Air Drying Circuit Control for Desiccant Regeneration Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The dehumidification performance of desiccants in compressed-air drying devices deteriorates as the amount of compressed air passing through increases, leading to reduced purification efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An air supply system with a controller that adjusts the regeneration capacity based on the degree of desiccant deterioration, either by changing the amount of compressed dried air passing through the filter during regeneration or by considering the temperature of the compressed dried air, to maintain effective desiccant regeneration and prevent deterioration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the amount of compressed air passing through the desiccant is increased to improve productivity, then the dehumidification performance deteriorates due to desiccant saturation
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic regeneration operations where compressed dried air is directed backward through the desiccant at regular intervals. This periodic action restores the desiccant's dehumidification capacity by removing accumulated moisture, allowing the system to maintain high productivity while preventing performance deterioration through cyclical restoration of the desiccant's functional state.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the flow direction parameter of compressed air during regeneration operations. By reversing the flow direction and using compressed dried air instead of fresh compressed air, the system alters the operational parameters to enable desiccant regeneration without requiring system shutdown, thus maintaining productivity while restoring dehumidification performance.
2Reliability
If the desiccant is regenerated frequently to maintain dehumidification performance, then the system complexity increases due to additional control operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses its own compressed dried air output to perform the regeneration function internally. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external regeneration equipment or additional air sources, reducing system complexity while maintaining reliable dehumidification performance through automated periodic regeneration.
Solution Approach 2:
The compressed dried air serves dual functions: it is both the product delivered to the air tank and the medium used for desiccant regeneration. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems or components, simplifying the overall system while ensuring consistent dehumidification performance through integrated regeneration capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed regeneration capacity is used for all operating conditions, then the adaptability decreases as vehicle conditions vary
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the regeneration capacity based on real-time detection of desiccant deterioration degree and operating conditions. The control unit modifies the amount of compressed dried air directed to regeneration and the regeneration timing according to actual system state, enabling the system to adapt to varying vehicle conditions while maintaining reliable regeneration effectiveness through continuous optimization.
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 approach prevents the deterioration of dehumidification performance, ensuring consistent purification efficiency and versatility across different vehicle conditions without requiring meticulous configuration for each vehicle.
Implementation Method 1
a filter (17) including a desiccant that captures water
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(f)
Figure 3
AI summary
An air supply system, a method of controlling an air supply system, and a control program for an air supply system are provided that limit reduction in the dehumidification performance of a desiccant. An air supply system 10 includes an air drying circuit 11 and an ECU 80. The air drying circuit 11 is arranged between a compressor 4 that delivers compressed air and an air tank 30 that stores compressed dried air. The air drying circuit 11 includes a filter 17 including a desiccant that captures water. The ECU 80 controls the air drying circuit 11. The ECU 80 includes a determining unit 80B and a changing unit 80C. The determining unit 80B executes a supplying operation of causing the compressed air delivered by the compressor 4 to pass through the filter 17 to store compressed dried air in the air tank 30, executes a regeneration operation of causing the compressed dried air stored in the air tank 30 to pass through the filter 17 in an inverse direction, thereby draining, from a drain port 27, fluid that has passed through the filter 17, and determines a degree of deterioration of the desiccant. The changing unit 80C changes a regeneration capacity of the compressed dried air that is caused to pass through the filter 17 during the regeneration operation in accordance with the degree of deterioration of the desiccant.