Air Supply System Regeneration Control via Pneumatic Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
The accumulation of moisture and oil in air dryers of air supply systems reduces the dehumidifying functionality, necessitating regenerative operations, which require additional wires and connectors between the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) and the air dryer, increasing complexity and potential for operational failures.
Innovation Solution
An air supply system with a non-return valve, regenerative device, switching circuit, and pneumatic sensor that operates the regenerative device based on air pressure, reducing the need for additional wires and connectors by directly receiving and acting on air pressure values, and sharing power lines with the pneumatic sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the regenerative operation is controlled by an ECU, then the regenerative operation can be performed, but the number of wires and connectors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air dryer performs self-diagnosis and self-regeneration by using its own internal pressure sensor and control circuitry. The system monitors its own operational state and automatically initiates regenerative operations when needed, eliminating the need for external ECU control and associated wiring.
2Extent of automation
If additional wires and connectors are arranged between ECU and air dryer, then regenerative operation control is achieved, but the potential for operational failures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air dryer incorporates its own control system that uses internal sensors and circuitry to monitor and regulate its operational state. This self-contained approach eliminates external wiring connections that could fail, thereby improving reliability while maintaining automated regenerative control.
3Device complexity
If the switching circuit receives air pressure values directly from the pneumatic sensor, then the number of wires and connectors is limited, but the switching circuit must process voltage signals directly
Solution Approach 1:
The switching circuit is designed to perform multiple functions: it directly processes voltage signals from the pressure sensor, determines operational states based on these signals, and controls the regenerative operation. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for additional signal conditioning circuits or communication interfaces, reducing wiring complexity while handling voltage signal processing internally.
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
This configuration limits the increase in the number of wires and connectors, enhances determination accuracy, and optimizes the regenerative operation by starting it at higher air pressures, thereby reducing operational complexity and potential failures.
Implementation Method 1
a pneumatic sensor that outputs voltage corresponding to the air pressure detected on the downstream side of the non-return valve
Implementation Method 2
a regenerative device that supplies the air downstream of the non-return valve in a direction of the discharge device from the non-return valve to the removal device by opening a detour passage arranged in parallel with the non-return valve based on supply of electricity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
The present invention provides an air supply system capable of constraining increase in the number of wires or connectors. The air supply system is provided with: a check valve (19) through which air, obtained by having a filter (17) remove moisture and oil content from air supplied from a compressor, is allowed to pass from the upstream to the downstream; a drain discharge valve (25) for opening the path between the compressor and the filter (17) to the atmosphere when the air pressure downstream of the check valve (19) becomes higher than a predetermined pressure; a regeneration control valve (21) for supplying air downstream of the check valve (19) to the filter (17), in a direction from the check valve (19) side to the drain discharge valve (25), by performing an operation of connecting a bypass flow path (20) to the check valve (19) in parallel therewith on the basis of supply of electricity; and a switching circuit (120) for operating the regeneration control valve (21), upon reception of the value of air pressure downstream of the check valve (19), by supplying electricity to the regeneration control valve (21) when the value of air pressure is in a predetermined range.