Vehicle-mounted oxygen generator

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of vehicle-mounted equipment, particularly relates to a vehicle-mounted oxygen generator, and aims to solve the problem that the oxygen generation effect is reduced due to the fact that a molecular sieve is affected by temperature and humidity. The vehicle-mounted oxygen generator provided by the invention comprises: an oxygen generation system, wherein the oxygen generation system comprises an air compressor and an adsorption tower communicated with the air compressor; the active dehumidification system comprises a heater, a cooler and a water collecting tank which are sequentially connected in series in the air flow direction. The temperature control system comprises a temperature detection unit and a temperature control device. The input air is firstly heated and then cooled, condensation is carried out at a large temperature difference, water vapor in the air is effectively separated out, and the influence of the water vapor on the oxygen production efficiency is avoided; meanwhile, a temperature control system is matched to keep the adsorption tower in a proper working temperature interval of the molecular sieve, so that the influence of over-high or over-low temperature on the oxygen production efficiency of the molecular sieve is avoided. The cooperation of the active dehumidification system and the temperature control system provides good conditions for oxygen production of the molecular sieve, and ensures the oxygen production efficiency and the service life of the molecular sieve.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of vehicle-mounted equipment technology, and specifically relates to a vehicle-mounted oxygen generator. Background Technology

[0002] Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) oxygen generation technology has become the mainstream solution for vehicle-mounted oxygen generators due to its advantage of selective adsorption of nitrogen. It achieves nitrogen and oxygen separation through the periodic changes in molecular sieve adsorbent and system pressure, and outputs high-concentration oxygen. It is widely used in vehicle-mounted scenarios such as medical emergency and high-altitude transportation.

[0003] The vehicle environment is complex and variable. High temperatures and intense sunlight in summer, rainy seasons, and high humidity in coastal areas pose significant challenges to the stability and efficiency of oxygen production systems. When humid air enters the adsorption tower, moisture preferentially occupies the active adsorption sites of the molecular sieve, leading to a decrease in its nitrogen adsorption capacity. Simultaneously, high temperatures directly reduce the nitrogen adsorption capacity and separation efficiency of the molecular sieve, with these two factors jointly causing a decline in oxygen production efficiency. Furthermore, in low-temperature outdoor environments during winter (-20℃ to 5℃), moisture in the air easily condenses into frost / ice, clogging the molecular sieve pores and air intake channels. The reduced gas diffusion rate also affects the circulation efficiency of the PSA system, further exacerbating fluctuations in oxygen production performance.

[0004] Existing environmental adaptation solutions for vehicle-mounted oxygen generators have significant technical limitations: the dehumidification end relies solely on simple filtration and drying components at the air intake end for passive dehumidification. Once the desiccant becomes saturated with water, humid air directly invades the molecular sieve, causing adsorption failure. At the same time, the temperature of the adsorption tower cannot be dynamically adjusted, resulting in insufficient system stability under complex climatic conditions, which restricts the reliable application of vehicle-mounted oxygen generators. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned problems in the prior art, namely the reduced oxygen production efficiency of molecular sieves due to temperature and humidity variations, this invention provides a vehicle-mounted oxygen generator.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution provided by the present invention is as follows:

[0007] A vehicle-mounted oxygen concentrator, comprising: An oxygen generation system, including an air compressor and an adsorption tower connected to the air compressor; An active dehumidification system includes a heater, a cooler, and a water collection tank connected in series along the airflow direction. The heater is used to heat the air, the cooler is used to cool the air so that water vapor in the air condenses and precipitates as condensate, and the water collection tank is used to collect the condensate and is connected to the inlet end of the air compressor. The temperature control system includes a temperature detection unit and a temperature control device, wherein the temperature control device is configured to heat or cool the adsorption tower when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit reaches a set value.

[0008] Furthermore, the active dehumidification system also includes a drain valve; The drain valve is connected to the water collection tank and is configured to open or close when the condensate level in the water collection tank reaches a set value.

[0009] Furthermore, the active dehumidification system also includes an air filter, which is connected to the heater and is used to filter the air entering the heater.

[0010] Furthermore, the adsorption tower includes a molecular sieve cylinder and a molecular sieve, the molecular sieve being filled inside the molecular sieve cylinder, and the temperature detection unit includes: A first temperature sensor is used to detect the temperature T1 of the molecular sieve; The second temperature sensor is used to detect the temperature T2 of the molecular sieve cylinder; The cabin temperature sensor is used to detect the ambient temperature T3 inside the car. The cabin temperature sensor is used to detect the ambient temperature T4 outside the vehicle.

[0011] Furthermore, the temperature control device includes: The heat exchanger coil is used for heat exchange with the adsorption tower, and the internal circulation channel contains heat exchange medium. A circulating pump, connected in series with the heat exchanger coil, is used to drive the heat exchange medium to circulate within the heat exchanger coil. A Peltier, which contacts the heat exchanger coil, is used to heat or cool the heat exchanger coil.

[0012] Furthermore, the temperature control device also includes: A heat-conducting layer, covering the outer surface of the adsorption tower, is used to transfer heat between the heat exchanger coil and the adsorption tower; An insulation layer that covers the heat-conducting layer.

[0013] Furthermore, the temperature control device also includes: Heat dissipation fins are in contact with the Peltier and are used to dissipate heat from the Peltier. A cooling fan is used to dissipate heat from the heat sink fins.

[0014] Furthermore, the oxygen generation system also includes an oxygen generation unit, a one-way valve, and an oxygen storage tank connected in series. The oxygen generating unit includes the adsorption tower, and the air compressor is connected in series with the oxygen generating unit for inputting compressed air into the oxygen generating unit; The one-way valve is used to prevent gas from flowing from the oxygen storage tank to the oxygen generation unit.

[0015] Furthermore, the oxygen generating unit includes two parallel oxygen generating branches, each of which includes a first solenoid valve, the adsorption tower, and a throttling valve connected in series. The air compressor is connected to the first solenoid valve and is connected to only one of the oxygen-generating branches at the same time. During oxygen production, air passes through one of the oxygen production branches to form oxygen. The oxygen is then divided into two streams: one stream flows into the oxygen storage tank, and the other stream flows into another oxygen production branch for flushing and is discharged into the external environment.

[0016] Furthermore, the oxygen generation system also includes a silencer, and the ends of the two oxygen generation branches furthest from the one-way valve are respectively connected to the air compressor and the silencer; The silencer and the air compressor are alternately connected to the two oxygen-generating branches so that the two oxygen-generating branches alternately perform oxygen generation and flushing regeneration.

[0017] In summary, the technical effects achieved by this invention are as follows: The vehicle-mounted oxygen generator provided by the present invention includes: an oxygen generation system, comprising an air compressor and an adsorption tower connected to the air compressor; an active dehumidification system, comprising a heater, a cooler, and a water collection tank connected in series along the airflow direction, wherein the heater is used to heat the air, the cooler is used to cool the air so that water vapor in the air condenses and precipitates as condensate, and the water collection tank is used to collect the condensate and is connected to the inlet end of the air compressor; and a temperature control system, comprising a temperature detection unit and a temperature control device, wherein the temperature control device is configured to heat or cool the adsorption tower when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit reaches a set value.

[0018] The vehicle-mounted oxygen generator provided by this invention first heats and then cools the input air, using a large temperature difference for condensation, effectively removing water vapor from the air and avoiding the impact of water vapor on oxygen production efficiency. Simultaneously, a temperature control system maintains the adsorption tower within the suitable operating temperature range of the molecular sieve, preventing excessively high or low temperatures from affecting the oxygen production efficiency of the molecular sieve. The combination of the active dehumidification system and the temperature control system provides excellent conditions for oxygen production by the molecular sieve, ensuring both oxygen production efficiency and the service life of the molecular sieve. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating the principle of a vehicle-mounted oxygen generator provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the temperature control device. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an explosion of a temperature control device; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the drainage structure; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the temperature control system.

[0021] Icons: 11. Air compressor; 121. Adsorption tower; 122. First solenoid valve; 123. Throttling valve; 13. Check valve; 14. Oxygen storage tank; 15. Silencer; 16. Oxygen concentration sensor; 17. Second solenoid valve; 18. Flow meter; 21. Heater; 22. Cooler; 23. Water collection tank; 24. Drain valve; 25. Air filter; 26. Solenoid switch valve; 27. First liquid level detector; 271. Swing switch; 272. Float rod; 273. Mounting base; 28. Second liquid level detector; 32. Temperature control device; 311. First temperature sensor; 312. Second temperature sensor; 321. Heat exchanger coil; 322. Circulation pump; 323. Peltier; 324. Heat conduction layer; 325. Insulation layer; 326. Heat dissipation fins; 327. Cooling fan; 328. Fixing stud. Detailed Implementation

[0022] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0023] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the invention.

[0024] The following detailed description of some embodiments of the present invention is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the following embodiments and features can be combined with each other.

[0025] The following combination Figures 1-5 The structure and shape of the vehicle-mounted oxygen generator provided in this embodiment are described in detail below: The vehicle-mounted oxygen generator provided in this embodiment includes three parts: an oxygen generation system, an active dehumidification system, and a temperature control system. Each system works independently and cooperates with each other to ensure stable production of qualified oxygen concentration in the vehicle environment, adapting to the complex working conditions during vehicle operation and avoiding the influence of air humidity and ambient temperature.

[0026] The oxygen generation system is the core gas production unit of the vehicle-mounted oxygen generator, including an air compressor 11 and an adsorption tower 121. The air compressor 11 draws in air and compresses it to a suitable pressure. The compressed air is then introduced into the adsorption tower 121, where nitrogen and oxygen are separated by the adsorption material, thus obtaining a high concentration of oxygen. The adsorption tower 121 includes a molecular sieve cylinder and a molecular sieve. The molecular sieve fills the interior of the molecular sieve cylinder. The molecular sieve is a material with selective adsorption properties, which preferentially adsorbs impurities such as nitrogen and carbon dioxide from the air, allowing only oxygen to pass through, thereby achieving oxygen production.

[0027] Considering that a single adsorption tower 121 may become saturated during oxygen production, affecting the continuity of oxygen production, the oxygen production system includes an oxygen production unit, a one-way valve 13, and an oxygen storage tank 14 connected in series. The oxygen production unit includes the adsorption tower 121. An air compressor 11 is connected in series with the oxygen production unit to continuously provide compressed air at a stable pressure. The one-way valve 13 is located between the oxygen production unit and the oxygen storage tank 14 to prevent oxygen in the storage tank 14 from flowing back to the oxygen production unit, thus avoiding oxygen backflow that would reduce oxygen production efficiency and ensuring stable pressure in the storage tank 14. The oxygen storage tank 14 can temporarily store the prepared oxygen, avoiding frequent start-ups and shutdowns of the oxygen production system and ensuring continuous oxygen output.

[0028] To further improve oxygen production efficiency and avoid the need for shutdown and regeneration after the adsorption tower 121 becomes saturated, the oxygen production unit includes two parallel oxygen production branches. Each branch includes a first solenoid valve 122, an adsorption tower 121, and a throttling valve 123 connected in series. The air compressor 11 is connected to the first solenoid valve 122 and is controlled by switching the first solenoid valve 122, while only communicating with one oxygen production branch at a time. During oxygen production, air passes through the adsorption tower 121 of one of the oxygen production branches to complete nitrogen adsorption, forming high-concentration oxygen. The oxygen is then divided into two paths: one flows through a one-way valve 13 into an oxygen storage tank 14 for storage, and the other flows into another oxygen production branch that is not producing oxygen, flushing the saturated molecular sieve in the adsorption tower 121 of that branch, carrying away the adsorbed nitrogen and other impurities and discharging them into the external environment, thus achieving online regeneration of the adsorption tower 121. By alternating between two oxygen-generating branches for oxygen production and flushing regeneration, molecular sieve regeneration can be completed without shutdown, ensuring continuous and stable gas production from the oxygen-generating system. Meanwhile, the flushing process utilizes the prepared oxygen, eliminating the need for additional flushing gas, thus saving energy and simplifying the system structure.

[0029] The oxygen generation system also includes a silencer 15. The ends of the two oxygen generation branches furthest from the one-way valve 13 are connected to the air compressor 11 and the silencer 15. Specifically, the adsorption tower 121 is connected to the air compressor 11 and the silencer 15 via a first solenoid valve 122, and alternately connected to the air compressor 11 and the silencer 15 under the control of the first solenoid valve 122. This forms a connected structure of air compressor 11, two oxygen generation branches, and silencer 15 connected in series. At any given time, one oxygen generation branch is connected to air compressor 11, and the other oxygen generation branch is connected to silencer 15, thus enabling the two oxygen generation branches to alternately perform oxygen generation and flushing regeneration, thereby forming an adsorption-regeneration cycle in the molecular sieves of each adsorption tower 121. The silencer 15 is used to reduce the noise generated during gas discharge during the flushing regeneration process, preventing noise from affecting the comfort of the vehicle environment. This can be achieved through a sound-absorbing cavity, sound-absorbing materials, etc., buffering the flow rate of the discharged gas, absorbing noise energy, and reducing noise propagation.

[0030] Considering that the oxygen output concentration and flow rate of the vehicle-mounted oxygen generator need to meet usage requirements and avoid substandard concentration affecting the usage effect, the oxygen generation system also includes an oxygen concentration sensor 16, a second solenoid valve 17, and a flow meter 18 connected in sequence. The inlet end of the oxygen concentration sensor 16 is connected to the outlet end of the oxygen storage tank 14 to detect the concentration of oxygen output from the oxygen storage tank 14 in real time. When the detected oxygen concentration is lower than the set threshold, it can be fed back to the control system to adjust the working parameters of the oxygen generation system, such as the pressure of the air compressor 11 and the adsorption-regeneration cycle, to ensure that the oxygen concentration meets the standard. The second solenoid valve 17 is used to control the opening and closing of the oxygen output pipeline. It can manually or automatically control the output and stop of oxygen according to the user's needs, improving the convenience of use. The flow meter 18 is used to accurately measure the output of oxygen, allowing users to adjust the output flow rate according to their own needs, and also facilitates the monitoring of the working status of the oxygen generation system.

[0031] In this embodiment, the active dehumidification system is used to dehumidify the air entering the oxygen generation system, preventing moisture in the air from entering the adsorption tower 121, which could cause the molecular sieve to become damp and fail, affecting oxygen generation efficiency and the service life of the molecular sieve. Compared with passive dehumidification, it has the advantages of being maintenance-free and stable and reliable. Specifically, the active dehumidification system includes a heater 21, a cooler 22, and a water collection tank 23 connected in series along the airflow direction. The heater 21 is used to heat the incoming air, increasing the upper limit of the air's moisture content. The cooler 22 is used to cool the heated air, causing the water vapor in the air to reach saturation and condense, forming condensate. The water collection tank 23 is used to collect the condensate precipitated by the cooler 22, and the water collection tank 23 is connected to the inlet end of the air compressor 11, allowing the dried air after collecting the condensate to be reintroduced into the air compressor 11, realizing air recycling and further reducing air humidity, thus improving the dehumidification effect.

[0032] To improve the heat exchange efficiency of heater 21 and cooler 22 and ensure a sufficient temperature difference for stable dehumidification, the air ducts at heater 21 and cooler 22 can adopt a spiral structure. The spiral duct increases the heat exchange area between the air and heater 21 and cooler 22, prolongs the residence time of the air within the duct, and allows for sufficient heat exchange between the air and the duct wall, thus improving heating and cooling effects. It should be noted that condensate enters the lower water collection tank 23 under gravity, achieving separation of condensate from dry air. Considering the size and energy consumption requirements of the on-board equipment, heating and cooling can be integrated using a semiconductor cooling chip. Semiconductor cooling chips have advantages such as small size, low energy consumption, and fast response speed. Their cold end provides cooling to cooler 22 for air cooling and condensation, while their hot end provides heat to heater 21 for air heating. This integrated design reduces the number of system components, shrinks the equipment size, and achieves rational energy utilization, reducing overall energy consumption. Furthermore, the spiral pipe can be made of copper or aluminum. Copper pipes have high thermal conductivity, while aluminum pipes have good lightweight properties. The choice can be made according to the weight and performance requirements of the vehicle equipment.

[0033] Optionally, heater 21 can directly heat the air by electric heating, i.e., the heating wire is wound around the outer wall of the pipe. In addition, coolers 22 can all use liquid cooling to cool the air. The circulation pipe of the liquid cooling medium can be fitted into the air pipeline or wound around the air pipeline. Liquid cooling is a common cooling method and will not be described in detail here.

[0034] Considering that long-term accumulation of condensate in the collection tank 23 could lead to overflow and potentially cause the dried air to re-contaminate, increasing humidity and affecting dehumidification, the active dehumidification system also includes a drain valve 24. The drain valve 24 is connected to the collection tank 23 and is configured to open or close when the condensate level in the collection tank 23 reaches a set value, thus achieving automatic condensate drainage. To achieve accurate condensate level detection and avoid frequent opening and closing of the drain valve 24, a first level detector 27 and a second level detector 28 are installed in the collection tank 23. The first level detector 27 is located below the second level detector 28, and both have a first state and a second state. As the condensate level in the collection tank 23 rises, when the level rises to the point where both the first level detector 27 and the second level detector 28 are in the first state, the drain valve 24 opens to drain the condensate. As the condensate level falls, when the level falls to the point where both the first level detector 27 and the second level detector 28 are in the second state, the drain valve 24 closes to stop draining the condensate. The automatic and precise discharge of condensate is achieved through the cooperation of drain valve 24 and two liquid level detectors, avoiding frequent opening and closing of drain valve 24, reducing valve wear, ensuring the airtightness of the active dehumidification system, preventing gas leakage caused by system pressure drop, ensuring stable dehumidification process, and discharging collected water in real time to prevent excessive water from causing the gas humidity to rise again.

[0035] In this embodiment, the first liquid level detector 27 and the second liquid level detector 28 have the same structure, both including a swing switch 271 and a float rod 272, as shown below. Figure 4 As shown. The swing switch 271 is installed inside the water collection tank 23. Its up-and-down swinging motion switches between a first state and a second state. The distinction between the first and second states can be achieved through changes in potential, resistance, etc. For example, swinging the swing switch 271 upwards de-energizes the corresponding circuit, while swinging it downwards energizes it. A float rod 272 is connected to the swing switch 271. The float rod 272 is made of a low-density material, such as plastic, and can also be a hollow structure to ensure that the float rod 272 can float in the water.

[0036] As the liquid level rises, the float rod 272 rises under buoyancy, causing the swing switch 271 to swing upwards, thus putting the liquid level detector into the first state. As the liquid level falls, the float rod 272 falls under gravity, causing the swing switch 271 to swing downwards, thus putting the liquid level detector into the second state. To ensure the stable movement of the float rod 272 and avoid inaccurate detection due to deviation, the first liquid level detector 27 also includes a mounting base 273. The float rod 272 is vertically set and slidably mounted on the mounting base 273. The float rod 272 is provided with two limiting platforms, which are located on the upper and lower sides of the mounting base 273, respectively, to limit the movement distance of the float rod 272 and prevent excessive movement of the float rod 272 from damaging the swing switch 271. The float rod 272 is provided with a slot, and one end of the swing switch 271 is set in the slot, which facilitates the stable swing of the swing switch 271 driven by the float rod 272. Optionally, in addition to the structure of the swing switch 271 and the float rod 272, the liquid level detector can also be a capacitive liquid level detector, an ultrasonic liquid level detector, etc. The capacitive liquid level detector realizes the liquid level detection by detecting the change in capacitance value caused by the change in liquid level, and has a fast response speed; the ultrasonic liquid level detector adopts non-contact detection, avoids contact with condensate water, reduces wear, and is suitable for situations with poor water quality.

[0037] Considering that the air may contain dust, particulate matter, and other impurities, if these impurities directly enter the heater 21 and cooler 22, they will adhere to the inner walls of the pipes, affecting heat exchange efficiency. Simultaneously, impurities entering the adsorption tower 121 will clog the pores of the molecular sieve, leading to a decrease in the molecular sieve's adsorption capacity and shortening its lifespan. The active dehumidification system also includes an air filter 25, which is connected to the heater 21 and used to filter the air entering the heater 21, removing dust, particulate matter, and other impurities to ensure the cleanliness of the air entering the oxygen generation system. In this embodiment, the air filter 25 can adopt a multi-stage filtration structure, including a pre-filter layer, a medium-efficiency filter layer, and a high-efficiency filter layer. The pre-filter layer removes large dust particles and impurities, the medium-efficiency filter layer removes fine particulate matter, and the high-efficiency filter layer removes fine dust and odors, improving the filtration effect. The air filter 25 can be designed as a washable structure, facilitating regular cleaning or replacement of the filter element and reducing operating costs. Furthermore, a differential pressure sensor can be installed on the air filter 25. When the filter element becomes clogged, causing the differential pressure to exceed a set threshold, a warning signal is issued, prompting the user to clean or replace the filter element.

[0038] In this embodiment, an electromagnetic switch valve 26 is connected in series between the air filter 25 and the heater 21 to control the on / off state between the two, which can prevent water vapor in the air from entering when oxygen is not being produced.

[0039] In this embodiment, the temperature control system is used to control the temperature of the adsorption tower 121, ensuring that the molecular sieve inside the adsorption tower 121 is within its optimal adsorption temperature range. This improves the adsorption efficiency and oxygen production effect of the molecular sieve, prevents performance degradation due to excessively high or low temperatures, and extends the service life of the molecular sieve. The temperature control system includes a temperature detection unit and a temperature control device 32. The temperature control device 32 is configured to heat or cool the adsorption tower 121 when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit reaches a set value, thereby achieving precise temperature control of the adsorption tower 121.

[0040] The temperature detection unit comprehensively detects various temperature parameters related to the temperature of the adsorption tower 121, providing data support for the operation of the temperature control device 32. It includes a first temperature sensor 311, a second temperature sensor 312, an internal temperature sensor, and an external temperature sensor. The first temperature sensor 311 directly detects the temperature T1 of the molecular sieve, accurately reflecting its actual operating temperature. The adsorption performance of the molecular sieve is directly related to its temperature, making T1 a core reference parameter for temperature control. The second temperature sensor 312 detects the temperature T2 of the molecular sieve cylinder. The temperature of the molecular sieve cylinder is correlated with the molecular sieve temperature and can serve as an auxiliary reference for T1, avoiding inaccurate temperature control due to errors from a single sensor. The internal temperature sensor detects the temperature of the vapor... The interior ambient temperature T3 of the vehicle indirectly affects the temperature of the adsorption tower 121, especially when the vehicle's equipment space is enclosed and the ambient temperature fluctuates greatly. T3 can be used to correct the temperature control parameters. The exterior temperature sensor is used to detect the exterior ambient temperature T4 of the vehicle. The air input during oxygen production is outside the vehicle. T4 will affect the initial temperature of the air entering the active dehumidification system. However, due to the function of the heater 21 and cooler 22 in the active dehumidification system, the air temperature will be regulated. Therefore, the influence of T4 on the temperature of the adsorption tower 121 only needs to be considered when T4 is in a high or low temperature range. In other temperature ranges, the active dehumidification system can regulate the air temperature to a stable range, and the influence of T4 on the temperature of the adsorption tower 121 can be ignored.

[0041] In this embodiment, all four temperature sensors can be either high-precision thermistor sensors or thermocouple sensors. Thermistor sensors have high sensitivity and low cost, while thermocouple sensors have a wide temperature measurement range and good stability. The choice can be made according to the temperature measurement requirements. The installation position of the temperature sensors can be optimized. The first temperature sensor 311 is embedded inside the molecular sieve to improve the accuracy of temperature measurement. The second temperature sensor 312 is attached to the outer wall of the molecular sieve cylinder and is wrapped with an insulation layer 325 to reduce the influence of ambient temperature on the detection results. The temperature sensors inside and outside the chamber are installed in well-ventilated locations without direct sunlight to avoid detection errors.

[0042] The function of the temperature control system is to control the temperature T1 of the molecular sieve within an appropriate range [T0 - ΔT, T0 + ΔT], where T0 is the optimal adsorption temperature of the molecular sieve, and ΔT is the allowable temperature fluctuation value, usually taken as 2 - 5°C. The specific value is determined according to the molecular sieve model.

[0043] First, determine the temperature range of T4 to be considered. According to the heating and cooling capabilities of the active dehumidification system, set two thresholds Ta and Tb. Ta is the high-temperature threshold, and Tb is the low-temperature threshold. For example, Ta = 35°C and Tb = -5°C. The specific values need to be obtained through experiments based on parameters such as the heat exchange power and air flow rate of the active dehumidification system: When T4 is within the range [Tb, Ta], the heater 21 and cooler 22 of the active dehumidification system can adjust the air temperature entering the adsorption tower 121 to a stable range, such as 25 - 30°C. At this time, the influence of T4 on the temperature of the adsorption tower 121 is relatively small, and T4 is not considered during the temperature control process. Only T1, T2, and T3 are used as reference parameters; when T4 > Ta or T4 < Tb, the adjustment ability of the active dehumidification system for the air temperature reaches the upper limit, and the air temperature entering the adsorption tower 121 is significantly affected by T4. At this time, T4 needs to be introduced during the temperature control process to correct the temperature control parameters to ensure that T1 is stable within the target range.

[0044] When not considering T4, that is, when T4 is within the range [Tb, Ta], the temperature control method is as follows: 1. Calculate the corrected target temperature T01, T01 = T0 + k1 (T3 - T0), where k1 is the cabin temperature correction coefficient, 0 < k1 < 0.5. The specific value is obtained through experiments and is used to correct the influence of the cabin environment temperature T3 on the temperature of the adsorption tower 121. When T3 > T0, T01 is appropriately reduced; when T3 < T0, T01 is appropriately increased; 2. Taking T1 as the core control parameter and T2 as the auxiliary verification parameter, when T1 > T01 + ΔT, it indicates that the temperature of the molecular sieve is too high, and the temperature control device 32 starts the cooling mode to cool the adsorption tower 121; when T1 < T01 - ΔT, it indicates that the temperature of the molecular sieve is too low, and the temperature control device 32 starts the heating mode to heat the adsorption tower 121; when T1 ∈ [T01 - ΔT, T01 + ΔT], the temperature control device 32 is in the standby state to maintain the current temperature; 3. If the difference between T2 and T1 exceeds the set threshold ΔT2, for example, ΔT2 = 3°C, it indicates that there may be a detection error in the temperature sensor. At this time, the temperature control device 32 uses T2 as a reference and combines T3 for auxiliary temperature control, and at the same time issues a sensor abnormality reminder signal to ensure the reliability of temperature control.

[0045] When considering T4, that is, when T4 > Ta or T4 < Tb, the temperature control method is as follows: 1. Calculate the corrected target temperature T02, T02 = T01 + k2 (T4 - T0), where k2 is the correction coefficient of the external temperature, 0 < k2 < 0.3, and the specific value is obtained through experiments. When T4 > Ta, T4 will cause the temperature of the air entering the adsorption tower 121 to be too high, and T02 will be appropriately reduced. When T4 < Tb, T4 will cause the temperature of the air entering the adsorption tower 121 to be too low, and T02 will be appropriately increased; 2. Similarly, taking T1 as the core control parameter and T2 as the auxiliary verification parameter, when T1 > T02 + ΔT, the temperature control device 32 starts the cooling mode, and the cooling power is adjusted according to the difference between T1 and T02. The greater the difference, the greater the cooling power; when T1 < T02 - ΔT, the temperature control device 32 starts the heating mode, and the heating power is adjusted according to the difference between T1 and T02. The greater the difference, the greater the heating power; when T1 ∈ [T02 - ΔT, T02 + ΔT], the temperature control device 32 is in the standby state; 3. If the difference between T2 and T1 exceeds ΔT2, the processing logic is the same as when not considering T4 to ensure the temperature control reliability.

[0046] It should be noted that parameters such as T0, ΔT, Ta, Tb, k1, k2, and ΔT2 in the above formula all need to be determined depending on the characteristics of the oxygen generation system itself, including the air flow rate, the flow cross-sectional area of the adsorption tower 121, the heat exchange power of the heater 21 and the cooler 22, the heating / cooling power of the temperature control device 32, etc. These parameters cannot be directly determined through theoretical calculations and need to be obtained through a large number of experiments. During the experiment, different T3 and T4 environments are simulated, various parameters are adjusted, and the changes in T1 are recorded. Finally, the optimal parameter combination is determined to ensure that T1 can be stabilized within the optimal adsorption temperature range under different working conditions and improve the oxygen generation efficiency.

[0047] In this embodiment, the temperature control system further includes a controller, which receives the data of the temperature sensor and controls the operation of the temperature control device 32 according to the above temperature control method.

[0048] In this embodiment, the temperature control device 32 is used to realize the heating and cooling of the adsorption tower 121, including a heat exchanger coil 321, a circulation pump 322 and a Peltier 323, as Figure 2 、 Figure 3As shown, the heat exchanger coil 321 is used for heat exchange with the adsorption tower 121. It is equipped with a circulation channel filled with a heat exchange medium, such as antifreeze or heat transfer oil. This medium has good thermal conductivity and can quickly transfer heat. A circulation pump 322 is connected in series in the circulation channel of the heat exchanger coil 321 to drive the heat exchange medium to circulate within the coil, ensuring continuous heat exchange between the medium and the Peltier 323 and the adsorption tower 121, thus improving the temperature control speed. The Peltier 323 is in close contact with the heat exchanger coil 321; it is a semiconductor refrigeration chip. The system enables the conversion between electrical and thermal energy. By changing the direction of the current, its operating state can be switched. When cooling the adsorption tower 121 is required, the cold end of the Peltier 323 contacts the heat exchanger coil 321, absorbing heat from the heat exchange medium and lowering its temperature. This heat is then transferred to the adsorption tower 121 via the heat exchanger coil 321, achieving cooling. When heating the adsorption tower 121 is required, the hot end of the Peltier 323 contacts the heat exchanger coil 321, releasing heat to the heat exchange medium and raising its temperature. This heat is then transferred to the adsorption tower 121 via the heat exchanger coil 321, achieving heating. The temperature control device 32 enables rapid and precise temperature adjustment of the adsorption tower 121. The Peltier 323 is small in size and has a fast response time, adapting to the space requirements of vehicle-mounted equipment. The circulating pump 322 drives the heat exchange medium to circulate, ensuring uniform temperature across all parts of the adsorption tower 121 and preventing excessively high or low temperatures in certain areas, thus ensuring stable overall adsorption performance of the molecular sieve.

[0049] In this embodiment, the heat exchange medium can be a dedicated vehicle-mounted heat exchange medium with good low-temperature fluidity and high thermal conductivity to avoid freezing in low-temperature environments, which would affect the temperature control effect. The circulating pump 322 can be a miniature DC circulating pump 322, which has low energy consumption, low noise, and is compatible with vehicle power supplies. The Peltier 323 can adopt a multi-plate parallel structure to improve heating and cooling power and meet the temperature control requirements under different operating conditions. Specifically, to increase the contact area between the Peltier 323 and the heat exchanger coil 321, the section of the heat exchanger coil 321 that contacts the Peltier 323 can be replaced with a rectangular box, such as... Figure 3 As shown. In this embodiment, two Peltiers 323 are provided on each of the upper and lower sides of the box.

[0050] To improve heat transfer efficiency and reduce heat loss, the temperature control device 32 also includes a heat conduction layer 324 and an insulation layer 325. The heat conduction layer 324 covers the outer surface of the adsorption tower 121 and is made of a material with high thermal conductivity, such as thermally conductive silicone, copper foil, or aluminum foil. The heat conduction layer 324 is also in close contact with the heat exchanger coil 321. Its core function is to transfer heat between the heat exchanger coil 321 and the adsorption tower 121, ensuring full contact between the two, reducing heat loss during the heat transfer process, and enabling the heat from the heat exchanger coil 321 to be quickly transferred to the adsorption tower 121. The heat from the adsorption tower 121 can be quickly transferred to the heat exchanger coil 321, improving temperature control efficiency. The insulation layer 325 covers the outside of the heat conduction layer 324 and is made of materials with good thermal insulation properties, such as rock wool, polyurethane foam, and aerogel. It is used to reduce the heat exchange between the adsorption tower 121 and the external environment, avoid the external environment temperature, especially the internal temperature T3, from having an excessive impact on the temperature of the adsorption tower 121, reduce heat loss during the temperature control process, reduce energy consumption, and ensure that the temperature of the adsorption tower 121 is stable within the target range.

[0051] In this embodiment, the heat conduction layer 324 can adopt a composite structure of thermally conductive silicone pad and copper foil. The thermally conductive silicone pad has good adhesion and can fill gaps, while the copper foil has high thermal conductivity and improves the heat transfer speed.

[0052] Considering that the non-working end of the Peltier 323 generates a large amount of heat during operation (e.g., the hot end generates heat in cooling mode, and the cold end generates cold energy in heating mode), if this heat is not dissipated or recovered in time, it will affect the working efficiency of the Peltier 323 and may even cause damage. Therefore, the temperature control device 32 also includes heat sink fins 326 and a cooling fan 327. The heat sink fins 326 are in contact with the Peltier 323 and are used to absorb the heat or cold energy generated by the non-working end of the Peltier 323, increasing the heat dissipation area and improving heat dissipation efficiency. Specifically, the heat sink fins 326 are made of a metal material with high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum or copper. The cooling fan 327 is positioned opposite to the heat sink 326 and is used to force heat dissipation or heat up the heat sink 326, accelerate airflow, and quickly dissipate the heat absorbed by the heat sink 326 to the external environment. Alternatively, in heating mode, it blows room temperature air into the heat sink 326 to assist in the dissipation of cold energy at the cold end of the Peltier 323, ensuring that the Peltier 323 can work stably and improving the overall efficiency and service life of the temperature control device 32.

[0053] To ensure tight contact between the Peltier 323 and the heat dissipation fins 326, improve heat transfer efficiency, and securely fix the Peltier 323 and the heat dissipation fins 326, the temperature control device 32 also includes a fixing stud 328. The fixing stud 328 has threads at both ends and a smooth rod in the middle. Heat dissipation fins 326 are provided on both the upper and lower sides of the Peltier 323. The two ends of the fixing stud 328 pass through the heat dissipation fins 326 on both sides of the Peltier 323 and are threaded to the heat dissipation fins 326. By tightening the fixing stud 328, the two heat dissipation fins 326 tightly clamp the Peltier 323, thereby making the Peltier 323 adhere tightly to the heat exchanger coil 321 and reducing heat loss during the heat transfer process.

[0054] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A vehicle-mounted oxygen generator, characterized in that, include: An oxygen generation system includes an air compressor (11) and an adsorption tower (121) connected to the air compressor (11). The active dehumidification system includes a heater (21), a cooler (22), and a water collection tank (23) connected in series along the airflow direction. The heater (21) is used to heat the air, the cooler (22) is used to cool the air so that the water vapor in the air condenses and precipitates as condensate, and the water collection tank (23) is used to collect the condensate and is connected to the inlet end of the air compressor (11). The temperature control system includes a temperature detection unit and a temperature control device (32), wherein the temperature control device (32) is configured to heat or cool the adsorption tower (121) when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit reaches a set value.

2. The vehicle-mounted oxygen generator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The active dehumidification system also includes a drain valve (24); The drain valve (24) is connected to the water collection tank (23) and is configured to open or close when the condensate level in the water collection tank (23) reaches a set value.

3. The vehicle-mounted oxygen generator according to claim 2, characterized in that, The active dehumidification system also includes an air filter (25) which is connected to the heater (21) and is used to filter the air entering the heater (21).

4. The vehicle-mounted oxygen generator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adsorption tower (121) includes a molecular sieve cylinder and a molecular sieve, the molecular sieve being filled inside the molecular sieve cylinder, and the temperature detection unit includes: A first temperature sensor (311) is used to detect the temperature T1 of the molecular sieve; The second temperature sensor (312) is used to detect the temperature T2 of the molecular sieve cylinder; The cabin temperature sensor is used to detect the ambient temperature T3 inside the car. The cabin temperature sensor is used to detect the ambient temperature T4 outside the vehicle.

5. The vehicle-mounted oxygen generator according to claim 4, characterized in that, The temperature control device (32) includes: The heat exchanger coil (321) is used to exchange heat with the adsorption tower (121), and the internal circulation channel contains the heat exchange medium; A circulating pump (322) is connected in series with the heat exchanger coil (321) to drive the heat exchange medium to circulate within the heat exchanger coil (321); A Peltier (323) is in contact with the heat exchanger coil (321) for heating or cooling the heat exchanger coil (321).

6. The vehicle-mounted oxygen generator according to claim 5, characterized in that, The temperature control device (32) also includes: A heat-conducting layer (324) is wrapped around the outer surface of the adsorption tower (121) and is used to transfer heat between the heat exchanger coil (321) and the adsorption tower (121). The insulation layer (325) covers the heat conduction layer (324).

7. The vehicle-mounted oxygen generator according to claim 6, characterized in that, The temperature control device (32) also includes: Heat dissipation fins (326) are in contact with the Peltier (323) and are used to dissipate heat from the Peltier (323); A cooling fan (327) is used to dissipate heat from the heat sink fins (326).

8. The vehicle-mounted oxygen generator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The oxygen generation system also includes an oxygen generation unit, a one-way valve (13), and an oxygen storage tank (14) connected in series. The oxygen generating unit includes the adsorption tower (121), and the air compressor (11) is connected in series with the oxygen generating unit for inputting compressed air into the oxygen generating unit; The one-way valve (13) is used to prevent gas from flowing from the oxygen storage tank (14) to the oxygen generating unit.

9. The vehicle-mounted oxygen generator according to claim 8, characterized in that, The oxygen generating unit includes two parallel oxygen generating branches, each of which includes a first solenoid valve (122), the adsorption tower (121), and a throttling valve (123) connected in series. The air compressor (11) is connected to the first solenoid valve (122) and is connected to only one of the oxygen-generating branches at the same time; During oxygen production, air passes through one of the oxygen production branches to form oxygen. The oxygen is divided into two paths: one path flows into the oxygen storage tank (14), and the other path flows into another oxygen production branch for flushing and discharge to the external environment.

10. The vehicle-mounted oxygen generator according to claim 9, characterized in that, The oxygen generation system also includes a silencer (15), and the ends of the two oxygen generation branches away from the one-way valve (13) are respectively connected to the air compressor (11) and the silencer (15); The silencer (15) and the air compressor (11) are alternately connected to the two oxygen-generating branches so that the two oxygen-generating branches alternately perform oxygen generation and flushing regeneration.

Images