SMART AIR SPRINGS

SMART AIR SPRINGS with integrated Height Sensor

The company Torque And More has developed a sensor system for a smart air spring. A smart air spring is a height sensor system that has been fully integrated into a standard air spring. This product is now commonly referred to as a smart air spring. This new technology has been developed to be used instead of existing air springs. The well-known disadvantages of the traditional levelling sensor are eliminated and new advanced features include:

  • Height measurement signal resolution of < 0,1mm
  • Improved performance and repeatability
  • Overall system cost reduction
  • Easy installation – fewer part numbers
  • Higher system robustness
  • After-sales business protection
  • Manipulation proof

Key Specification:

  • Measurement Range: up to 500mm
  • Signal Resolution: 0,1mm
  • Signal Bandwidth: 1000 samples/sec
  • Selectable Outputs: analogue 0V to +5V, PWM, CAN
  • Supply Voltage: +8V to +32V (or +5V)
  • Operation Temp. Range: -40°C to +85°C

Design, Function and Performance Description of the Non-Contact Height Sensor

The magnetic principle based, non-contact height sensor system from Torque And More is measuring the distance between the sensing module and a reference device. The system has a large measurement range of above 1,0m and a high signal resolution of 0,1mm.
The height sensor system consists of three building blocks: the sensor device, the reference device, and the sensor electronics. The sensing device and the sensor electronics can be placed at the same location.

The sensing and reference devices operate with inductive air-coils. The absolute measurement range of this sensor is mainly a function of the sensing module dimensions. The larger the diameter of the inductor or aircoil, the larger the absolute measurement range will be. In most cases the absolute measurement range is around 4 to 6 times the diameter of the sensing device air-coil.

The distance measurement is based on the mathematically determined decay of the signal amplitude of a masked magnetic signal when increasing the distance between the signal source (reference device) and the signal receiver (sensing device). The magnetic signal used is “masked” to ensure that the signal can be clearly identified by the signal receiver as a valid signal (EMI reduction).

Please click on the links below to see a demonstration video of how our non contact height sensor technology works :

IR Height Sensor Demo Video

 

Advantages:

Lower Overall Costs

  • Fewer parts, simpler installation
  • Increased air tightness and low pressure air pipes
  • Easy to maintain (diagnostics and safety)
  • Reduced logistic and service cost

Lower Fuel Consumption

  • Less mechanical components
  • Weight reduction
  • Pressureless air pipes

Improved Durability

  • Less moving parts
  • No manipulation possible
  • No parts exposed to environment

After Sales – Business Protection

Added intelligence that allows for new features