Compressed-air Supply Device Valve Control for Utility Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compressed air supply devices in commercial vehicles experience unnecessary pressure loss in the delivery line when switching to an energy-saving state, leading to inefficient energy usage due to the coupling of the regeneration air path with the discharge valve, resulting in unavoidable air loss.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of two 3/2-way valve devices that control the compressor's energy-saving and regeneration states independently, ensuring the discharge valve is only opened when regeneration is unavoidable, thereby minimizing pressure loss and optimizing energy usage by only venting compressed air when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the discharge valve is opened whenever the compressor is switched to an energy-saving state, then the compressor can be placed in an idle state to save energy, but this results in unnecessary loss of pressure in the delivery line and wasted compressed air
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the control of the discharge valve from the energy-saving mode of the compressor by introducing two independent valve devices. The first valve device controls the energy-saving output independently from the second valve device that controls filter regeneration, allowing the discharge valve to remain closed during compressor idle states while enabling selective regeneration when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The first valve device acts as an intermediary between the compressor control and the second valve device. It receives the energy-saving control signal and conditionally activates the second valve device only when both energy-saving mode is active and regeneration is required, thereby preventing unnecessary pressure loss while enabling regeneration functionality.
2Reliability
If the regeneration air path is coupled with the discharge valve, then the filter unit can be regenerated, but this coupling causes unavoidable compressed air loss during regeneration operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the valve control system into two separate valve devices with distinct functions. The first valve device manages energy-saving operations and conditionally enables the second valve device, while the second valve device independently controls the regeneration air path. This segmentation allows regeneration to occur without necessarily opening the discharge valve, minimizing compressed air loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers compressed air by preventing its unnecessary discharge. The first valve device monitors the energy-saving state and only permits regeneration (and associated air loss) when the compressor is in idle mode, thereby recovering valuable compressed air that would otherwise be wasted during active compression operations.
3Loss of energy
If two valve devices are used to independently control energy-saving and regeneration functions, then unnecessary pressure loss is minimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the control functions of two valve devices into a hierarchical structure where the first valve device supervises and conditionally enables the second valve device. This merging of control logic reduces the need for completely independent control systems while maintaining the benefits of separate functional control, thereby managing device complexity more effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The first valve device serves multiple functions: it controls the energy-saving output of the compressor and simultaneously acts as a control gate for the second valve device's regeneration function. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated control components, balancing the complexity increase from having two valve devices.
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 solution reduces unnecessary air loss and optimizes energy efficiency by ensuring that only the required pressure is lost during regeneration, maintaining the necessary pressure for operational functions in commercial vehicle systems.
Implementation Method 1
The air flowing through the filter unit absorbs at least some of the moisture in the filter unit
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a compressed-air supply device (10) for a utility vehicle. A valve device (16) of the compressed-air supply device (10), when in a first, energized switching state, deaerates the control inlet (48) of a compressor (22) coupled to the energy-saving control outlet (28) and blocks a supply path to the second valve device (18, 18'), and when in a second, de-energized switching state, aerates the control inlet (48) of the compressor coupled to the energy-saving control outlet and opens up the supply path to the second valve, wherein the compressor can be switched into an energy-saving state by aeration of the control inlet. .