Pneumatic Braking Compressor Control via Route Prediction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial vehicles with pneumatic braking systems face challenges in maintaining optimal compressed air pressure and humidity levels, leading to inefficient braking performance and vehicle torque issues, especially during frequent braking and regeneration of drying devices.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize an electric control unit to dynamically manage compressor activation based on road conditions, air pressure thresholds, and driving torque requirements, fractionating regeneration procedures to maintain optimal air pressure and humidity levels, ensuring sufficient air supply for braking events while minimizing torque loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the compressor is activated to regenerate the drying cartridge, then the humidity level in the braking system is reduced, but the vehicle performance deteriorates due to loss of driving torque
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit plans the regeneration procedure in advance by acquiring information about the route to be travelled and predicting future braking events. This allows the system to schedule compressor activation and drying cartridge regeneration at optimal times before they are critically needed, rather than reacting when performance degradation has already occurred.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the regeneration strategy based on real-time conditions including current air pressure, predicted braking frequency, and vehicle performance requirements. The control unit can fractionate the regeneration procedure into multiple stages and adjust compressor activation timing to balance humidity control with maintaining sufficient driving torque.
2Power
If the minimum pressure threshold is set low to maintain driving torque, then vehicle performance is maintained, but the compressed air tank may not have sufficient pressure for intensive braking sequences
Solution Approach 1:
By acquiring route information and predicting braking events in advance, the control unit can determine the optimal minimum pressure threshold before intensive braking sequences occur. This allows the system to raise the pressure threshold proactively when future braking demands are predicted, ensuring sufficient air supply while minimizing impact on current vehicle performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors current air pressure, compressor operation status, and actual braking usage, comparing this feedback against the predicted route requirements. This closed-loop control allows dynamic adjustment of the minimum pressure threshold to match actual operating conditions, preventing both premature compressor activation and insufficient air supply.
3Reliability
If the compressor operates continuously to maintain air pressure, then the air supply is sufficient for braking events, but the energy consumption increases and vehicle performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit uses predicted route information to determine in advance when air pressure will need to be replenished, allowing the compressor to operate in planned, intermittent cycles rather than continuously. This proactive approach ensures sufficient air supply is maintained while minimizing unnecessary compressor operation and associated energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages the vehicle's own braking events and route characteristics to automatically determine optimal compressor activation timing, eliminating the need for continuous operation. The predicted braking sequences serve as natural triggers for compressor activation, allowing the system to self-regulate based on its own operational patterns.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
There is described a device and method for handling the regeneration of a drying device of a pneumatic braking system, in particular for industrial vehicles, based on acquiring information about a route to be travelled by a navigation system and comprising the steps of calculating a braking system use time (Tbreaking) on a length of said route in relation to said information and of estimating the air needed both in relation to said use time and in relation to an at least partial regeneration of the drying device, so as to activate the compressor for at least partially recharging the compressed air tank in order to reach a sufficient pressure (Pa) of the compressed air.