Wireless Control Device for Commercial Vehicle Air Suspension

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing commercial vehicle compressed air systems require physical connections for electrical control signals, pneumatic pilot control signals, and aerating/venting lines to manage air spring bellows, which can be cumbersome and limit flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A control device with an electronic control unit that generates level control signals wirelessly, eliminating the need for direct electrical or pneumatic connections by using a transmitter to send control signals to a receiver at the air spring bellows or valve unit, allowing for wireless communication and reduced infrastructure requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If physical connections (electrical control signals, pneumatic pilot control signals, aerating/venting lines) are used to control air spring bellows, then reliable control is achieved, but installation complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical and pneumatic control systems with a wireless electronic control system. The control device uses an electronic control unit that generates control signals transmitted wirelessly via transmitter to a receiver at the air spring bellows or valve unit, eliminating the need for physical electrical connections, pneumatic pilot lines, and aerating/venting lines for control purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Stability of the object's composition

If physical connections are used for control signals and pneumatic lines, then system stability is maintained, but installation space and infrastructure requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem stabilityVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the need for physical infrastructure including electrical control lines, pneumatic pilot control lines, and dedicated aerating/venting lines by implementing wireless communication. The electronic control unit transmits control signals wirelessly to the receiver, significantly reducing the space required for installation and infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The control device can utilize existing pneumatic lines for aerating and venting the air spring bellows while using wireless communication for control signals, making the system more versatile and reducing the need for separate dedicated control infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If direct electrical or pneumatic connections are used, then precise control is achieved, but system flexibility and ease of installation are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidease of installation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex physical connections with wireless communication technology. The electronic control unit generates precise control signals that are transmitted wirelessly to the receiver, maintaining control precision while dramatically simplifying installation and improving system flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The wireless control system allows for dynamic reconfiguration and relocation of components without being constrained by fixed physical connections, enabling greater flexibility in system installation and modification while maintaining precise control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3495176B1Control device and commercial vehicle compressed air installation
Publication Date: 2020.03.18 HALDEX BRAKE PROD AB
  • EP3495176B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3495176B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3495176B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to the wireless transmission of control signals for automatic level control in an air suspension system. Preferably, an air spring bellows unit (4) is used in which a valve unit (5), a control unit (12), and an air spring bellows (2) form a common assembly that is mounted on a carrier (83) of the commercial vehicle. According to the invention, the air spring bellows unit (4) has a transmitter and/or receiver for wireless signal transmission, wherein a control signal from a remotely arranged control unit can be wirelessly transmitted to the air spring bellows unit (4) via the receiver.