Drying agent blowback control method and device and air suspension system

By using pressure and temperature sensors in the air suspension system to calculate the air quality inside the air tank, the desiccant saturation rate is accurately determined and the backflushing procedure is initiated, solving the problems of high cost and low accuracy in existing technologies, and achieving efficient desiccant control and extended system life.

CN121590216APending Publication Date: 2026-03-03CHONGQING SELIS PHOENIX INTELLIGENT INNOVATION TECH CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202512057931.6
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2025-12-31
Publication Date
2026-03-03

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The desiccant backflush control method in existing air suspension systems increases system costs and is susceptible to interference, resulting in lower accuracy.

Method used

By utilizing the existing pressure and temperature sensors in the air suspension system, the cumulative air mass drawn in from the outside by the high-pressure air tank is calculated. Combined with the maximum air mass that the desiccant can adsorb when it reaches full saturation, the saturation rate of the desiccant is obtained, and the backflushing procedure is initiated when saturation is reached.

Benefits of technology

It reduces system costs, improves the accuracy of desiccant backflushing control, ensures that the desiccant always operates within a reasonable adsorption efficiency range, and extends the system's service life.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The invention provides a desiccant back flushing control method and device and an air suspension system.The method includes the steps that a controller of the air suspension system calculates the mass of air sucked from the outside by a high-pressure air tank according to the pressure value and the temperature value of the high-pressure air tank, and then the mass of the air sucked from the outside by the high-pressure air tank is calculated according to the maximum mass of the air capable of being adsorbed when the desiccant reaches the complete saturation state; the saturation rate of the drying agent is obtained, the state of the drying agent is judged based on the saturation rate, and when it is determined that the drying agent reaches the saturation state, the back flushing program is started. As the pressure value and the temperature value of the high-pressure air tank can be obtained by using the original pressure sensor and the original temperature sensor in the air suspension system, a humidity sensor and a flow sensor do not need to be additionally arranged, the system cost can be reduced, and the system reliability is improved. The saturation rate of the drying agent is judged by accurately calculating the mass of air accumulated by the air tank and sucked from the outside, and accurate control over back flushing of the drying agent can be achieved.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of automotive control technology, and more specifically, to a desiccant backflush control method, device, and air suspension system. Background Technology

[0002] In closed-loop air suspension systems, the quality of compressed air is crucial to the system's reliability and lifespan. To prevent moisture from freezing and corroding components within the system, thus affecting the normal operation of the air suspension, the air suspension system needs to be equipped with a desiccant regeneration device. Current air suspension systems primarily rely on data from humidity and flow sensors to determine the desiccant's operating status and intake volume, thereby controlling the desiccant's backflushing regeneration. However, this method increases costs, and humidity sensors are susceptible to interference from environmental temperature, humidity, and chemical substances, leading to inaccurate measurements and consequently, lower precision in desiccant backflushing control. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this application is to provide a desiccant backflush control method, device and air suspension system, which aims to solve the problems of increased system cost and susceptibility to interference in the desiccant backflush control method of the air suspension system in the related art, resulting in low accuracy of desiccant backflush control.

[0004] In a first aspect, this application provides a desiccant backflush control method, applied to a controller of an air suspension system; the method includes: calculating the cumulative air mass drawn in from the outside by the high-pressure air tank based on the pressure and temperature values ​​of the high-pressure air tank of the air suspension system; obtaining the saturation rate of the desiccant based on the air mass and the maximum air mass that the desiccant can adsorb when it reaches full saturation; determining the state of the desiccant based on the saturation rate, and if it is determined that the desiccant has reached saturation, initiating a backflush procedure.

[0005] In the above implementation process, the cumulative mass of air drawn into the high-pressure tank from the outside is calculated based on the pressure and temperature values ​​of the high-pressure tank. This, combined with the maximum mass of air the desiccant can adsorb when fully saturated, yields the desiccant saturation rate. Based on this saturation rate, the desiccant's state is determined. When it is determined that the desiccant has reached saturation, the backflushing procedure is initiated. Since the pressure and temperature values ​​of the high-pressure tank can be obtained using the existing pressure and temperature sensors in the air suspension system, there is no need to install additional humidity and flow sensors, thus reducing system costs. Furthermore, by accurately calculating the cumulative mass of air drawn into the tank from the outside to determine the desiccant saturation rate, precise control of the desiccant backflushing process can be achieved.

[0006] Furthermore, in some examples, calculating the cumulative air mass drawn in by the high-pressure air tank from the outside based on the pressure and temperature values ​​of the high-pressure air tank of the air suspension system includes: calculating the change in the amount of gaseous substance in the high-pressure air tank based on the initial pressure, initial temperature, final pressure, and final temperature values ​​of the high-pressure air tank each time it is replenished; calculating the air mass drawn in by the high-pressure air tank from the outside each time it is replenished based on the change; and accumulating the air mass drawn in by the high-pressure air tank from the outside each time it is replenished to obtain the cumulative air mass drawn in by the high-pressure air tank from the outside.

[0007] In the above implementation process, a specific method is provided to calculate the cumulative air mass drawn in from the outside based on changes in gas cylinder pressure and temperature.

[0008] Furthermore, in some examples, the step of calculating the mass of air drawn from the outside each time the high-pressure gas tank is replenished based on the change includes: multiplying the change, the average molar mass of air, and the temperature compensation coefficient to obtain the mass of air drawn from the outside each time the high-pressure gas tank is replenished; the temperature compensation coefficient is used to correct for the temperature rise of the outside air caused by the operation of the compressor.

[0009] In the above implementation process, a temperature compensation coefficient is introduced for correction, which improves the accuracy of the intake air quality calculation.

[0010] Furthermore, in some examples, the step of calculating the mass of air drawn from the outside each time the high-pressure gas tank is replenished based on the change includes: multiplying the change, the average molar mass of air, and the pressure loss coefficient to obtain the mass of air drawn from the outside each time the high-pressure gas tank is replenished; the pressure loss coefficient is used to correct for the pressure loss that exists when the outside air enters the compressor and then enters the high-pressure pipe through the pipeline.

[0011] In the above implementation process, a pressure loss coefficient is introduced for correction, which improves the accuracy of the intake air quality calculation.

[0012] Furthermore, in some examples, calculating the mass of air drawn from the outside each time the high-pressure gas tank is replenished based on the change includes: multiplying the change, the average molar mass of air, the temperature compensation coefficient, and the pressure loss coefficient to obtain the mass of air drawn from the outside each time the high-pressure gas tank is replenished; the temperature compensation coefficient is used to correct for the temperature rise of the outside air caused by the operation of the compressor; the pressure loss coefficient is used to correct for the pressure loss that exists when the outside air enters the compressor and then enters the high-pressure pipe through the pipeline.

[0013] In the above implementation process, temperature compensation coefficient and pressure loss coefficient are introduced for correction to improve the accuracy of intake air quality calculation.

[0014] Furthermore, in some examples, the temperature compensation coefficient is calculated by summing the baseline value and the temperature difference compensation value; the temperature difference compensation value is the product of the ratio of the temperature difference to the initial temperature value and the temperature difference influence coefficient; the temperature difference is the difference obtained by subtracting the initial temperature value from the final temperature value; and the value of the temperature difference influence coefficient is determined based on the temperature difference.

[0015] In the above implementation process, a specific method for calculating the temperature compensation coefficient is provided.

[0016] Furthermore, in some examples, the pressure loss coefficient is calculated by summing a baseline value, a gas path structure compensation value, and a flow rate compensation value; the gas path structure compensation value is the ratio of the length-to-diameter ratio influence coefficient to the gas path length from the dryer outlet to the high-pressure gas tank inlet relative to the gas path diameter; the length-to-diameter ratio influence coefficient is used to reflect the influence of the gas path structure on the pressure loss; the flow rate compensation value is the ratio of the pressure difference influence coefficient to the target pressure difference relative to the final pressure value; the pressure difference influence coefficient is used to reflect the influence of the flow rate on the pressure loss.

[0017] In the above implementation process, a specific method for calculating the pressure loss coefficient is provided.

[0018] Furthermore, in some examples, obtaining the saturation rate of the desiccant based on the air mass and the maximum air mass that the desiccant can adsorb when it reaches full saturation includes: multiplying the ratio between the air mass and the maximum air mass that the desiccant can adsorb when it reaches full saturation by a temperature correction factor and a decay factor to obtain the saturation rate of the desiccant; the temperature correction factor is determined based on the ambient temperature; and the decay factor is determined based on the cumulative usage time of the desiccant.

[0019] In the above implementation process, when calculating the saturation rate of the desiccant, a temperature correction coefficient and an attenuation coefficient are introduced for correction, which effectively improves the accuracy of judging the saturation rate of the desiccant.

[0020] Furthermore, in some examples, the determination of the state of the desiccant based on the saturation rate includes: if the saturation rate is greater than or equal to a preset saturation rate threshold, determining that the desiccant has reached a saturated state; the preset saturation rate threshold is determined based on the ambient temperature, the volume of the desiccant, and its maximum moisture absorption capacity.

[0021] In the above implementation process, the saturation level of the desiccant is accurately monitored by setting a dynamic saturation threshold.

[0022] Furthermore, in some examples, the method further includes determining the backflushing time based on the ratio between the saturation rate and the preset saturation rate threshold, and the pressure of the high-pressure gas tank before and after backflushing.

[0023] In the above process, the backflushing time is determined based on the saturation level of the desiccant and the pressure of the gas tank, so as to achieve precise control of the desiccant backflushing, ensuring that the desiccant always works within a reasonable adsorption efficiency range and improving the service life of the system.

[0024] Furthermore, in some examples, the method also includes controlling the backflush pressure by adjusting the output pressure of the high-pressure gas tank or the opening of the solenoid valve, so that the backflush pressure is greater than the minimum backflush pressure value and less than the maximum backflush pressure value.

[0025] In the above process, the backflush pressure is controlled within a suitable range to ensure that the moisture in the desiccant is effectively removed without damaging the desiccant.

[0026] Secondly, this application provides a desiccant backflush control device applied to the controller of an air suspension system; the device includes: a calculation module, used to calculate the cumulative air mass drawn in from the outside by the high-pressure air tank based on the pressure and temperature values ​​of the high-pressure air tank of the air suspension system; an acquisition module, used to acquire the saturation rate of the desiccant based on the air mass and the maximum air mass that the desiccant can adsorb when it reaches full saturation; and a start module, used to determine the state of the desiccant based on the saturation rate, and if it is determined that the desiccant has reached saturation, to start the backflush procedure.

[0027] Thirdly, this application provides an air suspension system comprising an air compressor, a high-pressure air tank, a low-pressure air tank, an intake control valve, an exhaust control valve, a reuse pipe, and four air spring assemblies; each air spring assembly is associated with a wheel, and each air spring assembly includes an air valve and an air spring; wherein, the air compressor is connected to the high-pressure air tank and the low-pressure air tank respectively, and the air compressor is used to provide high-pressure gas to the high-pressure air tank and to exhaust gas from the low-pressure air tank; the intake control valve is disposed at one end of the reuse pipe, the exhaust control valve is disposed at the other end of the reuse pipe, the intake control valve is connected to the high-pressure air tank, and the exhaust control valve is connected to the low-pressure air tank; the air spring is connected to the reuse pipe through the air valve; the air suspension system further includes An air dryer is provided, positioned between the high-pressure gas tank and the air compressor. The air dryer contains a built-in desiccant to remove moisture and impurities from the gas delivered from the air compressor to the high-pressure gas tank. The air suspension system also includes a controller connected to the air compressor, the intake control valve, the exhaust control valve, the air valve, and the air dryer. The controller is used to: calculate the cumulative mass of air drawn into the high-pressure gas tank from the outside based on the pressure and temperature values ​​of the high-pressure gas tank; obtain the saturation rate of the desiccant based on the air mass and the maximum mass of air that the desiccant can adsorb when fully saturated; and determine the state of the desiccant based on the saturation rate. If the desiccant is determined to be saturated, a backflushing procedure is initiated.

[0028] Fourthly, this application provides an electronic device comprising: a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, wherein the processor, when executing the computer program, implements the steps of the method described in any of the first aspects.

[0029] Fifthly, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as described in any of the first aspects.

[0030] Sixthly, this application provides a computer program product that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method described in any of the first aspects.

[0031] Other features and advantages disclosed in this application will be set forth in the following description, or some features and advantages may be inferred from the description or determined without doubt, or may be learned by practicing the above-described technology disclosed in this application.

[0032] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, preferred embodiments are described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0033] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments of this application will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of this application and should not be regarded as a limitation of the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0034] Figure 1 A flowchart of a desiccant backflushing control method provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an air suspension system provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 3 A block diagram of a desiccant backflushing control device provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 4 This is a structural block diagram of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0036] It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters in the following figures indicate similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures. Furthermore, in the description of this application, terms such as "first," "second," etc., are used only to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0037] In closed-loop air suspension systems, the quality of compressed air is crucial to the system's reliability and lifespan. To prevent moisture from freezing and corroding components within the system, thus affecting the normal operation of the air suspension, the air suspension system must be equipped with a desiccant device with a backflush regeneration function. Desiccant backflush regeneration utilizes compressed air to blow away moisture and impurities from the surface and channels of the desiccant, thereby regenerating the desiccant. Currently, there are two main methods for controlling desiccant backflush in air suspension systems. One method is based on a fixed cycle, i.e., timed backflush regeneration. This method does not fully consider the actual operating frequency and usage environment, and cannot regenerate the desiccant in a timely and accurate manner, increasing the risk of failure of internal components of the air spring. The other method relies on the detection data of humidity and flow sensors to determine the working status and air intake of the desiccant, thereby controlling the desiccant backflush regeneration. This method requires additional humidity and flow sensors, increasing costs, and the humidity sensor is susceptible to interference from environmental temperature, humidity, and chemical substances, leading to inaccurate measurements.

[0038] To address the aforementioned issues, this application provides a desiccant backflushing control scheme. Based on the pressure and temperature values ​​of the high-pressure air tank, the cumulative mass of air drawn into the high-pressure tank from the outside is calculated. This mass is then combined with the maximum mass of air the desiccant can adsorb when fully saturated to obtain the desiccant saturation rate. When the desiccant is determined to be saturated based on the obtained saturation rate, the backflushing procedure is initiated. Since the pressure and temperature values ​​of the high-pressure air tank can be obtained using the existing pressure and temperature sensors in the air suspension system, no additional sensors are required, thus reducing system costs. Furthermore, by accurately calculating the intake air volume to determine the desiccant saturation rate and rationally controlling the backflushing process, the accuracy of the backflushing control can be improved.

[0039] The embodiments of this application will be described below: like Figure 1 As shown, Figure 1This is a flowchart of a desiccant backflushing control method provided in an embodiment of this application. The method can be applied to the controller of an air suspension system. The air suspension system here can be a closed-loop high- and low-pressure dual-tank air suspension system, which mainly consists of a high-pressure tank, a low-pressure tank, air springs, an air pump, multiple solenoid valves, and a controller. The high-pressure tank stores high-pressure compressed air, providing a high-pressure air source for the system; the low-pressure tank stores relatively low-pressure air, serving as a transitional air storage function; the air springs are connected to the vehicle's suspension system, adjusting vehicle height and attitude through inflation and deflation; the air pump is responsible for transferring air between the high-pressure and low-pressure tanks; multiple solenoid valves control the opening and closing of the air passages and the direction of air flow; and the controller integrates data from various sensors, such as acceleration sensors, vehicle height sensors, and pressure sensors, and issues control commands based on specific control logic and algorithms. Of course, this air suspension system can also be other types of air suspension systems.

[0040] The method includes: Step 101: Calculate the cumulative mass of air drawn in from the outside by the high-pressure air tank based on the pressure and temperature values ​​of the high-pressure air tank of the air suspension system. Existing air suspension systems typically include pressure and temperature sensors in their air tanks. In this embodiment, the air tank pressure and temperature are continuously measured using both sensors. The cumulative mass of air drawn in from the outside is calculated using these sensor readings to determine the desiccant saturation level. This eliminates the need for humidity and flow sensors, effectively reducing system costs.

[0041] In some embodiments, this step may include: calculating the change in the amount of gaseous substance in the high-pressure tank based on the initial pressure, initial temperature, final pressure, and final temperature values ​​of the high-pressure tank during each refill of the air suspension system; calculating the mass of air drawn in from the outside during each refill based on the change; and accumulating the mass of air drawn in from the outside during each refill to obtain the cumulative mass of air drawn in from the outside by the high-pressure tank. That is, based on the ideal gas law... The amount of gas inside the tank can be deduced. The calculation formula is ,in For pressure, For temperature, Let be the ideal gas constant. This refers to the volume of the gas cylinder. Based on this, the initial pressure value is used each time the gas cylinder is refilled. Initial temperature value Final pressure value and final temperature value It can calculate the change in the amount of gaseous substance inside the gas cylinder. The average molar mass of air This allows us to obtain the air quality from a single intake from the outside. ,in, The usual value is 28.97 g / mol. The total intake mass is calculated by accumulating the air drawn in from the outside each time, which represents the total mass of air drawn in from the outside by the gas cylinder. ,in, This represents the mass of air inhaled from the outside during the i-th iteration. This indicates the number of times air is drawn in from the outside. It can be counted by setting a pressure threshold for the high-pressure gas cylinder. For example, the pressure threshold for the high-pressure gas cylinder can be set to... When the air spring is adjusted to its highest position, the pressure in the high-pressure air tank is at its minimum. Let the pressure in the high-pressure air tank at this time be denoted as . Then when At that time, the high-pressure gas tank operates on an internal recirculation system; when At any given time, the high-pressure air tank is replenished with air from outside, and this is recorded as one replenishment cycle. This method allows for the rapid calculation of the cumulative mass of air drawn into the high-pressure air tank from the outside.

[0042] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the aforementioned calculation of the mass of air drawn in from the outside each time the high-pressure gas tank is replenished may include: multiplying the change, the average molar mass of air, and a temperature compensation coefficient to obtain the mass of air drawn in from the outside each time the high-pressure gas tank is replenished; the temperature compensation coefficient is used to correct for the temperature rise of the outside air caused by the operation of the compressor. That is, considering that the temperature of the outside air will rise after entering the compressor due to the operation of the compressor, a temperature compensation coefficient is introduced. The corrected air quality per intake from the outside is adjusted. This improves the accuracy of intake air quality calculations.

[0043] Furthermore, after outside air enters the compressor, it passes through the corresponding pipelines to enter the high-pressure pipe, resulting in pressure loss. This pressure loss may affect the calculation of the intake air volume. Therefore, in some embodiments, the aforementioned calculation of the mass of air drawn in from the outside each time the high-pressure gas tank is replenished may include multiplying the change, the average molar mass of air, and the pressure loss coefficient to obtain the mass of air drawn in from the outside each time the high-pressure gas tank is replenished. The pressure loss coefficient is used to correct for the pressure loss that occurs when outside air enters the compressor and passes through the pipelines to enter the high-pressure pipe. In other words, a pressure loss coefficient is introduced. The corrected air quality per intake from the outside is adjusted. This improves the accuracy of intake air quality calculations.

[0044] In some embodiments, calculating the mass of air drawn from the outside each time the high-pressure gas tank is replenished, based on the aforementioned change, may include: multiplying the change, the average molar mass of air, the temperature compensation coefficient, and the pressure loss coefficient to obtain the mass of air drawn from the outside each time the high-pressure gas tank is replenished; the temperature compensation coefficient is used to correct for the temperature rise of the outside air caused by the operation of the compressor; the pressure loss coefficient is used to correct for the pressure loss that exists when the outside air enters the compressor and then enters the high-pressure pipe through the pipeline. That is, the temperature compensation coefficient can be introduced simultaneously. and pressure loss coefficient The intake volume is corrected, and the corrected mass of air drawn in from the outside in a single operation is... This further improves the accuracy of intake air quality calculations.

[0045] Optionally, the temperature compensation coefficient mentioned above It can be calculated by summing the baseline value and the temperature difference compensation value; the temperature difference compensation value is the product of the ratio of the temperature difference to the initial temperature value and the temperature difference influence coefficient; the temperature difference is the difference obtained by subtracting the initial temperature value from the final temperature value; the value of the temperature difference influence coefficient is determined based on the temperature difference. Here, the baseline value can be 1. That is, the temperature compensation coefficient... This can be expressed as the following formula:

[0046] in, The temperature compensation coefficient is mentioned above; The final temperature value; The initial temperature value; The temperature difference influence coefficient is determined by the difference between the final temperature value and the initial temperature value. Using the above formula, the temperature compensation coefficient can be accurately calculated, resulting in a more accurate calculated intake air quality.

[0047] Optionally, the pressure loss coefficient mentioned above The pressure loss can be calculated by summing the baseline value, the gas path structure compensation value, and the flow rate compensation value. The gas path structure compensation value is the ratio of the length-to-diameter ratio influence coefficient to the gas path length from the dryer outlet to the high-pressure gas tank inlet, relative to the gas path pipe diameter. The length-to-diameter ratio influence coefficient reflects the influence of the gas path structure on the pressure loss. The flow rate compensation value is the ratio of the pressure difference influence coefficient to the target pressure difference, relative to the final pressure value. The pressure difference influence coefficient reflects the influence of the flow rate on the pressure loss. In other words, the pressure loss coefficient... This can be expressed as the following formula:

[0048] in, The pressure loss coefficient is mentioned above; The aspect ratio influence coefficient is used to reflect the influence of the gas path structure on the pressure loss. This is the pressure difference influence coefficient, used to reflect the effect of flow velocity on the pressure loss; This refers to the length of the gas path from the dryer outlet to the high-pressure gas tank inlet; This refers to the diameter of the gas pipeline; The pressure difference between the dryer outlet and the high-pressure gas tank inlet; The final pressure value is given. Using the above formula, the pressure loss coefficient can be accurately calculated, resulting in a more accurate calculation of the intake air quality.

[0049] Step 102: Based on the air mass and the maximum air mass that the desiccant can adsorb when it reaches full saturation, obtain the saturation rate of the desiccant; The maximum mass of air that the desiccant mentioned in this step can adsorb when it reaches full saturation. This can be determined in advance through experiments. The cumulative mass of air drawn in from the outside by the high-pressure gas tank is approximately equal to the actual mass of air adsorbed by the desiccant. Therefore, based on the cumulative mass of air drawn in from the outside by the high-pressure gas tank... The maximum mass of air that the desiccant can adsorb when it reaches full saturation. This allows us to determine the current saturation level of the desiccant. ,like .

[0050] In some embodiments, this step may include: multiplying the ratio between the air mass and the maximum air mass that the desiccant can adsorb when it reaches full saturation by a temperature correction factor and a decay factor to obtain the saturation rate of the desiccant; the temperature correction factor is determined based on the ambient temperature; and the decay factor is determined based on the cumulative usage time of the desiccant. That is, a temperature correction factor can be introduced. and attenuation coefficient saturation rate of desiccant Make corrections, the corrected saturation rate Among them, the temperature correction factor Determined based on ambient temperature; for example, when the ambient temperature is greater than or equal to 25°C. When the ambient temperature drops, Linear decrease; based on the characteristic that the longer the desiccant is used, the weaker its adsorption capacity, an attenuation coefficient is introduced. When the cumulative usage time of the desiccant is less than or equal to 1 year, After a cumulative usage time of more than one year, The saturation level decreases linearly with increasing usage days. This effectively improves the accuracy of determining the desaturation rate of the desiccant.

[0051] Step 103: Determine the state of the desiccant based on the saturation rate. If it is determined that the desiccant has reached saturation, start the backflushing procedure.

[0052] In this embodiment, the current saturation rate of the desiccant is used to determine whether it has reached saturation. When the determination result is yes, it indicates that the desiccant needs to be backflushed and regenerated. At this time, the controller starts the backflushing program, so that the high-pressure air in the high-pressure air tank flows in the opposite direction through the desiccant tank, blowing out the moisture adsorbed by the desiccant and restoring the performance of the desiccant.

[0053] In some embodiments, the determination of the state of the desiccant based on the saturation rate mentioned in this step may include: if the saturation rate is greater than or equal to a preset saturation rate threshold, determining that the desiccant has reached a saturated state; the preset saturation rate threshold is determined based on the ambient temperature, the volume of the desiccant, and its maximum moisture absorption capacity. In other words, a saturation rate threshold can be set. It can adjust according to ambient temperature (Unit: K) Volume of desiccant (Unit: m) 3 And the maximum moisture absorption capacity of the desiccant. (Unit: kg / m³) 3 ) Determine, for example, ,in This is an empirical coefficient, with units of 1 / K (Kelvin). Air density, unit: kg / m³ 3 , Total air volume processed, in m³ 3 , The outlet dew point, in K, is the point at which the desiccant is saturated. satisfy When the desiccant reaches saturation, it is determined that it has reached saturation; conversely, when it has reached saturation... If the desiccant is not saturated, it is determined that the desiccant has not reached saturation. In this way, the saturation level of the desiccant can be accurately monitored through a dynamic threshold.

[0054] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the method may further include determining the backflushing time based on the ratio between the saturation rate and the preset saturation rate threshold, and the pressure of the high-pressure gas tank before and after backflushing. In other words, when the controller initiates the backflushing program, it can determine the total time for the high-pressure air in the high-pressure gas tank to flow backward through the desiccant tank, i.e., the backflushing time, based on the saturation level of the desiccant and the tank pressure. Specifically, backflush time It can be calculated based on the following formula: ,in The backflush time coefficient is calibrated and corrected based on a 10s benchmark. The pressure of the high-pressure gas tank after backflushing can be set through calibration. This refers to the pressure of the high-pressure gas tank before backflushing. This allows for precise control of the desiccant backflushing process, ensuring the desiccant always operates within a reasonable adsorption efficiency range and extending the system's lifespan.

[0055] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the backflush pressure may be controlled by adjusting the output pressure of the high-pressure gas tank or the opening of the solenoid valve, so that the backflush pressure is greater than a minimum backflush pressure value and less than a maximum backflush pressure value. That is, during the desiccant backflush process, the controller can control the backflush pressure by adjusting the output pressure of the high-pressure gas tank or the opening of the solenoid valve. To satisfy ,in and These are the minimum and maximum backflush pressure values, which can be determined experimentally. This ensures that the backflush pressure is kept within a suitable range, effectively removing moisture from the desiccant without damaging it.

[0056] In this embodiment, the cumulative mass of air drawn into the high-pressure tank from the outside is calculated based on the pressure and temperature values ​​of the high-pressure tank. This mass is then combined with the maximum mass of air the desiccant can absorb when fully saturated to obtain the desiccant saturation rate. When the desiccant is determined to be saturated based on the saturation rate, the backflushing procedure is initiated. Since the pressure and temperature values ​​of the high-pressure tank can be obtained using the existing pressure and temperature sensors in the air suspension system, there is no need to install additional humidity and flow sensors, thus reducing system costs. Furthermore, accurately calculating the intake air volume to determine the desiccant saturation rate improves the accuracy of the backflushing control.

[0057] To provide a more detailed explanation of the solution in this application, a specific embodiment is described below: This embodiment provides an air suspension system, the structure of which is as follows: Figure 2As shown, the system includes an air compressor 1, a high-pressure air tank 2, a low-pressure air tank 3, an intake control valve 4, an exhaust control valve 5, a reuse pipe 6, and four air spring assemblies 7. Each air spring assembly 7 is associated with a wheel and includes an air valve 71 and an air spring 72. The air compressor 1 is connected to the high-pressure air tank 2 to supply high-pressure gas, and also connected to the low-pressure air tank 3 to exhaust gas from it. The intake control valve 4 is located at one end of the reuse pipe 6, and the exhaust control valve 5 is located at the other end. The intake control valve 4 is connected to the high-pressure air tank 2, and the exhaust control valve 5 is connected to the low-pressure air tank 3. The air spring 72 is connected to the reuse pipe 6 via the air valve 71. This air suspension system also includes... The system includes an air dryer 12, which is positioned between the high-pressure gas tank 2 and the air compressor 1. The air dryer 12 contains a built-in desiccant to remove moisture and impurities from the gas transmitted from the air compressor 1 to the high-pressure gas tank 2. The air suspension system also includes a controller (not shown), which is connected to the air compressor 1, the intake control valve 4, the exhaust control valve 5, the air valve 71, and the air dryer 12. The controller is used to: calculate the cumulative air mass drawn into the high-pressure gas tank 2 from the outside based on the pressure and temperature values ​​of the high-pressure gas tank 2; obtain the saturation rate of the desiccant based on the air mass and the maximum air mass that the desiccant can adsorb when it reaches full saturation; and determine the state of the desiccant based on the saturation rate. If the desiccant is determined to be saturated, a backflushing procedure is initiated.

[0058] In implementation, the air spring 72 in the air spring assembly 7 corresponding to the left front wheel of the vehicle is denoted as FL, and the air valve 71 in the air spring assembly 7 is denoted as AV1; the air spring 72 in the air spring assembly 7 corresponding to the right front wheel is denoted as FR, and the air valve 71 in the air spring assembly 7 is denoted as AV2; the air spring 72 in the air spring assembly 7 corresponding to the left rear wheel is denoted as RL, and the air valve 71 in the air spring assembly 7 is denoted as AV3; the air spring 72 in the air spring assembly 7 corresponding to the right rear wheel is denoted as RR, and the air valve 71 in the air spring assembly 7 is denoted as AV4.

[0059] Optionally, the air suspension system further includes a first limiting air valve 8, a second limiting air valve 9, a motor 10, an air filter 11, a power limiting valve 13, and an exhaust valve 14. The first limiting air valve 8 is located between the high-pressure air tank 2 and the air compressor 1, controlling the connection between them. The second limiting air valve 9 is located between the low-pressure air tank 3 and the air compressor 1, controlling their connection. The motor 10 is connected to the air compressor 1, providing power. The air filter 11 filters the air drawn in by the air compressor 1 from the outside. The power limiting valve 13 limits the power of the air compressor 1, preventing it from operating at excessive power. The exhaust valve 14 exhausts air. The controller is also connected to the motor 10, the power limiting valve 13, the first limiting air valve 8, the second limiting air valve 9, and the exhaust valve 14, controlling the opening and closing of these devices according to actual needs. In addition, the high-pressure gas tank 2 is equipped with a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor (not shown in the figure), which are used to detect the pressure and temperature values ​​of the gas inside the tank, respectively.

[0060] The air suspension system controller executes the following desiccant backflush control scheme: S201. Calculate the cumulative air mass inhaled; Specifically, by utilizing the pressure and temperature sensors already present inside the gas tank, the initial pressure value can be obtained each time the gas tank is replenished. Initial temperature value Final pressure value and final temperature value Based on the known gas tank volume Ideal gas constant and the average molar mass of air This allows us to obtain the air quality from a single intake from the outside. ; Since the temperature of outside air rises after the compressor enters, a temperature compensation coefficient is introduced. Make corrections. ,in, It is a non-fixed value, depending on... The size is dynamically adjusted; Since outside air enters the compressor and then flows through the corresponding pipelines to the high-pressure pipe, there is a pressure loss; therefore, a pressure loss coefficient is introduced. Make corrections. ,in, The aspect ratio influence coefficient is used to reflect the impact of the gas path structure on pressure loss. This is the pressure difference influence coefficient, used to reflect the effect of flow velocity on pressure loss; This refers to the length of the gas path from the dryer outlet to the high-pressure gas tank inlet; This refers to the diameter of the gas pipeline; This is the pressure difference between the dryer outlet and the high-pressure gas tank inlet. Corrected air quality per intake ; The total intake mass, or cumulative intake mass, is calculated by accumulating the mass of air drawn in from the outside each time. ,in, This represents the corrected mass of air drawn in from the outside during the i-th air intake. Indicates the number of times air is drawn in from the outside; S202. Determine the saturation rate of the desiccant; Specifically, the maximum mass of air that the desiccant can adsorb when it reaches full saturation is determined in advance through experiments. The current saturation rate of the desiccant ; Introducing a temperature correction factor and attenuation coefficient saturation rate of desiccant Make corrections, the corrected saturation rate Among them, when the ambient temperature is greater than or equal to 25℃, When the ambient temperature drops, Linear decrease; when the cumulative usage time of the desiccant is less than or equal to 1 year, After a cumulative usage time of more than one year, It decreases linearly with the number of days used; S203. If the saturation rate of the desiccant reaches or exceeds the saturation rate threshold, start the backflushing procedure. Specifically, saturation threshold ,in This is an empirical coefficient. air density, For the total volume of air processed, For export dew point, For ambient temperature, This refers to the volume of the desiccant. This represents the maximum moisture absorption capacity of the desiccant. when When the desiccant is saturated, the controller starts the backflush procedure. The specific steps include: first, opening the first limiting air valve 8 and the second limiting air valve 9, and using the compressor to pressurize the gas from the low-pressure gas tank 3 into the high-pressure gas tank 2; then, closing the second limiting air valve 9 and opening the exhaust valve 14, so that the high-pressure air in the high-pressure gas tank 2 flows in reverse through the air dryer 12, blowing out the moisture adsorbed by the desiccant. S204. Control the backflush time and backflush pressure; Specifically, the backflushing time is determined based on the saturation level of the desiccant and the pressure in the gas tank. , ,in The backflush time coefficient is calibrated and corrected based on a 10s benchmark. The pressure of the high-pressure gas tank after backflushing can be set through calibration. The pressure of the high-pressure gas tank before backflushing; The backflush pressure is controlled by adjusting the output pressure of the high-pressure gas tank or the opening of the solenoid valve. To satisfy ,in and These are the minimum backflush pressure and the maximum backflush pressure, respectively. These two parameters can be determined experimentally. S205, Circulation monitoring; Specifically, after backflushing is completed, the first limiting air valve 8 and the exhaust valve 14 are closed, the initial pressure and temperature of the air tank are recorded again, and a new round of cumulative intake air quality calculation and desiccant saturation rate determination begins.

[0061] This embodiment adopts a high- and low-pressure tank separation technology. Based on the changes in tank pressure and temperature, it accurately calculates the cumulative intake air mass and then precisely determines the saturation rate of the desiccant, realizing precise control of desiccant backflushing. At the same time, based on the desiccant saturation rate determination and backflushing time calculation, the desiccant always works within a reasonable adsorption efficiency range, thus improving the service life of the system.

[0062] Corresponding to the embodiments of the aforementioned methods, this application also provides embodiments of a desiccant backflushing control device and its application terminals: like Figure 3 As shown, Figure 3 This is a block diagram of a desiccant backflush control device provided in an embodiment of this application. The device is applied to the controller of an air suspension system; the device includes: Calculation module 31 is used to calculate the cumulative mass of air drawn in from the outside by the high-pressure air tank based on the pressure and temperature values ​​of the high-pressure air tank of the air suspension system. The acquisition module 32 is used to acquire the saturation rate of the desiccant based on the air quality and the maximum air quality that the desiccant can adsorb when it reaches full saturation. The startup module 33 is used to determine the state of the desiccant based on the saturation rate. If it is determined that the desiccant has reached a saturation state, the backflushing procedure is started.

[0063] The specific implementation process of the functions and roles of each module in the above device can be found in the implementation process of the corresponding steps in the above method, and will not be repeated here.

[0064] This application also provides an electronic device, please refer to [link to application]. Figure 4 , Figure 4 This is a structural block diagram of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of this application. The electronic device may include a processor 410, a communication interface 420, a memory 430, and at least one communication bus 440. The communication bus 440 is used to enable direct communication between these components. In this embodiment, the communication interface 420 of the electronic device is used for signaling or data communication with other node devices. The processor 410 may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities.

[0065] The processor 410 described above can be a general-purpose processor, including a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), etc.; it can also be a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an off-the-shelf programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. It can implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor, or the processor 410 can be any conventional processor.

[0066] The memory 430 may be, but is not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), etc. The memory 430 stores computer-readable instructions. When these computer-readable instructions are executed by the processor 410, the electronic device can perform the aforementioned operations. Figure 1 The various steps involved in the method implementation examples.

[0067] Alternatively, the electronic device may also include a storage controller and an input / output unit.

[0068] The memory 430, storage controller, processor 410, peripheral interface, and input / output unit are electrically connected directly or indirectly to achieve data transmission or interaction. For example, these components can be electrically connected to each other through one or more communication buses 440. The processor 410 is used to execute executable modules stored in the memory 430, such as software function modules or computer programs included in electronic devices.

[0069] The input / output unit is used to provide users with the ability to create tasks and to set optional start periods or preset execution times for those tasks, thereby enabling user-server interaction. The input / output unit may be, but is not limited to, a mouse and keyboard.

[0070] Understandable. Figure 4 The structure shown is for illustrative purposes only; the electronic device may also include components that are more advanced than those shown. Figure 4 The more or fewer components shown, or having the same Figure 4 The different configurations shown. Figure 4 The components shown can be implemented using hardware, software, or a combination thereof.

[0071] This application also provides a storage medium storing instructions. When the instructions are run on a computer, the computer program is executed by a processor to implement the method described in the method embodiment. To avoid repetition, the method will not be described again here.

[0072] This application also provides a computer program product that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method described in the method embodiment.

[0073] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and methods can also be implemented in other ways. The apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For example, the flowcharts and block diagrams in the accompanying drawings illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of apparatus, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of this application. In this regard, each block in a flowchart or block diagram may represent a module, segment, or portion of code containing one or more executable instructions for implementing a specified logical function. It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions marked in the blocks may occur in a different order than those marked in the drawings. For example, two consecutive blocks may actually be executed substantially in parallel, and they may sometimes be executed in reverse order, depending on the functions involved. It should also be noted that each block in a block diagram and / or flowchart, and combinations of blocks in block diagrams and / or flowcharts, can be implemented using a dedicated hardware-based system that performs the specified function or action, or using a combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions.

[0074] In addition, the functional modules in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated together to form an independent part, or each module can exist independently, or two or more modules can be integrated to form an independent part.

[0075] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional modules and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0076] The above description is merely an embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters in the following figures indicate similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0077] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

[0078] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

Claims

1. A method for controlling desiccant backflushing, characterized in that, A controller applied to an air suspension system; the method includes: Based on the pressure and temperature values ​​of the high-pressure air tank of the air suspension system, calculate the cumulative mass of air drawn in from the outside by the high-pressure air tank; The saturation rate of the desiccant is obtained based on the air mass and the maximum air mass that the desiccant can adsorb when it reaches full saturation. The state of the desiccant is determined based on the saturation rate. If the desiccant is determined to be saturated, the backflushing procedure is initiated.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of calculating the cumulative mass of air drawn in from the outside by the high-pressure air tank based on the pressure and temperature values ​​of the high-pressure air tank of the air suspension system includes: Based on the initial pressure, initial temperature, final pressure, and final temperature values ​​of the high-pressure air tank of the air suspension system each time it is replenished, calculate the change in the amount of gaseous substance in the high-pressure air tank, and calculate the mass of air drawn in from the outside each time the high-pressure air tank is replenished based on the change. The total mass of air drawn in from the outside is calculated by accumulating the mass of air drawn in from the outside each time the high-pressure gas tank is replenished.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The calculation of the mass of air drawn in from the outside each time the high-pressure gas tank is replenished based on the change includes: The mass of air drawn in from the outside is obtained by multiplying the change, the average molar mass of air, and the temperature compensation coefficient. The temperature compensation coefficient is used to correct for the temperature rise of the outside air caused by the operation of the compressor.

4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The calculation of the mass of air drawn in from the outside each time the high-pressure gas tank is replenished based on the change includes: The mass of air drawn in from the outside is obtained by multiplying the change, the average molar mass of air, and the pressure loss coefficient. The pressure loss coefficient is used to correct for the pressure loss that occurs when outside air enters the compressor and then enters the high-pressure pipe through the pipeline.

5. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The calculation of the mass of air drawn in from the outside each time the high-pressure gas tank is replenished based on the change includes: The mass of air drawn in from the outside is obtained by multiplying the change, the average molar mass of air, the temperature compensation coefficient, and the pressure loss coefficient. The temperature compensation coefficient is used to correct the temperature rise of the outside air caused by the operation of the compressor. The pressure loss coefficient is used to correct the pressure loss that exists when the outside air enters the compressor and enters the high-pressure pipe through the pipeline.

6. The method according to claim 3 or 5, characterized in that, The temperature compensation coefficient is calculated by the sum of the reference value and the temperature difference compensation value; the temperature difference compensation value is the product of the ratio of the temperature difference to the initial temperature value and the temperature difference influence coefficient. The temperature difference is the difference between the final temperature value and the initial temperature value; the value of the temperature difference influence coefficient is determined based on the temperature difference.

7. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The pressure loss coefficient is calculated by summing the baseline value, the gas path structure compensation value, and the flow rate compensation value. The gas path structure compensation value is the ratio of the length-to-diameter ratio influence coefficient to the gas path length from the dryer outlet to the high-pressure gas tank inlet relative to the gas path diameter. The length-to-diameter ratio influence coefficient is used to reflect the influence of the gas path structure on the pressure loss. The flow rate compensation value is the ratio of the pressure difference influence coefficient to the target pressure difference relative to the final pressure value. The pressure difference influence coefficient is used to reflect the influence of the flow rate on the pressure loss.

8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The process of obtaining the saturation rate of the desiccant based on the air mass and the maximum air mass that the desiccant can adsorb when it reaches full saturation includes: The saturation rate of the desiccant is obtained by multiplying the ratio between the air mass and the maximum air mass that the desiccant can adsorb when it reaches full saturation with a temperature correction factor and an attenuation factor. The temperature correction factor is determined based on the ambient temperature, and the attenuation factor is determined based on the cumulative usage time of the desiccant.

9. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The determination of the state of the desiccant based on the saturation rate includes: If the saturation rate is greater than or equal to a preset saturation rate threshold, the desiccant is determined to be saturated. The preset saturation rate threshold is determined based on the ambient temperature, the volume of the desiccant, and its maximum moisture absorption capacity.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, Also includes: The backflushing time is determined based on the ratio between the saturation rate and the preset saturation rate threshold, and the pressure of the high-pressure gas tank before and after backflushing.

11. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: The backflush pressure is controlled by adjusting the output pressure of the high-pressure gas tank or the opening of the solenoid valve, so that the backflush pressure is greater than the minimum backflush pressure value and less than the maximum backflush pressure value.

12. A desiccant backflushing control device, characterized in that, A controller applied to an air suspension system; the device includes: The calculation module is used to calculate the cumulative mass of air drawn in from the outside by the high-pressure air tank based on the pressure and temperature values ​​of the high-pressure air tank of the air suspension system. The acquisition module is used to acquire the saturation rate of the desiccant based on the air quality and the maximum air quality that the desiccant can adsorb when it reaches full saturation. The startup module is used to determine the state of the desiccant based on the saturation rate. If it is determined that the desiccant has reached a saturation state, the backflushing procedure is started.

13. An air suspension system, characterized in that, The system includes an air compressor, a high-pressure air tank, a low-pressure air tank, an intake control valve, an exhaust control valve, a reusable piping, and four air spring assemblies. Each air spring assembly is associated with a wheel and includes an air valve and an air spring. The air compressor is connected to both the high-pressure and low-pressure air tanks, providing high-pressure gas to the high-pressure tank and venting gas from the low-pressure tank. The intake control valve is located at one end of the reusable piping, and the exhaust control valve is located at the other end. The intake control valve is connected to the high-pressure air tank, and the exhaust control valve is connected to the low-pressure air tank. The air springs are connected to the reusable piping via the air valves. The air suspension system also includes an air dryer, which is disposed between the high-pressure gas tank and the air pump. The air dryer contains a desiccant to remove moisture and impurities from the gas delivered by the air pump to the high-pressure gas tank. The air suspension system also includes a controller connected to the air compressor, the intake control valve, the exhaust control valve, the air valve, and the air dryer. The controller is used to: calculate the cumulative mass of air drawn in from the outside by the high-pressure air tank based on the pressure and temperature values ​​of the high-pressure air tank; obtain the saturation rate of the desiccant based on the air mass and the maximum mass of air that the desiccant can adsorb when it reaches full saturation; determine the state of the desiccant based on the saturation rate, and if it is determined that the desiccant has reached saturation, initiate a backflushing procedure.

Citation Information

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