Electronic control system for locomotive air dryer
By using a modular design and an electronic control system incorporating optocouplers, MOSFETs, NE555 metronomes, and CD4017 logic controllers, the problems of low control accuracy and high failure rate in the electronic control system of the air dryer for internal combustion locomotives were solved, resulting in a longer service life and higher reliability.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ENYANG ELECTRIC APPLIANCE CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2026-05-09
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-09
AI Technical Summary
The existing electronic control system of the air dryer in diesel locomotives has low control accuracy and high failure rate, mainly due to poor circuit design, easy oxidation of traditional relay contacts, low reliability of circuit boards, and insufficient anti-interference ability.
The modularly designed electronic control system uses optocouplers and MOSFETs as switches, combined with an NE555 metronome and a CD4017 logic controller to achieve strong and weak current isolation and anti-interference. The drive circuit uses high-capacity MOSFETs to replace contacts, and the control circuit, consisting of an NE555 metronome and a CD4017 logic controller, forms the system's 'brain' to control the automated operation of the dryer.
This improved the lifespan and reliability of the electronic control system, reduced the failure rate, and ensured the safety and stability of the system.
Smart Images
Figure CN224341790U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to a locomotive air dryer, and more particularly to an electronic control system for a locomotive air dryer. Background Technology
[0002] Currently, the electronic control systems of air dryers on diesel locomotives mostly suffer from low control accuracy and high failure rates. There are two main reasons for this: First, the circuit design is flawed. The timing circuit has defects, resulting in low timing accuracy. Additionally, the drive circuit uses traditional relay contacts as switches, which are prone to oxidation after prolonged use, easily leading to loose connections. Second, to control costs, the circuit board used in the controller is a single-layer board, resulting in low soldering reliability. Furthermore, the printed circuit board has a small cross-sectional area, insufficient current margin, and inadequate consideration for interference resistance. In summary, the existing electronic control systems of air dryers on diesel locomotives have numerous hidden dangers and a high failure rate. Utility Model Content
[0003] To address the aforementioned shortcomings, this utility model provides an electrical control system for a locomotive air dryer that has a long service life and is safe and reliable.
[0004] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model employs an electronic control system for a locomotive air dryer, comprising a power supply circuit, a signal input circuit, a control circuit, and a drive circuit. The power supply circuit is connected to the signal input circuit, the control circuit, and the starting circuit, and provides them with DC power. The output terminal of the signal input circuit is connected to the input terminal of the control circuit, and the output terminal of the control circuit is connected to the input terminal of the drive circuit. There are two drive circuits, each comprising an optocoupler, an amplifier circuit, and a MOSFET. The optocouplers of the two drive circuits are connected to the output terminals of the control circuit, the optocouplers are connected to the amplifier circuit, and the amplifier circuit is connected to the MOSFET.
[0005] Specifically, the control circuit includes a metronome and a logic controller. The output of the metronome is connected to the input of the logic controller, and the output of the logic controller is connected to the optocoupler of the drive circuit.
[0006] Specifically, the logic controller uses a CD4017 chip, and the metronome uses an NE555 chip.
[0007] This invention adopts a modular design with strong and weak current isolation between circuits, resulting in strong anti-interference capabilities. The drive circuit uses high-capacity MOSFETs as switching circuits to control the on / off state of the dryer; it is contactless, has a long service life, and effectively ensures the safe and reliable operation of the electrical control system. The control circuit uses a metronome composed of NE555 timers and a logic controller composed of CD4017 timers to form the "brain" of the system, controlling the automated operation of the entire dryer. The metronome uses a self-excited multivibrator to provide square wave pulse signals to the logic controller, which is simple and efficient. Attached Figure Description
[0008] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a specific embodiment of the present utility model.
[0009] Figure 2 This is a driving circuit diagram of a specific embodiment of the present invention.
[0010] Figure 3 This is a circuit diagram of the logic controller of a specific embodiment of this utility model.
[0011] Figure 4 This is a circuit diagram of a metronome according to a specific embodiment of this utility model. Detailed Implementation
[0012] like Figures 1-4 As shown, a specific embodiment of this utility model is an electronic control system for a locomotive air dryer, including a power supply circuit, a signal input circuit, a control circuit, and a drive circuit. There are two drive circuits. The power supply circuit is connected to the signal input circuit, the control circuit, and the starting circuit and provides them with DC power. The output terminal of the signal input circuit is connected to the input terminal of the control circuit, and the output terminal of the control circuit is connected to the input terminals of the two drive circuits.
[0013] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the control circuit includes a logic controller and a metronome. The logic controller uses a CD4017 chip U1, and the metronome uses an NE555 chip U2. The NE555 chip U2 generates a square wave pulse signal with a fixed frequency through resistor R8 and capacitors (C3, C4, C5). Diode D14 works with adjustable resistor RW1 to make the duty cycle of the clock adjustable, thereby allowing fine-tuning of the control rhythm. The CD4017 chip U1 of the logic controller receives clock pulses from the metronome. Each time a pulse is received, the high level of its output terminal (Q0-Q9) will shift forward by one position, and so on.
[0014] like Figure 2As shown, the driving circuit includes an optocoupler U3, an amplifier circuit, and a MOSFET T1. The amplifier circuit includes transistors T5 and T6. The optocoupler U3 is connected to the output terminal of the control circuit and receives the signal output from the logic controller. The optocoupler U3 completely electricalally isolates the low-voltage signal from the high-voltage power drive circuit. The optocoupler U3 is connected to the emitter of transistors T5 and T6, and the collectors of transistors T5 and T6 are connected to MOSFET T1. The signal is amplified by the amplifier circuit and then controls the switching on and off of MOSFET T1.
[0015] The preferred embodiments of the present invention described above are examples of the present invention. Other obvious variations or combinations are also within the scope of protection of the claims.
Claims
1. An electronic control system for a locomotive air dryer, comprising a power supply circuit, a signal input circuit, a control circuit, and a drive circuit, wherein the power supply circuit is connected to the signal input circuit, the control circuit, and the starting circuit and provides them with DC power; the output terminal of the signal input circuit is connected to the input terminal of the control circuit; and the output terminal of the control circuit is connected to the input terminal of the drive circuit, characterized in that: The driving circuit consists of two components, including an optocoupler, an amplifier circuit, and a MOSFET. The optocoupler of the two driving circuits is connected to the output terminal of the control circuit, the optocoupler is connected to the amplifier circuit, and the amplifier circuit is connected to the MOSFET.
2. The electronic control system for the locomotive air dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control circuit includes a metronome and a logic controller. The output of the metronome is connected to the input of the logic controller, and the output of the logic controller is connected to the optocoupler of the drive circuit.
3. The electronic control system for the locomotive air dryer according to claim 2, characterized in that: The logic controller uses a CD4017 chip.
4. The electronic control system for the locomotive air dryer according to claim 2, characterized in that: The metronome uses the NE555 chip.