FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
[39 OF 1970]
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10; Rule 13]
TITLE: “METHOD, SYSTEM AND CHASIS CONTROL MODULE (CHCM) FOR AIR SUSPENSION FILLING IN A VEHICLE”
Name and Address of the Applicant:
TATA MOTORS PASSENGER VEHICLES LIMITED,
Floor 3, 4, Plot-18, Nanavati Mahalaya, Mudhana Shetty Marg, BSE, Fort, Mumbai, Mumbai City, Maharashtra, 400 001, India.
Nationality: Indian
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates, in general, to automotive engineering. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to a method for air suspension filling in a vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A suspension system is an integral part of vehicles. The suspension system absorbs kinetic impacts from road bumps and other obstacles on the road and ensures smooth and safe driving of the vehicles. Air suspension is a type of suspension which provides a good wheel articulation and poise. The air suspension changes the vehicle’s height quickly, allowing to keep all the wheels on the ground on uneven surfaces. During movement of the vehicle, air to the air suspensions is filled dynamically based on the requirement to provide a sure-footed composed drive. The air filled in the air suspensions is to be conditioned to a particular pressure and should have certain characteristics, such as a dew point of -40° Celsius.
[0003] Generally, the air to be supplied to the air suspensions is compressed by a compressor and subsequently stored in a reservoir of the vehicle. The operation of the compressor is controlled by a Chassis Control Module (CHCM) in the vehicle. The CHCM also controls injection of the air into the suspensions from the reservoir during running of the vehicle.
[0004] While the compressor can be operated for filling small amount of air into the reservoir and suspensions during the running condition of the vehicle, the compressor cannot be used for filling a large amount of air, for example, at the manufacturing stage of the vehicle. This is because, filling the large amount of air into the reservoir and the suspensions from scratch would require operating the compressor for a long time. The operation of the compressor for prolonged periods may cause overheating and breakdown of the compressor. Therefore, the conventional methods use an external air filling machine for filling large amount of air.
[0005] That is, in the conventional methods, to inject the air into the suspensions and the reservoir, an external conventional filling machine is used. Alongside supplying the compressed air for filling, the conventional filling machine also controls the filling process. To control the filling process, the conventional air filling machine uses an image of internal architecture of the vehicle. As an example, the image of the internal architecture includes images of sensors, actuators, and ECUs of the vehicle and information like passcodes that are

used for accessing and controlling the ECUs. Since the conventional filling machine uses the image of the internal architecture for controlling the filling, the conventional filling machine must be updated with a modified image even for minor changes in the vehicle architecture. Consequently, the conventional filling methods, which use the conventional filling machines are inefficient and expensive.
[0006] The information disclosed in this background of the disclosure section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.
SUMMARY
[0007] Disclosed herein is a method for air suspension filling in a vehicle. The method comprises flashing, by a Vehicle Configuration and Testing (VCAT) unit, a Chassis Control Module (CHCM) of the vehicle with a predefined suspension filling logic. Further, the method comprises monitoring one or more control operations performed by the CHCM performed by the CHCM for filling an air suspension of the vehicle according to the predefined suspension filling logic.
[0008] Further, the present disclosure relates to a Chassis Control Module (CHCM) of a vehicle. The CHCM is configured to receive a predefined suspension filling logic usable to perform one or more control operations for filling air to a plurality of air suspensions and an air reservoir of the vehicle. Further, the CHCM is configured to execute the predefined suspension filling logic. In response to the execution, the CHCM controls the one or more control operations for filling air in the plurality of air suspensions and the air reservoir using an external air filling machine.
[0009] Further, the present disclosure relates to a system for air suspension filling in a vehicle. The system comprises a Vehicle Configuration and Testing (VCAT) unit. The VCAT is configured to flash a Chassis Control Module (CHCM) of the vehicle with a predefined suspension filling logic. Further, the VCAT unit is configured to monitor one or more control operations performed by the CHCM for filling an air suspension of the vehicle according to the predefined suspension filling logic.

[0010] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0011] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, explain the disclosed principles. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system and/or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example only, and regarding the accompanying figures, in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary architecture for air suspension filling in a vehicle, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 2 shows a detailed block diagram of the proposed system, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 3A shows a flowchart illustrating a method for air suspension filling in a vehicle, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0015] FIG. 3B shows a flowchart illustrating a method performed by a Chassis Control Module (CHCM) of a vehicle, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 4 shows a system level architecture of the proposed system, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0017] It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any block diagrams herein represent conceptual views of illustrative systems embodying the principles of the present subject matter. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flow charts, flow diagrams, state transition diagrams, pseudo code, and the like represent various processes which may be substantially represented in computer readable medium and executed by a computer or processor, whether such computer or processor is explicitly shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] In the present document, the word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.
[0019] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the specific forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.
[0020] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, device, or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or method.
[0021] In an embodiment, the present disclosure proposes a method, a Chassis Control Module (CHCM) and a system for air suspension filling in a vehicle. In an embodiment, a CHCM is leveraged for controlling the suspension filling at the manufacturing stage. Accordingly, usage of an external machine for controlling the filling is eliminated. Since an external machine is not required to control the suspension filling process, the process of loading an image of the vehicle architecture into the external machine is obviated. In lieu of the image, the knowledge of the vehicle architecture, which is available to the CHCM, is leveraged by the CHCM for controlling the filling process. Although an external air filling machine is used in accordance with the present subject matter, the external air filling machine provided herein does not need to have the image of the vehicle architecture. The external air filling machine only needs to supply air as per the commands provided by the CHCM. Therefore, a much simpler and a more cost-effective filling machine may be used, thereby making the filling process simpler, more efficient, and more economical.

[0022] The external air filling machine includes a controller. As an example, the controller may be a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), to receive commands from the CHCM and accordingly supply the air of necessary pressure from the external air filling machine. The CHCM is configured with the steps to be followed for filling the suspensions from the scratch. The filling is performed in a plurality of stages. For example, in a first stage, filling of the front suspensions is performed, and in the next stage, filling of the rear suspensions is performed. Depending on the suspension to be filled, the corresponding valves in the suspension system are turned on.
[0023] In an embodiment, the abovementioned process steps are loaded into the CHCM through a Vehicle Configuration and Testing (VCAT) unit, which is generally used for configuring and testing vehicle ECUs. The VCAT unit remains connected to the CHCM during the suspension filling process and communicates with the CHCM to monitor the filling process. Also, the VCAT unit aborts the filling process in case potential safety issues or malfunctions are detected during the filling process.
[0024] The CHCM communicates with the external air filling machine in the same manner it communicates with the compressor during the running condition of the vehicle. Accordingly, the controller of the external air filling machine is configured to understand the signals transmitted by the CHCM for controlling the external air filling machine. To this end, interfacing between the CHCM and the controller is performed. Further, the circuity used in the compressor for receiving signals from the CHCM is replicated in the controller of the external air filling machine. The PLC of the external air filling machine interprets the commands which are received from the CHCM.
[0025] Once the suspension filling is completed, the steps loaded into the CHCM are erased, as these steps are no longer useful during the operation of the vehicle.
[0026] From the above, it is clear that the present disclosure aims to efficiently fill a plurality of air suspensions and an air reservoir of the vehicle during manufacturing and/or maintenance of the vehicle using the CHCM. The proposed solution does not necessitate sharing the image of an internal architecture of the vehicle to external filling machines, thereby simplifying and enhancing the speed and convenience of the filling process.
[0027] In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way

of illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
[0028] Although, in the below description, air filling is explained with reference to a manufacturing phase of the vehicle, the embodiments of the present subject matter can be used for filling large volume of air to the suspensions and the reservoir of the vehicle in other phases as well. For example, the present subject matter can be used for filling air during a maintenance phase of the vehicle.
[0029] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary architecture for air suspension filling in a vehicle, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0030] In an embodiment, a Vehicle Configuration and Testing (VCAT) unit 101 and a Chassis Control Module (CHCM) 105 of the vehicle 103 may be configured to control air suspension filling in the vehicle 103 during manufacturing of the vehicle 103. As an example, the vehicle 103 may be a passenger vehicle 103 such as a car, a van, a bus and/or a commercial vehicle 103 such as pick-up trucks. In an embodiment, the CHCM 105 is the main controller of the air suspension system. During operation of the vehicle, the CHCM 105 monitors the height of each corner of the vehicle 103 using height sensors, which are mounted inboard of each wheel. The CHCM 105 uses a combination of information from system modules and data from accelerometers and the height sensors to measure the suspension states and driver inputs. Using this information, the CHCM 105 dynamically controls the suspensions for the current driving conditions.
[0031] In an embodiment, the CHCM 105 may contain the information related to an internal architecture of the vehicle 103. The information may include information related to number and type of ECUs in the vehicle, number and type of sensors, location of the sensors, type of sensors, passcodes for accessing the ECUs, threshold pressure level of the plurality of air suspensions and the air reservoirs, and the like.
[0032] In an embodiment, an external air filling machine 107 is used to supply pressurized air according to the instructions of the CHCM 105. The external air filling machine 107 is placed outside the vehicle 103. In an embodiment, the external air filling machine 107 may be

connected to the air reservoir of the vehicle 103 using a tube. The external air filling machine 107 may include, without limitation, a controller, a compressor, one or more valves, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor and the like. As an example, the controller may be a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC). In an embodiment, an electrical connection between the CHCM 105 and the PLC of the external air filling machine 107 is set up before initiating the filling process, to enable transfer of control commands from the CHCM 105 to the controller.
[0033] In an embodiment, upon connecting the VCAT unit 101 with the CHCM 105, the VCAT unit 101 may be configured to flash the CHCM 105 with a predefined suspension filling logic. Upon flashing the predefined suspension filling logic, the CHCM 105 may establish a connection with the external air filling machine 107. In an embodiment, the controller of the external air filling machine 107 is configured to process the commands transmitted by the CHCM 105. The circuitry used in the compressor for receiving signals from the CHCM 105 is replicated in the controller of the external air filling machine 107. This enables the CHCM to issue commands to the external air filling machine 107 in the same manner as it issues commands to the compressor during running of the vehicle. In other words, during the manufacturing of the vehicle, the PLC of the external air filling machine 107 interacts with the CHCM 105 and supplies air in the same manner as the CHCM 105 communicates with the compressor of the vehicle 103 during the running condition of the vehicle 103. Thus, the CHCM need not be reprogrammed to enable it to communicate with the external air filling machine. The PLC may be configured to receive instructions related to one or more control operations from the CHCM 105 and supply the air to a plurality of suspensions of the vehicle according to the one or more control operations.
[0034] In an embodiment, after establishing the connection with the external air filling machine 107, the CHCM 105 may be configured to perform the one or more control operations. The one or more control operations may comprise controlling filling the air in one or more front air suspensions up to a first predefined value, controlling filling the air in one or more rear air suspensions up to a second predefined value, and controlling filling the air in an air reservoir up to a third predefined value. As an example, the first predefined value may be 6.5 bar. As an example, the second predefined value may be 3.5 bar. As an example, the third predefined value may be 18 bar. In an embodiment, prior to filling the air, the CHCM 105 may open an exhaust valve associated with each of the plurality of air suspensions to empty the plurality of air suspensions. This ensures that the suspensions can be filled from zero levels

and the required predefined pressure levels can be achieved in each of the plurality of air suspensions.
[0035] In an embodiment, the CHCM 105 may instruct the external air filling machine 107 to supply air up to a first predefined value to the one or more front air suspensions. In an embodiment, the PLC of the external air filling machine 107 may receive the instruction from the CHCM 105 and operate the compressor of the external air filling machine 105 to pressurize the air according to the first predefined value. Upon pressurizing the air, the air is supplied using the tube. Subsequently, the CHCM 105 operates the corresponding valves of the one or more front air suspensions to enable the air to be pumped into the front air suspensions. In an embodiment, the above process is performed for filling all the air suspensions and the air reservoir of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the PLC of the external air filling machine 107 interprets the commands which are received from the vehicle compressor.
[0036] In an embodiment, the VCAT unit 101 may be a computing unit which is used to load programs in Electronic Control Units (ECUs) and to test the ECUs. Thus, the use of a dedicated component for loading program to the CHCM 105 is avoided. In an embodiment, the VCAT unit 101 may be connected to the CHCM 105 through an On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) port of the vehicle 103.
[0037] In an embodiment, the VCAT unit 101 may be configured to monitor the one or more control operations performed by the CHCM 105. In an embodiment, when the VCAT unit 101 detects a malfunction in at least one of the plurality of air suspensions and/or the air reservoir, the VCAT unit 101 may abort the one or more control operations. As an example, when the VCAT unit 101 detects a leakage in one of the air suspensions of the vehicle 103, the VCAT may issue a command to the CHCM 105 to abort the one or more control operations. Subsequently, the CHCM 105 may issue the command to the external air filling machine 107 to stop the air supply.
[0038] In an embodiment, upon filling the plurality of air suspensions and the air reservoir, the VCAT unit 101 may be configured to erase the the predefined suspension filling logic from the CHCM 105, as the predefined suspension logic may not be required during running condition of the vehicle.
[0039] FIG. 2 shows a detailed block diagram of a system 201, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0040] In an embodiment, the system 201 may include, a Vehicle Configuration and Testing (VCAT) unit 101 and a Chassis Control Module (CHCM) 105. The VCAT unit 101 and the CHCM 105 may be configured to perform one or more functions of the system 201 for air suspension filling in a vehicle 103, using data 207 and the one or more modules of the VCAT unit 101 and the CHCM 105. The data 207 may be stored in a memory (not shown in Fig. 2) of the VCAT unit 101.
[0041] In an embodiment, the data 207 stored in the VCAT unit 101 may include, without limitation, a predefined suspension filling logic 209, one or more control operations 211, a first predefined value 213, a second predefined value 215, a third predefined value 217 and other data 219. In some implementations, the data 207 may be stored within a memory in the form of various data structures. Additionally, the data 207 may be organized using data models, such as relational or hierarchical data models. The other data 219 may include various temporary data and files generated by the different components of the system 201.
[0042] In an embodiment, the predefined suspension filling logic 209 may comprise the steps to be performed by a Chassis Control Module (CHCM) 105 of the vehicle 103 for filling of the plurality of air suspensions and the air reservoir of the vehicle 103. In an embodiment, the VCAT unit 101 may be used to flash the CHCM 105 with the predefined suspension filling logic 209. The predefined suspension filling logic 209 may be erased from the CHCM 105 after completing the filling of the plurality of air suspensions and the air reservoir of the vehicle 103.
[0043] In an embodiment, the one or more control operations 211 may be the operations performed by the CHCM 105 according to the predefined suspension filling logic 209. The one or more control operations 211 may comprise filling the air in one or more front air suspensions of a plurality of air suspensions up to a first predefined value 213, filling the air in one or more rear air suspensions of the plurality of air suspensions up to a second predefined value 215 and filling the air in an air reservoir up to a third predefined value 217. The one or more control operations 211 may also include opening and/or closing of an exhaust valve associated with each of the plurality of air suspensions and the air reservoir prior to or after the filling.
[0044] In an embodiment, the first predefined value 213 is a measurement of the pressure of air to be filled in one or more front air suspensions of a plurality of air suspensions. As an example, the first predefined value 213 may be 6.5 bar.

[0045] In an embodiment, the second predefined value 215 is a measurement of the pressure of air to be filled in one or more rear air suspensions of a plurality of air suspensions. As an example, the second predefined value 215 may be 3.5 bar.
[0046] In an embodiment, the third predefined value 217 is a measurement of the of air to be filled in an air reservoir of the vehicle 103. As an example, the third predefined value 217 may be 18 bar.
[0047] In an embodiment, the data 207 may be processed by the one or more modules of the VCAT unit 101 and the CHCM 105 of the system 201. In some implementations, the one or more modules of the VCAT unit 101 and the CHCM 105 may be communicatively coupled to perform one or more functions of the system 201. In an implementation, the one or more modules of the VCAT unit 101 may include, without limiting to, a flashing module 221, a monitoring module 223 and other modules 225. In an embodiment, the other modules 225 may be used to perform various miscellaneous functionalities of the VCAT unit 101. In an implementation, the one or more modules of the CHCM 105 may include, without limiting to, a receiving module 227, an executing module 229 and other modules 231. In an embodiment, the other modules 231 may be used to perform various miscellaneous functionalities of the CHCM 105. It will be appreciated that such one or more modules may be represented as a single module or a combination of different modules.
[0048] In an embodiment, the flashing module 221 of the VCAT unit 101 may be configured for flashing the CHCM 105 of the vehicle 103 with the predefined suspension filling logic 209. In an embodiment, the CHCM 105 and the VCAT unit 101 may be connected using an On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) port of the vehicle 103. In an embodiment, the monitoring module 223 of the VCAT unit 101 may be configured for monitoring the one or more control operations 211 performed by the CHCM 105 for filling an air suspension of the vehicle 103. The monitoring module 223 of the VCAT unit 101 may be configured to detect a malfunction in at least one of a plurality of air suspensions and an air reservoir of the vehicle 103. Upon detecting the malfunction, the one or more control operations 211 may be aborted.
[0049] In an embodiment, the receiving module 227 of the CHCM 105 may be configured for receiving a predefined suspension filling logic 209 usable to perform one or more control operations 211 for filling air to a plurality of air suspensions and an air reservoir of the vehicle

103. In an embodiment, the executing module 229 of the CHCM 105 may be configured for executing the predefined suspension filling logic 209
[0050] FIG. 3A shows a flowchart illustrating a method for air suspension filling in a vehicle 103, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0051] As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the method 300 may include one or more blocks illustrating a method for air suspension filling in a vehicle 103. The method 300 may be described in the general context of computer executable instructions. Generally, computer executable instructions can include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, procedures, modules, and functions, which perform specific functions or implement specific abstract data types.
[0052] The order in which the method 300 is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any order to implement the method. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the methods without departing from the scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, the method can be implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof.
[0053] At block 301, the method 300 includes flashing, by a Vehicle Configuration and Testing (VCAT) unit 101, a Chassis Control Module (CHCM) 105 of the vehicle 103 with a predefined suspension filling logic 209. In an embodiment, the VCAT unit 101 and the CHCM 105 are connected using an On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) port of the vehicle 103.
[0054] At block 303, the method 300 includes monitoring, by the VCAT unit 101, one or more control operations 211 performed by the CHCM 105 for filling an air suspension of the vehicle according to the predefined suspension filling logic. In an embodiment, the one or more control operations 211 performed by the CHCM 105 are according to the predefined suspension filling logic 209. The one or more control operations 211 comprise filling the air in the one or more front air suspensions of a plurality of air suspensions up to a first predefined value 213, filling the air in one or more rear air suspensions of the plurality of air suspensions up to a second predefined value 215 and filling the air in an air reservoir up to a third predefined value 217. In an embodiment, the one or more control operations 211 further comprises opening an exhaust valve associated with each of the plurality of air suspensions and the air reservoir prior to the filling. In an embodiment, the VCAT unit 101 may be configured to detect a malfunction

in at least one of a plurality of air suspensions and an air reservoir of the vehicle 103 and instruct the CHCM 105 to abort the one or more control operations 211 upon detecting the malfunction. In an embodiment, the VCAT unit 101 may be configured to erase the predefined suspension filling logic 209 from the CHCM 105 upon filling the plurality of air suspensions and the air reservoir
[0055] FIG. 3B shows a flowchart illustrating steps performed by a Chassis Control Module (CHCM) 105 of a vehicle 103, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0056] As illustrated in FIG. 3B, the method 310 may include one or more blocks illustrating steps performed by a Chassis Control Module (CHCM) 105 of a vehicle 103. The method 310 may be described in the general context of computer executable instructions. Generally, computer executable instructions can include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, procedures, modules, and functions, which perform specific functions or implement specific abstract data types.
[0057] The order in which the method 310 is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any order to implement the method. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the methods without departing from the scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, the method can be implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof.
[0058] At block 311, the method 310 includes receiving, by a Chassis Control Module (CHCM) 105, a predefined suspension filling logic 209 usable to perform one or more control operations 211 for filling air to a plurality of air suspensions and an air reservoir of the vehicle 103.
[0059] At block 313, the method 300 includes executing, by the CHCM 105, the predefined suspension filling logic 209. In an embodiment, in response to the execution, the CHCM 105 controls the one or more control operations 211 for filling air in the plurality of air suspensions and the air reservoir using an external air filling machine 107. In an embodiment, the one or more control operations 211 comprise filling the air in one or more front air suspensions of a plurality of air suspensions up to a first predefined value 213, filling the air in one or more rear air suspensions of the plurality of air suspensions up to a second predefined value 215 and filling the air in an air reservoir up to a third predefined value 217. In an embodiment, the

CHCM 105 may be configured to open an exhaust valve associated with each of the plurality of suspensions and the air reservoir prior to the filling according to the one or more control operations 211.
[0060] FIG. 4 shows a system level architecture of the proposed system, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0061] In an embodiment, an existing Vehicle Configuration and Testing (VCAT) unit 101 may be configured for initiating and monitoring the air suspension filling 413 in a vehicle 103 through a Chassis Control Module (CHCM) 105 of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the vehicle 103 may comprise the CHCM 105, one or more front air suspensions 401, one or more rear air suspensions 403, an air reservoir 405, and a Body Control Module (BCM) 407. In an embodiment, an external air filling machine 107 may be connected to the air reservoir 405 of the vehicle using a tube. The external air filling machine 107 may include, without limitation, a controller, an exhaust valve 409, a compressor 411, one or more valves, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor and the like. In an embodiment, the compressor 411 may be configured to fill the pressurized air in the plurality of air suspensions and the air reservoir 405 based on the instructions received from the CHCM 105. The exhaust valve 409 may be used to hold/stop the filling 413 of the plurality of air suspensions and the air reservoir 405 when a malfunction is detected during the filling of at least one of a plurality of air suspensions and an air reservoir of the vehicle and/or when the filling 413 is completed.
[0062] In an embodiment, the VCAT unit 101 and the CHCM 105 may be connected using an On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) port of the vehicle 103. Upon connecting the VCAT unit 101 and the CHCM 105, the VCAT may alert the BCM 407 prior to the filling 413. Upon receiving permission from the BCM 407 to proceed with the filling, the CHCM 105 may open the exhaust 409 valve associated with each of the plurality of air suspensions and the air reservoir 405 prior to the filling 413. The compressor 411 may check for leakages in the plurality of air suspensions and the air reservoir 405. Upon confirming that there is no leakage, the external air filling 413 may start filling the one or more front air suspensions 401 up to a first predefined value 213 based on the instruction received from the CHCM 105. After filling 413 the one or more front air suspensions 401, the exhaust 409 may issue a stop signal 415 to the external air filling machine 107. Further, the external air filling 413 may fill the one or more rear air suspensions 403 up to a second predefined value 215 based on the instruction received from the CHCM 105. After filling 413 the one or more rear air suspensions 403, the exhaust 409 may issue a

stop signal 415 to the external air filling machine 107. Thereafter, the external air filling 413 may fill the air reservoir 405 up to a third predefined value 217 based on the instruction received from the CHCM 105. After filling 413 the air reservoir 405, the CHCM 105 may issue a stop signal 415 to the external air filling machine 107.
[0063] In an embodiment, the CHCM 105 may be configured to monitor the filling 413 of the plurality of air suspensions and the air reservoir 405. In an embodiment, the VCAT unit 101 may be configured to detect a malfunction in at least one of a plurality of air suspensions and an air reservoir of the vehicle and instruct the CHCM 105 to abort the one or more control operations 211 upon detecting the malfunction.
Advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated herein.
[0064] In an embodiment, the present disclosure uses vehicle architecture information that is already available with the Chassis Control Module (CHCM) to fill the air suspensions and reservoir of the vehicle. Consequently, the present disclosure eliminates the need for loading the vehicle architecture information into a conventional air filling machine for the filling of air suspension. Since the need for sharing the internal vehicle architecture with the conventional air filling machine is eliminated, critical vehicle information is prevented from being shared with the conventional air filling machines. Moreover, the present disclosure simplifies the overall suspension filling, as any changes in the internal architecture of the vehicle is readily available known to the CHCM and the same can be seamlessly integrated into the suspension filling logic. Finally, the suspension filling process of the present disclosure is also cost effective since it saves additional costs incurred in procuring and configuring expensive conventional air filling machines for suspension filling.
[0065] In an embodiment, the present disclosure does not require image of the vehicle architecture as the present disclosure uses the information stored in the CHCM to perform the filling operation. This helps in restricting the sharing of critical information of the vehicle architecture with an external machine to perform air filling process.
[0066] In light of the technical advancements provided by the disclosed method, Chassis Control Module (CHCM) and the system, the claimed steps, as discussed above, are not routine, conventional, or well-known aspects in the art, as the claimed steps provide the aforesaid solutions to the technical problems existing in the conventional technologies. Further,

the claimed steps clearly bring an improvement in the functioning of the system itself, as the claimed steps provide a technical solution to a technical problem.
[0067] The terms "an embodiment", "embodiment", "embodiments", "the embodiment", "the embodiments", "one or more embodiments", "some embodiments", and "one embodiment" mean "one or more (but not all) embodiments of the invention(s)" unless expressly specified otherwise.
[0068] The terms "including", "comprising", “having” and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to", unless expressly specified otherwise.
[0069] The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms "a", "an" and "the" mean "one or more", unless expressly specified otherwise.
[0070] A description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary, a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the invention.
[0071] When a single device or article is described herein, it will be clear that more than one device/article (whether they cooperate) may be used in place of a single device/article. Similarly, where more than one device/article is described herein (whether they cooperate), it will be clear that a single device/article may be used in place of the more than one device/article or a different number of devices/articles may be used instead of the shown number of devices or programs. The functionality and/or features of a device may be alternatively embodied by one or more other devices which are not explicitly described as having such functionality/features. Thus, other embodiments of invention need not include the device itself.
[0072] Finally, the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on an application based here on. Accordingly, the embodiments of the present invention are intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following claims.

[0073] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Referral Numerals:

Reference Number Description
101 Vehicle Configuration and Testing (VCAT) unit
103 Vehicle
105 Chassis Control Module (CHCM)
107 External air filling machine
201 System
207 Data
209 Predefined suspension filling logic
211 Control operations
213 First predefined value
215 Second predefined value
217 Third predefined value
219 Other data
221 Flashing module
223 Monitoring module
225 Other modules
227 Receiving module
229 Executing module
231 Other modules
400 Vehicle level system architecture
401 Front air suspensions
403 Rear air suspensions
405 Air reservoir
407 Body Control Module (BCM)
409 Exhaust
411 Compressor
417 Controller

WE CLAIM:
1. A method for air suspension filling in a vehicle, the method comprising:
flashing, by a Vehicle Configuration and Testing (VCAT) unit, a Chassis Control Module (CHCM) of the vehicle with a predefined suspension filling logic; and
monitoring, by the VCAT unit, one or more control operations performed by the CHCM for filling an air suspension of the vehicle according to the predefined suspension filling logic.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, comprising controlling, by the CHCM, filling of the plurality of air suspensions and the air reservoir according to the predefined suspension filling logic.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more control operations comprise:
filling the air in one or more front air suspensions of the vehicle up to a first predefined value;
filling the air in one or more rear air suspensions of the vehicle up to a second predefined value; and
filling the air in an air reservoir of the vehicle up to a third predefined value.
4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the one or more control operations further comprises opening an exhaust valve associated with each of the plurality of air suspensions and the air reservoir prior to the filling.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein monitoring comprises:
detecting a malfunction during the filling of at least one of a plurality of air suspensions and an air reservoir of the vehicle; and
instructing the CHCM to abort the one or more control operations upon detecting the malfunction.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1, comprises erasing the predefined suspension filling
logic from the CHCM upon filling the plurality of air suspensions and the air reservoir.

7. A Chassis Control Module (CHCM) of a vehicle configured to:
receive a predefined suspension filling logic usable to perform one or more control operations for filling air to a plurality of air suspensions and an air reservoir of the vehicle; and
execute the predefined suspension filling logic, wherein, in response to the execution, the CHCM controls the one or more control operations performed by an external air filling machine for filling air in the plurality of air suspensions and the air reservoir.
8. The CHCM as claimed in claim 7, wherein the one or more control operations
comprise:
filling the air in one or more front suspensions of the plurality of air suspensions up to a first predefined value;
filling the air in one or more rear suspensions of the plurality of air suspensions up to a second predefined value; and
filling the air in the air reservoir up to a third predefined value.
9. The CHCM as claimed in claim 8 is configured to open an exhaust valve associated
with each of the plurality of suspensions and the air reservoir prior to the filling
according to the one or more control operations.
10. A system for air suspension filling in a vehicle, the system comprising:
a Vehicle Configuration and Testing (VCAT) unit configured to:
flash a Chassis Control Module (CHCM) of the vehicle with a
predefined suspension filling logic; and
monitor one or more control operations performed by the CHCM for
filling an air suspension of the vehicle according to the predefined suspension
filling logic.
11. The system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the one or more control operations
comprise:
filling the air in one or more front suspensions of a plurality of air suspensions up to a first predefined value;

filling the air in one or more rear suspensions of the plurality of air suspensions up to a second predefined value; and
filling the air in an air reservoir up to a third predefined value.
12. The system as claimed in claim 11 is configured to open an exhaust valve associated with each of the plurality of air suspensions and the air reservoir prior to the filling according to the one or more control operations.
13. The system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the VCAT unit is further configured to:
detect a malfunction in at least one of a plurality of air suspensions and an air reservoir of the vehicle; and
instruct the CHCM to abort the one or more control operations upon detecting the malfunction.
14. The system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the VCAT unit is further configured to erase the predefined suspension filling logic from the CHCM upon filling the plurality of air suspensions and the air reservoir.
15. The system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the VCAT unit and the CHCM are connected using an On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) port of the vehicle.
16. The system as claimed in claim 10, comprising the CHCM.