Compressed air drying component system and regeneration pipeline temperature control method

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of dryers, and discloses a compressed air drying component system. The main check valve is used to allow the air dried by the drying component to flow into the outlet while preventing the dried compressed air from flowing into the drying component through the main check valve; the regeneration circuit includes a one-way valve and a throttle valve connected in series. The regeneration circuit is used to backflush the compressed air at the outlet to the drying component for regeneration; the regeneration circuit also includes a control pipeline connected to the pilot valve of the unloading valve; the solenoid valve is connected between the outlet and the regeneration pipeline to control the on-off of the regeneration pipeline; the solenoid valve is also connected to the control unit, and the control unit controls the action of the solenoid valve; the heating unit is connected to the control unit, and the control unit controls the start and stop of the heating unit; the heating unit is arranged on one side of the regeneration circuit to heat the compressed air in the regeneration circuit. This dryer system has the advantages of strong regeneration ability and prevention of low-temperature freezing, etc.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of compressed air drying and regeneration, and particularly to a compressed air drying component system and a control method. Background Art

[0002] Compressed air consumption devices of commercial vehicles require clean and dry compressed air. Chinese Patent CN201580026506.2 discloses a compressed air drying system. Its principle is that a practical method for removing moisture from compressed air is the so-called pressure swing adsorption process. The compressed air provided by an air compressor passes through a filter element of an air drying component. The drying cylinder is filled with a porous material called a desiccant. During the process of air passing through the filter element of the drying component, water molecules are trapped in the pores of the desiccant, and the relative humidity of the compressed air will decrease. This stage is called the loading stage. After the compressor finishes air delivery, it is necessary to remove the water molecules trapped in the desiccant. This is achieved by expanding a part of the compressed and dried air through a throttle valve. Due to the pressure drop of the compressed air, the relative humidity of the already dried air will also drop sharply. This extremely dry air is introduced into the filter element of the drying component to carry away the air molecules trapped in the desiccant and is discharged into the environment through a relief valve. This is the regeneration stage of the air drying component. After completing the regeneration stage, if more compressed air does not need to be provided for the air consumption device, the air drying component will switch to the so-called locked stage. During the regeneration and locked stages, the air compressor is turned off by an electronic or pneumatic signal controlled by a built-in or separate electronic control unit.

[0003] Due to the high air consumption or leakage of the vehicle compressed air system, it may happen that the available air for regeneration is not enough to completely remove the residual moisture in the desiccant. It may also happen that the time between two loading cycles is not long enough to provide an appropriate amount of compressed air for regeneration because the flow rate of the regeneration air is limited and cannot ensure an appropriate expansion rate. For both cases, the regeneration process needs to improve efficiency to balance with the increased intercepted water volume during the loading stage. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention is solved by the following technical solutions:

[0005] A compressed air drying component system includes an air inlet, an air outlet, a drying component, a main check valve, a regeneration circuit, a solenoid valve, a control unit, and a heating element;

[0006] Wherein, the air inlet is used for pneumatically connecting with an air compressor to convey compressed air into the drying component;

[0007] The air outlet is used for pneumatically connecting with pneumatic components of a vehicle and conveying the dried compressed air to them;

[0008] The main check valve is used to allow the air dried by the drying component to flow into the outlet port while preventing the dried compressed air from flowing into the drying component through the main check valve;

[0009] The regeneration circuit includes a one-way valve and a throttle valve connected in series. The regeneration circuit is used to blow the compressed air at the outlet port back to the drying component for regeneration;

[0010] The regeneration circuit also includes a control pipeline connected to the pilot valve of the unloading valve;

[0011] The solenoid valve is connected between the outlet port and the regeneration pipeline and is used to control the on-off of the regeneration pipeline;

[0012] The solenoid valve is also connected to the control unit, and the control unit controls the action of the solenoid valve;

[0013] The described heating unit is connected to the control unit, and the control unit controls the start and stop of the heating unit; the heating unit is arranged on one side of the regeneration circuit and is used to heat the compressed air in the regeneration circuit.

[0014] Preferably, the drying component is integrated in the drying component housing, and a heating channel is opened on one side of the regeneration pipeline, and a heating component is installed in the heating channel.

[0015] Preferably, the power of the heating component is not greater than 150w.

[0016] Preferably, a temperature sensor is further included. The temperature sensor is used to collect the temperature of the regeneration pipeline, and the temperature sensor is connected to the control unit.

[0017] Preferably, the inlet of the drying component is communicated with the inlet of the unloading valve.

[0018] For the method of controlling the temperature of the regeneration pipeline of the compressed air drying and regeneration system, the control unit is also connected to the vehicle power management system, and the control method includes the following steps:

[0019] Step 1: Obtain the air temperature in the air drying component;

[0020] Step 2: Compare whether the temperature in the air drying component is greater than the system preset threshold;

[0021] Step 3: If it is less than the system preset threshold, then execute Step 4;

[0022] Step 4: Select a heater strategy. The heating strategies include the "always on" strategy, or the "temperature control strategy" or the "wet open strategy";

[0023] Step 5: When the "always on" strategy is selected, the heater is always on. Determine whether the air drying component is overheated. If so, turn off the heater. If not, continue to turn on the heater.

[0024] Preferably, in step two, when the temperature in the drying component is greater than or equal to the system threshold, it is judged whether the regeneration air flow needs to be heated; if so, it is judged whether it is in the regeneration stage. If it is in the regeneration stage, it is judged whether the heater is overheated. If it is not overheated, the heater is continuously turned on. If it is overheated, the heater is turned off.

[0025] Preferably, the method for judging whether the regeneration air flow needs to be heated is to calculate the required compressed air volume in the regeneration stage according to the water content of the desiccant; then compare it with the available compressed air volume for regeneration. If the available compressed air volume is not sufficient to regenerate the desiccant in one or a predetermined number of cycles, this function will request a heated air flow to improve the regeneration efficiency.

[0026] Preferably, the preset compressed air volume for the regeneration stage is 10% - 15% of the load stage.

[0027] Preferably, when the "wet open strategy" is selected in step four, the heater is always turned on during the loading stage and the regeneration stage.

[0028] Through the above technical solutions, the present invention has the following technical effects:

[0029] This solution designs a heating mechanism to increase the temperature of the regeneration air flow, thereby reducing the relative humidity of the air. Moreover, this heating mechanism can also be applied to the situation where components freeze when the temperature is low, ensuring the normal use of the components. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 It is a system diagram.

[0031] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the position of the heating element.

[0032] Figure 3 It is a control flow chart.

[0033] The reference numerals in the drawings are the following technical names:

[0034] 1 - air inlet, 2 - air outlet, 3 - exhaust port, 4 - drying component, 18 - heating element, 7 - control unit, 20 - housing, 5 - throttle valve, 6 - unloading valve, 9 - main check valve, 10 - solenoid valve, 16 - regeneration pipeline. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0035] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the drawings and embodiments.

[0036] Embodiment 1

[0037] Compressed air drying component system, including air inlet 1, air outlet 2, drying component 4, main check valve 9, regeneration circuit, solenoid valve 10, control unit 7 and heating element 18;

[0038] Among them, the air inlet 1 is used for pneumatic connection with an air compressor to convey compressed air into the drying component 4;

[0039] The air outlet 2 is used for pneumatic connection with pneumatic components of a vehicle and conveying the dried compressed air to them;

[0040] The main check valve 9 is used to allow the air dried by the drying component 4 to flow into the air outlet 2 while preventing the dried compressed air from flowing into the drying component 4 through the main check valve 9;

[0041] The regeneration circuit includes a one-way valve and a throttle valve 5 connected in series. The regeneration circuit is used to backflush the compressed air at the air outlet 2 to the drying component 4 for regeneration;

[0042] The regeneration circuit also includes a control pipeline connected to the pilot valve of the unloading valve 6;

[0043] The solenoid valve 10 is connected between the air outlet 2 and the regeneration pipeline 16 to control the on-off of the regeneration pipeline 16;

[0044] The solenoid valve 10 is also connected to the control unit 7, and the control unit 7 controls the action of the solenoid valve 10;

[0045] The described heating unit is connected to the control unit 7, and the control unit 7 controls the start and stop of the heating unit; The heating unit is arranged on one side of the regeneration circuit to heat the compressed air in the regeneration circuit.

[0046] In this embodiment, the drying component 4 is integrated in the drying component 4 housing 20. A heating channel is opened on one side of the regeneration pipeline, and a heating component is installed in the heating channel. The heating component is installed on the housing 20 and connected to the control. The housing 20 is a heat-conducting component, and in this embodiment, the housing 20 is made of a metal material.

[0047] In this embodiment, in order to avoid overheating of the housing 20, the power of the heating component is limited, and the power of the heating component is not greater than 150w. The specific power can be actually selected according to the heat dissipation speed and the temperature rise speed.

[0048] In order to facilitate collecting the temperature of the gas in the pipeline, a temperature sensor is also included in this embodiment. The temperature sensor is used to collect the temperature of the regeneration pipeline 16, and the temperature sensor is connected to the control unit 7. The control unit 7 makes judgments on subsequent actions according to the temperature collected by the temperature sensor, such as turning on and off the heater.

[0049] In this embodiment, the inlet of the drying component 4 is communicated with the inlet of the unloading valve 6. The unloading valve 6 is used to discharge the air during the regeneration process to the outside of the drying component 4.

[0050] The working process of this drying component 4 is as follows:

[0051] During the loading stage, the air compressor compresses the air, and after drying the compressed air through the drying equipment, the compressed air is conveyed to each braking chamber through the one-way valve.

[0052] When regeneration is carried out, the controller controls the solenoid valve 10 to open the regeneration circuit. The compressed air at the 2 end of the air outlet enters the drying component 4 through the throttle valve 5 for back blowing. At the same time, the compressed air enters the pilot chamber of the unloading valve 6 to open the unloading valve 6, and the regenerated compressed air is discharged through the exhaust port 3 of the unloading valve 6.

[0053] When the temperature is relatively low and the regeneration efficiency is low and cannot meet the regeneration requirements, the controller turns on the heating component according to the signal of the temperature sensor collected, heats the regeneration air flow, thereby reducing the relative humidity of the regeneration air flow and accelerating the removal of moisture in the drying component 4 during the regeneration process.

[0054] Embodiment 2

[0055] This solution provides a method for controlling the temperature of the regeneration pipeline of a compressed air drying and regeneration system. The control unit 7 is also connected to the vehicle power management system. The control method includes the following steps:

[0056] Step 1: Obtain the air temperature inside the air drying component 4;

[0057] Step 2: Compare whether the temperature inside the air drying component 4 is greater than the threshold preset by the system;

[0058] Step 3: If it is less than the threshold preset by the system, then execute Step 4;

[0059] Step 4: Select a heater strategy. The heating strategies include the "always on" strategy, or the "temperature control strategy" or the "wet on" strategy;

[0060] Step 5: When the "always on" strategy is selected, the heater is always on. Determine whether the air drying component 4 is overheated. If so, turn off the heater. If not, continue to turn on the heater.

[0061] In this embodiment, in Step 2, when the temperature inside the drying component 4 is greater than or equal to the system threshold, determine whether it is necessary to heat the regeneration air flow; if so, determine whether it is in the regeneration stage. If it is in the regeneration stage, then determine whether the heater is overheated. If it is not overheated, continue to turn on the heater. If it is overheated, turn off the heater.

[0062] The method for determining whether to heat the regeneration air flow is to calculate the amount of compressed air required in the regeneration stage based on the moisture content of the desiccant; then compare it with the available compressed air for regeneration. If the available compressed air is not sufficient to regenerate the desiccant in one or a predetermined number of cycles, this function will request a heated air flow to improve the regeneration efficiency. Generally, the amount of compressed air in the regeneration stage is preset to be 10% - 15% of the load stage.

[0063] However, when the temperature is low or the working conditions are relatively complex, there is not enough time to recycle the required amount of compressed air for the regeneration stage. So in this case, moisture will accumulate in the desiccant, resulting in a decrease in drying efficiency. In this case, the available compressed air cannot meet the required compressed air for regeneration, so the heating component needs to be turned on to improve the regeneration efficiency.

[0064] So in this case, it is necessary to calculate the required regeneration compressed air according to the moisture content in the desiccant. The moisture content of the desiccant is calculated as follows: Since we compress the conveyed air to at least 9 bar, the conveyed air has 100% relative humidity. The water volume is determined by pressure and temperature, and the i-X diagram is the measured value. For example, if the filter element is working properly, it will remove 95% of the water, and this 95% is the moisture content of the desiccant.

[0065] Preferably, the amount of compressed air for the regeneration stage is preset to be 12% of the load stage.

[0066] This solution improves the temperature of the regeneration air flow by designing a heating mechanism, thereby reducing the relative humidity of the air. Moreover, this heating mechanism can also be applied to the situation where parts freeze when the temperature is low, ensuring the normal use of the parts.

[0067] Embodiment 3

[0068] The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 2 is that when "wet start strategy" is selected in Step 4, the heater is always turned on during the loading stage and the regeneration stage.

[0069] When the "wet start strategy" is selected, regardless of the temperature, the heater is turned off during the locking stage because there is no moisture in the critical area. Only when the "wet start strategy" is selected, the heater will be turned on during both the "loading stage" and the "regeneration stage". In some cases, the heater is turned on not because of low temperature, but to support regeneration, so the heater will only be turned on during the regeneration stage. When the temperature is high enough and the regeneration stage does not require the support of the heater, the heater will be turned off.

Claims

1. Method for controlling the temperature of the regeneration pipeline of a compressed air drying component system, characterized in that: It includes a compressed air drying component system, which includes an air inlet (1), an air outlet (2), a drying component (4), a main check valve (9), a regeneration circuit, a solenoid valve (10), a control unit (7), and a heating element (18); Among them, the air inlet is used for pneumatic connection with an air compressor to convey compressed air into the drying component; The air outlet is used for pneumatic connection with the pneumatic components of the vehicle and conveying the dried compressed air to them; The main check valve is used to allow the air dried by the drying component to flow into the air outlet and at the same time prevent the dried compressed air from flowing into the drying component through the main check valve; The regeneration circuit includes a one-way valve and a throttle valve connected in series. The regeneration circuit is used to backflush the compressed air at the air outlet to the drying component for regeneration; The regeneration circuit also includes a control pipeline connected to the pilot valve of the unloading valve; The solenoid valve is connected between the air outlet and the regeneration pipeline to control the on-off of the regeneration pipeline; The solenoid valve is also connected to the control unit, and the control unit controls the action of the solenoid valve; The said heating element is connected to the control unit, and the control unit controls the start and stop of the heating element; The heating element is arranged on one side of the regeneration circuit to heat the compressed air in the regeneration circuit. The control unit is also connected to the vehicle power management system. The control method includes the following steps: Step 1: Obtain the air temperature inside the air drying component; Step 2: Compare whether the temperature inside the air drying component is greater than the threshold preset by the system; Step 3: If it is less than the threshold preset by the system, then execute Step 4; Step 4: Select a heating element strategy. The heating strategy includes the "always on" strategy, or the "temperature control strategy" or the "wet start strategy"; In Step 5, when the "always on" strategy is selected, the heating element is always on. Determine whether the air drying component is overheated. If so, turn off the heating element. If not, continue to turn on the heating element.

2. The temperature control method for the regeneration pipeline of the compressed air drying component system according to claim 1, characterized in that: In Step 2, when the temperature inside the drying component (4) is greater than or equal to the system threshold, determine whether the regeneration air flow needs to be heated; If so, determine whether it is in the regeneration stage. If it is in the regeneration stage, determine whether the heating element is overheated. If it is not overheated, continue to turn on the heating element. If it is overheated, turn off the heating element.

3. The temperature control method for the regeneration pipeline of the compressed air drying component system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The method for judging whether the regeneration air flow needs to be heated is as follows: According to the water content of the desiccant, calculate the amount of compressed air required in the regeneration stage; Then compare it with the available compressed air volume for regeneration. If the available compressed air volume is not enough to regenerate the desiccant in one or a predetermined number of cycles, this regeneration function will request to heat the air flow to improve the regeneration efficiency.

4. The temperature control method for the regeneration pipeline of the compressed air drying component system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The preset compressed air volume for the regeneration stage is 10% - 15% of the load stage.

5. The temperature control method for the regeneration pipeline of the compressed air drying component system according to claim 2, characterized in that: When the "wet start strategy" is selected in Step 4, the heating element is always turned on during the loading stage and the regeneration stage.

6. The temperature control method for the regeneration pipeline of the compressed air drying component system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The drying component (4) is integrated in the housing (20) of the drying component (4). It opens a heating channel on one side of the regeneration pipeline, and a heating element is installed in the heating channel.

7. The temperature control method for the regeneration pipeline of the compressed air drying component system according to claim 1, wherein: The power of the heating element is not greater than 150w.

8. The temperature control method for the regeneration pipeline of the compressed air drying component system according to claim 7, characterized in that: It also includes a temperature sensor, which is used to collect the temperature of the regeneration pipeline (16). The temperature sensor is connected to the control unit (7).

9. The temperature control method for the regeneration pipeline of the compressed air drying component system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The inlet of the drying component (4) is communicated with the inlet of the unloading valve (6).

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