DE202019100707U1 - Dump valve for the air suspension of truck cabins - Google Patents

Abstract

A truck cylinder air release valve (1), said suspension comprising a variable volume chamber containing a gas, said drain valve (1) adapted to vent gas from the chamber to the outside, and comprising:
- A valve body (2) comprising a channel (3) provided with a gas inlet opening (4) from said chamber in the valve (1) and an outlet opening (5) for said gas from the valve (1) to the outside ;
an actuating mechanism of the valve (1), comprising a piston (8) and a spring (9), the piston (8) having a head (10), a shaft (11) and a needle (12), and within the Valve body (2) is arranged so that the needle (12) opens or closes upon vertical movement of the outlet opening (5);
an annular bushing (6) disposed at one end of the channel (3) and adapted to guide the head (10) of said piston (8) during its vertical movement within the valve body (2),
characterized in that it further comprises a centering ring (7) provided with an inner surface (7a), an outer surface (7b), an upper surface (7c) and a lower surface (7d) disposed inside said channel (3) between the at least one inlet opening (4) and said outlet opening (5) for said gas are arranged to guide the needle (12) of the piston (8) during its vertical movement within the valve body (2), the interior surface (7a) of said one Centering ring (7) is shaped so that it defines a passage region of the gas.

Description

Technical application

The present invention is directed to the engineering / automotive industry and more particularly relates to a lift valve for air suspension of truck cabins, which is particularly suitable for use in light or heavy trucks, tractor units, semi-trailers, trucks, trucks, tractors, campers, etc.

Already existing technology

The air suspension of a truck cab consists of a series of elastic components which connect the vehicle chassis to the cab and are capable of absorbing and cushioning the bumps caused by bumps and providing stability and comfort to the occupants.

If the entire mass of the vehicle were rigidly connected to the cab, all movements of the wheels and chassis would be transmitted directly to the cab, resulting in dangerous jerking for the driver resulting in discomfort and, in the worst case, loss of control over the vehicle would.

Especially for truck cabins air suspensions are used, which use the different compressibility of a gas and an elastic element.

These suspensions generally consist of a coil spring enclosed within a flexible, watertight membrane defining a variable volume chamber into which gas, typically compressed air, is introduced from a circuit fed by an external compressor via a suction valve or via a drain valve is delivered.

Drain valves of known type comprise a metal valve body having a channel connecting the interior of the suspension chamber to the exterior.

This channel has at least one inlet opening and one outlet opening for the gas, and within the valve body slides axially the actual actuating mechanism of the valve.

The cooperation between this actuating mechanism and the outlet opening of the channel defines the passage area for the gas exiting into the suspension chamber.

In particular, the actuating mechanism opens or closes with its movement the outlet openings of said channel and allows or blocks the gas passage of the suspension to the outside.

The actuating mechanism consists essentially of a piston comprising a head, a shaft and a needle, a coil spring arranged along the shaft and a seal attached to the needle.

In the closed valve arrangement, the piston head is pushed down by a flange connected to the truck cab, so that the portion of the needle of the piston provided with the seal remains at the outlet opening of the valve body. At the same time, the coil spring is compressed by the action of the pressure exerted by a collar disposed below the piston head.

When the needle stops at the closing opening and the collar abuts against a shoulder of the valve body, the drain valve is closed.

Due to the changed position of the truck cab and the achievement of a certain pressure value in the suspension chamber, it is necessary to open the drain valve, so that excess gas can escape.

After the piston head has been released from the pressure force of the truck cab, the coil spring is stretched and pulls the piston upwards. The entire piston leaves the closed position by sliding vertically in the valve body and moving the needle out of the outlet opening: The drain valve opens and the gas escapes outwards.

Thereafter, resetting the truck cab to the position depressed on the piston head re-establishes the state of the closed dump valve, the piston needle returning to the discharge port to the stop position and thus to the closed position of the gas passage area in the valve body.

These drain valves have some limitations and disadvantages, especially due to their small size.

The main drawback is that it is difficult to align all the components of the actuating mechanism, in particular the stem in the valve body and thus the needle in the outlet opening of the valve housing, perfectly with the valve body, with the risk of deformation of this needle and malfunction of the valve valve.

When the valve is closed again and the piston needle is inserted into the outlet opening of the valve body, the needle may not perfectly center and bend or deform the opening due to the vibrations to which the suspension is always exposed, resulting in later sealing the valve is affected by gases.

In addition, the valve must operate over the entire life of the suspension so that it can withstand millions of working cycles.

Presentation of the invention

The invention aims to overcome these limitations by implementing a reliable and safe drain valve that can be used in air suspensions.

The invention is also intended to improve the function of the valve itself by making the coupling and sliding system of its components more precise.

• - einen Ventilkörper, der einen Kanal umfasst, der eine Gaseinlassöffnung aus besagter Kammer in dem Ventil und eine Auslassöffnung für besagtes Gas aus dem Ventil nach außen umfasst;
• - einen Betätigungsmechanismus des Ventils, umfassend einen Kolben und eine Feder, wobei der Kolben einen Kopf, einen Schaft und eine Nadel aufweist, und innerhalb des Ventilkörpers so angeordnet ist, dass sich die Nadel bei vertikaler Bewegung die besagte Auslassöffnung öffnet oder schließt;
• - eine ringförmige Buchse, die an einem Ende des Kanals angeordnet ist und geeignet ist, den Kolbenkopf während seiner vertikalen Bewegung innerhalb des Ventilkörpers zu führen,

dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie ferner einen Zentrierring mit einer Innenfläche, einer Außenfläche, einer Oberseite und einer Unterseite aufweist, die innerhalb besagten Kanals zwischen dem mindestens eine Einlassöffnung und die Auslassöffnung für besagtes Gas angeordnet sind, um die Nadel des Kolbens während seiner vertikalen Bewegung innerhalb des Ventilkörpers zu führen, wobei die Innenflächen des besagten Zentrierrings so geformt sind, dass sie einen Durchtrittsbereich des Gases definieren.The objectives are achieved with a discharge valve for air suspension of cargo cabins, said suspension comprising a variable volume chamber containing a gas, and wherein said discharge valve is adapted to allow the escape of gas from said chamber to the outside, and comprising :

• a valve body comprising a channel comprising a gas inlet port of said chamber in the valve and an outlet port for said gas outwardly of the valve;
• an actuating mechanism of the valve comprising a piston and a spring, the piston having a head, a shaft and a needle, and disposed within the valve body so that the needle opens or closes said outlet opening when moved vertically;
• an annular bushing disposed at one end of the channel and adapted to guide the piston head during its vertical movement within the valve body,

characterized in that it further comprises a centering ring having an inner surface, an outer surface, an upper surface and a lower surface disposed within said channel between the at least one inlet port and the outlet port for said gas to move the needle of the piston during its vertical movement within the valve body, wherein the inner surfaces of said centering ring are shaped so that they define a passage region of the gas.

According to a first aspect of the invention, the inner surface of said centering ring comprises at least one longitudinal groove.

In a preferred variant, said at least one longitudinal groove has a cross section of the substantially semicircular cross section.

Conveniently, the inner surface of the centering ring on two longitudinal grooves.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the outer edge of the upper side and the outer edge of the underside of the centering ring each have a first and a second beveled edge.

In particular, the bush and the annular collar are made of self-lubricating plastic and are thermally stable and insensitive to moisture.

In addition, this drain valve has elastic means for sealing against the gases between the needle of said piston and the outlet opening of the valve body.

The main advantage of the bleed valve according to the invention clearly shows: the presence of the centering ring enhances the vertical sliding of the piston which is held perfectly in line with the channel, thus improving the overall functionality of the valve and eliminating the risk of component deformation.

In particular, the centering ring ensures a centering point of the piston needle in the interior of the valve body during its vertical movement and when approaching the valve outlet opening.

The at least one longitudinal groove on the inner surface of the centering ring allows the passage of the gas.

More suitably, by changing the cross-section of said at least one groove, it is possible to adapt the gas passage area according to needs, load conditions, specific application and customer requirements, without complicating the overall valve manufacturing process.

The first and second beveled edge of the centering facilitate insertion into the valve body and thus the entire assembly process of the valve. The double bevel prevents a preliminarily alignment of the ring.

list of figures

• die 1-2 zeigen im Längsschnitt entlang der gleichen Ebene ein Ablassventil für Luftfederungen entsprechend der Erfindung jeweils während der Öffnungs- und Schließphasen;
• 3 zeigt im Längsschnitt entlang einer Ebene orthogonal zur Schnittebene der 1 und 2 ein Ablassventil für Luftfederungen gemäß der Erfindung in der Schließphase;
• die 4-6 zeigen jeweils in axonometrischer Ansicht, im Längsschnitt und in der Draufsicht eine Komponente des Ventils gemäß einer bevorzugten Variante der Erfindung.

These and other advantages will become more apparent hereinafter, where a preferred embodiment of the invention is described by way of example and not limitation and with the aid of the figures:

• the 1-2 show in longitudinal section along the same plane a discharge valve for air suspension according to the invention during each of the opening and closing phases;
• 3 shows in longitudinal section along a plane orthogonal to the cutting plane of 1 and 2 a discharge valve for air suspension according to the invention in the closing phase;
• the 4-6 each show in axonometric view, in longitudinal section and in plan view a component of the valve according to a preferred variant of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

With reference to the figures, a drain valve 1 shown that can be used in an air suspension applicable to truck cabins, especially heavy vehicles such as trucks or trucks.

In general, this type of air suspension is suitable for the connection of a first and a second mechanical element with the possibility of mutual displacement, such as the chassis and its cabin.

• - eine Kammer mit variablem Volumen, die ein Gas enthält, das durch flexible Wände begrenzt ist, wie beispielsweise eine Gummimembran;
• - elastische Mittel zwischen dem ersten und zweiten mechanischen Element, z.B. eine Schraubenfeder;
• - ein Ansaugventil zum Steuern des Gaseintritts in diese Kammer, das mit einem Druckluftkreislauf verbunden ist, der von einem externen Kompressor versorgt wird;
• - ein Ablassventil 1 zum Steuern des Gasaustritts aus dieser Kammer.

This suspension essentially includes:

• a variable volume chamber containing a gas bounded by flexible walls, such as a rubber membrane;
• elastic means between the first and second mechanical elements, eg a helical spring;
• - A suction valve for controlling the gas inlet into this chamber, which is connected to a compressed air circuit, which is supplied by an external compressor;
• - a drain valve 1 for controlling the gas outlet from this chamber.

As in the 1-3 illustrated, includes said drain valve 1 a rigid valve body 2 , for example, metal, and is with a channel 3 provided, which crosses it in the longitudinal direction and allows the passage of the gas.

Said valve body 2 includes two inlet openings 4 for the gas from the suspension chamber in said drain valve 1 and an outlet opening 5 for the gas in the outdoor area.

In the illustrated variant have the inlet openings 4 and the outlet opening 5 a circular cross-section. In particular, the inlet openings 4 along the side surface of the valve body 2 provided in diametrically opposite position while the outlet opening 5 at one end of the valve body 2 is provided according to its longitudinal axis.

Within the channel 3 slides an actuating mechanism of the drain valve 1 ,

This actuating mechanism consists of a piston 8th and a spring associated with it 9 , The movement of the piston 8th causes the closing and opening of the outlet opening 5 and thus the drain valve 1 ,

It is useful if in the variant of the proposed solution, the piston 8th is nickel-plated to the sliding of the valve body 2 within the channel 3 to facilitate.

This piston 8th consists of a head 10 a shaft 11 and a needle 12 , Along the shaft 11 is a support ring 13 for said spring 9 intended.

This needle 12 acts with the outlet opening 5 of the valve body 2 together to the drain valve 1 to open or close.

• - eine ringförmige Buchse 6, die an einem Ende des Kanals 3 angeordnet ist und geeignet ist, den Kopf 10 des Kolbens 8 während seiner vertikalen Bewegung innerhalb des Ventilkörpers 2 zu führen und eine Anschlagebene für besagten Kragen 13 zu bilden;
• - einen Zentrierring 7, der innerhalb des Kanals 3 in der Nähe der Auslassöffnung 5 angeordnet ist, insbesondere zwischen den Einlassöffnungen 4 und der Auslassöffnung 5, und dazu ausgelegt ist, die Nadel 12 des Kolbens 8 während deren vertikalen Bewegung innerhalb des Ventilkörpers 2 zu führen.

This valve 1 then includes:

• - An annular bush 6 at one end of the canal 3 is arranged and suitable to the head 10 of the piston 8th during its vertical movement inside the valve body 2 to guide and a stop plane for said collar 13 to build;
• - a centering ring 7 , the inside of the channel 3 near the outlet 5 is arranged, in particular between the inlet openings 4 and the outlet opening 5 , and designed to be the needle 12 of the piston 8th during its vertical movement within the valve body 2 respectively.

With special consideration of 4 - 6 includes the centering ring 7 an inner surface 7a , an outer surface 7b , a top 7c and a bottom 7d ,

Basically, this inner surface 7a shaped so that between her and the shaft 11 of the piston 8th Air can flow.

In detail includes the centering ring 7 along the inner surface 6a two diametrically opposed longitudinal grooves 17 with a constant cross section.

The space between the shaft 11 said piston 8th and the longitudinal grooves 17 forms the passage area for the valve 1 escaping gas when the valve is in the opening arrangement.

In the illustrated variant, the longitudinal grooves comprise 17 a substantially semicircular cross section, alternatively they may also have other cross sections, for example triangular, or be made by leveling.

In possible variants of valve 1 can the centering ring 7 only one or more grooves 17 include. By suitable design of the cross section and the distribution along the inner surface of the centering the gas passage area can be adapted to the various applications of the valve.

As seen from the axonometric view of 4 and the cut of 5 becomes clear, include the outer edge of the top 7c and the outer edge of the bottom 7d of said centering ring 7 each a first 27 and a second 37 beveled edge.

These beveled edges 27 . 37 facilitate the assembly of the valve 1 , in particular the insertion of the centering ring 7 in the channel 3 of the valve body 2 ,

This socket 6 and said centering ring 7 advantageously consist of a different material than the valve body 2 and the piston 8th to facilitate the sliding of the latter and to avoid the contact and sliding of metal parts. For example, there are the socket 6 and said centering ring 7 Made of self-lubricating plastic, which is thermally stable and insensitive to moisture, to have much more precise couplings without the risk of rubbing, jamming and jamming between parts.

Between the needle 12 of the piston 8th and the outlet opening 5 said valve body 2 is inside the channel 3 a hermetic seal 14 of annular shape, in the state of the closed valve 1 works as in the section of 1 shown.

Said seal 14 is in a special channel 15 housed on the piston 8th according to the needle 12 is obtained.

To seal with the gasket 14 To facilitate, the channel points 3 a frusto-conical portion on the outlet opening 5 is directed.

The channel 3 also contains a first shoulder 16 and a second shoulder 18 ,

The first shoulder 16 is suitable to a stop surface for said collar 13 while the second shoulder 18 is suitable to a stop surface for the centering ring 7 display.

The operation of the drain valve 1 according to the invention is described below.

The 2 and 3 show the closed valve 1 : The vehicle cab looks upside down 10 of the piston 8th the drain valve 1 in which it is pressed, the spring 9 is squeezed and the needle 12 of the piston 8th gets into the outlet opening 5 introduced and the seal 14 is against the frusto-conical section to the outlet opening 5 pressed, making it hermetically closed. The shoulder 16 stops the stroke of the piston 8th by stopping the collar 13 ,

Moving the vehicle cab makes it easier on the head 10 of the piston 8th applied force and allows a relaxation of the spring 9 , With the stretching of the spring 9 becomes the piston 8th in the channel 3 of the valve 1 drawn. The vertical sliding of the piston 8th causes the needle 12 from the outlet opening 5 of the valve 1 moved away.

Valve 1 is then by vertical sliding of the piston 8th in the canal 3 of the valve body 2 open, with the needle 12 from the outlet opening 5 is moved ( 1 ).

The needle 12 of the piston 8th , the seal 14 and the shaft 11 of the piston 8th define in cooperation with the longitudinal grooves 17 the inner surface of the centering ring 7 the passage area for the gas, which is a gas flow from valve 1 escape to the outside.

Claims (7)

A truck cylinder air release valve (1), said suspension comprising a variable volume chamber containing a gas, said drain valve (1) adapted to vent gas from the chamber to the outside, and comprising: - a valve body (2) comprising a passage (3) provided with a gas inlet opening (4) from said chamber into the valve (1) and an outlet opening (5) for said gas outwardly of the valve (1); - an actuating mechanism of the valve (1) comprising a piston (8) and a spring (9), the piston (8) having a head (10), a shaft (11) and a needle (12), and within the valve body (2) is arranged so that the needle (12) opens or closes upon vertical movement of the outlet opening (5); an annular bushing (6) disposed at one end of the channel (3) and adapted to guide the head (10) of said piston (8) during its vertical movement within the valve body (2), characterized in that it further comprises a centering ring (7) provided with an inner surface (7a), an outer surface (7b), an upper surface (7c) and a lower surface (7d) disposed within said channel (3) between the at least one inlet port (7) 4) and the outlet opening (5) for said gas are arranged to guide the needle (12) of the piston (8) during its vertical movement inside the valve body (2), the inner surface (7a) of said centering ring (7) is shaped so that it defines a passage region of the gas. Drain valve (1) to Claim 1 , characterized in that the inner surface (7a) of said centering ring (7) comprises at least one longitudinal groove (17). Drain valve (1) to Claim 2 , characterized in that the at least one longitudinal groove (17) comprises a substantially semicircular cross section. Drain valve (1) to Claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that the inner surface (7a) of the centering ring (7) has two longitudinal grooves (17). Drain valve (1) to Claim 1 , characterized in that the outer edge of the upper side (7c) and the outer edge of the lower surface (7d) of the centering ring (7) each have a first (27) and a second beveled edge (37). Drain valve (1) after Claim 1 , characterized in that the bushing (6) and the centering ring (7) are made of self-lubricating plastic, which is thermally stable and insensitive to changes in humidity. Drain valve (1) to Claim 1 characterized in that it comprises elastic sealing means (14) against the escape of gas between the needle (12) of the piston (8) and the outlet opening (5) of the valve body (2).

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