Compressed Air Supply Device Leak Detection via External Timer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern commercial vehicles face challenges in detecting leaks in their compressed air systems due to the large number of components and lines, leading to increased air and energy consumption, and potential safety risks from undetected leaks.
Innovation Solution
A compressed air supply device with a control unit and wake-up circuit that measures system pressure even when the ignition is switched off, using an external timer to simplify leak detection by minimizing disturbances and reducing energy consumption, and allowing for flexible measurement intervals and decoupling of non-essential subsystems from the air supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the control device continuously monitors system pressure during operation, then leak detection capability is maintained, but energy consumption increases and battery discharge risk occurs when vehicle is stationary
Solution Approach 1:
The control device switches between operational mode during vehicle operation and standby mode when vehicle is stationary, with the external timer triggering periodic wake-up signals to activate pressure measurements only when needed. This periodic activation reduces energy consumption while maintaining leak detection capability through scheduled monitoring intervals.
Solution Approach 2:
The external timer pre-calculates and stores optimal measurement intervals and triggers wake-up signals in advance, allowing the control device to enter standby mode confidently knowing when the next measurement will occur. This preliminary scheduling ensures leak detection is maintained without continuous power consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the control device enters standby mode to save energy, then battery discharge is prevented, but leak detection responsiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The external timer continuously tracks vehicle operation status and system parameters, providing feedback signals to trigger wake-up events. When specific conditions are detected (such as suspected leak patterns or operational transitions), the timer activates the control device to perform measurements, ensuring responsive leak detection while maintaining standby energy-saving mode during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The external timer acts as an intermediary between the vehicle's operational systems and the control device, translating operational events into wake-up signals. This intermediary role allows the control device to remain in low-power standby mode while the timer monitors system events and triggers measurements only when relevant, balancing energy savings with detection responsiveness.
3Measurement precision
If pressure measurements are taken frequently to improve leak detection accuracy, then measurement precision increases, but energy consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts measurement frequency based on operational context and detected conditions. During normal operation, measurements occur at optimized intervals determined by the external timer. When leak suspicion arises or operational conditions change, the timer triggers additional wake-up events for more frequent measurements, achieving high precision when needed without maintaining constant high-frequency monitoring that would increase complexity and energy use.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a compressed air supply device (10) for a commercial vehicle, comprising a compressed air supply module (20) which includes a control unit with a wake-up circuit (30) directly or indirectly coupled to an external timer (40), a connection to the CAN bus or a serial data transmission system of the commercial vehicle (122), and at least one connection for a compressed air-using subsystem of the commercial vehicle, wherein the control unit with wake-up circuit (30) repeatedly performs and processes a measurement of at least one system pressure when the ignition of the commercial vehicle is switched on. According to the invention, the external timer (40) is configured to output wake-up signals to the control unit with wake-up circuit (30), and the control unit with wake-up circuit (30) is configured tothat, following the receipt of a wake-up signal, it performs and processes a measurement of at least one system pressure, even when the ignition of the commercial vehicle is switched off. The invention further relates to a method for controlling a compressed air supply device.