The present application relates to the technical field of vehicle shock absorption device and, in particular, to an air spring with adjustable stiffness and a vehicle air suspension system.
Air springs were originally designed for heavy aircraft. Nowadays, air springs are also widely used in automobile industry, so as to realize an autonomous adjusting function of the height of the suspension and a smooth driving quality.
In general, requirements for the suspension are different by different road driving conditions and speeds. The suspension is required to have a higher stability by high-speed driving. The suspension is required to have an excellent lane keeping capacity by off-road driving. Therefore, a suspension with relatively high stiffness is preferred by high-speed driving on a paved road, while a suspension with relatively low stiffness is preferred by low-speed driving on an off-road.
In the related technology, the air suspension technology provides a certain vertical stiffness by using an air spring with nonadjustable stiffness. Since the stiffness thereof is not adjustable according to the changes of the driving conditions, it is unable to function both on the paved road and on the off-road road etc. at the same time.
An air spring with adjustable stiffness and a vehicle air suspension system are provided, to solve the problem that the stiffness of the air spring in the related technology cannot be adjusted according to changes of the driving conditions.
The air spring with adjustable stiffness and the vehicle air suspension system provided relate to the following technical solution.
An air spring with adjustable stiffness includes a main body consisting of an upper sealing plate, a lower sealing plate and a main air spring bellow, wherein an air spring bellow for adjustment is arranged in the main body, an inner space of the main body is divided by the air spring bellow for adjustment into a first region out of the air spring bellow for adjustment and a second region inside the air spring bellow for adjustment.
The first region and the second region are respectively connected to a gas source out of the main body, and a gas pressure in the first region and a gas pressure in the second region can be individually controlled.
By adopting the above technical solution, the stiffness of the air spring can be controlled. In addition, the stiffness of the air spring is adjusted by adjustment of the gas pressure in the second region, thus a stepless adjustment of the stiffness of the air spring can be realized.
Optionally, an open end of the air spring bellow for adjustment is tightly connected with the lower sealing plate, and the lower sealing plate is configured with a second gas opening in communication with the second region.
By adopting the above technical solution, it is convenient to product and assemble the air spring and is conducive to ensure the performance of the air spring.
Optionally, a plurality of air spring bellows for adjustment are provided, a first gas collection chamber is defined in the lower sealing plate, and the air spring bellow for adjustment is in communication with the first gas collection chamber.
By adopting the above technical solution, it is conducive to improve the pressure-bearing capacity of the air spring bellow for adjustment, so as to enlarge the adjusting range of the stiffness of the air spring.
Optionally, the open end of each of the plurality of air spring bellows for adjustment is provided with a base seat, a pressuring plate is arranged above the base seat, and the base plate is pressed and fixed between the pressuring plate and the lower sealing plate.
By adopting the above technical solution, it is convenient to install and remove the air spring bellow for adjustment, which can not only ensure the gas-tightness, but also facilitate the future maintenance.
Optionally, the air spring with adjustable stiffness further includes an anti-collision shield on the lower sealing plate, wherein the anti-collision shield includes a sleeve body, an upper end of the sleeve body is provided with a top protection plate, the top protection plate is configured with a gas passage, and the air spring bellow for adjustment is positioned in the anti-collision shield.
By adopting the above technical solution, the stiffness adjustment assembly can be effectively protected, to avoid the collision of the stiffness adjustment assembly due to too large deformation of the air spring, such that the service life of the air spring can be prolonged.
Optionally, the air spring with adjustable stiffness further includes a gas collection plate on the lower sealing plate, wherein a second gas collection chamber is defined in the gas collection plate, a lower side of the gas collection plate is configured with a third connection tube, the third connection tube is configured with a second gas opening in communication with the second gas collection chamber, the third connection tube passes through the lower sealing plate and is tightly connected with the lower sealing plate.
Each of the plurality of air spring bellows for adjustment is in communication with the second gas collection chamber via a respective third gas opening at the gas collection plate.
By adopting the above technical solution, it is conducive to improve the pressure-bearing capacity of the air spring bellow for adjustment, thereby enlarging the adjusting range of the stiffness of the air spring.
Optionally, the air spring bellow for adjustment is shaped as a spiral hose, the lower sealing plate is configured with a second gas opening, and an open end of the air spring bellow for adjustment is tightly connected with the second gas opening.
By adopting the above technical solution, it is conducive to improve the pressure-bearing capacity of the air spring bellow for adjustment on the one hand, so as to enlarge the adjusting range of the stiffness of the air spring. It is convenient to conduct a reliable tight connection on the other hand, ensuring the gas tightness based on the relatively small diameter of opening of the air spring bellow for adjustment.
Optionally, an anti-collision shield is arranged out of the air spring bellow for adjustment, the anti-collision shield includes a sleeve body, an upper end of the sleeve body is provided with a top protection plate, the top protection plate is configured with a gas passage, the sleeve body is provided with a plurality of supporters for supporting the air spring bellow for adjustment, and the plurality of supporters are arranged in a spiral manner.
By adopting the above technical solution, the stiffness adjustment assembly can be effectively protected on the one hand, to avoid the collision of the stiffness adjustment assembly due to too large deformation of the air spring, such that the service life of the air spring can be prolonged. The air spring bellow for adjustment in form of a spiral hose can be supported on the other hand, so as to ensure the stability of the spiral structure of the air spring bellow for adjustment.
Optionally, the open end of the air spring bellow for adjustment is tightly connected with the upper sealing plate, and the upper sealing plate is configured with a second gas opening in communication with the second region.
By adopting the above technical solution, it is convenient to product and assemble the air spring and is conducive to ensure the performance of the air spring.
Optionally, the main air spring bellow and the air spring bellow for adjustment are respectively connected with an external gas source via a pressure adjustment system.
By adopting the above technical solution, the gas pressures in the first region and the second region can be individually controlled.
A vehicle air suspension system is provided, in which an air spring of the vehicle air suspension system is configured as any one of the above air springs with adjustable stiffness. A vehicle includes the above vehicle air suspension system.
By adopting the above technical solution, the vehicle can adjust the stiffness of the air spring according to changes of the driving conditions, such that it can function on the conditions such as by driving on a paved road and by an off-road driving, completely improving the ride comfort and operation stability.
In summary, at least one of the following beneficial technical effects is obtained:
The present application is further described in detail below in combination with
As shown in
A stiffness adjustment assembly is arranged in the main body 1. The stiffness adjustment assembly includes an air spring bellow for adjustment 21 with an open end. The open end of the air spring bellow for adjustment 21 is connected with the main body 1, and the air spring bellow for adjustment 21 divides the inner space of the main body 1 into different regions. To facilitate the description, the region out of the air spring bellow for adjustment 21 is defined as a first region 31, while the region inside the air spring bellow for adjustment 21 is defined as a second region 32. The main body 1 is respectively configured with a first gas opening 41 in communication with the first region 31 and a second gas opening 42 in communication with the second region 32. The first gas opening 41 and the second gas opening 42 are respectively connected to an external gas source via a pressure adjustment system. The gas pressure in the first region 31 and the second region 32 can be individually controlled by the pressure adjustment system.
As an embodiment shown in
As an embodiment, the first gas opening 41 in this embodiment is defined at the upper sealing plate 12. The upper sealing plate 12 is configured with a first pressure measuring opening (not shown). The first pressure measuring opening is provided with a sensor (not shown) for detecting the gas pressure in the first region 31. The main air spring bellow 11 and the air spring bellow for adjustment 21 are made of rubber and/or textile materials.
As shown in
Preferably, the plurality of air spring bellows for adjustment 21 are uniformly distributed on the lower sealing plate 13. The lower side of the lower sealing plate 13 is configured with a first connection tube 1322 and a second pressure measuring opening (not shown). The second gas opening 42 is defined at the first connection tube 1322. The second pressure measuring opening is provided with a sensor (not shown) for detecting the gas pressure in the second region. The upper side of the lower sealing plate 13 is configured with a second connection tube 1311. The third gas opening 43 is defined at the second connection tube 1311.
As an embodiment shown in
Further, as shown in
As an embodiment shown in
The air spring bellow for adjustment 21 can be configured as a bladder or a hose. As an embodiment, the air spring bellow for adjustment 21 in this embodiment is configured as a circular cylindrical hose.
Further, the stiffness adjustment assembly further includes an anti-collision shield 23 as shown in
As an embodiment, the anti-collision shield 23 in this embodiment includes a sleeve body 231 in a shape of a circular cylindrical sleeve. An upper end of the sleeve body 231 is provided with a top protection plate 232 extending radially inwards. The top protection plate 232 is configured with a gas passage 2321. The top protection plate 232 here is configured with one or more gas passages 2321. The top protection plate 232 in this embodiment is configured with one gas passage 2321, and the gas passage 2321 is coaxial with the top protection plate 232. The top protection plate 232 as a whole is in an annular shape.
A lower end of the sleeve body 231 is configured with a flanging 233 being folded inwards. The flanging 233 is fixedly connected to the pressuring plate 22 through a screw.
The stiffness adjustment assembly is adaptive to adjust the stiffness of the air spring. When in use, the volume and internal gas pressure of the air spring bellow for adjustment 21 can be changed by charging and discharging of the air spring bellow for adjustment 21 in the stiffness adjustment assembly. The volume of the air spring bellow for adjustment 21 and the internal pressure will affect the stiffness of the air spring, so as to adjust the stiffness of the entire air spring. The gas is charged in the air spring bellow for adjustment 21 in the stiffness adjustment assembly when it is required to increase the stiffness of the air spring, so as to increase the gas pressure in the air spring bellow for adjustment 21. On the contrary, a certain amount of gas is discharged from the air spring bellow for adjustment 21, so as to decrease the stiffness of the air spring.
The implementation principle of the embodiment of the present application is as follows.
Factor I: The high-pressure gas in the air spring will produce resistance when the air spring is compressed, and the gas pressure in the air spring will increase accordingly.
Factor II: The internal gas pressure of the air spring is the main factor that influences the stiffness of the air spring. When other conditions are same, the higher the gas pressure in the air spring is, the larger the stiffness of the air spring is. On the contrary, the smaller the gas pressure in the air spring is, the smaller the stiffness of the air spring is. Intuitively by the same force on the air spring, the air spring is difficult to be compressed when the gas pressure in the air spring is relatively large, which results in a smaller deformation of the air spring, that is, the air spring has a higher stiffness; when the gas pressure in the air spring is relatively small, the air spring is easier to be compressed, which results in a larger deformation of the air spring, that is, the air spring has a lower stiffness.
Considering the above factor I in combination with factor II, the gas pressure in the air spring bellow for adjustment 21 can be controlled by providing the air spring bellow for adjustment 21 in the main body 1 of the air spring according to the present application, so as to change the gas pressure of part regions in the main body 1 of the air spring, to realize the adjustment of the stiffness of the air spring. When a force is so exerted on the air spring, the gas in the first region 31 out of the air spring bellow for adjustment 21 and the gas in the air spring bellow for adjustment 21 are compressed at the same time. However, different gas pressures in the first region 31 and the air spring bellow for adjustment 21 lead to different resistance effects. The existence of high-pressure gas in the air spring bellow for adjustment 21 makes it more difficult for the air spring to be compressed, that is, the stiffness of the air spring becomes larger. By considering a more intuitive extreme case, the volume of the second region 32 will continue to increase while the volume of the first region 31 will continue to decrease, when the air spring bellow for adjustment 21 is continuously filled with high-pressure gas. When in extreme case the internal space of the main body 1 of the air spring is fully occupied by the air spring bellow for adjustment 21, the overall stiffness of the air spring is infinitely close to the stiffness of the air spring bellow for adjustment 21. That is, the overall stiffness of the air spring is determined by the gas pressure in the second region 32, and the air spring possesses the maximum stiffness Kmax. When the air spring bellow for adjustment 21 is continuously discharged, the volume of the first region 31 will continue to increase, while the volume of the second region 32 will continue to decrease. When in extreme case the air spring bellow for adjustment 21 is completely flattened, the overall stiffness of the air spring is infinitely close to the stiffness of a single main air spring bellow 11, that is, the overall stiffness of the air spring is determined by the gas pressure in the first region 31, and the air spring possesses the minimum stiffness Kmin. The gas pressure in the air spring bellow for adjustment 21 is adjusted by charging and discharging of the air spring bellow for adjustment 21, so that the overall stiffness of the air spring can varies between the maximum stiffness Kmax and the minimum stiffness Kmin.
Further, a mathematic modeling is established for the air spring of the present application, in order to explain the feasibility and rationality of the stiffness adjustment of the present application.
As shown in
As shown in
wherein r0 represents the inner diameter of the air spring bellow for adjustment 21 when P1=P2, and d0 represents the wall thickness of the air spring bellow for adjustment 21 when P1=P2, as shown in
According to the force-balance principle of the sleeve body, the following formula is obtained:
F=2(r0+Δr)(P2−P1)L=2(d−Δd)σr (4)
wherein stress σr is obtained by dividing the force on the air spring bellow for adjustment 21 by the corresponding area, namely the force per unit area:
wherein the pressure difference ΔP is:
ΔP=P
2
−P
1 (6)
The Young's modulus E quantifies the relationship between the tensile stress σr and the axial strain εr in the linear elastic region of the material, which is as follows:
σr=εrE (7)
According to formulas (5) and (7), it can be concluded that
Based on the assumption that the low strain system εr2≈0, it can be concluded that:
According to formulas (2) and (8), the change of the inner diameter of the air spring bellow for adjustment 21 can be written as:
According to formulas (3) and (8), the change in wall thickness of the air spring bellow for adjustment 21 can be written as:
The total volume of the air spring bellow for adjustment 21 can be calculated as follows (when ignoring the change in wall thickness of the sleeve):
wherein α represents the number of the air spring bellow for adjustments 21.
Assuming that the gas pressures in the first region 31 and the second region 32 of the air spring under the load F0 are respectively set as P10 and P20, and the corresponding original volume of the second region 32 is V20, the entire volume of the air spring is V0=V10+V20. According to formula (11), the original volume of the second region 32 is:
The original volume of the first region 31 of the air spring is:
V
1
0
=V
0
−V
2
0 (13)
When the original load F0 is turned into F0+ΔF, the gas pressure P10 will be turned into P10+ΔP1. According to the ideal gas law, the following equation can be derived:
V
1
0
P
1
0=(V10−ΔV1+ΔV2)(P10+ΔP1) V20P20=(V20−ΔV2)(P20+ΔP2) (14)
For simplification, the following equation can be obtained by only considering the linear part of formula (14):
ΔP1V10=P10(ΔV1−ΔV2) ΔP2V2=P20ΔV2 (15)
In turn the following equation can be obtained:
According to formulas (11) and (12), the volume change ΔV2 of the second region 32 can be written as:
wherein ΔP2=P2−P20, ΔP1=P1−P10.
By combining formulas (16) and (17), the following equation can be obtained:
According to formulas (15) and (18), the volume change of the first region 31 of the air spring can be represented as:
By combining formulas (15) and (18), the gas pressure change in the second region 32 can be written as:
The total volume change of the air spring is as follows:
Therefore, the stiffness of the air spring can be expressed as:
In general, the original pressure P10 of the air spring is determined by the vehicle load and the height of suspension. Therefore, the stiffness of the air spring can be adjusted by controlling the original gas pressure P20 of the second region 32.
As shown in
The stiffness adjustment assembly includes a gas collection plate 24 above the lower sealing plate 13. The gas collection plate 24 is hollow, the internal cavity thereof is the second gas collection chamber 241. The lower side of the gas collection plate 24 is configured with a third connection tube 242. The third connection tube 242 is configured with a second gas opening 42 in communication with the second gas collection chamber 241. The third connection tube 242 runs through the lower sealing plate 13 and extends up to a position below the lower sealing plate 13. The lower sealing plate 13 is configured with a mounting hole 133 for accommodating the third connection tube 242. The third connection tube 242 is tightly connected with the lower sealing plate 13.
As an embodiment, the mounting hole 133 in this embodiment is a conical hole with an upper end with larger diameter and a lower end with smaller diameter. A sealing ring 2421 is arranged at the third connection tube 242. The third connection tube 242 is provided with a locking nut 2422 under the lower sealing plate 13. The sealing ring 2421 is pressed and sealed on the conical surface of the mounting hole 133 under the locking nut 2422. Preferably, the outer circular cylinder surface of the third connection tube 242 is configured with a mounting groove for accommodating the sealing ring 2421.
As an embodiment, the lower side of the gas collection plate in this embodiment is configured with a pressure measuring tube (not shown) in communication with the second gas collection chamber 241. The pressure measuring tube runs through the lower sealing plate 13 and extends up to a position below the lower sealing plate 13. The pressure measuring tube is in tightly connected with the lower sealing plate 13. Preferably, the connection structure between the pressure measuring tube and the lower sealing plate 13 is the same as the connection structure between the third connection tube 242 and the lower sealing plate 13, which won't be repeatedly described. A sensor (not shown) is mounted at the pressure measuring tube.
The upper side of the gas collection plate 24 is configured with a fourth connection tube 243. The fourth connection tube 243 is configured with a third gas opening 43 in communication with the second gas collection chamber 241. There are a plurality of the fourth connection tubes 243, which are respectively corresponding to the air spring bellows for adjustment 21. Each of the air spring bellows for adjustment 21 is in communication with the second gas collection chamber 241 via the corresponding fourth connection tube 243.
A pressuring plate 22 is arranged above the gas collection plate 24. The pressuring plate 22 is configured with reserved holes 221 respectively corresponding to the air spring bellows for adjustment 21. The upper portion of the air spring bellow for adjustment 21 runs through the reserved hole 221 and extends to a position above the pressuring plate 22. The pressuring plate 22 is fixedly connected with the gas collection plate 24. The diameter of the reserved hole 221 is smaller than the outer diameter of the base seat 211. The base seat 211 of the air spring bellow for adjustment 21 is sealed and pressed between the pressuring plate 22 and the gas collection plate 24.
The remaining structures are the same as Embodiment 1.
As shown in
As shown in
Further, the upper side of the lower sealing plate 13 is configured with a snapping groove 135 that is positioned out of the base seat 211 of the air spring bellow for adjustment 21. The outer end of the base seat 211 extends up to a position above the snapping groove 135. The lower side of the base seat 211 is configured with a second flange 2111 extending downwards up to interior of the snapping groove 135. The reliability of the tight connection between the air spring bellow for adjustment 21 and the lower sealing plate 13 can be ensured by the second flange 2111, so as to prevent the lower edge of the air spring bellow for adjustment 21 from slipping off between the pressuring plate 22 and the lower sealing plate 13.
Further, the air spring bellow for adjustment 21 and the main air spring bellow 11 share one the pressuring plate 22, that is, the lower edge of the main air spring bellow 11 is pressed and fixed between the lower sealing plate 13 and the outer edge of the pressuring plate 22. The first flange 111 at the lower edge of the main air spring bellow 11 is positioned in the snapping groove 135.
The remaining structures are the same as Embodiment 1.
As shown in
The sixth connection tube 136 is configured with a second pressure measuring opening (not shown) below the lower sealing plate 13. The second pressure measuring opening is provided with a sensor (not shown) for detecting the gas pressure in the second region.
As an embodiment shown in
Further, an anti-collision shield 23 is arranged outside the air spring bellow for adjustment 21, as shown in
Further, as shown in
The remaining structures are the same as Embodiment 1.
As shown in
The stiffness adjustment assembly includes a plurality of air spring bellows for adjustment 21, and each of the air spring bellows for adjustment 21 is configured with an opening at upper end. The opening at upper end of the air spring bellow for adjustment 21 is tightly connected with the upper sealing plate 12 at the main body 1. The upper sealing plate 12 is hollow, and the inner chamber thereof is defined as a third gas collection chamber. The upper side of the upper sealing plate 12 is configured with a second gas opening 42 in communication with the third gas collection chamber. The lower side of the upper sealing plate 12 is configured with a plurality of third gas openings 43 in communication with the third gas collection chamber. The number of the third gas openings 43 is the same as the number of the air spring bellows for adjustment 21, and the position of each third gas opening 43 is corresponding to that of each air spring bellow for adjustment 21. Each of the air spring bellows for adjustment 21 is in communication with the third gas collection chamber via corresponding one of the third gas openings 43.
Preferably, the plurality of air spring bellows for adjustment 21 are uniformly distributed on the upper sealing plate 12. The upper side of the upper sealing plate 12 is configured with a seventh connection tube and a second pressure measuring opening (not shown). The second gas opening 42 is defined at the seventh connection tube. The second pressure measuring opening is provided with a sensor (not shown) for detecting the gas pressure in the second region. The lower side of the upper sealing plate 12 is configured with an eighth connection tube. The third gas opening 43 is defined at the eighth connection tube.
The lower sealing plate 13 is provided with a first pressure measuring opening (not shown). The first pressure measuring opening is provided with a sensor (not shown) for detecting the gas pressure in the first region.
As an embodiment, the upper sealing plate 12 in this embodiment includes a cover plate 131 and a base plate 132 from bottom to top successively. The upper edge of the main air spring bellow 11 is clamped and fixed between the cover plate 131 and the base plate 132. The cover plate 131 is fixedly connected with the base plate 132. The cover plate 131 and/or the base plate 132 are/is configured with a groove 1321 on the opposite faces thereof. The inner space of the groove 1321 serves as the third gas collection chamber. As an embodiment, the face of the base plate 132 opposite to the cover plate 131 is configured with the groove 1321 in this embodiment, that is, the lower side of the base plate 132 is configured with the groove 1321.
Further, the upper edge of the main air spring bellow 11 is configured with a first flange 111 extending in the groove 1321. The connection reliability and the tightness between the main air spring bellow 11 and the upper sealing plate 12 can be ensured by the first flange 111, so as to prevent the upper edge of the main air spring bellow 11 from removing out of the upper sealing plate 12.
As an embodiment, the opening at upper end of the air spring bellow for adjustment 21 in this embodiment is provided with a base seat 211 horizontally extending outward. A pressuring plate 22 is arranged below the upper sealing plate 12. The pressuring plate 22 is configured with reserved holes 221 respectively corresponding to the air spring bellows for adjustment 21. The lower portion of the air spring bellow for adjustment 21 passes through the corresponding reserved hole 221 and extends up to a position below the pressuring plate 22. The pressuring plate 22 is fixedly connected with the upper sealing plate 12. The base seat 211 of the air spring bellow for adjustment 21 is sealed and pressed between the pressuring plate 22 and the upper sealing plate 12.
The air spring bellow for adjustment 21 can be configured as a bladder or a hose. As an embodiment, the air spring bellow for adjustment 21 in this embodiment is configured as a circular cylindrical hose.
Further, the stiffness adjustment assembly further includes an anti-collision shield 23, in order to avoid damage of the air spring bellow for adjustment 21 caused by collision between the upper sealing plate 12 and the air spring bellow for adjustment 21 due to the excessive squeezing of the air spring at work. The air spring bellow for adjustment 21 is positioned in the anti-collision shield 23.
As an embodiment, the anti-collision shield 23 in this embodiment includes a sleeve body 231 in a shape of a circular cylindrical sleeve. The lower end of the sleeve body 231 is provided with a top protection plate 232 extending radially inwards. The top protection plate 232 is configured with a gas passage 2321. The top protection plate 232 herein is configured with one or more gas passages 2321. The top protection plate 232 in this embodiment is configured with one gas passage 2321, and the gas passage 2321 is coaxial with the top protection plate 232. The top protection plate 232 entirely is ring-shaped.
The upper end of the sleeve body 231 is configured with a flanging 233 being folded inwards. The flanging 233 is fixedly connected to the pressuring plate 22 through a screw.
The remaining structures are the same as Embodiment 1.
A vehicle air suspension system includes an air spring. The air spring is configured as the air spring according to one of the above Embodiment 1 to Embodiment 5, which won't be repeatedly described.
A vehicle includes the above vehicle air suspension system.
The above are the preferred embodiments of the present application, which are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, all equivalent changes made according to the structure, shape and principle of the present application should be covered within the protection scope of the present application.
This application is a continuation of PCT application serial no. PCT/CN2022/131352, filed on Nov. 11, 2022. The entirety of PCT application serial no. PCT/CN2022/131352 is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this specification.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/CN2022/131352 | Nov 2022 | US |
Child | 18214580 | US |