Air-treatment system for a utility vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to an air-treatment system (10) for a utility vehicle, comprising at least one air-treatment unit (12) and at least one air-dryer cartridge (14) detachably screwed onto the air-treatment unit (12), wherein the air-dryer cartridge (14) has on its outer side an identification element and the air-treatment unit (12) has a counterpart for the identification element, and wherein, in the assembled position, the identification element and the counterpart for the identification element are arranged substantially in a direct line-of-sight connection.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Air treatment system for a commercial vehicle

[0003] The present invention relates to an air treatment system for a commercial vehicle comprising at least one air treatment unit and at least one air drying cartridge releasably screwed onto the air treatment unit with a corresponding identification means.

[0004] The correct allocation of spare parts or replacement parts in the form of air dryer cartridges as well as the prevention of the installation of inferior, already used or counterfeit air dryer cartridges is already part of the state of the art.

[0005] For example, DE 102010 038 064 A1 already discloses an air treatment system with an air drying cartridge, which prevents the air treatment system from being operated with an improperly designed air drying cartridge. For this purpose, the air drying cartridge has an indicator element that interacts with a receiver element of the air treatment system, allowing the type of air drying cartridge to be automatically detected.

[0006] Furthermore, DE 10 2005 050635 A1 discloses an air filter cartridge for mounting on an air treatment device of a commercial vehicle. According to the invention, the air filter cartridge comprises identification means whose information content can be detected by a detection device. The invention further relates to a method for detecting properties of an air filter cartridge.

[0007] Furthermore, DE 10 2009 011 824 A1 discloses a system comprising an air treatment system and an air filter cartridge for mounting on the air treatment system. The air filter cartridge has a memory comprising identification means, and the information content of the memory can be detected and modified by the detection device. Furthermore, EP 2 229 994 A2 relates to a sealing component comprising a sealing body having a first sealing surface for sealing a volume to be sealed. The sealing body at least partially encloses an electronic component.An operating method for a sealing component comprises the following steps: providing a sealing component according to the invention, changing information in an electronic memory of the sealing component, retrieving the information from the electronic memory of the sealing component, evaluating the retrieved information and performing an action depending on and / or taking into account an evaluation result of the evaluation of the retrieved information.

[0008] Furthermore, EP 1 849 672 A2 discloses a cartridge for a

[0009] Compressed air treatment system of a motor vehicle or commercial vehicle. According to the invention, a sensor is arranged in the cartridge, which monitors, for example, the moisture content of a treatment agent in the compressed air, in particular a granulate. A control device automatically switches between a compressed air treatment circuit and a regeneration circuit based on the sensor signal.

[0010] Furthermore, DE 10 2008 012 699 A1 discloses an air filter cartridge for mounting on a compressed air treatment system of a vehicle, wherein a sensor for detecting a humidity level and a transponder with an antenna and a memory are arranged in the air filter cartridge. According to the invention, the transponder is coupled to the sensor.

[0011] Furthermore, DE 102007 044 586 A1 discloses a control unit for identifying spare parts for subsystems of a vehicle using information read in by a detection device. According to the invention, the control unit comprises at least one interface for at least one detection device and at least one interface for the indirect or direct connection to multiple subsystems. The invention further relates to a system and method for identifying spare parts for subsystems of a vehicle. Furthermore, EP 1 985 351 A1 discloses a filter device, preferably for use in a motor vehicle as an air filter device in an air conditioning system or as an engine filter device, comprising a filter unit with a filter housing and a filter insert having a filter frame and a filter element. Furthermore, a transponder is provided.Tag-shaped transponders can be simply affixed to the filter insert, preferably the filter frame, like a label. The transponder can be designed as a, particularly passive, RFID (radio frequency identification) transponder.

[0012] Due to the limited inclusion of safety-relevant data of the air dryer unit, such as its actual usage status before installation on an associated air treatment system, certain safety gaps always exist in the air treatment systems mentioned in the state of the art.

[0013] It is the object of the present invention to advantageously further develop a system comprising an air dryer unit for an air treatment system of the type mentioned at the outset, in particular to the effect that the identification security and the forgery security of the system are improved.

[0014] This object is achieved according to the invention by a system having the features of claim 1. According to this, it is provided that an air treatment system for a commercial vehicle has at least one air treatment unit and at least one air drying cartridge detachably screwed onto the air treatment unit, wherein the air drying cartridge has an identification element on its outer side and the air treatment unit has a counterpart for the identification element, and wherein the identification element and the counterpart for the identification element are arranged substantially in direct line of sight in the mounted position.

[0015] The invention is based on the fundamental idea that an air dryer cartridge can be identified using an identification element, and that this can be easily verified by the non-replaceable part of the air treatment system, namely the air treatment unit. Thus, a key objective of the invention is to verify whether the screwed-on air dryer cartridge is an original cartridge and whether its service life or actual usage status can be identified. It is also conceivable to check whether the cartridge is in new condition or whether it has already been serviced one or more times. This verification can be performed automatically. It is also conceivable for it to occur continuously or online. Optical, electronic, or other principles could be used as identification methods.In particular, such checks can be performed either wired or wirelessly. A wireless Bluetooth connection, in particular, offers a very simple and effective connection and verification option. Wireless Wi-Fi connections are also conceivable in this context. Wired verification technologies are also conceivable and advantageous, particularly due to their cost-effective implementation.

[0016] The above-mentioned information regarding the nature of the cartridge can be stored in the identification element and read by the counterpart. In this context, each cartridge can be assigned a unique and encrypted identification code, which can be stored in the counterpart and used to verify it. In the event of repairs, the service life information can only be reset by knowing or entering the identification code, which gives an individual cartridge a unique, assigned identity. This code can also include the fact that the cartridge was actually sold by an authorized dealer, and the corresponding invoice data can be stored in the code. A server-based orA database-based check of this code is conceivable, whereby the air treatment system has an appropriate communications infrastructure to communicate with these servers or databases, and the corresponding identification codes are stored and retrievable in the database. Furthermore, this server-based solution can automatically check whether an identification code has been used more than once or has been assigned to multiple cartridges, which would send an error signal to the air treatment system in question and, for example, no longer authorize further operation of the vehicle. However, the system can also use GPS data retrieved from the vehicle to identify a suitable location for blocking further operation (e.g., at a rest area or parking lot, etc.).

[0017] To enable unhindered identification, a direct line of sight should be provided. This facilitates optical and / or electronic verification. Such a direct line of sight is achieved in the assembled state by a direct, opposing and / or aligned arrangement of the identification element and counterpart. In other words, there is only a gap between the identification element and counterpart containing the ambient medium of the air treatment system, which usually consists of ambient air. Consequently, no other components such as housing parts, connections, or lines are arranged between the identification element and counterpart, which could negatively influence such a line of sight and the resulting identification reliability.Furthermore, a direct line of sight provides a minimal distance between the identification element and its counterpart, thus further improving identification reliability and quality. Furthermore, it can be provided that the identification element and counterpart, when mounted, have a certain degree of projection-area overlap with respect to a centerline. Such a degree of overlap can be between approximately 20% and 100%. Other, even smaller, degrees of overlap are also conceivable.

[0018] Alternatively, the aforementioned secure communication, identification, or verification can also take place if the counterpart and the identification element do not overlap. For example, the identification element could be arranged on the outside of the air dryer cartridge, 180° diametrically opposite the counterpart, whereby all intermediate arrangements are also conceivable in this regard. In this case, the identification or communication would take place at least in part through the essentially circular housing structure of the air dryer cartridge, which would simplify the assembly process. Furthermore, it can be provided that the identification element is arranged on a dome of the housing of the air dryer cartridge and, in particular, is arranged centrally on the dome.

[0019] It is conceivable that the air treatment system can have a fastening thread for the air drying cartridge, in particular for fastening the air drying cartridge, wherein the fastening thread has a thread start with a defined position and / or angular orientation, and the air drying cartridge can have a thread which can be brought into engagement with the fastening thread of the air treatment system, in particular for fastening the air drying cartridge to the air treatment system, and which has a thread start with a defined position and / or angular orientation. Due to the two mutually corresponding thread starts of the fastening thread of the air treatment system and the thread of the air drying cartridge, the air drying cartridge can be fastened or can be fastened to the air treatment system in a defined position and / or angular orientation with respect to the air treatment system.This can be done and / or configured for example with regard to the line of sight between the identification element and the counterpart for the identification element.

[0020] It is further conceivable that the identification element can be arranged with respect to the thread start of the air drying cartridge such that the identification element is located within an angular range of ±30 degrees to the counterpart when the air drying cartridge is screw-fastened to the air treatment unit, in particular with a prescribed torque. A prescribed torque can be any suitable torque for fastening an air drying cartridge to an air treatment unit. In particular, "screw-fastened" can mean that the air drying cartridge is located on the air treatment unit in a final screw position in which proper operation of the air drying cartridge, the air treatment unit, and / or the air treatment system is feasible.The special design of the previously described threads and the arrangement of the identification element facilitates and enables the defined end position and thus the direct line of sight between the identification element and the counterpart during assembly. Furthermore, the said angular range can, for example, refer to an orthogonal line emanating from the counterpart, which essentially extends in the direction of one or more air drying cartridges. It is also conceivable that the angular range can be smaller than ±30 degrees, such as ±25 degrees, ±20 degrees, ±15 degrees, ±10 degrees, or ±5 degrees, or larger than ±30 degrees, such as ±35 degrees, provided that the direct line of sight is maintained.

[0021] It is particularly conceivable that the identification element is an RFID chip. It is also conceivable that the corresponding counterpart is also an RFID chip or RFID reader. The direct line of sight enables seamless mutual verification of the identification element and its counterpart.

[0022] Furthermore, it can be provided that the air treatment system has a base element and a housing element rising from the base element, wherein the housing element, in the assembled state, is arranged parallel to and in direct line of sight with the air drying cartridge. The air drying cartridge can be screwed onto the base element. Thus, the base element can form a type of floor element, from which the housing element and the air drying cartridge, in the assembled state, extend in the same direction, i.e., rise parallel from the base element. This enables a simple and reliable line of sight.Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that, in the assembled state, the air drying cartridge has an identification element on its underside and the base has a counterpart for the identification element, wherein the identification element and the counterpart for the identification element are also arranged in direct line of sight. This arrangement has the particular advantage of a very short distance between the identification element and the base, thus increasing verification and communication security. Furthermore, this arrangement is very difficult to access from the outside in the assembled state, thus preventing increased protection and difficult accessibility to prevent unauthorized access to the base and / or the cartridge.

[0023] The counterpart can be arranged in the housing element. This enables a simple and reliable way to ensure direct line of sight. It is particularly conceivable for the counterpart and the identification element to be arranged in the housing element or in the air drying cartridge in such a way that, when installed, they are at essentially the same distance from the base element.

[0024] A viewing window for the counterpart can be arranged in the housing element. This ensures, for example, that metallic housing elements or other elements or wall parts of the housing element do not prevent data transmission between the identification element and the counterpart, or corresponding communication between the identification element and the counterpart. This can also be advantageous for optical transmission methods.

[0025] It is particularly conceivable that, especially with electronic solutions, data could be exchanged between the identification element and its corresponding counterpart. This can be achieved using radio waves, magnetic waves, or similar methods. Electric fields can also be used.

[0026] The counterpart can be located on an electronic circuit board in the air treatment system. This is particularly advantageous for electronic solutions, such as when using RFID technology, as the air treatment system's electronic circuit board can be used directly, and the information arriving at the counterpart can be further processed directly by the air treatment system's control electronics.

[0027] In addition, it can be provided that the air drying cartridge and the base element are sealed against each other by means of a radial seal. The radial seal makes it possible to enable a defined position of the air drying cartridge relative to the base element and thus, for example, also relative to the housing element. In contrast to other solutions, radial sealing solutions make it easier to provide a corresponding sealing effect, although only a certain fastening movement is required. In this context, it is conceivable that by appropriately designing a thread (e.g.of the previously described thread) or a bayonet lock, it is clear that the corresponding holding force and sealing force for building up the necessary sealing effect is achieved by means of a quarter turn, three-quarter turn or a single turn, so that the defined end position of the identification element on the air drying cartridge to be mounted relative to the housing element or the base can be determined during the screwing-on process. This makes it easier and possible to achieve the defined end position and thus the direct line of sight between the identification element and the counterpart during assembly. The thread (e.g. the previously described thread) or the bayonet lock can in particular be designed such that the defined end position between the identification element and the counterpart enables the degree of overlap described above, so that its function can be further improved.Such overlaps are essentially achieved by a rotation angle between the air dryer cartridge and the base. Such angles can, for example, be within an amount of 30°, as already described. In this context, both the cartridge and the base element can each have an end position indicator, which are aligned with each other when installed and thus clearly define the end position. Based on this indicator, a clear and almost error-free determination of the desired installation position for the defined end position can be provided. Additionally or alternatively, the base and / or the air dryer cartridge can have a rotation stop, which prevents further rotation between these two elements and thus also clearly defines the end position. A precise end position can also be achieved by a defined tightening torque.

[0028] The radial seal can serve in particular as a sealing interface for sealing between the air drying cartridge and the base element. The sealing interface comprises a sealing element, a sheet metal element on the air drying cartridge side, and a base-side extension. Furthermore, the base-side extension has a support surface for the sealing element that is directed radially inward relative to the longitudinal axis of the base element and the air drying cartridge. The sheet metal element, in turn, is fastened on the air drying cartridge side, so that the sealing element is pressed against the support surface in the assembled state. Furthermore, the sealing interface further comprises a holding element that, in the assembled state, is arranged such that the sealing element is held at least partially in the axial and / or radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis by means of the sheet metal element and / or the holding element between the sheet metal element and the support surface.

[0029] The single figure schematically shows an embodiment of an air treatment system for a commercial vehicle according to the present invention.

[0030] The air treatment system 10 is an air treatment system 10 for a commercial vehicle.

[0031] It includes an air treatment system 12 and an air drying cartridge 14.

[0032] The air drying cartridge 14 can be detachably screwed onto the air treatment system 12 and is screwed there in the assembled state.

[0033] For this purpose, the air treatment system 12 further comprises a base element 16 and a housing element 18 rising from the base element 16.

[0034] In the assembled state, the housing element 18 is arranged parallel to and in direct line of sight with the air drying cartridge 14.

[0035] An RFID tag or RFID chip 20 is arranged on the outside of the air drying cartridge 14.

[0036] An RFID chip 22 is arranged as a counterpart in the housing element 18 of the air treatment system 12. Such a line of sight is formed in the assembled state by a direct, opposing and / or aligned arrangement of the identification element and counterpart.

[0037] Between the identification element and the counterpart there is only a gap with the ambient medium of the air treatment system 10, which usually consists of ambient air.

[0038] Consequently, there are no additional components such as housing parts, connections or cables arranged between the identification element and the counterpart that could negatively influence such a line of sight and the resulting identification reliability.

[0039] Furthermore, a direct line of sight has a minimal distance between the identification element and the counterpart.

[0040] Furthermore, it can be provided that the identification element and counterpart, in the mounted state, have a certain degree of projection-area overlap with respect to a distance center axis.

[0041] Such a degree of overlap can range from approximately 20% to 100%. Other, smaller, degrees of overlap are also conceivable.

[0042] The RFID chip 22 of the air treatment system 12 is attached to the electronic circuit board 24, which is located in the housing element 18.

[0043] To ensure direct line of sight, a viewing window 28 is provided in the wall 26 of the housing element 18 so that the RFID tag 20 of the air drying cartridge 14 can communicate unhindered with the RFID chip 22 of the air treatment system 12.

[0044] The air drying cartridge 14 is screwed onto the base element 16 by means of a radial seal. This predetermines a corresponding end position for the air drying cartridge 14 when screwing it onto the base element 16.

[0045] For this purpose, screw-on markings (not shown) can be provided both on the air drying cartridge 14 and on the base element 16, so that when screwing on, it is ensured that the direct line of sight between the RFID tag 20 of the air drying cartridge 14 and the RFID chip 22 and the viewing window 28 is ensured.

[0046] In particular, the air treatment system 12 can have a fastening thread for the air drying cartridge 14, for example on the base element 16, wherein the fastening thread has a thread start with a defined position and / or angular orientation, and the air drying cartridge 14 can have a thread which can be brought into engagement with the fastening thread of the air treatment system 12 and which has a thread start with a defined position and / or angular orientation.

[0047] Here, the RFID tag 20 is arranged with respect to the thread start of the air drying cartridge 14 such that the RFID tag 20 is located within an angular range of ±30 degrees to the RFID chip 22 when the air drying cartridge 14 is screw-fastened to the air treatment system 12, in particular the base element 16.

[0048] In particular, the corresponding defined end position is thereby already determined in advance for the air drying cartridge 14 when screwing it onto the base element 16.

[0049] Also visible in one figure is the main compressor 30, the compressed air inlet 32, the discharge valve 34 located in the base element 16, the silencer 36 for the compressed air discharge from the base element 16, a first solenoid valve 38 and a second solenoid valve 40, which serve to control the air treatment and are arranged in the housing element 18.

[0050] As can be seen further, two check valves 42 are also provided in the housing element 18. Furthermore, an electrical connector 44 for the air treatment is provided on the housing element 18, which also protrudes through the metallic housing wall 26 of the housing element 18.

[0051] The electrical connector 44 is connected to the circuit board 24, which can be a printed circuit board (PCB).

[0052] A microcontroller 46, which is depicted in the usual form, is also provided on the printed circuit board 44.

[0053] LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0054] 10 Air treatment system

[0055] 12 Air treatment system

[0056] 14 Air drying cartridge

[0057] 16 Base element

[0058] 18 Housing element

[0059] 20 RF ID tags

[0060] 22 RFID chips

[0061] 24 Electronic board

[0062] 26 Wall

[0063] 28 viewing windows

[0064] 30 Main compressor

[0065] 32 Compressed air inlet

[0066] 34 Drain valve

[0067] 36 silencers

[0068] 38 Solenoid valve

[0069] 40 Solenoid valve

[0070] 42 Check valve

[0071] 44 connectors

[0072] 46 microcontrollers

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Air preparation system (10) for a commercial vehicle comprising at least one air preparation unit (12) and at least one air drying cartridge (14) detachably screwed onto the air preparation unit (12), wherein the air drying cartridge (14) has an identification element on its outside and the air preparation unit (12) has a counterpart for the identification element, and wherein the identification element and the counterpart for the identification element are arranged in the mounted position substantially within direct line of sight.

2. Air preparation system (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the air preparation system (12) has a mounting thread for the air drying cartridge (14), wherein the mounting thread has a thread start with a defined position and / or angular orientation, and the air drying cartridge (14) has a thread which can be engaged with the mounting thread of the air preparation system (12) and which has a thread start with a defined position and / or angular orientation.

3. Air preparation system (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the identification element is arranged with respect to the thread start of the air drying cartridge (14) such that the identification element is located in an angular range of ±30 degrees to the counterpart when the air drying cartridge (14) is screwed onto the air preparation system (12), in particular with a prescribed torque.

4. Air preparation system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the identification element is an RFID chip (20).

5. Air preparation system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air preparation system (12) has a base element (16) and a housing element (18) rising from the base element (16), wherein the housing element (18) is arranged parallel to and in direct line of sight to the air drying cartridge (14) in the assembled state.

6. Air preparation system (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the counterpart (22) is arranged in the housing element (18).

7. Air preparation system (10) according to claim 5 or claim 6, characterized in that a viewing window (28) is arranged in the housing element (18) for the counterpart (22).

8. Air preparation system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the counterpart (22) is arranged on an electronic circuit board (24) in the air preparation system (12).

9. Air preparation system (12) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air drying cartridge (14) and the base element (16) are sealed against each other by means of a radial seal.

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