Dual Electric Compressed Air Layout for Modular Vehicle Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The complex compressed air systems in commercial vehicles, with multiple circuits and components connected by numerous air lines, complicate assembly and limit design freedom due to the need for a single mechanically driven air compressor tied to the internal combustion engine.
Innovation Solution
Implementing two electrically driven compressed air systems with separate components and valve devices, allowing for modular installation and reduced cable requirements, enabling the air compressor's placement independence from the engine and enabling redundancy and efficient energy management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single mechanically driven air compressor is used coupled to the internal combustion engine, then the air compressor position is predetermined by the engine location, but this severely limits design freedom in the vehicle package
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical drive system (internal combustion engine coupled to air compressor via mechanical output) with an electrically driven air compressor system. This substitution allows the air compressor to be positioned independently from the engine, providing design freedom in vehicle package while maintaining the core function of compressed air generation.
2Reliability
If multiple compressed air circuits with individual components are installed, then each circuit can be operated independently, but this makes efficient assembly more difficult due to components being installed at different assembly positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate compressed air circuits into a single integrated electrically driven compressed air system. This consolidation reduces the number of individual components and assembly positions required, improving assembly efficiency while maintaining the capability to supply multiple consumer circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The single electrically driven compressed air system is designed to serve multiple consumer circuits simultaneously, providing universal functionality. The system can supply air to brake systems, air suspension, trailer operation, and driver's cab supply through a unified architecture, eliminating the need for separate mechanically driven compressors for each circuit.
3Reliability
If numerous compressed air connecting lines are laid in the ladder frame and with special holders, then all components can be connected, but this increases installation effort and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for numerous compressed air connecting lines by replacing the multi-circuit mechanical system with a single electrically driven system. The reduction in the number of required air lines directly decreases installation effort and system complexity while maintaining complete connectivity to all consumer circuits.
4Power
If a single large air compressor is used, then all compressed air requirements can be met, but this increases weight compared to multiple smaller compressors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the compressed air generation function into multiple smaller electrically driven compressors rather than using a single large mechanical compressor. This segmentation reduces the weight of the overall compressed air system while maintaining the required power and supply capacity through the combined output of multiple units.
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 simplifies assembly, reduces weight and installation effort, enhances package optimization, and provides improved scalability, safety, and serviceability by allowing for independent operation and redundancy of compressed air systems.
Implementation Method 1
a first electrically driven air compressor (16), in particular a low-voltage air compressor, and a second electrically driven air compressor (30), in particular a low-voltage air compressor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates, inter alia, to a motor vehicle (44), preferably a commercial vehicle. The motor vehicle (44) has a first compressed air system (12) comprising a first electrically driven air compressor (16), a first compressed air preparation unit (18), and a first valve assembly (22). The motor vehicle (44) has a second compressed air system (14) comprising a second electrically driven air compressor (30), a second compressed air preparation unit (32), and a second valve assembly (36). At least one first compressed air consumer circuit (24, 26) is connected to the first valve assembly (22). At least one second compressed air consumer circuit (38, 40) is connected to the second valve assembly (36).