Systems and methods for automated air suspension pressure drop

Various systems and methods for automated air suspension pressure drop are disclosed.

BACKGROUND

Trailers are commonly used for transporting goods, equipment, materials, and the like. Many trailers include a plurality of axles, which may be separated from one another to distribute the load of the trailer more evenly. In some instances, these axles may be separated by 10 feet or more.

One problem associated with trailers having axles separated from one another is high lateral forces experienced in the tires of those axles during tight turning maneuvers. The high lateral forces may cause premature deterioration in the tires, which may lead to dangerous and costly tire failure. Also, trailers having separated axles may experience a strain as a result of the high lateral forces experienced in the tires of the axles.

Axles using air springs may be raised by decreasing pressure in the air springs, and may be lowered by increasing pressure in the air springs. Decreasing pressure in air springs associated with at least one axle will cause that axle to raise, and will transfer a majority of the load from the raised axle to an axle having air springs with higher pressure. The trailer may then pivot on the remaining axle (having air springs with higher pressure), thereby preventing high lateral forces to be experienced in the tires.

What is needed is a system for automatically decreasing pressure in a trailer's air spring.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a system for decreasing air pressure in an air spring is provided, the system comprising: a trailer, comprising: a first axle, a second axle, and at least one beam, wherein the first axle is operatively connected to the at least one beam and at least one air spring; a strain gauge operatively connected to the at least one beam; and a control unit operatively connected to the strain gauge and the at least one air spring.

In another embodiment, a system for decreasing air pressure in an air spring is provided, the system comprising: a system for decreasing air pressure in an air spring, comprising: a trailer, comprising: a first axle and a second axle, wherein at least one of the first axle and the second axle is operatively connected to at least one air spring; a strain gauge operatively connected to the trailer; and a control unit operatively connected to the strain gauge and the at least one air spring.

In one embodiment, a method for decreasing air pressure in an air spring is provided, the method comprising: providing a trailer, comprising: a first axle and a second axle, wherein at least one of the first axle and the second axle is operatively connected to at least one air spring; providing a strain gauge operatively connected to the trailer, wherein the strain gauge is configured to identify a lateral bending strain in the trailer; identifying the presence of the lateral bending strain in the trailer, wherein the lateral bending strain is about an axis substantially normal to the trailer's plane of travel; communicating the presence of the lateral bending strain in the trailer to a control unit operatively connected to the at least one air spring; and decreasing the air pressure in the at least one air spring.

In any or all of the embodiments, decreasing the air pressure in an air spring may comprise automatically decreasing the air pressure in an air spring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1illustrates an example arrangement of a system100for automated air suspension pressure drop. System100comprises a trailer102and a tractor104.FIG. 1represents a side view of trailer102and tractor104. In one embodiment, trailer102and tractor104are configured for travel on roadways, such as public roadways. In another embodiment, trailer102and tractor104are configured for travel on jobsites. In another embodiment, trailer102and tractor104are configured for cross-country travel on roadways.

Trailer102may comprise at least one beam106. Beam106may comprise an I-beam, a solid beam, an enclosed beam, or the like. In one embodiment, beam106comprises any elongated member configured to structurally support at least a portion of trailer102. In one embodiment, beam106comprises at least a portion of trailer102's frame. In one embodiment, beam106is an I-beam comprising at least one web and at least one flange.

In one embodiment, trailer102comprises, and beam106is operatively connected to, at least a first axle108. In one embodiment, trailer102comprises, and beam106is operatively connected to, at least a second axle110. In one embodiment, first axle108and second axle110are adjacent to one another. In another embodiment, first axle108and second axle110are separated from one another. In another embodiment, first axle108and second axle110are separated by a distance of about 10 ft. 2 in. In another embodiment, first axle108and second axle110are separated by a distance of less than about 10 ft. 2 in. In another embodiment, first axle108and second axle110are separated by a distance greater than about 10 ft. 2 in. In another embodiment, first axle108and second axle110are separated by a distance of at least about 8 ft.

First axle108may comprise at least one tire112. In one embodiment, first axle108comprises a plurality of tires112.

Second axle110may comprise at least one tire114. In one embodiment, second axle110comprises a plurality of tires114.

In one embodiment, trailer102is a platform trailer and comprises a platform116. Trailer102may comprise a flatbed trailer with a platform116configured to haul any of a variety of items, including equipment, materials, vehicles, timber, pipe, or the like. In one embodiment, trailer102comprises a roll-back trailer. In another embodiment, trailer102comprises a dump trailer.

Tractor104may comprise any tractor configured to haul or move trailer102.

In one embodiment, trailer102comprises a beam106operatively connected to at least one strain gauge118. Strain gauge118may comprise any gauge configured to measure strain in an object. In one embodiment, strain gauge118is a Wheatstone bridge strain gauge. In one embodiment, at least one strain gauge118is directly connected to beam106. In another embodiment, at least one strain gauge118is mounted on beam106. In another embodiment, at least one strain gauge118is configured to measure strain in beam106.

In one embodiment, beam106comprises a first end and a second end, and strain gauge118is oriented between the first end and the second end. Strain gauge118may be oriented substantially in the center of beam106. In one embodiment, beam106comprises an I-beam including a web portion and at least two flange portions. Strain gauge118may be oriented on the web portion of beam106.

In one embodiment, strain gauge118is configured to identify a lateral bending strain in beam106, wherein the lateral bending strain is about an axis substantially normal to trailer102's plane of travel. In another embodiment, strain gauge118is configured to identify longitudinal deformation in beam106. In another embodiment, strain gauge118is configured to identify any deformation in beam106.

In one embodiment, strain gauge118is oriented on at least one of first axle108and second axle110. In another embodiment, strain gauge118is operatively connected to at least one of first axle108and second axle110. Strain gauge118may be configured to sense strain in at least one of first axle108and second axle110. Strain gauge118may be configured in one embodiment to sense lateral force in at least one of first axle108and second axle110.

In one embodiment, at least one of first axle108and second axle110are connected to trailer102via, among other items, at least one bushing. At least one of first axle108and second axle110may comprise at least one bushing oriented between trailer102and at least one of first axle108and second axle110. In one embodiment, at least one strain gauge118may be configured to identify strain in the at least one bushing.

In one embodiment, trailer102and tractor104are connected via a kingpin120. Kingpin120may comprise a pivot point between trailer102and tractor104.

In one embodiment, at least one of trailer102and tractor104comprises a control unit122. Control unit122may comprise at least one of a computer, a sensor, and a switch. Control unit122may be operatively connected to at least one strain gauge118. In one embodiment, control unit122is electrically connected to at least one strain gauge118.

In one embodiment, control unit122is operatively connected to at least one air spring (not shown), which is operatively connected to trailer102. In one embodiment, trailer102comprises at least one air spring (not shown) oriented between beam106and at least one of first axle108and second axle110. In one embodiment, control unit122is operatively connected to at least one strain gauge118and is configured to receive a strain signal from strain gauge118. In another embodiment, control unit122is operatively connected to at least one strain gauge118and is configured to sense strain in strain gauge118, after which control unit122causes at least one air spring in trailer102(not shown) to lower its air pressure.

FIG. 2illustrates an example arrangement of a system200for automated air suspension pressure drop. System200comprises a trailer202.FIG. 2represents a rear view of trailer202. Trailer202may comprise at least one beam206. Trailer202may also comprise a first axle208including at least one tire212.

In one embodiment, trailer202comprises a platform216. Platform216may be operatively connected to at least one beam206. At least one beam206may be operatively connected to first axle208.

In one embodiment, system200comprises at least one strain gauge218. At least one strain gauge218may be operatively connected to at least one beam206. In one embodiment, system200comprises a plurality of stain gauge218. At least one strain gauge218may be operatively connected to at least one of beam206, first axle208, and platform216.

System200may comprise at least one air spring224. At least one air spring224may comprise a flexible bellows configured to hold a volume of air at a desired pressure, wherein the volume of air within the flexible bellows determines the spring rate of at least one air spring224. At least one air spring224may comprise a flexible bellows configured to hold a volume of air at any of a variety of pressures, wherein the flexible bellows expands upon application of a greater volume of air and contracts upon application of a lesser volume of air.

In one embodiment, at least one air spring224is operatively connected to first axle208and beam206. In another embodiment, at least one air spring224is oriented between first axle208and beam206. At least one air spring224may at least partially control the distance between beam206and first axle208, such that increasing the air pressure in at least one air spring224increases the distance between beam206and first axle208. Likewise, lowering the air pressure in at least one air spring224decreases the distance between beam206and first axle208.

In one embodiment, system200comprises a control unit (not shown) operatively connected to at least one air spring224. In another embodiment, system200comprises a control unit (not shown) operatively connected to at least one strain gauge218. At least one strain gauge218may indicate strain in trailer202(e.g., strain in beam206), wherein a control unit (not shown) may cause at least one air spring224to decrease its air pressure.

FIG. 3illustrates an example arrangement of a system300for automated air suspension pressure drop. System300may comprise a trailer302including at least one beam306, and a tractor304.FIG. 3represents a bottom view of trailer302and tractor304. In one embodiment, trailer302comprises two beams306, oriented on each side of trailer302.

Trailer302may comprise a first axle308and a second axle310. First axle308may comprise at least one tire312. Second axle310may comprise at least one tire314. In one embodiment, trailer302comprises a platform316.

System300may comprise at least one strain gauge318configured to sense strain in trailer302. In one embodiment, at least one strain gauge318is operatively connected to at least one beam306. In another embodiment, trailer302comprises a plurality of beams306, and one or more of beams306comprises a strain gauge318.

Tractor304and trailer302may be pivotally connected via a kingpin320.

In one embodiment, system300comprises a control unit322. In one embodiment, control unit322is oriented on tractor304. In another embodiment, control unit322is oriented on trailer302. Control unit322may be operatively connected to at least one of strain gauge318and at least one air spring (not shown).

FIG. 4represents a bottom view of trailer302and tractor304of system300in a turning maneuver. In one embodiment, tractor304causes trailer302to turn. Trailer302comprises first axle308and second axle310. As a result of the distance between first axle308and second axle310, excessive lateral force is generated by at least one tire312and at least one tire314interacting with a road surface during the turning maneuver. Excessive force generated by at least one tire312and at least one tire314interacting with a road surface may cause a strain in trailer302. In one embodiment, strain in trailer302is sensed by at least one strain gauge318, which is connected to trailer302.

In one embodiment, strain gauge318communicates a signal to control unit322. Upon receiving a strain signal from strain gauge318, control unit322may cause at least one air spring (not shown) to decrease its air pressure. In one embodiment, control unit322causes at least one air spring associated with first axle308to decrease its pressure, thereby transferring the majority of the load of trailer302to second axle310. With less or no load on first axle308, and more or all load on second axle310, trailer302may complete its turning maneuver while eliminating lateral forces generated by at least one tire312.

In another embodiment, tractor304causes trailer302to stop turning and travel straight, thereby completing its turning maneuver. Strain gauge318may sense reduced or no strain and may communicate a signal to control unit322to cause at least one air spring associated with first axle308to increase its pressure, thereby distributing the load of trailer302to both first axle308and second axle310.

In one embodiment, control unit322causes at least one air spring associated with second axle310to reduce pressure during a turning maneuver instead of first axle308, thereby transferring the majority of the load of trailer302to first axle308. Upon completing its turning maneuver, strain gauge318may sense reduced or no strain and may communicate a signal to control unit322to cause at least one air spring associated with second axle310to increase its pressure, thereby distributing the load of trailer302to both first axle308and second axle310.

In one embodiment, at least one of first axle308and second axle310comprise a plurality of air springs, and control unit322causes one or all of the air springs associated with first axle308or second axle310to decrease or increase pressure as necessary for trailer302to execute a turning maneuver.

In one embodiment, at least one strain gauge318communicates directly with at least one air spring (not shown) associated with at least one of first axle308and second axle310, and causes the at least one air spring to decrease or increase its pressure as necessary for executing a turning maneuver.

In one embodiment, trailer302includes one or more axle in addition to first axle308and second axle310. The one or more additional axle (not shown) may additionally include at least one air spring (not shown). The pressure in the at least one air spring associated with the at least one additional axle may also be decreased so as to cause the majority or all of the load of trailer302to be directed to a single axle, such as first axle308or second axle310.

In one embodiment, tractor304is fixedly connected to trailer302, rather than pivotally connected. In such an embodiment, tractor304and trailer302do not pivot relative to one another. One example embodiment includes a multi-axle dump truck. In such an embodiment, strain is sensed by strain gauge318in the same manner as a pivotally connected tractor304and trailer302, and the same concepts of reducing or increasing pressure in one or more air springs associated with any of the multiple axles (e.g., first axle308and second axle310) may be applied.

In one embodiment, during a turning maneuver, control unit322may cause the at least one air spring (not shown) associated with one of first axle308and second axle310to increase in pressure, thereby causing the majority of the load of trailer302to be transferred to that axle. In another embodiment, during a turning maneuver, control unit322may cause the at least one air spring (not shown) associated with one of first axle308and second axle310to increase in pressure, while also causing the at least one air spring (not shown) associated with the other axle to decrease in pressure. Upon completion of the turning maneuver, control unit322may cause the at least one air spring (not shown) associated with first axle308and second axle310to decrease and increase in pressure as necessary to distribute the load of trailer302to both first axle308and second axle310.

FIG. 5illustrates an example arrangement of a system500for automated air suspension pressure drop. System500may comprise a trailer502including at least one beam506, and a tractor504.FIG. 5represents a side view of trailer502and tractor504. Trailer502may comprise a first axle508and a second axle510. First axle508may comprise at least one tire512. Second axle510may comprise at least one tire514.

Trailer502may comprise at least one enclosure516. In one embodiment, enclosure516comprises a van. In another embodiment, enclosure516comprises at least one of a van, a container, a tanker, a dump bed, and the like. In one embodiment, stresses experienced during a turning maneuver may be transmitted into at least one side of enclosure516.

In one embodiment, system500comprises at least one strain gauge518. At least one strain gauge518may be oriented on at least one side of enclosure516. At least one strain gauge may be configured to sense strain in at least one side of enclosure516.

Trailer502may be pivotally attached to tractor504via a kingpin520. In another embodiment, trailer502is fixedly attached to tractor504via kingpin520.

In one embodiment, system500comprises a control unit522. Control unit522may be oriented on at least one of tractor504and trailer502. Control unit522may be operatively connected to at least one strain gauge518.

In one embodiment, when trailer502executes a training maneuver, enclosure516experiences strain. At least one strain gauge518may sense the strain and communicate a strain signal to control unit522. Control unit522may cause at least one air spring (not shown) associated with at least one of first axle508and second axle510to decrease its air pressure.

Upon completion of the turning maneuver, at least one strain gauge518may sense a decrease of strain in enclosure516. Strain gauge518may communicate a decrease of strain to control unit522. Control unit522may cause at least one air spring (not shown) associated with at least one of first axle508and second axle510to increase its air pressure.

FIG. 6illustrates an example method600for automated air suspension pressure drop. Method600includes providing a trailer, comprising: at least a first axle and a second axle, and at least one beam; wherein the first axle comprises an air spring (step602). Method600also includes providing a strain gauge operatively connected to the at least one beam and configured to identify a lateral bending strain in the at least one beam (step604). Method600additionally includes identifying the presence of the lateral bending strain in the at least one beam (step606). The presence of the lateral bending strain in the at least one beam is communicated from the strain gauge to a control unit operatively connected to the air spring (step608). The air pressure in the air spring is reduced (step610).

FIG. 7illustrates an example method700for automated air suspension pressure drop. Method700includes providing a trailer, comprising: at least a first axle and a second axle, and at least one enclosure; wherein the first axle comprises an air spring (step702). Method700also includes providing a strain gauge operatively connected to the at least one enclosure and configured to identify a lateral bending strain in the at least one enclosure (step704). Method700additionally includes identifying the presence of the lateral bending strain in the at least one enclosure (step706). The presence of the lateral bending strain in the at least one enclosure is communicated from the strain gauge to a control unit operatively connected to the air spring (step708). The air pressure is reduced in the air spring (step710).

As stated above, while the present application has been illustrated by the description of embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the present application. Therefore, the application, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details, illustrative examples shown, or any apparatus referred to. Departures may be made from such details, examples, and apparatuses without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept.