Air supply unit and method and vehicle air source management system

Abstract

The invention provides an air supply unit and method and a vehicle air source management system. The unit comprises a filter, a one-way valve, a dryer, an air storage tank, a compressor, a reversing valve and an exhaust valve. The reversing valve comprises a two-way reversing valve and a three-way reversing valve; the filter is connected with one end of the air spring through the one-way valve and the two-way reversing valve in sequence, the other end of the air spring is connected with one end of the air storage tank through the two-way reversing valve, the other end of the air storage tank is connected with one end of the dryer through the one-way valve and the three-way reversing valve in sequence, and the other end of the three-way reversing valve is connected with the air spring. The other end of the dryer is connected with the compressor through the two-way reversing valve; according to the air supply unit and method and the vehicle air source management system, the structure of the air supply unit can be simplified, the system composition can be optimized, the system cost consumption can be reduced, the system pipeline structure arrangement can be simplified, the application range of the air supply unit can be expanded, and the air supply unit can supply air to air sources in different modes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of vehicle technology, and in particular to an air supply unit and method, and a vehicle air source management system. Background Art

[0002] The air supply unit is the core power source of the entire air suspension system, responsible for generating, storing, and distributing compressed air. This is used to adjust the air pressure within the suspension airbags, or air springs, thereby adjusting vehicle height and stiffness and optimizing shock absorption characteristics. Currently, air suspension systems are categorized into two types: open and closed air supply units, depending on their air path principles.

[0003] The open system adopts a split structure, consisting of a pump assembly and a distribution valve. It can realize multi-source gas supply, but it has the problem of low gas supply efficiency. And because the supplied gas needs to pass through the desiccant, the application of multiple gas sources poses a very high challenge to the desiccant regeneration performance. Although the closed system integrates the pump and valve, the system has a high degree of integration. However, because it adopts an internal circulation gas supply mode, when the air is supplied to the outside, it will seriously affect the drying performance and cause system failure. Currently, the two systems are still mainly based on the air suspension supply. When external air supply is required, the solutions on the market are usually achieved by adding an additional air supply unit.

[0004] As market demands evolve, users are demanding unified management of vehicle air sources, enabling a single air supply unit to meet multiple air source requirements. However, currently, no product on the market can effectively meet these requirements. Therefore, research is crucial to address the challenges of using a single air supply unit to meet the needs of diverse air sources, reducing system costs and simplifying system complexity.

[0005] Patent publication number CN119914494A proposes a compressor, air suspension assembly and vehicle, including: a pump body assembly having a first air inlet and a first air outlet; an air circuit block assembly having a pipeline control structure, as well as a first interface, a second interface, a shock absorber interface and an air tank interface, the first interface, the second interface, the shock absorber interface and the air tank interface are respectively arranged on the pipeline control structure, the first interface is connected to the first air inlet, and the first air outlet is connected to the second interface; the pipeline control structure is used to control the on-off between the second interface and the shock absorber interface and the air tank interface, and the pipeline control structure is also used to control the on-off between the first interface and the air tank interface. Through the setting of the above assembly structure, the setting of the compressor mode can be diversified, but it focuses on the scenario of supplying air to the air spring, and it is difficult to meet the needs of multi-air source management.

[0006] Patent publication number CN119459206A proposes an air supply system and method for an air suspension. The system includes an air tank, multiple air springs, an air supply valve unit, a dryer, a heating element, an electronic control unit, and a humidity sensor. The air tank is used to store compressed air; the air springs are used to supply high-pressure air to each wheel of the vehicle; the air supply valve unit includes a reversing valve; the reversing valve is disposed on the air passage so that the air supply system switches between the intake mode and the backwash mode by reversing the reversing valve; the dryer cavity is connected to the air supply valve unit via the air passage; the heating element is disposed within the dryer cavity; and the humidity sensor is disposed on the air passage, responding to signals from the electronic control unit. This system can improve the regeneration efficiency of the dryer, but the desiccant is located at the low-pressure end, which cannot meet the requirements for drying high-pressure air. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In view of this, the present invention aims to propose an air supply unit and method, and a vehicle air source management system, so as to solve the problem in the prior art that open and closed air supply units are used to supply air to different air sources in the air suspension system, which easily causes the system pipelines to be more complicated, the air supply operation for different modes to be more complicated, and easily causes high system costs or insufficient air supply capacity; thereby simplifying the structure of the air supply unit, optimizing the composition of the system, reducing the cost consumption of the system, simplifying the structural setting of the system pipeline, and expanding the scope of application of the air supply unit so that it can supply air to air sources of different modes.

[0008] To achieve the above object, the technical solution of the present invention is achieved as follows:

[0009] The present invention relates to an air supply unit and method, and a vehicle air source management system. The air supply unit includes a filter, a one-way valve, a dryer, an air storage tank, a compressor, a reversing valve and an exhaust valve; the reversing valve includes a two-way reversing valve and a three-way reversing valve; the filter is connected to one end of an air spring respectively through the one-way valve and the two-way reversing valve, the other end of the air spring is connected to one end of the air storage tank through the two-way reversing valve, the other end of the air storage tank is connected to one end of the dryer through the one-way valve and the three-way reversing valve in sequence, the other end of the three-way reversing valve is connected to the air spring, and the other end of the dryer is connected to the compressor through the two-way reversing valve, and exhaust valves are respectively provided between the dryer and the two-way reversing valve and between the two-way reversing valve and the compressor; the one-way valve, dryer, air storage tank, compressor, reversing valve and exhaust valve are all connected to a controller ECU in the vehicle air source management system.

[0010] Furthermore, the air supply unit further comprises a throttle check valve; the throttle check valve is arranged between the three-way reversing valve and the dryer.

[0011] Furthermore, the air supply unit further includes a control valve; one end of the control valve is connected to the air spring, and the other end of the control valve is connected to the two-way reversing valve and the three-way reversing valve respectively.

[0012] Furthermore, four control valves are provided; one end of the four control valves is connected to the air springs installed at different wheel positions respectively; the other ends of the four control valves are connected in parallel to the two-way reversing valve and the three-way reversing valve respectively.

[0013] Furthermore, at least three two-way reversing valves are provided.

[0014] Furthermore, three two-way reversing valves are provided; the three two-way reversing valves are respectively reversing valve 1, reversing valve 2 and reversing valve 3; one end of reversing valve 1 is connected to the end of the one-way valve away from the filter, the other end of reversing valve 1, reversing valve 2 and one end of the three-way reversing valve are connected in parallel, and then connected to the control valve, the other end of reversing valve 2 is connected to the air storage tank, and the air storage tank is connected to the throttling check valve in turn through the one-way valve, the three-way reversing valve; the three-way reversing valve is provided between the compressor and the dryer; the two ends of the three-way reversing valve are respectively connected to the corresponding exhaust valves.

[0015] Furthermore, the one-way valve includes a one-way valve and a two-way valve; one end of the one-way valve is connected to the filter, and the other end of the one-way valve is respectively connected to the compressor and the two-way reversing valve; one end of the two-way reversing valve is respectively connected to the two-way reversing valve and the air storage tank, and the other end of the two-way valve is connected to the three-way reversing valve.

[0016] Furthermore, the exhaust valve includes an exhaust valve 1 and an exhaust valve 2; one end of the exhaust valve 1 and the exhaust valve 2 are respectively arranged between the compressor and the reversing valve 3, and between the reversing valve 3 and the dryer; the other ends of the exhaust valve 1 and the exhaust valve 2 are respectively connected to the corresponding exhaust pipes.

[0017] A vehicle air source management system comprises the aforementioned air supply unit, which is arranged in the system.

[0018] An air supply method is applied to the air supply unit, and comprises the following steps:

[0019] Step 1: The vehicle air source management system monitors the air tank in different states, the airbag pressure in the air spring, and the air supply demand of other systems inside the vehicle in real time, thereby realizing multi-mode switching operation within the system;

[0020] Step 2: Monitor the external environment in real time through the vehicle air source management system controller ECU and determine whether the external environment is normal; if yes, proceed to step 3; if no, proceed to step 4;

[0021] Step 3: When the external environment is normal, the vehicle air source management system can control the air supply unit to operate in a normal lifting mode;

[0022] Step 4: When the external environment is in a relatively bad condition, the vehicle air source management system can control the air supply unit to operate in its own internal circulation mode.

[0023] Compared with the prior art, the air supply unit and method, and vehicle air source management system described in the present invention have the following beneficial effects:

[0024] By providing the air supply unit in the vehicle air source management system, the structure of the air supply unit can be simplified, the composition of the system can be optimized, the cost consumption of the system can be reduced, the structural setting of the system pipeline can be simplified, and the application scope of the air supply unit can be expanded so that it can supply air for air sources of different modes; specifically, in addition to meeting the air source needs of vehicle air source management, it can also meet other air supply needs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The accompanying drawings, which constitute part of the present invention, are provided to provide a further understanding of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention and do not constitute an improper limitation of the present invention. In the accompanying drawings:

[0026] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the overall structure of the air supply unit;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the air supply method of the air tank in the air supply unit;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the air supply method of the compressor in the air supply unit;

[0029] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the gas flow direction of the gas in the air spring being discharged into the atmosphere;

[0030] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the gas flow from the air spring to the gas tank;

[0031] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the gas flow when the air spring pressure is measured when the vehicle body is not raised or lowered;

[0032] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the gas flow direction when the gas tank is pressure measured when the gas tank is not filled or discharged;

[0033] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of how the system supplies air to other vehicle systems.

[0034] Explanation of the accompanying symbols: 1. Filter; 2. One-way valve; 21. One-way valve 1; 22. One-way valve 2; 3. Dryer; 4. Air storage tank; 5. Compressor; 6. Reversing valve; 61. Two-way reversing valve; 611. Reversing valve 1; 612. Reversing valve 2; 613. Reversing valve 3; 62. Three-way reversing valve; 7. Exhaust valve; 71. Exhaust valve 1; 72. Exhaust valve 2; 8. Air spring; 9. Throttle check valve; 10. Control valve; 11. Sensor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The inventive concepts of the present disclosure will be described below using terms commonly used by those skilled in the art to convey the essence of their work to other persons skilled in the art. However, these inventive concepts can be embodied in many different forms and should not be considered limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0036] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments of the present invention and the features in the embodiments may be combined with each other.

[0037] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in conjunction with embodiments.

[0038] This embodiment is directed to a vehicle air source management system, and similar to conventional vehicle air source management systems, the overall structure is composed of an air spring, a compressor, and an air storage tank.

[0039] To address the existing problem of using open and closed air supply units to supply air to different air sources in an air suspension system, which easily leads to complex system piping, complicated air supply operations for different modes, and high system costs, this embodiment provides an air supply unit and method, and a vehicle air source management system. The air supply unit includes a filter 1, a one-way valve 2, a dryer 3, an air storage tank 4, a compressor 5, a reversing valve 6, and an exhaust valve 7. The reversing valve 6 includes a two-way reversing valve 61 and a three-way reversing valve 62. Filter 1 is connected to one end of air spring 8 via a one-way valve 2 and a two-way reversing valve 61. The other end of air spring 8 is connected to one end of air tank 4 via the two-way reversing valve 61. The other end of air tank 4 is connected to one end of dryer 3 via a one-way valve 2 and a three-way reversing valve 62. The other end of three-way reversing valve 62 is connected to air spring 8. The other end of dryer 3 is connected to compressor 5 via the two-way reversing valve 61. Exhaust valves 7 are provided between dryer 3 and two-way reversing valve 61, and between two-way reversing valve 61 and compressor 5. The one-way valve 2, dryer 3, air tank 4, compressor 5, reversing valve 6, and exhaust valve 7 are all connected to the vehicle's air supply management system controller ECU. Under the control of the ECU, they control the air supply unit and air spring 8, thereby adjusting the stiffness of air spring 8. In this embodiment, the three-way reversing valve 62 is a two-position, three-way reversing valve; it is used to switch the air supply direction within different air paths in the air supply unit.

[0040] Through the settings of various components, different from the open and closed air supply units in the prior art, the present application adopts a hybrid air supply unit structure, which can be used in automobile air source fusion management. It can also simplify the structure of the air supply unit, optimize the composition of the system, reduce the cost of the system, simplify the structural setting of the system pipeline, and expand the scope of application of the air supply unit so that it can supply air for different modes of air sources; specifically, in addition to meeting the air source needs of vehicle air source management, it can also meet other air supply needs.

[0041] The air supply unit also includes a throttle check valve 9. The throttle check valve 9 is arranged between the three-way reversing valve 62 and the dryer 3. The air supply unit also includes a control valve 10. One end of the control valve 10 is connected to the air spring 8, and the other end of the control valve 10 is connected to the two-way reversing valve 61 and the three-way reversing valve 62 respectively. Specifically, four control valves 10 are provided. One end of the four control valves 10 is respectively connected to the air springs 8 installed at the positions of different wheels. The other ends of the four control valves 10 are connected in parallel and are respectively connected to the two-way reversing valve 61 and the three-way reversing valve 62. In this embodiment, the four control valves 10 correspond to the air springs 8 arranged at the positions of the four wheels FL, FR, RL, and RR of the car.

[0042] The provision of the throttle check valve 9 effectively prevents gas backflow and enables on-demand flow control of different gas sources. This improves the structural stability and reliability of the air supply unit, and also enhances its operational stability and safety, ensuring user safety.

[0043] At least three two-way reversing valves 61 are provided. Preferably, three two-way reversing valves 61 are provided. The three two-way reversing valves 61 are respectively a reversing valve 1 611, a reversing valve 2 612, and a reversing valve 3 613. One end of the reversing valve 1 611 is connected to the end of the one-way valve 2 away from the filter 1. The other end of the reversing valve 1 611, the reversing valve 2 612, and one end of the three-way reversing valve 62 are connected in parallel and then connected to the control valve 10. The other end of the reversing valve 2 612 is connected to the air storage tank 4, which is connected to the throttling check valve 9 in sequence through the one-way valve 2 and the three-way reversing valve 62. The three-way reversing valve 613 is provided between the compressor 5 and the dryer 3. The two ends of the three-way reversing valve 613 are respectively connected to the corresponding exhaust valve 7.

[0044] By setting different reversing valves 6, it is possible to achieve different modes and to meet the different needs of different gas sources through the same air supply unit, thereby solving the problem that the setting of multiple gas supply pipelines easily leads to complex pipeline structure and large space occupation, which is beneficial to reduce the cost of the air supply unit and the size of the space occupied by the air supply unit; ensure the reliability of the supply of different gas sources and prevent the problem of disorder in the supply process of different gas sources.

[0045] The one-way valve 2 includes a first one-way valve 21 and a second one-way valve 22. One end of the first one-way valve 21 is connected to the filter 1, and the other end of the first one-way valve 21 is connected to the compressor 5 and the two-way reversing valve 61, respectively. One end of the second one-way valve 22 is connected to the two-way reversing valve 61 and the air tank 4, respectively, and the other end of the second one-way valve 22 is connected to the three-way reversing valve 62. In this embodiment, the three-way reversing valve 62 is a two-position, three-way reversing valve.

[0046] By coordinating the two one-way valves 2 at different positions in the air supply unit, the stability and safety of the system can be improved. The setting of the one-way valve 21 can help ensure that only the air cleaned by the filter 1 can enter the compressor 5 and other pipelines in the air supply unit, thereby ensuring the purity of the air source, and furthermore, it can prevent any reverse airflow and the invasion of pollutants when the system is shut down. The setting of the two one-way valves 22 can help prevent moisture backflow, protect the desiccant in the dryer 3, and help increase the service life of the dryer 3, avoid the desiccant in the dryer 3 from being contaminated and failing, and ensure the drying effect of the dryer 3. It also has the function of maintaining the pressure of the system, reducing the need for frequent startup of the compressor 5, and improving the energy efficiency and service life of each component in the system.

[0047] The exhaust valve 7 includes an exhaust valve 1 71 and an exhaust valve 2 72. One end of the exhaust valve 1 71 and the exhaust valve 2 72 are respectively arranged between the compressor 5 and the reversing valve 3 613, and between the reversing valve 3 613 and the dryer 3. The other ends of the exhaust valve 1 71 and the exhaust valve 2 72 are respectively connected to the exhaust pipes corresponding thereto. Among them, the exhaust valve 1 71 is a pressure regulating valve, which is used to supply air to external gas demanders. The air supply to external gas demanders includes any one or more of seat massage, seat wing support, and tire inflation. In addition, the present application provides protection for the working mode that needs to supply air to external gas demanders separately. Since the air supply of this external air source does not pass through the desiccant, the setting of the exhaust valve 1 71 in the present application can reduce the use of desiccant, thereby greatly improving the durability and regeneration performance of the desiccant.

[0048] The second exhaust valve 72 allows the gas in the air spring 8's airbag to be discharged to the atmosphere during normal air suspension lifting. The first exhaust valve 71 allows air to be supplied to systems other than the air suspension system, directly supplying the dried gas from the compressor 5 to other systems. The coordinated configuration of the two exhaust valves 7 increases the variety of air supply modes, enabling the formation of a multi-mode air supply unit. This ensures the stability and reliability of the air supply unit's air supply.

[0049] A vehicle air source management system includes an air supply unit as described above, disposed within the system. The air supply unit is connected to an ECU within the system. The system also includes a sensor 11. A control valve 10 is connected in parallel at one end, distal from the air spring 8, and then connected to the sensor 11.

[0050] Through the setting of the system, the accuracy of the controller ECU's control over the air supply unit can be effectively improved. Through the real-time monitoring of the operating conditions of each component in the vehicle air source management system by the sensor 11, the accuracy and reliability of the system's control over the air supply unit can be greatly improved.

[0051] An air supply method is applied to the air supply unit, and comprises the following steps:

[0052] Step 1: The vehicle air source management system monitors the pressure of the air tank 4 and the air bag in the air spring 8 in different states, as well as the air supply demand of other systems inside the vehicle in real time, thereby realizing multi-mode switching operation within the system;

[0053] Step 2: Monitor the external environment in real time through the vehicle air source management system controller ECU and determine whether the external environment is normal; if yes, proceed to step 3; if not, proceed to step 4.

[0054] Step 3: When the external environment is normal, the vehicle air source management system can control the air supply unit to operate in a normal lifting mode.

[0055] Step 4: When the external environment is in a relatively bad condition, the vehicle air source management system can control the air supply unit to operate in its own internal circulation mode.

[0056] In step 1, multi-mode operation means that the system can operate in either open or closed mode, and can also operate in closed mode using an open system for some operating conditions. The open mode functions include supplying air to other systems within the vehicle and discharging air from the air spring 8. The closed mode functions include supplying air to the air tank 4 or compressor 5, discharging air from the air spring 8 into the air tank 4, measuring the pressure of the air spring 8 when the vehicle body is not raised or lowered, and measuring the pressure of the air tank 4 when the vehicle body is raised or lowered, and when the air tank 4 is being charged or discharged.

[0057] By setting up the air supply method, multi-mode air supply processing of the air supply unit can be realized, and the system can also ensure real-time monitoring of each component in the air supply unit, thereby improving the accuracy and reliability of the system in meeting multi-source air supply requirements through a single air supply unit, and is also beneficial to improving the safety of system operation; and improving the service life of the dryer 3.

[0058] In step 1, the vehicle air source management system monitors the pressure of the air tank 4 and the airbag in the air spring 8 in different states, as well as the air supply demand of other systems inside the vehicle in real time, and realizes the selective operation of open and / or closed mode in the system. The specific working modes include:

[0059] Step S11: When the air tank 4 is not being charged or discharged, the vehicle air source management system monitors the pressure of the air tank 4 in real time under normal conditions; the air supply unit operates or stops the first working mode;

[0060] Step S12: When the vehicle body is not moving up or down, the pressure of the airbag in the air spring 8 is monitored in real time according to the vehicle air source management system; the air supply unit operates or stops the second working mode;

[0061] Step S13: The vehicle air source management system monitors the air supply demand of other systems in the vehicle in real time; the vehicle air source management system controls the air supply unit to operate or stop the third working mode.

[0062] Specifically, the first working mode in step S11 includes: the vehicle gas source management system detects the pressure inside the gas tank 4 through the sensor 11 (such as Figure 7 As shown, the red line represents the gas flow channel). The second reversing valve 612 is opened, the pipeline between the first reversing valve 611 and the three-way reversing valve 62 is closed, and all four control valves 10 are closed; the sensor 11 detects the pressure of the gas storage tank 4.

[0063] The second working mode in step S12 includes: the vehicle air source management system detects the pressure inside the airbag in the air spring 8 through the sensor 11 (such as Figure 6 As shown, the red line represents the gas flow channel. The first reversing valve 611, the second reversing valve 612, and the three-way reversing valve 62 are closed; the four control valves 10 are opened one by one, and the sensor 11 detects the airbag pressure of each air spring 8 one by one; the sensor 11 is a pressure sensor.

[0064] The third working mode in step S13 includes: the vehicle air source management system controls the compressor 5 in the air supply unit to directly supply the air to other systems inside the vehicle (such as Figure 8 (As shown, the red line represents the gas flow path). When supplying gas to systems other than the vehicle air source management system, the pipelines containing the first reversing valve 611 and the third reversing valve 613 are closed; gas flows from the filter 1 to the compressor 5 and is directly supplied to the outside through the second exhaust valve 72.

[0065] By setting the various air source supply modes in steps S11-S13, the system can more accurately distinguish how the air supply unit operates under different air source requirements, effectively avoiding the occurrence of air supply disturbances within the air supply unit. Combined with the configuration of the various components within the air supply unit, this also helps improve the regeneration performance of the dryer 3, thereby effectively ensuring the stability of system operation. Furthermore, the different operating modes in steps S11-S13 can achieve simultaneous open and closed operation under the desired operating conditions, depending on whether the mode belongs to an open or closed system. This helps ensure the flexibility and stability of the hybrid system.

[0066] Step three includes:

[0067] Step S31: Under normal circumstances, the vehicle air source management system can control the air supply unit to operate in a normal lifting mode; the vehicle air source management system determines whether the pressure of the air storage tank 4 is lower than a preset pressure threshold. If so, the vehicle air source management system controls the compressor 5 to start and executes step S32; if not, the vehicle air source management system controls the air storage tank 4 to start and executes step S33;

[0068] Step S32: The vehicle air source management system controls the air compressor 5 in the air supply unit to supply air to the air bag of the air spring 8; and executes step S34;

[0069] Step S33: The vehicle air source management system controls the air tank 4 in the air supply unit to supply air to the air bag of the air spring 8; and executes step S34;

[0070] Step S34: After the air supply is completed, the vehicle air source management system controls the gas in the airbag of the air spring 8 in the air supply unit to be directly discharged into the atmosphere, thereby realizing the lifting function of the vehicle air source management system.

[0071] Among them, in step S32, when the compressor 5 supplies air to the air bag of the air spring 8 (such as Figure 3 As shown, the red line is the gas flow channel), the air pressure in the air tank 4 is lower than the preset pressure threshold, and the system controls the air supply unit to open the pipeline air compressor 5 to supply air to the air spring 8.

[0072] In step S33, when the air tank 4 supplies air to the air bag of the air spring 8 (e.g. Figure 2 As shown, the red line is the gas flow channel), the gas tank 4 supplies gas through the reversing valve 612 to the four control valves 10 to the different air springs 8 located at the position of each wheel; it does not pass through the pipeline where the one-way valve 22 is located.

[0073] In step S34, the specific operation method of directly discharging the gas in the air bag of the air spring 8 to the atmosphere is as follows (eg Figure 4 As shown, the red lines are gas flow channels): the gas in the different air springs 8 located at the positions of the wheels passes through the four control valves 10 and then through the two-position three-way reversing valve 62 to the dryer 3. The pipeline where the reversing valve 613 is located is closed; the pipeline where the exhaust valve 71 is located is opened.

[0074] By operating the different air paths in the air supply unit in the normal lifting mode in step 3, it is possible to effectively switch to the compressor 5 for air supply in a timely manner according to the pressure changes in the air tank 4, thereby facilitating uninterrupted air supply to the air spring 8, ensuring the stability and reliability of the lifting operation of the air spring 8 and reducing the occurrence of jamming.

[0075] Step four specifically includes: when the external environment is in a relatively harsh situation, the vehicle air source management system can control the air supply unit to adopt its own internal circulation mode to work; at this time, the vehicle air source management system controls the air supply unit to use the air tank 4 to supply air to the air spring 8, and discharges the gas in the air spring 8 back to the air tank 4, thereby realizing the reuse of the gas.

[0076] In step 4, the specific operation method of discharging the gas in the air spring 8 back to the gas tank 4 is as follows (eg Figure 5As shown, the red line is the gas flow channel): when the system executes the air spring 8 to descend; the gas in the different air springs 8 located at the position of each wheel passes through the four control valves 10 respectively, and is then output to the compressor 5 through the reversing valve 1 611; the output gas of the compressor 5 passes through the reversing valve 3 613, the dryer 3, the throttling check valve 9, the two-position three-way reversing valve 62 and the reversing valve 2 612 in sequence and is output to the air storage tank 4; the pipelines where the exhaust valve 1 71 and the exhaust valve 2 72 are located are closed.

[0077] The internal circulation mode of the air supply unit can greatly enhance the stability and reliability of the vehicle body lifting operation under harsh external environments, reduce the pollution of the air source caused by the harsh external environment, and effectively extend the service life of the system and ensure the safety of the system.

[0078] In the present invention, any vehicle air source management system may include an air supply unit structure as described in this embodiment, and based on the relevant structures and assembly relationships of the filter 1, reversing valve 6, and exhaust valve 7 provided in this embodiment, the vehicle air source management system also includes conventional components including air springs 8, compressors 5, and air tanks 4; since they are all existing technologies, they will not be described in detail here.

[0079] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An air supply unit, characterized in that: The invention comprises a filter (1), a one-way valve (2), a dryer (3), an air storage tank (4), a compressor (5), a reversing valve (6) and an exhaust valve (7); the reversing valve (6) comprises a two-way reversing valve (61) and a three-way reversing valve (62); the filter (1) is connected to one end of an air spring (8) through the one-way valve (2) and the two-way reversing valve (61) in sequence; the other end of the air spring (8) is connected to one end of the air storage tank (4) through the two-way reversing valve (61); the other end of the air storage tank (4) is connected to one end of the air storage tank (4) through the one-way valve (2) and the three-way reversing valve (62) in sequence. The one-way valve (2), the one-way valve (3), the air storage tank (4), the compressor (5), the reversing valve (6), and the exhaust valve (7) are connected to a controller ECU in a vehicle air source management system.

2. An air supply unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air supply unit further comprises a throttle check valve (9); the throttle check valve (9) is arranged between the three-way reversing valve (62) and the dryer (3).

3. The air supply unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air supply unit further comprises a control valve (10); one end of the control valve (10) is connected to the air spring (8), and the other end of the control valve (10) is respectively connected to the two-way reversing valve (61) and the three-way reversing valve (62).

4. An air supply unit according to claim 3, characterized in that: Four control valves (10) are provided; one end of each of the four control valves (10) is connected to the air springs (8) installed at different wheel locations in a one-to-one correspondence; and the other ends of the four control valves (10) are connected in parallel to the two-way reversing valve (61) and the three-way reversing valve (62).

5. The air supply unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: At least three two-way reversing valves (61) are provided.

6. An air supply unit according to claim 5, characterized in that: Three two-way reversing valves (61) are provided; the three two-way reversing valves (61) are respectively a reversing valve (611), a reversing valve (612) and a reversing valve (613); one end of the reversing valve (611) is connected to the end of the one-way valve (2) away from the filter (1); the other end of the reversing valve (611), the reversing valve (612) and one end of the three-way reversing valve (62) are connected in parallel and then connected to the control valve (10); the other end of the reversing valve (612) is connected to the air storage tank (4); the air storage tank (4) is connected to the throttling check valve (9) in sequence through the one-way valve (2) and the three-way reversing valve (62); the three-way reversing valve (613) is provided between the compressor (5) and the dryer (3); and the two ends of the three-way reversing valve (613) are respectively connected to the corresponding exhaust valve (7).

7. The air supply unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The one-way valve (2) comprises a one-way valve (21) and a two-way valve (22); one end of the one-way valve (21) is connected to the filter (1), and the other end of the one-way valve (21) is respectively connected to the compressor (5) and the two-way reversing valve (61); one end of the two-way reversing valve (22) is respectively connected to the two-way reversing valve (61) and the air storage tank (4), and the other end of the two-way valve (22) is connected to the three-way reversing valve (62).

8. The air supply unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The exhaust valve (7) comprises an exhaust valve (71) and an exhaust valve (72); one end of the exhaust valve (71) and the exhaust valve (72) are respectively arranged between the compressor (5) and the three-way reversing valve (613), and between the three-way reversing valve (613) and the dryer (3); the other ends of the exhaust valve (71) and the exhaust valve (72) are respectively connected to the corresponding exhaust pipelines.

9. A vehicle air source management system, characterized in that: The invention comprises an air supply unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the air supply unit is arranged in a system.

10. An air supply method, characterized in that: The method is applied to an air supply unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and the method comprises the following steps: Step 1: The vehicle air source management system monitors the pressure of the air tank (4) and the air bag in the air spring (8) in different states, as well as the air supply demand of other systems inside the vehicle in real time, thereby realizing multi-mode switching operation within the system; Step 2: Monitor the external environment in real time through the vehicle air source management system controller ECU and determine whether the external environment is normal; if yes, proceed to step 3; if no, proceed to step 4; Step 3: When the external environment is normal, the vehicle air source management system can control the air supply unit to operate in a normal lifting mode; Step 4: When the external environment is in a relatively bad condition, the vehicle air source management system can control the air supply unit to operate in its own internal circulation mode.

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