Air suspension system for a vehicle
AssigneeZf Cv Systems Europe BV
InventorsStefan Filter, Johann Lucas
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A module is provided for an air suspension system of a vehicle, the module having a sensor interface for connecting to a sensor, in particular a displacement sensor, a valve, in particular an electropneumatic valve, and a data interface. This sensor interface is configured to receive sensor values from the sensor. The data interface is configured to output sensor values received via the sensor interface to a control device, and to receive control commands for controlling the valve from the control device. Furthermore, the disclosure relates to a control device, an air suspension system, a vehicle, a vehicle trailer, a method for operating an air suspension system, and a computer program product.
Claims21
An exchangeable module for an air suspension system of a vehicle, the exchangeable module comprising:
- a single housing;
- a sensor interface arranged directly on said single housing and configured to be connectable to a sensor and to receive sensor values from the sensor;
- a valve arranged in said single housing;
- a data interface being arranged directly on said single housing and being configured to output sensor values received via said sensor interface to a control device disposed externally to said exchangeable module and to receive control commands for controlling said valve from the control device;
- said data interface and said sensor interface being separate from each other;
- wherein the control device is external to any module of the air suspension system;
- wherein the module is configured to actuate said valve in a manner dependent upon the control commands, in order to control a throughflow quantity at least through said valve in a variable manner, and the throughflow quantity is controlled in a manner dependent on a speed of the vehicle;
- and,
- a PWM signal generator for actuating said valve via a PWM signal;
- and,
- said PWM signal generator being configured for a variable control of a throughflow quantity through said valve.
An air suspension system comprising:
- an exchangeable module having a single housing and a sensor interface arranged on said single housing;
- said sensor interface being arranged directly on said single housing and being configured to be connectable to a sensor and to receive sensor values from the sensor;
- said exchangeable module further having a valve disposed in said single housing and a data interface arranged on said single housing;
- said data interface being arranged directly on said single housing and being configured to output sensor values received via said sensor interface to a control device and to receive control commands for controlling said valve from the control device, wherein the control device is external to said exchangeable module;
- an air spring connected to said valve;
- a displacement sensor connected to said exchangeable module via said sensor interface;
- and,
- said exchangeable module being connected to the control device via said data interface and a bus;
- said exchangeable module being configured to actuate said valve in a manner dependent upon the control commands, in order to control a throughflow quantity at least through said valve in a variable manner, and the throughflow quantity being controlled in a manner dependent upon a speed of the vehicle;
- a PWM signal generator for actuating said valve via a PWM signal;
- and,
- said PWM signal generator being configured for a variable control of a throughflow quantity through said valve.
A method for operating an air suspension system, wherein the air suspension system includes an exchangeable module having a single housing, a sensor interface being arranged directly on said single housing and configured to be connectable to a sensor and to receive sensor values from the sensor, the exchangeable module further having a valve disposed in said single housing and a data interface arranged directly on said single housing, said data interface being configured to output sensor values received via the sensor interface to a control device and to receive control commands for controlling said valve from the control device, the air suspension system further having an air spring connected to the valve and a displacement sensor connected to the exchangeable module via the sensor interface, the data interface being separate from the sensor interface, the exchangeable module being connected to the control device via the data interface and a bus, the control device being external to said exchangeable module, a PWM signal generator for actuating said valve via a PWM signal;
- and, said PWM signal generator being configured for a variable control of a throughflow quantity through said valve, the method comprising:
- receiving displacement sensor values of the displacement sensor and pressure sensor values of a pressure sensor from the control device;
- generating control commands for the valve of the exchangeable module in order to control a throughflow quantity at least through said valve in a variable manner and the throughflow quantity being controlled in a manner dependent upon a speed of the vehicle;
- and,
- outputting the control commands to the exchangeable module.
A module for an air suspension system of a vehicle, the module comprising:
- a housing;
- a sensor interface arranged on said housing and configured to connect to a sensor and to receive sensor values from the sensor;
- a valve arranged in said housing;
- and,
- a data interface arranged on said housing and configured to output sensor values received via said sensor interface to a control device and to receive control commands for controlling said valve from the control device;
- said data interface and said sensor interface being separate from each other;
- wherein the control device is external to any module of the air suspension system;
- wherein the module is configured to actuate said valve in a manner dependent upon the control commands, in order to control a throughflow quantity at least through said valve in a variable manner, and the throughflow quantity is controlled in a manner dependent on a speed of the vehicle;
- and,
- wherein a first throughflow quantity when the vehicle is at a standstill is lower than a second throughflow quantity when the vehicle is moving.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.