Closed multifunctional integrated air supply unit and suspension system

Abstract

The present invention discloses a closed multifunctional integrated air supply unit and a suspension system. The air supply unit comprises: a compressor, which comprises a motor and a compression pump connected to the motor in a transmission manner; a distribution valve assembly, which is provided with a distribution air duct for guiding the gas delivered by the compression pump to required components; a dryer, which comprises a dryer shell and a desiccant arranged in the dryer shell, and is used to dry the gas delivered by the compression pump; the dryer shell is sleeved on the motor and forms a drying chamber between the dryer shell and the motor housing, and the desiccant is arranged in the drying chamber; when the desiccant needs to be regenerated, since the drying chamber is formed outside the motor housing, the desiccant can absorb the heat generated by the rotation of the motor, which can greatly improve the regeneration efficiency of the desiccant.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of air suspension, and in particular relates to a closed multifunctional integrated air supply unit and a suspension system. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, air suspension has become increasingly popular in the passenger car market, with more models and price points adopting it. Currently, there is a huge market demand for air suspension. Existing closed-type solutions on the market have limited functionality, a short lifespan, and difficulty regenerating the desiccant. Existing desiccant regeneration methods mostly employ heating rods within the drying chamber. When regeneration is required, the heating rods are activated to improve the regeneration efficiency of the desiccant. For example, patent application CN117644749A discloses heating the air dryer with a resistance wire. However, this method not only increases manufacturing costs and wastes energy, but also causes uneven heating of the desiccant by the heating rods, or even overheating and damage to the desiccant. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a closed multifunctional integrated air supply unit which can absorb the heat generated by the rotation of the motor and greatly improve the regeneration efficiency of the desiccant.

[0004] To achieve the above-mentioned object, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is: a closed multifunctional integrated air supply unit, which comprises:

[0005] The compressor comprises a motor and a compression pump drivingly connected to the motor;

[0006] A distribution valve assembly is provided with a distribution gas channel for guiding the gas delivered by the compression pump to the required components;

[0007] A dryer comprising a dryer housing and a desiccant disposed within the dryer housing;

[0008] The invention is characterized in that: the dryer shell is sleeved outside the housing of the motor and forms a drying chamber between the dryer shell 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; the distribution valve assembly is formed with a first channel connected to the interior of the motor housing, 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 chamber 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 chamber 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 chamber, 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 chamber when passing through the fourth channel.

[0009] In another embodiment, 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.

[0010] In another embodiment, the distribution valve assembly includes a distribution valve body and a temperature and pressure sensor disposed in the distribution valve body. An elastic component is designed on the connection port of the temperature and pressure sensor. The distribution air channel is formed on the distribution valve body, which is convenient for assembly and positioning.

[0011] In another embodiment, the distribution valve assembly includes a heater disposed in the distribution valve body. The heater is interference-connected with the distribution valve body. The heater is made of ceramic material and actively heats at low temperatures to prevent the distribution valve assembly from failing to start normally due to excessively low temperature.

[0012] In another embodiment, the distribution valve assembly includes an electronic controller disposed in the distribution valve body and used to communicate with the entire vehicle and control the damping adjustment function of the suspension system. The electronic controller is provided with a connector for connecting to the motor, thereby reducing the distance to the motor, reducing electromagnetic interference, and reducing the difficulty of control.

[0013] In another embodiment, the distributing valve assembly includes a throttle valve disposed in the distributing valve body and located on the fourth channel.

[0014] In another embodiment, the throttle valve is arranged at the desiccant outlet and installed on the distribution valve body. The throttle valve is provided with a large hole, a small hole, and a rubber ball for ventilation. The rubber ball is arranged on one side of the large hole. When the dryer is regenerated, the gas passes through in the opposite direction, causing the rubber ball to block the large hole and leave the small hole, thereby reducing the gas pressure in the drying chamber, thereby increasing the regeneration amount of the desiccant.

[0015] In another embodiment, the air supply unit includes a pressure limiting valve, the two ends of which 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, the air inlet and the air outlet are connected, and the internal pressure no longer increases, thereby preventing the motor from stalling and causing damage to the product.

[0016] In another embodiment, the distribution valve body is designed with a plurality of gas connectors, which are connected to the pressure-limiting valve to support other extended functions that require compressed gas, such as seat massage, tire inflation, and camera cleaning.

[0017] The present invention also provides a suspension system comprising an air supply unit, an air spring, and an air tank, wherein the air supply unit is any of the above-mentioned closed multifunctional integrated air supply units;

[0018] The air spring includes a plurality of air bags connected in parallel, 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 air bags connected in parallel, and the other end of the first switching valve is connected between the air storage tank and the pressure limiting valve, and the 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 air bags connected in parallel; 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 the 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;

[0019] When the suspension system needs to be replenished with air, the external air passes through the filter and the first one-way valve into the compressor, and the compressed air passes through the fourth switching valve of the dryer into the air storage tank, where the high-pressure gas is stored;

[0020] When the suspension system needs to be raised, the high-pressure gas in the air tank enters the compressor through the third switching valve, and after being compressed, it passes through the first switching valve and the air spring valve and enters the air spring, and the whole vehicle is raised;

[0021] When the suspension system needs to be lowered, the gas in the air spring passes through the air spring valve and the second switching valve into the compressor, and after being compressed, passes through the dryer and the fourth switching valve and is stored in the air tank;

[0022] When the dryer is regenerated, the gas in the gas storage tank passes through the fourth switching valve, the throttle valve, the dryer, and then enters the atmosphere through the exhaust valve to achieve dryer regeneration.

[0023] 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.

[0024] Due to the application of the above technical solution, the present invention has the following advantages compared with the prior art: 1. Since the drying chamber is formed on the outside of the motor housing, 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 compressed air to regenerate the desiccant, which can greatly improve the regeneration efficiency of the desiccant, ensure the stability of the dew point 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 to avoid common heat generation, and the drying chamber can absorb not only the heat generated by the motor, but also 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, thereby avoiding overheating of the compressor and the electronic controller and reducing the life of the controller; 3. The desiccant wrapped around the outside of the motor reduces motor noise and system vibration noise; 4. It provides multiple interfaces that can be used for other extended functions such as seat massage and tire inflation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of an air supply unit;

[0026] Figure 2 It is a structural diagram of the distribution valve body;

[0027] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the suspension system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0029] like Figure 1-2 As shown, the closed multifunctional integrated air supply unit includes: a compressor 2 , a distribution valve assembly 1 , a dryer, and a pressure limiting valve 310 .

[0030] The compressor 2 includes a motor 204 and a compression pump 201 that is transmission-connected to the motor 204; the distribution valve assembly 1 is provided with a distribution air duct for guiding the gas delivered by the compression pump 201 to the required components; the dryer includes a dryer housing 215 and a desiccant arranged in the dryer housing 215, which is used to dry the gas delivered by the compression pump 201.

[0031] Specifically, the dryer housing 215 is sleeved on the motor 204 and forms a drying chamber 205 with the housing 208 of the motor 204, and the desiccant is arranged in the drying chamber 205; the compression pump 201 and the distribution valve assembly 1 are respectively arranged on both sides of the axis of the motor 204, and the distribution valve assembly 1 is formed with a first channel 51 connected to the inside of the housing 208 of the motor 204, and a second channel 52 is formed between the inner side wall of the housing 208 of the motor 204 and the rotor of the motor 204, and a third channel 53 connected to the drying chamber 205 and the second channel 52 is formed in the compression pump 201, and a fourth channel 54 connected to the distribution air channel is formed on the distribution valve assembly 1. The first channel 51, the second channel 52, the third channel 53, the drying chamber 205 and the fourth channel 54 form an air supply passage and an exhaust passage of the air supply unit; the air first passes through the first channel 51, the second channel 52, and the third channel 53 before entering the drying chamber 205, and absorbs the inside of the housing of the motor 204 when passing through the second channel 52. The heat generated by the rotor absorbs the heat generated by the piston in the compression pump 201 when passing through the third channel 53, and uses the absorbed heat to heat the desiccant in the drying chamber 205 when passing through the fourth channel 54. When the desiccant needs to be regenerated, the desiccant can use the air passing through the second channel 52 to absorb the heat generated by the rotation of the motor 204. Since the drying chamber 205 is formed on the outside of the shell of the motor 204, the desiccant can also absorb the heat outside the shell of the motor 204, which can greatly improve the regeneration efficiency of the desiccant. Before regenerating the desiccant, air is replenished first, which can further increase the desiccant temperature, thereby further increasing the life of the dryer and reducing the overall volume. Moreover, the electrical components arranged in the distribution valve assembly 1 can be away from the heated compression pump 201 and the heat of the motor is partially absorbed by the drying chamber, so that the heat distribution is balanced, and the drying chamber or the motor will not be locally overheated, causing the electrical components to overheat, which can increase the service life of the electrical components arranged in the distribution valve assembly 1.

[0032] A filter 56 is provided at the air inlet A of the first channel 51, and a first one-way valve 55, which allows only air to enter, 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 disposed within the distribution valve body 101. The connection port of the temperature and pressure sensor 103 is designed with an elastic component to facilitate assembly and positioning.

[0033] The distribution valve assembly 1 includes a heater 105 provided in the distribution valve body 101, an electronic controller 104 provided in the distribution valve body 101 and used to communicate with the entire vehicle and control the damping adjustment function of the suspension system, a throttle valve 309 provided in the distribution valve body 101 and located on the fourth channel 54, and several gas joints 301 designed on the distribution valve body 101. The gas joints 301 can support other expanded functions that require compressed gas, such as seat massage, tire inflation, and camera cleaning.

[0034] Heater 105 is interference-fitted to the distribution valve body. Made of ceramic, heater 105 actively heats at low temperatures to prevent the distribution valve assembly 1 from malfunctioning due to low temperatures. Electronic controller 104 is equipped with a connector for motor 204, reducing the distance to motor 204, reducing electromagnetic interference, and simplifying control. Throttle valve 309 is located at the desiccant outlet and mounted on the distribution valve body to improve desiccant regeneration efficiency. Throttle valve 309 is internally equipped with a large hole, a small hole, and a small rubber ball. The small rubber ball is located on one side of the large hole. During dryer regeneration, gas flows in the opposite direction, causing the rubber ball to block the large hole, leaving the small hole. This reduces the gas pressure within the drying chamber and increases the amount of desiccant regenerated.

[0035] The two ends of the pressure-limiting valve 310 are connected to the air inlet A and the air outlet B on the fourth channel 54; when the internal pressure of the system is too high, the pressure-limiting valve 310 opens, the air inlet A and the air outlet B are connected, and the internal pressure of the system no longer increases, preventing the motor 204 from stalling and causing product damage.

[0036] like Figure 3 As shown, the suspension system includes an air supply unit, an air spring 302 and an air tank 4. The air tank 4 is connected to the pressure limiting valve 310. The air supply unit is the above-mentioned closed multifunctional integrated air supply unit.

[0037] The air spring 302 includes several parallel air bags 3022, 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 parallel air bags 3022, and the other end of the first switching valve 303 is connected between the air tank 4 and the pressure limiting valve 310, and the 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 parallel air bags 3022; one end of the third switching valve 305 is connected to the air inlet A, and the other end is connected to the air tank 4, and the 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.

[0038] The control method of the suspension system is as follows:

[0039] When the suspension system needs to be replenished with air, the outside air passes through the filter 56 and the first one-way valve 55 and enters the compressor 2. The compressed air passes through the fourth switching valve 306 of the dryer and enters the air storage tank 4. The high-pressure gas is stored in the air storage tank 4.

[0040] When the suspension system needs to be raised, the high-pressure gas in the air tank 4 enters the compressor 2 through the third switching valve 305, and after being compressed, passes through the first switching valve 303 and the air spring valve 3021 and enters the air bag 3022, and the whole vehicle is raised;

[0041] When the suspension system needs to be lowered, the gas in the airbag 3022 enters the compressor 2 through the air spring valve 3021 and the second switching valve 304, and after being compressed, passes through the dryer and the fourth switching valve 306 and is stored in the air tank 4;

[0042] Before regenerating the desiccant, air is first replenished to further increase the desiccant temperature, thereby further improving the life of the dryer. When regenerating the dryer, the gas in the gas 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 achieve dryer regeneration.

[0043] The above embodiments are intended only to illustrate the technical concepts and features of the present invention. Their purpose is to enable those skilled in the art to understand the contents of the present invention and implement them accordingly. They are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any equivalent changes or modifications made in accordance with the spirit of the present invention are intended to be covered by the scope of protection 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 channel for guiding the gas delivered by the compression pump to the required components; A dryer comprising a dryer housing and a desiccant disposed within 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 dryer 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; The distribution valve assembly is formed with a first channel connected to the interior of the motor housing, a second channel is formed between the inner side wall of the motor housing and the motor rotor, a third channel connected to the drying chamber and the second channel is formed in the compression pump, and a fourth channel connected to the distribution air duct is formed on the distribution valve assembly. The first channel, the second channel, the third channel, the drying chamber, 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 chamber, absorbing heat generated by the rotor inside the motor housing when passing through the second channel, absorbing heat generated by the piston in the compression pump when passing through the third channel, and using the absorbed heat to heat the desiccant in the drying chamber when passing through the fourth channel; The air supply unit includes a pressure-limiting valve, and 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.

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 distributing valve assembly includes a heater disposed in the distributing valve body, and the heater is interference-connected with the distributing 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 disposed in the distribution valve body and used for communicating with the entire 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 provided inside the throttle valve. The rubber ball is arranged on one side of the large hole. When the dryer is regenerated, the gas passes through in the opposite 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 3, characterized in that: The distribution valve body is provided with a plurality of gas joints.

9. 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 1-8, and the air spring includes several 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.

10. The suspension system according to claim 9, wherein: 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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