KR101234319B1 - Air suspension system - Google Patents

Abstract

An invention for an air suspension system is disclosed. The disclosed invention comprises: a first flow passage disposed between an air tank and a dryer, a second flow passage disposed in communication with the first flow passage, a third flow passage disposed in communication with the second flow passage, and a second flow passage disposed in communication with the third flow passage A fourth flow passage disposed between the valve means, the second valve means and the valve block portion, a fifth flow passage disposed between the second flow passage and the valve block portion, a sixth flow passage disposed in communication with the dryer, and in communication with the sixth flow passage And a fourth valve means disposed, a seventh flow path disposed between the fourth valve means and the second valve means, and an eighth flow path disposed between the fourth valve means and the second flow path.

Unlike the conventional invention, the air suspension system according to the present invention can reverse the flow direction of air only by driving the valve means and the compressor, so that the same flow path can be used, and the control of the various valves is not complicated, thereby shortening the system development period. Can be. In addition, the present invention can reduce the number of valves of the compression unit can compact the compression unit.

Air suspension, air spring, compressor, automobile

Description

Air suspension system {AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM}

1 is a circuit diagram illustrating an air suspension system according to the prior art.

2 is a circuit diagram illustrating an air suspension system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a circuit diagram illustrating an air suspension system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram illustrating an operation of the air suspension system shown in FIG. 2 when supplying air to the air spring part through an air tank from the outside.

5 is a circuit diagram illustrating an operation of the air suspension system shown in FIG. 2 when air is introduced into the air tank from the air spring part.

6 is a circuit diagram illustrating an operation of the air suspension system shown in FIG. 2 when air is introduced into the air tank through the filter unit from the outside.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram illustrating an operation of the air suspension system shown in FIG. 2 when air is discharged from the air tank to the outside through the filter unit.

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram illustrating an operation of the air suspension system shown in FIG. 3 when supplying air to the air spring part through an air tank from the outside.

FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram illustrating an operation of the air suspension system shown in FIG. 3 when air is introduced into the air tank from the air spring part.

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram illustrating an operation of the air suspension system shown in FIG. 3 when air is introduced into the air tank through the filter unit from the outside.

11 is a circuit diagram illustrating an operation of the air suspension system shown in FIG. 3 when air is discharged from the air tank to the outside through the filter unit.

Description of the Related Art [0002]

30: air suspension system 32: check valve

35 air tank 40 compression unit

42: regeneration means 43: flow control means

44 dryer 46 first valve means

48 compressor 50 second valve means

52: fourth valve means 58: third valve means

60: valve block portion 65: pressure sensor

66: fifth valve means 67: filter portion

70: air spring

C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6: first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth euro

C7, C8, C9: 7th, 8th, 9th Euro

The present invention relates to an air suspension system, and more particularly, to an air suspension system that can easily diagnose a failure and compact the system.

1 is a circuit diagram illustrating an air suspension system according to the prior art.

Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional air suspension system includes an air tank 2, a compression unit 3 in communication with the air tank 2, and a valve block unit 5 in communication with the compression unit 3. And an air spring 6 disposed in communication with the valve block portion 5. The conventional air suspension system supplies the air compressed by the compressor 4 to the air spring 6, or, conversely, discharges the air of the air spring 6 and supplies it to the air tank 2. At this time, the air spring opening and closing means 10 of the valve block portion 5 selectively interrupts the flow path.

In addition, a dryer 12 for drying air is installed in a flow path through which the outside air flows in and out, and an air tank 2 or an air spring 6 is provided in a flow path through which air is circulated between the air tank 2 and the air spring 6. Pressure sensor 14 for detecting the pressure of the installed.

The conventional air suspension system having the above configuration uses six ON / OFF valves, two two-position three-port valves 9, and three check valves to flow air, so that a large number of air suspension systems A valve must be used and the compression section 3 cannot be compactly constructed. In addition, since the number of check valves is large, it is difficult to diagnose a failure when a failure occurs. Therefore, there is a need for improvement.

The present invention has been made by the necessity as described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an air suspension system that can easily diagnose failure and improve convenience of maintenance. In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide an air suspension system that can reduce the cost. It is also an object of the present invention to provide an air suspension system that can compact the system.

An air suspension system according to the present invention comprises: an air suspension system including an air tank, an air spring receiving air from the air tank or discharging air to the air tank, and a valve block portion intermittent with the air supplied to the air spring. A first passage disposed between the air tank and the dryer; A second flow path having a first valve means disposed therein and in communication with the first flow path; A third passage in which a compressor is disposed and disposed in communication with the second passage; Second valve means disposed in communication with the third flow path; A fourth passage having one side communicating with the second valve means and the other side communicating with the valve block portion; A third passage having a third valve means, one side communicating with the second passage and the other passage communicating with the valve block portion; A sixth channel disposed in communication with the dryer; Fourth valve means disposed in communication with the sixth flow path; A seventh channel having one side communicating with the fourth valve means and the other side communicating with the second valve means; And an eighth channel having one side communicating with the fourth valve means and the other side communicating with the second channel.

The second valve means includes a three-port two-position solenoid valve, and the third flow path and the fourth flow path are connected at the first position, and the third flow path and the seventh flow path are connected at the second position. Characterized in that.

The fourth valve means has a three-port two-position solenoid valve, and the sixth flow path and the seventh flow path are connected at the first position, and the sixth flow path and the eighth flow path are connected at the second position. Characterized in that.

Preferably, regeneration means is arranged in the first flow path. In addition, it is more preferable that a flow control means for flowing air from the dryer toward the air tank is arranged in parallel with the regeneration means in the first flow path. Here, the flow control means is a check valve, the regeneration means is characterized in that the orifice.

In addition, it is preferable that an outside air passage is further disposed in the valve block portion so as to communicate with the fourth flow passage, and in the outside air passage, a fifth valve means for controlling the flow of air flowing through the outside air passage is disposed. In addition, it is preferable that the air suspension system further includes a filter unit disposed to communicate with the outside of one side and communicate with the outside air passage so as to filter the incoming air.

In addition, it is preferable that a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of the air spring is further disposed in the valve block portion.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described an embodiment of an air suspension system according to the present invention. In this process, the thicknesses of the lines and the sizes of the components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience of explanation. In addition, the terms described below are defined in consideration of the functions of the present invention, which may vary depending on the intention or custom of the user, the operator. Therefore, definitions of these terms should be made based on the contents throughout this specification.

2 is a circuit diagram showing an air suspension system according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is a circuit diagram showing an air suspension system according to another embodiment of the present invention. For convenience of description, components having the same or similar components and operations in each embodiment are referred to by the same reference numerals.

2, the air suspension system 30 includes an air tank 35, a compression unit 40 in communication with the air tank 35, and a valve block unit 60 in communication with the compression unit 40. And an air spring portion 70 in communication with the valve block portion. In addition, the air suspension system 30 is further provided with a filter portion 67 for filtering the air flowing in one side is in communication with the valve block portion 60 and the other side is in communication with the outside air.

The air tank 35 stores air introduced from the outside or compressed air. The check valve 32 is disposed in a flow passage communicating with the outside so that air introduced from the outside or air stored in the air tank 35 does not flow out.

The compression unit 40 includes a first passage C1 disposed between the air tank 35 and the dryer 44, and a first valve means 46 disposed therein and in communication with the first passage C1. The second flow path C2, the compressor 48, and the third flow path C3 disposed in communication with the second flow path C2, and the second valve means 50 disposed in communication with the third flow path C3. ) And one side has a fourth flow path C4 disposed in communication with the second valve means 50 and the other side in communication with the valve block part 60. In addition, the compression unit 40 has a third valve means 58 is disposed and one side is in communication with the second channel (C2) and the other side is in communication with the valve block unit 60, the fifth channel (C5), The sixth flow path C6 disposed in communication with the dryer 44, the fourth valve means 52 disposed in communication with the sixth flow path C6, and one side of the sixth flow path C6 communicates with the fourth valve means 52. The seventh flow path C7 disposed in communication with the second valve means 50, and the eighth flow path communicated with the fourth valve means 52, and the other side communicates with the second flow path C2. C8). The dryer 44 removes moisture in the air flowing from the air tank 35. Therefore, the air supplied from the air tank 35 through the first flow path C1 passes through the dryer 44 and is dried below a predetermined degree of drying.

Preferably, the regeneration means 42 is further disposed in the first passage C1 to remove moisture of the dryer 44, that is, to regenerate the dryer 44. The regenerating means 42 is preferably an orifice. When air flows from the air tank 35 toward the dryer 44, the air passes through the regeneration means 42 and enters the dryer 44. According to the Bernoulli principle, air is compressed while passing through regeneration means 42 such as an orifice. When air is compressed, the temperature is increased to become high temperature. At this time, the hot air is discharged through the dryer 44 to regenerate the dryer 44. As another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a flow control means 43 may be further disposed in the first passage C1 to allow air to flow in one direction in parallel with the regeneration means 42. The flow control means 43 allows air to flow only from the dryer 44 toward the air tank 35. The flow control means 43 is preferably a check valve for flowing the fluid in one direction and not flowing in the reverse direction.

In the second passage C2, a first valve means 46 for selectively opening and closing the flow of air flowing through the second passage C2 is disposed. The first valve means 46 has a two-port two-position solenoid valve, which opens the second flow path C2 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 at the first position W1 and the second position W2. The second channel C2 is closed. The intermittent operation of the first valve means 46 is controlled by a controller (not shown). The operation of the first valve means 46 will be described in detail when explaining the operation of the air suspension system 30 described later.

The third flow path C3 communicates with the second flow path C2, and a compressor 48 for supplying compressed air to the valve block 60 or the air tank 35 is provided in the third flow path C3. It is provided.

Next to the compressor 48 is provided a second valve means 50 which is arranged in communication with the third flow path C3. The second valve means 50 has a three port two position solenoid valve. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the second valve means 50 allows the third passage C3 and the fourth passage C4 to be connected at the first position W1, and at the second position W2. The third channel C3 and the seventh channel C7 are connected to each other.

The fourth flow path C4 communicates with the second valve means 50 so that the compressed air from the compressor 48 is supplied to the valve block 60 to be described later, and the valve block part 60 to be described later. It is arranged in communication with.

As described above, the fifth flow path C5 is disposed to communicate with the second flow path C2 and the other side communicate with the valve block 60, and the fifth flow path C5 includes the fifth flow path C5. Third valve means 58 for selectively opening and closing the flow of the flowing air is arranged. The third valve means 58 has a two-port two-position solenoid valve, and closes the fifth flow path C5 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 at the first position W1 and the second position W2. Closes the fifth flow path C5. The intermittent operation of the third valve means 58 is controlled by a controller (not shown). Here, the fifth passage C5 and the third passage C3 are preferably arranged to branch from the second passage C2 as shown.

The sixth flow path C6 is disposed such that one side thereof is in communication with the other side of the dryer 44 connected to the first flow path C1, and the other side thereof is disposed in communication with the fourth valve means 52.

The fourth valve means 52 is preferably disposed in communication with each of the sixth channel C6, the seventh channel C7, and the eighth channel C8. That is, it is preferable that the 4th valve means 52 is a 3-port valve means. In one embodiment, the fourth valve means 52 is provided with a three-port two-position solenoid valve, and the sixth flow path (C6) and the seventh flow path (C7) is connected to the first position (W1) as shown At the second position W2, the sixth channel C6 and the eighth channel C8 are connected.

The seventh flow path C7 is disposed between the second valve means 50 and the fourth valve means 52, and interlocked with the operation of the second valve means 50 and the fourth valve means 52, and the third flow path C7. It is interrupted with (C3) or the sixth flow path (C6).

The eighth flow path C8 is disposed between the fourth valve means 52 and the second flow path C2 and intermittently interlocked with the sixth flow path C6 in association with the operation of the fourth valve means 52.

The valve block part 60 is disposed in communication with the fourth flow path C4 and the fifth flow path C5, and includes a pressure sensor 65 measuring the pressure of the air spring part 70, and the air spring part 70. It is provided with air spring opening and closing means (61, 62, 63, 64) disposed on the flow path for supplying compressed air to the air or the air is discharged from the air spring (70). The pressure sensor 65 transmits a signal to a controller (not shown) when the pressure of the air spring unit 70 is lowered or raised below a set value, and the controller controls the operation of the air suspension system 30 according to the signal. do. Air spring opening and closing means (61, 62, 63, 64) is disposed on the flow path for supplying compressed air to the air spring portion 70 to control the flow path. Air spring opening and closing means (61, 62, 63, 64) is a two-port two-position solenoid valve type, which closes the inflow and outflow of air into the air spring portion 70 at the first position (W1), and the second position. As shown at (W2) it is possible to flow in and out of the air to the air spring portion 70.

On the other hand, it is preferable that the external air flow path C9 is further disposed in the valve block portion 60 so as to communicate with the fourth flow path C4. The other side of the outside air passage (C9) disposed in communication with the fourth passage (C4) is connected to the filter unit 67 for filtering the incoming air. The filter unit 67 is disposed in communication with the outside, and inflows air from the outside or discharges the air to the outside. Preferably, the outside air passage C9 is further provided with a fifth valve means 66 to control the flow of air flowing through the outside air passage C9. The fifth valve means 66 is a two-port two-position solenoid valve type, which closes the inflow and outflow of air to the outside at the first position W1 as shown, and the air to the outside at the second position W2. Enable flow in and out.

The air spring unit 70 is disposed in communication with the valve block unit 60 and includes air springs 71, 72, 73, 74 positioned between the vehicle body and the wheel to perform vibration damping.

Depending on the driving environment of the vehicle, the air suspension system maintains the leveling of the vehicle by supplying air to or extracting air from the air spring during the initial or driving period. Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described the operation of the air suspension system related to the air supply and air discharge as described above.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram illustrating an operation of the air suspension system shown in FIG. 2 when supplying air to the air spring part through an air tank from the outside, and FIG. 5 is shown in FIG. 2 when air is introduced into the air tank from the air spring part. Is a circuit diagram showing the operation of a conventional air suspension system. 6 is a circuit diagram illustrating an operation of the air suspension system shown in FIG. 2 when air is introduced into the air tank through the filter unit from the outside, and FIG. 7 is a case where air is discharged from the air tank to the outside through the filter unit. 2 is a circuit diagram showing the operation of the air suspension system shown in FIG.

When the air is initially supplied to the air spring unit 70 or when the garage is lifted, air may be supplied from the outside to the air spring unit 70 as shown in FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 4, when air is supplied to the air spring unit 70, the first, second and fourth valve means 46, 50 and 52 are positioned at the first position W1 and the third valve. The means 58 are located in the second position W2. In addition, the fifth valve means 66 is provided at the first position W1 so that the air flowing through the fourth flow path C4 is supplied to the air spring portion 70 without being discharged to the outside through the filter portion 67. Air spring opening and closing means (61, 62, 63, 64) are located in the second position (W2). Therefore, the air flowing in from the outside is the check valve 32, the air tank 35, the first passage (C1), the second passage (C2), the third passage (C3), the fourth passage ( C4), the valve block portion 60 is supplied to the air spring portion 70. At this time, the air flowing from the outside is compressed to a predetermined pressure by the compressor 48 and then supplied to the air spring unit 70. The series of operations of each component as described above is controlled by a controller (not shown).

On the other hand, when the air is discharged from the air spring unit 70, the vehicle body is lowered (lowering). When air flows into the air tank 35 from the air spring unit 70, as shown in FIG. 5, the air spring opening and closing means so that air is supplied to the air tank 35 through the compressor 48 ( 61, 62, 63, 64, the second valve means 50 and the first valve means 46 are located in the second position W2, and the fifth valve means C5, the third valve means. (C3), the third valve means 52 is located at the first position W1. Since the air in the air spring portion 70 cannot be moved outside because the fifth valve means 66 is located in the first position W1, the second valve means 50 is located in the first position W1. It cannot be moved toward the third flow path C3. In addition, since the second flow path C2 is blocked by the first valve means 46, the air in the air spring part 70 may not move to the second flow path C2, and the fourth valve means 52 does not move the air. Since the connection between the eighth channel C8 and the sixth channel C6 is blocked, the eighth channel C8 cannot be moved to the eighth channel C8. Therefore, the air in the air spring portion 70 is the valve block portion 60, the fifth flow path (C5), the third flow path (C3), the second valve means 50, the seventh flow path (C7) as shown by the arrow ), The fourth valve means 52, the sixth flow path C6, the dryer 44, and the regeneration means 42 are stored in the air tank 35. At this time, the air discharged from the air spring unit 70 is compressed to a predetermined pressure by the compressor 48 and then dried by the dryer 44 and supplied to the air tank 35.

In addition, when the air is stored in the air tank 35, outside air may be introduced through the filter unit 67 (filling). At this time, as shown in Figure 6, the fifth valve means 66 is located in the second position (W2) so that the outside air flows through the filter portion 67, the air is supplied to the air spring portion 70 Air spring opening and closing means (61, 62, 63, 64) are located in the first position (W1). Further, the third valve means 58 is located in the first position W1, the second valve means 50 and the first valve means 46 are located in the second position W2, and the fourth valve means. 52 is located at the first position W1. Therefore, after the air flows through the filter unit 67, the outside air passage C9, the valve block unit 60, the fifth passage C5, the third passage C3, the second valve means 50, and the seventh It is stored in the air tank 35 via the flow path C7, the 4th valve means 52, the 6th flow path C6, the dryer 44, and the regeneration means 42. As shown in FIG. At this time, the air introduced from the outside is compressed to a predetermined pressure by the compressor 48 and then dried by the dryer 44 and supplied to the air tank 35.

In addition, the air stored in the air tank 35 may be discharged to the outside through the filter unit 67 as opposed to the case where the outside air is introduced through the filter unit 67 to store the air in the air tank 35. (blow-off). At this time, as shown in FIG. 7, the fifth valve means 66 is positioned at the second position W2 so that air is discharged to the outside through the filter portion 67 and is supplied to the air spring portion 70. Air spring opening and closing means (61, 62, 63, 64) are located in the first position (W1). Further, the third valve means 58 is located in the first position W1, the second valve means 50 and the first valve means 46 are located in the second position W2, and the fourth valve means. 52 is located at the first position W1. Therefore, the air is discharged to the outside through a path opposite to the path shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram illustrating an operation of the air suspension system shown in FIG. 3 when supplying air to the air spring part through an air tank from the outside, and FIG. 9 is shown in FIG. 3 when air is introduced into the air tank from the air spring part. Is a circuit diagram showing the operation of a conventional air suspension system. 10 is a circuit diagram illustrating an operation of the air suspension system shown in FIG. 3 when air is introduced into the air tank through the filter unit from the outside, and FIG. 11 is a case where air is discharged from the air tank to the outside through the filter unit. 3 is a circuit diagram showing the operation of the air suspension system shown in FIG.

The operation of the air suspension system shown in FIGS. 8 to 11 is similar to the operation shown in FIGS. 4 to 7. However, when air is moved from the air tank 35 to the dryer 44, the air cannot move through the flow control means 43, and thus, moves through the regeneration means 42. When the air is moved to 35, it is moved through the flow control means 43. Therefore, detailed description of the operation of the air suspension system shown in FIGS. 8 to 11 will be omitted.

According to the configuration as described above, the air suspension system according to the present embodiment can be diagnosed in the event of a valve failure by using a two-port two-position solenoid valve, it is possible to configure the system using a solenoid valve without a separate check valve. . In addition, the air suspension system of the present embodiment can reverse the flow direction of the air only by driving the valve means and the compressor without further arranging a separate flow path, and various valve means can be controlled without any complexity. In addition, the air suspension system of the present embodiment can reduce the number of valves of the compression unit.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. I will understand. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention will be defined by the claims below.

As described above, the air suspension system according to the present invention, unlike the conventional invention by using a two-port two-position solenoid valve can be easily diagnosed in the case of valve failure and improve the maintainability. In addition, the present invention can reduce the cost by configuring the system using a low-cost two-port two-position solenoid valve and a three-port two-position solenoid valve. In addition, the present invention can reverse the flow direction of the air only by driving the valve means, that is, the solenoid valve and the compressor, so that the same flow path can be used, and the control of the various valves is not complicated, and the system development period can be shortened. In addition, the present invention can reduce the number of valves of the compression unit can compact the compression unit.

Claims (9)

An air suspension system having an air tank, an air spring for receiving air from or discharging air to the air tank, and a valve block portion for intermittent air supplied to the air spring. A first flow passage disposed between the air tank and the dryer; A second flow path having a first valve means disposed therein and in communication with the first flow path; A third passage in which a compressor is disposed and disposed in communication with the second passage; Second valve means disposed in communication with the third flow path; A fourth passage having one side communicating with the second valve means and the other side communicating with the valve block portion; A third passage having a third valve means, one side communicating with the second passage and the other passage communicating with the valve block portion; A sixth channel disposed in communication with the dryer; Fourth valve means disposed in communication with the sixth flow path; A seventh channel having one side communicating with the fourth valve means and the other side communicating with the second valve means; And Air suspension system, characterized in that the one side is in communication with the fourth valve means and the other side is arranged in communication with the second flow path. The method of claim 1, The second valve means includes a three-port two-position solenoid valve, and the third flow path and the fourth flow path are connected at the first position, and the third flow path and the seventh flow path are connected at the second position. Air suspension system, characterized in that. The method of claim 1, The fourth valve means has a three-port two-position solenoid valve, and the sixth flow path and the seventh flow path are connected at the first position, and the sixth flow path and the eighth flow path are connected at the second position. Air suspension system, characterized in that. The method of claim 1, Air suspension system, characterized in that the regeneration means is disposed in the first passage. 5. The method of claim 4, And the flow control means for flowing air from the dryer toward the air tank is arranged in parallel with the regeneration means in the first flow path. The method of claim 5, Said flow control means being a check valve and said regenerating means being an orifice. The method of claim 1, The valve block portion is an air suspension system is further disposed in communication with the fourth passage, the air suspension system is characterized in that the fifth valve means for regulating the flow of air flowing through the outside air passage is arranged. The method of claim 7, wherein Air filter system characterized in that the filter portion is further arranged to communicate with the outside and the other side is in communication with the outside air flow path to filter the incoming air. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, Air valve system, characterized in that the valve block portion is further disposed a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of the air spring.

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