Description:
AN ELECTRONIC RIDE CONTROL VALVE FOR AN AIR SUSPENSION
FIELD
[0001] The embodiments herein generally relate to an automated air suspension system. More particularly, the disclosure relates to an integrated electronic ride control valve for controlling height of an air suspension system.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART
[0002] An air suspension system is provided for improving ride handling and imparting comfort. The suspension system helps 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] Conventionally, the air springs present in an air suspension system continuously vary in height based on the load in the vehicle and road conditions. However, the continuous variation in height of the air springs reduces comfort to the passengers of the vehicle. Further, mechanical means of height variation in existing air suspension control systems are require maintenance and are time consuming. Further, the mechanical means of height control in air suspension system add considerable delay, thereby reducing comfort and smoothness during movement of the vehicle.
[0004] Therefore, there is a need for an improved and automated system for controlling height in an air suspension system. Moreover, there is a need for a single integrated electronic ride control valve for maintaining constant height of an air suspension system for imparting stability to the 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 an electronic ride control valve for controlling an air suspension system for maintaining height.
[0007] Another objective of the present disclosure is to provide an electronic ride control valve for controlling an air suspension system for maintaining constant height irrespective of loading conditions.
[0008] Still another objective of the present disclosure is to provide an electronic ride control valve for controlling an air suspension system for performing kneeling and lifting.
[0009] Yet another objective of the present disclosure is to provide a simple and cost-effective system of controlling air suspension system.
[00010] Still another objective of the present disclosure is to provide an electronic ride control valve as an integrated component for facilitating ease of installation and accessibility.
[00011] 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
[00012] In view of the foregoing, an embodiment herein provides an electronic ride control valve for controlling an air suspension system.
[00013] In accordance with an embodiment, the electronic ride control valve includes a sensor operatively connected to a plurality of air springs for measuring height of the air springs, an electronic control unit connected to the sensors for comparing height of the air springs with threshold height of the air springs, a valve block manifold connected to the air springs for inflating and deflating the air springs and the electronic control unit connected to the valve block manifold for inflating and deflating the air springs based on the comparison for maintaining constant height.
[00014] In an embodiment, the electronic control unit includes a microcontroller for controlling the valve block manifold.
[00015] In accordance with an embodiment, the electronic ride control valve including the sensors, electronic control unit and the valve block manifold is mounted on bottom of chassis of the vehicle.
[00016] In accordance with an embodiment, the electronic ride control valve provided as an integrated component for facilitating ease of installation and a plurality of the electronic ride control valves provided for connecting to plurality of the air springs through pneumatic pipes for controlling height.
[00017] In accordance with an embodiment, the electronic control unit controls the valve block manifold for kneeling and lifting the vehicle by inflating and deflating the air springs.
[00018] In accordance with an embodiment, a method for controlling of an air suspension system, comprises the steps of connecting an electronic ride control valve to air springs, by pneumatic pipes, detecting height of the air springs, by a sensor in the electronic ride control valve, comparing the detected height of air springs with a threshold height, by an electronic control unit in the electronic ride control valve, inflating and deflating the air springs through the pneumatic pipes, by a valve block manifold in the electronic ride control valve and controlling the valve block manifold for inflating and deflating the air springs based on the comparison, by the electronic control unit.
[00019] In an embodiment, the electronic control unit controls the valve block manifold for inflating the air spring on identifying the detected height lesser than the threshold height and deflating the air spring on identifying the detected height greater than the threshold height.
[00020] 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 description, 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
[00021] 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.
[00022] Fig.1 illustrates a block diagram of an electronic ride control valve for controlling an air suspension system, according to an embodiment herein;
[00023] Fig. 2 illustrates a schematic of an electronic ride control valve for controlling an air suspension in a vehicle, according to an embodiment herein; and
[00024] Fig. 3 illustrates a schematic of an electronic ride control valve for controlling an air suspension system, according to an embodiment herein.

LIST OF NUMERALS
101 - Electronic ride control valve
102 - Height sensor
103 - Electronic control unit
104 - Valve block manifold
105, 105a, 105b, 105c1, 105c2, 105d1, 105d2 - Air Springs
106 - Chassis
107 - Axle
201 - Reservoir
202 - Wiring harness
301 - Mounting portion

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[00025] 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.
[00026] As mentioned above, there is a need for an improved and automated system for controlling height in an air suspension system. In particular, there is a need for an electronic ride control valve for maintaining constant height of an air suspension system for imparting stability to the vehicle. The embodiments herein achieve this by providing “An electronic ride control valve for controlling an air suspension”. Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Fig.1 to Fig.3 where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferred embodiments.
[00027] Fig.1 illustrates a block diagram of a system for controlling an air suspension system. The system includes an electronic ride control valve 101, a chassis 106, an axle 107 and air springs 105.
[00028] In an embodiment, the electronic ride control valve 101 includes a sensor 102, an electronic control unit 103 and a valve block manifold 104.
[00029] In an embodiment, the electronic ride control valve is provided as an integrated component. The electronic ride control valve 101 is connected to a plurality of air springs 105 provided in a vehicle through pneumatic pipes. In an embodiment, the electronic ride control valve 101 is mounted on a bottom of chassis of the vehicle.
[00030] The sensor 102 is provided for measuring height of each of the air springs 105. In an embodiment, the sensor includes but not limited to a hall-effect sensor. The measured height is transmitted to the electronic control unit 103, by the sensors 102. In an embodiment, a plurality of sensors 102 is provided for measuring height of each of the air springs 105.
[00031] In an embodiment, the electronic control unit 103 includes a microcontroller. The electronic control unit 103 is provided for receiving the measured height of each of the air springs 105. A threshold height of each of the air springs 105 is set in the electronic control unit 103 for maintaining constant height of the vehicle. On receiving the measured height from the sensor 102, the electronic control unit 103 compares the measured height of the air springs 105 with the threshold height of the air springs 105. On identifying the measured height of the air springs 105 greater than or lesser than the threshold height, the electronic control unit 103 controls the valve block manifold 104 for inflating and/or deflating the air springs 105 for maintaining the threshold height.
[00032] In an embodiment, the valve block manifold 104 is provided for inflating and/or deflating the air springs 105. The inflation and deflation of the air springs controls height of the vehicle. The electronic control unit 103 controls the valve block manifold 104 for inflating the air springs 105 on identifying the measured height lesser than the threshold height. The electronic control unit 103 controls the valve block manifold 104 for deflating the air springs 105 on identifying the measured height greater than the threshold height.
[00033] In an embodiment, the electronic control unit 103 controls the valve block manifold 104 for performing kneeling and lifting of the vehicle. In an embodiment, a switch is provided in the vehicle for facilitating the driver to enable kneeling and lifting of the vehicle.
[00034] Fig. 2 illustrates a schematic of a system for controlling an air suspension in a vehicle. The vehicle includes a plurality of air springs 105a, 105b, 105c1, 105c2, 105d1, 105d2. The electronic ride control valves 101 are provided for controlling the air springs 105a, 105b, 105c1, 105c2, 105d1, 105d2. The electronic ride control valves 101 are mounted on a bottom of the chassis of the vehicle and connected to the air springs through pneumatic pipes. The air springs 105a, 105b are provided at a front of the vehicle and the air springs 105c1, 105c2, 105d1, 105d2 are provided at rear of the vehicle. The electronic ride control valve 101 is connected to the air springs 105a and 105b, another electronic ride control valve 101 is connected to the air springs 105c1 and 105c2 and another electronic ride control valve 101 is connected to the air springs 105d1 and 101d2. The three electronic ride control valves 101 are connected to each other through pneumatic pipes. A reservoir 201 as a source of compressed air is connected to the electronic ride control valves 101 through the pneumatic pipes for supplying compressed air to the valve block manifold 104.
[00035] In an embodiment, the electronic ride control valve 101 is connected to an operating segment through a wiring harness 202.
[00036] Fig. 3 illustrates a schematic of an electronic ride control valve for controlling an air suspension system. The electronic ride control valve includes the sensor 102 for measuring height of the air springs, the electronic control unit 103, the valve block manifold 104. A chassis mounting portion 301 is provided for mounting the electronic ride control valve to a bottom of chassis of the vehicle.
[00037] A main advantage of the present disclosure is that electronic ride control valve controls an air suspension system.
[00038] Another advantage of the present disclosure is that the electronic ride control valve is provided as an integrated component for facilitating ease of installation and connection to any number of air springs in a vehicle.
[00039] Still another advantage of the present disclosure is that the electronic ride control valve provides stability of the vehicle by maintaining constant ride height.
[00040] Yet another advantage of the present disclosure is that the electronic ride control valve controls an air suspension system for kneeling and lifting of the vehicle.
[00041] Still another advantage of the present disclosure is that the electronic ride control valve eliminates calibration and provides a pre-configured system for maintaining ride height.
[00042] Yet another advantage of the present disclosure is that the electronic ride control valve provides controlling an air suspension system for maintaining constant height independent of load variation.
[00043] Another advantage of the present disclosure is that the electronic ride control valve provided as an integrated component is directly installed under the chassis of a vehicle.
[00044] 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. An electronic ride control valve for controlling an air suspension of a vehicle, comprising:
a sensor (102) operatively connected to a plurality of air springs (105) for measuring height of the air springs (105);
an electronic control unit (103) connected to the sensors (102) for receiving the measured height and comparing the measured height of the air springs with a threshold height of the air springs;
a valve block manifold (104) connected to the air springs (105) through pneumatic pipes for inflating and deflating the air springs (105); and
the electronic control unit (103) connected to the valve block manifold (104) for inflating and deflating the air springs (105) based on the comparison for maintaining constant height.
2. The electronic ride control valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic control unit (103) including a microcontroller for receiving measured height from the sensor (102) and controlling the valve block manifold (104).
3. The electronic ride control valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic ride control valve including the sensors (102), electronic control unit (103) and the valve block manifold (104) mounted on bottom of chassis of the vehicle.
4. The electronic ride control valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic ride control valve (101) provided as an integrated component for facilitating ease of installation; and
a plurality of the electronic ride control valves (101) provided for connecting to plurality of the air springs (105) through pneumatic pipes for controlling height.
5. The electronic ride control valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic control unit (103) controlling the valve block manifold (104) for kneeling and lifting the vehicle by inflating and deflating the air springs (105).
6. A method for controlling an air suspension system, comprising the steps of:
connecting an electronic ride control valve to air springs, by pneumatic pipes;
detecting height of the air springs, by a sensor in the electronic ride control valve;
comparing the detected height of air springs with a threshold height, by an electronic control unit in the electronic ride control valve;
inflating and deflating the air springs through the pneumatic pipes, by a valve block manifold in the electronic ride control valve; and
controlling the valve block manifold for inflating and deflating the air springs based on the comparison, by the electronic control unit.
7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the electronic control unit controlling the valve block manifold for inflating the air spring on identifying the detected height lesser than the threshold height and deflating the air spring on identifying the detected height greater than the threshold height.