Compressed Air Valve Control for Commercial Vehicle Regeneration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current compressed air treatment devices for commercial vehicles face challenges in control options for compressors, vent valves, pressure regulators, and circuit protection valves, particularly in terms of construction costs, control flexibility in different operating situations, compressed air consumption during regeneration, and shutting off service brake circuit protection valves to achieve higher pressure levels in other consumer circuits.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an electrically controlled multifunctional valve that directly or indirectly controls both the compressor and the venting valve, with independent control connections to enhance operational flexibility and reduce costs by using a pneumatic AND element for indirect control of the vent valve, allowing for simultaneous control of the vent valve and circuit protection valves.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple separate control valves are used for compressor, vent valve, and pressure regulator, then control reliability is improved, but device complexity and construction costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple control functions (compressor control, vent valve control, pressure regulator control, and circuit protection valve control) into a single multifunctional control valve. This integration reduces the total number of valves and control connections while maintaining reliable control across all functions through a unified design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control valve is designed with multiple control connections that enable it to perform various functions: controlling the compressor, controlling the vent valve for regeneration, regulating pressure, and controlling circuit protection valves. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated valves for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate control valves are used, then control flexibility in different operating situations is improved, but construction costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol flexibilityVSAvoidconstruction costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple control functions into a single valve body with multiple control ports, reducing the number of individual components that need to be manufactured and assembled. This consolidation lowers construction costs while preserving the flexibility to control different components in various operating scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multifunctional control valve provides adaptable control for different operating situations (normal operation, regeneration, pressure regulation, circuit protection) through its multiple control connections, eliminating the need for multiple specialized valves and thereby reducing overall construction costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If the vent valve is controlled only by the compressor control valve, then device complexity is reduced, but control options for the vent valve are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidcontrol options
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control valve is equipped with multiple control connections that independently enable control of the vent valve, in addition to compressor control. This allows the vent valve to be actuated through different control paths depending on the operating mode, providing enhanced control options without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If service brake circuit protection valves remain open during regeneration, then brake circuit reliability is maintained, but compressed air consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrake circuit reliabilityVSAvoidcompressed air consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The control valve's multiple control connections enable it to simultaneously control the circuit protection valves and the regeneration process. During regeneration, the control valve can selectively close the service brake circuit protection valves to prevent compressed air from being consumed by the brake circuits, while allowing regeneration to proceed efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2789512B2Compressed air supply device for a commercial vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.08.25 HALDEX BRAKE PROD GMBH
  • EP2789512B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2789512B2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2789512B2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a compressed air preparation device (1) for a commercial vehicle. This device incorporates a valve (24) which, on the one hand, regulates the compressor (6) and, on the other hand, controls a vent valve (36). According to the invention, an AND gate (41) is arranged between the vent valve (36) and the controlling valve (24). This AND gate allows the opening of the vent valve (36), for example during regeneration, to depend not only on the pressure controlled by the valve (24) at an input (42) of the AND gate (41), but also on another pressure controlled, for example, by another valve (23).