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Pneumatic module brings buses and coaches to kerb

A KV product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Aug 18, 2003

KV offers an easily retrofittable kneeling module for public service vehicles that uses the vehicle's existing air supply to raise or lower the air bags and requires minimal space.

Big changes are taking place in the public service vehicles sector as the full implications of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 are being implemented.

The whole purpose of the act is to give equal access to bus and coach services for people with disabilities.

Currently, there are some 10.7 million UK residents of pensionable age, and this figure is expected to rise to about 15.5 million by 2030.

The greatest proportionate increase will be in the very aged, ie those of 85 or more, and of these more than 75% can be expected to have a disability.

Bus and coach operators have been putting more vehicles into service with provision for ease of access and carriage of the disabled, not only as a result of the act, but also because of the revenue generated by this sector.

It is also predicted that the composition of bus fleets will change over the next decade, with a reduction of the number of double-decker units by nearly 25%, the number of midi buses up by over double current fleets to 15,000 vehicles and minibuses for 23 or more passengers up by over a third to over 13,000 vehicles.

Coaches too are predicted to share in this increase, with annual revenue from disabled passengers increased by between GBP 1 and 1.5 million.

With the move towards disabled access accelerating, and the number of people using passenger transport set to increase, fleet operators not yet considering converting existing fleets to provide disabled facilities, such as kneeling systems, run the risk of missing out on future tenders.

KV offers an easily retrofittable kneeling module which, in its standard form, is simple to install and operate, uses the vehicle's existing air supply to raise or lower the air bags and requires minimal space.

Unlike other electronic controlled air suspension systems, KV's module does not require a sophisticated electronic controller, yet offers all the benefits of automatic return to the driving level with a 4-5s raise facility.

The system also has the ability to kneel the vehicle either from side to side or front to back, and uses the ride-height-levelling valve to control the pressure in the air suspension system, proportionate to the vehicle load.

KV's Mobile Systems Division Manager Martin Sanders says: "KV is a company with many years experience in the transport industry and we have been supplying the bus and coach sector for many years with door control and safety systems, push buttons, actuators and components for numerous applications".

He went on to say: "This kneeling system has already been tried and tested in the industry and praised for its simplicity to install, its efficiency in operation and for its economy".

There is an optional "Hi-Ride" module which bolts on to the standard unit, and provides additional ground clearance plus a unique facility to "stop and hold" the suspension to give finite height adjustment for differing kerb heights or access levels.

The system takes its reference or datum point from the vehicle's levelling valve, which maintains the vehicle at a constant ride height, irrespective of varying loads.

Where the driver requires the vehicle to kneel, a simple solenoid allows the suspension air bags to deflate.

Actuating a second solenoid allows the system to inflate to the required ride height set by the levelling valve.

Where the driver requires the vehicle to raise above the normal ride height, the module can be supplied with the "Hi-Ride" facility for extra ground clearance, and no extra electronics or ECU are required.