Flow Rate Sensor Air Supply Control for Commercial Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for commercial vehicle compressed air supply are prone to inaccuracies due to the reliance on multiple sensors and complex control mechanisms, making them less reliable for monitoring and controlling airflow rates.
Innovation Solution
A system incorporating a flow rate sensor, which can measure airflow rates using various principles such as hot film, hot wire, or orifice-based measurements, providing a direct or indirect sensor signal for the control unit to determine and control airflow rates, thereby enhancing reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If multiple sensors and complex control mechanisms are used to monitor and control airflow rates, then the control functionality is enhanced, but the system reliability deteriorates due to inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the airflow rate measurement function from the complex multi-sensor system and implements it through a dedicated flow rate sensor that directly measures the airflow rate. This separates the measurement task from the control mechanisms, providing a reliable direct measurement without the inaccuracies of indirect calculations from multiple sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/indirect measurement approach (using multiple sensors to calculate airflow rate) with a direct sensing approach using a flow rate sensor that provides direct measurement of airflow rate through electrical/electronic sensing mechanisms.
2Device complexity
If indirect calculation methods using compressor delivery map are used, then the system complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes indirect calculation methods (compressor delivery map based on engine speed and back pressure) with direct flow rate sensing. The flow rate sensor directly measures the airflow rate providing precise measurements without relying on complex calculation maps and multiple sensor inputs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from indirect parameters (engine speed, back pressure) to direct measurement of airflow rate. This parameter change enables precise measurement while simplifying the system by eliminating the need for complex calculation maps.
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
The system provides a more reliable measurement of airflow rates, reducing inaccuracies and improving the control and monitoring of compressed air supply systems in commercial vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
The flow rate sensor is configured to sense the flow rate based on at least one of the following principles: a hot film measurement principle
Implementation Method 2
a hot wire measurement principle
Implementation Method 3
or orifice-based measurements
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A system for supplying air for a commercial vehicle (30) with an air compressor (50) comprises a flow rate sensor (110) configured to provide a sensor signal indicative of a flow rate of air supplied by the compressor (50). The system (100) further comprises an air processing unit (120) configured to process compressed air provided by the air compressor (50). The compressed air is stored in a storage (80) and used for a compressed air braking system.