Sensor enhances comfort

November 2010With a height and pressure sensor, ContiTech creates the prerequisite for electronically controlling air spring systems on rail vehicles.

With the height and pressure sensor integrated into the air springs, ContiTech Air Spring Systems creates the prerequisite for electronically controlling air spring systems on rail vehicles by means of electrically actuated valves. For a long time now, road vehicles have already been profiting from such springs. Low air loss, precise control of the ride level and variable target level settings are the benefits.

The new technology translates into enhanced comfort for rail-vehicle passengers. The air springs’ suspension characteristics render them capable of more precisely adapting to the vehicle's load state. At present this occurs via mechanically actuated control valves, whose neutral position is surrounded by a "passive zone”, in which the air spring neither receives nor releases air.

The ultrasound sensor from Air Spring Systems not only breaks even with the conventional system. It also considerably reduces the number of adjustment operations as it only readjusts the riding level when the train load requires this. The sensor also transmits the load state to the control device. In this way the rail vehicle’s brakes can also be regulated for load.