Air Compression Device Auxiliary Inlet Pressure Relief

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air compression devices in railway vehicles experience reduced air intake when the main air inlet filter becomes clogged or obstructed, leading to increased compressor load, heat generation, and longer filling times due to insufficient air intake.

Innovation Solution

An air compression device with an opening-closing mechanism that activates an auxiliary air inlet when the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the casing reaches a predetermined value, allowing outside air to flow in through the auxiliary inlet when the main filter's airflow resistance increases, ensuring sufficient air intake.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the main air inlet filter is used to introduce air into the compressor, then air filtration is improved, but air intake is reduced when the filter becomes clogged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair filtrationVSAvoidair intake
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The air inlet system is divided into two separate pathways: a main air inlet with a filter for normal operation, and an auxiliary air inlet without a filter for emergency use. This segmentation allows the system to switch between filtered air intake and unfiltered air intake depending on the filter's condition, resolving the contradiction between filtration reliability and air intake productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The opening-closing mechanism acts as an intermediary that controls the switch between the main air inlet and the auxiliary air inlet. When the main filter becomes clogged, the mechanism opens the auxiliary inlet to provide an alternative air intake path, thereby maintaining air intake productivity while the main filter continues to perform its filtration function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the auxiliary air inlet is always open, then air intake is maintained, but dust and contaminants enter the compressor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair intakeVSAvoiddust contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The auxiliary air inlet is designed with dynamic control through the opening-closing mechanism. The inlet is closed during normal operation when the main filter is functioning properly, and only opens when the main filter becomes clogged. This dynamic behavior allows the system to maintain air intake productivity only when necessary, while preventing dust contamination during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary air inlet has different operational characteristics compared to the main air inlet. While the main inlet provides filtered air during normal operation, the auxiliary inlet provides unfiltered air only as an emergency backup. This local differentiation of quality ensures that the compressor receives filtered air during normal operation (preventing contamination) while maintaining the capability for unfiltered air intake when the main filter fails.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If the compressor load increases due to insufficient air intake, then the compressor continues to operate, but heat generation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompressor operationVSAvoidheat generation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The auxiliary air inlet is prepared in advance as an emergency backup, but it remains closed during normal operation. The opening-closing mechanism is pre-configured to automatically open the auxiliary inlet when the main filter becomes clogged, preventing the compressor from entering a high-load state that would generate excessive heat. This preliminary preparation avoids the need for the compressor to operate under problematic conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution ensures continuous and efficient air intake to the compressor, reducing the load on the compressor and preventing delays in filling the compressed air tank, even when the main air inlet filter is clogged or obstructed.

Implementation Method 1

configured to open the auxiliary air inlet when a pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the casing is equal to or greater than a predetermined value to allow air outside the casing to flow into the casing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a main air inlet filter filtering air introduced into the main air inlet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

a compressor compressing air suctioned therein and discharging compressed air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP4001648B1Air compression device and air suction device
Publication Date: 2023.12.27 NABTESCO CORP
  • EP4001648B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4001648B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4001648B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An air compression device (1) according to one embodiment of the invention includes a compressor (10), a casing (12), a main air inlet filter (16), and an opening-closing mechanism (21). The compressor (10) compresses air suctioned therein and discharges compressed air. The casing (12) houses the compressor (10) thereinside, the casing (12) has a main air inlet (15) and an auxiliary air inlet (20) for introducing the air for the compressor (10). A main air inlet filter filters air introduced into the main air inlet (15). An opening-closing mechanism (21) opens the auxiliary air inlet (20) when a pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the casing (12) is equal to or greater than a predetermined value to allow air outside the casing (12) to flow into the casing (12).