JP2001315516A - Leveling valve - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a leveling valve having a simple structure and superior assemblability, economic performance and maintenability and capable of independently adjusting the flow characteristic in air supplying and exhausting. SOLUTION: A piston 37 defines an exhaust side valve hole 32 into a high- pressure chamber 38 communicated with an air supply path 35 and a low pressure chamber 39 communicated with an exhaust port 36, and comprises a communication port 40 connecting two chambers, and a first valve 41 for selectively opening and closing the high-pressure chamber 38 to the air supply side valve hole 33 and the communication port of the piston 37, a second valve 42 for opening and closing the air supply port 34 to the air supply side valve hole 33, and a spring 43 for energizing the first and second valves in the directions opposite to each other, are inserted into the air supply side valve hole 33.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an air spring mounted between a vehicle body and a bogie frame as a suspension system for railway vehicles and automobiles. Automatically adjust the increase or decrease of the interval,
The present invention relates to a leveling valve for controlling the height of an air spring that constantly maintains a vehicle body at a constant height.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a suspension device D for controlling the height of an air spring of this type is mounted between a vehicle body 11 and a bogie frame 12, as shown in FIG. A change in the height of the vehicle body 11 is transmitted to the leveling valve V via the connecting rod 13 and the lever 14, and compressed air is supplied from the leveling valve V to the air spring 15 to be generated between the vehicle body 11 and the bogie frame 12. The height change is automatically adjusted so that the vehicle body 11 is always maintained at a constant height.

[0003] As shown in FIG.
It mainly comprises a buffer spring portion a at a central portion, an air valve portion b at an upper portion, and an oil damper portion c at a lower portion. A swing arm (not shown) is fixed to the shaft 2 for the buffer spring portion a. , Can be freely rotated with respect to the shaft 2, is incorporated in a state where an initial load is applied to the buffer spring 6 concentrically with the shaft 2, and is in contact with the swing arm and the operating arm 3 at the same time.

The air valve portion b has air valves 4a, 4b housed in the valve case 1 provided for the operating arm 18, and a low pressure side of the air valve 4a serving as a supply valve and a high pressure side (air) of the air valve 4b serving as an exhaust valve. (A spring side) is communicated with by a passage (not shown) penetrating the inside of the valve case 1, and a non-return valve ch is provided in the middle of the passage.

Since the oil damper portion c employs a one-handed damper type, the non-return valve 7 is provided inside the miston 5, and the displacement of the vehicle body 11 is controlled by the operation arm 3.
Through an unillustrated roller, and a time delay is given by the damping resistance of the orifice 8 provided in the non-return valve 7.

The air spring 15 mounted on the vehicle body 11 and the bogie frame 12 expands and contracts due to vertical movement and vibration generated while the vehicle is running, and leveling as an automatic height control valve is performed via the connecting rod 13 and the lever 14. When the displacement is transmitted to the valve V, the vertical movement and vibration displacement of the vehicle body 11 are buffered without being directly transmitted to the air valves 4a and 4b due to a time delay due to the hydraulic resistance generated by the orifice 8 provided in the non-return valve 7. Only the spring 6 is compressed and the air valve 4
a and 4b do not operate, and no compressed air flows in and out.

When the load on the vehicle body 11 increases with time, the air spring 15 bends until the load is balanced with the load.
As 1 sinks, the lever 14 is pushed upward,
The swing arm rotates, which causes the buffer spring 6 to twist,
The operating arm 3 rotates while balancing the hydraulic resistance generated in the oil damper portion c by the restoring force of the spring 6, and after a predetermined time, the air valve 4a opens, and the compressed air from the air reservoir (not shown) opens the non-return valve ch. The air is supplied to the air spring 15 through a passage (not shown) penetrating the valve case 1. When the air spring 15 is restored to a certain height, the lever 14 returns to the neutral position with respect to the valve case 1, the air valve 4a is closed, and the supply of compressed air is stopped.

Further, when the load on the vehicle body 11 decreases statically, the air spring 15 expands and the vehicle body 11 rises, so that the lever 14 is pulled down and after a certain period of time, contrary to the case where the load increases. When the air valve 4b is opened, the compressed air in the air spring 15 is exhausted, and the air spring 15 is restored to a certain height, the lever 14 returns to the neutral position with respect to the valve case 1, and the air spring 15 The exhaust of the compressed air is stopped.

The functions of the leveling valve VK include the dead zone and the time delay as described above. The dead zone prevents the leveling valve V from reacting to micro vibrations of the vehicle, and the gap between the operating arm 3 and the air valves 4a and 4bi fulfills its function. The time delay is a function to send the operation of the leveling valve V for a certain period of time (2-3 SEC) in response to a large vertical movement of the vehicle. 5 performs its function by using the compressibility of silicone oil.

On the other hand, as another conventional leveling valve, for example, the one shown in FIG. 9 has been developed.

The air intake or exhaust is performed by an annular clearance of a valve rod 22 formed in a main body 21.
In addition, there is no function called a dead zone for the above. Regarding the time delay, the shaft 23 rotates in response to the movement of the lever, and the piston 24 moves left and right. At this time, the flow of air is reduced by the parallel (gap) section A provided between the main body 21 and the valve rod 22 to perform its function. Although it is not a complete dead zone, it can be said that this section has both functions of the dead zone and the time delay.

The passage for air and air at the time of exhaust uses the groove B or the inner diameter C on the outer periphery after passing through the portion A of the valve lot 22. At this time, one of the passages is blocked by the seal 25 so that air does not flow.

[0013]

However, the conventional leveling valve has the following disadvantages.

In the leveling valve shown in FIG. 7, the air flow rate of air supply or exhaust can be adjusted by changing the diameter of the air valves 4a and 4b. However, the number of whole components is large, the structure is complicated, and the assembly and the economy are reduced. Inferior.

Further, since the silicone oil is used with a time delay, it is expensive and there is a fear that the silicone oil may leak. In addition, since the time delay varies depending on the temperature of the silicon oil, additional equipment such as a heat insulating box is required.

On the other hand, the leveling valve shown in FIG. 9 has a small number of parts and is easy to assemble and economical. Although excellent in maintainability, the flow characteristics of air supply and exhaust cannot be individually adjusted because the air throttle passage for air supply or exhaust is the same.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a leveling valve which has a simple structure, is excellent in assemblability, economical efficiency, and maintainability, and which can individually adjust flow characteristics at the time of air supply and exhaust.

[0018]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a leveling device provided between an air source and an air spring, wherein the air spring is selectively connected to the air source or the atmosphere. In the valve, an air supply side valve hole, an exhaust side valve hole, an air supply port for connecting the air supply side valve hole to an air source, and an air supply for connecting the exhaust side valve hole to the air spring side in the valve body. A passage and an exhaust port communicating with the atmosphere side are provided, and a piston driven from the outside is movably inserted into the exhaust side valve hole, and the piston has a high pressure chamber communicating the exhaust side valve hole with the air supply passage. A low-pressure chamber communicating with the exhaust port; and a communication port connecting the two chambers. The high-pressure chamber is selectively provided in the supply-side valve hole as a communication port between the supply-side valve hole and the piston. The first valve to open and close the air supply port and the air supply port A second valve for opening and closing the hole, the first, is characterized in that by inserting a spring for biasing the second valve in opposite directions.

In this case, the first valve is formed of a valve body having a T-shaped cross section with a flange portion and a rod portion projecting from the center of the flange portion. Is preferably inserted into the communication port of the piston so that the flow rate of air is adjusted between the outer peripheral gap of the flange portion and the outer peripheral gap of the rod portion.

Similarly, a hollow bush is inserted into the supply-side valve hole, the first and second valves and a spring are inserted into the bush, and the piston is connected to the land and the rod protruding from the land. Wherein the first valve comprises a flange portion, a hollow rod protruding from the center of the flange portion, a first seal provided on an end surface of the flange portion, and a second seal provided on an end surface of the hollow rod. , The piston-side rod portion is movably inserted into the hollow rod, the first seal is detachably contacted with the bush, and the second seal is detachably contacted with the piston-side land portion. May be

[0021]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 5 show a leveling valve according to an embodiment of the present invention.

This leveling valve is provided between the air source and the air spring as in the prior art shown in FIG. 8, and the air spring is selectively communicated with the air source or the atmosphere to keep the vehicle body constant. It is intended to maintain the height. The leveling valve has an air supply side valve hole 33, an exhaust side valve hole 32, an air supply port 34 that connects the air supply side valve hole 33 to an air source, and an exhaust side valve hole 32 in the valve body 31. An air supply passage 35 connected to the spring side and an exhaust port 36 connected to the atmosphere side are provided.

An externally driven piston 37 is movably inserted into the exhaust-side valve hole 32, and the piston 37 is connected to a high-pressure chamber 38 and an exhaust port 36 that communicate the exhaust-side valve hole 32 with the air supply passage 35. There is provided a communication port 40 which is divided into a low-pressure chamber 39 which communicates and connects the two chambers 38 and 39.

Further, the high pressure chamber 3 is provided in the supply side valve hole 33.
A second valve 42 for selectively opening and closing the air supply port 8 to the air supply side valve hole 33 and the communication port 40 of the piston; a second valve 42 for opening and closing the air supply port 34 to the air supply side valve hole 33;
A spring 41 for urging the first and second valves 41 and 42 in directions opposite to each other is inserted. Piston 37
The piston body is formed by a land portion 37a and a cylindrical portion 37 having a plurality of slits, a communication port 40 including a small diameter portion and a large diameter portion is formed in the piston body, and a radial notch 43 is formed in the piston body. Are formed.

As shown in FIG. 2, a pin 44 is inserted into the notch 43 of the piston 37. The pin 44 communicates with a shaft 47 rotatably mounted on a cap 46 via a crank arm 45. . The cap 46 is connected to the valve body 31 via a bolt 48.

The air supply port 34 is in contact with a source via a connector C1, the air supply passage 35 is connected to the air spring side via a connector C2, and the exhaust port 36 is open to the atmosphere via a filter F. I have.

The first valve 41 comprises a flange 41a and a rod 41b projecting from the center of the flange 41a and having a T-shaped cross section. The flange 41a is inserted into the air supply side valve hole 33 by a gap S1. With the rod part 4
1b is inserted into the communication port 40 of the piston 37 while providing a gap S2, and the flow rate of air is adjusted by the outer circumferential gap S1 of the flange 41a and the outer circumferential gap S2 of the rod 41b. When in neutral, the first valve 41 is in contact with the end face of the piston 37 and the step portion 50 of the air supply side valve hole 33 via the shell 49.

Next, the operation of the leveling valve will be described.

For example, when the load on the vehicle body increases statically, the air spring is compressed and the vehicle body sinks until the load balances with the load. Therefore, the pin 44 moves via the crank arm,
The piston 37 is moved rightward as shown in FIG.
At this time, the seal 49 is slightly separated from the end face of the piston 37 and the step 50, and the flow of air is restricted by the gap S1. Piston 37
Goes further right, the first valve 41 opens the gap S1 greatly against the spring 43, and then the compressed air from the air source opens the second valve 42 from the air supply port 34,
When the air spring is supplied to the air spring via the air supply side valve hole 33-the gap-the slit on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 37 b of the S1 piston-the air supply passage 35 and the air spring is restored to a certain height, the height of the vehicle height is increased. To the desired height. When the air spring is restored, the lever moves to the neutral position, the piston 37 returns to the neutral position,
The valve 41 is also returned to the neutral shut-off position by the spring 43.

Similarly, when the load on the vehicle body statically decreases, the air spring expands and the vehicle height increases. In this case, contrary to the above case, the shaft 47 rotates in the opposite direction, and moves the piston 37 to the left as shown in FIG. Therefore, the first valve 4
1 is left seated on the step portion 50, the end face of the piston 37 is separated from the seal 49, and the air supply passage 35 is communicated with the communication port 40 via the gap S2. At this time, the air in the air spring is discharged to the atmosphere through the air supply passage 35-the high pressure chamber 38-the gap S2-the communication port 39-the exhaust port 36-the filter F, and the air spring is restored to a certain height. The vehicle height also returns to a certain height. When the vehicle height is restored, the lever and shaft 47
The piston 37 is returned to the neutral position in FIG.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the present invention.
3 shows a leveling valve.

In this leveling valve, a hollow bush 51 is inserted into the air supply side valve hole 33, and the first and second valves 41, 42 and the spring 43 are inserted into the bush 51, and the piston 37 is connected to the land. Part 37a and land part 37a
The first valve 41 comprises a flange portion 41a, a hollow rod 41c projecting from the center of the flange portion 41, a first seal 49 provided on an end face of the flange portion 41a, and a hollow rod 41c. And a second seal 49a provided on the end face of the piston rod. The rod 37c on the piston side is movably inserted into the hollow rod 41c, and the first seal 49 is detachably attached to the bush 51. Contact the second seal 49a with the piston-side land 3
7a is detachably brought into contact with 7a.

Other structures are the same as those of the leveling valve of FIG. 1, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the detailed description will be omitted.

In this embodiment, the first seal 49 separates from the step of the bush 51 when supplying compressed air to the air spring, and the second seal 49 when discharging air from the air spring. The air is guided from the end surface of the land 37a of the piston 37 to the communication port 40 through a gap S3 between the inner periphery of the hollow rod 41c and the outer periphery of the rod portion 37c. Other functions and costs are the same as those of the embodiment of FIG.

[0036]

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) According to the invention of each claim, since no silicone oil is used, the size and weight can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced without fear of leakage of the silicone oil.

(2) Similarly, since the piston, the first and second valves, and the spring are merely assembled in the valve body, the number of parts can be greatly reduced as compared with the conventional leveling valve, and the assemblability is improved. Since the parts can be easily disassembled and replaced, the maintainability is improved and the economy is excellent.

(3) Similarly, air supply and exhaust can be performed with one first valve, and there is no need to provide two sets of air supply and exhaust valves, making the structure compact.
In addition, since the air supply or exhaust characteristics can be individually adjusted by the first valve, optimal settings can be made for each vehicle mounted. Even if the flow characteristics of the air supply or exhaust are the same, it is also possible to set characteristics of the minute leakage section length until the maximum flow with respect to the input angle of the body-side lever linked to the piston is reached.

(4) Similarly, since the flow characteristics of air supply and exhaust can be determined by setting the dimensions of one first valve, it can be used for vehicles of other models only by replacing the first valve. It is suitable for mass production and mass production.

(5) According to the second aspect of the invention, the flow rate characteristics can be variously adjusted by changing the outer peripheral gap of the flange portion and the outer peripheral gap of the rod portion.

(6) According to the third aspect of the present invention, the provision of the bush can prevent the valve body from being damaged, and the damaged bush can be easily replaced. Further, by inserting the piston-side rod portion into the first valve-side hollow rod, the outer diameter of the piston and the outer diameter of the first valve can be reduced, and the body-side lever acting on the piston by the force generated by the receiving area. The operating force can be reduced, and the leveling valve itself can be reduced in size and weight.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway longitudinal front view of a leveling valve according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional side view of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional front view showing a neutral state of the leveling valve of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional front view showing the valve at the time of air supply.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional front view showing a valve position at the time of exhaust.

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional front view of a leveling valve according to another embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional front view of a conventional leveling valve.

8 is a partial longitudinal front view of a conventional vehicle suspension device to which the leveling valve of FIG. 7 is attached.

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional front view of another conventional leveling valve.

[Explanation of symbols]

 31 valve body 32 exhaust side valve hole 33 air supply side valve hole 34 air supply port 35 air supply passage 36 exhaust port 37 piston 37a land part 37c rod part 38 high pressure chamber 39 low pressure chamber 40 communication port 41 first valve 41a flange part 41b Rod part 41c Hollow rod 42 Second valve 43 Spring 49 First seal 49a Second seal 51 Bush S1 Flange part outer peripheral gap S2 Rod part outer peripheral gap

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) F16F 15/04 F16F 15/04 A F term (reference) 3D001 AA08 DA02 DA19 3J048 AA02 BE02 DA01 EA16 3J069 AA31 EE70

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A leveling valve provided between an air source and an air spring and selectively communicating the air spring with the air source or the atmosphere, wherein a supply side valve hole and an exhaust side valve hole are provided in a valve body. An air supply port connecting the air supply side valve hole to the air source, an air supply passage connecting the exhaust side valve hole to the air spring side, and an exhaust port communicating the atmosphere side, respectively. , A piston driven from the outside is movably inserted, and the piston divides the exhaust side valve hole into a high pressure chamber communicating with the air supply passage and a low pressure chamber communicating with the exhaust port, and connects the two chambers. A first valve for selectively opening and closing the high-pressure chamber between the air supply side valve hole and the communication port of the piston in the air supply side valve hole, and the air supply side valve A second valve that opens and closes in the hole;
A spring for urging the valves in opposite directions to each other. 2. A first valve comprising a valve body having a T-shaped cross section including a flange portion and a rod portion protruding from the center of the flange portion, wherein the flange portion is inserted into an air supply side valve hole, and the rod portion is connected to the first valve. 2. The leveling valve according to claim 1, wherein the leveling valve is inserted into a communication port of the piston to adjust an air flow rate between an outer peripheral gap of the flange and an outer peripheral gap of the rod. 3. A hollow bush is inserted into a supply-side valve hole, first and second valves and a spring are inserted into the bush, and a piston is formed on the land and a rod protruding from the land. Wherein the first valve comprises a flange portion, a hollow rod protruding from the center of the flange portion, a first seal provided on an end surface of the flange portion, and a second seal provided on an end surface of the hollow rod. The rod portion on the piston side is movably inserted into the hollow rod, the first seal is detachably contacted with the bush, and the second seal is detachably contacted with the land portion on the piston side. The leveling valve according to claim 1, wherein: