B60G2400/7122

Methods and systems for using waste energy from electric motors and inverters in electric vehicle air suspension systems
11577572 · 2023-02-14 · ·

An air suspension system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a suspension actuator, a reservoir, a compressor, and a first cooling circuit. The suspension actuator has a chamber. The reservoir includes a shell and an adsorptive material. The shell at least partially defines an interior region. The interior region is fluidly connected to the chamber. The adsorptive material is in the interior region. The compressor is fluidly connected to the interior region. The first cooling circuit includes a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, and a conduit. The first heat exchanger is in thermal contact with the interior region. The second heat exchanger is in thermal contact with an electric vehicle component. The conduit is adapted to circulate a fluid between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. The present disclosure also provides a method of operating the air suspension system.

AIR SUSPENSION CONTROL

Methods and systems are provided for a vehicle suspension system. In some example methods, a height change request is received for a vehicle suspension having a displacement control for implementing height change requests. A displacement of at least one spring of the vehicle suspension may be determined, as well as whether the displacement satisfies a displacement control criteria. The height of the vehicle suspension may be changed using an air mass control in response to determining the displacement control criteria is not satisfied.

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR USING WASTE ENERGY FROM ELECTRIC MOTORS AND INVERTERS IN ELECTRIC VEHICLE AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEMS
20220410647 · 2022-12-29 ·

An air suspension system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a suspension actuator, a reservoir, a compressor, and a first cooling circuit. The suspension actuator has a chamber. The reservoir includes a shell and an adsorptive material. The shell at least partially defines an interior region. The interior region is fluidly connected to the chamber. The adsorptive material is in the interior region. The compressor is fluidly connected to the interior region. The first cooling circuit includes a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, and a conduit. The first heat exchanger is in thermal contact with the interior region. The second heat exchanger is in thermal contact with an electric vehicle component. The conduit is adapted to circulate a fluid between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. The present disclosure also provides a method of operating the air suspension system.

Continuously variable rate fluid spring system for a vehicle, and method of operation

A vehicle fluid spring system is adapted to absorb road shock imparted onto at least one road wheel of a vehicle. The vehicle fluid spring system includes a fluid spring and a variable volume unit. The fluid spring includes a fluid chamber adapted to change in volume. The variable volume unit including a rigid piston cylinder, a piston, a fluid cavity, and an actuator. The piston is adapted to reciprocate within, and is in sliding contact with, the rigid piston cylinder. The fluid cavity is defined by the piston cylinder and the piston. The actuator is adapted to drive the piston changing a volume of the fluid cavity. The fluid cavity is in fluid communication with the fluid chamber.

Method for controlling an air suspension system of a vehicle

A method for controlling an air suspension system of a vehicle includes: a) determining a bellows pressure-time characteristic curve for air admission to and release from the bellows of one air spring or the bellows of a plurality of air springs, the characteristic curve being normalized with the value of a supply pressure in a reservoir for compressed air, b) sensor measurement of a current pressure in the spring bellows of the air springs as well as the current supply pressure immediately before air admission thereto or air release therefrom, c) determining, from the normalized characteristic curve, the opening duration for the associated shutoff valve using the ratio of the measured bellows pressure to the measured supply pressure and the ratio of the provided target pressure to the measured supply pressure, d) opening the associated shutoff valve for the determined opening duration in order to set the provided target pressure.

Load estimation device
11685215 · 2023-06-27 · ·

A load estimation device includes: an air spring having a diaphragm that expands and contracts due to supply and exhaust of air, and configured to support a support body in a liftable manner; an auxiliary support portion configured to support the support body separately from the air spring; a displacement sensor configured to measure a length of the air spring; a pressure sensor configured to measure an internal pressure of the air spring; a temperature sensor disposed together with the air spring, and configured to measure a temperature of the air spring; and a calculation unit configured to calculate a spring load supported by the air spring based on measured results of the displacement sensor, the pressure sensor and the temperature sensor.

METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM OF A VEHICLE
20220032716 · 2022-02-03 ·

A method for controlling an air suspension system of a vehicle includes: a) determining a bellows pressure-time characteristic curve for air admission to and release from the bellows of one air spring or the bellows of a plurality of air springs, the characteristic curve being normalized with the value of a supply pressure in a reservoir for compressed air, b) sensor measurement of a current pressure in the spring bellows of the air springs as well as the current supply pressure immediately before air admission thereto or air release therefrom, c) determining, from the normalized characteristic curve, the opening duration for the associated shutoff valve using the ratio of the measured bellows pressure to the measured supply pressure and the ratio of the provided target pressure to the measured supply pressure, d) opening the associated shutoff valve for the determined opening duration in order to set the provided target pressure.

VEHICLE-HEIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM

A vehicle-height control system is configured to control a vehicle height for a wheel. The vehicle-height control system includes: a vehicle-height control actuator provided so as to correspond to the wheel; a pressure-medium supply and discharge device configured to supply and discharge a pressure medium to and from the vehicle-height control actuator; and a vehicle height controller configured to control the vehicle height for the wheel by controlling the pressure-medium supply and discharge device based on an inside temperature and an outside-air temperature to control at least one of supply and discharge of the pressure medium to and from the vehicle-height control actuator. The inside temperature is a temperature in the vehicle-height control system.

Communication Modules as well as Gas Spring Assemblies and Vehicle Systems Including Same
20210323369 · 2021-10-21 ·

A communication and power transmission module includes a communication connection portion adapted for communicative coupling with an associated controller. A wireless power and communication portion is adapted for communicative coupling with an associated sensing device operatively associated with an associated suspension component and/or an associated wheel. The wireless power and communication portion is operable to communicate wireless data and/or signals to and/or from the associated sensing device and operable to wirelessly transmit power to the associated sensing device. Gas spring assemblies and vehicles including one or more of such communication and power transmission modules are also included.

CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE RATE FLUID SPRING SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE, AND METHOD OF OPERATION

A vehicle fluid spring system is adapted to absorb road shock imparted onto at least one road wheel of a vehicle. The vehicle fluid spring system includes a fluid spring and a variable volume unit. The fluid spring includes a fluid chamber adapted to change in volume. The variable volume unit including a rigid piston cylinder, a piston, a fluid cavity, and an actuator. The piston is adapted to reciprocate within, and is in sliding contact with, the rigid piston cylinder. The fluid cavity is defined by the piston cylinder and the piston. The actuator is adapted to drive the piston changing a volume of the fluid cavity. The fluid cavity is in fluid communication with the fluid chamber.