Description:LIFT AXLE CONTROL VALVE AND A METHOD THEREOF
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a lift axle control valve. More specifically, the
present invention relates to a lift axle control valve for lifting and lowering the
5 axle of the vehicle in heavy-duty applications which responds to pressure in air
suspension and automatically lifts or lowers the lift axle based on load conditions,
thus reducing tire wear, and rolling resistance. Advantageously, the present
invention allows the vehicle to lift the axle when maneuvering in tight spaces,
such as during parking or turning, thus improves overall maneuverability and
10 reduces the risk of damage to the vehicle or its surroundings.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Air brakes and other pneumatically driven devices are often utilized in
commercial vehicles. The load carrying capacity of the vehicle is dependent upon
the number of axles. The axles can be lifted or lowered based on the load
15 conditions and override function is provided to get the better maneuverability of
the vehicle. This axle is called the Lift Axle. The raising and lowering of the lift
axle can be achieved through lift axle control valve.
Lift axle control valve is a crucial component in heavy-duty vehicles, particularly
those with multiple axles, such as tractor-trailers, dump trucks, and buses that
20 need to adapt to different weight regulations and road conditions. This valve
serves to control the lifting and lowering of the rear axle(s) based on the load
conditions and other factors. The primary purpose of a lift axle control valve is to
optimize the vehicle's performance, safety, and efficiency in various situations.
The lift axle control valve operates using pneumatic systems, depending on the
25 vehicle's design. When activated, the valve allows the flow of hydraulic fluid or
air pressure to lift or lower the axle. This can be done manually, through a switch
3
or lever inside the cab, or automatically, based on the pressure of automatic load
sensing valve through pressure switch.
The lift axle is configured to move between a raised position spaced apart from
the ground and a lowered position in contact with the ground to reduce the load
5 carried by the fixed axles. The system helps reduce fuel costs, tire wear, vehicle
downtime, and labor and maintenance costs while also increasing wheel-end and
brake life.
There are few prior arts available in the literature about the existence of various
lift axle control valve.
10 IN1236/MUM/2010 discloses device for controlling operation of pneumatic lift
axle comprising a first inlet port (301), a second inlet port (303), a flow control
valve (302), a reservoir (304), a pressure to electricity convertor (P to E
convertor) (306), an electrically operated valve (307), a changeover valve (308), a
lift bellow (310) and a deploy bellow (309). The device is a lift axel control valve
15 capable of sensing the load condition of the vehicle and accordingly deploying or
lifting the additional lift axel. Additionally, the lift axel control valve is capable of
deploying the lift axle when the vehicle parked. The device is operated by
pneumatic pressure and is flexible for any new change. The device is economical
in operation and is interchangeability with prior art system. The device ensures
20 reliable manual override operation even if the signal pressure is within the
hysteresis band.
IN3276/MUM/2013 discloses a lift axle system (409) having a lift axle control
module (LACM) (401) that can extremely efficiently support the functionality of
a lift axle system while being capable of being operatively coupled on any vehicle
25 having a fluid (gas or liquid) operated lift axle system (409). LACM (401) of the
present disclosure can comprise a single unit with all individual elements, which
would previously function individually, integrated into a single module, thereby
providing a system that is highly reliable, low in cost, compact, and efficient.
4
IN201841010871 discloses a lift axle control unit (2) for a lift axle suspension
system (1) of a vehicle, said lift axle control unit (2) comprising: at least one
supply input port (8) to be connected to a pressure reservoir (5), a load detection
valve (7) connected to said supply input port (8), said load detection valve (7)
5 being connectable to load variable parts of said vehicle and delivering a first
pressure signal (p1) in dependence of an axle load of said vehicle, a pneumatic
damping device (14) for damping or low-pass filtering said first pressure signal
(p1)and providing a second pressure signal (p2), a first relay valve (11) for
feeding at least one suspension bellow (2) of said vehicle, and second relay
10 valve(12), which is an inversion relay valve, for feeding a lift bellow (4) of a lift
axle of said vehicle. In order to enable an advantageous adjustment of the
damping characteristics with moderate hardware requirements, a solenoid valve
device (10) is connected to said toad detection valve (7) for transmitting or
passing said first pressure signal (p1) to said relay valves, wherein said solenoid
15 valve device (10) is controlled by an electric control signal (S1) which is
generated in dependence of said second pressure signal (P2).
DE102019124649A1 discloses a motor vehicle with lift axle and methods for
operating the same comprises at least one steering axle (64), at least one drive
axle (74, 76) and at least one lift axle (78) with at least one actuator (104, 106) for
20 raising and lowering the same, whereby the wheels (82, 84) of at least one drive
axle can be electrically driven at least by means of at least one electric motor and
generator and, in the case of recuperation operation, can be used as a generator,
and in which the electric machine is connected to an accumulator (92) and to a
control and/or regulation device (94) designed to control and/or regulate the
25 operation of the electric machine and to control and/or regulate the operation of
the lift axis. It is envisaged that the steering and/or regulation device (94) is
connected to sensors (120) for wheel slip detection on the wheels (82, 84) of at
least one drive axle (74, 76) and that the control and/or regulation device (94) is
designed in such a way that, during active recuperation operation, it then sends a
30 control command to at least one actuator (104, 106) of the lift axle (78) in order to
5
lift it and thus relieve its wheels (86) if wheel slip occurs on at least one wheel of
at least one drive axle. In addition, the invention relates to a method for operating
such a motor vehicle.
However, the conventional lift axle control valve as discussed in the prior art uses
5 spool valve design arrangement which results in less flow area during valve
opening and closing and results in less response time of the valve. The use of Dring in the spool piston compresses and relaxes during port opening and closing
which provides D-ring wear and tear over the period and subjected to the failure
in switching the axle. Also, the conventional lift axle control valve comprises
10 three separate bodies for each function which prone to leakage issues and the use
of the spool design is subjected to dust contamination which reduces the flow area
and response time and potential to the internal leakage.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved lift axle control valve which
automatically raises and lowers the axle of the vehicle based on the vehicle load,
15 thus reduces rolling resistance, leading to better fuel economy, and decreases tire
wear and road surface wear by lifting axles that aren’t required for the current
load, saving costs on maintenance.
OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION
The principal objective of the present invention is to provide a lift axle control
20 valve which reduces or completely neglects the D-ring wear and tear and provides
comparatively higher flow area during valve opening and closing which helps to
get the faster response time using poppet design instead of spool design.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a lift axle control valve
which increases the damping volume capacity, thus enables flexibility in the range
25 of damping delay time setting arrangements.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a lift axle control valve
which reduces the fuel consumption when the rear axle is lifted, thus allowing it
to consume less fuel.
6
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a lift axle control valve
which enables the vehicle to adapt to various load conditions, making it more
versatile for different applications.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
5 It is a primary aspect of the present invention to provide a lift axle control valve
(101) comprising: a top body (102); a bottom body (103); a piston placed inside
the top and bottom housings (102, 103) comprising a first, second, and third
exhaust air conduits (104a, 104b, 104c), an orifice (104d), and piston surface
(104e) accommodated inside the top body (102) and the bottom body (103); at
10 least two bonded valves comprising a first and second bonded valves (105a,
105b); at least three compression springs comprising a first, second and third
compression springs (106a, 106b, 107); at least two spring retainers comprising a
first and second spring retainer (108a, 108b); a flow adjuster (109), a pressure
Switch (110); a solenoid arrangement (111); at least two circlips comprising a first
15 and second circlips (112a, 112b); at least two supply ports comprising a first
supply port (116) connected to the delivery port of the load sensing valve and
second supply port (117) connected to the reservoir; at least two delivery ports
comprising a first delivery port (118) connected to the quick release valve and to
the main or suspension bellows, and a second delivery port (119) connected to the
20 lift bellows; a common exhaust (120) exhausts the pressurized air; a plurality of
cavities comprising a first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth cavities (121, 122,
123, 124, 125, 126); at least five internal air conduits comprising a first, second,
third, fourth and fifth internal air conduits (127, 128, 129, 130, 131); at least two
damping volume comprising a first and second damping volumes (131a, 131b),
25 and a bracket (132),
The lift axle control valve (101) fitted in the vehicle by using bracket (132)
working under different conditions: (i) when the vehicle is in a laden condition,
the delivery pressure of the automatic load sensing valve is more than the
switching pressure of the pressure switch (110), causing the pressure switch (110)
7
to disconnect the supply of the solenoid arrangements (111), the pressurized air
from the automatic load sensing valve enters through the first supply port (116)
and flows to the first cavity (121), the second cavity (122), and the first delivery
port (118), concurrently, the pressure switch (110) senses the pressurized air
5 through the fifth internal air conduit (131) connecting the first and second
damping volumes (131a, 131b) through the first internal air conduit (127) and the
orifice created by the flow adjuster (109), causing the axle maintained in a
lowered state, where the pressurized air from the automatic load sensing valve
flows to the lift bellows connected to the exhaust (120) by means of flow sections
10 such as from second delivery port (119) to the fourth cavity (124) to the second
exhaust air conduit (104b) and to the orifice (104d) and to the sixth cavity (126)
and to the common exhaust (120), enabling the vehicle to adapt to different load
conditions and optimize its performance, and (ii) when the vehicle is in a unladen
condition, the delivery pressure from the automatic load sensing valve is lower
15 than the switching pressure of the pressure switch (110), causing the pressure
switch (110) to activate the supply of the solenoid arrangements and opens the
fifth sealing point (115), then the pressurized air from the second supply port
(117) flows through the third cavity (123), the second internal air conduit (128),
the third internal air conduit (129), and the fourth internal conduit (130) to the
20 fifth cavity (125) and acts on the piston surface (104e), that creates the second
sealing point (113b) between the piston (104) and the second bonded valve (105b)
and closes the second exhaust air conduit (104b), the pressurized air from the
third cavity (123) flows to the fourth cavity (124) and to the second delivery port
(119) and to the lift bellows, creating the third sealing point (114a) between the
25 first bonded valve (105a) and the bottom body (103), resulting in the main
bellows exhausted through quick release valve and the pressurized air in the quick
release valve is exhausted through the first exhaust air conduit (104a) and to the
sixth cavity (126) and to the common exhaust (120), which causing the axle is
lifted, ensuring lift axle is raised when the vehicle is not carrying a load, reducing
30 tire wear and improving fuel efficiency.
8
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method of working of lift
axle control valve (101) as claimed in claim 1, said method comprises steps of:
5 a. when the vehicle is in a laden condition, the delivery pressure of
the automatic load sensing valve is more than the switching
pressure of the pressure switch (110), causing the pressure switch
(110) to disconnect the supply of the solenoid arrangements (111),
resulting in pressurized air entering from the automatic load
10 sensing valve through the first supply port (116) and flows to the
first cavity (121), the second cavity (122), and the first delivery
port (118), concurrently , sensing the pressurized air by the
pressure switch (110) through the fifth internal air conduit (131),
which connects the first and second damping volumes (131a, 131b)
15 through the first internal air conduit (127) and the orifice created
by the flow adjuster (109), keeping the axle in a lowered state,
where the pressurized air from the lift bellows flows to the exhaust
(120) by means of flow sections such as from second delivery port
(119) to the fourth cavity (124) to the second exhaust air conduit
20 (104b) and to the orifice (104d) and to the sixth cavity (126) and to
the common exhaust (120), thus enabling the vehicle to adapt to
different load conditions and optimize its performance, and
b. when the vehicle is in a unladen condition, the delivery pressure
from the automatic load sensing valve is lower than the switching
25 pressure of the pressure switch (110), thus causing the pressure
switch (110) to activate the supply of the solenoid arrangements
and opens the fifth sealing point (115), the pressurized air from the
second supply port (117) flows through the third cavity (123), the
second internal air conduit (128), the third internal air conduit
30 (129), and the fourth internal conduit (130) to the fifth cavity (125)
9
and acts on the piston surface (104e), creating the second sealing
point (113b) between the piston (104) and the second bonded valve
(105b) and closes the second exhaust air conduit (104b), the
pressurized air from the third cavity (123) flows to the fourth
5 cavity (124) and to the second delivery port (119) and to the lift
bellows, creating the third sealing point (114a) between the first
bonded valve (105a) and the bottom body (103). Such that, the
main bellows is exhausted through quick release valve and the
pressurized air in the quick release valve is exhausted through the
10 first exhaust air conduit (104a) and to the sixth cavity (126) and to
the common exhaust (120), resulting in lifting of the axle and
ensuring that the lift axle is raised when the vehicle is not carrying
a load, reducing tire wear and improving fuel efficiency.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
15 Figure 1 shows a first isometric view of the lift axle control valve according to the
present invention.
Figure 2 shows a second isometric view of the lift axle control valve according to
the present invention.
Figure 3 shows a first cross-sectional view of the lift axle control valve according
20 to the present invention.
Figure 4 shows a second cross sectional view of the lift axle control valve
according to the present invention.
Figure 5 shows an isometric view of the piston of lift axle control valve according
to the present invention.
25 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention as embodied by a “a lift axle control valve and a method
thereof” succinctly fulfills the above-mentioned need[s] in the art. The present
10
invention has objective[s] arising because of the above-mentioned need[s], said
objective[s] having been enumerated herein above.
The following description is directed to a lift axle control valve and a method
thereof as much as the objective(s) of the present invention are enumerated, it will
5 be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, the enumerated objective(s) are not
exhaustive of the present invention in its entirety and are enclosed solely for the
purpose of illustration. Further, the present invention encloses within its scope and
purview, any structural alternative(s) and/or any functional equivalent(s) even
though, such structural alternative(s) and/or any functional equivalent(s) are not
10 mentioned explicitly herein or elsewhere, in the present disclosure. The present
invention therefore encompasses also, any improvisation[s]/modification[s]
applied to the structural alternative[s]/functional alternative[s] within its scope
and purview. The present invention may be embodied in other specific form[s]
without departing from the essential attributes thereof.
15 Furthermore, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting,
but rather are to provide an understandable description. Throughout this
specification, the use of the word "comprise" and variations such as "comprises"
and "comprising" may imply the inclusion of an element or elements not
specifically recited.
20 The conventional lift axle control valve uses spool valve design arrangement
which results in less flow area during valve opening and closing and results in less
response time of the valve and the use of D-ring in the spool piston compresses
and relaxes during port opening and closing which provides D-ring wear and tear
over the period and subjected to the failure in switching the axle.
25 But in the case of present invention, an improved lift axle control valve uses
poppet design instead of spool design which helps to reduce or completely
neglects the D-ring wear and tear and have comparatively higher flow area during
valve opening and closing which helps to get the faster response time. The crack
off pressure is lowered which makes the valve to operate even at low pressure.
11
Two body configurations instead of three body are used to avoid the leakage
points. The damping volume capacity is comparatively increased which enables
flexibility in the range of damping delay time setting arrangements.
Referring to Figure 1 to 5, in an embodiment of the present invention, provides an
5 lift axle control valve comprising: a top body (102); a bottom body (103); a piston
placed inside the top and bottom housings (102, 103) comprising a first, second,
and third exhaust air conduits (104a, 104b, 104c), an orifice (104d), and piston
surface (104e) accommodated inside the top body (102) and the bottom body
(103); at least two bonded valves comprising a first and second bonded valves
10 (105a, 105b); at least three compression springs comprising a first, second and
third compression springs (106a, 106b, 107); at least two spring retainers
comprising a first and second spring retainer (108a, 108b); a flow adjuster (109), a
pressure Switch (110); a solenoid arrangement (111); at least two circlips
comprising a first and second circlips (112a, 112b); at least two supply ports
15 comprising a first supply port (116) connected to the delivery port of the load
sensing valve and second supply port (117) connected to the reservoir; at least two
delivery ports comprising a first delivery port (118) connected to the quick release
valve and to the main or suspension bellows, and a second delivery port (119)
connected to the lift bellows; a common exhaust (120) exhausts the pressurized
20 air; a plurality of cavities comprising a first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth
cavities (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126); at least five internal air conduits
comprising a first, second, third, fourth and fifth internal air conduit (127, 128,
129, 130, 131); at least two damping volume comprising a first and second
damping volumes (131a, 131b), and a bracket (132).
25 The lift axle control valve (101) fitted in the vehicle by using bracket (132)
working under different conditions:
(i) when the vehicle is in a laden condition, the delivery pressure of the
automatic load sensing valve is more than the switching pressure of the
pressure switch (110), causing the pressure switch (110) to disconnect the
12
supply of the solenoid arrangements (111), the pressurized air from the
automatic load sensing valve enters through the first supply port (116) and
flows to the first cavity (121), the second cavity (122), and the first
delivery port (118), concurrently, the pressure switch (110) senses the
5 pressurized air through the fifth internal air conduit (131) connecting the
first and second damping volumes (131a, 131b) through the first internal
air conduit (127) and the orifice created by the flow adjuster (109),
causing the axle maintained in a lowered state, where the pressurized air
from the lift bellows flows to the exhaust (120) by means of flow sections
10 such as from second delivery port (119) to the fourth cavity (124) to the
second exhaust air conduit (104b) and to the orifice (104d) and to the sixth
cavity (126) and to the common exhaust (120), enabling the vehicle to
adapt to different load conditions and optimize its performance, and
(ii) when the vehicle is in a unladen condition, the delivery pressure from
15 the automatic load sensing valve is lower than the switching pressure of
the pressure switch (110), causing the pressure switch (110) to activate the
supply of the solenoid arrangements and opens the fifth sealing point
(115), then the pressurized air from the second supply port (117) flows
through the third cavity (123), the second internal air conduit (128), the
20 third internal air conduit (129), and the fourth internal conduit (130) to the
fifth cavity (125) and acts on the piston surface (104e), that creates the
second sealing point (113b) between the piston (104) and the second
bonded valve (105b) and closes the second exhaust air conduit (104b), the
pressurized air from the third cavity (123) flows to the fourth cavity (124)
25 and to the second delivery port (119) and to the lift bellows, creating the
third sealing point (114a) between the first bonded valve (105a) and the
bottom body (103), resulting in the main bellows exhausted through quick
release valve and the pressurized air in the quick release valve is exhausted
through the first exhaust air conduit (104a) and to the sixth cavity (126)
30 and to the common exhaust (120), which causing the axle is lifted,
13
ensuring lift axle is raised when the vehicle is not carrying a load, reducing
tire wear and improving fuel efficiency.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the first damping volume (131a) and
the second damping volume (131b) are connected by a connecting air conduit
5 (131c).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the second supply port (117) and
the second delivery port (119) are separated by a fourth sealing point (114b)
created by the second bonded valve (105b).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the first sealing point (113a)
10 between the piston (104) and the first bonded valve (105a).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the first bonded valve (105a) is
placed in the bottom body (103) and it is held against the piston (104) by making
the first sealing point (113a) which closes the first exhaust air conduit (104a) of
the piston (104).
15 In another embodiment of the present invention, the compression spring (106a) is
seated on the first spring retainer (108a) placed in the bottom body (103) by using
the first circlip (112a).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the third compression spring
(107) is placed on the top surface of the piston (104), thus creates enough force
20 for the first sealing point (113a).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the first supply port (116) and
first delivery port (118) are separated by the third sealing point(114a) created by
the first bonded valve (105a).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the second compression spring
25 (106b) is placed on the second spring retainer (108b) seated in the top body (102)
by using the second circlip (112b).
14
In another embodiment of the present invention, the solenoid arrangement (111)
and the pressure switch (110) are connected externally.
Another embodiment of the present invention, an override condition is also
provided to independently energize the solenoid arrangement (111).
5 Another embodiment of the present invention is to provide a method of working
of lift axle control valve as claimed in claim 1, said method comprises steps of:
a. when the vehicle is in a laden condition, the delivery pressure of
the automatic load sensing valve is more than the switching
pressure of the pressure switch (110), causing the pressure switch
10 (110) to disconnect the supply of the solenoid arrangements (111),
resulting in pressurized air entering from the automatic load
sensing valve through the first supply port (116) and flows to the
first cavity (121), the second cavity (122), and the first delivery
port (118), concurrently, sensing the pressurized air by the pressure
15 switch (110) through the fifth internal air conduit (131), which
connects the first and second damping volumes (131a, 131b)
through the first internal air conduit (127) and the orifice created
by the flow adjuster (109), keeping the axle in a lowered state,
where the pressurized air from the lift bellows flows to the exhaust
20 (120) by means of flow sections such as from second delivery port
(119) to the fourth cavity (124) to the second exhaust air conduit
(104b) and to the orifice (104d) and to the sixth cavity (126) and to
the common exhaust (120), thus enabling the vehicle to adapt to
different load conditions and optimize its performance, and
25 b. when the vehicle is in a unladen condition, the delivery pressure
from the automatic load sensing valve is lower than the switching
pressure of the pressure switch (110), thus causing the pressure
switch (110) to activate the supply of the solenoid arrangements
and opens the fifth sealing point (115), the pressurized air from the
15
second supply port (117) flows through the third cavity (123), the
second internal air conduit (128), the third internal air conduit
(129), and the fourth internal conduit (130) to the fifth cavity (125)
and acts on the piston surface (104e), creating the second sealing
5 point (113b) between the piston (104) and the second bonded valve
(105b) and closes the second exhaust air conduit (104b), the
pressurized air from the third cavity (123) flows to the fourth
cavity (124) and to the second delivery port (119) and to the lift
bellows, creating the third sealing point (114a) between the first
10 bonded valve (105a) and the bottom body (103). Such that, the
main bellows is exhausted through quick release valve and the
pressurized air in the quick release valve is exhausted through the
first exhaust air conduit (104a) and to the sixth cavity (126) and to
the common exhaust (120), resulting in lifting of the axle and
15 ensuring that the lift axle is raised when the vehicle is not carrying
a load, reducing tire wear and improving fuel efficiency.
WORKING EXAMPLE
An exemplary embodiment discloses a lift axle control valve fitted on the vehicle
by using bracket (132) working under two different conditions:
20
(i) when the vehicle is in a laden condition, the delivery pressure of the
automatic load sensing valve is more than the switching pressure of the
pressure switch (110), thus causing the pressure switch (110) to
disconnect the supply of the solenoid arrangements (111). As a result,
25 entering the pressurized air from the automatic load sensing valve
through the first supply port (116) and flows to the first cavity (121),
the second cavity (122), and the first delivery port (118). Concurrently,
sensing the pressurized air by the pressure switch (110) through the
fifth internal air conduit (131), which connects the first and second
30 damping volumes (131a, 131b) through the first internal air conduit
16
(127) and the orifice created by the flow adjuster (109). This flow
configurations keeps the axle in a lowered state, where the pressurized
air from the lift bellows flows to the exhaust (120) by means of flow
sections such as from second delivery port (119) to the fourth cavity
5 (124) to the second exhaust air conduit (104b) and to the orifice (104d)
and to the sixth cavity (126) and to the common exhaust (120), thus
enabling the vehicle to adapt to different load conditions and optimize
its performance, and
(ii) when the vehicle is in a unladen condition, the delivery pressure
10 from the automatic load sensing valve is lower than the switching
pressure of the pressure switch (110), thus causing the pressure switch
(110) to activate the supply of the solenoid arrangements and opens the
fifth sealing point (115). Therefore, the pressurized air from the second
supply port (117) flows through the third cavity (123), the second
15 internal air conduit (128), the third internal air conduit (129), and the
fourth internal conduit (130) to the fifth cavity (125) and acts on the
piston surface (104e), thus creates the second sealing point (113b)
between the piston (104) and the second bonded valve (105b) and
closes the second exhaust air conduit (104b). Then the pressurized air
20 from the third cavity (123) flows to the fourth cavity (124) and to the
second delivery port (119) and to the lift bellows, thus creates the third
sealing point (114a) between the first bonded valve (105a) and the
bottom body (103). Such that, the main bellows is exhausted through
quick release valve and the pressurized air in the quick release valve is
25 exhausted through the first exhaust air conduit (104a) and to the sixth
cavity (126) and to the common exhaust (120). Therefore, the axle is
lifted, thus ensures that the lift axle is raised when the vehicle is not
carrying a load, reducing tire wear and improving fuel efficiency.
ADVANTAGE OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
17
The present invention relates to a lift axle control valve which reduces the exhaust
time of lift bellows by controlling the exhaust orifice in the piston which in turn
reduce the possibility of bellows collapse during axle lowering state.
The present invention relates to a lift axle control valve which uses override
5 conditions to lift the axle which helps in better maneuverability of the vehicle
when the vehicle is fully loaded.
The present invention relates to a lift axle control valve which provides damping
volume along with flow adjuster to get the damping delay time which damps the
vibration produced during the road bumps and maintains the axle at its preferred
10 position.
The present invention relates to a lift axle control valve which reduces the overall
maintenance costs of the vehicle with better weight distribution, tire longevity,
and improved maneuverability, thus leads to a lower total cost of ownership for
the vehicle in heavy-duty applications.
15 The present invention related to a lift axle control valve which allows the vehicle
to lift the rear axle(s) when maneuvering in tight spaces, such as during parking or
turning, thus improves overall maneuverability and reduces the risk of damage to
the vehicle or its surroundings.
It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the above description is for
20 illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as limiting. Various
modifications, additions, alterations, and improvements without deviating from
the spirit and the scope of the invention may be made by a person skilled in the
art.
25
18
LIST OF NUMERALS:
101 – Lift Axle Control Valve
102 – Top Body
103 – Bottom Body
5 104 – Piston
104a – First exhaust air conduit
104b – Second exhaust air conduit
104c – Third exhaust air conduit
104d- Orifice
10 104e – Piston Surface
105a – First Bonded Valve
105b – Second Bonded Valve
106a – First Compression Spring
106b – Second Compression spring
15 107 – Third Compression Spring
108a – First Spring Retainer
108b – Second Spring Retainer
109 – Flow Adjuster
110 – Pressure Switch
20 111– Solenoid arrangements
112a – First Circlip
112b – Second Circlip
113a – First Sealing Point
113b – Second sealing point
25 114a – Third sealing point
19
114b – Fourth Sealing point
115 – Fifth sealing point
116 – First supply port
117 – Second Supply Port
5 118 – First Delivery Port
119 – Second Delivery port
120 – Common Exhaust
121 – First cavity
122 – Second Cavity
10 123 – Third Cavity
124 – Fourth Cavity
125 – Fifth Cavity
126 –Sixth Cavity
127 – First Internal air conduit
15 128 –Second Internal air Conduit
129 – Third internal air conduit
130 – Fourth internal air conduit
131- Fifth internal air conduit
131a – First Damping Volume
20 131b – Second Damping Volume
131c – Connecting air conduit
132 – Bracket
, Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A lift axle control valve (101) comprising: a top body (102); a bottom
body (103); a piston placed inside the top and bottom housings (102, 103)
comprising a first, second, and third exhaust air conduits (104a, 104b,
5 104c), an orifice (104d), and piston surface (104e) accommodated inside
the top body (102) and the bottom body (103); at least two bonded valves
comprising a first and second bonded valves (105a, 105b); at least three
compression springs comprising a first, second and third compression
springs (106a, 106b, 107); at least two spring retainers comprising a first
10 and second spring retainer (108a, 108b); a flow adjuster (109), a pressure
Switch (110); a solenoid arrangement (111); at least two circlips
comprising a first and second circlips (112a, 112b); at least two supply
ports comprising a first supply port (116) connected to the delivery port of
the load sensing valve and second supply port (117) connected to the
15 reservoir; at least two delivery ports comprising a first delivery port (118)
connected to the quick release valve and to the main or suspension
bellows, and a second delivery port (119) connected to the lift bellows; a
common exhaust (120) exhausts the pressurized air; a plurality of cavities
comprising a first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth cavities (121, 122,
20 123, 124, 125, 126); at least five internal air conduits comprising a first,
second, third, fourth and fifth internal air conduits (127, 128, 129, 130,
131); at least two damping volume comprising a first and second damping
volumes (131a, 131b), and a bracket (132),
wherein the lift axle control valve (101) fitted in the vehicle by using
25 bracket (132) working under different conditions:
(i) when the vehicle is in a laden condition, the delivery pressure of the
automatic load sensing valve is more than the switching pressure of the
pressure switch (110), causing the pressure switch (110) to disconnect the
supply of the solenoid arrangements (111), the pressurized air from the
30 automatic load sensing valve enters through the first supply port (116) and
21
flows to the first cavity (121), the second cavity (122), and the first
delivery port (118), concurrently, the pressure switch (110) senses the
pressurized air through the fifth internal air conduit (131) connecting the
first and second damping volumes (131a, 131b) through the first internal
5 air conduit (127) and the orifice created by the flow adjuster (109),
causing the axle maintained in a lowered state, where the pressurized air
from the lift bellows flows to the exhaust (120) by means of flow sections
such as from second delivery port (119) to the fourth cavity (124) to the
second exhaust air conduit (104b) and to the orifice (104d) and to the sixth
10 cavity (126) and to the common exhaust (120), enabling the vehicle to
adapt to different load conditions and optimize its performance, and
(ii) when the vehicle is in a unladen condition, the delivery pressure from
the automatic load sensing valve is lower than the switching pressure of
the pressure switch (110), causing the pressure switch (110) to activate the
15 supply of the solenoid arrangements and opens the fifth sealing point
(115), then the pressurized air from the second supply port (117) flows
through the third cavity (123), the second internal air conduit (128), the
third internal air conduit (129), and the fourth internal conduit (130) to the
fifth cavity (125) and acts on the piston surface (104e), that creates the
20 second sealing point (113b) between the piston (104) and the second
bonded valve (105b) and closes the second exhaust air conduit (104b), the
pressurized air from the third cavity (123) flows to the fourth cavity (124)
and to the second delivery port (119) and to the lift bellows, creating the
third sealing point (114a) between the first bonded valve (105a) and the
25 bottom body (103), resulting in the main bellows exhausted through quick
release valve and the pressurized air in the quick release valve is exhausted
through the first exhaust air conduit (104a) and to the sixth cavity (126)
and to the common exhaust (120), which causing the axle is lifted,
ensuring lift axle is raised when the vehicle is not carrying a load, reducing
30 tire wear and improving fuel efficiency.
22
2. The lift axle control valve (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first
damping volume (131a) and the second damping volume (131b) are
connected by a connecting air conduit (131c).
5 3. The lift axle control valve (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second
supply port (117) and the second delivery port (119) are separated by a
fourth sealing point (114b) created by the second bonded valve (105b).
4. The lift axle control valve (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first
10 sealing point (113a) between the piston (104) and the first bonded valve
(105a).
5. The lift axle control valve (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first
bonded valve (105a) is placed in the bottom body (103) and it is held
15 against the piston (104) by making the first sealing point (113a) which
closes the first exhaust air conduit (104a) of the piston (104).
6. The lift axle control valve (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
compression spring (106a) is seated on the first spring retainer (108a)
20 placed in the bottom body (103) by using the first circlip (112a).
7. The lift axle control valve (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the third
compression spring (107) is placed on the top surface of the piston (104),
thus creates enough force for the first sealing point (113a).
25
8. The lift axle control valve (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first
supply port (116) and the first delivery port (118) are separated by the
third sealing point (114a) created by the first bonded valve (105a).
30 9. The lift axle control valve (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second
compression spring (106b) is placed on the second spring retainer (108b)
seated in the top body (102) by using the second circlip (112b).
23
10. The lift axle control valve (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
solenoid arrangement (111) and the pressure switch (110) are connected
externally.
5
11. The lift axle control valve (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
override condition is also provided to independently energize the solenoid
arrangement (111).
10 12. A method of working of lift axle control valve (101) as claimed in claim 1,
said method comprises steps of:
a. when the vehicle is in a laden condition, the delivery pressure of
the automatic load sensing valve is more than the switching
15 pressure of the pressure switch (110), causing the pressure switch
(110) to disconnect the supply of the solenoid arrangements (111),
resulting in pressurized air entering from the automatic load
sensing valve through the first supply port (116) and flows to the
first cavity (121), the second cavity (122), and the first delivery
20 port (118), concurrently , sensing the pressurized air by the
pressure switch (110) through the fifth internal air conduit (131),
which connects the first and second damping volumes (131a, 131b)
through the first internal air conduit (127) and the orifice created
by the flow adjuster (109), keeping the axle in a lowered state,
25 where the pressurized air from the lift bellows flows to the exhaust
(120) by means of flow sections such as from second delivery port
(119) to the fourth cavity (124) to the second exhaust air conduit
(104b) and to the orifice (104d) and to the sixth cavity (126) and to
the common exhaust (120), thus enabling the vehicle to adapt to
30 different load conditions and optimize its performance, and
b. when the vehicle is in a unladen condition, the delivery pressure
from the automatic load sensing valve is lower than the switching
24
pressure of the pressure switch (110), thus causing the pressure
switch (110) to activate the supply of the solenoid arrangements
and opens the fifth sealing point (115), the pressurized air from the
second supply port (117) flows through the third cavity (123), the
5 second internal air conduit (128), the third internal air conduit
(129), and the fourth internal conduit (130) to the fifth cavity (125)
and acts on the piston surface (104e), creating the second sealing
point (113b) between the piston (104) and the second bonded valve
(105b) and closes the second exhaust air conduit (104b), the
10 pressurized air from the third cavity (123) flows to the fourth
cavity (124) and to the second delivery port (119) and to the lift
bellows, creating the third sealing point (114a) between the first
bonded valve (105a) and the bottom body (103). Such that, the
main bellows is exhausted through quick release valve and the
15 pressurized air in the quick release valve is exhausted through the
first exhaust air conduit (104a) and to the sixth cavity (126) and to
the common exhaust (120), resulting in lifting of the axle and
ensuring that the lift axle is raised when the vehicle is not carrying
a load, reducing tire wear and improving fuel efficiency.
20
-sdDated this 05
th day of June 2024 Kalyanchand Jhabakh (IN/PA830)
Agent for applicant.
25