The Introduction of Height Control Valve

The height control valve is used in vehicle suspension systems equipped with air springs (airbags). It dynamically senses changes in vehicle height and promptly performs intake or exhaust actions to adjust the height of the air springs (airbags), thereby improving ride comfort and preventing road damage caused by wheel impact. The suspension control device is installed between the vehicle body and the bogie, with the core component being the height control valve.

When the vehicle load increases, the body moves downward relative to the bogie, triggering the valve to inflate the air spring, increasing pressure and raising the body height. Conversely, when the load decreases, the body rises, prompting the valve to release air from the air spring, decreasing pressure and lowering the height until it returns to the preset level.

As a strategic product, our height control valve has undergone continuous optimization over the years. We are committed to developing valves compatible with more vehicle models (including European and American series) and with enhanced functionalities. Based on performance and structure, our valves can be categorized into three main generations:

First-Generation Height Control Valve's Advantages

Classic valve sealing structure

• Port 1 is always connected to the air source. When the rocker arm is stationary, the outer port of the valve body is sealed with the valve assembly, ensuring no leakage at Port 2.

• When the rocker arm moves toward the intake direction, the valve stem pushes open the valve assembly, sealing the internal port and preventing leakage at the exhaust outlet.

Valve stem and rotating shaft coupling structure

• The valve stem is mounted horizontally (X-axis), and the rotating shaft is mounted vertically (Z-axis).

• A small rotating block connects the two, moving along the Y-axis within the slot of the valve stem as the rocker arm rotates, enabling horizontal X-axis movement of the valve stem and thus the intake/exhaust functions.

Pressure-holding function

• Both sides of Port 1 adopt valve assemblies. One side seals with the valve stem and valve port; the other seals with the intake fitting.

• After full intake via the rocker arm, turning back to the neutral position and cutting off Port 1 will retain pressure at Port 2.

Second-Generation Height Control Valve

This generation introduced significant structural changes.

Ceramic hard-sealing structure

• Replaces valve assembly with ceramic valve ports and uses a ceramic rotating block for opening/closing.

• Port 1 remains air-connected. When idle, the ceramic valve port and block form a hard seal, preventing leakage at Port 2.

• Upon intake activation, the ceramic block rotates to open, still ensuring no exhaust leakage.

Rigid shaft and ceramic block coupling structure

• Upgraded from flexible valve stem mechanism to a rigid shaft that directly rotates the ceramic block.

• This results in a more compact and simplified design compared to the first generation.

Bidirectional installation capability

• First-generation valves require plugging one of the two Port 2 outlets during use.

• The second generation features a symmetrical ceramic block and dual-port design. Depending on rocker arm direction, either left or right Port 2 activates independently, eliminating the need for external sealing and simplifying installation.

  
  

Third-Generation Height Control Valve

Building on the second generation, this version introduces variable flow functionality.

• It utilizes two ceramic rotating blocks (upper and lower) and four ceramic valve ports.

• When the rocker arm reaches a certain angle, both ceramic blocks align to their openings. A shuttle valve stem is then actuated by the variable flow port to achieve the desired flow adjustment.

Key Features

• Supports lifting or lowering the suspension to secondary height via external commands.

• Features air retention (blocking mode) and variable airflow (anti-tilt mode).

• Enables efficient cargo loading/unloading and significantly reduces maintenance costs.