Compressed Air Valve Arrangement for Flexible Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compressed air supply systems for vehicles, particularly those with air spring systems, face challenges in achieving rapid and flexible venting while maintaining reliability and preventing moisture accumulation, which can lead to valve damage and system defects.
Innovation Solution
A valve arrangement with a control valve and vent valve that allows for switchable connection between the control valve vent port and vent port or ambient port, utilizing a solenoid valve and throttle to control pressure and venting, enabling targeted ventilation and pressure management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the control valve vent port is permanently connected to the vent port or ambient port, then the venting function is simple and reliable, but the system cannot maintain residual pressure or control venting timing flexibly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the control valve vent port connection switchable rather than fixed. The vent valve dynamically changes the connection state between the control valve vent port and either the vent port or ambient port based on operational requirements, enabling both complete venting and residual pressure maintenance modes
Solution Approach 2:
The vent valve serves as an intermediary component that mediates the connection between the control valve vent port and the external environment. It provides controlled access to either the vent port or ambient port, enabling flexible pressure management without direct permanent connections
2Speed
If the system vents compressed air rapidly to the environment, then the venting speed is high, but the control pressure may be lost and the vent valve may not close reliably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the venting function into two separate pathways: one for rapid venting (via vent port connection) and one for control pressure maintenance (via ambient port connection). This segmentation allows the system to achieve high venting speed while preserving control pressure through separate control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The vent valve acts as an intermediary that controls access to the vent port, allowing rapid venting when opened while maintaining control pressure when closed. The separate ambient port connection provides an additional intermediary pathway for control pressure, ensuring reliable vent valve closure even during rapid venting operations
3Productivity
If the control valve vent port is connected to the vent port, then venting is efficient, but moisture from the vented air can condense and cause crystal formation damaging valves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the exhaust pathways into a vent port (for efficient venting) and an ambient port (for moisture-free control pressure). By separating the control pressure source from the vented air stream, the system achieves efficient venting while protecting control components from moisture condensation and crystal formation
Solution Approach 2:
The ambient port serves as an intermediary that provides a separate, moisture-free source of control pressure for the control valve. This isolation prevents moisture from the vented compressed air from reaching and damaging the control valve, while still allowing efficient venting through the vent port
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 enhances venting functionality, allowing for efficient complete venting or residual pressure maintenance, thereby improving the reliability and flexibility of the compressed air supply system while preventing moisture-related issues.
Implementation Method 1
The control valve (81) is formed in the form of a solenoid valve
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a solenoid valve and throttle to control pressure and venting
Implementation Method 3
An air dryer contains a desiccant, usually a bed of granules, through which the compressed air flows, allowing the granules—at relatively high pressure—to adsorb the moisture contained in the compressed air
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 3a
AI summary
Compressed-air supply installation (10) for operating a pneumatic installation (90), having: a compressed-air feed (1); a compressed-air connection (2) to the pneumatic installation (90); a ventilation connection (3) to the surroundings; a pneumatic main line (60) between the compressed-air feed (1) and the compressed-air connection (2), which pneumatic main line has an air dryer (61), a ventilation line (70) between the compressed-air feed (1) and the ventilation connection (3); a valve arrangement (80) with a control valve (81) for controlling a ventilation valve (71), wherein the control valve (81) is connected by means of a control valve connection (X2, Y2) into a pneumatic control line (110) which is connected to a pressure control connection (71S) of the ventilation valve (71), and the ventilation valve (71) is connected by means of a ventilation valve connection (X1, Y1) into the ventilation line (70), wherein the control valve (81) is assigned a control valve ventilation connection (Z2) which is switchably connectable by means of the ventilation valve (71) to the ventilation connection (3) or to a surroundings connection (3') and is switchably separable by means of the ventilation valve (71) from the ventilation connection (3) or from the surroundings connection (3').