This content is not included in
your SAE MOBILUS subscription, or you are not logged in.
Pneumatically Shifted Air Suspension Loading for Improved Fuel Economy Benefits
Technical Paper
2016-01-8031
ISSN: 0148-7191, e-ISSN: 2688-3627
Annotation ability available
Sector:
Language:
English
Abstract
Since the introduction of electronically controlled air suspension (ECAS) systems in the nineties, no major improvements have been made in the realm of controlling air suspensions in the heavy duty truck market. Despite the lack of improvement, a need exists for intelligently controlled air suspension systems, specifically systems which can be applied to 6x2 axle configurations in the North American market. This study outlines a concept proposal for a novel suspension control concept which encompasses traction control capabilities in addition to suspension control for improved fuel efficiency benefit. The major novelty of the concept is that, by utilizing specific axle configurations and tires, a shift in pressure from the driven to the non-driven axles may result in improvements in the overall fuel economy of the vehicle. The shift in pressure will allow ride height to be maintained while increasing fuel economy benefits if the tires used on the non-driven axles have lower rolling resistances than the tires used on the driven axles. To demonstrate the hypothesized benefits of the system, an estimate of fuel economy was derived through theoretical calculations and known data. Physical testing was conducted to verify the theoretical results. Fuel savings opportunities were identified through the calculated estimates and were further confirmed by full vehicle track tests. Tractors equipped with certain axle configurations (e.g. 6x2 axles) and tires (e.g. trailer tires on the non-driven axle) will experience a noticeable improvement in fuel economy which will ultimately lower fuel costs for operators and reduce the environmental impact of commercial vehicles.
Recommended Content
Authors
Topic
Citation
Atanasov, N. and Chenoweth, E., "Pneumatically Shifted Air Suspension Loading for Improved Fuel Economy Benefits," SAE Technical Paper 2016-01-8031, 2016, https://doi.org/10.4271/2016-01-8031.Also In
References
- Appleyard M. and Wellstead P. Active suspensions: some background IEE Proc.-Conrrol 7heory Appl 142 2 123 128 1995
- Reiskin J. S. Transport Topics 21 August 2015 http://www.ttnews.com/articles/basetemplate.aspx?storyid=39226 12 April 2016
- Lee T. , Fehring J. , Slick S. , Stockston B. e. al. CONFIDENCE FINDINGS ON THE POTENTIAL OF 6X2 AXLES North American Council for Freight Efficiency 2013
- Matern D. , Meier J. and Bodet M. VEHICLE AIR-SUSPENSION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATION United States of America Patent US 7,552,932 B2 30 June 2009
- Jovers I. , Kleen B. , Lucas J. , Rathjen F. a. Et ELECTROPNEUMATIC CONTROL ARRANGEMENT FOR AN AUTOMATIC VEHICLE LEVEL CONTROL SYSTEM United States of America Patent US 8,190,328 B2 29 May 2012
- Geiger H. and Russ A. PNEUMATIC SUSPENSION SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE United States of America Patent US 7,441,789 B2 28 October 2008
- Geiger H. PNEUMATIC SUSPENSION SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE United States of America Patent US 7,484,747 B2 3 February 2009
- Sheehan B. D. and Wise R. S. PILOT OPERATED VALVE WITH INVERSION CONTROL AND PRESSURE HOLD FUNCTIONS United States of America Patent US 2009/0079154 A1 26 March 2009
- Chen , Y. , Ahmadian , M. , and Peterson , A. Pneumatically Balanced Heavy Truck Air Suspensions for Improved Roll Stability SAE Technical Paper 2015-01-2749 2015 10.4271/2015-01-2749
- Huang , T. , Chen , G. , Zong , C. , and Zhou , T. Research on Vehicle Height Adjustment Control of Electronically Controlled Air Suspension SAE Technical Paper 2015-01-2750 2015 10.4271/2015-01-2750
- The Pneumatic Tire U.S. Department ofTransportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 2006
- Bode O. and Bode M. Untersuchung des Rollwiderstands von Nutzfahrzeugreifen auf echten Fahrbahnen FAT: Forschungsvereinigung Automobiltechnik e.V. Berlin 2013
- Schuring D. J. Tire Rolling Loss-An Overview Seventh Annual Meeting and Conference on Tire Science and Technology Akron 1988
- Snedecor G. W. and Cochran W. G. Statistical Methods 8th Iowa State University Press 1989
- Lindgärde , O. , Feng , L. , Tenstam , A. , and Soderman , M. Optimal Vehicle Control for Fuel Efficiency SAE Int. J. Commer. Veh. 8 2 682 694 2015 10.4271/2015-01-2875