Vehicle Pneumatic Circuit Switching for High-Pressure Leakage Backup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pneumatic systems in vehicles experience inefficiency and safety risks due to high-pressure operations, particularly in the high-pressure circuit, leading to increased energy consumption and potential leakage, which can compromise critical functions like emergency braking.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic system with a controllable pressure limiting valve and control valve arrangement that separates low and high-pressure branches, allowing the system to switch operational modes in response to leakage, maintaining efficient operation and safety by utilizing the low-pressure branch to supply high-pressure requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the air compressor operates at high pressure to supply the high-pressure circuit, then the high-pressure equipment can function properly, but the compressor efficiency decreases due to higher torque and energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The pneumatic system is divided into two separate circuits: a low-pressure circuit operating between 1-8.5 bars and a high-pressure circuit operating between 9-12.5 bars. Each circuit has its own air compressor, allowing the low-pressure compressor to operate at lower, more efficient pressures while the high-pressure compressor only activates when high-pressure demand arises, thus reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining reliable high-pressure function.
2Reliability
If the air compressor operates at high pressure to ensure emergency braking capability, then the braking system can provide emergency braking, but the system becomes susceptible to leakage which poses safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The braking system is integrated into both low-pressure and high-pressure circuits. The low-pressure circuit provides reliable braking under normal conditions with lower leakage risk, while the high-pressure circuit serves as a backup for emergency situations. This segmentation allows the system to maintain emergency braking capability while reducing overall leakage susceptibility by operating primarily in the lower-pressure circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-stores compressed air in both low-pressure and high-pressure circuits, creating a buffer that ensures emergency braking capability is always available without requiring continuous high-pressure operation. This prior preparation allows the system to switch to high-pressure mode only when absolutely necessary, minimizing exposure to leakage risks associated with high-pressure operation.
3Device complexity
If a single high-pressure circuit is used for all pneumatic equipment, then the system structure is simple, but the energy efficiency decreases and leakage risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pneumatic system is segmented into low-pressure and high-pressure circuits with separate compressors and distribution networks. This segmentation increases structural complexity but dramatically improves energy efficiency by allowing the low-pressure compressor to handle the majority of pneumatic demands at lower, more efficient operating pressures, while the high-pressure compressor remains dormant or operates minimally.
4Reliability
If the low-pressure branch operates at high pressure to provide backup high-pressure supply, then the system can maintain operation during leakage, but the normal energy-efficient operation is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure limiting valve dynamically adjusts the pressure level in the low-pressure branch based on system needs. During normal operation, it maintains low pressure for energy efficiency. During leakage events in the high-pressure circuit, it allows the low-pressure branch to increase to high pressure to provide backup supply, thus adapting to changing conditions while balancing energy efficiency and reliability.
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 maintains energy efficiency and ensures safe operation by reliably providing high-pressure air to critical components even in the event of leakage, reducing energy consumption and enhancing safety features.
Implementation Method 1
a controllable pressure limiting valve separating the low pressure branch from the high pressure branch and configured to limit the pressure level in the low pressure branch to an initial low pressure level
Implementation Method 2
the control valve arrangement is configured to close off said downstream portion of the high pressure branch from the air compressor
Implementation Method 3
the controllable pressure limiting valve is configured to cause the pressure level in the low pressure branch to increase to a pressure level higher than the initial low pressure level
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
Present disclosure relates to a pneumatic system for a vehicle comprising an air compressor and a pressure circuit in fluid communication with the air compressor, the pressure circuit comprising a lower pressure branch and a high pressure branch in fluid communication with each other. The pneumatic system further comprises a controllable pressure limiting valve separating the low pressure branch from the high pressure branch.