DE102007008159A1 - Air suspension device with electrically operated shut-off valve - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an air suspension device (1) for raising and lowering the vehicle body of air-suspension vehicles with level control, with at least one level control valve (16) in communication with a compressed air reservoir (3), at least one air suspension bellows (2) associated with a vehicle axle and with a control valve device ( 7, 10) for manual level adjustment of the vehicle body, bypassing the level control valve (16), which at least one in a line connection (6) of the level control valve (16) with the bellows (2) built-in check valve (21) with at least two switch positions and at least one manually actuated control valve (48, 50) for ventilating the air spring bellows (2) includes.

Description

State of the art

The The invention is based on an air suspension device for lifting and lowering the vehicle body of air suspension vehicles with Level control, with at least one with a compressed air supply in Connected level control valve, at least one vehicle axle associated Luftfederbälgen, as well as with a control valve device for manual level adjustment of the vehicle body bypassing the level control valve, which at least one in a line connection the level control valve with the air bellows built-in Block valve with at least two switch positions and at least a manually operated control valve for ventilation the bellows, according to the Preamble of claim 1.

at Air suspension devices with air bellows is additional to the level control valve, which is the level of a trailer platform or a trailer frame in a known manner to a constant value, a manually operable level control valve unit provided by means of an operator manually and under Bypassing the level control valve a desired level position of the Trailer platform or the vehicle body set can be. For this purpose, the level control valve unit is manually in the Positions "Lifting", "Lowering" or "Stop" posed. For this purpose, the level control valve unit has manual actuation means on, which z. B. one for a loading of the vehicle a loading ramp desired level position can be adjusted. Furthermore, a position "drive" must be present, in which the level control valve is effective again.

In the DE 42 02 729 C2 is a generic air suspension device described with a level control valve.

According to one first embodiment is a manually operable, provided mechanical switching valve, in which the check valve, a vent valve and a vent valve are summarized. This generates an electronic control unit a control signal depending on the driving condition of the vehicle and initiates this via an electrical line on Solenoid valve, which then passes into the passage position, allowing compressed air from a supply of compressed air into a control chamber the switching valve passes and a control piston of a switching shaft which shifts them in such a way that they are in the "drive" position of the switching valve adjusts. Consequently, an electrical control signal converted into a pneumatic control signal to this in turn to convert into a mechanical signal, which is relatively expensive and is expensive and has a relatively low dynamics.

According to one further, described in the cited document embodiment the switching valve is only electrically operated which, although benefits in terms of dynamics brings with it, but disadvantages in terms of availability. Because in the case of an uncoupled from the towing vehicle trailer then this must either have its own electrical Energy source or connected to the mains otherwise the electric switching valve will not work.

Of the The invention is based on the object, a Air suspension device of the type mentioned in such a way to further form that avoids the disadvantages described above become.

According to the invention this object is achieved by the features of claim 1.

Advantages of the invention

The Invention is based on the idea of the check valve in his Air bellows with the level control valve connecting passage position through an electric actuator and locking in this connection Lock position in which the bellows bypassing the level control valve by the at least one manually operated control valve be vented, by one of at least one Pilot valve controlled control pressure to operate.

A Such a solution is cost-effective, since a pneumatic control of the check valve by in the Vehicle already existing pneumatics as a working medium no requires special effort. On the other hand offers in particular the Electric actuator high dynamics at the same time low Costs.

One Another decisive advantage lies in the fact that in the case of Towing vehicle uncoupled trailer vehicle, in which usually there is no own electrical power supply, the check valve on its own compressed air supply and the Pilot valve can be controlled pneumatically to the positions "lifting", "lowering" or to set "Stop" without external electrical Energy, in particular from the towing vehicle is necessary. The purpose corresponding switching position of the check valve is the blocking position, in which the level control valve from the bellows disconnected.

When coupling the trailer zeugs to a towing vehicle is usually the electrical energy from the towing vehicle and an electrical control signal dependent on the driving state again available, whereby the check valve is switched by means of the electric actuator back into the through position, which corresponds to the operating state "ride".

consequently Therefore, the electrically operated switching position is the passage position the check valve, in which the level control valve with the bellows is connected to the state "ride" and to set a manual level setting while driving prevention. In contrast, the other switching position the pneumatically induced blocking position of the check valve, in which the air spring bellows, bypassing the level control valve by the at least one manually operated control valve be vented to the states "lifting", To bring down "or" stop ".

With the measures according to the invention are omitted Therefore, the necessary in the prior art supply a trailer with electrical energy, as the pressure medium in storage tanks kept under pressure for a long period of time and the air suspension device thus their full range of functions can provide.

By the measures listed in the dependent claims are advantageous developments and improvements in the independent claims specified invention possible.

Especially Preferably, the electric actuator includes for electrical actuation the check valve at least one electric motor, wherein the electric motor For example, drives a nut-spindle drive whose spindle or mother actuates a pestle, the cooperates with the check valve. Then an electronic Control device dependent on the driving condition of the vehicle generate electrical signal for the electric actuator to to switch the shut-off valve to the passage position. This electrical Signal can be received from a control unit of the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), for example. of the vehicle are generated.

Preferably are at least the check valve, the vent valve and the vent valve and, for example, a line connection to which is the pressure medium supply lines of the bellows to divide on right and left branches, in a single unit summarized, which in the immediate vicinity of the bellows is arranged. Because of the then short pressure medium supply lines the air spring bellows results in an air suspension device with high dynamics.

drawing

One Embodiment of the invention is in the drawing shown and in the following description in more detail explained. In the drawing, the only figure shows schematic circuit diagram of an air suspension device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention with two manual actuators in operating state "drive".

Description of the embodiment

In 1 is an embodiment of the invention, a single-circuit air suspension device 1 a trailer of a tractor-trailer combination shown. "Single circle" in this context means that the bellows 2 different axes and axial sides are assigned to a circle and therefore can only be jointly vented and vented.

At the air suspension device 1 with air bellows 2 According to the invention, in addition to a level control valve 16 within a level control unit 5 , which regulates the level of a vehicle platform or a vehicle frame in a known manner to a constant value, a manually operable level control valve unit 7 provided by means of an operator manually and bypassing the level control valve 5 a desired level position of the trailer platform or the vehicle body can be adjusted. This is the level control valve unit 7 by a hand control unit 10 pneumatically switched to the positions "lifting" and "lowering". According to the in 1 embodiment shown, the hand control unit 10 For this example, two manual actuators for "lifting" and "sinks", bringing z. B. a desired for loading the vehicle at a loading dock level position can be adjusted. Furthermore, an operating state "drive" must be present, in which the level control valve 5 becomes effective again.

The bellows 2 of the trailer are to be supplied with compressed air from a compressed air tank 3 with this by a compressed air line 4 as well as by a pneumatic line 6 connectable. Between the compressed air line 4 and the pneumatic line 6 is the broken-line level control unit 5 installed, continues between the level control unit 5 and the bellows 2 in the 1 dashed line level control valve unit 7 arranged, which also directly by means of a compressed air line 9 with the compressed air tank 3 connected is. To the level control valve unit 7 is the also outlined with broken line hand control unit 10 by pneumatic lines 11 . 12 connected.

The level control valve 16 acts with a valve spool 17 together, which is in operative connection with a trailer axle, not shown, such that a vertical movement, ie a change in the level of the trailer platform or the trailer frame with respect to the trailer axle, the valve spool 17 entraining. The level control valve 16 For this purpose, for example, attached to the trailer frame. A connection 19 of the level control valve 16 is via a check valve to the compressed air line 4 connected. Another connection 18 is in connection with the pneumatic line 6 located in the level control valve unit 7 up to a line connection 20 extends, at which the compressed air connections to the air spring bellows of the right side and the left side share.

In the pneumatic line 6 is a check valve 21 installed, which is designed for example as a 2/2 way valve. The check valve 21 is further configured such that it is in its passage position by an electric actuator 51 and in its blocking position by one of at least one pilot valve 24 actuated control pressure is actuated. This connects the check valve 21 the level control valve 16 with the air bellows 2 or blocks this connection. The check valve 21 is last but not least designed so that it retains its last occupied switching position until it by the mechanical actuation of the electric actuator 51 or by the control pressure of the pilot valve 24 is switched.

For this purpose, the check valve 21 with its pneumatic control connection 22 through a pneumatic line 23 with a connection of a pilot valve designed, for example, as a spring-loaded and pneumatically operated 3/2 directional control valve 24 coupled. The pilot valve 24 is with its other connection to the compressed air line 9 connected, another connection opens through a vent to the outside. The pneumatically operated pilot valve 24 also has a pneumatic control connection 25 , which via a pneumatic line 14 and two check valves 44 and 45 the pneumatic lines 11 respectively. 12 and via this to the hand control unit 10 connected. Furthermore, the control terminal is 25 the pilot valve 24 via the pneumatic line 14 and a throttle 38 with the pressurized air line under reservoir pressure 9 in connection.

The pilot valve 24 connects when the control terminal 25 is depressurized, then in the spring-loaded position, the compressed air line under supply pressure 9 with the control terminal 22 the check valve 21 or connects when the control terminal 25 is pressurized, the control terminal 22 the check valve 21 with its vent. Into the compressed air line 9 is a check valve 27 built-in.

Between the compressed air line 9 and the pneumatic line 6 is a pneumatic connection line 31 arranged with a check valve 32 is provided. The check valve 26 leaves only one air flow from the pneumatic line 6 in the direction of the compressed air line 9 to. Furthermore, the compressed air line 9 and the pneumatic line 6 by means of a pneumatic connecting line 33 connected, in which a ventilation valve 34 is arranged, for example, is designed as a spring-loaded, pneumatically actuated 2/2 way valve whose control terminal 35 constantly with the pneumatic line 11 communicates. When a control pressure at the control terminal 35 of the ventilation valve 34 is present, this switches into its blocking position, otherwise spring loaded in its passage position.

To the pneumatic line 6 is still a vent valve 36 coupled, which has a vent port to the outside. The bleed valve 36 is also designed as a spring-loaded, pneumatically actuated 2/2 way valve whose control input 37 with the pneumatic line 12 constantly communicating. When a control pressure at the control terminal 37 of the vent valve 36 is present, this switches into its blocking position, otherwise in its passage position, in which there is the line 6 vented.

The pneumatic lines 11 and 12 are within the level control valve unit 7 through the pneumatic line 14 and the check valves 44 . 45 connected. Because of the reverse direction of the check valves 44 . 45 However, no compressed air from the pneumatic line 11 in the pneumatic line 12 stream and vice versa. However, let the two check valves 44 and 45 an air flow from the pneumatic line 14 in the pneumatic line 11 respectively. 12 to.

In the hand control unit 10 is to the pneumatic line 12 an actuation valve 48 docked by hand-operated means 49 , For example, in the form of a button is pressed. The actuation valve 48 is intended for lowering the trailer platform and designed, for example, as a spring-loaded 2/2 way valve. Biased by a return spring in the locked or inoperative position, it closes the pneumatic line 12 In the pressurized passage position, it vents the pneumatic line 12 into the open. About the button 49 is the actuation valve 48 consequently actuated against the force of the return spring.

Furthermore, in the manual control unit 10 to the pneumatic line 11 an actuation valve 50 docked with manual controls 49 as a button is provided. The actuation valve 50 is intended for lifting the trailer platform and designed, for example, as a 2/2 way valve. Energized by the return spring in the rest or locking position, it closes the pneumatic line 11 In the pressurized passage position, it vents the pneumatic line 11 into the open.

Finally, the check valve 21 in its passage position by an electric actuator 51 directly operated. Particularly preferably, the electric actuator includes 51 for electrical actuation of the check valve 21 at least one electric motor, wherein the electric motor, for example, a mother-spindle drive 52 drives, its spindle 53 or mother 54 For example, a valve body of the check valve 21 actuated. In the present case, the electric motor drives 51 the spindle supported on the non-rotatable and stationary nut 53 to the check valve 21 with a pestle 56 to press in his Durchlassstellung.

Then, an electronic control device 55 a dependent on the driving condition of the vehicle electrical signal for the electric actuator 51 generate to the check valve 21 to switch from the blocking position into the passage position. In drive receives the control device 55 Dynamic driving characteristics, such as the instantaneous speed or signals preferably from an ABS control unit and controls depending on these characteristics, an electrical control signal in the electric motor 51 one. When disconnected from the tractor trailer the electronics is turned off, causing the control device 55 no more characteristic values receives and consequently no more control signals in the electric motor 51 can tax.

Preferably, at least the check valve 21 , the ventilation valve 34 and the vent valve 36 as well as, for example, the line connection 20 at which the pressure medium supply lines of the bellows 2 divide on right and left branches, in the level control valve unit 7 summarized, which in the immediate vicinity of the bellows 2 is arranged.

In the figure, the air suspension device 1 This operating state occurs automatically in this embodiment, when the towing vehicle-trailer combination exceeds a certain speed threshold, for example 10-15 km / h The electric actuator 51 then receives from the controller 55 an electrical control signal to go through the mother-spindle drive 52 the check valve 21 from its blocking position to its passage position to switch to the bellows 2 via the pneumatic line 6 with the level control unit 5 connect to. In the operating state "drive" then controls the level control unit 5 the level of trailer platform in a known manner. After completion of the switching process, the spindle 53 through the electric motor 51 retracted, however, is the check valve 21 preferably designed so that it remains in its passage position.

Of the Operating mode "Lifting" should only be used when the vehicle is parked or parked Trailer be possible, whether this still on the towing vehicle is docked or not. In operating state "lifting" the level of the trailer platform is increased.

This is the manual control 49 of the actuating valve 50 manually operated, reducing the pneumatic line 11 vented to the atmosphere and thus the pressure in the pneumatic line 14 sinks, because this over the then opening check valve 44 with the pneumatic line 11 communicates. The then falling pressure in the line 14 causes a low pressure at the control connection 25 the pilot valve 24 , which then spring-loaded switches to a position in which the line 23 with the compressed air line 9 and thus with the reservoir 3 is associated. This is at the control terminal 22 the check valve 21 Supply pressure, whereupon this switches back from the passage position to its blocking position. This is the bellows 2 from the level control unit 5 decoupled.

Due to the vented pipe 11 the air pressure at the control input decreases 35 of the ventilation valve 34 why it switches to its spring-loaded passage or passage position. Because of this, the pneumatic line 6 with the compressed air line 9 through the pipe 33 coupled and compressed air can from the reservoir 3 through the compressed air line 9 , The administration 33 and the pneumatic line 6 in the bellows 2 hineinströmen. The level of the trailer platform is increased as long as the manual actuator 49 is pressed or until the trailer platform reaches the mechanically limited maximum height.

When releasing the manual control 49 becomes the spring-loaded actuating valve 50 switched over and therefore the pneumatic line 11 locked or closed at the end. Because then the pneumatic line 11 no longer vented, but via the compressed air line 9 , the throttle 38 , The administration 14 and over the check valve 44 is re-ventilated, can be at the control terminal 35 of the ventilation valve 34 Pressure from the reservoir 3 Build up and turn it into locked position, leaving the connection line 33 locked and the lifting of the trailer platform is terminated. Thus, the operating state is "stop" of the air suspension device 1 reached the parked trailer.

In the operating state "stop", in which neither lifting nor lowering the trailer platform takes place, there is the check valve 21 continue in its pressurized blocking position, ie its control port 22 is ventilated because that's at its control input 25 non-pressurized and spring-loaded pilot valve 24 The administration 23 on the line 9 holds through, allowing compressed air from the reservoir 3 through the pneumatic line 9 in the pneumatic line 23 can flow into it. The inlet valve 34 , the exhaust valve 36 , the actuating valve 48 and the actuation valve 50 are located by return springs in closed lock or rest position, the pilot valve 24 biased in passage position. Thus, in this embodiment, the spring-loaded, pneumatically controlled valves 24 . 34 . 36 . 48 . 50 designed and interconnected so that, a presence of pressure in the reservoir 3 provided that the operating state "Stop" is automatically set without the intervention of an operator, this state is set by pressing the buttons 49 (Lifting, lowering) pneumatically overwritten and turns off after releasing the respective button 49 again.

Of the Operating state "sinking" should in turn only when stationary or parked, in "Stop" mode Trailer be possible, whether this still on the towing vehicle is docked or not. In this operating state the level of the trailer platform is lowered.

This is the manual control 49 of the actuating valve 48 operated, whereby the actuating valve 48 is switched to the pneumatic line 12 to vent to the outside. This will cause the air pressure at the control input 37 of the vent valve 36 diminished, so this switches to passage position, in which the pneumatic line 6 through the vent valve 36 vented to the outside, which causes compressed air from the bellows 2 flows out. This will reduce the level of the trailer platform as long as the manual operating means 49 is pressed or the trailer platform reaches the mechanically limited minimum height.

The then low pressure in the line 14 keeps the pressure at the control port 25 the pilot valve 24 low, which then remains spring-loaded in the position in which the line 23 with the compressed air line 9 and thus with the reservoir 3 is associated. This is at the control terminal 22 the check valve 21 Supply pressure, whereupon this remains in its blocking position. This leaves the bellows 2 from the level control unit 5 decoupled.

When releasing the manual control 49 becomes the actuation valve 48 switched over and the pneumatic line 12 closed or locked at the end. The pneumatic line 12 is then through the compressed air line 9 , the throttle 38 , The administration 4 and the check valve 45 from the reservoir 3 filled with compressed air, causing the air pressure at the control port 37 raised and the vent valve 36 switches to its blocking position, which is the emptying of the bellows 2 through the pneumatic lines 6 and ended the lowering of the trailer platform. This in turn is the operating state "stop" of the air suspension device 1 reached the parked trailer.

Starting from this operating state "stop", the state "drive" is set by the control device 55 by an electrical signal the electric motor 51 operated to switch the check valve from the blocking position to the passage position in which the bellows are reconnected to the level control unit.

1

Air-suspension device

2

suspension bellows

3

reservoir

4

Compressed air line

5

Level control unit

6

pneumatic management

7

Level control valve unit

9

Compressed air line

10

Manual control unit

11

pneumatic management

12

pneumatic management

14

pneumatic management

16

Level control valve

17

valve slide

18

connection

19

connection

20

line connection

21

check valve

22

control connection

23

pneumatic management

24

pilot valve

25

control input

27

check valve

31

connecting line

32

check valve

33

connecting line

34

vent valve

35

control connection

36

vent valve

37

control connection

38

throttle

44

check valve

45

check valve

48

actuation valve

49

Manual operation means

50

actuation valve

51

electrical actuator

52

Mother-spindle drive

53

spindle

54

mother

55

control device

56

tappet

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - DE 4202729 C2 [0003]

Claims (9)

Air suspension device ( 1 ) for raising and lowering the vehicle body of air suspension vehicles with level control, with at least one with a compressed air supply ( 3 ) associated level control valve ( 16 ), at least one vehicle axle associated Luftfederbälgen ( 2 ), as well as with a control valve device ( 7 . 10 ) for manual level adjustment of the vehicle body, bypassing the level control valve ( 16 ), which at least one into a line connection ( 6 ) of the level control valve ( 16 ) with the bellows ( 2 ) built-in check valve ( 21 ) with at least two switching positions and at least one manually operated control valve ( 48 . 50 ) for aerating and de-aerating the bellows ( 2 ), characterized in that the check valve ( 21 ) in his the bellows ( 2 ) with the level control valve ( 16 ) connecting passage position by an electric actuator ( 51 ) and in this connection blocking blocking position in which the bellows ( 2 ), bypassing the level control valve ( 16 ) by the at least one manually operated control valve ( 48 . 50 ) are vented through one of at least one pilot valve ( 24 ) Controlled control pressure is actuated. Air suspension device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electric actuator ( 51 ) for the electrical actuation of the check valve ( 21 ) includes at least one electric motor. Air suspension device according to claim 2, characterized in that the electric motor ( 51 ) a nut spindle drive ( 52 ) whose spindle ( 53 ) or mother ( 54 ) a pestle ( 56 ), which on the check valve ( 21 ) acts. Air suspension device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an electronic control device ( 55 ) is dependent on the driving state of the vehicle electrical signal for the electric actuator ( 51 ) to the check valve ( 21 ) in the passage position to switch. Air suspension device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pilot valve ( 24 ) is formed by a fluid-operated and spring-loaded 3/2-way valve whose pneumatic control connection ( 25 ) on the one hand with the at least one manually operated control valve ( 48 . 50 ) for aerating and de-aerating the bellows ( 2 ) and on the other hand with the compressed air supply ( 3 ) can be brought into connection and which in one switching position, a vent with a control port ( 22 ) of the check valve ( 21 ) and in the other switching position the control terminal ( 22 ) of the check valve ( 21 ) with the compressed air supply ( 3 ) connects. Air suspension device according to claim 5, characterized in that the at least one manually operated control valve ( 48 . 50 ) for aerating and de-aerating the bellows ( 2 ) has a switching position in which it the pneumatic control connection ( 25 ) of the pilot valve ( 24 ) vented. Air suspension device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the at least one manually operated control valve ( 48 . 50 ) controlled ventilation valve ( 34 ) and at least one of the at least one manually operated control valve ( 48 . 50 ) controlled vent valve ( 36 ) in the main pressure medium flow between the pressure fluid supply ( 3 ) and the bellows ( 2 ) is provided for manual ventilation of the bellows. Air suspension device according to claim 7, characterized in that at least the check valve ( 21 ), the ventilation valve ( 34 ) and the vent valve ( 36 ) in a structural unit ( 7 ), which are in the immediate vicinity of the bellows ( 2 ) is arranged. Air suspension device according to claim 8, characterized in that furthermore a line connection ( 20 . 70 ), at which the pressure medium supply lines ( 6 . 8th ) of the bellows ( 2 ) on right and left branches, in the assembly ( 7 ) is integrated.