Method of controlling the quantity of air in a vehicle level control system

US6845988B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Daimlerchrysler AG · US

Inventors

• Matthias R{hacek over (o)}mer · Altdorf, DE
• Hans Scheerer · Eßlingen, DE
• Frank Schweickhardt · Stuttgart, DE
• Thomas Sprengel · Stuttgart, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 11, 2002
• Grant date: Jan 25, 2005
• Expiry date: Aug 13, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60G2500/2014
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

In a process for controlling the quantity of air in a closed, chargeable and estimable pneumatic level control system of a vehicle, which level control system comprises at least one pressure sensor, one pump, an actuator, a storage reservoir and pressure lines interconnecting these components, at least one vehicle body level sensor, and a temperature sensor, which measures the ambient temperature, from the values measured an air mass of the level control system is calculated on the basis of the air pressures in the components, the level of the vehicle and the ambient temperature. Furthermore, the level of the vehicle, the ambient temperature and a maximum possible change in level from a particular vehicle level are used to calculate a vehicle-specific desired air mass and a desired air pressure in the system. The air mass is increased if the actual air pressure drops below the desired air pressure, and the air mass is reduced if the actual air pressure exceeds the desired air pressure.