Compressed Air Supply Venting via Selector Valve

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing compressed air supply systems for vehicles face challenges in efficiently venting to low pressures and require high back pressure to ensure safe opening of the relay valve, leading to large nominal diameters and complexity in the pneumatic periphery.

Innovation Solution

A compressed air supply system with a printed pneumatic valve device that provides control pressure independent of the main line pressure, using a selector valve to connect to either a feed line or main line, allowing venting at low pressures and reducing dependence on a single compressed air source, with a pressure accumulator providing sufficient pressure for venting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional vent valve is used that depends on main line pressure, then the system construction is simpler, but the ability to vent to low pressures is limited and large nominal diameters are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveventing capability at low pressuresVSAvoidpneumatic valve device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pneumatic valve device is segmented into a main line connection and a feed line connection with a selector valve. This segmentation allows independent pressure sources to be combined, enabling the vent valve to operate at low pressures by selecting appropriate pressure sources without requiring large nominal diameters throughout the entire system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A selector valve acts as an intermediary between the main line and feed line, intelligently directing the higher pressure source to the vent valve. This intermediary component enables the system to achieve low pressure venting capability while maintaining compact dimensions by dynamically selecting the appropriate pressure source.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a single compressed air source is used for the vent valve, then the system is simpler, but the reliability of venting operation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveventing operation reliabilityVSAvoidpneumatic connection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by providing different pressure sources for different operational requirements. The main line provides pressure for normal operation, while the feed line provides pressure for venting operations. The selector valve ensures that each pressure source is used in its optimal context, improving overall system reliability without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The feed line with pressure accumulator is prepared in advance as a backup pressure source. When the main line pressure becomes insufficient for venting operations, the selector valve automatically switches to the pre-prepared feed line pressure source, ensuring continuous reliable venting operation without system reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If high back pressure is maintained in the main line, then the vent valve opens safely, but the system requires large nominal diameters and increased complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevent valve opening safetyVSAvoidpneumatic periphery complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the pressure source selection based on operational requirements. During venting operations, the selector valve dynamically switches to provide sufficient pressure to the vent valve without requiring the entire main line to maintain high back pressure. This dynamic adaptation allows safe vent valve opening while maintaining compact system dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables efficient venting to low pressures, including 0 bar, with reduced complexity and size, and ensures reliable operation by providing sufficient pressure for the vent valve, allowing for faster air spring lowering and effective regeneration of the air dryer.

Implementation Method 1

a compressor (21) having at least one compressor stage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

the dehumidification takes place in the so-called regeneration operation only with a relaxed air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP3724013B1Compressed air supply system for operating a pneumatic system, method and vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.06.30 ZF CV SYST HANNOVER GMBH
  • EP3724013B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3724013B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3724013B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a compressed air supply installation (10a, 10b, 10c) for operating a pneumatic installation (90) in a pneumatic system (100a, 100b, 100c) of a vehicle (1000), comprising a compressed air supply (1); a compressed air connection (2) to the pneumatic installation (90); a vent connection (3) to the environment; a pneumatic main line (60) between the compressed air supply (1) and the compressed air connection (2), which comprises an air dryer (61); a vent valve (240), which is arranged on the pneumatic main line (60) and is designed as a pilot valve, having a pilot connection (240.1), a compressor (21) having at least one compressor stage (21.1, 21.2), in addition to the pneumatic main line (60), having a pilot valve (34) and a pneumatic pilot control channel (32), which pneumatically connects the pilot valve (34) to the pilot connection (240.1) of the vent valve (240).