Positioning and mounting interface, desiccant cartridge and pneumatic control device

Abstract

The invention relates to a positioning and mounting interface (130) for positioning and mounting a desiccant cartridge (100) in a pneumatic control device (1000) of a vehicle, in particular a utility vehicle, in which the interface (130) comprises an annular portion (140) having at least one recess (144, 146) for engaging with at least one pin (202, 204) of a receptacle (200) of the pneumatic control device (1000). The invention also relates to a desiccant cartridge (100) comprising the positioning and mounting interface (130) and to a pneumatic control device (1000) comprising a desiccant cartridge (100).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a positioning and mounting interface, which is used for positioning and mounting a desiccant cartridge in a gas control device of a vehicle, in particular a multi-purpose vehicle.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a desiccant cartridge comprising an interface as described above.

[0003] Furthermore, the present invention relates to an air control device for a vehicle, in particular a utility vehicle, comprising a desiccant cartridge as described above. Background Art

[0004] In practice, it is well known that in the vehicle field, especially in multi-purpose or commercial vehicles, pneumatic systems are usually used for brakes, suspensions and other auxiliary systems, wherein the distribution of air is handled by an electronic pneumatic control device or a multi-circuit protection valve, which can divide the air provided by a compressor, etc., and handle different opening and closing pressures, pressure limits and circuit protection for each circuit.

[0005] Before controlling the pressurized air in this way, an important measure is to dry the air supplied by the compressor (because it still contains humidity from the atmosphere). This drying procedure is established by arranging a desiccant or air dryer cartridge between the compressor and the air control device so that dry and deoiled air is supplied to the multi-circuit protection valve.

[0006] Such conventional desiccant cartridges are already known in the prior art.

[0007] DE3208561A1 shows an air drying device having a connected housing, on which a cover-shaped container is mounted, which can accommodate a desiccant cartridge. In order to facilitate the replacement of the desiccant cartridge, a clamping bracket is used, which is rotatably mounted on the housing and can be rotated on the container and fixed there.

[0008] DE69210614T2 discloses an air dryer control system in which the compressed air output of a compressor is dried by one of two air dryers connected in parallel. The purge and drying cycles of the air dryer are alternately performed by a timing and relay device.

[0009] EP0933117A1 discloses a reversing valve for a gas drying system for cleaning and drying a raw pressurized gas flow received from its source and supplied to a pneumatic system using such purified pressurized air. The valve includes a housing connecting a drying component to a structure that delivers raw pressurized air to the drying component.

[0010] EP2448801A1 shows an air dryer cartridge for a compressed air treatment system for a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, comprising a spring cover and a carrier element, which together define the volume of the air dryer cartridge in the assembled state of the air dryer cartridge, wherein a desiccant box arranged in the volume and filled with desiccant is provided.

[0011] US5,901,464A relates to a twin-tower air drying system for cleaning and drying an unpurified pressurized air stream, comprising: a centrifugal separator having a horizontally disposed baffle that generally divides a centrifugal chamber into an upper subchamber and a lower subchamber; a pair of chambers, each chamber containing a desiccant medium and a purge tube with a baffle valve for closing and restricting air flow through the purge tube when air flows upward through the chamber, and opening and promoting air flow through the purge tube when air flows downward through the chamber.

[0012] US5,961,698A discloses a double tower gas drying system for cleaning and drying a raw pressurized gas stream received from a source thereof for use by a pneumatic system. The drying system includes a bulk block having a plurality of ports. A separator and sump are connected to such a block and one of the ports for initially separating moisture and particles from such raw gas stream and directing the remainder of the gas stream to one of the ports in the block.

[0013] EP3433001B1 discloses a bayonet fixing mechanism for an air dryer cartridge.

[0014] DE8228745 discloses a decompression screw having an axial bore and a radial bore, which are connected to each other, the bores serving as decompression channels.

[0015] DE 10 2007 011 256 A1 discloses a fixing and fastening element for a pressurized air system.

[0016] DE 10 2016 208 355 A1 and DE 10 2018 113 967 A1 describe radial sealing elements for air dryer cartridges of reduced pressure systems.

[0017] Basically, according to the prior art, the fixation between the desiccant cartridge and the gas control device accommodating the cartridge is usually solved by a central threaded portion combined with a bayonet lock. Therefore, a large number of components and structural space as well as a large amount of assembly work are required. Summary of the invention

[0018] Therefore, as described above, it is an object of the present invention to improve the positioning and mounting interface between the desiccant cartridge and the gas control device, particularly because the interface is simplified in structure and function and the desiccant cartridge is easier to mount to the gas control device.

[0019] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a positioning and mounting interface according to the features of claim 1. Thus, a positioning and mounting interface is provided for positioning and mounting a desiccant cartridge in an air control device of a vehicle, in particular a utility vehicle. The interface comprises an annular portion having at least one recess for engagement with at least one pin of a receiving portion of the air control device.

[0020] The basic idea on which the present invention is based, namely providing a positioning and mounting interface for positioning and mounting a desiccant cartridge on a gas control device of a vehicle, particularly a multi-purpose vehicle, which allows a simple tactile assembly, wherein the correct or appropriate positioning and (final) engagement to mount the desiccant cartridge in the gas control device is controlled by tactile feedback. Since the user cannot see the interface of the gas control device and the pin of the receiving portion after the cartridge is placed on the receiving portion, the cartridge must be rotated around its vertical axis to reach the correct installation position. The structure of the interface including a special rib geometry and the arrangement of the pins ensure that the installation position is reached within a maximum rotation range of 360 degrees, and there is only one possible installation position. Once this installation position is reached, the pin of the receiving portion will engage in a recess formed in the annular portion, and the user can push the cartridge down to the final assembly position in the receiving portion. In the subsequent assembly step, the cartridge is then fastened to the gas control device at its outer periphery with a bayonet ring.

[0021] The annular portion preferably comprises said special rib geometry, which protrudes or projects from the plane of the interface, as do the pins of the receiving part of the gas control device, whereby, after the cartridge is placed in the receiving part, the annular portion rests on the pins. The cartridge is also supported on the inner periphery of the receiving part. Thus, the cartridge is initially tilted or inclined relative to the receiving part, i.e. after placement but before full rotation, unless it is placed without directly reaching the final assembly position.

[0022] The shape of the interface according to the present invention requires less material than previously used interfaces, has a fully formed and flat surface, and is easier to manufacture.

[0023] In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the annular portion has at least two recesses for engaging with at least two pins of the receiving portion of the air control device. It can be further provided that the interface also includes a central annular sleeve, the central annular sleeve is used to engage with the central nozzle of the receiving portion of the air control device, wherein the central annular sleeve is arranged inside the annular portion.

[0024] The joint or connection between the central annular sleeve and the central nozzle, preferably sealed externally with an O-ring, ensures that the compressed air to be dried is conducted exclusively through the desiccant.

[0025] It is also conceivable that the annular portion and the annular sleeve are separate.

[0026] In order to be able to produce the annular portion and the central annular sleeve in a more material-optimized manner, it is advantageous if they are formed separately at the positioning and mounting interface.

[0027] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the interface further comprises at least two pairs of supporting pins arranged radially outside the annular portion.

[0028] Through described support pin pair, in rotation process, cylinder is supported on the inner periphery of receiving part.In addition, because when cylinder is placed on receiving part, support pin can keep visible, so they can be used as additional positioning mark.

[0029] Furthermore, every two recesses and / or every two pins may enclose an angle of less than 180 degrees.

[0030] For example, if the angle between the two pins is less than 180 degrees relative to the center of the receiving part, it is ensured that when the mounting position is reached, the respective pin is stably engaged in the respective recess, i.e. the barrel does not tilt about the shared axis formed by the pins and recesses, in particular if the pins and recesses are arranged along a shared axis. Thus, an unstable mounting position is most likely to occur if there are exactly two recesses and correspondingly two pins enclosing 180 degrees.

[0031] The cross section of at least one recess may also be at least partially formed in the shape of a circular sector.

[0032] It will be appreciated that a ring sector is cut from a ring whose boundaries are two straight lines from its centre. However, other recess shapes are possible and the shape of each recess may be different from the other recesses.

[0033] It is also conceivable that the inner radius of the first recess is greater than the inner radius of the second recess.

[0034] The radial offset of the recesses relative to one another ensures that there is only one position in which a corresponding pin of the receiving part can engage with a recess.

[0035] Furthermore, the first recess may be open at the radially outer edge, whereas the edge of the second recess is completely closed.

[0036] This allows the corresponding pin to slide radially inwards into the first recess once the correct mounting position has been reached by rotation, thereby lifting the cartridge from an inclined state relative to the plane of the receiving portion. Simultaneously, the other pin engages in a second recess with a completely closed edge in an approximately vertical engagement direction.

[0037] It may further be provided that the annular portion comprises a plurality of ribs arranged transversely to the circumferential direction of the annular portion, wherein the plurality of ribs are preferably equidistantly spaced from each other.

[0038] Typically, the desiccant cartridge is placed with the corresponding portion of the ribs of the annular portion resting on the pin. During rotation, the head or upper portion of the pin slides over the plurality of ribs, providing the user with tactile feedback on the progress of the rotation. In addition, the rib geometry requires less material than the full body geometry.

[0039] It is further conceivable that at least two support pin pairs are arranged at the outer periphery of the interface and contact the inner periphery of the receiving portion of the air control device until the desiccant cartridge is positioned, wherein the support pins in each support pin pair are spaced apart from each other to enclose an angle.

[0040] Thus, the desiccant cartridge is laterally supported during positioning, in particular rotation into the receiving part. Preferably, when the cartridge is fully mounted, there is no contact between the support pins and the inner periphery of the receiving part.

[0041] It may further be provided that the angle enclosed by the first pair of support pins is greater than the angle enclosed by the second pair of support pins, wherein both angles are preferably less than 90 degrees.

[0042] Alternatively, the first support pin and the second support pin are symmetrical with respect to the same axis, wherein the first support pin and the second support pin are arranged at opposite parts of the outer periphery of the interface.

[0043] It may further be provided that the interface further comprises a screen portion arranged inside the annular sleeve, wherein the screen portion is permeable to pressurized air.

[0044] Before the pressurized air flows through the desiccant, coarser dirt particles may be screened out of the pressurized air by an upstream screening section.

[0045] It is further possible that the interface further comprises at least one outlet for a non-return valve arranged outside the annular portion.

[0046] The objects of the present invention can be further solved by a desiccant cartridge comprising a housing and a cartridge insert having a positioning and mounting interface as described above, wherein the housing is attached to the cartridge insert.

[0047] The object of the present invention can be further solved by a gas control device for a vehicle, in particular a utility vehicle, comprising a receiving portion as described above, a bayonet ring and a desiccant cartridge, the desiccant cartridge being mounted in the receiving portion and fastened to the gas control device by the bayonet ring. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] Further details and advantages of the present invention shall now be disclosed in an embodiment according to the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0049] in:

[0050] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an embodiment of a desiccant cartridge according to the present invention, which is installed in a receiving portion of an embodiment of an air control device according to the present invention;

[0051] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a desiccant cartridge;

[0052] Figure 3a yes Figure 1 A top view of a receiving portion of an embodiment of a gas control device;

[0053] Figure 3b yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional perspective view of a receiving portion of an embodiment of a gas control device;

[0054] Figure 4 is a bottom side view of a prior art embodiment of a positioning and mounting interface;

[0055] Figure 5 is a bottom side view of an embodiment of a positioning and mounting interface according to the present invention; and

[0056] Figure 6 Is installed in Figure 1 A cross-sectional top view of an embodiment of a desiccant cartridge of a receiving portion of an embodiment of an air control device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] Figure 1 A cross-sectional perspective view of an embodiment of a desiccant cartridge 100 according to the present invention is shown, which is mounted on a receiving portion 200 of an embodiment of an air control device 1000 according to the present invention.

[0058] Desiccant cartridge 100 includes a housing 110 and a cartridge insert 120 .

[0059] The desiccant cartridge 100 is secured to the receiving portion by means of a bayonet ring 300 which engages with the housing 110 of the desiccant cartridge 100 .

[0060] The housing 110 includes a spring cover 112 and a spring 114 .

[0061] Cartridge insert 120 includes a container 122 containing a desiccant 124 .

[0062] The container 122 includes a desiccant cover 126 at the top having a top screen 128 and a positioning and mounting interface 130 at the bottom.

[0063] The spring 114 is disposed between the spring cover 112 and the desiccant cover 126 .

[0064] The cartridge insert 120 is laterally surrounded by a coalescing filter 132 which is held in place by a filter holder 134. Thus, the coalescing filter 132 is disposed between the cartridge insert 120 and the housing 110.

[0065] A first O-ring 136 is placed between the container 122 and the upper edge of the receiving portion 200 to seal them.

[0066] The positioning and mounting interface 130 includes a support pin 138 , an annular portion 140 and a central annular sleeve 142 arranged at the outer periphery of the positioning and mounting interface 130 .

[0067] The annular portion 140 comprises a first recess 144 which is open at the radial outer edge and a second recess 146 which has a completely closed edge.

[0068] The receiving portion 200 includes a first pin 202 , a second pin 204 , and a central nozzle 206 .

[0069] The first pin 202 is partially received in the first recess 144 , and the second pin 204 is partially received in the second recess 146 .

[0070] A second O-ring 208 is arranged between the central annular sleeve 142 of the positioning and mounting interface 130 and the central nozzle 206 of the receiving part 200 .

[0071] The fact that the first recess 144 has no outward boundary allows the first pin 202 to slide into the first recess 144 from the outside during rotation.

[0072] The positioning and mounting interface 130 further comprises a bottom screen 148 which is arranged centrally and is located above the central nozzle 206 in the assembled state of the air control device 1000 .

[0073] During the positioning process, the support pins 138 support the desiccant cartridge 100 on the inner circumference of the receiving portion 200 .

[0074] The desiccant 124 absorbs moisture in the compressed air passing therethrough to dry it.

[0075] The coalescing filter 132 includes a fiber or wire mesh or fabric and filters oil and / or dirt particles from the air flowing therethrough.

[0076] When the container 122 is along the Figure 1 When the container 122 is deflected in the vertical direction, the spring 114 will inhibit the movement of the container 122.

[0077] from Figure 1It can also be obtained that the pins 202 and 204 protrude more upward from the receiving part 200 than the central nozzle 206. In other words, the pins 202 and 204 are higher than the central nozzle 206. Therefore, when the desiccant cartridge 100 is placed on the top of the receiving part, the desiccant cartridge 100 is slightly inclined towards the plane of the receiving part 200 because the annular part 140 is located on the pins 202 and 204 before the pins are fully rotated to allow the engagement recesses 144 and 146.

[0078] In Figure 2 are shown Figure 1 partial cross-sectional views in different cross-sections of the desiccant cartridge 100 embodiment of

[0079] The cartridge insert 120 also includes at least one check valve 150, the outlet of which is formed within the positioning and mounting interface 130 between the annular part 140 and the outer peripheral edge of the positioning and mounting interface 130.

[0080] In addition, in Figure 2 the view of, another O-ring 152 can be seen, which isolates the space between the housing 110 and the cartridge insert 120 from the environment.

[0081] In addition, different degrees of protrusion or projection of the elements of the positioning and mounting interface 130 are shown in Figure 2 the view of. Referring to Figure 2 the conventional starting level SL in, the annular part 140 projects downward by a height h1, the support pin 138 projects downward by a height h2, and the central annular sleeve 142 projects by a height h3. In this regard, the said heights are applicable to the following: h1 < h2 < h3. However, it should be understood that other heights (including other ratios between the heights) are possible.

[0082] Figure 3a The top view of the receiving part 200 is shown, while Figure 3b the cross-sectional perspective view of the receiving part 200 is shown.

[0083] In Figure 3a it can be seen that the first pin 202 and the second pin 204 are arranged on a common circular ring and enclose an angle of less than 180 degrees. Both pins 202 and 204 are higher than the central nozzle 206, but do not project beyond the outer edge of the receiving part 200, as Figure 3b shown.

[0084] In Figure 4 the bottom view of the positioning and mounting interface 10 of the prior art embodiment is given.

[0085] The prior art positioning and mounting interface 10 comprises a convex circular portion 12 having a plane 14. A first recess 16 and a second recess 18 are formed in the plane 14, wherein the first recess 16 is slightly offset radially outwards compared to the position of the second recess 18. Furthermore, the first recess 16 is larger than the second recess 18.

[0086] A structure 20 of circularly arranged openings is formed in the plane 14 of the circular portion 12 to enable the user to more easily guide the pins 202 , 204 of the receiving portion 200 into the recesses 16 , 18 through tactile feedback during the assembly rotation process.

[0087] and Figure 4 Compared with the prior art interface 10, Figure 5 A bottom side view of a positioning and mounting interface 130 according to the invention is given, wherein the positioning and mounting interface 130 comprises three outlets of corresponding non-return valves 150 .

[0088] The annular portion 140 is formed with a plurality of ribs 154 that are equally spaced from each other. These ribs 154 assist the user during the assembly rotation process by giving the user a tactile response regarding the amount of rotation. The pins 202, 204 slide on the ribs 154, and during the rotation process, the user can feel the space between the ribs 154.

[0089] The first recess 144 and the second recess 146 are formed in a circular sector shape, wherein an inner radius r1 of the first recess 144 is greater than an inner radius r2 of the second recess 146 .

[0090] Since the first recess 144 has no outer edge, the first pin 202 can slide into the first recess 144 during the rotation of the desiccant cartridge 100 , causing the desiccant cartridge 100 to straighten, ie, the vertical axis of the desiccant cartridge 100 is perpendicular to the bottom plane of the receiving portion 200 .

[0091] exist Figure 6 In the figure, the installation Figure 1 A cross-sectional top view of an embodiment of a desiccant cartridge 100 of a receiving portion 200 of an embodiment of an air control device 1000.

[0092] In the desiccant cartridge 100, only the lower portion of the positioning and mounting interface 130 is provided to better understand the engagement and lateral support.

[0093] Until the desiccant cartridge 100 is not in the correct installation position, the ribs 154 of the annular portion 140 are located on the first and second pins 202, 204 of the receiving portion 200, and the desiccant cartridge 100 is laterally supported on the inner periphery of the receiving portion 200 by the two supporting pin pairs 138a, 138b.

[0094] The first pair of support pins 138a encloses an angle α, while the second pair of support pins 138b encloses an angle β that is smaller than the angle α. Both angles α, β are preferably smaller than 90 degrees.

[0095] The two supporting pin pairs 138a, 138b are arranged at opposite portions of the positioning and mounting interface 130. Furthermore, the supporting pins of each supporting pin pair 138a, 138b are arranged symmetrically about the mirror axis MA.

[0096] It should be appreciated that the positioning and mounting interface 130 may have more than two pairs of support pins 138a, 138b and other arrangements may support the desiccant cartridge during assembly.

[0097] Reference numerals list

[0098] 10 Positioning and mounting interface (existing technology)

[0099] 12 Ring part (prior art)

[0100] 14 Plane (Existing Technology)

[0101] 16 First concave portion (prior art)

[0102] 18 Second concave portion (prior art)

[0103] 20. Radially arranged opening structure (prior art)

[0104] 100 Desiccant cartridge

[0105] 110 Housing

[0106] 112 Spring Cover

[0107] 114 Spring

[0108] 120 Cartridge Insert

[0109] 122 Container

[0110] 124 Desiccant

[0111] 126 Desiccant Cap

[0112] 128 Top Screening Section

[0113] 130 Positioning and mounting interface

[0114] 132 Coalescing filter

[0115] 134 Filter Holder

[0116] 136, 152, 208 O-ring

[0117] 138 Support pin

[0118] 138a First support pin pair

[0119] 138b Second support pin pair

[0120] 140 Ring

[0121] 142 Center annular sleeve

[0122] 144 First recess

[0123] 146 Second recess

[0124] 148 Bottom Screening Section

[0125] 150 Check valve

[0126] 154 Ribs

[0127] 200 Receiving Department

[0128] 202 First Pin

[0129] 204 Second Pin

[0130] 206 center nozzle

[0131] 300 Bayonet ring

[0132] 1000 Gas control device

[0133] h1, h2, h3 height

[0134] r1 inner radius of the first recess

[0135] r2 inner radius of the second recess

[0136] MA mirror axis

[0137] SL Starting Level

[0138] The angle enclosed by α and β

Claims

1. A positioning and mounting interface (130) for positioning and mounting a desiccant cartridge (100) in a gas control device (1000) of a vehicle, in particular a multi-purpose vehicle, wherein: The interface (130) includes an annular portion (140) having at least one recess (144, 146) for engaging with at least one pin (202, 204) of a receiving portion (200) of the gas control device (1000).

2. The positioning and mounting interface (130) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The annular portion (140) has at least two recesses (144, 146) for engaging with at least two pins (202, 204) of a receiving portion (200) of the air control device (1000).

3. The positioning and mounting interface (130) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The interface (130) further comprises a central annular sleeve (142) for engaging with a central nozzle (206) of a receiving portion (200) of the air control device (1000), wherein the central annular sleeve (142) is arranged inside the annular portion (140).

4. The positioning and mounting interface (130) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The interface (130) also includes at least two supporting pin pairs (138a, 138b) arranged radially outside the annular portion (140).

5. The positioning and mounting interface (130) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that: Every two recesses (144, 146) and / or every two pins (202, 204) enclose an angle smaller than 180 degrees.

6. The positioning and mounting interface (130) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The cross section of the at least one recess (144, 146) is at least partially formed in the shape of a circular sector.

7. The positioning and mounting interface (130) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The inner radius (r2) of the second recess (146) is smaller than the inner radius (r1) of the first recess (144).

8. The positioning and mounting interface (130) according to claim 7, characterized in that: The first recess (144) is open at a radially outer edge, and the second recess (146) has a completely closed edge.

9. The positioning and mounting interface (130) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The annular portion (140) includes a plurality of ribs (154) arranged transversely to a circumferential direction of the annular portion (140), wherein the plurality of ribs (154) are preferably equidistantly spaced from each other.

10. The positioning and mounting interface (130) according to any one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that: The at least two support pin pairs (138a, 138b) are arranged at the outer periphery of the interface (130) and contact the inner periphery of the receiving portion (200) of the air control device (1000) until the desiccant cartridge (100) is positioned, wherein the support pins (138) in each support pin pair (138a, 138b) are spaced apart from each other and enclose an angle (α, β).

11. The positioning and mounting interface (130) according to claim 10, characterized in that: The angle (α) enclosed by the first pair of support pins (138a) is greater than the angle (β) enclosed by the second pair of support pins (138b), wherein preferably, both angles (α, β) are less than 90 degrees.

12. The positioning and mounting interface (130) according to any one of claims 3 to 11, characterized in that: The interface (130) also includes a screen portion (148) disposed within the central annular sleeve (142), wherein the screen portion (148) is permeable to pressurized air.

13. The positioning and mounting interface (130) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The interface (130) also includes at least one outlet for a check valve (150) arranged outside the annular portion (140).

14. A desiccant cartridge (100) comprising a housing (110) and a cartridge insert (120), the cartridge insert (120) having a positioning and mounting interface (130) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The housing (110) is attached to the cartridge insert (120).

15. An air control device (1000) for a vehicle, in particular a multi-purpose vehicle, comprising a receiving portion (200), a bayonet ring (300) and a desiccant cartridge (100) according to claim 14, wherein the desiccant cartridge is installed in the receiving portion (200) and is fastened to the air control device (1000) via the bayonet ring (300).

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