Air suspension system

• US 7,862,061 B2
• Filed: 02/08/2008
• Issued: 01/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Jung, Joon Chai
• Primary Examiner(s): Ilan; Ruth
• Application Number:
  US12/028,116
• Publication Number:
  US 20090102154A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,061 Days
• Field of Search: 280124157-124161, 280/5.514, 280/6.157, 280/6.158, 267/64.28
• US Class Current: 280/124.157
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 15/12 and fluid damper
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 15/14 the damper being connected to the stub axle and the spring being arranged around the damper
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/01933 Velocity, e.g. relative velocity-displacement sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/0523 Regulating distributors or valves for pneumatic springs
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/056 Regulating distributors or valves for hydropneumatic systemsB60G17/044 - B60G17/048, B60G17/0416 take precedence; Fluid interconnection systems to control vehicle inclination B60G21/06, B60G21/10; valves per se F16K
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/314 The spring being a pneumatic spring
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/128 Damper mount on vehicle body or chassis

Abstract

An air suspension system includes a first transfer pipe having one end communicating with the outside, the first transfer pipe being constructed such that air flows through the first transfer pipe; a filter mounted adjacent to the one end of the first transfer pipe to filter out foreign matter from the air; a compressor mounted on the first transfer pipe, such that the compressor is located adjacent to the filter, to compress the air; a dryer mounted on the first transfer pipe, such that the dryer is located adjacent to the compressor, to dry the air; an exhaust pipe extending from the first transfer pipe between the compressor and the dryer; an exhaust valve mounted on the exhaust pipe to control the flow of the air; a second transfer pipe communicating with the other end of the first transfer pipe; a control unit connected to the second transfer pipe, the control unit being constructed such that the high and low of the control unit are controlled by the pressure of the air; and a storage unit connected to the second transfer pipe to store the compressed air.

Claims

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

a first transfer pipe having one end communicating with the outside, the first transfer pipe being constructed such that air flows through the first transfer pipe;

a filter mounted adjacent to the one end of the first transfer pipe to filter out foreign matter from the air;

a compressor mounted on the first transfer pipe, such that the compressor is located adjacent to the filter, to compress the air;

a dryer mounted on the first transfer pipe, such that the dryer is located adjacent to the compressor, to dry the air;

an exhaust pipe extending from the first transfer pipe between the compressor and the dryer;

an exhaust valve mounted on the exhaust pipe to control the flow of the air;

a second transfer pipe communicating with the other end of the first transfer pipe;

a control unit connected to the second transfer pipe, the control unit being constructed such that the pressure of the air controls a high and low height of the vehicle;

a storage unit connected to the second transfer pipe to store the compressed air; and

a first check valve mounted on the first transfer pipe between the compressor and the exhaust pipe.

2. The air suspension system according to claim 1, further comprising:

an injector mounted at the tip end of the exhaust pipe to inject air into an external object.

3. The air suspension system according to claim 1, further comprising:

an injector mounted at the tip end of the exhaust pipe to inject air into an external object.

4. The air suspension system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a second check valve mounted on the first transfer pipe between the dryer and the second transfer pipe;

a bypass pipe communicating with the first transfer pipe, the bypass pipe being constructed to allow the air to bypass the second check valve; and

a throttle valve mounted on the bypass pipe.

5. The air suspension system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a pressure sensor mounted on the second transfer pipe.

6. The air suspension system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit includes

a branch pipe having one end communicating with the second transfer pipe,

an air spring connected to the other end of the branch pipe, the air spring being constructed such that the high and low of the air spring are controlled by the pressure of the air, and

an on-off valve mounted on the branch pipe to control the outflow and inflow of the air.

7. The air suspension system according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit includes

a storage pipe having one end communicating with the second transfer pipe,

a storage tank connected to the other end of the storage pipe, the storage tank being constructed such that compressed air is stored in the storage tank, and

an opening and closing valve mounted on the storage pipe to control the outflow and inflow of the air.

8. The air suspension system according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust pipe branches directly from a point located between the first check valve and dryer.

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

a first transfer pipe having one end communicating with the outside, the first transfer pipe being constructed such that air flows through the first transfer pipe;

a filter mounted adjacent to the one end of the first transfer pipe to filter out foreign matter from the air;

a compressor mounted on the first transfer pipe, such that the compressor is located adjacent to the filter, to compress the air;

a dryer mounted on the first transfer pipe, such that the dryer is located adjacent to the compressor, to dry the air;

an exhaust pipe extending from the first transfer pipe between the compressor and the dryer;

an exhaust valve mounted on the exhaust pipe to control the flow of the air;

a first check valve mounted on the first transfer pipe between the compressor and the exhaust pipe;

a second transfer pipe communicating with the other end of the first transfer pipe;

a second check valve mounted on the first transfer pipe between the dryer and the second transfer pipe;

a bypass pipe communicating with the first transfer pipe, the bypass pipe being constructed to allow the air to bypass the second check valve;

a throttle valve mounted on the bypass pipe;

a control unit connected to the second transfer pipe, the control unit being constructed such that the pressure of the air controls a high and low height of the vehicle; and

a storage unit connected to the second transfer pipe to store the compressed air.

10. The air suspension system according to claim 9, further comprising:

a pressure sensor mounted on the second transfer pipe.

11. The air suspension system according to claim 10, wherein the control unit includes

a branch pipe having one end communicating with the second transfer pipe,

an air spring connected to the other end of the branch pipe, the air spring being constructed such that the high and low of the air spring are controlled by the pressure of the air, and

an on-off valve mounted on the branch pipe to control the outflow and inflow of the air.

12. The air suspension system according to claim 10, wherein the storage unit includes

a storage pipe having one end communicating with the second transfer pipe,

a storage tank connected to the other end of the storage pipe, the storage tank being constructed such that compressed air is stored in the storage tank, and

an opening and closing valve mounted on the storage pipe to control the outflow and inflow of the air.

13. The air suspension system according to claim 9, further comprising:

an injector mounted at the tip end of the exhaust pipe to inject air into an external object.

14. The air suspension system according to claim 13, wherein the control unit includes

a branch pipe having one end communicating with the second transfer pipe,

an air spring connected to the other end of the branch pipe, the air spring being constructed such that the high and low of the air spring are controlled by the pressure of the air, and

an on-off valve mounted on the branch pipe to control the outflow and inflow of the air.

15. The air suspension system according to claim 13, wherein the storage unit includes

a storage pipe having one end communicating with the second transfer pipe,

a storage tank connected to the other end of the storage pipe, the storage tank being constructed such that compressed all is stored in the storage tank, and

an opening and closing valve mounted on the storage pipe to control the outflow and inflow of the air.

16. The air suspension system according to claim 9, wherein the control unit includes

a branch pipe having one end communicating with the second transfer pipe,

an air spring connected to the other end of the branch pipe, the air spring being constructed such that the high and low of the air spring are controlled by the pressure of the air, and

an on-off valve mounted on the branch pipe to control the outflow and inflow of the air.

17. The air suspension system according to claim 9, wherein the storage unit includes

a storage pipe having one end communicating with the second transfer pipe,

a storage tank connected to the other end of the storage pipe, the storage tank being constructed such that compressed air is stored in the storage tank, and

an opening and closing valve mounted on the storage pipe to control the outflow and inflow of the air.

18. The air suspension system according to claim 9, wherein the exhaust pipe branches directly from a point located between the first check valve and dryer.