JPH11325154A - Leveling valve - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a leveling valve to control the height of a pneumatic spring in which a mechanism is simplified, the number of parts, and the machining and assembling man-hour are reduced, the cost is reduced, and the high performance is maintained. SOLUTION: A leveling valve comprises a plurality of ports 1c, 1d, 1e to be communicated with a cylindrical recessed part 1a formed in a housing 1, a rotor 3 to be rotatably fitted to the cylindrical recessed part 1a through seal members 2, 5, a cover 4 which is screwed to the cylindrical recessed part 1a to cover the recessed part 1a, a shaft 3a which is projected from the cover 4 to be coupled with the rotor 3, a lever 6 to be engaged with the shaft 3a, and a communication groove 3h provided in a side surface 3f of the rotor 3 so as to be communicated with the ports 1c, 1d, 1e, and shuts off the communication with the ports 1c, 1d, 1e by the turn of the rotor 3 accompanied with the oscillation of the lever 6 through the communication groove 3h.

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, the height of which varies depending on the increase or decrease of the vehicle body load.
The present invention relates to a height control valve for an air spring that automatically adjusts the increase or decrease in the distance between a vehicle body and a bogie frame to constantly maintain the 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 height control valve V via the connecting rod 13 and the lever 14, and compressed air from the height control valve V is supplied to the air spring 15, so that the vehicle body 11 and the bogie frame 12 Is automatically adjusted so that the vehicle body 11 is always maintained at a constant height.

The height control valve V is mainly composed of a buffer spring portion a at the center, an air valve portion b at the upper portion, and an oil damper portion c at the lower portion. As shown in FIG. a, a swing arm (not shown) is fixed to the shaft 16;
The operating arm 18 can rotate freely with respect to the shaft 16, is incorporated concentrically with the shaft 16 with an initial load applied to the buffer spring 19, and simultaneously contacts the swing arm and the operating arm 18. doing. Air valve part b
Are the air valves v1 and v1 housed in the valve case 20.
v2 (supply valve, exhaust valve) is provided for the operating arm 18, and a low-pressure side of the supply valve v1 and a high-pressure side (air spring side) of the exhaust valve v2 pass through the valve case 20 through a passage (not shown). And a non-return valve ch is provided in the middle of the passage. The oil damper portion c is provided with a non-return valve nv inside the piston 21 for adopting the one-sided damper type. The displacement of the vehicle body 11 is transmitted through a roller (not shown) of the operation arm 18 and is transmitted to the non-return valve nv. A time delay is given by the damping resistance of the provided orifice f.

The air spring 15 mounted on the vehicle body 11 and the bogie frame 12 expands and contracts due to the vibration generated while the vehicle is running, and the automatic height control valve V is displaced via the connecting rod 13 and the lever 14. Then, the vibration displacement of the vehicle body 1 is directly transferred to the supply / discharge valves v1, v2 due to a time delay due to the hydraulic resistance generated by the orifice f provided in the non-return valve nv.
, Only the buffer spring 19 is compressed, the supply / discharge valves v1 and v2 do not operate, and the compressed air does not flow in and out.

When the load on the vehicle body 11 increases statically, the air spring 15 bends until the load balances with the load.
Sinks, the lever 14 is pushed upward, the swing arm rotates, and the buffer spring 19 is twisted,
The operating arm 18 rotates while balancing the hydraulic resistance generated in the oil damper portion c by the restoring force of the spring 19, and after a certain time, the air supply valve v1 opens, and the compressed air from the air reservoir (not shown) opens the non-return valve ch. When opened, the air is supplied to the air spring 15 through a passage (not shown) penetrating the valve case 20, and when the air spring 15 is restored to a certain height, the lever 14 returns to the neutral position with respect to the valve body 20, Air supply valve v1
Is closed, and the supply of compressed air is shut off.

Further, when the load on the vehicle body 1 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. The exhaust valve v2 is opened, and the air spring 1 is opened.
5, the compressed air is closed, and the exhaust of the compressed air is stopped.

[0007]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional height control valve, the number of parts is large, the mechanism is complicated, the number of processing and assembling steps is large, the cost is high, and the circuit is expensive. Casting is used due to its complexity, but there are many defects due to casting and there is a problem that the weight is heavy, and there is a dead zone and time delay prevention mechanism to stabilize valve operation. The dead zone is adjusted with a shim, and the time delay is adjusted so that it is damped with silicone oil, so it is difficult to adjust, and the input from the connecting rod is converted to the reciprocating motion of the air valve Therefore, there is a problem that the mechanism becomes complicated and performance adjustment is difficult.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an air spring which simplifies the mechanism, reduces the number of parts, processing and assembling steps, reduces cost, and maintains high performance without requiring adjustment. It is an object to provide a leveling valve to be controlled.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a housing, a plurality of ports communicating with a cylindrical recess formed at one end of the housing, and a cylindrical recess rotatable via a seal member. , A cover screwed into the cylindrical recess and fastened to close the recess, a shaft protruding from the cover and coupled to the rotor, a lever engaging the shaft, and a port on the side of the rotor. And a communication groove provided so as to communicate with the port, and the port is cut off through the communication groove by the rotation of the rotor accompanying the swing of the lever.

In the second invention, the communication groove provided to communicate the plurality of ports on the side surface of the rotor is formed so as to have a constriction in the forward and reverse rotation directions of the rotor.

In the third aspect, the constricted portion is formed so that the rotor is at the neutral position and has a fixed offset amount with respect to the supply port and the exhaust port.

In the fourth invention, a plurality of ports are formed on the left and right with respect to the center line.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. An air spring suspension device D equipped with a leveling valve V, which is a height control valve according to this embodiment, is mounted between a vehicle body 11 and a bogie frame 12 as shown in FIG.
The change in height of the vehicle body 11 due to the increase or decrease of the load
3. By transmitting the compressed air from the leveling valve V to the air spring 15 via the lever 6 through the lever 6 to automatically change the height generated between the vehicle body 11 and the bogie frame 12. The vehicle body 11 is always maintained at a constant height by adjustment.

The leveling valve V is shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), reference numeral 1 denotes a housing, which has a cylindrical concave portion 1a and a threaded portion 1b at one end and a left and right symmetrical center line k around the center line k communicating with the cylindrical concave portion 1a at the other end. Each of the three ports 1c, 1d, 1 at a fixed angle (for example, 45 °) interval
e is drilled and the threaded portion 1f is machined.

The seal member 2 and the rotor 3 are fitted into the cylindrical concave portion 1a of the housing 1, and the cylindrical concave portion 1a
The cover 4 is screwed into the threaded portion 1b provided in the first portion to close the cylindrical concave portion 1a.

The seal member 2 has a disk shape and is made of, for example, a copper plate or a resin-coated plate, and has holes 2c, 2d, 2e corresponding to the ports 1c, 1d, 1e.
e is processed to seal the side surface 3f of the rotor 3 and the concave surface 1g of the cylindrical concave portion 1a.

A shaft 3a is connected to one end of the rotor 3, and is rotatably inserted into a cylindrical recess 1a around a rotation shaft 3a protruding from a hole 4a provided in the cover 4. The rotating peripheral surface 3b is sealed by the sealing member 5 provided.

Further, the side surface 3f of the rotor 3 has constrictions 3g at both ends in the forward and reverse rotation directions of the rotor 3 at positions corresponding to the ports 1c, 1d, 1e, and the center portion has the ports 1c, 1c. The communication groove 3h is formed into a body length substantially equal to the diameter d of 1d and 1e, and the rotor 3 is in the neutral position.
It is formed so as to have a certain offset p between the ports 1c and 1e and the constricted portion 3g.

The port 1c provided on the housing 1 is connected to a compressed air source (not shown), the port 1d is connected to an air spring 15,
The ports 1e are respectively connected to the exhaust passages by pipes (not shown).

The rotating shaft 3 a provided on the rotor 3 is engaged with the lever 6, and is further connected via the connecting rod 13 to the bogie frame 1.
2, the height displacement between the bogie frame 12 and the vehicle body 11 is transmitted to the leveling valve V as the rotation of the rotor 3 so as to keep the height of the vehicle body 11 at a constant height.

Next, the operation will be described. Now, if the vehicle body weight is constant and does not change, as shown in FIG. 3, the rotor 3 of the leveling valve V is in the neutral position and the supply port 1c and the exhaust port 1e are connected to each other. 3 and the air spring side port 1
Since the air spring 15 is kept at a constant pressure without communicating with any part of the body d, the body 11 is maintained at a constant height.

When the weight of the vehicle body increases, the air spring 15 bends and the vehicle body 11 sinks down until it balances the load, and the leveling valve V via the connecting rod 13 and the lever 6.
As shown in FIG. 4, the air spring side port 1d communicates with the supply side port 1c, and compressed air is gradually supplied from the constricted portion 3g provided in the rotor 3. When the vehicle body 11 is pushed up to the original position in accordance with the load in which the spring force of the air spring 15 changes, the leveling valve V is connected via the connecting rod 13 and the lever 6.
3 returns to the neutral position as shown in FIG. 3, the air spring side port 1d and the supply side port 1c are shut off, and the height of the vehicle body 11 is maintained at a constant height.

If the weight of the vehicle body decreases, the air spring 15 bends and the vehicle body 11 rises until it balances the load, and the leveling valve V
As shown in FIG. 5, the port 1d on the air spring side communicates with the exhaust port 1e, and the compressed air is gradually exhausted from the constricted portion 3g provided in the rotor 3, as shown in FIG. When the vehicle body 11 is pushed down to the original position in accordance with the changed load of the spring force, the rotor 3 of the leveling valve V rotates via the connecting rod 13 and the lever 6, and the neutral position as shown in FIG. Then, the air spring side port 1d and the exhaust side port 1e are shut off, and the height of the vehicle body 11 is maintained at a constant height.

In this leveling valve V, constrictions 3g are formed at both ends of a communication groove 3h provided in the side surface 3f of the rotor 3 in the forward and reverse rotation directions of the rotor, and the rotor 3 is in the neutral position and the supply side is closed. Port 1c and exhaust side port 1e
Is provided with a constant offset amount p, and the rotor 3 is stopped within the range of the offset amount p.

At least four leveling valves V are provided, one each for the front, rear, left and right of the vehicle (not shown), and at least four leveling valves V are individually operated to change the front, rear, left and right of the vehicle. The four leveling valves V are operated in relation to each other.

As described above, the plurality of ports 1c, 4c communicating with the cylindrical concave portion 1a formed on one end side of the housing 1 are provided.
1d, 1e, a rotor 3 rotatably fitted into the cylindrical recess 1a via the sealing members 2, 5, and a cylindrical recess 1
cover 4 which is screwed into the cover a and fastened to close the recess 1a
And a shaft 3a protruding from the cover 4 and connected to the rotor 3
, A lever 6 that engages with the shaft 3a, and a side surface 3f of the rotor 3.
And a communication groove 3h provided to communicate the ports 1c, 1d, and 1e with the ports 1c, 1d, and 1e. The rotation of the rotor 3 caused by the swing of the lever 4 causes the ports 1c, 1d, and
Since the connection of 1e is cut off, the number of parts is reduced, the mechanism is greatly simplified, the number of processing and assembly steps is significantly reduced, the cost can be reduced, and the circuit is simplified, and the casting is used for the main body. There is no need for this, the weight is reduced, and there is no need for a time delay prevention mechanism for stabilizing the operation of the valve, so there is no need to adjust the time delay, and the input from the connecting rod 13 is directly leveled. Since the rotation is converted into the rotation of the rotor 3 of the valve V, a complicated link mechanism is not required, and high performance can be maintained.

The communication groove 3h provided on the side surface 3f of the rotor 3 so as to communicate with the plurality of ports 1c, 1d, 1e is formed so as to have a constricted portion 3g in the forward and reverse rotation directions of the rotor 3. , The communication groove 3h and the ports 1c, 1d,
Since the rotor 1e communicates gradually, the rotor 3 can be operated stably without suddenly supplying and discharging when the rotor 3 operates.

The constricted portion 3g is formed in such a manner that the rotor 3 is in the neutral position and has a fixed offset p with respect to the supply port 1c and the exhaust port 1e. , The balance is maintained within the offset amount p, and a stable operation can be obtained.

Further, the ports 1c, 1d and 1e provided so as to communicate with the cylindrical concave portion 1a have a plurality of ports arranged at a fixed angle (for example, 45 °) symmetrically with respect to the center line k of the rotor 3 as an axis. 1c, 1d, 1e are perforated to give flexibility to the pipe mounting to the leveling valve V,
The mounting space can be used effectively.

[0030]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of ports communicating with a cylindrical recess formed at one end of the housing and a rotor rotatably fitted into the cylindrical recess via a seal member. And a cover screwed into the cylindrical recess to fasten to close the recess, a shaft protruding from the cover and coupled to the rotor, a lever engaging the shaft, and a port on a side surface of the rotor for blocking communication. The communication groove is provided as follows, and the port is cut off through the communication groove by the rotation of the rotor due to the swing of the lever, so the number of parts is reduced, the mechanism can be greatly simplified, and machining The assembly man-hour is greatly reduced, the cost can be reduced, the circuit is simplified, the body does not need to be cast, the weight is reduced, and the time delay prevention mechanism is used to stabilize the operation of the valve. Required Good to eliminates also adjust the time delay, also due to so as to convert the rotational movement of the rotor of the direct leveling valve input from the connecting rod,
There is an effect that high performance can be maintained without requiring a complicated link mechanism.

According to the second aspect, the communication groove provided to communicate the plurality of ports on the side surface of the rotor is formed so as to have a constricted portion in the forward and reverse rotation directions of the rotor. Since the port is gradually communicated with the port, there is an effect that a stable operation can be obtained without sudden supply / discharge during operation.

According to the third aspect, the constricted portion is formed so that the rotor is at the neutral position and has a fixed offset amount with respect to the supply port and the exhaust port. Therefore, there is an effect that the balance is maintained within the offset amount and a stable operation can be obtained.

In the fourth aspect, since the plurality of ports are formed on the left and right with respect to the center line, there is an effect that the piping can be attached to the valve with flexibility and the installation space can be effectively utilized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front sectional view of a main part of a suspension device equipped with a leveling valve according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 (a) is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of the front of the leveling valve in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 (b) is a side view of FIG. 2 (a).

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a front view illustrating a neutral state of the leveling valve. FIG. 3B is a side view of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the front illustrating a time when a leveling valve is supplied. FIG. 4B is a side view of FIG.

FIG. 5 (a) is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the front illustrating the same when the leveling valve is exhausted. FIG. 5B is a side view of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a conventional air spring suspension device.

FIG. 7 is a front sectional view of a leveling valve in the air spring suspension device of FIG. 6;

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 housing 1a concave portion 1b screw portion 1c port 1d port 1e port 1f screw portion 1g concave surface 2 seal member 2c, 2d, 2e hole 3 rotor 3a shaft 3b circumferential surface 3f rotor side surface 3g constricted portion 3h communication groove 4 cover 4a hole Seal member 6 Lever 11 Body 12 Bogie frame 13 Lever 14 Connecting rod 15 Air spring 16 Shaft 18 Operating arm 19 Spring 20 Valve case 21 Piston ch Non-return valve f Orifice k Center line p Offset amount nv Non-return valve V Leveling valve v1 supply Pneumatic valve v2 Exhaust valve D Suspension

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A housing, a plurality of ports communicating with a cylindrical recess formed at one end of the housing, a rotor rotatably fitted into the cylindrical recess via a seal member, and a cylindrical member. A cover screwed into the recess to fasten to close the recess, a shaft protruding from the cover and connected to the rotor, a lever engaging the shaft, and a communication groove provided to communicate the port with a side surface of the rotor. A leveling valve characterized in that the port is disconnected from the port through the communication groove by the rotation of the rotor accompanying the swing of the lever. 2. The communication groove according to claim 1, wherein the communication groove provided on the side surface of the rotor so as to communicate with the plurality of ports has a constricted portion in the forward and reverse rotation directions of the rotor. Leveling valve. 3. The constricted portion is formed so that the rotor is at a neutral position and has a fixed offset amount with respect to a supply port and an exhaust port.
A leveling valve according to item 1. 4. The leveling valve according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of ports are formed right and left with respect to a center line of the rotor.