Closed multifunctional integrated air supply unit and suspension system

Abstract

The invention discloses a closed multifunctional integrated air supply unit and a suspension system, and the air supply unit comprises a compressor which comprises a motor and a compression pump in transmission connection with the motor; the distribution valve assembly is provided with a distribution gas channel used for guiding gas sent out by the compression pump to needed components. The dryer comprises a dryer shell and a drying agent arranged in the dryer shell, and the dryer is used for drying the gas sent out by the compression pump; the dryer shell is arranged on the motor in a sleeving mode, a drying bin is formed between the dryer shell and the motor shell, and the drying agent is arranged in the drying bin. When the drying agent needs to be regenerated, as the drying bin is formed on the outer side of the shell of the motor, the drying agent can absorb heat generated by rotation of the motor, and the regeneration efficiency of the drying agent can be greatly improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of air suspensions, and particularly relates to a closed multi-functional integrated air supply unit and a suspension system. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, the popularity of air suspensions in the passenger car market has been increasing, and more models and price ranges of vehicles have started to use air suspensions. Currently, the market demand for air suspensions is very large. Among the existing technical solutions in the market, the closed-type solutions have single functions, short service lives, and problems with difficult regeneration of desiccants. Most of the existing desiccant regeneration methods adopt the setting of heating rods in the drying bin. When regeneration is required, the heating rods are started to improve the regeneration efficiency of the desiccant. For example, in the patent application: CN117644749A, it discloses the setting of resistance wires in the air dryer for heating. However, this method not only increases the manufacturing cost and causes energy waste, but also leads to uneven heating of the desiccant by the heating rods, and even overheating to damage the desiccant. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a closed multi-functional integrated air supply unit that can absorb the heat generated by the rotation of the motor and can greatly improve the regeneration efficiency of the desiccant.

[0004] To achieve the above purpose, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is: a closed multi-functional integrated air supply unit, which includes: A compressor, which includes a motor and a compression pump that is drivingly connected to the motor; A distribution valve assembly, which is provided with a distribution air passage for guiding the gas sent out by the compression pump to the required components; A dryer, which includes a dryer housing and a desiccant provided in the dryer housing; It is characterized in that: the dryer housing is sleeved outside the housing of the motor and a drying bin is formed between the dryer housing and the motor housing, and the desiccant is provided in the drying bin; the compression pump and the distribution valve assembly are respectively arranged on both sides of the axis of the motor, and the drying bin separates the compressor and the distribution valve assembly; a first passage communicating with the inside of the housing of the motor is formed on the distribution valve assembly, a second passage is formed between the inner side wall of the housing of the motor and the rotor of the motor, a third passage communicating the drying bin and the second passage is formed in the compression pump, and a fourth passage communicating with the distribution air passage is formed on the distribution valve assembly. The first passage, the second passage, the third passage, the drying bin, and the fourth passage form the air supply passage and the exhaust passage of the air supply unit; the air first passes through the first passage, the second passage, and the third passage and then enters the drying bin, absorbs the heat generated by the rotor inside the housing of the motor when passing through the second passage, absorbs the heat generated by the piston in the compression pump when passing through the third passage, and when passing through the fourth passage, uses the absorbed heat to heat the desiccant in the drying bin.

[0005] In another embodiment, a filter is provided at the air inlet of the first channel, and a first one-way valve that only allows air to enter is provided between the filter and the air inlet.

[0006] In another embodiment, the distribution valve assembly includes a distribution valve body and a temperature and pressure sensor disposed within the distribution valve body. An elastic component is designed on the connection port of the temperature and pressure sensor, and the distribution air passage is formed on the distribution valve body, which is beneficial for assembly and positioning.

[0007] In another embodiment, the distribution valve assembly includes a heater disposed within the distribution valve body. The heater is in interference fit with the distribution valve body, and the heater is made of ceramic material, which actively heats at low temperatures to prevent the distribution valve assembly from failing to start normally due to too low temperature.

[0008] In another embodiment, the distribution valve assembly includes an electronic controller disposed within the distribution valve body and used for communicating with the vehicle and controlling the damping adjustment function of the suspension system. A connector for connecting the motor is provided on the electronic controller, reducing the connection distance with the motor, reducing electromagnetic interference, and reducing the control difficulty.

[0009] In another embodiment, the distribution valve assembly includes a throttle valve disposed within the distribution valve body and located on the fourth channel.

[0010] In another embodiment, the throttle valve is arranged at the position of the desiccant air outlet and installed on the distribution valve body. The throttle valve internally is provided with a large hole, a small hole, and a rubber ball for air passage. The rubber ball is disposed on one side of the large hole. When the desiccant is regenerated, the gas passes in the reverse direction, causing the rubber ball to block the large hole and leaving the small hole, thereby reducing the gas pressure in the drying bin and increasing the regeneration amount of the desiccant.

[0011] In another embodiment, the air supply unit includes a pressure limiting valve. The two ends of the pressure limiting valve are respectively connected to the air inlet of the first channel and the air outlet on the fourth channel. When the internal pressure of the unit is too high, the pressure limiting valve opens, and the air inlet and the air outlet are communicated, and the internal pressure no longer increases, preventing product damage caused by motor jamming.

[0012] In another embodiment, a plurality of air connectors are designed on the distribution valve body, and the air connectors are connected to the pressure limiting valve, which can support other extended functions that require compressed air, such as seat massage, tire inflation, and camera cleaning.

[0013] The present invention also provides a suspension system, which includes an air supply unit, an air spring, and an air storage tank, and the air supply unit is the closed multi-functional integrated air supply unit described in any one of the above. The air spring includes a plurality of parallel air bags, a first switching valve, a second switching valve, a third switching valve, and a fourth switching valve; one end of the first switching valve is connected to the parallel air bags, and the other end is connected between the air storage tank and the pressure limiting valve, and this connection point is the first connection point; one end of the second switching valve is connected to the air inlet, and the other end is connected to the parallel air bags; one end of the third switching valve is connected to the air inlet, and the other end is connected to the air storage tank, and this connection point is the second connection point; one end of the fourth switching valve is connected to the first connection point, and the other end is connected to the second connection point; When the suspension system needs to be refilled with air, the outside air enters the compressor through the filter and the first one-way valve, and the compressed air enters the air storage tank through the dryer and the fourth switching valve, and the high-pressure gas is stored in the air storage tank; When the suspension system needs to be raised, the high-pressure gas in the air storage tank enters the compressor through the third switching valve, and after compression, it enters the air spring through the first switching valve and the air spring valve, and the whole vehicle is raised; When the suspension system needs to be lowered, the gas in the air spring enters the compressor through the air spring valve and the second switching valve, and after compression, it passes through the dryer and is stored in the air storage tank through the fourth switching valve; When the dryer is regenerated, the gas in the air storage tank passes through the fourth switching valve, the throttle valve, the dryer, and then enters the atmosphere through the exhaust valve to realize the regeneration of the dryer.

[0014] In another embodiment, the first switching valve, the second switching valve, the third switching valve, and the fourth switching valve are all two-position two-way solenoid valves.

[0015] Due to the application of the above technical solutions, the present invention has the following advantages compared with the prior art: 1. Since the drying chamber is formed outside the housing of the motor, it not only reduces the overall volume of the supply unit, but also can effectively utilize the heat generated by the operation of the motor and the generation of compressed air to regenerate the desiccant, which can greatly improve the regeneration efficiency of the desiccant, ensure the dew point stability inside the system, and extend the service life of the desiccant; 2. The drying chamber separates the compressor, the distribution valve body, and the electronic controller, which can avoid common heat generation. The drying chamber can not only absorb the heat generated by the motor, but also absorb the heat generated by the compressor, further preventing the heat of the compressor from being transferred to the distribution valve body and the electronic controller and affecting each other, and avoiding the reduction of the service life caused by overheating of the compressor and the electronic controller; 3. The outside of the motor is wrapped with desiccant to reduce the motor noise and the system vibration noise; 4. Provide multiple interfaces, which can be used for other expansion functions such as seat massage and tire inflation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the air supply unit; Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of the distribution valve body; Figure 3It is a structural schematic diagram of a suspension system. Specific Embodiments

[0017] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0018] As Figure 1-2 shown, the closed multi-functional integrated air supply unit includes: a compressor 2, a distribution valve assembly 1, a dryer, and a pressure limiting valve 310.

[0019] The compressor 2 includes a motor 204 and a compression pump 201 that is drivingly connected to the motor 204; the distribution valve assembly 1 is provided with a distribution air passage for guiding the gas sent out by the compression pump 201 to the required components; the dryer includes a dryer housing 215 and a desiccant provided in the dryer housing 215, which is used to dry the gas sent out by the compression pump 201.

[0020] Specifically, the dryer housing 215 is sleeved on the motor 204 and a drying chamber 205 is formed between the dryer housing 215 and the housing 208 of the motor 204, and the desiccant is provided in the drying chamber 205; the compression pump 201 and the distribution valve assembly 1 are respectively provided on both sides of the motor 204 in the axial direction. A first passage 51 communicating with the inside of the housing 208 of the motor 204 is formed on the distribution valve assembly 1. A second passage 52 is formed between the inner side wall of the housing 208 of the motor 204 and the rotor of the motor 204. A third passage 53 communicating the drying chamber 205 and the second passage 52 is formed in the compression pump 201. A fourth passage 54 communicating with the distribution air passage is formed on the distribution valve assembly 1. The first passage 51, the second passage 52, the third passage 53, the drying chamber 205, and the fourth passage 54 form the air supply path and the exhaust path of the air supply unit; the air first passes through the first passage 51, the second passage 52, and the third passage 53 and then enters the drying chamber 205, absorbs the heat generated by the rotor inside the housing of the motor 204 when passing through the second passage 52, absorbs the heat generated by the piston in the compression pump 201 when passing through the third passage 53, and when passing through the fourth passage 54, uses the absorbed heat to heat the desiccant in the drying chamber 205. When the desiccant needs to be regenerated, the desiccant can utilize the heat absorbed by the motor 204 when the air passes through the second passage 52 due to rotation, and since the drying chamber 205 is formed outside the housing of the motor 204, the desiccant can also absorb the heat outside the housing of the motor 204, which can greatly improve the regeneration efficiency of the desiccant. Before the desiccant regeneration, air replenishment can be carried out first to further increase the desiccant temperature, thereby further increasing the dryer life and reducing the overall volume; moreover, the electrical components provided in the distribution valve assembly 1 can be far away from the heat-generating compression pump 201 and part of the heat of the motor is absorbed by the drying chamber, so that the heat distribution is more balanced, and there will be no overheating of the electrical components caused by local overheating of the drying chamber or the motor, which can improve the service life of the electrical components provided in the distribution valve assembly 1.

[0021] A filter 56 is provided at the air inlet A of the first channel 51, and a first one-way valve 55 that allows only air intake is provided between the filter 56 and the air inlet A. The distribution valve assembly 1 includes a distribution valve body 101 and a temperature and pressure sensor 103 provided inside the distribution valve body 101. Elastic components are designed on the connection ports of the temperature and pressure sensor 103, which is beneficial for assembly and positioning.

[0022] The distribution valve assembly 1 includes a heater 105 provided inside the distribution valve body 101, an electronic controller 104 provided inside the distribution valve body 101 and used for communicating with the whole vehicle and controlling the damping adjustment function of the suspension system, a throttle valve 309 provided inside the distribution valve body 101 and located on the fourth channel 54, and a number of air connectors 301 designed on the distribution valve body 101. The air connectors 301 can support other extended functions that require compressed gas, such as seat massage, tire inflation, and camera cleaning.

[0023] The heater 105 is connected to the distribution valve body with an interference fit. The heater 105 is made of ceramic material and actively heats at low temperatures to prevent the distribution valve assembly 1 from failing to start normally due to too low temperature. A connector for connecting the motor 204 is provided on the electronic controller 104, reducing the connection distance with the motor 204, reducing electromagnetic interference, and reducing the control difficulty. The throttle valve 309 is arranged at the position of the desiccant outlet and installed on the distribution valve body to improve the desiccant regeneration efficiency. The throttle valve 309 internally has a large hole, a small hole, and a rubber ball. The rubber ball is provided on one side of the large hole. When the desiccant is regenerated, the gas passes in the reverse direction, causing the rubber ball to block the large hole and leaving the small hole, thereby reducing the gas pressure in the drying chamber and increasing the desiccant regeneration amount.

[0024] Both ends of the pressure limiting valve 310 are connected to the air inlet A and the outlet B on the fourth channel 54. When the internal pressure of the system is too high, the pressure limiting valve 310 opens, and the air inlet A and the outlet B are connected, preventing the internal pressure of the system from increasing further and preventing product damage caused by the motor 204 being blocked.

[0025] As Figure 3 shown, the suspension system includes an air supply unit, an air spring 302, and an air storage tank 4. The air storage tank 4 is connected to the pressure limiting valve 310, and the air supply unit is the above-mentioned closed multi-functional integrated air supply unit; The air spring 302 includes a plurality of air bags 3022 connected in parallel, a first switching valve 303, a second switching valve 304, a third switching valve 305, and a fourth switching valve 306; one end of the first switching valve 303 is connected to the air bags 3022 connected in parallel, and the other end of the first switching valve 303 is connected between the air storage tank 4 and the pressure limiting valve 310, and this connection point is the first connection point C; one end of the second switching valve 304 is connected to the air inlet A, and the other end is connected to the air bags 3022 connected in parallel; one end of the third switching valve 305 is connected to the air inlet A, and the other end is connected to the air storage tank 4, and this connection point is the second connection point D; one end of the fourth switching valve 306 is connected to the first connection point C, and the other end is connected to the second connection point D. The first switching valve 303, the second switching valve 304, the third switching valve 305, and the fourth switching valve 306 are all two-position two-way solenoid valves.

[0026] The control method of the suspension system is as follows: When the suspension system needs to be refilled with air, the outside air enters the compressor 2 through the filter 56 and the first one-way valve 55, and the compressed air enters the air storage tank 4 through the dryer and the fourth switching valve 306, and the high-pressure air is stored in the air storage tank 4. When the suspension system needs to be raised, the high-pressure air in the air storage tank 4 enters the compressor 2 through the third switching valve 305, and after compression, it enters the air bag 3022 through the first switching valve 303 and the air spring valve 3021, and the whole vehicle is raised. When the suspension system needs to be lowered, the air in the air bag 3022 enters the compressor 2 through the air spring valve 3021 and the second switching valve 304, and after compression, it passes through the dryer and is stored in the air storage tank 4 through the fourth switching valve 306. Before the desiccant is regenerated, air replenishment can be carried out first to further increase the desiccant temperature, thereby further increasing the service life of the dryer; when the dryer is regenerated, the gas in the air storage tank 4 passes through the fourth switching valve 306, the throttle valve 309, and the dryer and then enters the atmosphere through the exhaust valve 308 to realize the regeneration of the dryer.

[0027] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical concept and characteristics of the present invention, and their purpose is to enable those who are familiar with this technology to understand the content of the present invention and implement it accordingly, and it cannot be used to limit the protection scope of the present invention. Any equivalent changes or modifications made according to the spirit and essence of the present invention should be covered within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A closed multifunctional integrated air supply unit, comprising: The compressor comprises a motor and a compression pump drivingly connected to the motor; A distribution valve assembly is provided with a distribution gas passage for guiding the gas delivered by the compression pump to the required components; A dryer, comprising a dryer housing and a desiccant disposed in the dryer housing; The invention is characterized in that: the dryer housing is sleeved outside the motor housing and forms a drying chamber between the housing and the motor housing, and the desiccant is arranged in the drying chamber; the compression pump and the distribution valve assembly are respectively arranged on both sides of the motor axis, and the drying chamber separates the compressor and the distribution valve assembly; A first channel connected to the interior of the motor housing is formed on the distribution valve assembly, a second channel is formed between the inner side wall of the motor housing and the rotor of the motor, a third channel connected to the drying bin and the second channel is formed in the compression pump, and a fourth channel connected to the distribution air channel is formed on the distribution valve assembly. The first channel, the second channel, the third channel, the drying bin and the fourth channel form an air supply passage and an exhaust passage of the air supply unit; the air first passes through the first channel, the second channel and the third channel before entering the drying bin, absorbs heat generated by the rotor inside the motor housing when passing through the second channel, absorbs heat generated by the piston in the compression pump when passing through the third channel, and uses the absorbed heat to heat the desiccant in the drying bin when passing through the fourth channel.

2. The closed multifunctional integrated air supply unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: A filter is provided on the air inlet of the first channel, and a first one-way valve that only allows air to enter is provided between the filter and the air inlet.

3. The closed multifunctional integrated air supply unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The distribution valve assembly includes a distribution valve body and a temperature and pressure sensor disposed in the distribution valve body. The distribution air channel is formed on the distribution valve body.

4. The closed multifunctional integrated air supply unit according to claim 3, characterized in that: The distribution valve assembly includes a heater disposed in the distribution valve body, and the heater is interference-connected with the distribution valve body.

5. The closed multifunctional integrated air supply unit according to claim 3, characterized in that: The distribution valve assembly includes an electronic controller which is arranged in the distribution valve body and is used for communicating with the whole vehicle and controlling the damping adjustment function of the suspension system.

6. The closed multifunctional integrated air supply unit according to claim 3, characterized in that: The distribution valve assembly includes a throttle valve disposed in the distribution valve body and located on the fourth channel.

7. The closed multifunctional integrated air supply unit according to claim 6, characterized in that: The throttle valve is arranged at the desiccant outlet and installed on the distribution valve body. A large hole, a small hole, and a rubber ball for ventilation are arranged inside the throttle valve. The rubber ball is arranged on one side of the large hole. When the dryer is regenerated, the gas passes in the reverse direction, causing the rubber ball to block the large hole and leave the small hole, thereby reducing the gas pressure in the drying chamber.

8. The closed multifunctional integrated air supply unit according to claim 6, characterized in that: The air supply unit comprises a pressure limiting valve, and two ends of the pressure limiting valve are respectively connected to an air inlet of the first channel and an air outlet on the fourth channel.

9. The closed multifunctional integrated air supply unit according to claim 3, characterized in that: The distribution valve body is provided with a plurality of gas joints.

10. A suspension system comprising an air supply unit, an air spring and an air tank, characterized in that: The air supply unit is a closed multifunctional integrated air supply unit as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, and the air spring includes a plurality of parallel airbags, a first switching valve, a second switching valve, a third switching valve and a fourth switching valve; one end of the first switching valve is connected to the parallel airbags, and the other end of the first switching valve is connected between the air tank and the pressure limiting valve, and this connection point is the first connection point; one end of the second switching valve is connected to the air inlet, and the other end is connected to the parallel airbags; one end of the third switching valve is connected to the air inlet, and the other end is connected to the air tank, and this connection point is the second connection point; one end of the fourth switching valve is connected to the first connection point, and the other end is connected to the second connection point.

11. The suspension system according to claim 10, characterized in that: The first switching valve, the second switching valve, the third switching valve and the fourth switching valve are all two-position two-way solenoid valves.

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