Air spring control system, air spring system, vehicle including same, and method for same

An air suspension system for a vehicle, the air suspension system comprising:

• an air suspension control system configured to control the air suspension system;
• a main control unit for operating the air suspension control system;
• an auxiliary control unit having an input and being connected to said main control unit via a data link;
• a first height sensor arranged on a first axle of the vehicle and connected to said input of said auxiliary control unit for determining first height measurements;
• and,
• a second height sensor arranged on a second axle of the vehicle and connected to said input of said auxiliary control unit for determining second height measurements
• said auxiliary control unit having a pressure sensor associated with the first axle of the vehicle and being configured to determine pressure measurements of the first axle as pressure sensor signals;
• said input of said auxiliary control unit being configured to receive the first height measurements as first height sensor signals and the second height measurements as second height sensor signals;
• said auxiliary control unit being configured to transmit at least one of the first height sensor signals, the second height sensor signals, and the pressure sensor signals to said main control unit via said data link;
• and,
• said main control unit being configured to carry out on-board weighing for at least one of the first axle and the second axle in dependence on at least one of the first height sensor signals, the second height sensor signals, and the pressure sensor signals.

A method for operating a vehicle having a first axle and a second axle via an air suspension control system;

• the air suspension control system including a main control unit and an auxiliary control unit having a pressure sensor associated with the first axle and an input;
• the auxiliary control unit being connected to the main control unit via a data link, the method comprising:
• determining pressure measurements of the first axle as pressure sensor signals via the auxiliary control unit;
• receiving, at the input of the auxiliary control unit, first height sensor signals from a first height sensor arranged on the first axle of the vehicle and second height sensor signals from a second height sensor arranged on the second axle of the vehicle, wherein the first height sensor and the second height sensor are connectable to the input of the auxiliary control unit;
• transmitting at least one of the first height sensor signals, the second height sensor signals, and the pressure sensor signals from the auxiliary control unit to the main control unit via the data link;
• and,
• carrying out on-board weighing for at least one of the first axle and the second axle in dependence on at least one of the first height sensor signals, the second height sensor signals, and the pressure sensor signals.