AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a module 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.

Claims

1. A module for an air suspension system of a vehicle, the module comprising: a sensor interface configured to connect to a sensor and to receive sensor values from the sensor; a valve; and, a data interface 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.

2. The module of claim 1 further comprising: a pressure sensor for detecting pressure sensor values of a compressed air line which is connected to said valve; and, said pressure sensor being configured to output the pressure sensor values via said data interface to the control device.

3. The module of claim 1, wherein said valve is a first valve and the module has precisely three valves including said first valve, a second valve, and a third valve; said first valve has a first input and a first output; said second valve has a second input and a second output; said third valve has a third input and a third output; said first input being configured to connect to a pressure source; said first output being configured to connect to said second input and said third input; and, said second output and said third output each being configured to connect to an air spring of the air suspension system.

4. The module of claim 3 further comprising: a first pressure sensor and a second pressure sensor; said first pressure sensor being arranged in a region of said second output of said second valve; said second pressure sensor being arranged in a region of said third output of said third valve; and, the module being configured to output pressure sensor values of said first pressure sensor and said second pressure sensor to the control device via said data interface.

5. The module of claim 3, wherein said first valve is a 3/2-way valve; and, said second valve and said third valve are each a 2/2-way valve.

6. The module of claim 3, wherein said first valve defines a first passage cross section, said second valve defines a second passage cross section, and said third valve defines a third passage cross section; and, said first passage cross section corresponds at least to a sum of said second passage cross section and said third passage cross section.

7. The module of claim 6, wherein said second passage cross section and said third passage cross section are substantially identical.

8. The module of claim 1, wherein the module is configured to actuate said valve in a manner dependent upon the control command, in order to control a throughflow quantity at least through said valve in a variable manner.

9. The module of claim 1 further comprising 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.

10. The module of claim 1 further comprising a fault diagnosis device.

11. The module of claim 3 further comprising a fault diagnosis device configured to switch said first, second and third valves into a predefined state.

12. The module of claim 1, wherein said sensor interface is configured to connect to a displacement sensor.

13. The module of claim 1, wherein said valve is an electropneumatic valve.

14. The module of claim 1, wherein said data interface is configured to connect to a bus or a CAN bus.

15. A control device configured to receive pressure sensor values of a pressure sensor from at least one module as claimed in claim 1, and to generate and output control commands for the valve of the module, wherein the control device is configured to receive the pressure sensor values via a bus or CAN bus.

16. An air suspension system comprising: a module having a sensor interface configured to connect to a sensor and to receive sensor values from the sensor; said module further having a valve and a data interface 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; an air spring connected to said valve; a displacement sensor connected to said module via said sensor interface; and, said module being connected to the control device via said data interface and a bus.

17. A vehicle comprising: an air suspension system having a control device and a module according to claim 1; a control unit; said air spring suspension system further having an air spring connected to said valve; a displacement sensor connected to said module via said sensor interface; and, said module being connected to the control device via said data interface and a bus; a plurality of axles; and, wherein the vehicle has a plurality of said modules and each of said plurality of axles has one of said plurality of said modules assigned thereto.

18. A vehicle trailer comprising: an air suspension system according to claim 16; a plurality of axles; wherein the vehicle trailer includes a plurality of said modules; wherein each of said plurality of axles has one of said modules assigned thereto; and, wherein the vehicle trailer includes the control device as a dedicated control device of the vehicle trailer or said module is connected to the control device which is part of a towing vehicle.

19. A method for operating an air suspension system, wherein the air suspension system includes a module having a sensor interface configured to connect to a sensor and to receive sensor values from the sensor, the module further having a valve and a data interface 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 module via the sensor interface, the module being connected to the control device via the data interface and a bus, 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 module; and, outputting the control commands to the module.

20. A computer program product comprising program code stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium, wherein said program code is configured, when executed by a processor, to carry out the method of claim 19, wherein the control device includes the processor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein:

[0038] FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic illustration of a module for an air suspension system;

[0039] FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic illustration of an air suspension system;

[0040] FIG. 3 shows a diagrammatic illustration of a vehicle with an air suspension system;

[0041] FIG. 4 shows a diagrammatic illustration of a towing vehicle/trailer combination with an air suspension system;

[0042] FIG. 5 shows a diagrammatic illustration of a further towing vehicle/trailer combination with an air suspension system; and,

[0043] FIG. 6 shows a flow chart of steps of a method for operating an air suspension system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0044] FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic illustration of a module 10 for an air suspension system in accordance with one embodiment. The module 10 includes a data interface 12 which can be connected to a bus, in particular a CAN bus. The data interface 12 is connected to a processing unit 14 which is likewise connected to further components of the module 10.

[0045] In accordance with this embodiment, the processing unit 14 is connected to two sensor interfaces 16, to which displacement sensors can be connected. A displacement sensor which is connected via the sensor interface 16 supplies, in particular, sensor values 17 which preferably correspond to displacement sensor values 15 and which include a spacing, for example between a wheel suspension system and a chassis of a vehicle. The sensor interfaces 16 thus serve to receive sensor values by way of the processing unit 14, it then being possible for the processing unit 14 to transmit these sensor values in a bus protocol, in order to output these sensor values as a data packet or the like via the interface 12.

[0046] Furthermore, the processing unit is connected to three valves 18, 20, 22. The processing unit 14 serves to actuate the valves 18, 20, 22 when a data packet which requests an actuation of one or more valves 18, 20, 22 is received via the data interface 12. The three valves 18, 20, 22 are configured as electropneumatic valves 19, 21, 23.

[0047] One of the valves 18, 20, 22 which is called first valve 18 in the further text is configured as a 3/2-way valve. Here, the first valve 18 has an input 24, to which a pressure source, in particular a compressed air source, can be connected. To this end, the input 24 is guided via a compressed air line 26 to an outer side 27 of the housing 28 of the module 10, and forms a compressed air connector 30 here. Furthermore, an output 32 is provided on the first valve 18, which output 32 is likewise guided via a compressed air line 34 to the outer side 27 of the housing 28. A silencer 36 is arranged at the end of the compressed air line 34 on the outer side 27 of the housing 28.

[0048] In the position which is shown, that is, the state or switching state which is shown, of the first valve 18, air can thus be guided with a throughflow quantity 35 via a pressure source which is connected to the compressed air connector 30, through the first valve 18 to the valves 20, 22. To this end, the first valve 18 has a passage cross section 37 in the position which is shown, namely the passage position 33.

[0049] The valves 20, 22 are closed in the position which is shown, namely the closed position 39. The valve 20 is called second valve 20 in the further text, and the valve 22 is called third valve 22 in the further text. If the valves 20, 22 are switched over by actuation by way of the processing unit 14, the compressed air which is provided via the first valve 18 can flow through a compressed air line 38, which is guided from an output 40 of the first valve 18 to inputs 42, 44 of the second valve 20 and the third valve 22, through the second valve 20 and the third valve 22, and can flow out at outputs 45, 46 of the module 10. To this end, the second valve 20 has a second passage cross section 41, and the third valve 22 has a third passage cross section 43. An air spring of an air suspension system can be connected in each case at the outputs 45, 46.

[0050] Furthermore, in a passage position of the second valve 20 and the third valve 22 which is not shown in each case here, compressed air can also be discharged from the air springs through the first valve and through the compressed air line 34 by way of switching over of the first valve 18 into a discharge position (not shown) of the first valve 18. To this end, the silencer 36 is provided, in order to reduce the development of noise during venting of the air springs. In the closed position 39 which is shown of the second valve 20 and the third valve 22, an air pressure in the air springs which can be connected to the outputs 45, 46 can be measured via pressure sensors 48, 50 which are integrated into the module 10.

[0051] A pressure sensor value 54 which is detected by way of these pressure sensors 48, 50 can be converted into a data protocol of a bus system by the processing unit 14, just like the abovementioned displacement sensor values 15, in order to output the pressure sensor values 54 via the data interface 12.

[0052] Furthermore, the module 10 includes a fault diagnosis device 51. If a fault of the module 10 is determined by way of the fault diagnosis device 51, the valves 18, 20, 22 are switched into a predefined position 52, 53. The predefined position 52, 53 preferably corresponds to the open state which is shown, that is, the passage position 33, of the first valve 18 and the closed state which is shown, that is, the closed position 39, of the second valve 20 and the third valve 22.

[0053] Furthermore, the processing unit 14 includes a generator 53 for generating a pulse width modulated signal 55, by way of which the first valve 18 is actuated. The throughflow quantity 35 of an air flow through the first valve 18 can thus be varied. In particular in the case of discharging of air, a development of noise can thus be reduced further by way of a small throughflow quantity 35. In accordance with a further embodiment which is not shown here, the silencer 36 can thus also be dispensed with.

[0054] FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic illustration of an air suspension system 60 with the module 10 which is shown in FIG. 1. Two sensors 61 which are displacement sensors 62 are connected via the sensor interfaces 16 to the module 10. Furthermore, a compressed air source 63 is connected to the compressed air connector 30 of the module 10. The outputs 45, 46 are connected in each case via a compressed air line 67 to an air spring 66. Sensor values 17 which are received from the displacement sensors 62 by way of the sensor interface 16 can thus be transmitted via a bus 56 to the control device 58. To this end, the data interface 12 is connected to the bus 56 which is a CAN bus 57. Furthermore, pressure sensor values 54 which are recorded by way of the pressure sensors 48, 50 which are not shown here are also transmitted to the control device 58. The control device 58 transmits control commands 64 via the bus 56 to the module 10, by way of which control commands the valves 18, 20, 22 are actuated.

[0055] FIG. 3 shows a diagrammatic illustration of a vehicle 70 with a control device 58 and two modules 10. Each of the modules 10 is assigned to one of the axles 72 of the vehicle. The two modules 10 have the data interface 12 and are connected by way of it via a bus 56 to the control device 58. Furthermore, the modules 10 are connected in each case to two air springs 66 and two displacement sensors 62. Each of the displacement sensors 62 and each of the air springs 66 are assigned to a wheel 74 of the vehicle 70.

[0056] FIG. 4 shows a diagrammatic illustration of a towing vehicle/trailer combination 80 which has a vehicle 70, for example the vehicle 70 from FIG. 3. Here, the vehicle 70 corresponds to a towing vehicle 81, to which a vehicle trailer 82 is coupled. The vehicle 70 has a brake control unit 84 which serves here as control device 58. The control device 58 is connected to four modules 10, each of the modules 10 being assigned to one of the axles 72 of the vehicle 70 and of the vehicle trailer 82. The bus 56 for connecting the control device 58 to the modules 10 is guided to this end further via a cable connection 86 between the vehicle 70 and the vehicle trailer 82 to the vehicle trailer 82. In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure which is not shown here, a radio connection is provided instead of the cable connection 86.

[0057] FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment to the embodiment of FIG. 4. FIG. 5 once again shows a diagrammatic illustration of a vehicle 70 which is configured as a towing vehicle 81, and a diagrammatic illustration of a vehicle trailer 82, which can together be called a towing vehicle/trailer combination 80. Here, however, in addition to the control device 58 of the towing vehicle 81, a further control device 58 is provided in the vehicle trailer 82, which further control device 58 controls the modules 10 of the vehicle trailer 82 and receives sensor values 17 and pressure sensor values 54 from them. The control device 58 in the vehicle trailer 82 is a trailer brake control unit 88 in accordance with this embodiment.

[0058] FIG. 6 shows a flow chart of the steps of one embodiment of a method 89 for operating an air suspension system. In a step 90, sensor values 17 from at least one displacement sensor 62 and pressure sensor values 54 from a pressure sensor 48, 50 are received by a module 10 by way of a control device 58. In step 92, control commands for a valve 18, 20, 22 are generated in the control device 58. In step 94, the control commands are then output to the module 10.

[0059] It is understood that the foregoing description is that of the preferred embodiments of the invention and that various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

LIST OF DESIGNATIONS (CONSTITUENT PART OF THE DESCRIPTION)

[0060] 10 Module [0061] 12 Data interface [0062] 14 Processing unit [0063] 15 Displacement sensor values [0064] 16 Sensor interfaces [0065] 17 Sensor values [0066] 18 Valve [0067] 19 Electropneumatic valve [0068] 20 Valve [0069] 21 Electropneumatic valve [0070] 22 Valve [0071] 23 Electropneumatic valve [0072] 24 Input [0073] 26 Compressed air line [0074] 27 Outer side [0075] 28 Housing [0076] 30 Compressed air connector [0077] 32 Output [0078] 33 Passage position [0079] 34 Compressed air line [0080] 35 Throughflow quantity [0081] 36 Silencer [0082] 37 First passage cross section [0083] 38 Compressed air line [0084] 39 Closed position [0085] 40 Output [0086] 41 Second passage cross section [0087] 42 Input [0088] 43 Third passage cross section [0089] 44 Input [0090] 45 Output [0091] 46 Output [0092] 48 Pressure sensor [0093] 50 Pressure sensor [0094] 51 Fault diagnosis device [0095] 52 Predefined position [0096] 53 Predefined position [0097] 54 Pressure sensor value [0098] 55 Pulse width modulated signal [0099] 56 Bus [0100] 57 CAN bus [0101] 58 Control device [0102] 60 Air suspension system [0103] 61 Sensor [0104] 62 Displacement sensor [0105] 63 Compressed air source [0106] 64 Control commands [0107] 66 Air springs [0108] 67 Compressed air line [0109] 70 Vehicle [0110] 72 Axles [0111] 74 Wheel [0112] 80 Towing vehicle/trailer combination [0113] 81 Towing vehicle [0114] 82 Vehicle trailer [0115] 84 Brake control unit [0116] 86 Cable connection [0117] 88 Trailer brake control unit [0118] 89 Method [0119] 90 Step [0120] 92 Step [0121] 94 Step