Air supply unit assembly, air spring system and vehicle
By integrating the drive motor and air drying components, and utilizing the heat from the motor to heat the desiccant, the problem of poor regeneration effect in air dryers is solved, achieving efficient desiccant regeneration and improving the stability and lifespan of the system.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-31
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-27
AI Technical Summary
In existing technologies, the desiccant regeneration effect of air dryers is limited, and the regeneration efficiency of reverse purging of drying gas is low, which cannot effectively remove moisture and affects the corrosion and wear of system components.
The drive motor and air drying components are integrated on the valve block. The heat generated by the drive motor heats the desiccant, and the temperature of the desiccant is increased by combining the heat conduction channel and the heating film, which promotes moisture removal and shortens the regeneration time.
It significantly improves the regeneration efficiency and effect of desiccant, shortens the regeneration time, and enhances the adsorption performance of air dryers.
Smart Images

Figure CN121739042A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of automotive air suspension technology, and more specifically, to an air supply unit assembly, an air spring system, and a vehicle. Background Technology
[0002] In modern vehicle air suspension systems, the air supply unit is the core component that ensures the normal operation of the suspension, and its performance directly affects the vehicle's stability, comfort, and service life.
[0003] The working process of the air supply unit includes air intake, compression, distribution and exhaust. In order to remove moisture, oil and small impurities in the control and avoid the corrosion and wear of the system components by the above components, the compressed air will enter the air dryer for drying.
[0004] Typically, the desiccant built into an air dryer has a limited adsorption capacity. In order to maintain the continuous and stable adsorption performance of the air dryer, the desiccant inside the air dryer needs to be regenerated. In the existing technology, only reverse purging regeneration with dry gas at a certain pressure is usually used, but the regeneration effect is limited due to the influence of gas pressure and flow rate. Summary of the Invention
[0005] The present invention aims to provide an air supply unit assembly, an air spring system, and a vehicle to improve the technical problem that the existing air dryer only uses reverse purging of dry gas for regeneration, resulting in limited regeneration effect.
[0006] The embodiments of the present invention can be implemented as follows: In a first aspect, the present invention provides a gas supply unit assembly, comprising: A valve block having opposing first and second sides; An air compression unit includes a drive motor mounted on the first side and an air compression assembly and an air drying assembly disposed inside the valve block; the drive motor is connected to the air compression assembly, and the air compression assembly is configured to compress the input air and output the compressed air to the air drying assembly.
[0007] In an optional embodiment, the air compression assembly includes a first cylinder block, a first cylinder liner, and a first piston; The first cylinder liner is fitted into the cylinder bore of the first cylinder body, and the first piston is movably fitted into the interior of the first cylinder body, forming a first compression chamber between the first piston and the first cylinder liner.
[0008] In an optional embodiment, the air compression assembly further includes a second cylinder block, a second cylinder liner, and a second piston; The second cylinder is coaxially arranged with the first cylinder, the second cylinder is fitted into the cylinder bore of the second cylinder, the second piston is movably fitted into the second cylinder, and the second piston and the second cylinder form a second compression chamber.
[0009] In an optional embodiment, the drive motor has an output shaft, which is connected to the first piston and the second piston via an eccentric member to drive the first piston to reciprocate synchronously in the first compression chamber and the second piston to compress air in the second compression chamber.
[0010] In an optional embodiment, the eccentric component includes an eccentric body, a connecting portion, and an adjusting shim; The eccentric body is connected to the output shaft via the connecting part, and the eccentric body and the connecting part are connected by locking bolts; the adjusting shim is disposed between the eccentric body and the connecting part, and the adjusting shim is configured to allow changes in thickness to adjust the eccentricity of the eccentric body relative to the output shaft.
[0011] In an optional embodiment, the air drying assembly includes a desiccant cylinder and a heat-conducting channel, with a first end of the heat-conducting channel in contact with the desiccant cylinder and a second end of the heat-conducting channel in contact with the drive motor, so as to transfer heat from the drive motor to the desiccant cylinder.
[0012] In an optional embodiment, the number of desiccant cylinders is multiple, and the multiple desiccant cylinders are connected in series or in parallel. A heating film is provided on the desiccant cylinder, and the heating film is configured to heat the desiccant cylinder and the desiccant inside it.
[0013] In an optional embodiment, an air inlet and an exhaust outlet are respectively provided on the first side, and both the air inlet and the exhaust outlet are configured to selectively communicate with the external atmosphere or an air source. The first side is also provided with a first interface, a second interface, and multiple air spring interfaces; The first interface is configured to communicate with a first pressure tank, and the second interface is configured to communicate with a second pressure tank; the gas pressure in the first pressure tank is greater than the gas pressure in the second pressure tank; and the plurality of air spring interfaces are configured to communicate with a plurality of air springs respectively.
[0014] In an optional embodiment, the air supply unit assembly further includes an electromagnetic control valve group, which is integrated within the valve block and forms an air path connection with the air drying component.
[0015] In an optional embodiment, the electromagnetic control valve group includes a first electromagnetic control valve, a second electromagnetic control valve, and a plurality of third electromagnetic control valves. The first electromagnetic control valve is configured to control the delivery of compressed air to the first pressure tank or to control the return flow of compressed air from the first pressure tank; the second electromagnetic control valve is configured to control the delivery of compressed air to the second pressure tank or to control the return flow of compressed air from the second pressure tank; and the plurality of third electromagnetic control valves are configured one-to-one to control the delivery of compressed air to different air springs or to control the return flow of compressed air from the corresponding air springs.
[0016] In an optional embodiment, the gas supply unit assembly further includes an electronic control unit mounted on the second side.
[0017] In an optional implementation, the electronic control unit is electrically connected to the electromagnetic control valve assembly; the electronic control unit is configured to control the electromagnetic control valve assembly to output compressed air dried by the air drying assembly according to a preset control logic.
[0018] In a second aspect, the present invention provides an air spring system, including an air tank, an air spring, and an air supply unit assembly as described in any of the foregoing embodiments; The air tank, air spring, and air supply unit assembly form an air passage connection. The air tank is configured to controllably store compressed air output from the air supply unit and supply compressed air to the air spring or receive compressed air returning from the air spring.
[0019] Thirdly, the present invention provides a vehicle comprising an air supply unit assembly as described in any of the foregoing embodiments or an air spring system as described in the foregoing embodiments.
[0020] The beneficial effects of the air supply unit assembly, air spring system, and vehicle provided in the embodiments of the present invention include: This invention provides an air supply unit assembly, an air spring system incorporating the air supply unit assembly, and a vehicle. The air supply unit assembly includes a valve block and an air compression unit mounted on the valve block. The air compression unit includes a drive motor, an air compression assembly, and an air drying assembly mounted on the valve block. The drive motor is drively connected to the air compression assembly, which is configured to compress input air and output the compressed air to the air drying assembly. In this invention, the drive motor and the air drying assembly are integrated on the valve block. The heat generated by the drive motor during operation can act on the air drying assembly and increase the temperature of the desiccant within it. This allows the desiccant to utilize the heat generated by the drive motor during regeneration, significantly enhancing the activity of water molecules adsorbed by the desiccant and accelerating the removal of moisture from the desiccant surface, thereby shortening the desiccant regeneration time and improving regeneration efficiency. Attached Figure Description
[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of the present invention and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0022] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of an example of the gas supply unit assembly provided by the present invention; Figure 2 An exploded view of an example of the gas supply unit assembly provided by the present invention; Figure 3 A schematic cross-sectional view of an example of the gas supply unit assembly provided by the present invention. Figure 1 ; Figure 4 A schematic cross-sectional view of an example of the gas supply unit assembly provided by the present invention. Figure 2 ; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the eccentric component in the air supply unit assembly provided by the present invention.
[0023] Icons: 100 - Valve block; 100a - First side; 100b - Second side; 110 - Air inlet; 120 - Exhaust outlet; 130 - First interface; 140 - Second interface; 150 - Air spring interface; 200-Air compression unit; 210-Drive motor; 211-Output shaft; 220-Air compression assembly; 221-First cylinder block; 222-First cylinder liner; 223-First piston; 223a-First compression chamber; 224-Eccentric component; 2241-Eccentric body; 2242-Connecting part; 2243-Adjusting shim; 2244-Locking bolt; 225-Second cylinder block; 226-Second cylinder liner; 227-Second piston; 227a-Second compression chamber; 230-Air drying assembly; 231-Desiccant cylinder; 232-Heat conduction channel; 300-Electromagnetic control valve assembly; 400 - Electronic control unit; 410 - Controller housing; 420 - Controller circuit board; 430 - Controller back cover. Detailed Implementation
[0024] 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.
[0025] 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.
[0026] It should be noted that similar labels 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.
[0027] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that if terms such as "upper," "lower," "inner," or "outer" are used to indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship in which the product of this invention is usually placed, they are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.
[0028] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish descriptions and should not be interpreted as indicating or implying relative importance.
[0029] It should be noted that, where there is no conflict, the features in the embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other.
[0030] In a vehicle air spring system, the air supply unit is the core power source component for realizing vehicle height adjustment and suspension stiffness control, providing a stable and clean air source for the inflation and deflation of the air spring airbags. To remove moisture, oil, and minute impurities from the air supply and prevent corrosion and wear on system components, the compressed air enters an air dryer for drying. Since the desiccant built into the air dryer has a limited adsorption capacity, it needs to be regenerated to maintain continuous and stable adsorption performance. Existing desiccant regeneration methods mainly involve reverse purging with a dry, pressurized airflow, but the regeneration effect is limited by the influence of gas pressure and flow rate.
[0031] Specifically, when the purge gas pressure is too high or the flow rate is too large, although it will accelerate the desorption rate of moisture on the surface of the desiccant, it will easily cause wear of the desiccant particles (the desiccant can be molecular sieve, silica gel, activated alumina, etc.); if the pressure is too low or the flow rate is insufficient, it will not be able to fully remove the moisture in the pores of the adsorbent, resulting in incomplete regeneration. Therefore, when the air dryer regenerates the desiccant by simply using the reverse purge method of the drying airflow, the regeneration effect is limited and the regeneration efficiency is low.
[0032] The process of desiccant desorbing moisture is an endothermic reaction. Therefore, increasing the temperature can significantly enhance the activity of water molecules and accelerate their detachment from the adsorbent surface. For example, when the temperature of the desiccant is 100°C, the desiccant regeneration capacity is 2-3 times that at 60°C. Based on this, the present invention provides an air supply unit assembly, an air spring system, and a vehicle, aiming to improve the regeneration effect and efficiency of the desiccant.
[0033] The following detailed description of the overall structure, working principle, and technical effects of the air supply unit assembly, air spring system, and vehicle provided by the present invention, through embodiments and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, is a practical example.
[0034] Example The present invention provides an air supply unit assembly, an air spring system and a vehicle having the air supply unit assembly; the air supply unit assembly is mainly used to realize the processes of air intake, filtration, compression, drying, distribution and exhaust, and is intended to provide a stable air source for the inflation and deflation of the air spring.
[0035] Please see Figure 1 The air supply unit assembly provided in this embodiment includes a valve block 100 and an air compression unit 200 integrated on the valve block 100. The air compression unit 200 is used to compress gas from the outside atmosphere or an internal air source and output compressed gas that meets the required pressure requirements.
[0036] In some embodiments, the valve block 100 has a first side 100a and a second side 100b opposite to the first side 100a; the air compression unit 200 includes a drive motor 210 mounted on the first side 100a and an air compression assembly 220 and an air drying assembly 230 disposed inside the valve block 100.
[0037] It is understandable that the valve block 100 has corresponding slots and holes for the assembly of the drive motor 210, the air compression assembly 220 and the air drying assembly 230.
[0038] Furthermore, the drive motor 210 is connected to the air compression assembly 220, and the air compression assembly 220 is configured to compress the input air and output the compressed air to the air drying assembly 230.
[0039] It should be noted that the air source of the aforementioned input air compression component 220 is either the outside atmosphere or the air inside the system; specifically, in an open system, the air source of the aforementioned input air compression component 220 is the outside atmosphere; in a closed system, the air source of the aforementioned air compression component 220 comes from inside the system, such as an air storage tank.
[0040] It is understandable that the drive motor 210 is used to provide driving force to the air compression assembly 220, and when the drive motor 210 is in operation, the air compression assembly 220 can compress the input air.
[0041] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 4 In this embodiment, both the air drying assembly 230 and the drive motor 210 are integrated onto the valve block 100. When the drive motor 210 is in operation, some of its energy (e.g., electrical energy lost during energy conversion) is released as heat. This heat can act on the air drying assembly 230, raising the temperature of the desiccant within it. During subsequent desiccant regeneration, the desiccant can utilize the aforementioned heat generated by the drive motor 210 to shorten the regeneration time and improve regeneration efficiency.
[0042] The present invention provides an air supply unit assembly that integrates a drive motor 210 and an air drying component 230 on a valve block 100. This allows the heat generated by the drive motor 210 during operation to act on the air drying component 230 and increase the temperature of the desiccant inside the air drying component 230. As a result, the desiccant can utilize the heat generated by the drive motor 210 during the regeneration process to significantly enhance the activity of water molecules adsorbed by the desiccant, accelerate the removal of moisture from the surface of the desiccant, and thus shorten the desiccant regeneration time and improve the regeneration efficiency.
[0043] Please see Figure 3In some embodiments, the air drying assembly 230 includes a desiccant cylinder 231 and a heat conduction channel 232. The desiccant cylinder 231 is filled with desiccant and integrated onto the valve block 100. The heat conduction channel 232 has a first end and a second end. The first end of the heat conduction channel 232 is in contact with the desiccant cylinder 231, and the second end of the heat conduction channel 232 is in contact with the drive motor 210. This allows heat from the drive motor 210 to be transferred to the desiccant cylinder 231, thereby increasing the temperature of the desiccant inside the desiccant cylinder 231 and improving the regeneration effect and regeneration efficiency.
[0044] Furthermore, in order to improve the thermal conductivity of the heat conduction channel 232, the heat conduction channel 232 can be made of a material with good thermal conductivity. For example, the heat conduction channel 232 can be made of a single metal material such as pure copper or pure aluminum, or a combination of different metal materials, or other non-metallic materials with good thermal conductivity.
[0045] Meanwhile, in order to increase the heat exchange area between the heat conduction channel 232 and the desiccant cylinder 231 and the drive motor 210, thermal grease can be applied to the contact surfaces between the heat conduction channel 232 and the desiccant cylinder 231 and the drive motor 210 to improve the heat conduction effect.
[0046] It should be noted that the overall shape of the heat conduction channel 232 can be adapted to different heat conduction requirements and internal spaces of the valve block 100, and is not limited here. For example, in some embodiments, the heat conduction channel 232 has an overall spiral structure.
[0047] In order to further increase the temperature during desiccant regeneration, in this embodiment, a heating film is provided on the desiccant cylinder 231, and the heating film is configured to heat the desiccant cylinder 231 and the desiccant inside it.
[0048] Specifically, the heating film is attached to the outer wall of the desiccant cylinder 231 or to the end of the desiccant cylinder 231; of course, it can also be arranged around the side wall of the desiccant cylinder 231, which is not limited here.
[0049] In some embodiments, the heating film may be any one of graphene heating film, polyimide (PI) heating film, or resistance wire heating film, with the aim of heating the desiccant cylinder 231, and is not limited herein.
[0050] For example, the heating film is a graphene heating film.
[0051] In several other embodiments, the heating film may be replaced with other heating structures or devices to heat the desiccant cylinder 231 and the desiccant inside. For example, the heating film may be replaced with a structure or device that heats the desiccant cylinder 231 through a heat-conducting medium, which may be a gaseous medium and / or a liquid medium.
[0052] It should be noted that in some embodiments, the heating film can also be replaced with other heating devices and used to heat the desiccant cylinder 231, which is not limited here.
[0053] In some embodiments, the number of desiccant cylinders 231 can be multiple, such as 2, 3, 4, etc., and the multiple desiccant cylinders 231 can be connected in series or in parallel.
[0054] In practical operation, when multiple desiccant cylinders 231 are connected in series, the compressed air generated by the air compression assembly 220 enters through the air inlet of the first desiccant cylinder 231, passes through multiple desiccant cylinders 231 for drying, and exits through the air outlet of the last desiccant cylinder 231. When multiple desiccant cylinders 231 are connected in parallel, the compressed air generated by the air compression assembly 220 can enter multiple desiccant cylinders 231 simultaneously for drying, or, under the control of the control valve, the compressed air can enter different desiccant cylinders 231 respectively, so that while some desiccant cylinders 231 are in operation, the desiccant in other desiccant cylinders 231 can be regenerated.
[0055] In the desiccant regeneration process, the air supply unit assembly provided in this embodiment has the following advantages: on the one hand, the heat conduction channel 232 can transfer the heat generated by the drive motor 210 to the desiccant cylinder 231 to heat the desiccant; on the other hand, a heating film is also provided on the desiccant cylinder 231, which can further increase the temperature during desiccant regeneration, thereby shortening the desiccant regeneration time and improving the regeneration efficiency.
[0056] Please see Figure 2 and Figure 3 In some embodiments, the air compression assembly 220 includes a first cylinder body 221, a first cylinder liner 222, and a first piston 223; wherein the first cylinder liner 222 is fitted into the cylinder bore of the first cylinder body 221, the first piston 223 is movably fitted into the interior of the first cylinder body 221, and the first piston 223 and the first cylinder liner 222 enclose a first compression chamber 223a.
[0057] Under the above conditions, only one mounting hole is opened on the valve block 100 for mounting the first cylinder body 221 and the first cylinder liner 222; at this time, the air compression assembly 220 operates in a single cylinder under the action of the drive motor 210.
[0058] Furthermore, the air compression assembly 220 also includes a second cylinder body 225, a second cylinder liner 226, and a second piston 227; the second cylinder liner 226 is fitted into the cylinder bore of the second cylinder body 225, and the second piston 227 is movably fitted into the second cylinder liner 226, with the second piston 227 and the second cylinder liner 226 surrounding each other to form a second compression chamber 227a.
[0059] Under the above conditions, two mounting holes are coaxially opened on the valve block 100 for mounting the first cylinder body 221, the first cylinder liner 222, the second cylinder body 225, and the second cylinder liner 226, respectively; at this time, the air compression assembly 220 operates in dual cylinders under the action of the drive motor 210, and has higher air compression efficiency.
[0060] Specifically, the drive motor 210 has an output shaft 211. One end of the output shaft 211 extends into the valve block 100 and is connected to the first piston 223 and the second piston 227 via an eccentric member 224, so as to drive the first piston 223 to perform synchronous reciprocating motion in the first compression chamber 223a and the second piston 227 to perform air compression.
[0061] Similar to the connecting rod mechanism of an internal combustion engine, the output shaft 211 is connected to the first piston 223 and the second piston 227 through the eccentric member 224 to form a crank-connecting rod mechanism, so that the drive motor 210 can drive the first piston 223 and the second piston 227 to reciprocate in the first compression chamber 223a and the second compression chamber 227a to achieve air compression when working.
[0062] Please see Figure 5 In some embodiments, the eccentric component 224 includes an eccentric body 2241 and a connecting portion 2242; wherein the eccentric body 2241 is connected to the output shaft 211 through the connecting portion 2242, and the eccentric body 2241 and the connecting portion 2242 are connected by a locking bolt 2244.
[0063] In actual operation, the eccentric component 224 is used to convert the rotational motion of the output shaft 211 into linear motion. The eccentric body 2241 is connected to the first piston 223 and the second piston 227 through a transmission structure (not shown in the figure). The connecting part 2242 has a shaft hole in the center that is adapted to the output shaft 211. The output shaft 211 and the connecting part 2242 are connected by a flat key. A threaded hole is opened on one side of the connecting part 2242, and a matching bolt hole is opened on the corresponding eccentric body 2241. The locking bolt 2244 passes through the bolt hole opened on the eccentric body 2241 and is screwed into the threaded hole on the connecting part 2242, thereby realizing the fastening connection between the eccentric body 2241 and the connecting part 2242.
[0064] There is a preset straight-line distance (i.e., eccentricity) between the geometric center of the eccentric body 2241 and its assembly reference axis (i.e., the axis of the output shaft 211). In order to adjust the eccentricity according to different working needs, in this embodiment, the eccentric component 224 also includes an adjusting shim 2243. The adjusting shim 2243 is disposed between the eccentric body 2241 and the connecting part 2242. The adjusting shim 2243 is configured to allow the thickness to be changed so as to adjust the eccentricity of the eccentric body 2241 relative to the output shaft 211.
[0065] In some embodiments, the adjusting shim 2243 is a single-layer annular thin sheet structure, the size of which is adapted to the end face of the connecting part 2242, and an avoidance hole is provided at the position corresponding to the locking bolt 2244 to avoid interference with the locking bolt 2244.
[0066] In other embodiments, the adjusting shim 2243 can also be a multi-layer composite structure, such as being composed of multiple single-layer sheets stacked together; the thickness of the single-layer sheet can be 0.1mm, 0.2mm, 0.5mm, 1mm, etc., and the overall thickness of the adjusting shim 2243 can be changed by increasing or decreasing the number of single-layer shims.
[0067] Understandably, when the thickness of the adjusting shim 2243 increases, the eccentricity of the eccentric body 2241 also increases, thereby increasing the piston stroke and thus increasing the piston's single compression displacement; when the thickness of the adjusting shim 2243 decreases, the eccentricity of the eccentric body 2241 decreases, thereby shortening the piston stroke and thus reducing the piston's single compression displacement.
[0068] It should be noted that users can adapt the thickness of the adjusting shim 2243 according to actual working needs, and no limitation is made here.
[0069] In some embodiments, the first side 100a of the valve block 100 is provided with an air inlet 110, an exhaust port 120, a first interface 130, a second interface 140, and a plurality of air spring interfaces 150.
[0070] The air inlet 110 and exhaust outlet 120 are configured to selectively communicate with the external atmosphere or an air source. Specifically, the air inlet 110 is connected to an air source to provide compressible air to the air compression unit 200, and the exhaust outlet 120 is connected to the external atmosphere to discharge overpressure air from the system. A first interface 130 is configured to communicate with a first pressure tank; a second interface 140 is configured to communicate with a second pressure tank, wherein the gas pressure in the first pressure tank is greater than the gas pressure in the second pressure tank; and multiple air spring interfaces 150 are configured to communicate with multiple air springs respectively.
[0071] In the air spring system, the first pressure tank can be a high-pressure air tank and the second pressure tank can be a low-pressure air tank. Understandably, the gas pressure in the high-pressure air tank is higher than the gas pressure in the low-pressure air tank. Correspondingly, the first interface 130 is a high-pressure tank interface connected to the high-pressure air tank, and the second interface 140 is a low-pressure tank interface connected to the low-pressure air tank.
[0072] Furthermore, the air supply unit assembly also includes an electromagnetic control valve group 300, which is integrated within the valve block 100 and forms an air passage connection with the air drying assembly 230; the electromagnetic control valve group 300 includes a first electromagnetic control valve, a second electromagnetic control valve, and multiple third electromagnetic control valves.
[0073] Specifically, the first electromagnetic control valve is configured to control the delivery of compressed air to the first pressure tank, or to control the return flow of compressed air from the first pressure tank; the second electromagnetic control valve is configured to control the delivery of compressed air to the second pressure tank, or to control the return flow of compressed air from the second pressure tank; and multiple third electromagnetic control valves are configured one-to-one to control the delivery of compressed air to different air springs, or to control the return flow of compressed air from corresponding air springs.
[0074] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a throttle valve for desiccant backflushing regeneration is provided between the first pressure tank and the compressed air outlet of the air drying assembly 230. When desiccant regeneration is required, the first electromagnetic control valve and the aforementioned throttle valve are opened, and the compressed air in the first pressure tank backflushes the desiccant in the drying cylinder through the throttle valve. At the same time, the desiccant is regenerated by the heat generated by the drive motor 210 and the heating film.
[0075] In this embodiment, the drive unit and coil of the electromagnetic control valve group 300 are both integrated in the valve block 100.
[0076] Please continue reading. Figure 3 Furthermore, the air supply unit assembly also includes an electronic control unit 400, which is electrically connected to the solenoid control valve group 300. The electronic control unit 400 is configured to control the solenoid control valve group 300 to output compressed air dried by the air drying assembly 230 according to a preset control logic.
[0077] In some embodiments, the electronic control unit 400 is mounted on the second side 100b of the valve block 100; of course, the electronic control unit 400 can also be mounted on other sides of the valve block 100, such as the first side 100a or multiple vertical surfaces perpendicular to the first side 100a and the second side 100b, which is not limited here.
[0078] Furthermore, the electronic control unit 400 includes a controller housing 410, a controller circuit board 420, and a controller rear cover 430; the controller housing 410 is mounted on the second side 100b, and a cavity for fixing the controller circuit board 420 is formed between the controller housing 410 and the controller rear cover 430; the electromagnetic control valve assembly 300 is electrically connected to the controller circuit board 420.
[0079] In this embodiment, the second side surface 100b is the rear end face of the valve block 100 opposite to the first side surface 100a. Its surface is machined with a flat mounting plane and has threaded mounting holes evenly distributed circumferentially. The controller housing 410 is generally a rectangular structure matching the second side surface 100b. The edge of the controller housing 410 is provided with connecting portions 2242 corresponding to the mounting holes of the second side surface 100b. By bolting into the threaded mounting holes of the valve block 100, a sealed assembly of the controller housing 410 and the second side surface 100b is achieved. A rubber sealing gasket is provided between the mating surfaces of the controller housing 410 and the second side surface 100b to prevent external dust and moisture from entering the housing cavity.
[0080] The controller rear cover 430 is a rectangular cover plate adapted to the connection end face of the controller housing 410 and is fixed to the controller housing 410 by a snap-fit connection; the size of the cavity formed by the controller housing 410 and the controller rear cover 430 corresponds to the size of the controller circuit board 420, and the electromagnetic control valve group 300 is electrically connected to the controller circuit board 420 so that the electromagnetic control valve group 300 can be selectively opened or closed under preset conditions.
[0081] In some embodiments, a temperature and pressure sensor is also provided in the air path within the valve block 100 to collect temperature and pressure data within the air path.
[0082] The air supply unit assembly provided in this embodiment, in the first aspect, integrates the drive motor 210 and the air drying component 230 on the valve block 100, so that the heat generated by the drive motor 210 when it is working can act on the air drying component 230 and increase the temperature of the desiccant in the air drying component 230. This allows the desiccant to utilize the heat generated by the drive motor 210 during the regeneration process, thereby significantly enhancing the activity of water molecules adsorbed by the desiccant and accelerating the removal of moisture from the surface of the desiccant. Secondly, by providing a heat conduction channel 232, the heat generated by the drive motor 210 can be directly transferred to the desiccant cylinder 231, and the waste heat generated by the drive motor 210 can be recovered to further increase the temperature of the desiccant and the temperature of the purge gas, thereby shortening the desiccant regeneration time and improving the regeneration efficiency.
[0083] Thirdly, by attaching an additional heating film to the outer wall of the desiccant cylinder 231, the desiccant inside the desiccant cylinder 231 can be directly heated through the heating film, thereby further increasing the temperature during desiccant regeneration, shortening the desiccant regeneration time, and improving regeneration efficiency.
[0084] Meanwhile, an adjusting shim 2243 is provided between the eccentric body 2241 and the connecting part 2242, so that the eccentricity of the eccentric body 2241 relative to the output shaft 211 can be adjusted, thereby controlling the corresponding compression displacement according to different working needs.
[0085] This embodiment also provides an air spring system, including an air tank, a plurality of air springs, and the aforementioned air supply unit assembly; the air tank, the air springs, and the air supply unit assembly form an air passage connection, and the air tank is configured to controllably store compressed air output from the air supply unit and supply compressed air to the air springs or receive compressed air returning from the air springs.
[0086] It should be noted that the air supply unit assembly provided in this embodiment can also be applied to other equipment that requires compressed gas, and is not limited to the air spring system of a vehicle.
[0087] This embodiment also provides a vehicle that uses the above-described air supply unit assembly or air spring system.
[0088] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention 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 the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.
Claims
1. An air supply unit assembly, characterized in that, include: Valve block (100), the valve block (100) having opposing first side (100a) and second side (100b); An air compression unit (200) includes a drive motor (210) mounted on the first side (100a) and an air compression assembly (220) and an air drying assembly (230) disposed inside the valve block (100); the drive motor (210) is connected to the air compression assembly (220) in a transmission connection; the air compression assembly (220) is configured to compress the input air and output the compressed air to the air drying assembly (230).
2. The gas supply unit assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air compression assembly (220) includes a first cylinder block (221), a first cylinder liner (222), and a first piston (223); The first cylinder liner (222) is fitted into the cylinder bore of the first cylinder body (221), and the first piston (223) is movably fitted into the inside of the first cylinder body (221). The first piston (223) and the first cylinder liner (222) enclose each other to form a first compression chamber (223a).
3. The gas supply unit assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, The air compression assembly (220) also includes a second cylinder block (225), a second cylinder liner (226), and a second piston (227). The second cylinder (225) is coaxially arranged with the first cylinder (221), the second cylinder liner (226) is assembled in the cylinder bore of the second cylinder (225), the second piston (227) is movably fitted in the second cylinder liner (226), and the second piston (227) and the second cylinder liner (226) enclose each other to form a second compression chamber (227a).
4. The gas supply unit assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that, The drive motor (210) has an output shaft (211), which is connected to the first piston (223) and the second piston (227) via an eccentric member (224) to drive the first piston (223) to reciprocate synchronously in the first compression chamber (223a) and the second piston (227) to compress air.
5. The gas supply unit assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, The eccentric component (224) includes an eccentric body (2241), a connecting part (2242), and an adjusting shim (2243). The eccentric body (2241) is connected to the output shaft (211) via the connecting part (2242), and the eccentric body (2241) and the connecting part (2242) are connected by a locking bolt (2244); the adjusting shim (2243) is disposed between the eccentric body (2241) and the connecting part (2242), and the adjusting shim (2243) is configured to allow for changes in thickness to adjust the eccentricity of the eccentric body (2241) relative to the output shaft (211).
6. The gas supply unit assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air drying assembly (230) includes a desiccant cylinder (231) and a heat conduction channel (232). The first end of the heat conduction channel (232) is in contact with the desiccant cylinder (231), and the second end of the heat conduction channel (232) is in contact with the drive motor (210) to transfer heat from the drive motor (210) to the desiccant cylinder (231).
7. The gas supply unit assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that, The desiccant cylinder (231) is provided in multiple ways, and the multiple desiccant cylinders (231) are connected in series or in parallel. A heating film is provided on the desiccant cylinder (231), and the heating film is configured to heat the desiccant cylinder (231) and the desiccant inside it.
8. The gas supply unit assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, An air inlet (110) and an exhaust outlet (120) are respectively provided on the first side (100a), and the air inlet (110) and the exhaust outlet (120) are both configured to selectively communicate with the external atmosphere or an air source; The first side (100a) is also provided with a first interface (130), a second interface (140) and a plurality of air spring interfaces (150). Wherein, the first interface (130) is configured to communicate with the first pressure tank, and the second interface (140) is configured to communicate with the second pressure tank; the gas pressure in the first pressure tank is greater than the gas pressure in the second pressure tank; and the plurality of air spring interfaces (150) are configured to communicate with the plurality of air springs respectively.
9. The gas supply unit assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that, The air supply unit assembly also includes an electromagnetic control valve group (300), which is integrated in the valve block (100) and forms an air passage connection with the air drying assembly (230).
10. The gas supply unit assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that, The electromagnetic control valve assembly (300) includes a first electromagnetic control valve, a second electromagnetic control valve, and a plurality of third electromagnetic control valves. The first electromagnetic control valve is configured to control the delivery of compressed air to the first pressure tank or to control the return flow of compressed air from the first pressure tank; the second electromagnetic control valve is configured to control the delivery of compressed air to the second pressure tank or to control the return flow of compressed air from the second pressure tank; and the plurality of third electromagnetic control valves are configured one-to-one to control the delivery of compressed air to different air springs or to control the return flow of compressed air from the corresponding air springs.
11. The gas supply unit assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that, The gas supply unit assembly also includes an electronic control unit (400) mounted on the second side (100b).
12. The gas supply unit assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that, The electronic control unit (400) is electrically connected to the electromagnetic control valve group (300); the electronic control unit (400) is configured to control the electromagnetic control valve group (300) to output compressed air dried by the air drying assembly (230) according to a preset control logic.
13. An air spring system, characterized in that, Includes an air tank, an air spring, and an air supply unit assembly as described in any one of claims 1-12; The air tank, air spring, and air supply unit assembly form an air passage connection. The air tank is configured to controllably store compressed air output from the air supply unit and supply compressed air to the air spring or receive compressed air returning from the air spring.
14. A vehicle, characterized in that, Includes the air supply unit assembly as described in any one of claims 1-12 or the air spring system as described in claim 13.