How does an Air Suspension work (why is a valve necessary?)
Air suspensions use air springs or air shocks to
support all or part of a vehicle’s (or other equipment’s) weight. These air
springs are inflated with compressed air to raise the load. Under varying
load, air springs change in height to a considerable degree; as the load
increases, the spring lowers, as the load is reduced, the spring raises. If
there is any variation in the load applied to the air spring, it will be
necessary to include a valve in the air spring circuit to control the height
of the vehicle suspension. This valve is typically mounted to the vehicle
frame and connects to the suspension lower member with a signal link. As the
suspension raises and lowers, the valve ‘reads’ the height of the suspension
and adds air to or removes air from the air springs.
Why a Delay Valve?
The valve/air spring circuit forms a closed-loop
control system for suspension height. This closed loop system responds
directly to the valve input. When the valve is shifted from ‘raise’ to
‘lower’ or vice-versa, each movement adds or removes air from the air
springs. If the vehicle is travelling on a rough road or the equipment has a
variable load (ex: washing machinery), the valve is constantly shifting, and
constantly using air from the supply.
By incorporating a delay mechanism into the valve,
the minor excursions of the valve control input will not result in any air
usage as these signals will simply be ignored. If the valve control link is
moved rapidly from ‘raise’ to ‘lower’, the delay will prevent the valve from
actuating until the average input is shifted away from the valve center
position. Once this occurs, the valve will begin to respond by moving to
bring the valve center position in line with the new signal input.
The King of the Road integral delay valve reduces
unnecessary valve actuation and can significantly reduce air consumption.
What is Deadband?
The deadband is the portion of the valve operation
stroke where both the intake and exhaust valves are closed and the air
spring is isolated from the supply. When the valve is at the deadband point
the vehicle or equipment is at the regulated height. The width of the
deadband affects the accuracy of the regulated height. As the suspension
approaches the deadband from one direction, the valve will settle at that
end of the deadband. As the suspension approaches the deadband from the
other direction, the valve will settle at the other end of the deadband.
If the deadband is made narrower to provide a more
accurate regulated height, air consumption will increase because the intake
and exhaust valves will open more frequently. Incorporating a delay into the
valve allows adjustment of a tighter deadband with lower air consumption.
The King of the Road valve incorporates a delay mechanism that can be set
during the manufacturing process from zero to over 30 seconds to provide the
proper delay time for your application.
See
warranty
details for specific terms, conditions, and return policies.
