separate controls for electronic level adjustment and manual level adjustments, leading to complexity and inefficiency, especially during loading and unloading processes.
Innovation Solution
A valve device with three operating positions (lifting, lowering, and neutral) and a latching mechanism that allows manual operation to be locked in these positions, combined with an unlocking device that can be actuated by electrical or pneumatic signals, ensuring safe and efficient manual operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manual operating element is provided for arbitrary level adjustment, then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of accidental misoperation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve device incorporates three distinct operating positions (lowering, neutral, lifting) that can be dynamically selected by the operator. The operating element can be manually positioned in different states, with the latching device enabling temporary fixation in the lowering and lifting positions. This dynamic positioning system allows flexible manual adjustment while maintaining safety through defined operational states.
2Ease of operation
If the manual operating element can be actuated against the force of a return spring, then ease of operation is improved, but operator strain increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latching device is pre-configured to automatically engage and latch the operating element when it reaches the lowering or lifting positions. This preliminary latching action occurs before the operator needs to maintain continuous force, allowing the element to be held in position without sustained manual effort. The latching mechanism prepares the system to maintain position automatically once reached.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the operating element and the valve closing bodies. It mediates the force requirement by providing mechanical support and holding capability, allowing the operating element to be actuated against the return spring force without requiring the operator to continuously overcome that spring force. The latching device absorbs and maintains the positional state.
3Reliability
If separate valve devices are used for electronic and manual level control, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges electronic level control and manual arbitrary level adjustment into a single integrated valve device. The device incorporates both electronically controllable valve closing bodies for automated level control and a manual operating element for arbitrary positioning, all within one unified structure. This consolidation maintains functional separation and reliability while reducing overall system complexity compared to using separate valve devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve device is designed with multi-functionality to perform both electronic automated level control and manual arbitrary level adjustment. The same valve body and compressed air connections serve both electronic solenoid actuation and manual operating element actuation. This universal design allows a single device to fulfill multiple control functions that would traditionally require separate valve devices.
4Reliability
If the lowering process takes up to 2 minutes, then safety is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve device enables dynamic control of the air spring bellows deflation process through three operating positions. The manual operating element can be positioned in the lowering position to control compressed air release, and the latching device can lock this position to maintain controlled lowering. This dynamic positioning allows operators to manage the lowering speed and process according to safety requirements while improving operational efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
The valve unit (6) has connections (14,15,18) for an air suspension bellow (3) of the air suspension system and for a compressed air supply. The valve unit has an air discharge port (12), a manual operating element (9), an automatic actuating element and a catch unit. The valve unit is adjusted by the manual operating element and by the automatic actuation element.