Description: A RETRACTION SYSTEM CONTROLLER
FIELD
[0001] The embodiments herein generally relate to an air suspension controller system. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a retraction system controller for controlling air suspension of a weapon deployment trailer.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART
[0002] A suspension system is provided in automobiles for improving ride handling and imparting comfort. The suspension system assists in maintaining contact between tires of a vehicle and the road surface and evenly balancing weight of the vehicle. Improper and uneven road conditions generate forces on the vehicle, and the effect of these forces are dampened and absorbed by components of the suspension system.
[0003] A weapon deployment trailer is a vehicle provided for deploying weapons such as guns. The trailer includes a weapon, wherein the air suspension system of the trailer assists in deploying the weapon at the required height. The trailer is required to operate in areas with rough and unpredictable terrain and deploy the weapon at a lower height. Deploying weapons in these weapon deployment trailers require the aid of a suspension system for kneeling and raising. However, effective operation of the trailer in the terrain requires an efficient suspension system and a control system for facilitating faster functioning of the suspension system. Further, deployment of weapons requires instant lowering and raising of the weapon deployment trailer in any terrain using the suspension system.
[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a system for controlling air suspension of a weapon deployment trailer. Moreover, there is a need for an improved retraction system controller for an air suspension for performing lowering, raising and maintaining ride height of a vehicle.
OBJECTS
[0005] Some of the objects of the present disclosure are described herein below:
[0006] The main objective of the present disclosure is to provide a system for controlling air suspension of a weapon deployment trailer.
[0007] Another objective of the present disclosure is to provide a retraction system controller for an air suspension.
[0008] Still another objective of the present disclosure is to provide a system for controlling an air suspension for lowering and raising a weapon deployment trailer.
[0009] Yet another objective of the present disclosure is to provide a system for controlling an air suspension for maintaining ride height of a weapon deployment trailer.
[00010] The other objectives and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated for illustration of preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope thereof.
SUMMARY
[00011] In view of the foregoing, an embodiment herein provides a retraction system controller for controlling an air suspension.
[00012] In accordance with an embodiment, the retraction system controller for controlling air suspension comprises an air spring provided for controlling height of a vehicle, a pressure transducer operatively connected to the air spring for measuring pressure in the air spring, a leveling valve in fluid communication with the air spring for inflating and/or deflating, a manifold provided for controlling opening and/or closing of an inflation port and/or deflation port of the leveling valve, an electronic control unit provided for controlling the manifold for inflating and/or deflating the air springs to a set pressure based on the measured pressure and the air springs inflating and/or deflating to the set pressure for raising and/or lowering height of the vehicle.
[00013] In accordance with an embodiment, a switch connected to the electronic control unit for selecting a kneeling operation for lowering height of the weapon deployment trailer and selecting a raising operation for raising height of the weapon deployment trailer.
[00014] In accordance with an embodiment, wherein the air springs lowering weapon deployment trailer by a height of 350mm and the air springs raising weapon deployment trailer by a height of 350mm.
[00015] In accordance with an embodiment, wherein raising and/or lowering of the weapon deployment trailer performed in duration of range of 40 seconds to 50 seconds.
[00016] In accordance with an embodiment, wherein the electronic control unit controls switching on and off of a compressor based on requirement.
[00017] In accordance with an embodiment, wherein the vehicle is a weapon deployment trailer; and lowering of the weapon deployment trailer is required for deploying weapons.
[00018] In accordance with an embodiment, the method for controlling air suspension using the retraction system controller comprises the steps of selecting kneeling operation and/or raising operation for increasing and/or decreasing height a weapon deployment trailer, by a user, comparing measured pressure in air springs and set pressure for the selected operation, by an electronic control unit, controlling a manifold for inflating and/or deflating the air springs to the set pressure, by the electronic control unit, opening and/or closing an inflation port and/or a deflation port of a leveling valve for inflating and deflating the air springs, by the manifold, inflating and/or deflating the air springs to the set pressure, by the leveling valve and lowering and/or raising the weapon deployment trailer to a height for the selected operation, by the air springs.
[00019] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[00020] The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical items.
[00021] Fig.1 illustrates a block diagram of a retraction system controller for controlling an air suspension, according to an embodiment herein;
[00022] Fig. 2 illustrates a flow chart of a method for controlling an air suspension by a retraction system controller, according to an embodiment herein.

LIST OF NUMERALS
101 - Air Springs
102 - Manifold
103 - Leveling valves
104 - Pressure Transducer
105 - Electronic Control Unit
106 - Reservoir
107 - Compressor
108 - Switch

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[00023] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[00024] As mentioned above, there is a need for an air suspension controlling system for a weapon deployment trailer. In particular, there is a need for an improved retraction system controller for an air suspension for performing lowering, raising and maintaining ride height of a vehicle. The embodiments herein achieve this by providing “A Retraction System Controller”. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig.1 through Fig.2, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferred embodiments.
[00025] Fig.1 illustrates a block diagram of a system of a retraction system controller for controlling an air suspension. In an embodiment, the system includes air springs 101, manifold 102, leveling 103, pressure transducers 104, Electronic Control Unit 105, reservoir 106 and compressor 107.
[00026] In an embodiment, the air springs 101 provided in the air suspension system of the weapon deployment trailer. The air springs 101 provided for varying ride height of the weapon deployment trailer. The air springs 101 including air at a specific pressure for maintaining required ride height of the weapon deployment trailer.
[00027] In an embodiment, the leveling valve 103 is connected to the air springs 101 through pneumatic lines. The leveling valve 103 is provided for inflating and deflating air from the air springs 101 for maintaining height of the weapon deployment trailer. The leveling valve 103 includes an inflation port and a deflation port. The inflation port is provided for allowing flow of air through the pneumatic lines to the air springs 101 for inflating the air spring 101 to a required height. The deflation port is provided for drawing of air from the air springs 101 for deflating the air spring 101 to a required height.
[00028] In an embodiment, the pressure transducers 104 are connected to the pneumatic lines of the air springs 101 for measuring pressure in the air springs 101.
[00029] In an embodiment, the manifold 102 is connected to the leveling valves 103, pressure transducers 104 and electronic control unit 105. In an embodiment, the manifold 102 is connected to the inflation port and the deflation port of the leveling valve 103. The manifold 102 is provided for opening and closing the inflation port and the deflation port of the leveling valve 103 for maintaining the pressure in the air springs 101.
[00030] In an embodiment, the electronic control unit 105 is provided for controlling the manifold 102 for maintaining the required height of the weapon deployment trailer. The electronic control unit 105 is connected to the pressure transducers 104 for receiving values of the measured pressure in the air springs 101. In an embodiment, a pressure of the air springs 101 is set in the electronic control unit 105, wherein the electronic control unit 105 maintains the set pressure in the air springs for maintaining height of the weapon deployment trailer. A switch 108 is connected to the electronic control unit 105 for varying the pressure in the air springs 101 based on required height of the weapon deployment trailer.
[00031] The system maintains constant ride height for dynamic condition without any assistantship from ECU using Ride Control valve. In an embodiment, the ride control valve is mechanical leveling valve including a lever and a connecting rod assembly for opening and closing the valve to maintain height of the air springs based on the suspension.
[00032] In an embodiment, the switch 108 is controlled by a user, wherein the user selects the switch for activating kneeling operation and/or raising operation of the weapon deployment trailer. Kneeling operation refers to lowering height of the weapon deployment trailer for deploying the weapon by deflating the air springs 101. Raising operation refers to raising height of the weapon deployment trailer after deployment of the weapon by inflating the air springs 101. In an embodiment, pressure in the air springs for kneeling operation and pressure in the air springs for raising operation are set in the electronic control unit 105. The pressure in the air springs 101 is set corresponding to the required height of the weapon deployment trailer in the kneeling operation and the raising operation. In an embodiment, the kneeling operation including lowering the weapon deployment trailer by a height of 350mm and the raising operation including raising the weapon deployment trailer by a height of 350mm.
[00033] On selecting the kneeling operation and/or raising operation using the switch 108, the Electronic Control Unit 105 controls the manifold 102 for varying pressure in the air springs 101 to the set pressure. The manifold 102 controls the inflation port and/or deflation port of the leveling valve 103 for inflating and/or deflating the air springs 101 to the set pressure. The leveling valve 103 performs inflation and/or deflation of the air springs 101 for maintaining the set pressure in the air springs 101 and kneeling and/or raising the weapon deployment trailer to the required height.
[00034] In an embodiment, raising and/or lowering of the weapon deployment trailer performed in a range of 40 seconds to 50 seconds
[00035] In an embodiment, an emergency switch is connected to the electronic control unit 105 for instant stopping kneeling and/or raising of the weapon deployment failure.
[00036] In an embodiment, the reservoir 106 is connected to the manifold 102 for supplying compressed air. The reservoir 106 is provided for storing compressed air and transmitting the compressed air to the manifold 102 through pneumatic pipes. In an embodiment, a compressor 107 is connected to the reservoir 106 for supplying compressed air. The compressor 107 is provided as a source of compressed air for the system. In an embodiment, the compressor is a 24V compressor. The electronic control unit 105 controls switching on and off of the compressor 107 based on requirement, wherein the electronic control unit 105 switches off the compressor 107 when no operation of inflation is performed.
[00037] In an embodiment, a threshold pressure set in the electronic control unit 105 corresponding to low pressure in the air spring. On detecting low pressure in the air spring, the electronic control unit 105 transmits an indication to a dashboard of the vehicle.
[00038] In an embodiment, the system includes a dual power supply source. The system receives power from the prime mover while being connected to the prime mover and from the weapon deployment trailer, when disconnected from the prime mover.
[00039] Fig. 2 illustrates a flow chart of a method for controlling air suspension, by a retraction system controller. In an embodiment, the method for controlling air suspension includes the following steps. First, measuring pressure in air springs, by a pressure transducer. Then, transmitting the measured pressure to an electronic control unit. Next, selecting 201 kneeling operation and/or raising operation for a weapon deployment trailer using a switch, by a user.
[00040] Then, comparing 202 the measured pressure received from the pressure transducer and a set pressure of the air springs for the selected operation, by the electronic control unit. Then, determining inflating and/or deflating the air springs for attaining the set pressure, based on the comparison, by the electronic control unit.
[00041] Next, controlling 203 a manifold for inflating and/or deflating the air springs to the set pressure, by the electronic control unit.
[00042] Then, opening and/or closing 204 an inflation port and/or a deflation port of a leveling valve for inflating and deflating the air springs, by the manifold. In an embodiment, the manifold opening the inflation port and closing the deflation port on identifying the set pressure greater than the measured pressure and the manifold opening the deflation port and closing the inflation port on identifying the set pressure lesser than the measured pressure.
[00043] Next, inflating and/or deflating 205 the air springs to the set pressure, by the leveling valve. In an embodiment, the inflation port inflates the air springs by allowing compressed air through pneumatic pipes and the deflation port deflates the air springs by drawings compressed air through the pneumatic pipes.
[00044] Finally, lowering and/or raising 206 the weapon deployment trailer to a height required for the operation, by the air springs. In an embodiment, kneeling operation includes lowering the weapon deployment trailer to a height of 350mm and raising operation includes raising the weapon deployment trailer to a height of 350 mm.
[00045] A main advantage of the present disclosure is that the retraction system controller for controlling air suspension performs faster kneeling and raising of a weapon deployment trailer.
[00046] Another advantage of the present disclosure is that the retraction system controller for controlling air suspension system provides maintaining constant ride height of air suspension during static and dynamic conditions by varying the pressure inside air springs.
[00047] Still another advantage of the present disclosure is that the retraction system controller for controlling air suspension maintains constant ride height without any assistantship from ECU.
[00048] Yet another advantage of the present disclosure is that the retraction system controller for controlling air suspension provides faster kneeling and raising operation of gun deployment trailers for gun deployment in duration of 40 seconds.
[00049] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
, Claims: We Claim:
1. A system for controlling air suspension, comprising:
an air spring (101) provided for controlling height of a vehicle;
a pressure transducer (104) operatively connected to the air spring (101) for measuring pressure in the air spring (101);
a leveling valve (103) in fluid communication with the air spring (101) for inflating and/or deflating;
a manifold (102) provided for controlling opening and/or closing of an inflation port and/or deflation port of the leveling valve (103);
an electronic control unit (105) provided for controlling the manifold (102) for inflating and/or deflating the air springs (101) to a set pressure based on the measured pressure; and
the air springs (101) inflating and/or deflating to the set pressure for raising and/or lowering height of the vehicle.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a switch (108) connected to the electronic control unit (105) for selecting a kneeling operation for lowering height of the weapon deployment trailer and selecting a raising operation for raising height of the weapon deployment trailer.
3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air springs (101) lowering weapon deployment trailer by a height of 350mm and the air springs (101) raising weapon deployment trailer by a height of 350mm.
4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein raising and/or lowering of the weapon deployment trailer performed in duration of range of 40 seconds to 50 seconds.
5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic control unit (105) controls switching on and off of a compressor (107) based on requirement.
6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a weapon deployment trailer; and lowering of the weapon deployment trailer is required for deploying weapons.
7. A method for controlling air suspension, comprising the steps of:
selecting (201) kneeling operation and/or raising operation for increasing and/or decreasing height a weapon deployment trailer, by a user;
comparing (202) measured pressure in air springs and set pressure for the selected operation, by an electronic control unit;
controlling (203) a manifold for inflating and/or deflating the air springs to the set pressure, by the electronic control unit;
opening and/or closing (204) an inflation port and/or a deflation port of a leveling valve for inflating and deflating the air springs, by the manifold;
inflating and/or deflating (205) the air springs to the set pressure, by the leveling valve; and
lowering and/or raising (206) the weapon deployment trailer to a height for the selected operation, by the air springs.