An air supply system for a vehicle

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of vehicle air supply systems, including air compressor assembly and regenerative adsorption dryer.Dryer is equipped with first drying tank, second drying tank, air inlet switch valve, exhaust switch valve, first throttle valve, first check valve and second check valve.Air inlet switch valve is connected with compressed air first output end, and compressed air can be selectively introduced into any drying tank;Exhaust switch valve is used to exhaust regenerative gas to atmosphere;First throttle valve is connected between two drying tanks.When one tank is drying, part of drying gas enters another tank through throttle valve and is discharged, realizing regeneration.Two tanks work alternately to ensure continuous air supply.The application can also use gas storage tank gas to assist regeneration through exhaust valve when overpressure, or add heater to realize micro-heat regeneration.The air supply system has high drying efficiency, strong regeneration capacity, can realize long-term maintenance-free, and is suitable for new energy vehicles air suspension and other occasions requiring dry compressed air.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vehicle air supply technology, and more specifically to a vehicle air supply system. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of new energy vehicle technology, compressed air is being used more and more widely in vehicles, such as in air springs, seat adjustment, and tire inflation. Taking the air suspension system as an example, its working principle is mainly based on the ECU collecting and analyzing signals, and then sending commands to control the system after calculation. The core of its actuator is an air compressor pump, which uses a motor to drive a piston pump to compress air from the atmosphere and introduce it into the system.

[0003] In existing technologies, such as the solution disclosed in patent CN106232398A, components such as the motor, air desiccant, air compressor, and pneumatic connectors are integrated into one unit. Different control logics are achieved by switching the air path using a solenoid valve to charge and depress the air spring, thereby adjusting the vehicle height. However, this existing system has the following problems: the regeneration capacity of the drying system is poor, failing to achieve true maintenance-free operation; using the system's high-pressure gas to backflush into the atmosphere results in insufficient drying effect; and in practical applications, there have been many cases of system damage and failure due to the inability to dry moisture, indicating that the system's lifespan is directly related to its drying effect. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention aims to provide an automotive air supply system to solve the problems of poor regeneration capacity, unsatisfactory drying effect, and easy damage to the system due to moisture in the prior art.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by this invention to solve its technical problem is an automotive air supply system, including an air compressor assembly and a regenerative adsorption dryer, wherein the regenerative adsorption dryer includes: The first drying tank and the second drying tank are used to contain dried particles, respectively. An intake switching valve has its inlet connected to the first compressed air output terminal of the air compressor assembly, and its outlet can be selectively connected to the first drying tank or the second drying tank. An exhaust switching valve has an inlet that can be selectively connected to either the first or the second drying tank, and an outlet that is connected to the atmosphere. A first throttle valve is connected between the first drying tank and the second drying tank; A first check valve is disposed between the output end of the first drying tank and the second output end of compressed air; The second check valve is located between the output end of the second drying tank and the second output end of the compressed air. When the intake switching valve introduces compressed air into the first drying tank for drying, the exhaust switching valve connects the second drying tank to the atmosphere, allowing some of the dried gas to enter the second drying tank through the first throttle valve and exit into the atmosphere; when the intake switching valve introduces compressed air into the second drying tank for drying, the exhaust switching valve connects the first drying tank to the atmosphere, allowing some of the dried gas to enter the first drying tank through the first throttle valve and exit into the atmosphere.

[0006] Furthermore, it also includes an exhaust valve, the inlet of which is connected to the second compressed air output end of the air compressor assembly, and its outlet is connected to the first dryer or the second dryer via the first throttle valve, for discharging compressed air into the dryer and then discharging it into the atmosphere via the exhaust switching valve when the system is overpressured.

[0007] Furthermore, the exhaust valve is a two-position, two-way solenoid valve.

[0008] Furthermore, it also includes a heater, which is disposed in the regeneration gas passage between the first throttle valve and the first drying tank or the second drying tank.

[0009] Furthermore, the intake switching valve is a two-position three-way valve.

[0010] Furthermore, the exhaust switching valve is a two-position two-way valve or a two-position three-way valve.

[0011] Furthermore, it also includes a muffler installed at the exhaust port of the exhaust switching valve.

[0012] Furthermore, the regenerative adsorption dryer is directly mounted on the body of the air compressor assembly, or connected to the air compressor assembly via a pipe.

[0013] The beneficial effects of this invention are: by alternating drying and regeneration in two drying tanks, the dried particles can promptly restore their adsorption capacity, avoiding failure due to moisture saturation, thus achieving long-term maintenance-free operation. During the regeneration process, partially dried gas is used to backflush the other tank, resulting in high regeneration efficiency and preventing moisture from entering downstream equipment such as the air suspension system, thus preventing corrosion or damage to components. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a regenerative adsorption dryer; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of gas flow in Example 1; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of another gas flow in Example 1; Figure 5This is a schematic diagram of Example 2; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of Example 3.

[0015] Reference numerals in the attached diagram: 1-Air compressor assembly; 2-Regenerative adsorption dryer; 3-First drying tank; 4-Second drying tank; 5-Intake switching valve; 6-First compressed air output terminal; 7-Exhaust switching valve; 8-First throttle valve; 9-First check valve; 10-Second check valve; 11-Second compressed air output terminal; 12-Silencer; 13-Exhaust valve; 14-Heater. Detailed Implementation

[0016] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0017] Example 1

[0018] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, an automotive air supply system according to this embodiment includes an air compressor assembly 1 and a regenerative adsorption dryer 2. The regenerative adsorption dryer 2 can be directly installed on the body of the air compressor assembly 1, or it can be connected to the air compressor assembly 1 through a pipe.

[0019] The internal structure of the regenerative adsorption dryer 2 is as follows: Figure 2 As shown, it includes: The first drying tank 3 and the second drying tank 4 are filled with drying particles, such as molecular sieves and activated alumina.

[0020] The intake switching valve 5 is a two-position three-way valve. Its inlet is connected to the first compressed air output terminal 6 of the air compressor assembly 1. The first compressed air output terminal 6 is the compressed air that has been compressed by the compression pump and is before entering the air storage tank. The two outlets of the intake switching valve 5 are respectively connected to the inlet of the first drying tank 3 and the inlet of the second drying tank 4. The exhaust switching valve 7 is a two-position two-way valve or a two-position three-way valve. The two inlets of the exhaust switching valve 7 are respectively connected to the outlet side of the first drying tank 3 and the outlet side of the second drying tank 4, and its outlet is connected to the silencer 12 and then opens to the atmosphere. The first throttle valve 8 is connected between the first drying tank 3 and the second drying tank 4, and is used to control the flow rate of the regeneration gas between the first drying tank 3 and the second drying tank 4. The first one-way valve 9 is located between the output end of the first drying tank 3 and the second output end 11 of compressed air to prevent gas backflow. The second one-way valve 10 is located between the output end of the second drying tank 4 and the second output end 11 of compressed air to prevent gas backflow. Muffler 12 is used to reduce exhaust noise.

[0021] The system's operation is divided into two phases, which are switched periodically: Phase 1: Drying in the first drying tank, regeneration in the second drying tank. See Figure 3 The intake switching valve 5 introduces compressed air from the first compressed air output terminal 6 into the first drying tank 3. This compressed air is the direct output gas after being compressed by the compressor and has not yet entered the storage tank, containing a large amount of moisture. As the compressed air flows through the first drying tank 3, the moisture is adsorbed by the drying particles inside the first drying tank 3. Most of the dried gas enters the system air supply port or storage tank through the first one-way valve 9 for use by downstream equipment such as air suspension. At the same time, a small portion of the dried gas enters the second drying tank 4 through the first throttle valve 8, and then passes through the exhaust switching valve 7, which connects the second drying tank 4 to the atmosphere, and is discharged into the atmosphere through the silencer 12. This small stream of dried gas carries away the moisture adsorbed on the drying particles inside the second drying tank 4 as it flows through it, thus regenerating the second drying tank 4.

[0022] Phase Two: Drying in the second drying tank, regeneration in the first drying tank.

[0023] See Figure 4 After a preset time, the system switches the states of the intake switching valve 5 and the exhaust switching valve 7. At this time, the compressed air from the first output terminal 6 of the compressed air enters the second drying tank 4 for drying. Most of the dried air is supplied to the system through the second one-way valve 10, and a small part enters the first drying tank 3 through the first throttle valve 8, and is then discharged through the exhaust switching valve 7 (at this time, the exhaust switching valve 7 connects the first drying tank 3 to the atmosphere), thus completing the regeneration of the first drying tank 3.

[0024] By periodically switching between the two stages, the system can continuously provide dry compressed air, and the two drying tanks regenerate alternately, eliminating the need to stop the machine to replace the desiccant.

[0025] Example 2

[0026] like Figures 2-5 As shown, this embodiment adds an exhaust valve 13 based on embodiment 1. The exhaust valve 13 is a two-position two-way solenoid valve, whose inlet is connected to the second compressed air output terminal 11 of the air compressor assembly 1. The compressed air here is the compressed gas output from the air storage tank, and its outlet is connected to the first drying tank 3 or the second drying tank 4 via the first throttle valve 8.

[0027] When the system pressure exceeds a safety threshold, such as when the gas tank pressure exceeds a set value, see [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 5When exhaust valve 13 opens, the compressed gas under stable pressure from the storage tank enters one of the drying tanks, such as the first drying tank 3, through the first throttle valve 8, and is then discharged to the atmosphere through exhaust switching valve 7. This process both depressurizes the system and regenerates the first drying tank 3. This process is rarely encountered in actual use, but it can effectively utilize the energy of overpressure exhaust to assist regeneration.

[0028] Example 3

[0029] like Figure 6 As shown, this embodiment adds a heater 14 to Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2. The heater 14 is located in the regeneration gas passage between the first throttling valve 8 and the first drying tank 3 and the second drying tank 4. When the system enters the regeneration stage, the dried gas after throttling is first heated by the heater 14 before entering the drying tank that needs regeneration. The hot gas can more efficiently desorb moisture from the dried particles, significantly improving the regeneration effect and speed. This mode is particularly suitable for applications with high ambient humidity or extremely high dryness requirements.

[0030] The embodiments described herein are preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent changes made in accordance with the structure, shape, and principle of the present invention should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A vehicle air supply system, comprising an air compressor assembly (1) and a regenerative adsorption dryer (2), characterized in that: The regenerative adsorption dryer (2) includes: The first drying tank (3) and the second drying tank (4) are used to contain dried particles, respectively. The intake switching valve (5) has its inlet connected to the first compressed air output terminal (6) of the air compressor assembly (1), and its outlet can be selectively connected to the first drying tank (3) or the second drying tank (4). The exhaust switching valve (7) has an inlet that can be selectively connected to the first drying tank (3) or the second drying tank (4), and its outlet is connected to the atmosphere; The first throttle valve (8) is connected between the first drying tank (3) and the second drying tank (4); The first one-way valve (9) is located between the output end of the first drying tank (3) and the second output end (11) of compressed air; The second one-way valve (10) is located between the output end of the second drying tank (4) and the second output end (11) of compressed air; When the intake switching valve (5) introduces compressed air into the first drying tank (3) for drying, the exhaust switching valve (7) connects the second drying tank (4) with the atmosphere, so that part of the dried gas enters the second drying tank (4) through the first throttle valve (8) and is discharged into the atmosphere; when the intake switching valve (5) introduces compressed air into the second drying tank (4) for drying, the exhaust switching valve (7) connects the first drying tank (3) with the atmosphere, so that part of the dried gas enters the first drying tank (3) through the first throttle valve (8) and is discharged into the atmosphere.

2. The vehicle air supply system according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes an exhaust valve (13), the inlet of which is connected to the second compressed air output end (11) of the air compressor assembly (1), and its outlet is connected to the first dryer (3) or the second dryer (4) via the first throttle valve (8).

3. The vehicle air supply system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The exhaust valve (13) is a two-position two-way solenoid valve.

4. A vehicle air supply system according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that: It also includes a heater (14) disposed in the regeneration gas passage between the first throttle valve (8) and the first dryer (3) or the second dryer (4).

5. A vehicle air supply system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The intake switching valve (5) is a two-position three-way valve.

6. A vehicle air supply system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The exhaust switching valve (7) is a two-position two-way valve or a two-position three-way valve.

7. A vehicle air supply system according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a muffler (12) installed at the exhaust port of the exhaust switching valve (7).

8. A vehicle air supply system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The regenerative adsorption dryer (2) is directly installed on the body of the air compressor assembly (1) or connected to the air compressor assembly (1) via a pipe.

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