Multi-Circuit Safety Valve for Compressed Air Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-circuit protection valves for compressed air systems in motor vehicles are limited in adaptability to different vehicle classes and manufacturer specifications, and require mechanical readjustment due to operational wear, with functions tied to mechanically specified opening and closing pressures, lacking flexibility and maintenance-free operation.
Innovation Solution
Designing at least one circuit protection valve as an actively controllable shut-off valve, connected to an electronic control unit with pressure sensors, allowing flexible adaptation of opening and closing pressures and eliminating the need for mechanical readjustment, with a pneumatically servo-assisted 2/2-way solenoid switching valve for reduced power consumption and increased reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If overflow valves are designed as passively controlled with geometrically determined opening and closing pressures, then the valve structure is simple and reliable, but the system lacks adaptability to different vehicle classes and manufacturer specifications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical overflow valve control system with an electronically controlled shut-off valve system. The electronic control unit receives signals from pressure sensors and actively controls the shut-off valves, substituting mechanical pressure-based control with electronic control. This enables adaptability to different vehicle classes and manufacturer specifications through software configuration rather than mechanical redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables dynamic adjustment of opening and closing pressures through electronic control. The electronic control unit can modify the control parameters of the shut-off valves based on different vehicle classes and manufacturer specifications, allowing the same hardware to adapt to different operational requirements by changing control parameters rather than physical dimensions.
2Reliability
If overflow valves are designed with mechanically specified opening and closing pressures, then the valve function is determined by mechanical specifications, but mechanical readjustment is required due to operational wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical overflow valves with electronically controlled shut-off valves. The electronic control system can detect pressure conditions and actively control valve opening and closing, eliminating the need for mechanical readjustment due to wear. The electronic components can be recalibrated or replaced more easily than mechanical spring and diaphragm assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic control unit continuously monitors pressure sensor signals and automatically adjusts the shut-off valve positions to maintain proper system pressure. This self-regulating capability eliminates the need for periodic manual mechanical readjustment that would be required for worn mechanical overflow valves, providing maintenance-free operation.
3Reliability
If secondary consumer circuits are connected in series downstream of service brake circuits, then parking brakes are only supplied with compressed air when service brake circuits are sufficiently filled, but the system requires higher opening pressure for secondary circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the series connection of mechanical overflow valves with electronically controlled shut-off valves. The electronic control unit can independently control each shut-off valve based on pressure sensor feedback, allowing the secondary consumer circuits to receive compressed air when service brake circuits reach sufficient pressure without requiring mechanically higher opening pressures for the secondary circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control system where pressure sensors monitor the pressure in service brake circuits and provide signals to the electronic control unit. The control unit uses this feedback information to determine when to open the shut-off valves for secondary consumer circuits, ensuring they only receive compressed air when service brakes are sufficiently filled, without requiring higher mechanical opening pressures.
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 universal use across various vehicle classes, adapts to different regulations, and maintains brake system functionality without maintenance, ensuring consistent quality and extended operation without mechanical adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnet and the pneumatic pressure present at an input connection can be loaded in the closing direction
Implementation Method 2
the switching element of which is loaded or can be loaded in the opening direction by means of a spring element
Implementation Method 3
the pneumatic pressure present at an output connection and by an electromagnet and the pneumatic pressure present at an input connection can be loaded in the closing direction
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a multi-circuit protection valve (4') of a compressed air system of a motor vehicle, which is arranged between the outlet port (a2) of a compressed air supply system (2) and the inlet ports (a21.1, a21.2; a22.1, a22.2; a23.1, a23.2; a24.1, a24.2; a25.1, a25.2; a26.1, a26.2) of several consumer circuits, and in which a circuit protection valve is arranged for at least some consumer circuits, each of which is arranged in a connecting line between the outlet port (a2) of the compressed air supply system (2) and the inlet port of the respective consumer circuit.To increase the operating range of the multi-circuit protection valve (4') and to facilitate the adaptation of its circuit protection valves (42, 46, 50, 62, 66, 84) to the respective motor vehicle and to the specifications of the respective vehicle manufacturer, and to enable special functions outside the intended opening and closing pressures, it is provided that at least one of the circuit protection valves (84) is designed as a shut-off valve that can be actively controlled by an electronic control unit (ECU, 6) via an electrical control line (86), and that at least on the output-side sections (40.2, 44.2, 56.2) of the connecting lines (40, 44, 56) of the service brake circuits and the parking brake circuit, a pressure sensor (68, 72, 76) is connected, which is integrated into the electronic control unit (6) or connected to the electronic control unit (6) via an electrical sensor line.